A 10/10 Mine On The Abandoned Mine Scale

[@wigglenutz9060]

I'm so sorry that I don't have more to give. Following your travels helped me through a period of intense pain and sorrow. And though this may not help much, I just wanted to say thank you.

[@blurboards1]

Someone had some serious engineering knowledge. Some of the cantilevered timbers and cross supports is some pretty advanced thinking. It's probably the sole reason so much of this mine is still accessible and not completely encased by collapse. What an awesome experience it must have been to see it in person. Thanks for sharing.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, the level of mining talent here is very impressive!

[@derrobbster]

Reminds me of the Comstock where extensive square setting was used.

[@jean-huguesbouchard1045]

The craftsmanship displayed in this mine is a true testimony to the miner's abilities My hat to those men who all build this

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I agree 100% with that!

[@wf6951]

Can I have more than a hat plz.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

sometimes they will notch the sides of the posts to allow clearance for the ore cars to pass by .... looks like a replacement deposit in limestone .....an iron oxide copper Gold deposit ... .........this one reminds me of Delamar ....haven't seen Giant powder in a while.....40% must be some hard rock ...hahahaha gobbing is also a way to increase ground support by filling the voids..... with square sets you have posts , caps and girts ....they will box off each square set and back fill into to make it more secure ... the entire thing is held together by pressure , take away any of the surrounding pressure in it will all collapse.....impressive

[@Stoned2daBone-r4g]

Thanks Jeff for the wisdom

[@Thefilotei]

every time i see a jeff comment i can hear him in my head

[@Askjeffwilliams]

@@Stoned2daBone-r4g you betcha

[@Askjeffwilliams]

@@Thefilotei me too

[@TVRExploring]

Our first thought was that the timber support was notched for ore carts as well, but it was in the middle of a straight section and actually sat back a bit more than the others. So, it is a strange one. Yes, good eye on the geology mix present here. Thanks for the additional information!

[@illeodavinci]

Incredible timbering in that mine, but when you threw that stick of dynamite my heart stopped for a second!!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, yeah, I had to throw that comment in at the end about it being inert because I realized how that would look on video.

[@WhatAboutTheBee]

@@TVRExploring If I might ask, how did you know it was inert Justin?

[@RussellNelson]

@@WhatAboutTheBee It didn't explode.

[@WhatAboutTheBee]

@@RussellNelson that would be a fairly silly way to test to see if it was inert. First failed test might just have serious implications. Let me rephrase the question "How, Justin, did you know it was inert BEFORE you threw it?"

[@RussellNelson]

@@WhatAboutTheBee Obviously not a good idea to touch it at all.

[@daleskogman3306]

I have viewed hundreds of mine explorations, BUT none have made me as nervous as your exploration of this mine!!! That loose rock(boulders) must have had your adrenaline working overtime!! Thank you the experience to go along from the comfort of home!! Be safe !!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, when I was editing this video, I realized that this mine was a little more sporty than I had remembered. Those huge slabs were definitely a little uncomfortable to be under sometimes.

[@peterwilliamson4663]

Love the mine but remember that timber that is cracked through is not supporting any rock above it and the next stage is for the rocks to fall with no warning. When the support timbers start to crack the miners new that there could be a collapse and act accordingly. So the timbers served as supports and as a warning system, that's what we used them for in Australian coal mines that I worked in. Working in the mines brings you together with your work mates as your life depends on each other I found it a great place to work.

[@PBRJOHN684]

That is one of the best mines you have documented to date mate. nice square set timbering and in excellent condition ( ain't seen nothing like that over here in the UK) As always looking forward to next weeks video 👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@eqlzr2]

Man, Spielberg, Disney, and Universal combined with their entire budgets couldn't produce a movie set that was as fascinating to look at as that mine. After years of being interested in mining, and having seen many of your videos, I often wonder about the financial side of creating and working these mines. Where did the money come from, what were the profit/loss outcomes, what kind of exploitation of miners took place, were the miners properly compensated for their efforts, or in the end, were the consequences of their hazardous work unrewarded and unappreciated. Many thanks.

