Gold-Rich & High: Quartz Vein To The Sky

I struggled to come up with a descriptive title for this video. How to explain that incredible quartz vein - narrow, pure and running up so high that it went out of sight - that the gold miners chased? To me, it really did seem as if it ran to the sky… I have seen where miners have chased rich veins of quartz for impressive distances before, but I have never seen a quartz vein that was a solid slab running vertically to the heights that this one did. Another differentiating factor is that this vein must have been full of gold. One sees sections of quartz in many lode gold mines, but it is barren and so the miners leave it behind. This was different. In this mine, the miners cleared the whole vein out! Consider the - not one, but two - stamp mills outside, consider the effort the miners expended to reach that quartz vein and then to chase it up (the miners would have been drilling overhead the entire time in a space not much more than three feet wide), consider the expensive rail in this mine… The old timers were not stupid. They would not have spent that much money, they would not have done that much work and they would not have taken out that much quartz unless the gold to be found in that incredible quartz vein was worth it. And remember, that quartz vein was the only part of the mine where the miners took any ore out. Yet, they still required two stamp mills! I did not locate production numbers for this mine, but one can only imagine what was taken out.
I don’t know how the miners discovered this deposit, especially as they located it before modern drilling and other technology the miners of today have at their disposal. I hiked down from the direction this mine runs and there was no sign of that quartz deposit on the surface. There were the remains of even older mining operations on the way down - the faint remains of a stamp mill, bits of metal, some surface work - and so maybe the miners had an inkling there was something below, but I don’t know what gave them the confidence to start blasting back for thousands of feet in a perfectly straight line. That was a major effort!
Abandoned mining equipment is always interesting to me, but I was even more taken with the equipment at the outside of this mine as I had not heard of either of those companies - Krogh Manufacturing and Globe Iron Works - before. Usually, one will start to recognize the familiar names like Ingersoll Rand or Miners Foundry, but those names were new to me and, therefore, presumably older. The dates of the patents would seem to confirm this.
The oxygen meter I was using at the time I explored this mine would alert when oxygen levels fell below 19.5%. However, it did not display what the actual percentage of oxygen was. Lower levels of oxygen are tolerable, but not MUCH lower levels. Without knowing what the actual percentage of oxygen was, I had to just judge the oxygen levels and safety by the symptoms I was experiencing. That’s pushing it a bit, but you’ve got to want it to see the treasures in life. I was alone on this trip, but with bad air it hardly matters if you are one person or a hundred. If you collapse from bad air, the guy behind you can’t grab you or he’ll succumb too. You’re done. It’s not like falling and breaking your leg or something where having someone else there will make a difference. So, it is important to pay close attention to the symptoms... With this particular oxygen meter it would stop working after alerting and being reset several times in the low O2 environment. Fortunately, the O2 meter I use now shows the exact percentage of oxygen so I can make a more informed decision on whether to proceed or not. In this mine, the low oxygen was almost certainly caused by the rotting timbers.
I am glad that I didn’t turn around.
*****
All of these videos are uploaded in HD, so adjust those settings to ramp up the quality! It really does make a difference.
You can see the gear that I use for mine exploring here: bit.ly/2wqcBDD
You can click here for my full playlist of abandoned mines: goo.gl/TEKq9L
Thanks for watching!
*****
Growing up in California’s “Gold Rush Country” made it easy to take all of the history around us for granted. However, abandoned mine sites have a lot working against them - nature, vandals, scrappers and various government agencies… The old prospectors and miners that used to roam our lonely mountains and toil away deep underground are disappearing quickly as well.
These losses finally caught our attention and we felt compelled to make an effort to document as many of the ghost towns and abandoned mines that we could before that colorful niche of our history is gone forever.
I hope you’ll join us on these adventures!
#ExploringAbandonedMines
#MineExploring
#AbandonedMines

[@docmccoy1928]

Good opportunity to explain a round or shot. In the drift with the drill holes in the face. 3 across the top, 1 on each side, 4 across the bottom and most importantly 4 in the middle. So when they blow the shot the four in the middle go first. This is to give the other shots someplace to displace to. Usually the shots outbound of the four go next and fall in towards the center. Next is top followed almost instantaneously b y the bottom. Center sides top and bottom. If drilled right it should all be down and in front of what was the face. Go in and bar down the ground (ceiling). Drill and set bolts if needed. Wet down the pile. Bring in your mucker and load the ore. Spend the rest of your shift drilling a new round and setting your shot.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for sharing the details on the process... They would have gone through that routine quite a few times at this one.

