got_mud_tamu
- Entertainment & Gaming
A Longer Gondola
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.
1.13.2009 at 10:18pm - Comment by got_mud_tamuIt'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.
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December 2009: Best of What's New
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
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