Force Crag Mine, Cumbria, 31/7/2010

[the_undertaker]

Force Crag Mine, Braithwaite, Cumbria
Above & Below Ground
31 July 2010

the_undertaker & superkev

An early morning start for the short trip over to Braithwaite near Keswick to have a mooch around Force Crag mixed mineral mine. We didn’t get round all of the underground stuff - of which there is a lot to see over a few levels, but will certainly be back soon to do the rest when we’re not so bound by time.

Located in an impressive glacial valley at the end of a two mile long track, lead, zinc and barytes have been mined at this site for over 130 years. The mill building was constructed in 1908/9 and modified in 1940. The National Trust acquired the mine and mineral rights in 1979, the mine ceased working in 1991 and was declared abandoned in 1992.

On approach to the site, the mill building to the lower right:


Dressing mill externals:






Drainage shoot from no.1 adit:




Grizzly crushing hopper & conveyor to dressing mill:








Going underground on no.3 level:




Area of collapsed water cover:










Sleepers stacked up…


…and in situ:


Water draining down to no.2 level:


Remains of track under an area of collapse:


The perfect mirror – still water on no.2 level with the access to the incline on the right:


Up the incline:










The top of the incline leading to the next level – one for next time perhaps:


No time to go further on this visit but we know there is a lot more to see, especially the machinery etc left behind. Part two to follow!

Thanks for looking.

[Mole Man]

Great looking place, look forward to part two, I do like old mines, must try to get up and have a look at this one.

[superkev]

Fantastic morning out and perfectly timed!
got to post this arty shot of The Undertaker at the top of the incline..

[superkev]

Great looking place, look forward to part two, I do like old mines, must try to get up and have a look at this one.

Give us a shout if your in the locality at some point!

[Runner]

Great stuff guys , love the shot of the sleepers in situ, what's the purple staining on the left wall?
Must get myself down a mine sometime.

[Mole Man]

I will do superkev, may try to get up for a weekend and do Force Crag and Carrock Wolframite Mine.

[superkev]

what's the purple staining on the left wall?

I think its a light glare from The Undertakers helmet lamp, it seems to be present in a few of the pics!
Saying that, there were some fantastic colours underground in here!

I will do superkev, may try to get up for a weekend and do Force Crag and Carrock Wolframite Mine.

We were comparing Carrock quite a bit whilst we were here, (Carrock being one of our favourites to visit)
http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/showthr...umbria-25-7-09
And this place is well on par as a fantastic explore, that and that both mines require a full day or more to do a full visit.

[Reddood]

great looking place, another one for my "to-do" list

[sinnerman]

mice one boys Force Crag is pretty special get yourselves up the incline its worth the effort

[the_undertaker]

mice one boys Force Crag is pretty special get yourselves up the incline its worth the effort

yeah definitely will next time fella - I had a peek but we just didnt have time on this occasion. So much more to see!