Helicopter Transports Concrete & Building Materials

Tuesday, Aug 9, 2011 was our big day for flying in and pouring concrete for the Broome Hut foundation, also materials to build up to our subfloor.

After months (actually years) of preparation, final coordination with USFS and CDOT, and obligatory safety meetings, dawn broke cool and clear and we began hauling concrete with a Vietnam-era 1967 Bell 205 helicopter, as strong as ever, flying out of the Corona Parking Lot (thank you Winter Park Resort)… and up to the hut site.

Safety is king in these operations so we had well organized teams top and bottom keeping an eye on operations.

With the chopper flying in 10-minute loops, a small revegetation team led by Reveg Boss Paisley were able to continue work on the south face of our absorption field.

Many thanks to USFS Zach Humbles and Rampart Helicopter Services for the excellent coordination.

Except for the helicopter haul, the concrete process is similar to any foundation with the “mud” poured into forms (rebar in place – thank you Grand County Building Department) then worked and smoothed by a team. Slow but sure is what it takes for any strong foundation.

After flying 45 loads of concrete, we switched to hauling wood, insulation, and the critical toilet tanks (blue boxes) for a total of 77 helicopter loads.  

From here, our construction team will build up and insulate our foundation up to the subfloor. Excellent day, great job Andy and the Team!