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ptpeaty
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

Hi,
I am staying in Reeth during Easter week with some caving pals and would be keen to know what places people would recommend to visit. I have never been to this area before and don't know where's best to go, whether access restrictions exist etc so if people could give me some pointers, I'd really appreciate that. For the record, we're Chelsea Speleological Society members and rarely stray from South Wales!
Cheers
PT

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RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

To try & avoid just reeling out a long list of mines, Sir Francis & the Old Gang (Brandy Bottle to Hard Level) through trip are likely the most commonly done mine trips & probably the best trips to do if you don't want to be worrying about surveys & the weather etc. Should be loads of info on here if you search the site. Both damp trips & about a 10 minute drive from Reeth plus a sweaty/hypothemic walk in depending on the weather.

Crackpot & Cliff Force are probably the most obvious caves and both could be done in a day.

There are a number of other good mines in the dale and you could widen your scope with trips in Wensleydale or Arkengarthdale but there's probably enough to be going at there. If you struggle to find information on the above trips (or others) on the internet, drop me a PM with your email address & I'll forward a few plans/surveys.

Rich

ChrisJC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

I would also recommend a trip into Devis as there is an interesting mix of mine and natural. The natural is quite unlike that found elsewhere in the country.

Chris.

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Whilst I hesitate to use the C word Crackpot cave (SD 964954) is very nice if you fancy a gentle explore (hangover option). If you fancy venturing out towards Wenslydale and the Buttertubs Pass Cliff Force cave (SD 875960) is a little more challenging.

If you don't mind a drive and fancy something a bit different one day the myriad subterranean delights of the North York Moors are within easy reach: ironstone, jet and whinstone mines in the north part of the Moors and Windypits and natural cave to the South (The area guidebook is "Moorland caver").

You could of course always venture south into the classic Dales caving area but that would be boring.

Have fun.

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

There are some excellent caves on the moors & they're getting longer by the week.

Something of a drive from Reeth though!

sir francis lilo
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

sir francis has to be a definite hence my name,our group re built the entrance 2-3 years ago with a new keystone handmade by one of the members.myself and 5 members of earby mines were down again last sunday to secure the cage above the sump in the engine room,you ve got to see the engine room its fantastic better than any photographs,its situated up gunnerside gill just above gunnerside village about a 10 minute drive from reeth,WETSUIT needed parts of it are neckdeep in water if your small,im lucky im 6ft 4!.theres also hardlevel to brandy bottle through trip on old gang,a must is moulds mine and turf moor situated above langthwaite nr the cb inn,that abouts a 5-7 minute drive from reeth,or you have devis and how level on grinton moor. 🙂

sirfrancislilo its to wet to work lets go digging[u]

ptpeaty
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

Ok, thanks for all the suggestions guys. I am particularly interested in mines as we're very familiar with Dales caving, but we've not ventured this far over. I read the Hidden side of Swaledale by Hardy some years back and that sort of fired my interest in the mines of the area. I know we will do Crackpot but I will try Brandy Bottle Incline and possibly Sir Francis' level as I have seen the pix of these and they come recommended by several of you.

What is route finding like on the Brandy Bottle through trip? Is it obvious or better done after building up knowledge of the place first?
Cheers
Paul Tarrant

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Dead easy. Although there are several junctions, there's only one actual route through so if you do come to a dead end, just turn around and try the other options & you'll be on the right track.

You'll have ample time on a normal trip to look down them all anyway.

ChrisJC
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

Route finding Brandy Bottle to Hard Level is pretty straightforward.
However, I do recommend you get a map as one part has minimal airspace and you wouldn't want to 'push' it without the confidence that it is correct!

Chris.

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#10

"ptpeaty" wrote:

What is route finding like on the Brandy Bottle through trip? Is it obvious or better done after building up knowledge of the place first?
Cheers
Paul Tarrant

Easy.

The only real choice from the Hard Level end is turning left at the main four-way junction.
After that all the other choices end pretty quickly.
The short crawl and left jink to a climb up a hole to the Black Cross-cut is the only other potential point of confusion.

I've attached a rough plan if you're concerned about the route, otherwise just ignore it an follow your nose.

Expect neck deep water to get to the bottom of Brandy Bottle incline and out.

🔗Personal-Album-859-Image-93798[linkphoto]Personal-Album-859-Image-93798[/linkphoto][/link]

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#11

Perhaps we should also add going under the air shaft in Hard level is distinctly challenging!
However you speolo guys should be up to it!

Enjoy.

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#12

Not sure about the airshaft, the walk up to the incline in a wetsuit in summer has always seemed the toughest challenge!

ptpeaty
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

#13

'Perhaps we should also add going under the air shaft in Hard level is distinctly challenging!
However you speolo guys should be up to it!'

Cheeky! Actually I have been infected with mine explorer tendencies and greatly enjoy the stuff I have seen so far. Cwmystwyth, Nantymwyn, Cwmorthin,CRTT, and other stuff best left unmentioned! BTW I really enjoy this site and the helpful suggestions posted on here.

sir francis lilo
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#14

just wondered if u are going to sir francis and when? I can contact the keeper for permission and depending on what day I can guide you to it although I don't fancy going in again until summer,ie I could meet u in reeth and you could follow me in your cars,only a suggestion just want to make you feel welcome! 😉

sirfrancislilo its to wet to work lets go digging[u]

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#15

Cars up to Sir Francis ?

Where the fun in that ? :lol:

sir francis lilo
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#16

well to the track end or park in gunnerside either way its a trek,unlike most of our group,who have landrovers its never far to walk!

sirfrancislilo its to wet to work lets go digging[u]

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#17

I suppose if you've done it many time I can see the argument, but if you've never been before the walk up from Gunnerside through woods and dressing floors is lovely and shouldn't be missed.

You would hope a mile and half surface stroll wouldn't trouble someone who's about to do another mile in deep water.

😉

John Lawson
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#18

Must admit usually park off the road at the commencement of the Blakethwaite track, and then walk to the entrance, along the right hand branch off it.
Years ago used to drive to around this point but that was before the sign went up!
Must admit last time met some keepers and even though we were walking,were, not too friendly. Does sir Francis lilo know the current situation?
Found it difficult to park in Gunnerside but perhaps we have a long journey to get there so the places are usually full, I agree that if you can this traditional way is the best approach.

ptpeaty
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

#19

Sir Francis Lilo, thanks for the offer. Not sure what our plans are yet as I have to do the hard sell on the other group members and some of them may take convincing to explore lead mines! We will walk in as we're staying in the Reeth area anyway. Tends to add to the whole experience walking in with a load of caving gear! Thanks for all the advice everyone
PT

Morrisey
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

11 years ago

#20

Is it still possible to do a through trip from hard level across to Bunton level as alluded to in one of John Hardy's publications?