Unearthing a Sealed Abandoned Mine - First to Explore in over 100 Years!

Wow. Today's exploration was a doozy! We climbed to the top of a mountain to explore an abandoned mine, only to find it sealed by backfill and hidden by erosion. On the brink of despondency, we decided to give it one last, seemingly futile try. As a result, we not only got to explore a mine, but we are the first ones in quite possibly a hundred years to set foot inside it's tunnels!
Join Mrs. 49er, myself, and the channel Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places as we unearth a sealed mine and explore the hidden features it kept secret for so long!
When you're done, be sure to check out Frank's channel at:
/ exploringabandonedmine...
Watch his video here:
• Nobody Explored This A...
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Looking for a way to support the channel, or just get your hands on Miner49er merch? Check out my store:
miner49er.myspreadshop.com/
** Thanks for the support! **

[@scottcochran384]

Having worked in Coal mines myself in the 80's don't think just cause you opened a entrance that good Air Exists now inside.. Mine Gases are often heavier then Air and without another opening to create Circulation Will Remain inside.. SAFETY FIRST.. there are no second chances underground.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks for dropping that knowledge, I appreciate it! We had an O2 sensor, but even then we were in danger. Definitely not something we should make a habit of! :)

[@kdugg]

My grandfather worked in the coal mines in the 1950s-60s. Two of his friends died right in front of him. They broke through into a old abandoned mine, my grandpa with those two walking in front of him proceeded to go in and have a look. As my grandpa made it up to the entrance his friends both fell dead and luckily grandpa got out of there in time.

[@relaxingappalachia503]

@@Miner49er1anything can happen to anyone at any time, but knowing the dangers and having a plan makes a huge difference. I go hiking alone sometimes and when I do I stay on the trail. That way if I break my ankle someone will come by eventually haha

[@johnclare1728]

That was a great find. So glad you the misses and Frank took the time to look and dig. Thank you so much for taking us along. Be safe and keep digging!!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, John! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronstanek2851]

So glad you are the 1st to open this mine up. I’m sure this is possibly a 30s to 40s mine. Congratulations on this video!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks!

[@kyleb8268]

I could watch content like this all day long. You'd never catch me doing anything like this lol, but I applaud and congratulate you on your find! Massive props.

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you are enjoying the content!

[@pampoovey3281]

yea my old man didn't part much of his wisdom but he sternly told to stay out of old mines. I've been caving but I have heeded his advice.

[@Miner49er1]

@@pampoovey3281 ha, ha, that's some good advice!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Really a great video, Nick! Thanks for getting together again and heading out there. We will have to do it again. Glad to hear this was the highlight of your summer - I think it was for me, too!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Frank. It was good to work with you again!

[@traceyweideman3512]

Frank I want to meet you in person one of these times

[@AbandonedMines11]

@@traceyweideman3512 Hi, Tracey! Have you been exploring anymore abandoned mines lately?

[@traceyweideman3512]

@@AbandonedMines11 no and I’m sad, lol. We’ve had so much going on we haven’t been out in the hills.

[@kootenaycat]

That was good luck getting in without much digging! Glad you made it back out safe, you really need to have an O2 monitor if you're going first. I've been in many mines that haven't been blocked and ran into low O2 levels. Stay safe!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have one now! :)

[@echofoxtrot2.051]

Not just low O2. There's methane or CO/CO2 gas pockets that you could walk into and silently suffocate from. If you ever start feeling dizzy, disoriented, vision starts to blur, or you start feeling really fatigued, then get out into fresh air immediately. Methane narcosis can cause rapid respiratory collapse.

[@khadrelt]

Well, I'm guessing no one went in there after 1933, or you KNOW you would have found beer cans in it.

[@Miner49er1]

Ha, right!

[@AbandonedandForgottenWales]

New to the channel, its a awesome feeling when you managed to dig into a mine,I spent 5 hours one day digging through a collapsed shaft, but the reward was breathtaking,first to be in a old metal mine since the miner's, there were awesome artifacts everywhere and miner's footprints everywhere, awesome

[@Miner49er1]

That is awesome! I’m glad you had that experience! Welcome to the channel.

[@giuliom8520]

Wow, I finally got to see what Frank looks like! I was not disappointed, Frank! Great video! You got balls of steel.

