FT NELSON, British Columbia – As the winter drilling season approaches, there are more and more bits turning rocks into dollars in northern British Columbia. Tall Rudder Resources kicked off its Owl Hollow gas play at first frost a few weeks ago, and was making excellent progress until the majority of the staff hit the woods on sleds and snowshoes in search of a Yeti. Yes. A Yeti.
On the drive back form camp one evening, one staff member swerved off the road to avoid a wild animal, which appeared to be upright, over 6 feet tall, and white. Normally, it would have been noted as a Caribou, which can dramatically effect drilling as well, but the MWD hand swore it was bipedal, and that it smiled at him.
Roger Jundson with a road sign
That freaking thing was just out there, and there is no doubt in my mind what it was, a damn sasquatch, samsquanch, abonimal snowman, or yeti, or whatever! I want to find it now and either kill it or take pictures of it. I want to be famous!! – Roger Jundson, MWD hand at Corkscrew Directional Services
Staff from 3 drilling rigs had been searching for almost a week before they resumed working and gave up the search for the fabled creature. Some of the drilling rig workers found tracks, but when they tried to pour casting medium into the tracks for a mold, the snow melted to fast for any usable record to be created. Another problem with the search was the amount of beer it apparently took to properly hydrate the men while they searched.
Al Meag (center) drilling supervisor on Chikita 64
I wanted to make sure no one died out there because they were thirsty. I had the camp folks order a large volume of light beer from Dawson Creek and make sure they didn’t run out. We sent every man out the door with a backpack and a six pack, along with some locally made beef jerky to ensure they would survive if they got lost for a couple of days. – Al Meag, drilling supervisor on Chikita 64
After the news of the search spread through local communities, an outreach and safety plan was put in place by the Wandering Spirit Reserve band Council. The idea was to raise public awareness of a Yeti in the vicinity and attempt to ensure no harm would come to it/him in the event of another sighting. Road signs were put up along all oilfield and forestry roads to keep drivers aware and on the lookout.
