Last month, in mid-January, many parts of B.C. experienced the worst avalanche conditions in about 30 years. Avalanche technicians and maintenance crews were working around the clock to ensure the roads were safe.
Highway 97, at Pine Pass, approximately 70 km south of Chetwynd, was closed by an avalanche which left the highway covered with as much as two metres of avalanche debris. Avalanche technicians mobilized overnight, assessed the alpine area by helicopter, and triggered additional avalanches to clear the snow pack to ensure that the area was safe for workers and motorists.
Highway 1, through Rogers Pass east of Revelstoke, had been closed. Highway 1, east of Golden, through the Kicking Horse Canyon was closed, with a six kilometre-long section affected by avalanches. The low ceiling had kept the province’s avalanche control technicians on the ground.
Highway 93, from Radium to the Alberta border through Kootenay National Park, also remained closed.
There was heavy traffic on the roads, people parked their vehicle on the sides of the roads, near by gas stations and any other free space they found near by. In freezing temperature drivers were running out of food and fuel. Free coffee was served by many near by residents, people were helping each other. Once again Mother Nature showed her power to halt the over speed life of human rac