[@Porty1119]

That's about how it's done in big modern trackless mines, too. Most portions of the cycle have a dedicated piece of mobile equipment to speed things along.

[@aaronkeeth651]

don't forget your "lifters",important to throw the muck away from the face so you can advance your "slide rails" so you can muck to the face.

[@aaronkeeth651]

@TORONTO CANADA unknown, unnamed mine somewhere in the lower 48!

[@docmccoy1928]

Good point. I did forget th at @@aaronkeeth651

[@E3ECO]

"My oxygen sensor's going off. I'll just go a little farther." Fast-forward half a mile.

[@TVRExploring]

LOL!

[@jacec5855]

O2 sensor will alert at 19.5% o2 which is plenty of good air. Sensor will start beeping faster when lower than 19% o2. Which is still ok, get down to 16% and you better back on up to fresh air.

[@mspeir]

The proportions of that mine, right up to the end, were so perfect and that track so large and laid so perfectly, that the mine looks like Disney's Imagineers were working on an extension to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it seems like a real professional crew was working this one...

[@_tyrannus]

Wow, just wow. Absolutely worth it, an underground waterfall in such a huge man-made cavity is really something to see.

[@goodknight2605]

Found myself holding my breath when the oxygen meter starting going off. Love you videos, be safe.

[@MinesoftheWest]

That stope is insane! So much water! I can’t imagine working a stope that skinny either. Thanks for sharing!

[@TVRExploring]

Yeah, I don't know about you, but I've never seen a stope like that before - super skinny and running up out of sight... The waterfall cascading down just sort of underlined the whole scene.

[@makfont]

I think this is the best abandoned mines exploration channel on YT. Love your pace and continuity; it's all even better when you don't cut between scenes. The stabilizer makes it even better. Thank you for sharing. Good luck and keep safe.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much.

[@thomasbeck9075]

It's the very best 😎👍

[@therealdandyhouse]

When I lived in Prescott, Arizona we spent every weekend exploring as many mines as we could find. This is by far the best mine exploration channel available. Thanks so much for the great videos!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. I'm sure you came across some great old mines during your time there...

[@marcelineingot9359]

I would have cried at the first junction. That is a deep mine my friend.

[@marcelineingot9359]

Have a hard time wrapping my brain around how these mines were dug by hardworking humans.

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, yes, this one was very deep! And, yes, it is unbelievable to me how much work it would be to carve out a mine like this...

[@cliffordsikora9841]

It amazes me every time I watch your work. Just how much water is inside mountains. God never ceases to amaze me. Mountains are the largest natural filters ever created.

[@TVRExploring]

It's extraordinary, isn't it?

[@josephbrennan4622]

TVR. You have a great video here being an old miner I appreciate what your doing i was always fascinated working the pits. reading your inscription, I think you should write a book or two they would be well read, i have read all the comments too this as brought a great deal of people together wanting to get things up and running again, its even got the opposite sex interested lots more women are seeking engineering roles these days, these vids give them more encouragement not that they need it, they have been kept down to long. Keep safe in all you do. joe uk

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much, Joe...

[@steveec9704]

That's impressive man those miners were animals to have done this

[@TVRExploring]

You're right about that!

[@hazharibo7439]

I've never had any interest in mining whatsoever until I found your videos. Thank you . Please keep doing them

[@loganbates2657]

Is crazy how many small abandoned mines in the country there is that still holds lots of ore and minerals

[@glendadalejones3753]

That quartz vein.....the stuff of dreams- wow !! 👌

[@TVRExploring]

Pretty incredible, huh?

[@glendadalejones3753]

Absolutely,. Awesome !

[@paulrinehart4262]

If I lived closer to the Sierra's I'd be detecting for Gold!

[@MrIdasam]

Man, you got balls that clank. Brave soul.

[@sealio728]

David Howard HuH?

[@HugoRauss]

David Howard OMG.....

[@zardozica]

Hopefully your videos do not just suddenly stop due to an unfortunate event.

[@lagbolt]

I don't think I could get beyond the sight of the entry, you are brave if not crazy. I really enjoy your trips into the unknown!!