[@billwd6dpx]

I did the thing on Santa Catalina island in California. I was working the summer in the maintenence department at a boy scout camp called camp cherry valley. The year was 1973 or 1974. There was big waste rock pile near dinning the dinning hall. I had been exploring old mines on family outings in Death valley for several years, so I new there had to a portal nearby. So I talked a fellow staff member to help me dig a hole where I thought the portal was. After digging for a couple Hours a hole appeared. The mine went in several hundred feet and had upper working which were not accessible because the ladders had rotted away.

[@Miner49er1]

That's awesome! It's a really cool feeling uncovering them, isn't it! Thank you so much for sharing your adventure! I used to work at a couple scout camps myself. Scofield (Utah) and Aspen Ridge (Idaho).

[@TyMoore95503]

Thank your for sharing this mine. You were really getting winded when you went on up ahead alone... Just a couple of quick observations, as expensive as oxygen sensors are, every member of a party below ground should have one. It is an essential bit of life protection gear. All members of party should stick together. Obstacles like dubiously stable shelves right next to a funnel top verticle shaft should either be avoided or crossed with something like an extension ladder, or at very least climbing rope securely anchored to prevent a fall. That spot was very sketchy. I like your channel and I don't want anything that could be easily avoidable happen! 👍

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you, Dean, I appreciate your concern! I’m glad you enjoy the channel, and I will do my best to make wise choices…or at least more wise than stupid! Ha, have a great week!

[@TyMoore95503]

@@Miner49er1 Thank you! And you too! I appreciate what you do..and enjoy watching it, but sometimes our enthusiasm for the find can dull our sense of self preservation. 'Nuff said on that. Have an awesome day, keep exploring, and stay safe! 🙂

[@Miner49er1]

I’m glad you’re concerned, better than uncaring!

[@Steven-vo8tk]

Amazing find. Your hard work paid off. Now my curiosity of what lies down those shafts. Maybe in the future. Thanks for sharing.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Steven! Yeah, I sure wonder as well! I’m leery of going down too soon, as I’m sure the oxygen down there is terribly dangerous, but maybe in a few years, when good air has a chance to circulate down there.

[@thepodiumfactory]

Late to the party but ran across your video in my favorite place to explore. I love it out there.

[@Miner49er1]

Glad you enjoyed it! It’s a great place to explore.

[@oxigenarian9763]

This is awesome!!! It is the closest I EVER want to get to a mineshaft, though. I get claustrophobic just watching the video.

[@joehiker5573]

Very cool! THANKS for bringing us along! =)

[@Miner49er1]

No problem, thanks for watching, Joe!

[@ABANDONED_UNDERGROUND]

It's great you and Frank joined up again! The perspective differences are awesome! That hard work really paid off. Do you guys plan to go back and descend those ladders after letting the mine "breathe" for a while? I must say, the edits in this video are great! Graphics and music always add to the artistic value of videos! Keep up the great work!

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you so much for your comment! Yes, we fully intend on returning...but it will be awhile. This mine will take years to "breathe" properly to the point it is safe to descend those shafts.

[@richardreid6377]

When you go back be sure to take a real pick and shovel.

[@traceyweideman3512]

You are a legend! I can’t comment enough. This is huge what you have done.

[@Miner49er1]

Ha, you’re awesome, Tracey! Thanks for your support!

[@cbr1thou]

Awesome find! Glad you guys got to feel the first in there vibes, that was yours all you, great job

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks! It was a great feeling, alright. This was one for the books, for sure!

[@NWUEmines]

The strapping you saw on the floor? That was used as a budget method of making a mine rail. It was nailed to wood rails. That would typically be used in a budget mine, or a mine that was just intended to be a prospect. Super cool find, that was one epic video! I know the feeling. I hiked 45 miles over 6 trips and finally found a mine that I had been looking for for months.I found an ore car outside. Just gave me shivers!

[@Miner49er1]

Yeah, well worth all the effort. Sounds like you caught a cool find too! Thanks for the comment!