[@aronjacobs2042]

Ain't nothing like some good ol' fashion square set timbering!

[@TVRExploring]

I agree 100% with that!!

[@ianmeggsmackenzie3085]

Did some square set timbering in a mine in Aus about 50 years ago all ropes and muscle / my teacher was about 60 in those days and he had been mining by himself for ages very knowledgeable/ loved the colours in this one / thanks Justin 😁🐿

[@TVRExploring]

That's really cool. I would love to have tagged along for that one!

[@etarheel1]

Really wanted to thank you. With out you making this available for us I would have never gotten to experience some this amazing in my lifetime. Deep respect for taking the time to document this for generations to come as well as gratitude that I got to experience it because of your efforts!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. What you expressed is exactly why I do this and it makes me very happy to read your comment...

[@brentkeller3826]

Sidenote: The green color printing on the paper? Possibly arsenic based. Nice vibrant green after all this time. Scheele's Green was quite the killer color.

[@TVRExploring]

Oh, that's cool that it lasts for so long.

[@brentkeller3826]

@@TVRExploring Pretty shade of green, just in quantity it outgasses arsenic and kills. Old green wallpaper from the same time period is highly toxic. Stays green for a very long time. Surprised to see it. Good find!

[@Tom_Samad]

@@brentkeller3826 I find facts like that fascinating!

[@kimbra1132]

That was one of your best explores yet. The colors of the copper, lead, silver and gold were impressive. That cribbing and timbering was beautiful. It looks like log cabin builders. Wow is all I can say, Justin that mine was bad ass. Great job.

[@T4nkcommander]

Really is 10/10. These guys were masters of their craft in a very welcoming mine. Impressive - as is this video. Glad you got to record it before too much failed and gets lost forever.

[@frankgaletzka8477]

This mine is awsome the timbering is fantastic and the clours were beautiful After all this years it still stands and hold what a amazing job they do in that times no Computer GPS no Laser only knowlege and hard work Absolute amazing Stay save and all the best Yours Frsnk Galetzka

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you, Frank. Yes, the talent of these miners is remarkable.

[@chrisandersen5184]

The level of craftsmanship can't but create a story in my mind. Triggered by the tight cobbing and some of the timber joints captured in a couple of the close ups. Seems to go beyond safety, there's a high level of pride in their work. I pictured a craftsman that left the art of building homes, fire places and rock walls to look for their fortune in the mines. Someone wasn't afraid of hard work. ...times have changed...

[@TVRExploring]

I had exactly that feeling as well. And, yes, sadly, times have changed quite a lot...

[@Jennralize]

The colour accuracy of your recording gear is great! The wall at 10:35 with the copper sulfate (?) deposits was stunning! Still watching, but had to pause for that 😊

[@tarf1a]

Thank you for another high quality video and tour of the mine. You are so correct in saying the miner's ability was very high. What gets me is the size of the timbers brought into the mine. Those were some very tough guys! The workmanship is most impressive.

[@67volksrodder]

That mine was remarkable at the engineering that went into the supports and bracing. So freaking awesome. Nice job with the narration and views. Thank you for the experience. Stay safe.

[@mandoramirez1205]

Another incredible adventure you guy's took me on, I can't get over the workmanship thies miners built , I found myself wondering how they had any time to mine ,because of the insane amount of lumber they had to drag down with them then all the forming and assembly and did all this with hardly any lite, they where almost like a different kind of human to be able to accomplish all that work, once again incredible video thanks for having us along, stay safe.

[@Nevir202]

Who else flinched when he dropped that dynamite? 😱

[@wf6951]

It was too old to explode

[@A.Martin]

@@wf6951 Think of it like the fats coming out of really old chocolate, except what comes out of dynamite is the explosive Material Nitroglycerin. Which when not mixed in is highly explosive and just small shocks can set it off. The stuff its mixed into makes it safer and requires a detonator to set it off.

[@cameronmccreary7697]

How did he know the dynamite stick was inert; he just looked at it quickly and then dropped it.

