SAM Magazine—Newry, Maine, July 20, 2016—Investigators think they may have discovered why the upper terminal of the Spruce Peak Triple seemed to uproot from the ground at Sunday River on July 10.

According to the resort, MountainGuard engineers said it appears that the concrete grout used to adhere steel reinforcement bars to the foundation of the terminal and the bedrock below failed. They plan to return to the resort tomorrow, July 21, to take core samples from the bedrock where concrete grout is present for further tests.

No one saw the incident occur, and no one was injured.

Investigators believe that, after the foundation of the terminal uprooted, the weight and tension of the haul rope pulled the terminal downhill. It tipped the bullwheel up 90 degrees. That allowed the haul rope to release, and many chairs to lower to the ground.

Sunday River's lift maintenance manager discovered the slack rope and lowered chairs on the evening of July 10. The resort, State of Maine Tramway Board, and MountainGuard insurance have been working to understand the cause of the incident since.

On Monday, Sunday River was given permission by MountainGuard to de-tension the haul rope, which in turn lowered all remaining chairs on the Spruce Peak Triple. The site remains closed as a safety precaution during the ongoing investigation.

Decisions on repairing or replacing the Spruce Peak Triple will depend on several factors, including the results of Sunday River and MountainGuard engineering reports. The resort said it intends to act as quickly as possible on whatever decision is made following the conclusion of the investigation.

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