Last night was spa night here at camp. Since (and this is very rare) the ladies outnumbered the fellas, we decided that we would have an evening of pampering after all the harrowing trials of the field. There were foot baths and face masks and hair treatments and massages and haircuts. I thought it was going to be kind of silly, but it ended up being really fun. A woman from the Arctic Star camp about 35km away even flew in for a sleepover- the poor girl is the only female in her camp. I will try and load some pictures tomorrow.
Field work was rather smooth today, other than the persistent smoke. Forest fire smoke from Saskatchewan drifts up here and just sits, since there is no topography to block it along the way. Very hard on the lungs after 8 hours.
I promise to write more fun things tomorrow, but I am beat and want to go to bed early for once. Cheers.
-A.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Trees and cars and roads, oh my!
July 27
It sure has been a busy couple of days. For about a week or so my ear has been blocked of because I was blessed with excess wax production (gross, I know, but integral to the story). Because of this, I occasionally have to go to the clinic and get my ears flushed with saline. Usually a blockage will last only a day or two, but since I was in camp, I couldn't do anything about it. As time went on, it starting hurting quite a bit and eventually the guy in charge of first aid in camp decided that I should head out on the plane coming in on Friday to get things looked at because the next plane wasn't for 5 days at which point it could be infected and such. Infection that close to your brain is apparently a serious thing, so I took is advice and headed back to the big city (aka Yellowknife) on Friday night. It was very strange to see trees and cars again. I felt like the old guy who got let out of prison in the movie Shawshank Redemption (Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins star- if you haven't seen it, its very good). He spent his life in prison and then when he got out on parole as an old man, the modern world was overwhelming to him. Okay I guess it wasn't quite that bad, but I sure did enjoy walking around outside without a bug net. Utter bliss!
Anyway, I show up at Emergency at 8am Saturday and only have to wait about 45 minutes, which I believe is a new record... the nurse spent another 30 minutes flushing my ears and (just a warning, because this part is gross) washed out a plug of wax from each ear the size of a jellybean... and a blackfly. Apparently my other ear was on the verge of being blocked off so it's a good thing I got there when I did. Then another 45 minutes to get the doctor to check me (about 30 seconds of inspection and a thumbs up- sure glad I waited for him). I spent the rest of the day doing errands around town- getting some Tim Hortons, buying overalls, longjohns and work gloves, going to a movie, etc. By the way, "The Dark Knight" absolutely blew my mind- freaking awesome!!!! Okay back to my story. I get back to the crewhouse after picking up some groceries because the camp didn't know when they would be able to get me back, and there is a message for me saying my flight leaves at 7:30. I was rather surprised, but got all my gear packed up again and headed back to the float plane base and I was back in camp by 9:30 and out in the field again this morning. I must be important now, since I have planes chartered just for me- all hoity-toity and such. It was a fun little break- I managed to have a beer (VERY delicious) and by some much needed new field gear, and I didn't even miss a day of pay since I get paid for travel days. The icing on the cake was that Sundays are half days, so I only worked until noon and then did some mapping after lunch AND I saw some caribou! We saw a herd from the helicopter today and a few of the strays who wandered to within about 500m of camp tonight. Did I mention I love my job?
-A.
It sure has been a busy couple of days. For about a week or so my ear has been blocked of because I was blessed with excess wax production (gross, I know, but integral to the story). Because of this, I occasionally have to go to the clinic and get my ears flushed with saline. Usually a blockage will last only a day or two, but since I was in camp, I couldn't do anything about it. As time went on, it starting hurting quite a bit and eventually the guy in charge of first aid in camp decided that I should head out on the plane coming in on Friday to get things looked at because the next plane wasn't for 5 days at which point it could be infected and such. Infection that close to your brain is apparently a serious thing, so I took is advice and headed back to the big city (aka Yellowknife) on Friday night. It was very strange to see trees and cars again. I felt like the old guy who got let out of prison in the movie Shawshank Redemption (Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins star- if you haven't seen it, its very good). He spent his life in prison and then when he got out on parole as an old man, the modern world was overwhelming to him. Okay I guess it wasn't quite that bad, but I sure did enjoy walking around outside without a bug net. Utter bliss!
Anyway, I show up at Emergency at 8am Saturday and only have to wait about 45 minutes, which I believe is a new record... the nurse spent another 30 minutes flushing my ears and (just a warning, because this part is gross) washed out a plug of wax from each ear the size of a jellybean... and a blackfly. Apparently my other ear was on the verge of being blocked off so it's a good thing I got there when I did. Then another 45 minutes to get the doctor to check me (about 30 seconds of inspection and a thumbs up- sure glad I waited for him). I spent the rest of the day doing errands around town- getting some Tim Hortons, buying overalls, longjohns and work gloves, going to a movie, etc. By the way, "The Dark Knight" absolutely blew my mind- freaking awesome!!!! Okay back to my story. I get back to the crewhouse after picking up some groceries because the camp didn't know when they would be able to get me back, and there is a message for me saying my flight leaves at 7:30. I was rather surprised, but got all my gear packed up again and headed back to the float plane base and I was back in camp by 9:30 and out in the field again this morning. I must be important now, since I have planes chartered just for me- all hoity-toity and such. It was a fun little break- I managed to have a beer (VERY delicious) and by some much needed new field gear, and I didn't even miss a day of pay since I get paid for travel days. The icing on the cake was that Sundays are half days, so I only worked until noon and then did some mapping after lunch AND I saw some caribou! We saw a herd from the helicopter today and a few of the strays who wandered to within about 500m of camp tonight. Did I mention I love my job?