[@dansed11]

@@cameronmccreary7697 It’s hollowed out, empty of explosive material.

[@kelvenguard]

I read your comment before I watched that part and I still Flinched... might as well pick it up and throw it down the mine shaft as hard as you can and call it a DUD...

[@sanddabz5635]

at 37:35..."no shortage of sketchiness here"....sounds a lot like my life~ this was fun, thanks for taking me along!

[@JeremyDN]

Insane when you think about what they were doing for the time. They literally chased the gold through the mountain. All those off shoots going just as far as the gold was. I would imagine there is so much there in the walls and further. Those men who dug and blasted all that out are the true builders of this country. There is so much gold on this planet we have only scratched the surface of what’s here. From a geology point of view this fascinates me due to how gold formed in the first place and spread all around the world. Love the video. I would like to see these places for myself sometime when I retire.

[@davidmicheletti6292]

I like it when you record the rock formations. That in itself tells so much. I used to save interesting rocks from formations in the mines that I worked at in my youth. I even went so far as to take a full year of geology in college just for the fun of it. My professor is still alive and we see one another now and then. Right now we live on a huge lake in Minnesota that has an old iron mine near its shoreline. It was abandon when it could not be pumped free of water. Only a fraction of the ore body was touched during mining. Now days I often walk back to explore the area and swim in the blue sky clear waters of this pit.

[@TVRExploring]

There are some tremendous iron mines in your part of the world... I would like to have more knowledge of geology. I have a full plate right now, but, hopefully, it will be possible to take some classes in the future.

[@davidmicheletti6292]

@@TVRExploring Yes indeed a geology class or two will provide you with some very good data to help when your out there exploring. You are fortunate enough to have several very good professional geologists who follow your channel who really know what they are talking about. Jeff W. is one of them. You have the getup and go to really get out and explore and these people have the advanced knowledge to aid you. Of all the channels I watch I find yours to be one of the best. Something I really look forward watching and learn from. Be safe while your out there, these old mines are fun but you need to use care.

[@ralphpatrick3071]

That carved out post was probably repurposed. Might’ve been notched so an ore car could pass..

[@TVRExploring]

Well, that was my first thought as well, but it was on a section that was straight and wasn't sticking out any more than the other timbers. So, it seemed really random.

[@sampointau]

At 56:00 the metal piece with the slot reminds me of a set saw guide, unsure if that's it's proper name, which was clamped to the other side of a piece of timber so a large, normally two person, saw could be guided in a straight line cut without the second person to control it. We still had them on the country property I grew up on for cutting fencing and building timber getters even though replaced with peteol power operated mobile circular saw. Horse stud was established in the 1800:s and they dated from then, generally held to timber by spikes hammered in or chain and turnbuckle.

[@TVRExploring]

Considering all of the timbers in there, that certainly makes sense... Thanks for sharing that.

[@robertbilbey1200]

That square set is amazing! Such a good example of it! Finding that really shows how old this mine really is. Square set was a expensive way of mining and to make it cheaper they turned to room and pillar methods of mining. Nice work and amazing explore!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, it was great seeing those square sets...

[@destroya.5868]

Yea! A great long vid! Dude y’all still the best

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I'm glad you're still checking in as you've been with me for a while...

[@Tal5258]

Wow what an immaculate mine the timbering and work on the gobbing is incredible they worked hard back in them days. There's so much character in this mine so lucky it seem dry which helped preserve it.Keep up the good work finding these kind of mines

[@erinconnelly7339]

That mine is stunning,the carpentry & rock work is absolutely gorgeous! Would love to have those miners build me a house.

[@mbagley5803]

All the timber work in your videos is just amazing. Even to get the materials into the mines .

[@deepbludude4697]

Man what an incredible amount of labor! id love to go back to that area and explore again. thanks for sharing.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, this is a great one.

