SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 1, 2008 22:47:28 GMT -5
I know this doesn't have much to do with rocks and rockhounding... >:(but I thought I'd post this as it's my first hike of 08, and I also thought I'd make all of you who are able to rockhound year round, feel sorry for me; ;D and maybe experience the cold that I have to deal with for a few months. , aand send me some ROCKS!!! Just Kidding! A friend of mine and myself decided to head up to my mountain. My friend wants to retrieve an old Fairbank Morse, 4H.P. 'Jack of all Trades' Gasoline Engine. This engine was used to run the power to the electric plant used for lighting. These are mines that were worked in the early 1900's. this is a picture of what it looks like....in the summertime! ;D My friend wants to rebuild it and get it up and running. We started out this morning at 8:30, with some of the coldest temps we've had this season. We rented snow shoes, (this is the 1st time for me snowshoing) and in no time was plenty warm. It was quite a workout! The snow was waist deep and it was nearly 12:30 by the time we got to the engine. Snow shoing in waist deep snow over rocky ledges just doesn't work very well! We have dismantled the FlyWheels, (which weigh close to 300lbs' each) and my friend had packed the piston out already. We wanted to get the engine body up out of the stream bed, in fear that more damage would occur to it. (snowslides or flooding) We also wanted to try to get the shaft out. Over 100 years of weathering, it's fairly rusted! We did manage to move the shaft out a few inches, but our block of wood broke, and we didn't want to mushroom the end of it anymore than necessary. Also, the fact that is was getting late, and we needed to be heading back down. Sorry I posted this with nothing to do with rocks. It was nice getting out, but I don't think I ever want to do this again. My legs hurt like a motha'! and I think the engine will have to wait until Spring. We are still trying to figure out how to get the FlyWheels out. Helicopter perhaps....my friend really wants this engine! Hope you enjoyed the pics. Thanks for allowing me to share my first; of many hikes to come in 2008!!! Steve
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Jan 1, 2008 23:02:56 GMT -5
DAMN THAT LOOKS INSANE!!!! lol I can't believe you guys went up with just what you had.. no emergency equip ect? I swear some men. and couldn't wait till thaw.. lol.. typical.. but I'm sure you two had your reasons.. I'm guessing from the sight of that mountain and how high up that must of been thaw doesn't come early.. but It does look like fun... To bad he couldn't stick them on some big sleds and ride em out.. lol well good luck.. hope he gets em out..
*smiles* Roxy
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 1, 2008 23:05:42 GMT -5
;DC'mon Roxy! No excuses for being Insane Ask jamie about how rugged the mountian is. She wouldn't even go up there with me this Summer . The next time we go up will probably be late April. There will still be deep slides in the bottom of the deep canyons...but I just gotta! The engine is sitting on a sled right now...but the snow is so powdery that the sled just doesn't do any good. We'll still work on it though. ;D Steve
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Jan 1, 2008 23:13:45 GMT -5
What you need is a MaGyver to help solve this problem.. I'm thinking Half of getting it out of there is the insanity part.. that will be needed what else.. I have no idea.. a donkey maybe? How did they get it up there in 1900's in the first place? See? Craaazy prospectors back then too.. they figured it out. so.. good luck I know you two are half way there. lol
and if jamie wouldn't go.. then I know it's a crazy idea.. cuz there's some places she has taken me that even IIIII thought was insane.. .. I'm guessing it's the elevation or something huh..
*smiles* Roxy
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SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
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Post by SteveHolmes on Jan 1, 2008 23:37:35 GMT -5
Roxy, Do you have his number?? He'd probably figure it out using a Q-tip, jar of pickles, and a match. I dunno! The miners used mules on trails that were well kept, they also had a tram that was in use. Of course, they didn't have the help of McGiver so we're ahead of them one step! LOL! Steve
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raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
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Post by raqy on Jan 1, 2008 23:49:33 GMT -5
The pictures are amazing.. great view... Sorry you didn't get that engine down but with that kind of determination, I'm sure you guys will have it down soon.. Thanks for the pics. Raquel
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Jan 2, 2008 0:39:59 GMT -5
LOL... I actually know two..I got them on speed dial.. the one guy I swear could build a time machine with a gum wrapper, rock and a thumb tac.. the chic I've seen make something outta nuttin.. with only a piece of chicken sour cream and a small flame, make a meal that fed 30.. . not to mention she fixed her car with only a flashlight and a piece of tape.. LOL (but don't tell her I told you) .. or you could always rent a mule.. and have that poor creature help you two haul it outta there.. for a small price of peanuts? or whatever they eat, i dunno... lol
;D Roxy
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Post by catmandewe on Jan 2, 2008 0:56:31 GMT -5
Hey Steve, Cool story and pics!!
