Year of publication 1990 - Fell and Rock Climbing Club

Peter Fleming 51These took place ore the 26th November 1987 and 20th December 1987.This deep stope was previously descended on 11th November 1984. asrecorded in Part II. On that occasion little was seen due to atmosphericconditions. This descent ended at the Pudding Stone Level on Grey CragLevel Horizon. This new attempt was made to try and reach Deep Level125 metres below, and at the same time look for any intermediate levels.The descent began at the junction of Tunnel M2 on Middle Level whereit enters the South Vein. At 45 metres a re-belay was made. A further 17metres landed them on a short section of false floor with loose ground atboth ends. A bolt and anchor were put in here as a safeguard should thefalse floor collapse. This was part of the Grey Crag Level Horizon. Inorder to reach the continuation it was necessary to traverse a gap in thefloor by prusiking up a short way, penduling across to another re-belayand abseiling down again. The re-belay bolt was sited in solidchalcopyrite. The gap was descended to a steeply-sloping floor of fine,loose material 13 metres below. It was probably used as an ore chute.The slope was followed to its conclusion 17 metres further down, directlybeneath the hanging false floor above, and here the stope fell away intothe depths. The upper end of the slope gave access to the continuation ofthe Pudding Stone Level along the South Vein. This extends for 2(1metres to a forehead. It lies in the stope for the first few metres but thencontinues with a solid rock ceiling. The vein seems to have beenabandoned here as being barren. There were no artefacts or rails. Agreeny blue pool was the only item of interest.An attempt was made to traverse in the opposite direction and rebelayin order to continue down to Deep Level. It was not easy toarrange a hang avoiding loose ground, and in order to do so it wasnecessary to pendule several metres. The shape of the stope was suchthat the rope dragged over the rough surfaces above. This involved a riskof damage to the rope, so it was decided to abandon the attempt.Whilst prusiking up the rope the opportunity was taken to examine thestope. The full extent may be seen in both directions. Little of interestcan be seen to the north-west, but at the south-east end it rises to aniche under an overhang. Above this is a steep rubble slope rising towhat could be a level. If it is a level it is possible it could lead through tothe roof of the large stope above Grey Crag Level, which contains thelong iron chain and timber platforms at the top. These horizons aresimilar. Above the rubble slope are sections of a wooden ladder risingclose to the headwall which seem to penetrate the ceiling forming thefloor of Middle Level. This area calls for further exploration.On the 7th December 1987. two of the members involved in theSouth Vein explorations decided to investigate the "Lake Stope". The