A Time of Change

2008-10-07 02:32:29.000 – Stacey Kawecki,  Observer

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While the summit is experiencing an early ‘Winter Wonderland’, we hear from our sources that it is absolutely gorgeous fall weather down in that valley below. I say ‘hear’ because seeing into the valleys hasn’t been an option at all this week. That is, until this very hour. Granted, seeing the Sun at this hour (2300 EST) would be interesting, and it’s not normal at this latitude. However, Mike has just come inside from doing the observation, and has claimed that it is clear as a bell out there, and told me to get outside. We will greet the Sun tomorrow morning with a mixture of relief and grief. It is always wonderful to wake up and watch the sunrise, especially when you have been deprived of sunsets all week (the sunset is easier to watch, since it occurs at a decent hour). However, the coming of the Sun means that a lot of the beautiful white landscape that has graced the summit this past week will melt or sublimate.

There is more good news. Looking at the forecast, it would seem that Tuesday and Wednesday will be gorgeous days, not only in the valley, but also on the summit. That means that shift change transportation should remain uncomplicated for the time being. We have dodged the Truck & Chains bullet this week, but living at the top of a Mountain that is famous for its fickleness and outright disregard for forecasts, we really don’t know how long we have until the chains are dusted off, and shift change starts occurring with a Snow Cat. Winter is on its way…

Stacey Kawecki,  Observer