Weird History: The Burro Schmidt Tunnel
Рет қаралды 24,580
3 жыл бұрынCalled one of the greatest one-man engineering feats of all time, the Burro Schmidt Tunnel was the lifetime work of an isolated man living in the Mojave Desert of California. The story of Burro Schmidt is a weird yet fascinating chapter in California history. In this video, I go into the tunnel and try to gain insight into why Burro Schmidt dedicated his lifetime for this endeavor.
Burro Schmidt started making his tunnel in 1906 with nothing more than a pick axe, shovel and occasional stick of dynamite. 32 years and 2,500 feet later, he came out the back side of Copper Mountain in 1938. The purpose of the tunnel is generally understood to have been a shortcut for Schmidt to transport his ore down to the desert, but logic doesn't seem to agree with that theory. Whatever the reason was, Schmidt abandoned the site after he finished, without ever using it as a shortcut.
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MUSIC CREDIT
Burro Schmidt by John Malcolm Penn
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@prestonmiller9552 3 жыл бұрын
I always love stories like this. That was one I never heard of before. Thanks for sharing.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Me too! Glad you liked it. My plane has been in the shop for awhile now so I just wanted to make a video about something I found interesting.
@Tepnox 3 жыл бұрын
Quite interesting indeed!
@jimkleiss1020 3 жыл бұрын
Incredible. He may have been crazy, but we still remember him, don't we....more than can be said of most men. Glad to see a video from you; excellent as always!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Exactly Jim...we still remember him and not in a bad way! Glad you liked it.
@hillman2067 Жыл бұрын
Took a real man to finish what he started even without a need to
@edfeten4724 3 жыл бұрын
He was from the east coast. He had problems with his lungs. His doctor told him he needed to move to a drier climate. That was his reason for heading out to the desert. He didn't spend all his time digging. When he needed money he worked as a laborer on the farms and ranches in the area. When he earned enough money he would go back to the tunnel and dig. He would repeat that process. It is said that he outlived the doctor. Maybe he was a little crazy or maybe he really liked living in the area. I have been there several times. The last time I was there it was over 100F outside, but just 20 feet inside the tunnel it felt like about 76F. I really enjoy riding dirt bikes in the area.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx for adding the additional info. When editing, I decided to leave out some of the details you mentioned (and more) for the sake of the video based on what I shot that day. I feel like his story is worthy of a full length documentary it's so interesting, honestly.
@K1STG-Fred 3 жыл бұрын
Not wanting to be there during an earthquake was the first thing I thought of as well. Great video.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Ever seen or read 127 Hours? Talk about scary!!!!!
@K1STG-Fred 3 жыл бұрын
@@Wolficorntv Familar with the story but haven’t seen the movie or read the book yet. Mainly because it is the type of stuff my nightmares are made of. 😮
@troysparks3772 2 жыл бұрын
Perhaps there’s was gold in that tunnel. People don’t do things for no reason normally, I don’t see Mr Schmidt being any different. He found gold and didn’t spill the secret. Awesome story.
@BasedinReality1984 Жыл бұрын
Hate to say it, but that’s just ‘not how gold works’.
@RandoPandaSmiles Жыл бұрын
And he spent all that gold on what? Food for his pets and more newspaper for his one-room shack? I think what we’re seeing here is mental illness manifest. Everyone needs a purpose to get up in the morning. This dude created his own purpose.
@walkers Жыл бұрын
@RandoPanda probably mental health, not illness. He was doing something that you just don't understand. It was probably his opus.
@EggerRJ 10 ай бұрын
I've been in that tunnel multiple times. I've seen little to no evidence of any commercially valuable ore in there. I think the man was just obsessed with getting through to the other side.
@GilbertMendoza 5 ай бұрын
I was just browsing over maps of the deserts surrounding Death Valley, and various interesting BLM boundaries. Stumbled upon this tunnel, and your video came up in my first search. What a beautiful presentation. Thanks for sharing! I am definitely going to visit this spot! I can't imagine him not shedding tears when he broke through. 😭 What an awesome story.
@Wolficorntv 5 ай бұрын
Glad you liked it. Def check it out. It’s an impressive place.
@TakingOff 3 жыл бұрын
Love these history videos. Keep 'em coming!!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx Dan. Still feeling my way thru this youtube thing. My plane has been away for the last 6 weeks so I wanted to make something interesting.
@TuomoMooneyFlying 3 жыл бұрын
Fascinating story and well told, loved the drone work! Thanks for making it!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@alexkulka8578 Жыл бұрын
The man surely did not procrastinate!! Crazy Kraut!!
