Vernon Pick's ghost still walks the halls of Walden North! I know this for certain as I met him during the night when I stayed in his bedroom while all alone at the mansion. It happened during the first of my many adventures to Walden North. Since then, upon learning everything I could about this most amazing man, he has become my ultimate hero and someone that I hold in the highest of regards! He was one of the most intelligent men of our time. Very few people are aware of what an incredible person Vernon Pick truly was! Walden North & Vernon Pick (in spirit) deserve so much more respect than what they have been given. Walden North is a very special place indeed. It is a part of our Canadian history that also has a very interesting story that needs shared. One day, I hope that Walden North will become officially nominated as a 'Canadian National Historic Site'.
Don't understand why people who find other peoples' property sitting empty, they think they have the right to destroy it ? If it ain't yours, dont touch it ! So cool to have you make the climb for us and show us around ! Also very grateful to the owners for giving permission. Awesome views up there, thanks for your time and trouble Dustin ! 👍🇨🇦✌️
In all fairness it is not his slogan. Us British Columbians that love the outdoors and are respectful of nature say this all the time. But nice that the videographer shares this mantra for sure
Hello Dustin I read about Pick and Walden North in the seventies while living in Vancouver, BC and on impulse contacted him and was invited for a visit. Pick graciously walked the property with my wife and I at one point, stopping in the shop to show us a wood lathe that he had invented that cut spirals. Cool Guy! In those days pretty close to what I imagined doing with $10 million! LOL Sorry no gopros in those days. Thanks for the video.
The most Canadian thing ever: Apologizing for the mess at an abandoned mansion! (Thanks for walking up a mountain to tell us this fascinating story! Great video!!)
AHA good point fam! "Oh sorry about the mess that was made here 30 years ago before i was born" :D pretty much for ya Canada. Now I wanna bring me mates here and have a camp-out xD (That is unless someone has occupied or demo'd it already by then) I would not do it alone you never know what kind of lunatic could be lurking in the shadows at night, maybe we'll get more than we bargained for (*_*)
Wow, was I surprised to find this video today. My dad had worked for Vernon Pick while his mansion was being built. His job was to take care of equipment maintenance around the machine shop for Mr. Pick, who I was able to meet briefly a couple of times (I was 9 years old). I was able to go to the property a couple of times and I remember the inclined railroad. I can't recall if I was able to go on it, but it was impressive to a young boy. Mr. Pick was definitely a bit eccentric, and my dad only worked with him for a couple of months. I somehow recall that there was discussions of our family living on the property as caretakers (not living in the mansion though), but that didn't materialize as there was some disagreement with my dad and Mr. Pick and his employment ended. Thanks again for sharing this.
How AWESOME!! I look at the mess in the place and I can only think. “Why?” Unbearably sad what some humans are capable of. Then, there is the total opposite on the scale. This intelligent young man that is willing to do some hard work to get a great story out to the greater public. Bless you and keep it going!!!
I totally agree with you. I don’t understand why people vandalized such a beautiful place like this. This saddens me. But the man who built all these things should be known.
What a beautiful area. So nice to have a history on a place and person behind a place. It makes so much more sense that way. What a shame there's no one left to utilize or enjoy any of it.
I couldn't agree more. Its just so sad that vandals have so little respect for things that not only were achieved and built through LOADS of HARD work, costing so much in time, money and many other resources, and are historical jewels that COULD have been enjoyed for decades to come, if not centuries, and it is now a big mess. My heart feels sad. I still enjoyed hearing the story and found so much about this man and his life really fascinating. Thank you for sharing things that some of us would never know about otherwise.
I can’t imagine the amount of work that went into this place. How they got the supplies to build it and then furniture and appliances. Amazing and sad at the same time.
Congrats from Toronto, totally fascinating video. It looks like he was around 83 when he passed away, which indicates the house was probably finished in the 70's. Some amazing views. Thanks for the posting.
I met this man and visited this place when he was still alive. He was friends with my grandfather Earl Brett. I believe I visited in the mid to later 1950's not sure exactly, but I had a great time on the visit. I'm not really sure but I think Vernon bought a plane from my grandfather or at least they were discussing the topic on the first trip I took there. This brings back memories I haven't touched in a long long time.
+Earl K. It is absolutely infuriating to see what some little @$$holes have done to the place. I wish people would teach their kids things like respect and ethics. But with the degeneration of morals in society things like vandalism are the minor things kids do today. I am sure I would have sneaked in but would have never spray painted the walls or tore stuff up. There is no point in it. I loved exploring but seen no point in destroying other peoples property for no reason. Its just heartbreaking!
Not sure if I'm missing something but the core of this building looks like it's in great shape. It might take millions to renovate it but you'd have something really nice when it was done.
