10 Months Living In An Abandoned Ghost Town 

Thanks everyone for checking out the video! If you're new here, take a look at some of the other monthly updates! They're generally in order. I try to upload once a week. Let me know what other types of videos you'd like to see!

This dude should be awarded the title of Worlds Biggest Optimist. Hands down

You're like the Bob Ross of Ghost Towns. You always have a little bit at the end to talk about how to better your life. So relaxing.

MAJOR SAFETY TIP!! When you’re in the mines, be sure not to step on your ropes. When you do, dirt and grit can get inside the outer sheath and they can cause micro tears inside which compromises the structural integrity of the rope which can end up with it snapping on you.

Brent talking about the brothel: “How many men came....through” 😂😂😂 dying

"this was the floor of the old brothel. i wonder what could be underneath the floor?" syphilis, Brent. syphilis and ancient crabs, lol.

*Please* get a respirator for when you explore the mines. Reviving a mining town doesn't mean you have to die of silicosis like a miner.

“Appreciate all the progress in your life, no matter how small” needs to be your closing line for every video. Those words couldn’t be said enough!

As a carpenter, avid history nerd, and as someone who works near Bodie every summer, I really appreciate all the time and effort you've put into keeping Cerro Gordo alive. I hope one day soon I can come visit and see all the fruits of your labor!

I’m a realist. This channel has taught me one super, incredibly important thing. Don’t give up. It sounds sooo cliche - it is - but damn, Brent, you are an inspiration. Think of what could happen if a whole community of people actually came together for one, really difficult cause. Options are endless.

29:42 have headphone on and turn up your volume after Brent says "the hunt continues as always " I distinctly hear a female voice say "forever" then the goats make noise but definately a female says "foreverr" or something of that nature! She sounds quite well spoken too ! Does anoyone else hear this??

"Appreciate all the progress in your life, no matter how small." - Brent Underwood. I'll write this one down in some visible place because this hit me right in the feels. When you dream big you often forget to appreciate the process and give yourself credit for all steps that you're making towards achieving the goal. The journey is even more important than a final outcome because it is sculpting your character. So better enjoy the time that you're spending on the process because if you're not happy with steps that you need to make right now, you may be going in the wrong direction. In the end, you'll reach a place in life where maybe someone else would be happy but not particularly you. I can't wait to book a room at the American Hotel, have a beer and listen to some of your amazing stories. Bless you, Brent! I wish you the best here from Poland!

Ahh, the favourite time of the week for probably many people! Looking forward to watching it;D

You have tons of rock. Buy some mortar and busy yourself. A castle, a great wall, a pyramid to the sun god, a foundation for a building, the possibilities are endless! Think of it, a new civilization!

FINALLY!!! He actually got a metal detector. As a detectorist myself, I was begging and pleading in the comment section for him to get one. Thank goodness. He’s going to find so much with that.

"Men came through here" Yes. Yes they did

In another universe there is a pair of Denim Jeans looking for the elusive Brent the Human.

I love how Johnny is wearing the reflective vest this time, despite his reaction to it the first time

Is it just me? But I just love the sound that those stones make when they are falling down or when walked upon!

This place would be the coolest AirBNB ever when the cabins are all set up

I cant wait for Cerro Gordo to be at a point where we all can come visit and stay. It looks so calm and beautiful.

“Think about how many men came through here.” I see what you did there.

When you started talking about what makes a building the same building, I'm glad you brought up Japanese historic buildings. People talk about the past and history like a static thing, rather than every moment as we pass by. These buildings will physically change inevitably: what makes one kind of change (decay) more authentic than the other (repair)? Instead, the nature of time can be celebrated, and these symbols preserved for a continuity of experience rather than continuity of materials.

I would love to come out there and donate a few days of my time! I have some carpentry skills! I would just like the experience of Cerro Gordo! Let me know if we can work something out!

We have been loving your videos. Can’t wait to see this place with our own eyes 😍

Can't wait for Brent to restore the old mine cart tracks in the background and maybe put an authentic Cerro Gordo mine cart at the end as a crown jewel of the city.

Everytime you get crawling around inside the mine you raise up my claustrophobia to new levels! Live the dream!

