More adventures in Sandon. I go way up a series of steep ladders hoping to find another exit only to find the portal collapsed and have to climb back down the same way!
You’re not alone in the mine Frank. We’re right there with you. Otherwise you’d just be a crazy person talking to yourself in an old mine in BC. Thanks for taking us along.
This is a great video and the only way you would be taking me along with you in a mine, LOL. I'm claustrophobic. Just watching you I was getting nervous.
Frank - Wow! No ropes, no harness, just a man and a rotting latter 500 feet up in the middle of nowhere in a shaft dug before our fathers were born... Personally, I think your nuts. But to see the images before they're lost forever is very cool.
I've spent many many hours exploring Sandon and the nearby Slocan valley. Always spotting these lonely abandoned mines from the highway and forest service roads. Very cool to see what they're like inside. Stay safe on your adventures!
That was a tremendous mine. Lots of artifacts and strange geology. I've never faults so well defined. They almost looked like a plastered wall in a house and I've never seen such a high contrast in the color of the rock. At about the half way point I expected to see the video spinning wildly until it hit the floor of the drift below. Really glad you didn't go down. Thanks for sharing that mine with us!
Another great video!! I would give my eye teeth to be able to go into a few of those with you. I love caving and this looks like so much fun, and with artifacts too!!
Holy crap. Had to pause and clean my house a little while watching. Insane amazing explore. Seeing those parts no one has been in for many years.. the old relics. Thank you for documenting this stuff! It's so interesting but please be safe we need you.
I have gotten hooked on your videos.. such amazing stuff, I have always had a fascination with mines, but have never gone exp[loring like this.. the laders, chutes, mine carts and everything such rich history... thanks so much for sharing the adventure!
Brilliant video,what a awesome mine,don't know how you go on your own though, here in Cornwall there is always a few of us together, keep up the great work Frank, fantastic to see the mines out there.
I can't help but start laughing when Frank says "there's no possibility of getting up there, not on our own any way, maybe just a little way" so funny hearing you talk your way round😁
Incredibly interesting video. Fabulous finds. Was nail biter to watch😮. Considering you were in there by yourself I was concerned you might get lost 😮😮. Must have been a massive mine.
Well that was another excellent explore Frank. That mine was really extensive. The contrast in the rock was amazing. Lots of great stuff in there too, I’m glad you were able to rescue a couple of small items the cup and Montgomery tag/plaque. It was interesting to see how much water was flowing out of all those holes. I held my breath when you convinced yourself to go up those ladders and I was saying “don’t do it, don’t do it” but you did and made it safely; then I felt even worse when you didn’t find an exit up there and had to go back down. Thank you for another great show. Stay safe!
Was on a drill rig in the early 90's in Oz . . doing directional drilling into the drives of an underground mine below , for running extra pipes , cables & stuff down . . when down below inspecting the completed holes (couple 100's of meters) you could hardly hold your hand under them as there was so much water gushing out .
Oooh, sketchy ladder....must climb ladder...can't resist. .. love it :) there were more survey marks at the top so you can't have been far off other exits. So many unexplored tunnels still.
This is something I would love to do first hand but a much safer second look is the next best thing. The upload onto UA-cam is much appreciated. Looks similar in places to a Salvador Dali or M.C. Escher painting.
Geez it always makes me nervous when your by yourself and you go up old ladders like that! But then again that's why I love your videos cuz you go where nobody ever would! Be safe man and keep being awesome!!
Don't know a whole heckuva lot about the geologic processes that subduct, squeeze, & thrust up these grand, steep mountain ranges over time, resulting in exposed faults & cross-cuts deep w/in the tunneled-out mines, but they sure do produce interesting visual contrasts of color & texture w/in the ore deposits themselves. No academic training re earth sciences, but have always been a rockhound at heart. Wow, Frank! This mine had a bit of everything - the threat of Tommyknockers, near-switchbacks, dy-no-mite!, stacks of abandoned artifacts, mud, flood, & crud, DANGER!, scary stairs to nowhere, & a multitude of beckoning opportunities for death by misadventure. Alas, no thruway, forcing u to hazard hell's ladder a 2nd time in order to exit, but at least u got some souvenirs for yr sacrifice, eh?
The thing about mines is that they are holes going into the mountain, stairs, ladders, multiple levels... While you go there all alone today, once back in the day there were thousands of people working, dying and exploring these places to we can get materials to advance our technology and other. Thanks for showing these wonderful places.
