Tackling the Cliff

Over the past couple of weeks, 3 of us have spent a few hours working on repairs to the insulated box that protects the 4-inch water line as it rises about 40 feet up a cliff from the lake pumphouse to where it is able to go underground.

The work hasn't been particularly fast: it involves removing the plywood cover, removing what insulation remains, re-packing the box with both old and new insulation, installing wire to prevent rodent damage to the insulation, reinforcing the box, replacing rotten pieces and finally installing a new treated plywood cover. So far, it's taken us about 2 hours for every 8 ft section. As of Monday, we've done about 32 feet and have about 24 feet left to go to the top of the cliff. After that, another 16 ft at the top of the cliff and the pipe disappears into the ground.

So far, we've been able to work from the ground or from ladders. As we move up the cliff, we will have to bring in climbing harnesses and ropes to provide safety.

The weather over the next few days looks uncertain so this project may go on hold until more summer-like weather returns.