[@bookbandit]

10:01 I wouldn't want to swing a sledgehammer at the posts in here, 👀👀👀I wouldn't want to talk even in a whisper in there😉😉really nice mine though, loved the wood work so perfect, and the timber holding a timber holding a timber holding a timber holding a boulder45:45😁😁shame it will all be buried someday, that is one wicked cool hole in the ground

[@keithmcfaul9204]

A lot of very interesting things in this mine. I think I will have to agree with you. Definitely a 10/10.

[@TVRExploring]

This one had a lot of my favorite things... Plus, there was the square set timbering!

[@keithmcfaul9204]

@@TVRExploring Yea, I could tell you weren't the least bit interested in the existing square set timbering. :)

[@Ironsja11]

That is an excellent old mine, it truly has it all from wild looking geology to incredible craftsmanship from the miners. And old dynamite sticks on the floor. Thanks again for taking us along with you!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for coming along on this one and the others... Yes, this is one of my favorite mines now!

[@precisionmarksmanshiphq773]

What a piece of history! I'd love to see this someday! I've explored a few, but this one is much more interesting! Thank you!

[@Wailwulf]

You mention in the Description that the mine was mapped in the early 1900's, but was no longer being mined. The Dreadnaught Safety Fuse was manufactured in Livermore California, and the examples I found on the internet are from around 1910, so maybe there was mining during that period?

[@petemoss8625]

your so lucky! to have all these old mines to explore, were i live in Nottinghamshire, UK. we had loads of deep coal mines, these cant be got into, not that you could due to the methane gas. all our mining industry has gone so your vids are great for an old ex miner to think back to the days of being deep in the earth. many thanks. ps I worked at Harworth colliery, look it up, someone made a nice piece on the net to remember it.

[@TVRExploring]

England had quite a mining history... It is hard for me not to be nostalgic for many elements of England's past.

[@petemoss8625]

@@TVRExploring thankyou, keep your vids coming. i will be there in spirit, admiring all the hard graft that went into these relics of the past!

[@hike2]

Beautiful Timbering! Strong too. Some of those huge timber’s were actually broken from pressure. It reminds you of the incredible force at play underground.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, there was a LOT of weight on those support timbers!

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

This is a great explore. Definitely going to share this with friends who who originated from Chicago and parts of Louisiana they're always talking about wanting to go see California mines . Thanks for getting out in one piece and sharing.

[@oxskirra]

Wow thats amazing mine.I havent ever seen soooo much intact square sets ever. This did not disappoint. All 56 mins of excellent vdeo were capitavting. And those rocks and minerals. mine rate 11/10 and video 10/10. Be safe

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, I was really taken with this mine...

[@CornishMineExplorer]

I'd give it a 10 too! wow, those square sets from the start! Nice to see them still holding strong after all these years, considering the state of the ground down there, it's all done well to survive. Safe exploring!

[@TVRExploring]

I absolutely loved the square sets... Those still being intact are definitely one of the advantages of a dry mine. And, yes, considering the state of the ground in there, it is a testament to the strength of that design that they are still so intact.

[@olspanner]

Mind boggling the amount of work that went into creating this magnificent mine. Miners par excellence!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, these miners were at the very top of their game, in my opinion.

[@brannancloward]

GREAT JOB WITH THIS ONE! Very cool woodwork. Those old timers were just as good of carpenters as miners! Never been able to see square set in person, unless I missed it in the 16 to 1 mine when taking the regular once per year tour. Never encountered anything like this in my neck of the woods.

[@TVRExploring]

No square sets in the 16 to 1 - just cribbing... The square set timbers are really, really rare. This is the first - and only - intact example that I have ever seen. And, yes, the old timers never fail to impress me!

[@brentkeller3826]

3:03 "OKay, we climbed up here to avoid the Kobold Rampagers below. My friend can handle them fine." (Insert sound of a laugh as he pushes a Kobold off the squareset into the void)* *TVR the DnD version

[@uxsvent1]

the screen goes black as you hear a clicking sound from your feet as you head back and set off the trap. please respect the kobold they were born from the shed blood of the first true dragons when they gave up immortality to start the dragon race. at least in pathfinder 2ed they have heritage feat that lets you get all kinds of fun stuff even a breath weapon.

