benshannon
Active member
Has anyone managed to get from Carlswalk into merlin mine lately? I really want to find the connection but I have read that it can fill up with sediment so may no longer be passable
Gimlis dream connection
- Thread starter benshannon
- Start date
martinb
Member
As one of the original diggers of the new connection between Carlswark and Merlin Mine, we were worried about the scree slumping into the connection crawl/grovel/slither.
I had heard a couple of years ago, before I left the UK, that the connection was blocked, I toddled along to check for myself. It was still open.
As you drop Eyam Dale shaft, before you hit the bottom, go left into a small aven instead of right into main system.
Theres a gap at floor level for a slither into another small chamber with a scree cone in the middle. On opposite side there is a wide hole to John Becks original concrete plug.
As you get to the concrete there is a gap on the left for the slither through to Merlins.
Thats how it was, thats a couple of years ago......
I had heard a couple of years ago, before I left the UK, that the connection was blocked, I toddled along to check for myself. It was still open.
As you drop Eyam Dale shaft, before you hit the bottom, go left into a small aven instead of right into main system.
Theres a gap at floor level for a slither into another small chamber with a scree cone in the middle. On opposite side there is a wide hole to John Becks original concrete plug.
As you get to the concrete there is a gap on the left for the slither through to Merlins.
Thats how it was, thats a couple of years ago......
Ciaran T-H
New member
We got through last month (merlins to carlswark direction). There was no sediment back up at all, just a short slightly wet belly crawl 
benshannon
Active member
This is awesome. So, next question, if I go from Carlswalk to. Merlins, can you get to the surface without tackle or does Merlins need pre rigging? Is there even SRT in merlins? I'm thinking about a through trip
al
Member
benshannon said:
https://www.ccpc.org.uk/rigging-guide/merlin.html
The pitch (S2 on the topo) is narrow and has been free climbed - but it's much safer to pre-rig it.
benshannon
Active member
Cheers dude
pwhole
Well-known member
Two years ago me and Alex from the TSG went down Merlins to pick up a water sampler - we had to also pick one up from the further reaches of Carlswark so decided to try the through-route, not expecting to manage it - but we did, and it was pretty easy really. After picking up the water sampler we exited via the Gin Entrance and strolled back to Merlins to pick up our harnesses - which were at the bottom of the shaft. Erm - now you tell me. Anyway, I was able to free-climb down it pretty easily if truth be told, and after tying the harnesses on the rope, free-climbed it back up again. But obviously I couldn't possibly recommend that approach as I've screwed up a few free-climbs too.
Mrs Trellis
Well-known member
In the deep recesses of my 70 + year old memory stir tales of ropes being nicked from Eyam Dale shaft. Perhaps take care especially at weekends when there are yobs about. Perhaps it's wise to go caving at 10pm on a Tuesday night which seems to be the thing nowadays.
martinb
Member
Mrs Trellis said:
We spent a good 3 or 4 years caving in SMD, the majority of the time parking at the substation accross from Eyam Dale Shaft - do not block the gates!! (You have been warned)
We never had any problem with yobs interfering with the car or ropes being nicked, but that is not to say it may not happen.
Use your common sense!
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