Hopping Rocks in the Fog

2009-05-07 16:00:04.000 – Ali Boris,  Summit Intern

Undercast on the rocks

As we head into the summer season when one and all can come up to enjoy the observatory, spring has sprung and the snow has all but melted away on the summit cone. It’s still quite a change of climate to arrive at work every other Wednesday, but I’m discovering new details about our mountaintop home as I see it for the first time in its rocky, sedgey glory. Angles, ground coverings, and colors are now exposed from beneath the blankets of snow and sheets of ice -some that I didn’t expect.

I enjoyed exploring and learning about a wintry environment as well as all of the gear and terminology that comes with it, but this new side of the mountain is more my pace. As we hopped down the rocks in the direction of Clay yesterday, Mike and I stopped to enjoy streams of water that bubbled beneath us, pondering the beginnings of waterways down in the valley. I also find the flakey schist bits and coal chunks left by the Cog fascinating -they remind me that I need to spend more time studying the geology posters down in the museum.

The fog rolled in yesterday, obscuring our breathtaking view of the undercast around us. We had some rain through the night and into this morning, which I certainly don’t mind as an upper left coaster. This morning we reported a slight chance of thunderstorms, which is always exciting, but it’s looking like today’s not the day for that experience. The outlook for the next few days says more of the same: foggy and wet; although we might see some clearing Friday night.

Up in our cozy Obs, we enjoy the comforts of good friends, movies, excellent food, and even clean carpets thanks to our volunteers this week! We’re passing the time in expectation of more exciting weather…

Ali Boris,  Summit Intern