Not even millions. It depends on how industrious you are. This thing is build like a semi-bunker; i just needs good cleaning inside and redoing the decor inside and redo and modernise the bathrooms and kitchens. It could be done relatively cheap. the most expensive thing would be the ramp to get going again
Could you imagine spending all that time and effort into building a home like that only to abandon it and let it rot? I bet that home was absolutely gorgeous in it's prime.
Man, this place is stunningly beautiful. This man seems like he was a real gem. It is very unfortunate the place got ransacked. Thanks for the video, great work.
This was fascinating. The setting is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely watch this again and share it with many others. I call this perfection and thank you so much for all that you've done in bringing this to us.
I happened to stumble upon your channel yesterday and I am enjoying the adventures you share. I only wish I had come across it sooner. Its fascinating along with the stories that go along with it. Thank you so much!
Thanks for taking us on a tour of an awesome and unique place. It is a shame when people disrespect other peoples property and destroy things. This had to be a beautiful place in its time.
@linda yates Majestic Canada. We don't consider ourselves part of "America" in the traditional sense, although we are in North America (which also includes Mexico, and the countries of Central America and the Caribbean.)
Nice fixer upper. Thanks for sharing your experiences. ITs always nice to reflect and see how simple and beautiful life can be ! Like he didn't need crazy lavish bathrooms and kitchens...simplicity. Makes you get outside
Very cool story and history behind this location. Like you said It's really a shame when people trash a place. Thanks for the long hike to show us this place. Great work!
I always find it sad seeing abandoned places rotting away no matter how big or small. Knowing there are many abandoned places with nobody living in them and people out there with no place to live almost makes me want to throw up.
This is the first of your videos I have seen. I am glad that you were able to share the tour with us. Thanks to you and for the families for making this happen,
This place is beyond awesome and what a cool back story. It must be heartbreaking to the current owner, so sad. Thank you for sharing your video and all the effort you've put into making it.
As a “newer” fan, it’s cool to go back and watch these older videos to see how you’ve grown in so many ways! Your cinematography and story telling is far better now. You look super baked in the beginning. Lol.
Thank you for sharing this. Places like this make me sad but it's also so fascinating. It seems like there was more than one kitchen - I'll bet he had money enough to have some staff living with him.
Really puzzles me how and why people are destructive when they come across places like that. When I was young, we used to go back into abandoned structures often..out adventuring, and my buddies and I never broke one thing, wrote on any walls, or did any damage, and I cannot understand what the 'thrill' of doing so would be. The adventure is in the seeing of such places.
A very nice video, the scenery is absolutely outstanding, thanks for sharing. I think the story of bulletproof glass was an big fat urban legend, but still a good urban legend as they go. If the mansion was built as a retreat from the nuclear apocalypse and its aftermath I would have thought that somewhere along the build a fallout shelter or bunker in case of a hostile attack would have been incorporated, but then it would have been a secret so it could be hidden in plain sight and the only person that knew how to enter it has passed, it could be an amazing time capsule for someone to find one day. Thanks again for the tour. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴
Back in the early 1970s, my Dad was hired along with a small swarm of other guys at the local bar to serve as human cable layers. In order to connect the shop complex to the dam, the electricians needed to lay some heavy cable alongside the penstock, and they decided to hire a bunch of random guys to lay and guide the cable while the electricians secured and terminated it. I like Vernon Pick's old gun rack. Some very fine carpentry right there.
Awesome to see this place again....I've been up to the house a few times in the last 6 years and have noticed continued vandalism and destruction over those 6 years. There's a lot more broken glass and garbage around than ever before. I've also noticed from your video that a number of items have been removed from the house over the years. The house used to contain a really cool large TV and a set of speakers that were close to 5 feet tall.....sadly they're gone now. Either way, the entire property is really cool, especially the house and the hydroelectric dam. Thanks for a walk down the memory lane.......
"Take only pictures, leave only footprints" is an urban explorer's motto. Those that go in and destroy are giving the true urban explorers a bad rap and it's not fair.
Fascinating video and history behind the abandoned home which by the way is so unique and beautiful in it's surroundings. Imagine all the people who had a part to play in creating this mans dream. So many parts to the story just like Ted Murray below who described his memories growing up and having met the man. Wow thank you for a look back into someones life story. You know at the end of the day, we come into this world with nothing and we go out with nothing. It's all bricks and mortar at the end of the day and what is poignant and lasting are the memories that people hold to be retold later on in years. Happy Mothers Day from NZ
That house has a real "North by Northwest" vibe...if you've ever seen the movie featuring the house built above Mount Rushmore and starring Cary Grant. It would be really really cool if in your exploration of the house, you picked one room, and cleaned it up and put it back in order as much as possible. I think that would freak a lot of people out.
Ensuite bathrooms, separate areas as their own little units, great design such a crying shame it's been messed up. Great video, thank you for taking the time and doing the hike for us. Gorgeous country.
