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Knotlow Hillocks
Date(s): 24th November 2024 - Written by: Olly King - Location: SK 14374 67414
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UCET/DCC trip, Saturday 31st November 24So we had planned a trip to Hillocks for some of the newbie’s, but then Tom suggested we join himself along with our adopted siblings in UCET the following weekend…
Now as we had already planned a trip, it was decided that myself, Rob, Karolina and Jenny have a nice feast and boat trip at Alderley… That was great, and involved some amazing food provided by Karolina, whilst we all forgot to bring any!
During the next week, Tom had to drop out, and Jenny and Rob had prior plans, so myself and Karolina were the only DCC members to attend. We set off at a reasonable time of morning, and upon arriving in Monyash, found the UCET team waiting for their breky in The Old Smithy. After re-aquatinting myself with Matt and Olly Beard (Olly 1), we sat down to a lovely bacon and egg butty and got friendly with some people visiting the area, frightening them with our plans for the day…
After filling our bellies, to the farm we headed, and to my surprise, no other cavers were present, which is unusual for a Saturday morning!
We had a chat, and it was decided we would be part of the team heading down Chapel Dale Engine shaft, and the others, led by Gareth would head into Hillocks barrel entrance. The idea was to meet up and do an exchange.
So, in good old DCC style, the shaft lid was rigged by Olly 1 of UCET by about 12.30pm, so I figured this would be a laid back days caving!
Sam (UCET) followed Olly, then Karolina, then myself. It’s a quality shaft, with a depth to the water level of about 65m, and about 13m below this.
On the way down, at the first rebelay, you are presented with Chain passage. I think Olly wanted to get off here for an explore but decided it would have been technically awkward. To be fair, it’s best arrived at via the climbing shaft adjacent to the gin entrance.
Below this the next rebelay connects to Meccano, which is the official connection to Hillocks, so access here was essential.
However, we all continued to the bottom into waterfall chamber as we wanted to look at the coffin level.
Upon assembling, we realized communication would be awkward as the water cascading down into the chamber was quite intense, so we de-kitted and headed down the old man.
This is awkward for those with broad shoulders! It’s some of the smallest passage I know of in Derbyshire, not terribly high, so you are in a constant state of crouching and in many places angling your shoulders to aid moving forward… To add, water gets high in places, so you now have to start tilting your head to keep, at the very least, your nose out of the water!
At some point, Sam decided she wasn’t too keen on going further, water was cold, and with Olly 1’s voice getting quieter, she told him we would turn around and return to wait at the main chamber. I wanted to continue, but of course being behind Sam, that was not really an option, so the three of us retreated back to waterfall.
Time was marching on, as we stood waiting… It was an interesting wait, as communication was difficult, but I had a good look at features carved into the rock left by miners over 100 years ago (some from the 18thC). I was aware we could get cold, so I suggested to the girls they start making their way up to Meccano and they should come across the others at some point.
I was also a little worried about Olly 1. He had been gone for some time, and knowing the air could be bad beyond this chamber, I decided to head back and go and look for him!
Headed along this old man level, I called Olly every so often, and each time, only the darkness and sound of rushing water resounded from all directions.
I was aware I was now reaching fourways, originally an engine shaft driven in the mid-18thC. I really wanted to hear something before reaching this point, as beyond can get arduous in places, and was likely where bad air could be encountered.
Just as I could see the light from the towering shaft entrance above, I gave one more shout, and sure enough a faint voice responded.! But wait, this was faint, almost ghostly… Was I hearing things? I shouted again, “Olly, are you there?”. Again, a faint, almost echoed responded was heard amongst the roar energy of the running water…
You see, the reason I was unconvinced, is because I have been with groups where we have heard conversations in water filled systems before, especially fast running water, and your brain, trying to make sense of the gurgles and other gulping and rushing white noise coming from the often turbulent water, sometimes creates convincing conversational sounds… Never quite enough to determine what is said, but certainly enough to make you turn around and wait a second to listen for more signs of life from other explorers…
Continuing along the level, Once more I shouted, “Olly, where are you?”. Finally, ducking my head under the small entrance into Fourways chamber, I hear him, clear as day! What a relief!
I wanted to tell him off at this point for going off for so long, but was so satisfied to be reunited a kept my mouth shut!
Anyway, he just wanted to check another passage (toward Rift chamber) so I gave him 5 minutes!
Finally, we returned to waterfall, donned our kit and climbed up to Meccano. This is the bit I always have struggled with, partly because I am bigger than average, and easily get stuck! Also, partly because nearly every time, I am slightly affected by the higher-than-normal CO2 levels, I think given the extra wriggling I need to do to get through some of the constrictions!
As soon as I got to the top, I was met by Charlie from UCET, and Gareth and the other fella was not far behind… I was relieved to see them, and figured they probably struggled to find the way through – they wouldn’t be the first, nor the last!
So we exchanged experiences, and went on with our journey!
So one thing that has occurred to me over the years, is how you completely wipe out whole sections of trips from your memory. There were only two bits I remember from previous through trips – the old man, with water and a bit of a squeeze, and a section that heads down quite steeply into a pool of co2, I remembered NOT to go that way!
However, in my mind, that was it… I am convinced there is some sort of condition that psychologists would relate to here, so I have decided to get in there first and name it Selective traumatic cave passage memory loss syndrome, STCPMLS for short. I’m sure that will be recognized and talked about to great extent amongst cavers one day!
What I had forgotten about is how awkward some bits are, with some fairly tight squeezes that someone of my size can only measure progress by the centimeter!
Olly 1 did a great job of navigating the obstacle course of rocks, boulders, squeezes and rifts, and it was quite a relief when we finally emerged into Hillocks end chamber!
I pointed out a few features, including the floating coffin level, engine shaft and told Olly where to find the climbing shaft, so he scuttled off for a little adventure, and from here, after a hiccup trying to remember exactly where the pitch out was, we were on our way through the pipes shafts and veins of Hillocks.
I got to the final pitch, and was de-rigging when my belt loop snapped and I watched helplessly as my carabiner with pulley flew down the shaft, and just to make matters worse, missed the huge gaping opening of the rope bag and disappeared off out of site!
Damnit! I was bruised, tired, a little cold, and just wanted a pint at this point, but I couldn’t leave my kit behind! So off back down to retrieve said bits… Very frustrating!
I finally made it out the barrel entrance to find Olly and the other team stood around outside. Of course, there had to be one final issue to deal with… Not seeing the girls, we asked where they were?! They hadn’t seen them on their walk over! Not now! I was sooo close to the pub, and we have now lost Karolina and Sam at the last minute! The lads were adamant they had not emerged, but we knew they left the final coffin level before us, as we could hear them ahead….
So I headed back into the barrel, wondering if they had headed the wrong way in some part I had not previously explored and got themselves lost… Just as I’m nearly through the barrel, “Olly 2 it’s alright, they’re here!”
Turns out they had decided to walk back the wrong way down the lane toward Monyash !
It was quite a relief to see them appear in the darkness!
Back to the cars, most of the team had a meal booked at a pub elsewhere, but myself, Karolina and Olly 1 decided to go to the Bulls head and enjoy a well earnt pint and a bowl of chips. I even managed to bag a seat right next to a fire, rare in a pub on a Saturday evening!
Cracking trip, thank you to UCET for rigging and allowing us to join them, this mine is one I need to head back to soon for a more in-depth look!
Type of entry: Caving Mining
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