May 14 , 2008 - Group Probes Avalanche Prevention Plan
A conservation group has filed a request for documents relating to an upcoming decision by Glacier National Park regarding avalanche control on the railroad tracks on the park’s southern border, out of concern that Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway executives may have influenced the decision after the public comment period had closed. More ...
April 17, 2008 - Pakistans Lowari Top: It devours, freezes and kills
Heavy snowfall blocks the Lowari Top in Pakistan for all kinds of traffic every winter and cuts off district Chitral from the rest of the country for at least four months. After closure of the Top, people have to cross it on foot to reach their destinations, but most of the time the trekkers fall prey to avalanches, freezing cold and winds. This winter the Top has killed 12 persons, seven on January 8 and five on April 5, and injured scores of others. An avalanche had hit the workers executing Lowari tunnel project in January, but luckily, they were pulled out unharmed. More ...
April 16, 2008 - Massive Avalanche Cuts Power to Juneau
An avalanche Wednesday has cut all hydroelectric power in Juneau. Alaska Electric Light & Power spokeswoman Gayle Wood says the massive avalanche was about three miles from the Snettisham power house. The mile-and-a-half wide slide took out more than a mile of transmission line. More ...
March 20, 2008 - No way to run a national park
Who has the most clout in Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana? Thousands of citizens who took part in an environmental impact study, or a railroad that wants to control avalanches as cheaply as possible? If you guessed the railroad, it seems you’re right. More ...
March 16, 2008 - No more avalanche forecasts for Juneau ; city ends contract
Juneau has not renewed its contract with an avalanche forecast center that operated for one year, spurring a mixed reaction from residents. Butch Holst, who has lived in one of the avalanche zones for 30 years, said he didn't care for last year's forecast system. "It was scaring the living daylights out of people," Holst said. "People were running for the hills every other day." More ...