Activities

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July08/2010

Geocache Activity 740

FIND 681

IDENTIFICATION

GC293P2

High Level Bridge at Lethbridge CARL2

N 49° 41.856 W 112° 51.199

Difficulty 1; Terrain 2; size small; Creator: Joci Date First Hidden: 5/23/2010 Date Last Found: 7/04/2010
Lethbridge

Description Easy walk up cache, but please go see the plaque too that is just 30 feet away from cache. It is a small canister type container with pencil and a logbook and trading items in it. It is a nice view from here of the bridge. You looking from the south side of it and kind of down and to the west. But there is an other cache (High Level Bridge GC1HMGP) from an other local cacher on the other side and the other end of the bridge. Make sure you go check that one out too if you did not yet. Because it is an other nice view of the bridge from there too. Once you are at that other cache, you are looking up to it from the north and to the east. This structure soaring above the Oldman River and the Indian Battle Park in Lethbridge, the high-level railway bridge looms over the landscape. The CPR bridge is the longest and highest trestle bridge in the world reaching 5,327.625 feet (1.6km) in length and 314 feet in height. The 1909 completion of this bridge was designated by the Canadian federal government in 2005 as a "National Historic Event" Travelocity has dubbed this a "must see" attraction. The original construction was completed in 1909. The railway was a critical component of the settlement and development of Canada, and particularly for Western Canada. Vast distances had to be traveled across the open prairies. At first travel was only by horseback and Red River cart. Then the railways opened up much faster, safer transportation for settlers, trade goods and raw materials. The discovery of coal in the river valley forged a new townsite. Coalbanks started as a small mining community in the River bottom, and after several floods was later moved up to the top of the coulees and ultimately became the thriving city of Lethbridge. Coal was a very important industry for the area. Initially coal was transported by barges navigating the Belly River (now called the "Oldman River") The railway was key to providing efficient shipping of the coal safely year-round. However as the rail lines expanded, there were still numerous difficulties to deal with. The geography posed significant barriers. While one often thinks of the prairies as completely flat expanses, the glaciers (and subsequently the rivers) carved deep winding paths across the flat prairie. Known locally as "Coulees", these river crossings required numerous, and expensive bridges to be built. These were initially constructed of wood, and required ongoing maintenance and repair as they aged. The rail line to Fort Macleod also had many twisting curves which also put limitations and mechanical strain on the rolling stock. To alleviate these issues it was determined that a large bridge through the river valley at Coalbanks (now Lethbridge) could create a more direct and stronger connection to the East and the Western slopes. Planning began in the late 1890's. Engineers worked several years and special equipment was designed and brought in. Construction began in August of 1908. Engineers and Construction crews faced many challenges including a flood in 1908. But the new line with this viaduct across the Belly River, eliminated the need for 20 wooden bridges that had been previously used. It cost an incredible $1,334,525.00 to build, and was at the time dubbed "one of the wonders of the world."

Hint You are not going to need one !!!

Comments

PLANNING

Today was devoted to geocaching. I set up an early morning route for 11 caches in north Lethbridge. I found 10 and was unable to look for the 11th because of muggles. I came home and worked out an afternoon route for 10 caches in south Lethbridge. This time I found 9 caches and was unable to look for the 10th because of muggles. I came home and then set out again in the early evening, this time looking for the two I missed earlier as well as 6 new caches in south Lethbridge. I found one of the earlier muggled caches and 5 new caches and missed one more due to muggles. My total number of finds for today was 25 out of 25 (muggles preventing a search don't count). This is almost twice as many as my previous record for a single day. I doubt I will try to beat this but one never knows ...

OUTCOME

This was my 24th search of the day, and the 5th on my early evening route. I short walk from the information parking lot and a quick find in a nearby shrub.

Here is my posting to the geocaching.com website:

This is indeed a superb vantage point for viewing "the bridge". TNLNSL. TFTC.

Here are two photos:

GeeCee with container

view of bridge from cache area

I am now 24/24 for today.

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GC293P2	High Level Bridge at Lethbridge CARL2	N 49° 41.856 W 112° 51.199
	Difficulty 1; Terrain 2; size small; Creator: Joci Date First Hidden: 5/23/2010 Date Last Found: 7/04/2010	Lethbridge
Description	Easy walk up cache, but please go see the plaque too that is just 30 feet away from cache. It is a small canister type container with pencil and a logbook and trading items in it. It is a nice view from here of the bridge. You looking from the south side of it and kind of down and to the west. But there is an other cache (High Level Bridge GC1HMGP) from an other local cacher on the other side and the other end of the bridge. Make sure you go check that one out too if you did not yet. Because it is an other nice view of the bridge from there too. Once you are at that other cache, you are looking up to it from the north and to the east. This structure soaring above the Oldman River and the Indian Battle Park in Lethbridge, the high-level railway bridge looms over the landscape. The CPR bridge is the longest and highest trestle bridge in the world reaching 5,327.625 feet (1.6km) in length and 314 feet in height. The 1909 completion of this bridge was designated by the Canadian federal government in 2005 as a "National Historic Event" Travelocity has dubbed this a "must see" attraction. The original construction was completed in 1909. The railway was a critical component of the settlement and development of Canada, and particularly for Western Canada. Vast distances had to be traveled across the open prairies. At first travel was only by horseback and Red River cart. Then the railways opened up much faster, safer transportation for settlers, trade goods and raw materials. The discovery of coal in the river valley forged a new townsite. Coalbanks started as a small mining community in the River bottom, and after several floods was later moved up to the top of the coulees and ultimately became the thriving city of Lethbridge. Coal was a very important industry for the area. Initially coal was transported by barges navigating the Belly River (now called the "Oldman River") The railway was key to providing efficient shipping of the coal safely year-round. However as the rail lines expanded, there were still numerous difficulties to deal with. The geography posed significant barriers. While one often thinks of the prairies as completely flat expanses, the glaciers (and subsequently the rivers) carved deep winding paths across the flat prairie. Known locally as "Coulees", these river crossings required numerous, and expensive bridges to be built. These were initially constructed of wood, and required ongoing maintenance and repair as they aged. The rail line to Fort Macleod also had many twisting curves which also put limitations and mechanical strain on the rolling stock. To alleviate these issues it was determined that a large bridge through the river valley at Coalbanks (now Lethbridge) could create a more direct and stronger connection to the East and the Western slopes. Planning began in the late 1890's. Engineers worked several years and special equipment was designed and brought in. Construction began in August of 1908. Engineers and Construction crews faced many challenges including a flood in 1908. But the new line with this viaduct across the Belly River, eliminated the need for 20 wooden bridges that had been previously used. It cost an incredible $1,334,525.00 to build, and was at the time dubbed "one of the wonders of the world."
Hint	You are not going to need one !!!
Comments