sask's own ski tunnel

Who would have thought a "flat" province would have so many abandoned ski hills?

My third ski hill in the past few years, this was is the least exciting but still has its perks. At one time it could brag about "Saskatchewan's only ski tunnel" - this long abandoned ski hill has been turned into biking trails. The chalet remains boarded up, its history locked inside. The lifts still going up the hill and cables laying on the ground.

I also found an abandoned church on my way home from this hill so I decided to share that as well!

underground history

The other day i was bored and it was getting dark. I grabbed my camera and a friend and we hit the countryside. Full of valleys, old streams and loads of history i knew we were bound to find something. As we turned off into the rolling hills we soon realized we were not alone. Her family was in a vehicle behind us and decided to follow all the way from the city. (I thought we were a bit to old for this)

We headed towards an old mine we were determined to find.

Laughing as we drove because we were being stalked by her family we drove down a windy road and kept looking around. Running out of sunlight quick we finally found it and jumped out to photograph it. Disorganized because of the last minute i was the only one with a camera and a memory card. I snapped a few shots and continued down the road after a chat with her family. Here is a picture of the mine - it has a dedication to those who once worked there.

winter getaway

I finally got out on a road trip!

Spur of the moment saskurbex and i decided to go on a road trip and meet up with another explorer. In 1.5 days we drove 1600km in winter conditions. I never really thought this trip out - we counted on the person we met up with to have some ideas.

What i didn't think about was how i would have to spend a full day trapped into a vehicle with two guys. Literally trapped in the back seat. None the less i was ready to explore and put up with some steady harassment.

Some couple key notes about this trip:
1. i am a poor sport and don't like playing games where i steadily lose (Canadian trivia)
2. i owe saskurbex an apology for almost killing him by pushing him off a train (I'M SORRY!!!!)
3. the weather channel lies in regards to how much wind is outside
4. ski pants are devised to make it hard to climb fences
5. i should purchase a canon camera to share lenses with everyone else
6. don't leave your cell phone in the car in case someone inside a building texts you something important
7. pigeons are evil and should not be provoked with a flashlight
8. don't provoke any animals in general.. especially skunks & porcupines
9. security is a joke
10. spur of the moment road trips are an excellent way to de-stress

high tech security - barbed wire & a board
what the owner failed to notice is there is an open door a couple feet down

going for the thermostat

i dig out the door & he goes in

tunnels!

Tunnels are something that is not a huge thing in Saskatchewan but with a bit of research they can be found. Wether is being natural or built by man, tunnels are where you least except them. Most people dont know much about tunnels or that we have any in Saskatchewan. Well now you know - we do have them although alot of them are disappearing fast - i have been fortunate to have my fair share of fun in them.
Highlights & Lowlights of being in tunnels:

• having to wear a resperator
• tripping & taking a face plant into asbestos
• being the only person in the group who can stand up straight in the tunnels without hunching over
  
• running into something on the ground
• partially caved in tunnels
• being underground

natural caves/tunnels

me!

one of my exploring partners - all the white on his sweater is asbestos

little gate at the end of the tunnel

another buddy of mine i explore with - in a fairly clean tunnel

asbestos flaking & peeling off pipes

definately the cleanest tunnel i have been in - and the most recent