@AbandonedandForgottenPlaces 3 жыл бұрын
“Gly”: I like your editing style and camera placement for various scenes. The background music and voiceovers really help set the mood and tell the story. Good job!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to make.
@kennymcwilliams8972 3 жыл бұрын
Great video ~ how do you come up with these type of things, amazing! Also, that took real guts to walk through that tunnel. Super interesting story, thanks for sharing it.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
I dunno...I just come across stories that grab my interest and some I determine would be fun to make into a video.
@24justinhunter 3 жыл бұрын
Really love this! Need more like this!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx. I like these types of strange true stories
@homertalk 3 жыл бұрын
That was AWESOME! Great Production.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx! That was a fun one to make, despite no airplane involved.
@LaziUK Жыл бұрын
Amazing story...brilliantly told! A tribute almost...many thanks
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
@honda116969 Жыл бұрын
Wow! That's a trip! Nice exploring dude
@ponygirlusa Жыл бұрын
Fascinating, thank you!
@isaacgarcia2217 Жыл бұрын
Esto es historia pura (tal vez para muchos incomprendida). Increíble video
@cv41vf151 3 жыл бұрын
Very interesting. Thanks for taking the time to make this. Stay safe.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
thx Terry
@rafaojeda5808 3 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! Love the Jeep, and more so blindfolded ;) Keep it up.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx Rafa!
@flywiththeguys 3 жыл бұрын
Bryan, you make a great story teller. That was fun.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx Carl. I have to admit, making these kinds of videos is fun. They require alot of research and planning but it's a process I (usually) enjoy.
@projekt6_official 3 жыл бұрын
Added to my "places to visit" map. Awesome video. Thanks for sharing!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
definitely worth checking out
@prissypants2336 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for for the sharing your amazing adventures
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@wallywest9257 Жыл бұрын
Some people think he wasted his life digging that tunnel. But I wonder how many people today will go through their lives working in an office, or factory, chasing superficial dreams that they'll never accomplish until the day they die. Sure they might eventually buy that boat, or car that they dreamed of, and be happy for awhile. But then it all becomes meaningless when they die, leaving nothing behind but perhaps a little bit of money. At least Schmidt left behind a tunnel that will stand for generations, and will always be kinda mysterious. He left behind a better legacy than most people will.
@johnsagar1152 8 ай бұрын
He wasted his life like you,your both a couple of losers😂
@thetoolmat8632 2 жыл бұрын
Fascinating real-life actually happened story! - for some reason I think they should build an enclosure over his Cabin to protect it from the elements and humans that could care less.
@flyingadventuresab 3 жыл бұрын
Very nicely done! Enjoyable
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
thx Tom!
@soflaav8r 3 жыл бұрын
Great video. Definitely would not have been comfortable walking through that tunnel!
@smokeyb1669 3 жыл бұрын
Great story you told the story well. I spend a lot of time out there but never heard this story. Thank you
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
If you're ever in the area I recommend checking it out. High clearance vehicle recommended but not required to reach the tunnel.
@user-wd1tg4jn5m 10 ай бұрын
About 1965 my scout troop was camping out in last chance canyon. One of the leaders heard about the mine so we went over for a look see. His cabin was still quite liveable. A distant relative of his was living on the property. She told us the story of Burro Schmidt. He consumed mostly beans and chili. Attached to the cabin was The spine of one of his burros. The mine entrance was in good shape. The mine car and rails was still there. The story was the same about the mine. He did find a small vein of silver. There was a nook in the mine with a large wood door that was used for storage. I was 12 when last there but a story that I have always remembered.
@Wolficorntv 10 ай бұрын
Thx for sharing
@PotelinoSeven 4 ай бұрын
Merci beaucoup
@brokenpines8491 3 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed this! I spent a lot of time in Adelanto and Victorville as a kid. My Grandpa purchased 10 acers in Adelanto in the 50's. It had an old cabin that my Uncles built onto and put in a well. Kind of looked like Burro's cabin. My brother and I would dig deep and wide holes way behind the cabin for hours and for days with tin coffee cans.. We were digging to China! Everyone called us Desert Rats. Love seeing the desert, brings back many good times. I'm in the Midwest now for 27 years. I try to get back and visit Lucerne to visit family , but last year did not want to travel. I am not sure about this year. Thanks for a great video with a great story!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it and thx for that background info. I love digging into these types of stories.
@PotelinoSeven 4 ай бұрын
Belle l’histoire la votre.
