Coniston Copper Mine Survey

Fatman

Member
Hi there,
Not sure which forum so I'll try this one.
One to do for a post COVID 19 world as the inches are gathering. Does anyone know if there is a rigging guide/route description of the Coniston Copper mine. I've got the field guide but does not describe the classic through route in enough detail and i fear it's much more complex than it's made to look.

cheers and stay safe
 

Benfool

Member
By Coniston Copper mine, I'm assuming you're talking about the Paddy's End to Hospital Level through trip (there is another throughtrip, but I cant remember what its called and its not as good).

Good description here:
https://yorkcavingclub.org.uk/reports/index.php?cave=88

In the past I've driven up to Copper Mines Valley and parked up there, instead of in the village - saves you a couple of miles and some height gain. Park in the big layby here:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.377623,-3.0947951,35m/data=!3m1!1e3

Paddy's End is here (its massive, you cant miss it!!)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.3817936,-3.1097492,26m/data=!3m1!1e3

and I think Hospital Level is here (near the little foot bridge):
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.3800446,-3.1050884,30m/data=!3m1!1e3

For ropes, I'd take something like a 15m, 50m, 30m and 30m and a selection of slings and krabs - that should get you all the way through to Hospital Level. There is a number of fixed aids in there, including some steel cable traverse lines and a couple of fixed ropes.  Personally I wouldn't pull through as its quite complex and easy to get lost and can be a little collapsy in places - so there is no guarantee you'll get through.

Its a really good trip, well worth a visit.

B
 

A_Northerner

Active member
Benfool said:
and I think Hospital Level is here (near the little foot bridge):
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.3800446,-3.1050884,30m/data=!3m1!1e3

Yep, that's definitely Hospital Level by the bridge, unfortunately the only part of the trip where the water goes over welly height - right at the end!

Cracking trip!
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
A couple of Snips courtesy of the CATMHS, i'm sure that some of these can be found as hidden gems inside their newsletters. http://www.catmhs.org.uk/past-newsletters/

The two surveys are from the Coniston copper mines rediscovered CD http://www.catmhs.org.uk/on-line-shop-2/ A great CD with loads of photo's of places that you wouldn't normally get to see and also heavy on the colour, so unlikely to find printed in a book!

and the Red dell surface overview is from "Coniston copper mines- a field guide" by Eric G. Holland 1981. found in a charity shop by a family member for ?2.

I have only been for a surface walk with non cavers, I think it was part of some mountain festival in Ambleside, a couple of years ago. The use and reuse of water there for driving some of the machinery is very impressive, our guide (who was off for a trip to Alderley Edge the day after) was great.
 

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alastairgott

Well-known member
Page 10 of Newsletter 2 from 1982 gets you a similar survey. seems to be the full overview but without the coloured lines showing suggested routes.
http://www.catmhs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NEWSLETTER-002-1982.pdf

 

Fulk

Well-known member
The trip from The Crater (up near Levers Water) to the Hospital Level is a pleasant, relaively easy one, taking you past the 'Big Blue Rock':

 

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Fatman

Member
Hi, thanks for the responses. I'll have a look at the info in the links and hopefully glean enough info to do the Paddy to Hospital Level through trip.  AS a matter of interest is it still a bit loose or has work been done to stabilise it?
 

Skyrmy

Member
Quite loose in places, especially the last (I think) pitch.  Quite a long, steep slope to the pitch head with plenty of looseness - tread carefully and stay at the top of the slope if someone is on the rope would be my advice.
 

Fulk

Well-known member
Skyrmy's right about the last pitch on the Crater?Hospital Level trip. I'd advise you to get out of the way at the bottom (the way on is through a passage that has been heavily reinforced by scaffolding, so you can shelter in there).
 

Skyrmy

Member
Fulk said:
(the way on is through a passage that has been heavily reinforced by scaffolding, so you can shelter in there).

The last pitch lands on top of the reinforced stuff - false floor of sorts (safer than any other you'll find in there LOL).  You climb down a ladder of sorts to the floor and head back under.
 

Fatman

Member
Thanks again for the inputs. I was hoping to do a pull through so was trying to gauge how complex route finding is and if the route was obvious. If its best to go in and out of Paddy as a  first Coniston trip are the pitches rigged ok for prusiking? Thanks
 

Benfool

Member
I've never had an issue going back up the pitches - just rig carefully to avoid rope rub.

I seem to remember having to use a tacklebag as a rope protector on the 2nd pitch though....

B
 
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