| OCR Text |
Show All areas endangered by slides from the "blasting area and the approaches thereto were closed, posted, and patrolled during the entire operation. The reason for closure during the time the blasting party was traveling was that we often released slides on the way up to the firing points. When ready to blast, the firing party signaled either to the lift terminal or to the guard station. A warning signal was sounded on the siren followed after an interval by a firing signal. The public address system was used to warn any skiers who had trespassed in the closed area. The reason for giving the firing signal from the guard station was that observation of the danger area was possible there and not possible from the firing points. On several occasions, skiers got into the danger area while operations v/ere in progress but were always spotted and removed in time. In order to be effective, the blasts had to be set off while snow conditions were unstable. This brought up another problem of some importance, the safety of the blasting party. Routes to the firing points varied according to conditions. We often released slides during the climb but in such a manner that there was no unreasonable danger. Protection of the party from secondary slides released by the blast was a phase of the same problem. Such slides did occur, involving the snow surrounding the blasting party. But we had good anchorage among trees and near the top of the slope so that the danger was not excessive. Additional features of safety and procedure were as follows• The lift was closed to public use while explosives were being transported. All blasting parties were led and directly supervised by the Alta forest officer, who carried the detonators, armed, placed, and fired the charges. Essential assistance was furnished by the Salt Lake Winter Sports Association in the form of helpers to carry equipment and materials. Eventually the blasting parties became something of a social function. It is characteristic of skiers that many of them volunteered, or requested permission to come along, merely for the fun of it. In manageable numbers and after warning that they traveled at their own risk these people were welcome. I believe they all got their money's worth. The explosive program opened on November 13 with the firing of the first charge. The final blast was set off on April 20. During this period Rustler Face was blasted twelve times, Stonecrusher Gully six times, West Rustler four times, Superior, North Peruvian, and Twin Lakes Pass each once. The project was successful in its main object to the extent that the slopes concerned were safely available to skiers for the first time in the history of Alta as a recreational area. Closures were still necessary during major storms but they were drastically cut down in number and time. In addition, much valuable information and experience for future operations were gained* Probably the most important benefit to the area was the major slab avalanche released in Stonecrusher on February 2k. This slide would certainly have com© down of its own accord sooner or later and with every likelihood of tragic results. Less spectacular but of scarcely less value was the constant removal of overhanging snow masses from Rustler Face, including two slabs of |
