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Underground Trips
An extensive programme of underground trips is planned. Underground trips will range from simple
walk-in mines to some serious through or round trips with SRT. All
underground trips are subject to owner permission and safety considerations
at the time of the trips - no difficulties are currently anticipated.
Note that :-
·
there will be a maximum number of persons allowed on each trip and
the popular trips get full early. If
you wish to guarantee getting on a trip then book early.
·
all persons going underground MUST hold BCA liability
insurance and you will be asked to quote your reference number on the booking
form. If you do not hold such
insurance then contact the Bookings Organiser for advice on how you can get
cover.
Trip leaders have the right to refuse anyone from taking part in a
trip if they feel that they are either unfit or do not have the proper
equipment.
Click on the thumbnail picture to see a larger version
FRIDAY 29th JULY
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1400
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F1 Crickheath Mine
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Llanymynech Car Park (travel time from Preston
Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Lead
mine
Difficulty
: Walk
in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This mine has a complex structure and there is no obvious mineral so the whole set-up is
something of an enigma. The mine is an important bat roost and access is
not normally available.
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TRIP FULLY
BOOKED
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TBC
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F1a Crickheath Mine
Time : TBC
Meet : Llanymynech Car Park (travel time from Preston
Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Lead
mine
Difficulty
: Walk
in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This mine has a complex structure and there is no obvious mineral so the whole set-up is
something of an enigma. The mine is an important bat roost and access is
not normally available.
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1400
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F2 - The Ogof, Llanymynech
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Water Board Car Park (travel time from Preston
Montford - 60 minutes)
Type : Copper mine
and cave
Difficulty
: Walk
in and crawling
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : The Ogof is part cave and
part mine and was reputedly mined in Prehistoric times for copper. This
trip will concentrate on the Ogof but there are also nearby Victorian workings
that access even older workings (wet entrance).
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SATURDAY 30th JULY
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1000
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SA1 - Snailbeach 40
Yard Level via Winch
Time : 1000 1600 approx
Meet : Snailbeach Village Hall Car
Park some cars will be moving closer to underground access. (travel time
from Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
& barytes mine
Difficulty
: Sit-harnesses and cows-tails required no SRT. There
is a maximum weight limit per person of 120Kg (18 stone 13 pounds in
obsolete units!) which includes clothing and any gear carried
Party
Size : 20 persons
Details : Paul Thorne will have his
winch on Chapel Shaft and this will be used for non-SRT access to the 40
Yard Level. There is approximately 350ft of descent (and ascent) to the 40
Yard Level but the shaft is far deeper. Everybody using the winch must have
a sit-harness and cows-tails and must be prepared for a degree of queuing.
Alternative see Monday Trip 1.
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1030
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SA2 - Snailbeach 40 Yard Level via SRT
Time : 1030 1600 approx
Meet : Snailbeach Village Hall Car
Park some cars will be moving closer to underground access. (travel time
from Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
& barytes mine
Difficulty : Full SRT kit required plus
experience of passing deviations and re-belays
Party
Size : 20 persons
Details : This is an SRT trip none of
the pitches are long or difficult but some situations are very exposed and
the pitches include deviations and re-belays. The trip will involve the Classic
route to the 40 Yard Level (total of 250ft descent) with return via the
Scenic route.
For a more ambitious trip see Monday Trip 2.
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1030
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SA3a - Burgam Mine (Stiperstones)
Time : 1030 1300 approx
Meet : Burgam Corner (travel time from Preston
Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Barytes
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : Burgam Mine is sometimes
referred to as Upper Tankerville and there are various parts to the mine.
This trip will concentrate on the highest of the levels and which involves
a tight crawl at the entrance visits to the lower levels will depend on
time available. This trip is only walking and crawling.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Rhadley Mine or Scott Level (both of which are 30
minutes away) for the other half day.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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1000
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SA4a - Potters Pit Mine (Stiperstones) Goodest Tuesday Level
Time : 1000 1300 approx
Meet : Burgam Corner (travel time from Preston
Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
mine
Difficulty
: Full SRT kit required plus experience of passing deviations
and re-belays.
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : An SRT trip involving
non-conventional descent (more a controlled slide down restricted space
slope) to lower stope optional descent lower workings / water level and
more conventional SRT ascent.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Burgam Mine or Scott Level (both of which are 30
minutes away) for the other half day.
