A 91大黄鸭 coder has recently created a text messaging service on what areas are open for backcountry enthusiasts heading for Rogers Pass.
In a usual winter, Will Zittlau said he might go skiing in Glacier National Park every weekend.
While he has yet to make the trek this winter due to COVID-19, Zittlau has created a simple SMS service for people to get updates on what areas are open in Rogers Pass.
| What areas are open at Rogers Pass for Jan. 8 (Screenshot) |
For Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park, explosive artillery fire is regularly used on mountain slopes to protect the highway and railway from natural avalanches.
As such, the Winter Permit System was created to separates skiers from artillery fire and the resulting avalanches and is separated into three categories: winter restricted areas (WRA), winter prohibited areas (WPA) and winter unrestricted areas (WUA).
WRA may close or open daily, WPA are closed all winter and WUA are always open.
Each morning at 7 a.m., Parks Canada provides updates on their for which WRA are open.
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Living in 91大黄鸭, Zittlau said he usually has to leave at 5 a.m. to go skiing at Rogers Pass. Zittlau said he wanted to make it easier for people to go skiing, especially when driving from several hours away.
He also wanted a new challenge.
Zittlau graduated from engineering last spring, but due to COVID-19 could not find work. Interested in computers, he spent the summer teaching himself to code.
Zittlau spent weeks creating which turns Park Canada鈥檚 Rogers Pass data into a text message.
If anyone wants to know what WRA are open or closed, they can text 鈥渦pdate鈥� to (347) 754-3962 to elicit a response.
While the service is free, each text message interaction costs roughly three cents. Depending on how popular the service becomes, Zittlau said he might eventually ask for donations.
鈥淲e鈥檒l see how this month goes,鈥� he said.
So far, more than 100 people have signed up.
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Zittlau鈥檚 passion for coding, however, has turned into a career as he was recently hired as a software developer. His new employers found the on his resume impressive.
鈥淚鈥檝e done a complete 180 for work,鈥� he said with a laugh.
Due to COVID-19 and the rise of remote working, the tech industry is booming.
Zittlau also created an app this summer that combines weather and avalanche data into one location.
鈥淎ll my stuff is ski-related,鈥� he said.
Because this is a third-party app, Zittlau states on his website, there is no guarantee on the accuracy of the data.
鈥淎lways check the official before venturing into a Winter Restricted Area,鈥� reads the website.
Parks Canada said while Zittlau鈥檚 service is convenient, it still urges people to ultimately check the agency鈥檚 website or phone 250-837-SKIS (7547) for a recorded and official update on what areas are open daily.
鈥淭here is no room for error when firing live ammunition for avalanche control. Parks Canada would like to remind Rogers Pass backcountry users that you need to be 100% certain which Winter Restricted Areas are open every day,鈥� reads a Facebook post from the agency.
Parks Canada said it does not endorse any third party notification tools for the Winter Permit System.
鈥淎ny use of such applications is done at the users鈥� own risk.鈥�
liam.harrap@revelstokereview.com
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