2025

12th January 2025 - Wintery Mines near Calver, Peak District

Having never visited the old mines in the Calver area as a club before, Ciaran organised a trip to one of them having paid a visit two years ago with another club.  This mine included a not so typical "boat" journey across a flooded stope, and was also pre-rigged (bonus).  Meeting in Calver village, Ciaran was joined by Andy, Karl, Will and Angela.  After an icy cold change into caving gear, we made our way across to the mine entrance, knowing that we were going to have to wade through freezing water to get in.  Although the iced surface of the water looked to have already been broken, it had in fact frozen over again, but thankfully was thin enough to stomp through.  The adit was full of icicles for quite a way in, and were quite large in size which was a spectacle for all.

Once through the entrance adit and engineered supports, we were greeted with a knotted handline up and over a rising, which led quite promptly to the first pitch of around 5m. SRT equipped people popped down and a ladder and lifeline was rigged for Angela; which was left in situ for the return.  Going down slope, deeper and deeper, we then arrived at the flooded stope with a makeshift boat.  Ciaran pulled himself across first, which then meant everyone else sit back and relax as they could be pulled across.  Much fun was had here, especially thanks to Will's rather impressive sing song.

Moving on from the flooded section, we arrived at a small pitch heading up, of which Ciaran had totally forgotten about from his previous visit.  Rather than going back to get the ladder for Angela, a hauling system was rigged and Angela was raised to the top with ease.  Following some up and downing, a chamber was reached which appeared to have  a new SRT rope heading up into some upper levels.  We didn't venture up here, but it looks worth doing if we revisit.  So rather than going up, we squirmed through a hole in the floor, to a chamber with two water filled passages heading off.  Splitting into two groups, we ventured down each one and then swapped over.  It appears that this place must have been quite enormous given the high stopes, hanging death and a mysterious passage heading off on the other side of winze.

After some drinks, snacks and photos, we turned around and headed out feeling the crisp, cold wintery air the closer we got the surface.  All in all, a very good trip and one we may have to come back to!  Photos below.