[@markhenderson4204]

Love the video! Quite the find. Having been in several mines myself, I love being able to relive some of those trips vicariously through your team! I'd just caution - think twice before climbing around a shaft. But if you do decide that it is (reasonably) safe, let someone else video you! Thanks again :)

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Mark! Sometimes I do have others film me crossing, but Mrs. 49er doesn’t have a dedicated camera yet, and it can be dangerous for the equipment for her to toss it to me once I’ve crossed. Thanks for the thought! :)

[@johnsorenson8735]

Great job. I glad you are all safe. I am in my 60s and my health is not the best. But I love watching your episodes. Just think I could have been doing this instead of drinking beer and doing shots back in my 20s.

[@Miner49er1]

Ha, ha, yup. I'm glad you're enjoying the channel. Welcome!

[@mowingtrimmingedging214]

Heck yea, I wish all your videos were 45 minutes! 🤩

[@Miner49er1]

Glad you liked it!

[@professorfalken4600]

Those screws were from the strap rail

[@Miner49er1]

Nice catch! Thanks, Professor Falken!

[@theinstructor2687]

It appears that there's a lot more to explore in that mine. Both going up and going down. I'd really like to see a full explore.

[@Miner49er1]

Me too! Ha, but that will have to wait for the mine to "air" out a bit! :)

[@MajICReiki]

Do you take O² with you, is it safe to do that? Or filtration masks?

[@jamesgarvey8402]

A mini drone with an HD camera would be a cool idea to explore some of those inaccessible areas.

[@thineownentity]

I've been observing and studying the geology as you migrate across the mine level haulage line, you've passed thru many interesting features of it. Very nice adventure

[@Miner49er1]

I loved the changes in this mine! Thanks for sharing your observations, Scott!

[@TyMoore95503]

Yeah, I thought it was intereating how the rocks looked thermally metamorphosed...almost like they were burned. At one point it in the distant past it was very hot in there. Some of the rocks at the end of the mine almost looked like solidified magma or lava.

[@Miner49er1]

@@TyMoore95503 As it happens, a little research into that area showed that the mine is located in an area that not only used to be underwater (Lake Boneville, I believe) but it also is located either right next to, or inside a gigantic caldera for an ancient volcano, a massive volcano! In fact, if you look on the ground, it is very common to not only find quartz, but also volcanic glass (not a geologist, can't tell you what it is called); including little balls of obsidian. It's a really geologically cool area!

[@TyMoore95503]

@@Miner49er1 Wow, that is so cool. Just looking at the colors of the rock, I was reminded of the rocks in fire rings. Baked, oxidized, and cooked by a campire flame... That makes sense...and didn't realize it had been underwater. What a cool find! Keep up the great work. I really enjoy your videos. Looking forward to being able to get out and do some exploring myself!

[@__--JY-Moe--__]

wow crazy! nice view! good luck!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks!

[@davidvaughn7752]

Wow! old Frank was able to skinny-up and make it down the hole! Impressive!

[@brokenroadsandabandonedmin3631]

Awesome video. Pretty sure we were just to the north of you at the same time. This weekend we had to dig out a few erosion holes as well in a near by valley.

[@Miner49er1]

How fun! I hope all went well for you! Thanks for the comment!

[@Chillin-fpv]

What an incredible find !!! So cool

[@robertsnyder5149]

My partner and I have opened countless tunnels. We have claimed two of the deepest. Both mines go over 1,700 ft. back in the mountain and on various levels.

[@Miner49er1]

Nice.

[@strongestfan9823]

Bullshit

[@ActionAdventureClips]

Hey dude. If you are serious you should bring your experiences to others! Invite someone like miner49er to check out your Tunnels or even get a go pro camera and start filming yourself

[@robertsnyder5149]

@@ActionAdventureClips I did buy a go-pro but haven't used it yet. We sgtill have tunnels on our claim on Little Canyon Mtn. that we haven't opened yet. We have a GPR and resistivity machine we haven't used yet. My partner Kevin and I are both retired engineers so we shouldn't have problems using them. Our problem lies with the BLM(butt licking monkeys) and Forest Dis-Service making us use hand tools to open tunnels.

[@missingremote4388]

Don't enter

[@colleenvarlow8764]

Wow. Thanks for showing.

[@Miner49er1]

You're welcome, and thanks for watching!

[@alssdairmacdonald4688]

Brilliant thanks guys,

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you!

