Wondering what to do today, Karli suggested we do a SRT trip -
Prouds' to Rampgill, nothing too taxing but just to get back into the more
technical aspect of things. This would also allow us to see the cleared (opened
up by Nick Green and Peter Jackson) sump in Proud's Flat that now allows a
straight abseil into Hangingshaw Level from the second pitch.
Quick kit
up in the car park, then a walk up to Smallcleugh and into the mine brought us
to Proud's Sump. We rigged it as a pull through with our own rope, even though
there is a permanent rope installed. Once both down the first pitch, we went
the short distance to the second one and rigged this up as a pull through as
well. I abseiled first all the way down into Hangingshaw Level. Note that the
in-situ rope does not go all the way down and is tied into Proud's Flat. Once
both of us were down, the rope was pulled through again and we headed out to
Whiskey Bottle Junction. A lot of clearing work had been done along the way and
the water level was much lower compared to the last time we had passed through
this area.
At Whiskey Bottle Junction we turned east and headed for the
Rampgill Cross Vein to have a look at the south end and the connection the
Ramgill Sun Vein and the workings past this. The connection down to the Sun
Vein needs to have a set of hangers put in so that this little trip could be
easily done as a pull through - a Sunday potter job for the future. After
having a look around we headed out, yet again noticing the lower water levels
on the way out. You can pretty much do this part now without getting your feet
wet. |