Once your up and running, where can I apply for a job in Cerro Gordo? I can run a home in the time the miners lived and that where married, I can be a waitress at the local watering hole.. a maid in the Hotel... I'm a Jill of all trades.. it's looking Magical. I can see it through your eyes on how it will look..❤️ thank you Brent.

"It might look good on camera, but it looks a whole lot better in person.", I feel like that needs to be inscribed on a sign as you enter Cerro Gordo.

I wish these were longer and more frequent. It's the RU-vid highlight of my week.

I love this so much! My husband and I are currently remodeling a mini farm homestead from 1952 we hope to live as self sufficient as possible. We have decided to set aside a vacation fund for when Cerro Gordo is ready for us!

I'm an architect, you have exactly the right attitude. To let them just crumble away is CRIMINAL. Good for you! You are keeping it as original in shape and form as you can, well done.

My grandma taught me at the end of every day to look back over my day and find the smallest blessing that God gave me that day and to praise him for the small blessings. Then as I go through adding up all the small blessings they equal a big blessing I made it another day... Then I can lay my head down on my pillow peacefully knowing that I've done the best I could for that day and that tomorrow there will be more blessings if I look for them. Be blessed my friend in Jesus name... BBE 🤗

I'm French, I live in Paris, and God knows how many people would love to be here at my place, but the heck with it : I would SO much love being close to CA so I could go and help Brent on my week ends... I hope some day I can go to Cerro Gordo, hug this crazy man so hard and spend a few days there helping out and doing a bit of underground exploration...

I agree with your mindset. These buildings need to be preserved and maintained for future generations.

You're doing the right thing, Preserving that place for the future, and HOW you are doing it couldnt be more right in my eyes, Using the wood thats there, the Original wood as much as you can, but, with an intelligent design, new Structural wood, Old wood on top. In 5 more years, that lil town of yours, will be so Full, so complete, with campers and visitors, it will be alive again each year as they all come to visit you and that place you saved up in the hills. Well Done.

Did you just say: "I wonder how many men came through those cracks" Much love and respect from Durham UK.

"imagine how many men came through here" Definitely in more ways than one 😉

Brent... What else can I say? You are doing what you are meant to do. This is your calling. I really enjoy all the videos you have and the enthusiasm you give back. Your visions will come true. Keep your head down. Stay in your lane. You've got this. I'm just glad that you can take me along for the ride. So far, it has been one hellava ride. Stay positive, we are all pulling for you.

Red Dead Redemption 2 DLC Update looks so real!

As someone considering the purchase of a 210 year old house in need of a lot of work, your mentality towards preserving history and interpretation of “originality” is refreshing. You’re explanation really resonated with me, thank you 🙏

Hey Brent, a VERY interesting fact about Mortimer Belshaw! His great grandparents where born in a Ireland, in County Antrim. I live in County Antrim (Belfast City, famous for the building of the Titanic, filming Game of Thrones and many more) right now and never expected to have ANY sort of connection to Cerro Gordo. The world really is such a small place.

This is the only channel where I watch every ad in full

You're asking all the right questions about architectural restoration and history. There is no right answer, but I implore you to keep asking the questions of what's important for you and the space. Some ruins should stay ruins, some buildings should continue living, some things should perish naturally.

The most interesting series on YT at the moment.

I found your channel yesterday and immediately got so interested in this journey. I'm from Rome, Italy, and it never occurred to me that there could be the possibility of living and restoring one of the many ghost towns we have here. Many of them go way back to medieval times! I'm surely going to study more of my own history, while learning of yours (and maybe, someday, come visit!)

Your videos yank at my heart. My dad and stepdad were both miners, uncles and cousins too. The Sierra and the Whites have so much mining history in my family. I was raised in Bishop, and rarely missed a sunset, so I truly understand. You just can’t explain it. Enjoying your journeys with you!

I want a garden on the side of a mountain. Multi-level terraces that slant slightly, swales to guide the melting ice down to the reservoirs below. Hugelkultur to make food-producing privacy fences and protection from the elements. Also would make for great sledding and coverage in a snowball fight!

Yo, when he said "I hope you appreciate all the progress in your life, no matter how small" that really hit.

