[inv4zn]

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/squamish-gondola-falls-1.5242787

Almost all of the 30 gondola cars attached to the cable crashed to the ground at around 4 a.m., according to staff working overnight. No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.

What the fuck.

[StylinRed]

Heard about that, wouldn't they need some serious equipment to get up that high, and cut such a thick cable?

[320icar]

Any cordless angle grinder with a cutting disc would make quick work of that cable

[StylinRed]

The rope is a multi-strand steel cable, 55mm (2.2 inches) across.

Oh I thought it'd be a lot thicker, but also thought it'd be harder to cut

Damn

[twitchyzero]

can't think of a good reason anyone would gain from this

they've been talking about an expansion...insurance fraud?

[Jmac]

These things rely on a single cable? I'd have thought there would be at least two in case one fails.

[320icar]

These things rely on a single cable? I'd have thought there would be at least two in case one fails.

In the 30 years I’ve been alive I’ve never heard of any cable car failing. Clearly they’re pretty reliable

[StylinRed]

^^^ didn't the cable car at whistler collapse before the Olympics?

[underscore]

These things rely on a single cable? I'd have thought there would be at least two in case one fails.

A single cable made up of many strands, so like a bunch of cables twisted together. I'm not sure how it'd work with two cables.

[Nlkko]

My bet is on green peace eco nutjobs.

[westopher]

^^^ didn't the cable car at whistler collapse before the Olympics?
Blackcomb gondola, but the cable didn't snap, it derailed.

[Jmac]

^^^ didn't the cable car at whistler collapse before the Olympics?
Several incidents in Europe as well.

[westopher]

Do any of these incidents involve the cable actually snapping? Especially unloaded, non-operational, and without severe weather?

[hud 91gt]

Didn’t notice the missing cars yesterday, but on the way back today it sure looked a little empty.

[Teriyaki]

Why? Seriously, what kind of maniac does this

[Mr.Money]

idiots....whoever would take their personal time to get up there and cut it,i imagine the carriers are all thrown away since most are bent.....huge security risk in that if they ever tried re-using them :heckno:

[RRxtar]

Really having a hard time understanding why stone would do tos. Its not a spur of the moment vandalism kind of thing. Very deliberate and targeted needing the correct tools. But then why target the gondola ? Doesn't seem like the kind of thing that would offend someone.

Imagine if they didn't cut all the way thru and instead cut 80% of the way so that it wouldn't let go until hundreds of people were riding. Fuck me

[PeanutButter]

Is the sea to sky gondola privately owned or is it a crown corp? This is very interesting.

[tiger_handheld]

has the markings of a disgruntled employee

- does not want to harm visitors but send a lesson to the company
- cause maximum financial damage without loss of life, the only loser is company

I put money that the cause will be mental health (as it always is now a days)

[punkwax]

Wasn’t there local opposition to the gondola before it was built? Could be some local grumps who are bitter about the influx of tourists too..

Regardless it was a stupid move and at the end of the day, they’ll simply increase security and it will be back up and running in no time. Waste of time for all those involved, aside from whoever profits from the event of course.

[underscore]

Really having a hard time understanding why stone would do tos. Its not a spur of the moment vandalism kind of thing. Very deliberate and targeted needing the correct tools. But then why target the gondola ? Doesn't seem like the kind of thing that would offend someone.

Imagine if they didn't cut all the way thru and instead cut 80% of the way so that it wouldn't let go until hundreds of people were riding. Fuck me

In Kelowna some knob went and damaged a bunch of the trees supporting the rope course at the Myra Canyon Adventure Park right before it opened. I'm not sure if they ever figured out the motivation for it but people are morons is usually an accurate one.

[Great68]

Blackcomb gondola, but the cable didn't snap, it derailed.

It didn't derail, it came down after one of the support towers collapsed

[westopher]

My memory failed me on that one, but my point remains, that these accidents are essentially always related to something other than a cable snapping. Grips on the cabins, doors opening, damaged towers, derailing.

[SSM_DC5]

Google fixes all memory failures
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.903867

[nah]

Really having a hard time understanding why stone would do tos. Its not a spur of the moment vandalism kind of thing. Very deliberate and targeted needing the correct tools. But then why target the gondola ? Doesn't seem like the kind of thing that would offend someone.

