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CAVING & MINING LOG
This caving and mining log page has been designed for members and non-members to post items that can be viewed by the public. You can search for an item or display all items in date order. If you post something on the 'caving' page, it will be checked by the moderator before posting but members can post stories in the 'club' pages and they will appear immediately.
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CONTENTS
| 28 February 2010 | Peak Cavern | |
| 14 February 2010 | Speedwell to Peak | |
| 31 January 2010 | Lay-by Pot | |
| Friday, 29th January 2010 | News of the death of Granville Shillito | |
| 17 January 2010 | West Mine | |
| December 2009 | Loss of Derek Kenyon | |
| 9 December 2009 | Greater Nenthead Traverse | |
| 15th November 2009 | Rampgill | |
| 14th November 2009 | Middlecleugh Mine, Nenthead | |
| 7th November 2009 | Box Mine, Wiltshire | |
| 30th April - 4th May 2009 | Nent Head | |
| 29th-30th November 2008 | Box Mines, Wiltshire | |
| 8th - 9th November 2008 | Mining in Shropshire | |
| 9th August 2008 | Brightgate Cave and Jugholes | |
| 11th - 13th July 2008 | NAMHO Conference, Scotland | |
| 9 September 2007 | Good Luck Mine, Derbyshire | |
| 31 August 2007 | Matienzo 2007 | |
| 15th to 18th June 2007 | NAMHO Conference, Devon and Cornwall | |
| April 2006 | West Kingsdale System | |
| 28th May 2005 | Disappointment Pot |
REPORTS
Peak Cavern
28 February 2010
Allan decided that one trip to Peak was not enough - and he was right. Seventeen members and friends turned up for the trip on a cold Sunday at the end of February. Although the week before had been wet, the day was dry and water levels in the cave were relatively low. After changing and signing in, we all went into the cave together as far as the junction to Moss Chamber. There, Allan and the hardy ones went off for a trip to Moss Chamber and the rest of us carried on. At Surprise View, the group split again (a bit unevenly but to my advantage as a photographer) and nine went upstream and three went downstream.
The smaller group of Colin, Bill and Nigel went rapidly down to the sump taking a couple of pictures on the way. We had to quickly relearn how to take pictures in cold wet and steamy passages. Bill and Colin demonstrated that the sump contained water by wading in and we then turned round to go to the inlet sump, Far Sump. On the way, we met the other group coming downstream and for some reason, Tony and Colin decided to have a water battle. Colin won - he had a wetsuit on.
Up at Far Sump (which seemed to us to have got farther away now - or is it advancing years), Bill demonstrated the water depth and we turned back. Meeting no one on the way, we decided to head out, ignoring the arrangement to meet the Moss Chamber bunch at the junction, but it was just as well because everyone else had left the cave by now. They ignored us too! Anyway, we met the 'rescuers' in the show cave and soon got out to change.
A short stop in the Wanted followed and we shared a few crisps and chips. Tony shared all of my crisps but then I had emptied a wellie of dirty water over his car so he thought it was reasonable revenge.
A good trip was had by all and many thanks to Allan. For those who are interested, six out of the ten (!) committee members were down there so we could have had a quorate meeting at Squaw Junction. [Ref: 067]
1: Most of the team at the end of the Five Arches 2: The superb main streamway down from Surprise View 3: Bill in Far Sump - up to his neck in it 4: Nigel enjoying the main stream
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Nigel
Speedwell Peak
14 February 2010
Allan Berry, Anthony Boardman, Peter Clewes, Kieran Rooney, John Smith
We arrived early, Peter and myself, at Peak Cavern car park. It was frosty but the sun was out so we decided to look for a brew place while were waiting for the others to arrive. Kieran soon turned up with a mega hangover, this was soon cured with the help of a fry up sandwich. Whilst eating this he got the map out to show us where we were meant to be going.
Then Allan and John finally arrived. It was decided at this point to drive up to Speedwell car park, here we got changed in the shadow of Winnats pass. While we were getting ready the comment was made “God have you felt the weight of that bag, what's in it?”, “I would not take your bag on this trip if I were you” was the other comment, well that seems to have set a challenge for the day I thought, besides I was determined to get my own picture of the miners toast. When we were ready we crossed over and Keiran after sorting parking fees out between us, got us through the turnstile and then on through the air lock where we descended the steps down to the first canal. Here we climbed into the boat with a few members of the public who seemed to be on a tour. Once we were all seated we started to move off and the tour guide warned everyone to watch their fingers on the edge of the boat, he then started to talk about the history of the place, he also moaned a great deal about his own lack of pay and working conditions whilst he pointed out to us some early shot holes, mineral veins and even a spot where a small boy was supposed to have worked all alone in the dark.