We reclaimed some parts out of the wilderness for the forest service. We packed most of the stuff out on mules, but the parts that we couldn't get a mule to, we built a box slightly larger than the part, wrapped plastic around the part, then put spray in expandable foam in the box and set the part in the foam, then filled the rest of the box with the foam. Sealed the box up tight, waited a day, then pushed it off the ledge till we got it down to where we could get it on the mules. The foam kept the parts from getting beat up. If it is a long tumble, you may want to double box it with foam in between the 2 boxes. Sometimes the outer box does not survive.
Good luck with it.................Tony
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Post by Michael John on Jan 2, 2008 1:40:38 GMT -5
Hmmm ... you could buy a couple of metal snow saucers ... that the kids ride. Secure the flywheels to the saucers. With a length of rope for a "leash", you can let it slide ahead of you as you descend.
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Post by LCARS on Jan 2, 2008 1:41:44 GMT -5
Wow Steve, where was all this exactly? Your engine adventure looked like it has all the makings of a good GPS contest. I think I may have to receuit you onto my team for the 2007/2008 contest series. We were going to go to Utah this summer and try to do all the contests ourselves but it would sure be nice to have someone with us who knows the land a little better. Remember, we're from an island in the Pacific Northwest, quite a difference from the Utah ranges in terrain and weather. Knowing us we'd probably get stuck in a slot canyon, break down in the middle of nowhere out of cell phone range, or drive right off a cliff or something. ;D
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Post by rocklicker on Jan 2, 2008 3:12:32 GMT -5
What do you mean it wasn't a posting about rocks? What do you suppose that big thing under the snow you were hiking around on?? ;D Beautiful photos and a cool engine. I like the sauser idea as long as you had a lot of rope and played it safe. You could post a "how do I get this off the mountain" contest on the board and see what kind of responses you get. Steve
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Post by connrock on Jan 2, 2008 8:28:01 GMT -5
You're one tough dude Steve!!!
You bring back some fine memories for me!! I used to really LOVE going out inthe snow and ice but now I cringe just having to spell them!!! LOL
The "Golden Years"!!
Pfffftt!!
connrock
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Post by Tonyterner on Jan 2, 2008 11:43:10 GMT -5
Wow Steve that is some GREAT scenery and a great story as well. Keep us posted this summer on your progress.
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Post by MrP on Jan 2, 2008 13:09:18 GMT -5
WoW I sure like that engine. I work for a utility and we have engines for backup generation. Two 6 cylinder 750 HP Fairbanks Morse and a 16 cylinder 7000 HP Fairbanks Morse. We also have a 16 cylinder 4000 HP Cooper. Love it....MrP
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Jan 2, 2008 13:34:57 GMT -5
What's with guys and engines? I don't get it.. lol
Roxy
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Post by Titania on Jan 2, 2008 13:35:25 GMT -5
Cool photos! Does your friend have plans for the engine, or is the plan just to get it!
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Post by krazydiamond on Jan 2, 2008 13:51:25 GMT -5
yeh, i saw a lot of rocks in the photos too, great shots! spectacular scenery.
KD
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one80mike
freely admits to licking rocks
@(-_-)@ Princess Leia!
Member since February 2007
Posts: 908
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Post by one80mike on Jan 2, 2008 16:00:33 GMT -5
Mate! That looks absolutely beautiful! Looks like one heck of a climb. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
Mike
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Post by MrP on Jan 2, 2008 16:05:54 GMT -5
POWER ;D......MrP
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Post by midnightrocksi3 on Jan 2, 2008 16:12:41 GMT -5
LOL.. I should of seen that one comin..
*smiles* Roxy
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