@westcoastpilot 3 жыл бұрын
I really like this video. I also like that most of your other videos are curated through the lens of aviation. Hope you will continue to combine this kind of content with aviation once your plane is back
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx for the feedback. I really enjoy these kinds of stories and I just wanted to make something while my plane is unavailable. I know it's likely a turnoff to many who just want to see airplane videos but I'm still feeling my way thru this youtube thing and trying to figure out a good combination of what I like to make alongside what viewers want to watch.
@brandonknight7240 Жыл бұрын
@@Wolficorntv i think he was searching for gold probably thinking he would increase his chances the deeper he went
@PaperPilotJack 3 жыл бұрын
Great story telling buddy!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!!
@kentmiller6924 3 жыл бұрын
Very well done!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@vonfange Жыл бұрын
Odd little story. Nice music, nice walk through to the other end. and what a view. Thanks for taking the time to make this for our armchair enjoyment. Was wondering if'n you've heard about Death Valley Scottie. Lots of fun, little known stories. If ever you get that a way they would be fun to remember through your eyes.
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
I'm familiar with Scotty's castle...I assume the same person?
@sofiafelixsmith7405 3 жыл бұрын
Cool vid!
@Tyrell_Corp2019 Жыл бұрын
When OCD becomes OMG. Amazing. Great video!
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Hahaha
@sofiafelixsmith7405 3 жыл бұрын
OMG, Kudos on your tolerance for dark and cramped spaces. Freaking out just by watching. 6 mins in and kinda anxious.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
haha...I'll have to take you there one day if you guys ever come up here!
@dennisd7292 3 жыл бұрын
Well done
@muhammadayyaz6222 Жыл бұрын
incredible story
@motoknivesandgunsbyjt Жыл бұрын
Great video
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@flightlevel1803 3 жыл бұрын
Wonderful video, thanks for sharing. I would have made it about 10' in, said "NOPE!" and turned around.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
ha...my GF said the same thing.
@GeezerGeekPilot 3 жыл бұрын
Bryan, OK, I was nervous as hell just watching you hundreds of meters into the cave... and then you mentioned an earthquake!! Very interesting adventure, but not for this claustrophobe. Thanks for posting. Wayne (DA40, KSBA)
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
I figure if Burro spent 32 years in there, an hour or two wasn't gonna hurt me :)
@bossco2001 3 жыл бұрын
Great video.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
thx Ray!
@soniaynclan9079 Жыл бұрын
What a great video a great story teller. Thank you for making this video. I wonder how he survived, if he was spending all his time doing this how did he support himself? Any chance he ever found gold? We'll never know. Great story, great touch visiting his grave. How long would you say it took to walk through the tunnel?
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it Sonia. I've read he would sometimes seasonally work as a farmhand to make some money, otherwise he was living in that little cabin. Anyone can visit the tunnel...it's located on BLM land. It takes maybe about 20 minutes to walk to the other side.
@dutchygirl 3 жыл бұрын
Fascinating story, but I'd rather see you fly! Again great editing and narrating and you proved there is light at the end of Burro's tunnel. It was breath taking ;-)
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Thx Dutchy and I hear ya...I wanna get back to flying videos. My plane has been in line to get an annual for 6 weeks up in Northern California!!! Hopefully I'll have her back soon.
@dutchygirl 3 жыл бұрын
@@Wolficorntv That must be the best annual ever. I hope to see you back up soon. In the meanwhile looking forward to more of these kind of fascinating stories!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
@@dutchygirl dude...I wish. He’s just been too busy to do it :(
@dutchygirl 3 жыл бұрын
@@WolficorntvI feel ya! It must be frustrating, having a plane and not able to have fun with it. I haven´t flown in almost 8 weeks because dual instruction is prohibited overhere till heaven knows when.. Hope that guy speeds some things up and you´ll get some good news soon!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
@@dutchygirl I have to keep reminding myself....first world problem :)
@ruthd3956 3 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed that very much. Thank you. I wonder if he ever told anyone why.....
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it Ruth. If he did...it hasn't become public knowledge.
@tonyv1796 Жыл бұрын
fascinating.
@inlonging Жыл бұрын
Well done. I am not interested in planes whatsoever but this was so well done here I am, now subscribing 😂 a Californian so maybe there will continue to be overlap in my interests and your videos. Thanks!
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it. While most of my videos have my airplane in it...you will find in some of them that the focus of the video is about something else. In fact, that's kind of what I want to do with videos that I make moving forward. I would suggest checking out my videos about Mt St Helens, the San Andreas fault and the London Bridge....all in the "Learning Adventures" playlist on my channel main page.
