#173

The second of a series of mines that we explore on a tour of ABANDONED MINES IN AMERICA. The First Thought mine was a major Gold producer near the town of Orient Washington.'n

[@MegaMech]

The person who dug this mine was like "I never want to get lost, so every direction will lead out"

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

20:56 I can show you Free Mill Gold that you can see with the Naked Eye in Several Oregon Gold Mines, one that I owned had what is called Wire Gold. The Greenback Mine where I was a Powder Monkey and Pneumatic Tram Operator has Gold Veins in Quarts that I have personally seen as wide as half inch of Gold Stringer Veins in Quartz, I believe this Mine is still in Operation. This Mine you are showing now from what I can see has Gypsum, Cinnabar, Copper, and the Basalt looks to contain both Silver and Gold Ore, talk about Pay Dirt, no wonder it looks like Swiss Cheese in there!

[@jamesglenn2006]

Swiss cheese/ honeycomb mine , that one was pretty interesting Frank. Thanks man, have fun👍🍻

[@steve7745]

God, this brings me back! When I was 7 or 8, back in '08-09ish, I went exploring around the whole Ruby Hill area. There's some crazy mines up there, was my first time seeing a straight vertical shaft in person and I'll never forget the feeling of just looking down into the seemingly infinite darkness, incredibly cool. Great video, cool seeing people exploring sites like these!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

They always look far deeper than they are when you go down...

[@miketyson8933]

Yea some go down 400 feet++ and then if you don't have air it can get ya in trouble. Just amazing what those old timers did for some gold!!!

[@miketyson8933]

@@exploringabandonedmines Not some of them! Some go down a very long ways!!!!

[@wefukthenwo]

As always, enjoying the adventure into new underground mines. You're with good enthusiastic company there, Frank. Looking forward to the next video in the US. Take care man

[@boomtop1]

thanks Frank have a nice weekend

[@trishstefanuk5619]

Thanks Frank, really enjoy watching your adventures

[@ClaytonCountyHistoryHound]

Enjoyed watching, thanks for sharing another fun adventure. Take care.

[@Seat1AJoe]

Always a pleasure watching your shows Frank!

[@robertsnyder5149]

Frank, Mark and I missed alot of what you covered but we were limited on time.

[@josephgrant9137]

Thanks for another fun mine video Bro.

[@sethmunday9855]

Cool exploring mate bats and rats enjoy your videos all the best seth 🇬🇧

[@quest2outdoors]

Great Adventure thank you for sharing it would be a lot of fun to go do that I hope you have a totally awesome day :-) peace

[@probablyhomer9338]

It’s cool to see the color changes in the minerals. That mine is sketchy as hell though. lol

[@rrice1705]

Fun video, but that mine looked pretty dodgy in places. You're a braver man than I am, Gunga Din!

[@hillsidehillside3095]

!!!!!!! THANKs !! Again Frank !!!!!!!

[@rdamp2374]

Another great video Frank and Mike. Can not wait to see Idaho mines.

[@camillefulton7709]

THANKS BLOKE FOR TAKIN ME WITH YOU, LOVE IT BUT COULDNT IN WITHOUT YOU LOL. ALWAYS ENJOYABLE. 👋CAMILLE AUSTRALIA

[@mauserdave]

Love that area of the state. Sp many mines and artifacts around. The First Thought is one of the bigger digs. The Last Chance is pretty close by to you there. 4th if July mine. Arlington mine and mill. The Nevada or Peacock is pretty extensive too. Lots of ore still laying around on the dumps. Thanks Frank for showing us the history of Ruby Hill. I was just up in that area I wonder if I passed by you guys. Last week of September??

[@exploringabandonedmines]

We will get back in that area next spring.

[@mauserdave]

Stay Safe Frank. And keep filming!!

[@grandprismatic]

Frank seems like you found the honeycomb hideout lol. Huge inner workings really cool mine. Thanks brother

[@loyalkuhn5778]

Holy Moly, that mountain has more holes in it than there are manholes in Seattle and Portland combined. Like you said at 13:15, "It's just honeycombed...". The bears don't have far to look to find a great place out of the weather to hibernate. If they don't like one hole, they can wander off another 20 feet to find another. There's a lot of bats there as well. Looks like a great place to get some ore with that mineralization. This place even has a bathtub there at 20:20 if you need a cold splash to wake up !!