-A.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
It's like fricking National Geographic around here
Yesterday I saw a wolf! It was chasing a caribou, but I couldn't see the caribou because I was busy trying to get out my video camera. I got the wolf on film at 20x zoom, so it's like tv!... if tv was shot using a mini dv camcorder with no tripod... anyway, it was the coolest thing I have seen yet out here. Farley Mowat would be proud. Also eventful was our helicopter trip back to camp. We were at the far north end of the claim property, which is about 45km from home, so it take about 30 minutes to get back. About 15 minutes into the flight we start coming in on this big thunderhead, which is perched directly on top of Zip Camp. All of a sudden a huge fork of lightning strikes about 4 or 5 km away from us, which is not very far when you are in a helicopter and there are no trees to attract the lightning. Then it starts raining like mad and the pilot is thinking that maybe we should land until it blows over, but then decides that he will go around the storm. Let me tell you that was a bit of a bumpy ride- I've been told I shouldn't sit in the front seat anymore because I am bad luck. Alas!
Today wasn't quite as exciting biologically or meteorologically, but very exciting geologically. I was paired up with Brenda and Paul instead of my usual partner Heather. Paul kind of heads the Aurora crew out here as he is the senior geologist and Brenda is a geologist and also his wife. Anyway, they were going to go check out some conductor highs (geophysics talk meaning good rocks to look at) and sent me off by myself to the west of their traverse. I ended up being by myself most of the day and found this awesome arsenopyrite zone in some volcanic rock. In itself aresnopyrite is kind of useless unless you need arsenic, but it is a very good indicator that gold is nearby, and gold is very not useless. If they build a mine there I'm going to get them to name it after my nephew Grady. Aside from that zone, I just kept finding great stuff all day. I would break open a rock and there would be shiny stuff inside- like a geology pinata! It's days like yesterday and today that make me remember what a completely amazing job I have.
I am sure you are tired of reading by now, so I will leave you for today. Happy trails.
-A.
Today wasn't quite as exciting biologically or meteorologically, but very exciting geologically. I was paired up with Brenda and Paul instead of my usual partner Heather. Paul kind of heads the Aurora crew out here as he is the senior geologist and Brenda is a geologist and also his wife. Anyway, they were going to go check out some conductor highs (geophysics talk meaning good rocks to look at) and sent me off by myself to the west of their traverse. I ended up being by myself most of the day and found this awesome arsenopyrite zone in some volcanic rock. In itself aresnopyrite is kind of useless unless you need arsenic, but it is a very good indicator that gold is nearby, and gold is very not useless. If they build a mine there I'm going to get them to name it after my nephew Grady. Aside from that zone, I just kept finding great stuff all day. I would break open a rock and there would be shiny stuff inside- like a geology pinata! It's days like yesterday and today that make me remember what a completely amazing job I have.
I am sure you are tired of reading by now, so I will leave you for today. Happy trails.
-A.
Monday, July 21, 2008
You could (not) make me a morning person
July 21
I am starting to get into the groove up here. Working for six weeks straight seems much less daunting when you are 2 weeks in. If I know my fractions right, that is practically a whole third!
The only thing I haven't settled into is the mornings. No matter how much I like a person, I still have no desire to talk or be friendly to them within an hour after getting out of bed. My mom can attest to that. Breakfast starts at 6:30- my tactic is to wait until about 10 minutes to 7, at which point most folks are out of the kitchen and I can eat quickly and in silence without having to make small talk. I hate morning small talk. This doesn't leave a whole lot of time for morning hygiene, but it's a price I'm willing to pay. The morning crew meeting is at 7:15 and by then I have a coffee in my hand and just have to listen as Paul goes over the geology of the area we are going to prospect that day. After that its onto the helicopter and out into the field, at which point I am becoming a normal human being.
When I get back to Yellowknife I am going to sleep in until 10:30, then roll out of bed and have just enough time to make it to Tim Hortons for a bacon breakfast sandwich and a large double-double before they stop serving breakfast at 11. Mmmmmm.
-A.
PS: I also miss bacon. The cook says that you shouldn't eat it when you have to go out into the field because it takes your body longer to digest and steals energy. I call bullshit- I want bacon!
PPS: The title isn't really supposed to make sense unless you already know what I am talking about. Inside joke for Steven Bowers fans.
I am starting to get into the groove up here. Working for six weeks straight seems much less daunting when you are 2 weeks in. If I know my fractions right, that is practically a whole third!
The only thing I haven't settled into is the mornings. No matter how much I like a person, I still have no desire to talk or be friendly to them within an hour after getting out of bed. My mom can attest to that. Breakfast starts at 6:30- my tactic is to wait until about 10 minutes to 7, at which point most folks are out of the kitchen and I can eat quickly and in silence without having to make small talk. I hate morning small talk. This doesn't leave a whole lot of time for morning hygiene, but it's a price I'm willing to pay. The morning crew meeting is at 7:15 and by then I have a coffee in my hand and just have to listen as Paul goes over the geology of the area we are going to prospect that day. After that its onto the helicopter and out into the field, at which point I am becoming a normal human being.