This mine has a bit of everything. That really did sound like ghost mules, easy to see how someone prone to scare themselves would have gotten spooked by that. Lots of cool artifacts in there.
Wow that's hell of a mine Frank your very brave going up all those ladders I would be scared of not knowing the way back out it's that big. Stay safe and keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
Awesome stuff! Really cool to see whats in the places I wouldn't dare take a step into. As for the light coloured bands of rock, my best guess would be some form of a felsic/leucocratic igneous intrusive rock similar to the "Kaslo sills" nearby. To the best of my knowledge they aren't typically mineralized themselves, but that's not to say that fluids expelled from the magma as it cooled didn't mineralize some fractures in the area. Stay safe and keep the videos coming!
That's pretty cool! Looks like they were following the contact zone where the two types of rock meet. Really neat seeing the contrast between the 2 types of rock.
I love wet mines. It's so cool to see what the water does to everything and it adds so much more character to them than some relatively boring dry mine. I love them, but I know I sure won't when I have to trudge miles through them, and when I have to worry about rotting wood taking all the oxygen out.
Gotta hand it to you Frank your awesome. Love you videos. I’ve been a miner all my life, but I don’t think I would do that alone. Wish I could be there with you though. Stay safe
Those are ladders TO Hell! Another great video Frank. Such a cool, extensive mine with lots of stuff left in it. Hopefully you'll be able to explore all of it at some point.
I've been watching your videos non stop and this is the first one where you legitimately seemed freaked out and realized you may have made a bad decision. I watched your other video where there was another exit that wasn't there before in the same mine but you went in a different portal which would have been the exit in this video. Talk about irony. Anyway, you have some huge balls for doing what you do. Stay safe out there Frank. 💪
My stepfather was old old school and he always made wood ladders like that to use on the house. He said they were heavy, but you knew they were good and solid. You also had no one else too blame, if they failed you. He worked on construction after WW2, till he got his engineering degree.
Exploring Abandoned Mines could also be whats called iron poisoning in ships that use iron fasteners from that time period. The iron decays the wood around galvanically.
"BIGFOOT"... If I Was In Good Enough Shape...I Would Be Honored 2 Explore With You...Frank You Are Amazing Man...Be "C" & Stay Safe My Friend...Kenny Bohey
now this is another level of exploration, meant for anyone but myself,shocking cuz im great at bad decisions but this mind exploration is a bit much ! glad to have found this
Gosh, can you imagine doing this at night with only a touch for light, I think visually it would be amazing, and you would be the only man brave enough.
The more he beat on that thing to get that manufacturer's plate off of it, the better chance he had of attracting a drow raiding party. Gotta watch that.
Just watched this again. Really seemed like this one shook you a bit. Lots of miles in that rascal! Haven't seen you do extensive ladder without a rope much since.
Thank you for filming and sharing that which I lack the balls to do myself. You'd have never gotten me in there by anything other than gunpoint. But it sure is neat to be able to see it.
Nice videos! I would love to see you exploring with someone else, especially that deep into a new mine. The door at 3:02 is likely part of a ventilation control wall which can close off parts of the mine during blasting. The area at 3:23 is a collapse where the back gave way, as seen on the floor. It's nice to see all the ore carts and wheels in your videos, they are very scarce anymore in Western US mines. Stay safe my friend :)
You are a whopper :-) this was another special adventure. Not without danger with all those ladders. Where I live (in the Netherlands) are only old coal mines and unfortunately they are no longer accessible ( filled with cement and water)
Man oh man, everything you were saying to yourself, I was saying the same thing to myself before you said it, with a couple more F*u*k this'--:) You really keep people biting their lips. I'm glad to see you made it out alive, another great video Frank....!
Ya, did a cave trip today, didn't have my usual partner with me, didn't enjoy it half as much or have half the confidence without her, spent most of the trip wishing she was there. I feel your pain!
I know what you mean. You have a lot of fun with someone doing cool explores fall in love and then suddenly it is over........It leaves a hole in your heart!
amazing man, the fact that it punched through another mine. You got to explore two different mines. Hope you go back in the future and venture up some of those other ladders you didn't climb. I bet there are some cool things up there too. If i ever make my way up there on vacation i hope to swing by and venture in these mines with you :)
They might've shot the nails at an angle, which is what you do when you're cheap and don't want to notch the steps in the sides. That way, you're less likely to break or rip a board off...downside of it is...well, the ladder can only be used one way up, if you mistake the bottom for the top, you're in for a nasty surprise. I know this because that's how the ladders in my grandpa's old 100+ barn were and in Germany of all places too, and yes, i fell on my ass. :)
my bloody hands sweat when you climb over hanging ladders in a dark, wet mine shaft alone! I would love to do that. I would play with dynamite, not in the mine outside. Is it unstable the dynamite?
