Return To The Jefferson Chimney - The Most Valuable Vein at Cerro Gordo 

Hey Brent, the rock climbing anchor needs a carabineer between the anchor and the rope! The anchor is too sharp, and will likely damage the rope and make it unsafe, especially if you fall on it. I absolutely love all your content! Stay safe!

A second anchor on a different rock will save you if that first rock lets go. Also being off rope on a collapse over a 1100 foot shaft is burning your good luck quickly. Great video stay safe.

Holy shit dude. Remember when it comes to anchoring and torches: One is as good as none. ALWAYS have a backup.

While I agree with the other poster who mentioned using a carabiner between the anchor and rope, I feel it's reasonable to add that using more than one bolt is good safety precaution. My preference would be 3 placed about 2 ft apart. Yes it's overkill, but you only die once so it's best to avoid it.

My dude. Brent. I love your channels, I love your storytelling. I've got a Cerro Gordo pin in my collection and a patch on my backpack. So know that this is coming from a supporter who really enjoys what you do: you are going to get yourself killed. You need climbing and rappelling training, and you need it immediately. You frequently, unnecessarily put your life at risk with some of the practices you engage in while exploring the mines. And the fact that you're doing this alone makes it even more of a necessity for you to have both the proper training and the proper equipment to do what you're doing. I've been watching your first channel since its inception. I would very much like to see it continue for a long, long time, and that means keeping you alive, healthy, and whole. None of this works without you, so please stop taking unnecessary risks.

Brent... Please listen to these experts! Don't let the excitement of exploring and trying to please your fans make you make bad judgments. Right now, your the only one that can bring the town back to life and if something happens, then the town will just crumble into history.

Hey Brent I have worked with granite and all kinds of of stone for years that blade is not what you want you need one that is closer to a tile blade not a wood cutting one. I have watched you from the beginning and you make great content just know that all of us here care about you and your safety ! 😊

9:38 just realised I was grinding my teeth in anxiety watching you move around on loose rock and timber next to that void. Please take care Brent!

Hey Brent I know you get excited to explore, but you shouldn't do it alone man. Seriously you should take another guy and be safe. Thanks for the video.

**SAFETY WARNING** Hi Brent! Always luv to see mine rappels! However, please never tie directly into a Metolious hanger...the edge is too sharp. Always use a locking carabiner to clip into the hanger, and tie the rope (figure-eight on a bite) to the carabiner. And ideally, in the rock climbing world, rapping off a 2-bolt (or 3) equalized anchor setup is best (in case one bolt breaks or pulls). Set the bolts at least a foot apart. Equalize two bolts with carabiners and webbing, so the pressure is evenly distributed to avoid shock in case one fails. That being said, in alpine mountaineering, rappelling off of one piece of pro (or one bolt) is sometimes necessary, tho rappelling off of one-piece anchors entails added risk. If it blows, then you fall. Other than that, great job on all these adventures!

Looking at this video and the risks he takes I kept thinking : one of these days this is not going to end well …

10:04 - *OOOH NO NO NO! Don't do this!!* 😱😱 Attache a carabiner to the rock climbing bolt! Don't tie in directly if you fall the rope could snap due to the small bend radius! Also you should use 2 bolts to tie you off. Never trust a single bolt. (technically even 2 ropes, 4 bolts are best practice). Love your content ❤ Stay save ❤

Brent you should use two ropes. Two anchor points for each rope. Use 4 bolts. Two double nots on the bite. Use one rope for decent. And the other for safety. Two leg grabs and a a crawl fast harness you will run up those lines be safe

Brent, I've been watching many of your videos over the years since you first purchased Cerro Gordo. I have to say, I'm not sure if you are a courageous explorer, a thrill seeker, or, out of your mind for taking such risks that hold so few rewards. I wish you safe passage and hope that you never ever become injured, or worse.

Why don't one or more of you experienced climbers get yourselves down to Cerro Gordo! You could show Brent a thing or two, he seems like a person who is very willing to learn. You might even be able to get down into mines yourself. Sounds like a win win to me. If you have a company willing to sponsor Brent and provide everything you think he needs to be safe, he has a great audience willing to check out the brands he works with!

Brent, I don’t even think you realize how close you were to dying with that single bolt decent even after you read all these comments. Please take everyone’s warnings into serious consideration. We love you.

Brent, just remember every time you go into these mines it is a gamble. It's a matter of WHEN not IF they collapse more. We love you, sir.

I left a comment a while back on the ActionAdventureTwins RU-vid channel with regards to your call for cavers to help dig out to the 1300 level, they replied saying they had messaged you but go no response. They seem to do a LOT of caving and as such I feel would be useful to you to collab with.

