My Biggest Mine Discovery Yet (Down A 1,100 Ft Pit)
2021 ж. 23 Шіл.
2 088 491 Рет қаралды
This was my most exciting and reward mine exploration BY FAR. This trip took over 6 hours underground. This route has not been explored in over 100 years and had all sorts of historic artifacts. I can't wait to see what else is down there...
Thank you all so much for the support and subscribing! So much exciting stuff coming up here. at Cerro Gordo from mine explorations, to building renovations, and much more. Can't wait to show. you all!
More behind the scenes photos: / brentwunderwood
Cerro Gordo T-Shirts and more: store.cerrogordomines.com/
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545
THANK YOU!
Thank you all so much for following along for the adventure! I'm planning on going all the way to the bottom of the Jefferson Chimney here soon. If you aren't already, I hope you'll subscribe! Let me know below what other videos you'd like to see in the future!
just be safe!
Just remember to be safe :)
Yes go deeper much deeper
Please be careful brother!
Keep up the good work Brent! These videos keep getting better and I cant wait for the next.
The craziest thing about all of this is that there were people working in these mines with MUCH less effective safety equipment and lighting.
Usually none, just wooden ladders. Gnarly.
that's what i was thinking the whole time watching the exploration. How did they do it and still survived.
@@zeehexjuh Well, they didnt lol. Wasnt too uncommon with accidents resulting in death in mines, if im not completely wrong.
People died all the time there, if not in mining accidents, then in gunfights with some thug.
@@kanqquperze sure yeah those damn mining thugs. Killing miners left and right
28:50 when you've been playing Minecraft for like 2 hours exploring a cave system, have absolutely no idea where you are anymore, and then finally see that double torch marker leading you back home.
That single-strand rope draped across the rocks at 10:46 was scary. When I was a teenager our group got into rappelling and we found out pretty quick how dangerous a single-strand of rope rubbing on sharp surfaces can be. One of the guys' rope snapped from rubbing on the rocks. Luckily for him he had descended most of the way and the injury was only a broken arm, but it could have been much, much worse. A humble suggestion would be to invite one of the mountaineering/exploring clubs out to explore some of your site. The amount of information (technique and safety) you can pick up from a group like this would be invaluable and they would be thankful for the rare experience.
Ropes these days are much stronger and resistant against slicing, I’m assuming they’re using the same ropes we use when sheeting tall buildings, these ropes can run against sharp tin all day and not fray a bit
@@stephaniecoomey2356 I literally wouldn't trust my strongest rope on a hard corner like that.
@@jcsc2001 Well they did and the rope held up fine. The ropes weren't even pushed close to their limits. Manufacturers have ratings this ain't no guessing game
@@thewafen763 don’t get your thong pulled too far up your ass he just giving his personal experience
@@thewafen763 the more you use the rope, the less stable they are, and trusting a single rope rappelling is never a good idea, for the same reason that simul rappelling or anything like that is dangerous, always have a backup
Watching the slow, meticulous climb down all that descent, passing by countless ladders and some platforms, made me really think about the massive human undertaking of the miners building the way down there as they mined further and further.
I just can’t believe people mined all this rock out, it’s huge
yeah and with much less safety stuff than today.
you should see some of the hydro mined mountain sides on the surface. the caverns left behind are disorientingly massive just to look at.
@@scubaguy5389 no safety stuff
I worked at the Dome Gold mine in Timmins Canada that operated for 115 years and finally closed about 5 years ago, it's bottom was around 5, 480'.
@@twocentproductions5326 wow, you'd think that would have some sort of safety helmet - amazing
I’d say yes, go deeper. However, from what I’ve watched, you really need to learn how to utilize multiple anchor points (rebelays and deviations) to reduce the risk of rub points and ultimately protect your ropes and life.
yup or at least wrap the rub points if doin it dirty.
Johnny is as passionate and committed like Brent in exploring the Cerro Gordo mines. He is just silent in the background but you can see how skillful and confident he is going underground.
I can't imagine the miners building all of this... It stresses me out so much seeing things falling all around you, seeing you taking breath around all that dust.... What a different time.
Me too bro! I was just having a look at the comments to see if anyone else was feeling that too. its a game ender if a decent chunk falls on your head or god forbid a complete collapse!
