The mine that we started exploring back in 1985 involved us worming along a tiny corridor for at least ten minute before getting to a 3 metre shaft that lead into the first chamber. Upon entering with someone new to the mine they would usually look around and then ask, "Is that it?" as the mine appeared not to go on. I would then go to the lower end of the chamber and, with the help of someone else, start moving the boulders from the last cave-in.

This, of course, would freak people out. Once beyond this point the mine was relatively stable & took hours to explore.

I remember one fellow explorer saying to me that he felt a bit more safe thanks to the wooden posts chocked between the roof & floor. They would soon lose that feeling once my index finger would go all the way into the rotting wood

We did this mine many times WITHOUT EVEN THINKING OF TELLING ANYONE where we were. Just dumb young guys addicted to exploring. Even if rescuers knew where you were, the logistics of getting everyone out... even 30 years down the track I still cringe at the thought.

There is no fucking way I would even consider going in the mine these days.

I would spill my beer.