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Hi all!
This past Monday and Tuesday I had the opportunity to go mine exploring with Chris from http://abandonedmines.net. He had brought his gear with him so we decided to head over to the Sultan and explore the inclined shaft that Bill (go_browns79) had found on one of his earlier trips.
I apologize for this being a picture heavy post, but there was a lot to see. Many of these photos are ones that Chris shot, so a big thanks to him!
The first obstacle was crossing the infamous "bridge" with all our gear. While the bridge is in pretty good shape, the dropoffs on both sides definitely ups the fear factor. As we explored further we discovered that there is good reason not to fall off of this bridge.
Chris and I both brought our 200 foot ropes. Lucky for us they weren't any shorter! After rigging the anchor there was about 10 feet extra at the bottom of the drop. The ladder is in pretty good shape but there are a few places where it has some serious structural issues.
During the climb down, the ladder spans a large stoped out area then continues downward connecting to three different levels.
At each level is an ore hopper that intrudes into the inclined shaft. Ore carts would be lowered to that level, then filled from the level's hopper. This is hopper at the lowest level.
The lowest level was quite interesting and typical for most of the mines I have visited in this area.
One of the miners left his canteen down at the bottom.
You have to have safety fuses in a mine. You wouldn't want unsafe ones would you?
This is one of the few areas that are timbered. Unfortunately this drift ends at a pile of rubble. It looked like it might be able to be dug out to see if it continues further.
Here's Chris seeing if there are any other areas to explore. He found an ore chute that lead to the next level above.
We continued to explore the bottom level. There are plenty of interesting remnants to keep you busy with your camera.
Which way to go? Hummmm Ironically the two drifts join back together further back into the mine.
How's this for an ore chute? It's the largest one that I've seen so far!
Chris had his camera going non-stop and got some really great photos. I can only imagine the size of his photo library.
It's a long way back up!
Here is second level "station". In the foreground you can see where the ore hopper is built just below grade. Ore carts would be wheeled up and dumped into the hopper. The ore would then be transferred to a cart on the inclined shaft.
The second level drift lead to a huge stope. This stope extends below the bottom of the inclined shaft and extends above the collar of the inclined shaft. I'm guessing it's close to 250 feet tall. It's also about 100 feet in diameter. This is the same drift that the "bridge" at the top level crosses.
Looking all the way across the stope, you can see the continuation of the drift. Obviously the miners stoped out this area after the original drift was built.
Upon returning to the bottom level station, we headed up the ladder to what is the first level below the collar.
This level has a great example of the ore chute.
Here I am getting off at this first level. What's not obvious is that it's another 60 feet down to the bottom. You are standing on an 10 inch wide board over a 60 foot drop. Did I mention that I'm afraid of heights?
Once again, this level's drift opens right into the giant stope. You wouldn't want to make a mis-step right here. It would be an ugly landing!
Here's an interesting feature. It's the first time I've seen a grizzly from the bottom side.
Although this picture was taken in the Accident mine, I had to include it here. Left to right it's Erin, Chris, and Joanne. This was Erin's first time in a mine and she did great! She stayed up on the main level while Chris and I explored the depths. If you ever get the opportunity to explore with Chris, don't miss it!
Joanne
This past Monday and Tuesday I had the opportunity to go mine exploring with Chris from http://abandonedmines.net. He had brought his gear with him so we decided to head over to the Sultan and explore the inclined shaft that Bill (go_browns79) had found on one of his earlier trips.
I apologize for this being a picture heavy post, but there was a lot to see. Many of these photos are ones that Chris shot, so a big thanks to him!
The first obstacle was crossing the infamous "bridge" with all our gear. While the bridge is in pretty good shape, the dropoffs on both sides definitely ups the fear factor. As we explored further we discovered that there is good reason not to fall off of this bridge.
Chris and I both brought our 200 foot ropes. Lucky for us they weren't any shorter! After rigging the anchor there was about 10 feet extra at the bottom of the drop. The ladder is in pretty good shape but there are a few places where it has some serious structural issues.
During the climb down, the ladder spans a large stoped out area then continues downward connecting to three different levels.
At each level is an ore hopper that intrudes into the inclined shaft. Ore carts would be lowered to that level, then filled from the level's hopper. This is hopper at the lowest level.
The lowest level was quite interesting and typical for most of the mines I have visited in this area.
One of the miners left his canteen down at the bottom.
You have to have safety fuses in a mine. You wouldn't want unsafe ones would you?
This is one of the few areas that are timbered. Unfortunately this drift ends at a pile of rubble. It looked like it might be able to be dug out to see if it continues further.
Here's Chris seeing if there are any other areas to explore. He found an ore chute that lead to the next level above.
We continued to explore the bottom level. There are plenty of interesting remnants to keep you busy with your camera.
Which way to go? Hummmm Ironically the two drifts join back together further back into the mine.
How's this for an ore chute? It's the largest one that I've seen so far!
Chris had his camera going non-stop and got some really great photos. I can only imagine the size of his photo library.
It's a long way back up!
Here is second level "station". In the foreground you can see where the ore hopper is built just below grade. Ore carts would be wheeled up and dumped into the hopper. The ore would then be transferred to a cart on the inclined shaft.
The second level drift lead to a huge stope. This stope extends below the bottom of the inclined shaft and extends above the collar of the inclined shaft. I'm guessing it's close to 250 feet tall. It's also about 100 feet in diameter. This is the same drift that the "bridge" at the top level crosses.
Looking all the way across the stope, you can see the continuation of the drift. Obviously the miners stoped out this area after the original drift was built.
Upon returning to the bottom level station, we headed up the ladder to what is the first level below the collar.
This level has a great example of the ore chute.
Here I am getting off at this first level. What's not obvious is that it's another 60 feet down to the bottom. You are standing on an 10 inch wide board over a 60 foot drop. Did I mention that I'm afraid of heights?
Once again, this level's drift opens right into the giant stope. You wouldn't want to make a mis-step right here. It would be an ugly landing!
Here's an interesting feature. It's the first time I've seen a grizzly from the bottom side.
Although this picture was taken in the Accident mine, I had to include it here. Left to right it's Erin, Chris, and Joanne. This was Erin's first time in a mine and she did great! She stayed up on the main level while Chris and I explored the depths. If you ever get the opportunity to explore with Chris, don't miss it!
Joanne
From the 200 level, there is a way across the large stope to the far side. From where we were standing though you just can't tell how much further the mine extends. It's going to require climbing over there to see what's on the other side. (There's a chicken crossing the road joke in there somewhere.....)
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