Great Rock Mine

Date:

10 Nov 09

Party:

Big Dave, Dave W, Rupert, Mike, Jenny, Charlie, Daz, & Ben 

Photos: 

Big Dave

In Brief:

Meeting at the usual place, pitch black and mist made the walk to the first adit appear much further than remembered! Also, there appeared to be more fallen trees across the path than on the summer visit. 

First Adit: 'Heaven and Hell', North Lode, Upper Level

After a five minute fumble with the new padlock, the group (less Dave W) entered and walked the length of the adit.  It was interesting to see that there seemed to have been a reasonable number of rock falls compared with the last visit by some members in early July.  There also seem to have been some changes to the air pipe and gratings.  Crossing the stope on the air pipe was an interesting experience for the new members of the group!  Greater Horseshoe bat flying in the stope with the grating.

Continued:

Second Adit: North Lode, Launder Level

All the branches of this adit were explored by all members of the group, accompanied by much dripping water.  It was interesting to look up the stope to see the grating in the Level 1 Adit that we had just looked down from!  One of the side branches was dammed by a rock fall and flooded to thigh level.  Dave W and Jenny declined this opportunity to get wet!

Wildlife here included a roosting bat, a moth with jewel-like moisture droplets, and several spiders of various sizes! 

Third Adit: Middle Lode, Number 1 Lode, Launder Level

Jenny, Dave W, and Darren declined as the entrance was quite deep in water, knee to thigh level.

All the side branches were visited, making this quite a lengthy exploration.  There was some good stoping to be seen and some interesting rock falls in places.  Large areas of wood and ochre-coloured flooded stopes at the end of the branch deterred further exploration! 

Fourth Adit: Middle Lode, Number 2 Lode, Launder Level

Jenny and Dave W declined another wet adit, virtually next door to the third adit visited.

A flooded and dripping entrance to this adit was followed by some interesting stopes under drier conditions.  Further samples of haematite ore were picked up at the end of the adit. 

Most group members repaired to The Claycutters' Arms for drinks and communal crisp tasting!

Write up by: Mike

Added 11-11-09