When I get back to Yellowknife I am going to sleep in until 10:30, then roll out of bed and have just enough time to make it to Tim Hortons for a bacon breakfast sandwich and a large double-double before they stop serving breakfast at 11. Mmmmmm.
-A.
PS: I also miss bacon. The cook says that you shouldn't eat it when you have to go out into the field because it takes your body longer to digest and steals energy. I call bullshit- I want bacon!
PPS: The title isn't really supposed to make sense unless you already know what I am talking about. Inside joke for Steven Bowers fans.
Friday, July 18, 2008
River woes and wet toes
July 18
Today has been a complete gong show. Everyone was pretty pumped this morning because it was both hot and windy, which is the optimal combination because you don't have to wear 7 layers of clothes and the bugs get blown away.
Once we were dropped off at the site, the crew who was there yesterday (Pattie and Carolyn) showed us a few of the samples they had discovered so we knew what to look for. Then Heather and I headed off to the northwest to look for deposits. Unfortunately, a rather significant river blocked our path. Our options were to try and find a place to ford it, skip the area and work with the other crew, or walk around the very large lake to the west. Two attempts to cross the river by Heather showed that the water was more than waist deep. We went upstream a bit and found a narrow, and what looked like a shallower spot. I took off my boots, socks, and pants and shoved them into my pack. It was going rather well until I got within a step or two of the other side, at which point I sank to chest depth. In the end it wasn't too bad- the outside of our packs were wet, but surprisingly water resistant within, and it was windy enough that our shirts dried quickly. Pants, boots and socks remained pleasantly dry until about an hour later when we crossed a swampy region that soaked me almost to my knees. Who knew the tundra was so goddamn damp?
At various times throughout the day we both managed to fall on our faces in spectacular fashion, and keep our boots wet in a couple more swamps. For all this, we only ended up with one or two samples for the day. Alas! I suppose it was character building or something. When we got back to camp, a bunch of us went for a quick dip off the float plane dock. I had convinced Carolyn, Heather and the GGL boss Katie to come out yesterday, so a few other folks decided to give it a try. It's as cold as any mountain lake I've been in, maybe colder, but boy is it refreshing! I would kill a man right now for a cold beer and a long bath, so I have to improvise to prevent the homicidal tendencies from surfacing.
-A.
Today has been a complete gong show. Everyone was pretty pumped this morning because it was both hot and windy, which is the optimal combination because you don't have to wear 7 layers of clothes and the bugs get blown away.
Once we were dropped off at the site, the crew who was there yesterday (Pattie and Carolyn) showed us a few of the samples they had discovered so we knew what to look for. Then Heather and I headed off to the northwest to look for deposits. Unfortunately, a rather significant river blocked our path. Our options were to try and find a place to ford it, skip the area and work with the other crew, or walk around the very large lake to the west. Two attempts to cross the river by Heather showed that the water was more than waist deep. We went upstream a bit and found a narrow, and what looked like a shallower spot. I took off my boots, socks, and pants and shoved them into my pack. It was going rather well until I got within a step or two of the other side, at which point I sank to chest depth. In the end it wasn't too bad- the outside of our packs were wet, but surprisingly water resistant within, and it was windy enough that our shirts dried quickly. Pants, boots and socks remained pleasantly dry until about an hour later when we crossed a swampy region that soaked me almost to my knees. Who knew the tundra was so goddamn damp?
At various times throughout the day we both managed to fall on our faces in spectacular fashion, and keep our boots wet in a couple more swamps. For all this, we only ended up with one or two samples for the day. Alas! I suppose it was character building or something. When we got back to camp, a bunch of us went for a quick dip off the float plane dock. I had convinced Carolyn, Heather and the GGL boss Katie to come out yesterday, so a few other folks decided to give it a try. It's as cold as any mountain lake I've been in, maybe colder, but boy is it refreshing! I would kill a man right now for a cold beer and a long bath, so I have to improvise to prevent the homicidal tendencies from surfacing.
-A.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Glorious sunshine and a rock bear
July 15
For the first time since we have been in the field, it was both warm and sunny. Of course this also meant that the fly swarm was out in full force, but it was totally worth it. I broke so many rocks today, I felt like I was a quarry worker. I think my right arm is going to be all muscled by the end of this shindig... like Popeye!
Yesterday was mildly more eventful, as Heather and I had to ford a stream. The helicopter dropped us off on this esker because the surrounding area was quite swampy. An esker is kind of like a little highway of gravel left behind by melting glaciers, so it was quite handy to travel along. Unfortunately, at one point the stream passed directly in front of us so we had to either find a (long) way around or cross. Them arctic waters are mighty cold. Later I found this really strange boulder on top of three very small rocks (relatively speaking). It almost looked like a bear inukshuk. It was either that or the glaciers left a very strange remnant on their journey back north. The picture below shows the boulder and small rocks but not the medium sized rock on top which I assumed was supposed to be the bear's head. Heather thinks I am a little to imaginative and that it is probably just natural, but you never know!
-A.
