Climbing Through Three Dangerous Collapses at Night in the Abandoned Gold Hill Mine
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- Опубліковано 16 жов 2024
- Nightfall vanquished the setting sun and eventually overtook us as we were exploring Dumas Canyon searching for abandoned mines. In the moonlight we eventually found the entrance to the massive, multi-level Gold Hill Mine and went in to see what was there. Three big, devastating, and dangerous collapses were blocking our way in different areas, but we managed to successfully squeeze through them. At the fourth collapse, however, we turned around because a precariously wedged boulder the size of an adult elephant looked very unstable. We decided it was too dangerous to maneuver around it.
The Gold Hill Mine dates back to the 1890s. The portal we found, though, was of a more modern construction, so we think the mine was widened and rehabilitated in the 1980s or 1990s when it was put back in operation.
Todd from Zia Mountain Adventures was with me on this exploration. His channel is here if you haven't already checked out his excellent videos: @ZiaMountainAdventures Incidentally, Todd is a professional musician and composes all the music heard in the background of his videos. Awesome!
Justin from @ABANDONED_UNDERGROUND joined us for this late-night exploration. He has lots of top-grade, beautifully edited videos of abandoned mines on his channel, too, that are definitely worth watching if you haven’t already. 
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NOTE: This video was shot in stunning 4K resolution at 60 fps. If your viewing device can handle it, be sure to watch this video in 4K to experience cinematic supremacy!
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You are a person who deserves fame, and your heart is very kind. Karim from Egypt, I love you
Hey, Kareem! Thank you for your comment from all the way over there in Egypt! That’s awesome! Sounds like you’re enjoying my videos. I appreciate your support.
@@AbandonedMines11 🥰🥰🥰
The colors of those rocks are so beautiful, nature is really something.
It’s amazing some of the colors we find underground sometimes. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video - I appreciate it. New videos coming very soon!
No way would i even attempt to get through any of those! Awesome video as always!
It was amazing how much debris and rubble had fallen down those ore passes creating the collapses and blockages. Makes one wonder what the stopes are like on those upper levels!
It is so interesting finding drill bits still stuck in the bedrock. Thank you Frank for taking us on another great adventure!
@@paisliesplace3921 Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! I appreciate it. Yes, there are often drillbits sticking out of the walls underground. Did you see my recent video of the hike up the creek? We found a drillbit sticking up out of the bed of the creek in the water! LOL
@@AbandonedMines11 Yes I actually watched the canyon creek video before this one, umm that big drill bit sticking out of the water was very interesting, so out of place in that beautiful setting. lol
Enough fantastic/interesting explore of this mine frank , all the details u point out are amazing 🙌🏻
Definitely was one of the bigger mines I’ve been in recently. Sounds like you enjoyed it! Thank you, Alex.
It's interesting to see evidence of previous mining operations during this explore as many mines are closed and reopened over a period of many years. Nice explore Frank!
That’s exactly what happened in this mine, as far as I know. It dates back over 125 years or so and was worked during that time off and on. The wide, large, modern tunnels are the more recent workings.
That last collapse seemed doable but Justin I think was right. Better safe than sorry that is for sure. That big boulder was just too sketchy, that bad boy moved and we would've been done. Is that limonite, that yellow stuff? See that stuff a lot and I always thought some sort of Sulphur. Interesting indeed. Good to see ya again as always, take care and I am sure will see ya again soon!
I’m glad we turned around, too, at the fourth collapse. As I mentioned when we were there, the three of us would have had to pass through that collapse a total of six times - three times going in and three times coming back out. That’s pushing the odds. I don’t think that yellow stuff is limonite, but it does resemble it. Limonite, from what I can remember, isn’t that bright of a yellow color. Maybe Headframe Hunter Jim will chime in here and let us know what it is. Or Justin. Yes, it was great hanging out for a couple days! We’ll have to do it again soon. So glad, too, that all is going well on your homefront.
