Mine exploring...

[XbajajeepX]

Anyone on here do much abandoned mine exploring??

I live in So Cal and do quite a bit of it. There are hundreds of abandoned mines and even more still yet to be found...

[OverlandXJ]

Out this way the mines are burning....literally! :laugh:

For some reason caving and mines scare the hell outta me.

[o2bgpn]

Pretty much all the trails out here are because of mining. I usually try to stop and poke my head in each one I find along the trail.

My daughter and her friend checking out an old mine opening

http://itsatj.com/gallery/d/7806-1/022_Exploring_an_old_mine.jpg


Old mining hopper along Copper Creek

http://itsatj.com/gallery/d/7189-3/Copper_Creek_27_Nov_04_004_Old_mine_hopper.jpg


Columbia Mine, Martinez Canyon

http://itsatj.com/gallery/d/14001-2/Martinez+Canyon+31+Mar+07-18.jpg


Looking down Martinez Canyon you can see Jeeps parked in front of the Columbia Mine

http://itsatj.com/gallery/d/7673-2/Martinez_Canyon_5_Feb_05_012.jpg

[DrMoab]

Check out
http://www.goldrushexpeditions.com/
They are a local 4x4 club that does a lot of mine exploration and they do a lot to try and preserve them. There is a big push here to have them all cemented in.

[rokclimbertx]

i got talked into checking one out in AZ when i lived out there... freaked me out... walls kept shrinking in, claustrophobia kicked in, watching my buddy stick his head through a hole just big enough for a body to slip through then come running full speed in my direction yelling "SH!T... they're headed this way!" or something to that effect... bats chased our asses out of there... but it was his wide-eyed screaming that got me to turn and find my way back to the jeep...

no more mine exploration for me...

[Stumpalump]

Todays news:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290286,00.html

[XbajajeepX]

Thats very sad news....

Whenever we go in mines we go very well prepared..We take our time and make sure every foot step is a good one...

[WaXJ_Skier]

Todays news:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290286,00.html

Darwin FTW

[o2bgpn]

Trying to jump over a 10' wide vertical mine shaft is not quite my idea of "exploring."

Wow, a thousand foot drop! I wonder if he took a breath between screams on the way down.

[old_man]

Here in Colordo it is against the law. Any way, around here, poisonous gas is common in the mines.

[karstic]

I've done a little bit here (CA) and in Colorado. Mainly short, horizontal shafts, none of the vertical stuff.

Wouldn't mind doing some more.

[RTicUL8]

Here in Colordo it is against the law. Any way, around here, poisonous gas is common in the mines.

No problem.
Just take a canary with you. :thumbup:

...and watch out for the tommyknockers!

[Jes]

I love exploring old mines and mining areas, probably my favorite thing to use my Jeep for. Some of the best stuff I've seen has been in the Panamint Valley area.
Pleasant Canyon in the Panamint Range...
http://www.fototime.com/0460B0415CD7E70/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/DFDACFC951A9F70/standard.jpg
Defense Mine in the Argus Range...
http://www.fototime.com/38E2AEAED37D4C1/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D4057F637EC4650/standard.jpg
Going up one of the many sets of ladders...
http://www.fototime.com/D4E47A654A5E7AF/standard.jpg
...

[Jes]

Jail Canyon, Pananmint Range...
http://www.fototime.com/E7287B7E7DEBEAD/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/831C44AFCA9F253/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/4D3DBE414AD33AE/standard.jpg
...

[Jes]

West of Delta, Utah also has some cool stuff but I havn't had a chance to check much of it out.
Here's some pics from Chainsaw/Upper Chainsaw West of Delta...
http://www.fototime.com/1CE54BA3E3666A0/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/12C29D736AC0A80/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D48424228288225/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/615DEFF3B3DD551/standard.jpg

[Gerr]

theres some pretty cool ones within 100 miles of my home so Ive been to the ones Ive heard about. some things I wont do is the ones that have even just a verticle entry. a couple friends of mine went in one while I stayed out side with thier kids. I made them take my rope as far as it would go and they only made it about 30 feet in when one wall colapsed in front of them. we havent been inside a mine since but theres a few Id like to go visit and camp at again

[avnsteve]

jeez, i'm short of breath and sweating just from looking at some of those holes...

claustrophobia, you gotta love it!

[Weasel]

Don't like Mines much. The chemicals, risks of cave-ins, or gas sorta worries me. I like looking at the equipment and such though. Always find old mining equipment when hiking around MT and evne SD for that matter.


No problem.
Just take a canary with you. :thumbup:

...and watch out for the tommyknockers!

Doesn't always work. IIRC depends on the concetration of gas.

[Boatwrench]

Looking down Martinez Canyon you can see Jeeps parked in front of the Columbia Mine

http://itsatj.com/gallery/d/7673-2/Martinez_Canyon_5_Feb_05_012.jpg[/QUOTE]

Nice photos, looks like a wonderful place to explore.