2007 Chairlift Construction
Construction Milestones
Late April – Clearing the Runs
Brundage Mountain was still mostly covered in snow when work began to prep the hill for an exciting summer of construction and expansion.
This aerial view shows the start of the logging work on the new southside terrain. The expansion will add another 160 acres of new trails and glades.
Brundage crews worked diligently to clear runs and the new lift-line while there was still snow on the slopes. Skidding logs over the snow helps prevent damage to the ground below.
May – Debris Management
The work isn’t over once the trees are cut. Many of the stumps must be removed, and slash piles must be carefully set on fire.
Late June – Breaking Ground
Excavation begins on both top and bottom terminals for the Bear Chair and the new southside chairlift.
This is the site for the bottom terminal of the Bear Chair. This view looks up the lower reach of the new lift line. The base of the Centennial Chairlift is just to the right of the person taking this picture.
Groundbreaking for the top terminal of the new southside chairlift.
Detail view shows the top terminal of the Centennial Triple and the Forest Service Lookout in the background.
View from the top terminal of the southside chairlift toward Payette Lake & McCall
View from the top of one of the new runs. Little Payette Lake is in the upper left, with Payette Lake and Ponderosa Park in the middle of the photo.
The view from the top of another new run. This is looking southeast across Payette Lake.
Another Payette Lake view from another new run. This is the top of the wide run that is easiest to see from the town of McCall.
Early July – Laying the Foundations
Special Delivery: crews use a helicopter to transport concrete to dozens of locations where footings are being poured for new towers.
Close-up view of crews pouring the tower footings. This process will be repeated 12 times for the Bear Chair and 13 times for the Southside lift.
This view shows the new top terminal of the Bear Chair – a work in progress!
Early August – Prepping for Terminals
A crane moves steel into place at the bottom terminal of the Bear Chair.
The sheave frame for Tower 1 is hoisted into place…
…and secured.
Meanwhile, loggers clear timber from the Forest Service land
between 45th Parallel, Sensation & Celebration.
(Fewer trees = more fresh lines in the glades!)
Logging debris is turned to wood chips to reduce burning
September – Steel on Site
First load of lift towers arrives on site
Shiny new bullwheels wait for their turn
Cross arms are unloaded and inspected. This will soon be tower 2.
October – Flying Towers
The superstar: The KMAX helicopter is designed to lift 6,000 lbs and precisely place supplies in confined areas & at high altitude.
Watch Video of the KMAX Installation
The first tower is placed near the top of the Lakeview Lift line
Next come the cross-arms.
Cross arm is secured. The cloud in the background covers Payette Lake & Long Valley.
After the Lakeview line is finished, crews start at the top of the Bear Chair.
Guiding the crossarms in with precision.
Looking up the Bear Chair lift line.
Bear Chair Drive Terminal arrives…
…along with a couple of chairs.
Late October – Terminals and Lines
A crane lifts the bottom terminal for the Bear Chair into place
The Drive Terminal, Bullwheel and operator’s terminal are hauled up hill and lifted into place at the top of the Lakeview Lift
Comm lines go up on Lakeview & Bear Chairs
November 8th – Splicing the Cable
A sturdy crew lines up for the splicing of the Lakeview haul rope.
The expert gets all the pieces in order…
…uses a mallet to ensure the braid is tight…
…and begins to work his way down the line.
It takes a whole row of helpers to keep the strands in order…
…and a few strong backs to keep the tension tight…
…then they start over on the next strand.
November 19 – 20 – Load Testing
Lakeview Chairs are on the cable and ready for the load test.
View from the top of Lakeview
If this were video, you’d see the chairs moving!