Finally the boat arrived at Bottomless Pit Cavern where we all climbed out. As we entered the chamber on the left was the bottomless pit itself with a fence, I think to try and deter people from going for a swim, while on the right wall we could see old stemples left behind by the miners rising high into the roof. Dead ahead was the far canal. After a group photograph we climbed over the rail into the far canal, the water was about waist high on some and about chest high on Peter. As we waded further in you could hear the yelps from people as the water got into all areas, I don't know what the problem was my suit was fine? When we got moving everyone seemed to settled down and Peter got a chance to take a few pictures. The tunnel changed from stone arched roof to rock at some point and we passed the remains of two boats, the first one we had to climb over, this was clinker built and looked to be painted white. The second one a was bit further in, to the right and was supposedly the remains of an old miners boat, from what I can remember this wreck looked totally submerged.
Eventually we came through to the Whirlpool. We crossed this using a traverse line around the left hand wall. Kieran decided to jump in at this point just to show us how deep it really was, whilst Allan and Peter had fun hanging off the line to have their pictures taken. We then carried on up a stream bed towards and under the Leaning Tower, a huge rock just hanging balanced, someone said don't sneeze. We then headed towards Main Rising and then back tracked up a two meter free climb to the Miners toast. Here we got some pictures and everyone had a bit of a rest and a bite to eat. After coming back down we headed to Bathing pool and Secret Sump, we had to climb a ladder to get up to this. After crossing a mini assault course to get there we all popped our heads over to have a look (seemingly this sump has never been dived to the bottom). We then came all the way back past the Whirlpool, and then on down through the Bung hole.
The Bung hole was like the cross between a shaft and a waterfall. Here Kieran tried to drown us, he was kind enough though to wait at the bottom as he counted everyone safely down the rungs of the ladder into the Lower Bung Stream way. We then moved onto Block Hall where we looked at the route up to White River series, then we moved on towards Short By Pass and Egnaro Aven and eventually up into Colostomy Crawl. I just remember climbing up some ladders and Kieran saying something, it sounded like a mention of having a break, I assumed at the top of the ladder but when I got there everyone seemed to have gone so I just followed the tunnel in, every now and again I would hear the shout "are you ok Anthony?" from in front, it just seemed to keep getting fainter. I was dragging my bag with a stone of camera kit which seemed to get stuck at every bend I came to, which was about every twenty foot or so. I kept having to crawl back to free it, made more difficult as I could not turn around in places, whilst in other places it was a total effort to turn around at all. I went from crawling to on my hands and knees to flat on my chest to flat on my back, even upside down at one point. I shouted out "how long is this?" and the shout back was "its about a kilometre", towards the end I was fighting clay, mud, bag and even my knee pads. At a few points after this I just lay back to chill and get my breath and I eventually made it through.
We then headed to the Ventilator, and then we moved into the Trenchers. Here I got stuck in a squeeze on the way in after someone had said if I put my bag in front I could push it along in front, this I did but as was pushing it turned sideways and it then got stuck. At first I could not get my arms up to free it as the crawl was a bit tight, I tried to go back but I was kind of wedged at this point, finally after about 5 minutes I freed an arm and managed to lift the bag forwards, then I got my other arm free and again I made it through. Allan mentioned something about wanting to see the Peak Main Stream Way and someone else suggested we dump the bags, which I was happy to do at this stage. I was so covered in crap, I thought sod it I'm not bothering with the camera kit while I'm like this, so I dumped my bag. Its surprising how fast you can move when you don't have a ton of camera kit to carry. We then turned right into Upper Gallery as we followed it down we straddled the keyhole groove made by the stream, the depth of this looked about 6 or 7ft. At one point it got really wide so we had to keep to one side, then we had to slide back down again to cross over this gap, trying not to go straight down into it, we soon made the Peak Main Stream Way at Surprise View, turning right.