@@AbandonedMines11 We see that stuff in our district too; it runs parallel to some ore-bearing vein systems as you saw here. I believe it's some kind of hydrothermally altered andesite; we just call it "altered ground" and spot-check it regularly after ground support is installed. The stuff is very crumbly; I've dug it with an LHD with no blasting required when we were rehabbing our decline.
This district has nearly identical mineralogy to where we're working. Funny enough, the last operator of this mine holds the mine directly east of ours. Most of the larger drifts you explored there were originally 5'x7' track drifts that he slashed out to accommodate a 2-yard LHD; the old rails and timbers were stashed in the crosscuts to avoid taking the time to remove them.
Thanks, Headframe Hunter Jim! I knew you would chime in here with what that yellow stuff was. That’s interesting that it’s really crumbly in nature. I didn’t physically inspect it myself. I can see where that would be a concern if there was a large pocket of it inside a mine. I remembered you telling us about your buddy making those tunnels wider which is why I inserted that one caption near the beginning of the video stating that the tunnels were rehabilitated sometime in the 1980s or thereabouts to accommodate wider, more modern equipment. I remember you telling us that a year or two ago. While it’s an impressive mine, it’s not one of my favorites. Those modern, wide tunnels just don’t do it for me. I prefer the smaller, more classic tunnels with the trapezoid-shaped timbering and little ore cart tracks running through them.
@@AbandonedMines11 My favorite mines are ones from the 70s and 80s. They tend to have a very visually interesting mix of intricate timbering and modern ground support, a mix of rail and rubber-tire haulage, and a high likelihood of hoists, muckers, and cars left behind. A lot of ad copy from back then would show LHDs loading rail cars, which is a great way to do things if your deposit allows it!
By the 90s rail had mostly gone away in US mines, although it's gradually making a comeback. There are two haulage/drainage adits in the scoping/planning phase in our region and both are expected to be either driven with rail or fitted out with rail after construction. The locomotives have already been delivered and we have one running on a short section of track in the yard. One of the big copper mines west of me has a rail haulage level for supplies and waste rock, and may run rail on the extraction/haulage levels below the block cave. Another big zinc/lead mine in the area is discussing an "autonomous haulage loop" with trucks, but I expect they'll ultimately lay rail instead. Remote-control standard-gauge rail works very, very well for hauling to a shaft pocket.
That’s interesting that the use of rails went out of favor in the 1990s. Interesting, too, that it’s making a comeback. If possible, you should make a short video showing that locomotive that you have running on a small section of track. Would be cool to see that. One thing I remember you telling us last year was that open-pit mines are falling out of favor due to various reasons including environmental, cosmetic, and things like that. Glad to hear that mining companies are reverting back to underground tunneling. Those open-pits really do look unsightly once they are permanently closed and vacated.
Thanks Frank nice to see the tracks suprize if you see Ore Carts
Glad you enjoyed it, Richard. Yes, always cool seeing the ore cart tracks. No ore carts in this part of the mine, though. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to watch and comment. Much appreciated!
Realmente tem que ter muita coragem para entrar nesses lugares , muito perigo no ar .
Thank you for your comment! And thanks, too, for dropping by and checking out the video. I appreciate your support.
thank you again Frank. i am lovin walking through these mines.
Thanks, David! Glad you are enjoying the videos. Without awesome viewers like you, there would be no point in me making and posting these videos. Thank you very much for your ongoing support. Much appreciated!
If tod says it too dangerous then it is 🙂 Enjoyed watching . 👍
I agree!
Continue, we offer you all the support and appreciation to your followers from Iraq
شكرا جزيلا! من الجميل أن يكون لديك مشجعون من العراق. مرحبا بكم على متن هنا!
@@AbandonedMines11 شعي🙃
Nice Frank! Looks like sulfur, that mineral? Overall, this mine's like a coal mine hah! You have electrical wires left, knob and tubes, collapses, mud, etc. Just like here!
Yes, I would assume this mine resembles your coal mines from what I’ve seen in your videos. It is rare to find knob and tube wiring still in place out here like I showed at that one ore chute. Thanks for dropping by!