[@marcelineingot9359]

Heck ya! This one appears deep

[@PlanetMojo]

I look forward to these videos, and some days actually let them run all day while I work. Keep up the good work!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much... I appreciate you watching and I appreciate the support.

[@raymondrace4837]

I’m sitting watching this with sweaty palms trying to calm my claustrophobia!! You are the man!!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you!

[@jackprier7727]

Thanks for taking us along on this one, especially--to see so clearly the exact vein they were following, and that stope is just the maximum-

[@dylancook8210]

I really liked how how fast forwarded where you skip now. It shows how big this mine is also it is fun to watch the geology.

[@AGDinCA]

Absolutely magnificent. I'm glad you made it out of there safely. Thank you for sharing this experience with us!

[@TheRealP0llex]

That's a beautiful quartz vein, but it looked like an unpleasant slog to get back to it.

[@TVRExploring]

It was indeed quite the slog to get back there, but it was definitely worth it in the end... Ha, I wish that was always the case!

[@zaptolite2719]

It feels great to see you upload

[@1956vern]

Thank you for taking me along on your video!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for coming along.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

now that is one long haulage tunnel and the stope was impressive...was wondering if you were gonna call this one due to low O2. The second stamp mill was a 2 battery or 10 stamp and that looks like typical auriferous silica in black slate...very rich...older mines on top must have tipped them off. Really good job on this one....keep'em coming cause me and Slim love it.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, I was pretty impressed by that long, straight shot of a haulage adit... Like you said, the older mines higher up the mountain must have put them onto that vein after that hit it higher up. Interestingly, they didn't chase it down in this mine. So, who knows how much lower it goes?

[@akgoldbear7669]

I have seen a lot of quartz veins, but I have never seen such huge veins. awesome! 👍

[@brucesz2334]

Excellent series of videos! Good to the very end. Thanks again for taking us to where many of us would love to venture to but can't. Keep it going!

[@dbcooper556]

You da man! Can’t devour these videos enough

[@cherokee1995]

Holly hell that stope was amazing!

[@TVRExploring]

I've never seen anything like that stope where they chased the quartz vein up before...

[@OldGriz708]

Incredible to say the least!

[@vinnyambrose7514]

Back in the day I used to go cave exploring (Spelunking) in Blue Ridge Mountains area. Most of the caves were discovered and some were gated off to keep people out as they were dangerous. One I went into had a cave in and had to crawl over huge slabs of rock to get past cave in then it opened up into huge wet cave and then to a very large cavernous area that you could not see the other side due to mist. You are to brave to go in alone, I would never go in alone!

[@TVRExploring]

Sounds like going into an abandoned mine... When underground, the differences between caves and mines begins to diminish.

[@kevingange6639]

Excellent presentation! Thank you for taking us all along with you on this journey into our past!

[@trureef2319]

So glad to see this video which means u made it out safe hopefully. This is such beauty to me its weird though I want to see the end just as bad lol. Tons of gold potential.

[@evanscreekbrahman7511]

Been looking forward to this! -And now to the quartz rewards!

[@jrcigarful]

Nice to see someone go to the end of the mine. Most of the videos I've seen with mine exploration only go in a short way which always leaves you wondering about where it goes and where does it end. Sort of like an old wood road or abandoned railroad track, you won't be happy until you find out where it goes!

[@TVRExploring]

Oh, I always want to know what is over the next horizon... Unfinished business doesn't work for me. If I go in, I try to go all of the way. I'm glad someone else feels the same way!

[@Steven-vo8tk]

Another great video. I was puzzled as to why they left the quartz in that one location but as you say they may have found it not to contain gold. This was an amazing mine and you really take the extra effort to make it great for us viewers. Thanks so much.

[@DFDuck55]

That's an impressive quartz vain. I figured with the size of that rail and lack of ore shoots there had to be something good back there. Would have been interesting to see how beefy the ore carts were that they needed that size rail for. Very cool finding the two stamp mills.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I've never seen a quartz vein that was so high and tight before... That thing went up forever and the space they had to work in was incredibly skinny. Ha, you were definitely right about the rail leading to something good. You know they don't spend money on rail like that unless they're into some good gold. I was wondering about the ore carts as well and would have loved to have seen them and also some production numbers on this mine!

[@johnmaddox7432]

I also think the little mill was used for early on, and for sampling processes.

