For many years my uncles ran the H.B mine site up there they lived it 3 or 4 different houses up there my cousins and my mom told me stories about growing up there as kids my mom would spend her summers up there. One of the houses the lived in now has a tree growing out of the living room. It is so sad to see the everything in such dismay. I was up stairs in the old long house Office where the head guy used to work and lived part time in one of the big house and I grabbed a bunch of old maps of the mine and they are in great shape. Up stairs is a huge bank vault door still in great shape. It's sad that there was fires and everything has been left to rot. It's part of our history
It is an awesome site. I have made 3 videos about the mine and will go back soon to document what is left of the buildings. I hope I get back before they are all destroyed which is what they are planning according to rumor.
Another great video Frank. l find it fascinating what is left behind when these places are abandoned. Some of the mines you have explored just look like the men finished for the day and never returned.
The part you show at22:29 is a air blow for fresh air. A trick I find when going up or down old ladders is to keek your feet close to the sides. I used to work at one of the oldest running mines in Canada. Great job on your videos
It depends on how they are built. If the rungs are flush to the rails I would agree. If they protrude from the rails you are better to stay over the rails.
The air changes you talk about (air being pulled into the mine instead of going out of the mine) is what we in Northeastern PA's coal region call the furnace effect! There are many mines here that blow air out in the summer and pull air in in the winter. Not exactly sure what causes it, but I think it has something to do with air pressure changes during different seasons. I love watching your channel and seeing all the differences in these mines compared to ones here.
It's the mine breathing! But since it's on geological time, 'tis much slower than our many wee human respirations. Winter inhalation, summer exhalation - one full cycle per year. LOL
Glad to see that you finally picked up some waders... That was definitely our best mine exploring gear purchase last year. It was cool to see those underground waterfalls coming down from the upper levels. That was a lot of water.
Thank you. I was thinking I could use my phone at first, but watching you use yours made me realize that was a bad idea... I’m away from my war zones and back in the western hemisphere for the summer mine exploring season in May and so I am getting this year’s exploring gear organized now. At the end of every season, it is kind of obvious when there is a need for something (like waders). So, I make sure to have it together by the start of the next season. We have similar terrain as you (forests and mountains) and accessing or even finding some of these sites is extremely difficult. So, I can’t wait to see how the drone helps. I’m thinking in particular of that adit you discovered only because of the drone a few videos ago!
That's a good line..."Wouldn't mind falling a few feet" LOL! Wow, very extensive mine, very cool! "We're not going to touch it...amymore"! Good one! Well done Frank, thanks for the tour!
I think your crazy in a great way I would not have the courage to do what you do but in my mine I have you to explore for me lol thank you for the video absolutely love it!!!
Hi Frank, I think the yellow thing you found is a air operated extraction fan, it works on a ventura . We used them on ships tanks when welding and gas cutting in the tanks. The air goes in and out one end and creates a vacuum at the other end. Pretty bullet proof . Another great video.
@@exploringabandonedmines I never been in a mine but love caving when I was younger found some drawing and remains in a previous unknown cave dating back thousands of years unfortunately before mobile phones and video cameras
Hey Frank! This isn't the video I heard it in, but you you said in an earlier video, "back then they built things to last." Well I learned recently why that is. Back in the day, they had to overbuild everything because they had no idea where the point of failure would be, now they run 1000 different computer simulations to figure out exactly how much material you need to just make it over that threshold. It's sad really, but I guess it's how they squeeze every dime out. I just thought it was interesting so I figured I'd pass it on to you! Keep up the good work Frank!! Hope all is well!
Too bad my dad isn't still alive, he could have told you all about this mine. He worked in this mine from the late 50's to 1967. He was a surveyor and engineer. We lived in the little houses along the road on the way up to the mine.
The explosives you found were bags of Ammonium nitrate. This is the oxidizer part that is mixed with fuel oil as a low cost explosive for mining. This is the same as a fertilizer bomb... who's explosive effect could be seen in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City in 1995. According to the Technical data sheet, due to it's hygroscopic nature, it should not be stored in a humid or wet place or it could weaken and break down the prill’s internal crystalline structure, or in other words, make it soggy.
I thought it was Amex which is just diesel and fertilizer. If so it needs a blasting cap and a stick of dynamite to set it off. It is basically just nitrogen fertilizer like 46-0-0 which you can't buy anymore because of Oklahoma. I was a little confused when it was labeled as an explosive on the bag?
I did a little research and ammonium nitrate can be used by itself with a Blasting cap and dynamite or mixed with a flammable material such a diesel as in Amex . It has been known to explode from fire only. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_nitrate_disasters You can still get 46-0-0 here in the states, but my understanding is that they were going to start after The Oklahoma bombing, adding some sort of markers into the contents that could reveal it's origin should it be used in another terrorist bombing. Not sure if that was ever done .
We call them bulk trucks in the industry. The ANFO is mixed on-site, allowing it to be transported as just fertilizer and diesel. This gets around HAZMAT requirements for transporting mixed explosives.
