The Big Meltdown

Here's a view from the top of one of the ridges, looking east. Still so much snow after a week of hot hot weather! The streams are in flood from the runoff, though, so hopefully I may soon see some real rocks.

Looks like only one more day until the clouds come back. All of us are brown as berries (I don’t think I went this dark in Hawaii), and floating around in a haze. It’s extremely hot in the core shack; a plywood structure with a clear plastic roof, in other words, a greenhouse. A big brimmed hat, sunscreen and Gatorade gets me through the day, and I’m not complaining, because I’ve seen this place in a snowstorm and it ain’t pretty. Then there’s the lamping room, which I spent half the day in today. Nothing like a tiny sealed box inside a greenhouse in 30 degree weather to make you feel like an ant under a magnifying glass. And its pitch black (so we can see the fluorescing minerals), which you would think would have a cooling effect but instead feels like a coffin. Not pleasant!

My alternative is ironic; I could try to get my next rock sample from the other side of the upper bowl, but the picture (at right) shows what happened yesterday when I attempted that. Aside from falling armpit deep into snow, it was a good idea (except that coming back from that our packs weigh 25kg more, so we’d probably never be seen again). It was very refreshing seeing as I was wearing a tank top. Lee did what any responsible supervisor does when his student falls neck deep in snow and can’t move: he laughed his ass off at me and took pictures. Thanks, Lee. Its nice to know you’ve got my back when the going gets tough.

Today we hit some speedbumps; the truck got across the mudpit via the Cat, but then blew a tire, and is now smack dab in the middle of the road. It also had all the fuel drums in it which need to get to the drill. Dave has been remarkably cool and calm about this predicament, in spite of the fact that we have no spare tire. Now that Lee is gone, I’m on my own (albeit with Danielle and Eileen) to deal with the ‘characters’ in camp. The young drillers and geotechs have taken on a kind of pack mentality away from civilization. I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for the regular meals, this place would deteriorate rapidly into some kind of Lord of the Flies scenario. Thank goodness for Eileen’s pie!

The mozzies are out, and they’re not taking any crap from anyone. The citronella coils don’t even phase them. Not even the Bob Izumi-endorsed Deep Woods OFF scares them. I guess he’s just not that intimidating. What ever happened to good old-fashioned illegal 40% deet Repex? Also, the bees and ants are the size of small cats. Last night I watched our cute little tame swallow eat one alive on the cook-shack steps. The ptarmigans must be in mating season or something, because they’re acting extra stupid. Ah, the wonders of nature.

Anyways, here's Bandana taking down some field notes. He's always ready to help out! Him and his sister, Kita, are Husky sled dogs. They've been taking the heat alright, seeing as they usually find some creative place to curl up, but they don't get active until the sun dips behind the ridgeline, which is pretty much bedtime for us. This results in some restless pacing in our tent on Banadana's part, which is very wolf-like. He's got a human personality, and he's my favourite person in camp.

Miss you guys!