[@aaronkeeth651]

2 stamp was brought up in 1948

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@TVRExploring known as chimney deposits, and permeate that whole region

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@TVRExploring standard 1 ton cars were used. there used to be some outside the portal

[@johncos1068]

Man it kills me that you never pan any material in any of these places. Would love to see if there is any gold in that rotting quartz.

[@TVRExploring]

Although these mines are abandoned, they are often on land that is part of a larger claim. So, panning/sampling = mineral trespass in these instances... Not really the best thing to include in a public video.

[@abitterpill7331]

That quartz vein was insane. I've never seen a quartz vein that big before.

[@rodkirt9273]

Thanks for trudging so I could see the tunnel.

[@forgottenmininghistory]

Extremely impressive video! Last summer, I took a trip up north and explored this mine. I figured I would eventually see a video of it on your channel. This was the coldest mine I've been in, and I had to call it quits when I reached those inner-tubes. You definitely have a greater tolerance for deep water than I do. Too bad the main tunnel was filled up with debris. I would bet it traveled at least a couple thousand feet further past the stope. Freaky that the air was that so poor. It's amazing that the two-stamp mill is still standing, and I was surprised too see it in the first place. It was built for an operation in the late 40's early 50's. I think 1949 was inscribed in the foundation. It was during this period that those massive rails were installed. That ruined 10-stamp mill was for an earlier operation. Even before that, this mine had a 20-stamp mill that was decimated in an avalanche. Will we be seeing a video of the smaller mine just down the hill from this one? Not nearly as impressive, but it had some cool equipment.

[@TVRExploring]

Did you hit any others in the area when you made your field trip up north? The waders usually prevent me from getting too cold, but after I got soaked by that waterfall, I was freezing for the rest of the time in there. My understanding based on what I perceived when I was there and talking to a couple of people that know the claim owner is that that stope I reached is the face and that there are no workings past that. Yes, with the amount of snow that area gets, it is surprising to see any structures last for long - even stamp mills... My understanding is that the dates you mentioned are 100% correct as is the history you mentioned of the avalanche. I came down from above and so I have not seen the lower mine. I was unsure of its status. There were some interesting historical remains of mining activity on the way down...

[@forgottenmininghistory]

@@TVRExploring The two mines in this canyon were the only ones I explored. I definitely want to come back to this area though. This mine apparently had a few adits much higher up. I'm assuming these were the historical remains you passed on the way down. If so, were they open? The lower mine is pretty easy to access. Apparently there are five openings, but I only found one with a few hundred feet of workings. Outside is a massive engine which I'm guessing was for a mill. Have you ever done any exploring in Butte County? I've been to a couple interesting mines in that area.

[@TVRExploring]

No, I didn't find any that were open higher up. They were from the very early days...

[@harryfillpot666]

I love you guys both! Your channels are amazing!

[@danishnative9555]

You have the best mine video gig on YT IMO. That other dude up in BC is pretty good too, especially with ropes. Stay safe.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much for the kind words and support.

[@dericbarnwell1477]

Love the sound of the underground water fall within the cave

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

That was one of your better ones went on and on forever had to watch it in two parts really enjoyed that lots of water. 🚣👍👍🇨🇦

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Ha, I can't say I enjoyed the water as much, but it was worth it.

[@snyderraymond]

I was just telling my wife hopefully there will be a new video soon amd bam here it is stay safe and keep them coming

[@TVRExploring]

Glad I could nail the timing on this one!

[@sharonlegnon427]

LOL moving right along. That is a huge quartz vein. Be careful of winzes especially when they are full. Just amazing. Looks a lot like water coming from a river or spring.

[@marcelineingot9359]

Ya, thinking scuba gear wouldnt be a bad idea

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, I've never seen a stope like the one they created to chase that quartz vein... And, yes, that was quite the waterfall coming down from there!

[@astralvirgin09]

Wow , that is a very impressive mine! Love your videos and thanks so much for taking us all long on your explorations!! Stay safe out there!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you for coming along!

[@astralvirgin09]

@@TVRExploring My pleasure!!

[@andrewclark7686]

Wow incredible. Thanks for shooting this!

