We visited C&J C Mine last Saturday for the first time and I have a number of queries.
1) We explored obvious level next to path, Smithy Level? and towards end of level there was a shaft. How deep and which level does it descend to?
Presumably you mean the ascending path past the building ruins? Thats your Middle Level also known as Smithy Level. Also I presume the shaft you reached was an internal winze, if so it goes down to deep adit. Further in is the mother of all tight crawls to Engine Shaft, descends to a collapse but with a short section of DA just before.
2) We managed to find top level by sheer chance, thanks to an orange marker. On inclined shaft, there was a red rope coiled up. Safe to use and long enough?(We didn't have any ropes, etc with us).
Thats Engine Shaft again, know nothing about any in situ ropes. You can descend from that point and reach Smithy Level inbye of the 'nightmare crawl', its the preferred route!
3) In advance of our visit, I had entered NGR for mine in my GPS, but it was incorrect. A more accurate NGR for centre of mine complex is SH 63214 41118.
4) We didn't find entrances to Deep Level or Middle Level - Locations?
Deep level is in the trees beyond the wheelpit down by the cross roads. Achre to your gills, best route is winze from Smithy Level
5) Finally, on our walk up to C&J from Llanfrothen, we passed another mine, with an impressive large entrance. Name of mine?
Look forward to hearing from you guys.
Thanks,
Paul(Re: Spires).
Not sure which one you mean here. Rhyd mine is on the opposite side of the valley, upper level open as has always been, lower level dug a few years ago.
On same side as C and J there is a level leading to a shaft/stope with an iron pump rod on the floor. Suspect that this may have been taken there from C and J to use as a belay or something.
Its always useful to give map refs.
My avatar is a poor likeness.