Road rock update on Monday, May 4/09

I just talked to Forestry and they are working on the logistics of getting the contractors and their equipment to the site for this week. They don't want to promise anything, but previously they said that it would be about 3 or 4 days work to get it done. I imagine that if they get started late this week, they wouldn't want to leave their equipment sitting up there over the weekend, so would continue working until the road is clear!

I talked to a couple that hiked into the Camp last week and they said that all appeared OK at Camp!

April 26th Road Rock Update

Good Morning all.

Here's the latest communications with Forestry. On March 16, I phoned, visited and sent pictures to Forestry to let them know that the road was blocked. I received this back.



"Kris, a professional engineer from the regional office will be brought in to assess the site for safety before any removal of debris can take place however, the area must be free of snow. This project will be given high priority once the snow leaves so if you're out there from time to time, an update on snow conditions would be appreciated. "



I drove up a few times to check conditions and received reports from a few people that had also been there. I dreamed of a lot of different ways to move it and received offers of help from ticketed blasters and some other ideas... the only one that was legal was to let Forestry look after their own road. We are happy that they have said that it will be a "high priority" instead of saying that they didn't need access yet so would look at it when they need access.



On April 13, I sent pictures of the area clear of snow to Forestry and got this reply on April 21.



"Thanks Kris for the update. I just got back today from being out of town and will forward this to James to update him on conditions as well as organizing our regional PEng to review the site to ensure its safe to work around the area. I will keep you posted once I hear more definitive information."



I'm pretty sure that they want to have it cleared up as soon as possible as it not only affects the Camp, but it affects recreation access in the area and is blocking the Trans Canada Trail.

Funny thing, I took this picture on April 18th at the Canso Causeway going up to Cape Breton. (Information travels fast sometimes!)

You can click on the picture to make it readable. (I did take the note back down again as I'm sure it will be clear before I get back to Cape Breton!)

Thanks for the update Pic.

Thanks Lou & Shelly for the update pic taken Easter Sunday! I have e-mailed this pic to Forestry as I promised that I would let them know as soon as the snow is gone for safe assessment of the slope above and safety to work below! A little more warm weather and rain will melt the last of the snow in the 1st valley before the rock slide.

Spring work day postponed.

Only the 2nd time in 25 years that we have had to redate the spring work day. Last Spring there was still too much snow to drive in a car or 2 wheel drive on the Friday- (By Sunday, it was driveable) Some still came in with 4x4's and there was a small group of about 15 people.

This picture was taken in March, 1990 when there was 3 avalanches over the road. We thought that we were going to have to cancel work day, but the Government found money in their budget to clear the road for an environmental study group to monitor the speed of spotted slugs. (or something like that!) - We were thankful for their concern.

As soon as the snow is gone, Forestry will be making it a high priority to blast and remove the rocks that are blocking the road at the 1.1 Km point. If anyone has a chance to drive up there in the next 2 or 3 weeks, please send me a note and / or some pictures. I won't get a chance to go up there for the next 3 weeks or so as I am being sent back east to work.

Thanks for all your help and encouragement. Some groups have said that "Clear or not, we're going in by boat, hiking or float plane." From 1948 to 1965, those were the only choices. Hiking was more difficult than the others. One guy missed the boat, so he paddled down the lake on a log! (My brother Kerry!)

This picture of a "CB' was taken in the late 1940's. Note there is no propeller.... didn't work too well as a glider. That's why if you stand at the end of the dock and look left (South), the big rock on the point is called "Propeller Rock". The propeller is still down there somewhere. The plane nosed into the lake and stopped very suddenly! They towed it back to camp, brought in a new prop and flew it out again!

See the dents while being towed in.

20 feet high!

At this time, until we hear otherwise, road access to the Camp is CLOSED. Any groups wishing to boat in, can get a gate key from Parks for access to the boat launch. Any groups wishing to cancel bookings to make firm plans elsewhere will be refunded your deposits or we can hold it for another booking. The physical work could be completed in 4 working days.... The paperwork and the thinking about it, will take longer than that. Your guess is a guess as to the time of the thinking process. My guess is: also a guess. Prayers are always answered. We will have to wait to see what the answer is.

