Posted: 3/3/2011 7:44:18 PM EDT
| A friend of mine is waiting for his nephews body to be recovered from a Jersey Valley mine shaft.. Rescue work made it down 160' before they had to retreat because of falling rock... The 29 year old that fell is a known "adventure seeker", he and a friend decided to explore a angled ventilation shaft .. After venturing a few yard the ground under them started to subside and my friend's nephew fell an estimated 600'.. They are currently trying to recover the body but it may not happen.. Stupid gamer won the grand prize.. |
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I remember going into mines around Virginia City back in high school. One of them seemed really safe and we would go about a quarter of a mile horizontally into the mountain. One time we were going in a heard a hollow sound as we walked. I realized that the dirt on the floor was covering some really old boards that bridged a really, really deep vertical shaft.
Another time we saw about 12" of shim boards on top of a vertical column compressed to a quarter inch from the pressure. Got out of there quick. |
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These stories piss me off to no end.
I've been preaching "STAY OUT AND STAY ALIVE" for over 30 years now. Some people just don't listen, and they think they are invincible (while not recognizing the risks involved). I have friends who 'explore' abandoned mines in Nevada, and they do some crazy shit going into those mines. I have been asked to go with them many times, and I have declined (for obvious reasons). It is a sad day for me to hear that someone lost their life going into something bigger than they are (especially with all of the information that is available). I pray for the deceased and the family. 
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What a tragedy. From someone that explores the more shallow mines something like that makes me think twice about ever going into one. My friend and the guy with him were less than 100 yards from the entry. It was just a pocket of "bad air". Mining in these things was insanely dangerous back in the day; it hasn't changed and now that they're falling apart it's probably worse. |
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What a tragedy. From someone that explores the more shallow mines something like that makes me think twice about ever going into one. My friend and the guy with him were less than 100 yards from the entry. It was just a pocket of "bad air". Mining in these things was insanely dangerous back in the day; it hasn't changed and now that they're falling apart it's probably worse. Yep, you won't know that the oxygen content of the air is insufficient until you're passed out on the floor. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: What a tragedy. From someone that explores the more shallow mines something like that makes me think twice about ever going into one. My friend and the guy with him were less than 100 yards from the entry. It was just a pocket of "bad air". Mining in these things was insanely dangerous back in the day; it hasn't changed and now that they're falling apart it's probably worse. Yep, you won't know that the oxygen content of the air is insufficient until you're passed out on the floor. Or you get the proper training and equipment, and a healthy life insurance policy. |
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What a tragedy. From someone that explores the more shallow mines something like that makes me think twice about ever going into one. My friend and the guy with him were less than 100 yards from the entry. It was just a pocket of "bad air". Mining in these things was insanely dangerous back in the day; it hasn't changed and now that they're falling apart it's probably worse. Yep, you won't know that the oxygen content of the air is insufficient until you're passed out on the floor. Or you get the proper training and equipment, and a healthy life insurance policy. Oxygen content does not matter. It is the Carbon Dioxide that kills people in mines and caves, not a lack of oxygen. Once the air hits 8% carbon dioxide, you're dead in minutes, even if the other 92% is oxygen. You can really feel the carbon dioxide at just a couple of percent. As the percentage increases, it becomes harder and harder for your blood to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen in your lungs, which means the carbon dioxide stays in your blood and you can't take in any more oxygen––even though there is plenty available in the air. I was heavily involved in cave exploration when I was younger and less busy. I was president of a local chapter of the largest caving group in the country, and worked with cave rescue groups. There is no "proper training" for exploring old mines, except being smart enough to stay the hell out. They were death traps when they were new. After decades of neglect, they are simply suicide. The only "proper equipment" to protect one against bad air is a full SCBA setup. Even then, bad air is just one of your worries. Stay out, it's not worth it. Join a local cave exploration group. Real caves are a lot more interesting, and most are a heck of a lot safer than old mines. |
| Ok guys.. They found found him on a shelf at 186' down but they will not send anyone down because it is too dangerous right now.. The kicker is he is still breathing.. They have a monitor on him and OSHA and MSHA has said that no one else is going in and he will lay there until he passes... I have no problem with this.. I feel bad for this guys family but I don't think any other families should suffer to save a a guy who ignored signs and warnings to put himself where he is.. |
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Ok guys.. They found found him on a shelf at 186' down but they will not send anyone down because it is too dangerous right now.. The kicker is he is still breathing.. They have a monitor on him and OSHA and MSHA has said that no one else is going in and he will lay there until he passes... I have no problem with this.. I feel bad for this guys family but I don't think any other families should suffer to save a a guy who ignored signs and warnings to put himself where he is.. Ugh, that's horrifying. I expect there are a lot of rescue folks chomping at the bit to go down there to pull him out. Hopefully they'll call in a specialist crew to get him. |
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Ok guys.. They found found him on a shelf at 186' down but they will not send anyone down because it is too dangerous right now.. The kicker is he is still breathing.. They have a monitor on him and OSHA and MSHA has said that no one else is going in and he will lay there until he passes... I have no problem with this.. I feel bad for this guys family but I don't think any other families should suffer to save a a guy who ignored signs and warnings to put himself where he is.. Ugh, that's horrifying. I expect there are a lot of rescue folks chomping at the bit to go down there to pull him out. Hopefully they'll call in a specialist crew to get him. From what I understand thats what almost got one killed yesterday.. One of the mine rescue crew members thought his balls where just as big as the kid dying 186 feet down the mine shaft.. By the way shit will hit the fan over this as the two sheriff departments (Lander & Pershing) that responded neglected to contact MSHA.. They tried to facilitate the rescue with a Newmont crew that filed the report as required today and that's how MSHA/OSHA found out..The rescue climber yesterday had to go to the hospital because the a rock hit him in the head hard enough to crack his helmet.. It is not worth anyone else life to save someone that should have had the sense to stay out of the shaft to began with.. I do feel for the family, but this was one of those things that should never ever have happened.. As I said in the OP, He is a grand prize winner in the stupid game.. It just seem that it will take him a little longer to collect his prize.. |