For the first time since we have been in the field, it was both warm and sunny. Of course this also meant that the fly swarm was out in full force, but it was totally worth it. I broke so many rocks today, I felt like I was a quarry worker. I think my right arm is going to be all muscled by the end of this shindig... like Popeye!
Yesterday was mildly more eventful, as Heather and I had to ford a stream. The helicopter dropped us off on this esker because the surrounding area was quite swampy. An esker is kind of like a little highway of gravel left behind by melting glaciers, so it was quite handy to travel along. Unfortunately, at one point the stream passed directly in front of us so we had to either find a (long) way around or cross. Them arctic waters are mighty cold. Later I found this really strange boulder on top of three very small rocks (relatively speaking). It almost looked like a bear inukshuk. It was either that or the glaciers left a very strange remnant on their journey back north. The picture below shows the boulder and small rocks but not the medium sized rock on top which I assumed was supposed to be the bear's head. Heather thinks I am a little to imaginative and that it is probably just natural, but you never know!
-A.
The Inukshuk Bear
Fording the river (too deep for my boots).
Home sweet home (aka Zip Camp). I am in the second orange dome to the left.
Tundra! And my backpack full of rocks.Sunday, July 13, 2008
Who needs public transit when you have a helicopter?
July 13
I think I am going to love Sundays. On God's day we only spend half the day in the field and in the afternoon we sit in the core shed and talk about what we have found during the week and discuss safety issues. The geo talk is fun but even better is the chips and hot chocolate. Both rather scarce while out on the tundra, to be sure. I have never drank so much hot chocolate in July in my life, but it sure does warm up your core. Since this is a dry camp, whiskey is out of the question for that purpose, alas!
I am getting used to the constant helicopter excursions, even if the rear rotor still scares the bejeezus out of me. It spins so fast that you can't see it and I sometimes have these nightmare visions where I trip on my pack or something and tragically fall into the kill zone. Other than that, the chopper is fun! We are using a Hughes 500 from Great Slave Helicopters. It's much bulkier than the Bell 206 I was in in the Mackenzie mountains. It brings to mind a bumblebee in the fall- all bulbous and slow to get off the ground. Our pilot, Bob is a pretty quiet fellow- when he has some time between pick-ups he'll fly to a lake and go fishing. I love that my commute to work invovles flying. AND that I don't have to pick up the gas bill! I'm guessing that helicopters aren't so great with the fuel efficiency.
-A.
I think I am going to love Sundays. On God's day we only spend half the day in the field and in the afternoon we sit in the core shed and talk about what we have found during the week and discuss safety issues. The geo talk is fun but even better is the chips and hot chocolate. Both rather scarce while out on the tundra, to be sure. I have never drank so much hot chocolate in July in my life, but it sure does warm up your core. Since this is a dry camp, whiskey is out of the question for that purpose, alas!
I am getting used to the constant helicopter excursions, even if the rear rotor still scares the bejeezus out of me. It spins so fast that you can't see it and I sometimes have these nightmare visions where I trip on my pack or something and tragically fall into the kill zone. Other than that, the chopper is fun! We are using a Hughes 500 from Great Slave Helicopters. It's much bulkier than the Bell 206 I was in in the Mackenzie mountains. It brings to mind a bumblebee in the fall- all bulbous and slow to get off the ground. Our pilot, Bob is a pretty quiet fellow- when he has some time between pick-ups he'll fly to a lake and go fishing. I love that my commute to work invovles flying. AND that I don't have to pick up the gas bill! I'm guessing that helicopters aren't so great with the fuel efficiency.
-A.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Hiking the Tundra
July 11
Today was the first day I felt like I earned my pay at Aurora. The weather was windy and chilly so I could actually get some work done. Yesterday the blackflies were so bad that I couldn't even eat lunch. The instant I unzipped the netting of my bug jacket off my face, I would literally be breathing in flies. They would also get in my ears and in the space between my glasses and my face. The maintenance guy at camp says he has worked in the north for forty years and yesterday was the first time in his life that he wore a bugnet- and this was in camp where it was dry and very unswampy. I have windburn like crazy, but the wind in combo with the occasional light shower made ideal bug-free conditions and it was GLORIOUS! I managed to avoid eating even one bug in the process of consuming my sandwich, which I consider quite a feat.
Anyway, back to today. Since the Aurora crew is still getting used to the area, we split our zone into three traverses, 2 people for each. My partner Heather and I ended up with the very flat, unrocky zone, so there was much hiking and little sampling. It was still pretty great though- we did find a few sulphide-rich areas to take a look at and found some great crystallization. At one point we split up so Heather could go check out a glacial feature and I could look at a frost heave on the other side of a lake. En route I saw a flash of white skim by me about 100m away. At first I thought it was a fox, but it was way too big, and foxes are brown this time of year anyway. I made a lot of yelling noises and sang Folsum Prison Blues at the top of my lungs for the next half hour (I couldn't think of the lyrics to anything else in my frightened state). Luckily it moved off and I didn't see it again.
The internet has been down since we got here which is why I couldn't post until today. After only two full days out here, it's surprising how isolated you can feel. It's recommended that we don't go outside the bear fence alone and most everyone is so beat at the end of the day that a stroll around the claim site seems rather unpalatable anyway so- not that there is much to see if you did go for a walk. When you are in the helicopter you can really get a feel for how completely in the middle of nowhere the place is. Still having way more fun than I did in an office in downtown Calgary, though. Despite the bug bites.