@@AbandonedMines11 pleasure's mine man. That's what she said. 😉
Awesome video Frank but that mine looks very sketchy
The mine does have its moments, that’s for sure! Mines like this one with more modern, wider tunnels are cool, but they are not my favorite kind to explore. I prefer the smaller, more old-school mines with the classic wooden timbering, narrow drifts, and small ore cart tracks running throughout.
Love these videos, these need to show up in the suggested more often, maybe instead of "Climbing Through Three Dangerous Collapses at Night in the Abandoned Gold Hill Mine" for the title (this is too specific and detailed) maybe something like "Exploring: Abandoned Gold Hill Mine (Three Dangerous Collapses!)" This way your videos can reach people who love exploring videos like ghost and abandoned videos maybe a thought man love the effort and work put into the content!
Thanks for your suggestion on the title for this video! I liked it! I think you did come up with a better title. It’s always tricky when trying to figure out what a title should be. Glad you are enjoying the videos, though. Thanks for your support! I’ll have new videos coming very soon.
@@AbandonedMines11 I think it's clear you love Cave Exploring brother this is where your passion lies for sure not the titles and thumbnails so that's completely understandable man but thank you 👍 I have you pinned so I can't wait to see future uploads like these just please stay safe! 😀
Beautiful geology throughout this mine. Also 4:38 nope nope!
There were some striking colors, weren’t there? The geology is always interesting to one degree or another. Yes, that stope you pointed out at 4:38 was a deep one! It’s amazing and very impressive how large some of these underground voids can be. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video - I appreciate it.
A very impressive stope wow. And a bit risky at places were stuff can come loose. Thanks for another nice explore Frank.
Glad you enjoyed it, Rolf! Yeah, that stope was pretty big. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Frank! Glad you are posting again. You've been missed. Just curious, is the Toyota still running?
Yes, the Corolla is still running although I don’t drive it as often as I used to because I have a second car. I just got the front bumper replaced due to some hit-and-run damage that happened to it. I plan on making a video real soon showcasing the car because it’s been a while since I’ve done that. Nice to hear from you again, Marcelo! Thanks for all your support here on my channel in recent years.
صلوا على النبي محمد صلى الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
عليه افضل الصلاه والسلام
Looks like the tail end of Danger and out on the dynamite bulkhead.
I was thinking the same thing when I saw that but didn’t mention it in the narration. You have a good eye for catching that detail!
Whoever removes that drill bit at 8:24 becomes the new owner of the mine...
I like that idea!
You still alive, thats crazy hahaha
Still here! LOL Thanks for checking out the video and leaving a comment.
@@AbandonedMines11 can you do a video about the AREA 51 MASSIVE CREEPY TUNNEL where the UA-camr Explore With Us went tho?
I’m not familiar with that tunnel. I’ll have to look it up.
@@AbandonedMines11 Omg please check it out, would love to see you hopping in that, since you dont have any fears anyway XD
You guys take the concept of bed and breakfast to an extreme :)
Thanks for watching and commenting! I appreciate it.
❤I am a new follower of Osha Salah channel
أنا أيضا ❤
Early gang 🎉 I got a question, how you determine whether it's safe to move through collapses?
Depends on the cause. If it's a failed ore chute the surrounding rock is usually still stable, it's the wooden infrastructure that collapsed. Whereas if it was the rock itself that failed then you look to see if the back is slabbing off or otherwise compromised. After that it's just a bit of luck.
At the fourth collapse, we turned around because there was a huge boulder that looked to be supported by only a much smaller rock. It looked extremely precarious to all of us, so we decided to call it quits at that one and turn around. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88 👍
I’ve been wondering Frank, have you ever learned of or researched past family members of your’s that might’ve been miners back in older times? Were there any?
Also, have you ever participated in any sort of mining operation or would like to do so?
Nobody in my family tree was ever involved in mining. I used to have a brother-in-law at one time, though, who was a coal miner. But my sister and he divorced decades ago. I never had an interest in being a miner myself. I’m more interested in seismology, to be quite honest.