That is a god awful shame. That home is awesome. Who wouldn’t love to live around all of that natural wonder and beauty. Where do human beings figure that it is ok to vandalize someone’s property? If I lived there you would never see me in town either!! 😢😢😢😢
You are an excellent videographer. Thank you for the historical background on this property. Your camera work is awesome and makes the viewer feel right there exploring with you. I subscribed and hope you have more like this!
Dustin thanks for sharing. Cool video. You did a good job. Of filming it and describing. This mr Pick. Would love to have met him and talked to him. I’ve never looked at a little lake as clear as the little lake you showed us coming up the mountains. I can plainly see why someone would fall in love with the place. At one time in it’s prime it was a true slice of heaven. So sorry to hear that he worked so hard for his goals and dreams to die of lung cancer. And to see what the Vandals did to it. Take care Dustin. See ya on the next adventure. Peace out!!!
If all explorers were like you places like this would be filmed intact and be remembered as being beautiful not a blighted eyesore. I hope every place you want to document give you permission to enter. You are good at this and respect the property of others. Thanks I thoroughly enjoyed your video.
Great video, thanks Dustin! I've lived in Lillooet six years now and always been curious about Walden North. Too bad it is so thrashed. A neighbour of mine is one of the electrical engineers who worked on the project; he has lots of interesting stories. I hit your video today because I found a carving in the header of an old mine camp cabin up in our cattle range "Vern P 1958", and I wanted to check out the timeline. I guess it was either an early exploration of Lillooet, or a different prospecting Vern P!
Subscribed after watching just this one video of yours. Good to see a fellow BC'er going out and exploring all these places around our province. Looking forward to watching more of your vids.
Great video. I love stuff like this and the insight you provided on the property and history is fantastic. I wish you lingered a little longer on things; going a little slower and getting to see all the little details really makes these kind of videos.
i love how this man clearly was so wealthy, yet lived a simple life apparently.....not saying it probably wasnt a beautiful older house, it was just a basic and simple platform, i would love to own that spot. And that view bro....WOW. Its so beautiful up there, hope to visit Canada one day....then Alaska and Russia next. I can never get enough of those desolate cold mountainous regions. Great video man, good work.
Cool! Thank you for making this video! I grew up in Lillooet and toured this place with one of it's caretakers years ago.. I try to explain it to people but there is so little public information about the place that I just sound crazy lol. Sad to see that it has been so vandalized :(
So sad that building isn't being restored. It would be a showplace today :( Can't stand vandals. So selfish. I hope it's restored one day. Thanks for the video. I love nature & landscapes
Vernon Pick died in 1986. For a mansion to be abandoned for 30 years and counting, it has held up well. Probably thanks to it being a brick structure and in a very isolated location.
I heard about people from Florida that moved to Colorado to escape possible holocaust in about 1980. Most of them got fed up and went back to higher education after a couple of winters...
Thank u for sharing this very unique and intriguing property, n back history. It's unfortunate that everybody doesn't have the respect, n honor that you have young man. I am disabled n use a walker. I love exploration, nature, historical sites, etc. n can't physically do it. So I watch a lot of these type of channels. Your destinations/ adventures, are refreshing, interesting, beautiful places that have decayed naturally. Most of the urban exploration channels, show how disrespectful/destructive people can be. Most of the abandoned buildings/homes/sites r decaying, but have been also been vandalized n trashed inside/out with Graffiti, trash, etc its shameful, n saddens me. Thank you, for showing the world the proper way to explore, u are a shining light.
Very much appreciated your Video. Thank you so much for the time you took to tell and show us this Video. Yes you're absolutely right. I felt the same way. So sad what people have done that place. Sad really.
Thanks for posting! We were in that area for many summer holidays but I've never heard about Waldon-North before now. I wonder why nobody else bought it and kept the property up . What a gorgeous place to live in!
+Tinder inc In your picture are you wearing a Native button blanket/robe? I'm also wondering if that is a woven cedar hat? Both are very beautiful from what I can see in the tiny photo on my tiny iPad screen. I was looking at Native created jewelry online a couple days ago; I'm especially fond of designs by Dan Yunkws, who is from the band near Hazelton. BC has many skilled carvers and artists. We are fortunate, indeed. ; )
Sharon G Actually your the first person out of like 100's of Americans to message me who hasn't tried to make fun of my picture. Its actually me, I am wearing a fedora hat from Value Village a wig fake glasses and an auto trader shirt all from Value Village. I wanted my picture to be funny looking. Sorry its not Native but I do enjoy the Native art that's all over BC.
Amazing video! And I especially appreciate the public service announcement to vandals kindly requesting to put a halt to such destructive ignorance. Such disregard for the past can have a great impact on the future!
