Sisyphus dig, Robin's Shaft Mine

[AlexR]

Because one dig is not enough I've recently started on a more access friendly project with CJ: Sisyphus in Robin's Shaft Mine close to Ilam.

The entrance shaft is left rigged, feel free to use the ropes but be aware there's a knot pass on it; let me know if you find any damage. The dig is undertaken with the Leesons knowledge and permission, if you're visiting please give them a call before as per the Peak District Caving Info website, the access fee is ?2.
You will still need a carabiner for the deviation right under the entrance lid, another deviation lower down is optional. I've installed a stainless steel U bolt on the lid so at least it's easier to lift than it used to be.

We would ask anyone to please stay away from the dig itself (it will be immediately obvious) as the area is seriously unstable in its present state. Case in point, last Saturday was the first time I've ever experienced a session making a dig shorter rather than longer thanks to a collapse of mining spoil. Thank you!

 

[A_Northerner]

Is this the same dig that SUSS were working on about 15-20 years ago? Glad to see it being taken on, how's the air down there? I've heard bad reports before.

 

[CJ]

Is this the same dig that SUSS were working on about 15-20 years ago? Glad to see it being taken on, how's the air down there? I've heard bad reports before.

It's not the gruelling muddy SUSS dig with the bad air, far from it! It's the dig which, I believe, was quickly abandoned by SUSS(?) due to the tedium and frustration of digging (and subsequent management) of the spoil. As the dig name suggests, it's been a Sisyphean exercise at times and our last session more or less ended with a collapse. On the plus side, the air is great and draughting nicely.

 

[A_Northerner]

Ahh fair enough then, godspeed!

 

[SamT]

Superb name for a dig 

 

[AlexR]

Little update, the dig is going strong and now looks even more like a building site. I've changed the rigging down the entrance shaft slightly, if you want to use the in situ rope you'll need two deviations slings and karabiners.

There was another team down Robins recently who put a knot in our in situ rope and "tidied up" the rope down to the dig - if you're visiting, please don't do this and leave everything as it is. The "tidied up" rope got stuck at the bottom, we often pull it up and lower stuff down, so that was a bit annoying.

As for the dig itself, it really is very unstable as it goes through mining spoil. We've put 14 bags of cement into Sisyphus so far to stabilise things, but it's far from solid and if you put your foot in the wrong place you could easily send stuff crashing down on your mates. There isn't much to see in the dig at the moment, if you are interested for some reason please drop me a line and you'd be very welcome to join on a trip.