صوت حذائك يدق على الصخور- ممتع- والشعور احيانا بالوحدة - ممتع-
شكرا لك على تعليقك! نعم ، يمكن أن تكون هذه الألغام أماكن مظلمة ووحيدة. نحن ممتنون لأن أضواءنا الساطعة يمكن أن تخترق الظلام الشامل أثناء وجودنا هناك.
You said at 'night' in the description but it's dark in a mine anyway. So don't get the wording to be honest as nothing was filmed outside the mine. I did read your description but fair enough....
Quite big collapses.
Interesting explore. Like you say. Strange to see electrical wiring everywhere.
If you watched the previous video of the Dumas Mine, that one ended with us coming across some old buildings at night. This video is a continuation from that point. Yes, finding the wiring still strung up in the mine is kind of rare. I think I’ve only seen that a few other times over the last 17 years. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
@@AbandonedMines11 I may have missed that video. Or I forgot. I will recheck.
@EggnogonthebogProductions No worries.
Hope you made it out safely sweetie!
I think I did. LOL
اتمنى توصل مليون متابع
شكرا لك على تعليقك! أقدر دعمك هنا.
Be careful for the Tommyknockers
Although this visit is exploratory, it gives an appropriate feeling for the horror content
We in the Middle East and North Africa region and all Islamic societies believe in the existence of jinn creatures that can inhabit empty places such as mines. Greetings from Algeria
Thank you very much for your visit! Great to have you following along from halfway around the world. Welcome aboard! I appreciate it.
Hello good sir! I wanna ask maybe if you ever gonna visit again the Waldeck Mine?? Dont go alone this time tho!!! O.O
Maybe one day! Have you heard of the Jarvis Mine? That’s another one that I want to go to. If you haven’t heard of it, search for it here on UA-cam. Terrifying!
@@AbandonedMines11 I will go and look it up now! thank you, be safe and keep having fun! :)
Thanks, man!
@@AbandonedMines11 Greeting from Athens Greece! :)
Didn’t realize you were all the way over in Greece! Very cool! Certainly glad to have you onboard here.
Hello bro from Iran 🖐
Hey there! Thanks for watching and commenting all the way from Iraq. I appreciate the support. New videos coming soon!
@@AbandonedMines11 💖
Boy. You do take some risk climbing Thru collapses
@@richardmcgrew2167 Hey, Richard! As you saw in this video, though, we turned around at that last collapse because it was just too dangerous. We knew how to get through it and knew of somebody who actually did go through it, but the fact that a huge boulder was being propped up by barely anything at all just wasn’t worth the risk. So we do know when to turn around and not take chances. Most of the mines we explore don’t have as many collapses as this one did. As you’ve seen in other videos of mine, some of these mines don’t have any collapses at all! Thank you very much for your support. I appreciate it, as always!
❤😮❤My friend, I love you. I came from UA-camrs. Usha Sala. I am Arab. Your videos are terrifying😮❤
Thanks and welcome!
@@AbandonedMines11 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
رائع
شكرا على المشاهدة والتعليق!
I'm sure you would be using headlamps and torches in the mine so it would make no difference night or day.....
看起来很刺激
感谢您的观看和评论！
At night?? What's the difference as down a mine inm
I don't think I would go into a mine at night. there's a lot of places I don't go at night
We don’t normally explore at night, too. In this case, however, we were pretty far out and lost track of the time somewhat.
I would love to pan and mine for gold on my own stake
From what I’ve heard, one can find a little bit of gold here and there. It just takes a lot of determination and patience to do it.
Do you guys ever find anything valuable in these caves?
It’s rare. Keep in mind that most of these mines we explore were often abandoned in the 1950s if not earlier. Whatever artifacts were left in them were taken long ago by previous generations of explorers. We are unfortunately the late-comers to the scene, so not much is left. The deeper parts of most mines, though, tend to have artifacts still in them because most people won’t go that far in. Thanks for watching and thanks for your question!
Why Todd keep leaving you behind lol
We like to space out in a mine to avoid getting in each other’s videos. Justin was about the same distance behind me in this mine.