Hiking The Steepest Tramway In The US! (Saline Valley Salt Tram)
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2021
- This week I take a hike along one of the biggest engineering feats in early 1900s California - the Saline Valley Salt Tram. When it was completed in 1913 it was the steepest tramway in the country brining salt from Saline Valley, up and over the Inyo Mountains, and down into Owen's Valley. The tramway started at 1,100 ft in elevation, rose to 8,700 ft in elevation, and dropped back down to 3,000 ft in elevation.
The hike from the summit station down into Saline Valley is a brutal hike that goes over shale, sidehills, dry waterfalls, and a lot more.
For me, it was one of the most difficult hiking days I've ever had and one that didn't quite go according to plan...
Thank you all so much for the support! If you're not already, I hope you'll subscribe to the channel. Lots more renovation projects coming around Cerro Gordo, mines to explore, and more!
You can see more photos from all the adventures here: / brentwunderwood
Cerro Gordo T-Shirts and more: store.cerrogordomines.com/
Mailing Address: PO Box 490, Lone Pine, CA 93545
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Thank you all for checking out the video!! If you haven't yet, I hope you'll take a second and subscribe! There are tons of building renovations, mine explorations, and more upcoming! If you're a subscriber, let me know below you're favorite type of video on the channel or other ideas you'd like to see?
If you like this tramway walk, you can see me walk the Cerro Gordo tramway here: czcams.com/video/LpwaUU6sGFA/video.html
And thank you all so much for being here!
It's our pleasure Brent :)
You are the coolest!!
I like the mine explorations ther so cool
I love the building renovation videos :)
We love the mine explorations the most 🥰 but I’m happy to see all the renovations that have been going on too 😊😊
This bird knows that these humans usually don't make it very long in his territory.
the hawk was having help flushing rodents. happens alot and the birds are happy for it.
honestly I'd rather a hawk circling me than a bunch of vultures....
hawks keep their distance waiting for their food to die so they intend no malice but vultures will pick at you as you die.....no honor whatsoever lolz
kick a man when he's dead not when he's KO'd lolz
I found it a bit rude haha
The animals of Death Valley have had millions of years to evolve survival in this harsh environment.
But that redhead? He is going to die.
@@mrinvader wrong.. this man will live a long happy life... human resilience! good luck up there
From what I've read, the reason this particular tram failed was due to a communication error. The mining company told the tram maker that it would be used to haul salt, and so the tram maker designed the tram based on the weight of salt. But in actuality, the miners were sending brine (wet salt) which is heavier. As a result, they could only fill the tram buckets halfway, which reduced the profitability of the tram.
That’s fascinating - thanks for sharing !
Thank you
Wow...
Excellent observation. My understanding has always been: The engineer that designed the tram (which includes the all important motor horsepower and amperage load on the power lines) simply looked up the weight of salt in a common reference book and took no regard for the additional weight of moisture.
I'm suspicious that this is the reason old images from the lake bed show the salt piled up in smallish mounds. I suspect they were desperately drying to dry the salt before loading it on the tram.
@@greenfire6924 what a dumb ass!!! Everyone knows salt is wet at harvest!!!! Jeez!
Hey, here’s a really good tip for staying hydrated in the desert - soak chia seeds in your water when you drink it. Chia seeds absorb the water and slow releases it into your body as you digest it, rather than peeing it out hours later and losing all that water. It just keeps you hydrated for longer and is healthy- just a tip!
Forget Peeing... I helped several friends do 24 hour bike rides. They each consumed about a pint an hour, but not once did they pee... They sweated it all out, so salt replacement was also needed.
@@hiscifi2986 yep!! That's exactly what happens when so hot. U sweat more out than u urinate.
Here's a little tip: Drink your pee.
@@Badge124 can’t that destroy your kidneys?
