Back in the Cave... This is Much Harder than I Thought...

Follow me on IG and twitter!

[brandonbennett]

As a builder/contractor, I can concure that you need a 3/4" bit for 5/8" rebar.

That concrete epoxy is crazy strong. The only way you're pulling that out is if the rock comes out with it.

[ryanm]

For future reference guys. Hang a plumb bob string, tie knots at the distance apart you want your rungs, and hang it so your line of holes is vertically level and evenly spaced. Then just move it over to the other side the distance that matches your width. Then you can reuse it so all your rungs are universal like a real ladder which is the safest way. Work smart not hard goes a long way💪🏼love to see all the progress!

[LoreTunderin]

If you're using purpose made epoxy you won't have any problems with the rungs pulling out. The Hownot2 rock climbing youtube channel did tests on that stuff and it took like 10 thousand pounds or more to pull an anchor straight out when it was set in the rock epoxy, and the anchor was smoother than your rebar which should hold even stronger.

[debbiedavis]

Matt, I have put hundreds of rebar steps in bedrook using this method. The holes should be at least 1/8" larger than the rebar you are using. Redhead brand epoxy is good stuff. We usually use Hilti, but have used Redhead in the past. You have nothing to worry about.

[richardnott]

Get a tube vent fan also. They have a long sock on them used for ventilation while doing cave rescue or tank rescues.

[jackus]

When mining for opal we use ladders like your first solid one then we use stepped tapered pins just hit into the holes to secure it to the wall no glue no or anything, it's been done like that for over 100 years and works better than you would expect

[wes]

Turn the highway house into the entire resorts laundromat. You'll have literally tons of laundry, so you'll want multiple washers and dryers to handle the loads. Just a suggestion, its centrally located so it'll be easy for staff to access the facility. Could even make it a janitorial HQ, so laundry, consumables, cleaning supplies... Just my 2 cents

[rich]

Matt, for your crew's safety (and that of future visitors) I would suggest a new 2nd ladder and install it in line with the first one, unless you plan on installing a platform at the first level. If they are not going to line up, then you need a physical deliniation between the 2 ladder sets. The platform can be as simple as a piece of bridge grating that spans the hole, is secured to that level and extends 12 inches over the pit (from ladder to platform edge). If you eventually open it up people are going to get distracted looking at the pit and not realize they have gone past the end of the ladder and fall. If you install the 2nd ladder inline with the first, keep the spacing between the 2 ladders within 1" of the spacing of the upper rungs.

[javman]

I use that epoxy at work installing hoists over concrete. Amazing stuff. 1" threaded rods, set 6" into the concrete in a 1.125" diameter hole, torqued to 450ft-lb without any failures! You really are supposed to clean the holes out thoroughly before epoxying though...

[gentrypearce]

I love the newer style of videos. As a union plumbing and pipe fitting work, I like seeing Mikey and Matt doing the hard work of construction, instead of hiring someone to do it. Cost less and most importantly you learn from it and can use those skills to go far in life. Great work guys!

[danielvickery]

if your not confident in the ladder just choose one as a sacrificial rung and test how much force it takes to pull it out, I'm pretty sure you will be fine.

[rickibelden]

The highway house looks like a great check-in spot . The kitchen could be a coffee house with seating in the balcony and the front porch.
That would be warm and welcoming to your guests while checking in, as well as a place to get coffee in the morning.
Just a vision I had while watching this video. ❤

[dt]

Matt, you might check on a manhloe ventilator for the cave. It pumps a lot of fresh air into there so there is no danger of stale air.

[ronosterhout]

Matt that "glue" is rock bolt epoxy, I've used it in hydroelectric tunnels for 35 years there is NO way it will pull out! We would use that to bolt questionable loose boulders into the tunnel so it wouldn't cave in on us while we were working under it. You have nothing to worry about!

[tonykeast]

You can get little individual sachets of chemical anchor, granules in a sachet -a cigarette sized long thin sachet like a sugar packet in a coffee shop. The impact of inserting the metalwork bursts the sachet and mixes the crushed granules. Chemical reaction, time for wiggle room then job done. Ideal for this application. Hilti do the best in my opinion.

You should also use a hole puffer, Hilti make them too, it's just a manual pump like a bicycle pump. One pump blows all the drilled dust clear for perfect chemical grip. You're overthinking those rungs flying out in a fall though.

[SA-]

Get a rope and fix it at an angle in the hole. You hang onto the rope as you walk up the steps then you’ll have zero pressure being forced backwards.

[MrGoesBoom]

26:20 that shot of all those clouds and the rain is fantastic. I don't think I'll ever stop being amazed at the kinds of aerial shots people can make with drones, that back in the day would take expensive film crews with helicopter access.

[danielapodaca]

You could just get some manhole steps
They are plastic covered steel and just hammer in. And they stay very strong.

[Hacksaw]

Laundry house, cleaning hub, storage, and check-in. Remember how everything turns out harder than you thought it would. Officers and storage upstairs. Laundry, supplies and booking downstairs.

[jimcheatham]

You need a rope or cable to hook a safety harness to, with an ascending lock. The lock is designed to slip going up and lock if you fall.