[BR-Crater] [Stratofox Team] suggestion for upcoming Black Rock trips

[Heather Stern]

On Mon, Aug 25, 2008 at 10:01:43AM -0700, Ian Kluft wrote:
> This is still open for suggestions and discussion.  

> But to move this forward, I'll suggest this plan...
> * September 5-7: Crater Assault 3 - emphasis on Upper High Dry and the
>   Black Rock Range to further investigate the impact crater theory.
> * September 26-28: Stratofox 5 - emphasis on exploration of Black Rock,
>   recreation, increasing our familiarity with the area and training
>   new members.

These both work fine for me, I have a convention on one of the other
September weekends where I'm expected. (not a netlounge this time)

> * Oct 3-5, Oct 10-12: weather alternates for Stratofox 5

Oct 3-5 I can't make (convention with netlounge, also someone I know is a
Guest of Honor). The other is fine for me.

> I put the Crater Assault event first... possibly wishful thinking but
> the idea is to get the impact crater stuff out of the way so that the
> second trip can focus on other things for those who aren't interested
> in looking at and talking about rocks.
> 
> Also, the most popular weekend seems the place to put the recreational
> and exploration trip.

I am eager to attend both weekends.  For a bunch of reasons I haven't been
to the wilds all Summer - though oddly enough I did get by an impact site, 
it wasn't something that had been on my mind at the time (it being one of 
those touristy ghost towns.  Now I know why the landscape fascinated me more
than the trinket shops :) ).

For star viewing - 
 * Sep 5-7:  moonset 10:08pm, 10:48pm for fri/sat.  There should be dark
             skies if we want to stay up.
 * Sep 26-28: moonset 5:28pm, 5:52pm for fri/sat.  This is before sunset;
             when the sky turns dark it'll be *really* dark.
 * Oct 3-5: moonset 8:44pm, 9:29pm, and sunset closer to 7pm.  The early 
             portion of the evening will be moderately lit, it's only 27%
             of phase.
 * Oct 10-12: moonset at 3:34am, 4:41am.   The moon will be in the sky for 
             most of the night, at 81% of full.  So the night hills will
             be well lit.  Unfortunately it'll probably be a bit chilly 
             for a night hike.

I got this by feeding Sparks, Nevada into this Sun/Moon calculator (it has
no entry for Empire nor Gerlach).
    http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php

> A possible reason to switch these around would be because September is
> when the season changes.  The beginning of September is still warm to
> hot days, with pleasant nighttime temperatures.  By the end of September,
> near-freezing or sub-freezing temperatures are normal overnight due to
> the altitude.  The warmer weather may be nicer for a recrational trip.
> But we'd go prepared anyway.  So it isn't a big difference.

We have to go prepared for all sorts of weather changes, not just cold/hot.
But if we want to do the recreational trip earlier, and an impact visit 
later, all the hiking that we do for the impact study will help keep us 
busy thinking about more than the weather.

How does the changing weather affect radio comms out there?

> What does everyone prefer?

I like the two dates that won.