It was here where we washed most of the mud off, I was thinking at this point I wish I had brought my camera. Then we headed off down this stream bed towards the tight bend at Squaws Junction where Peter did a few more photos, and then down to Lake Sump which we free dived, while the sensible ones walked around. When we were all through we had a look at Ink Sump, we then dived back out through Lake Sump so we could all have our photos taken again, and again the sensible ones walked around. We finally came back up through Upper Gallery, and grabbing my bag on the way back through, we travelled then via Mucky Ducks into Peak Cavern show cave where we did some final photos before heading off out into daylight. It was a trek and a half getting back up to Speedwell car park and once changed we rushed up to the Wanted Inn at the top of Winnats Pass for a few beers and a chat.
My view on the trip was it was fun, I've only done a few small cave trips up until now and the fact there was a bit of mine stuff in there made it interesting for me. I don't know if we were trying to break some cave speed record but we seemed to fly through most of the trip, I felt it would have been nice to take a bit more time in getting to places as it felt to me a bit of a rush in places. I did my best to slow the pace down by getting my bag stuck, my big mistake was being at the back as everyone just left me behind. Walking into sharp submerged rocks was also problem as Peter found out at one point, but apart from that I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
Anthony
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| In the Bottomless Pit | The miners' toast | It can be wet ... | ... and even wetter |
Pictures by Pete Clewes
[Ref: 064]1: Most of the team at the end of the Five Arches 2: The superb main streamway down from Surprise View 3: Bill in Far Sump - up to his neck in it 4: Nigel enjoying the main stream
Lay-by Pot
31 January 2010
Thanks Allan,
A very enjoyable trip and well organised, A pity some had to put a incorrect reminder on the website which meant you had wait over an hour in the cold before we could start the trip. Look forward to the next. (Allan as we all know does not start trips at 11.30)
Pete C
Great trip, thanks Allan.
Good to meet Kieran, Pete (Warrington), James and Anthony for the first time. Hope James was not so traumatised by his 'dunking' that he does not come caving again. By the sounds of things, these mines sound like a walk in the park...
A big thank you to Neil for rescuing me. I won't go into detail, but needless to say I was a little embarrassed at the time... over it now though.
Nearly forgot Pete (Little)... because there was there was just so many of us.
Looking forward to Peak.
Richard
[Ref: 065]
1: Lay-by Pot Allan taking photos of Kieran with his pants off- 2: Lay-by Pot Bottom of Mine Shaft Entrance Allan 3: Lay-by Pot Mine Shaft Entrance Neil Kieran and Allan 4: Lay-by Pot Mine Shaft Entrance Neil Kieran and Allan
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ND
News of the death of Granville Shillito
Friday, 29th January 2010
The sad news has come through that Granville Shillito died in his sleep on Friday 29th January.
His funeral will be on Friday, 12th February at St Matthew's church Stretford at 10.15 to be followed by interment at Stretford cemetery at 11.00.
In the meantime, here are few pictures to remind us of Granille, as if we needed it with so many good memories to recall. [Ref: 063]
1: In Wood Mine 2: With the Fluffies at Pindale 3: At the Berger. 4: At Engine Vein
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ND
West Mine
17 January 2010
The trip was planned for novices and non-members as well as to have a good look around. There were nine of us including one complete novice, Helen, one caver from another club, Jeff and Frank who has recently joined.
We did the normal sort of round trip but with a few twists. Pete and James went across the traverse at Nigel's Nightmare and Helen did the Laundry Chute (with some assistance - but really she loved it). Nigel couldn't get up the Hourglass but James could - that's the difference between 59 and 13.99999 year olds (and he was pushed up, I heard later NJD).
There is a small selection of pictures below which gives a taste of the trip. If anyone wants copies or to see them all, let me know. Anthony also took some pictures during the trip using light painting. [Ref: 060]
1: Pete about to start the traverse 2: The original entrance 3: Twentieth century passages
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1: Pete about to start the traverse 2: The original entrance 3: Twentieth century passages
1: Pete about to start the traverse 2: The original entrance 3: Twentieth century passages
ND
Loss of Derek Kenyon
December 2009
Sadly, Derek, a keen digger in the exploration of Bear Pit, Ring Shaft and elsewhere, died early in December 2009. Derek had been ill for some time.
Derek joined the DCC in 1987 and remained on the active membership until 2003. However, even after that he continued to help at Alderley Edge from time to time. One of his memorable jobs was manning the desk on the open days and he once collared the mine inspector who was about to leave Wood Mine without signing out properly. Derek was involved in several digs as the pictures show but he also threw himself into the social side. The night down Engine Vein swapping hats will be remembered by those who were there (and remained sober enough). One hat from his collection was on his coffin at his funeral.
