Danger Close: Improving Safety and Terrain at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area with Military Weaponry

     In the spring of 2008, Mt. Hood Meadows’ first unveiled its plans to conduct avalanche control with military artillery. The M101A1 is a 105MM Howitzer that was used on the battlefield in World War II. Mt. Hood Meadows has installed and intends to fire the Howitzer into its permit area, as a Meadows’ gunner termed it, to “peal the onion” by blasting off layers of snow and triggering avalanches.

     Meadows has traditionally conducted avalanche control in Heather Canyon, the Basalt Cliffs and parts of Clark Canyon throughout the winter using a variety of hand charges and an Avalauncher, which is large pipe like gun with high dud rate and lower accuracy). The Howitzer is more accurate, operable at night and in adverse conditions, and has a lower dud rate. Meadows could fire the weapon right over the top of mountain given that its range is well over 6 miles. Meadows, of course, plans to shoot targets in Heather Canyon, Clark Canyon, the Basalt Cliffs and Superbowl. For the first time, Meadows plans to conduct more regular control in higher-elevation parts of its permit area.

     To educate the public, Snowrider asked the Forest Service and Meadows to install clear, informative and permanent signage at the Climbing Registry at Timberline Lodge.   Meadows has agreed that its operational procedure will not allow it to fire the Howitzer in any location at any time when its Shooting Star Lift is open to the public.  Meadows will also not fire the Howitzer into or near lower Pea Gravel Ridge, which is an area that backcountry skiers use to access the Newton Canyon backcountry to the North of Meadows’ permit area.  To facilitate backcountry use, Meadows has also agreed to place signage in the lower Heather Canyon run-out downstream of the God’s Wall area indicating the point of closure and directing all backcountry Wilderness travelers uphill to the right towards lower Pea Gravel Ridge.  The signs will be placed in consideration of backcountry travelers exiting the permit area towards Newton Creek Drainage.

    Backcountry Use.  Hundreds of backcountry travelers enjoy making the circumnavigation route in the wintertime from across either Cooper Spur, from Timberline across White River, or up from Newton Clark as well as the summit ascent via Wy’East Face.  The White River approach is probably the most common approach, and people either ski mountaineer or just climb these routes in the winter.  This traditional use dates back to well before Meadows first became a ski area.

    The Crag Law Center worked with Snowrider Project, leaders from conservation groups and with Mt. Hood Meadows to resolve concerns over the use of the weapon. The primary concern that emerged was the safety of backcountry travelers. Targets in the higher-elevation Superbowl might put backcountry users at risk from transboundary effects. Mountaineers making the round the-mountain high orbit or the Wy’East ascent are on steep slopes and a target at 8,800 feet, just 500 feet away appears to be too close for comfort.

     Buffer to Protect Wilderness Values.  Initially, Meadows suggested that it would observe a buffer of 200 feet along the uppermost reaches of its permit boundary that abuts the Mt. Hood Wilderness, but then its officials moved away from making a firm commitment. Meadows has indicated it is not likely to fire into its permit area when it sees an individuals is in the permit area, but Meadows has not indicated what its procedure will be if someone is ascending the Wy’East face or making a circumnavigation of the mountain.  The Crag Law Center will continue to work with the Snowrider Project to obtain reasonable limits on Meadows’ operations to ensure skier safety.

     What is a safe distance?  Well, in wartime, the military observes a €˜Danger Close’ distance of approximately 600 meters (about 1,200 feet) from the target area of the Howitzer. Advance troops at the front calling out coordinates are kept safe from shrapnel and the impacts of the explosion by observing a Danger Close safety protocol. Given that this is peacetime, Meadows has been encouraged to provide a mechanism for climbers who plan to climb the Wy’East route to notify Mt. Hood Meadows of their planned ascent in the area. Meadows has been asked to publish and observe a policy on Danger Close. The Snowrider Project, a watershed and recreation advocacy group, has asked Meadows to observe, at least, a 500 foot buffer between its target and the upper reaches of its permit area at Superbowl.

     2008 was a boon for backcountry skiers, high mountain climbers and for all of you that enjoy Mt. Hood’s ski areas. The snow was deeper than many years past with many incredible powder days. Mt. Hood’s maritime climate is variable and there are risks and rewards to wintertime climbing. For those of you headed to climb in the backcountry on the east side of the mountain, you might want to check out the blog at http;//snowriderpdx.com to get the latest on the operation of the Howitzer.