Here's a better picture of the rocks on the road. The caption on the arrow says 20 feet! At this time, it appears that we need to leave it to Forestry to clear their road. The mountain of paperwork required for us to clear it ourselves appears to be bigger than the rock itself. Thanks to those that would have been willing to do the drilling and blasting, if the legal permissions had been attainable. Initial conversations with Forestry were encouraging, but with their fiscal year end budget completed as of Mar 31, they don't know yet what will be available as there is an election looming. Maybe it would help to make a friendly call or drop an E-mail or letter to your MLA , just to let them know that this important access to a beautiful recreational area has been blocked and it is in everyone's interest to make budget funds available to move that ROCK! Your MLA's information can be easily looked up at http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm If anyone knows Forestry personnel, a pleasant word encouraging them that opening the road is good for community groups that use the Camp as well as tourists that start arriving in May to travel over Paleface on the Trans Canada Trail. (Remember "Max" from Austria trying to drive his bicycle over the pass, thru the snow in May!) The more "they" hear about this from all different areas and sources, the better.

This is also a reminder for us pray for those in authority as well as safety for those travelling (and working) on the road all year!

Here's a couple of Pics taken at Camp this February to remind us of God's creation. Thanks to Andrew Holliday for these reminders. Any one of those stars hurtling through the sky could fall and land anywhere!

Rock slide followup info Monday Mar 16

Thanks to all who have called and e-mailed. I have had offers of ticketed blasters willing to blast.... and lots of guys willing to come watch! If we are going to remove it, left to our own devices, we could clear it within 2 weeks and we would need a small fundraiser to cover what we couldn't get done at "Camp prices." Unfortunately "our own devices" wouldn't include the environmental impact studies and other impediments that the Gov't has put in their own way. (Blasting might prematurely loosen tree leaves or the splashing in the lake might scare fish or something) ..... sorry - just being fishecious.
No one has called in response to the Craig's list ad for the 4,000 granite fireplaces. - Just kidding! If I thought it would work, I would try.
It seems that our best idea so far is to let Forestry look after Their road. In past dealings with Forestry, I have been told many times, that there are 3 designations for Forestry roads.
1. - Active industrial. (The industrial user maintains the road)
2. - Residential. (A community with a post office... Forestry maintains the road.)
3. - Closed. (Closed roads usually have the culverts dug out and the road is decommissioned)
We fall somewhere in the middle - between closed and decommissioned!
My first contact with Forestry left me feeling very optimistic even though it is only 2 weeks left in their fiscal year - all their money has been spent or allocated. Unfortunately his initial inquiries showed that road is under the jurisdiction of another department that is charged with making money, not spending it.
At this point, it is on their list and they have asked me to send them an email in two - three weeks and at that time, they should be able to give me a better update on what they are planning to do.
At this time, pray with us that they would surprise themselves with the speed that things fall into place. Pray that doors, paths and options would be clear and available for them to get at it and clear that road. It could be done in three or four days. It is more expensive to remove the rocks, but faster than getting permissions to push them over the cliff into the lake.
I will try to update this blog as soon as anything changes, but in the mean time, please e-mail or call with any encouragement, thoughts or ideas.

Blessings from above.

March 15th

What a beautiful day for a drive into the wilderness. Fresh fallen snow on the trees, quiet snowflakes drifting down and an opportunity to get out and walk for a bit!

We are so thankful that there was no one stuck at Camp past (or under) the rocks on the road.

The one larger rock is estimated at 20' high, 20' deep and 30' wide. ... 12,000 cubic ft @ 166.5 lbs / cu ft = only 1 million, 998 thousand lbs.... Hmm just shy of 2 million pounds. There's also numerous smaller rocks.... only about 40,000 lbs each.

My first thought... :-( well skip that one.

2nd thought: This has got to be a blessing...... I wonder if we would get any response on Craig's list? We just have to come up with the right wording. Maybe 400 granite fireplaces.... 3,000 lineal ft of garden wall (4' high)

Anyone with a blasting ticket? How about a high pressure water cannon? A huge road building machine? Everyone can pray. Pray that the right solution would work out soon.

Any ideas gratefully accepted. At this time, there is no access past these rocks although there is a few young guys with 4x4's that think they would like to try!

It is a HUGE praise item that no one was hurt or trapped on the other side of this rockfall!