That saw looked like it had the wrong blade for rocks. Usually its more of a disk without teeth (well the water wheel I have for cutting tiles is like that at least). Loved the polished rocks you came out with though!

Dude never use only one anchor always use 3 and always use a caribeener to attach rope to an anchor. If I was your instructor you would be in so much trouble. It's your life on the line. All from love brother we need you alive and safe ❤❤❤

Hopefully that "floor" just under the 86 level, isn't some rock wedged just right, above a 1000 foot hole in the Jefferson Chimney. That stuff is actively moving with no warning. You be careful Brent.

Hey Brent, That saw had a wood blade on it. Invest in a diamond blade and that saw will work a hell of alot better. Try that before buying another saw as even if you do end up purchasing another you will need a better blade than what is normally supplied so it won't be a waste.

Eventually you should run electric lighting everywhere and totally light up the chimneys from top to bottom -- that would be incredible.

I have to agree with the others here about NOT GOING ALONE !! Plz have a buddy with you from now on. I was so worried you would get buried alive but had to remind myself that you are ok cuz you posted this video, lol. This is highly dangerous by yourself with no back up what so ever. We want you around for a long, long time. Not to be a very sad memory n what could have been if you had survived 😢.

Holy hell, Brent, please please please get some quality safety training for climbing and caving. I don't think you realize how lucky you've been... This is so scary. I want you to be safe and be able to keep doing this!

Brent, I grew up doing lapidary and rock hounding with my father. That blade you have on that saw is for wood, you can tell because the teeth are so large on it. Generally, the harder the material, the smaller the teeth, until you have no teeth other than abrasives for the hardest things (like rock). They use a diamond or carbide lapidary disc for cutting stone and minerals, and generally use a lubricant like water or oil. Saws that have a reservoir that the blade runs through tend to be better, but if nothing else, you should really get that drip feed set up properly on your saw so you are not trying to cut dry. Dry cutting will over heat and destroy your blade, and kick up a bunch of dust. If you eventually get really into it, you can look into obtaining a lapidary slab saw. They are more automated, and will allow you to basically dope the rock to a block of wood, then set it to cut and walk away while it slabs it into something you cut down into cabochon pieces with your lapidary saw. You can also get a good Cabochon machine that you can accessorize with trim saws and the like.

I just scrolled thru all the comments, would like to offer this loving summary: 1) none of us wants you dead. 2) be way more concerned about your safety, but keep exploring anyway 😉 3) get training, do research as you go (you already do this) 4) the luck bucket only holds so much, we all want to see that yours is never empty 5) I’m all good with bottle art 😁 Thanks for your posting, I’m always watching for more! 🧗‍♂️

It’s crazy watching these videos, knowing that this is going to be how he dies, it’s just a question of when. I’m sure he knows it and doesn’t care because he is so passionate about it and I can respect that.

The blade needs to be changed to a diamond blade on the saw. Looks like a decent saw otherwise. Also looks like its designed to hold a wheel on the left hand side, so you might be able to fit a polishing wheel to the end. You could also get yourself a 9 inch grinder and put a diamond blade on it

brent, i'm not sure why, but to me you are a hero. maybe it is your pure interest in that mine and town., your desire to preserve aaa vanishing history, your stalwart perseverance of something that had its day before you had yours. that fire hit me like it was next door. to see you cry, and yet you go on. you will overcome. the only thing that cannot answer is; are you lucky to have cerro gordo, or is cerro gordo lucky to have you. in any case i plan to visit, to see the mine and shake hands with a hero. always best wishes, be certain that you are on my mind every day. i wish that i was in the position to help you more.

When you said dude I know where we are I was so excited & happy for you!!!❤level 86.

I LOVE YOUR MOTIVATION. You bought a whole town...amazing. I respect you. Thanks for all the hours of entertainment. I am thankful for that.

Knew it was only a matter of time before you discovered the joy of rockhounding. Look forward to seeing your future lapidary work.

Awesome Brett, back to back videos. 2 in one weekend, too cool!⛏⚒

Think about your steps you're about to make twice friend. We need ya safe my man! Youre the only person doing some real human purpose here online. Much love

As a rockhound that has slowly been acquiring my own equipment it is interesting watching you get into the hobby. Try to look for used equipment since the new stuff is quite expensive. I am sure the gem and mineral society can help you figure out what you need and where to look for it. You might look into getting a rock tumbler to polish up some of the stones that you find as well. I look forward to watching your journey.

From Edinburgh Scotland, thank you. I cant get to America and observe these wonders but thanks to you i can watch the video. 😉👍 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤝🇺🇸🌶

OMG, your going to give me a heart attack! Glad your back above ground safely.

