Vicarious exploration
When I lived in the boondocks I did a good amount of exploration with my dog, including looking for old mines. I only ever went into two of them, and then not very far. One was too flooded. The other wasn't safe and no one knew where I was. If I got hurt, I probably would have died.
Now I'm virtually going into fascinating and often terrifying mines thanks to intrepid (and sometimes reckless) YouTubers.
This is the scariest video I've seen yet, and it's mostly because this guy is alone. He wiggled into the portal (entrance) that's partially collapsed. Three minutes in he spends about a minute figuring out how to get through a major collapse! He does, and keeps going and going and going. We've carved the land underfoot into swiss cheese in places.
My only complaint--and I use that word lightly because I'm watching in the comfort and safety of my home--is that many of these explorers aren't geologists or even rockhounds. What ore was mined out? Show me the minerals!
This one appears to be another gold or silver mine that had sulfide orders in veins in igneous or volcanic rock.
If enough people like this I can post more videos, including the ones that feature the geology. There are a few YouTubers like that out there. I learned about some new minerals, and they found gorgeous specimens.
