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Show 12 As far as the type of explosives; to date only hand placed charges have been attempted. Any remote firing would have to be done over the top of, and extremely close to the # 1 lift. A dud of any type ( such as it is often the case with the avalauncher) could be disastrous if found by one of the 700,000 annual visitors to the area. Ski and foot stabilization, done by the Ski Patrol or lift employees, has been our most effective control measure. However, the ultimate decision of when this method is no longer effective, during any given storm, has to be made and closures put in effect. This of course constitutes a very undesirable • situation, since closures in this area are extremely difficult to maintain, particularly after the storm clears. It often requires armed deputies, since several hundred snowplayers per acre is not unusual. Our closure signs range from k x 8 foot sheets of plywood, painted international orange with 6" black letters, to portable signs, k x 2 feet with k" letters, mounted on 8 foot metal posts too big to carry off in a car. At permanent closures, where the area is completely uncontrolled, these signs are linked by rope netting barriers. However, even these drastic measures are not 100% effective, since visitors can reach the area in less than 1 hour from downtown Los Angeles and find it completely impossible to realize that avalanche hazard could exist in Southern California. Consequently we have set up two rescue caches, complete with probes (£" thick walled, aluminum electric conduit), shovels, lights, rescue procedure outline, etc. One of these is at the Baldy Notch, and the other is at the snowplay area. Training and rescue practice sessions are held every year, both in the summer and during actual snow and ice conditions. Participating in |