1. The History
Did quite a lengthy bit of research on this place for the previous report which you can find HERE
2. The Explore
Having not explored the western entrance to the mine to any depth when here earlier in Spring this year, I wanted to go back to this complex and fascinating place. I also wanted to try and locate the nearby Middle Engine mine, towards the foot of Hassop Common. And my non-forum exploring mate fancied it too, so off we set.
Sadly, we failed on both counts. We couldn’t find the lower adit to Middle Engine Mine and we realised just how steep the ascent was via the western entrance into the heart of Harrybecca mine. Hence, we had to satisfy ourselves with re-exploring the initial parts of the western entrance and also the lower tramway entrance which pretty quickly finishes in a collapse, along with a more thorough look at the open stopes that characterise this former lead and fluorspar mine.
3. The Pictures
Starting at the top and working our way down the steep slopes of Hassop Common. He’s the western, upper entrance to the workings:
In we go:
Incredible mineralisation:
Arachnophobes look away….NOW!
This is what they were after, lead ore or galena:
A side cut that very quickly narrows:
Into the abyss – we didn’t go!
Looking up the stope above us:
Opencut of the southern stope of the Harrybecca vein:
The dressing area immediately below the lower tramway entrance:
The lower tramway adit:
Looking back out:
The roof support that no longer supports!
Looking back having navigated the first collapse:
The second collapse as the stope rises above us:
Abandoned chains and iron rail:
This is as far as you can go here:
Fluorspar crystals in the walls of the adit:
More mineralisation:
And back out to daylight:
The improvised mineral chute of the latter fluorspar workings:
Heed was taken!
Looking back over Hassop Common and the mine site. We’ll be back Harrybecca!
Did quite a lengthy bit of research on this place for the previous report which you can find HERE
2. The Explore
Having not explored the western entrance to the mine to any depth when here earlier in Spring this year, I wanted to go back to this complex and fascinating place. I also wanted to try and locate the nearby Middle Engine mine, towards the foot of Hassop Common. And my non-forum exploring mate fancied it too, so off we set.
Sadly, we failed on both counts. We couldn’t find the lower adit to Middle Engine Mine and we realised just how steep the ascent was via the western entrance into the heart of Harrybecca mine. Hence, we had to satisfy ourselves with re-exploring the initial parts of the western entrance and also the lower tramway entrance which pretty quickly finishes in a collapse, along with a more thorough look at the open stopes that characterise this former lead and fluorspar mine.
3. The Pictures
Starting at the top and working our way down the steep slopes of Hassop Common. He’s the western, upper entrance to the workings:
In we go:
Incredible mineralisation:
Arachnophobes look away….NOW!
This is what they were after, lead ore or galena:
A side cut that very quickly narrows:
Into the abyss – we didn’t go!
Looking up the stope above us:
Opencut of the southern stope of the Harrybecca vein:
The dressing area immediately below the lower tramway entrance:
The lower tramway adit:
Looking back out:
The roof support that no longer supports!
Looking back having navigated the first collapse:
The second collapse as the stope rises above us:
Abandoned chains and iron rail:
This is as far as you can go here:
Fluorspar crystals in the walls of the adit:
More mineralisation:
And back out to daylight:
The improvised mineral chute of the latter fluorspar workings:
Heed was taken!
Looking back over Hassop Common and the mine site. We’ll be back Harrybecca!
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