deepest Non SRT cave?

[benshannon]

Thanks for the replies guys. The reason I ask is that I have a little challenge in my head. I would like to do the deepest vertical possible then go and do the highest possible (scafell pike) in England in a day. My friend who caves doesn't do SRT so I'm thinking about options

[TheBitterEnd]

If you want greatest vertical range between the bottom of a cave and the top of Scafell pike then I wouldn't be surprised if some little grot-hole around Morecambe bay wasn't a contender. All the classic dales caves start quite a way above sea level.

[PeteHall]

Or Sandy Hole on Portland, which I believe also boasts the longest crawl in the UK   

[alanw]

Many years ago, some friends of mine bottomed the Berger, then ascended Mont Blanc over the course of just a few days.  A quick Google turns up some SWCC members having done the same, cycling from one to the other.

[mikem]

If you want greatest vertical range between the bottom of a cave and the top of Scafell pike then I wouldn't be surprised if some little grot-hole around Morecambe bay wasn't a contender. All the classic dales caves start quite a way above sea level.

Apparently Creek Cave fills at high tide...

[David Rose]

Paul Mackrill did the Berger - Mt Blanc trip with the journey between on a bicycle to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Anyway. So what is the deepest cave that doesn't need tackle anywhere in the world?

[moorebooks]

As you are in the lakes how about going into Coniston Copper Mine, through the drainage adit I reckon to the top of the Old Man there would be a good lid on top?


Mike

[glyders]

Thanks for the replies guys. The reason I ask is that I have a little challenge in my head. I would like to do the deepest vertical possible then go and do the highest possible (scafell pike) in England in a day. My friend who caves doesn't do SRT so I'm thinking about options

Shame this is no longer open: http://www.solwayshorestories.co.uk/shore-stories/coalmines-under-the-sea/
it would have given a massive range doable in a day!

[Boy Engineer]

Arguably the deepest possible non-SRT trip not in a cave (based on semantics) would be the Boulby Potash rock shaft, as it is serviced by a Blair Multiple Rope winder, with two ropes per skip. I’ve ridden it on top of the skip
for a shaft inspection and it is beyond awe-inspiring. That would add just over a kilometre to Scafell Pike; more if you go further in-bye.

[andys]

Also in the Lakes - and also doable without cage riding! - is Greenside Mine at Glenridding. I don't know if its still open but it used to be possible to enter at the Glencoin Level (approx 600m OD?) and make your way down to Lucy Tongue Level (approx 365m OD?) - so a drop of approx 770ft. This could mostly be done on the old miners wooden ladders - which were in a reasonable condition - though for one shortish section you had to take your own ladder. Origianlly you had to go back up again to get out but Lucy Tongue Level has since been opened up so - assuming you can still get through - that's a fair drop for a "ladders only" trip. And not that far from Scafell Pike either.

[alex17595]

If your feeling adventurous Cwmorthin is a mere 9 miles hike from Snowdon. I know its slightly cheating as it goes underground under a ridge so the stats say its deeper than it is.

[droid]

Years ago I did Cwmorthin, out through ****** and then back to Lake Adit over the ridge.....

[emma7027]

Also in the Lakes - and also doable without cage riding! - is Greenside Mine at Glenridding. I don't know if its still open but it used to be possible to enter at the Glencoin Level (approx 600m OD?) and make your way down to Lucy Tongue Level (approx 365m OD?) - so a drop of approx 770ft. This could mostly be done on the old miners wooden ladders - which were in a reasonable condition - though for one shortish section you had to take your own ladder. Origianlly you had to go back up again to get out but Lucy Tongue Level has since been opened up so - assuming you can still get through - that's a fair drop for a "ladders only" trip. And not that far from Scafell Pike either.

Both Glencoyne & Lucy Tongue entrances are now gated with the key available from CATMHS.  The ladders have deteriorated or disappeared on a lot of the pitches now and will need to be rigged.  Digging out Lucy Tongue was a fantastic effort and it is still open.

It is a brilliant trip.