[@Bushguyrocks]

Once again, Frank takes exploring abandoned mines to a whole new "level".

[@videolabguy]

Frank, I totally agree with your opening safety warning. But, you forgot one hazard. Bank robbers in hiding! I do love your videos. I don't get muddy, winded, trapped or brained by falling rock! Win win!

[@damiancaling1239]

G,day from Australia. I always live your videos. It would be great to explore some of these mines

[@miketyson8933]

Back then they just went with the veins they were on, a lot of these old abandoned mines really only got a very small % of whats in that mountain! Id be very surprised if they even did some test drills.

[@remmiemax3624]

Cool mine! So many passages. Sneeeek up on Mike and scare him....well...maybe not. Can't wait until next week. Rock On & Cheers🍻

[@robertsnyder5149]

The ore in this mine is typical of the area, silver gold lead and zinc.

[@swansen7431]

Nice vid, hope you make it to Colorado as it’s one of the most mined states I think. Keep up the good work

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Too hard finding mines in the snow!

[@Dieseling123]

Congrats on the 100K Frank!

[@robertsnyder5149]

Frank, this town made the town Of Orient. The local tavern made a good steak dinner.

[@maincoon6602]

Great video 👍🏻

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

Frank I just sent you an email about some Large Mines I Inspected here in Southern Oregon that you might like to Explore. As a former Lode Mine Owner I find that Keep Out Signs are worthless but Poisonous Gas Signs do the trick!

[@martingilchrist7063]

The part you referred to as the cliffs was actually the main chamber of the mine prior to its collapse.

[@neimac1]

Looking forward to seeing the Idaho one, my home state. Curious to see where you end up.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Next week! With Cory and Jessica from Gold Rush Expeditions.

[@danielhandler6646]

Exploring Abandoned Mines is there any more from Idaho coming? Watched the one you mentioned and it left me wanting more! I grew up camping in North Idaho with the Boy Scouts but they’d never let us get into the one mine we knew about. Not that it would be easy to get into it anyway...

[@mariaasmrr]

welcome to washington!! i don’t know about many mines here but the woods and mountains are amazing.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

There are quite a few!

[@leejamestheliar2085]

Most of life is mental. Seek out the truth, from the bull crap. Thx Frank. Happy adventures to you. What is with this mine having " desert camouflage "? Never saw one like this.

[@leejamestheliar2085]

@@cap5856 the whole thing, the walls are brown and tan globs. ( not truly desert camouflage, just trying to describe)

[@scotttaylor8498]

That timber is awesome. People will pay big money for that old timber.

[@stevetabor4447]

Unusual mine cool though good stuff safe travels as always be safe

[@leehilton9932]

Too bad that one was all flooded out. Could have been some cool stuff down there. Be safe out there man and hope your havin fun

[@redlinemando]

Nice video Frank!!!!!!!! I hope you have a good time & maybe find some cool artifacts while you're here in the states!!!!!!!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

found cool bricks and a mummified turtle!

[@redlinemando]

@@exploringabandonedmines Awesome!!!! I hope you got it all on video for us. I can't wait to see what surprises you have in store for us throughout the end of this season of EAM!!!!!!!

[@oxskirra]

Wow so much square set in that mine. Really old, too bad all the artifacts are probably underwater. Could always go diving for them lol. Be safe Frank.

[@SpectrumRob]

Cool one Frank. Is this high altitude because you are really huffin and puffin?

[@kathyculwell1282]

Well dang! That's some extreme exercising!! LOL Altitude or not, I'd be huffin & puffin too!!

[@rogeradam7391]

Awesome explore Frank😸😸😸😸🍻👍

[@jeepejeep]

That was a really interesting mine. It seemed to go in every direction and many levels. Lots of openings all over. Cool stuff. Send the heavy fella through first, smart man! Bats & Rats but no mine cats. Get some scuba gear and get in that water, Frank! Huge and intricate mine, thanks for taking us along! Glad you still have your nut sack! HA!

