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Mines of the Tamar and Tavy Underground Field Trip Program 2007 |
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Field trip bookings should be made on the appropriate booking form A PDF version of this page is available via the Bookings page for ease of downloading and printing. First the boring stuff - this is however very important - please take the time to read and understand. Trip duration: Morning trips: Start 10.00, end 13.00 Afternoon trips: Start 14.30, end 17.30 Full day trips Start 10.00, end 17.30
Whilst we hope that it will not be necessary; delegates should be aware that the conference organisers reserve the right to alter, change or cancel any part of the field trip programme. Any delegate who wishes to undertake an underground field trip must fulfill the following criteria: 1. They must have BCA insurance cover. If the delegate is not covered by his/her club temporary cover must be arranged via NAMHO 2007 at the time of booking. 2. They must be fit enough to complete the trip. 3. They must have the appropriate technical skills to undertake the trip. To assist delegates in their choice of trip we have produced a grading system on a scale of i to v viz:
N.B: This grading system relates solely to NAMHO 2007 field trips, it is not related to caving numerical grading systems.
4. They must have appropriate kit. Every delegate who wishes to go underground must have basic caving gear including: (i) Helmet mounted lamp in good working order – a torch will not do. If carbide is used spent carbide must be taken out of the mine and disposed of appropriately. (ii) Spare light source. (iii) Helmet. (iv) Appropriate clothes for the trip. The bare minimum is a boiler suit with warm clothes underneath. (v) Sturdy boots or wellies.
We would also recommend that each delegate takes some food and drink with them.
If the trip kit list specifies cows tails they should have two “tails” each with a karabiner attached. The cow tails should be firmly attached to either a load bearing belt or harness.
If the list specifies SRT kit this should comprise of a standard rig, the bare minimum being: (i) Sit harness. This should be a harness specifically designed for caving and not a climbing harness. Harnesses lashed up from slings are not acceptable. (ii) Descender: Either a “Stop” bobbin type descender or a rack. Figure of 8 or whale tail descenders are not acceptable neither is abseiling on Italian hitches or “classic abseils”. (iii) Jammers: At least one “Croll” type chest jammer and one hand jammer. Hand jammer must have security link to main harness. Prussic loops are not acceptable. Appropriate foot loops, chest harness etc. are required (iv) Cows tails. If the trip leader feels that a delegate does not meet these criteria the delegate will not be allowed underground - his/her decision will be final.
The Field Trips Saturday and Sunday – Underground field trips; Tamar Valley and environs.
1. Devon Great Consols – Long Trip. Grade: v. Kit: Full SRT kit . Duration: Day. Discovered in 1844 Devon Great Consols rapidly developed into the world’s most important copper producer and, from the late 1860s the world’s largest arsenic producer. Devon Great Consols has been described as “A mine of mines” and, for once such praise is not hyperbole. Closure came in 1901, however the mine worked intermittently until 1970s for minerals diverse as copper, arsenic, wolfram and tin. Whilst the mine worked a number of lodes by far the most important was the Main Lode. The Main Lode was the largest copper lode in Europe, it was proved over a length of 2 ½ miles and in places is 30 – 35 feet wide. The Main Lode was worked by a series of mines running west to east: Wheal Maria, Wheal Fanny, Wheal Anna Maria, Wheal Josiah and Wheal Emma. Delegates on the long trip will visit the bottom accessible level of the mine. One of the (many) highlights of the trip is the phenomenal timbering, held by many as some of the best in Britain. Delegates undertaking the trip must be fully SRT competent as this is a technical multi – pitch trip. The trip involves four pitches of 15 feet, 35 feet and 30 feet and 60 feet; the final pitch involves an exposed traverse and a free – hanging re – belay and is not for the faint hearted. Delegates must be fully SRT competent A really excellent mine. Depending on demand there may be several groups doing this trip. This trip can be combined with the Frementor through trip (trip 3 below).
2. Devon Great Consols – Short Trip. Grade: iv. Kit: Full SRT kit . Duration: Day. Involves a partial descent of the mine. Whilst the bottom level is not visited there is plenty so see including the superlative timbering. The trip involves three pitches of 15 feet, 35 feet and 30 feet. Delegates must be SRT competent. Depending on demand there may be several groups doing this trip. This trip can be combined with the Frementor through trip (trip 3 below).