@inlonging Жыл бұрын
@@Wolficorntv ill add to my watch list, thank you
@danielpinsky7880 3 жыл бұрын
Cool vid, but I'm missing the Tiger!! More flying vids plz!!!
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
You and me both!! It's been sitting in NorCal waiting to get it's annual done for about 6 weeks. Hopefully I'll get it back soon!!
@crazycat6569 Жыл бұрын
The answer is simple: by doing anything you become someone. He just wanted to leave his name in the history. Lot of people are looking for that and they don't succeed. It's very hard to leave your name in the history. Just think about it.
@flyer16612 3 жыл бұрын
Interesting story. How long would you say it took you to walk thru it? Do records show him becoming wealthy from any mining or did he just spend a lifetime digging?
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
It takes about 20 minutes to go thru. He left the tunnel soon after finishing and lived out his days in nearby desert towns. I haven't read anything that mentions he ever acquired any wealth, but there are of course always rumors that he hid a stash of gold somewhere and all that kind of stuff.
@gwoodtube 9 ай бұрын
I wonder how many candles or torches or whatever he used
@liontigar7135 Жыл бұрын
I want to visit where is this tunnel??
@brandonknight7240 Жыл бұрын
What would be cool is carving out large rooms to live in about 75 or 100 foot inside
@SilentKnight43 Жыл бұрын
Fascinating story. I'm amazed there wasn't a lineup of tourists trodding through the tunnel. Seems like everything online these days gets exploited and generates troves of people to visit.
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
I did run into a couple when I was there. It's a bit out of the way plus the semi-rough dirt road to get there probably keeps many people away.
@iamherenow4642 Жыл бұрын
That man did I not know the meaning of let it go
@Man_fay_the_Bru 2 жыл бұрын
he probably realised it was folly half way through but was committed to the job…when he should’ve just been committed.
@davidduganne5939 3 жыл бұрын
That part of the desert is fascinating. Have you been to the X-15 crash site memorial? I enjoyed this very much.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah it's an interesting area for sure. I had never heard of that. Just looked it up. Very cool. That area has an amazing aviation/aerospace history.
@edfeten4724 3 жыл бұрын
Yeah several other crash sites are out there, like the B1 bomber, and a Valkyrie bomber, and some others that I can't remember. Back in 1984 I worked for a company that filmed a remotely piloted Boeing 720B crash into a dry lake bed at Edwards AFB. The FAA was testing a fuel additive. The test was called the "Controlled Impact Demonstration" or "Crash In the Desert".
@angelicagamboa7562 Жыл бұрын
he is full of determination
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Agreed!
@jasonchipkin 3 жыл бұрын
What's the FAR oxygen requirements for tunneling?? Cool vid 👏🥸
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
I felt like I needed a oxygen mask at times b/c of the dust, LOL.
@Pilot_Dad_Adventures 3 жыл бұрын
Fascinating. Is the tunnel a state park, open to the public?
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
it's on BLM land. Anybody can go, but a high-clearance vehicle is the preferred method.
@Pilot_Dad_Adventures 3 жыл бұрын
@@Wolficorntv Thanks! Love your videos!
@beepee9095 Жыл бұрын
Legend has it he was rich as he'll after he finished
@stuartschmidt2748 Жыл бұрын
I am pretty sure this is my great grandfather our family as been in gold mining business for years.
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
That would be cool if you can verify!
@josephbarnes7217 3 жыл бұрын
Have you been out to the X-15 crash site an memorial near by. It’s a hell of a story too.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
You're the 2nd to mention that. I will have to check it out. Thx!
@lovetofly32 Жыл бұрын
I never heard of this before till I saw a clip on Instagram. That is so bizarre and insane. Why would he pick such a spot!? He could've easily calculated where it would come out the other side! He had to know it was pointless! If he needed to get to or haul something to the other side so bad it'd been a million times easier and faster to just use his donkeys and hike over the hill! Shit. He didn't even gain anything!
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Crazy story, right? My feeling is that he just became obsessed with it, regardless of its purpose.
@dancurtis461 Жыл бұрын
I am wondering how he sustained himself all those years. How did he buy food and supplies?
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
Good question. Perhaps he rode his burros into town.
@quocnguyen5971 Жыл бұрын
The original Forest Gump
@MikeBrown-ex9nh 3 жыл бұрын
So many questions. Where did he get food and water? What happened to all the rock he took out of there? How did he support himself?