[@leehilton9932]

You were literally walking on pay material in that huge narrow stope! Even all that compacted material that was above you looked like good pay material. They were definitely gettin the gold and only takin the high grade. It looked like they may have hit some other mineralized areas but not what they truly wanted. After reading the description I don't know how they found that vein. I would love to visit this one and search around above the mine for any signs as to how they found it and take some samples at different spots in the mine. Get the generator and compressor fired up there's more money in that mountain! Another great video man. Be safe out there. Definitely a 2 thumbs up video and mine.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it did seem like they were very focused on locating that quartz vein. Like I said though, I have no idea how they were so sure that it was there... I'm also a bit surprised that they didn't go down as well.

[@steveupton271]

TVR Exploring Yes, farther down there could be platinum. Farther up, silver, copper, and higher still, mercury, in highly-altered serpentine. Most likely the serpentine washed away long ago from the mountain.

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@steveupton271 there's serpentenite there running N/S.really becoming apparent opposite this location

[@aaronkeeth651]

the deposit was located on the surface, initially ran through an arastra. there are exploratory holes up and down this canyon. once the veins are located, surveyed and adits driven dead reckoning and hopefully intersected. those drifts inside is the search for secondary deposits

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@steveupton271 mercury would be found in area's that contain the mineral "cinnabar ".serpentenite is rich in "chromeite" and iron and was mined exclusively for the War effort and during that time gold mining was hualted and regulated to $30 oz.

[@LordG310]

Wow you deserve more views for this very amazing ! 👌👌👌

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.

[@patriottexan]

That was an amazing video man! I loved it!

[@stevengill1736]

Holy kitty cats! Reminded me of a couple mines i visited in Colorado. There's something especially touching when you hear and feel that much water moving underground, especially if the water pours down giant winzes or whatever. I lived in Silverton, CO for awhile and got to see some very wet mines. ;*p

[@alvinosullivan2804]

Thank you for your efforts! That is one tall,skinny stope!! That started looking pretty sketchy back there as well!

[@marcelineingot9359]

Gotta have big balls no doubt

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, this one definitely got more sketchy toward the end, but I'm glad I kept pushing on because that stope at the end with the quartz vein was worth it. I've never seen one like that before.

[@michaelkeely2621]

awsome vid., very informative. Thank you for posting it.

[@ronvi4539]

Just think of how long it took the miners to dig all of that material out plus the amount of people to do it . WOW....

[@TVRExploring]

Pretty incredible, huh?

[@greentea7180]

Dude your videos have been amazing lately, thanks for letting me explore mines from the comfort of my chair.

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks for coming along...

[@williamwintemberg]

Long walk in! At 29:16 you picked up a piece of broken pulley. It looks as the second stamp mill was disassembled waiting for transportation that never came. Love the stopes and what you found out side. Another Great Exploration and Video!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I'm not sure if it is the stamp mill seen in the video, but I know that a stamp mill that was at this site was destroyed in an avalanche.

[@DurpVonFronz]

Love TVR Exploring!!! Amazing!!! The spots you get into!!! Holymoly!!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, thank you! Yeah, that quartz vein and stope at the end were unlike anything I've ever seen underground before.

[@michaelarmstrong11]

globe iron machinery of Stockton moved to north Sacramento in 1911 so this mine is pre 1911 unless they purchased used equipment. lots of information about them online. your comment about the camera answered my question about the temperature inside the mine, no real heat problems. thanks for sharing the adventure. i grew up in Reno and nothing we liked more than exploring the out of the way places. not like it was a big city in 1957 roughly 25,000 not even as big as Virginia city was in its heyday.

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks for the background on Globe... This is definitely an older mine, but it has been worked off and on for ages. Yes, the mines are usually a consistent 50ish degrees underground. So, they feel cool and pleasant in the hot summers and warm in the cold winters. 1957? That would have been a golden age for mine exploring!

[@unicorntv1232]

Love your explorations and attention to detail !!! U really look around and explain things. Do be careful!!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. I appreciate you coming along...

[@HollywoodGraham]

It would be interesting to see how they got all the track and stamp mill to the mine. Interesting to find out how much gold was recovered also. Thanks for the video.

[@TVRExploring]

Well, there is a road leading up to the mine. It's steep, but they could have gotten a truck up it. Obviously, they must have made a lot of trips! I'd be curious to know about the gold production as well.

