Dive site maps

Dorothea Slate quarry

At nearly 108 meters, Dorothea quarry is without a rival for its depth.  It has no site facilities at all, but is without doubt the best.  Her visibility is often breathtaking and there is so much to her, you can spend years exploring her.  She lends herself to technical diving in a way no other quarry can, not just because of the depth, but because if you want to explore her you really have to put the work in.  While divers have put rope courses in, if you wish to explore further, then you must be responsible for yourself.  She is not a commercial site and people have died here, so stick to your limits.  From the 40 meter area, the walls drop, as good as vertically, straight down to 90 meters.  The ladders down, from 40 meters  to 57 meters, and a 57 meter tunnel is now partially blocked.  If you do decide to explore Dorothea, find out everything you can first.  She is very unforgiving.  I will be happy to try to help in any way I can.

Hodge Close quarry and tunnels

A fruity little number this one.  At around 30 meters, Hodge Close quarry is a nice dive, though a lot of it has fallen in due to rock slides.  At around 24 meters  a small tunnel entrance can be found; unless you are well comfortable with overhead environments and running thirds, don't go there (really!).  The tunnels are quite narrow and, although the visibility can seem excellent, it won't be on the way out.  The main shaft is 126 meters long and has three chambers running off it.  it is pitch black, with no ambient light; period!  There is one rope leading the full length of the central cavern, straight to chamber three, with subsidiary ropes of a different colour running off it into chamber 1 and 2.    There is one way in and one way out, the secondary entry/exit point has now fallen in.  If you want to go ahead and dive this system, I would suggest using the strongest Nitrox or even Trimix.  You really do want a head as clear as crystal. This is not one for the faint hearted.