3. Wheal Frementor - through trip. Grade: v. Kit: Full SRT kit. Duration: Short (best combined with trip 1 or 2 above). Part of the Devon Great Consols Sett. Unlike the rest of the DGC sett which is in killas Frementor lies in granite. It mainly produced tin and wolfram. Worked during the latter part of the 19th century with sporadic re workings in the early 20th Century, the last phase of working being in the late 1920s. This is an SRT through trip comprising two 60 foot pitches and as such delegates need to be SRT competent. The highlight of the trip is a massive stope /gunnis which is very impressive. The exit is wet. Depending on demand there may be several groups doing this trip. This is a short trip and it is recommended that it is combined with one of the Devon Great Consols trips (trips 1 and 2 above).
4. Bedford United. Grade: iv. Kit: Full SRT kit . Duration: Day A Major Tamar Valley Copper mine with a recorded history going back to at least the early 18th Century. The mine worked five lodes: North (aka Tavistock), Marquis, Phillips, Delve’s Kitchen and Bridge. Whilst the mine was a major copper producer it also produced notable amounts of arsenic, tin and wolfram. This trip visits both Phillips and Marquis Lodes. Phillips Lode is a simple walk in. Marquis Lode is a superb, varied trip only suitable for delegates competent in vertical caving techniques, involving an exposed traverse, free climbs and a 60’ SRT pitch. One of the classic trips of the district. Depending on demand there may be several groups doing this trip.
5. Walkham Valley. (Morning) Grade: iii Kit: Cows tails, knee pads recommended. Duration: Half day. This trip visits two Walkham Valley mines: Walkham & Poldice and Walkham United. Walkham & Poldice produced lead, copper and a small amount of tin. Delegates will visit the adit level driven on Lead Lode which is notable for the impressive Engine Shaft sunk on the underlie and nice example of a timbered drive through a crosscourse. Apart from a very short flat out crawl under a wall at the entrance this visit poses no technical difficulties. Walkham United was both a tin and copper producer. The trip includes a very impressive openwork about 50 yards long and up to 10 feet wide. Delegates will also visit the Flat Lode workings so named because of their comparatively shallow dip. The exploration of the Flat Lode workings involves flat out crawling, loose rock and exposed traverses (traverse line).
6. Walkham Valley. (Afternoon) Details as trip 5 above.
7. Virtuous Lady. (Morning) Grade: iii Duration: Half day. A fascinating copper mine, believed to have been worked as far back as Elizabethan tines. During the latter part of the nineteenth century the mine produced reasonable amounts of copper and a small amount of arsenic. It was so mineralogically rich that it was worked at one time for specimens. The mine worked a flat lode which resulted in the development of a complex, interconnected series of caverns. No technical problems; occasional crawling. A great trip.
8. Virtuous Lady. (Afternoon) Details as trip 7 above.
9. Ding Dong Exchange. Grade: v. Kit: Full SRT kit. Duration: Day. Ding Dong lies directly to the South of the Bedford United sett. The lode is fairly complex carrying wolfram, cassiterite, mispickel and chalcopyrite. The mine was developed during the first quarter of the nineteenth century by the Tavistock Canal Company. It was last worked during the second world war for wolfram although some prospecting work was undertaken in the 1970s when Dyers Shaft was refurbished. This is a major vertical trip, one for the keen string danglers. The trip is an exchange between Dyer’s and Thomas’ shaft, involving the descent and ascent of 100 foot plus shafts.
10. Bedford Consols. (Morning) Grade: ii (iv if Air shaft is climbed – optional). Kit: SRT kit for air shaft (optional). Duration Half day. Bedford Consols, originally worked as part of the Gawton Sett, was both a copper and arsenic producer during the latter part of the 19th century. It was last worked on a small scale in the 1920s for arsenic. Delegates will visit the short North Lode workings and the more extensive Shallow Adit. Whilst the Shallow Adit has been somewhat trashed by mineral collectors there is still plenty to see. It is hoped to have Air Shaft rigged so that the upper level (of limited extent) can be visited, this will require full SRT kit. However it is possible to have a great trip without climbing Air Shaft. It should be noted the entrance requires wading through thigh deep water.