[@steveanderson5888]

You were in my neighborhood state of Washington we're at buddy? Just mentioned the county it's all good brother glad to see you on KZbin I went two weeks ago with my son to a old coal mine what a big mistake that was so dirty it was in Black Diamond Washington Black Diamond means coal we came out black everywhere we had masks on but it was so nasty I enjoy your videos keep up the great work brother and hello from the state of Washington

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I wouldn.t go in an abandoned coal mine.

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

Take it from a Lode Miner with Rocks in his Box, Masks in Dusty Mines is a good idea, but in Coal Mines a Mine Gas Detector is a Must Have, many Poisonous and Flammable Mine Gasses in Coal Mines and if you don't have one Stay Out! Be Safe!

[@robertsnyder5149]

Frank, if this is the "First Thought Mine" across the Kettle river from Orient then we were there in 2002 and 2003 and the private property owner below the mine told us it was under claim by some big company that was going to go in and take the ore that was not mined.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

It wasn't posted.

[@SueGirling68]

Hi Frank, they didn't leave much room for the mountain with all of those holes and drifts lol, either that or they wanted to make sure the mine was aerated. A very cool explore but I think I'm going to nickname you Billy after a billy goat lmao. xx

[@PARRISHMELLOTT]

im pretty sure that you all most took that leap of faith around 20 minutes? im glad you didn't. i am very curious to what was the scariest expierence you've ever had in a mine? i absolutley love your channel THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Going down steep dark shafts on a rope can be scary!

[@PARRISHMELLOTT]

Exploring Abandoned Mines I’ve been binge watching your channel for the past month I absolutely love it because I don’t have the balls to go into a places like those thanks so much for your hard work and effort I really appreciate it

[@coreydiers2745]

We explored this mine in July

[@ronniecardy]

Wonder why this didn't show in my inbox on youtube. Well it has worked well in the past

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Check and make sure you are subscribed, click on the logo in the bottom left of any video.

[@ronniecardy]

@@exploringabandonedmines your videos have allways been in my youtube inbox

[@wefukthenwo]

Happens to me sometimes. KZbin needs an upgrade

[@JusttheEdge]

I thought it was the bell next to subscribe button that made them show up in the inbox. Then I looked at my inbox and some had the bell hit others didn't. I think just your most watched subscriptions go to the inbox. The subscription tab shows all videos from subscriptions. That's my take on it all.

[@2_dimes]

Bigfoot sighting at 8:17

[@oldschoolmoto]

good explore fellas

[@Crewsy]

First. 😉 That is a cool mine. Probably has a lot more to explore if you can access the right adit. When you popped outside alone it looked like there were a few other openings close by.

[@paigelee6321]

How awesome never knew of these mines, wonder what was mined here

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Gold

[@seannot-telling9806]

What ore were they taking out of this one? Also did you ever make it over to the mines up by Crystal Mt ski resort?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

gold and no never heard of it.

[@checkerdayz5388]

Love Washington nowhere like home

[@CutthroatMcRage]

Wow Frank talk about swiss cheese that mountain so hollow I wouldn't be to surprised that if ya slapped it with a hammer it would ring lol … great vid Brother :) TY ;)

[@baldknobfarmstead5167]

This is just about in my backyard! Those little packrats are super cute but they are smelly little guys.

[@MrMitchB]

Awe Frank, I'll bet you sweet talk all the rats this way. 21:20

[@bruehlt]

Any ideas why the rock all looks like it's been burned? Is that iron ore?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Volcanic I bet.

[@pianochannel100]

I know in modern mines, where people you can easily run into some extremely unpleasant men with guns. Is that the case with some of these old mines too?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

It hasn't happened to me yet!

[@robertsnyder5149]

Frank, my mining partner and I had claims not too far from here.. I could show you a mine in the area that my partner Mark and I went about 3/4 mile back into but the air got thin and we left.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

That would be great but we can't get across the border because of covid.

