4525: shaft
Moncobe 30T 446181 4796438 (Datum: ETRS89. Accuracy code: G) Altitude 256m
Length 75m Depth 21m
Area position : Site entrance in context : Logbook search

Updated 3rd, 15th January 2018; 25th July, 30th December 2019

   This was found as small draughting hole which was opened up to reveal a possible shaft with a "bulge" preventing entry. This was bypassed by breaking through the far wall into a small, sloping chamber with a hole at the bottom apparently leading into a shaft. The hole proved awful for capping but eventually was made large enough for ladder access onto a shaft. Some possibilities closed down but a rift with the draught was accessed with a hammer. This was pushed to a small chamber with the draught coming upwards through a narrow rift which requires caps.
While the hole was being surveyed, another shaft was opened up.

   The area was investigated in October 2017. "Alf's" shaft was a free climb into a reasonable passage which ran under "Phil's" shaft, giving maybe a further 30m length, in total. The passage got to a split with the left hand branch effectively ending at an outward draughting small downward tube. The right hand branch dropped steeply to a large calcited ?plug? in the floor with a draught forcing its way up between wall and calcite.

   In June 2019, the horizontal plug was attacked with hammer and chisel eventually opening up a large enough gap for access. A drop of 2m was followed by a downward sloping 3m of passage, with the roof of calcite gradually lowering to leave the end flat-out low with a small hole onward. The draught is encouraging but continuing would be a right pain. Progress might be made using a chisel action hammer drill. [P Parker]

   Some surveying was also carried out in June 2019 but the notes may be a "bit of a mess". (The length and depth above are an estimate.)

References: anon., 2017b (Easter logbook); anon., 2017d (autumn logbook); anon., 2019c (Whit logbook)
Entrance pictures : April 2017
Underground pictures : April 2017
Video :
Detailed survey :
Line Survey :
On area survey :
Survex file :

X