Living Without Running Water (In A Ghost Town) 

Thank you all for checking out the video! I really appreciate. What type of videos would you like to see more of in the future??

I’m a geologist, and the whole time I watched this I wondered why you’re not drilling a well! The elevation doesn’t restrict you from reaching an aquifer. In a fractured rock environment, a well taps those aquifers that exist within the fractures of bedrock. These fractures also bring the water you see at the surface via springs. Some fractured aquifers yield more than others, so an experienced, local well driller is imperative. Water witches never hurt anyone either! (They are local water experts!) I just checked records, and there is in fact a record for a domestic well along Cerro Gordo Rd just past town, where the road begins heading east after heading north (up to one mile to your northeast). It’s 100 feet deep, 7” diameter, yielding 45 gallons per minute (at time of drilling in 1986). This was drilled by Kirscherman’s Well Drilling, and they’ve done several in the area (in the surrounding PLSS sections). I’d talk to them (they’re still in business in Ridgecrest).

Idk it's just so calming to watch a man who knows his purpose and works hard for it! Keep going bro

I'm a 40+ year Master plumber and I thought I'd give you my input. You need to install a 220v multistage submersible pump with 1.1/4 supply line up to your holding tanks and install a separate 110v booster pump off the tank with a minimum 44gal pressure tank for distribution to the buildings

Everytime I watch this guy's videos I can't help but get emotional. I used to be so much like him, full of life constantly searching the adventure in love with history the old world, nomadic, The Thrill of the hunt, all of that. And then I join the Army went to war and became injured and my entire life now consists of just trying to get my body to work everyday and I've lost the ability to really enjoy life.. to me what this guy's doing is what life is really about!

Any waste water (washing dishes or showering) should be use as a runoff into a garden for you to grow plants and fruit trees.

Got a minute to step away from my hospital job for a minute and saw this. I needed this today. 💙💙 so peaceful

Cerro Gordo, couldn’t have found a better person to tell its story, and I’m not just saying that. You’ve done an incredible job, and it’s easy to see how passionate you are about what you’re doing. Some ppl will never get to experience something they’re truly passionate about in their lifetime. It’s sad, but ppl who are afraid of change, and avoid taking any risk, are the ones to usually miss out. Stay safe, BOL!

From the little bit of internet research I did, it looks like the ship that carried the ore across the lake burned around 1882. After that time, a railroad spur was built to Keeler and a terminal for Cerro Gordo built on the tracks for loading ore into railcars. You actually got a shot of the railroad depot in Keeler in your video footage. Some really neat history there, thanks for doing these videos

I am 62. Grew up in Oregon. Lived without piped water for many years while a child. My brothers and I hauled our water from creeks via five and ten gallon milk cans. It was hard work. Those lessons have never been forgotten.

Hi Brent I'm a plumber I'd like to help someday I live six hours away. Be careful with the pex pipe rodents like to chew on it looking for water.Keep up the good job hope to visit and help to rebuild soon.

just a thought; try digging out the springs, box them in with concrete, create a large cistern then gravity feed the water to another cistern outside of town, or on a hill overlooking town, then to a central distribution pipe( fire hydrant) you may be able to get state/federal help thru their rural grants program

Picture perfect... Every turn you made was just beautiful. You should also take pictures of the views at sunset and sunrise and have them on post cards... That maybe a good merchandise for the town!!

This sounds like a quest that needs to be done in Fallout, go down to the depths of the mines of Cerro Gordo and replace the broken waterpump

This looks like a dream to do, fixing and finding stuff and learning so much everyday

We haul water to our farm and have 2 large underground tanks for the houses. We fill them every 2 weeks. For our gardens we have a tank we fill in summer above ground. We bought a truck to haul the water that has an insulated water tank on the back so it doesn’t freeze in the cold winters we have. Great video. Love watching all you are doing.

Hats off to all who helped.

Going to Cerro Gordo has gotten a very important point on my bucket list Love your vids Greetings from Germany

I live down the road in San Diego. I’ve gone through lone pine many times. Never knew little cero was out there. One day I’ll take the detour and come see your amazing town. Keep up the great content! R.I.P. Minecraft laptop haha.

"If you look at it from a distance, Owens lake looks like a forgotten desert and Keeler looks a town that time has forgotten, but I think, like everything in life, that depends on what you're focussed on. If you look closely at Owens lake, you'll see that the birds are coming back and that there's new vegetation every where, and I just find myself filled with gratitude for everything that Is, not just what could-be." Never really comment on videos, but related soo much to this I had to say so. I've been watching your videos from start to finish, those words moved Me dude, I'm unsure why but I'll go figure it out. Thank you.

