in that there Is little wind in the town-
site due to its location in a deep moun-
tain valley. As a matter of fact, the
mountain ridge to the south of the
community permits only diffused sun-
light into the town during December
and January.

The winter season extends from
October to May and during this time
there is an overall snowfall of approxi-
mately 14 feet which for comparison
purposes gives a ground level of about
5 feet.

Spring and early summer produce
much sunshine, and temperatures rang-
ing from 60 to 70 degrees F. Occasion-
ally, the thermometer rises into the
eighties.

The latter part of summer and fall
is characterized by cloudy weather and
a high percentage of the 12 inches of
rain that falls during the year is at this
time.

HISTORY

The Cassiar Asbestos mine is located
on McDame Mountain in the Cassiar
range at an average elevation of 6,100
feet. Existence of the deposit had been
known for many years and early pros-
pectors and Indians told of Mountain
sheep bedding down in the matted
fibre that accumulated from the weath-
ering of the outcrop, and, of birds
building nests that could withstand
brush fires.

In 1951, due to improvements in
transportation and technology as well
as a more favorable economic climate,
development of the ore body com-
menced. The property was staked by
four prospectors — Stittler, Nelson and
the two Kirk brothers. Their holdings
were acquired by Conwest Exploration
Company of Toronto and, in turn, the
present company, Cassiar Asbestos
Corporation Limited was formed to