You know it's gonna be a intense video when Jonny shows up !
yeah
Johnny is indeed quite the fearless adventurer . The ultimate battle-buddy.
I call him Johny Quest.
in chuck taylors no less
yEP!
The "Dude I know where we are!" moment was great and a long time coming.
When he said that I was thinking, I don't even know which way is up.
You could feel his excitement. That was awesome.
Hey Brent, I'm a retied California State Ranger. I have a cabin on Lone Pine Creek, and Visit Cerro Gordo a lot. I volunteer as a guide at Bodie State Park and come from a Eastern Sierra mining family. Love to hear one of your history talks. Thank you for taking the long view and sharing why you do.
As a lover of history I get goose bumps when you find something that no one has seen or touched for so long. Really appreciate your exploration to find the history not to extort it but to share it with everyone. Well done.
when you go down into mines like this bring a cordless hammer drill then you can set really good rope anchors which will make your accent far easier
Yeah. Rub points, rebelays, etc. I love this channel but even from a UK potholder's perspective the ropework scares me. I've been in some dodgy old mines and I'd rig these holes very differently. But hey that's just me 😁
@@W4iteFlame I think so. Lots of loose stuff but seems like there's plenty of rock on the walls that would take anchors. The rub points they quite happily descend on and jumar back up over make me wince. They'll most likely be fine but it only takes one cut rope for a very different outcome. These mines are old, loose, deep and rescue is a long way away should they ever need it...
Ascent* :)
@@exploringabandonedmines Cordless rotary hammer drill. Worth it especially if you're going to use this route often. Can be safely rigged and ropes left in place for many descents. It's more initial faff but cheaper and safer in the long run
@@exploringabandonedmines you need an sds drill
Hey ! Maybe a nice thing to input for viewers would be to put a "map" of the Mine (schematic) and as you explore it a red dot or something move on the map, so we can better figure out where you are ?! It's more work for sure but more comprehension for us
That would be awesome because sometimes I’m totally lost as to where they are.
Good note! I'll try to do that!
@@GhostTownLiving not only would it help us as viewers but it will help you keep track of where you have been and potentially help you be even more effective with uncovering other locations you are looking for
@@GhostTownLiving No pressure ^^
@@GhostTownLiving Really should take a GPS with you, that tracks your movements so you can document/label all the shafts you have traversed, Also, if you come into a dangerous situation, could potentially find a faster way out.
This grandmother loved the adventure with you boys but I do have to say you scared me a few times. I'm definitely keeping you boys in my prayers.
The most incredible thing about all of this is that you're capturing it impressively on video...thank you for all your efforts and congratulations on all your discoveries!
True
Brent: brings everything Johnny: chucks and a hoodie
Johnny is a true miner lol, can guarantee I'd wear chucks underground if I could
Well yeah, if someone else brings all the stuff, what else is there to take?
definitely go deeper bro stay safe
Lil Peep legend
Weird seeing you here, but at the same time... you are a man of CULTURE, so I shouldn't be surprised. Bless you!
That's what she said.
Whaat Astari
Astari, Atari or Mata Hari?
That's absolutely awesome, I've never seen anything like that. Guys you are very brave!
I'm glad we got you guys for all that. holy crap
I loved when you said: "I know where we are" and you just started running! I would have loved to see your face at that moment. Even though it is not the easiest way in, I'm happy you finally found your way in the Union Mine. Can't wait to see more of your exploration, but stay safe!!
Right! That was a splendid moment. His excitement was palpable lol
go deeper but definitely camp. going up is going to take a lot of energy
or arrange for the lift to be waiting for them at bottom
@@claudiaoctavia6340 great idea.
Are there electric motor ascenders? Seems like something that they should look into.
@@kevin3434343434 they do exist. such as Ronin Lift battery powered ascender.
@@kevin3434343434 They exist. windmill technicians use them
You guys are nuts, but I do admire your courage, and the level of fitness it takes to do this sort of thing.
you guys have some BIG balls, no way I could do, exciting to watch. great job
I would put money on a miner knowing it was his last shift in the powder room section of the mine and it would likely never been seen for many years. So he put the perfect box on display with a newspaper date to be found in the future. Amazing
and now it is gone.
