A few months back we spent a couple of days exploring around the Delamar gold mine. The mine is reported to have had over 60 miles of underground workings. Much of that that has been back-filled or lost to collapses, but there are still weeks worth of exploring and adventure to be had there.

One of our favorite features is the Zig-Zag Ladder of Death. Especially for those who have never done it before.




There is some really serious exploring for those who have the technical skills.




This video is from our most recent trip. Lots of fun!!



Abby Normal

That ladder looks like something from a video game, unreal. Very cool.

Posted by Marlon Bando That ladder looks like something from a video game, unreal. Very cool.

It's a bit surreal when you climb up or down it. The strange part is that the last segment is skewed to one side AND leans back so it takes a bit of energy to hold on the ladder and climb at the same time.

We recently dug into a lost section that has not been explored in my lifetime. Lots of old shovels left in place, tobacco tins still sitting on the square sets. We know that all of the ore that came from that level was dumped down to a lower level, so we want to see if we can find that and continue to get deeper into the mine. Ultimately we would like to be able to go in at the top of the hill and exit at the main haulage level at the foot of the hill. That would be about 400 to 500 foot drop.

Sorry to ramble on...

Abby

Cool shit. Y'all are crazy lol.

I legit screamed internally at that ladder omg

Brave souls, thank you so much for sharing all this

That might be one of the most terrifying ladders I've ever seen, props to you guys for actually climbing it.

Posted by big dave Cool shit. Y'all are crazy lol.

Thanks! Some of it is pretty crazy. It's especially neat when we get into areas that haven't been explored in a very long time. Of course, that's what all of us UER folks want to do.

Abby Normal

Posted by Ruins-the-Moment I legit screamed internally at that ladder omg Brave souls, thank you so much for sharing all this

Yeah, that ladder is just crazy. It has become a "bucket list" item for a lot of mine explorers. Unfortunately a lot of them just climb down and back up without seeing everything else there is.

Abby

Posted by Aran That might be one of the most terrifying ladders I've ever seen, props to you guys for actually climbing it.

It's right up there in the terrifying scale! Part of it is just visual. It dangles out of the roof with no apparent structure. I've been on ladders that scared me more, but none are as scary looking. We usually climb it roped (although Tony and I have both done it without) so it's pretty safe. We always make certain that our climbing partners are on rope.

Abby Normal

It’s crazy to think about how much of the terrain such as you’ve described that hasn’t been seen by humans in decades because of collapses

Posted by Abby Normal It's a bit surreal when you climb up or down it. The strange part is that the last segment is skewed to one side AND leans back so it takes a bit of energy to hold on the ladder and climb at the same time. We recently dug into a lost section that has not been explored in my lifetime. Lots of old shovels left in place, tobacco tins still sitting on the square sets. We know that all of the ore that came from that level was dumped down to a lower level, so we want to see if we can find that and continue to get deeper into the mine. Ultimately we would like to be able to go in at the top of the hill and exit at the main haulage level at the foot of the hill. That would be about 400 to 500 foot drop. Sorry to ramble on... Abby

Please post when you get to the deeper part of the mine! Is your gear from mountain climbing?

Posted by Kabes Please post when you get to the deeper part of the mine! Is your gear from mountain climbing?

Our gear and technique is adapted primarily from caving. Having climbing skills is certainly beneficial though!

Abby Normal

Posted by Dextelo It’s crazy to think about how much of the terrain such as you’ve described that hasn’t been seen by humans in decades because of collapses

That's really true. Every explorer's dream is to find sections of mines that haven't been visited since the mine closed. I've only done that on a couple of occasions when we have had to dig our way through a collapse. My exploring partner is from England and is known for finding his way into unexplored sections. The "holy grail" there is to find hob-nailed boot prints.

Abby