Aspen all day long pine-ing for you!!!

Aspen all day long pine-ing for you!!!

The Dendrophobics have had a thrilling adventure this week on Mt. Lemmon. We got up close and personal with some aspen and pine trees. One team member was so engrossed in our scientific endeavor, he abandoned his backpack at our ridge field site. Thankfully, he realized his forgetfulness before we reached Sky School, however not before we had hiked up the most difficult portion of the trail.

The Dendrophobics collect a pine tree core sample using an increment borer
The Dendrophobics collect a pine tree core sample using an increment borer

On Tuesday night, we enjoyed a beautiful view of the sunset from the very top of Mt. Lemmon, next to the Catalina Sky Survey telescope.

Mt. Lemmon casts a shadow over the San Pedro Valley
Mt. Lemmon casts a shadow over the San Pedro Valley

After a very successful research symposium on Wednesday night, where our groups presented their cutting-edge inquiry projects, we set off on a night hike to see the lights of Tucson. Despite the short distance of the hike, it was filled with jolly carol singing, marching, and even several sightings of Sasquatch and his spirit animal, the deer.

View from the meadow down to our ridge field site
View from the meadow down to our ridge field site

This morning we prepare to depart on our return journey to the hot hot heat of Tucson. We all learned something. Remember–always be an airplane.

BEWARE OF TREES,

The Dendrophobics