So ran into my first abandoned mineshaft and avoided it... I decided to go look for it again and I ran into what I assume is part of it at least... It's a massive multi-level complex and a size I haven't
been able to fully map , but if its part of the first one I saw its Huge!..... The problem is, how to keep track of
where I am? Im doing the "torches on the right" technique but it breaks off into Crossed hallways.(Plus there is already torches in there.)
and is at least 3-4 levels that I've seen... I'm Getting easily lost.
Any suggestions? im thinking about simply dismantling it room by room, so I know I've been there, But that's alot of wood and tracks!
Any suggestions?!
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Try using colored wool or different blocks to mark the path you took that time. Then get out, switch blocks, and keep exploring. You can mark the main route with something like red wool and a redstone torch on it or something.
A good idea is to start using Jack-O-Lanterns, signs, and other things to help you navigate. If you just completely can't find your way out (what happens to me all the time), take the risk and mine straight up and stack... It has two risks of doing this:
1. Suffocation
2. Lava pools
Always bad.
You could place torches around the hole for later.
If you don't want to do that, try to just navigate through it until you cross a ravine (Since basically every Mineshaft does), and see if it was a ravine you have seen if you came across one. You could find your cave you came through then.
Also try using maps, compasses, and clocks. Those help me navigate. (Trust me, I've gotten stuck in hundreds of Mineshafts, they don't seem at all rare to me.)
in mineshafts you could always use the wood beams as a torch placement. Like for example, you know which way is the exit right, well put the torch on the wood beam as if you were exiting the place. much easier to recognize then on the right side. Well in mineshafts, since they tend to run into each other a lot of the time.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My First World, always getting back to is a pleasure I enjoy with each new update that brings in more things to add in.
in mineshafts you could always use the wood beams as a torch placement. Like for example, you know which way is the exit right, well put the torch on the wood beam as if you were exiting the place. much easier to recognize then on the right side. Well in mineshafts, since they tend to run into each other a lot of the time.
The problem here would become "the exit to where"? The exit of a branch or towards where i initially came in from. Some are long and with their own extensions so a crossed path then another crossed path. I imagine i'd run into a crossing with torches on all sides and then freak out and dig straight up . lol!
If you just completely can't find your way out (what happens to me all the time), take the risk and mine straight up and stack... It has two risks of doing this:
1. Suffocation
2. Lava pools
Always bad.
You could place torches around the hole for later.
I did do this and 'Im getting ready for round 2! I had to bail out got lost and it seems never ending!
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My navigation technique is to make a single, unique path that always leads home. I do this two ways:
1) Torches for light on the walls (either on the left or right, doesn't matter).
2) Torches on the floor in a line such that the last torch is always clearly visible from the last OR a line of redstone dust on the floor.
This path of either 2nd torches or redstone I lay until I hit a dead end, then when I turn around I pick it up again until I hit the point where I want to branch off again. Then I lay the new path from the point I branch off, going until I hit the next dead end. Then I pick it up again as I exit. That way there is always only 1 continuous line of either torches or redstone on the floor... and if I turn around and walk back collecting them... that line will always lead me to the way out.
It works almost every time; however, there are a few of ways this fails - 1) if you accidentally release water such that the torches on the floor get destroyed or if you have torches on a gravel floor; 2) you undermine the path above you such that the blocks the torches are on get removes; 3) creepers blow your path; and 4) endermen steal any dirt or gravel blocks your torches or redstone are sitting on. Still, I find it much more effective than just using the torches on the left or right technique.
I do like the wool idea and the double torch path, but I would need ALOT of torches, and the diff color wool, though these might take alot of inventory slots. This thing is pretty large and it all looks the same its confusing.
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The problem here would become "the exit to where"? The exit of a branch or towards where i initially came in from. Some are long and with their own extensions so a crossed path then another crossed path. I imagine i'd run into a crossing with torches on all sides and then freak out and dig straight up . lol!
I did do this and 'Im getting ready for round 2! I had to bail out got lost and it seems never ending!
I usually put them from away from the way I came in, so I could follow the torches. For areas that cross each other there should be only 1 side with torches on them. So for me it does work, and I understand it doesn't work for everyone, but it is how I managed.
The only problem I would foresee would be many entrances to the shafts... but if you have only one designated exit then it should be pretty simple. I always remove torches that don't lead the correct way, so it would be less confusion. Plus it gives you an extra torch to put up.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My First World, always getting back to is a pleasure I enjoy with each new update that brings in more things to add in.
I do like the wool idea and the double torch path, but I would need ALOT of torches, and the diff color wool, though these might take alot of inventory slots. This thing is pretty large and it all looks the same its confusing.
Not really - the torches you use for the floor path get picked up again whenever to work your way backwards towards the exit to home, so they are completely recycled. Ditto with the redstone path, you collect it again on your way back out.
I'm a torches on the left kind of guy (Left = in, Right = out). However I DO find myself getting lost in mineshafts due to the other torches.
In my trials to find a better navigation method, I've found Jack-O-Lanterns (face points towards the exit) and signs work great - when I remember to carry them in with me. When I forget them, I make it a point to move any torches I find in the mineshaft over to the left side, or remove them altogether. It may take me a while to find the correct tunnel, but I always seem to be able to find the exit. The minshafts aren't nearly as bad as a twisting cave system that crosses / intersects it self multiple times. For twisting caves, I make arrows pointing towards the exit in the ground with cobblestone: yeah [c] = cobblestone; [ ] = anything else!
[c]
[c][c][c]
[c][ ][c][ ][c]
[c]
I use cobblestone because its readily available (I'm usually dumping it to make room for something else), and not normally found in a cave unless near a spawner or lava.
Edit - One other thing - If I have a particularly hard to find entrance, I will create a line of 5 torches in a row pointing up/down or left/right to mark the pathway, or completely outline the doorway with torches so its easier to spot from a distance.
A good idea is to start using Jack-O-Lanterns, signs, and other things to help you navigate. If you just completely can't find your way out (what happens to me all the time), take the risk and mine straight up and stack... It has two risks of doing this:
1. Suffocation
2. Lava pools
Always bad.
You could place torches around the hole for later.
If you don't want to do that, try to just navigate through it until you cross a ravine (Since basically every Mineshaft does), and see if it was a ravine you have seen if you came across one. You could find your cave you came through then.
Also try using maps, compasses, and clocks. Those help me navigate. (Trust me, I've gotten stuck in hundreds of Mineshafts, they don't seem at all rare to me.)
Awesome thanks guys Im gonna probably implement a couple of the suggestions together. I avoided going into it last night but realized its a attached to a huge underground Ravine which is completely dark, adding to my problems lol
Well the wool and signs might be pretty doable given all the wood there is available... and color coding a couple wool pieces seems pretty basic.. considering I found a spider spawner in the mineshaft I'll set up a piston or cactus grinder and replenish my wool supply quickly. Thanks!!!
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I would use signs, but right now signs do not stack, so I rather have inventory space readily available. However it is a good idea to bring a few and strategically place them.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My First World, always getting back to is a pleasure I enjoy with each new update that brings in more things to add in.
I have a method I didn't see on here yet. I used to use a torch method until the crisscrossing got in the way. Then I decided screw it, I'm just gonna strip it all out. Much to my surprise, after pulling the planks and fencing out, it's surprisingly easy to navigate. I'm not talking about some dinky mineshaft either, I've used it on 3 different mineshafts and two of them were HUGE! It doesnt seem like those items would hinder you much. but they do. I also find that after I pull out said planks and fencing, I find alot of thin walls that I just knock down to open up the view. Its been working well. Iv'e got three cleared and only 4 more to go!....I think....
I have a method I didn't see on here yet. I used to use a torch method until the crisscrossing got in the way. Then I decided screw it, I'm just gonna strip it all out. Much to my surprise, after pulling the planks and fencing out, it's surprisingly easy to navigate. I'm not talking about some dinky mineshaft either, I've used it on 3 different mineshafts and two of them were HUGE! It doesnt seem like those items would hinder you much. but they do. I also find that after I pull out said planks and fencing, I find alot of thin walls that I just knock down to open up the view. Its been working well. Iv'e got three cleared and only 4 more to go!....I think....
sweet! that was gonna be my first approach.
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Update... This mineshaft just wont Die. Ive been in it several hours.. Dismantled it found several chests. 2 mob spawners so far. I thought I was done. Ive made several runs to the house to empty out the inventory hundreds or iron ores, some gold diamonds hundreds of wood planks and fences about 200 rails and just when i thought i was done.. i went and explored more to double check and theres more... or a second one.. not sure checking now.... still though no melon seeds :-/
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Everyone usses different unique methods it is proberly just best to find your own by experimenting. I use a cobble stone cross idea since it is always available.
Cobble stone= H
Holy cross
H
HHHH
H
H
Unexplored or valuable but have not collected everything.
Plaine Cross
H
HHHH
H
Empty and explored
Wall
HHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHH
Dead so just a waste of time going through.
I also do coble stone arrows on the floor ocasioly to mark the exit or a workspace. And If i can not find my way back for some reason I dig up in a spiral creating a new entrance and lable it with the 'Holy Cross'.
been able to fully map , but if its part of the first one I saw its Huge!..... The problem is, how to keep track of
where I am? Im doing the "torches on the right" technique but it breaks off into Crossed hallways.(Plus there is already torches in there.)
and is at least 3-4 levels that I've seen... I'm Getting easily lost.
Any suggestions? im thinking about simply dismantling it room by room, so I know I've been there, But that's alot of wood and tracks!
Any suggestions?!
1. Suffocation
2. Lava pools
Always bad.
You could place torches around the hole for later.
If you don't want to do that, try to just navigate through it until you cross a ravine (Since basically every Mineshaft does), and see if it was a ravine you have seen if you came across one. You could find your cave you came through then.
Also try using maps, compasses, and clocks. Those help me navigate. (Trust me, I've gotten stuck in hundreds of Mineshafts, they don't seem at all rare to me.)
Good luck!
The problem here would become "the exit to where"? The exit of a branch or towards where i initially came in from. Some are long and with their own extensions so a crossed path then another crossed path. I imagine i'd run into a crossing with torches on all sides and then freak out and dig straight up . lol!
I did do this and 'Im getting ready for round 2! I had to bail out got lost and it seems never ending!
1) Torches for light on the walls (either on the left or right, doesn't matter).
2) Torches on the floor in a line such that the last torch is always clearly visible from the last OR a line of redstone dust on the floor.
This path of either 2nd torches or redstone I lay until I hit a dead end, then when I turn around I pick it up again until I hit the point where I want to branch off again. Then I lay the new path from the point I branch off, going until I hit the next dead end. Then I pick it up again as I exit. That way there is always only 1 continuous line of either torches or redstone on the floor... and if I turn around and walk back collecting them... that line will always lead me to the way out.
It works almost every time; however, there are a few of ways this fails - 1) if you accidentally release water such that the torches on the floor get destroyed or if you have torches on a gravel floor; 2) you undermine the path above you such that the blocks the torches are on get removes; 3) creepers blow your path; and 4) endermen steal any dirt or gravel blocks your torches or redstone are sitting on. Still, I find it much more effective than just using the torches on the left or right technique.
I usually put them from away from the way I came in, so I could follow the torches. For areas that cross each other there should be only 1 side with torches on them. So for me it does work, and I understand it doesn't work for everyone, but it is how I managed.
The only problem I would foresee would be many entrances to the shafts... but if you have only one designated exit then it should be pretty simple. I always remove torches that don't lead the correct way, so it would be less confusion. Plus it gives you an extra torch to put up.
HOUSESL4UGHT3RHOU53GANGNot really - the torches you use for the floor path get picked up again whenever to work your way backwards towards the exit to home, so they are completely recycled. Ditto with the redstone path, you collect it again on your way back out.
In my trials to find a better navigation method, I've found Jack-O-Lanterns (face points towards the exit) and signs work great - when I remember to carry them in with me. When I forget them, I make it a point to move any torches I find in the mineshaft over to the left side, or remove them altogether. It may take me a while to find the correct tunnel, but I always seem to be able to find the exit. The minshafts aren't nearly as bad as a twisting cave system that crosses / intersects it self multiple times. For twisting caves, I make arrows pointing towards the exit in the ground with cobblestone: yeah [c] = cobblestone; [ ] = anything else!
[c]
[c][c][c]
[c][ ][c][ ][c]
[c]
I use cobblestone because its readily available (I'm usually dumping it to make room for something else), and not normally found in a cave unless near a spawner or lava.
Edit - One other thing - If I have a particularly hard to find entrance, I will create a line of 5 torches in a row pointing up/down or left/right to mark the pathway, or completely outline the doorway with torches so its easier to spot from a distance.
Wouldn't digging a staircase be better?
Same method I use except for the torch on top. I carve out the wood for more space and place torches on the side.
Well the wool and signs might be pretty doable given all the wood there is available... and color coding a couple wool pieces seems pretty basic.. considering I found a spider spawner in the mineshaft I'll set up a piston or cactus grinder and replenish my wool supply quickly. Thanks!!!
sweet! that was gonna be my first approach.
Cobble stone= H
Holy cross
H
HHHH
H
H
Unexplored or valuable but have not collected everything.
Plaine Cross
H
HHHH
H
Empty and explored
Wall
HHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHH
Dead so just a waste of time going through.
I also do coble stone arrows on the floor ocasioly to mark the exit or a workspace. And If i can not find my way back for some reason I dig up in a spiral creating a new entrance and lable it with the 'Holy Cross'.