-A.
PS: Feel free to leave a comment if you like. It would be nice to here from the outside world :)
Today was the first day I felt like I earned my pay at Aurora. The weather was windy and chilly so I could actually get some work done. Yesterday the blackflies were so bad that I couldn't even eat lunch. The instant I unzipped the netting of my bug jacket off my face, I would literally be breathing in flies. They would also get in my ears and in the space between my glasses and my face. The maintenance guy at camp says he has worked in the north for forty years and yesterday was the first time in his life that he wore a bugnet- and this was in camp where it was dry and very unswampy. I have windburn like crazy, but the wind in combo with the occasional light shower made ideal bug-free conditions and it was GLORIOUS! I managed to avoid eating even one bug in the process of consuming my sandwich, which I consider quite a feat.
Anyway, back to today. Since the Aurora crew is still getting used to the area, we split our zone into three traverses, 2 people for each. My partner Heather and I ended up with the very flat, unrocky zone, so there was much hiking and little sampling. It was still pretty great though- we did find a few sulphide-rich areas to take a look at and found some great crystallization. At one point we split up so Heather could go check out a glacial feature and I could look at a frost heave on the other side of a lake. En route I saw a flash of white skim by me about 100m away. At first I thought it was a fox, but it was way too big, and foxes are brown this time of year anyway. I made a lot of yelling noises and sang Folsum Prison Blues at the top of my lungs for the next half hour (I couldn't think of the lyrics to anything else in my frightened state). Luckily it moved off and I didn't see it again.
The internet has been down since we got here which is why I couldn't post until today. After only two full days out here, it's surprising how isolated you can feel. It's recommended that we don't go outside the bear fence alone and most everyone is so beat at the end of the day that a stroll around the claim site seems rather unpalatable anyway so- not that there is much to see if you did go for a walk. When you are in the helicopter you can really get a feel for how completely in the middle of nowhere the place is. Still having way more fun than I did in an office in downtown Calgary, though. Despite the bug bites.
-A.
PS: Feel free to leave a comment if you like. It would be nice to here from the outside world :)
Blackflies Unite
July 9
If you think that 4:30 sounds like an ungodly time to get up for work, then you are absolutely right. The charter left at 6:00 am and we got to Zip camp by 7:30. I would say bright and early, but it's always bright out here, regardless if it's early.
The strangest thing to get used to is that there are no TREES! The tallest plant in a 10 km radius is about a foot high. The greatest part of the lack of vegetation is, of course, that there are more rocks to see- and lichen. Soooo much lichen. The only downfall of being in the tundra is the blackflies. You here about their legendary numbers but nothing really prepares you for their masses. I made the mistake of wearing capri pants this morning and 10 minutes into the helicopter safety briefing my legs looked like a checker board-black spots were flies in the process of biting and red spots where they had already been. Apparently they are attracted to dark colours, which meant that my navy blue fleece coat had literally HUNDREDS of bugs crawling on it. Back in Yellowknife I hmm'ed and hawwed about whether to get a bug jacket and finally decided to splurge for the $40 investment. Best money I ever spent, though the face net can get claustrophobic if you aren't wearing a brimmed hat underneath.
The camp itself is quite basic. They are the only structures around for many kilometers so look quite out of place in the barrens. We are on a small lake (of which there are hundreds up here) enclosed in an electric fence to keep the bears away. Also money well spent in my opinion! There are six 4 man domed outfitter tents with cots and a wood stove in each. The only other buildings are the cookhouse, office, sample shed and outhouse. Everything was built on site with plywood or canvas, but it is not as rustic as you would think. The many satellite dishes poking off the roof of the office supply the camp with radio, telephone and blesssed, blessed internet. It's down right now, but apparently there is a phone running through the satellite system which anyone is free to use, unlimited. I am rather pumped about this as 6 weeks is a long time to go without talking to the outside world. I can't imagine how isolating this job would be even 10 years ago. I certainly would not have been able to bring out the 75 movie files I have on my computer in VHS equivalent. It would fill a whole plane!
Seeing as I got up so early, I think it is time to turn in at the late late hour of 9:30. Tomorrow is when the real work starts.
-A.
If you think that 4:30 sounds like an ungodly time to get up for work, then you are absolutely right. The charter left at 6:00 am and we got to Zip camp by 7:30. I would say bright and early, but it's always bright out here, regardless if it's early.
The strangest thing to get used to is that there are no TREES! The tallest plant in a 10 km radius is about a foot high. The greatest part of the lack of vegetation is, of course, that there are more rocks to see- and lichen. Soooo much lichen. The only downfall of being in the tundra is the blackflies. You here about their legendary numbers but nothing really prepares you for their masses. I made the mistake of wearing capri pants this morning and 10 minutes into the helicopter safety briefing my legs looked like a checker board-black spots were flies in the process of biting and red spots where they had already been. Apparently they are attracted to dark colours, which meant that my navy blue fleece coat had literally HUNDREDS of bugs crawling on it. Back in Yellowknife I hmm'ed and hawwed about whether to get a bug jacket and finally decided to splurge for the $40 investment. Best money I ever spent, though the face net can get claustrophobic if you aren't wearing a brimmed hat underneath.
