Abandoned BC: Thunderbird Mine

[@pascalvernhes3973]

Funny thing Luke: you shot this video on Sept. 21, 2019, and I was watching you - I guess - with my binoculars while you were filming. I didn't reach the cabin, 'cause I had to leave my 2 WD car along Toby creek and the hike was too long for me - and too steep too!. I remember a guy with a dog & a blue jacket - and a tripod? I'm pretty sure it was you. And here I'm in front of my computer in Toronto during this Covid-19 confinement watching your video. Life can be sweet sometimes. Thanks for the video. Great job.

[@lifeofluke]

huh that's sounds like me, haha. Small world, thanks!

[@dazellis8057]

That's crazy

[@Vegiterra]

It's amazing that those cabins were built so remotely and on such steep terrain! You did a wonderful job capturing the atmosphere of this place. Great job Luke!

[@lifeofluke]

Ya, I was completely out of breath because of how steep it was. Thanks Kristofir!

[@laytonhaese7888]

When I was young I loved to do that kind of exploring... then I got "serious" and ended up behind a desk and other positions where I was a tooth on a gear in a machine ... Point is don't ever give up your passions and the things you love to do ... they may change but never give up on your dream(s) ... Love your work ...

[@carloslzrn]

Seriously one of the best videos of a abandoned BC, I can feel how much of your heart you put into this ♥️

[@lifeofluke]

Always appreciate it, Carlos!

[@leilaknits]

So beautiful. Every frame is gorgeous. Beautiful voice and music, too.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Leila!

[@ThisTall]

20 years ago I seen an adventure bike magazine story about some guys that tried the oldest gold mine routs north through BC and starting from Prince Rupert north, they came across an entire abandoned village of at least 10-15 homes at least 150 years old and it looked perfectly preserved. I’ve looked everywhere for it and can’t seem to find it. They did mention it was at least 150 km from the closest paved rd.

[@HarryNicholson]

Makes me wish I was young enough to climb again. I miss the mountains! Thanks for the great video! I subscribed to watch more.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Harry, mountains are a great place to be.

[@spaceolotl3976]

Wholesome why don’t you visit the mountains sometime although not a intense climb to the top but a nice walk on the pathway

[@HarryNicholson]

@@spaceolotl3976 I live in the mountains at the base of a steep one on an 8.5 acre farm we bought 8 years ago, but I miss climbing. Cheers!

[@spaceolotl3976]

@@HarryNicholson sorry I should’ve ask first just do whatever makes you happy

[@HarryNicholson]

@@spaceolotl3976 Age & health keeps off the mountains now. Cheers!

[@rugdnit911]

I grew up in Kaslo BC and I rode many of those old mining roads on my dirt bike. Great way for a kid to grow up. Miss home.

[@lifeofluke]

Kaslo is a beautiful place!

[@rugdnit911]

@@lifeofluke Lots of really cool old stuff off that New Denver Highway between Kaslo and Retallic.

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Wow, if only I was 50 years younger, thanks for what you do Luke.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks John!

[@garyverstick1620]

Thanx for a great, vicarious exploration. It’s great to see broadcast-quality production values as opposed to the usual KZbin fare. Well done!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Gary!

[@normanmallory2055]

Wow now this is really cool as i love old mines .. Film work was excellent .. A real hard task to get to it physically but worth it .. That cabin that sits alone upon that hillside all by itself is really something and looks well built with materials they had to work with , no timber close by for materials, that had to be a huge task to build that .. What a view .. I'm glad you have it recorded before something happened to it .. You include your puppy on your adventures , i like that and i always take my terrier every time i go and he loves it even @13.4 years he is still doing well ...

[@camillerae8082]

I enjoyed this video so much! Amazing footage and editing... Has to be my favourite so far. Thank you Luke for sharing with the world!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks for watching, Camille!

[@paulthrash6710]

I love your dog, you can tell he loves to explore too.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Paul, she loves it and we match well!

[@QuietLightPhoto]

Brilliant, Luke! We live in such a great province.

[@lifeofluke]

Definitely, thanks Adam!

