Montgomery Atwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Montgomery Atwater
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Monty Atwater on skis
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| Born | 1904 |
| Died | 1976 |
| Nationality |  American |
| Alma mater | Harvard College, 1926 |
| Known for | Avalanche research and forecasting |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Snow Science, Author |
| Institutions | United States Forest Service, 1945– |
Montgomery Meigs "Monty" Atwater (1904–1976) was an American expert in avalanches. He was also a forester, skier, and author. Many people consider him the person who started avalanche research and forecasting in North America.
Contents
Early Life
Monty Atwater was born in 1904 in Baker City, Oregon.
Education
In 1926, Atwater graduated from Harvard College. He earned a degree in English Literature.
Monty's Career
Before his famous work, Monty had many different jobs. He was a football coach, a cattle rancher, and even a trapper. In the 1930s, he lived in Montana and wrote exciting short stories and mysteries. Sometimes he used a different name, called a pseudonym, which was Max Montgomery.
Serving in World War II
During World War II, Atwater joined the 10th Mountain Division. This group specialized in mountain and winter warfare. He taught soldiers how to fight in snowy, cold conditions. Atwater became a captain and was wounded while fighting. Because of his injury, he left the army.
Becoming an Avalanche Expert
In the autumn of 1945, Atwater started working as a forest ranger for the Wasatch National Forest. His job was to keep people safe in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Alta, Utah.
Over the next 20 years, he created the first avalanche research center in the Western Hemisphere at Alta. He invented many new ways and tools to predict and control avalanches.
Olympic Avalanche Control
In 1960, Atwater was the Chief of Avalanche Control for the 1960 Winter Olympics. These games were held in Squaw Valley, California. This area had a history of huge avalanches that could destroy chairlifts. However, thanks to Atwater's work, no major avalanches happened during the Games.
Inventing New Tools
In the 1960s, Atwater worked with Frank Parsoneault. They developed the Mark 10 Avalauncher. This was a special pneumatic cannon that used air pressure to launch explosives. These explosives were used to safely trigger small avalanches before they could become dangerous.
Retirement and Consulting
Atwater retired from the Forest Service in 1964. In 1966, he again showed his amazing avalanche control skills. This was at the alpine skiing World Championships in Portillo, Chile. Just a year before, massive avalanches had almost destroyed the ski area. But during the championships, everything went smoothly.
He also worked as a consultant for ski areas, mining companies, and telecommunication companies. He helped them in the mountainous regions of North and South America. Atwater also ran a small research lab in Squaw Valley.
Personal Life
In 1945, Atwater moved to Alta, Utah. He had three sons: James E. Atwater, Robert, and Montgomery. In 1976, Monty Atwater passed away from a heart attack.
Awards and Recognition
- 1973: Named the "Father of snow avalanche work in the United States." This honor was given by the National Ski Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service.
- 1979: Inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
