Mittersill Photos (September 2010)

[Puck it]

There was definitely work done above the lift in recent days or weeks. There was a noticeable difference between Oct. 2009 (the last time I was up there prior to the first 2009 snowfall) and Sept. 2010.

The good news is that some of the sapling stumps have been removed with that work. I kept getting snagged by those back in December before we had significant snowpack.

There was a huge difference between 09 and 10. It did not even look like the same trail. I liked the old because of the bumps and tightness.

 

[SIKSKIER]

The work you see done above the lift is only right there and it was only a little grading.Some brush has been cut back but the whole section from the top of Mt Jackson to the top of the lift was widened for last ski season.As you can see in threecy's first photos,the trail shows no new cutting only old debris.You can clearly see where ferns and other growth started regrowing this summer in the area cleared for last ski season.His last pic shows Skyline having been trimmed down some as its being used as the access trail for equipment vehicles.

 

[riverc0il]

The work you see done above the lift is only right there and it was only a little grading.Some brush has been cut back but the whole section from the top of Mt Jackson to the top of the lift was widened for last ski season.As you can see in threecy's first photos,the trail shows no new cutting only old debris.You can clearly see where ferns and other growth started regrowing this summer in the area cleared for last ski season.His last pic shows Skyline having been trimmed down some as its being used as the access trail for equipment vehicles.

That looks and sounds about right to me. And if they were going to trim down and regrade any trail on the mountain, boy am I glade it was Skyline. That trail was always a pain. Worth while but a pain.

 

[WakeboardMom]

Posted on FB by one of my friends...helicopters working on the expansion...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=235280&id=520137911

 

[bigbob]

I was working a 1/2 mile north of MITTERSILL today. Drove back and forth 8 times, copter was flying in concrete all day, assume for the lift tower bases. Took some good shots, will post later. Talked with someone who was watching by the fire station and he stated that the towers were not going to be set till December, he wanted to confirm that however. Rt 18 was repaved, a lot smother, espically when you are driving a dump truck.

 

[billski]

I was working a 1/2 mile north of MITTERSILL today. Drove back and forth 8 times, copter was flying in concrete all day, assume for the lift tower bases. Took some good shots, will post later. Talked with someone who was watching by the fire station and he stated that the towers were not going to be set till December, he wanted to confirm that however. Rt 18 was repaved, a lot smother, espically when you are driving a dump truck.

I got lost somewhere (again!). Are they planning on having that lift operational for this season?

 

[thetrailboss]

I got lost somewhere (again!). Are they planning on having that lift operational for this season?

Yes. Load test is slated for December 31st IIRC.

 

[billski]

Yes. Load test is slated for December 31st IIRC.

thanks. tight schedule!

 

[SIKSKIER]

I was not able to get to Mittersill this past weekend as planned.I did however recieve a call at lunch today telling me they were flying in the concrete for the tower bases and will finish on Friday.They will not set the towers until the concrete cures for about a month.Wish I had more.

 

[threecy]

I am a bit surprised that they're flying in that concrete - most of the footings could be reached with relative ease via a concrete truck being towed by excavator (as is often done). Considering how dry it's been this summer, it's about as ideal as can be to do so.

My guess is that they'll also be flying out the old towers (which again could very easily be done without a chopper).

 

[thetrailboss]

I am a bit surprised that they're flying in that concrete - most of the footings could be reached with relative ease via a concrete truck being towed by excavator (as is often done). Considering how dry it's been this summer, it's about as ideal as can be to do so.

My guess is that they'll also be flying out the old towers (which again could very easily be done without a chopper).

I think you just found why this is so costly. I came to that realization last night when I was looking at the pictures. For all we know not cutting new access roads was a constraint on the use of the land and the chopper was the least intrusive way to do the installation.

 

[billski]

I think you just found why this is so costly. I came to that realization last night when I was looking at the pictures. For all we know not cutting new access roads was a constraint on the use of the land and the chopper was the least intrusive way to do the installation.

Bingo. I'll bet that the root cause is that evil bird and her nesting habitat, Bicknell's Thrush.


"they developed a Memorandum of Understanding that allows winter recreation opportunities on existing ski trails but prevents any new expansion into the surrounding habitat. The agreement also includes monitoring requirements, provisions for summer operations to reduce disturbance, and commits all parties to a long-term partnership to ensure habitat protection."

source: http://www.fs.fed.us/global/wings/birds/awards/2010_award_certificate_winners.pdf

 

[thetrailboss]

Well, IIRC they also agreed not to widen the trails beyond their initial footprint. I'm familiar with Mittersill, but not enough to know if it was possible to install the towers with trucks and on the ground.

 

[threecy]

I think you just found why this is so costly. I came to that realization last night when I was looking at the pictures. For all we know not cutting new access roads was a constraint on the use of the land and the chopper was the least intrusive way to do the installation.

It's one of the reasons, but not the only reason (as to the high cost). Nonetheless, chopper expenses are in the 4 figures per hour (may be 5 now?), plus 5 figure show up fees.

Bingo. I'll bet that the root cause is that evil bird and her nesting habitat, Bicknell's Thrush.

If that were the reason, it would be ironic - choppers create lots more noise, wind, vibrations, etc. Plus, heavy equipment has already been up on the mountain. If I'm not mistaken, only the top few towers are considered in the thrush habitat.

Well, IIRC they also agreed not to widen the trails beyond their initial footprint. I'm familiar with Mittersill, but not enough to know if it was possible to install the towers with trucks and on the ground.

I didn't walk the entire lift line, but every footing form I saw could be accessed via a concrete truck and excavator. The lift line is a similar width (and not as steep) to the one at Berkshire East, where a triple chairlift was completely installed via ground rigs (no chopper at any point) in 1995.

 

[bigbob]

The chopper was back this morning for a short time. I did not see the concrete bucket hanging from the cable today. I did see it hovering over an area toward Cannon about 2/3 of the way up Mittersill, not sure what they were doing. They did work till about 5 PM last night, chopper and fuel truck were gone about 6 PM yesterday evening, only back for a short time this morning. It was gone when I returned about 12:30 PM today.

 

[riverc0il]

Cannon just posted pics on Facebook of the old towers being removed.

 

[billski]

I checked with my marketing contact at Cannon. She says " [FONT=&quot]It is impossible, on every front, to drive a cement truck up the side of a mountain EVEN if there was a truck road, which there is not."[/FONT]

 

[threecy]

I checked with my marketing contact at Cannon. She says " [FONT=&quot]It is impossible, on every front, to drive a cement truck up the side of a mountain EVEN if there was a truck road, which there is not."[/FONT]

The common technique is to tow the concrete truck up via a bigger rig...a standard practice for over half a century...concrete truck doesn't get stuck, nor does it run the risk of rolling out of control if the brakes fail. In regard to a road, there's a road all the way to the top terminal that trucks and excavators have already been using (lots of earth work has already been done, including putting in place a massive pile of dirt that will likely be pushed into the top terminal when cured).

 

[billski]

I guess I should leave it to the experts! Have you done this?

 

[thetrailboss]

The common technique is to tow the concrete truck up via a bigger rig...a standard practice for over half a century...concrete truck doesn't get stuck, nor does it run the risk of rolling out of control if the brakes fail. In regard to a road, there's a road all the way to the top terminal that trucks and excavators have already been using (lots of earth work has already been done, including putting in place a massive pile of dirt that will likely be pushed into the top terminal when cured).

Right, but apparently there are no access roads/paths to the liftline itself, at least according to Cannon. I'd imagine that, being the state, they want to do the least environmentally intrusive thing and cutting roads to the liftline is frowned upon.