Imagine if they didn't cut all the way thru and instead cut 80% of the way so that it wouldn't let go until hundreds of people were riding. Fuck me

The cables are braided so it would be noticeable if any of the cables had been cut as it'll fray. The first riders would be in jeopardy until someone saw the damage, possibly the staff for the safety ride to start the day.

[GIZZ]

How dangerous would it be mechanically/directly cutting a cable like that? Who would risk to see how the cables would react? Would they be up on a tower doing this? It would be interesting to see the cable at the break. You're trying to tell me they have no video of cars going up and down the mountain? They walked the whole way up with equipment?

[68style]

^
Super dangerous, they said in the police media info that the amount of tension on the rope and how it would whiplash back when cut could easily have been lethal for the vandal... all the towers on the gondola have ladders attached.

Even if they had cameras though, what can you see at 4am?

[underscore]

A battery powered angle grinder or sawzall is pretty easy to carry. What seems odd is that it sounds like it was cut partway up, but it would be really easy to access the cable at the very bottom. Either they were worried someone would notice them down there, or the cable snapping wasn't intentional and they were only wanting to damage it without staff being able to see it when they started it in the morning. Assuming they run it unloaded at the start of the day I would think any cut strands would jam up in the mechanism pretty quickly. Any staff nearby if it snapped when that happened would be at risk though.

[Mr.Money]

possible someone took a firearm up there and kept taking shots at the wire?...really said nothing about it of it being destroyed.

[hud 91gt]

Rumours state it was cut partway through. If that’s intentional holy mother of fuck people can be evil.

I’d be scared shitless of the recoil from the cable snapping. But if I were doing it, my instinct would be to cut very close to a fixture (roller) and use it as a guard, hoping most of the scary action happens on the other side. Yikes. I cover my nuts every time I use a small cablewinch, nevermind a god damn cable car!

[!LittleDragon]

Wonder if they were at least wearing safety goggles... lol

[GIZZ]

possible someone took a firearm up there and kept taking shots at the wire?...really said nothing about it of it being destroyed.

that would be difficult, possibly time consuming and very loud.

they say the cable is as thick as a bear can.

[tiger_handheld]

that would be difficult, possibly time consuming and very loud.

they say the cable is as thick as a bear can.

bear can? thats MASSIVE.

[snowball]

Rumours state it was cut partway through. If that’s intentional holy mother of fuck people can be evil.

I’d be scared shitless of the recoil from the cable snapping. But if I were doing it, my instinct would be to cut very close to a fixture (roller) and use it as a guard, hoping most of the scary action happens on the other side. Yikes. I cover my nuts every time I use a small cablewinch, nevermind a god damn cable car!

It was probably cut "part way" because after they get past 70% of the cable, it likely failed.

[hud 91gt]

Holy shit

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sea-to-sky-gondola-vandalism-2020-1.5723042

[nismodrifter]

Wow

[320icar]

I would support the death penalty

[Euro7r]

Whomever gets caught, likely just be slapped on the wrist with our useless justice system.

[murd0c]

For sure it has to be some hair tree hugger that doesnt shower. What total fucken BS... Hopefully they setup some trail cameras close.

[Bouncing Bettys]

Blake Price was saying something about how it was constructed with the approval of local First Nations, so I can't see some anti-colonial angle.

[Euro7r]

For sure it has to be some hair tree hugger that doesnt shower. What total fucken BS... Hopefully they setup some trail cameras close.

Seems like this vandal/vandals scoped out the area before doing this. I can't see a regular person going there and cutting it with the fact new security measures in place (whatever these measures are). End of the day, I don't see what purpose these assholes achieving in their lives doing such a thing (maybe hates tourists and people lol)

[quasi]

Hopefully next time they get cut in half by the cable when it goes.

[StylinRed]

Couldn't believe it when I checked the news this morning
Supposedly they have very clear video of the act, so hopefully that assists in catching the person who did this

[tegra7]

Seems like this vandal/vandals scoped out the area before doing this. I can't see a regular person going there and cutting it with the fact new security measures in place (whatever these measures are). End of the day, I don't see what purpose these assholes achieving in their lives doing such a thing (maybe hates tourists and people lol)

Maybe its a disgruntled ex employee doing this.

