Snelslow Swallet

[FRASER - UKME]

Hello all,

We are thinking about doing some digging in Snelslow swallet over some Thursday afternoons and just wanted to put it out there incase we are stepping on toes or anything like that or if there are any procedures we need to adhere to.

Have noticed the drag buckets in a potential other dig and limited packing space so I thought it's best to ask

Thanks

 

[Mark]

Alternatively, find a brick wall near a pub in Castleton and bang your head against it until the pub opens.
I do hope you prove me wrong

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Alternatively, find a brick wall near a pub in Castleton and bang your head against it until the pub opens.
I do hope you prove me wrong

Been attempted before?

 

[Pete K]

Quite a bit of digging history at this site. Here are some references:

More Details of the Site Snelslow Swallet in the Castleton Area

Locations: Peak District, Location: Derbyshire, Location: Staffordshire, Caves, Mines, Potholes, Caving, Potholing, Guides, Surveys, Speleology, Hydrology

peakdistrictcaving.info

Short version is that everything after the side window, where the SRT route joins the main shaft, was dug out and hauled to the surface via a purposely driven shaft. The effort put into this hole was vast.

Depending on where the digging trays were seen, that might have been me and a couple of TSG folks a while back. I did have some vague plans to look at a dig again this summer. Feel free to PM or FB me.

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Quite a bit of digging history at this site. Here are some references:

More Details of the Site Snelslow Swallet in the Castleton Area

Locations: Peak District, Location: Derbyshire, Location: Staffordshire, Caves, Mines, Potholes, Caving, Potholing, Guides, Surveys, Speleology, Hydrology

peakdistrictcaving.info

Short version is that everything after the side window, where the SRT route joins the main shaft, was dug out and hauled to the surface via a purposely driven shaft. The effort put into this hole was vast.

Depending on where the digging trays were seen, that might have been me and a couple of TSG folks a while back. I did have some vague plans to look at a dig again this summer. Feel free to PM or FB me.

Have messaged you on Facebook messenger mate. Thanks for the reply. We are planning to start digging this afternoon so will report back what we have done etc

 

[Pitlamp]

Alternatively, find a brick wall near a pub in Castleton and bang your head against it until the pub opens.
I do hope you prove me wrong

Ha ha - I completely understand Mark's amusing comment here.

But bear in mind that many new finds emerge directly as a result of younger hotheads ignoring the "wisdom" of us older generations of cavers!

Snelslow holds massive promise; I genuinely wish DJFraser's team the very best of luck.

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Ha ha - I completely understand Mark's amusing comment here.

But bear in mind that many new finds emerge directly as a result of younger hotheads ignoring the "wisdom" of us older generations of cavers!

Snelslow holds massive promise; I genuinely wish DJFraser's team the very best of luck.

I'm not fully aware of the history here. Know about the original diggers emptying the chamber which must have been an undertaking! Totally get that we are going to be standing on their shoulders!

We will start digging this afternoon with the plans to chop up some old rope i have to leave it knotted for easier rigging next time - hopefully if this becomes regular we may end up leaving it rigged from the second pitch down but that will be decided later

Thanks for the supportive comments, we are 100% going to start this as no one seems to object. Will post update later today when we have finished for the evening

 

[Lankyman]

Good luck! I don't know much about the locality (only went in Giant's and Peak a long time ago). Where does the water go? Is it seen anywhere else en route?

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Good luck! I don't know much about the locality (only went in Giant's and Peak a long time ago). Where does the water go? Is it seen anywhere else en route?

This is between giants and p8 on the river so may just have a streamway in there somwhere?

Also I've heard about it flooding in wet weather but other forum posts suggest the water is diverted into christmas swallet just downstream from here

 

[Brains]

The previous work had built a substantial dam to divert the flood water and sediments down valley. This appears to be showing its age and now has breeches and low points. Some repairs would help prevent nature backfilling any progress you make

 

[FRASER - UKME]

The previous work had built a substantial dam to divert the flood water and sediments down valley. This appears to be showing its age and now has breeches and low points. Some repairs would help prevent nature backfilling any progress you make

Lovely information that is mate, have saw the dam but didn't realise it's purpose!

Work like that would require permission from the farmer imo. We do plan on approaching the farmer before long as with the issue of packing space we have a feeling we will end up having to pile it up in the chamber and them lift it out the shaft if it gets too much.

Will 100% mention this when we see them, maybe a good way to help reduce the spoil and use it in the dam

 

[Brains]

Lovely information that is mate, have saw the dam but didn't realise it's purpose!

Work like that would require permission from the farmer imo. We do plan on approaching the farmer before long as with the issue of packing space we have a feeling we will end up having to pile it up in the chamber and them lift it out the shaft if it gets too much.

Will 100% mention this when we see them, maybe a good way to help reduce the spoil and use it in the dam

The current usual way in has a couple of sediment traps built in to catch cobbles etc under the line of the first pitch. The short ladder leans against a wall of debris, so you can see how much potential wash in there is. A lot of effort has been expended here and yet it is still overdue for a breakthrough. Supposed to take more water than Giants, so masses of potential

 

[A_Northerner]

Echoing Pitlamp's remarks with a relevant meme. Everything in Castleton has been attempted before, and other people giving in doesn't mean there isn't glory to be found.

Get digging, and remember the real treasure is the friends you accidentally drop rocks on along the way.

 

[A_Northerner]

Good luck! I don't know much about the locality (only went in Giant's and Peak a long time ago). Where does the water go? Is it seen anywhere else en route?

According to Prof JG's hydrology schematic, the water from Snelslow goes to Speedwell via Oxlow. It joins Giants and P8 water in an unknown location downstream of Oxlow before arriving in Main/Whirlpool risings in Speedwell.

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Myself and young Tom went down this afternoon and had a good look round the cave to make some plans. We have hauled out a few bags from the bottom of the cave and played about with rigging of the haulage system to get that sorted out. Thinking 3 people maybe 4 would be optimum for a session where we are.

The bottom pitch has been left rigged for ease of access, but as I'm away for a while now we haven't left the first pitches rigged.

Will keep this thread updated when we go back which will be a while away due to holidays etc.

Thanks for the information from all.

 

[Tritim230]

Best of luck. Our discoveries in Redhouse and KPH were all old digs, which were left for another day at the time. As per Pitlamp's comments above, let's hope you have some success.

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Best of luck. Our discoveries in Redhouse and KPH were all old digs, which were left for another day at the time. As per Pitlamp's comments above, let's hope you have some success.

Thanks for the supportive comment mate. Been looking to start on a dig for some time now, just glad the ball is finally rolling!

We will see in time, a lot of hauling before that hopefully comes into fruition but we shall see!

 

[Goydenman]

Good spot to dig ...... hope you get success

 

[FRASER - UKME]

Good spot to dig ...... hope you get success

Thanks buddy!

We thought it could be one of the better spots as the passage just dissapears under sand. Fingers crossed

 

[Rob]

If you're digging, you're winning