1/72 Revell CAIC CH-54A Skycrane with heli-mobile snow lab

Gallery Article by Halsted "Hacksaw" Morris on Jan 10 2010

Silly Week 2010

 

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Sikorsky CH-54A Skycrane helicopter, with the Heli-mobile Snow Laboratory.

The purpose of the CAIC is to minimize the economic and human impact of snow avalanches on recreation, tourism, commerce, industry and the citizens of Colorado. Since 1950 avalanches have killed more people in Colorado than any other natural hazard, and in the United States, Colorado accounts for one-third of all avalanche deaths. With a staff of 15 avalanche professionals, they achieve their purpose through a dual mission of forecasting and public education. 

The CAIC has 4 offices that issue backcountry avalanche forecasts. The main office is in Boulder, co-located with the National Weather Service. Field offices are located in Breckenridge, Aspen, and the Northern San Juan. Staff at CAIC-Boulder forecast the weather and avalanche conditions for all zones. Field office forecasters concentrate on the snowpack and avalanche conditions within their zones. 

Daily field observation of the Colorado snowpack are critically important to producing accurate and timely avalanche forecasts. The CAIC heli-mobile snow laboratory could play a key role in conducting high quality research and field observations for long term forecasting. Being able to transport the mobile snow lab shelter to remote locations could really help with the CAIC forecasting program. It would almost be like having a small mountain hut at any given research site, for the comfort and safety of the CAIC field staff. The Sikorsky CH-54A Skycrane with the portable containers would be the ideal helicopter for the CAIC research and forecasting program. 

When Ethan Green the CAIC executive director was show photos of the heli-mobile snow laboratory he said, "We can always dream."

Halsted "Hacksaw" Morris

Photos and text © by Halsted "Hacksaw" Morris