This is a perfect example of what many refer to as a "crying shame." Very interesting story. It really is sad that the family you referred to isn't doing anything along the line of restoration. Not only would a place like this be a treasure with regard to history, but completely restoring a home such as this would be a terrific investment for the family. That is, if the family is/are indeed the current owners of this real estate. After all, you'd be very hard pressed to find a home that even remotely resembles this place. Plus, you'd be totally prepared for whatever horrible revenge mother nature decides to leash upon mankind for all the years that we've abused our environment. Just saying...
A local person commented that the property was purchased by the local Band (First Nations). The foundation of the house is cracked and the roof damaged; repairs are considered too epensive.
@@beenthere5010 It sounds like a business decision: the small hydroelectric dam/power plant is profitable; the house is not. Someone with a vision could change that.
@@factsoverfiction7826 bah that never stopped anyone fixing things. Do you know how many houses have cracked foundations? Plus this is build on bedrock; this is totally fixable. They have all sorts of plastic glue compounds now you can inject into the crack to bind it and make it solid. I doubt it is too expensive; it's a relative term. It just may not be in the budget/desire of the local band at the moment; which is their prerogative of course.
Really odd that no one continued to live there in order to take care of the place. If there are other houses on the property I guarantee they aren't as nice as this one was. Great video; thanks.
Honestly it would take a a month and not to much money to make that house look new. Sweep the floors, clean up the trees, new glass, new paint, new kitchen. There is a lot of potential
Gorgeous house! I LOVE the green appliances. Grandma had those :) Sad ending to the man's life. He worked SO hard for everything, but seems to have lived fully, at least.
YOUTH ! A STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT FOR HUMANS THAT NEEDS CONSTANT OVERSIGHT !! ( you dont let dogs run in packs ! ) , This is why military schools were formed !!
What an adventure. Fully enjoy your videos. Will never get to BC. What a beautiful country to visit. Just don't have enough words I'm in such awe. your videos are my vacations. Thanks for the adventure and for being so brave. The cave adventure was breath taking. Looking forward to more.
Vernon Pick's ghost still walks the halls of Walden North! I know this for certain as I met him during the night when I stayed in his bedroom while all alone at the mansion. It happened during the first of my many adventures to Walden North. Since then, upon learning everything I could about this most amazing man, he has become my ultimate hero and someone that I hold in the highest of regards! He was one of the most intelligent men of our time. Very few people are aware of what an incredible person Vernon Pick truly was! Walden North & Vernon Pick (in spirit) deserve so much more respect than what they have been given. Walden North is a very special place indeed. It is a part of our Canadian history that also has a very interesting story that needs shared. One day, I hope that Walden North will become officially nominated as a 'Canadian National Historic Site'.
Schizophrenia?
How is that done? Someone has to restore this place.
Don't understand why people who find other peoples' property sitting empty, they think they have the right to destroy it ? If it ain't yours, dont touch it ! So cool to have you make the climb for us and show us around ! Also very grateful to the owners for giving permission. Awesome views up there, thanks for your time and trouble Dustin !
👍🇨🇦✌️
It’s no one’s property anymore
Beautiful message about the need to preserve these places and not destroy because it does ruin it for everyone else. Thank you!
I love your slogan "Take Nothing but Pictures. Leave Nothing but Footprints!" I wish others would follow that path!
In all fairness it is not his slogan. Us British Columbians that love the outdoors and are respectful of nature say this all the time. But nice that the videographer shares this mantra for sure
Hello Dustin
I read about Pick and Walden North in the seventies while living in Vancouver, BC and on impulse contacted him and was invited for a visit. Pick graciously walked the property with my wife and I at one point, stopping in the shop to show us a wood lathe that he had invented that cut spirals. Cool Guy! In those days pretty close to what I imagined doing with $10 million! LOL Sorry no gopros in those days. Thanks for the video.
Amazing experience 👍 Does he have any children?
The most Canadian thing ever: Apologizing for the mess at an abandoned mansion! (Thanks for walking up a mountain to tell us this fascinating story! Great video!!)
We apologize even for little messes it's like a reflex.
Hahah I was about to write that comment 😂
Non Americans do apologize..not shoot someone. APOLOGY EH WORLDWIDE NORMAL
That's freakin hilarious!
AHA good point fam!
"Oh sorry about the mess that was made here 30 years ago before i was born" :D
pretty much for ya Canada.
Now I wanna bring me mates here and have a camp-out xD
(That is unless someone has occupied or demo'd it already by then)
I would not do it alone you never know what kind of lunatic could be lurking in the shadows at night, maybe we'll get more than we bargained for (*_*)
Wow, was I surprised to find this video today. My dad had worked for Vernon Pick while his mansion was being built. His job was to take care of equipment maintenance around the machine shop for Mr. Pick, who I was able to meet briefly a couple of times (I was 9 years old). I was able to go to the property a couple of times and I remember the inclined railroad. I can't recall if I was able to go on it, but it was impressive to a young boy. Mr. Pick was definitely a bit eccentric, and my dad only worked with him for a couple of months. I somehow recall that there was discussions of our family living on the property as caretakers (not living in the mansion though), but that didn't materialize as there was some disagreement with my dad and Mr. Pick and his employment ended. Thanks again for sharing this.
