 Poster: A snowHead
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What is actually used to create the controlled explosions? The helicopter was flying around Lech for most of last Thursday creating little avalanches and keeping an eye on everyone. A 'guy on the lift' said that dynamite was used. My husband said to me that sounded ridiculous - pilots don't fly around lobbing dynamite out of the window. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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That's exactly what they do some of the time. There are a range of methods use to control avalanches..These include gasex (propoane is exploded from a metal pipe fixed to the slope, the shockwave dislodges the snowpack); explosive charges delivered in various ways (by hand, lobbed down the slope by a pisteur; pulled up the hill on a cable [catex]; thrown from a helicopter; artillery shell, etc); cutting cornices from the top of slope (with a wire cutter or ski); avalanche protection barriers; and probably other methods as well.
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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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rob@rar, Ah - I wondered what those pipes sticking out of the mountains were for.
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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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| erica2004 wrote: |
| rob@rar, Ah - I wondered what those pipes sticking out of the mountains were for. |
That's right, although I prefer the explanation that they are used to clear marmottes off the hill if they are eating too much vegetation 
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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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erica2004, your husband is right in one respect the pilots don't lob the dynamite out the window, they're too busy keeping the helicopter close to the slope, instead a trained pisteur does the job.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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D G Orf, when they've made it safe, is the slope "pisteurised"? 
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I've heard three of the methods are called "gasex", "catex" ans "swedex". Where gasex is the propane marmotte control system that rob@rar refers to. Catex is like mini button lifts to carry an explosive to the desired place. And, Swedex is people from a certain country who wear shiny helmets. (There has to some use for helmeted skiers and boarders.)
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Adrian, 
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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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Our heli skiing guides used to mix fertiliser and petrol and lob the bags out of the heli door.
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The heli was lobbing charges today out in Les Arcs as well...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Bring back the poodles, I say. Traditional methods are best.
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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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You know it makes sense.
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Chris Bish, I find that my 25l sack has no room for a standard poodle. I'm thinking of marketting an extension similar to ice axe loops to enable the safe carrying of twin toy poodles.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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I have lobbed dynamite, from the ground (as training with the US National Ski Patrol). I was very relieved when it didn't land back at my feet!
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