@@whitelistqd7815 yes if you do it over and over
"Bring rope" is like the number one rule of hiking unmarked routes, as far as I know lol
yeah double the length u think u will need so u can release it when u r done climbing down a steep part
@@onelove9408 Yep as a rock climber I was thinking this. Or have two 60m ropes and tie the ends of both ropes together but then he would need a partner to share the weight. Place a sling around a solid tree or boulder, to act as an anchor point. Then double the rope on the sling. Rappel down both ends of the rope (easier if you are carrying a harness and belay device). When you are safely at the bottom pull on one end of the rope to retrieve them (pulling the ropes through the sling). Sacrifice the sling where it is for the rock Gods. Carry multiple slings and you can rappel multiple pitches. The biggest fear would be getting the rope snagged when you try and pull one end down, here it would be distress beacon time.
With a rope, a partner who can lead climb and some trad climbing gear, it would be possible to rock climb your way back up if you dont like the look of the route down, if the rocks aren't too loose. But carrying a trad climbing rack would be heavy.
I always bring rope, even if I'm not planning for a hike. Like ways blodstoppers et.c.. I have had use of these things on multiple occasions on other people before paramedics come, almost never on myself. I would also carry a knife if the police could understand the laws, it is only illegal to carry knife if it is with the intention of hurting other people. A knife in a secure package in your Backpack ain't illegal in my country (but a copper can't be expected to understand the difference)
I was thinking that, as well, and I have zero experience 😂
I've mentioned this before in your channel, but no response before, I spent a good part of (and favorite part of) my childhood in saline valley, My grandparents lived in hunters canyon and were friends with all the folks that lived in the valley, the group of self proclaimed scientists that live right on the salt lake running experiments glen and Allen. All at the hot springs. jackass Andy and his kids and others. they even ran across Charles Manson a few times. I've hiked that path before. and spent some time at cerro gordo, some of my favorite memories are in the Saline Valley. Ive LOVED watching your channel it brings back so many memories.
Oh wow, thank you! Would love to chat sometime. I'm sure you have lots you could teach me about the area (and more adventures to pursue!)
Same here. I wrote this former flat lander regarding about the area, Mike and Jodie, the mine(s) there, the town and other things regarding the area. Apparently he/they don’t care it is about them. Sad so much will be lost but it is they that will be remembered and it is they who is writing/recording the history for future generations.
@@williampratt8116 I'm confused here, are you upset at the owner of this channel, or someone else?
@@williampratt8116 i have a feeling Brent is doing all of his videoing, editing and responding to millions of comments/emails all on his own. you should not feel offended he did not respond. just try again and be kind.
You're definitely CRAZY!! LOL!! I'm so thankful you made it out alive! I bet your mom is completely frightened just hearing about your adventures. Let alone watching them!! You're probably aging your parents faster than no other! LOL!!
Stay safe!!
I Love your videos but man, please be safe for us!
Yes don’t hurt yourself
Be safe, specifically meaning make a change to your historical behavior
Without risk there wouldn't be adventure, if you dont take the odd risk life woukd be boring.
@@garethh6962 nah this ain’t it, plenty of adventures without putting yourself in perilous risk
While I worry for Brent's safety, part of me also knows it's his dangerous adventures that bring me back every week. Be safe Brent, but keep being you. Live life to the fullest.
Usually when I watch CZcams, I’m doing housework, laundry, etc… But, your channel commands my full attention. I start the video and can’t turn away. I admire your drive, passion, hard work, and thirst for adventure. Those are rare qualities nowadays. Thank you for allowing us to follow your journey!
“It’s 120 degrees out but today’s the day”
Bro, they make new days *every day*. They even make them in the fall and winter when it’s not 120 in Death Valley.
Seriously. Hiking in 120 degree weather can kill you. Stay safe!
I'm not entirely convinced hiking up there would be safer in the winter - whole different set of challenges and dangers is all.
@@streaky81 I don't know about this part of the Mojave but in other parts of California it is wise to hike in October (September is one of the hottest months in Southern California) or April. In April, waterfalls may have water in them but usually very little.
@@streaky81 Exactly, there would be frozen compacted snow and ice at the higher elevations on those steep sections.
there is nothing like that feeling when your brain realizes that maybe not everything is under control. it’s amazing how fast priority’s shift and you only act in survival mode from this point on. glad you made it out there safe Brent.
Was in a scenario a long time ago that exposed me to the “survival mode” mental state. It’s a tough mindset to bounce back from once you get a taste of it. Glad Brent is alright after that one.