[@philliphall5198]

Really wish others who know would tell us more about this mine

[@heinzwerner2871]

just saw this, Id say it was the best mine video Ive seen from you. Pretty cool quartz veins too. I live on the beach in Florida, lots of sand and no mountains. Great Video!

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, this was a great mine!

[@Ankan..]

Looks like it had tumbled down the hill on the outside. Great video and thanks for your uploading. Br: Eskil from Sweden

[@shaun9107]

Fresh spring water , I remember the days , it tastes LOVELY

[@marcelineingot9359]

I have access to that w/out the heavy metals in the midwest

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@marcelineingot9359 but we love Ozzy Osbourne and Iron Maiden!

[@shaun9107]

@@marcelineingot9359 Its filtered out , try it , taste it , or miss out

[@marcelineingot9359]

@@shaun9107 whats the point in drinking filtered water if you dont have to?

[@marcelineingot9359]

@@aaronkeeth651 not a fan of Iron Maiden but give me some Anthrax

[@oBseSsIoNPC]

27:27 that piece looks like a spoke with part of the outer ring of a pulley. A bigger version of one like at 26:48. Nice finds. Amazing quartz veins, makes me want to dig at it.

[@ekummel]

We drive up to Silverton in Colorado and take 4-wheelers up into the mountain. Haven't ever stopped to explore any mines (the claustrophobia would be astronomical) but the temptation is there..

[@lordgainz9928]

Doesn’t quartz have some natural radioactive properties? Wondering the dangers of running to radon gas down there as well. Would like to see you bring a Geiger counter.

[@aaronkeeth651]

avalanche wiped this one out, the miners narrowly escaped

[@marcelineingot9359]

U say?! Im too lazy to look it up

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@marcelineingot9359 HA! thus giving up the location? trust me an avalanche doomed this one, plus I know the owner.

[@marcelineingot9359]

@@aaronkeeth651 that's cool!

[@marcelineingot9359]

@@aaronkeeth651 I dont doubt, mother nature does her thing

[@stealthninja2027]

Saw a small gold vein in the early part of the video on the right wall

[@whitefam2000]

I just can't get over the scope of that vein. From the upward sot you showed, I would Imagine a rich vein at least 100' tall. From the video it looks like they jacked into the vein then ran to the top of it and worked their way down to the main shaft below them. I don't see how else they could have worked in that narrow of a space so high and long. From what I saw the markings on the wall had to have put them in at least 3.5-5K' into the mountain. Just amazing, and to think that they tracked it so far, they must have been stamping and processing the whole time, to know when an where to track up like that. Friggin Amazing.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, this one really impressed me... The current owner of the mine had no idea that was even back there! And, yes, your estimate of the distance they punched back into the mountain is spot on.

[@danmiller6051]

One thing that I've noticed after watching other mine videos which is so great about yours, is your light. You can make if wide for great general viewing or make it a beam for long distance. That's really cool.

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, the adjustable focus is huge for me when making the mining videos. I wouldn't want to use anything else.

[@russellmooneyham3334]

I'm a new subscriber. Enjoying your videos. Please put me on your list of people to say nice things at your memorial service. Thanks in advance!!!

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks. You've been added to the list.

[@RJSHARK.]

You should have taken a metal detector and pass it through the walls, you can surely find gold on the walls

[@thatgirlcourtney85]

It would be so interesting to be alive when all of this was up and running. It really would of been an amazing sight!

[@TVRExploring]

I agree!

[@Bannanasammich]

loved the speed up when there wasnt much, made the whole vid more enjoyable, while still being able to see everything at just a slightly sped up pace. plus it felt like some weird mine cart ride through the mine. one of my favorite vids of your so far, such a huge stope, so much quarts, i love me some water features, and though at the cost of your oxygen, the low oxygen added some suspense. as ive never really come across many mine explores where they do go off. cool stuff.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. Yes, it was pretty featureless for those sped up sections. I wanted to give everyone a sense of what was there, but it would have been pretty dull for you to walk along at my pace through those areas. That stope at the quartz vein at the end was unlike any other that I have seen. It was really unique and impressive. Ha, yes, I don't know what it was about that season, but I hit multiple mines with low oxygen during that time... Normally, it is pretty rare.

