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5 of us went for a look around in Long Rake Spar Mine, new to some of the group and some had been in before. Well worth a trip as very interesting and covers several levels, did see 3 dead crows in there this time, one of them at least a kilometre from the entrance
Went through into the older parts of the mine, very eerie place
Trip time 1hr45
Howard, Phil, Jeff, Adam Keith

just googled Long Rake Spar Mine, looks like a great place for a trip

Is this Long Rake above Bradwell Derbs? If so I could give you some info on the system as I was in on early exploration of the system with Sheffield University SS and South Yorkshire CC. We found many of the top levels off the Founder shaft unstable. The bottom of the shaft led us to steps which were at the top of the large pitch to the lower levels but unstable 'back-fill' collapsed and we had to go in via the rift and emerge into the great chamber in the roof. The descent led us to crushing tables and heather and rush lit cavern ( the candles had gone out of course) but on further inspection there was evidence of the industrial site as if it had just been left overnight. I believe that Sheffield University had a journal by Dr. Peter Lord on this system

Sorry Rob, it's the one over at youlgrave!!

Crows! I read that too fast the first time round! Mooo

you must try the long rake at Bradwell top. Map reference , Peak district tourist map SK 144 802 access was never a problem as long as the barns and gateways were left clear. Permission was via Mr, Hadfield Oak House Farm Smalldale nr. Peakdale. The farmer was always caver friendly and allowed unlinited access to John Beck at Eyam , Perhaps John has more info as he is much more active than me. P.s Take care there are many hanging rocks.Best tackle is a 150ft rope for the first pick and a 200 foot for the rift pitch. The system travels to the Bagshaw Cavern but this was established by John Parker Cave diver (now deceased)

robs wrote:

you must try the long rake at Bradwell top. Map reference , Peak district tourist map SK 144 802 access was never a problem as long as the barns and gateways were left clear. Permission was via Mr, Hadfield Oak House Farm Smalldale nr. Peakdale. The farmer was always caver friendly and allowed unlinited access to John Beck at Eyam , Perhaps John has more info as he is much more active than me. P.s Take care there are many hanging rocks.Best tackle is a 150ft rope for the first pick and a 200 foot for the rift pitch. The system travels to the Bagshaw Cavern but this was established by John Parker Cave diver (now deceased)

Done it several times before Rob, and it is a good trip. It is off limits at moment due to bad air in there

Thanks Keith ,I am not surprised as it always stank down there most of the bad air that comes in was put down to the number of sheep that fell down the climbing shafts on the top levels and perished! I even rescued one from a shaft when I built the wall along the new road for Farmer Hadfield. On seeing the sheep he told me I should have left it as it was in a bad state. Sure enough it died before the vet got there!