Edward LaChapelle avalanche control video collection

Collection

Identifier: A0439

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Edward LaChapelle avalanche control video collection (1950-1970) consists of films about avalanche danger, control and research. Several films document early avalanche control done at Alta, Utah. The collection also includes some of LaChapelle's home movies and other ski related footage.

Dates

1950-1970

Creator

LaChapelle, Edward R. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. Five business days advanced notice required. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.

Biographical Note

Edward Randle "Ed" LaChapelle (1926-2007) was born in May 31 Tacoma, Washington. After studying physics and math at the University of Puget Sound and spending time at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research he joined the United States Forest Service as a snow ranger in Alta, Utah in 1952.

In addition to his two decades of work at Alta's avalanche center, LaChapelle was professor of atmospheric sciences and geophysics at the University of Washington from 1967 to 1982 and professor emeritus until his death. He also researched the subject at the Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) of the University of Colorado at Boulder from 1973-1977 and was involved in the 1968 development of the avalanche transceiver beacon. Edward LaChapelle died of a heart attack at Colorado's Monarch Ski Area on February 1, 2007.

Extent

19 16mm film

10 VHS

2 Betacam

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Edward LaChapelle avalanche control video collection (1950-1970) consists of films about avalanche danger, control and research at Utah ski areas and around the world. The collection also includes some of LaChapelle's home movies and other ski related footage. Edward LaChapelle was an American glaciologist, mountaineer, skier, author, and professor and a pioneer in Avalanche research, safety and forecasting.

Arrangement

The materials are arranged by format type.

Related Materials

See also Edward LaChapelle's 35mm slides, located with the photograph collections, and his ex-wife Dolores LaChapelle's photograph collection (P0981).

Forms part of the Ski and Snow Sports Archives (S.J. Quinney Outdoor Recreation Archives).