Problems of snow removal in mountain passes for 1955-56

The causes for difficulties in Washington and countermeasures are described. The 3 major factors causing problems are snow slides and avalanches, people, and the breakdown of equipment. In the winter of 1955-56 maximum snow depths were recorded as follows; 18 feet on Mt. Baker, 18 feet 3 inches on Snoqualmie Pass and 14 feet 10 inches on White Pass. Fairly good results were obtained by triggering avalanches with explosives. The snow equipment used on all passes consisted of push and V-type plows, blade plows with serrated bits, rotary plows, mechanical sanding equipment and mobile truck power shovels for removing deep snow slides. Equipment failures are frequent due to rough usage, especially with Snogo units, because of the delicate mechanism of their blower fans. Cost of snow removal are quoted as: Washington statewide figure, $246 per mile for 1954-55, Stevens Pass, $4,984 per mile, Snoqualmie Pass, $8,246 per mile and White Pass, $2,588 per mile.