Other than Anyox have you ever tried draining a mine? Preferably a large section, to see what has been lost to the depths? Enjoying following along on your adventures, thanks for bringing us along!
Makes sense, it'd be interesting to see if it were possible. I know when active mines spend a lot of effort and money to keep them dry-ish. The Tower/Soudan Mine in Tower MN is a tourist site that still uses the original man lift to bring tourists down the 2,341ft to the 27th level. They also mention the need to pump water out constantly during the tour. If you're not aware of it it's an Iron mine that operated from 1880's to 1962.
Wow I don't know if it is just me but the wall at 4:42 looks like it has a bunch of cave art! Maybe it's just my brain playing tricks on me, but I see a bunch of abstract animals and faces too. Pretty strange!
I know what you're talking about how you couldn't find anyone to come with you. The last 45 years of mine exploring I did by myself as it was- go alone or don't go at all and like you, I had to go.
You’re not alone in the mine Frank. We’re right there with you. Otherwise you’d just be a crazy person talking to yourself in an old mine in BC.
Thanks for taking us along.
I have heard that one before!
Sush..........lucky most of my fans are nice!
This is a great video and the only way you would be taking me along with you in a mine, LOL. I'm claustrophobic. Just watching you I was getting nervous.
Frank - Wow! No ropes, no harness, just a man and a rotting latter 500 feet up in the middle of nowhere in a shaft dug before our fathers were born... Personally, I think your nuts. But to see the images before they're lost forever is very cool.
When I watch all the others exploring mines and they don’t climb up, I always say “Frank would climb that shit.” 😂 😂😂 You the man Frank! Stay safe
Best line: Dynamite-"do not want to play with that"...
This one started off so nice & quaint, then turned into nightmare fuel. Stay safe Frank.
Lot of workings in that mine. You have some serious sack going in there by yourself.
Thanks for the upload Brother! 👍👍👍
Any time
Love the show Frank but we may need to reset your risk and reward meter Frank no one can question your testicular fortitude
I've spent many many hours exploring Sandon and the nearby Slocan valley. Always spotting these lonely abandoned mines from the highway and forest service roads. Very cool to see what they're like inside. Stay safe on your adventures!
Your funniest video to date! Came across it only now.. Again, what an ENORMOUS undertaking this mine was in the day..
That was a tremendous mine. Lots of artifacts and strange geology. I've never faults so well defined. They almost looked like a plastered wall in a house and I've never seen such a high contrast in the color of the rock. At about the half way point I expected to see the video spinning wildly until it hit the floor of the drift below. Really glad you didn't go down. Thanks for sharing that mine with us!
I stopped counting but my heart stopped atleast for 10 times just by watching haha. It makes me happy that there is still some dare devils out there!
Another great video!! I would give my eye teeth to be able to go into a few of those with you. I love caving and this looks like so much fun, and with artifacts too!!
I don’t think I could ever do this kind of exploring, thankfully you do so I can watch from the couch and have ice cold beers! 👍
All good that is the point!
I'm glad you took that Montgomery nameplate, you earned that shit. That was really an incredible adventure
Thanks again for sharing your adventures Frank.
Holy crap. Had to pause and clean my house a little while watching. Insane amazing explore. Seeing those parts no one has been in for many years.. the old relics. Thank you for documenting this stuff! It's so interesting but please be safe we need you.
I have gotten hooked on your videos.. such amazing stuff, I have always had a fascination with mines, but have never gone exp[loring like this.. the laders, chutes, mine carts and everything such rich history... thanks so much for sharing the adventure!
I would love to go exploring old mines with you Frank!! Great video
Brilliant video,what a awesome mine,don't know how you go on your own though, here in Cornwall there is always a few of us together, keep up the great work Frank, fantastic to see the mines out there.
I can't help but start laughing when Frank says "there's no possibility of getting up there, not on our own any way, maybe just a little way" so funny hearing you talk your way round😁
Sometimes I need a pep talk!
thanks for takin one for the team and goin alone anyways, so that we can all see it. great show
Basically the choice is go alone or don't go at all!