Thank you for bringing these abandoned places back to life....what always strikes me is the silence at these places. Keep up the excellent work.
How AWESOME!! I look at the mess in the place and I can only think. “Why?” Unbearably sad what some humans are capable of. Then, there is the total opposite on the scale. This intelligent young man that is willing to do some hard work to get a great story out to the greater public. Bless you and keep it going!!!
I totally agree with you. I don’t understand why people vandalized such a beautiful place like this. This saddens me. But the man who built all these things should be known.
What a beautiful area. So nice to have a history on a place and person behind a place. It makes so much more sense that way. What a shame there's no one left to utilize or enjoy any of it.
Awesome place and story; it's too bad people have to wreck everything. A place like that and the story behind it should be preserved for sure.
Take nothing but pictures leave nothing but foot prints...I love this!!
I couldn't agree more. Its just so sad that vandals have so little respect for things that not only were achieved and built through LOADS of HARD work, costing so much in time, money and many other resources, and are historical jewels that COULD have been enjoyed for decades to come, if not centuries, and it is now a big mess. My heart feels sad. I still enjoyed hearing the story and found so much about this man and his life really fascinating. Thank you for sharing things that some of us would never know about otherwise.
I can’t imagine the amount of work that went into this place. How they got the supplies to build it and then furniture and appliances. Amazing and sad at the same time.
makes me want to go there and tidy everything up
@Petra J Yes me too, I know where it is. I love that area, If I had the money I would try and buy it.
Come to my house
I was thinking the same. To me, it still looks like a nice place to live.
Barry R. Brown
What the price could be? Is it possible to buy the house and convert it to something good for community?
AGREED 👍👍
Congrats from Toronto, totally fascinating video. It looks like he was around 83 when he passed away, which indicates the house was probably finished in the 70's. Some amazing views. Thanks for the posting.
I met this man and visited this place when he was still alive. He was friends with my grandfather Earl Brett. I believe I visited in the mid to later 1950's not sure exactly, but I had a great time on the visit. I'm not really sure but I think Vernon bought a plane from my grandfather or at least they were discussing the topic on the first trip I took there. This brings back memories I haven't touched in a long long time.
That is incredibly neat!
+Earl K. I love hearing from people that met Vernon personally. I am glad you liked the video
+Earl K. It is absolutely infuriating to see what some little @$$holes have done to the place. I wish people would teach their kids things like respect and ethics. But with the degeneration of morals in society things like vandalism are the minor things kids do today. I am sure I would have sneaked in but would have never spray painted the walls or tore stuff up. There is no point in it. I loved exploring but seen no point in destroying other peoples property for no reason. Its just heartbreaking!
Destination Adventure b
Thank you for making this video I didn't know this history and I live in b.c. I hope someone brings it back to what it was it's a beautiful house.
Not sure if I'm missing something but the core of this building looks like it's in great shape. It might take millions to renovate it but you'd have something really nice when it was done.
Not even millions. It depends on how industrious you are. This thing is build like a semi-bunker; i just needs good cleaning inside and redoing the decor inside and redo and modernise the bathrooms and kitchens. It could be done relatively cheap. the most expensive thing would be the ramp to get going again
Thank you for giving us the history. Wonderful story.
looks like a great place to restore !
Could you imagine spending all that time and effort into building a home like that only to abandon it and let it rot? I bet that home was absolutely gorgeous in it's prime.
blut und ehre unfortunately he passed away.. most likely right on the mattresses you see about half way through
@A OK pretty good chance the uranium mining caused the cancer
Happens across italy
SPAIN
EVENT "IN AMERICA"
#SOOKE POTHOLES
@@TheRogerKyle he smoked cigarettes constantly
@@relaxingnature2617 you knew that guy personally?
Man, this place is stunningly beautiful. This man seems like he was a real gem. It is very unfortunate the place got ransacked.
Thanks for the video, great work.
This was fascinating. The setting is absolutely beautiful. I will definitely watch this again and share it with many others. I call this perfection and thank you so much for all that you've done in bringing this to us.
Stumbled upon this video and enjoyed it a lot. Cool story and neat home. That view off the trail... man, I live for those views! Amazing
Great video Dustin. Good to see you respect other peoples belongings. I am tired of seeing people vandalising places such as this.
I happened to stumble upon your channel yesterday and I am enjoying the adventures you share. I only wish I had come across it sooner. Its fascinating along with the stories that go along with it. Thank you so much!
Thanks for taking us on a tour of an awesome and unique place. It is a shame when people disrespect other peoples property and destroy things. This had to be a beautiful place in its time.
