Titan Shaft
Grid Reference: SK 413830.33 381849.64
Level: 430.22 m
Grade: V
Titan Entrance was engineered from the surface, connecting to Titan after five years of solid digging, weekend after weekend. Titan is the largest natural shaft in the Uk, topping out at 145 m. Titan Entrance Shaft is located on the top of Hurdlow, to the west of cavedale, just off the Limestone Way. By walking up Cavedale from Castleton, you follow the dale through two gates, when you go through the second gate; the hill to your right is Hurdlow and just below the summit is Titan.
History
Titan was discovered from Far Sump Extensions on the 1st of January 1999 (New Years Day) and after it had been climbed, it was the biggest natural shaft in the UK, standing at 145 m high.
The history of Titan actually started in 1981 when Far Sump was passed for the first time by divers, they looked at this major choke above the upsteam end of Far Sump and it was not in the capabilities of the divers to dig beyond a long sump. James Hall Over Engine was re-opened in 1993, eventually landing on the Boulder Piles, in 1996, the long awaited dry connection to Far Sump Extensions was dug open.
In 1999, the choke was dug eventually breaking into the bottom of Titan and looking up in amazement, as JNC put it, due to the size of it, its a wonder you can't see it from the surface. Several days of ascent by the climbers, reached the Event Horizon ledge. Above the shaft belled out above with the roof well out of sight still. Eventually the top was reached. There was also stream entering at Event Horizon Level, the Titan Streamway, a passage on the western wall 4m high, 3m wide passage to a choke at the 130m level; and an ascending gully to the east.
Poking at the choke, pulling rocks out of the western passage at the 130m level, resulted in a shakehole above slumping which the diggers found a few days later, eveidence that there must be a natural connection. Permison to dig had to be sort which took months, eventually digging began in October 1999, which was to become a long term dig / engineering project, this was connected to Titan about three and half years later.
Access
A booking is required and proof of Public Liability Insurance is also required. See Access to System for information regarding organising a trip.
Description
Clicking on the link below, will take you to the relevant PDF Cave Guide:
Shaun Puckering who runs the Peak District Caving webiste has given me permission to use his cave guides of the system.
Key Exploration Dates
| 01/01/1999 | Titan first discovered from the bottom |
| 08/02/1999 | Event Horizon reached |
| 04/06/1999 | Top of Titan reached |
| 20/03/1999 | Western Passage near top was reached |
| 31/10/1999 | Surface Dig Started |
| Trail hole connected through | |
| 25/05/2003 | Connection made to Titan from surface |