22:31 that is a venturi air mover that runs on compressed air. They're used for creating a draft/exhaust in explosive environments since they have no moving parts and no electricity. Likely used for evacuating dust after a blast?
AHHHHHH!!!! Ok, you made my heart skip SEVERAL beats in this video! Again, very interesting and I thank you for sharing! But...never, EVER forget your rope again! Listen to your mother!!😁
That yellow thing at 22:30 is an air mover, we use them at work. You just hook up your air line from the big compressor and it blows through but from Venturi effect it pulls the stagnant air with it and blows a lot harder than just the air from the compressor hose.
Frank I really enjoy your videos. Thanks! You seem to have a deep knowledge of mine workings. And I must say that you have a big pair - I don't think you would catch me in some of the places you go. So please stay focused and stay safe because I want to keep adventuring with you. Be well buddy!
From what I understand mines with the airflow when the temperature heats up outside or cools down during different times of the year you get different directions in the air flow coming in or out of the mine
I was about to ask if the Cominco bag you found was NH4NO3 ammonium nitrate.....thinking it had to be a low order explosive suitable for fracturing rock then I read the previous comment.That stuff was a great fertilizer as well as a great explosive. That company Cominco was a huge mining conglomerate that probably owned the mine you were in. they had huge zinc, copper gold silver and lead holdings throughout canada in addition to manufacturing explosives and chemicals that they used in their mining endeavors. It looks like you got soaked exploring that mine, dripping water was your constant companion. Great video!
Damn Frank! I'm on the edge of my seat. So far you are traveling alone, a cable broke while you were climbing, AND a big ass rat ran between your feet! And I'm only 11 minutes into the video so far. You are an incredible outdoorsman, sir. Please be safe out there. I really enjoy these videos.
At 25:20 we use those to run explosives up hung up chutes, you place the explosive on the plank, run it up the chute, nail a 2x4 on and push it the length of the 2x4, repeat until it is close to the oversize hanging up the chute and blast it down.
That sounds dangerous working under a hangup like that. What if it suddenly lets go while you are under it? Wouldn't it be safer to work on the uphill side of a hangup?
Ya dealing with hung up chutes is quite dangerous. Your always on the other side of the chains though, ship anchor sized chains that hold the muck back, looks like they use big claws in your video. Usually it's too full of muck up top to deal with before it's realized that the chute is hung up. Also wanted to say your videos are awesome.
Those bags of explosives are ANFO. Amoniunm nitrate and fuel oil. The pink is water resistant as it is mixed with guar gum. Yellow is regular ANFO. I can tell you from experience if you get it in a cut or hangnail it burns. Highly caustic. It requires a explosive primer to set it off. A relatively safe explosive.
Thats what I thought it was and you are right about the burn.......I had a little scratch on my finger and it burned when I stuck my finger in to test it. I was a little confused when I saw the explosive label on the bag since it is really only fertilizer.
The thing you called a horn is actually an air mover or air pusher, air hose from the compressed air pipe is threaded on to the nipple shown and then you hook up vent tubing for ventilation
Yup, neoprene waders are the shizzit, especially when insulated. Mine water, even in California, is always cold enough to set the tusks of a walrus to chatter. It feels good to defy discomfort.
@ Glitch Gaming - You think it's sketchy now, think about when the Miners dug it all out, all of those open cavities didn't come with Studs & Stulls already installed. - < Doc - Miner for nearly 50 years > .
Yes, especially as he's on his Jacks Jones (own) , if he had a bad fall there would be no one to go & get help. Frank do you leave details with anyone on where you intend to go if you were to go missing?
thanks for mentioning about seeing bats and rats because i always wondered about toxicity how can you tell? i recently saw a clip on the GIANT MINE in canada thats loaded with arscenic. great video THANKS for making it out safely!!
Sorry, i was making a guess as to how many video's one can make from one mine. There you go, ampho or regular explosives, well it said not to drop, so that is ignited by a fuse of sorts
Me again, had another look at it and yes an air operated extraction fan no moving parts. It had a plastic hose on the end to take fumes away i would say. Take it home and put air into it and I would almost guarantee it will still work.
@ Tom Cockerill - That yellow device at 22:30 is called an "Air Venturi". You hook up an air line (Bull Hose) to the fitting on the side, the air going in goes through an internal ring which causes a suction to be formed on the short end. The long tapered end is connected to an exhaust vent bag. Used for removing Blasting fumes. - < Doc - Miner for nearly 50 years > .
So Frank, very cool. Why is everything scattered about? I can think of three reasons. 1) The miners weren't very tidy (unlikely given the dangers and safety precautions I think) 2) Other explorers scattered them about or 3) Over time things just crash, crumble, rot, etc. What got me thinking is that pile of telephones. I'm sure all of that was well organized when in operation. And I also think if I was laid off from there, I'd just walk out the door. Your thoughts please! I take many risks, but I'm claustrophobic; You don't need to worry about me going down! Thanks,
Mostly just a matter of people rummaging through things. Every abandoned building always looks like a bomb went off and scattered everything. Plus the windows and toilets are smashed. I don't know what joy people get in breaking the windows.........
