Hiley Website

After yesterday's fell walk, the other thing that Tom and Abi really wanted to experience, was the thrills of the Honister Via Ferrata.

There are three climbs on offer at the Mine, the Original, the Extreme and the new "Climb the Mine", all the fun of the "iron way" but underground !

As I had not climbed the new one, Tom suggested that would be a great one for all three of us to do together . . . lead on Tom.

My granddaughter Abi and her partner Tom, as we arrive for our pre-booked Via Ferrata Climb.

We need to get kitted up . . . full harness gear in case we fall off . . . it's got to be capable of catching us without injury.

. . . not that we're planning to try it out !

All complete and checked, it is time to get on the bus . . . yes Honister has its own private bus service.



All aboard for a drive up to the mine entrance.	We disembark and watch the bus do a neat three-point-turn before returning to base.

Our part of twelve . . . including myself.

JJ gives us a quick briefing to let us know what to expect over the next two hours or so.



Setting off into the mine . . .	. . . along a covered way with daylight through the occasional openings.

All that remains of the Lancaster Aerial Flight that used to support a cable system that carried stone from the mine down to the mine buildings below.

It was built in the 1920's/30's and moved stone for over 25 years until it was decommissioned in the 1950's.

A brand new aerial ropeway is being built this year, which will serve a similar purpose, plus it will also be a full zip- wire and tourist attraction for visitors to the mine.

- - - o o o - - -

Time to head into the mine itself

following the tunnels and old rail system,

taking us deep into the heart of the mountain.

I've climbed the Via Ferrata on the outside of the crags,

now to find out what doing it

within a cave/mine environment will be like.

The drops beneath your feet may not be as 'extreme' but

if you can't see down because of the lack of light

then who knows how far below the solid ground is ?

- - - o o o - - -

Entering the unknown world, both for walking around and trying to photograph in such variable light.

JJ however, is more concerned in safety and makes sure we all pay attention to his briefing, camera or no camera !

The safety wire (with loops on for the climbing sections) ensures that we will be safe . . . provided we follow the drill.

Always have at least one of the cat's tails of the harness clipped on at any time . . . only disconnect and re-connect the second in order to move forward.

- - - o o o - - -

Our route climbs the mine in ways reminiscent of those of the old miners.

They cut and blasted out these huge caverns,

collecting the rock as it fell from the walls or ceilings.

They would then drill pins into the walls or build ladders

to access the next work space.

The honister team has drilled and fixed big iron 'staples' and iron ladders

capable of taking our weight as we climb up the impossible walls.

- - - o o o - - -

The iron way climbs the rock, often leaning out under an overhang to pass obstacles and outcrops.

Follow the wire, look for the footholds and match them with more staples placed as hand holds.

There's no compromise to excitement being underground . . . the route includes bridges and ladder-climbs where space allows.

[ The observant amongst you may have noticed an ancient bolt in the ceiling of the cavern, a relic from the times of the early miners.]



Tom and Jenna wait their turn as the lady in white transfers to a rope bridge.	Jenna crossing high above the spoil heap on the floor of the cavern.

Higher up in the mine, Honister have started to include coloured lighting to highlight features and to set the mood.

	- - - o o o - - - Slow going again , but we are steadily climbing, this time on an iron ladders up to yet another level in the mine system. Above us is a wooden platform . . . but it slopes at a crazy angle. There's also something that looks like a headless skeleton ! - - - o o o - - -

While I wait my turn I have chance to stop and look around.

This was the view back down at various bridges wires and paths, including sight of an inclined railway away to the left by the turquoise light.

At the top of the ladder you transfer to a short zip wire and launch yourself across to the platform.

You can just make out the legs and feet someone pulling themselves using a secondary rope.

As you descend to the platform, the skeleton rises . . . only to fall to the ground again as it returns the pulley for the next person.

Skeletons have their uses !



The underground zip wire crosses into another cavern in the mountain.	My photo couldn't match this picture taken from the Honister site (with thanks).

We could disconnect for the next short section, following another of the horizontal mine levels.



The path is suddenly dissected by a railway incline.	Time to clip on again as we climb up alongside the trackway.

There are several of these inclines within the old mine, some reputedly six hundred feet long and with a 50 degree slope.

Another challenge ahead as we have to jump the gap.



The swing rope is collected, grasp the white, clip onto the red . . . and run.	Time to jump the gap and land somewhere over by JJ on the other side.



The rope sections are completed, so Tom prepares to descend to a lower level.	JJ's photo of us deep in the mine.

Now I know why we wear helmets . . . and why I was bashing mine more than the others . . . those two are more the size of the old miners that built these tunnels.



Making our way out towards the light . . .	. . . We exited through a completely different addit than the one we entered.

During the course of the climb we had climbed a surprisingly large height, all within the hill.



We were up close to the larger exit of the Ash Crag tunnel.	All that remained was to carefully make our way down the old track cut into the side of the crags.

Passing numerous addits (tunnels), each to a different level in the mine.

All too soon we were back at the Lancaster Flight.

Spanning the gap you can just make out the Infinity Bridge crossing the gorge . . . there are some people starting their way across.

Steady as they go . . . but those two at the back seem very close together !

[ Rumour has it that they had stopped so that the gentleman could make a marriage proposal to his good lady . . . according to information Abi gathered later.]

No such excitement for us as we retrace our steps across the face of the crags and back into the tunnel.

Back at our starting point and passing the generating shed that powers all the underground lighting.

That bus is getting expert at his three point turns . . . and we wait to get on board once he is safely round.

Back at ground zero, down at the mine buildings.

Time to enjoy a welcome cuppa and a bite from the Bait Cafe before we head back to Loes at home.

She didn't wish to do the climb . . . but also she's waiting at home for her daughter to arrive for the rest of the Easter Weekend.

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with my iPhone 11pro mobile phone camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . a resumed, normal level of adrenalin in the blood stream !

Previous walk - 18th April 2025 - Rannerdale with Abi & Tom

A previous time up here - 11th August 2007 The Honister Via Ferrata

Next walk - 20th April 2025 - Whiteside and Hopegill with Peter