He will be greatly missed by family and friends. [Ref: 049]
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ND
Greater Nenthead Traverse
9 December 2009
Well the time finally came. After some amazing work clearing the blockage of the Nentsberry Haggs level the full traverse was back again. I have wanted to do this trip ever since I first heard of it a year ago and finally found a willing guide. The trip entails a 9.25km 7 Mine and 8 Sublevel Traverse The Mines are Caplecleugh, Longcleugh, Smallcleugh, Rampgill, Scaleburn, Brownley Hill and finally Nentsberry Hagg's. The day started by meeting in the car park and Nenthead. Quickly changed and 2 of us set off to leave a car by the exit (to save a long walk back in the dark). The others headed off into Rampgill to drop a few ropes off to save us the hassle of carrying them through the full traverse. Then came the customary pic at the beginning. [Ref: 050]
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Once in Capelcleugh we headed past the stables and up the incline. [Ref: 052]
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 [Ref: 053] |
 [Ref: 054] |
 [Ref: 055] |
 [Ref: 056] |
A short abseil down Prouds then takes us to the sub level and then a short slippy slide down to a lower sub level. From there we decided on lunch and climbed up into Prouds Flats for a dry place to sit. This is where I took my last photo of the trip as I decided I was delaying us to much and we were in for a lot of water so the camera went away. [Ref: 057]
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After a long walk we finally came to Hangingshaw Branch Level of Rampgill mine. We finally reached Whisky bottle junction and a short distance after we found our ropesp We then turned right up Scaleburn Cross Vein and up through the famous steps. A bit of poking around finally took us to Browns Sump and a short pitch took us to the lower sub level. Then came the fun abseil. A 40m pitch down a narrow stoping took us to the lower cross vein and a loooong section of deep cold water. One lad was nearly swimming at this point lol. We finally reached the Engine Shaft junction. Bearing right took us then up into Brownleys hills North Middle Vein and onto the connection to the final leg of the Trip. A narrow hole and ladder took us down to the Haggs Level and a long slog out in varying depths of water. Finally we hit the exit gate and out into the open air. [Ref: 058]
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Sundays visit to Braille took place in high blood alcohol conditions, which coupled with horizontal hail and sleet, high winds and lots of rain made it an interesting day out. Pete, Allan, Lugger, Colin and I were present, although only the first three were really up to the job. Have to say despite this that Colin excelled himself on surface support, whilst I just got cold and miserable and wanted to go home. Eventually I warmed up by making a start on a brew chamber in the dry top passage - big enough for two already. [Ref: 059]
EC
Rampgill
15th November 2009
ND
Middlecleugh Mine, Nenthead
14th November 2009
Went down Brewery Shaft in the morning and then into Rampgill as far as the horse gin. Took several pictures of which these are a couple. There are more pictures from this and the Middlecleugh trip in the gallery. [Ref: 046]
1: Steve rests beside a branch with splendid stone lining 2: The engraving of the camel near a sump
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ND
Box Mine, Wiltshire
7th November 2009
I went with a team from WCMS for a five hour trip around the perimeter of Box covering most of the important sites. This included the uqarryign areas and the edge of the MOD area as well as The Cathedral. Good trip. There are a number of photos in the gallery. [Ref: 048]
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ND
Nent Head mines
April/May 2009
Well off we went again into the wild and wet countryside of the Cumbrian mountains, the weather was fine for the first couple of days, then we hit a very wet and windy period that flattened my caravan awning a treat!
The group consisted of Dennis, Edward, Heather, Pernilla, John Capper, John Smith (helped out at open weekend and wishes to join) Paul Stubbs (chief cook and bottle washer) plus a young lady called Joanne (alias Smurf)
The first day was as per normal a trip into Smallcleugh, and as we had been in late last year it was evident that a lot of places in the mine are now starting to collapse.
Without doubt the faces on the people who had never been before was a picture, they could not believe the amount of shiny ore that lay strewn about the mines and of course the usual I will take this bit and OOH! no I think I will take that bit carried on all the way round the mine. After a long tour of about 6 hours we came out to a nice sunny afternoon all well and truly ready for tea, we ventured out for a beer later on and came back to a drinking session that lasted into the early hours.
We found out that day why smurfs are always painted blue, as Joanne never stopped going on about how cold it was! and even in her sleeping bag at night. The second day we went into Brownley hills which has suffered more than the other mines from collapses and it is not going to be long before the place becomes a lost cause, the Canadian level is now a complete loss due to a large collapse just near the entrance. That night was a very musical evening as we downed large volumes of beer and hotpot, the music left a somewhat funny smell in the caravan and I am at this moment in time still trying to get rid of it!
