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Trip to Ding Dong Mine -- 16th June 2007

Group: Dave, Paul, Mary, NAMHO 2007 leaders & delegates

This was one of several field trips organised for NAMHO 2007 and led by members of the Plymouth & Devon Caving/Mining Clubs. In particular Hugh & Tricia Browning provided a lot of interesting information on the mine and made the trip very enjoyable. The trip was organised as an exchange with the party being split in two so that two shafts, Dyers and Thomas' could be utilised to avoid long waits for the ropes.

We gathered at the side of the road not far from the track leading to the shaft and changed into oversuits and donned SRT gear. The weather was warm and humid.
[Ding Dong Mine] Changing at the roadside [Ding Dong Mine] With the rest of the Gang
After a short walk the party arrived at the first shaft and split in two. Hugh, our leader, abseiled down first followed by another delegate and then Paul, Mary, Dave and Chris the other leader. The abseil involved passing quite a few deviations and the passage was a bit tight in places with a pack on the back.
[Ding Dong Mine] Shaft with perimeter fence [Ding Dong Mine] First delegate ready to go [Ding Dong Mine] Paul ready to go [Ding Dong Mine] Paul heading to first deviation [Ding Dong Mine] Mary heading to first deviation
The passage had quite a few formations and passed over some winzes protected by traverse lines. In places there was still some sound timberwork and Mary squeezed behind a ladder to look at the further reaches of the passage which are now blocked by a collapse.
[Ding Dong Mine] Some coloured formations [Ding Dong Mine] Paul crossing dodgy floor [Ding Dong Mine] Mary exploring far passage
After a buttie stop where we met the other half of the group coming from the alternate shaft, we started the next abseil down pitch, again there where quite a few deviations to pass and the passage was quite narrow in places.
[Ding Dong Mine] Paul getting ready for next abseil [Ding Dong Mine] Huddle of delegates waiting for the rope [Ding Dong Mine] Mary near the bottom of the second abseil
The lower passage was full of fantastic formations made of ochre and god knows what other materials. The colours were fantastic and several columns has peculiar bends which seemed to defy the laws of physics.
[Ding Dong Mine] Paul inspecting ochre stals [Ding Dong Mine] Lots of ochreous formations [Ding Dong Mine] Ochreous formations after winze [Ding Dong Mine] Peculiar 'bent' columns [Ding Dong Mine] A myriad of yellows and browns
A little further along the passage was a rift which required a lot of concentration (and long legs) if you were to avoid damaging some of the formations. Just after this was another grotto of superb formations.
[Ding Dong Mine] Mary trying to cross awkward section [Ding Dong Mine] A grotto of peculiar stals (1) [Ding Dong Mine] A grotto of peculiar stals (2) [Ding Dong Mine] Paul & Mary in the grotto [Ding Dong Mine] Mud cracks on floor [Ding Dong Mine] Bizarre Stalagmite [Ding Dong Mine] More 'bent' columns
A few yards further on the passage angled upwards and the rope up the other shaft was visible. Prussiking up about 25 feet revealed a side passage containing a small barrow and old spade. This passage used to connect to the passage traversed earlier untill the blockage.
[Ding Dong Mine] Old barrow in intermediate level [Ding Dong Mine] Old spade near barrow
Near the top of the shaft was a collection of stalactites which were stained green from the copper ore.
[Ding Dong Mine] Stalactites with copper staining
From the top of the internal shaft a horizontal passage lead to the surface. This was waist deep in water, but since we were on our way out it didn't really matter. A tedious climb though some woods led to a track and back to the cars.

Trip time about 5.5 hours