15:32 "So this trail seems to kinda just end in the middle of nowhere" *pans to most majestic view imaginable*
@linda yates Majestic Canada. We don't consider ourselves part of "America" in the traditional sense, although we are in North America (which also includes Mexico, and the countries of Central America and the Caribbean.)
@@helbent4 Americans like to claim everything lol
Some Canadians take views for granted.
Nice fixer upper. Thanks for sharing your experiences. ITs always nice to reflect and see how simple and beautiful life can be ! Like he didn't need crazy lavish bathrooms and kitchens...simplicity. Makes you get outside
Very cool story and history behind this location. Like you said It's really a shame when people trash a place. Thanks for the long hike to show us this place. Great work!
I always find it sad seeing abandoned places rotting away no matter how big or small.
Knowing there are many abandoned places with nobody living in them and people out there with no place to live almost makes me want to throw up.
Love your Canadian accent! It's beautiful where you are too!
This is the first of your videos I have seen. I am glad that you were able to share the tour with us. Thanks to you and for the families for making this happen,
15:35 wow, that view is breathtaking. wasn't expecting such a beutiful land scape as the camera panned up
This place is beyond awesome and what a cool back story. It must be heartbreaking to the current owner, so sad. Thank you for sharing your video and all the effort you've put into making it.
It's a cool design for a house. Lots of storage, ect and beautiful scenery
As a “newer” fan, it’s cool to go back and watch these older videos to see how you’ve grown in so many ways! Your cinematography and story telling is far better now. You look super baked in the beginning. Lol.
Thank you for sharing this. Places like this make me sad but it's also so fascinating. It seems like there was more than one kitchen - I'll bet he had money enough to have some staff living with him.
This place would be AMAZING fixed up. I’d move into it. Thank you for showing this. I plan to look more into him and the house
Oh my someone really put time and effort into this place . It is really sad too see it not being looked after
Thanks for including some photos and I love that you had permission to visit
Really puzzles me how and why people are destructive when they come across places like that. When I was young, we used to go back into abandoned structures often..out adventuring, and my buddies and I never broke one thing, wrote on any walls, or did any damage, and I cannot understand what the 'thrill' of doing so would be. The adventure is in the seeing of such places.
Thanks so much for the tour and information! So interesting. You have a good soul, dear young man.
A very nice video, the scenery is absolutely outstanding, thanks for sharing. I think the story of bulletproof glass was an big fat urban legend, but still a good urban legend as they go. If the mansion was built as a retreat from the nuclear apocalypse and its aftermath I would have thought that somewhere along the build a fallout shelter or bunker in case of a hostile attack would have been incorporated, but then it would have been a secret so it could be hidden in plain sight and the only person that knew how to enter it has passed, it could be an amazing time capsule for someone to find one day. Thanks again for the tour. 😀👍🇬🇧🏴
Back in the early 1970s, my Dad was hired along with a small swarm of other guys at the local bar to serve as human cable layers. In order to connect the shop complex to the dam, the electricians needed to lay some heavy cable alongside the penstock, and they decided to hire a bunch of random guys to lay and guide the cable while the electricians secured and terminated it.
I like Vernon Pick's old gun rack. Some very fine carpentry right there.
That house still has so much potential! So sad to see it in such a state.
Awesome to see this place again....I've been up to the house a few times in the last 6 years and have noticed continued vandalism and destruction over those 6 years. There's a lot more broken glass and garbage around than ever before.
I've also noticed from your video that a number of items have been removed from the house over the years. The house used to contain a really cool large TV and a set of speakers that were close to 5 feet tall.....sadly they're gone now.
Either way, the entire property is really cool, especially the house and the hydroelectric dam.
Thanks for a walk down the memory lane.......
"Take only pictures, leave only footprints" is an urban explorer's motto. Those that go in and destroy are giving the true urban explorers a bad rap and it's not fair.
Fascinating video and history behind the abandoned home which by the way is so unique and beautiful in it's surroundings. Imagine all the people who had a part to play in creating this mans dream. So many parts to the story just like Ted Murray below who described his memories growing up and having met the man. Wow thank you for a look back into someones life story. You know at the end of the day, we come into this world with nothing and we go out with nothing. It's all bricks and mortar at the end of the day and what is poignant and lasting are the memories that people hold to be retold later on in years. Happy Mothers Day from NZ
That house has a real "North by Northwest" vibe...if you've ever seen the movie featuring the house built above Mount Rushmore and starring Cary Grant. It would be really really cool if in your exploration of the house, you picked one room, and cleaned it up and put it back in order as much as possible. I think that would freak a lot of people out.
Ensuite bathrooms, separate areas as their own little units, great design such a crying shame it's been messed up. Great video, thank you for taking the time and doing the hike for us. Gorgeous country.
wow it's to bad someone wouldn't take that over and restore it. it is beautiful
its crazy coming back to your videos years later and seeing how much you have progressed!