@@Acecool Well he does own all this land/mines and everything in them
More likely just some previous explorers placed it there. Several others came before Brent. Soda cans spotted, modern trash, etc.
“Dude, I know where we are!” Such a great moment!
I destroyed my knee several years ago so thanks for helping me explore again!
What can a person say but WOW. You and Johnny are amazing. That was crazy adventure thanks Brent and Johnny enjoyed every minute
i love how the bottom of the chimney on the map just has question marks also, that was stressful af you guys are madlads
I was thinking the same thing about those question marks!
There were lots of strangers round those parts...
Because no one knows how deep it goes exactly
Spooky
they're the Here Be Dragons of geological cross sections. where does this fault terminate? is this unit present on the other side? oh well, better ???? than sorry 😁
So glad you finally found your way into the Union Mine, Brent. I know you're of course going to go deeper... but I wonder if you would consider doing something to protect your lungs from all that dust we see flying around. It can't be healthy to be breathing in all of that.
That and a gas meter.
@@rowanthefirst148 and a geiger counter
And a miners helmet.
I'm normally not claustrophobic, but watching you guys repelling down into Jefferson Chimney definitely gave me the chills. Exciting though. Would love to see you reach the 1100' level at one time. Great video!
Johnny has good instincts. When asked R or L he quickly says Right! Well done. Great adventure. Be careful and look forward to seeing more of the mine.
dang its crazy thinking about people that were down there 100 years ago, like the newspaper was from 1913, one year before war war 1, and one year after the titanic sank. its quite interesting and fascinating.
War war 1
And those guys didn't have the quality of lights these guys have now. Tough life and a heck of a way to make a living !!
With candles no less...
Yeah.. I should stop complaining about working from home behind a cumputer 🙂
@@Turkentorque yea you should lol but I’m sure it has its own struggles in its own way.
And like we always say, "If He Uploaded..." Everyone: "He Survived!"
im seriusly scared for this guy, i hope he stops doing crazy things, hes a nice guy and is too valuable for the ghost town future
@@hobens1 I'm trying to understand what you're saying.. zero calculation in the risks?
I think he meant to say zero calories in a Brisk 😆
@@hobens1 oh man Thank you for response..
He has a camera man anyway. Unless the cameraman kills him like in the movies
Scary to see those boulders wedged in like that... Great video !! SCARY !!😄😄😄
Hey Brent so happy you finally found anothet way into Union Mine!!!🎉 absolutely go deeper see if you could get to 900 thru that way lol. U are by far my favorite youtuber!!! Stay safe you & Johnny!!
When your not using the platform lift, secure a rope that goes down the shaft, so if you ever take an alternate route like this again and can't get back up it, you can clip into and ascend that way instead. leave some MRE's and water down there, too! Really cool exploration
this is a good suggestion.
Doesnt the cage block the entrance to the shaft ?
@@korosensei4384 would probably get phone reception there though
I dont think he cares for the mre's 😆 eeeewwww.
in some of the videos you can see an old ladder in the shaft and it looks like there is possibly enough space to climb past the cage, just not sure if there is an opening at the top of the hoist house. I'm guessing the cage is in the way since he has not gone down that way
Dude you guys got massive balls doing this, my hands are sweating from just watching.
Ha I also watch ur vids
Balls deep!
Cheah!
CHEAH
Huh.?????
When you enter your first adit you are hooked. Mine exploring. Cerro Gordo, Gold Hill, the Virginia Comstock, Grass Valley....unbelievable adventure in youth. So dangerous it is amazing. The wood is so old, the mine ready to collapse at any time.......and on we would go trying to find artifacts and levels no one else was crazy enough to go into. It is SO addictive, and wondering if the next mother lode(or left over unstable dynamite) is two inches behind any of the surfaces you climb by and over. The wonder of the absolutely intense labor and time it took to burrow deep into the earth and effort it takes to mine. Huff in tons of timber, rail, vent pipes, tools....That rock could collapse at any time and no one would ever find you..
Go for more, you need to get more of the history of those miners brought to light. Thank you and your friends for your efforts so far.
These updates are what make my weekends extra sweet
minecraft irl
It's my Sunday morning ritual now 🤣
Once again, I'm left scared and breathless, and have to remind myself he got out...he got out, he's uploaded the video!!! You scare me my friend, but I love that you take us with you. These are not places that I would ever go...you rock man!