Ammonium nitrate. It's an oxidizer, you have to "usually" mix fuel oil or gasoline with it and kick it off with another explosive. In Americas cival war they extracted nitrate from bat shit in caves, mixed it with charcoal and something else to make black powder. I was U.S. Army demolition expert.
excuse me , i recently saved a pneumatic hammer from 1953 from the scrapyard its not dirty , not rusted and in pretty perfect condition other than a grease fitting and a new hose attachment That thing is solid toolsteel cast, zink plated and partly painted in leftovers of Wehrmacht grey vehicle paint it uses a shitton of air, it has a ~1 inch connecting hose and weighs the same as a Ma Deuce 50cal I would just like to ask where i can get two cheap 1inch or 6/8inch hole carbide tipped drillbits - a starting bit and one maybe abaut 3 feet long for shallow hole blasting for a small tunnel im planning to make for an underground firing range and possibly a fallout shelter I previously already blasted rock but not subsurface tbh - i will likely use smaller fracturing charges of black powder with a electronic 12V fuse and a TNT boost maybe 200 grains per blasthole and a really long cable to be outside and away from the entrance i might get a mini exceavator for digging free the rock and removeing the dirt for the first few yards then its just a mucking sheet, a shovel , a electric demolition hammer and blasting as welll as a weelbarrel im planning to line the walls and "roof" with concrete im geologically within the european central alps and the main rock is volcanic shale containing quarzlines the material removed shall be used for makeing a stonebed for a future driveway and leveling a neat place in my forest for a toolshed and possibly even a house
Hi there. Interesting video. Need some down to earth boots to not get spooked in such places. Ever had any weird experience when you've been out exploring?
How do you keep from wondering if just under the rock you placed your hand on has a gold vein that runs for miles into the mine? Don't ask me which rock.
@@exploringabandonedmines Those phones were used for direct communication with the hoistman or any of the other levels, as there was usually a hand phone with crank, that made them ring, and some had light bulbs on top that light up when they rang as lots of times you couldn't hear them. Usually the pull rope signal was all that was used to call the man cage down to your level and to direct it to the level you wanted to go to by the series of long and short signals given on the rope.
Be sure to always dry those neoprene pant-hingamajigs. And when you store them long time (depending on surface, mine are smooth so it's not that big of a deal) i suggest using some talcum powder to preserve it. Real, talcum powder, i hear stories that in your part of the world, angered legions of mothers had the actual stuff banned for whatever reason from one of the more readily available sources, baby powder.
Oh and btw, there are some bags out there that have a lens heat melted in to them, that lens essentially bolts to the camera and via bag, keeps the camera dry. A cheap alternative to the diving boxes. The only downside is you have to put some desiccant in with the camera so it doesn't fog up, the mike might also suffer a bit.
Up top of that manway after the cable broke and you found all the extension chords I was thinking in a pinch that would work to get back down. Then that's what you did :> You might like to check out the camera I picked up recently; Olympus Stylus TOUGH TG-870; shock proof, waterproof, crush proof, pocket size, records surprisingly good audio. About $280 USD. Every other waterproof camera I've owned recorded horrible audio.
I bought a rugged JVC for about $ 1,000 but it only lasted a few months and it went in for warrantee. It has horrible sound. I read the reviews for this camera it said it was OK outside but poor for low light conditions it sounds like a poor choice for filming in mines.
I read that in the reviews too but was surprised that it actually takes pretty decent video in low light. I use a waterproof LED video light with it. Wish I'd had a video camera when I was exploring Northern California gold drift mines years ago. No one would loan me one after I explained to them there was always a "chance" I might not make it out alive to return their camera.
In those digital camera reviews - when they say bad for low light - I think they generally mean shooting without the flashlights like you use..... (?) May be just fine.
As you probably noticed in my videos if I move or pan the image is blurry. So the aperture is wide open to let enough light in. The lights I have may look bright underground but it is because the camera is compensating for low light. There is far less light with my lights underground than there would be in an average indoor setting.
Cool ass videos Frank, I just found your channel. But you owe me a beer, when that rat ran between your feet and you jumped so did I and knocked over my beer lol.
Funny story about that. If I am by myself I generally phone my wife when I am out of the mine and tell her where I am going. This time I called her and she just got a call from Emergency Response who got a SOS signal from my Inreach. My bag was so full with items from the mine it called for help!
Maybe do a lights out show how freaky it is set up a fake ghost when you light up again LOL - I would`nt terribly worry to bad about Casper Until he says Ge.Th.Fu.Out .LOL .You know what would protect your knees / shins in your wet suit is use a windshield Polyurethane make a crosshatch from knees down , It is tire tuff but will still be very flexible not bulky and protect your material from ripping for quite ahwile I use that stuff on all kinds of things atv tire Etc .Cool vid Waiting for next .