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1400
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SA5b - Scott Level (Snailbeach)
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Snailbeach Village Hall Car Park
(travel time from Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
mine
Difficulty
: Walk in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : There is little information
on Scott Level and it is thought to be mainly a trial level but is
extraordinarily long for a trial. This trip is only walking but some parts
are in thigh / waist deep muddy water. Expect to come out muddy and wet.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Burgam Mine or Potters Pit Mine (both of which are
30 minutes away) for the other half day.
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1400
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SA6b - Rhadley Mine
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Nipstone Rock Car Park (travel time from Preston Montford 60
minutes)
Type : Barytes
mine
Difficulty
: Full SRT kit required for optional descent
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This trip involves a fair
amount of surface walking and visit to two levels the first involves SRT
but a single straightforward 40ft pitch; the second is likely to involve
thigh deep water but otherwise just walking and crawling.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Burgam Mine or Potters Pit Mine (both of which are
30 minutes away) for the other half day.
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1000
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SA7a Crickheath Mine
Time : 1000 1300 approx
Meet : Llanymynech Car
Park (travel time from
Preston Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Lead
mine
Difficulty
: Walk
in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This mine has a complex structure and there is no obvious mineral so the whole set-up is
something of an enigma. The mine is an important bat roost and access is
not normally available.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Llanymynech Ogof (which is less than 30 minutes
away) for the other half day.
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1400
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SA8b - The Ogof, Llanymynech
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Water Board Car Park (travel time from Preston
Montford - 60 minutes)
Type : Copper
mine and cave
Difficulty
: Walk
in and crawling
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : The Ogof is part cave and
part mine and was reputedly mined in Prehistoric times for copper. This
trip will concentrate on the Ogof but there are also nearby Victorian
workings that access even older workings (wet entrance).
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Crickheath Mine (which is less than 30 minutes away)
for the other half day.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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1030
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SA9a - Clive Mine
Time : 1030 1330 approx
Meet : At mine (travel time from Preston
Montford - 45 minutes)
Type : Copper
mine
Difficulty
: Sit-harness and cows-tails required but not SRT
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This trip will be to the
upper level of the mine but involves descent of a rigid 25ft ladder
and then a protected ledge traverse.
This mine is in the same strata as the Alderley Edge Copper Mines
and is quite picturesque.
For a more ambitious trip see Wednesday Trip 1.
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SUNDAY 31st JULY
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1030
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SU1 - Huglith Mine
Time : 1030 1530 approx
Meet : Huglith Farm (travel time from Preston
Montford - 45 minutes)
Type : Barytes
mine
Difficulty : Full SRT kit required plus
experience of passing deviations and re-belays.
Party
Size : 20 persons
Details : This will be a round trip (or
exchange trip) involving different shafts down to the main tramming level.
The main trip will involve SRT descents / ascents in the order of
120ft. If time permits there is a
route to a lower sub-level that will be rigged. There are various mining
artefacts and colourful copper staining on the tramming and sub levels.
For a more ambitious trip see Tuesday Trip 1.
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1000
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SU2a - Westcott Mine
Time : 1030 1300 approx
Meet : Forestry Entrance Gate (travel time from Preston Montford - 45
minutes)
Type : Copper
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 12 persons
Details : This is small copper mine
adjacent to Huglith. The mine is all on private land and not normally
accessible.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with a trip to Scott Level or Burgam Mine (both of which
are 40 minutes away) for the other half day.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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1400
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SU3b - Scott Level (Snailbeach)
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Snailbeach Village Hall Car
Park (travel time from Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
mine
Difficulty
: Walk in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : There is little information
on Scott Level and it is thought to be mainly a trial level but is
extraordinarily long for a trial. This trip is only walking but some parts
are in thigh / waist deep muddy water. Expect to come out muddy and wet.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Westcott Mine (which is 40 minutes away) for the
other half day.
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1400
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SU4b - Burgam Mine
Time : 1400 1630 approx
Meet : Burgam Corner (travel time from Preston
Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Barytes
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : Burgam Mine is sometimes
referred to as Upper Tankerville and there are various parts to the mine.
This trip will concentrate on the highest of the levels and which involves a
tight crawl at the entrance visits to the lower levels will depend on
time available. This trip is only walking but some parts are in thigh /
waist deep muddy water.