That is a god awful shame. That home is awesome. Who wouldn’t love to live around all of that natural wonder and beauty. Where do human beings figure that it is ok to vandalize someone’s property? If I lived there you would never see me in town either!! 😢😢😢😢
You are an excellent videographer. Thank you for the historical background on this property. Your camera work is awesome and makes the viewer feel right there exploring with you. I subscribed and hope you have more like this!
Awesome. thank you so much for this compliment.
Destination Adventure, cheers. In addition, your videos are a cultural contribution to Canadians and other nacionalities.
This place is worth renovating.. its gorgeous. If i could ever have this property i would cherish it and make it beautiful again.
Beautiful, amazing location. I also love the style of the house.
Dustin thanks for sharing. Cool video. You did a good job. Of filming it and describing. This mr Pick. Would love to have met him and talked to him. I’ve never looked at a little lake as clear as the little lake you showed us coming up the mountains. I can plainly see why someone would fall in love with the place. At one time in it’s prime it was a true slice of heaven. So sorry to hear that he worked so hard for his goals and dreams to die of lung cancer. And to see what the Vandals did to it. Take care Dustin. See ya on the next adventure. Peace out!!!
What a beautiful location . I can't imagine waking up looking out on all that just gorgeous such a shame people destroyed that home
What an absolutely beautiful place. I can imagine how wonderful it must have been to live there...
that's a really cool place. Man I would fix it up and live there if I owned that Property. Awesome views!! Great video
Bed'n breakfast
If all explorers were like you places like this would be filmed intact and be remembered as being beautiful not a blighted eyesore. I hope every place you want to document give you permission to enter. You are good at this and respect the property of others. Thanks I thoroughly enjoyed your video.
Great video, thanks Dustin! I've lived in Lillooet six years now and always been curious about Walden North. Too bad it is so thrashed. A neighbour of mine is one of the electrical engineers who worked on the project; he has lots of interesting stories. I hit your video today because I found a carving in the header of an old mine camp cabin up in our cattle range "Vern P 1958", and I wanted to check out the timeline. I guess it was either an early exploration of Lillooet, or a different prospecting Vern P!
It seems very well built and could be brought back. What a beautiful location!
Awesome video !
It is a shame that these properties are destroyed by thoughtless vandals.
Thanks for posting !
Subscribed after watching just this one video of yours. Good to see a fellow BC'er going out and exploring all these places around our province. Looking forward to watching more of your vids.
Great video. I love stuff like this and the insight you provided on the property and history is fantastic. I wish you lingered a little longer on things; going a little slower and getting to see all the little details really makes these kind of videos.
i love how this man clearly was so wealthy, yet lived a simple life apparently.....not saying it probably wasnt a beautiful older house, it was just a basic and simple platform, i would love to own that spot. And that view bro....WOW. Its so beautiful up there, hope to visit Canada one day....then Alaska and Russia next. I can never get enough of those desolate cold mountainous regions. Great video man, good work.
Cool! Thank you for making this video! I grew up in Lillooet and toured this place with one of it's caretakers years ago.. I try to explain it to people but there is so little public information about the place that I just sound crazy lol. Sad to see that it has been so vandalized :(
+Riverfront Pub It is a hard place to try and explain, i have tried many times as well. hopefully this will help. thank you
Such a great video and loved the story behind it! Thanks for filming this.
Thank you, sad to see that man's home vandalized, why, why, such disrespect!
Absolutely stunning footage! Fantastic video! Thank you for sharing
So sad that building isn't being restored. It would be a showplace today :( Can't stand vandals. So selfish. I hope it's restored one day. Thanks for the video. I love nature & landscapes
RhiaDance75 shut the hell up and do it! So pointless to say!
This video popped up in my feed, my how new and green you were ! And how much more professional you are now in 2023.
Vernon Pick died in 1986. For a mansion to be abandoned for 30 years and counting, it has held up well. Probably thanks to it being a brick structure and in a very isolated location.
I heard about people from Florida that moved to Colorado to escape possible holocaust in about 1980. Most of them got fed up and went back to higher education after a couple of winters...
Thank u for sharing this very unique and intriguing property, n back history.
It's unfortunate that
everybody doesn't have the respect, n honor that you have young man. I am disabled n use a walker. I love exploration, nature, historical sites, etc.
n can't physically do it.
So I watch a lot of these type of channels.
Your destinations/ adventures, are refreshing, interesting,
beautiful places that have decayed naturally.
Most of the urban exploration channels,
show how disrespectful/destructive people can be. Most of the abandoned buildings/homes/sites r decaying, but have been also been vandalized n trashed inside/out with Graffiti, trash, etc its shameful, n saddens me.
Thank you, for showing the world the proper way to explore, u are a shining light.