The camp itself is quite basic. They are the only structures around for many kilometers so look quite out of place in the barrens. We are on a small lake (of which there are hundreds up here) enclosed in an electric fence to keep the bears away. Also money well spent in my opinion! There are six 4 man domed outfitter tents with cots and a wood stove in each. The only other buildings are the cookhouse, office, sample shed and outhouse. Everything was built on site with plywood or canvas, but it is not as rustic as you would think. The many satellite dishes poking off the roof of the office supply the camp with radio, telephone and blesssed, blessed internet. It's down right now, but apparently there is a phone running through the satellite system which anyone is free to use, unlimited. I am rather pumped about this as 6 weeks is a long time to go without talking to the outside world. I can't imagine how isolating this job would be even 10 years ago. I certainly would not have been able to bring out the 75 movie files I have on my computer in VHS equivalent. It would fill a whole plane!
Seeing as I got up so early, I think it is time to turn in at the late late hour of 9:30. Tomorrow is when the real work starts.
-A.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Big One
Tomorrow I am off to a camp run by GGL Diamonds to look for VMS deposits (stands for volcanic massive sulphides, which is an indicator of gold). I will be gone until August 19, but on the bright side, the camp will have internet! From the pictures I have seen, I think I am north of the tree line (the coordinates are 64 degrees latitude and 112 degrees longitude), so along with the flatness of the tundra, things should be a little easier going in terms of hiking, compared to Palmer Lake. You can check out this link for pictures of the camp:
http://www.ggldiamond.ca/index.php?m=imggallery (called Zip Camp)
Six weeks sounds like a long time without a day off, but I think that as long as I do fun things in my down-time I should keep my sanity. I am bringing fishing gear, a stone-carving kit, and many many books. I think that since I am doing something that I really love should also help prevent burn out. Sitting here in Yellowknife certainly won't earn me any money- a single beer at the bar costs $7 and gas runs at 1.51 a litre. I will never complain about the cost of gas in High Prairie ever again!
Assuming I don't go crazy out in the tundra, I think it's going to be pretty fun. Just have to keep an eye out for those pesky bears. I don't think there are any polar bears that far from the north coast but one can never be too sure. Luckily my shotgun leasons will come in handy in that respect. I have to leave at 5am so I better hit the hay. Next stop, the barrens!
-A.
http://www.ggldiamond.ca/index.php?m=imggallery (called Zip Camp)
Six weeks sounds like a long time without a day off, but I think that as long as I do fun things in my down-time I should keep my sanity. I am bringing fishing gear, a stone-carving kit, and many many books. I think that since I am doing something that I really love should also help prevent burn out. Sitting here in Yellowknife certainly won't earn me any money- a single beer at the bar costs $7 and gas runs at 1.51 a litre. I will never complain about the cost of gas in High Prairie ever again!
Assuming I don't go crazy out in the tundra, I think it's going to be pretty fun. Just have to keep an eye out for those pesky bears. I don't think there are any polar bears that far from the north coast but one can never be too sure. Luckily my shotgun leasons will come in handy in that respect. I have to leave at 5am so I better hit the hay. Next stop, the barrens!
-A.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Physical limitations
July 5
This has been the hardest day of work I have ever done in my life.
Still tired from yesterday's excursions, and with a sore left knee, I hopped onto the helicopter at 8 am. It was raining and we were the only crew to go out. Dropped off on a plateau, we were on the opposite side of a little creek valley from where we wanted to be. After scaling down the rather steep hill, covered in stunted spruce and small bushes, we crossed the creek. I managed to completely soak one boot and it was only 8:30 am. Gary pointed up a 40 degree slope and said that we were going to the top. I swear to god I thought he was kidding.
The "slope" was almost vertical at the top and was covered in 10-30cm pieces of sharp shale. This meant that if you didn't get your footing right, you might end up sliding down further than you stepped up. Everyone else was in much better shape than I, having spent the last eight months sitting on my ass either studying or watching tv. I was so frustrated with my progress by the time I got about a third of the way up that I was crying a little. Gary took pity on me and said I could stay where I was. But that would mean spending the rest of the day sitting on a shaley slope in the rain, so I powered on. I made it to the top in about twice the time it took the other two people and I slipped and smashed my face into the rocks at least twice and I very much felt like throwing up near the top, but I made it. Now it was geology time.
We followed a literal goat trail along the side of the slope (we were only half way up the mountain) to look at the jagged outcrop along the north face. I was glad to have some time to get my energy back but sitting in the rain writing sample descriptions is not pleasant. At one point the sun almost came out and I saw a rainbow below. I was high enough that the rainbow was BELOW me! That is crazy!
Finally at 2 pm we were given the go ahead to make our way back to the landing site on the other side of the valley. After making it back to the creek, I realized that the hill back up to the area where the helicopter was to pick us up was actually steeper than the shale slope. And this time I had a pack full of rocks and a grizzly bear skull that I had found earlier. I made it about half the way up and may have thrown up a little. I am simply not in shape- my calves were on fire and I was panting so loud I am sure I scared away any nearby wildlife. When I made it to the top, I lay down in the rain and let the water cool my face. I probably shouldn't have done that as the chopper didn't show up for another 45 minutes and by that time I was soaked to the bone and cold as hell.
