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Austtie
Location: Ventura County Gender: Male
| | | Advice for Mine Exploration < on 4/27/2013 3:29 AM >
| | | Hello everybody, I'm planning on exploring a rather large Southern California mine soon and need some advice. Specifically, what gear should I bring and what dangers should I watch out for? I'm pretty much shooting in the dark here, so any help is appreciated. This particular mine may have water at points (up to two feet) and a 10+ foot latter or two; nothing too extreme that im aware of. Things I'm willing to buy if needed: 1) boots 2) a mask 3) a helmet/hard hat 4) anything else deemed necessary Suggestions as to specific items to buy, and where to buy them, would be great. Thanks!
https://www.flickr...otos/97773368@N06/ |
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Jonsered
Location: Back in New Mexico where I belong Gender: Male
Dressed for a scarecrow ball.........
| | | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 1 on 4/27/2013 3:47 AM >
| | | Do a quick search. I know welve put together a list for mine newbs at least twice.
I have changed my personal exploring ethics code. From now on it will be: "Take only aimed shots, leave only hobo corpses." Copper scrappers, meth heads and homeless beware. The Jonsered cometh among you, bringing fear and dread. |
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Austtie
Location: Ventura County Gender: Male
| | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 3 on 4/30/2013 4:41 AM >
| | | Posted by Jonsered Do a quick search. I know welve put together a list for mine newbs at least twice.
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Will do. Thanks!
https://www.flickr...otos/97773368@N06/ |
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Jonsered
Location: Back in New Mexico where I belong Gender: Male
Dressed for a scarecrow ball.........
| | | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 4 on 4/30/2013 5:50 AM >
| | | search mine exploration in archived search. Brings up one thread in 2004, and another in 2006. I know there are more, but you get the drift.
I have changed my personal exploring ethics code. From now on it will be: "Take only aimed shots, leave only hobo corpses." Copper scrappers, meth heads and homeless beware. The Jonsered cometh among you, bringing fear and dread. |
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fiftyone_eggs
Location: jerzey Gender: Male
| | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 5 on 4/30/2013 11:18 AM >
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your list doesn't really say anything about oxygen quality issues. A sturdy rope, boots and helmet are nice but they won't help you when the air goes bad.
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Send4Help
Location: A biology lab far, far away... Gender: Male
No time for the old in-out, love.
| | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 6 on 4/30/2013 2:53 PM >
| | | A VERY good resource for anybody getting into caving or mine exploring is to join or get into contact with your local Grotto. They are hands down the most knowledgeable people to talk to for the underground world. (http://www.nssio.org/Find_Grotto.cfm) The point fiftyone_eggs eggs brought up is very valid. A mask will NOT help you when the O2 is too low, they are just there to help filter stuff out, not raise the oxygen levels. For that you need a full oxygen tank system and they arent cheap. Also, dont expect to smell/feel/see any changes in air quality until it is too late. Lastly, mines may contain explosive vapors that a spark can set off. Just be very careful, the underground exploring should never be done with out someone with experience. A rule that any seasoned caver will tell you is bring a lot of backup gear (4 backup lights, food, water, first-aid, etc). Send a PM to the member, Critter (http://www.uer.ca/....asp?posterid=9790). He has been caving for nearly 35 years, is a member of the Grotto, and was the one who first got me into the hobby. Good luck on your trip!!
The Durango '95 purred away a real horrowshow - a nice, warm vibraty feeling all through your guttiwuts. And soon it was trees and dark, my brothers, with real country dark. |
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Austtie
Location: Ventura County Gender: Male
| | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 8 on 4/30/2013 11:57 PM >
| | | Posted by Jonsered search mine exploration in archived search. Brings up one thread in 2004, and another in 2006. I know there are more, but you get the drift.
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Thanks for bringing the archived search to my attention, I've found some great threads.
your list doesn't really say anything about oxygen quality issues. A sturdy rope, boots and helmet are nice but they won't help you when the air goes bad. | The specific mine I'll be visiting is commonly explored and relatively free of air issues (according to the DB and other sources). Still, you make a great point, and I'll reevaluate my plans accordingly.
A VERY good resource for anybody getting into caving or mine exploring is to join or get into contact with your local Grotto. They are hands down the most knowledgeable people to talk to for the underground world.