[@robertsnyder5149]

@@exploringabandonedmines I know and I'd love to go over to see you and Dan Hurd like we used to do in the good ol'days. Canada is not a threat to us and we aren't a threat to them

[@GOWIN8109837]

930 in, bats catching bugs. He knows your there but not really worried about you, can't see you. Hears you. Your welcome, Captain Obvious out 😅

[@andiamocclash397]

Hope the traveling is going well frank!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Yes seeing some awesome mines in the Phoenix Arizona area.

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

Welcome to the States Frank eh!

[@andiamocclash397]

@@exploringabandonedmines if your already here frank give me a ring lol

[@Ty-tie_FTW]

Bats have good vision? Hmm. Didnt know that. But I'm as blind as a bat so what do I know?

[@Mister510]

Most bats have vision similar to humans.

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

@@exploringabandonedmines OMG that was a good one!!

[@MrMedalice]

Keep going mate!

[@lindawarnke5150]

Please tell us what they are minning. Be it copper ,silver, gold, smi-percieous stones, or what ever.

[@JusttheEdge]

Gold it's in the description. Sometimes he has to research after exploring.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Yep Gold.

[@MckinzieMotorsports]

Anyone else hear that strange sound @13:48.

[@dougie-thugie]

I live 3 miles from the mine off of hwy 395. big bears in that area.

[@barbararobinson7980]

That was cool, what an amazing mine. Your description of a honeycomb was spot on both colour and the amount of holes. Could all that fantastic square-set be repurposed? It seems such a shame to be just left stacked up in there. Thank you Frank and Mike for the information, the comedic banter and another excellent explore. Take care and stay safe. 👍 👍❤️

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I bet it could be for a museum or a display!

[@jonesfactor9]

Is this a cinnabar mine? Glad to see you’re enjoying the US

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Nope. and yes I am!

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

Looks like Cinnabar and Copper Ore says this Retired Lode Miner, however that Basalt may contain some Gold at the contact too.

[@jonesfactor9]

TBI Firefighter looks very similar to a mine I was in recently, in geology and being mined like Swiss cheese.

[@danlutjemeier4183]

In the early days... "Between 1904 and 1910, the First Thought produced 38,180.5 tons of ore that returned about $612,00. This ore averaged 0.84 ounces per ton of gold and 0.30 ounces of silver. Operations ceased in 1942 when government order L-28 forbade gold mining during WW2. Total development work at the mine is about 8,000 feet on seven levels."

[@thebombdigitydog]

Will you being coming though Montana?

[@jaym8299]

Can't wait for Idaho!

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Next Saturday!

[@carsonvandegriffe3764]

There are a bunch of smaller adits around that area. Too bad they are barred off :(

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

I think you need a walkie talkie for the people that aren't as ambitious as you are. Safer when exploring with another person but also can be a drag if they can't keep up or don't want to get dirty. Reminds me of picking shrooms in Mission BC with two women and myself. Just when we started to find them it's like can we go home now i'm like are you serious :) Peace

[@crabkllr7644]

great vid

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Thanks

[@miketyson8933]

There's a couple I know about amd have permission, a couple are VERY dangerous and filled with water and if you fall in and survive the fall you are going to die of hypothermia. Summer time if someone had a 150 foot rope and wench or pully even in the summer the water is super cold 150 feet under ground. They have a bridge and its covered and has doors and they are locked and theres a sattelite camera with a speaker to yell at ya to get out lol. Im actually closer then the owner and if they don't leave I meet the sheriff and I show him the spot. But havent had to yet people leave. But we put up a boarded blockoff but deer, elk or bear knocks it down running through there at night sometimes falling 150 foot and drowning the water is so nasty.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I have been in a lot of flooded mines. It takes a long time to die of hypothermia!

[@major_nobody311]

I want to do this stuff so bad and I'm on WA

[@nowhereman7398]

Northern woodrats. Cute little buggers. Destructive though.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Chew through anything!

[@STAY-GOLD-VINYL]

**VIDEO SUGGESTION** IF YOU COULD IDENTIFY SOME OF THE MINERALS AND METALS WHILE EXPLORING?? In the videos I see a lot of colorful minerals and metals but not sure if it's just a play of light from your headlight

[@Stephen_Eee]

All I ever see is gold, I'd be the worst prospector in history.