Gosh.. the monumental amount of work needed to make this place livable is insane. Props to you for sticking it though man.

He’s such a good storyteller. So engaging

Brent, I honestly think this is one of your best videos. Along with your “coffin” video. Your skills are definitely improving. Love your work, keep it coming!

I agree with other comments about making your videos a documentary show for tv. You do a great job, make your passion the viewers passion too. I live in the UK where we have totally different climate, conditions, and easy access to everything. I love seeing what you do, how you bring this historic place back to life. If I was more mobile, and in better health I’d come volunteer for a season to help you out. Thank you and keep safe

As I get closer and closer to the newest video you put out, I love this channel even more. Such a kind soul and passion that you have for this town.

In Alaska I lived in a house where we had a water tank. The guy came and filled in once a week. It wasn't bad. You may want to consult a hydrologist. Those springs may have recharged after all this time.

Man, you're living my dream. The only thing I wonder about is what type of nasty heavy metals or mining byproducts that well water is picking up.

I can't get over this adventure you've take. What a wonderful challenge and way of life. Bringing purpose to yourself and a near forgotten piece of history. Living there must just be the icing on the cake.

This was the most amazing brief history of your town I've just watched. It really touched my heart

I am surprised with how big this place is every time i watch. You have covered so much ground and it's like the explorations are just endless.

I enjoy your videos so much! Can’t wait to see the final project being done!

I still think the water from down below is a good idea. One thing for sure is you need a pump with a lot more HP to get it up that far. The second is not to pump the water all the way to the top but store it in a tank well below the ground so it doesn't freeze. Have it constantly getting water and fill tanks.

Always a great Friday when there is a new episode 😃

Loving your videos Brent. In Australia we also struggle with water. If I was in your position, I would go for the option of capturing water from the roofs of all of your buildings with tanks. We use tanks extensively in Australia even in urban areas. Tanks have a number of advantages: one, you can use gravity to supplement the movement of water and this lowers the demand on your pumps and power sources. I think you would get a heap of water off that roof of that building over the Union shaft and winch and, from the videos. that building appears to be well above the rest of the town. Just think of the gravity push you could achieve from that. Also, if something goes wrong they are much easier to maintain than having to go down 700 feet in an old mine. Second, the water quality would be much better than something gathered through water being leeched through a heavy metal mine. Third, tanks can be topped up with water carted from somewhere else in times of critical shortages. Fourth, I'm sure the cost of guttering, tanks and demand pumps would be nowhere near as much as piping water in from lower down the valley. Provided you have a reliable power source (and we are increasingly using solar to supplement our grid system), you'll have good water and good pressure too. One last thing I was reminded of while watching this video and your discovery of the spring system. In my home state of Tasmania we had lots of mines in the mountains. Often, mining companies would construct dams to catch run-off above the mine site for use in mining operations (in fact, that was the forerunner of the state's massive hydro-electricity industry - admittedly we have a bit more rain than you). Are you sure that there are no such dams in proximity to your mine sites? Best wishes and keep up the great work. Nick

Fascinating. Thank you for this thoughtful and powerful presentation! Enjoyed it and the insights shared especially in the ending dialogue.

Towards the end of the video when your driving to the sunset is incredible. That guitar rift always fits perfect in these situations

With everything we are dealing with in this country, this is a wonderful distraction The raw innocence of Mother Nature nearly brings me to tears Thank you

This series is always so calming and interesting. Love from Denmark!

Another wonderful episode! I love seeing you explore more of the area around your town, I have so many questions but I need to watch the rest of your episodes first! 😂

Thank you for a moment of peace, beauty and calmness for my soul, before I start a crazy day. Your video's are amazing.

I can tell you a better way to do this, I have done this with low pressure like you are experiencing. Using your existing water pump 700 feet down, connect it to a 500 Gallon or higher water Tank. Put a floating valve inside the tank so it only fills so far and shuts off when filled. Then at the bottom of the tank connect connect it to 1 inch pvc going to a pressure pump, then connect that to a oneway valve to the T pipe, that T--pipe will have a pressure gauge, check valve, pressure switch and pressure release valve. From the pressure valve you connect it to side with the pressure gauge below. Then on the opsit side connects the lines going to your house. One side of the T-pipe will connect to the pressure pump. The other side will connect to a 80 gallon Pressure tank from there to your house and faucts. This will supply you with all the water you will need. Then you can filter it from there using a filter system and uv filters to make it drink able. This setup will get you a good 60 to 75 psi with the right pressure pump. Also You can put a floatation switch in the tank to turn off the pump down 700 feet to turn off and on automatically. I have a diagram I can create if you need help with assembly of it.

