and maybe some of you should complain less about plowing snow...

woodlandfarms · May 27, 2018

Its been a long spring in the North West...

Thrilling new video of the plowing progress – NFNews

Fuddy1952 · May 27, 2018

That's amazing. A few inches off could be fatal it looks like.

RNeumann · May 27, 2018

I love the vertical blade. I’m sure they love their job!

goeduck · May 28, 2018

Impressive. Could not pay me enough to do that job. Those guys must have ice water in their veins.

oosik · May 28, 2018

Spot on geoduck. I've been over "Going to the Sun" a couple times. Once in my pickup - once on my motorcycle. NEVER AGAIN on a motorcycle. Folks tended to take their half right out of the center when I was on my MC. Unless you have gone over Going to the Sun road - you have little appreciation of the words - down there. Just watching that video makes me shiver. As much as I like plowing snow - not there.

If the cat and driver went off - at least, the driver would have plenty of time to recite the Lord's Prayer before he hit bottom.

oosik · May 28, 2018

A little off track but same road. If anybody has a fear of heights, narrow roads and very very limited areas to pass oncoming vehicles. Going to the Sun will REALLY be a CHALLENGE. On both my trips over this road - I could hear folks screaming in vehicles I would pass - coming the other way. This is a really high, narrow, windy road and you will meet a lot of traffic coming the other way. Some of them will be motorhomes and it will challenge your nerves and driving skills. On the positive side - it is paved and remarkably beautiful.

Thomas · May 28, 2018

No thanks

but I would like to watch them from safe distance tho.:thumbsup:

Egon · May 28, 2018

It's a scenic road.

Back in the 1950's it was gravel, narrower and did not have any side railings.

EddieWalker · May 28, 2018

Impressive!!!! Is it me, or would it make more sense for the blade to be tilted the other way?

oosik · May 28, 2018

That's kind of what I wondered about also, Eddie. However - it must be angled that way for a good reason. Perhaps it makes the operation safer. Man - having been on that road - - I just can not imagine operating a dozer in that deep snow and on that road. It is SO narrow and the drop is so far down at places - I swear, you can't see the bottom.

goeduck · May 28, 2018

I wonder why they even plow it, is it not seasonally closed? Our North Cascades highway and Hurricane Ridge roads are closed until the snow melts. I have driven the Going to the Sun Road but can’t recall if there is snow year-round on it.

oosik · May 28, 2018

I've been over the Sun Road around July 15 and there were still large snow banks. Went over in September and all the snow was gone. But it probably was only a month til it started snowing again.

They probably plow to have a longer open season.

Goeduck - the North Cascade highway is being plowed open right now. Prediction is it will be plowed open in another week - providing no avalanches.

stuckmotor · May 28, 2018

To do that job, I think I'd have to get used to the height, maybe, a few more feet a day. The glaciers would all be melted before I got through to the end.

RyeThomas · May 28, 2018

Well that looks like a new bucket list item for me, absolutely beautiful country.

I’m an adrenaline junky so sign me up, never wanted or wished for Father Time to get me in an Old folks home!
Problem is I have no skill so I’d make it about 10’.

woodlandfarms · May 28, 2018

Wyoming, Montana, Alberta Canada, simply amazing country. The only real adrenaline you get from Going to the Sun Road is as noted, running into people coming down who have no clue.

I was raised in NW Wyoming and we went to Glacier a lot. with Global Warming it has changed. I don't want to say aesthetically for the worst, its just different.

MossRoad · May 28, 2018

Whole lotta NOPE for me on that plow! :laughing:

As for the angle, I got to thinking about it. If you angle the blade to push snow to the right, that would kick the front to the left if it jammed on something, which could force the rear of the machine to the right, and off your rear goes over the edge.

So conversely, if you angle the blade to push the snow to the left, you'll see if the front starts getting pushed to the right if the blade jams on something, and stop before the front goes over the edge.

That's my guess. Someone go interview the drivers and see what they say.

goeduck · May 28, 2018

It would be interesting to know the straight scoop on the angle. I figure those boys know what they are doing since it is life and death for them.... but it still would nice to understand.

Stomper · May 29, 2018

Thats absolutely crazy. Some serious pucker factor there. Its crazy just having a road there let alone having to plow it

goeduck · May 29, 2018

oosik said:
Goeduck - the North Cascade highway is being plowed open right now. Prediction is it will be plowed open in another week - providing no avalanches.

I need to drive the North Cascades highway again someday, it has been awhile.

oosik · May 29, 2018

You know - geoduck - that's probably why you said they don't plow the N Cascade. Long time ago - they DID NOT plow it. Now its such a revenue getter for all the communities in that area - they want it open ASAP.

Gotta laugh - watching that video - get the urge to plow snow out in the middle of Kansas somewhere. Those guys are just crazy - - you know they gotta love what they are doing - - there sure isn't enough money in the world to get them to do that.

For anybody who has never driven the Going to the Sun and gets a chance - don't pass it up. Chances are - you will NEVER drive something, again, like it in your lifetime.