[@exploringabandonedmines]

You will hardly if ever see Gold it is normally microscopic...…...If there is any left!

[@MegaMech]

You found that guys illegal drug operation in his backyard lol.

[@terracethornhill]

It would be cool if you could get together with other mine exploring channels who operate in the areas you're visiting.

[@miketyson8933]

Yea I know them, they are fricking NUTS!!!! Cave explorers or something like that I met the guy and he said I can go with them and be a guy at the cave entrance, these guys have MILLIONS of views and they squeeze themselves in some insane caves, they do some old mine stuff but mostly some caves. Ive watched them by a cave and they would hit a rock on another rock and know the ground was hollow and rip the rock out and start going in some over size worm hole lol they have found some gold in new caves, they also map these caves for USGS!

[@matthewyodual5849]

You should go to Paris to the underground there

[@exploringabandonedmines]

I would love......just cant find a guide.

[@tpbforlife3323]

Grew up 5 mins from this mine

[@josecuervo6217]

are they haunted?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Nope!

[@robleppala5114]

Hello Frank..has ever a collapse happen near you?

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Sometimes a little bit of rock slides, not much.

[@andybobandy641]

Don't be a Soprano, Frank!!! Watch that pipe!

[@TheSWolfe]

Like wondering thru a giant ant farm!

[@johnizitchiforalongtime]

The land of adits. You got me lost, where am I. Car 54 where are you! Help, FRANK, i'm lost. Do you have your pack with you!

[@goldcat1844]

Must be a lot of gypsum in the fault gouge

[@MrLotrecht]

[@alltheboost5363]

Someday one Little Rock is going to fall in the whole thing's going to come down. Then they'll only be a third of a mountain.

[@platformstrange1794]

We thank you for being so mental Frank. Where I live in uk, Kent. Used to have quite a few coal mines, all long collapsed or shafts sealed. We're also surrounded by bats, mainly pipistrelles.

[@MrDutchman100]

Remember rule #1 keep the nuts dry.

[@Cyberdeamon]

Driving the local bat batty xP

[@Saphire_Throated_Carpenter_Ant]

It did look kind of like a chinchilla but it definitely wasn't, chinchillas are from South America. I wonder what it was though? I'm no expert on rats, I suppose there could be species with fluffy tails...

[@exploringabandonedmines]

It was a pack rat I am an expert on them!

[@haykk9937]

AWWWWWWWW a bat

[@exploringabandonedmines]

Way more down here in Arizona!

[@stingerbee8346]

In the US, property surveys are public record. You don't have to guess or assume if the mine is on private property. If it were my property on which you were trespassing, this video would be the evidence I provided to the Sheriff's deputy sent to serve you with a trespass warning/warrant. Or you could just ask me and I would give you permission after you signed a waiver of liability.

[@TBI-Firefighter-451]

Sorry but you don't know how the Trespass Laws in the USA work. Here In the USA with the Exception of Florida and Texas a Land Owner must First Warn you for Trespass before the Police will even respond so no worries Frank. Most Mines are on Public Land.

[@stingerbee8346]

@@TBI-Firefighter-451 Apparently you didn't read my comment. You still have to contact law enforcement to issue the warning if you want it to stick. In addition, my point stands. Do a little research and respect the land owner regardless of whether you can 'get away with it.'

[@stingerbee8346]

@@TBI-Firefighter-451 Also, TBI, (by the way, hope you didn't experience a TBI!) I am a subscriber to this channel. I like the Frank and enjoy what he does. But as a land owner who has had, on several occasions, had to 'make a point' to get people to stop trespassing on my land without permission, this is an issue for me. If I had a feature on my land that was interesting enough, I would gladly let a YTer like Frank come and document it. But I would hope it would be after a mutually friendly conversation. I'm sure it would be, since Frank doesn't seem like a self-important jerk. It's really that simple. Just because you can get by with something, doesn't make it a good idea for a decent human being.

[@RISKStudioProduction]

Don’t be such a perpetuate child.

[@celicoification]

13 : 48 psycofonia

[@jeffreyallen3796]

Kangaroo Rat wants to be the victim