[@pablogimenez8369]

Fantastic channel I’m glad I found it! I’m from BC and I’ve travelled the world and live abroad but the beauty and diversity of this Canadian province is second to none.

[@arnepianocanada]

Profound thoughts from you, Mr. Luke.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Arne!

[@DiegoMatheus1]

Thank you for sharing this great moment with us. So beatiful out there!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Diego!

[@gordonbagan9236]

Have been in this area a number of times but never made it to the mine. Such a beautiful film. I know that feeling you had. Please make more of these!

[@rickrayn]

It is the heavy snowloads that crush these old structures. My dad worked in Sandon in the late 1940s we went back there in the late 1960s and I went back again in the 1990s and the snow has wiped out a number of buildings.

[@lifeofluke]

That's true, good point

[@StrykerSnow]

Your Abandoned series of videos are amongst some of my favourite on youtube. Keep up the fantastic content, and keep documenting these places!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks again, Nico!

[@AB-cw6pu]

❤️ Love your work, and your words. Thank you!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks!

[@ziggymatuszewski2803]

love your companion, great video and thanks for showing places most of us have no clue about

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Ziggy!

[@zackdaniels6858]

Amazing work my friend! Thankyou!

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

Such a beautiful place

[@douglasthompson2740]

Check out the old abandoned turn of the century pulp mill at Swanson Bay on the North BC coast in Grenville channel. You will need a boat, or a plane.

[@chadmiller7460]

Thank you for documentary showing this. This is Amazing!

[@lifeofluke]

Thank you Chad!

[@darringreene7254]

Excellent job Luke! Really appreciate your videos and the work that go into them.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Darrin, it's great to hear my work is appreciated!

[@cypriano8763]

Go check out red line Creek, in the valley to the north. The galena mine Is close to 3000m

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks I'll check that out!

[@lkevincurry]

So pleased to have found your channel Luke! I’ve watched more than a dozen so far. My good friend Virgil and I will venture in your foot steps in the coming years. Thank you so much!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kev! That's awesome, I appreciate that!

[@zaizoesclashing7103]

Do you watch gold trails and ghost towns, old TV show

[@lifeofluke]

I have yes, highly enjoyable!

[@WFMeyer]

Luke, your cinematography is breathtaking and you're a good storyteller.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Werner!

[@madoxx1911]

Hey Luc, i finally made it to Thunderbird Mine yesterday after seeing your video years ago. I’m happy to report that with the exception of the first building with the stove, all the buildings are in the same shape. The first one in your video had the roof collapse and you can’t open the door due to debris. The bunkhouse, outhouse and upper buildings are more or less the same. Interestingly, i noticed that the concrete foundation on the upper building was inscribed July 1887! Amazing it’s still standing up there in the alpine! Today I hiked up Black Diamond basin just 10km to the West, but this mining road did not yield any buildings or artifacts besides a few pipes. Keep exploring!

[@lifeofluke]

That's awesome! Glad you could experience this beautiful place too, and good info to know most of it is still standing, thanks!

[@nathanek6598]

You have produced a world class short video. Keep up the good work!

[@gvevers1]

What a great presentation! Really like your style and camera work!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Greg!

[@starzzmcluvin1210]

Harry I must agree with you on that comment of how you miss hiking the mountains and trail's When we were younger! Now I am more worried about how am I supposed to walk 20 minutes to the pharmacy to get my meds every day first thing in the morning I can't even find the quality of an hour to walk anywhere anymore. seems I've lost my value of Life and that brings me to tears

[@timothydiggins2206]

Thanks for sharing some of our history before it disappears forever,I love seeing all the old mine sites scattered around some of the most remote and hard to get to places.just found your channel,can’t wait to get caught up on your videos.🍻

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Timothy! Some of these sites are seriously out there, and I see you’re into the same adventures too!

[@dancw9952]

I totally agree! This is an amazing place and thanks for documenting a slice of Canadian history. (From one Canadian to another🇨🇦)

[@kouroshjavanbakht3790]

Amazing video, flawless work, and to top those spectacular terrain. Man the world I am living in.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kourosh!