[@AmericanMadeAdventures]

Thumb up and subbed. I really enjoyed watching! Happy to have found your channel. Happy Easter. Can't wait to see more.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks! Glad you enjoy our adventures, and welcome aboard!

[@kevinbrennan2004]

Just comes to show, hard work and determination brings with it rewards. Congratulations, what a mine. And dare i say, there's more in there to explore, with those shafts. Tell us, you are going back there soon, to finish the job?

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Kevin! I’d love to go back and climb down the first ladder, but the air is so bad, I’d probably lose consciousness before I reached the bottom and never make it out. I plan on returning, but without specialized equipment, it will be awhile.

[@scottystiffchicken]

My great grandad was a hired gun for that region. He later was hired by Pinkerton Detectives. I went there three years ago to prospect with my metal detector on Memorial Day and it was rattlesnake after rattlesnake after rattlesnake.

[@Miner49er1]

That is awesome history, thank you so much for sharing it! I hope your grandad left a rich written history; that’s a special heritage.

[@davidvaughn7752]

There's probably a reason it said "Danger Keep Out".

[@valium-fm7236]

WOW! That was one hell of a find. Your last few uploads have been good, but this one was even Gooderer. ✊🏼😎

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Valium, I appreciate your support!

[@valium-fm7236]

@@Miner49er1 cheers.👍🏼 I appreciate you sharing your outings and finding all those gems. (Not in the literal sense ). Today’s was amazing to see, I can only imagine how much you were buzzin’ . (With joy, not because of low oxygen levels down there). Well done

[@traceyweideman3512]

I am soooooo happy for you guys! So impressive! You worked your tail feathers off.

[@Miner49er1]

We sure did! Thank you for appreciating it! Ha, it was all worth it, though!

[@mowingtrimmingedging214]

Did Exploring Abandoned Mines and Unusual Places Frank cook you all dinner on the trunk of his 400,000+ mile Toyota Corolla? Seems like such a great guy, and good cook 😁

[@Miner49er1]

Ha! I love it. Sadly, no. I’ve had the pleasure of camping with him in the past, but not this go around.

[@pethoviejo]

That was fun. Thanks for sharing

[@Miner49er1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlesboyer61]

The apparent number of levels in this mine suggest that are more adits somewhere on one or more of the levels. It's a bit surprising that there were no apparent ore passes that you showed on the level you were at, and it looked like there were few stopes -- suggesting that level was largely exploratory. Still, what was dug out had to go somewhere and there was not enough backfill to account for it all. Any signs outside the mine of a matching amount of waste rock to account for the excavation? Or...were there passes that you didn't show? I'm going to guess that when you get down to the next levels, you'll see more signs of serious mining work. This was not a small mine dug out by only a few people. There simply has to be signs of it outside somewhere as well as multiple passes and adits. The road, the levels/ladders, the well-formed tunnels all suggest it. Good luck exploring and by all means please invest in Oxygen monitor!

[@Miner49er1]

I think you’re absolutely right. There has to be more. We’re guessing that the lower levels lead to significant workings.

[@THATPROSPECTORSLIFE]

when i go to bed this is what i dream of doing. this is so sickkkkkkk good stuff man fr. new forver subscriber here

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you, and welcome aboard!

[@Carolb66]

Love this video just suscribed. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I love anything to do with tunnels & mines. I cant do it myself but love watching brave people like you. Please remember though safety first. Keep safe. ❤ from the UK. South Yorkshire a former mining area (coal) ❤❤❤

[@Miner49er1]

Welcome aboard! I sure appreciate your support! Your area sounds exciting for mine activities!

[@Carolb66]

@@Miner49er1 it used to be , no working mines left now but loads of shafts left! 🥰❤

[@zebs2401]

loved that adventure!!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks!

[@thomasdagon9320]

Very nice, thats the type of passion i like to watch. Great distractions as well,.

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@therustyduck5400]

Very cool, glad you got lucky and found the opening, bummer there was no old Levis! Next time

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks! Yeah, it would have been cool to find old levies. We found a shirt, or something in another mine, last week's video, but not worth more than a glance at. Oh well, like you said, maybe next time!

[@m_gonzalez]

Really enjoyed this

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Malloree!

[@1949ala]

Very fun trip, thanks for mine that no one else had been in quite while.....

[@HalsPals]

Very bold and fascinating!