The "is it the same building" discussion reminds me of the old cliche of the man with an axe that had been in his family for generations -- and they only had to replace the handle three times and the head twice. ;)

You clearly have an authentic passion for Cerro Gordo. The child-like enthusiasm you have for the place is contagious.

just call Quickrete, have them deliver a truck load of 1 ton bags or 90 yards worth, rent a mixer & water truck, call upon your fans for muscle. Boom done.

You need to start mapping out all the trails you have so when you start getting visitors they can get a map and hike around.

This is one of the best thing on the internet.

Hey Brent I am a trucker used to be a contractor I watch your channel all the time I find your voice tone to be soothing it puts me to sleep on cold nights in this truck thank you for all you do Hey got a idea for the cabins if you run short of original wood on outside planks you could wanyescoat them

I've never been so happy to see an ad on a RU-vid video. Finally!

Since the cost to build the New American Hotel you should sell a calendar with pictures and fun facts about Cerro Gordo. You could also sell amazing photos of Cerro Gordo online for people to download and use.

This channel was the perfect distraction in 2020 working in a supermarket seeing family twice all year as me mom going through cancer and the world going nuts.. It's 2021 my mom's beat cancer and I'm still stacking fecking shelves. much love dude.

This is one the deepest videos. The discussion about building decay and restoration is very thoughtful

I like what your doing. Lots of people have something to say but do not a single thing. Reusing and repurposing your materials keeps the integrity and story basically where it should be. Keep up the incredible story you are writing!

I look forward to this every week. Thanks Brent.

I’m not sure if they have it in California, but in my state if a building is at least 100-150 years old, you can apply for a historical building. It gets state funding to pay for the buildings upkeep and pretty much all of the buildings needs are paid for. You should look into it.

In my humble opinion, if you use as much of the salvageable wood as possible, it is the same building. You've just repaired the existing building is all that's happened. Especially so if, where possible, you've numbered the pieces and replaced them as close to their original position as you can. Don't sweat it man. Your'e preserving history. We need more people like you.

I have a basement full of tools from the 18th and 19th centuries for building. I would be happy to give them to you. My grandpa used them to reconstruct and build a log home and cabin in PA. I am in Maryland though. I am older and disabled so I wont be using them. I did spend a lot of summers and winters in the log home without electricity and water. I admire and understand what you are doing on a very personal level. Cheers!

Hey Brent! I love the video! I have advice about your concrete problem. Since it is unlikely that you could bring concrete to the town, you could mix it on site. Since you have a whole mountain of mine tailings, which is probably quite hard rock, you could bring in a mobile separating-crushing station to extract sand for concrete. If you have the option of accumulating water, the only thing you need is cement and plenty of small concrete mixers. We have used this technique many times because it has always been cheaper and easier than transporting concrete over long distances. I hope you find my advice useful, I wish you a lot of luck and success in renovating the hotel! I wish you a Happy New Year and greetings from the mining town of Idrija Slovenia !!! GOOD LUCK!

my grandpa just went into hospice...this was exactly what i needed today. thankyou!

By the end of ur videos, I find myself with an ear-to-ear grin on my face & in tears at the same time. I recall what those sunset views do to u & what the world means. It is a Perfect Circle w time impacting meaning in different ways. It rings in the true color of life, vast & exhilarating & deep. It expands emotion while maintaining perspective. ❤🎉😊

I agree, the approach being taken to Bodie is at best myopic. You and I are both envisioning generations of children experiencing history firsthand. Its a fantastic opportunity that we can give to future generations. In the case of Bodie, it's wasted, a shame. Keep up the good work and the videos, I really appreciate it.

I also strongly disagree with arrested decay. Preservation of history is so important

I just gotta say, what you're doing is like the coolest freakin thing ever!

Brent I think you translate so well on your blog…. I feel its due to how comfortable you are in front of camera.. this makes the watcher feel in gaged and also comfortable in your company.. you should try and approach the travel channel…. This is exactly the content they portray and no reason not to portray your wonderful story.and thank your for sharing yourself.. it’s been a pleasure to watch 🙂🙂🙂 I’m in South Africa `East London it looks like California and shares a very similar historical path in regards to settlement and subsistence…. Will love to visit … such a long trip lol

I love your idea of taking the structures apart and reusing the materials to put it back together along with stronger materials. I’m so proud of you! Please stay safe and keep in mind that you have nothing but time to do things safely. You’re the greatest asset to that town.

