Airlifts

For the first month of the project our day-to-day work was dominated by the weather. Everything seemed extreme, even the nice days. We'd have warm temps, sunshine and crystal clear views. On lunch breaks we'd sit outside amongst the rocks soaking up the sun. The next day we'd have torrential downpours, hurricane winds and 33 degree temperatures. We'd put on our rain gear and hoods, doing out best ignore the weather and simply focus straight ahead, and work. We'd come inside to eat, and then go back out. We'd become robotic to cope with the weather.

Our second month has been dominated by the weather as well, but in a different way. The weather had much less of an affect on our day-to-day work, but had more of an effect on our progress. The roof was on, giving us dry work space. We'd still work outside a lot, but we'd have the shelter of the new hut to setup tools and work. Compared to the previous month, it was luxurious— even if the weather was no better or worse. The weather's main affect was on our airlift.

Our airlift was originally scheduled for Monday the 25th, set to deliver us materials, food, another new air compressor, a second wood stove, three hot water tanks, shutters to close the hut for the winter, cement and other items, while at the same time flying out trash, unneeded tools, etc. We knew a mid-fall airlift above tree line would be greatly dependent on the weather, possibly delaying it by a day or two, but the way it unfolded put a drag on the crew. At times we were left wondering if we'd have to shut down for the winter all together. No airlift meant no work.

On Monday the 25th the forecast indicated we might have a chance to fly, but the weather never cleared on time. On Tuesday, we had a clear weather window almost all day. The entire morning we prepared for the lift. Organizing trash, preparing out loads, clearing areas for new materials and taking out window sashes so we could move materials inside. But the helicopter never came. It was late in arriving to Dodge (where it would fly to us from), and the weather window closed. Wednesday was a washout. Thursday was clear, but winds made it uncertain. The helicopter flew up to drop us off a top crew, but was unable to land due to winds. We waited by the radio and eventually received word that the pilot thought he could possibly land a few loads to our south at Star Lake, a quarter mile away and slightly uphill. There, the wind was still moving up hill. The first load was a net full of 80lb cement bags. It was a struggle and he set the net down hard, breaking a few of the cement bags which were wrapped in a tarp.

The video doesn't do the event justice. It was clear another attempt wouldn't be in the works. We used our search and rescue liter to carry the bags of cement, still wrapped in the tarp, back to the hut. Still, no airlift.

Our rescued bags of cement

The weekend crew didn't have any better luck and we began the next week still waiting for the airlift. I hiked up alone on Monday, and it was decided to not send the rest of the crew until we got the lift in. We had very little work without the resupply of materials and food was getting scarce as well. We were down to our last pound of butter (an essential).

Tuesday, we finally had perfect weather. A top crew was flown in, Everett hiked up, Steve flew up, and we got over 20 loads in and matched most with out-loads.

An airlift approaching

Sending up an out-loud 

The project can go on.