Adventures at Work 2021

[stuphoto]

Last time I did the ice road thing was about 20ish years ago....1 trip only. I think I got like .25c mile.
How much does a class 1 er make a day up there?

Comes to about $1000 per rounder as an employee including bonus.
I believe owners get something like double that.

I have a meeting in a few minutes and am heading up tomorrow early.
I will take some pictures along the way and share them asap.

[stuphoto]

We drove up to the mine yesterday, and I can tell you the coldest temperature the outside thermometer in a 2021 Ford F350 registers.
Or just show you.

Apparently Propane gells at -44 and the bottles at one work camp were all frozen.

On g good note, it was beautiful outside.

[Merry]

Good luck in your new job!

[normaM]

ohhhh, can you please bring me back a wicked large diamond? TIA
I had to put on a hoodie, so cold from looking at those pictures. And I've wintered in Whitehorse!

[stuphoto]

From the sound of it you had better keep that hoodie on Norma.

It looks like Mother Nature is giving you warmer weather on my bi,rthday February 11th
https://www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/32 ... t-few-days
You are welcome, but sorry it isn't a social distance hug instead

Oh, if you owned a diamond mine, would you let Me of all people anywhere near the diamonds
I am just associated with the winter road service for a reason.

[stuphoto]

A little warmer today but a storm is blowing in.

In the news.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/si ... -1.5904508

They are taking care of us, but it is a little scary around here.
I am keeping to myself as much as possible.
However I will most likely be in self isolation for 2 weeks after it's over.
That means no coffee with Old Trucker Or anyone else here
Not to mention, no good beans at home at the moment

[seewood]

^^^ Guess there are no bugs this time of year.

Interesting place to have kimberlite pipes.
Stay safe up there...

[stuphoto]

Thank you Seewood,

I am considered as an Essential service, so I am still working and it looks like I may be tested daily.
The test isn't painful, but it sure isn't pleasant either.
Since there is only a 6 to 8 week life cycle to this road, it's a little tough delaying the trucks any more than necessary.

We are sort of expecting the first loads to arrive tomorrow, however the storm may delay things a couple days.
The snow drifts were already 2 feet deep in a protected area earlier today.

[stuphoto]

Finally an update.

The road was originally going to open on the 8th ( it usually opens on February 1st ) however a winter storm blew in.
So they had to plow it clear again.


This was the first convoy, on the 10th

There are 4 trucks in there, all spaced 500 meters apart.

Possibly some company executives


And I made a new friend yesterday.

She told me her name is Gawlk,
I do have a cute video of her but will have to wait until the great land of data and good wifi before sharing it.

Then today, when I woke up I swear I had aged year overnight
Although I guess I don't look too bad with my ( covid ) Rock Star hairdew for a 52 year old.

If you are wondering why I like the ice and snow, I figure the good lord gave me my light complexion, my white hair and beard to blend into my natural environment.

That is about all for the day.

[Queen K]

You're hair is a tad whiter, but I believe you've been under incredible stress lately.

Loving the new photos and hope to see your vid of your new friend. I just realized, she's hitchin' a ride! Keep up the good work, you be braver than I Stuphoto!

Stu of the Ice Roads!

[Babba_not_Gump]

Finally an update.


Then today, when I woke up I swear I had aged year overnight
Although I guess I don't look too bad with my ( covid ) Rock Star hairdew for a 52 year old.

If you are wondering why I like the ice and snow, I figure the good lord gave me my light complexion, my white hair and beard to blend into my natural environment.

That is about all for the day.

I'll give you a tip.
Don't call your hair colour white. It's called Arctic Blond.

[stuphoto]

Thank you Queen,
It has honestly been a tough month.
Just little things, as you can probably imagine, like I always called my mom the moment I arrived in Yellowknife to tell her I was safe.
I caught myself starting to dial her number, and realized she couldn't answer.
However the good thing is I have several long term friends who I consider as family working up here beside me.
They have all been great

[stuphoto]

Finally an update.


Then today, when I woke up I swear I had aged year overnight
Although I guess I don't look too bad with my ( covid ) Rock Star hairdew for a 52 year old.

If you are wondering why I like the ice and snow, I figure the good lord gave me my light complexion, my white hair and beard to blend into my natural environment.

That is about all for the day.

I'll give you a tip.
Don't call your hair colour white. It's called Arctic Blond.

Love it,
Thanks for the laugh and smile.
I needed it

[stuphoto]

Not much in the line of photos today.
I did find an exceptionally clear patch of ice.


However it was still an exciting day.

I should say that only experienced drivers with proven track records are allowed on this road.
So there are rarely any issues on it.
Last year there was only one spinout all season that I am aware of.

Well there was a spinout today just 2km ahead of me.
I didn't really feel like calling in a tow for him, which would have taken 2 to 3 hours to arrive ( a grader working ). Plus extra paperwork for me.
So I halted traffic for about 30 minutes and helped him chain up and get over the hill.
One simple mistake he will never make again.
Oh he is a good and very polite Russian driver.

Then a short while later I was involved in my first ever high speed chase.
The first nations hunters are allowed on the road, but the rule is they must have one of us between them and the mine.
They all know this but from time to time one will see we are talking or busy and try making a run for it.
So it is our job to chase them down and get infront of them.

Well that happened today as I was talking to a coworker.
One saw us and pinned it.
I got in front within 3 or 4km. When I pulled aside him I gave him a polite wave and he slowed down to 60, then turned around 10km later.
I should explain, I am the only one on patrol who isn't a retired police officer, so I think my coworker was surprised I pulled it off so quickly.
I have to admit I thought it was a rush.

Anyway after that it was just a slow drive back to the camp enjoying the view.

Well goodnight everyone,
I gotta get up at 4 and get another Covid swab done.

[stuphoto]

It has been a busy and interesting week.
But more of that under the photos.

They still use these snow cats, mostly for exploration.


The new version, mostly used for smoothing out snow banks.


This rainbow on a clear, rainless sky is called a Sun Dog.

Caused by ice particles in the atmosphere.

This fox came out today.


Now for the interesting part.
Within minutes after us arriving at the camp 2 weeks ago the place went crazy.
It turns out one person had gone out partying on his days off, and caught Covid 19 there.
Brought it into camp without realizing it and in turn gave to to others, and so on.
The official word was 12 people the last I heard. Rumors have it its much worse.

Anyway, because of this we have all had our temperature screened daily, and a covid test daily.
The place is basically on lockdown.
Plus with the spread the camp is being shut down in a few days, we are all getting flown into the major centers closest to our homes such as Vancouver for me.
Rushed into a screening center and most likely quarantined for 2 weeks.
Not for our safety, but for the safety of the general population.
After that I am most likely going home for the rest of the season.
I am actually looking forward to it. Although I like the job it has been a tough season.

It sounds like they have been pleased with my work, and have already asked me to return next year.
However like several others I am delaying my decision until I see what's happening with the virus.

Oh, it has been nice at least talking to several of my ice road family members on the radio.
I really missed them last year when I spent the winter at home.

It honestly is one BIG dysfunctional family.
We love nothing more than getting together every February.
By March we are growling at each other.
Then we start saying I never want to see you again, and I am never coming back.
Then we all start getting the itch to return around November, start calling each other and do the same thing over again.