[@vburke1]

Ok, who else besides me had a near heart attack when he picked up the dynamite?

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, yeah, I had to throw that comment in at the end about it being inert because I realized how that would look on video. It was totally safe.

[@marktgsxr]

@@TVRExploring how comes its inert? I thought it became more unstable with age? Great video btw!

[@rdaw33]

Bad enough that he touched it, about pooped my pants when he dropped it!

[@realblakrawb]

If it's greezy take it easy. Looks like dirt probably inert.

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Wow what a awesome mine. And wow those timbers are beautiful. Thank you for showing us.

[@DaleDuffy]

Incredible adventure, excellent photography, crazy timbering, wild mineralization...great video....thanks again...!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this was a lot of fun to explore.

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

Great mine! A bit of everything included. 10/10 verified. Definitely convinced me to up to HD to view this one.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, this one had a lot of things I really like! Glad you agree with the rating...

[@jw2218]

At 22:30 looks like they had a candle sitting there, by the black from the flame. Awesome explore.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, they probably did. You can see the marks from the candle holders and bits of melted wax throughout the mine.

[@dabonemarrow5337]

Its an abandoned mine!! All that work?!? Holy cow!! We dont do it like they used too!! Thats an understatement!! Awesome work!! Keep it up!! You and the mine!!

[@erichusayn]

Look at that craftsmanship. I am impressed.

[@TVRExploring]

At this level, they were practically artists.

[@cheryldavis5228]

@@TVRExploring If you go back over old pay records from the late 1880's and on where hourly wages were paid you will find that the highest rate-of-pay was for the "timbermen" (carpenters) and I think you've just shown a perfect example of why that was! Many thanks!!

[@TVRExploring]

@@cheryldavis5228 I'd say you're definitely right about that!

[@MsSurigirl]

What an esthetically GORGEOUS mine! Colors--oranges, beautiful blue-grays, and some reds... a myriad of fantastic photo opportunities. Amazing use of timbers--odd angles for shoring up slabs/rocks. Beautiful gobbing with the timber work. I kinda jumped when you tossed that stick of dynamite 😁. Kudos for showing more of the fascinating formations. The special clinking of the rock shards underfoot in parts of the mine--music, like wind chimes! A perfect combination of skilled artisans and beautiful rock. What artistry underground. I think this is my fave to date, but I need to go back and review earlier ones 😉. I bet it was hard to leave in some ways... Thanks so much for doing this. Spectacular.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this was a very special mine...

[@cortrichards8179]

The bottom of the aqua coloured bottle you found in the mine looks to be part of an AB & Co beer bottle from about the late 19th or early 20th centuries. It should be embossed with AB & Co on the bottom. AB stands for Anheuser Busch and Company and they were certainly doing business when this mine was in full swing still. Those bottles are very common and are often found around old mines and mining camps. Not a particularly valuable bottle but nice nonetheless. The only bottle I ever removed and took from an old mine was a whiskey flask that was embossed and was from a town in Montana, where I grew up. I only took that particular bottle because of the fact that it was embossed and would have probably only have been broken or destroyed by others if found. I know you guys would never destroy an artefact in an old mine, but I have seen it happen in other mines, unfortunately. Other people are not as careful and respectful as you guys are.

[@alexreifschneider6709]

11 out of 10! That is some real torture geology. Thank you very much I would love to see it, but don't call me. The colors are unreal!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, in any other mine the things like the square sets or the geology or the timbering would be quite remarkable on their own, but to have them all together here was pretty extraordinary.

[@VegasCyclingFreak]

Yeah this one was very cool! All that timbering reminds me of the Delamar mine in NV.

