Squaw Valley To Control Headwall Terrain With Gazex Inertia Exploder
Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, California unveiled their new avalanche control device, the Gazex Inertia Exploder. The Gazex device cost a quarter million dollars, but will help to keep guests and patrollers safer from avalanche hazards on the mountain.
The Gazex device is a stationary pipe placed above the snow that mixes propane and pure oxygen to create an explosive blast that causes avalanches before they become a hazard. It has been placed on the Headwall face, an avalanche prone area, and can be triggered remotely when necessary.
Gazex is a common way to control avalanches. Until now, Squaw has relied on artillery and hand charges to control their terrain. Squaw hopes to install more Gazex Inertia Exploders in the future.
There are already Gazex devices on Mount Rose Highway and Highway 50 in California,, but this is the first Gazex device at a Tahoe ski resort. Colorado DOT installed Gazex on two avalanche prone mountain passes in 2015.
What are you thoughts on Gazex?
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