Yes this has happened to me hiking and driving through the desert several times.
Been there. It's rough
@@thechurch5000 Same. First time it happened to me I panicked.
Yup, sort of forget about everything else real quick!
Hey Brent,
Red Jeep guy here. Nice to see you make this hike.
Last year after leaving Cerro Gordo I was in Owens Valley near Long John Canyon, below New York Butte, and I met a man who grew up in the Owens Valley. He had one arm, was a former firefighter, and had hiked from the top of the Salt Tram to the bottom of Saline Valley years ago. The biggest memory I took away from his story was the intermediate station with the electric motor that still had tools hanging on the wall. He spent one night on the hike and his father picked him up at the bottom. That was before satellite communication.
Cheers!
I was amazed at how well preserved the campsites were.
From someone that done a ton of mountaineering and trail building, I would say you should invest in better footwear. When descending down a scree field, having boots with proper ankle support is really important. The hiking boots you have are more for trails and fields, and more flexible for comfort. This is different from mountaineering boots, which have a more rigid ankle and a shank. A classic Montagna sole is a 45-degree angle on the side of the sole for sidestepping a scree field. This is especially important if you are hiking with weight, as rolling an ankle is a bad possibility. Mountaineering boots have such good ankle support that you can legit put all your weight on one bent ankle and the boots will take the weight. Look at Scarpe Verde, Alico, La Sportiva, Mamut for good examples.
I hike with Carolina loggers or linemen's boots for the ankle protection and steel toe.
Now that's great advice!!!
Tennis are the best I did river work for 30 boots are actually hard on your feet my feet were damaged by wearing hard leather boots,
I’ve sprained my ankle twice, badly, in scree fields, even with good boots. This is the best advice because a sprained ankle in those places can be deadly.
This channel is a rare gem. A man with a dream and a 110% positive attitude.
Ok Brent, you scared the crap out of me. When you started going down the wash with no rope, it reminded me of a Mr Ballen video of a similar situation, where the experienced hiker went down a slick 25 foot wash and then the next drop was50 plus feet, straight down. The guy died there and wrote a goodbye letter on his cell phone which they read after he had died.... Don’t die on us, bro...please.
This was exactly the story I was thinking about too!!
I thought 127 hours 2 was about to happen
@@TheFbingha ok. But he was exhausted and if he had fallen and broken something with little water and Death Valley heat, he still might have died before help arrived.
@@loyalrammy especially when his buddy said he couldn't make it UP there to where Brent was!
@@deirdrepasko9965 yep
“Im in the wash….with the bird that’s still circling me….which seems a bit Rude”!
Thank you Brett.
Made me laugh which isn’t easy.
Sending good thoughts from Oregon.
Thank you! That bird was a bit rude if you ask me...
@@lotharschiese8559 sarcasm my friend :D
@@lotharschiese8559 that was a joke ;)
@@GhostTownLiving I was in Tibet for a while also..where did you hang out?
@@lotharschiese8559 comparing real life to a movie is ludicrous. I’m sure with your Infinite knowledge Mr. Spock you could come up with a more relevant or justification to prove your lack of an sense of humor. Then again comparing a major part of your personality to a movie says you might be blindly throwing darts at a giant board hoping something will stick to sway anyone from questioning what you just said and lining it up with B.S.! Then again you do you! Lol
The potential from a sweet ass zip line experience here is HUGE!!
This brought back memories of my late father and I hiking the "Ore Terminal Trail" in Big Bend National Park. I found this remote hike in a trail guide book and was intrigued by the history and convinced my dad to hike the rarely traveled trail through the desert. The ore tram, much like this salt tram, transported ore from mines in Mexico over some rough terrain to the terminal. From there the ore was loaded on to wagons and taken to Marathon. Much like this tram, there is still cable laying down or suspended from these anchor structures on peaks. There were still buckets laying on the ground. It just amazed me that people in such a harsh and difficult terrain were able to build such things.
Thanks for doing this hike. It brought back some good times for me.
The drone shot coming over the summit station while looking down towards the valley was awesome.
