Rappelling 300 Ft Down An Abandoned Mineshaft

This week, I take on a mine exploration I've been planning for nearly a year - the Newtown Mine. This part of the mine is only accessible by a 300 ft vertical shaft and hasn't been explored in a century. I've never been one for heights so the thought of lowering myself down a rope 300 ft prevented me from exploring this sooner.

I finally decided to face my fears and headed down this week! It was the scariest exploration I've done to date, but did leave me much more comfortable for future adventures.

There are TONS of great videos coming up. A lot has been happening around Cerro Gordo recently, so if you aren't already, I hope you'll subscribe to the channel! It's free and that way you can see all the progress going on up here.

Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545

Thank you all so much!!

[GhostTownLiving]

Thank you all so much for checking out the video! I really really hope you subscribe because I have some amazing videos coming up! I've never been so excited to share what has been going on up here the past few weeks! Hint: the American Hotel is beginning, never before opened mines, moving old cabins, and a lot more. Thank you all so much for the support! What are your favorite types of videos on the channel?

[LouisLanderDeacon]

Hey dude, i am an IRATA tech (industrial rope access tech) I’d highly suggest rope protectors, a backup line with a petzl ASAP and an absorbica at the minimum. It could save your life!

Also attach a foot loop to your ascender handles. Use your legs to ascend, your chest ascender will keep you in place as you slide your ascender handles up.

Please up vote this everyone! I want Brent to be safe!

[rachelmalley-smith]

The cat chasing it's tail on the pool table while he's talking seriously🤣 so cute!

[SFlaidlaw]

The best thing about these videos is it means he made it another week without getting trapped in a mine! 👌🙏

[jaggygames]

Brent: 'better not trust a 100 year old ladder'
Also Brent: **climbs up 100 year old ladder**

[FatBoyDrip]

I couldn’t imagine working in a old mine like this back in the day.

[hoggif]

Rope protectors could be a good idea on edges. When you climb up (or bounce any other way) ropes tend to move a bit. It will rub when over an edge like at the top where there is an angle. At least some kind of carpet between any angled surface is always a good idea. When climbing without a backup rope (like industrial workers always do) it is even more important to protect rope on any possible rubbing points.

[GhostTownLiving]

PS! Make sure to watch to the last 20 seconds for a sneak peek of next week!

[Twentykixx]

Brother, please use some relief on those lifeline ropes over the edge with a heavy durable soft material of some kind...heavy duty multi-layer nylon bags work great. From experience, try to keep the rope from touching the edge of the wood or rock in case you need to swing with your full weight and/or shifting while using the ascenders. The rope will fray and cut under your weight and friction. Take care, be safe, blessings to you my friend. The small details make the difference all day, everyday. 👍🏼

[kiwionarope]

Brother, I work on ropes everyday, I have done for 30 years. You need to take a course in how to rig safely. Not any course, go do a SPRAT (not NFPA) course since you're in the US. Learn how to rig basic systems, how to protect those edges that you let your ropes run over with no protection at all. Learn to use a secondary rope for a back up. Better guys than you have died through poor rigging choices. Learn to pass knots since you don't have ropes long enough. Learn to ascend efficiently..work smart, not hard. If you don't do this, you only have so much luck....

[felixdawson]

When you were like “so now I have to either go back, or go on down without a rope and with no radio contact”, I was like: yeah that’s a shame, now you have to go back. But then you WENT DOWN and I was like WHAT? NO! Go back! But then you just kept going :(

[mattclarke]

This channel holds more entertainment and reality than any cable TV could ever provide

[irishquad]

If you ever do decide to repel again without a ladder, attach foot loops to the ascenders to allow you to use your leg muscles to do all of the work. By the way, I really love your videos. I've been a high-level quadriplegic for almost 20 years after I broke my neck and I really love being able to take part in all of your adventures vicariously through your camera. Thank you for enriching my life!

[RobFromOgden]

When rappelling, remember to tie a knot at the end of the rope so you can't rappel off the end of your rope.

[N-A-uwfp]

It was fun to read all of the responses on this one. I was scared too and told myself he posted it so he’s ok. I love how cared for you are too. Nobody wants you to get hurt. We admire you and enjoy watching you living your very interesting dream. ☺️

[lever]

1:56 I like how your cat is just chasing it's own tail in the background while you're talking

[Based_Ball]

I'm a college student and I'm learning game development. What you do would be an awesome game! Having a Ghost town that you slowly repair and exploring long-lost mines would make a really good game!

[POVLA]

We came up last weekend and met Brent and his crew. Brent, you were super cool and welcoming. Thank you! What an awesome place. The volunteers were prepping the foundation of the hotel for rebar. The concrete was supposed to have arrived last Tuesday. I can’t wait to see how that went down. The road up there is tight in spots but not too bad. I dont know how they will get that concrete up there. Keep up the great work!

GET SOME SLINGS, PUT THEM THROUGH YOUR ASCENDERS AND USE THEM AS FOOT STIRRUPS. You'll save your arms next time because you can step up rather than pull up.

[Nathecatt]

Your arms were tired rappelling because you were doing it wrong.

Don’t use upper body strength when you rappel, use your feet. Wrap the rope around your dominant foot and use your other foot to control by stepping on your dominant foot with the rope in between. . To ascend, bring knees up and step on the rope using your two feet. Think caterpillar. When descending, simply control the looseness of the rope between your feet. If done right, you can “stand” for hours on the rope and not be tired. This is how I was taught in the Marines.