Tips for abandoned mine exploration?

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Resewamil
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

4 years ago

I have a map with a huge system of mine shafts marked on the surface and I’ve been down probably 7-10 times. I want to do it more, but I want to do it as safe as I can. I am well aware of the dangers of exploring abandoned mines, I’m asking for help minimizing the dangers. I know there can be dangerous gasses, but the system I explore is pretty well ventilated. Obviously don’t walk on or touch anything old and unstable. Any other advice from experts? If I need good gear I can buy it, I play on the Royal Vegas casino (https://bestcasinos-ca.com/reviews/royal-vegas-casino.php) and won few times so can spend money for a gear.

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pwhole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Take a friend! Leave a call-out with a friend. Don't climb up or down anything unless you can reverse it safely and without any additional risk. I don't know what you're walking on obviously, but unless you know it's solid rock, assume it might not be - some false floors can just be a few inches of gravel cemented together above the void where the supports used to be.

Oh, and don't paint arrows on the wall to mark your route 😉

DaveM
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Taking a compass and having a general awareness of how the mine is laid out can keep you from staying lost, especially in large pillar and stall type mines, these can have very few features to guide you back if lost and you could spend ages blundering around looking for an exit. Quite a few rescue call outs are for lost explorers, usually of the ill prepared variety.

Coggy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Take a video camera and post your explore online whilst shouting how dangerous your explore is.

if eight out of ten cats all prefer Whiskas
Do the other two prefer Lesley Judd ?

BertyBasset
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Care to share the map? Sounds lush.

Seriously though, what are we talking here? Metal, coal, iron, stone? Each needs a different approach.

Or indeed, for coal, no approach.

Peter Burgess
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

Never mind "tips" - please read the NAMHO guidelines as they cover just about everything you are asking about. If you have a short attention span, don't go exploring as you probably won't have read the guidelines properly 😉

https://namho.org/download.php?id=128

Down and beyond
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

As said above you need to start of by saying the mines type read the guide lines 120%

I would personally find some one experienced to go with you :thumbsup:

From the land of the pillar and stall

legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

You've done the right thing in asking for help, but this is not the sort of activity in which proficiency can be gained from a book.

There are plenty of competent and experienced explorers out there who I'm sure would be more than agreeable to join you and hopefully pass on a bit of wisdom so that you can enjoy your underground experiences safely.

If you can give an idea of the locality maybe someone will be able to help

MARK

festina lente[i]

Tamarmole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

"legendrider" wrote:
You've done the right thing in asking for help, but this is not the sort of activity in which proficiency can be gained from a book.

There are plenty of competent and experienced explorers out there who I'm sure would be more than agreeable to join you and hopefully pass on a bit of wisdom so that you can enjoy your underground experiences safely.

If you can give an idea of the locality maybe someone will be able to help

MARK

Hi, welcome to Aditnow. The above advice is absolutely spot on.

Peter Burgess
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#10

Which is sort of covered in the NAMHO advice

"7.5 Club Membership

NAMHO recommends that any person planning to visit abandoned and disused mines should become a Club member. Members of Clubs hold a vast store of knowledge and experience concerning the safe ways of enjoying visits to mines. Sharing and joining the pool of experience helps to strengthen everyone’s knowledge."

While you may not be inclined to join a club or mining history society, the concept of getting reliable help from other people is the main point being made. Think of AditNow as that group and see who is able to help. You have not replied to the query about the location or type of system - nobody is likely to give you tips apart from the obvious ones which you have probably worked out for yourself.

Cat_Bones
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#11

Which mine is it that you've been exploring? If you tell us, there will most likely be people here who can give you guidance about that specific system or at least point you in the direction of someone who can.

The advice might well be "stay well away" but that's a bit of advice worth having if that's the case. Not only is your safety paramount but there's a lot of places that are considered off-limits due to landowners etc... there's places that have ended up getting gated or even completely blocked due to explorers (usually the less experienced kind) entering them against the wishes of whoever is responsible for the place.

cantclimbtom
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

4 years ago

#12

I understand you are suspicious mentioning something then all these questions from internet strangers.

I posted that I wanted to explore a particular mine and I got loads of really useful advice and one person local to it even PM'd me and offered to show me about. That's exceptionally generous to offer up spare time to help a complete stranger.

My advice is terrible, but there are others here who have great advice backed by years of experience and a genuine wish to help others. Don't miss out on that, if they're willing to give you advice... take it!!

Expert in incompetent tomfoolery