Oh shxt I have a plastic glow in dark skeleton make a willow stick frame to hold it in uniform hands wide Tie it to the roof of a shaft on a line have it coming at your buds while theyre ahead of you or from some other shaft off the side , I used to tie it to myself and run after the kids on Halloween in the dark looks like it running freaky as hell .- I`ll send it to you send me your adress on my discussion link it`s about 5ft tall joints all move .Shine the lights on it for few minutes just before , it shines so bright the rats will run LOL Use a fishing reel to pull it
Scared of little rat hehe I used to work at a pet store when I was a teen many years ago. We had feeder rats but they got used to me I used to let them crawl all over me like 10-15 of them at at time. I even bought some for pets they are really smart you can train them to do almost anything he would even sleep with me curl up sleep next to my head on my pillow.
My newest favorite mine exploration channel. Thank you for all the adventures!
You're getting some bad ass artifacts in your collection. A whole episode seeing all your collection would be cool. Great video as always.
Maybe at the end of the year.
Any update on that video or is TH-cam hiding it from me?
For many years my uncles ran the H.B mine site up there they lived it 3 or 4 different houses up there my cousins and my mom told me stories about growing up there as kids my mom would spend her summers up there. One of the houses the lived in now has a tree growing out of the living room. It is so sad to see the everything in such dismay. I was up stairs in the old long house Office where the head guy used to work and lived part time in one of the big house and I grabbed a bunch of old maps of the mine and they are in great shape. Up stairs is a huge bank vault door still in great shape. It's sad that there was fires and everything has been left to rot. It's part of our history
It is an awesome site. I have made 3 videos about the mine and will go back soon to document what is left of the buildings. I hope I get back before they are all destroyed which is what they are planning according to rumor.
You are hard core 🐢🐢🐢👍
Another great video Frank. l find it fascinating what is left behind when these places are abandoned. Some of the mines you have explored just look like the men finished for the day and never returned.
Lots of interesting stuff left behind but nothing of any real value. The rails and the copper were even removed.
The part you show at22:29 is a air blow for fresh air. A trick I find when going up or down old ladders is to keek your feet close to the sides. I used to work at one of the oldest running mines in Canada. Great job on your videos
It depends on how they are built. If the rungs are flush to the rails I would agree. If they protrude from the rails you are better to stay over the rails.
I love the scenery both underground and above ground. The snow and the forest and all the pine trees is just beautiful. I would love to live there.
The air changes you talk about (air being pulled into the mine instead of going out of the mine) is what we in Northeastern PA's coal region call the furnace effect! There are many mines here that blow air out in the summer and pull air in in the winter. Not exactly sure what causes it, but I think it has something to do with air pressure changes during different seasons. I love watching your channel and seeing all the differences in these mines compared to ones here.
It's the mine breathing! But since it's on geological time, 'tis much slower than our many wee human respirations. Winter inhalation, summer exhalation - one full cycle per year. LOL
Incredible, that is one freaky mine to explore, excellent video, Frank...!
Thanks frank if I can say so! Man I been lookin back on your videos and now I'm hooked! Even though I worked in underground for years!
Glad to see that you finally picked up some waders... That was definitely our best mine exploring gear purchase last year. It was cool to see those underground waterfalls coming down from the upper levels. That was a lot of water.
My best purchase was the drone!
Yeah, you've gotten great results with that! What kind of tablet are you using with the control device for the drone?
I have the I Pad air2. I really recommend the large screen. Many times you need to fly it out of sight and the bigger the better for that.
Thank you. I was thinking I could use my phone at first, but watching you use yours made me realize that was a bad idea... I’m away from my war zones and back in the western hemisphere for the summer mine exploring season in May and so I am getting this year’s exploring gear organized now. At the end of every season, it is kind of obvious when there is a need for something (like waders). So, I make sure to have it together by the start of the next season. We have similar terrain as you (forests and mountains) and accessing or even finding some of these sites is extremely difficult. So, I can’t wait to see how the drone helps. I’m thinking in particular of that adit you discovered only because of the drone a few videos ago!
Check out the drone footage I just uploaded !
th-cam.com/video/JWV-3a3lIyo/w-d-xo.html
That's a good line..."Wouldn't mind falling a few feet" LOL! Wow, very extensive mine, very cool! "We're not going to touch it...amymore"! Good one! Well done Frank, thanks for the tour!
Glad you enjoyed it....thanks for watching Rob !
That wooden thing with wheels hooked on to it was probably a template for laying rails. To get the width right!
Honestly, the videos on this channel are some of the best I've seen about mines...Cheers...
Thanks.....glad you enjoy them!
Thanks for sharing another great video. The bags you found are ammonia nitrate and yes you need to have a blasting cap/primer to set it off.
I think your crazy in a great way I would not have the courage to do what you do but in my mine I have you to explore for me lol thank you for the video absolutely love it!!!
Thanks.....glad you enjoyed it!
Around 15:30 Frank- you have a lot of faith in that old extension cord my friend!
Hi Frank, I think the yellow thing you found is a air operated extraction fan, it works on a ventura . We used them on ships tanks when welding and gas cutting in the tanks. The air goes in and out one end and creates a vacuum at the other end. Pretty bullet proof . Another great video.
