Our next MPC trip this coming Sunday is to Youd's Level near Matlock in Derbyshire. The trip will involve an 81m entrance pitch (266ft) in a 1.4m x 0.75m wide shaft into the main system 'coffin level'. The main coffin level is the longest such example in Derbyshire (365m, (1200ft) with alternating sections of sideways stooping, walking and crawling before emerging from a manhole in a children's playground by the public toilets near Matlock! The exit was previously marred by pollution problems from the toilets (thankfully now cleaned up by Dave Ottewell (ex-MPC) of the environment agency) but make sure that any open cuts are well protected just to avoid Weil's disease etc (rat droppings still being found).
Full SRT competence, kneepads and elbow pads required (as well as your normal caving attire!). The only slight hitch is that the longest MPC rope is 75m and the pitch is 81m! At the moment I'm hoping to get hold of an EPOC 90m-ish rope but if not, be prepared to pass a knot on the way down!
After hopefully surviving the various underground challenges it's envisaged that a jar or two in the 'Thorn Tree' in Matlock would be on the cards:
http://www.thorntreeatmatlock.co.uk/ We'll be meeting in the 'Tor Cafe' on the A6 Cromford junction at 10:00am (small white wooden building near the traffic lights).
Tor Cafe:
http://www.bolsoverwheelers.org/CafeReviews/cafereview032.html Derby Road, Cromford, DE4 3RP.
Excellent value - only £2.80 for Egg, Bacon, Sausage, Beans, Tomato. Click HERE for a map (arrow marks the cafe - zoom in /out as required). Free Sunday parking on Mill Road just beyond cafe (signposted 'Station' and 'Arkwright's Mill').
So far, those expressing an interest at last night's pub meeting are: Nathan, Fran, Roger, Pete (+ possibly SRT experienced friend), Anne and myself. If you'd like to come along then let me know by Saturday so that we know to look out for you.
Cheers.
Mike - MPC
