Has anyone been up to CCHL via Archers Rise, and then towards Bogg Shaft branch and further recently? If so what is the state of it all?

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Last I heard was "Beware of the ropes"
Other points to look at would be my digs

East towards Bog where you go under PVC coated corrugated the gap in the arching was only about 8 inches but mud like liquid concrete was pouring though, hence the methodology.

Going west, I doubt that all the digs in the loose stuff are still clear, but could be cleared.

Not really answering your question am I, sorry.

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All info helps Roy, I can only say it sounds nice.

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A friend and I were in CCHL via Archers rise earlier in the year.
It was certainly accessible, and seemed fine.
We went to the graffiti near the portal.
Never been toward Bogg shaft, so couldn't comment.
It is on the to do list though, so I'd be interested to know the state of the route there.

We went to the graffiti near the portal.

Did you look at what was above your head the last crawl?
:o

Never been toward Bogg shaft, so couldn't comment.

You would have passed it on the right going towards "In darkest shades...."
It was a branch on the sharp 'coming back on yourself' right leading to a collapse.
If you could have spirited yourself through the fall you would come on the big pipes with Smallcleugh below you.

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Last I heard was "Beware of the ropes"

Last time I looked up there was 2011 and I remember shuddering at the sight of the rope coming down from the rebelay off the rail. It'd always put me off returning to an extent. Wonder if it's been replaced?

I remember the crawls toward the end being a bit sketchy.
We were pushed for time, so couldn't have a decent look around.
We will be back there no doubt.
We are still learning our way around Nent.

Nearly had a complete disaster the day we did that trip.

Underground for 13 hours and nearly missed last orders at the Miners. 😞

The thing here is that the pitches are only short ones.

The longest is the one up to what I call the SRT flats with the rock drill carcass. Its 40 feet, but I originally free climbed it.

The rise was blocked with rotten collapsed ladder and I did a sort of running lifeline off the air pipe and physically smashed my way through the collapsed ladder.

The next pitch is only about 20 feet but when originally gained with Heb it was a real chamber of horrors.

The last pitch up to the high level is the dodgiest in my estimation, I hope that the original frayed yellow rope has been replaced. I free climbed that originally, nice section of unsupported archwork to pass.

It was my biggest mining adventure. I can remember one Sunday up at about 5.30, driving up, underground for 10.5 hours, then back down the M6.

There is a write up I did. I was going to update it as it was commented that it was difficult to locate where I am talking about from my narrative. But its been sitting on my system for years, and the high level is certainly no secret, so I am about to upload it.

EDIT
Just uploaded, enjoy your reading
;D

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Roy, in your report you mention plans a few times. Did you have your own working copy that you jotted notes down on with the naming of places you found? If so is this available as well, to put it into context.

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Roy, in your report you mention plans a few times. Did you have your own working copy that you jotted notes down on with the naming of places you found? If so is this available as well, to put it into context.

Ian Hebson managed to get copies of the abandonment plans on a sort of plastic, I believe from BGS. Don't forget this was years ago, I suspect same plans you used for your coloured reproductions?

It could be difficult to locate exact spots I mention on the plans, but not underground, at least not for me.
I didn't work from a plan, it was all underground, basically sussing out rises that were climbable and seeing where they went. A lot only lead to insignificant bits, the concrete arching just before Caplecleugh Sump comes to mind.

If you go mooching, please be careful. Look for any "RF" signs at the bottom of rises scrawled on old board or whatever. "Danger" and "No go" etc.
I am not the sort of person who would put this to keep people away from something good, if I say "Danger", I mean it.

To be honest about it, the best stopes and flats above Caplecleugh are the ones we all know about and being going in for years. I was a trite disappointed.

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