@Maxwell, looking over the edge a couple of places made my stomach quiver. unbelievable views!
All the drone footage from all his videos is amazing
@@angesvlogs6628 The drone shots are always tremendous - the scenery is off-the-charts incredible out there.
That first shot - mountains, lavender sky, 100 year old outside timber structure.... and one crazy dude bringing it all to us at home. This really is amazing!
read a good quote recently: "Meat can cook at 115F, human are mostly meat."
Yikes. Didn't think of it that way...
@ِ my dad said my mom liked it raw
@ِ my dad jus showed me why 😭😭
@@brandonrides tf
Well, a rare steak is 130°F, and well done at 165°F, so.......
Brent, please be safe! I'm lucky to see that you got out of this adventure unscathed - but please don't push your luck too much... you're one of the best channels on CZcams, it would be tragic if anything bad happened to you. All the best :)
Brent, please invest in some rattlesnake gaiters and a snake bite kit. It could easily save your life one day. Cheap investment for the return.
Agreed
This really started feeling like an episode of "I Shouldn't be Alive"
That's what I was thinking too!
We have a saying in Australia: “Only mad dogs & Englishmen go out in the heat of the midday sun.” An Aussie wouldn’t do a hike like that on a hot summer day. I’m glad you survived. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
You, Sir, are quite amazing! Thank you for taking us to the brink of your demise! No, seriously, that was an incredible hike but even more incredible was those tram stations! How the heck??? Love your infinite curiosity and passion!
I am just starting to realise exactly how amazingly fit Brent is, not only is he walking all that extraordinarily difficult terrain its incredibly hot and at 2000m above sea level.....If you go for a guided tour expect to be out of breath and for Brent to be as bouncy as a mountain goat
I think it's his stamina that is insane, not sure about the strength... he looks about 20 years older than he is:((
@@thosegainsaintloyalbra4225 i love you
And, he was doing this in tennis shoes, not boots of any kind....how do you say sprained or broken ankle???
Living at that altitude for a year probably acclimated him a fair amount too
The guys that built the tramway really were a different breed and inspirational. They get going when the rest shy away and retire from the challenge.
Its realy insane what they managed to do back then.
Even with modern Equipment i would not wanne do that Job.
Very true, but also give some credit to the mules and engineers.
Tim is the man on a moto. Great job.
Positively astounding how they built that tram structure... superhuman, for sure.
Just got to the damaged inreach part, should never carry the inrech in a bag, always on your person. In case you fall and seperate from your bag!
True advice. Read this Brent!
Noted!
“Wouldn’t recommend this hike to my worst enemies”
Me trying to imagine Brent having an enemy 🧐
Brent vs Anti-Brent.
No kidding. I'm sure me and everyone else would like to meet his enemies..... No more enemies
He did mention an ex.
Trespassing prospectors out for silver.
That was nothing if not a feat of willpower and Endurance. After seeing several of your videos I have finally subscribed.
I'm from part of North Wales where improvised tramways were used as temporary tramming routes to get ore and supplies shifted.
The big crates with rocks in them are still used today to tension the cables. Also used to tension overhead lines on electric railroads. Simple and effective. The big bits of iron at the intact station are likely to do with greasing and the winch has a characteristic band brake, A flexible steel strap has an asbestos lining and the operator has a lever to squeeze the winch drum and stop it running away with itself. You see the buckets in the valley bottom well often they ran wild and fell off. Too much effort to retrieve them. I've talked to the old timers who worked them. Once the system is up and running it's easy enough to bring supplies and men up in the buckets. For sure if they used electric traction the they had a telegraph. Location advantage in Death Valley, sunshine. even here they used a heliograph when they could. Between Rain, Mist and Snow that is. Too much darned water.
I would guess ftom out local examples it might take an hour or so to get a barrel of water up to the top. Here it was always forbidden for men to ride the rope but they cheerfully did what they pleased. Usually too remote for inspectors.
I'm going to look for your email if you are OK with that and send you some photos from Wales. We know the Alps has lots of these systems but here we are with the frontiersman style of construction. Sweat and Iron. Life would have been a lot better operating the stations than shovelling in the Salinas.
