EPISODE 228 YUKON DIARY PERMAFROST IN AN OLD MINING ADIT IN YUKON (summer of 1962)
alan skeoch
Jan. 2021
The early placer miners took risks when excavating holes in the frozen gravel of the Yukon. As did
the hard rock miners. Safety precautions were good to fair but not perfect. Whether they
dug vertically (shafts) or horizontally (adits) there was always the danger the permafrost that locked the
gravel would melt and the holes they dug would collapse. To keep these excavations safe there had
to be a lot of timbering inside.
Surprisingly the old mines that were allowed to flood once abandoned are even now quite safe once
drained while the mines that did not fill with water are dangerous because the timbers are prone to
dry rot which means they lose their strength.
Moses Lord, Dinky and I found one adit which we were able to explore. The adit was frozen. Ice
crystals made it stunningly beautiful as you will see below. Permafrost had its grip on the
passageway so we felt quite safe. Whether this safety was an illusion or not.
alan skeoch
Jan. 2021
Two young miners excavating an adit. The walls would have to be timbered fast.
Imagine trying to hand drill a hole for explosives. Imagine working in a mine where standing straight was impossible.
Would you put your trust in that post and wedge that is holding up the ceiling? Miners in Dublin Gulch, Keno Hill, Wernecke Camp, Elsa,
Calumet, Silver King, Peso Silver took lots of risks. Some died in mine accidents. Many more were crippled by silicosis and poisons
in the water they drank. To this day…January 17, 2021…drinking water in Keno City has to be trucked in by the Yukon government.
Pictures taken in August 1962. How long would it take to clothe this mine adit in these crystals?
Both of these fellows were great teammates on our jobs. Both were members of the local First Nations people in Mayo Landing.
I would never have found this adit were it not for Moses Lord.
alan skeoch
Jan. 17 2021
NOTE: LOTS MORE TO COME FROM THE SUMMER OF 1962…BUT IT TAKES TIME TO TRANSCRIBE.
I HOPE MOST OF YOU ENJOY READING THE RESULT. THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN DONE WERE
IT NOT FOR THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC AND SUBSEQUENT LOCKDOWN.
Alan – Thanks for all your work, hope many people find your posts
and leave you a comment