The next day we went into Rampgill of course to see the famous Brewery Shaft and also to see the stone stairs that are built in the wall quite a way in the mine; after a fruitful search we found what appeared to be the shaft to the Horse Gin which had always eluded us in the past. Edward rigged the shaft for his decent aided by a pole placed across the top of the shaft and belayed around me as no other suitable anchor point could be found.
After he had got off the rope and gone in search of the Horse Gin, we thought it would be fun to turn off the lights and pull up the rope, as we did this we commented that he would wonder where the rope had gone ' no I won't', said a voice behind us .
Turning round we saw Ed had found a way round the passages and appeared back up the stairs behind us!, we then went on a mission of looking around all the passages we could see and after a tight crawl through some bars and bits of wood BINGO!, we found it at last.
We thought that night we should have a curry and more beer (bad idea) I think the smell has actually penetrated the very fabric of the caravan! On the last day we went to Alston on the narrow gauge railway and all sorts of fun with a flat tyre, you should always carry the locking wheel nut key, it does help when things go flat!
Paul Stubbs
[Ref: 041]
Box Mines, Wiltshire
29th-30th November 2008
Paul Stubbs, Ed Coghlan, Dennis Mayer and John Capper
We set off on Friday 28th November in what can only be described as pea soup, the fog was terrible and very patchy. We left camp Manchester at 7 pm and arrived at Corsham at 10.30 pm, unlike our last trip we had to Nenthead this camp site was quite civilised. Edward Coghlan, Dennis Mayer, John Capper and myself settled down in a very frosty night at the caravan park, refreshed next morning we had a good breakfast and set off to meet our guide for the weekend.Chris the founder of Dark Places met us at the Quarry Man pub and took us to Box mine, firstly the shear scale of the place is awesome. The main mine is divided into 3 main areas, and the amount of artefacts is astounding tools are just left where the miners left them. Saws for cutting up stone are found all over the place, and the files used to sharpen them are still present, as are the benches made of stone on which to cut up the blocks. The most outstanding feature has to be the wooden cranes used to move the blocks of stone, we saw at least a 10 of them and they varied in condition from perfect to in pieces. When walking round Chris pointed to the ceiling and you could see a black band running along the entire length of the mine, it turns out they had steam trains going direct in the mine to remove the large blocks of stone. We came to one section of the mine known as the drying room, this is where the stone blocks are stacked up to allow drying out before removing them from the mine, and how sick they must have been when the roof collapsed trapping a large quantity of blocks. After 4 hours or so we came to a passage that is full of barbed wire, this is the entrance to the M.O.D. part of the mine, in the last war the mines had been used to store Munitions and this part of the mine is still used. After passing through a large hole you can look round the parts no longer used by the M.O.D. but a large door prevents access to the part still in use, we then came back into box mine and spent another 3 hours or so looking at more cranes and plenty of 19th century art work done by the miners. Saturday night we took in the local beer and had another cold night, next morning after the usual breakfast we set of to meet our guide again.
This time we went to Browns Folly mine, this was by far more interesting to us as it had been worked into bigger chambers, although it did not have any of the cranes and tools we saw the day before. After 2 hours or so we came to what seemed like a blank end, in the very corner our guide pointed out a little hole which we had to crawl through. This had taken us into Monkton Farleigh, now this is the biggest M.O.D. site in that area and we felt disappointed to hear we could only get into area 19 and 20. Well let me tell you we started at area 19 holding pen 1 and finished at holding pen 500!, the shear size of the place is amazing and we still had area 20 to check out. We went round the switch rooms and the air conditioning plant, the whole of the place has conveyor belts to move Ammunition around, but alas the vandals have smashed the whole place to pieces to remove any copper wire they could find. We even came to a shower room and if you see the pictures we took, yes that's me in the shower! well it's a laugh. Parts of the old M.O.D. site have been taken over by other companies and we had been warned that trouble awaited if we got caught, some lads had tried to dig into a secure area and are still on bail after 7 months! I can say that we will be going back next year for another trip into a different mine that promises even more adventures.
Paul Stubbs
(PS The pictures shown are by Nigel Dibben from a separate trip.)
