Hi all,
Some of you may have noted that I have been investigating a substantial air movement in the flats along Caplecleugh North Vein.
I am pleased to share that we have been able to link those flats to Caplecleugh High Level, via an open 30m sump giving us an alternative route to gain access to CCHL. This sump avoids all the nastiness associated with Archers Rise route and would provide a convenient escape from CCHL should the need arise.
It has been well bolted, in sound rock, with no rub points. There isn't currently a rope in-situ - anyone keen for a visit would have to do the regular High Level trip, but we fully intend to place one there in the near future.
If anyone would like more information, please feel free to contact me privately.
Thanks.

Whoop whoop. That is a cool find and final resting place now for all the questions! :thumbup: Excellent.

A new round trip as well...

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😉 Well done matey.

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Good work, nice to know that there are still new routes to be found out there.

Wow! a new round trip, deserves a speed solo then.

Wow! a new round trip, deserves a speed solo then.

What's a speed solo?

I believe it's the complete opposite.

Just re-read this, plus the previous Caplecleugh threads and my surveys done with Roy during our first explorations. If it's the same sump, then this was descended to the North Vein workings a few years ago by Colonel Mustard & myself (the Colonel had the honour of making the connection). There are backfilled passages either side of the High level, the one on the right (looking outbye) leading through a tight crawl to the sump? We didn't have bolting equipment, so used a scaffold pole across the entrance to the short x-cut. This discovery was a huge help in understanding the position of other workings in the vicinity, as well as supporting my theory that the current ladderway access to North Vein is Caplecleugh Engine Shaft/Sump from surface.

Undescended sumps in the Caplecleugh High Level ?!
I thought the mighty Heb had let us down :lol:

But order is restored.

Can I add a word of caution about adding fixed ropes to this sump, creating a new so-called 'round trip'. Caplecleugh High Level and the North Vein workings are, at present, still in a nice remote and untouched state - only visited by those actually interested in the history & workings of the mines. To put them onto a 'round trip' would create an increase in traffic (albeit probably small), rubbish, damage to ladderways & ropes. Archers Rise & the N.V. ladderway isn't really set up to be on a through route for numpties & cavers doing it because its raining at Ingleton.;(

We did look at the sump you mentioned, with a crawl over a mud mound?
We had planned to revisit and descend that one next.
This isn't the one we descended though.
Ours was right next to the level, with a squarish chamber above the sump. There are round holes cut into the rock, presumably for timber supports for a winch or similar.
It is a fair bit further along the level than the one you mentioned.

Can I add a word of caution about adding fixed ropes to this sump, creating a new so-called 'round trip'. Caplecleugh High Level and the North Vein workings are, at present, still in a nice remote and untouched state - only visited by those actually interested in the history & workings of the mines. To put them onto a 'round trip' would create an increase in traffic (albeit probably small), rubbish, damage to ladderways & ropes. Archers Rise & the N.V. ladderway isn't really set up to be on a through route for numpties & cavers doing it because its raining at Ingleton.;(

Personally, I think you're being a little over cautious. Even if there is an available round trip, I wouldn't think there'd be that many takers - CCHL is a serious trip in anyone's book.
I think if anything it would help ease the load on Archers Rise.

I'd also love to know what your issue with people who go caving is?
Bear in mind, myself and my accomplice do an awful lot of caving - I find your comment a little judgemental.

Personally, I think you're being a little over cautious. Even if there is an available round trip, I wouldn't think there'd be that many takers - CCHL is a serious trip in anyone's book.
I think if anything it would help ease the load on Archers Rise.

I'd also love to know what your issue with people who go caving is?
Bear in mind, myself and my accomplice do an awful lot of caving - I find your comment a little judgemental.

I think you misinterpreting Heb's comment. The issue is not whether people go caving or play golf or anything else, but their reason for visiting CHL.
Before you become too vocal, remember all those trips you have been making to CHL have been possible because you were able to use the rope in Archers Rise provided & installed by Heb.
Another fixed rope is not really going to be very useful, however a days work on Capel Low Level clearing the falls would be.