It should be practical to
combine this trip with Westcott Mine (which is 40 minutes away) for the
other half day.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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1000
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SU5a - Cambrian Mine, Glyn Ceiriog
Time : 1000 1300 approx
Meet : Glyn Ceiriog car park (travel
time from Preston Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Slate
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 12 persons
Details : This is a classic slate mine /
quarry. The lower levels are flooded
but the top level is accessible. Involves descent down a steep slope which
can be slippery if wet.
It should be practical to
combine this with a trip to Chwarel Wynne (which is less than 30 minutes
away) for the other half day.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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1400
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SU5b - Cambrian Mine, Glyn Ceiriog
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Glyn Ceiriog car park (travel
time from Preston Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Slate
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party Size
:
12 persons
Details : This is a classic slate mine /
quarry. The lower levels are flooded
but the top level is accessible. Involves descent down a steep slope which
can be slippery if wet.
It should be practical to combine
this with a trip to Chwarel Wynne (which is less than 30 minutes away) for
the other half day.
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1000
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SU6a
- Chwarel Wynne Mine, Glyn Ceiriog
Time : 1000 1300 approx
Meet : Glyn Ceiriog car park (travel
time from Preston Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Slate
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 10 persons
Details : Previously used
as a Show Mine but some collapses have left uneven floor and
descent. The lower levels are flooded but there
are a number of higher levels still accessible. This is on private land and
not normally accessible.
It should be practical to
combine this with a trip to Cambrian Mine (which is less than 30 minutes
away) for the other half day.
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TRIP
CANCELLED
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1400
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SU6b
- Chwarel Wynne Mine, Glyn Ceiriog
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : Glyn Ceiriog car park (travel
time from Preston Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Slate
mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 10 persons
Details : Previously used
as a Show Mine but some collapses have left uneven floor and
descent. The lower levels are flooded but there
are a number of higher levels still accessible. This is on private land and
not normally accessible.
It should be practical to
combine this with a trip to Cambrian Mine (which is less than 30 minutes
away) for the other half day.
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TRIP
CANCELLED
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1000
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SU7a - Clive Mine
Time : 1000 1300 approx
Meet : At mine (travel time from Preston
Montford - 45 minutes)
Type : Copper
mine
Difficulty
: Sit-harness and cows-tails required but not SRT
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This trip will be to the
upper level of the mine but involves descent of a rigid 25ft ladder
and then a protected ledge traverse.
This mine is in the same strata as the Alderley Edge Copper Mines
and is quite picturesque.
For a more ambitious trip see Wednesday Trip 1.
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TRIP FULLY
BOOKED
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1400
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SU7b - Clive Mine
Time : 1400 1700 approx
Meet : At mine (travel time from Preston
Montford - 45 minutes)
Type : Copper
mine
Difficulty
: Sit-harness and cows-tails required but not SRT
Party
Size : 8 persons
Details : This trip will be to the
upper level of the mine but involves descent of a rigid 25ft ladder
and then a protected ledge traverse.
This mine is in the same strata as the Alderley Edge Copper Mines
and is quite picturesque.
For a more ambitious trip see Wednesday Trip 1.
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TRIP FULLY
BOOKED
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MONDAY 1st AUGUST
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1000
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M1 - Snailbeach 40 Yard Level via Winch
Time : 1000 1600 approx
Meet : Snailbeach Village Hall Car
Park some cars will be moving closer to underground access. (travel time from
Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
& barytes mine
Difficulty : Sit-harnesses and cows-tails
required no SRT. There is a maximum weight limit per person
of 120Kg (18 stone 13 pounds in obsolete units!) which includes clothing
and any gear carried
Party
Size : 20 persons
Details : Paul Thorne will have his
winch on Chapel Shaft and this will be used for non-SRT access to the 40
Yard Level. There is approximately 350ft of descent (and ascent) to the 40
Yard Level but the shaft is far deeper. Everybody using the winch must have
a sit-harness and cows-tails and must be prepared for a degree of queuing.
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1030
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M2 - Snailbeach Deep Levels via SRT
Time : 1030 1730 approx
Meet : Snailbeach Village Hall Car
Park some cars will be moving closer to underground access. (travel time
from Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Lead
& barytes mine
Difficulty : Full SRT kit required plus
experience of passing deviations and re-belays
Party
Size : 20 persons
Details : It is intended that the route
to the 90 Yard and 112 Yard Levels be rigged if practical (access to the
112 Yard Level will depend on current water levels). Alternatively
individuals can simply do the round trip to the 40 Yard Level. A 40 Yard
only trip also available on Saturday.