[@markbrennan8392]

Really amazing all that cribbing ... was trying to guess the size of some of those and then saw one you were standing on and pretty much the size of your foot ... would you guess the average being about a 12 x 12 and bigger size posts and square set? ... You have to admire the old boys they must have been seriously strong men not only from digging but hauling all that stuff around and assembling everything like that 😉

[@Porty1119]

I know a miner who lifts giant timbers solo for fun...we all call him Mongo!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I would estimate 12 x 12 as a minimum size for the timbers in the square sets we saw... And, yes, you're 100% right about the old timers!

[@AmalgmousProxy]

Amazing! I can't say I remember seeing an exploration you've done that has that much intricate squareset woodworking and gobbing...

[@TVRExploring]

This is the first mine I have visited with intact square set timbering and definitely the finest examples of gobbing that I have seen...

[@gfmeekins]

I've been cruising around KZbin and have been fascinated by a number of topics, including mines. This is the most incredible one I've seen. As with others, I cringed when I saw you toss the dynamite. Of course, we're watching the video so nothing happened this time. Incredible craftsmanship on this. If only all the mines had this crew. Great explore. Hope you find more of these. This made a subscriber out of me.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this is one of my favorite mines now... It is not easy to find mines of this level, but I still have a few in the video backlog.

[@rogergriffin9893]

I'm guessing some of the miners might have learned their craft in the mines around Virginia City during the 1850s. I'll also bet there is still worthwhile gold ore in there even though it was closed by 1900. The only mine/mines I can think of with that massive amount of square set timbering are a museum tour and another one or two in Nevada. There is one in Arizona as well. But WOW! I hadn't looked at this older video until now. I'm glad you showed it. Now that I'm retired, I'm going to start exploring some of these myself.

[@OutdoorRob]

Very cool! Great explore! Thanks!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. This one was a lot of fun.

[@bewareofattackchef]

to possibly answer the notched timber, those look like donkey chew marks, perhaps they used the donkeys or mules to raise/lower carts/people and pull the mine carts themselves outside?

[@lewismeyer4452]

Fantastic photos of square sets, one of the few miing methods I've not seen..

[@motomikebuilder]

The Framing and bracing are the best I've seen on any mining channel.

[@TheSWolfe]

Deadly beauty, this one! A forest of square-set, rainbow geology + huge shelves of calving boulderrs just itchin' to go splat! on whatever's beneath 'em. Step lightly, explorers!

[@joshdollar7796]

Looks like old cedar trees. This mine is amazing. Be safe out there my friend.

[@TVRExploring]

Whatever they are, it would have been a lot of work to get them up there and into this mine!

[@d.vincent6190]

Gotta tell ya, this one gives me high anxiety BAD! some of these i just don't know how you do it, YIKES, lol. Great job.

[@thebeek123]

I would like to see the tailings pile for this mine.

[@myrrhavm]

As bad as everything looks , I wonder if the entrance was actually a cave in. Especially seeing how large all the adits are, timbered then back filled. Like it just kept slushing off as they dug. Ever thought of hooking up with Jeff Williams? He’s a wild one but being a certified geologist and gold hound. He’d be able to clarify and give in detail the reasons they dug the directions they did and all. Be able to name all the rocks you’re seeing and why or what caused them to be there. He’s got his own diggings going on and found a natural cave in it. So far has found about 7 ounces of gold in what just looks like dirt. Not by chance either. Definitely knows what he is doing and talking about. Man. There must have been some good stuff in there for those guys to keep trying to support a crumbling mountain. Not enough can be said about those guys as being determined. Imagine working with the flashlight you have and how well it illuminates that space. Then to think they were using candles maybe kerosene lamps? But then there should be soot. Shouldn’t there? We keep calling them “ol’ timers” but they could have been young’s guys as well. Lewis and Clark were in their late twenties to scout out the trail West. Hard to stop commenting. That mountain is dang near hollow. Awesome sound of running water in that square set room if that’s what I hear.. Wonder how many men were in there working away at one time? This was a good one. Just think of what we didn’t see that was there.

[@Randrew]

"Ever thought of hooking up with Jeff Williams?" I watched about 5 minutes of one of his videos. He was acting like a used car dealer jackass on late night TV. I told YT not to suggest his stuff to me again.

