Two methods are being considered by the DOT. A helicopter (or possibly a crane) would be used to deliver hand drilling equipment to the top which would then be used to bore holes for dynamite blasting. The other method involves building a secondary road to the top of the area to allow of bringing heavy equipment. The slide must be stabilized from the top down.
Aerial view of the slide from Asheville Citizen-Times 
West to east view - photo from Asheville Citizen-Times
Direct view - photo from the Asheville Citizen-TimesWhy is this rock slide deserving of so much attention? Because this section of I40 sees about 25,000 vehicles every day with about half of them being commercial trucks traveling to and from the southeast to the midwest. There is no other Interstate to use as an alternative.
---------------Why am I writing this? To encourage the readers who follow this blog not to change their plans to visit western NC during the next several months. All you need to do is to plan a little extra time to allow for the detours. You will be rewarded with more views of our lovely mountains and small towns. And you will still reach your destination of ski resorts, the Biltmore House, the waterfalls, and all the other wonderful attractions we offer.
21 comments:
Was anyone hurt by this slide? Wow - looks so massive! One day I hope to visit NC!!
We had a similar slide on I-77 on Fancy Gap Mountain (VA) years ago. My friend drove right into it in the morning fog, totally his car. The boulders though were able to be removed. This slide looks a lot more difficult to remove. Thanks for the link to the story and the photo.
I'm still considering coming to the bookfest in Sylva next month.
I'm looking at alternative routes besides having to go across 441 through the park.
Thanks for the update on the rock slide. The rock slide is having a negative impact on eastern Tennessee as well. One advantage to being retired is that we can take our time when we travel. We'll keep visiting North Carolina.
Great photos, Carolyn. I knew that they said that some of the rocks were as big as a house... GADS--they were correct.
Mercy Me... IF the slide had have happened during the daytime, someone may have been killed. Scary!
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
I'm glad it happened at 2:00 am instead of daylight hours; that could have been bad. Traffic is already heavier coming up my way now, thanks to the detour.
I've enjoyed your beach pics! I love going places in the off-season just to get away from crowds. We went to Canyonlands and Arches in early Nov. once and we almost had them to ourselves. The Grand Canyon was a little more crowded, but not as bad as it gets in the summer. It was awesome.
That's quite a slide. It reminds me of what life is like after an earthquake. The disruption can go on for months. The wildlife in that corridor will probably enjoy the temporary respite.
What a pain in the neck but still pretty spectacular. I assume no on was seriously injured???
Thanks for the local update, Carolyn. Now you've made me want to come your way just to prove that I can!
WOW! I haven't seen anything like this since HWY 1 was closed near Big Sur! Amazing photos - and, great information. Thank you for sharing it! We are eager to get to Highlands and Cashiers this fall! We LOVE that area of North Carolina!
WOW. this really is a mess.
SO scary that someone could have been terribly hurt. Thanks for the update.
What a mess. It's really impressive, isn't it? I'll remember this when I drive through areas warning of rock slides.
NC--I am just catching up (wonder why??)--any way--wow, what a rock slide.
I also zipped through some past posts--love love love the pics.
I love the golden girls too--new beds a big hit?
Gosh that is some landslide and on a much used road. Very good PR on your part.....I hope you are on commission!!!!
Oh my. That's a huge slide. I frequently drive a narrow rocky canyon with the potential for slides like that... In fact, if that road were closed for 3 months, it would be terrible. I hope that fixing it is easier than expected.
Fortunately for tourism, we are about complete with Leaf Season, but the ski resort should open in the next couple of weeks (they tried to open last Monday after the snow, but the weather did not cooperate). They are our neighbor, so I really hope things go quicker on the road than they think.
Thankfully no one was killed or hurt very badly. Rock or mud slides are bad for everyone. I do hope they can get it fixed promptly.
Never tire of the mtns. Been there many times & wish I could return now.
Power of nature. Hope no one was caught in it.
Oh my gosh, that is amazing! I can only imagine the work involved in clearing that :(
Incredible. I wonder who first discovered the slide -- a driver on the interstate who just came upon it? It doesn't sound like anyone was hurt, thank goodness.
I always see signs for rock slides on the interstate, but I never give it a second thought. Now I will!
I heard today the 3 months estimate was too optimistic. Reminds us of the one 12 years ago, we will learn to go around it.
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