From one mountain to another, on a couple of cables
Posted 01.13.2009 at 1:46 pm
6 Comments
Peak 2 Peak
Brad Kasselman / courtesy Peak 2 Peak
There's gondolas, and then there's the new Whistler Blackcomb resort's Peak 2 Peak gondola. The modern marvel opened December 12, creating the world's longest unsupported span, which stretches 1.88 miles across Fitzsimmons Creek at a measly 1,427 feet above sea level. The full 2.73-mile gondola trip joins two mountains, providing more than 8,000 acres of ski-able terrain to the most enthusiastic bums.
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Entertainment & Gaming, The Score, Brett Zarda, gondolas, skiing, sportsThe gondola opened just one month ago with 28 sky cabins (two with glass bottoms) traversing the land at just under 17 mph completing the trip in 11 minutes. All 28 cabins were built in Switzerland by CWA and shipped to Canada. The gondola utilizes a unique 3S rope configuration, which is unique to North America and one of only four worldwide. Two track ropes 56 mm in diameter remain stationary, while a single haul rope that's 46 mm in diameter pulls the cars. The 3S design allows the incredibly long spans and provides increased stability in high winds, according to Whistler. There's a full list of safety redundancies, including an Obstacle Collision Avoidance System that somehow ensures the cars will play a winning game of Frogger should any unexpected air traffic appear.
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In the picture of the gondola,what is the thing that appears to be a tree growing out of the support tower ???
Not sure but to me it look's like a tree.It is tradition,on bridges,when topping it out,to place a tree on the highest point.This,in some ways,could be considered a bridge.Perhaps that is the reason for it.
It's not just a tradition with bridges. With most commercial construction projects, once the project has reached its highest point of "framing" whether it be with steel, iron, or cement, the general contractor (GC) holds a Topping Out Party. This party generaly includes a pretty nice meal o site for all the employees, the big wiggs (owners and owners reps), and for the GC guests.
It is a tradition to put a tree of some sort at the highest point of the project in plain view of the public signifying that the project has reached its pinnacle. It also tends to be a good luck symbol for some. This part of construction tends to be the most dangerous part of the entire project.
Hope its more clear now.
Just a bloviated copy of what I said.He asked what it was and I answered his question without a bunch of extemperanious crap.
Way to go runninron69. Insulting people after being a member for under 20 min.
Dude go get some happy pills. Don’t just take one, double what ever the jar says to take.
Nothing wrong with extra background info on the tree thing.
Bloviated... lol. what a logolept. Really, shave the geriatric mullet, too.
Whistler looks like a great place to live- too bad its likely a tourist trap.