I’ll say this again ..I would trade my gold mine here in Oregon for a spot there so me and my ole man can come help you ! We really admire you and it’s our belief that you could really appreciate our skills and my sense of humor...

I adore you and I get what you’re saying about Bodie, but just a correction that arrested decay refers to maintaining it such that it doesn’t get any worse - they will just never improve anything/restore any of the structures to their original glory. Basically, attempting to stop the decay in its tracks so it remains preserved in exactly the shape it was when it became a state park in 1962 (already run down). But they aren’t going to allow it to turn to dust. But I do very much appreciate the philosophy you are taking regarding Cerro Gordo!

I want you to know that during these difficult and trying times, your videos are sweet gold nuggets that appears in my timeline and never miss relaxing my brain and put a smile on my face, even if I'm on the other side of the planet, thanks Brent.

You are truly a rich man; I'd trade all to have such peace. Thankz for sharing with us. Hugs from southern Oregon, you are in our prayers.

Can’t believe I’ve been watching these for 10 months. Can’t believe you’ve been there for 10 months. Time flies.

These videos can never last long enough for me! Brent could you possibly come up with a “wish list” of items that would help you out the most that we could maybe send to you? I would love to help in any way, even if its small to help you out but want to send something useful! Thanks and keep up to great work.

It seems to me, that you have reached an inflection point in your life and time at CG. I discern a calm and a peace from you that has accepted that there will be setbacks. But now those setbacks, they won't own you like before. This is evident in you taking time for yourself, to enjoy the sunset, and to rip it up and down the road. Keep doing those things. Keep pursuing your dream, and keep living fully.

I surely appreciate Brent for all he does ❤❤❤

I simply can't believe Johnny was rappelling with no gloves. He's such a madman!

It's been cool seeing the transformation from the mild version of you at the start to the wild mountain man you have become.

I love your take on rebuilding and development/deconstruction. It's like improving your house for decades while you live in it. You keep to what you do. I love it.

Every episode I still hope that you'll find those denim jeans.

Its Sunday here In NZ and that's now our favorite day as we get to catch up with Brent and his amazing adventures. Live the dream bro :)

Your videos always feel like they are only ~10 minutes long. Would easily watch two hours with full concentration.

One day I hope to drive through this town and enjoy its great history in person thanks for another great video

Thanks bro appreciate it 👊🏻👍🏻🇺🇸😎

I'm still sniffing from the tears. The ending to this one was so beautiful, it just got to me. Please don't let any video making company steal you away, even though you have an amazing natural talent for incredible content. Makes my week, and gives me something to look forward to, as well. I wasn't even as scared as usual by the mines this time. Thank-you!!

In the brothel " I wonder how many men CAME through here? " 😕😂

"It might look good on camera, but it looks a whole lot better in person." I think that applies to all of Cerro Gordo in itself.

Just now added to my bucket list!...a beer and a stay at Cerro Gordo!!!

I love that these aren’t scheduled and that they’re a bit longer than most RU-vid videos, it’s like a beautifully blissful surprise every time!

CONCRETE SUGGESTION: have you considered putting up a temporary concrete plant on site so you wouldn’t have to haul wet concrete up the hill? A batch plant on site would let you mix as needed.

"When you look at this floor, think about how many men came through here" No thanks Brent!! Haha🤣 love how you approach building reclamation! Keep up the good work!

With all that snow, if you could catch it would make one great man made lake.

YES!!! After 10 months I finally got an ad!!! EVERYONE WATCH THE ENTIRE AD, DON'T SKIP! Let's fund this channel guys!

"I Think about how many men came through the brothel." I'd rather not think about that, but you do you, Brother.

It's so amazing to see what you're doing up there! It's also so refreshing to see someone really take time to enjoy life without always being "connected". What you're doing now has always been one of my goals in life! To live so connected to nature and history.

As someone who grew up above 60 miles of mines (Halkyn, Wales) this absolutely fascinates me to think what was untouchable under my feet all that time. I wish I could get down there and explore one day, but I will live that experience through this channel until I figure out a way. Who knows, I may fly over and visit Cerro Gordo one day. Keep up the videos! Loving the content (even if there is a hint of envy)