[CivicBlues]

Holy shit, I just went and tried this out for the first time 2 weeks ago. Lucky we did.

Hope they catch the bastard this time.

[Great68]

bear can? thats MASSIVE.

Eh, not quite. The cable is 55mm (about 2") in diameter.

[GLOW]

was there any opposition to the project? seems like a lot of effort and risk to go about this.

[Great68]

I don't see what purpose these assholes achieving in their lives doing such a thing (maybe hates tourists and people lol)

Inflict heavy financial damage on the Gondola operator? Costs to replace the cable and 30 damaged cars last time it was cut was several millions of dollars not to mention revenue losses from being closed for repairs.

Someone has a big chip on their shoulder and I think either they get caught and go to prison, or this keeps happening until the Gondola closes.

[twitchyzero]

if the person is skilled enough to cut this twice without getting seriously injured

he's probably smart enough to evade capture (rcmp had set up road blocks trying to catch him/her fleeing)

[Traum]

My first thoughts when I saw the news this morning is -- SFU is lobbying hard to get a gondola built to go up and down the mountain. Imagine the clusterfuck that would result from a cut cable if it were to happen to the SFU gondola...

[Ch28]

if the person is skilled enough to cut this twice without getting seriously injured

he's probably smart enough to evade capture (rcmp had set up road blocks trying to catch him/her fleeing)

We're all assuming this is the same person. It could be the same person, another organization, or a copy cat. Nobody knows at this point.



The other interesting thing is whether they'll be able to find an insurer after this second incident. The first one happened about a year ago and it's so recent that the insurance claim hasn't even been pully processed yet.

[Great68]

My first thoughts when I saw the news this morning is -- SFU is lobbying hard to get a gondola built to go up and down the mountain. Imagine the clusterfuck that would result from a cut cable if it were to happen to the SFU gondola...

Yeah, it'd be more difficult to do.

#1 It'd be in an urban area so much bigger chance of being caught. #2 there would be less towers on the route (less area to protect) #3 they'd likely go with a multiple cable rail design (like the peak 2 peak) which would have much more redundancy.

[GLOW]

would cost a lot more i'm sure, but given the amount of people to/from SFU, wouldn't a tram or light cable car system make more sense? is the reasoning to transport people without the need of a bus, or transport during the winter?

[donk.]

This is not something you can prevent from happening in my opinion

Cameras are only good for youtube videos
Locks on areas where the cables are cut... Well... If an angle grinder can cut through 2" cable. A 3/8" lock is pocket change / wire fence / whatever else
Catching the guy? ��
Even if someone sees the guy trespassing, by the time anyone shows up, the damage is done and the maniac is gone

[fliptuner]

if the person is skilled enough to cut this twice without getting seriously injured

he's probably smart enough to evade capture (rcmp had set up road blocks trying to catch him/her fleeing)

Climbing and cutting the cable isn't rocket science. I bet the person has nothing to lose, even if he did get caught. Probably sees himself as a martyr for his cause.

[Great68]

In addition to extensive video surveillance, to increase the physical difficulty of accessing the tower ladders (ie would take hours rather than minutes to cut, think like the systems they use to protect the locks on forestry service gates), and they'd need some sort of proximity alarm system monitored and ready to respond 24/7.

The costs for all that would be insane though.

[underscore]

Ensure the cables are isolated from the towers and electrify the cable at night. They'll never be cut again.

[StylinRed]

Yeah, it'd be more difficult to do.

#1 It'd be in an urban area so much bigger chance of being caught. #2 there would be less towers on the route (less area to protect) #3 they'd likely go with a multiple cable rail design (like the peak 2 peak) which would have much more redundancy.

I'm thinking they should just go with a Funicular, cheaper, ppl afraid of heights should be fine with it too, and doesn't invade the skyline (if that's a concern for anyone)

Or an inclined elevator since they can move independently

[Jmac]

Blake Price was saying something about how it was constructed with the approval of local First Nations, so I can't see some anti-colonial angle.
Don’t underestimate how stupid some people are.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/defaced-abolitionist-statue/

[hud 91gt]

Rumours from Squam friends say there is (poor) footage from the first cut, where the guys battery operated grinder does, goes down, gets another battery then finishes the job. Don’t over think it. Lol.

