As requested here are my findings regarding the Hurst area in Swaledale.
Queens level is open and worth an hour of anyones time. You'll exit quite
muddy due to a couple of flat out squeezes where work has been made to
shore up a couple of unstable sections. It isn't very wet though.
Not a lot to see and we didn't find any large caverns. However we didn't
climb every rise so we probably missed them.
Pryce level was blocked by a couple of very large boulders.
We pulled one out but had to drop the other into the level but access is
now easily gained. This took us at least an hour.
Our reward for this was only 185 metres until the level well and truly
slumped. Anyway if anyone would like to gain access the portal is now
covered with a sheet of metal over which are a couple of dozen managable
rocks.
We also looked for the Horse level, Shaw Level, Copperthwaite level and
others but either found them blocked or couldn't find them at all.
On Sunday we did a recce on the Grinton area.
Grovebeck level looks accessable with a pipe placed inside the portal for
access. We didn't enter but looks worthy of a visit.
Couldn't find anything at Harkerside but Found that access to Smithy level
at Whitaside was available with a well walled hole made into the mine.
A quick look inside showed that the level appears in good condition.
We will return soon.
If these notes have been of use to anyone then I'm glad.
If anyone would like to add their comments then I would be grateful,
especially regarding Whitaside.
We were really disappointed with Pryce as the mine contains an engine room
and some really nice features.
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