northcave
July 22nd, 2008, 20:50
Background:
The Standedge Tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. It is 5,500 yards (5029 m) long, 638 feet (194 m) underground at the deepest point and 645 feet (197 m) above sea level. There are three railway tunnels and a canal tunnel. The canal tunnel is the longest and oldest of the tunnels, and holds the record as the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain.
Report:
And so my Kayak gets its first underground explore (not including caves) along with Stepping Lightly's new SAS style single seater which powered along. No major issues apart from a few minor soakings along the way where the water table decided to come in through the roof. The tunnel is about 50 / 50 brick work and cut directly through the rock. At parts you wouldn't think you're in a tunnel at all. Where the photos show us on a hard surface are small inlets, about 5 in total, where lighting was activated by PIR's and allowed us to have a well deserved break. 3 hours of paddling takes it out of you.
Note to journalists: Life vests and safety gear were used.
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/a.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/b.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/c.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/d.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/e.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/f.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/g.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/h.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/i.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/j.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/k.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/l.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/m.jpg
The Standedge Tunnel is the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. It is 5,500 yards (5029 m) long, 638 feet (194 m) underground at the deepest point and 645 feet (197 m) above sea level. There are three railway tunnels and a canal tunnel. The canal tunnel is the longest and oldest of the tunnels, and holds the record as the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain.
Report:
And so my Kayak gets its first underground explore (not including caves) along with Stepping Lightly's new SAS style single seater which powered along. No major issues apart from a few minor soakings along the way where the water table decided to come in through the roof. The tunnel is about 50 / 50 brick work and cut directly through the rock. At parts you wouldn't think you're in a tunnel at all. Where the photos show us on a hard surface are small inlets, about 5 in total, where lighting was activated by PIR's and allowed us to have a well deserved break. 3 hours of paddling takes it out of you.
Note to journalists: Life vests and safety gear were used.
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/a.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/b.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/c.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/d.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/e.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/f.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/g.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/h.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/i.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/j.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/k.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/l.jpg
http://www.northcave.net/gallery/underground/Standedge%20Canal%20Tunnel/Large/m.jpg