Even a casual glance at the cliffs of Far Jessicks betray the existence of Jet Mining. Looking at the feature from Clock Case Nab exposes a number of rainwater run-offs. From the far side of Far Jessicks you can see a tiering in the cliff face upon which are concrete strutures and spoil heaps.

Viewed from Normanby Stye Batts the north end of Far Jetticks has ample patent evidence of jet mining;. In particular the terraces near to the waterfall have mining structures and spoil heaps. The danger of mining in this area is obvious. A slight mis-step would probably result in a death.

The foreshore below the cliffs of Far Jessicks have a wharf structure on the north side. The foreshore rock is patterned. The adits dug into the cliff face were often worked below the level of the foreshore and were dangerous, and given to collapses.

Atop the cliffs of Far Jessicks is the Coast to Coast path, sharing its right of way with the Cleveland Way. This area has now been stepped. In previous years there were no steps, and passage along this section was dire, the path being rounded and cambering towards the edge.

A large slab of flattish, smooth foreshore rock stretches into the North Sea in contrast to the fractured rock to the south. At high tide the rocky foreshore used to be invisible to shipping, resulting in many shipwrecks along this section of coast.

Jet is fossilised wood coming from fossilzed Monkey Puzzle Trees, Whitby Jet can be found along the Yorkshire Jurassic Coast, for a stretch of 7.5 miles, but it is hard to find. The best time to look is following a storm, when pieces of Jet may be washed up. The cliff strata is loose and sections often fall, espcially after a storm, exposing Jet within, or letting it lay on the rocks for it to be found later.

The formation of jet is a natural process that is based on extreme pressure from the earth upon dead trees over a long period of time. The trees decompose in the sea or a lake where they are enveloped in layers of sediment. This builds up over time and this, together with the water above, apply pressure on the wood. Over a period of millions of years the wood is so compacted that it gradually becomes the valuable gemstone known as jet.

Some of the jet mines are near the top of the cliff face and accessed via rope from the top. Jet is usually jet black in colour, hence its name, and extremely hard. The nature of jet is such that it is light to carry and therefore perfect for use as a necklace or wristband. Its smoothness also allows a high polish. Jet is found all over the world, but the highest quality so far discovered originates in and around Whitby on the east coast of England. The Coast to Coast path passes alongside many of the disused jet quarries of olden days, at Far and Nigh Jessicks.

Coast to Coast Trail Guide

"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.