Great videos into historic mines well done Frank I watch you and also your friend Gly Coolness you both do great jobs
Glad you like them!
@@exploringabandonedmines I never been in a mine but love caving when I was younger found some drawing and remains in a previous unknown cave dating back thousands of years unfortunately before mobile phones and video cameras
Hey Frank! This isn't the video I heard it in, but you you said in an earlier video, "back then they built things to last." Well I learned recently why that is. Back in the day, they had to overbuild everything because they had no idea where the point of failure would be, now they run 1000 different computer simulations to figure out exactly how much material you need to just make it over that threshold. It's sad really, but I guess it's how they squeeze every dime out. I just thought it was interesting so I figured I'd pass it on to you! Keep up the good work Frank!! Hope all is well!
Too bad my dad isn't still alive, he could have told you all about this mine. He worked in this mine from the late 50's to 1967. He was a surveyor and engineer. We lived in the little houses along the road on the way up to the mine.
There are still 4 houses left there!
Another great video my Friend.
I like the part with you, holding to extension cord....lol
😎👍
The explosives you found were bags of Ammonium nitrate. This is the oxidizer part that is mixed with fuel oil as a low cost explosive for mining. This is the same as a fertilizer bomb... who's explosive effect could be seen in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City in 1995. According to the Technical data sheet, due to it's hygroscopic nature, it should not be stored in a humid or wet place or it could weaken and break down the prill’s internal crystalline structure, or in other words, make it soggy.
I thought it was Amex which is just diesel and fertilizer. If so it needs a blasting cap and a stick of dynamite to set it off. It is basically just nitrogen fertilizer like 46-0-0 which you can't buy anymore because of Oklahoma. I was a little confused when it was labeled as an explosive on the bag?
I did a little research and ammonium nitrate can be used by itself with a Blasting cap and dynamite or mixed with a flammable material such a diesel as in Amex . It has been known to explode from fire only.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_nitrate_disasters
You can still get 46-0-0 here in the states, but my understanding is that they were going to start after The Oklahoma bombing, adding some sort of markers into the contents that could reveal it's origin should it be used in another terrorist bombing. Not sure if that was ever done .
In open pit mines they had trucks that filled the holes after they were drilled with diesel and fertilizer.
We call them bulk trucks in the industry. The ANFO is mixed on-site, allowing it to be transported as just fertilizer and diesel. This gets around HAZMAT requirements for transporting mixed explosives.
clockguy2
one of your best videos yet Frank, we explore old mines here in Cornwall,UK, if your ever over here could show you some amazing stuff, stay safe.
22:31 that is a venturi air mover that runs on compressed air. They're used for creating a draft/exhaust in explosive environments since they have no moving parts and no electricity. Likely used for evacuating dust after a blast?
I’m a fan of this guy, he know mines and is fearless.
AHHHHHH!!!! Ok, you made my heart skip SEVERAL beats in this video! Again, very interesting and I thank you for sharing! But...never, EVER forget your rope again! Listen to your mother!!😁
That yellow thing at 22:30 is an air mover, we use them at work. You just hook up your air line from the big compressor and it blows through but from Venturi effect it pulls the stagnant air with it and blows a lot harder than just the air from the compressor hose.
Frank I really enjoy your videos. Thanks! You seem to have a deep knowledge of mine workings. And I must say that you have a big pair - I don't think you would catch me in some of the places you go. So please stay focused and stay safe because I want to keep adventuring with you. Be well buddy!
Thanks I am learning more all the time.
From what I understand mines with the airflow when the temperature heats up outside or cools down during different times of the year you get different directions in the air flow coming in or out of the mine
During the day sometimes depending if an adit is in the sun or shade.
i love your channel man so damn interesting. Its a shame that you dont have more subs cause this is some super content
It is like a snowball rolling down a hill.......I am picking up more viewers ever day! The channel has really been around for about a year.
I was about to ask if the Cominco bag you found was NH4NO3 ammonium nitrate.....thinking it had to be a low order explosive suitable for fracturing rock then I read the previous comment.That stuff was a great fertilizer as well as a great explosive. That company Cominco was a huge mining conglomerate that probably owned the mine you were in. they had huge zinc, copper gold silver and lead holdings throughout canada in addition to manufacturing explosives and chemicals that they used in their mining endeavors.
It looks like you got soaked exploring that mine, dripping water was your constant companion. Great video!
Cominco is called TEC now. They are a big company they have a large smelter in Trail that smelts mostly Lead and Zinc.
You tha man Frank! As always super cool explore!
Damn Frank! I'm on the edge of my seat. So far you are traveling alone, a cable broke while you were climbing, AND a big ass rat ran between your feet! And I'm only 11 minutes into the video so far. You are an incredible outdoorsman, sir. Please be safe out there. I really enjoy these videos.
Yeah but I screamed like a girl when the rat came after me!
We're not going to touch it........anymore lol. Love the vids, super addicting. Didn't realize just how many mines were in our province!