[@ThomasConlon-Wind-Power-Pro]

WOW! Major find is visible at 29.16! The large iron disk with the gear teeth on the bottom is the feed disc for the stamp mill. These were mounted behind the stamp mill at about a 15 deg. angle tilted towards the mortar. When the stamps dropped when the mortar was full, they worked with a short stroke and the feed disc would not operate. As the amount of ore in the mortar was crushed, the stamps dropped further and began hitting a lever that caused the feed disc to turn. The feed disc was mounted at the bottom of an ore hopper and regulated the rate that ore was fed into the mortar. These were super high tech in their day and allowed a stamp mill to work efficiently at relitavly high speed. These are very interesting machines! Thank you for your attention to detail! It is appreciated. I'd love to restore one of these stamp mills!

[@deesmith5600]

If you need a hand..Im in .If they could haul in.Then it could be hauled out.Something they should of done anyway.

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@deesmith5600 your nutz!..... the ol timers had the luxury of devastating anything in their way and cheap abundance of labor. but their skillset is 2nd to none in creating access, logistics and fortitude. gold is 1200x's it's value than in those days and common men were not allowed to own any(kentucky mine-exclusivly put into Operations to fence "high-grade " for the common man). now environmental terrorists look down upon the very thing that brought them into existence.

[@aaronkeeth651]

@@deesmith5600 i can get written permission from the owner if you want to tackle it

[@ricochetaz3846]

@@aaronkeeth651 IM IN! sine me up.

[@deesmith5600]

aaron keeth. Your on I ve spent. Many Years im the Sierra.If your serious . Lets do it. Im not that far off. i would imagine the snow pack.is bout done. How do you wish to contact?

[@brittanylee4591]

Shit this is cool. Thanks for getting into those hard areas. It really makes for a more exciting video than the explorers who don't wanna bother or are being cautious 🌠🌠🌠

[@TVRExploring]

Thanks, Brittany. The "easy" sites have already been picked over long ago... One must push it a bit to get into the good stuff.

[@xzysyndrome]

Love the green serpentine. One of my favorite minerals.

[@johncarold]

Hi Justin, I can't tell you how many times I have watched this one, it's incredible. Great stamp mill I would love to see it someday. I don't believe what you come across, I'm sure some one told you what that piece was. Thanks again for the info and pictures of this mine

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you very much. Yes, I really liked this one as well... It was great to see all of that stuff on the surface. And I had no idea what was back there either and so it is really cool to get a surprise like that inside of a mine!

[@kengamble8595]

If that very narrow vein cut was as slim as it looked on camera, how in the heck did they do it! I don't know anything about mines or how it's done...... BUT JUST DAM !! Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍

[@TVRExploring]

Yes, it really was as skinny as it looked! I'm not entirely sure how they managed to mine it that way either, but it must have been a hell of a thing to see.

[@steveupton271]

My guess is they found the vein exposed at the surface farther up, saw that it was vertical, realized they were dealing with thousands of tons of ore that would cost too much to lift up. So better to drill in horizontally way lower, sink an ore chute down from the top, then work their way down from the top, throwing ore down the chute as they worked the vein, from the top down.

[@philliphall5198]

I think your right and it makes sense to start on top and let it fall down and out

[@daveshrum1749]

Love the video as always Justin. One of the reasons I love your videos is cuz you'll go into places and do things a lot of mine explorers won't like say Mines of the West. No offense to mines of the west which I also subscribe to but he stops pretty easy compared to you. But when your oxygen sensor starts going off you need to look after yourself brother especially when you're alone. Love the video stay safe sir.

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you.

[@tracysnow349]

I'm always waiting to see à creature peering back at me during the long focus shots

[@hike2]

That mine and mill were really interesting!

[@jhonjhone6683]

Man I would been piking like crazy at 29:16 lol

[@Coyotethumper5]

You should carry a small emergency o2 bottle there like 10” long 2” diameter and have a mouth piece. You never know it might come in handy.

[@TVRExploring]

In the context of an abandoned underground mine, by the time you realized that you needed supplemental oxygen, it would already be too late. Plus, we're already overloaded with gear as is and wouldn't be able to carry more.

[@mikelouis9389]

Get a better oxygen meter.

[@TVRExploring]

@@mikelouis9389 That's not how the physics of toxic gases work underground... The gas meter is an indicator. It doesn't make one invincible.

