TThis March Mike Sandone and I set out to discover a hidden adit that he had been unable to locate on previous visits. Maps of this revolutionary war mine showed that it had extensive underground workings. After a five-hour search, we were unsuccessful in our quest but stumbled upon promising evidence that they were on the right trail.

Our focus then shifted to a nearby adit, which was currently flooded with waist-deep water. Undeterred, we donned waders and made our way into the mine. Once inside the mine, we encountered another obstacle. The roof quickly lowered to a mere foot and a half above the water, forcing us to crouch until our faces hovered close to the water as we proceeded. We eventually reached a small stope where the ceiling provided ample headroom. Our troubles weren’t over, we soon found the soft, deep mud on the floor proved to be a new challenge. The mud clung to our feet, making it difficult to move – like stepping into quicksand.

Despite the hurdles, Sandone was able to complete two scans of the mine. The first being a normal scan. The second was to test a new method for scanning mines. He intended to see if it was possible to exit the mine while still conducting a LIDAR scan and continue scanning the surface above the mine. After two attempts, he successfully scanned the mine and the surface above it, creating a virtual image of the mine beneath their feet.

Sandone’s excitement was palpable as he explained the results of his scan. As he walked above the mine, he was able to see a virtual representation of the mine beneath his feet. This groundbreaking technique has the potential to greatly benefit mine exploration and offer new avenues for discovery.

The thrill of exploration continued for Sandone and I as we made our way to another nearby mine. Accessing the mine required squeezing through a small opening, but once inside, we were greeted by an old friend – a large black Rat Snake that had been encountered during a previous visit. Respecting the snake’s home, we gave it a wide berth and ventured deeper into the mine. Sandone performed a thorough LIDAR scan of the mine before we called it a day. Exhausted and sore, we cleaned up and headed to a local restaurant for a well-deserved reward meal. It was the perfect end to a day filled with adventure and exploration.

This adventure highlights the importance of innovation and perseverance in the exploration of historical sites, even those hidden beneath the earth. With the help of technology and a strong determination, we can unlock new secrets of the past and gain a deeper understanding of our shared history.