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Thanks for the resources and advice. I will certainly continue to research and contact experts. The Grotto community seems fantastic.
we've used o2 meters before. They usually don't cost much, but have to be calibrated every so often. If you get one with different gas detectors, the prices can get up there. |
I'll look into gas detectors as well. I'm sure these would come in handy on many occasions. Thanks for the help!
https://www.flickr...otos/97773368@N06/ |
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Abby Normal
Location: Las Vegas Gender: Female
| | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 9 on 5/1/2013 2:32 AM >
| | | Posted by Austtie Hello everybody, I'm planning on exploring a rather large Southern California mine soon and need some advice. Specifically, what gear should I bring and what dangers should I watch out for? I'm pretty much shooting in the dark here, so any help is appreciated. This particular mine may have water at points (up to two feet) and a 10+ foot latter or two; nothing too extreme that im aware of. Things I'm willing to buy if needed: 1) boots 2) a mask 3) a helmet/hard hat 4) anything else deemed necessary Suggestions as to specific items to buy, and where to buy them, would be great. Thanks!
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The most important thing to take with you is common sense. Seriously. It won't protect you from every danger, but it will go a long way. If the mine is commonly explored, then it's probably reasonably safe from an air or collapse standpoint. Still, keep you eyes open and pay attention. If no one in your group has been to this mine before and knows their way around, then pay extra attention to which way is which. Some folks always explore the leftmost drift at any split. Stop and look behind you every now and then. Things look different from the opposite direction. Tell someone exactly where you are going and when you will be back. Call that person as soon as you exit the mine so they know that you got out OK. I realize that you already knew all of this, but it's back to the whole common sense thing. Put the first things first.
So on to basic gear. Here is what I would take assuming that there is no vertical ascents or descents. Helmet - I started going underground with a bicycle helmet. Looked dumb but it worked. A skateboard or snowboard helmet will work. A hardhat will work but I prefer something with a chin strap. Looking down a shaft and having your helmet tumble off leaves you without head protection and possibly without a headlamp. Add a chin strap to a hardhat and off you go. Of course a climbing helmet is the best, but cost $$. Headlamp - It's best to have at least one light attached to your helmet so you can be hands free. I generally have a primary and backup on my helmet. This can be a flashlight securely wire tied to your helmet. Flashlight - Even with a headlamp, a handheld light is a good addition. I keep one in my pocket and another (backup) in my backpack. I use the one in my pocket a lot when I want extra light on something. Batteries - I carry them for every light (I make sure my helmet and handheld use the same battery). Practice changing batteries in complete darkness a couple of times. You'll probably never have to do this, but you never know. Gloves - Anything to cover your hands. Lots of nails and things that want to poke into your skin. Water - If I need to explain this one, you better stay at home. Snack - You will probably be underground longer than you expect since it's so darn cool down there. Camera - If you feel like dragging one along. Dust mask - Some mines have a lot of fine silt that gets kicked up. I personally don't like them but some folks always wear one. On the topic of lights. You don't have to spend a ton, but keep in mind that when you are underground your light becomes life support equipment. No different than a regulator for a scuba diver or a parachute for a sky diver. We regularly go places that you would never get out of without light. Cheap lights are fine in most situations, but the deeper you get into a mine the more your life depends on it working perfectly. I won't go underground without three. I wrote a magazine article for Dezert Magazine. On page 42 is The Call of Darkness. http://www.dezertm...M04/index.html#/2/ You can see some of my mine photos at: http://www.asolidf...ines/mine_home.htm
Abby Normal [last edit 5/1/2013 10:28 AM by Abby Normal - edited 2 times]
"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan |
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Austtie
Location: Ventura County Gender: Male
| | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 10 on 5/1/2013 3:59 AM >
| | | Thank you very much Abby! I will heed your advice as I venture into the mine. Common sense is truly of the utmost importance. Additionally, the list of gear will prove very helpful as I prepare in the coming weeks; I very much appreciate you putting that together. And thanks for sharing your website and article! You have some amazing stories and I'm very inspired by your experiences.
https://www.flickr...otos/97773368@N06/ |
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Abby Normal
Location: Las Vegas Gender: Female
| | | Re: Advice for Mine Exploration <Reply # 11 on 5/1/2013 10:43 AM >
| | | Posted by Austtie Thank you very much Abby! I will heed your advice as I venture into the mine. Common sense is truly of the utmost importance. Additionally, the list of gear will prove very helpful as I prepare in the coming weeks; I very much appreciate you putting that together. And thanks for sharing your website and article! You have some amazing stories and I'm very inspired by your experiences.
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No problem! I'm always glad to get the opportunity to contribute. Have fun and be safe. If you like mine exploring and want to get a little deeper into it (that's an intentional pun for those who think I'm old and senile and don't realize what I'm writing ) check out http://www.mojaveunderground.com for a mine exploring discussion forum. Also the vertical forum here on UER has some good stuff. Abby Normal
"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan |
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