Blachford Lodge

Blachford Lake Lodge
30-31 Mar 07

the pooks, dents and your humble rider head out to blachford lake lodge for the easter long weekend. the resort sits at the west end of remote 17 kilometre long blachford lake, just north of the east arm of great slave lake. accommodations for 35 include 5 rustic but comfortable log cabins and a main lodge with full bathroom facilities.

we have an early departure on friday, 30 mar...everyone meets at the pook range and we are on the trail by 10 am. the trail system from town to reid lake is hideous and it is slow moving on the portages between lakes. we stop at reid lake campground for a nice lunch and are back on the trail again by 1300hrs. we reach blachford lodge about 1530 hrs....enuf time for jim, charles and l to dump our gear, fuel up and head for the thor lake mine.

the thor lake deposit found along the east arm of great slave lake contains several rare and strategic metals that include beryllium, yttrium and gallium used in hybrid cars and electronics such as computers, cell phones and televisions. the deposit exceeds US$5 billion and a toronto-based exploration company says it is poised to become north america's only source for the growing rare metals and minerals market.

the snow hading to the mine is fabulous and easily waist deep in places. we hit the mine site in about 20 minutes...the last time jim was here was 20 years ago. a quick ride and we are on the hearne channel, great slave lake. we celebrate my belated birthday with guiness!

we arrive back at the lodge at 1830....right on time for lamb, char and great company. it is an early nite and l sleep well....apparently l miss the expeditor's helicopter taking off outside my window in the morning.

the ride back is slow.....but is warm and by the time we are back saturday afternoon it is +7c.

all in all, it was a great trip and l am glad l am here in these circumstances.....l was almost out here for the crash on the lake in front of the lodge on 03 jan 07.

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