https://www.aditnow.co.uk/Mines/Great-Masson-Lead-Mine_17579/ 

Getting in is easy enough, there are two entrances at the back of the quarry in among the big boulders. As for doing the Gentlewomans-Youds through trip, as has been mentioned earlier you need to be competent in SRT to do that one.

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Am i correct in thinking that SRT is only need to go down gentlewomans shaft? We then lave the gear at the bottom and travel through to youd's then drive back up to collect the gear in afterwards?

We have 2 cars planned to do this, one left at artists corner carpark and one up on a salters lane. If there is more just an SRT entry then it may need a little more planning as there are only a couple of us who have experience with SRT, we have all abseiled at some point but a couple of the group aren't exactly established with it.

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:curse:

Am i correct in thinking that SRT is only need to go down gentlewomans shaft? We then lave the gear at the bottom and travel through to youd's then drive back up to collect the gear in afterwards?

We have 2 cars planned to do this, one left at artists corner carpark and one up on a salters lane. If there is more just an SRT entry then it may need a little more planning as there are only a couple of us who have experience with SRT, we have all abseiled at some point but a couple of the group aren't exactly established with it.

I think you are trying to run before you can walk here...

Yes i am now seeing that this may have to wait a little longer until a few of the lads in my group get some better experience, think a few weekends at staveley climbing club is in order for them, 3 of us are ready, having experience with ropes through tree felling experience in australia and sherwood forest. Those Australians know how ascend and decend some serious heights!

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The last rescue in here was specifically caused by the group being unable to find their way through the system, and they hadn't brought any ascending gear, so were unable to climb up the shaft. So under no circumstances should you abseil a shaft unless either:

a) You can climb back out of it.
b) You can use a guaranteed alternative exit.

Whilst the Artists Corner exit is 99% guaranteed, it won't be if you can't find your way there. Also the shaft is very tight in places - it's a slot, rather than a cylinder, so you also need a team who can handle that - it's very claustrophobic if you don't like that sort of thing, and any larger types will find themselves quite literally filling the hole in some sections.

This does, possibly paradoxically, make it easy to climb out, as you're forced upright, making prussicking more efficient, and there are plenty of hand and footholds to use where practical. Some SRT trips can require improvisation, and this is one of them, but don't attempt it until you're proficient at 'normal' techniques, as we can't afford many call-outs up there. That said, it sounds like you want to do it properly, so good luck with the practice sessions.

As others have already suggested, get some training on SRT and gain experience on easier trips. It's not just about knowing how to abseil down a rope and prussik back up, it's also about gaining the skills and knowledge to cope with the unexpected and knowing when to back off or not even enter somewhere.

As Pwhole has already hinted at, access to some sites is a bit delicate and landowners don't take kindly to to a full blown rescue on their land, especially if it's somewhere that you shouldn't have been in the first place like Long Rake or Middleton mine.


Heed the advice of people on here and you shouldn't go far wrong. Be careful, be aware of your capabilities and limitations, act responsibly and you'll have a great time.

Certainly want to do it properly, i have read and learnt about all the conservation side of things and since stumbling into holme bank chert mine, have bought all the equipment and safety gear needed apart from ropes as my mate has all that being a tree surgeon.

We have descend and ascending capabilities with the ropes we use, but like you say, its much different to slinging the ropes over some branches and pulling yourself up a trunk!

I have joined this forum for the exact reason of this post, you're help and advice. Thanks all for your replies, we shall prepare!

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I have to say, I find this quite refreshing reading this thread.prada,get your mates some proper training in ropework (srt ect),it will open so much up to you and you will all grow stronger and more confident together safe in the knowledge, if it hits the fan you can sort it out.There are some great trainers out there who will sort you out with a good deal as a group .Good to here your comments about history,conservation and learning.if you fancy a trip pm.im bout 3 mins from masson.well done lads,stay safe and enjoy.

There's also several easily accessible levels in the Via Gellia that don't require ropework - Groaning Tor, Slaley Sough, Dunsley Springs, Old Gells, Silvereye, Henstocks, and Spinney. Check out Roger Flindall's articles in old PDMHS bulletins (volumes 4 to 6) for details and surveys.

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thanks 🙂 its a rewarding hobby that doesn't really cost too much money once the investment in equipment is complete, I have a busy month coming up to finish my final year at university then hopefully we can look into getting some training, could you recommend somewhere or someone who offers training courses to groups?

We went into the wapping mine the other night, there are rope points set up inside there that we had a practice with going to the bottom and back up very short distances though but some of them were tricky and not directly going vertical :)

Thank you all for your advice and i look forward to one day joining some of you on some trips 🙂

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I think you're mixing up Wapping Mine with Devonshire Mine/Cavern. I'm not aware of anything in Wapping set up for ropes. There are two short pitches in Devornshire, opposite each other and only a few yard apart. They are good pitches to practice on. As you've found out, it's not always vertical, you need to be able to move horizontally (traverse) as well. The last thing you need is to get stuck on a rope unable to move. Google 'Harness Hang Syndrome' and you'll find out why.

There are members on here who are qualified instructors. If you ask about training in a new thread I'm sure you'll get some responses.

There's lots for you to learn, in fact you'll never stop learning. The more you learn and understand about, SRT, Mines and cave, then the more enjoyment you'll get out of it.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone will give helpful advice if they can.

Yes devonshire it was... we have done them all recently, its wapping that leads to the spiral stairs in cumberland cavern i think its called, the section called the maze really does suit the name :lol:

I will get a post up in the near future but i have to get this final month of university out the way first, can't be failing now after 6 years! Thanks again!

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Another easy one that's used for a lot of novice trips is Mouldridge Mine at Pikehall - quite a lot in a relatively small area!

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Praada - Book yourself on a DCA SRT Introduction. Best £10 I ever spent.

Came to caving from many years climbing, thought we'd be alright. Nope quite different.

Nigel Atkins is the fellow you want. I'm sure he'll have some dates posted on the DCA website.

Brilliant thank you! I have just bought all a guys SRT and climbing gear collect tomorrow so will be testing it out in one the previously mentioned caves around Matlock, also may call in a couple in wales whilst making the trip, nothing too crazy though being a foreigner to those lands :lol:

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Ish.Singh youhave a PM.