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
As far as how he supported himself...he was notoriously frugal, but also sometimes took ranching jobs to make some money.
@PeterShaw-ne1yq Жыл бұрын
He had a sense of purpose🤔
@jhowesgootube106 7 ай бұрын
Tunnel at the end of the light.
@ricardolali5981 4 ай бұрын
O que ele fez foi a obra mais fantástica feita por um único homem, e que ele " inteligente Schmidt " será lembrado por séculos!!!!
@JustPlaneSilly 3 жыл бұрын
6:13 is when my panic attack started
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
yeah my GF freaked when she saw the footage. She is quite claustrophobic.
@janicefoehner3988 2 ай бұрын
I wonder if he wondered where the 32 years went? Weird stuff, like anyone's life tho he probably didn't plan it that way. Namaste
@CBeard849 7 ай бұрын
"I can't help but think what Burro Schmidt must have thought when he popped out of this hole...to this view". I know exactly what he thought.....he wipe his face, scratched his butt and said to himself...."Well shit.....now what?"
@cyprianskiba8768 3 жыл бұрын
Was it hard breathing in there?
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
it was pretty dusty plus I was hauling around a heavy backpack with all my camera gear.
@ShowtimeSal Жыл бұрын
The place the creatures never made it to on the road to e3...
@garybednarz Жыл бұрын
Pretty dang tall for a tunnel
@rossanctuary5238 Жыл бұрын
"A pickaxe"? Wow
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
crazy right?
@bingmow 3 жыл бұрын
I wonder if you can approach nat geo or some channel to support and broadcast your stories
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
That would be great, right? I actually work in film/tv world as an editor. Who knows...maybe one of these days the planets align and I can grow this into something larger.
@FYahooo Жыл бұрын
Half the time they say the tunnel was finish then they say it was not?? Did he or not?
@apemancommeth8087 Жыл бұрын
Clearly he enjoys the solitude of a solitary lifestyle!
@prissypants2336 Жыл бұрын
Creepy
@parley3797 16 күн бұрын
A man needs his purpose. Can the backstory be learned?
@geekgeek3353 Жыл бұрын
This is beyond my imagination...what kind man would do this! 中国古代有愚公移山的传说，但这个是真的！
@TherebyAir 3 жыл бұрын
When you walk out the tunnel 😂😂😂
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
Channeling my inner Joe Pesci from Goodfellas..."Funny? Funny how?" LOL
@brandonknight7240 Жыл бұрын
Can anyone visit the tunnel?
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
yes...it's located on BLM land. Public access.
@DG-wu7ke 9 ай бұрын
The thing is he will be remembered for finishing a seemingly impossible feat. A bit nutty maybe but the Russians dug a hole straight down for more than 28yrs.
@phil_p 3 жыл бұрын
I wonder if, rather than being crazy, perhaps he was autistic - and once he’d decided to do it he just couldn’t (or didn’t want to) stop.
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
That's an interesting thought.
@larryhall7998 3 жыл бұрын
No Schmidt!!!
@cristobalcardona5592 Жыл бұрын
Legacy of what????
@gwoodtube 9 ай бұрын
Would you walk it in complete darkness
@Wolficorntv 9 ай бұрын
the entire thing? No...you would come out the other side with scrapes and cuts from all the rocks you ran into!
@icicestparisblankokcity93 Жыл бұрын
C'est se tunnel qui a dans gta v
@dfelixrx7 2 жыл бұрын
🥜 in a nutshell Wasted 32 years of his life
@Wolficorntv 2 жыл бұрын
Sometimes I’ve thought the same. Other times, I’m impressed that he said F’ it, I’m gonna finish this tunnel! Either way, we’re still talking about him 100 years later.
@privatesouthafrica1112 Жыл бұрын
Was no reason he spent 32 years on it ... He just dug himself into a hole 🙈
@jeremiahderosas9355 3 жыл бұрын
FIRST COMMENT! #1
@Wolficorntv 3 жыл бұрын
woohooo! LOL
@norrinradd9554 Жыл бұрын
Looks like more than 190 feet man
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
???
@norrinradd9554 Жыл бұрын
@@Wolficorntv didn't you say 2 per day
@Wolficorntv Жыл бұрын
@@norrinradd9554 Ah...I had no idea what you were referring to. It's been a couple years since I made this but I think my rudimentary calculations went something like this: Total length: approx .5 mile (2,640 ft). 2,640 /32 years = 82.5 ft/yr...the equivalent of 990 inches. 990 inches / 365 = 2.71 inches/day.
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