[@bigmouth2613]

You have just inspired me to get out to the beautiful mountains. Thank you Luke awesome vid

[@gilromero1340]

Thanks again for taking my heart, my mind and especially my eyes to these locations. Gil

[@lifeofluke]

I appreciate your comment, Gil!

[@AbandonedUrbexCanada]

Great video, yes this place looks like it doesn’t have much time left. Glad you explored it and shared it with us before it’s gone.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Brent! Ya, unfortunately wood structures do disappear over time

[@robinwells8879]

Utterly fantastic location. As you suggest, as awe inspiring taken in the whole within its location as any cathedral in Europe. I am also blown away by the amazing production quality of your videos. Drone footage adds immeasurably to the overall package. Keep sharing these gems and maybe they will have a legacy greater even than that the mine has had. The cabins certainly are a testament to the carpentry skills of their builders. Thank you for your efforts.

[@rafidhassanoney4007]

what a view !!!!

[@twinvideoproduction9662]

Wonderful video. Enjoyed every minute while watching. Thank you Luke.

[@DanDryfhout]

Great video Luke. Your Saddle Mountain video brought me to your channel, but your shots and narration have kept me here! Keep it up and you'll take off!

[@lifeofluke]

Thank you Dan!

[@jbzbxc]

Really beautiful video of a place I never knew. Great work

[@wandervisionYT]

Really cool video. Thanks for sharing! Just found your channel today and will be spending some time here.

[@therebex23]

I great up in the East Kootenays and had never heard about this mine site. There's a vast mining history in the area of course and Teck is still actively mining in the Windermere Valley today. For anyone searching for the location of the Thunderbird Mine it is formally known as the Excelda Mine (was owned by Thunderbird Mines Ltd. hence the interchangeable name)

[@outdoormountainman]

We just stumbled upon your videos and absolutely love them. As we are all about BC history and explorers ourselves we watch these with a whole lot of new exploration ideas now. Keep up the great work. Cheers Christopher and Alison

[@lifeofluke]

Cheers, thanks I appreciate your comment!

[@nomalevolence]

You should do a video on the 4Runner! Love the Abandoned BC series!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Justin!

[@Callmehkitten6]

Great video I go down abandoned mines in UK and like what a beautiful country Canada is I have some distant relatives live out there

[@WCGwkf]

I can't believe how relatively few views this has. It should be over a million

[@yvanyvanyvanyvan]

Amazing work, Luke. Way to show off the lesser known beauties of BC. Your videos are inspiring and educational. Hopefully one day I'll have the guts, company and proper vehicle to do what you (and Nina) do.

[@lifeofluke]

I appreciate that! I try to get off the beaten path as I find these places the most rewarding.

[@OutdoorRob]

Awesome vids Luke! Living my dream! My body won't take me to these remote areas anymore. Great job!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Rob!

[@Dayesleeper]

just found your channel at random this morning. Great stuff so far, love the scenery, footage, and history. I have a question for you. What brand of shorts are those and what backpack is that you have on? Look forward to going through the rest of your videos.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks! my shorts are lululemon and my backpack is made by pacsafe

[@cypriano8763]

Pushed my bike up there like 12 years ago. Kool spot

[@lifeofluke]

Nice!

[@RodCalidge]

Wish you could have shown more of the actual mine along with some info on what, when, how they were mining. Stunning foortage but a little short on documentary

[@lifeofluke]

The mine was in there, it's the literal mountainside because rock slides have filled it in

[@kerrykrishna]

FLuke, I was SO hoping you would find the mine entrance and take a peek inside. Another great vid. Can I make a suggestion? Start your vids with a map showing were you are in BC. I am up in Prince George and after watching this, I still have no clue wether it is North/South/East/West of here.

[@petraroelz9947]

What a spectacular place. You do some of the best exploring videos.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Petra!

[@gordonbyron5145]

You're so lucky. In Quebec you'd never find such a place to explore despite the province being peppered with abandonned mines. They are all condemned with thick concrete plugs and surrounded by high fences or made unacessible in any way.

[@solobushman]

now thats one for the bucket list for sure .thank you.