You may not believe me but deep down I think I had fun. Now that I am sitting here in camp in my warm sleeping bag, I am glad I did it and feel like I could do it again.
I hiked and climbed in the Mackenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories, in the rain, an hour and a half by air to the nearest road, where the sky hasn't darkened in weeks. How fricking badass is that?
-A.
This has been the hardest day of work I have ever done in my life.
Still tired from yesterday's excursions, and with a sore left knee, I hopped onto the helicopter at 8 am. It was raining and we were the only crew to go out. Dropped off on a plateau, we were on the opposite side of a little creek valley from where we wanted to be. After scaling down the rather steep hill, covered in stunted spruce and small bushes, we crossed the creek. I managed to completely soak one boot and it was only 8:30 am. Gary pointed up a 40 degree slope and said that we were going to the top. I swear to god I thought he was kidding.
The "slope" was almost vertical at the top and was covered in 10-30cm pieces of sharp shale. This meant that if you didn't get your footing right, you might end up sliding down further than you stepped up. Everyone else was in much better shape than I, having spent the last eight months sitting on my ass either studying or watching tv. I was so frustrated with my progress by the time I got about a third of the way up that I was crying a little. Gary took pity on me and said I could stay where I was. But that would mean spending the rest of the day sitting on a shaley slope in the rain, so I powered on. I made it to the top in about twice the time it took the other two people and I slipped and smashed my face into the rocks at least twice and I very much felt like throwing up near the top, but I made it. Now it was geology time.
We followed a literal goat trail along the side of the slope (we were only half way up the mountain) to look at the jagged outcrop along the north face. I was glad to have some time to get my energy back but sitting in the rain writing sample descriptions is not pleasant. At one point the sun almost came out and I saw a rainbow below. I was high enough that the rainbow was BELOW me! That is crazy!
Finally at 2 pm we were given the go ahead to make our way back to the landing site on the other side of the valley. After making it back to the creek, I realized that the hill back up to the area where the helicopter was to pick us up was actually steeper than the shale slope. And this time I had a pack full of rocks and a grizzly bear skull that I had found earlier. I made it about half the way up and may have thrown up a little. I am simply not in shape- my calves were on fire and I was panting so loud I am sure I scared away any nearby wildlife. When I made it to the top, I lay down in the rain and let the water cool my face. I probably shouldn't have done that as the chopper didn't show up for another 45 minutes and by that time I was soaked to the bone and cold as hell.
You may not believe me but deep down I think I had fun. Now that I am sitting here in camp in my warm sleeping bag, I am glad I did it and feel like I could do it again.
I hiked and climbed in the Mackenzie Mountains in the Northwest Territories, in the rain, an hour and a half by air to the nearest road, where the sky hasn't darkened in weeks. How fricking badass is that?
-A.
Into the mountians
July 4
We finally got out to the field today- we choppered in to this high saddle between two mountains. I thought "okay not too bad". That is when I learned we were still 2 km away from our first sample location. Getting there involved a lot of hiking up a decently sloped hill covered in lichen and alpine flowers- still not to bad. Then we entered the cloud layer so it looked like a foggy day in Halifax, it was absolutely gorgeous; very mystical.
We didn't find much of anything all day, but I did summit a peak (2000 m at the top, though I only had to go about 500 m since the chopper did part of the work). Its true what they say about how going down can be harder than climbing up (sometimes). We had an elevation gain of about 400m from our starting point and then 600m down to the end of the traverse on the other side of the peak and despite my bitching about the hill climb, the down part was much steeper and more difficult to balance. It was quite chilly and damp, and I was very out of breath many times, but all in all I came out of it not to worse for wear. Not too bad for my first full day of work as a graduated, professional geologist.
-A.
We finally got out to the field today- we choppered in to this high saddle between two mountains. I thought "okay not too bad". That is when I learned we were still 2 km away from our first sample location. Getting there involved a lot of hiking up a decently sloped hill covered in lichen and alpine flowers- still not to bad. Then we entered the cloud layer so it looked like a foggy day in Halifax, it was absolutely gorgeous; very mystical.
We didn't find much of anything all day, but I did summit a peak (2000 m at the top, though I only had to go about 500 m since the chopper did part of the work). Its true what they say about how going down can be harder than climbing up (sometimes). We had an elevation gain of about 400m from our starting point and then 600m down to the end of the traverse on the other side of the peak and despite my bitching about the hill climb, the down part was much steeper and more difficult to balance. It was quite chilly and damp, and I was very out of breath many times, but all in all I came out of it not to worse for wear. Not too bad for my first full day of work as a graduated, professional geologist.
-A.
A fly in the ointment
July 3
Ooookay, so the day did not turn out exactly as planned. We got in to Palmer Lake yesterday at around six and as it turned out, there was absolutely no extra room for our stuff on the next incoming plane. This meant that I had to spend another day in the pants that I had been wearing since the morning of July 1st. Also, since we had no gear, we would not be able to go out into the field. Gary, the project leader (and owner of the company!) had to stay back until this afternoon because the bags could not travel unattended. Absolutely no work got done today AND I didn't get to drink my birthday wine last night, since I had packed it in my big bag. Alas. Other than the gorgeous mountain scenery, there was not much else to celebrate that I was another year older, though the mountains were nothing to scoff at.
