Felix Pedro...

[Geowizard]

Hi Guys and Gals,

No self respecting Alaska Prospecting Forum can be complete without discussion about Felix Pedro...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Pedro

Who was Felix Pedro?

Where did he live?

What did he do?

Why is what he did important?

- Geowizard

[Jim_Alaska]

Most Alaskans have read that story and then promptly put it out of mind. It is nice to me reminded. Those that went before us were hardy souls. Most gold strikes throughout Alaska and Canada have stories about them. I have real lots of then and remember being amazed that as word of any new strike spread , prospectors would drop what they were doing and rush to the new diggins. Weather did not deter them one bit.

For me, having experienced Alaska by living there, it is hard to imagine those guys just up and walking extremely long distances at temps that at times reached 50 - 60 below zero. Many did it carrying food, supplies, and equipment.

They were no strangers to hard work. This is confirmed by the many things we find left behind in bush Alaska. I have even found things like old wood fired boilers that were left behind when the miner left. But he had to get it and all other equipment to the remote site first. Horse and Mule power was the order of the day. The use of sled dogs was certainly used, but was limited in carrying capacity. Many used the rivers in winter as literal highways.

[Slatco]

I often think of those tough bastards when I am sitting at my camp at the end of a hard, cold mining day when it's pouring rain or snow in early fall, mad at myself for not putting in enough dry wood for the nights campfire.

[Geowizard]

Slatco,

Many thanks for that!

- Geowizard

[Lanny]

Interesting read indeed. And, a murder story to boot!

Thanks for posting it, and all the best,

Lanny