I remember seeing what could best be described as short strands of Christmas tree tinsel, on the ground in subalpine areas in the Olympics, this being in the mid-1950's into the 1960's. These were not in campsites, but randomly throughout the landscape. My first encounter was on the slopes of Mt. Appleton in 1956.
When discussed with whomever I was hiking with, it was suggested that it might have been some "military effort at jamming someone's radar."
Are there any long memories out there that might shed light on this?
SB
From your description it does seem likely that what you saw was chaff used to swamp radar with echoes. The planes that released it may have been offshore.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaff_(countermeasure)
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Ski
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Was it quite thin? Dad described the aluminum chaff they used over Korea ‘50-‘51 as being about as thin as the foil on a stick of chewing gum wrapper.
This was mostly daylight bombing. I don’t think it was used to hide the aircraft. I think it was to reduce efficacy of radar laid anti-aircraft guns.
Hope this doesn’t violate.
Keep Calm and Carry On?
Heck No.
Stay Excited and Get Outside!
0
Keep Calm and Carry On?
Heck No.
Stay Excited and Get Outside!
Thanks for sleuthing this out.
I do like the idea of the chaff perhaps being converted to holiday decorations, rather a take on "Beating Swords into Plowshares."
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