[twitchyzero]

Climbing and cutting the cable isn't rocket science. I bet the person has nothing to lose, even if he did get caught. Probably sees himself as a martyr for his cause.

my limited understanding is that there's incredible amount of tension/potential energy

if i wouldn't wanna stand near a strap during a vehicle recovery, i sure wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end of a gondola cable when it goes

[meme405]

my limited understanding is that there's incredible amount of tension/potential energy

if i wouldn't wanna stand near a strap during a vehicle recovery, i sure wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end of a gondola cable when it goes

Yes but think about a rubber band breaking, if you are standing immediately at the cut location, the cable will spring out to each side safely away from you. Logically thinking the safest place to be when the cable snaps is directly at the break point.

Still not saying it's a genius idea, but its certainly not a miracle that the person isn't harmed like some people are making it seem.

[punkwax]

I was involved with the added security after the first event. Apparently the footage is spectacular but cannot be released during the investigation.

I can’t wait to see it when it can be shared :high:

[Traum]

Oh? By "spectacular", I hope it means the video quality was excellent, and that it captured the face of the vandal clearly.

<fingers crossed>

I was involved with the added security after the first event. Apparently the footage is spectacular but cannot be released during the investigation.

I can’t wait to see it when it can be shared :high:

[rslater]

Rumour last time was the the main suspect was a member from the local First Nations band, but they didn't have enough evidence to arrest.

[6793026]

my limited understanding is that there's incredible amount of tension/potential energy

if i wouldn't wanna stand near a strap during a vehicle recovery, i sure wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end of a gondola cable when it goes

Yup, i had a talk with buddies on "it's not as easy as you think"

Ain't just a joe blow who just goes there with scissors. You need to know the location, have proper tools, MOST likely protective gear and a fucking crazy chain saw / grinder.

It's NOT just a snap and snip; this is a THICK ass ROD with 29 carts hanging... no matter how smart you are, when the cable snaps... no one wants to be close as you don't know the direction, force it causes.... Are you going to cut it 7/8 way and climb down? or are you going to cut the whole thing and risk it snapping right in front of your face.

My question is... what does he gain from all this? Just protest or was he/she paid?

[corollagtSr5]

who knows... maybe it's insurance fraud so there's contract work for the company reinstalling during covid.

[Hondaracer]

Yup, i had a talk with buddies on "it's not as easy as you think"

Ain't just a joe blow who just goes there with scissors. You need to know the location, have proper tools, MOST likely protective gear and a fucking crazy chain saw / grinder.

It's NOT just a snap and snip; this is a THICK ass ROD with 29 carts hanging... no matter how smart you are, when the cable snaps... no one wants to be close as you don't know the direction, force it causes.... Are you going to cut it 7/8 way and climb down? or are you going to cut the whole thing and risk it snapping right in front of your face.

My question is... what does he gain from all this? Just protest or was he/she paid?

Pretty sure with a decent cordless grinder and a couple cutting wheels you’d be through it

[underscore]

it's NOT just a snap and snip; this is a THICK ass ROD

The cable isn't solid though, it's a bunch of smaller strands twisted together. That's still a lot of material to go through but a good blade or cutting disc shouldn't have much issue going through it.

[twitchyzero]

is it go up like a monkey with a grinder and hope nothing happens to your limbs

or does it require some rudimentary engineering background to know where the tensile strength is least likely to recoil, cable material, the weight of the cars, the angle they’re hanging at etc

[westopher]

Like meme said though, best place to be when a cable snaps, is right where it snaps. The tension is going to pull it away from you. When people get wailed by a tow strap it's because they are standing near where it's anchored, not where it breaks.

[whitev70r]

Then you gotta climb your ass down the pole, after alarms probably set off, huge frickin noise from cars come crashing, and try to escape the grounds undetected.

[underscore]

^ a section of rope with a loop already in the end + a cheap climbing harness + an ATC and you can zip down to the ground in seconds and be gone.

