James Hall Access
General Information
JH is actually 180 m deep, split into four pitches of various sizes so anyone entering MUST be fit, competent with all aspects of rope work and have experience of long and tight pitches.
Individuals must be over 18 years of age and covered by a suitable insurance policy such as the BCA scheme when entering any part of the Peak-Speedwell system. This includes JH.
JH enters the Peak system on the top of the Boulder Piles, consequently allows relatively easy access to the Far Sump Extensions and the upstream section of Speedwell.
Both Peak and Speedwell Caverns have their entrance series as Show Caves and as a consequence have a separate access systems in operation. Please respect all the rules associated with these access arrangements.
It is therefore possible to undertake a variety of trips into JH as it not only connects to the two show caves but also to ‘Titan’.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MUST YOU EXIT VIA SPEEDWELL CAVERN. There are two gates to prevent you from doing this, one at the bottom of Pilkington’s Passage and the other at the end of the Speedwell canal, just up from the Bung. These gates are permanently kept locked by the Speedwell Cavern management.
Peak Cavern Through Trips
If you are intending to take part in a through-trip to PEAK CAVERN you must contact a Key Holder to arrange access or egress to/from Peak Cavern. Indemnity forms and the usual booking procedures apply, even if you are only exiting from Peak, indemnity forms must be filled in prior to entering JH. Arrangements must be made for the collection and depositing of the Peak Cavern keys by contacting the Peak key holder on the particular day of your trip.
It is recommended that anyone undertaking a through-trip has a relatively early start as it is the Peak key holder responsibility to ensure that the cave is secure at the end of the day.
You are responsible for your own call out arrangements, it is not the responsibility of the Peak key holder’s. Last party must ensure that all the gates associated with any of the entrances used during trips into the system and in particular Peak Cavern entrance, are closed and locked once all party members are out of the cave. Ensure that you return the necessary keys to either the person who issued you them or to the particular location as instructed by that person.
Other Information
The entrance shaft is on land farmed by Rowter Farm
You go to the farm and pay an access of fee of £2.00 per person to the farmer.
** You will require a large adjustable spanner (Derbyshire Key) to open the hatch that allows access to the locking bolt **.
It is important that all gates remain closed to prevent injury or loss of stock and it is best to avoid lambing time (April/May).
Ensure that during all hours that noise levels are kept low, and that respect is given at all times to the landowners property.
It is not permitted to drive over to the entrance shaft. Parking is available on the campsite.
After everybody has descended the shaft, ensure the lid is closed behind you. Do not lock the lid from the inside.
Variety of Trips
As a result of the time involved in clearing pitches we recommend that the sensible number for a party is somewhere between 3 - 6. Timescales of trips can be long, here is a rough guide to the length of trips for an average party of 4 competent cavers having to rig or de rig the necessary routes.
- JH, run around then back out JH 5 hours
- JH – Titan 5 hours
- JH – Peak (via Colostomy crawl) 6 hours
- JH – Peak (via The White River Series) 9 hours
Any through trip or exchange with either Peak or JH will have to take into account the necessity to de rig the pitches, Don’t even think about a ‘pull through’!
Flood warnings
Water & Weather information is available at:
During wet weather the bottom part of Bitch Pitch is very wet, if you pass this, Leviathan can become virtually impassable in a 40m waterfall, if you get to this point and the water levels are too high then turn round at this point.
The water that falls down JH is diverted via dams and pipework into Speedwell Mine but in flood, water overflows the dams and floods the connection to Far Sump Extensions (route to Titan) and this cannot be bailed. If the water is this high, Speedwell will be impassable.
If you are intending to do a through trip then you need to be aware that parts of the system become impassable and also can ebb and flow by as much as 3 - 4 metres under certain conditions.
Fees
There is currently a £2 per person fee payable to the farmer, fees are levied for exiting from Peak Cavern, there is currently no fee for exiting via Titan, but arrangements must be made prior to entering the system.
Tackle requirements
- Entrance: 55 m, Scaffolding bar at head
- Bitch Pitch: 45 m, 9 krabs/maillons, 2 deviation krabs
- Top Of Leviathan (wet route): 50 m, 2 krabs/maillons, one deviation krab
- Top of Leviathan (dry route): 50 m, 7 krabs/maillons, one deviation krab
- Bottom part of Leviathan: 40 m, 4 krabs/maillons
Fixed Aids
Other than the items listed in the fixed aids log, the Peak key holders and Peak Cavern management are not responsible for the upkeep, maintenance and inspection of any fixed aids, anchors, ropes and connectors left in situ within the Peak - Speedwell system.
You are responsible for the inspection of all anchors, ropes and connectors left in situ, prior to use. Please report any damage to any fixed aids in the system immediately.
Fixed aids Log maintained by Peak Cavern key holders committee:
- Surprise View Ladder
- Egnaro Aven Ladder
- Fawlty Tower Ladder
- Ropes, Anchors and Connectors in Block Hall
- Anchors only on direct descent Titan
- Ladder on Bung Hole pitch
- Treasury Bolts