Ore Chute into Hangingshaw Branch Level from Proud's Sump Flat (photo)

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legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

11 years ago

Just jogged my memory on a recent trip to Prouds Sump via Hangingshaw Level. Anyone wondering about the provenance of the wobbly aluminium ladder down from Prouds Sump Flat? It originally came from Whiteheaps, Alex F stuck it on his roof rack when nobody was looking. Still has the solicitors letter from WM somewhere, no doubt! It was used for many years to span the top of a rise in Skears level stopes, and was cut in three jointed pieces to go round the tight bends; one has gone astray somewhere. If I find it I'll re-unite them all ;D
Photograph:

🔗Hangingshaw-Branch-Level-Image-044[linkphoto]Hangingshaw-Branch-Level-Image-044[/linkphoto][/link]

festina lente[i]

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christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

I think there have been substantial safety improvements since that photo was taken.

I believe its now lashed onto the rail with a bit of pink cord.

;D

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

Dear God, I'm in a red cotton boiler suit and I'm sporting a home made battery pack.

I think there have be substantial equipment upgrades since that photo was taken.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

Is that a hoodie? At least we now know who is responsible for the tea-lights & graffiti then! :tongue:

Oh, think there was a cable tie on the ladder last time I passed through. Bombproof.

risy76115
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

can we have our ladder back please lol ;)

Rise from the ashes

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

NMCS might be able to donate some builders alloy ladders, if someone will volunteer to bolt them into place - mainly so that they stay put and don't get nicked. Could make this a little safer.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

I don't think there are any real issues with that set to be honest.

There are plenty of places with much sketchier ladders that would benefit more.

🔗Hangingshaw-Branch-Level-Image-30144[linkphoto]Hangingshaw-Branch-Level-Image-30144[/linkphoto][/link]

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

OK - where is this one?

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

If its the place i'm thinking of, about halfway between Whisky Bottle corner and Prouds Flats.

Takes you into a fair bit of workings from what I recall, but only had a quick look, once, years ago.

Don't know if it has a name, I'm sure you will know the place I mean.

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#10

Got it - the ladders have now gone completely. Leads into a flat and some stope workings . the rise continues vertically unto Carrs level.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

sparty_lea
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#11

Its been a long while, so maybe it's been fixed up... but the ladder into Tatters String was pretty dire last time I came down it.

There are 10 types of people in the world.

Those that understand binary and those that do not!

christwigg
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#12

Yes, very good point.

It was in a right state last time I saw it too.

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#13

"RJV" wrote:
Is that a hoodie? At least we now know who is responsible for the tea-lights & graffiti then! :tongue:
.

Forgot about the hoodie, ah they where the days. At least there was no camo gear or 20 cell maglite or survival knife.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

10 years ago

#14

Since the photo, the ladder has been hung vertically, and is securely lashed at the top but the lower end doesn't reach the deads slope in the hopper, and it has a lot of wobble on it. Good deterrent to the faint-hearted and casual!

festina lente[i]

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#15

I am sure that the walls around the top of the ore chute are in a great position to bolt and rope it for SRT if you wanted to do it really neat.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#16

Given that some of the ropes attaching the ladder are bolted to the walls, I hope the walls are good!

On a wider laddery note, I wonder whether it would be worth making up some basic steel ladders to properly redo some old ladderways. Something the width of an electron to keep the weight down.
Would need a bit of teamwork to get in place but then should be good for years and would allow the lightweifght ladders to be used for exploring new ground.

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

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#17

Anywhere in particular in mind Nick?

Whilst there is obviously good reason to keep commonly used routes reasonably safe, I think that there is some merit in leaving other places relatively inaccessible. For example, you wouldn't be surprised to find the remains of somebody's lunch or way out arrows in the Incline Flats whereas you'd be quite shocked to do so just a few yards away in the New Fan Flats.

gNick
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#18

Nowhere particularly in particular, places where ladders have collapsed like that one in Rampgill come to mind. Needs to be somewhere with a worthwhile amount of workings to get to obviously.

There is a balance between getting access back to an area currently unreachable and minimising the potential damage from low life scum. I wouldn't suggest putting anything into Smallcleugh outbye of the tourist route or places that can be safely free climbed possibly with a handline.

Maybe the rise up from the bottom of the incline by Pickerings - I know it has got a ladder in it but it won't last forever & it would be decidedly inconvenient if that went especially if you were above...

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

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#19

There is another way in to those workings near Pickering's rise that does not need climbing. If there is a ladder put in there (or any other places), then it opens it for maybe the wrong type of people. There is nothing wrong with SRT and a maypole if you want to climb "inaccessible rises" to see what is there. It is part of the fun of doing a more technical explore.

I don't think there are any problems that need fixing with ladders here and there or for hand lines.

If you want to get up somewhere, use your ingenuity and then leave it for other people to do so as well.

And if you can't manage to get up to somewhere which is difficult then maybe you shouldn't be going up there in the first place as your lacking in skills and need to get some more experience under your belt.

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

10 years ago

#20

Seconded! :thumbup: