Cancrinite Hill
April 16, 2006 by rockwatching
This is me on top of Cancrinite Hill. It is an old collecting site that is a favorite amongst Bancroft rockhounds. Though few people visit it now I decided to make the trip one sweaty summer morning. I suppose your reward is in proportion to the effort that you make.
I made a lot of effort and managed to chisel my way into a hidden vein. Within I found large nepheline crystals and many small loose crystals. Apparently pink zircons are common in the fissures hereabouts and not far below in the swamp over which you cross to get here, the world’s largest black star sapphire was recovered from the mud.
I chipped away oblivious to the heat and time. It was not until several hours later that I returned to reality. Only then did I realize that I was bleeding profusely from the many splintery slivers that had burst from my chisel and in consideration of my advanced state of dehydration I was feeling pretty rough. Stumbling down the forest path I imagined Maggie’s rage. I was supposed to meet her in town at a prearranged time. I was very late.