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@greybushthegreat2391]

I saw what looked like some really good mineralization and was screaming at the screen for you to take samples. I would love to know what the areas assey out as

[@Miner49er1]

Sorry I didn't hear you, my mic isn't as good as it used to be ;) Ha, no, but I just wish I knew better what I was looking at. Thanks!

[@greybushthegreat2391]

🤣🤣🤣 honestly looked like some good ore. That mind might still be viable and have good pay.

[@bigmoney3405]

Great effort you guys! Very colorful minerals, copper? I think the slotted screws were for strap track, some mines were low budget or remote and used thin metal strap fastened to milled lumber as track, much lighter and way cheaper than rail. Liked this video, thank0s.

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you! We appreciate the info about the screws!

[@elizabethswims9820]

the audio is on point.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks!

[@michaelcoker3197]

I'm hooked!

[@sandlmv8301]

Great find! Should show a more experienced explorer this mine who's capable of going down that incline. We would all love to know what's down there 😀

[@Miner49er1]

While it would be a lot of fun to go down there, right now it’s just not safe. Ha… Safe, funny word. Those lower workings need time to get good air circulating in them. If we tried going down now, even a more experienced explorer would pass out from bad air before they got to the bottom. Nah, it’s best to wait. Thanks for the comment!

[@theadventure8582]

I’m sure those lower levels are amazing

[@otgexploring]

dope vide congrats on the breach

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@richtyler1353]

Great perseverance

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks! It was worth it!

[@gorillagoldhunters]

Awesome video!!

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it; it was such a fun adventure!

[@skeeterbug9875]

Thanks!

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you! Glad you are enjoying our adventures!

[@evanscreekbrahman7511]

Interesting mine. I hope to see video of someone exploring it one day.

[@Miner49er1]

Do you mean the lower levels? I agree that might reveal some pretty cool artifacts.

[@bradwiebelhaus7065]

Nice adventure.

[@davekreitzer4358]

The ladders , would warrant further exploration , could be some Kool artifacts !!! ✔️☠️

[@Miner49er1]

I agree! I can only imagine what might be down there!

[@casedoumasr656]

Well nice to see Frank and Nick might have found an entrance to a Mine as Nick's wife film's the adventure as Nick uses the digging style of a Gopher, Prairie dog,and the dirt and rocks fly down the hill side the enthusiasm gets tense and the dirt flys in to hyperspeed and a entrance appears the Joy of the opening is there a great discovery as they enter to see the discovery of a hard dig ⛏️Great dig and the rewards of a great new Adventure .A tip of the 🎩to the Explorer 's You all did it 🏆❤️🤔

[@Miner49er1]

Great comment. Thanks, Case, as always! This was a fun mine to find and explore!

[@casedoumasr656]

@@Miner49er1 hip hip hooray ⛏️🏆

[@mikelang8020]

NOTHING VENTURED NOTHING GAINED ? LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE !

[@Miner49er1]

True words!

[@TheShornak]

I think you need to invite Canada Frank to visit this mine and I bet he'll go down those declines. Great video though.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks!

[@mikerietz1877]

Hello my good friend I enjoy your show keep up the good work I used to have mineing clam in Patagonia Arizona

[@Miner49er1]

Glad you enjoy them! That's cool that you had a claim. I hope it was profitable!

[@mikerietz1877]

@@Miner49er1 I had to give it up because the the Canadian company takes over now mine

[@Miner49er1]

@@mikerietz1877 well that's not cool. Sorry, man!

[@xjwendtx]

Hello fellow mine explorer. I’m coming from Frank’s channel. Subscribing

[@Miner49er1]

Hello, and welcome aboard! Hope you enjoy our adventures. Thanks for reaching out!

[@xjwendtx]

@@Miner49er1 got to get my mine fix somehow while it’s too hot to go out and explore myself.

[@deepwoodguy2]

Amazing, you dig out a little hole in the ground and leads to a really large mine...do you plan on trying the ladders and seeing where all that will go?? thanks, and stay safe 👍

[@Miner49er1]

It was so cool to find this! We topped the mountain and found squat. Then, on a hunch, we started digging and just happened to hit the exact right spot. This was the highlight of my summer!

