This year, DEAPS returned to Mt. Washington for the first time since 2019! The annual Discover Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (DEAPS) pre-orientation program gives incoming first years the opportunity to explore the different subjects taught in the department before classes begin. This year kicked off with activities and discussions in the classroom and lab, followed by opportunities to experience all aspects of earth, atmopsheric and planetary sciences in the real world including a trip up Mt. Washington.
Day 1 – Wednesday, August 24th
Grad TA Martin Velez explains some basics of pressure, temperature, and wind differences in measurements, along with some of his research in hurricanes and tropical cyclone genesis.
Grad TA Sean Chen gives us a weather forecast of the next few days in Mt. Washington. According to Sean’s figure, the weather at the peak can be sunny, cloudy, or windy at any given time, but it will definitely be cold. Shortly after this picture was taken, Martin pulled up the National Weather Service which proudly displayed a Severe Weather Warning for Mt. Washington.
Day 2 – Thursday, August 25th
Students examine their hands moving in rotating and nonrotating inertial reference frames. The rotating tanks model the movement of Earth’s atmosphere and ocean as a result of the Earth’s rotation!
Examining the iGlobe at all angles: Bill McKenna used the iGlobe to show the evolution of the land masses, of the development of several hurricanes, and of atmospheric pollutants.
During the evening trip to the Wallace Observatory, students learn about astronomy, telescopes and other observational devices.
Day 3 – Friday, August 26th
Students watch Professor John Marshall adding dye to a rotating tank (while proudly repping DEAPS ‘22 shirts).
Some cute sillimanite crystals…
Day 4 – Saturday, August 27th
Grad TA Martin Velez and Lana taking IR measurements by shooting lasers at the sky.
Group photo at Pinkham Notch (elevation: 2000 ft). Notice how the height of the trees and the cloud cover changes in these three photos in the ascent to Mt. Washington.
Group photo halfway up to the summit of Mt. Washington.
Group photo at the peak of Mt. Washington! (elevation: 6000 ft). It’s cold enough at the peak of the mountain that we all need coats and jackets in the middle of August!
Students climb up an observatory tower at Mt. Washington Observatory.
Ascent down Mt. Washington. The path is marked with stacks of stones (cairns) like the one seen here. We got lucky when a break in the clouds revealed the incredible view from the top of Mt. Washington!
Almost at the end of the challenging hike back up to the top of the mountain!
Undergrad TAs Katherine Taylor and Markey Freudenburg-Puricelli pose for a photo in the clouds.
Day 5 – Sunday, August 28th
Students gather around a frog discovered midway up a hike at Diana’s Baths on Sunday morning. Small waterfalls and pools along the way gave insight into how the stream shaped the landscape and ecosystems of the area over time.
This hike over smooth ground at Diana’s Baths could have been a warmup for the hike over the boulders at Mt. Washington…
Getting our feet wet at the top of Diana’s Baths!
