Forthcoming Trips

IMPORTANT

Please ring trip leaders to confirm trips are on and to let them know you are going. This is particularly important for Yorkshire or other long distance trips if you want to avoid a potentially abortive journey

New Years Day Walk Lathkill Dale – Youlgreave Circular Sunday 1^st January 2012

All welcome. Dogs on leads please. Easy/Moderate grade walk. 

Walk route: Moor Lane - 'Limestone Way' - Bradford Dale - Youlgreave - Raper Lodge - Conksbury Bridge - Lathkill Dale - Cales Dale - Calling Low - 'Limestone Way' - Moor Lane. Distance: 8 miles.

Walk notes: 1) OS Explorer Map, White Peak area OL24. 2) Bring packed lunch & drink. 3) Usual walking gear/rucksack. 4) Terrain: Mainly good paths, small amount of street walking, steep, stepped climb out of Cales Dale! 5) A walk full of interest for underground explorers. The lower section of Lathkill Dale that we shall be visiting is dominated by mining, mainly for lead, but also, black marble & iron ore. A lone cave will be seen in Cales Dale. 6) A great way to start a 'New Year', with a refreshing walk, once a Masson tradition in times past!! NB. A Walk route map can be supplied on request

Yorkshire trip - Notts Pot Sat/Sun 14^th /15^th January 2012
 Various options available for the system depending on numbers attending. System offers excellent & interesting vertical SRT (grade 4). We shall have ropes to do any combination of routes/crossovers.

Jugholes Matlock Sunday 29^th January 2012.

How well do you know Jugholes? You are perhaps familiar with the popular 'through trip' in (Lower) Jugholes, but have you explored the obscure complex of passages (not on survey), which lie underneath (Lower) Jugholes. On this trip most of the Jugholes Cave & Mine complex will be explored. Grade: Moderate. Oversuit trip/Kneepads. Various handline climbs/scrambles. Party size not limited. Booking useful, although not essential. References: 'New' Caves of the Peak District (pgs 154 & survey 155). Also, Jugholes Interpretation Pack by Gordon Fiander & David Webb (Joint PICA/DCA Production 2002) is definitive guide and well worth purchasing.

Advance Notice

Slide Show: Exploring Caves & Derbyshire Lead Mines - Tuesday 7^th February
First part of show features a very brief visit to the major caving areas of this country, namely; Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Mendips, South Wales and also, County Clare in Southern Ireland. A taster! The second half covers "Lead Mining in the Peak District". Content: A presentation looking at both surface remains and underground evidence of the lead mining industry in the Peak District. Also, a journey from digging out the lead itself, through to smelting of the ore and uses. Finally, mining customs & mining miscellany. Duration of the show 1.5hrs (approx). An optional buffet is planned for the mid show break, subject to sufficient interest. Please register your buffet interest, a week or more before show, either by email, phone or in person. (A Masson Caving Group meet with PDMHS members & guests welcome.)

Peak Cavern, Castleton (Masson trip/Booked)- Sunday 12^th February

Full details in February 2012 "Masson News".

Slide Show: Over & Under in the Peak District, Tuesday 28^th February

First part of show features a brief overview of our delightful Peak District, featuring both the "White & Dark Peak" landscapes. Familiar areas will be visited, plus curiosities. The second half covers both Peak District Caves & Mines. Duration of the show 1.5hrs (approx). An optional buffet is planned for the mid show break, subject to sufficient interest. Buffet interest (Details as 7th Feb).

(A Masson Caving Group meets, with PDMHS members & guests welcome.)

Saturday 24^th /Sunday 25^th March - "NORTH WALES MINES WEEKEND".

Mines to be visited: Saturday - CWMORTHIN SLATE MINE, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Sunday - CWM BYCHAN MINE, Nr Beddgelert.

Trip details as follows: CWMORTHIN - External Leader(s): "Friends of Cwmorthin". Very extensive and complex slate mine. Inclines, large chambers, lots of artifacts, etc. This trip will be an introduction to Cwmorthin for those who have never visited this mine before. Subject to availability of leaders, a more sporting trip for those who have visited this mine before is a possibility. For those familiar with this mine, a self-guided trip is an option. Party size not limited. Please  note for all those joining a "Friends" trip, we will be making a donation to their funds.

CWM BYCHAN or NANTMOR MINE - An easy grade trip, consisting of two main adits and a scattering of smaller workings. Also of interest is a partially preserved aerial cableway. Party size not limited.

Reference: PDMHS Bulletin, Vol.9, No.6 (1986). *I have a copy of this if Masson members would like to view it. Accommodation base: Betws-y-Coed. Varied choice, including Guest Houses, YHA, Bunkhouses, Camping  Note: Cwmorthin trip details will not be finalized until probably early March.

Please note that more underground meets are planned for both February and March.

MIDWEEK WALKS - Interested?

"The Wombles". A small mixed group of various ages, some 'working', others retired, undertake fortnightly Wednesday walks from January, through to December. Walks are arranged in both the "White & Dark Peak" areas of the Peak District and occasionally outside these areas. Previously, walks were mostly under 8 miles in length. However for 2012, alternate shorter (under 8) and longer (over 8) are planned. Majority of group are also involved in cave & mine exploration, so something in common. We keep in contact solely by email, so no subscriptions. You are welcome to just attend walks, although leaders for walks are also welcome. Walks are planned on Wed' 4^th & 18^th January, locations (tbc)

The Masson now have a Facebook page.

It can only be contributed to, and viewed by, Masson members. 

It's a great place to upload your photos and comments of recent caving events.

Contact the webmaster via facebook to be added into the group.