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Ok guys.. They found found him on a shelf at 186' down but they will not send anyone down because it is too dangerous right now.. The kicker is he is still breathing.. They have a monitor on him and OSHA and MSHA has said that no one else is going in and he will lay there until he passes... I have no problem with this.. I feel bad for this guys family but I don't think any other families should suffer to save a a guy who ignored signs and warnings to put himself where he is.. Ugh, that's horrifying. I expect there are a lot of rescue folks chomping at the bit to go down there to pull him out. Hopefully they'll call in a specialist crew to get him. From what I understand thats what almost got one killed yesterday.. One of the mine rescue crew members thought his balls where just as big as the kid dying 186 feet down the mine shaft.. By the way shit will hit the fan over this as the two sheriff departments (Lander & Pershing) that responded neglected to contact MSHA.. They tried to facilitate the rescue with a Newmont crew that filed the report as required today and that's how MSHA/OSHA found out..The rescue climber yesterday had to go to the hospital because the a rock hit him in the head hard enough to crack his helmet.. It is not worth anyone else life to save someone that should have had the sense to stay out of the shaft to began with.. I do feel for the family, but this was one of those things that should never ever have happened.. As I said in the OP, He is a grand prize winner in the stupid game.. It just seem that it will take him a little longer to collect his prize.. I feel for everyone involved, including the rescuers. This situation always scares me. I have known two men who have died in (operating) mines, but the abandoned mines are much worse. The Newmont boys know what they are doing, I will say some prayers for them though. As the mine rescue guys I work with always say "don't be a hero" |
I myself used to be a mine explorer, but have since grown up a bit and have really no interest in it anymore. How can these 'rescuers' stand by while this guy dies in this mine? I understand its dangerous, but rescuers are supposed to put their asses on the line for others in need. Being in a life saving service (Coast Guard) we never stood by and watched someone die as long as they had a breath in them the rescue went on. The days of rescuers have to face some danger are over i reckon. Our SAR team is up there, and one of the guys I talked to said this thing was fucked from the beginning(the SAR operation.)
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| I heard the news on my way home from work. They mentioned that the young man was breathing but didn't mention they were not going to attempt a rescue. Very sad and tragic. Of all the dumb stuff I did as a kid growing up in rural Nevada (Dayton/Virgina City and Pioche) I have never ever explored any abandoned mine shafts. For some reason when my dad instructed me not to do it I actually listened. |
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I have gone in the Tempiute mine a few times out by Rachel, really stupid on my part. About 50 feet in there are doors on each side of the walkway that say explosives keep out and sure enough there are bags and bags of blasting powder that were left there. I took my late Akita in there about 10 years ago, he was one of those dogs who always pulled to lead the way...in the mine he was behind me and he kept turning back...he was smarter than me I guess I never went back in after that. Now when I ride my dirt bike in the desert I wont even ride unless it is an established path or trail, I have heard of too many people going right through a vertical shaft and never heard from again
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I myself used to be a mine explorer, but have since grown up a bit and have really no interest in it anymore. How can these 'rescuers' stand by while this guy dies in this mine? I understand its dangerous, but rescuers are supposed to put their asses on the line for others in need. Being in a life saving service (Coast Guard) we never stood by and watched someone die as long as they had a breath in them the rescue went on. The days of rescuers have to face some danger are over I reckon. Our SAR team is up there, and one of the guys I talked to said this thing was fucked from the beginning(the SAR operation.) You dont know much of what you talk about. Grow up. |
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I myself used to be a mine explorer, but have since grown up a bit and have really no interest in it anymore. How can these 'rescuers' stand by while this guy dies in this mine? I understand its dangerous, but rescuers are supposed to put their asses on the line for others in need. Being in a life saving service (Coast Guard) we never stood by and watched someone die as long as they had a breath in them the rescue went on. The days of rescuers have to face some danger are over I reckon. Our SAR team is up there, and one of the guys I talked to said this thing was fucked from the beginning(the SAR operation.) You dont know much of what you talk about. Grow up. Perhaps. No need to get upset, its just my opinion. |
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I myself used to be a mine explorer, but have since grown up a bit and have really no interest in it anymore. How can these 'rescuers' stand by while this guy dies in this mine? I understand its dangerous, but rescuers are supposed to put their asses on the line for others in need. Being in a life saving service (Coast Guard) we never stood by and watched someone die as long as they had a breath in them the rescue went on. The days of rescuers have to face some danger are over i reckon. Our SAR team is up there, and one of the guys I talked to said this thing was fucked from the beginning(the SAR operation.) If this guy was working in a mine and something happened I would agree that he needs to be rescued or recovered.. but this guy trespassed and took a risk that is going to cost him his life.. there is no reason his actions should cost anyone else their life.. Our actions have consequences.. |
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I heard the news on my way home from work. They mentioned that the young man was breathing but didn't mention they were not going to attempt a rescue. Very sad and tragic. Of all the dumb stuff I did as a kid growing up in rural Nevada (Dayton/Virgina City and Pioche) I have never ever explored any abandoned mine shafts. For some reason when my dad instructed me not to do it I actually listened. I just found this on KOLO KOLO |