Archived Report - Deep mine shaft exploration, Near Truro, Cornwall. 10/2/08

[Pasty]

Ok, we found this shaft a while back and decided it was too deep for us at the time and needed some climbing/absailing practice.

So we got together some gear, had a few practice runs at a nearby quarry and then when for it at the weekend.

This shaft is located in a wooded area, a short distance from a footpath, and had a large garage door covering it, with the remains of a trodden down barbed wire fence on the floor.
I was quite surprised actually, lifting the lid we could see it is a very deep shaft for the amount of protection around it.
For this reason, i wont be naming where it is or giving any directions.


getting ready for the descent

down we go....

down...

which eventually led to a large chamber with a big pile of rubbish at the base- looks the the local farmer has been using this as his own rubbish tip.

tunnels leading off

tunnels...

tunnels....!

mine cart! awsome...

things on the roof

explosives box? probably not but its a nice thought

old ladder left in position in one of the bigger chambers.

cartway with a big drop to the side

more tunnels.
We could have spent a few hours in the place it was truely awsome, there is still much to go back and see. We retraced our steps back to the shaft we came down and prepared for the climb back up.
Of cource, theres always the ladders if your prefer....

not sure i would have wanted to try.

View from the bottam of the shaft looking up!
I took 15mins to climb back out, the others times varied from 10mins to almost 40! Glad to be back up top again.
A really great afternoon underground.