Another terrific mine exploration, thanks for taking us along Frank!
I must have missed this one some how but I'm glad I found it, what a place and artifact rich too....well in the bit you get to haha!
Another great video Frank , Thank you for taking us along. Until next time my friend . Take care
Watching these makes me think how you even had the nuts to climb that ladder! Insane and i fucking love it dude 👍
Incredibly interesting video. Fabulous finds. Was nail biter to watch😮. Considering you were in there by yourself I was concerned you might get lost 😮😮. Must have been a massive mine.
wow...this one got me tense, lol...tense in my chair and coffee...you are a legend sir
Glad you enjoyed the show!
Well that was another excellent explore Frank. That mine was really extensive. The contrast in the rock was amazing. Lots of great stuff in there too, I’m glad you were able to rescue a couple of small items the cup and Montgomery tag/plaque. It was interesting to see how much water was flowing out of all those holes. I held my breath when you convinced yourself to go up those ladders and I was saying “don’t do it, don’t do it” but you did and made it safely; then I felt even worse when you didn’t find an exit up there and had to go back down. Thank you for another great show. Stay safe!
I am glad it was entertaining for you!
Was on a drill rig in the early 90's in Oz . . doing directional drilling into the drives of an underground mine below , for running extra pipes , cables & stuff down . . when down below inspecting the completed holes (couple 100's of meters) you could hardly hold your hand under them as there was so much water gushing out .
I just cant get enough of this. Love your videos my friend.
This is one of the sketchiest mines I’ve seen you in. Take care!
That was an amazing mine! Tons of extensive workings, really awesome!
Oooh, sketchy ladder....must climb ladder...can't resist. .. love it :) there were more survey marks at the top so you can't have been far off other exits. So many unexplored tunnels still.
I don't want to climb them but I have to know what is up there!
This is something I would love to do first hand but a much safer second look is the next best thing. The upload onto UA-cam is much appreciated. Looks similar in places to a Salvador Dali or M.C. Escher painting.
Stairway to heaven or the highway to hell. Looks like Panic City to me. I'll stay here thanks.
Good tune either way!
My favorite episode so far Frank.
Geez it always makes me nervous when your by yourself and you go up old ladders like that! But then again that's why I love your videos cuz you go where nobody ever would! Be safe man and keep being awesome!!
Top notch mining expertise evident everywhere in this one.
Amazing mine Frank. Artifacts everywhere. Thanks for sharing your Adventures. Wishing I lived closer. I would go with you. Cheers, Bud..
Awesome video man. That is a huge mine. Thank you for showing us. Peace
Don't know a whole heckuva lot about the geologic processes that subduct, squeeze, & thrust up these grand, steep mountain ranges over time, resulting in exposed faults & cross-cuts deep w/in the tunneled-out mines, but they sure do produce interesting visual contrasts of color & texture w/in the ore deposits themselves. No academic training re earth sciences, but have always been a rockhound at heart. Wow, Frank! This mine had a bit of everything - the threat of Tommyknockers, near-switchbacks, dy-no-mite!, stacks of abandoned artifacts, mud, flood, & crud, DANGER!, scary stairs to nowhere, & a multitude of beckoning opportunities for death by misadventure. Alas, no thruway, forcing u to hazard hell's ladder a 2nd time in order to exit, but at least u got some souvenirs for yr sacrifice, eh?
Well dear we try and keep the folk out there entertained!
Mission accomplished!
The thing about mines is that they are holes going into the mountain, stairs, ladders, multiple levels... While you go there all alone today, once back in the day there were thousands of people working, dying and exploring these places to we can get materials to advance our technology and other. Thanks for showing these wonderful places.
This mine has a bit of everything. That really did sound like ghost mules, easy to see how someone prone to scare themselves would have gotten spooked by that. Lots of cool artifacts in there.
Wow that's hell of a mine Frank your very brave going up all those ladders I would be scared of not knowing the way back out it's that big. Stay safe and keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
You are welcome David, thanks for joining us!
That's why the right hand rule,that way it is easy to navigate back out.
I just stumbled on your vids.and that ladder was dodgy to climb .new fan from cornwall uk
This one was extreme man!!!! Thank you. Can't wait to join you one day.
