Inside The Mountain
Ski slopes from the highest peaks to the mountains base are all now blanketed in depths of snow. All of the sharp edge landscape features are softened except for the jagged outcroppings of the vertical cliffs.
The ski lifts and the tram are running full speed expediting skiers to the top of the hills. Skiers and snowboarders gracefully serpentining down the groomed slopes, all a pleasing sight but today my thoughts have wandered to thinking about what's underneath the snowy runs and the people skiing on them. What remains of this areas rich mining history? What remains of the approximately 50 miles of old mine tunnels?
Knowing a bit about the areas rich mining history of the Alta area mt thoughts wandered as though taking a time travel through the many mines and mine tunnels now hidden under the earth's snowy cover. Thinking of miners carrying out there treasures of minerals so many years ago. Contrasted with thoughts of the skiers now seeking the valued treasure of Utah's famous powder. Skiing on ski trails named for the mines and mining history concealed well beneath.
The skiers experiencing the moment of the day but like the miners taking treasure they take away treasured memories. Memories that will be shared and stored up as intrinsically valued treasure.
My treasure is both the treasure of the time spent observing the mountains and the people enjoying them and the paintings and illustrations produced. With many gouache illustrations produced panels and linens are now being carefully painted with oil paint, paint of the quality that will last for many years beyond my existence. Perhaps treasures for those who enjoy the mountains now and for future generations whom may like to see the mountains as they were in the year of seasons painted from 20017-through 2018
While one may think of the old mine tunnels as unused relics of the past they are anything but. The approximately fifty miles of mine tunnels are an intricate part of the watershed that supplies water to Salt Lake City communities. In the year 1912 the Wasatch drain tunnel was constructed to drain water from the silver, lead copper, zinc mines. In 1985 a unique steel bulkhead was built to dam water in the tunnel. The Snowbird plug as it is called holds back 35 millions of water at a depth of 330 ft.. The water is used for a variety of purposes including culinary water for the city, for Snowbirds water needs including winter artificial snow making. The man made snow is denser and heavier than natural snow and when it melts it works to refill the internal aquifers.
So much for this post now to paint.
Ski slopes from the highest peaks to the mountains base are all now blanketed in depths of snow. All of the sharp edge landscape features are softened except for the jagged outcroppings of the vertical cliffs.
The ski lifts and the tram are running full speed expediting skiers to the top of the hills. Skiers and snowboarders gracefully serpentining down the groomed slopes, all a pleasing sight but today my thoughts have wandered to thinking about what's underneath the snowy runs and the people skiing on them. What remains of this areas rich mining history? What remains of the approximately 50 miles of old mine tunnels?
Knowing a bit about the areas rich mining history of the Alta area mt thoughts wandered as though taking a time travel through the many mines and mine tunnels now hidden under the earth's snowy cover. Thinking of miners carrying out there treasures of minerals so many years ago. Contrasted with thoughts of the skiers now seeking the valued treasure of Utah's famous powder. Skiing on ski trails named for the mines and mining history concealed well beneath.
The skiers experiencing the moment of the day but like the miners taking treasure they take away treasured memories. Memories that will be shared and stored up as intrinsically valued treasure.
My treasure is both the treasure of the time spent observing the mountains and the people enjoying them and the paintings and illustrations produced. With many gouache illustrations produced panels and linens are now being carefully painted with oil paint, paint of the quality that will last for many years beyond my existence. Perhaps treasures for those who enjoy the mountains now and for future generations whom may like to see the mountains as they were in the year of seasons painted from 20017-through 2018
While one may think of the old mine tunnels as unused relics of the past they are anything but. The approximately fifty miles of mine tunnels are an intricate part of the watershed that supplies water to Salt Lake City communities. In the year 1912 the Wasatch drain tunnel was constructed to drain water from the silver, lead copper, zinc mines. In 1985 a unique steel bulkhead was built to dam water in the tunnel. The Snowbird plug as it is called holds back 35 millions of water at a depth of 330 ft.. The water is used for a variety of purposes including culinary water for the city, for Snowbirds water needs including winter artificial snow making. The man made snow is denser and heavier than natural snow and when it melts it works to refill the internal aquifers.
So much for this post now to paint.
No comments:
Post a Comment