[@myrrhavm]

R. Andrew Thomas . He’s a little over the top as I stated he’s a wild one, but very knowledgeable and does know what he’s talking about. All these YTers know their audience and know what keeps them coming back. The reason I suggested him was because of his knowledge.

[@paulcarpenter2800]

What an incredible mine. The timbering is amazing as is the extent of the workings. Fantastic work, thanks for sharing. Paul in Lower Boddington UK

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, I was really taken with this one!

[@watcher3774]

Really nice and preserved. Just... WOW 👍

[@4englishlies875]

Man those old timers knew what they were doing, thanks for showing this . This is not an everyday thing. Thanks guys.

[@TVRExploring]

Definitely not an everyday thing! And, yes, I agree 100% on the old timers.

[@AGDinCA]

Hey Justin, could you give us "geology people" a couple of closeups next time? So many beautiful rocks and some simply can't be identified unless we can see them up close. Also, it's rock porn for us. Don't judge. 😂 PS - as much as you are a sucker for square sets, I am a sucker for beautifully stacked lagging!

[@MsSurigirl]

😂

[@TVRExploring]

I do try to remember to show the rocks - not always successfully, of course... However, there were many close views of the geology in the mine I visited two days ago. And, yes, stacked lagging that is pieced together well is quite impressive. My enthusiasm for the the square sets is also driven by their rarity.

[@blakjack3053]

A butt-load of shist down there!

[@AGDinCA]

@@blakjack3053 I see what you did there! LOL

[@jeremytuggle6424]

Such an incredible abandoned mine that has it all! Wow! Amazing....

[@Danzoid61]

29:00 On the wall it says "where Fab (or Tad) fell"

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I was able to read that when I was editing the video. It's pretty old, but I am assuming it was a joke...

[@StarScapesOG]

Spectacular infrastructure! And I would absolutely love to know what the blue and orange minerals were!

[@Jennralize]

Finally had a chance to finish watching! This was epic! Great colours and nice to see that blue throughout - assume a copper mine? Reminded me of the colours in Great Orme! Pure Indiana Jones stuff, that square set - like discovering a lost world 😊 Thanks for another adventure! Needed it, as we're still locked down here in Manchester, UK.

[@TVRExploring]

Copper was definitely present, but the mine made its money from gold, silver and lead... There was an interesting mix of minerals in there as a fair amount of zinc was there as well. Yes, the square set was awesome! This mine is still the only time I have ever seen intact square set timbering. Hope you're out of lockdown hell soon, but it looks like it might be a long winter...

[@Jennralize]

@@TVRExploring Thanks for the info! Gives a really good reference for the geology displayed 😊 Yeah, going to be a long time before there's any sort of normality. Was hoping this year would be the start of some financial freedom and escape from the city (I'm a country person) but instead, pretty much everything's gone wrong, from van repeatedly breaking down, to moving into a rat and mould infested house, then covid on top... Fingers crossed next year's better and can start saving for a better life and some proper adventure! 😊

[@TVRExploring]

@@Jennralize Some years are just like that - a total grind... Those years always seem to set up really good years for me though. It's almost like you pay your dues with a shitty year and then the gods smile on you and give you a good year to make up for it. Haha, at least that is has seemed. Hopefully, that holds true for you! I spent a lot of time living in cities around the world, but I grew up in the country and view myself as a country person (and I'm very happy to be out in the country now).

[@Blake4625kHz]

Well my df tv broke again. I 100% watch all your stuff on the tv as opposed to my comp. Just watched this vid last night on it before the tv took another dump on me. Anyways the vid made me once again ponder why the top of numerous mine shafts esp with head frames are so jacked up. I first assumed it was more time and element, or even vandals. But can’t help wondering if a lot of the time it was the mining company’s cheap way to simply render the claim inoperative after they had left. Or just a half assed way to cave them enough to keep people out. The shaft collapse with the charred would remnants was interesting. It could maybe have been lightning as well esp if looters had interrupted any grounding cables in getting at equipment. Loved this mine, lots of stuff to see.