Today was spent mostly sleeping and watching movies, as the bugs were just a little too swarm-like to make the outdoors bearable. Gary showed up with our gear just before supper and I am currently luxuriating in a wonderfully clean pair of socks (among other things). Hopefully tomorrow will involve some actual geology.
Another thing I found out was that there is no internet up here, which is actually very surprising, considering the size of the camp. Usually that is one of the few guarantees of all but the most basic bush camps. You may not have running water, but there is always some kind of contact with the office. I have a feeling that they won't let me use the satellite phone to dictate out my blog postings so I will have to post all of this when I get back on Sunday night.
-A.
Ooookay, so the day did not turn out exactly as planned. We got in to Palmer Lake yesterday at around six and as it turned out, there was absolutely no extra room for our stuff on the next incoming plane. This meant that I had to spend another day in the pants that I had been wearing since the morning of July 1st. Also, since we had no gear, we would not be able to go out into the field. Gary, the project leader (and owner of the company!) had to stay back until this afternoon because the bags could not travel unattended. Absolutely no work got done today AND I didn't get to drink my birthday wine last night, since I had packed it in my big bag. Alas. Other than the gorgeous mountain scenery, there was not much else to celebrate that I was another year older, though the mountains were nothing to scoff at.
Today was spent mostly sleeping and watching movies, as the bugs were just a little too swarm-like to make the outdoors bearable. Gary showed up with our gear just before supper and I am currently luxuriating in a wonderfully clean pair of socks (among other things). Hopefully tomorrow will involve some actual geology.
Another thing I found out was that there is no internet up here, which is actually very surprising, considering the size of the camp. Usually that is one of the few guarantees of all but the most basic bush camps. You may not have running water, but there is always some kind of contact with the office. I have a feeling that they won't let me use the satellite phone to dictate out my blog postings so I will have to post all of this when I get back on Sunday night.
-A.
On the great Mackenzie River
July 2
As I write this, it is 1pm and I am sitting on the bank of the Mackenzie River, just out of Norman Wells, NT. It is sunny and gorgeous and I have no socks on. Who would have thought that you could get wireless internet here? Crazy.
Last night I went to my boss's Canada Day barbecue and afterward myself, Dan and Caroline decided to go for a canoe to the bar. We parked the canoe in front of the Black Knight Pub and just caught last call. I have more mosquito bites then I ever have had in my entire life. It was totally worth it!
This morning, a little worse for wear, Caroline and I got to the airport half an hour before our flight was scheduled to depart. However, what we didn't know was that boarding was at 9:50. According to the desk, our flight was closed, but after a little sweet talking, they let us on the plane, minus our checked luggage. Luckily Cindy, our expediter was there and was able to take the bags to send later today. I also forgot my hiking boots in my hungover haze, which Cindy will also send later today. I also forgot socks.
This afternoon we take a charter plane to Palmer's Lake, just beside the border with Yukon, at about 64 degrees latitude. Not quite the arctic circle, but still not too shabby for my first excursion. I can't believe I am being paid for this shit!
I would have to say that so far this has been one of my better birthday adventures.
-A.
Footnote: Norman Wells wireless was not quite hefty enough to actually upload anything there.
As I write this, it is 1pm and I am sitting on the bank of the Mackenzie River, just out of Norman Wells, NT. It is sunny and gorgeous and I have no socks on. Who would have thought that you could get wireless internet here? Crazy.
Last night I went to my boss's Canada Day barbecue and afterward myself, Dan and Caroline decided to go for a canoe to the bar. We parked the canoe in front of the Black Knight Pub and just caught last call. I have more mosquito bites then I ever have had in my entire life. It was totally worth it!
This morning, a little worse for wear, Caroline and I got to the airport half an hour before our flight was scheduled to depart. However, what we didn't know was that boarding was at 9:50. According to the desk, our flight was closed, but after a little sweet talking, they let us on the plane, minus our checked luggage. Luckily Cindy, our expediter was there and was able to take the bags to send later today. I also forgot my hiking boots in my hungover haze, which Cindy will also send later today. I also forgot socks.
This afternoon we take a charter plane to Palmer's Lake, just beside the border with Yukon, at about 64 degrees latitude. Not quite the arctic circle, but still not too shabby for my first excursion. I can't believe I am being paid for this shit!
I would have to say that so far this has been one of my better birthday adventures.
-A.
Footnote: Norman Wells wireless was not quite hefty enough to actually upload anything there.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Departure imminent
Happy Canada Day! I have started a new online journal for those interested in hearing about me wandering the northern wastes in search of earth's treasures.
I leave tomorrow for Norman Wells, NT (look it up on google maps, it's hella north). All in all, not a bad way to spend my birthday. Last year I was on a beach in PEI camping and kayaking. If this streak of awesome birthdays continues I may have to go to the Grand Canyon next year. More details on my destination to come, because for now I am off to a patriotic barbeque. Cheers!
-A.
I leave tomorrow for Norman Wells, NT (look it up on google maps, it's hella north). All in all, not a bad way to spend my birthday. Last year I was on a beach in PEI camping and kayaking. If this streak of awesome birthdays continues I may have to go to the Grand Canyon next year. More details on my destination to come, because for now I am off to a patriotic barbeque. Cheers!
-A.
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