Go back and get some tools for the museum if that not Theft. They will become travellers souvenirs otherwise. 🏴
You should rebuild the tram stations piece any piece and it will be done in no time, it would be the coolest thing ever
Incredible that this predates Palm Springs tram by 45+ years and build without helicopters. What an adventure hike!
My week sucked, looking forward to this!
Sorry to hear that, I hope you’ll have a great time from now.
I hope your week gets better!
Hope it gets better!
Same here
Dang! Thanks for the support everyone! That's why this channel rocks. Good people following good people.
Great job Brent, and timely decision making to keep yourself safe for future adventures. That environment is unforgiving, but you did it! Thanks for sharing brother.
Every time when he is saying "Hello" at the beggining im replying "hello" back. It just impossible to resist. I wish i had so much positivity in myself.
Hey Brent, have you ever thought about making like a behind the scenes/filmmaking-type video? Your production quality has increased exponentially since I watched you in your early days. Would love to see your creative process.
THIS! please do it!
Thanks! I'll do that in an upcoming video. My gear has also changed a lot!
@@GhostTownLiving wooh can't wait!!
Would be interested in this too - those piece de cameras looked so great this episode! Are you still using the Sony camera?
"The beacons are lit! Saline Valley calls for aid!" -Aragorn probably
This video is amazing
I’m from the uk and one day I will definitely come across the pond for a hike into the mountains with you guys.
Keep up the great work but please be safe
This was one hell of an episode.
I don’t think I’ve ever respected anyone more than you hiking down that crazy trail
There were some serious pucker moments in this video when you're peeking over cliffs
Exactly......Pucker factor time.
I don't like the underground ones but this is right up my street mate! Definitely underestimated what you had to go thru but your discoveries and the history were worthy. Good to know you have a backup guy and something arranged :) definitely more water and a doggo would keep you safer
I always get a little worried when Brent misses an upload day.
Yes, it would be nice if SOMEone would report in! It's now Monday, and no episode. Sooooooo Where is Brent??????
@@deirdrepasko9056 He said, no video this week !
@@neykovmaster that's a relief, but where did he say that?
@@deirdrepasko9056 In the community section…
@@neykovmaster I've read all the comments from top to bottom, and haven't seen any such thing. I also read everything up top and again, no such thing. I read his pinned post, still nothing. I don't appreciate you pulling my leg.
He's one tough son of a gun, I can't imagine hiking that far in Death Valley during the summer.
This pre dates the titanic and WW1. Made of timber and still holding up the buckets from the ground. Amazing work Brent, cheers from Australia 🇦🇺
its the dryness of that area that keeps everything so preserved.
Amazing engineering and planning. Something that stills stands in parts. What a work.
All for salt.
CERRO GORDO THRILLER ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!
All while watching your videos, I have to keep telling myself "He's still OK. He has to be or he wouldn't have posted this video". I would not survive in temperatures anywhere near 120 deg. I can't handle 90 very well. Thanks for the videos. I'm glad that you can do this.
Your next Cerro Gordo shirt should say “Manpower and Mules”
This would be an amazing zip line. Beautiful views.
This scared me but just goes to show, that challenging yourself will make you the best version of yourself you can be. It’s the hardest journeys that teach us the most. Thank you for sharing this. Keep your head up Brent. You’re doing a great service by keeping the history of this place going. You live in the most beautiful place in the world. Keep up the hard work buddy. Love to see it.
Its all in the edit. Keep me on the edge of my seat. He is a great promoter. Amazing hike.
Well said.
I think it would be wise for a distillery to team up with Brent. The hotel will be needing whiskey, and local spirits would be fitting for an authentic experience at Cerro Gordo. Also, getting a shout out from Brent could help a budding company thrive. Everybody wins!, and then sips some good whiskey together. Cheers from beautiful Colorado.
I own Contentment Brewing Co. in Modesto CA I was thinking of paying him a special delivery (ies)!
@Mark Fish -- Bad idea , with Cliff-Hanger Roads and Open Mine Shafts , Drunk or Alcohol Impaired Tourists is NOT something you want to have around , the Liability is just too great . I would suggest Soft Drinks and
Non-Alcoholic Beer .
