Coniston Copper Mines
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Some (blurry) photos from our trip to the Coniston Copper Mines. Had a look in Hospital Level first, which can be followed a fair distance until the passage ends somewhere under Levers Water. Particularly exciting were the sections where the floor had collapsed revealing a rather large drop that you have to traverse over, but some very kind people from the CATMHS have installed fixed wire traverse lines. There were also some impressive copper carbonate formations, which are the vivid blue ones on one of the photos.
After enduring 20mins of the bible from a passing Jehovah’s witness and having a look in the nearby Courtney’s Cross-cut mine, we wandered over to Fleming’s level in the next valley, which has a wooden entrance shaft down to a stooping passage with thigh-deep wading. Care has to be taken when a cross-cut is soon reached, with a very deep flooded hole just to ones right.. Drier passages are soon found with numerous places where the roof or floor has given way.
Then over to Taylor’s level (shit!) and Deep level (more interesting!), the latter of which leads to the flooded Bonsar East shaft and Old Engine Shaft – which is around 1300-1400ft deep!!!!!
Good stuff!
Comments
Wow, that looks really interesting. Can’t help thinking that Mark’s tacklebag looks a bit shiny though.
Nick McEntyre
Friday, 29 June 2007
Images
Traverse in Hospital Level
Posted by: Mike Bottomley
Size: 85kb
Width: 378 pixels
Height: 504 pixels
Posted: 28 June 2007
Copper carbonate (i think) formations in Hospital Level
Posted by: Mike Bottomley
Size: 93kb
Width: 378 pixels
Height: 504 pixels
Posted: 28 June 2007
Mark in crawl in far reaches of Hospital Level
Posted by: Mike Bottomley
Size: 73kb
Width: 425 pixels
Height: 319 pixels
Posted: 28 June 2007
Clambering under levitating roof
Posted by: Mike Bottomley
Size: 80kb
Width: 378 pixels
Height: 504 pixels
Posted: 28 June 2007
Flemings Level. Flooded shaft is to right of Mark
Posted by: Mike Bottomley
Size: 77kb
Width: 378 pixels
Height: 504 pixels
Posted: 28 June 2007