It is easy to over look the Hangingshaw Branch of Rampgill, as
usually when you are passing through it, it is as part of a through trip, and
hence you are steaming on to other parts or just wanting to get out to
daylight. The level itself extends all the way past the Ballroom in
Smallcleugh, and there are multiple links to Carr's and Smallcleugh Mines.
Having explored what could be termed the middle section of it (between Proud's
Flat workings and the bottom of the Hydraulic Shaft) a number of years ago we
thought it was time to see the first section of it - the only way to do this is
to climb up.
We entered via the Rampgill portal and at Whiskey Bottle
junction took the Hangingshaw Branch. Simply coming at the level from this way
allowed us to notice more details, such as the rises and the various junctions,
that you miss when flying outby. The first rise we climbed up looked promising,
as after reaching a crosscut part way up it, you had two branches to explore,
the first one went to another rise, but this could be seen to be blind and the
other side went to a fall. The most interesting thing we saw up this one was
some iron stained mine pearls. Back down and then we attempted another rise
next to a junction. Whilst I had a look up the junction, Karli and Pete climbed
up the rise. The junction led to what seemed to be a big shaft going up, with a
large amount of water coming down it. The bottom had many deads and so my first
thoughts were that this must be a major link to Carr's. Climbing up the deads
and past the water curtain, revealed daunting jammed deads above me - more of a
stope than shaft. I returned to the junction and joined the others up the rise.
About 10m or so up, there was a level that intersected the rise, we took the
north side first and this gave access to a thin long flat, which had a ledge
running along its length. We found a few artifacts, a spade, a few candle stubs
on the walls, as well as some nice formations. We then climbed across the rise
to the south side of the level, revealing a ventilation door frame, complete
with hinges, but no door. Further along, some more formations were seen,
another rise going upwards that had fallen in, and past this around a corner
another fall, which was actually drafting. Water could be heard on the other
side and judging by the position, we guessed it was the main level below. Here
we also spotted some of Mole's tell tail mahogany picket fence boards that he
uses in digs. On second thoughts it may have not been the main level, but the
branch I had been down, with the jammed deads? Returning back to the formations
we stopped for lunch.
Back down in the level we carried on and then
climbed up a 3rd rise, which opened up into a large chamber that was fed by
another large hopper and manway. Climbing back over what we had just come up we
entered a crosscut which then opened up in to some large flats. In these we
came a cross a explosives box, tins and a very large timber floored area
dedicated to sorting out the ore. The whole area here did not seem to get much
traffic and it was nice to see intact vertical pack walls. Coming back out of
the flats we crossed the rise into another section that gave way to a warren of
levels and small flats over a few horizons. Here we also found a number of
hoppers both going up and down. Yet again we climbed back down and carried on,
to climb another rise. Whilst climbing up this one I noticed a piece of flat
rock with red insulation tape on it, cogs turned, this was a marker thrown down
from Carr's level over 4 years ago. It must have had a right pin ball ride down
to reach the hopper! Climbing up further, a number of hoppers could be seen
feeding this one - all very impressive, and yet again there was a level heading
off, however it did not reveal anything. Pete decided to try and climb one of
the feed hoppers and surprisingly ended up in the warren of levels and flats
accessed from the 3rd rise. Dropping back down we carried on for a while longer
until we reached the deep water section. Here we had a look in the calcified
crosscut and then moved a little further up to the Proud's Working
Hopper.
We had wanted to do more, but yet again time had run out, making
us call it a day. |