You make dam good videos. Entertaining an Adventurous..
At 25:20 we use those to run explosives up hung up chutes, you place the explosive on the plank, run it up the chute, nail a 2x4 on and push it the length of the 2x4, repeat until it is close to the oversize hanging up the chute and blast it down.
That sounds dangerous working under a hangup like that. What if it suddenly lets go while you are under it? Wouldn't it be safer to work on the uphill side of a hangup?
Ya dealing with hung up chutes is quite dangerous. Your always on the other side of the chains though, ship anchor sized chains that hold the muck back, looks like they use big claws in your video. Usually it's too full of muck up top to deal with before it's realized that the chute is hung up.
Also wanted to say your videos are awesome.
Thanks for your comments. I learn a lot from the men that worked in the mines.
And hope your stulls are tight
Really neat old mine! Looks like a big one for sure.
Those bags of explosives are ANFO. Amoniunm nitrate and fuel oil. The pink is water resistant as it is mixed with guar gum. Yellow is regular ANFO. I can tell you from experience if you get it in a cut or hangnail it burns. Highly caustic. It requires a explosive primer to set it off. A relatively safe explosive.
Thats what I thought it was and you are right about the burn.......I had a little scratch on my finger and it burned when I stuck my finger in to test it. I was a little confused when I saw the explosive label on the bag since it is really only fertilizer.
And feel's amazing in your eyes
We used explosives in British coal mines, penobel 2, one thing never to do is touch your head after handling it. Instant massive headaches.
The thing you called a horn is actually an air mover or air pusher, air hose from the compressed air pipe is threaded on to the nipple shown and then you hook up vent tubing for ventilation
Yes thanks someone else also told me the same thing!
Judging by the plastic air vent pipes this mine appears to have been reworked at some point in the last 30-40 years.
Thanks Frank that was some of your best work yet I believe.
Maybe I am my worst critic........I didn't think it was all that great. I think the next one is much better.
"That's explosives." "We're not going to touch it.....anymore....[than we already have]" Haha
Yup, neoprene waders are the shizzit, especially when insulated. Mine water, even in California, is always cold enough to set the tusks of a walrus to chatter. It feels good to defy discomfort.
Awesome you found explosive
i cant be the only one having an anxiety attack when ever he goes into a real sketchy part of a mine right?
I never go into the really sketchy parts!
to me, its all kind of sketchy dude but i have nothing but respect for what you do and i cant wait for the next video!
@ Glitch Gaming - You think it's sketchy now, think about when the Miners dug it all out, all of those open cavities didn't come with Studs & Stulls already installed. - < Doc - Miner for nearly 50 years > .
Yes, especially as he's on his Jacks Jones (own) , if he had a bad fall there would be no one to go & get help. Frank do you leave details with anyone on where you intend to go if you were to go missing?
Should always use the buddy system.
I would love to do what ur doing some day. Just to explore a mine would be awesome.
Alot of these old cables had rope cores and over time the rope acted as a wick for moisture and would rust out the cable from the inside out.
thanks for mentioning about seeing bats and rats because i always wondered about toxicity how can you tell? i recently saw a clip on the GIANT MINE in canada thats loaded with arscenic. great video THANKS for making it out safely!!
Sorry, i was making a guess as to how many video's one can make from one mine. There you go, ampho or regular explosives, well it said not to drop, so that is ignited by a fuse of sorts
Bouncing myself back in the day in the Calico mine
Hey Frank, can you bring some of those lightbulbs out? They would work great for my dark room.
They didn't work any more.
@@exploringabandonedmines But they would work in my "dark" room... LOL!
excellent vids...respect, I'm hooked
Great video. I'm kind of surprised that you didn't come up with a way to take that big pulley out with you.
I didn't want it that bad!
is that the bell code sign from the HB that you said you were going to get in the previous video off to your right Frank ?
There was one on each level. We took one for the museum.
@ 25:28 that wooden lever deal reminds me of a tool I have for moving full size railcars
Me again, had another look at it and yes an air operated extraction fan no moving parts. It had a plastic hose on the end to take fumes away i would say. Take it home and put air into it and I would almost guarantee it will still work.
Interesting, thanks for the information, It was pretty rusty!
@ Tom Cockerill - That yellow device at 22:30 is called an "Air Venturi". You hook up an air line (Bull Hose) to the fitting on the side, the air going in goes through an internal ring which causes a suction to be formed on the short end. The long tapered end is connected to an exhaust vent bag. Used for removing Blasting fumes. - < Doc - Miner for nearly 50 years > .
30:35 there is an odd snakey sparkle. wonder what it is.
7:55
Does anyone see the baby white buffalo with the really big head?
So Frank, very cool. Why is everything scattered about? I can think of three reasons. 1) The miners weren't very tidy (unlikely given the dangers and safety precautions I think) 2) Other explorers scattered them about or 3) Over time things just crash, crumble, rot, etc.
What got me thinking is that pile of telephones. I'm sure all of that was well organized when in operation. And I also think if I was laid off from there, I'd just walk out the door.
