02152016

February 15, 2016

Presidents Day Event. Goodsprings, Nevada

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The most complete guide to Southern Nevada's mining history.

Since we just completed a group field trip a couple weeks ago, we weren't expecting to have another so soon. We forgot about Presidents Day and gave just a few short days notice which worked to our advantage in keeping the group small.

We've been considering the idea of getting a smaller, advanced group together. The purpose of this advanced group would not be to exclude, but to better match individuals to specific trips that may require a greater level of fitness and experience.

We wanted to keep the trip local and revisited a few familiar mines in Goodsprings, Nevada. When we host open field trips, we carefully select a route to accommodate varied ages and skill levels. All underground exploration for open trips is single level. The larger events involve careful planning. Often, we'll even pre-run the routes to make sure there is enough room for a long line of vehicles with little to no turning. With this smaller group, vehicle trail space was not a factor.

We were better able to manage safety and time and explore levels well above and below the reach of a larger group. A single, rope assisted, shaft or winze can take 10 minutes or more per person. A small group can easily consume an hour per obstacle.

This small group explored multiple levels and three mines and completed the trip just before sunset. I would consider this a light introduction, but you can better appreciate the endurance needed for deeper and extended exploration. Thanks to all who attended this event. You were all great company.