Rappelling 900 Feet To Uncover Lost History!

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for checking out the video. If you want to see the start of the 3D model I took at the end of the video, you can see that here: poly.cam/capture/444A4136-784B-49A6-8691-F7CB7C129… I'll be adding to it and hopefully allow everyone to experience all the different levels of the mine in time.

Hey mate, I'm an industrial abseiler, I actually abseil off skyscrapers like you were talking about for a job. A good tip for doing big descents like this is to have your rope in a bag, attached to your harness, that way you don't have excessive tail weight so your descender will work better. Also eliminates your rope snagging on things when you lower it down, as it just feeds out of the bag as you descend.

I dont think enough is said about the physical effort this all takes. Not just the mine exploration, but living in cerro gordo and working to restore the town. It really makes me more aware of the men who worked these mines 150 years ago and how amazing their work and lives were.

Aside from the significant hazards encompassing factors like structural instability, toxic gases, oxygen depletion, floods, unstable ground, wildlife encounters, contaminated water, hazardous materials, and the lack of escape routes, I believe that these mines might be suitable for novice exploration.

Hey Brent, Im also Brent. First and foremost, you've got it going on! Im more than a little jealous. As i mentioned in a previous comment, ropes access is my life. This actually stemmed from getting talked into joining a mine rescue team in 09 (team Edgar). I too owned a couple claims myself above Leadville Co. I finally got the opportunity the descend down into one of them after a makeshift plug gave way opening the hoist shaft. Terrifying, but incredibly awesome at the same time. I too was solo (VERY dangerous, especially without a 4 gas meter to test for H2S or even just low O2) Anyways, if you were at all interested, id love to assist you in any capacity needed, even just stand by rescue, at no cost obviously. I would also at the very least like to discuss the type of kern mantle ropes you're useing both in safety and your efficiency (900 ft = 90ft of rope stretch on static rope, i noticed you also had dynamic rope in use). In a nutshell, if you're interested in chatting, let me know. In the mean time, keep up your hard work, enthusiasm, and passion. Makes my heart race watching your vids (something im usually hearing, rather than saying)

I would be very cautious about shoveling away those collapses, and especially about the blaster. The collapses occurred in the first place because of instability and poor competence in the rock, and the collapses themselves might be the only thing holding up additional parts of the tunnel, meaning that clearing the collapse might cause more collapses to occur. I would suggest you not just “clear” collapses, but buttress them with structural braces as you clear them out.

Be careful down there, Trent. You are getting comfortable with this and this is when it becomes dangerous.

Brent, I've watched so many episodes of your explorations over the last couple years, always thought how amazing it would be to 3D map it and now you actually did! Was so cool exploring the model, thanks for sharing, gives such a different perspective and experience to your videos. Really quite innovative, well done.

I literally remember when it all started with "i bought a ghost town" episode. Then it appeared like a just great but unknown adventure. It's unbelievable that its all gone this far. 3 Years gone like just one little day and there's still much much much more to discover. I would love to get there someday, stop worrying bout my job and just do adventure things. <3

I think the key to further success in consistently exploring the lower levels is retrofitting the main lift/hoist. We don't know the costs associated with doing that. However, it makes the most sense in lowering equipment and people to those levels in probably the safest manner. The other option would be to round up some local retired volunteers. Train them to work the winch in its existing configuration. Lots of retired guys are always looking for something to keep themselves busy and to have places to socialize and get away from their wives. lol.

I'm really excited for the exploration of the deeper levels but make sure when digging the collapses you are putting timbers in to secure the ceiling from further collapses. We want you alive and well as much as the exploration Brent.

Hey Brent, are you monitoring the atmosphere in terms of O2, CO2, and H2S at the lowest levels of the mine? Probably a good thing to do if you aren't. Also, from a professional vertical rescue perspective I would attach your rope to two seperate anchors even though I'm sure you think your primary rope anchor is secure. Prevention is better than cure.

Brent my husband and I are in our 80’s and we love watching your adventures at Cerro Gordo. We grew up in California but moved to Idaho 35 years ago. Just know we appreciate you and pray for you as you do dangerous things!

As a retired, Union construction worker of 28yrs, climbing a ladder that was nailed together a hundred yrs ago is insane!

It so awesome to see Brent back in the mines again. It really seems like that's his happy place.

Brent, don’t let this obsession led by passion be the death of you. Damn, that was scary just to observe

Make sure you always file a flight plan. What I mean by that is before you set off alone down the mine, let others know what you’re doing, where you’re going, when to expect you to contact them again. That way if you get stuck, rescue starts sooner. Before you’re a Skelton. :)

As a tree climber who spent many days on rope my hat is off this guy, takes some real conditioning to go up and down repeatedly like that, no way I'm going in those tight spaces either, mad props!

Can Dave Sparks get you a modern winch for the cage so you dont need the crew? He's probably got a crane or something he could adapt, just his kind of thing

As a tower climber with 10 years of experience, having a ton of knowledge regarding getting a either a whole lot of items, or very big items, or both, up 1000-2000ft towers using nothing but ropes, and having tons of descent/ascent experience using ropes, this right here is a task that I would absolutely love to participate in. Looks like a ton of work but a TON of fun and extremely rewarding. I can pretty much feel that feeling you have of it eating away at you what's down there. The unknown treasures, memories, and history. Wow.