Your thoughts please!
I take many risks, but I'm claustrophobic; You don't need to worry about me going down!
Thanks,
Mostly just a matter of people rummaging through things. Every abandoned building always looks like a bomb went off and scattered everything. Plus the windows and toilets are smashed. I don't know what joy people get in breaking the windows.........
And I thought you were the first guy down there :) Your videos make it feel that way anyhow. Ever find a dead body? Probably rodents and raccoons.
lol. yes let's smoke it's 420 and blast some holes .. ;) keep up the great finds and be safe
Hey Frank, was that the date written on that bag of explosives?
I cant remember!
Crazy wow .. Great vid stay safe.
Thanks for sharing your adventures Frank....Are you going to be able to get your plane flying again.
No the insurance company has decided to write it off.
Well I hope you get another and glad your OK.
No I have decided to stick to the drones.......cheaper and safer!
Ammonium nitrate. It's an oxidizer, you have to "usually" mix fuel oil or gasoline with it and kick it off with another explosive.
In Americas cival war they extracted nitrate from bat shit in caves, mixed it with charcoal and something else to make black powder.
I was U.S. Army demolition expert.
You can just pee in a cup and collect saltpeter from dead bodies. There ya go. Blackpowder.
are you by yourself in this video? how many flashlights do you bring? Just curious seems like you bring very little equipment
3 or four best to keep the weight down!
You pulled all the stops out on this one.....
excuse me , i recently saved a pneumatic hammer from 1953 from the scrapyard its not dirty , not rusted and in pretty perfect condition other than a grease fitting and a new hose attachment
That thing is solid toolsteel cast, zink plated and partly painted in leftovers of Wehrmacht grey vehicle paint
it uses a shitton of air, it has a ~1 inch connecting hose and weighs the same as a Ma Deuce 50cal
I would just like to ask where i can get two cheap 1inch or 6/8inch hole carbide tipped drillbits - a starting bit and one maybe abaut 3 feet long for shallow hole blasting for a small tunnel im planning to make for an underground firing range and possibly a fallout shelter
I previously already blasted rock but not subsurface tbh - i will likely use smaller fracturing charges of black powder with a electronic 12V fuse and a TNT boost maybe 200 grains per blasthole and a really long cable to be outside and away from the entrance
i might get a mini exceavator for digging free the rock and removeing the dirt for the first few yards then its just a mucking sheet, a shovel , a electric demolition hammer and blasting as welll as a weelbarrel
im planning to line the walls and "roof" with concrete
im geologically within the european central alps and the main rock is volcanic shale containing quarzlines
the material removed shall be used for makeing a stonebed for a future driveway and leveling a neat place in my forest for a toolshed and possibly even a house
Try ebay you can get anything there!
Hi there. Interesting video. Need some down to earth boots to not get spooked in such places. Ever had any weird experience when you've been out exploring?
That looked like a date on that fertilizer bag of 1-2-78 but the mine was shut down in 71.
It might be from some crews doing drilling or prospecting after the mine ceased production?
OR it's them ghost miners. Do you ever set off the explosive detection equipment at the airport?
Maaaan I love watching your videos!
Kool!
your videos are awesome love the channel
How many men would be working in a mine this size?
Around 50
How do you keep from wondering if just under the rock you placed your hand on has a gold vein that runs for miles into the mine? Don't ask me which rock.
Those old miners were way better at finding gold than I am........I am pretty sure they took it with them when they left!
With Frank....sometimes with Max. How is Max by the way?
Good, I just bought a new side by side that he really likes riding in!
☹️
Do they ever drain out the mines or do they just leave them flooded?
Most of the mines were self draining but collapses often near the entrances form dams that hold the water back.
come on Frank! get that next video out! haha no pressure! just poking fun.
You get one every week...... thats the limit!
Those relic phones were worth keeping unless you already have them in your museum collection.
If is is worth saving I take it. Most of the stuff has rotted or rusted so bad it isn't worth the trouble.
Sometimes you have to get creative and make do with what you have/find
.
Did you keep the telephones ?
Yes in my museum!
@@exploringabandonedmines alright the hand crank part was a definite keeper
@@exploringabandonedmines Those phones were used for direct communication with the hoistman or any of the other levels, as there was usually a hand phone with crank, that made them ring, and some had light bulbs on top that light up when they rang as lots of times you couldn't hear them. Usually the pull rope signal was all that was used to call the man cage down to your level and to direct it to the level you wanted to go to by the series of long and short signals given on the rope.
Be sure to always dry those neoprene pant-hingamajigs. And when you store them long time (depending on surface, mine are smooth so it's not that big of a deal) i suggest using some talcum powder to preserve it. Real, talcum powder, i hear stories that in your part of the world, angered legions of mothers had the actual stuff banned for whatever reason from one of the more readily available sources, baby powder.
Oh and btw, there are some bags out there that have a lens heat melted in to them, that lens essentially bolts to the camera and via bag, keeps the camera dry. A cheap alternative to the diving boxes. The only downside is you have to put some desiccant in with the camera so it doesn't fog up, the mike might also suffer a bit.