I love watching all these Cerro Gordo mine explorations !👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽❤️

Brent. This is a message from the future. Please take this seriously. There will be a memorial recovery episode done by the Diesel brothers, take these comments as your sign that you need a fully equipped team to be doing this type of exploration. Sincerely, anon.

Eh Brent, I have following you for a few years now and still I cannot fathom how you find the courage to go down this old mine with 100 year old timbers trying to support collapsing tunnels etc. I would be afraid just to walk there, afraid my weight could make everything collapse over my head. Man I whish I could understand how you do that. Cheers, a.

You must have to get over some pretty big fears to drop down in a hole like that by yourself and putting all your trust in that one anchor, I am a mountaineering backpacker but I’ve never done anything like that I think it’s pretty awesome and exciting and dangerous. Kudos to you👍

Yes, another explore in the mine. More mine exploration please Brent! Love it

Can I suggest that you rapell off two anchors in case of the unlikely but possible failure of the first anchor you will have a redundancy which may save your life. Also, the blade in the saw seems to be for timber not masonry cutting. Try fitting a diamond blade saw and you should get somewhere. Great video. Thank you.

Brent - love the channels and the content! I have to agree with others though when it comes to your safety. Yes - there will be some initial setup time when adding anchors and implementing other safety measures, but it will all be worth it in the end. I was a wildland FF back in the day and I taught others to use chainsaws. I always told my new sawyers “slow is safe, safe is smooth, smooth is fast.” I can’t take credit for that and I may have butchered the original phrase but the heart remains. Take the time to learn your craft, gain experience, and focus on safety. Eventually the safety becomes second nature and the speed will come without even trying. I also wanted point out that it is not only your life that is at risk when you go on these explorations. Who will take care of Cerro Gordo if you get too injured to do so, or if you die? Who else has the drive and passion for Cerro Gordo that you do? You care about the history of the place and it shows. Who’s to say the next owner won’t try to turn it into a cheap tourist trap and build some run-of-the-mill Disney-fief version of the American Hotel on the foundation you worked so hard to put up? I look forward to your next video - hopefully about a climbing/caving course you took to improve your safety when exploring? 😅 Remember, slow is safe…

This was crazy. U got balls of steel. Best episode yet.

Have you ever spoken to the guys from TVR Exploring? They have masses of experience exploring some fairly sketchy mines. Maybe they might have a few ideas on how to get through that blockage getting you further into the chimney.

You never go bye yourself you always go with somebody else taking a chance of getting hurt or nobody knows we’re your at and then there goes your channel safety first be safe been watching since you’re first video God bless ✝️🇺🇸

You should try contacting some people who run working mines, there may already be plans and tricks for getting around blockages and cave in's that you can use.

Thanks for sharing what a great life adventure you are living.

You should be using two anchor points with carabiners to protect the rope and redundancy when placing bolts. Keep safe

Absolutely exciting content to watch, brilliant stuff ….. but take it easy mate , the risks you are taking seem to be increasing as time goes on … don’t become overconfident - there is a fine balance between calculated risk and stupidity - especially when totally isolated. What you are doing above ground is so important , please don’t jeopardise that by ignoring basic safety rules on solo trips underground. We need you Brent - stay safe !!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am that you're getting more into rocks & lapidary stuff! I started out as a rockhound & fell so deep in to it that I found myself "exploring" mines -- & now we're full circle! YAAAAAAS!

Been waiting so long for you to go back to the Jefferson Chimney, and really get to explore that thing all the way down, BUT listen to the comments Brent and take care. Your climbing and exploring buddy wouldn’t want to go to your funeral, so the two of you, and ideally more should be around when you’re exploring! And if those that are in the know with climbing and climbing gear can help with advice, and even better some gear donations (ask for the things you need to advance while being safe - Plenty of people would likely respond or offer their time to pair up, if they can!). Look forward to more adventures and exploration of the as yet unseen parts of that mine!!! You already know a few diesel buddies that would probably help get you past that collapse safely! They already did this in another mine looking for a missing woman!

I can't even describe the joy I get when I watch your videos. :)

Brent. I hope you don’t go down that deep alone? But it was AWESOME. THANK YOU 🙏

Finaly a deep minedive again, i love it. 🤩

they make real cheap floor tile cutting wet saw tables that would cut rocks, various sizes mostly depending on budget, or swap out that toothed woodsaw blade and put a diamond stone cutting disk in.

@ghosttown2 You should go back to the tunnel by the lean-to that was full of Malachite and Azurite. Those were some of the best gems I've seen on your channels and they seemed really accessible.

Thanks for sharing!

Love seeing the mine exploration.

