mineexploring

While rockhounding the mountains of Western North Carolina, you will encounter many old and abandoned mines. I enjoy exploring, photographing and videotaping these mines and viewing the tools, equipment, and critters that now inhabit the mines. I do this to record the history of these mines through photography. This is my personal choice, it is something I enjoy almost as much as mineral collecting. Be aware that entering these mines can be very dangerous. You face the chance of death or serious injury by a cave-in. Lack of air in a deep mine can cause suffocation. You may step into an open vertical shaft and drown or be unable to climb back out and starve to death. If your light goes out in a deep mine, you may become disoriented, get lost, and again starve to death. You might encounter wildlife using the mine as a home. Bears, Mountain Lions, etc. can become agitated at a nosey Rockhound poking around his house. You may even suffer a horrible death from a rare airborne spore called Histoplasmosis found in many old mines! I strongly advise against entering these old mines! I built this page to share with others some of the things I have found in these mines.
Rick Jacquot

NOTE: Entering ANY abandoned mine tunnel or shaft is extremely unsafe and dangerous. You should never enter a mine for ANY reason!