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I'm well aware of who first gained access to the high level, and who we all have to thank for those ropes being in place. All due respect to them for their achievements.
It's not the first time I've seen cavers mentioned in a bad light though. I just find it disappointing, as whether you'll admit it or not, there does seem to be a misplaced amniosity toward them.
All I was trying to do with my original post was make people aware of what, as far as I knew, was a new link to the high level. If others knew it had been done previously then they have had plenty of opportunity to speak up and inform us.
In hindsight perhaps I should have kept it to myself?
Fixed rope or no fixed rope, does it make a difference? I still don't believe CCHL would gain a massive influx of tourists because of it.

As for the falls in CCLL, I'm more than happy to help dig them out. I try to post a comment on their current state each time we visit. I was keen to join a work party when there was talk on here of one, but it didn't come into fruition.
I have zero experience shifting shale, and worry that I would only contribute to making the situation worse. Perhaps next time you schedule a maintenance trip down there you could pop me a message? I'd be more than happy to learn what I need to do and to give a helping hand?

I still don't believe CCHL would gain a massive influx of tourists because of it.

Caplecleugh per se will never gain a massive influx of tourists.
Greatest problem in all the mines is natural deterioration, so preservation primarily revolves around remedial intervention rather than keeping people away.

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Congratulations on your work in CHL.
Agree with the suggestion that explorations in this mine will always, be treated with a great deal of respect!
The water is deep, filled with crocodiles,(so named by the late John McNeil), really they are stemples and props, which float about in the water..
And the roof!! Well all that can be stated with certainty is that it is on the move.
I remember when a very large group of experienced mine explorers, including myself, assembled on the previous Nenthead car park to go into the mine, on an August bank holiday.
Of the group only half a dozen of us saw the ventilation fan and made the first recent ascent of the laddered rise into the stopes above.
I think Heb, you are definitely being very optimistic in supposing so many explorers are going to follow you!

Congratulations on your work in CHL.
Agree with the suggestion that explorations in this mine will always, be treated with a great deal of respect!
The water is deep, filled with crocodiles,(so named by the late John McNeil), really they are stemples and props, which float about in the water..
And the roof!! Well all that can be stated with certainty is that it is on the move.
I remember when a very large group of experienced mine explorers, including myself, assembled on the previous Nenthead car park to go into the mine, on an August bank holiday.
Of the group only half a dozen of us saw the ventilation fan and made the first recent ascent of the laddered rise into the stopes above.
I think Heb, you are definitely being very optimistic in supposing so many explorers are going to follow you!

Perhaps the previous thoughts might be explained by the desire to protect fragile archaeology, to persuade visitors to leave artefacts and minerals in place, and to consider the very great difficulty of getting a person with broken bones out of this part of the mine.
Visiting the main vein without wet suits or fleeces, wearing cotton clothing ( as 47 years ago) can remind you what a potentially dangerous place this can be - if not treated with the greatest respect.
Enough!

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Of the group only half a dozen of us saw the ventilation fan and made the first recent ascent of the laddered rise into the stopes above.

and the traverse at the top over the hopper is now dangerous, assuming you talking about James Hills. All the timber has rotted and fallen away leaving only the rails and the one hopper side is sagging.

But I still love the place. I usually solo to Caplecleugh Shaft up into the loop flats on the way, back to LB and then round trip of the north flats, towards Smallcleugh, James Hills and the flats you mention, then back down and out at Smallcleugh. Do it about twice a year.

Its a bit like Western Cwffty by way of Parc, makes me feel like one of an elite.

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Roy I always admire your tenacity and undoubted skill, but as someone who has been in a lot of the areas you mention, I sincerely hope that you tell someone where you are going on these solo trips?
Remember on a C.O.M.R.U. exercise, they could not even find the 'pretend victim' in the Smallcleugh flats, and you are covering, probably, a good third of the Nenthead underground area in this 'swoop'.
Like you I feel very lucky to have been into these places, and as you probably know on one occasion I was fortunate to be able to see the forehead, beyond Capelcleugh shaft.
However the sumps to Whytesyke, as expected were flooded.