Hi Brent! I would love if you did videos on you just exploring the mines! I know that'd probably take a lot of camera battery and such, but its amazing watching and seeing you explore the mines and also hearing you talk about the history. Stay safe whenever you explore as well!

Truly awesome stuff Brent !!!!

BRENT Take a look at a tile saw .They have Diamond blades .They use water to cut rock or marble .That may be cheaper than a Rock saw :-))

This was so nerve racking to watch 😅 great video glad you made it out safely

Thank you, Brent. This is interesting stuff to me.

OUTSTANDING EPISODE

Hey Brent...you should get one of the large rock tumblers and tumble some the smaller pieces you find in the mines. Once you start using a rock tumbler, you'll be hooked!!

Can't wait till your next exploring of th Jefferson.

Thank you for your videos.

I am terrified of mines and cave; but I thoroughly enjoy your trips down the mines to explore. Thanks for taking me with you!

I love these videos and always look forward to a new video. Thanks Brent!!!

The anchors are always double, always with special bolts and with chain and ring, the static ropes for descent are always used double, especially in these situations, use carabiners and change ropes after a certain period, the dust and splinters that enter will ruin them from the inside, they hold in static but at the slightest jerk they give way, try to tighten it as much as possible, it doesn't take much, you entrust your life to a rock bolt with a tapping block, and a knotted rope is crazy, besides the fact that it I saw them give way and luckily either they were double or there were others underneath. anyway fantastic exploration thanks for sharing greetings from Italy

Get proper training and don't go alone. I love this channel. I would hate for it to abruptly end.

Hey Brent !!!! Its great to see you going in there again!!!!

Absolutely amazing. We sure appreciate all you do and most importantly staying safe 🙏

What? A second video??? Omg! I feel so spoiled. ❤ Mine exploration is just icing on the cake! My movie will have to wait! 😂

love you and your content and vision.

Great adventure…keep them coming

Hey Brent, I love you shop and want to buy a hoodie (once I have money for it lol). But I was thinking of an idea to combine 2 of your current screen prints together. You should make one with the composite map on the back and the cerro gordo logo on the front like the hoodie. I think it would look absolutely awesome!

Those black and white stone that look like quarz is very pretty...All i can see it to polish them up and use for decorarion on glass😊😊😊

This has by far been my favorite video!

Brent, Rock On! Lol! Got to figure out how to get further down the chimney? Love it all, keep it happening! 🤙⚒️🏔️🚌🤠

INCREDIBLE PROGRESS AT CERRO GORDO!!!

That was so great Brent thank you for sharing and your time was really great never miss a video and can't wait for next video thank you Gem and mineral for the access to your tools and building

So glad you put on another video - you are spoiling us. Loving your channel more and more. Thanks Brett x

Hey Brett the chinese miners that are still on the 200th.( Or what level they are on) Have they ever been identified? Is there any record on who they were? Have they had a memorial ceremony? Just a few questions from a curious follower.

my word you are so brave! just looking at that void on my screen gave me the willies

I can easily watch 2 hours of you exploring this mine and still want more. I do a lot of anthracite mine exploring here and Pa. I enjoy watching all types of mine exploring and seeing all the different minerals. Most people will never get to experience being underground so it's nice that they can watch and be there vicariously.

Good grief Brent, I was holding my breath when you nearly fell!! Love your videos, in my opinion yours are unique and soo special, I've been watching since the beginning xx

Brent your vids are just to dang good bro hope to see you soon out there

loving the collection of rock and stone - think its something i might have inherited from my mother, she did a course years ago at a local college, cutting gem stones and making jewellery, some metal work, making rings, and a nice plannished copper jewellery box all green felt lined - one of the nicest things was to purchase some volcanic rock, effectively the bubbles which when cut open would have gem stones inside, as the rock formed and cooled, crystals would appear, locked away inside, mum cut a few open, some better than others, but it was also nice to have slices of them to mount some of the rock you have would be impressive to have some thin slices, like 1cm thick, some of them look a little like nougat

Hey Brent, I have been cutting stones for about 15 years. If you need any help or tips let me know. I'd love to come see your home out there. The minerals in that mine are amazing. I cut stones on the same machine you were using. Diamond Pacific Genie. Great machine.

As usual Brent, fascinating stuff!

Been waiting for this one! Most exciting part of this series is exploring new parts of the mine.

Great stuff Brent!

You should decorate the town and do a ghost story episode called "Terror Gordo." Love the content!

Brent u gotten way brave since u started yr channel, to watch u grow is phenomenal. Stay safe and happy. Miss seeing the fur babies. ❤ All that beautiful rock u can make yr own twist on C. Gordo jewelry, Brent trade mark!

Amazing! Just absolutely amazing. Thank you for great content too. 👍

Wow! Great Job!