Hello Brent, from Vancouver Canada. I watch your videos every weekend. This is my first time watching during the premier

I love your videos and the music you put with them is absolutely perfect. I can almost feel the sun on my skin while watching the sunset or the breeze and smell the dirt and rocks.... Oh what I wouldn't give to be able to live like you!

that quest for the water is so intriguing, i cant wait to see the improvement in the next videos. The view toward Death Valley from the cabin is incredible, it would be a great spot for people where to spend some days in solitude to recharge the mind, and even create something (music, painting, poetry).

When you're trekking across that mountain, does the whirring of your trusty drone following you from above feel like an old friend? Do you ever speak to it like Tom Hanks and Wilson in Castaway?

There has to be an underground spring.. that being said, buy a water truck with a clean tank, just have to fill it once a month or year.. just make sure you have a good filtration system ... and as for as having people move there,, be careful what you wish for.. some of us would give anything to be as far away from people as possible.. great video, beautiful views out there!

You blow my mind! Wishing you all the best. Hope you are ok. I found your page last night. My sister and brother in-law collect antiques. My 3 sister's and I grew up with a Mum that went scrounging in abandoned house's when I was a child in New South Wales, Australia. I respect your reasoning and passion for what you do. Sorry about the Tavern. Sending you immense kudos! Stay safe. Am looking forward to watching your adventures.

I love it. I love every episode. I love your appreciation for everything. It's beautiful thing.

You see such good in everything, too bad we couldn’t spread that around..

I really can't wait to visit Cerro Gordo. I'm from Ireland so it may be quite a while, but I will make sure I will visit. It is too beautiful to miss, your passion for Cerro Gordo is inspiring! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

I love every video u post ....keep strong keep your head up anything worth having is not easy ....the easy road isn't every the right road

Wonderful insight and sentiment about Cerro Gordo on your closing thoughts..!!!!

Just came across your channel! and love it "what a life" I was at Death Valley a couple of years ago filming Low level Jets! greetings form Wales UK

If lead ore was mined there, you should have any water that emerges from the ground tested for lead compounds !!

Beautiful. I love your story. Keep up the great work and be safe. Please!

I watch every second of your videos. Takes me away......Thank You!

You're always so calm and positive I hope there were more people like u im my area... keep up the good work!

Cistern were my first thought also. You can use them for washing, toilets, gardening, the animals etc. And for drinking you could still use fresh water in tanks. Saves already a lot.

An incredible video to view. Extremely beautiful for this Artist to watch. Thanks!

That is some amazing sunset heading down the mountain! Thank you for the video!

This is such an inspiring channel. Not that I want to go by a ghost town, but I do have my own wild dreams and watching your journal fills me up with so much hope that I would actually fulfill them one day.

Hello from Nashville, TN! History has always been my favorite subject and I absolutely adore what you're doing with Cerro Gordo, the world needs more people like you. Thank you for all that you've done/will do for Cerro Gordo and thank you for sharing that with us, I've loved learning about this place. (:

Man I'm addicted in this channel and Cerro Gordo story...greetings from Brazil :)

Thanks for the video. Thanks for the history and the knowledge that you're passing around. James from Texas

His voice is calming as heck. I feel like I’m transported straight to the mtns.

I must say Brent's perspective on life is something that has rubbed off on me in a good way. He is a hard worker with patience and appreciation for what he has. Positive. Something we need in this world right now.

Another great video. I really enjoy the history of old mining towns. I grew up in a coal mining town. Thanks for sharing buddy

This was a awesome episode. Very deep and very beautiful.

Bout to be the highlight of my day right here. Love your content. Even turned me onto more mining and cerro gordo info. all good stuff. Great editing as well. Good Luck & God Speed from Gurnee, IL

Brent: "not a big fan of heights, oh and my shoe is untied." Also Brent: Continues walking.

You inspire me bro watching you channel has taught me alot of values best of luck to you and your journey

What a positive way of thinking. This individual inspires. Bravo!

it might not look like it but this man right here, this man is living the dream. The things I'd give up to live like this in an area like this. City life is nothing compared to this. If Cerro Gordo is ever opening to the public, I don't know yet how I'm gonna afford an expensive ticket to the other side of the world, but I am definitely gonna visit it. This place is on my bucket list ever since I've started watching your amazing channel. Keep up the great videos!

once you hit 1mil, your gonna get a ton of amazing sponsorship options presented. looking forward to the expansion you can achieve with the success this channel is gonna bring you and cero gordo.

So beautiful and inspirational. Thank you Brent!!!