Thank God he films the intro to the video AFTER the hair-raising adventure so we all know we're not about to watch a vibrant man in the prime of his life die.
Can't fault you for backsliding on the confidence with your equipment. I'm almost done binge watching to get up to the latest videos. Man it's been a ride.
Obviously, You Have to take us to the bottom. Keep it up! Most Awesome.
Johnny is hilarious, he seems like a great companion for something like this.
He is hilarious. He's always ready to charge ahead. There's more than one video where Brent's all: "Are you sure?" and Johnnys like "yeah, let's go!". I like him. That onetime they were exploring some mine and the air alarms they carry went off. Brent was (quite sensibly) ready to bail, Johnny simply distrusted the sensor and (as it turned out) the air was fine.
Hey. I love to follow your channel and explorations, but I’m also scared sometimes when I look at how you handle your ropes when going down. I have done a lot of rappelling in mines and we have always use anchors to pull the rope away from ledges and sharp stone overhangs. If the rope is forces to hang over an sharp edge we always use some protective patch or sleeve. Try string up a rope and try to cut it when under tension you will se how little force is needed from sharp objects to cut off the rope. I also have a few ascending tips if you like. Best regards from Norway
It must have been absolutely brutal hard work blasting and lifting all that rock out of those tunnels. Just incredible. I think you two must be the only people to be down there since 1913 judging by the newspaper. Just getting out of there after a hard days work would be considered hard work by itself today.
I have spent several weeks in Cerro Gordo and it has a lot of history and places to explore.
Archimedes: "Eureka!" Brent: "Dude, I know where we are!"
Hey, I live in Eureka!!!
I prefer to call it The Onion mine, it's got lots of layers :)
bruh
All right, calm down now Shrek.
that's a huge Onion
I dunno, this one does really feel more like parfait
Bruh....
what is amazing is the fact that they were able to build all of this with only the technology at hand
as a seasoned caver, this was was a pleasure to watch. amazing how much you've learned.
Brent, I don’t know how you’re able to traverse these mines while hauling around a gigantic set of balls. This channel is by far the most adventurous on KZhead since you’re taking REAL risks. Please stay safe. 🙏🏻
Bald and Bankrupt: *am I a joke to you?*
@@topiheimola69 yes...
My comment was going to be, "How do They squeeze through those tight holes when they have to carry Their Nuts with A Wheelbarrow?" But I scrolled and here You are. I agree with You a 100%. They have big Nuts and A loose Screw. Lol.
@@topiheimola69 Gotta love mr bald
Oh yes. Go deeper. Very exciting Brent and Jonny. WoooHoooo
Epic adventure love watching this channel 🏴
Looks like you need an exploration party, with supplies to stay in the mine for a few days, with an emergency rescue team on standby
100% agree. If you want to explore a mine this big in one trip, you will need to be prepared to spend a night or two I think... It is exhausting watching them go down for part of a day and still have more to explore each time!
That feeling when you know exactly where you are, that's incredible!
Now that you can get down to the 86 union shaft, can't you just take that shaft to the other levels too? That's incredible!
It was a great feeling!
Yea, tell your buddy to climb out and send the elevator down to you when he gets topside. Lol
@@rillip3 kzhead.info/sun/raqRpMZxoXSXdYU/bejne.html
Although this is an older video, this exact video at 33:35- I felt like I would love to just take a whole day and re-binge watch everything from the start until present time.. I think just the pure innocent excitement that is totally wanting to be shared all around as possible with all the folks you knew and even now the everday new folks that are just now tuning in, into that exact enjoyment of the present time in those videos is in my mind PURE GOLD SIR!!! The silver and mostly lead galena projects are just a bonus really.. I really really really love this once in this current lifetime now in the present endeavor you've been on and how it's gained attention and even had major contributions for the Hotel that burned down and even using equipment to open up past hillside mines that have collapsed probably due to land slides or stopes just adjusting some until the supports were put in over 90 - 120+ years from even other fellow major KZheadrs like the Diesel Brothers ‐ Dave Sparks and his big family of a KZhead team and the other events you have with the metal detection and rebuilding of past dreams that by now has either whither'd away a good bit but still visible but others are totally collapsed by now and then we also gotta think about the then kittens that are now grown cats and I absolutely love all of the alpacas and I think a few chickens and headbutting baby goats I'm not sure yet as far as this has gone in this video in this point in time now but I'm slowly but sure re-watching some of these videos simply for my own enjoyment of seeing you , yes, all you man, with you're newly formed online friends volunteering for this and that . To me it's s like a new mission every weekend after the week-long working to get everything done as much as possible to get it slowly but surely back to fully functioning so that those volunteers can maybe mine a tiny bit of galena for fun and take some home for keepsake to say they went soo many feet underground at some ghost town to personally mine some memorabilia chunks to take home.. that would be awesome to see too.. hell, I might even try to move out closer to that way to also help volunteer some personal time for some of the enjoyments of everyone attending all the time to have some exploring of the old stuff buried only to be rediscovered and displayed in the museum which is awesome too..