[@billhill3526]

Boy I'm out of shape watching you hike up that hill. Cool dog too.

[@GrasshoppersPath]

I really enjoy your videos, I love your overall respect and relaxed vibe. What an amazing place this is and for people like myself who can not get to these places at this time it is inspiring and enjoyable to watch your adventures. You are a good story teller! 😊

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Charles and Michelle! I'm glad you like em!

[@atodaso1668]

Amazing footage and video, thank you!

[@tylerdrummond4609]

Great cvontent bud! subscribed!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Tyler!

[@gjc90210]

Nice work. These are great abandoned videos!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Jayson!

[@Desparter94]

Thanks a lot for your content Luke! Your videos spark a flame and I will be going on adventures like this aswell on my motorbike around Germany soon. Wish you the best of luck with your channel, I already see it going crazy in the future. Keep up the great work and much love from Berlin!

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks for the kind words, Johann! Best of luck on your adventures

[@rockymountainroughridersofMT.]

Hello from Montana. Just came across your channel, Outstanding video work !!!!! Great explore in the high country. We do a lot of this same kind of exploring here in the mountains of Montana. Lot's of old mining history and remains to explore hidden deep off the beaten path. Just received my first drone and am looking forward to capturing some stunning shots this season in the high country. "Scooter" with the Rough Riders.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Scooter! So much to explore, so little time, you definitely have an awesome backyard in Montana!

[@Bushguyrocks]

Hi Luke. The coordinates are NAD 83 11U 5588510 544099 UTM. 2591 meters above sea level. Commodities in descending order were silver, gold, lead, zinc, and copper. Most veins were less than a centimeter wide, but high grade. Development was begun by Thunderbird Mines in 1935 with work continuing until 1947. There are adits, crosscuts, winzes, pits, and trenches. A total of 1111.49 ft of underground work. 66 ft of trenching, stripping and shallow shafts above ground. Of the 3 adits, the longest is 615 ft. Mineralization is exposed for 2000 ft. Anything else you want to know?

[@davidgrey4487]

Brilliant exposition , keep it up

[@GEGE-bx3fj]

The view. Gorg. Ur pup looks thirsty. I wud have passed out long b4 the top Great vid btw. Thnx 4 sharing.

[@choephak54321]

Beautiful. Love watching your videos.

[@lifeofluke]

Thank you Tenzin!

[@Michael-0000]

Just subscribed. I watch a lot of KZbin stuff and this is the best I`ve seen this week, this month! You are gifted Luke. Watching here from locked down Switzerland.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Michael!

[@jfk19780]

isnt that called the saltana mine ?? we were up there years ago . pretty nice up there for sure

[@lifeofluke]

Yes you're right, the alternate name is Sultana

[@johnmcaulay4348]

I lived up at panorama and visited here a few times. Thanks for making this. Mineral king is another one worth checking out in the area and also Delphine mine is kind of interesting too. It’s way further up the Delphine creek.

[@stevemino142]

That cabin you found is epic you have awesome channel

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Steve!

[@terset9912]

Beautiful... do you know what they were trying to mine there ?

[@lifeofluke]

Silver, lead, small levels of copper, zinc, gold

[@Mrjordantw]

Awesome videos man. I've lived in the Lower Mainland all my life and I've never ran out of new hikes to do, this Province is something special. Thanks for sharing

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Jordan! Absolutely, BC is an awesome place.

[@richardmollberg3096]

Great scenery and adventure!

[@KellyRicketts]

Nice Video, Beautiful country and history. Thanks.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Kelly!

[@MLLD00]

Fantastic camera work throughout the video. Razor short dof and one admirable dynamic range. What are you shooting with?

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Mikael. I'm shooting with a sony 55mm 1.8, and a sigma 14mm 1.8, on a sony a7s

[@MLLD00]

@@lifeofluke Thanks, the combination of the wideangle, dof, and dynamic range is beautiful.

[@BalthazarMyrrh70]

Beautiful. Any chance you could tear down cabin #2 and recycle it into cabin #1 & a new outhouse and move in? That would be my vibe. Also, you failed to show the actual mine? Cool video.