Absolutely gorgeous sunset and so much information on the history of the area ... She'd be a water dowser

Here in Chile the Atacama desert it’s the driest in the world but we get water out of it from the fog. A lot of water, enough for gardening and food production. “Fog Catchers” can give you about 14 litters per square meter. Here’s a little article about them (I guess you can translate it with Google Chrome). Good luck! www.google.cl/amp/s/www.nacion.com/el-mundo/atacama-el-desierto-mas-arido-del-mundo-bebe-agua-de-niebla/OXIGOVJDSRF27GLHGTZ63X37UY/story/%3foutputType=amp-type

Having lived off the grid for 4 years in the early 90s I know exactly how you feel. I had a new appreciation for electricity & running water when I moved back to "civilization." We lived in generator power & well water. We were lucky to have that.

It is amazing the degree of comfort or expectations we have from living in a modern age. I had a small cottage that was only 75 feet from a lake. Living in an environment where the temperature would drop below freezing 6 months a year, made it a little difficult to maintain water year round. The cottage was only intended to be a 3 season accommodation, but the beauty of the place I was determined to make it 4. Each weekend that I arrived, the first thing I would do was to check the water pressure, and then see if I had sustainable water flow. I spent thousands of dollars to ensure that I always had water. The first thing was to rent a small backhoe and trench a path to the lake. It had to be deep enough to be below the frost line. Even though I was below the frost line, I wrapped the pipe with heat tape. But not use one line, I installed two, just in case. Every once in a while technology would fail me. The power grid would fail for numerous reasons. A tree falling across a power line, or just a major storm would knock out the power. A power failure for more than 24 hours would inevitably mean a burst pipe in the cottage. Thankfully I always made sure that power to the pump was turn off, and all of the taps were left open. After 25 years, the pex pipe started to fail, the pump didnt like pumping lake water. But the effort to repair was still worth that moment of turning on the tap and having hot water for dishes, a hot bath after a day of playing outside, or even that magical flushing sound of the toilet.

Greetings from Australia! You and your channel are amazing!!!

If in the future more and more people would be doin things like this - its goin to be good. So much better than living in a shoebox in the city

You are seriously entertaining my friend. Your ability to weave together cohesive content, punctuated by insight and intrigue is nothing short of incredible. Especially considering you have no experience with production. This a top tier channel. Your lust for life and exploration is electrifying, and your curiosity is infectious. I love it. Thank you for documenting and sharing your journey, it really is something out of this world.

Amazing content much love will forever be a subscriber💯💙👌🏼

You Sir are awesome ! All the Luck keep it up .. Thx for sharing Cheers

Man, that view near the end of the video... it's easy to see how you fell in love with this place! Thanks for sharing with us. 😊

Awesome place, awesome sunsets ...

I would love the come visit this place, its so fascinating! Keep up the quality videos!

Fascinating, I grew up in Lone Pine, had friends in Keeler. Never ventured up to Cerro Gordo. Great place to be off the grid, but able to use modern technology. Keep the clips coming!

Another sad story of a California lake that dried up. I don't know for certain, but I would bet it was to feed the unquenchable thirst of L.A. In the central valley between Bakersfield and Fresno there is a country and city called Tulare. There used to be a lake called Tulare lake a long time ago. I gear up near that area and never believed what people said. Then I saw a map from the 1800s and sure enough there was a lake. The over use of it's water for farming and the damming up of the rivers lead to it's destruction. I just WISH I could of see what splendor California was before we started killing off all the bears, damming the rivers and drilling millions of holes for oil. If I could somehow visit and fly around like soaring over California man would I be in awe and just stupefied at what we did to this state. Would I want to give up my computer? My job that's relatively easy that I do on it? My car? My house with running water and food in the fridge? No, not at all. But I would LOVE to SEE what natural wilds were here before it became so sterile and tamed.

Bro look up some yt vids on how to replace that head gasket you'll be amazed when you realize after your done how easy it was and how handy you are!

I love your perspective on life, I really hope to come visit your town someday soon! Thank you for posting your journey!!!

Amazing views! Beautiful!

Those drone shots are absolutely incredible

I just think it is remarkable how you have managed this long without running water. Keep it up. To the luckiest man on earth. Love your videos.

Good day , you spoke of A time in Texas , Austin really , I have lived 100 miles from there in an area around Waco for 60 plus years .I enjoy your work and effort to save this place, History is a big thing here as you know. Howdy from central Texas

DUDE!!! You are doing big time on here ! Amazing SUBS and views! I see how you are financing now ))

Reminds me of my days in Peace Corps. Two years with no running water. I had a 40 liter jerry can that I used to fill. Any water I brought up I had to boil. You quickly learn to re-use any water you pour.

After all that happened this week in the US, I'm so excited to watch Brent and his amazing adventures.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us 🇺🇸 🙏

Tapping in is difficult anywhere. Much respect for your depth!