The Aldo Palma Job
22 Mar 2006, By Katarina Bjorkman
In late October Dad got a call to see if we were able to carry out a short prospecting job just north of Lake Superior. We were to locate and sample old trenches on a historic molybdenum property. On November 7th (with a break from staking as well as a favourable weather forecast) we set out Eastward in my GM diesel.
Only two hours from home the forecast changed to snow flurries and a winter storm watch. After contemplating, we decided to risk a little bit of snow (that we assumed would melt) and drive on to Wawa. A little bit of snow?! The snow banks grew bigger, and the trees were increasingly laden in snow, until we had to wonder we would even find the trenches.
The next morning we met our chopper pilot at Wilderness Helicopters; he flew us over a white world before dropping us off beside a little river. We pulled our gear and the survival pack from the chopper before giving the thumbs up and watching him lift off.
Despite the five inches of fresh snow, we were both enthusiastic at the prospect of finding and resampling trenches for moly. We used the old trench maps and set off along an old drill road; Dad found the first trench and was able to find molybdenum in the host rock. From there we went from trench to trench, digging through the snow and then a layer of debris, looking diligently for that steel blue glint. We found moly in every trench, sometimes in abundance, though what would have been easy without the snow took at lot more digging and scrounging with it. In no time, it was twelve thirty, time for lunch!! We made a fire and attempted to dry out our gloves and thaw our feet. After sharing a thermos of hot coffee, we left the fire in search of more trenches.
We hiked upwards, starting to be surer of our location in relation to the old trench maps. The sun showed her face and brightened our day as we finished scouting the trenches and headed back down the hill to meet the chopper.
The next day was a no-fly day. Rain and sleet and hail mixed with high winds prevented the thought of flying. So we spent the day doing research, packing samples and entering sample descriptions.
Our final day was gorgeous even if it was cold. What is more, we found our best examples of moly and most abundant moly that day. Thank the Lord for a successful job despite snow on the ground!
22 Mar 2006, By Katarina Bjorkman
In late October Dad got a call to see if we were able to carry out a short prospecting job just north of Lake Superior. We were to locate and sample old trenches on a historic molybdenum property. On November 7th (with a break from staking as well as a favourable weather forecast) we set out Eastward in my GM diesel.
Only two hours from home the forecast changed to snow flurries and a winter storm watch. After contemplating, we decided to risk a little bit of snow (that we assumed would melt) and drive on to Wawa. A little bit of snow?! The snow banks grew bigger, and the trees were increasingly laden in snow, until we had to wonder we would even find the trenches.
The next morning we met our chopper pilot at Wilderness Helicopters; he flew us over a white world before dropping us off beside a little river. We pulled our gear and the survival pack from the chopper before giving the thumbs up and watching him lift off.
Despite the five inches of fresh snow, we were both enthusiastic at the prospect of finding and resampling trenches for moly. We used the old trench maps and set off along an old drill road; Dad found the first trench and was able to find molybdenum in the host rock. From there we went from trench to trench, digging through the snow and then a layer of debris, looking diligently for that steel blue glint. We found moly in every trench, sometimes in abundance, though what would have been easy without the snow took at lot more digging and scrounging with it. In no time, it was twelve thirty, time for lunch!! We made a fire and attempted to dry out our gloves and thaw our feet. After sharing a thermos of hot coffee, we left the fire in search of more trenches.
We hiked upwards, starting to be surer of our location in relation to the old trench maps. The sun showed her face and brightened our day as we finished scouting the trenches and headed back down the hill to meet the chopper.
The next day was a no-fly day. Rain and sleet and hail mixed with high winds prevented the thought of flying. So we spent the day doing research, packing samples and entering sample descriptions.
Our final day was gorgeous even if it was cold. What is more, we found our best examples of moly and most abundant moly that day. Thank the Lord for a successful job despite snow on the ground!