Smallcleugh Horse Level · AditNow Community

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TheCret!n
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

Travellers be aware -

The crawls along Smallcleugh Horse Level, between Gypsum Corner and Luke Halls sump are currently very mobile. Quite a lot of detritus has dropped down in each of the cavities between the arching. They needed digging to pass yesterday.

Perhaps avoid the area for now.

Leif.

“Oh what a fun experience, my ‘Ouse is full of deviants....”

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John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

hi Leif , thanks for the update on your smallcleugh visits.
personally, i believe that however mundane your report might be, in my opinion we should have lots more of them!
Basically I believe that it is only by highlighting these events the rest of the mine exploring community, can be become aware of a mines condition!
So thanks for your report and keep them coming.
Regards, John Lawson

TheCret!n
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

Cheers John.
As you know, I’m in Nent a lot. It only seems right I share info on where potential issues currently are - if it helps just one person have a better trip, then it’s worthwhile.

Hopefully I’ll catch up with you soon.

Leif.

“Oh what a fun experience, my ‘Ouse is full of deviants....”

legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Last went through a couple of years ago - would defo qualify for 'Most worrying place in a mine' thread

really needs digging from both ends, although scope for spoil disposal is limited. 1/2'ed blue drums and a rope would probably be the way forward.

another nice little project if anyone feels like breaking cabin fever over winter.

MARK

festina lente[i]

Down and beyond
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

"legendrider" wrote:
Last went through a couple of years ago - would defo qualify for 'Most worrying place in a mine' thread

really needs digging from both ends, although scope for spoil disposal is limited. 1/2'ed blue drums and a rope would probably be the way forward.

another nice little project if anyone feels like breaking cabin fever over winter.

MARK

Hello everyone am just wondering how you get involved into projects ? Do people ever offer invitations ? Or is it just small groups that do this

Cheers tom

From the land of the pillar and stall

TheCret!n
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

Hello everyone am just wondering how you get involved into projects ? Do people ever offer invitations ? Or is it just small groups that do this

Cheers tom

Tends just to be discreet groups of mates going out digging.
Occasionally folk ask for help on here, if somewhere important falls down. Never much uptake though, to be honest.

Leif

“Oh what a fun experience, my ‘Ouse is full of deviants....”

Down and beyond
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

"TheCret!n" wrote:

Hello everyone am just wondering how you get involved into projects ? Do people ever offer invitations ? Or is it just small groups that do this

Cheers tom

Tends just to be discreet groups of mates going out digging.
Occasionally folk ask for help on here, if somewhere important falls down. Never much uptake though, to be honest.

Leif

I see I am part of the Gloucester group have done a lot in there area , also travel to wales a fair bit , next year I am looking for a group in the north pennies to join would be me and my mate a none member of this site , Both are starting to learn srt but far from experienced, would always come up and help on dig projects etc have you got any recommendations for clubs to join or groups of people on here I could speak to ? I have searched this site and lots of things in the area I am interested in :thumbsup:

Thanks for your reply Tom

From the land of the pillar and stall

Boggy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

a good update would be advice to buy knee pads for hethringtons
never again will i go through there without them it was pure hell 😉

if its a hole explore it...

colin567
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

"Boggy" wrote:
a good update would be advice to buy knee pads for hethringtons
never again will i go through there without them it was pure hell ;D

Funny that, I thought exactly the same years ago on my first trip and now always wear them!

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#10

"Boggy" wrote:
a good update would be advice to buy knee pads for hethringtons
never again will i go through there without them it was pure hell ;D

I manage OK. The low bits seem to have the smooth floor, the rest I sideways crab.

My avatar is a poor likeness.

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#11

hi guys, my ambission is to tho through hethringtons when i am 80 years old1
which is some 18 months off! I must admit I have never worn knee pads on this trip and I guess when I next goo through there i will not either!
Personally I believe that it is a matter of technique!
Hopefully I will not have lost any since i have not been in this mine for18 months1

i

royfellows
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#12

Well I am 76 in January, and still doing karate, aikido, SRT, wet trips, swinging about under waterfalls with nothing underneath me trying to use 24V percussion drills, etc etc.

But I am not human, that seems to be the consensus.

:lol:

My avatar is a poor likeness.

Horsemaddad
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#13

I have always found I can get through Hetheringtons on my feet simply by bending to 90 degrees at the waist and looking at the floor.
Re Mark (legendrider)'s comment about the U-bends on Smallcleugh Horse Level, I'd second his opinion! Before our most recent trip through this section a couple of years ago, the last time I did it was in the early 90s - it was bad enough then!
I'm not claustrophobic, but I find this section of tight up and down squeezes most intimidating - especially with the rather ropey arching stones and loose ground behind just waiting to slip and 'pin' you down with little possibility of rescue!
It's not somewhere I'll go again. EVER!

Colin

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#14

The problem is that the level was dug out many years ago, mainly to complete the survey, but there has never been a campaign of properly digging and supporting the collapsed sections. Maybe, maybe..... It is a much faster and easier way of travelling to the south end of the mine.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#15

Any proposed dig will require removal of many tons of loose shale and its disposal somewhere - a blind sump would be the most appealing choice but may require the installation of some sort of metal road for tramming the deads any distance. Scaff rail has been used successfully in several N Pennine digs, or, if there is original rail in-situ then simply a bogie (purists look away now - I'd pinch the wheels out of the eponymous Flat).

If everyone who visited Smallcleugh took out a bait-box full of spoil, it would be clear in no time!

MARK

festina lente[i]

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#16

Rails are in through the whole section. However, the wheel flat wheels are of a much narrower gauge...

Might be able to find two sets of wheels and a waggon.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#17

Wheelsets could always be re-gauged in the worst case scenario. a little creative metalworking involved!

MARK

festina lente[i]

TheCret!n
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

#18

"legendrider" wrote:
Any proposed dig will require removal of many tons of loose shale and its disposal somewhere - a blind sump would be the most appealing choice but may require the installation of some sort of metal road for tramming the deads any distance. Scaff rail has been used successfully in several N Pennine digs, or, if there is original rail in-situ then simply a bogie (purists look away now - I'd pinch the wheels out of the eponymous Flat).

If everyone who visited Smallcleugh took out a bait-box full of spoil, it would be clear in no time!

MARK

Dumpy bags at Luke Halls would be a decent start.
It’d help support the walls/roof there, too.

Leif.

“Oh what a fun experience, my ‘Ouse is full of deviants....”

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#19

"legendrider" wrote:
Wheelsets could always be re-gauged in the worst case scenario. a little creative metalworking involved!

MARK

The wheel flat wheels are an important part of the history and archaeology of the mine. We have wheels and axles available on surface.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#20

Given the state of the arching along the crawls it would be inappropriate to dig down to the floor, never mind where the stuff could be dumped.

The digging is probably the lesser problem, haulage and stowage are going to require more effort and space.

The area around Luke Hall's slight depression (née sump), particularly just inbye from it, has been collapsing quite a lot recently so stabilising in that area is required as well.

Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...