Mine Shaft Exploration

Therrin · 19th November 2007, 03:04 PM

This set of pictures is from a couple months spent in Arizona. Out in the desert, I came across an abandoned copper mine which has been sitting untouched for 80 years. I know this because I found the graveyard of the miners who worked and died in it.
(Note: I had a MSA 4 gas detector, emergency plan, propper equipment, and I'm slighly crazy =) DONT try this without propper training)

Entrance was a 20' rappel

Just down inside the opening

The descent

150 feet down

Thought this was the end till I crawled through the little "window" on the right side.

It keeps going.... (about 300 feet underground by now)

Ceiling was about 20" high. Had to crawl through in some spots, I guess they though the ceiling needed some help? =P

Ended in a flooded passageway. What an adventure!

Drouin Tree Service · 19th November 2007, 05:19 PM

No way would you catch me down there!!!

Eric Frei · 19th November 2007, 05:43 PM

It must be pretty mucky smelling down there ... I'd prefer to be the guy in front just in case some-one drops their guts!

Therrin · 19th November 2007, 06:14 PM

I was the guy in front =)
(I was also the guy in back!)

Being properly equipped and having an E-plan is one thing... finding someone else who'll go with you is a whole different ball game!
(note: in no shape or form am I suggesting that anyone try solo spelunking, in fact I highly suggest against it.) There... that should cover the legal parts hehehehe

Eric Frei · 19th November 2007, 06:36 PM

I did some smaller caves and shafts when I was a young fella, good fun but man when you get back out the sunlight burns your eyes, weird feeling, so BRIGHT!

Therrin · 19th November 2007, 07:09 PM

My primary headlamp is pretty bright 5 LED Black Diamond.
Coming out of this one at about 7pm made it pretty comfy on the eyes though =)
I used to hit up the Iron Mountain area and the Antelope Valley spots at night. Not necessarily just to gain safe access though.

It makes it super easy on your eyes, you don't work up an afternoon sweat and then go get all dirty with mine-dirt, and I find it has a calming effect before I go spelunking.

19th November 2007, 03:04 PM	#1
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Mine Shaft Exploration This set of pictures is from a couple months spent in Arizona. Out in the desert, I came across an abandoned copper mine which has been sitting untouched for 80 years. I know this because I found the graveyard of the miners who worked and died in it. (Note: I had a MSA 4 gas detector, emergency plan, propper equipment, and I'm slighly crazy =) DONT try this without propper training) Entrance was a 20' rappel Just down inside the opening The descent 150 feet down Thought this was the end till I crawled through the little "window" on the right side. It keeps going.... (about 300 feet underground by now) Ceiling was about 20" high. Had to crawl through in some spots, I guess they though the ceiling needed some help? =P Ended in a flooded passageway. What an adventure!

19th November 2007, 05:19 PM	#2
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,697	Re: Mine Shaft Exploration No way would you catch me down there!!! __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

19th November 2007, 05:43 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Mine Shaft Exploration It must be pretty mucky smelling down there ... I'd prefer to be the guy in front just in case some-one drops their guts! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

19th November 2007, 06:14 PM	#4
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Re: Mine Shaft Exploration I was the guy in front =) (I was also the guy in back!) Being properly equipped and having an E-plan is one thing... finding someone else who'll go with you is a whole different ball game! (note: in no shape or form am I suggesting that anyone try solo spelunking, in fact I highly suggest against it.) There... that should cover the legal parts hehehehe

19th November 2007, 06:36 PM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Mine Shaft Exploration I did some smaller caves and shafts when I was a young fella, good fun but man when you get back out the sunlight burns your eyes, weird feeling, so BRIGHT! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

19th November 2007, 07:09 PM	#6
Therrin Former Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Ca Posts: 2,512	Re: Mine Shaft Exploration My primary headlamp is pretty bright 5 LED Black Diamond. Coming out of this one at about 7pm made it pretty comfy on the eyes though =) I used to hit up the Iron Mountain area and the Antelope Valley spots at night. Not necessarily just to gain safe access though. It makes it super easy on your eyes, you don't work up an afternoon sweat and then go get all dirty with mine-dirt, and I find it has a calming effect before I go spelunking.

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