So on our way down from a Baldy Run, Jeff, Janie and I came across one of the many avalanche control guns stationed around the mountain. They shoot 105mm artillery shells, starting with "tracers" to line up the shot, then ploppin' in a few incendiary rounds to actually trigger the avalanches. It's way cool to be traversing a high mountain side and ski right over top of one of the bombshells those incendiary rounds leave!
The guns are taken off old WW II battleships, and re-conditioned for use on the mountain. If no one has ever heard one of these go off, it's quite impressive. It almost seems like the concussion itself is enough to break free any loose slabs.
But it's always a good sign when your at the car gettin' geared up and you hear these resonating throughout the canyon. It usually means you're about to ski some killer pow... not to mention its a nice wake-up call when you're staying at the Cliff Lodge!
Thanks Janie for the pic!
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