John Lawson
12 years ago
I do not think there has been any change in the air quality in Barneycraig over the years!
First went in there nearly 50 years ago, and our carbide lamp went out!
I spoke to Eric Bowman who had been working in the Coalcleugh mine above prior to its abandonment and whilst a hell of as lot of water went down an internal shaft there,a fag simply would not light up.
Eric told me there were days when they could not work the mine due to the bad air. They had tried to clear intersecting shafts unsuccessfully.
In my opinion this air will not clear until the sump on the Barneycraig branch in Rampgill level is dug out.
kroca
  • kroca
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12 years ago
JOHN how much work will it take to clear it mate.
Mr Mike
12 years ago
We went in this Sunday, and the air about 500m in was down to 14.8%, it had dropped to this by about 1% over 25m or so. Did not go further, but apart from one shaley fall it is in good condition, deepest water was chest height on me (6'1").

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk
RJV
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12 years ago
Has the shop been renovated/converted yet?
Mr Mike
12 years ago
Nothing has been done. By the way Rich, you go into Iron Mines, how low do you go in 02 generally or is that a too silly question to ask in the open?
Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk
christwigg
12 years ago
I (personally) wouldn't be massively concerned about 14.8% if I was in a nice open level that allowed a quick retreat.

But in chest deep water where getting out in a hurry would be slow and tiring it's not such an exciting prospect.
RJV
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12 years ago
Leaving scary numbers out of it It depends massively on how easy going the ground is and what your doing there.

It's fairly pointless going much beyond where you have got to as you'll start to struggle to get past collapses and digging simply won't be an option.

We've reached a similar point on a local project and are having to clear the whole level now in the hope it will improve airflow as its nearly sumped in places which can't help.
RJV
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12 years ago
[pedant]Oh, Allendale is in Northumberland by the way, I've moved this out of the NW forum area.[/pedant]
John Lawson
12 years ago
The o2 figure quoted by Mike is about the level quoted as necessary for a carbide lamp to burn. So I guess there hasn't been much change over thee years.
Mike we turned back because of this with a wide level ahead of us.
The sump in Rampgill off the top off my head will be about 60 ft.
I guess you can see about thirty down it, but it would be a big job and again the O2 level would have to be checked.
I have noticed this level seems to vary in the region of the boundary gate, but I have not checked it.
The prize of course is to go from Cumbria to exit in Northumberland.
gNick
  • gNick
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12 years ago
Which sump are we talking about? It it is Rampgill Shaft there's plenty of room to put spoil and build a neat ramp down...
An epic dig - count me in!
Don't look so embarrassed, it's a family trait...

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