It is possible to access an isolated large stope above the
Rampgill Hangingshaw Level, which is on the east end of the Middlecleugh 2nd
Sun Vein via Harrison's Sump on the Smallcleugh horizon. We have been meaning
to do this for around six years now, after exploring and digging in the area in
2006. When we reached the sump it looked like others had been down it since, as
there was a small dam built before it and a rail track across it. Karli had
recently made around 20 heavy duty anchor plates and some of these were
employed in bolting the sump top so that it was nice a easy to get down. Myself
and Karli started bolting whilst Pete built up on the existing dam so that it
could hold back more water. We put in a leader plate and two more next to the
sump for a Y hang. On the other side an additional plate was put in for a
deviation. With this set up it was possible to have a straight drop down the
sump, and it was really easy to get on to the rope. Once rigged the rail track
was removed as well as the first stemple that was level with the floor. Karli
abseiled down.
The sump turned out to be around 22m deep to the floor of
the stope below, and was in good condition. About 14m down there was a half
boarded up level and some 5m from the bottom a very slight dog leg. The sump
also continued down to the flooded Hangingshaw Level for another 8m or so. I
heard a rope free shout from below and abseiled down after Karli, soon joining
him, Pete followed after. Landing in the stope we had a quick look around and
soon were impressed by the size. We headed east wards first, passing four ore
chutes in the stope floor until reaching the forehead. Along the way we came to
a large flat area with a big overhang held up by wooden pillars. Here there was
a drop down into a large excavated cavity. The area was littered with modern
newspapers dating from the 1990's that had been dumped by mineral collectors.
In the cavity there was a wooden explosives box with a detonator tin and
instructions inside. The large flat area had a massive ore chute, that looked
like a large funnel. Past this there was a drop down some deads and the
forehead was reached - some 50m from the access point. Whilst myself and Karli
looked around this end, Pete had a look up the west side of the stope and after
some time, came back reporting that it went on for a much longer distance and
also ended in a forehead. We sat down and had lunch, took more photographs and
then headed westwards along the stope.
From the access point we dropped
down a 3m wall and carried on west along the stope. Along the way we found more
ore chutes, the stope on this side seemed to be a lot bigger. There were a lot
of colourful formations on the walls and we came to a large flat dressing area.
At the very end of the stope we found some explosives instructions that were
printed in English and German, something we had never seen before. On the way
back a number of tallow candle stubs were seen, as well as more detonator tins
. The stope westwards we guessed at being around 100m long, so in total around
150m. Height wise, we reckoned up to 10m in places and generally 4-7m wide. I
had a bit more of a potter with Karli whilst Pete decided to climb back up, the
now very wet sump. All we could hear was all sorts of curses, and eventually a
massive downpour of water as he broke the dam. This was a very good example of
a water blast, as when the downpour came the amount of air it brought with it
was staggering! Finally after around 10 minutes the water dropped to a trickle
and I started to climb back up. Half way up, there was a sudden deluge of water
again, followed by lots of swearing! Pete for fun had released some water down
the sump for me - joy. Once up, Karli started climbing, but he stopped at the
boarded level. There was some water backed up behind the boarding, which he
released allowing him to enter it. However, it turned out to be a short blind.
With all of us up, we derigged and made our way out.
It was really good
to return to something we had first come across a while ago and then finish it
of. The area is a little of the beaten track, but still very easy to get to and
very interesting. |
