Comet PanSTARRS – II

Just a few days ago Comet PanSTARRS became visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere. Today, the comet was located very near the 30h-old crescent moon making a striking pair of objects in the western twilight sky.

Comet PanSTARRS and the 30h-old crescent Moon -- with reflections in the lake.
Comet PanSTARRS and the 30h-old crescent Moon– with reflections in the lake.
Comet PanSTARRS and the Moon.
Comet PanSTARRS and the Moon.

Tomorrow the moon will be higher in the sky with the comet below. Another photo opportunity!

Comet PanSTARRS finally visible in the Northern Hemisphere

The anticipation has been building for many months as observers in the northern Hemisphere have waited for their first view of Comet C/2011 L4 PanSTARRS (Wikipedia; EarthSky). The comet has been visible to observers in the southern hemisphere for quite some time and the photographs have been impressive.

Comet PanSTARRS -- 1918 MST 10 March 2013.
Comet PanSTARRS — 1918 MST 10 March 2013.

The comet made its closest approach to the sun today (10 March 2013) and has been visible in the northern hemisphere for the past day or two (or three) but has been so close to the sun that it was difficult to see. Today there was enough separation between the comet and the sun that it could be seen about 30 minutes after sunset when the sky had darkened enough. But because it is still so close to the sun it set shortly after that so there was only a short viewing period. This should get better over the next few days and weeks as its orbit back out into the solar system takes it farther from the sun.

Comet PanSTARRS -- 1919 MST 10 March 2013.
Comet PanSTARRS — 1919 MST 10 March 2013.

The next best photo opportunity will be on 12 March 2013 when the crescent moon will pass close to the comet.

Mountain Biking on the Highline Trail in Sedona

The Highline Trail in Sedona, Arizona, is quickly becoming a very popular trail. Originally a “user-built” trail, it has since been adopted into the Forest Service trail system. As a result, there has been some work done to bring it up to current trail standards. This has included some re-routes of sections that were prone to erosion or resource damage.

The start of the Highline Trail. The trail sign makes it very clear this is Double Black Diamond.
The start of the Highline Trail. The trail sign makes it very clear this is Double Black Diamond.

What it did not do is make it easier. This trail is classified as “double black diamond” and you had better believe it! Portions of the trail are very narrow with serious drop-offs to the side. Other sections include very steep descents on both loose gravel and rock. It’s OKAY to get off the bike and walk some of these sections.

Made it from the steep and narrow section to the steep and slightly wider section.
Made it from the steep and narrow section to the steep and slightly wider section.

Along one long stretch of very narrow trail with steep drops is this slightly wider section. Wide enough, actually, for me to hop off the bike and take a photo. Notice that big, happy smile? That’s because she made it through the narrow section to the “wide” section.

Steep downhill sections on the slickrock make it worth the effort.
Steep downhill sections on the slickrock make it worth the effort.

Once you ride over the saddle you begin a long, amazing, and fun descent on the red rock. And, yes, it’s worth it.

Powder skiing on the Kachina Peaks

After a few days of overcast skies and snow the weather has finally improved. With sunny skies and light winds, Friday was a good day to do some back country skiing. Our original destination was near Forest Road 794 at about 8000 feet elevation. We were disappointed to find that even at these elevations much of the snow pack was lost a few weeks ago during the warm winter storm that brought rain to the area. So we went with our backup plan and drove up Snowbowl Road to the base of the ski area. We skied across the lower slopes to the Humphreys Peak Trail and began our climb — eventually leaving the trail and traveling through the trees to some great ski terrain.

Looking downhill across untracked powder at the WWII bomber wreck site.
Looking downhill across untracked powder at the WWII bomber wreck site.

Our first stop was the area known as “Flying Dutchman.” Enough snow had fallen in the past few weeks to finally cover most (but not all) of the rocks. We followed an uphill track and eventually caught up to some acquaintances that we had not seen in a few years. After a few minutes of chatting, they headed downhill while we continued up to the site of the WWII bomber wreck — located just below tree line. The snow was very good — but still a few rocks were poking up through the snow (or lurking just below!) to catch and damage ski bases.

Tracks through the deep powder in Flying Dutchman.
Tracks through the deep powder in Flying Dutchman.

We skied down across the bomber site and then into the trees returning to the top of Flying Dutchman. This is always a lot of fun as it is moderately-pitched, wide-open terrain with plenty of vertical descent from top to bottom. And, yes, we hit a few more rocks.

Powder skiing!
Powder skiing!

Finally, back into the trees and down the narrow Humphreys Trail — which can feel a bit like a bobsled run when it gets hard and icy. But today the snow was good.