“Methods like charcoal blasting help expedite snow removal and decrease avalanche risk for crews and visitors alike.” –Yosemite National Park
Interesting bit of roadwork out of Yosemite National Park where a crew set charcoal blasts during spring plowing operations at Olmsted Point to accelerate snow melt and reduce avalanche hazards in this well-known danger zone. The principal at play is pretty simple, charcoal spread over the snow makes it melt faster because snow reflects sunlight and dark snow takes in more sunlight so when they detonate the charges and disperse the charcoal it helps to warm and melt out the snow. Neat!
