…I was looking down on what was a frightening 500-foot sheer drop-off. We were precariously close to the edge as the shoulder was practically non-existent.

I noticed an area which I could crawl through to keep going in a straight line. I got about three feet into the pile and Bob yelled for me to stop…

The temptation to enter the dark interiors beckoned to me before the day was finished but I resisted.

The sound got quiet when the fuse burned down into the clay. I waited, and waited…

…more difficult terrain must be traversed in the hope of locating small pockets, low depressions or small gullies on needle-covered slopes.

My right rib cage took the brunt of the blow from the fall, which left me feeling partially paralyzed and in immense pain.

The catch being was that it was about 60 miles from Anchorage near Hope, and a good four or five-mile hike uphill to the claims.