The air quality in the Gudhamgill Level is not the greatest, there
is no air circulation and from trip reports carried out by other explorers the
oxygen can be as low as 15% within sight of the portal. In view of this we
decided it would be a useful exercise to try and improve the air via the
surface shaft that connects to the level when the drive in hits the Gudhamgill
Moss Vein. Almost 2 years ago we carried out an explore of surface shafts on
the Gudhamgill Moss Vein. The one which connects with the Gudhamgill Level from
a cross section was calculated to be 39m deep. It was possible to abseil down
to 37m. Calculated depth of blockage 2m, say plus or minus 2m, not that much
debris to come out, meaning it could be carried out in relative safety, without
fear of being buried.
We entered the adit and I thankfully spotted the
decomposing body of a rabbit, thus alerting the others to this potential mine
mine. Past that we carried on to the site of the old dig and then into chest
deep water until the junction with the surface shaft was reached. Pete kindly
supplied a 6' pinch bar, perfect for the job allowing for plenty of clearance.
Karli, being the gardening expert proceeded to start poking the debris and
wedging the pipes in the bottom. Nothing much happened at first, but after a
while with space made at the top of the pile we started to see and hear some
productive things and sounds. First the water coming down increased, then we
got a fair few rocks and lots of ochreous sludge. This continued in fits and
starts for around 10 minutes. Quite pleased so far. We even managed to remove a
section of pipe and a rail. When this was done, a bit more poking up into the
shaft was carried out and then we retreated due to the sounds up above.
Adrenaline was starting to pump around our bodies whilst we stood and looked at
the shaft bottom. A few more sounds could be heard, then the water coming down
started to increase along with the sludge, a rumble and then a massive gush of
water came forth out of the shaft. It spread out very quickly, and suddenly
there was a wall of brown water coming towards us. At this point it was a case
of turn round and leg it (wade it) down the level. Expecting to be washed by
the tidal wave and to end up swallowing lots of fetid water, we were surprised
that we were all still standing - thankfully the expected worst did not
happen.
Deep breaths, laughter and lots of swearing, followed by a some
shakes. All we suffered was a good splashing of orange splats on our faces and
gear. It looks like the deluge of water was all hot air. As estimated the
blockage was 2m deep, so we could not have had that much come down, what
happened was that the water that did come down, hit the sludge and water in the
level causing a big splash towards us. In the heat of the moment, it looked
like a tidal wave. All calmed down, we removed some of the debris around the
shaft bottom and waited for things to settle. A few more rocks came down, Karli
poked at the remaining pipe, which goes all the way to the surface to try and
dislodge anymore loose stuff - thankfully no more came down. Looking carefully
up into the shaft, we could see daylight some 39m above and the level that runs
above the horse level - mission accomplished.
Once happy with the shaft
settling we crawled past it to have a look at what lay beyond. We knew that the
borehole sump was past it and two blind headings. However we were not expecting
to see a whole wall of graffiti - very impressive. The borehole sump looked
open and clear, dropping a stone down it, we estimated that it was some 30m
deep. Was it open, could it give access to workings above the Gudhamgill Horse
Level? Having hanged around in the water now for almost an hour we were getting
cold, my feet felt like blocks of ice and attempting to move my toes resulted
in a slow motion action - not good. We went further up the level and got out of
the water into the stope further along and had lunch. Very weird this, as I
have never really suffered from the cold, but this time my feet were so cold
that I ended up pouring coffee into my wellies in an attempt to warm them up -
after 5 minutes or so, feeling was returning. After lunch we had an explore of
the stope and then I hung around whilst Karli and Pete went further up the
level to the orche bath.
They returned after 10 minutes or so and we
made our way out. I thought that I would also mention that I tried out a new
photo flood lamp based on the Luminous SST-90 LED. For the first time whilst
getting used to it, my camera suffered from over exposure! The light is very
cold, hence the number of photographs looking bluish. I need to adjust the
white balance. For the lamp builders out there, the flood lamp has 5 modes:
300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1500lm. It runs from a 2.9Ahr 7.2V Li-ion pack and can
give 45 minutes full power. However it is only designed for short usage as it
otherwise gets hot. Auto turn off after 35s on time. All housed in a clear
lidded Peli micro case.
Back at home I had a look at a cross section of
the Gudhamgill and found that the total depth of the Borehole Sump was just
under 50m, 49.3m to be exact, clearly there must be a blockage down
there. |