11. Bedford Consols. (Afternoon). Details as trip 10 above.
12. Wheal Russell. (Afternoon). Grade: ii Duration: Half day A nineteenth century amalgamation of eighteenth century copper sets. Between 1852 and 1891 Wheal Russell (aka Russell United) produced 11,400 tons of 5 ½ % copper, 11 tons of black tin and 10 tons of mispickel. The most important lodes worked by the mine were Main Lode and Great Lode. This trip will visit the Great Lode Deep Adit. The entrance is exceptionally squalid involving a wade through chest deep ochre. Once through the gloop there is some large stoping, some interesting tramway remains and some very photogenic ochre formations. It is strongly recommended that delegates on this trip bring a set of caving clothes specifically for this trip. Cameras will need adequate protection. This trip involves quite a long walk in. In spite of the longish walk in and the unpleasant entrance this is a really worthwhile trip.
13. Wheal Crowndale. (Morning). Grade: iv. Kit: Full SRT kit. Duration: Half day. Dating back to at least 1799, this copper producer was on of the first mines where a young John Taylor learned his trade. Although mainly a copper producer the mine yield considerable amounts of arsenic and a small quantity of tin. The trip involves two 50 foot pitches; delegates will need to be SRT competent.
14. Devon United. Grade: iv. Kit: Full SRT kit. Duration: Day. Delegates will need to be SRT competent. Devon United was worked for Tin, Copper, and latterly Arsenic. The mine closed in the 1920’s after a working history spanning over a century. The mine is accessed by a free hanging 60 foot entrance pitch. The underground workings are extensive, delegates will visit the Deep Adit level and the impressive stopes leading off it.
15. Excelsior Tunnel (Morning). Grade: ii. Duration: Half day. This long adit level was commenced in 1877 to drain the Kit Hill mines at depth. The adit was driven by various companies to a length of 350 fathoms before being abandoned prior to the Great War, never having reached its goal. Apart from the vision of the men who started the driving of the level what makes Excelsior interesting its latter use in the 1950s. During the late 1950s Excelsior was taken over by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment as part of Operation Orpheus, a programme involved in the detection of clandestine nuclear testing. The highlight of the trip are the fascinating spherical chambers blasted in the rock – a masterpiece of the miners art. This trip is a rare opportunity to have a legitimate trip into Excelsior; one for the Sub – Brit types.
Saturday – Underground field trips; further afield.
16. Wheal Gorland. Grade: iii. Kit: Cows tails. Duration: Full Day. Wheal Gorland is located in the St Day Mining field (Darkest Cornwall) and is being actively explored by the Wheal Gorland Preservation Society. The trip will access the mine by the 100 ft plus ladderway in Davey’s Footway shaft giving access to extensive workings, stopes and some fine mineralization. Note: Work is currently being undertaken to stabilise the shaft collar, if this work is not finished in time for the conference WGPS will be running an alternative (but equally interesting) trip. The shaft collar stabilisation project is major and expensive project it would be appreciated if delegates attending this trip would make a donation to the project.
Sunday – Underground field trips; further afield.
17. Great Rock. (Afternoon). Grade: ii. Duration: Half Day. Located in the vicinity of Bovey Tracey Great Rock was the last working Micaeceous haematite mine in Devon closing in 1969. An excellent mine. This trip would combine well with the morning trip to the surface workings at the neighbouring Kelly Mine. This trip requires final confirmation.
Saturday and Sunday – Underground field trips; further afield.
18. Penn Recca. (Morning). Grade iv. Kit Full SRT. Duration Half Day. Penn Recca is located in Buckfastleigh on the southern edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The trip will allow delegates to explore the best accessible underground slate quarry in Devon. Although nowhere near the scale of underground workings in North Wales Penn Recca provides a fascinating insight into the little known Devon slate industry. The main technical difficulty of the trip is a free hanging 120 ft shaft which is not to be underestimated. This trip would combine well with the afternoon visit to Haytor Iron Mine
19. Haytor Iron Mine. (Afternoon). Grade ii. Duration Half Day. Fascinating iron mine located within Dartmoor National Park. Would combine well with either the morning Penn Recca trip or the Sunday Morning (surface) visit to Kelly Mine.
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