Awesome stuff! Really cool to see whats in the places I wouldn't dare take a step into. As for the light coloured bands of rock, my best guess would be some form of a felsic/leucocratic igneous intrusive rock similar to the "Kaslo sills" nearby. To the best of my knowledge they aren't typically mineralized themselves, but that's not to say that fluids expelled from the magma as it cooled didn't mineralize some fractures in the area. Stay safe and keep the videos coming!
Love the shirt and the video frank, stay safe out there and happy mine hunting 😎 also thats neat seeing water flowing out of the drill holes at 7:30
When u started up the ladder my high vanished. Ur a crazy guy, thank you for the video
That's pretty cool! Looks like they were following the contact zone where the two types of rock meet. Really neat seeing the contrast between the 2 types of rock.
I love wet mines. It's so cool to see what the water does to everything and it adds so much more character to them than some relatively boring dry mine. I love them, but I know I sure won't when I have to trudge miles through them, and when I have to worry about rotting wood taking all the oxygen out.
They are more interesting to film......but not more fun to explore!
Gotta hand it to you Frank your awesome. Love you videos. I’ve been a miner all my life, but I don’t think I would do that alone. Wish I could be there with you though. Stay safe
Wow great video!! Wish the water didn't get on the Mic oh well still awesome. Thanks for risking going up those ladders, must of been a rush 👍
Great video! Thank you!
That mine is a monument to heaps of hard work and hard workers.
Those are ladders TO Hell! Another great video Frank. Such a cool, extensive mine with lots of stuff left in it. Hopefully you'll be able to explore all of it at some point.
I have explored everything I can in that one!
In the immortal words of Lt. Tawny Madison when looking down at the very top of the ladder from hell... "Well, screw that!"
What an amazing mine man, I love it!
I've been watching your videos non stop and this is the first one where you legitimately seemed freaked out and realized you may have made a bad decision. I watched your other video where there was another exit that wasn't there before in the same mine but you went in a different portal which would have been the exit in this video. Talk about irony. Anyway, you have some huge balls for doing what you do. Stay safe out there Frank. 💪
Thanks ...it was a little scary!
You're a wildman, Frank!
Yes Thanks!
My stepfather was old old school and he always made wood ladders like that to use on the house. He said they were heavy, but you knew they were good and solid. You also had no one else too blame, if they failed you. He worked on construction after WW2, till he got his engineering degree.
The ladders were fine in their day but over time the nails rust the wood rots and I have to figure out if they are still safe.
Exploring Abandoned Mines could also be whats called iron poisoning in ships that use iron fasteners from that time period. The iron decays the wood around galvanically.
I learn a lot from you thank you
"BIGFOOT"... If I Was In Good Enough Shape...I Would Be Honored 2 Explore With You...Frank You Are Amazing Man...Be "C" & Stay Safe My Friend...Kenny Bohey
Your fingers are in good shape on the keyboards!
Great video Frank, you have balls of steel to climb dodgy ladders like that with a camera in your hand.
Yeah the camera is expensive!
weisenheimer.
Seriously probably top 5 favorite you tube channels
Great.......I will keep trying to improve and crack the top 3 list!
Lol, watching you casually kick that carbide can as if no one would put a stick of dynamite in it haha
It is hard to find people to go exploring with some times. If I was your neighbor I'd always be up for an adventure.
now this is another level of exploration, meant for anyone but myself,shocking cuz im great at bad decisions but this mind exploration is a bit much ! glad to have found this
We are with you in there.
The only things that make noise in a mine are Water & Frank with his invasive barking spiders!
Gosh, can you imagine doing this at night with only a touch for light, I think visually it would be amazing, and you would be the only man brave enough.
The more he beat on that thing to get that manufacturer's plate off of it, the better chance he had of attracting a drow raiding party. Gotta watch that.
Just watched this again. Really seemed like this one shook you a bit. Lots of miles in that rascal! Haven't seen you do extensive ladder without a rope much since.
The ropes are a lot safer!
Hi Frank that was a totally wild ride wow :)
Glad you enjoyed it Jim!
Thank you for filming and sharing that which I lack the balls to do myself. You'd have never gotten me in there by anything other than gunpoint. But it sure is neat to be able to see it.
If anyone is pointing a gun at me they would be telling me to get out of the mine........not in!