@@001desertrat3 I'm picturing guests that are staying the night having a few cocktails around a little fire & such, soaking in the atmosphere as well. You are right!, those roads aren't safe for just anyone, even some perfectly sober people! The town will require whiskey though, ask Brent. It is the untamed West! Cheers from beautiful Colorado!
I always liked Mike Tyson’s analogy. “Everyone has a plan, until they get hit in the mouth”.
Man. I’ve been watching you since the start. Your drive, knowledge and personality are such a beacon of positivity. It been a blessing to watch your journey. One day soon, I will come and lend a hand at this wonderful place. Until then, thank you for all you do.
metric guide to this video:
120° Fahrenheit ~ 48,8° Celsius
1 foot ~ 30,48 cm
40 feet ~ 12,19 m
150 feet ~ 45,72 m
1.100 feet ~ 335,28 m
3.000 feet ~ 914,4 m
8.700 feet ~ 2.651,76 m
800 pounds ~ 363,87 kg
1 gallon ~ 3,79 l
1 1/2 gallons ~ 5,68 l
1 mile ~ 1,609 km
13,5 miles ~ 21,73 km
0,3 miles per hour ~ 0,48 km/h ;)
we use , and . in decimal numbers different, too :)
Hahah i always skip those in my head because for me American measures are alien language
Thanks legend - the whole Fahrenheit thing leaves my mind blank and I get too lazy to “google” but yea 48 Celsius is central Australian heat - waaaaay too hot to be hiking in it!!
In my head I use estimates to get an image what is beeing talked about. 1 ft ~ 30 cm, 1 gallon ~ nearly 4 litres,...
But Fahrenheit indeed takes the cake, I have no clue what that is in Celsius. The formula from F to C is (x °F - 32) * 5/9 o_O
I also like how "feet" is used to describe distances in the thousands, as if there are no other units of measurement. It's like saying "Our baby is 138 weeks old." :D
Fun fact: I stumbled upon a chart with old british units of volume measurements. There really is a unit called a "butt". So if you ever wanted to know what a "butt load" is exactly: It was a unit used for wine barrels that contained ~477 litres. To clarify, 1 butt = 2 "hogsheads" xD
@@sep27061985 i looooveeeee such informations.. thank you for that!
"Coming Soon - Cerro Gordo Zipline Course!" Make it happen, Brent!
Absolutely!
I was thinking the same thing... it would have been a lot faster if he just used it as a zip line!
I have never seen an area like your in right now. It looks ancient and beautiful.
It really is!
The serenity that came over me when Tim said tacos… after the free climbing bet those were amazing tacos!
You experienced the "wine glass canyon" effect. It's a result of the basin dropping down relative to the adjacent mountain range. The faster the basing drops the greater the elevation change and the steeper the canyon. You find these kinds of canyons all over the Basin and Range.
Astounding tenacity, but you have to take your hat off to the pioneers who actually broke the original trail,you could sell the rights to your film as it is unlikely a TV documentary crew will do what you have done,Stay safe Brent you are my hero!!
Amen!
You are one lucky dude. You have a serious guardian angel watching over you.
That would be the greatest zip line adventure EVER! I wonder if that's even possible because you would have visitors from around the world for that!
Brent always with the positive vibes
I found Brent last weekend and binged all of his Vlogs. And this week has felt like the longest week in my life waiting for the next installement. Such great content. Can't wait to visit Cerro Gordo in person.
Same for me binged them and wow what a life he has
The difficult hikes, the dangerous hikes, the hikes that test your body, spirit, and mind, are truly the most rewarding. Congratulations on completing this one Brent!
Wow they certainly had a lot of guts all those years ago. Even you Brent have that same mindset. Just thought what a zip wire ride it would make. Take care.
Brent, i'm sure you read this daily, but thank you! Thank you for this chanel and the entertaining content you share
I appreciate that!
@@GhostTownLiving yeah no problem. I was looking up the tram tower that got knocked down (just saw it on the news, I live in VA BTW) and the youtube search brought me to this video. The content you and Jason collabed on a while back was great!
