Tuesday evening shift change

2010-09-08 16:23:15.000 – Steve Welsh,  IT Observer

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Since starting at the observatory, nearly three years ago now, Wednesdays have been a day for change. Either it was time to head up the mountain or the shift was up and in was time to head back down to the low lands. I can only remember four times when this tradition has been broken – the first was back in 2008 when Christmas Eve fell on a Wednesday so the shift change was performed a day early, the second was due to a mechanical problem with the snow tractor, the third was due to severe weather and the last time was this past summer when both crews worked a week and half to swap the shift rotation around.

Since the Auto Road has been closed today and may even be closed tomorrow we performed the change over a day early. It was a very strange feeling heading up the road on Tuesday evening as the sun was setting behind Mount Clay. The Sherman Adams building was devoid of tourists as we off loaded our supplies and it was dark as we started the shift hand over meeting. It was equally strange this morning waking up and realizing it was the start rather that the end of the shift. Now I’m going to be confused all week.

Steve Welsh,  IT Observer