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| In B12 route. | Stacked blocks near B12 route. There is a saw sharpening bench behind. |
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| Roof supports in the ex-MOD area. | One of the abandoned cranes. |
Mining in Shropshire
8th - 9th November 2008
Nigel Dibben, members of Shropshire Caving and Mining Club and the Wealden Cave and Mine Society.
As a distant member of the WCMS, I was invited to join them on a trip to Shropshire to be hosted by the SCMC. As it turned out, only two Wealden members turned up so with three from the SCMC, we made six cavers on each trip with two novices added for Clive Mine.
After we met on the Saturday, Steve and Kelvin from the SCMC showed us around the surface features of Snailbeach before we changed to go underground.
The usual entrance to Snailbeach Mine is through the Perkins Level which is at about + 20 yards above the datum for the mine which is Old Shaft. Hence, although we were only going down to the 40 yard level, the actual trip was nearer to 70 yards deep. Inside, the first part is an easy walk that is used for public trips but soon you climb down a fixed ladder and start to drop down quickly in the stopes. The pitches are not difficult but they are a bit messy being on steep slopes and in some cases it is easier to use the rope as a handline.
On the way down, you switch over to a parallel stope for a section before dropping onto the obvious 40 yard level which still has rails in place. The mine was last worked above adit in the 1950s when barite was extracted on a relatively small scale. Along the level, we turned off to visit Chapel Shaft, one of several shafts on the sett, still open to the surface although grilled for bats. On the main level, we came to two trucks (see photo) and a stopping point with several tools and other items. The junction appeared to be a messing area because there were the remains of a wooden bench. After a short break, we headed down the side passage and across a precarious bridge towards Black Tom?s Shaft. The bridge is made of two rails but the SCMC have installed fixed traverse lines over these obstacles.
We did not go as far as the shaft as there is a blockage but we turned back and started out. Getting up the pitches was not difficult and most of them could be climbed with the rope as a handline. Finally, we emerged in darkness after a trip of about six hours.
That evening, we visited the local Stiperstones Inn (good simple food and beer) and the Horseshoes in Minsterley.
On Sunday, we met our hosts again at Clive Mine north of Shrewsbury and went in through a manhole entrance, very like Alderley. The mine is dry and sandy so only a cotton boiler suit is needed. The whole of the Clive Mine is developed along a pair of faults in Triassic sandstone that come together in a V. The ore deposit is very similar to Alderley Edge although not as dense and with more cobalt. The striking feature of Clive Mine is the banding of iron and copper in the rock, as can be seen in the photograph. We went to the far north east end of the mine in a more or less straight line looking in a couple of side passages on the way. At one point, the mine has been filled with concrete, except for an access tunnel, where it passes under the road. Turning back, it did not take long to reach the entrance and we were out within three hours or so.
Both mines are well worth the effort and the SCMC are very hospitable.
Nigel Dibben
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| Taking a break in Snailbeach Mine on the 40 yard level. |
In the main stope in Clive Mine. |
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| Copper and iron streaking in the sandstone in Clive Mine. |
Brightgate Cave and Jugholes, Derbyshire
9th August 2008
Simon Dillon, Allan Berry, Nigel Dibben
It was a dark and stormy night and the Captain said to the First Mate ? find us a cave to have a look down on Saturday morning. So we decided on Brightgate Cave which none of us had been in and Jugholes which Nigel last visited a mere 36 years before.After a bit of a problem finding Salters Lane at Matlock as the roads have changed a bit since Nigel?s last visit (and his map is a few years out of date), we got to Jugholes and had a brief chat with some other cavers who gave us useful directions on to Brightgate cave. At the farm, we found the farmer, paid our trespass fee and got further directions to the cave so it didn?t take us long to get underground. Given the weather, we were glad to be below ground for a few hours.
The entrance is quite small but leads into a small chamber from which a dug route leads into the rifty maze that is the bulk of the cave. You zigzag down and along towards the east until eventually dropping into a fairly roomy chamber with a sloping floor. We followed this down the obvious route and found it narrowing down towards the end. There was evidence of digging haven taken place and a few tools before Simon got to the end, a clay and sand filled crawl. However, off to one side, we found a draughting passage. This turned out to be an awkward squeeze and a crawl leading to a small aven where Simon and Allan were able to take a couple of photographs. The draught came in quite strongly. On the way out of this bit, a few more pictures were taken of Allan coming through the tightest part.
