 Poster: A snowHead
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Hypothetical question - you're in the slack country and traversing along a ride.
Do you
a) drop over the right hand side thats underneath trumpets (those fixed avalanche control things that use gas to produce booms)
b) drop over the left hand side
Everything else is equal - what would you do and why?
(I know there is not really enough info to answer this - e.g. which side is in sun, which is wind loaded etc et etc.
Basically discussion is - would it be safer to assume that the trumpets have kept things under control on the one side or assume if there are trumpets there then its because it has a history of sliding so keep clear?
Oh - and what does everyone else call trumpets?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Ryan, your trumpets are called Gazex - http://www.tas.fr/en/products/prevention-of-avalanche/39-gazex-gazflex-uk. They're normally found in places that need to be regularly controlled, as a slide on that slope would threaten a piste or infrastructure, rather than just 'cos the slope slides a lot.
As you say there isn't enough info to answer, but if someone had a gun to my head and made me choose between a slope that has been controlled and one that hasn't been controlled with no other info, I'd take the controlled one.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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It depends.
Is the camera not straight, or is the chap actually leaning back? Looks to me like you're 2.09 degrees off the actual angle, assuming the support is vertical, more if the chap is actually standing straight. Angles are important in this.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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That was just an example of what I call a trumpet - a Gaz-X - not the hypothetical slope.
Lets assume its an identical slope on both sides - 40 degrees plus.
(And how on earth do you measure 0.09 degrees???)
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@clarky999 - very good point about where they would be used is more likely to be because of what a slide would threaten rather than frequency alone.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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In my local area, La Tania, there are three gazexes under the chair out and the three routes down are simply known as gazex 1, 2, 3 - everyone skis underneath them on the basis that the snow underneath is stable after the gazex have been detonated.
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I think ryan already answered his own question, it depends on specific circumstance....
However controlled slopes, all things being equal, are usually safer.
The problem with skiing below gasex / catex is they usually protect pistes below.
So if you did trigger a slide you could be liable or prosecuted.
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It may be more reassuring skiing under a Gazex but it's hardly a pleasant experience - the snow is usually blasted to pieces.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| altis wrote: |
| It may be more reassuring skiing under a Gazex but it's hardly a pleasant experience - the snow is usually blasted to pieces. |
This can be very true. More like punishment than pleasure.
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This can be very true. More like punishment than pleasure.
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although as @Raceplate, says - those little gullies above La Tania are usually quite nice - perhaps because they get skied out before any rubble freezes up?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| jedster wrote: |
| Quote: |
This can be very true. More like punishment than pleasure.
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although as @Raceplate, says - those little gullies above La Tania are usually quite nice - perhaps because they get skied out before any rubble freezes up? |
I'm sure it must happen but I've never seen any frozen rubble in those gullies. Or maybe I have and just carried on another way? It's the great advantage of all of them being under the chair - you always get a chance to scope it first and decide which way, if any, you want to go. I do know how fast they get skied out on a bluebird day though!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
It's the great advantage of all of them being under the chair - you always get a chance to scope it first and decide which way, if any, you want to go
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good point. When I worked in Courchevel, this was a good bet at midday (after morning cleaning duties) on a powder morning. Most people would head up Saulire way first thing, you got a bit longer in that patch. But that was in the days of skinny skis - must get skied out quicker now
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