A view of the Mountian

View of the mountains to the North. Working in these hills is cold and visiblity is often limited.

Last Full Day Here!

Well, this is my last full day here at Nivek Camp. Sometimes I wondered if this day would ever come but looking back now, the time has gone pretty fast. We now have snow regularly although it never lasts long. The flying days are getting less attractive and the days get shorter every day by 20-30 minutes. I still have not seen any starry skies yet, as they have mostly been overcast and the lights from camp blot things out.

I've been helping people deal with colds lately as they are going around camp. I've managed to stay healthy through it so far.

Yesterday was busy with fuel and various tasks around camp. It was good to be outside most of the day and be busy. Tired me out as well. I got to clip on a load using the "belly hook" which sits just under the helicopter. The chopper was inches above my head hovering while I attached a net with a load of empty fuel barrels to move over to the dock. No long line was available, as shown in the picture here.

That's all for now.

5 days left to go

Well, I got my airline ticket confirmation two days ago and I am starting to get anxious. It's been a great experience up here and I would be willing to do it again but after 25 days I am starting to get a little cabin fever.

It started out cold with a dusting of snow this morning but it has turned out to be a beautiful cold crisp day. Sun with clouds and snow showers drifting by.

Darkness is about equal to daylight now with the sun down about 8:30 o 9:00 and sunrise about 6:30 or so. The light has been changing about 20 minutes a day or more.

I've added a clip involving the moving of heavy goods from the dock to the unloading area. Of course this is all done my helicopter and the pilots are amazingly talented at moving these things. I envy their skill and their opportunities to see the country everyday from the air.


We run most things on diesel, except the hot water and stoves which run on propane. The stoves that heat the tents are all diesel fueled and the 45 gallon tanks that feed them need to be topped up everyday. J.J. is pictured here filling up the one by the dry. It's called the "dry"because that is where all the wet clothes are hung to dry.

Since the internet is slow right now I will have to post the video clip later.

A day in the Life

Ok, I guess I could start with a typical day around here. I get between 5:30 and 6:30 depending on whether or not there is a safety meeting on. Most days start at 6:30, when I get prepared to deal with the shift change at 7:00. I manage the gun locker for the Bear Monitors and they have to leave and return with the shirt change. Every rigg needs a Bear Monitor for safety.

After the drill crews are changed over, which can happen anywhere between 7:00 and 8:00 (and again, are done by helicopter) I go for breakfast. If I want to get it before that I have be at breakfast at 6:00.

After breakfast I walk around camp for a safety and health inspection. Then I adjust the sleeping arrangements and the departure list to adjust for any changes from the day before. This is constantly tweeked through the day as people come and go unexpectedly. Through out the day I hang about the Medic tent, and monitor my radio which I have to carry with them 24/7 to be available. I may assist with work around camp which can consist of anything from loading and unloading diesel and propane deliveries, groceries or other goods, which all arrive by helicopter, or float plane. If they arrive by float plane, they need to me moved from the dock to their storage area in camp, by helicopter of course. The barrels are 45 gallons and weigh about 450lbs each. We move four at a time by helicopter.

I see a few patients for bumps, scrapes, sore throats etc. I do some work on the computer and while away the day, getting 3 great meals every day plus desserts and lots of coffee. What could be better.

Shift change occurs again at 7:00 pm with the same results. Lately a smooth shift change has been rare as the helicopter and planes have been tied up with weather problems but mostly with tours, that are running for investors of the project. Tours are continual and are extremely disruptive for the work crews as everything depends on the availability of air support.

Bye for now
Rick

Snow her today. Cold and wet. The helicopters are flying though but not on the regular schedule. All is well.

Rick

Sept 06, 2008

Quite a mixed day as far as weather is concerned. It started out with fog and light snow, then to partly sunny skies and pleasant and now the temperature is dropping quickly and it will definetly be below zero now for the first time since I have arrived. This picture is from two days ago and shows how still the wind can often be. For more pictures check out here.

Sept 04, 2008

It is a beautiful day here ; about 7-8 degrees with sunny skies and a few clouds. Nothing pressing is on the agenda today.

I have footage of the helicopter ride which you can view here.