[@Miner49er1]

As far as exploring those shafts go, I’d love to, but I have no doubt the oxygen down there is so bad that I’d pass out before I reached the bottom. Maybe in a few years, once the oxygen has had a chance to circulate better, I might venture down there, but we’ll just have to see!

[@deepwoodguy2]

@@Miner49er1 Yes, many hazards in the mines, oxygen problems is a really bad one

[@BossBarrett]

Where I currently live (Santa Cruz county, AZ) I am confident there is atleast 500 mines in a 30 mile radius. Including the ghost town Ruby, AZ.

[@Miner49er1]

Dang, sounds like the area was thoroughly worked!

[@nodnostrebor4300]

It looked like they were chasing vertical copper veins pulling out gold and silver along the way. This mine, a hundred years old is probably viable today with a permit and a proper investment in equipment and lots of work. Could be an Eldorado.

[@Miner49er1]

You could be right!

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Fascinating exploration of this forgotten mine😊👍👍 Can you use a mini drone to explore and enhance safety?

[@texasgal3903]

I watch other caving videos, and I just found this one, I got really interested in it. What causes all the backfill, is it from the cave collapsing around the walls? I'm sure walking through the backfill is hard on your ankles and legs, and very tiring, but that cave is just really cool. I also want to tell you that I like the words you use, like doozy, lollygagging, old time words that I love to hear.

[@Miner49er1]

Thank you, Texas Gal! Yes, cave-ins can cause backfill, but it is also a common practice for when miners close a mine, or a drift, or a portion of a mine, to push waste rock back into the tunnel. I hope you continue to enjoy our adventures. Welcome aboard!

[@texasgal3903]

@@Miner49er1 You're caving is loads of fun. 😊 Too bad the miners do the backfill, they should leave it freed up for future caving, don't they know how fun it is 🤭! 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@cmpe43]

Share this with TVR so they can rope in to the rest of this mine.

[@robertlyman9789]

Like the mines in the Phx area. Big old waste rock pile, anddd…. Filled in

[@Miner49er1]

Yup. I’m just glad we were able to get in.

[@captaincrunch5878]

That Rock at the split looks really good, you should take a sizable sample & if it's good File a claim. Allot of mines shut down because of the war sometimes they got killed in the war never to return.. You could be Rich & Not even know it....

[@Miner49er1]

Good point about the war; I'd never considered that! Thanks!

[@captaincrunch5878]

@@Miner49er1 The Guy you want to help you with refining gold ore to sample numbers is Jason at Mount Baker mining & metal's... He has helped many U Tube guys , like Dan Hurd, Jeff Williams & Sero Gordo Ghost Town Brent , Jason is definitely the guy to contact.. R/Steve

[@williamkowalchik572]

You sound like me after walking to the fridge and back to the couch. 😂LMAO weeze

[@Miner49er1]

😂😂😂

[@Glenn-em3hv]

Lots and lots of collapses in that mine!!! Doesn't look too safe!!!

[@Miner49er1]

No kidding! Glad we made it out safe.

[@jakethetool9024]

Eventually Clementine drowns, but “then I kissed her little sister, and forgot my Clementine”

[@Miner49er1]

Oof, that bites! Oh well, still a fun song! Thanks, Jake TheTool!

[@nefariumxxx]

The ladder looked good but would not try it without rope as a backup. You could send Gly, Justin, or crazy Frank from BC the coordinates and they might be brave enough to go down. Perhaps it leads to the main workings which yielded all that waste rock below.

[@Miner49er1]

I like the idea of going down, especially with rope, but not til the air in there has time to circulate. Thanks for commenting!

[@Miner49er1]

I like the idea of going down, especially with rope, but not til the air in there has time to circulate. Thanks for commenting!

[@Bushguyrocks]

"Crazy" Frank from BC (Exploring Abandoned Mines) - KZbin- probably won't be making any more trips south. He is very busy opening up his "Yankee Boy" mine in Grand Forks BC as a working museum. The more waste rock he digs out of the #2 orepass, the more mine he finds and explores! He's hoping to have the mine open to visitors sometime in the spring/early summer of this year. (2023) Bring your ropes and harnesses for the full tour!

[@Abijah12411]

I'm thinking that first critter you saw was a cave cricket

[@glennwall552]

Hope GPS it so you can find it again be interesting to see were the shafts lead to.

