A collapsed mineshaft at Karangahake Gorge

A view along the river and into a severely collapsed gold mine at Karangahake, then using a Flare to light up the interior. At the end theres a view from above looking down into the mine.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• karangahake
• mine
• mineshaft
• gold
• flare
• fire
• new
• zealand

[nzoomed]

as far as im aware this is an open stope, im yet to visit, but have a friend who knows these places like the back of their hand, im quite keen to explore this place, and want to do the No 8 level at some stage.

[brianf55]

@nzoomed I'd love to explore this place with someone who really knows the area, the safe places etc. I can bring along a handful of flares to light the place up for video. I'm surprised DOC haven't done it themselves to allay peoples curiosity about these tunnels.

[nzoomed]

@brianf55

Im pretty new to mine exploration, but i know alot of places where theres tons to see, ladders to go down in Karangaheke and Te Aroha.

I can put you in contact with a person i know who's keen to pass his know;ledge on of these areas, you could join us on one of our trips.

I have road flares too, they are useful for throwing down shafts to see where they lead, or as an emergency light, i have a carbide lamp i use along with some LED headlamps as backup.

[brianf55]

@nzoomed I'm new to mine exploration too, that's why I've tended to stay outside and do long time exposures rather than take risks till I know more. It'd be cool to make a bunch of video with someone who knows the area, how about sometime this summer? I'm hoping to have a portable 1-watt laser soon to light up the interior of places you can't enter. I also have a tough little sports video camera we could lower into these places together with a flare.

[unsolved92]

Cool video dude I'm glad you put it up. By the way how did you get in past the gate?

[brianf55]

There's a way in, its not obvious but its there. I'd rather not say any more on that in public. A tramper friend told me the track actually used to go in through that section of mine, up the steep slope and out the top, before they built the walkway up the cliff and sealed the mine off.

[Manekatopokanemahedo]

Thanks for this magnificent video of the mineshaft; I love historical and modern civilization. There is a lot of history in that footage. Good use of the flare, too. See ya!

Manekatopokanemahedo

[TheCatwoooman]

Hey cool video of this mine. I grew up in the area and know a lot of local mines. Use to explore them every weekend. This mine is nic named 'The Monestry'.

The mine up see across the river at the beginning is the old Crown Mine. It is one of the most dangerous mines in the Coromandel and isnt recommended to go in. I have been in with search a rescue members and we abseiled out. I certainly wouldnt light a flare in these mines - they often contain gases. For more info on mines PM me.

[augdog1230]

As with most amateur splunkers, they do not realize that the RESCUERS are the ones who RISK THEIR LIVES to SAVE YOURS.

STAY OUT

STAY ALIVE

[Rawrnz]

hey cool, Do you know if we can get in on the other side of the waitawheta river? Could possibly save me a swim haha

[nzoomed]

@brianf55

There's alot of back doors to these places that DOC dont want you know about, most of the area is completley safe, its solid quartz, and the mine prospectors are reguarly taking samples all over the place.

DOC just dont want to be liable for any injury, so they put gates everywhere to deter the tourists going past the track.

Send me a PM if you want to know more :)