December 30, 2010

Today was another bluebird day on the hill, with throngs of people taking full advantage of the great weather and the new snow.
A mini-excavator started digging in our courtyard this afternoon.  Pulling snow that has built up on the walls and further exposing the pit I had dug for access to the pump room. Tomorrow he will start pulling the piled snow that has encased the 2nd floor. With that snow removed, it will allow Mark and I to start clearing all the snow that has sloughed into the 2nd floor breezeway. Floor by floor concrete is being exposed as excess snow and ice is chipped and shovelled away.
The pristine waters of a fresh hot tub are bubbling away tonight, steam rising up to another starry night.
Another good day on the mountain.

December 29th 2010

I think were winning! I was able to have all the outside cars moved so that our snow removal team could function efficiently, and get rid of the mountains of snow over the lower bank. Viken waste removal showed up today to deal with our other mountaneous concern, and with the help of Bob McDonnell we filled bins full of waste and had it trucked away...finally! Ron, our snow removal contractor, is workin hard today clearing away snow and creating outdoor overflow parking. As well, Superior Propane showed up to fill our tank...which of course was buried under snow that needed to be removed. Congested parkades are coming into order, as the roads and entrances remain driveable, and outdoor parking lots open up. The skies are a crisp blue and the mountains a stark white.

Progress

I was grateful today for the help of my friend, Mark Holley. Together we hacked through solid ice at the entrances of the parkades. Breaking scrapers and bending shovels, we made some decent progress. Unfortunately, regardless of our prep at the upper parkade, Viken Waste remained a no show, and the garbage pile has continued to mount up in an unsightly mess. Tomorrow I am promised a pick up. And finally we were able to shovel through 12' of snow and expose the bottom man door into the underground parking.
Parking has been somewhat of an issue, as is expected. The goal has been to get as many vehicles in the underground parkade as possible so that snow removal teams can clear snow efficiently. By the end of tomorrow we hope to have a large outside section cleared in the lower parking lot to accomodate for the traffic we expect for new years. Juggling vehicles has been an annoyance for some, but with extreme snowfalls, inconveniences are to be expected. The hot tub is running great and seeing plently of traffic, as groups exchange stories of an epic day on the hill.

December 28th 2010

Bluebird!!! The constant fall of snow has finally ceased...at least for the day. It is sunny and bright up here. With meters of fresh snow and sunny skies, these are the days we wait for!
This holiday week has no shortage of activity. The humm of diesel motors clearing snow is replaced at night by the sound of people burning the midnight (or 3am) oil. The activity and demands are ceaseless this week, as my phone rings from 7am till 3am with requests and concerns. A far cry from the near ghost town of the spring and summer, Mt.Washington is a hub of winter activity. I'll sleep next year.

Confucius Say

It is better to have chains and not need them, than need chains and not have them
or
The cost of a new set of chains...$80.35
Not sliding sideways into a snowbank while clogging up Henry Rd's single lane access...Priceless

December 27th 2010

Snow removal crews are working constantly to try and deal with the amount of snow we have received. There is  a steady humm of a diesel engine working in the background. Maintaining minimal building access is a major chore, let alone finding somewhere to put the excess snow. Stuck and snowed in vehicles make it impossible for crews to function efficiently, blocking off access for dumping snow. Henry Road remains a one lane gamble, with chainless enthusiasts losing their shirts everyday.
The poor access keeps garbage removal at a standstill, as piles continue to mount up around the dumpsters. Regular garbage removal would have been a challenge, not to mention the overflow of Christmas wrapping paper and boxes....few of which have been broken down (jab, jab). The access at Paradise Ridge is fair, but we are the only condo that is ready for pick up, and Viken Waste is unwilling to make the trip for just one condo. Hopefully by tomorrow snow removal will have punched enough access to waste bins to make it worth while.
Snow removal within PR is another story as well. The 2nd floor was hit with a huge sluff of roof avalanche that completely blocked access a few days ago. By climbing down from the 3rd floor I was able to shovel a single lane path, and shovel out doors buried above their door knobs. The plan is to have a crew show up tomorrow and  use the remaining snow in the breezeway to barricade the 2nd floor from continued sluff. I am grateful for the patience and understanding of both renters and owners.
The Hot Tub lost a day of operation yesterday, as I needed to dig a 10ft pit with stairs in order to access the pump room and drain the water. It is bubbling away as of last night, ready for another throng of unshowered bathers ;).

Boxing Day 2010

Good Afternoon,
Mayhem! I've found that to be the best word to describe recent events this holiday season at Paradise Ridge.
With record snowfalls during the busiest week of the year, chaos has gripped Henry Road with its icy claws. Amongst the treacheries of massive roof avalanche's, poor access, and roads of sheer ice, the Christmas spirit seems to prevail. I have never seen more strangers rally together in an effort to see holiday hopes and plans realized. From shovel work, car pushing, and helping your neighbour chain up or dig out, people are dolling out gifts left right and center!