Recent updates

After going to pridhamsleigh cave a few weeks ago with my camera i realised that i was lucky to have my dslr lasting as long as it has. since then i have bought a new camera, one that is waterproof and shock proof so that it can deal with the conditions. the images from this may not be as good however it could save me from loosing a lot of money.

Since the last post i have been to Pridhamsleigh cave twice, kit hill three times and looking at various mines in gunnislake once. here are some pics:

South Bedford

Pridhamsleigh Cave

Kit Hill Quarry adit 02/11/14

After many attempts of gaining access to this mine we had found a way in, the only problem being the freezing cold water inside. Luckily for me i was prepared for this with my wet suit. upon taking the plunge the vast network of mining remains revealed themselves, various levels above and below adit level however the levels below obviously flooded.

upon following the adit straight through i came to a shaft unlike any other i had seen before. ladders and platforms piled in a heap on the platform surrounding the flooded shaft.

unfortunately this was the end of the journey for me today as negotiating this shaft alone would be down right stupid. i will be back soon, with others and ropes in order to carry on further into the mine...

Bovisand tunnel 26/10/14

Another trip to the 450m tunnel that I previously mapped out. With further research, there are still no records of the tunnel but I believe that it fed the Bovisand harbour with fresh water from a reservoir, therefore explaining the large cast iron pipe running through it.

An extremely awkward explore as you are constantly crawling, one knee on the pipe and the other foot on the ground with very little headroom. May only be 450m but feels like miles with only one way in and one way out. Overall nearly 1km of crawling.

Gunnislake mines 22/10/2014

I have now done this trip twice, however the first time I had forgot my camera. On the Devon side of the gunnislake bridge heading up river there are three adits within close proximity of the car park. All interesting and very wet... And in the future I will be taking a dingy and wetsuit...

It has been a while...

It has been a while since i last posted on this blog, although that does not mean i have stopped exploring. I have been to various places in the last couple of weeks, the best being Quarry adit on kit hill. Although this was not explored to its full potential due to high water levels, i will be returning soon.
I think time for another change has came. So much is left unexplored due to water. I am now learning to dive with the intention of starting mine diving. Although the risks involved are high, the fact of setting foot where nobody has since the closure of the mines and the photography opportunity will be worth it.

Drakes trail, Plymouth to Tavistock and back 06/09/2014

After a relatively boring day of doing very little, in the early evening i randomly decided to go for a cycle ride. After not riding for 3 years, since i was hit by a car on my old bike i hit the drakes trail leading from Plymouth to Tavistock with the intention of stopping at Clearbrook and riding back. On the way i noticed that the gate underneath one of the viaducts had been unhinged so decided to have a look, resulting in quite an impressive structure however small...

When i got to Clearbrook i decided that i would complete the full trail and after a pint headed on towards Tavistock.

After arriving i quickly had a drink and headed back as it was getting dark, I ended up wearing my caving helmet on the way back as i had no light on the front of my bike and took a couple of snaps on the way...

Altogether i rode 41 miles, not bad for the first ride in 3 years...

Kit Hill 05/09/2014

An interesting day all around, we managed to find several new mines in and around the hill however for the day access was not possible. First looking for quarry lode on the north side of the hill we spent an hour pushing our way through head high shrub, finally finding the adit level however it was gated. Although it is gated access will still be possible through a shaft further up the hill, i descended one of the shafts the day before, however it proved extremely dangerous as it undercuts to much deeper workings.

After this we had a look at the south side of the hill at the workings down there. The adit has been filled in, however above the chimney stack a line of open stopes look accessible. From what can be seen it looks like it will be a 30m decent into the stopes which should lead us into the majority of the workings.

Finally we had a look at one of the WW1 adits on the eastern side. Although it is gated there is enough room to squeeze over the top. Upon entering there is a large winze which is only negotiable via a very thin ledge. Knowing that the odds were that i would end up falling into the flooded winze i left all my gear behind other than my helmet and light...