Revelstoke BC..1980 1981
I worked on the Revelstoke Dam Clearing project. I was hired on as a faller & clearing contracter, by B.C Forest Service. This was the last dam project on the Columbia River, north of the Canada USA border.
We had to clear everything between high water line and low water line, anything over an inch or in a clump 3 ft across. Some was done by machines if they were able to, but a lot was hand cut. it is rain forest and a lot is steep ground. The very worst areas were done by seperate contracts & involved a lot of rope work.
Trees ranged in size of up to around 7 ft, and 4 ft or bigger was pretty common. This area had a lot of decadent old growth cedar, meaning the middle was often rotted out. Often on a 5 or 6 ft tree, there would only be around a foot of meat around the outside, on really bad ones as little as a 3 or 4 inches... which makes for pretty interesting cutting,
..especially on a steep side hill
Sometimes they were leaning heavy, up to 30 degrees.
..all the stuff left cuz it was dangerous when previously logged, we got to cut..
Sometimes we could drive to work, but in some areas, we would get dropped off by boat (no roads).. gas oil, water , lunch & a radio.. and see you later.. like 10 hours later..
We got paid really well, and the scenery was spectacular (when it didnt rain)..but them rotten cedars sure made for some dry throat..puckered moments..
i wood sure be happy to make that kind of money today.