[@danmiller6051]

How much time and energy it must have taken to build those square sets! Great mine and video. You're lighting and recording technique are still the best. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@RRaucina]

Of course Virginia city was the museum of square sets going up several stories. Too bad the ground there was so unstable and everything disappeared quickly. Been looking for a video like this for many years. That air flow will keep that mine alive for some time to come.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I don't know anyone that has managed to get into the mines around Virginia City given the bad ground you mentioned, as well as flooding and bad air. This is the only mine I have seen to date with intact square sets, although I know of one other. And, yes, thankfully, this mine is in a remote area that is bone dry and, indeed, that wind should keep everything intact for a while longer.

[@csrouse33]

Nice work, I've been in a few mines and you went a couple places I probably would not have gone.

[@ElementalMaker]

2 minutes in an already WOW. What a mine!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, this one doesn't wait to start getting into the good stuff...

[@jeffnelson2197]

All done by candlelight. Very impressive indeed!

[@vincefroggatt3335]

Amazing job as always

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. This was a special one...

[@challice1000]

I used to do this type of mining quare sets timbering in australia 50 years ago the timber was pre-cut and used steel plates

[@Hotlooksamerica]

02:53 common treatment of wood rot usually a small beetles nest that they excised before it grew.

[@maranti34b]

Bingo! Jackpot! What a treat! Hallelujah and Praise the Lord! I suspect this mine is in Nevada. So dry. Like it's mummified.

[@Seat1AJoe]

Amazing craftsmanship. I hope they all became wealthy.

[@TVRExploring]

Me too!

[@davesstuff1599]

I am continually impressed by how much material (wood timbering, ore tracks, air piping, water piping) they had to haul by hand just to get started.

[@TVRExploring]

It's extraordinary, isn't it?

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Great mine. Thanks

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks for watching.

[@bufordpusser279]

Definitely, your best find to date, good job as usual. If you can find some more Onion Valley mines to shoot, it would be great; I just picked a lode claim up there a couple hills over from my placer claim inside the Winkeye that's really intact, nothing like this one though. Thank you for your videos I watch all I can. Rock beats scissors everytime.

[@TVRExploring]

I would love to know about your new claim as we've done the Onion Valley Mines I know of that are open. There are several we have talked about digging open, but it'd be a significant job. So, I'm quite curious if you've uncovered an unexplored gem or if it is one we visited in the past... My email address is [e-mail]. Thanks.

[@suewarman9287]

I recently explored the Mines de Liat in the Spanish Pyrenees. Let me know if you want to see some photos! At.....wait for it......2300m altitude!

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, you're getting up there with that one! I'd love to see photos... The last time I was in that area was to do an article on ETA. So, it has been a while.

[@suewarman9287]

@@TVRExploring Are you on twitter?

[@richtyler8034]

And at 29:34 you can see overhead the quartz vein that is pinched off to just a couple inches thick. But the tunnel follows the line

[@rwilli296]

This is awesome timbering. Those miners were true engineers

[@TVRExploring]

At this level of talent, they almost seem like artists to me!

[@The_Cultural_Historian_DrRGST]

great - love your stuff

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. This was a fun one to explore...

[@jamesfohare]

Once again Justin another great mine. Your right about the about the workmanship handling those big timbers would have been a slog to get in there. If you where to look into the back ground of men and because it was still in the gold rush era. I think you'd find alot the shoring teams where made up from ship wrights who where use to working at heights with big timbers.Much enjoyed your effords to film this mine thanks again.

[@youngsd22SF]

The first minute... I'd 100000% make that my home. So perfect.

[@bubba99009]

And looks to be about an 8/10 on the sketchiness scale. That bit of cursive graffiti looked to say "Where Fab fell" wonder if Fab was a miner's nickname or something. Must have been a dangerous mine to work when it was active.

[@gerrybradley8084]

Wow, those guys that worked had no fear Gene wicked wood work post and beam labour's intensive also you guys have good sense what's not to touch great experience to record the information not for the faint of heart