[@juststeve7665]

But uhhhh yeah... you might want to invest in at least one wiper blade and a bottle of windshield/glass cleaner from a Dollar Store. LOL Videos are a lot more enjoyable when you can see past the dead bugs. It only takes a couple minutes to stop and clean the glass before turning the camera on. When my friends and I did exactly as you are doing (opening abandoned mines with collapsed portals and exploring them) 35 - 40 years ago we either did it earlier in the day or when the temp was lower (fall, winter and spring). Heat stroke really sucks. Mojave green and Sidewinder rattlesnakes too. Wearing a black long sleeve shirt in the hot desert sun is pure genius! And slip on shoes! I guess I should feel like an idiot for wearing light colored clothes and high top leather boots. LOL you didn't even go back to see if that first portal went off to the right..... Unfortunately there were no handheld action/video cameras when we did this.... we also did not have youtube income to fund our insane mostly underground adventures... Not leaving someone outside when entering a mine, especially after re-opening a portal is stupid. Especially a crawl through opening with loose material above it. Yeah I did it a few times but common sense finally kicked in. Unfortunately few want to volunteer to be the one who stays outside. Everybody wants to be Indiana Jones and be in on the adventure. All it takes is a small tremor or loose material....... and there is no shortage of seismic activity there. O2 monitors are not really insurance against being killed by "bad air"... if the air is really bad you might be hitting the floor unconscious when the alarm sounds. Tom Massie taught me that. I never owned or used one as they were expensive and bulky back then. A kerosene lantern was the best we could do (watch for flame out) and relied mostly on luck and constant vigilance. You can often taste and smell bad air. Even youtube ad revenue or internet notoriety would not give me the courage to do this now... I'm too old and had too many close calls. Good luck.

[@Miner49er1]

Sounds like you have had a lot of experience in this sort of thing. Don't hesitate at sharing your knowledge. I appreciate your insight; those are some nice pieces of advice and tokens of wisdom. Thanks!

[@Miner49er1]

As for the wiper blade...I didn't think about it. Good catch! We only took that vehicle because the distance was too far for the Jeep (12 mpg...yeah, I don't think so). As it was, you're right. I could have and should have cleaned the window. My bad. Normally, I don't take my slip-ons, even thought they are hiking slipons. Normally, I take my ankle high Keens...but sadly, a few years of hiking around jagged rocks have shredded mine, and I have yet to replace them. Maybe I can get some better gear when that youtube money starts kicking in, in a few years; yup, still not making a fortune here! :) Don't know which drift you were referring too, but I sure hope I didn't miss anything! That would suck! I've only missed a few in my explores, and always went back to finish the job. ...I don't really fancy returning to this mine for awhile. Again, though, thanks for the comment. I'd love to learn more from you! Gear recommendations and safety precautions are always welcome!

[@008Birdman]

That was some pucker factor crossing the shaft looked like.

[@Miner49er1]

Ha, tell me about it. Those types of crossings normally don't bother me, but this one was sketchier than normal. Those rocks wanted to slip me right into the mouth of the beast!

[@charlesboyer61]

The Phillips-head type screw was invented in 1933 by Henry Phillips and its first widespread usage was in a 1936 Cadillac motorcar. In 1908, P. L. Robertson began to manufacture a square recess impression in the head of a screw in Milton, Ontario, Canada. You rarely see those in modern usage, but I suppose it would be possible in an old mine or other early 20th century building or device. Like the Phillips-head, it is a self-centering head, meaning that the slot centers the torque applied to it simply by the nature of the slot and driver. The slotted screw, or what we call the flat-head screw, was first used in medieval times and its inventor(s) are lost to history.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks, Charles! This is about as much as I could find as well. I suspect this mine is over a hundred years old, but the finding of the screws, sadly, does not help much in pinpointing a more firm date. It could be a hundred, it could be more, or it could be less. I just wish I could find a picture or something that would help date those screws!

[@kathleenhanan777]

@@Miner49er1 But it was a flat head not a Phillips head

[@BPillsbury-jv8qy]

What kind of mine was it? What minerals? I saw a lot of quartz.

[@Miner49er1]

We're not sure, but many of the mines in this area were gold, so I suspect this one is the same.

[@joe198032]

Did u claim this mine? Shiny all over the place man! What is the mines name 🤔'?

