Brian York's Life

At the top of the world

Written on June 19, 2008

So here I am at the top of the world. I just actually got to see the telescope. It’s (roughly) 4 stories tall, and as wide as a 3-story building is tall. And that entire width is a single, massive mirror. Just incredible. It’s cold up here (around freezing), and the wind is pretty bad, and I’m feeling the altitude. I just feel tired, and my knees ache (joint problems).

The drive up was interesting. Most of the road isn’t paved, so it was a bad washboard, with a steep drop on one side, cold wet and rainy conditions, a narrow road with two-way traffic, and sliding all over the road at the speed we were going. It’s clearer up here, but there’s still a massive amount of extinction happening, so the weather is crappy even at this altitude.

That said, I’m having a lot of fun. I woke up around 7AM, so I’m going to have trouble staying awake until 8AM tomorrow, but that’s just part of the job… I am learning quite a bit about what actually goes on in the telescope, which is nice. And so far I haven’t fainted or anything, which is also nice.

It’s amazing how many tourists were up at the summit to watch the sunset. Many vanloads. At least they didn’t try to get in here. And, as per regulations, I have my radio with me so I can ask for help if I need it (of course, everyone else here is in the same room, so really I don’t need it right now).

That’s it for now. Observing takes it out of you.

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Entry last updated October 28, 2005