As we started out, we took a different route out of the ?main chamber? and went up into a nicely decorated section. Near the end of this, which is blocked with stal, we found a side passage with a traverse and climb down that took us back to the route we came in. After a fair bit of thrutching, we eventually made it back to surface where, at least temporarily, it had stopped raining.
We had a quick walk around the surface and reckon we probably found the passage where the draught was going in. Then back to the car to partly strip for the short journey to Jugholes.
At Jugholes, we parked where a footpath leaves the road and we followed the path into the Jugholes wood. Quickly we found a massive hole but soon realised that this was not THE Jugholes. Not to be disappointed, we found an even deeper hole leading off but this too was not Jugholes. Don?t panic! At the bottom was a hole through to yet another chasm and Simon started to climb down but had to give up as it needed tackle. However, we were encouraged by daylight below us showing that we were looking in to the real Jugholes.
We climbed out again and followed the path a bit further to where we found the true Jugholes entrance. An easy walk down the slope (where Nigel remembered rails many years before) led into the daylit chamber. Off to the west was the hole we tried to climb down and below that were entrances into a spar mine. We explored this first and then came back to the entrance to go down into Jugholes Lower. We missed the upper cave altogether but we probably would have needed some tackle for it anyway.
In Jugholes Lower Cave, the route down is narrow and slippery but soon leads into quite a decent chamber with an old mine shaft in the roof. There?s quite a bit of stal around and it is difficult to tell what is mine and what is cave. We followed the route on down through the floor and quite soon came to a mine level that gave a bit of relief from the climbs. This led to a chamber with quite a cold draft, an old mine tub (see picture) and a shaft. Nigel remembered the shaft and thought that this would be the end of the trip but ? hoorah ? someone had dug out the adit and we were able to crawl up a corrugated iron tube and out to surface.
It was a steep climb back up to the entrance but it made for a pleasant through trip.
Back at the road, we changed (in what felt like winter weather even though it was August) and headed down to Sainsbury?s at Matlock to stock up with barbecue food for the night. After the trip, we went back to Magpie and met up with the others who had got a bit wet walking in the pouring rain. We had an entertaining night (until someone got his violin out). On Sunday, most people got off home early as the weather didn?t look any better than on the Saturday.
Were the caves worth doing? Definitely yes. There is certainly scope for Brightgate to go further but it?s probably pretty well choked with clay. Also, Jugholes has an Upper Series which we didn?t visit this time so that?s worth a return visit. I?ll probably put some picture in from Brightgate when Simon sends them through.
Nigel Dibben
A fuller report of this trip is available here.
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| Last chamber in Jugholes | Outside the bottom entrance |
NAMHO Conference, Scotland
11th - 13th July 2008
Nigel Dibben
The conference was held at Lady Victoria Colliery, just south of Edinburgh. On the Saturday afternoon, I went to visit Levenseat limestone mine. For the rest of the weekend, there were talks and we had the free run of the museum.
A fuller report of this trip is available here.
This link will take you to the Scottish Mining Museum site.
Nigel Dibben
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In Levenseat limestone mine with Mark from the Grampian. |
The mock coal mine at the colliery museum. Well worth a visit. |
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| In the conference room, the old powerhouse. |
Good Luck Mine, Derbyshire
9th September, 2007Nigel Dibben and Liz Taylor
Nigel and Liz visited this lead mine when the club who run it were having an Open Day. The mine would be a good place to visit when we have our next Derbyshire camping meet.
A fuller report of this trip is available here.
Nigel Dibben
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| Dave Barrie leading the trip. | Stone stempling in Goodluck Mine |
Matienzo 2007
August 2007
Several members.
A good time was had by all. New discoveries, old friendships renewed, some fun trips.
A fuller report of this trip is available
here.
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| Kieran in Renada | Coventosa |
NAMHO Conference, Devon
15th - 18th June 2007
Nigel Dibben
The conference was held at Morwellham Quay, the industrial museum based on a copper port on the river Tamar near Tavistock. The conference ran from Friday to Monday with tours of the site, local mines and even as far as Geevor in Cornwall. There was camping on site and a pub - excellent facilities all round!
A fuller report of this trip is available here.
This link will take you to the Morwellham website.
