Right all time to pick your brains again, upon being on the forum for a little while now and liking all i see with all the information ill need but i thought id ask this question

Right after xmas i want to be getting into exploring a lot more then being above ground

If you was to go down a shaft and explore what equipment would you take with you and what would you need.

Complete newbie to this so all the help with everything ill need would be great from groups to get in contact with or members on here to books and all the equipment ill need

Many thanks all

Sorry for the continuous questions but needs to be asked 😉 🙂

Shaft?

I'd find somewhere I could walk into and walk out of!

Going down shafts is all well and good, but you have to get back up again 😉

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Shaft?

I'd find somewhere I could walk into and walk out of!

Going down shafts is all well and good, but you have to get back up again ;)

Lol very true 🙂

all I've seemed to come across so far is shafts and deep ones at that.

Not had the luck and joys of finding anything to walk in and walk out of 🙂

If you was to go down a shaft and explore what equipment would you take with you and what would you need.
:)

someone who knows what they are doing, that knows the hole you are going down, and knows how to get back up again

If there's nothing nearby you can walk in and out of, a few hours drive in the car to something you can walk in and out of might be time better than several hours struggling with unfamiliar equipment

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If you was to go down a shaft and explore what equipment would you take with you and what would you need.
:)

someone who knows what they are doing, that knows the hole you are going down, and knows how to get back up again

If there's nothing nearby you can walk in and out of, a few hours drive in the car to something you can walk in and out of might be time better than several hours struggling with unfamiliar equipment

Thanks for the reply will have a hunt about currently going through old maps and exploring locations at the in so bound to come across something soon currently exploring north wheal jane and wheal jane just getting into it more and more each day and thought id ask the question above seek help with the questions and have and help with everything ill need to take this further

Thanks again

Find a local caving/mine exploration group.

Descending shafts isn't something to be treated trivially. The techniques need to be properly learned, and that isn't really something you can teach yourself. Apart from that, the equipment isn't cheap.

And gravity is a very hard taskmaster, entirely unforgiving of mistakes.

Yep. You need to come out with some people who know what the hazards are and will keep an eye on you so you don't make any serious rookie mistakes.

There are many ways to get in a serious pickle on a rope and many ways of getting in a pickle in a mine when you have successfully completed your ropework.

You would be surprised about the lack of air in Gwennap and Scorrier mines. Some of them are dangerous.

SRT is one of those things where your granny could do a 100m shaft on kit that is set up properly and you couldn't do 10m on kit which isn't set up properly. I remember my first outing in a 60ft shaft. My lengths were too short and I pretty much pulled myself out by my arms....if you've got some gymnastics to do at the top of the shaft, you need all the energy and help you can get.

You don't need to join the rescue team and learn industrial HSE approved multi colour coded rope and which hand to hold what with, but you do need to know how to set your kit up and use it properly and have someone who can be by you when you screw up and work you through your mess.

I have been stuck at the top of a 240ft shaft with knackered arms because I rigged it wrong and couldn't get out. Thankfully, I was pulled out of the cage by my feet. If I was alone, it would have been on the news.

There is nothing like getting in a bloody mess on a rope.

Digger, Pat and a fair few of the CBC/St Austell MIne exploring group visit a quarry near Luxulyan which is perfect for SRT practice.
All on the edge of the quarry, a very good place to learn.

Any plans to visit there over the festive period?

Tomh,will be doing srt and beer on the side of my house on the 30th dec if you want to have a bit of rope practice, if anyone's interested pm me

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Cheers Pat,

See you then all being well.

Many thanks all for the comments and help 🙂