Going into old mines that are abandoned is absolutely crazy
I think you all would really benefit from reading a book called: Alpine Caving Techniques. If you switched to a frog ascending system and used rebelayes it would greatly improve your efficiency and safety on rope. I really enjoy your videos btw 😀
This is the most realistic modpack i've seen for Minecraft yet.
You need a couple etrier for that ascending. Get yourself a yellow left handed ascender too, makes it smoother to handle. Great vid btw!
Absolutely 100 % GO DEEPER!!!!!!
when abseiling PLEASE use something to backup your hand on the dead rope, one rock fall could knock you unconscious then your hand goes loose on dead rope and you're dead. Literally just a prussic under the ATC is enough, its a pain to manage but watching @19:53 is just giving me shivers.
i had the exact same thought !
I dont even want to be 6 feet below let alone a thousand feet you guys went deeper than 99.9 percent of what most people will ever go so thanks for sharing your adventure with us you tubers .
The old mine collapses are a reality check to be careful as u never know when the next one is coming. Stay safe.
Yes definitely go all the way to 900’ and beyond. I love watching YOU guys doing it! No way in he’ll I would! I caved a lot when I was younger but those days are long gone.
Of course you’ll go deeper… When you’re down there, you clearly have a good awareness of direction etc but do you use a mechanism to keep track of which tunnel you turned down etc? Flags on one wall or anything? Would love you to do an episode on your logic to how you explore, and how you research everything.
This is how I know I’m fully invested in your journey: when you showed the shaft me and my dog cheered
Amazing, congrats on finding another way into the union mine. I've been here since the beginning and know this was one of your main goals!
It's all fun tell you stuck down there
Love Johnny's attitude lmfao... "You wanted an EASIER way in, not a HARDER way"
I'm convinced Johnie needs his own spin off series ASAP!
Hahaha
All what I want to say is Thank you for videos and please be SAFE!
That was one of the most amazing videos I've ever seen. Thank you. Woooooooooow.
I am so happy for him. He is able to live his dream life.
Im happy as well, but doesn't this give you some passion to want to live your own dream life as well?
@@EveryDayJacker in all honesty he gets to live his dream because he was fortunate enough to have a high paying job. Not to rain on your parade but we don't all get the same limit to our dreams ya know?
I'm happy to c him come out..
@@BoolyK you could go to school and get a high paying job
@@memesandmusic sure but not everyone has that opportunity, maybe the people in your bubble and that's a really lucky thing for you!
Hey there, I recently came into possession of some interesting mining artifacts from your area. Namely, some patent examples of TH Proske's inventions, specializing in the creation of drill heads and all kinds of mining equipment. He was a prolific inventor based out of Denver. A lot of sources seem to infer that his designs were stolen. I have the original casting that was submitted to the patent office back when a physical example was required. It's a very cool art object, but I think it has a lot more value in its original context in something like a museum setting. Is this something you would be interested in? From what I've read, he was very active in Cerro Gordo early on.
I can attest to it being a wonderful coat rack, which is all I've ever used it for. I got curious and went down Wikipedia hole reading about proske and immediately thought of you
Not sure he will see this here, so be sure to email him and also post the full information along with pictures somewhere on a related forum.
Email him
email him
He cannot keep up with all the comments so probably will miss your message.
'... past the 900... down to the below...' great line!