Very much appreciated your Video. Thank you so much for the time you took to tell and show us this Video.
Yes you're absolutely right. I felt the same way. So sad what people have done that place. Sad really.
Thanks for posting! We were in that area for many summer holidays but I've never heard about Waldon-North before now. I wonder why nobody else bought it and kept the property up . What a gorgeous place to live in!
I subscribed because your Canadian and we need more good youtubers
I subscribed yesterday for the same reason! That's crazy and cool. I'm in BC. Nice to meet you.
+Tinder inc Right on. thanks for the local support
We are all from BC
+Tinder inc
In your picture are you wearing a Native button blanket/robe? I'm also wondering if that is a woven cedar hat? Both are very beautiful from what I can see in the tiny photo on my tiny iPad screen. I was looking at Native created jewelry online a couple days ago; I'm especially fond of designs by Dan Yunkws, who is from the band near Hazelton. BC has many skilled carvers and artists. We are fortunate, indeed. ; )
Sharon G Actually your the first person out of like 100's of Americans to message me who hasn't tried to make fun of my picture. Its actually me, I am wearing a fedora hat from Value Village a wig fake glasses and an auto trader shirt all from Value Village. I wanted my picture to be funny looking. Sorry its not Native but I do enjoy the Native art that's all over BC.
Amazing video! And I especially appreciate the public service announcement to vandals kindly requesting to put a halt to such destructive ignorance. Such disregard for the past can have a great impact on the future!
So interesting. Gotta love BC!
It just breaks my heart how many people can destroy and vandalise things. :(
Thank you for sharing though! :)
Thank you! For doing this video. This guy was sooo cool! Love the way he thought about things. Awesome guy!
Michael Cuff thank you
This is a perfect example of what many refer to as a "crying shame." Very interesting story. It really is sad that the family you referred to isn't doing anything along the line of restoration. Not only would a place like this be a treasure with regard to history, but completely restoring a home such as this would be a terrific investment for the family. That is, if the family is/are indeed the current owners of this real estate. After all, you'd be very hard pressed to find a home that even remotely resembles this place. Plus, you'd be totally prepared for whatever horrible revenge mother nature decides to leash upon mankind for all the years that we've abused our environment. Just saying...
thanks for sharing. Love the architecture from that era
I'm surprised someone with deep pockets and a desire to get away from it all hasn't purchased & resurrected the place.
A local person commented that the property was purchased by the local Band (First Nations). The foundation of the house is cracked and the roof damaged; repairs are considered too epensive.
@@factsoverfiction7826 oh.. Well then. They'll just whine that we won't fix it for them. Shame
@@beenthere5010
It sounds like a business decision: the small hydroelectric dam/power plant is profitable; the house is not. Someone with a vision could change that.
@@factsoverfiction7826 bah that never stopped anyone fixing things. Do you know how many houses have cracked foundations? Plus this is build on bedrock; this is totally fixable. They have all sorts of plastic glue compounds now you can inject into the crack to bind it and make it solid.
I doubt it is too expensive; it's a relative term. It just may not be in the budget/desire of the local band at the moment; which is their prerogative of course.
I loved the tour! What a fascinating place. Thank you!
Really odd that no one continued to live there in order to take care of the place. If there are other houses on the property I guarantee they aren't as nice as this one was. Great video; thanks.
I heard about this story years back. So stoked to see this video.
My God what a beautiful scene at 15:40.
Such a beautiful historic place. Very sad that this place is ruined beyond repair.
That property is amazing! I'd love to be able to live up there for the warm months of the year, away from all the bullshit.
Love the closets. Storage was wonderful.
Honestly it would take a a month and not to much money to make that house look new. Sweep the floors, clean up the trees, new glass, new paint, new kitchen. There is a lot of potential
Wow, the scenery is absolutely insane.
very cool story behind it, someone should restore that place before it returns to the wild completely.
Gorgeous house! I LOVE the green appliances. Grandma had those :) Sad ending to the man's life. He worked SO hard for everything, but seems to have lived fully, at least.
What I don't understand is why people would just destroy something so interesting and historic as this place.
@ unfortunately it is the same the world over
Not everyone has that view
YOUTH ! A STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT FOR HUMANS THAT NEEDS CONSTANT OVERSIGHT !! ( you dont let dogs run in packs ! ) , This is why military schools were formed !!
I say just hang them vandals from them trees. Let the grizzlies have a healthy snack of meat..people are just pigs.....🇨🇦👍
What an adventure. Fully enjoy your videos. Will never get to BC. What a beautiful country to visit. Just don't have enough words I'm in such awe. your videos are my vacations. Thanks for the adventure and for being so brave. The cave adventure was breath taking. Looking forward to more.
BC is not a country but a western most province in Canada...
Too bad Mr. Pick died so soon after completing this home. It would be wonderful to see it restored and put to good use.