Prior to this upcoming ski season, The Colorado Department of Transportation is working hard to place remote avalanche control “Gazex” systems on Loveland and Berthoud Passes before the first snowfalls of the winter hit Colorado’s high country.
What exactly is Gazex?
“Gazex and Gazflex are powerful, permanent remote avalanche-release systems. Weather conditions are no longer a problem when protecting your territory, thanks to our wide range of exploders.”
“Gazex and Gazflex operate without explosives: the blast is caused by the detonation of a propane and oxygen mixture. The exploders are connected to a central gas shelter capable of storing sufficient gas reserves for the entire season.”
The blast pressure wave causes three effects:
- direct push onto the snow from the exploder mouth
- shockwave that causes an overpressure and then a depression on the snowpack.
- indirect “sympathy” effect on the surrounding snowpack
“For more than 20 years, Gazex has been and continues to be the leading remote preventive avalanche-release system. To date, TAS has installed more than 2,000 exploders around the world.”
In the past, CDOT used old model howitzers as well as helicopters to deliver explosives onto the flanks of avalanche prone slopes. The results included unnecessary debris and occupational safety hazards.