EQUIPMENT

Exploring any dark underground area requires the explorer to carry a certain amount of equipment, especially so if safety is in mind. Below is a short list of the items that I would consider essential to reduce the risk of injury while exploring abandoned mine workings (without SRT equipment) as well as some other equipment that I personally consider essential. In addition to below a hired oxy monitor should be carried when ever possible (hired so that it is recalibrated before use)

TORCH

The most basic but important piece of equipment, the hand torch. It is most essential to buy a torch that will be reliable, bright and economical with battery usage as well as ideally being splash proof. Because I explore underground to generally take some photographs I selected this (pictured above) Luxeon LED 7 watt white light torch that is fully water sealed to a depth of 30 meters and is manufactured completely in aluminum. The small size hides a magnificent amount of light produced from the 7 watt Luxeon element, and produces a similar light that is comparable with a 60 watt H7 car head lamp bulb. The rechargeable battery life is 1 to 2 continuous hours, but as I use it as a secondary lighting device this proves more than adequate. Price equiv of £20.99 from Japan.

HEADLIGHT & HELMET

A good headlight should be used to provide hands free lighting. After trying several different models I have eventually ended up using the excellent StenS7 as my main helmet lighting. The Sten has four modes of operation from low to 'turbo' mode for an ultra bright spread of light from the two 3watt luxeons. It features a magnetic switch for operation so that there is very little chance of any water or debris getting into the enclosure as well as a hi-tech driver which will manage about 130hours of light from the external battery pack (low setting). Cost £250.00 with extra capacity battery.

THE MAP AND MOBILE PHONE

If you don't tell someone where you are going and leave them a marked map, if you don't return they won't know where to send help! I always leave a note with the location and a time that I WILL ring home to confirm my safety. My wife is instructed to phone 999 at 6 o'clock and ask for mountain rescue if I do not check in, therefore the mobile phone is an essential item (remembering that it won't actually work while underground or even in a deep valley - time must be taken to walk/drive to a high point to make the safety call! - but may save our lives one day)

My personal view is that you should always tell a responsible person the position of your whereabouts, especially if having discovered and intend to enter an undiscovered/unmarked level. (though in practice this can sometimes be foolishly be overlooked)

CAMERA & TRIPOD

If you want to show the world your adventure then the camera is most suitable! Most digital cameras can take a photo in the pitch blackness of an underground passageway as long as it features a full manual or shutter speed setting. The camera that I used to take a majority of the photos found within this site was a D-SLR Minolta (sony) Alpha 100 with an F3.5 - F5.6 18-70 lens fitted with a UV filter (for landscape use of course as well as a cheap lens protector). Cost £599.99, UV Lens protector £6.99.  (camera insurance is a good idea, for £1 per week it takes that worry from the expensive equipment becoming damaged)

The tripod I use is an old Vanguard item, but remains light weight - simple to use and provides a stable support, though predates the new 'hot shoe' type tripod.

FLASH

Using a high power flash makes photography in all situations a lot easier! My Mecablitz has a 200ft range (at ISO100) and allows the camera to auto-focus at up to 40ft with the help of the built-in focus illuminator. Cost £149.99 from Darlington Photo Centre. My main flash can't be used as a slave however, so I plant the cheaper  slave (below) in a hidden place within the area.

VIDEO CAMERA

Using a video camera underground is always going to be difficult because not only is there the lighting problems to contend with but also that of water and dirt (which nearly all cameras hate). After some time of searching I came across this POV.1 from the USA which cost around $700 dollars and features a massive 8 hours continuous recording time (after firmware upgrade) with a digital head unit which is sensitive to 0.3lux as well as being completely water and dust proof. The recording media is solid state so it should hopefully remain reliable through the knocks and drops of mine exploring.

CLOTHES

Tempted though I am to take a photo of my trusty wellies and coat, I will refrain from doing so! The best £30 I spent was on a pair of Russian army welly boots from the ex-army store that are not only comfy, but warm as well (which is unusual for wellies!). My coat was again purchased for £30 from the ex-army story and is a standard NATO fitting featuring a Gore-Tex lining to fight the cold and wind chill as well as being totally waterproof - not essential but ideal for mine exploration!