Our planned itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment problems, and other logistical problems.
September 12 - September 18 1996
Departure from Amherst, Massachusetts; Travel to La Paz via Miami; Acclimatisation in La Paz; Organisation of the necessary logistics for the trip to Nevado Sajama
September 19 - September 25
Join French research group on the Zongo Glacier, Cordillera Real; Conduct glacier mass and energy balance studies in cooperation with the French scientists; Back to La Paz and travel to Nevado Sajama
September 25 - October 2
Summit Nevado Sajama; Installation of the automated weather station on the summit; Test of the GOES satellite uplink used for data transfer back to Amherst, Massachusetts; Conduct snow pit studies for isotope stratigraphy in the summit area of the mountain; Reconnaissance hike around the mountain to look for lakes suitable for further paleoclimatic studies; Return to summit to check the operation of the weather station
October 3 - October 10
Travel to Nevado Illimani (6440 m), Installation of the second automated weather station on the summit, Test of the GOES satellite uplink used for data transfer back to Amherst, Massachusetts; Conduct snow pit studies for isotope stratigraphy in the summit area of the mountain; