Overgrown and Collapsing - Your Strategy?

[seattleMD]

So I found the location of an old schoolhouse that was later converted into something else (not sure yet) and then abandoned around the 70's. The area is completely overgrown (there is a decent sized tree in the middle of one of the rooms. Some walls are still there, but many are collapsed inside and outside the house. Some of the ceiling remains, but it's collapsing and the parts that have collapsed are also littered on the inside and outside. Much of the floorboard remains, but it too is collapsed in many areas revealing the cellar area (buildings out here don't have basements). Finally, around most of the house, rather large blackberry bushes with big pointy thorns have grown in.

During my initial investigation there were valuable relics plainly in sight which give me the impression this place hasn't been hunted yet. What would be your approach to this area?

Would you attempt to clear the bushes? Would you attempt to clear out the fallen debris blocking access to the ground? Would you attempt to detect underneath the floor boards on the cellar floor?

 

[jdstawker]

If you clear out the brush will others come and search the area before you get finished? Do you have permission to clear the area from the owner? Do the relics justify that much work?

Whatever you do remember to be careful. Even a ton of gold is not worth it if you are maimed or killed in retrieving it.

 

[coinnut]

Hi, I would try the bushes first. Just send your coil under there first to see if it is unhunted. If you get some hits, I would do the bushes first and the rest of the yard. No sense in working harder than you have to until you know it's worth it. Then tackle the interior a small section at a time. Do a small area complete and then you have a clean place to through debris. Go section by section. Good luck, be careful and HH. Let us know how it goes.

 

[John(H)]

[quote jdstawker]If you clear out the brush will others come and search the area before you get finished? Do you have permission to clear the area from the owner? Do the relics justify that much work?

Whatever you do remember to be careful. Even a ton of gold is not worth it if you are maimed or killed in retrieving it.[/quote].........................................................................I agree especially the part about being careful! If walls are still standing and are also collapsing that means a lot of walls are leaning! This can be dangerous! If you have permisiion see if you can knock down or clear the dangerous areas! If this is not possible, I would avoid the dangerous areas! Be wise and use your best judgement! It is no fun to get hurt especially if you could have avoided it in the 1st plaace!..............................HH.........................Joe