Nice videos! I would love to see you exploring with someone else, especially that deep into a new mine. The door at 3:02 is likely part of a ventilation control wall which can close off parts of the mine during blasting. The area at 3:23 is a collapse where the back gave way, as seen on the floor. It's nice to see all the ore carts and wheels in your videos, they are very scarce anymore in Western US mines. Stay safe my friend :)
Lots of stuff to bring home in that mine!! just need some strong friends!! LOL!
I don't get much stuff for my museum anymore. I only need one of everything and it is rare that I see something I don't already have!
You are a whopper :-) this was another special adventure. Not without danger with all those ladders.
Where I live (in the Netherlands) are only old coal mines and unfortunately they are no longer accessible ( filled with cement and water)
Good coal mines are dangerous!
The more I watch these videos the more scared I am of tunnels but I’m still so curious! I love your videos though even if they’re a little scary haha
Man oh man, everything you were saying to yourself, I was saying the same thing to myself before you said it, with a couple more F*u*k this'--:)
You really keep people biting their lips. I'm glad to see you made it out alive, another great video Frank....!
Ya, did a cave trip today, didn't have my usual partner with me, didn't enjoy it half as much or have half the confidence without her, spent most of the trip wishing she was there. I feel your pain!
I know what you mean. You have a lot of fun with someone doing cool explores fall in love and then suddenly it is over........It leaves a hole in your heart!
Aww :o(
The game chutes and ladders had to be invented by someone who worked in this mine! Wow. Well done.
My Dad was a psych nurse in a mental hospital in Weyburn Sask. He said you only have to worry when you talk to yourself and get an answer.
Those sounds where cool great description
Frank reminds me of Hunter S. Thompson. I need him to say "we cant stop here, this is bat country!" Just to be sure!
amazing man, the fact that it punched through another mine. You got to explore two different mines. Hope you go back in the future and venture up some of those other ladders you didn't climb. I bet there are some cool things up there too. If i ever make my way up there on vacation i hope to swing by and venture in these mines with you :)
It didn't turn out to be another mine it was all the same mine. There are no sections in that mine that I would want to go back and explore.
They might've shot the nails at an angle, which is what you do when you're cheap and don't want to notch the steps in the sides. That way, you're less likely to break or rip a board off...downside of it is...well, the ladder can only be used one way up, if you mistake the bottom for the top, you're in for a nasty surprise. I know this because that's how the ladders in my grandpa's old 100+ barn were and in Germany of all places too, and yes, i fell on my ass. :)
Normally inset ladders are inset square about a half inch and can be used in either direction.
Were they inset? Didn't see that clearly. Looked like nailed straight on.
@@werner.x the top ladder wasn't inset, but bottom ones were, from what I saw.
Only Your Personal Experience Of Them Wooden Ladders Can Answer If You Should Go Up, Me I Says Stay Safe.. (Better To Be Safe Than Sorry)
I’m laughing that you had to go back down that ladder 😝😘
that ladder was INSANE!! couldnt of paid me to climb that
crazy stuff man hope you find someone to go with you soon thumbs up
my bloody hands sweat when you climb over hanging ladders in a dark, wet mine shaft alone! I would love to do that. I would play with dynamite, not in the mine outside. Is it unstable the dynamite?
It can be!
me encantan las minas ya he visto muchas pero tus minas me gustan mucho son muy interesantes felicidades desde torreon coahuila
22:20 that water looks clean enough to drink!
Brave Man. Happy New Year
You sir are insane in the membrane
Man if I could get time away from work I would explore all these mines with you
Every video makes me want to fly up there more...if you ever need more people maybe we can set up a pay experience to fund the museum also
email me.
Other than Anyox have you ever tried draining a mine? Preferably a large section, to see what has been lost to the depths? Enjoying following along on your adventures, thanks for bringing us along!
It is tough the water has to have somewhere to run to!
Makes sense, it'd be interesting to see if it were possible.
I know when active mines spend a lot of effort and money to keep them dry-ish. The Tower/Soudan Mine in Tower MN is a tourist site that still uses the original man lift to bring tourists down the 2,341ft to the 27th level. They also mention the need to pump water out constantly during the tour. If you're not aware of it it's an Iron mine that operated from 1880's to 1962.
Wow I don't know if it is just me but the wall at 4:42 looks like it has a bunch of cave art! Maybe it's just my brain playing tricks on me, but I see a bunch of abstract animals and faces too. Pretty strange!
I know what you're talking about how you couldn't find anyone to come with you. The last 45 years of mine exploring I did by myself as it was- go alone or don't go at all and like you, I had to go.