*WARNING: PIC & STORY HEAVY*

My adventure began with a daunting 4.4-mile hike. When I say this trail was steep, I don't mean legs burning kind of steep, I mean there were times when I was totally reliant on my hiking poles to remain upright.

As dawn broke, a beautiful golden blanket illuminated the crown of surrounding mountain peaks. I pressed on steadfast in the brisk morning air. Around 2 hours into the expedition, I rounded a bend and finally caught a glimpse of the Miner's bunkhouse.

Like the Ironman of Urbex, I suited up for my mysterious subterranean adventure. (I pack a plethora of abandoned mine exploration gear - you can never be too careful down in those tunnels!)

A special thanks to everyone in the UER community for being so supportive while I grind towards becoming a user with content worth following.

My journey went as follows.

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IMG_E9172 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9173 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9178 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9185 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9191 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9199 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9200 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9204 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9213 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9215 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9217 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9218 by Patrick, on Flickr

13. The Misty Eye of the Mountain. (My inspiration for the title!)
IMG_E9226 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9227 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9232 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9242 by Patrick, on Flickr

17. This looks to be carbide miner's graffiti from the 40s. The question is, is it 1940, or 1840?!
IMG_9243 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9244 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9250 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9251 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9253 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9255 by Patrick, on Flickr

It was around this time when I got spooked out of my skin. As I was staging this photoshoot, we-woo we-woo! My gas detector's alarm sounded, roaring through the cavern and flashing red! I was getting a steadily declining oxygen reading, indicating bad air. I grabbed my gear and practically flew to the opening portal.

The story doesn't stop there. On approach, I began hearing a very loud alarm coming from outside, one like in Silent Hill. As I neared the exit, it grew louder and louder. I thought that I must've inhaled too much gas and was starting to lose my mind. When I finally made it outside I gathered my bearings and realized it was coming from the town way down in the valley. They were testing their severe weather siren since a huge storm front was on the way! What a wake-up call.

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IMG_9263 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9273 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9276 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9281 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_9284 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9288 by Patrick, on Flickr
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IMG_E9298 by Patrick, on Flickr
30. End
IMG_9291 by Patrick, on Flickr

This adventure is far from over, the day continued and I infiltrated even more remote mining remanence. Since this post is massive I will make a second post to continue my mountainous endeavor. Looking forward to sharing more!

Can you imagine the tenacity involved to build that cabin on edge of cliff like that? Gives me vertigo just looking at it

Very interesting explore and write up, look forward to more!

Thanks for sharing

OMG this give me Vertigo too. But very nice shot

What is the yellow slimly thing on the second picture?

Posted by leafloving4x4gal Can you imagine the tenacity involved to build that cabin on edge of cliff like that? Gives me vertigo just looking at it Very interesting explore and write up, look forward to more! Thanks for sharing

They sure did a good job when they built it. There doesn’t appear to have been any shimming done over the years, so It’s been clinging to that cliff-side under its own weight all this time.

My next set will have some real vertigo inducing shots, as that’s when I did some dangerously sketchy off trail exploring.

Thank you so much for the support! (-:

Posted by SugarRAt OMG this give me Vertigo too. But very nice shot What is the yellow slimly thing on the second picture?

Thank you!

I was exploring a little off-chute and there was some kind of deposit from water that was growing all over the ceiling.

Very nice mate

Posted by pincheck Very nice mate

Thank you! (-:

I always love seeing places like this. The photography is very nice!

Posted by Wowee I always love seeing places like this. The photography is very nice!

It's a shame that so few remain, but I agree, I love seeing them in any state nonetheless.

Thank you very much. I shot an entire album (including these pics) on the new iPhone 14. I'm still figuring it out, but the camera on that thing is out of this world!