I was so relieved to see Tim after all that. I can't imagine the joy you must have felt.
You've showed us some cool stuff in the last year, this has to be one of the finest adventures.
Incredible journey! I really enjoy your narration and thoughts, I can relate to your sense of awe and amazement. Thanks for sharing!
Stretching that cable is mind boggling!
Most popular youtubers on this hike would be mugging for the camera about how hard this was and how close to baking in the sun they were. Brent likely very much understated how horrible this was.
I know, I keep thinking is this guy made of ice?
haha, yes, this video was an exercise in understating the severity of the hike...It's no joke.
@@GhostTownLiving Your talent for understatement is one of the things we love about you!
Brent is looking a lot better for some reason.
Wow... your amazing! Thanks for all your do'n, we love it! Take care, stay safe an power On!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Dislikes gotta be miss clicks ur amazing this series is amazing
Nothing to dislike here
I was gonna say jealous coz they don't have his love and enthusiasm for anything never mind to have done what he's doing! Amazing guy!
Shhhii... I hit like before Brent even said hello!
The dislikes r just from the australians
all outback with no Roos lol
Great to see you in that helmet my Man! And way to power, carefully, through!
Here I sit, in a cabin in the mountains west of Denver, 'hitching a ride' on my computer and getting an amazing rush from what you just did as a sat here........67 degrees, water at my side and marveling..............just marveling................at your perseverance, your determination and your positive attitude. I think I speak for many of us here when I say that you have helped each of us, in our own way to cope with OUR own ''little tramway hikes'..... helping us to maybe see them in a slightly better light, to approach them with a bit more awareness AND gratitude that we CAN and WILL make it through and gain wisdom from the chosen path....
This would be one crazy place for a zip line!
I just had to put my dog down yesterday, I’m not sure she was ready to go… it’s hard to deal with, my heart is hurting and I struggle to do even the most mundane things… she was a once in a lifetime dog, for sure. I don’t think I’ve ever had a dog as sweet, as special. She could brighten your day just looking at her… and I felt so hopeless, I still feel hopeless… watching your videos helps me escape this world right now, and I thank you, again for taking me and everyone else on this journey, it’s truly fascinating every time I see where you end up every week. Thank you, Brent.
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. My best friend who was a dog passed away two years ago and it's still hard for me. Her name was Shelby, she was the leader of Occupy Denver. I have found this channel really helpful for the existential crisis that a loss like that can give you.
When we lose our fur babies, we experience the only downside of having them in our lives. The companionship they so happily provided is the thing we find ourselves longing for the most. Whenever I have gone through it I have found that it helps to think of the love we shared and to realize that I was very lucky to have had them in my life, for if I had not, there wouldn't be the treasure of memories I will always have to look back on. They are the source of so much joy in our daily existence that will never end as long as you remember them fondly, and speak of them often. They will always live inside your heart, so instead of mourning their absence, I try to celebrate the richness they brought me, and that makes it a bit easier to endure. I hope this provides you a small measure of comfort.
Can't imagine trying to get those tram cables going from tower to tower. Horse/mule, getting timbers to those towers to even move the salt. Unbelievable..
How on earth they pulled those long cables up and down the mountains between stations when setting them up is a mystery to me. Aliens?
Were they in pieces?
That was more astonishing to me than Brent's hike and that was scary enough!
Yes, they are in sections then spliced together. The wire rope has many tiny wires, and when you splice them together, they become very strong. The friction of the individual strands holds the wire ropes together. Yay! I got to share something I know for a change!
I believe a correctly formed splice is supposed to have a very similar tensile strength as the rest of the wire rope. The spliced section would be a bit fatter than the surrounding rope though. I would say that the carts are pretty small due to extreme length of the cable, those forces get large very quickly due to leverage. I agree, it’s very difficult to find people who are proficient in rope splicing.
Jane Wittmayer: I remember reading a book on The History of Salt. This chapter wasn't in it!
Another amazing video! You are doing what we only dream of doing. Thank you for the amazing videos and commentary! Be safe and hike on!!!
Be glad your still young enough to do that hike. Old age will eventually slow us all down.
