Yan bottom terminal which was added in 1979.Height adjustable tower and lift line.Bottom drive-tension station.Top unload ramp and bullwheel.Unload area.Looking down from the top.Breakover towers.The same towers seen from the Mount Hood Express.Looking down the variable-pitched line.Middle section of the line.Another mellower part of the lift.Looking up at T7.The first pitch out of the base area.Yan bottom terminal and counterweight.
I believe this was a pretty common practice back in the ’60s (when Blue was built). This becomes especially apparent when looking at Riblet lifts of a similar vintage. I can’t say for sure why they used so few sheaves on each tower, but I would be willing to bet that they were attempting to distribute the force over each of the break-over towers (as longer sheave trains would place more force on each of the towers). The topography below these towers is pretty nasty, which could potentially make it more difficult to pour a foundation large enough to support more force on less towers. Also notable is how windy this ridge gets; that could also explain the need to distribute the force of the cable and chairs over more towers (I can speak from personal experience, as I have been stuck on this lift, sitting under these breakover towers in far too many windstorms).
Riblet did not build assemblies larger than 4 sheaves until the 80s; thus, the large amount of towers. Their sheaves and assemblies also weren’t built as heavily until later.
There’s a part of me that thinks that in 1994, the MHX should’ve replaced this instead of Jacob’s Ladder. But at the same time, realizes that Blue’s loading area is a bit less accessible than the MHX’s starting location.
I wonder how much use this lift will get in the future, seeing that Mt. Hood Express is going to be replaced with an LPA detachable six pack with a 3,600 people per hour capacity in the next year or two. Although once again, Blue outlives the newer lifts next to it!
That terminal looks pretty height-adjustable to me, given the height of the supports, the power that runs to the top of support first, the arrangement of the counterweight, and the additional structure/mechanism on the terminal legs.
Just yeaterday I wash skiing Mt hood Meadows for a ski trip and im from Alaska and grew up skiing alyeska for 18 years. Well the snow was fantastic at Meadows the past couple of days. So Mt Hood Express took a dump. And I see a bunch of lifties making their way towards Blue. I happened to be there at the right place yah the right time. Was taking a leg rest from skiing hip deep powder for three days now. Was chatting with the lifties about MTX and said we’re firing up ol reliable which is blue. A lot of resorts don’t have a backup chair ready to rumble like Blue. I got first chair on blue and what a ride. Yes it’s slower, the towers hun along and you got all the familiar rattles but I love them old Riblets. Such a beautiful lift. And yes reaching the top your going straight up then reach that massive 7 tower break over and once you clear that you see the most imposing well overbuilt, and built like a tank unloading ramp that man will ever know. Don’t fall in the net that would suck.
Lift Blog 
It’s weird how riblet used so many Breakover towers and wasted them all and only put about 4 sheaves on each
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe this was a pretty common practice back in the ’60s (when Blue was built). This becomes especially apparent when looking at Riblet lifts of a similar vintage. I can’t say for sure why they used so few sheaves on each tower, but I would be willing to bet that they were attempting to distribute the force over each of the break-over towers (as longer sheave trains would place more force on each of the towers). The topography below these towers is pretty nasty, which could potentially make it more difficult to pour a foundation large enough to support more force on less towers. Also notable is how windy this ridge gets; that could also explain the need to distribute the force of the cable and chairs over more towers (I can speak from personal experience, as I have been stuck on this lift, sitting under these breakover towers in far too many windstorms).
LikeLike
Yeah, but it seems all riblet lifts have a lot of Breakover towers, no matter where it is. Maybe they are just playing it safe
LikeLike
Riblet did not build assemblies larger than 4 sheaves until the 80s; thus, the large amount of towers. Their sheaves and assemblies also weren’t built as heavily until later.
LikeLike
More on that here, for those interested:
http://www.skilifts.org/old/tech_facts_ribletsheaveloads.htm
LikeLike
Jackass at Silver Mountain has basically the same ordeal as Blue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i love this lift, but it never runs
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can tell by your username!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a part of me that thinks that in 1994, the MHX should’ve replaced this instead of Jacob’s Ladder. But at the same time, realizes that Blue’s loading area is a bit less accessible than the MHX’s starting location.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how much use this lift will get in the future, seeing that Mt. Hood Express is going to be replaced with an LPA detachable six pack with a 3,600 people per hour capacity in the next year or two. Although once again, Blue outlives the newer lifts next to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not surprising. It seems like Riblets are usually replaced to increase capacity rather than because the lift is worn out.
Helps that it has a newer drive, too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not surprising. It seems like Riblets are usually replaced to increase capacity rather than because the lift is worn out.
Helps that it has a newer drive, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is the benefit of having a height adjustable tower, if the terminal is not height adjustable?
LikeLike
Probably for clearance. They can dig out the terminal, but having to dig out the whole line up to the first tower could be a whole different animal
LikeLike
That terminal looks pretty height-adjustable to me, given the height of the supports, the power that runs to the top of support first, the arrangement of the counterweight, and the additional structure/mechanism on the terminal legs.
LikeLike
Just yeaterday I wash skiing Mt hood Meadows for a ski trip and im from Alaska and grew up skiing alyeska for 18 years. Well the snow was fantastic at Meadows the past couple of days. So Mt Hood Express took a dump. And I see a bunch of lifties making their way towards Blue. I happened to be there at the right place yah the right time. Was taking a leg rest from skiing hip deep powder for three days now. Was chatting with the lifties about MTX and said we’re firing up ol reliable which is blue. A lot of resorts don’t have a backup chair ready to rumble like Blue. I got first chair on blue and what a ride. Yes it’s slower, the towers hun along and you got all the familiar rattles but I love them old Riblets. Such a beautiful lift. And yes reaching the top your going straight up then reach that massive 7 tower break over and once you clear that you see the most imposing well overbuilt, and built like a tank unloading ramp that man will ever know. Don’t fall in the net that would suck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fell into the net once ……. Not fun
LikeLike
Now THIS is an impressive lift!
The breakover exceeds that.
LikeLike