This is winter fieldwork on Niwot Ridge.
Sammy Yevak, research technician for the Niwot Ridge LTER, heading up to the tundra lab to sample nitrogen deposition and service a chart recorder for our long-term precipitation record. Photo by Austin Willbern.
Deep snow and howling wind. Scientists on skis. These are ingredients for a great day of winter fieldwork on Niwot Ridge.
Every Tuesday—snow or shine— our field crew collects data and performs routine maintenance to keep our long-term datasets going. If the warmer weather of early spring has you nostalgic for the chill of winter, take a virtual trip with our field technicians as they conduct fieldwork on Niwot Ridge:
On a Tuesday in late February, field technicians Sammy Yevak and Austin Willbern began their trek from the Mountain Research Station up to Niwot Ridge on a utility task vehicle (UTV):
Shortly after this video was taken, Sammy and Austin got stuck in deep snow. After digging out the UTV, they put on skis…
Sammy Yevak putting on skis after he and Austin Willbern dug out the UTV. Photo by Austin Willbern.
… and made their way up to the Ridge. The wind was howlin’ and the snow was blowin’!
Luckily, not all field days are as blustery as this one. Bluebird days happen too!
Sammy Yevak and Adeline Kelly heading out to collect water samples in the green lakes valley. Adeline currently manages the Mountain Limnology Lab at CU Boulder. Photo by Austin Willbern.
To check current weather conditions the Ridge, visit our real-time meteorology page here.
Explore more stories from the ridge
