Space-Doubt-Caver
Member
Wow that stunningA lot of very photogenic sections in this mine, the Kibble is a standout just a shame it was so wet when we last visited so here is yet another shot of the wheel:
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Ystrad Einion Visit
- Thread starter BertyBasset
- Start date
bharries
Member
The kibble is at the top of the climb up to the upper levels, there is also another climb but not much to see up there and its a bit dodgy to climb with just a handline.
photobilly
New member
Sat 14 Sep 2024
For some reason, and to date, the mines of Mid Wales have been largely unbothered by my presence, despite being only a two-hour drive away.
Buoyed by last weekend's trip to Prince Edward, wanting another weekend trip, but not wanting another walking slog, Ystrad Einon seemed to fit the bill.
Ystrad Einion - Buddlepit Mine Database
buddlepit.co.uk
Arriving at the parking spot, we decided to have an initial look at whatever surface remains were visible. A set of rotten wooden steps leads up to some buildings that must have housed the ore hoppers and crushers, with a very overgrown-looking buddle pit beneath them. A bit further up the hill is a very large steel mesh structure across the 2-3 m diameter Engine Shaft. A convenient but very faded info panel nearby stated the shaft was 460 feet deep. We were probably only 200 or so feet above the presumed adit level, so that shaft must have gone down another 200 feet below adit level. From the upper vantage point, the remains of a couple of water wheel pits can be seen above the levels of the presumed crushers. A leat could also be seen coming in along the hillside from the west.
Back down, we found the deep adit and followed it for a few hundred meters through hard, cleaved mudstone. This emerged at a complex, semi-stoped area where the adit appears to intersect two lodes? One continues onwards, although a bit to the left, and the other to the right. A shaft carrying a water spray comes in from the roof, which we assume is the previously mentioned Engine Shaft. Here was the famous underground water wheel. The water was sourced from the previously seen leat and piped down the shaft to operate the wheel. To the right is a flooded winze with a large pipe containing a chain. We wondered if this was the type of pump with wooden balls or similar being dragged up the pipe in an endless loop?
How deep is this? 200 feet maybe, according to the previous assertion about the shaft being 460 feet deep? Unless we got our altitudes wrong.
We followed the level past the winze, passing over a pile of blocks to a section where there was a passage visible in the roof, with a knotted rope beckoning upwards to what looked to be an alcove heading back towards the shaft. This appeared to have areas of green copper staining.
Onwards, we followed the lode, with a 1-inch rib of lead visible in the roof. The wall on the left is very smooth compared to that on the right, maybe following the wall of a fault (although no slickensides were noticed) associated with the lode, both of which seem to be vertical. As well as copper staining, there are solid calcite and hollow iron stals. After a while, this passage came to a stop, with a brief passage on the left searching for the lode.
Back at the wheel, we investigated a couple of short passages before proceeding up the initially low way on. This leads to another flooded winze with a pocket of workings on both sides. I haven’t yet seen the plans for this mine, so I don’t know whether this and the other winze are linked at a deeper level (or if there are upper levels). A couple of convenient planks and a knobbly bit of rock allowed us to pass this obstacle. The passage terminated (for us anyway) with semi-blocked passages ahead and to the right.
Heading back down the entrance adit, some wildlife was noted. Apart from the mundane spiders and mosquitoes, there were two varieties of moth: a flat, brown, delta-shaped one and the more numerous chunky ones with markings on the back, which might be some species of hawk moths.
Then, after stopping off at the Euro Spar in Dolgellau to stock up on some exotic crisps (mozzarella & pesto, camembert, aioli!), we were safely back in North Wales, our temporary absence not being noticed by anyone.
The wheel
Pumping pipe?
Moth in adit
yeah ive a feeling that 460ft is shaft top to raising main sump? 200fft was my guestimation to
photobilly
New member
another very nice version of that shot lol think everyone has itA lot of very photogenic sections in this mine, the Kibble is a standout just a shame it was so wet when we last visited so here is yet another shot of the wheel:
View attachment 1256
photobilly
New member
stunning kibble infact!!
Abandonedandforgottenwale
New member
I seen on a post somewhere this week and the explorers found the kibble on its side, they did say that they stood it back up but doesn’t look like it always has been, I can’t understand why someone would do such a thing, it’s been untouched for years
I have just re read an earlier post. See plan below. The water for the wheel came from an upper adit which is still accessible. The level with the kibble originally came in from day, the run in portal is adjascent with the path through the dressing floors. Plan is by the late Simon Hughes.
photobilly
New member
yeah plenty of low IQ instaexplorers find there way in these placesI seen on a post somewhere this week and the explorers found the kibble on its side, they did say that they stood it back up but doesn’t look like it always has been, I can’t understand why someone would do such a thing, it’s been untouched for years
Yorkshire Lad
Member
Regarding the preservation of the wheel, it might be worth talking to someone at the Mary Rose Museum, I listened to a programme about the raising and onward preservation of the ships timbers. Of course it might be extortionate, but there’s no harm in asking now is there?