[@Soggywafffles]

Not sure how sincere it is in the first cabin with everything still where the old timers left it, but that cabin would, unfortunately, be destroyed here in the lower 48.

[@Soggywafffles]

@@GAVACHO5150 yes, “vandals”. Myself being from the city, it’s hard to foresee something like this lasting. I suppose the backcountry is an entire different world.

[@randyfarr844]

Man thats totally insane, just the logistics of getting all that material up there including just...firewood.

[@AbdulRehman-hm5do]

I live in Toronto but I have always wanted to visited the Canadian rockies. One day for sure!

[@Nic_Uytz]

This is a really cool video, great job Luke.

[@lifeofluke]

Thank you Nic!

[@neilhansen9886]

Love your adventures, from Aussie

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Neil!

[@TheMasonjarz]

Another great video. I imagine you’ve come across big wildlife-how does your dog handle it?

[@bcadventures6549]

Great video, thank you for sharing

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks for watching!

[@kennethmoertel3778]

Great video I don't think I heard you say what they were mining up there.

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks, Kenneth. They were mining silver, lead, copper, zinc, and gold

[@kennethmoertel3778]

@@lifeofluke Thanks I appreciate it.

[@kennethmoertel3778]

@@lifeofluke I watch a lot of. meminer videos I believe hes mostly shooting his videos in BC. You guys are in the right country, beautiful country and nice folks.

[@ardenenglish8736]

Have you ever explored anything from the old Kettle Valley Railway? Plenty of old trestle bridges and tunnels hidden along the Coquihalla.

[@lifeofluke]

I have checked out a couple things on the KVR, but I haven't explored everything. Thanks for the tip!

[@halmcclain3322]

Very well done! Thanks for sharing. Was the actual mine entrance visible?

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Hal! The mine's entrance is barely visible as it's mostly filled in with crumbling rock. At 7:57 is a glimpse of the ceiling, about the only evidence left of the underground workings.

[@colinabbot8677]

What a great video! Amazing footage and clarity. Some rugged-ass country too. Stunning 🙌 Hauntingly beautiful... 👏👏👏

[@lifeofluke]

Definitely!

[@richardkeeley6927]

Thanks for posting!!! Just awesome... an admirer from New Brunswick!!! :)

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Richard!

[@stevethibault1890]

How long is that cabin stood there amazing

[@bengt_axle]

Looks like a movie set. Hard to believe places like this are still around.

[@lifeofluke]

Ya definitely. Just trying to document them while they still exist.

[@grahamhook67]

Well, the old compressor shack (that provided power and compressed air to the workings) is still standing. Have hiked up there 4 times in the mid/late 70's. We were likely the first people to visit the site in 30 some years at that point. One addit to the workings is located about 300 ft above the compressor shack, and I will guarantee we were the last into the addit, as the entrance was 75% filled in with talus in late 1977. Did you notice the old Buick engine block in the compressor shack? A common trick in the Kootenay's was to convert them so they would work as a compressor. . As for the date - In 1935, fifteen men were employed in this operation and reportedly their living conditions were very good. It closed down shortly after this - not viable! This was during the Great Depression, so able bodied men in the area would welcome the opportunity to work at a job that provided food

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks for the historical info, Graham! That's interesting for sure, and I did reach the addit above the compressor shack, but it was filled in just like you observed.

[@peterdainton9410]

There some times better than Europe there is less people visiting them making it more of a pilgrimage to visit them wish we had more overt unity to visit places like this. Grate Visio my friend

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Peter!

[@gcholds1]

Nice job. Thank you!

[@benth162]

We only got to see the entrance to the mine from 50 yards away. That's what i wanted to see. I am left wondering though, what they would have been mining up there. Gold & Silver? From the looks of the surroundings and basically no roads I am assuming that mine was only exploratory, because if it had been in operation there would have needed to have roads, otherwise what they would have found would have had to be taken on horse back. I did not see a "Stamp Mill" or tailings either, which also tells me this was not a serious mine

[@timparrish1847]

VERY COOL video's (have watched several of yours) Not sure who has more fun you or the pup

[@lifeofluke]

Thanks Tim!