Bonners Ferry power plant operators hike 622 steps daily

Tom Bennett exercises before and after work.

An operator at Bonners Ferry’s power plant along the Moyie River, Bennett has only one way of getting to the base of the steep canyon. He and co-workers, foreman Pat Stevens and operator Adam Isaac, walk the 311 steps down. They repeat the process at the end of their eight-hour shift and if there’s any need to leave during the day.

“Sometimes you go up once or twice a day, if you have to come up to the substation,” Stevens said. “It keeps you in shape.”

The substation is close to the top of the staircase not far from Highway 2 bridge that spans the river.

“It’s a lot easier for these young guys,” said the 60-year-old Bennett, who has worked at the Moyie Springs plant for 28 years.

It normally takes him three minutes get to the bottom of the metal stairs built by Ed Nelson in 1967 and five to six minutes to climb up.

“I usually make every landing and take a breather for a few seconds,” Bennett said.

When it snows, they must clear the steps on their way,” said Stevens, who is 46.

Isaac, 30, claims walking the steps keeps him in shape for hunting.

“I can walk all day long,” he said. “Before I used to burn.”

When temperatures are bitter, the climb is toughest. The cold can burn their lungs.

“When it’s -14 and you’re huffing and puffing and wearing so many layers . . .,” Isaac said.

“We usually wear insulated bib overalls,” Bennett added. “I don’t mind the cold and try to take my mind off it.”

The walk down includes a nice view of the canyon and sometimes means seeing wildlife.

They generally use a backpack to take in what they will need for the day.