ABOUT ME

About Tommy's Underground Exploration

One day I decided to go for a walk in the mountains, I soon came across the old working adit of Coldberry and I sat with a drink in my hand wondering what would be inside the old level. This of course led to me taking a careful look in with just the light from my key-ring torch - but I soon made a hasty retreat as the words of ' never go into old mine workings ' rolled around inside my mind.

This first experience of the unknown, venturing into the darkness of a bygone age fueled my interest in mine exploration. I researched the internet for advice and equipment and learnt many things about the mine structure and plan of the levels when extracting different types of ore, making me aware of the dangers that my lurk within such as rotten wooden floors and hidden pits with deadly drops. But the need to actually see with my own eyes and record the remains overcame the danger and foolishness of the idea of going underground into workings over 100 years old.

I purchased some basic equipment and followed the sensible advise from an experienced mine explorer and asked someone else to join me in my adventure as the more people that can come with you, the less likely you will be trapped for ever with no chance of being found if as accident were to occur. My dad jumped at the chance to come along with me - being an ex-miner he was eager to revisit the hidden depths within the earth.

We both toggled up with our basic lights, boots, coat and camera and headed off the historical Lead mining area of Middleton-in-Teesdale, and from this our experience and knowledge grew.

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