" [nature] has this power to humble us. To remind ourselves of our place in this world. None of those things care about wealth or nationality or your profession. All those things just disappear in the shadow of nature's power. And if you expose your self to nature enough, and allow those thoughts to enter your mind, you leave nature with a greater sense of humility than when you went in. And that's just one of my favorite parts of being out in nature. Just being reminded of our relative insignificance. To bring the focus way out from just our person. And that's a reminder that's good for everyone to have. "
Brent needs a book with this type of stuff
Brent I love your content and could listen to you talk about your perspective on anything, truly a gifted story teller.
Reading about this experience in your book right now and had to check if you had a video. Wow! With this added perspective, you are one brave/insane person. Glad you made it out safety!
I love those dry rivers.
The color of the rocks and the geology looks neat. They named it death valley for a reason. I hope you sighed the log at the tram station
Gotta admit I'm thoroughly hooked on Brent's videos and his adventures. His enthusiasm is addictive, and I love his penchant for history and taking the time to think about what life must've been like back in the day. The herculean effort it must've taken to not only haul the timber and the machinery to those hostile, remote areas...but to erect it literally on the edge of cliffs. And then make it all function. It boggles the mind...tough to wrap your head around. The drone shots really capture the scope of it all from a perspective those early pioneers never had. Fascinating video!
I'm surprised he didn't mention the concrete foundation at the large station given his own difficulties with concrete
@@Ditchmonkey True, too. The logistics of every aspect of construction is crazy.
Your determination blows me away.
I have visited Saline Valley many time since about 1987, coming in from the south pass, the north pass and the Lippincott Rd. Each time I passed the lake and saw the tram scaffolds leading up to the mountain (many were standing when I first started going there and were collapsed the last time I was there), I thought how cool would it be to start hiking at the base and follow the tram across the mountain. Thank you so much for saving me the effort. At 76 yo now it would be a bit of a challenge to say the least, but one I would continue to dream about.
However, i did, may years ago, meet a guy who was a caretaker at the talc mine at the upper end of the valley. He took me and my brother on a 4 wheel trek back into the mountains on the northwest side of the valley to another tram site. This one was a single strand from one side of a steep, very deep canyon to the other. As I understand it, this tram was used to transport supplies across the canyon to a working mine farther up on the other side. The cool thing about this tram was that on our side of the canyon the cable was wrapped multiple times around a single, 20' diameter boulder to anchor it in place. Over the middle of the canyon dangled a small flat car, trapped in the middle of the cable. Like your wonder at how the salt tram was built and the equipment moved into seemingly inaccessible cliffs above the Saline Valley and below the summit, I wondered simply how they were able to string the cable I saw across such a deep and wide canyon and secure it on the other side.
Death Valley and Saline Valley are truly amazing and rare places in the world. I feel so lucky to have spent time there and enjoyed its wonders.
Thank you so much for keeping the adventure going. I hope to meet you some day. Good luck with your Cerro Gordo project.
We wanna see more of the recovery! Like you eating the Celebratory tacos!
U should make a bad as bbq and smoker out of one of the salt carts, That would be awesome
Imagine trying to get one of those out without a working tram, or a helicopter. Ouch!
To restore the whole line would be both amazing yet extremely difficult, however like that one place in Texas, it could be converted to a gondola ride, however if its extremely dangerous to re-create it it may not be a good idea.
This is exactly how I aspire my life to be one day... It is my dream to help preserve some of the most amazing history of this great country.
Camping in saline valley for 30 years. Always was intrigued by the salt tram. People commuted in the carts. Original rollercoasters.
This was the best yet. My heart and respiration rate were up just watching. I can only image what yours was. GREAT STUFF. What an accomplishment. Thank you.
You really took that whole "take the road less traveled" to heart huh?
The fact the made That on the side of a mountain is Gnarly as heck !
Hi Brent. I don't know if you will see this before we get to Cerro Gordo. My son introduced me to your channel a while back. We are both big fans of the channel. We go right through Inyokern on the way home. We are heading home this Sunday the 11th of July. The plan is to head up there to Cerro Gordo and arrive around 1 or 2. Hope to see you.