Cavedale Vent

Grid Reference: SK 14867 82328

Level: 276 m
Grade: Not Graded

The entrance lies about halfway up Cavedale, just after the narrow steep section where the path begins to widen again. A obvious gate in a stepped down recess is the entrance, also a buzzing noise can be heard beyond the gate.

Description

Pass through the obvious gated entrance, a short mined level (excavated by digging) reaches the mechanical fan that is aiding ventilation in the showcave. It’s not possible to pass this fan but if you did, this will drops you onto a pitch that emerges in the roof of Five Arches.

Access

Rigging tackle would be essential but note that this entrance has been fitted with a secure gate and the show cave doesn't allow access via this route. The ventilation fan spans the entire passage and this cannot be passed.

History

The entrance was opened up in late 1997 upon the instruction of the showcave management thus to provide an additional ventilation route into the showcave, so a mechanical fan could be fitted. This entrance could hardly be seen, and wasn't obvious. Smoke tests were carried out from Five Arches, this proved there was a connection so after several months of excavation; this was connected through to Five Arches.

This entrance was used in January 1998 to access Peak Cavern to reach four stranded cavers after a flood that resulted in the Five Arches flooding cutting off the far reaches of the cave from the showcave. The fan hadn't been fitted at this point.