Nigel Dibben
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| The river Tamar with part of the Morwellham Quay site on the right bank | Wheel which used to drive a manganese mill at Morwellham. The docks are to the lefty and in the background |
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Rick in Virtuous Lady, an Elizabethan copper mine in the neighbouring Tavy Valley |
The entrance to George and Charlotte mine, the show mine on the Morwellham Quay site |
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| Surface remains of the arsenic mill at Devon Great Consols | Underground in Geevor Mine, Corwall |
West Kingsdale System, Yorkshire
1st April 2006
Simon Dillon, Allan Berry, Neil Garrard and Tony Brocklebank
We had an interesting day Sunday. Headed into Valley Entrance with a view to showing Simon, Allan and Neil how to use snappers, thinking we'd fire one or two off for show but we ended up taking six or seven foot of wall out of a slot on the right just before Cascade Inlet, using just six snappers, to reveal a narrow passage dropping gently away for ten or twelve feet and possibly trending off down and right. Using two at a time about a foot above each other is giving a comfortable working passage and a big pile of bits of rock.
There's even a Billy's Vision style little hole leading to black space at the end of it!
Years ago I diverted the stream down it in wet weather and it took it happily, without any sign of it backing up, so whilst it is obviously heading towards the sumps you never know something exciting might happen on the way. A return trip is planned by Simon and co. Peter and I may have another look when we get back from Mallorca.Thanks,
Tony
[Ref: 010]
Disappointment Pot, Allottment
28th May 2005
What a Disappointment Trip
Our plan this weekend was to do Disappointment Pot into Gaping Gill. Myself and Alan drove to Bernies to meet up with John and Neil to do the trip, and then camp over at Bull Pot farm, I bet Alan that Neil would not stay over. John arrived late at Bernies, the punishment was to get the first round in after the trip, which was looking more like being abandoned due to the big black clouds threatening to dump all it had down on our heads, and also the fact that if we did do the cave the likelihood of us making it back for last orders was slim, that made our minds up quick, lets pick another cave.
We decided that as none of us had done Bull Pot of the Witches, that we should do that and also you could spit from the farm and hit it. I won the bet with Alan, Neil made some excuse that he would not be camping, we all put our fingers in our ears, but I am sure I read his lips and he said he was ?having his bikini line waxed, so his Knickers don?t chafe?. At the farm as we were getting changed, a land rover full of 70?s throwback hippies pull up and came over, ?yo man what you going down?, ?Bull Pot of the Witches? we reply, ?you wont need SRT man there aren?t any pitches dude just some short drops you can free climb, I?ve never found any?.
After last weeks you will never find the second pitch, we took our SRT gear and 4 short ropes. We were soon free climbing down the first pitch and interesting little climb down, a turn to the right at the bottom, a short crawl and guess what? The first pitch, you could have pushed us over with a feather, I suppose if your last name was Bonnington first name Chris you could have free climbed it. With no bolt to be found we did a natural rig, much more fun. We have also taken up a new way of caving don?t read the guide book trip, just look at the bottom see how many ropes you need and explore where we will.
We had soon found pitch 2 and then 3 and after a short while we found a slot in the floor a P bolt above it, a very strong draft was issuing from the hole, it was rigged and down I went. I found myself in a low stream way which soon opened up to walking height, I called the others to follow, a dammed good exploration took us down many passages however we ended up in one with a free climb up. Alan attempted to climb the rift, but decided he had far too many brain cells working to attempt it, what we needed was a bloody fool who was stupid enough to give it a go. After a bloody difficult climb up a very slippery vertical wall with a large over hang, I shouted to Alan to come up, the others hung back which was a wise move it lead to a dig, great!
After a fun climb down (always harder than going up I find) we call it a day and head out, going up the pitches that we would not need our ropes or gear for!
We soon bumped into a University caving club, Oh what fun, after half an hour of waiting for the first girl to get up a very little pitch, the lad on the team heads out, for reasons known only to himself he decided to hang around 15 foot of the floor, I think the game was lets see how long it takes for me legs top go dead. Neil by this time thought he would try and free climb past the young lad but was held back by an overhanging slab of rock, right near the young mans head, John looks up to give him guidance and shouts up, ?you?ll be able to do it if you can get past the knob!? (Meaning the rock). The student soon moved after that remark.
A short while later we exited the cave got changed and made it to the Wheat sheaf pub, far to busy for food we went to the Italian restaurant near Bernies had a slap up meal and lots of beer. We cant wait to do our next trip, to be told as we do Black shiver by some nutty Yorkshire caver, ?EEEE Lad tha nose tha wont need t take tackle thas never found t pitch in t cave yet?.-
Simon Dillon, Allan Berry, Neil Garrard, John Berry
Freelance Underground Cave & Karst Endurance Race Specialist (work it out for yourself)
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