[@mikelouis9389]

@@TVRExploring I fully understand this. I was a G S worker overhauling nuclear subs and a utility worker/licensed Sewer plant operator/ head of the sewer department with one of my main concerns being worker safety. With todays tech, you can get a meter that will monitor almost all toxic gases AND oxygen concentration. Of course, as with any dangerous enterprise, experience and situational awareness is still your best defense. I just enjoy your videos and want them to keep coming, not an In Memoriam.

[@docmccoy1928]

As not only a miner but a medical professional what TVR is saying is exactly right. The meter is an indication only. If you put on o2 every time a meter went off you would never be able to move underground. Certain types of shafts or drifts have low air but it is usually concentrated around one area. If the air is bad enough to hurt you by the time you realize it you will be down. @@TVRExploring

[@TickledFunnyBone]

regardless of you having to using the phone to get video to us i am glad you did so that we can still see what you are talking about.

[@TVRExploring]

I'm glad to hear that... Yes, I figured it was better than nothing and at least gives a pretty good sense of what was out there.

[@brettcleveland1106]

Man you stayed at it!

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, I'm a very goal-oriented person...

[@conscienceepoch9839]

I had to check the play speed for a minute there. Keep up the awesome work. Other explorer videos just are not the same , well Audit Addicts is just as good , but the others seem scavengerish .

[@TVRExploring]

Thank you. I'm sure he'll appreciate that too...

[@nanuq83]

This was amazing! Thank you taking us on an incredible adventure. How did miners go that high up? My brain can't figure it out.

[@TVRExploring]

I would imagine there used to be a series of ladders connecting to different platforms the miners worked from. They all would have collapsed by now...

[@TheElement2k7]

Great video, love his kind of videos

[@danzoller7397]

Cool trip in ole motherearth lol! Always good advemtures keep safe !

[@melcoffee224]

Great videos, but you guys are crazy!! Have you ever encountered anything creepy in the mines?

[@TVRExploring]

Just once... It happened to me recently when I was visiting an abandoned mine from the Soviet era in Kyrgyzstan in the middle of nowhere. I was deep inside of this giant mine and there was no life anywhere, no people anywhere, no air movement at all inside of the mine when this otherworldy howl echoed out from deeper inside of the mine. It seriously creeped me out. I pushed on as far as I could and never encountered anything. So, I don't know what it was, but it wasn't wind. Fortunately, I captured it on video. I haven't posted the video yet, but I'll be curious to know what you guys think it was when I do publish it.

[@melcoffee224]

@@TVRExploring too cool! Thank you for replying!

[@deesmith5600]

@@TVRExploring Forget the O2.Carry a Crusfix ! Ive had a Good few encounters from the otherside. I have an Extraordinary Image of one of the events .After a juvinal Sas bounded off a ledge landing in the trail ahead.This was early 90s. The whole forest an everything seemed like it died. in the image .I took of the forest. Where it had crossed. All kinds of aaaaaah....things,creatures.beings? What have ya.are There.Between me an them is the LIGHT! As. I am told this Light Is the power an Presence of God Almighty .His presence shielded me from what must of been Quiet demonic an Evil.This is why Everything in the forest Ceased. It wasnt till I. Entered. into Mariposa Grove for Good few miniutes. That everything returned to normal. I have an old YT channel its on PRKNOWS

[@donnaacdal113]

Mol Dennis right!....I watched too much horror movies growing up...latest was titled descent..Yikes!!....

[@mcd2796]

We missed you're sketchy night time ride back with no headlight on your bike.

[@TVRExploring]

Haha, this time it was a sketchy hike back in the blazing sun!

[@mortamus]

dude you're unreal...also very brave

[@gregorylittleton3017]

That was awsome keep them coming

[@leesherman100]

Is the road to glory paved in gold? In this mines case it appears so. Another incredible effort by the miners and yourself as well. Thank you TVR.

[@TVRExploring]

The gold miners put in some major work at this one!

[@crohkorthreetoes3821]

Looks like it was an amazing payday once they found it.

[@TVRExploring]

It looks like it...

[@airegun9987]

That chunk of iron was a broken spoke and felloe-broken from a large cast iron wheel or pulley

[@tacticplanner7188]

Be careful out there hopefully someone had your 6, otherwise as cool as this video & mine are it's not worth dying over. That is a very cool mine it would be cool to test a sample of water to see the results. If I new where this was I'd take a buddy to check it out. Amazing stuff thanks for sharing a one of a kind mine.