The sound is muffled and the LED light and controls are in the way.
Do you use an 0² sensor?
Yes a BW. It never goes off unless I breath on it.
Up top of that manway after the cable broke and you found all the extension chords I was thinking in a pinch that would work to get back down. Then that's what you did :> You might like to check out the camera I picked up recently; Olympus Stylus TOUGH TG-870; shock proof, waterproof, crush proof, pocket size, records surprisingly good audio. About $280 USD. Every other waterproof camera I've owned recorded horrible audio.
I bought a rugged JVC for about $ 1,000 but it only lasted a few months and it went in for warrantee. It has horrible sound.
I read the reviews for this camera it said it was OK outside but poor for low light conditions it sounds like a poor choice for filming in mines.
I read that in the reviews too but was surprised that it actually takes pretty decent video in low light. I use a waterproof LED video light with it. Wish I'd had a video camera when I was exploring Northern California gold drift mines years ago. No one would loan me one after I explained to them there was always a "chance" I might not make it out alive to return their camera.
In those digital camera reviews - when they say bad for low light - I think they generally mean shooting without the flashlights like you use..... (?) May be just fine.
As you probably noticed in my videos if I move or pan the image is blurry. So the aperture is wide open to let enough light in. The lights I have may look bright underground but it is because the camera is compensating for low light. There is far less light with my lights underground than there would be in an average indoor setting.
Ahh yes, good point. I noticed the blur and wondered why it was there. Cool.
Pretty cool.
Cool ass videos Frank, I just found your channel. But you owe me a beer, when that rat ran between your feet and you jumped so did I and knocked over my beer lol.
Ha Ha.......sorry about that Bob!
Those mines are super wet and full of rotted wood. That cable looks strong but it's not. How safe is that 4x4? Not very. Good luck!
The box at the beginning was the time clock box.
I know what im going to pick up lol great video
so you where by your self or did you have some with you out there
Ken was with me for the first day but I was alone on the next two days.
so what kinda protocol do you have when you go by you self you let whom even now what level you plan on being on and what time you should be back?
Funny story about that. If I am by myself I generally phone my wife when I am out of the mine and tell her where I am going. This time I called her and she just got a call from Emergency Response who got a SOS signal from my Inreach. My bag was so full with items from the mine it called for help!
that is funny so you got some good stuff huh must been those telephones and crank and the big winch under the water
There is some pretty cool stuff in those mines. Unfortunately most of it has rotted or rusted to the point where is is useless.
Be even more careful around old explosives they can become unstable even to touch especially any exudation.
Another excellent video! Get yourself some para-cord. Can hold up the world and doesn't take up a lot of space or add unnecessary weight! LOL
Gaday mate. Just wondering what type of camera you are useing to record this. Is it a Go Pro of some sort?
No the Go Pro is a very poor quality camera I have quite a few cameras but most of the footage on the channel was shot on a Panasonic HC-V770
don't pretend you didn't know it was 4:20 ;)
Maybe do a lights out show how freaky it is set up a fake ghost when you light up again LOL - I would`nt terribly worry to bad about Casper Until he says Ge.Th.Fu.Out .LOL .You know what would protect your knees / shins in your wet suit is use a windshield Polyurethane make a crosshatch from knees down , It is tire tuff but will still be very flexible not bulky and protect your material from ripping for quite ahwile I use that stuff on all kinds of things atv tire Etc .Cool vid Waiting for next .
We were thinking of an April fools edition......but didn't do it.
Oh shxt I have a plastic glow in dark skeleton make a willow stick frame to hold it in uniform hands wide Tie it to the roof of a shaft on a line have it coming at your buds while theyre ahead of you or from some other shaft off the side , I used to tie it to myself and run after the kids on Halloween in the dark looks like it running freaky as hell .- I`ll send it to you send me your adress on my discussion link it`s about 5ft tall joints all move .Shine the lights on it for few minutes just before , it shines so bright the rats will run LOL Use a fishing reel to pull it
Cool I have a bag full of skulls as well. Send me your email frankmcranch@gmail.com and I will give you my address.
No Problem
I did`nt realize the vid I tried to send with the email was to big so I re sent the email just plain .but it will fit in your pack sac
Scared of little rat hehe I used to work at a pet store when I was a teen many years ago. We had feeder rats but they got used to me I used to let them crawl all over me like 10-15 of them at at time. I even bought some for pets they are really smart you can train them to do almost anything he would even sleep with me curl up sleep next to my head on my pillow.
I hate rodents!
Muy buenos vídeos , Saludos desde México :)
You've got a big set off Nuggets
A moth fart could bring any of the timbers and rock down on you, you can always tell the condition of the mine by how much rock fall is on the level.
Hi do you have a Facebook page? And love the content keep up the good work
Yup...facebook.com/frank.schlichting.146
imagine you had food and water for 2 weeks but no light.... that would be hell.
Somebody would come looking before that......I hope!
very cool vid
Most would not be able explore the mines with your intensity!