Heck yes. Go deeper go all the way and check everything out. Please keep us informed of your progress.
It's a shame more miners didn't take their pants off while they were mining so we could get their Levi's.
maybe one day he gonna run across all them lost miners, thats thirty pairs of pants for ya right there... ;)-
@@ralphbooger4756Yeaaaaaahhh... don't think they would want that karma / haunting 😱
I was wondering this also… who’s taking their pants off in the mine?
@@terrymckim5363 meh... that is 3 million worth of pants, and all the miners should be down to the bone by now, i think i could do it. if there was still rotting flesh and they was all icky i might have a problem with it though...!
@@speechy_keen4878 mining pants were expensive and owned by the mining company, miners would exchange their pants when a new shift came in to take over... thats why some have been finding pants lying around in the mines!
Me - "Oh a blasting cap, good thing he's not touching it." Him - *touches it*
Plis tell me why I shouldn’t touch one of those?
@@DoughBoy45 Clearly he doesn't understand how dynamite works lol
@@frankwilliams4445 ypu havent watched the video where they used dynamite have you?
@@frankwilliams4445 cant you tell us why since ur so smart😂
I thought it was a cap of a blasting cap container, since these looked so much bigger than the blasting caps he found in an earlier video and he clearly didnt touch those out of fear.
I'd been watching all your video up until around a year and a half ago and this is how far I got. I'm so glad to see you're still going and am looking forwards to catching up
Your spacial awareness and sense of direction in all those underground tunnels is very impressive
I'm so impressed he remembers the way back. I would panic lol.
I wouldn't panic, because I wouldn't be that DUMB in the 1st place. It's not like there's a cure for cancer down there.
@@dexterthompson1809 my thoughts exactly! this is insanity!
@@hotwireman49 thank you madam
@@dexterthompson1809 never explore things, stay in your sterile little comfort box like a good little boy!
@@hotwireman49 and you're a coward
This is honestly some of the coolest shit on youtube
Thanks for sharing your property with us and exploring the mine. This is so cool. This exploration was breathtaking to watch.
Holy crap that video was amazing! On edge during the descent into the Union mine. It was fascinating to see all the old artifacts you guys found. Crazy how they were over 100 years old! Keep exploring more of the Union mine and stay safe.
guys, please take a course on caving. I really want to see more videos, but I would wait if you stopped to take one. You are exposing yourselves a lot there.
They are professionals
@@wild1246 Are they? Couldn't tell.
@@wild1246 have you been caving before? The devices they use and the way they handle the rope is NOT professional in the slightest.
Plain STUPIDITY
@@wild1246 yes professional IDOOTS!
"You wanna go with me?" "Yeah. Where we going?" Johnny's a real one. 😂
This is one of the best channels on KZhead.
I started watching your videos a while ago, but decided to watch them from the beginning I just wanted to say thank you for the videos, your genuineness, and taking care of yourself. It all inspires me. Best, Megan
Cant wait to see the 900 level attempt! Stay safe!
Hey, I know you lol. Were you pigeon420? I just thought of that guy when I was watching one of your videos the other day... You guys sound similar and have a similar video style...
nevermind. I went and listened to one of his videos, its not you...
This is the happiest I've been for you since I starting watching over a year ago!
Enjoy hearing the history and glad you are trying to preserve it.
Of course you got to go to the bottom you got to see what you can find awesome show
I am glued to every video. When you’re in the mines I feel anxiety and have to remind myself you are alive since you are describing what had happened. For a guy with no experience making videos, you are truly awesome! Keep em comin and stay safe!!!
I can’t believe people like them are able to keep that anxiety at bay to stay hopeful & confident. Just by observing I have so many thoughts of “what if they get injured, what if they get lost or stuck” or even “what if something finally collapses?” Fun to watch though 🤷🏽♂️
He should still take caving classes though, they're doing some incredibly unsafe things
when the sleeve got caught I got nervous lol even though I'm just sitting on my chair drinking my beer
been there done that but in a tree about 100ft up, as they did not have them then a step on ladder snapping no wonder they needed new pants if that happened over a 900 ft drop straight down
Johnny a real one for going with you…so dope 🙏🏾🔥
Thank you for sharing this experience with us! Much love from North Texas!