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1400
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M3a - Tar Tunnel (Ironbridge / Coalport)
Time : 1400 1600 approx
Meet : TBC (travel time from Preston
Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Tar mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 9 persons
Details : SCMC
was instrumental in opening up one of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage
Site Museums, the Tar Tunnel back in 1965. The tunnel was originally driven
as a canal by Ironmaster William Reynolds to convey coal from his mines
beneath Madeley. On discovering natural Tar, it was harvested for several
years and used to seal boats on the adjacent river and distilled to make an
elixir. Later the tunnel was driven on for mine drainage purposes and
connected with several mines. The trip, beyond the limit to which the public
get access, will be unique and gives the delegate a one off chance to see
what the club regained access to in its early years. Access is dependent
upon the help of the museum operator IGMT.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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TBC
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M3b - Tar Tunnel (Ironbridge / Coalport)
Time : 1400 1600 approx
Meet : TBC (travel time from Preston
Montford 60 minutes)
Type : Tar mine
Difficulty : Walk in
Party
Size : 9 persons
Details : SCMC
was instrumental in opening up one of the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage
Site Museums, the Tar Tunnel back in 1965. The tunnel was originally driven
as a canal by Ironmaster William Reynolds to convey coal from his mines
beneath Madeley. On discovering natural Tar, it was harvested for several
years and used to seal boats on the adjacent river and distilled to make an
elixir. Later the tunnel was driven on for mine drainage purposes and
connected with several mines. The trip, beyond the limit to which the
public get access, will be unique and gives the delegate a one off chance
to see what the club regained access to in its early years. Access is
dependent upon the help of the museum operator IGMT.
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TRIP
FULLY
BOOKED
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TUESDAY 2nd AUGUST
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1030
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XTU1 - Huglith Mine Main Vein
Time : 1030 1530 approx
Meet : Huglith Farm (travel time from Preston
Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Barytes
mine
Difficulty
: Full SRT kit required plus experience of passing deviations
and re-belays.
Party
Size : 20 persons
Details : This will be similar to the round
trip (or exchange trip) involving different shafts down to the main
tramming level being organised for the Sunday, but in addition it is hoped
to put together an optional connecting route below the main tramming level.
At the time of writing this has yet to ever be done. The standard trip will
involve SRT descents / ascents in the order of 120ft. The intended extra
involves the route to a lower sub-level followed by further descent and
then traverse (in some manner) to an ascent route to the main tramming
level. There are various mining artefacts and colourful copper staining on
the tramming and sub levels.
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1100
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XTU2 - Huglith & Westcott Mines
Time : 1100 1500 approx
Meet : Entrance to forestry track
(travel time from Preston Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Barytes
& copper mines
Difficulty
: Walk in
Party
Size : 12 persons
Details : These two mines are adjacent
this trip will involve surface walking plus walk-in to Badger Level at
Huglith and various levels at Westcott.
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WEDNESDAY 3rd
AUGUST
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1030
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XW1 - Clive Mine
Time : 1030 1330 approx
Meet : At mine (travel time from Preston
Montford 45 minutes)
Type : Copper
mine
Difficulty : Standard Trip - sit-harness
and cows-tails required but not SRT.
Lower Levels Trip - SRT kit required
Party
Size : No limit
Details : The Standard trip to the
upper level of the mine will be available but at least one pitch to the
lower level will be rigged as well. The Standard trip involves descent of a 25ft rigid ladder
and then a protected ledge traverse; SRT is required for access to the
lower level. This mine is in the same strata as the Alderley Edge Copper
Mines and is quite picturesque.
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XW2 - Requested Trip
It should be possible
to re-run one of the trips arranged for Saturday or Sunday (not already run
on Monday or Tuesday). It is up to
individuals to request.
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THURSDAY 4th AUGUST
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XTH1 - Requested Trip
It should be possible
to re-run one of the trips arranged for Saturday or Sunday (not already run
on Monday or Tuesday). It is up to
individuals to request.
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FRIDAY 5th AUGUST
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XF1 - Requested Trip
It should be possible
to re-run one of the trips arranged for Saturday or Sunday (not already run
on Monday or Tuesday). It is up to
individuals to request.
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