Mount Stephens Avalanche Towers
2019 – Yoho National Park, Field, BC
Client: Parks Canada – Federal Government
Project Scope
Parks Canada required a more reliable method of avalanche control on Mount Stephens near Field, B.C. A solution was needed to enable the avalanche safety technicians to remotely trigger avalanches after they closed a section of the TransCanada Highway and CP Railway.
Methods and Solution
Tangiers was contracted to install three Remote Avalanche Control Systems. The area selected is a highly protected park area at 10,000 on the top of Mount Stephens. A high degree of environmental stewardship was needed for this technical construction project. A small group air mobilized all equipment to the areas, drilled and built the three cement foundations. All types of drilling conditions were encountered, including permafrost. The three foundations needed three unique geotechnical solutions to succeed.
Results
The towers were installed and the solution worked out well. This was the highest construction project in Canada in 2019. Completed safely in the high alpine environment with no environmental issues. A testament to the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts from different agencies. After this project the Tangiers group realized that anything is possible.
Services Provided
Heli portable equipment, helicopter slinging, roped access, pneumatic drilling, grouting, cement work, installation, mountain safety, high altitude construction