[@Miner49er1]

I did not file a claim on this, nor do I know the name of it. Sorry!

[@anthonyyoung7344]

Straight headed screws was first used in 1908 then swapped to the Phillips head screws in the 1930's.

[@Miner49er1]

Awesome info, thanks for sharing!

[@SydneyRadio2UE]

The bush at 9:49 looks like Brigham Tea. Google it. I remember as s kid in the Boy Scouts in Utah, we'd find this in the desert, boil it in a big pot over campfire, and then strain into cup with a little sugar. Good stuff, great memories.

[@Miner49er1]

Nice. I didn’t learn much about plants in the Boy Scouts, but oh well there’s still time!

[@richardalberts6344]

I hope you recovered the hole, then marked it. That way no Ratle 🐍 will hiding in there for next time, or nobody else goes in there and gets hurt. I would like to check it out, but I would have the opening a little bigger, because I am claustrophobic. Where was that mine at CA or Nev, or Arizona 👍

[@Miner49er1]

I thought about that, but I was worried that if I did cover it, the air would not get a chance to circulate enough to make it safer to explore the lower levels. That being said, however, you have a point.

[@LaffeeTaffeeGG]

42:12 How Miner49ers are born.

[@Miner49er1]

Ha, ha, nice. That was funny. Thanks for that! :)

[@vincenthackett7771]

Was this a older video because it looks like your driving your S10 not the Jeep and that was a great video Nick I really like it be safe out there my friend can’t wait till the next video say hi to bear for me

[@Miner49er1]

Not an older video, but I was in the S10. The backend died a few years ago, hence the jeep, but we were able to finally find a replacement rear end (the diff was shot on the old one) and get it going again. We took this one because of the distance - it would have cost a month’s mortgage to take the Jeep with gas prices they way they are! Ha! Glad you enjoyed the video. I really enjoyed finding this one, Vincent. Take care, and Bear says hi!

[@gremlin60]

do air not go bad when being closed off like that?

[@Miner49er1]

It does. As I was reaching the end of the mine, after I crossed that dangerous shaft, I could feel the air getting more and more stale, and my cognition was getting worse as well. Had I spent much more time back there, I might have passed out. This is also the main reason we did not even attempt to descend the ladders. The air below most likely was so bad, we would have passed out even before we reached the bottom. Frank had an O2 sensor, and it went off a few times. Dangerous stuff, opening sealed mines...but cool!

[@eeoo570]

Incredible video. Please use an air meter for safety.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks! Frank had one, and we monitored it closely.

[@eeoo570]

Ok 👍

[@oneloveoneheart]

This is super incredible too see ! I also watched a tv show treasure of snake island or something and they found afew spanish Jesuit mines and they look similar if not the same way these have been carved. Im in the uk and we have afew old mines mainly coal some gold nothing this old . Hope the bat poo didnt make you poorly though.

[@Miner49er1]

Thanks for the comment! I'd love to explore some of your mines!

[@oneloveoneheart]

@@Miner49er1 they are open all year round to the public no restrictions thankfully, just bring wellies as Wales and England are regularly full of rain.

[@Miner49er1]

@@oneloveoneheart Good to know! If you get too much water, just send some our way :)

[@bretteballantine2596]

You should buy a mine like Cerro gordo and restore it

[@Miner49er1]

That would be awesome!

[@enzomoya1689]

Pretty sure Brent is doing just fine at Cerro Gordo! Lol besides the rain that washes his road away.

[@adventureswithgoat8515]

New to your channel.

[@Miner49er1]

Welcome aboard!

[@tedc7714]

It says flat head screws came out in 1908

[@gnomespace]

I have access to a large silver mine where the last crew to work stuffed the shaft with crap and sluffed all of the stopes into the tunnels and backfilled the outer reaches. Now there is too much stuff in the shaft to drain the water economically enough to redig it. Owner and I can't sell it because you can't get into enough to evaluate without spending bookoo $. Much sadness.

[@Miner49er1]

Dang, sorry to hear that! Sounds like a cool mine that was closed prematurely. Hope you can come up with something!

[@macksrbest1884]

Crossing that fence around that portal will get you arrested and fined bud

[@tr1ppyh1ppy]

incredible find guys