Even if someone doesn't know much about cables, with the internet and/or a little testing of their own at home it's pretty easy to figure out. Here's literally the first hit when I searched for "cutting a cable under tension"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWElarKsbpw

[westopher]

Then you gotta climb your ass down the pole, after alarms probably set off, huge frickin noise from cars come crashing, and try to escape the grounds undetected.I'm not saying you can just go fuck shit up without any possible consequence lol. I'm just saying the cable isn't your problem.

[twitchyzero]

having dozens of cars on it changes that

then account for a different tension modulus of the material etc


who’s gonna wanna insure them after a 2nd incident

[hud 91gt]

This is not something you can prevent from happening in my opinion

Cameras are only good for youtube videos
Locks on areas where the cables are cut... Well... If an angle grinder can cut through 2" cable. A 3/8" lock is pocket change / wire fence / whatever else
Catching the guy? ��
Even if someone sees the guy trespassing, by the time anyone shows up, the damage is done and the maniac is gone

I don’t know what this thing costs to operate... but keeping the thing turning 24/7 would make it a lot hard to cut. Lol.

[Hondaracer]

I think the problem in protecting the towers is the location of some of them.

I haven’t used this gondola but I’m sure that some of the towers are simply bolted into the rocks on the face of the mountain making any sort of fencing very hard to effectively install and surround the tower

With the SFU gondola I can pretty much guarantee a massive steel fence and then a “no mans land” in between a second fence that, at the very least, would slow Somone enough to get caught before doing any damage. The posibilites for protecting the SFU gondola are probably limitless compared to this one

[twitchyzero]

yep assuming it's not happening at base station they got quite a bit of a hike down

the perp either has inside knowledge and/or is familiar with the system

[Qmx323]

Or maybe the perp.... LIVES in some cave underneath the gondola path

[mikemhg]

I definitely think whoever it is must live or have access to a place in Squamish, hence those roadblocks on the S2S are immaterial.

It's obvious that he's clearly able to dip out from the location and make it to some type of residence nearby in order to escape the heat.

Must say, it's pretty impressive he's been able to elude the police twice now (if it's the same person).

[MG1]

Or maybe the perp.... LIVES in some cave underneath the gondola path

Sasquatch?


I wAnder if he used Milwaukee or Dewalt? What say you, Hondaracer?

[Hondaracer]

More of a Makita man myself

[MG1]

More of a Makita man myself

Right, I was the Milwaukee fan boy, you were the Makita fan boy.......... who was the Dewalt fan boy on RS?

manic was the Ryobi fan boy.

[MG1]

https://www.holmatro.com/en/industrial/cable-cutter-hcc-150


Not as impressive as this big puppy..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsk_eJnk-mc


The cables from the gondola are reported as 5.5 cm thick. Just over 2 inches thick.

[Jmac]

Can I be the Jobmate fan boy?

[EuterVanWasser]

$250,000 reward posted for info on the perp cutting the cable!

Was hoping the RCMP would release images from Punkwax's installation, but they're holding them back it seems.

[MG1]

Can I be the Jobmate fan boy?

Yes, you may........... you are so funny.

Not Craftsman or dare I say, "Mastercraft?"

Jobmate is so............ popular. :troll:


As emperor would say, "Jobmate so good."

[xxxrsxxx]

$250,000 reward posted for info on the perp cutting the cable!

Was hoping the RCMP would release images from Punkwax's installation, but they're holding them back it seems.

yes i'm a little curious about this too. Why would they give a reward when they can just make the video public so someone can identify the guy? Perhaps there isn't a clear footage of the guy's face? Or does it have something to do with not wanting to "compromise" the case.

[whitev70r]

^ Was somewhat surprised as well, means they don't have enough evidence nor do they have any suspect (s). Even if they had night vision camera, guy has to be smart enough to wear a mask.

[GLOW]

i've just jobmate for 1 & done jobs for and served it's purpose well for a noob like myself

[twitchyzero]

covid lockdowns taught us 'business interruption' insurance is usually a lie

'Sea to Sky Gondola sues its insurance brokers for alleged negligence'

https://www.squamishchief.com/news/local-news/sea-to-sky-gondola-sues-its-insurance-brokers-for-alleged-negligence-1.24265601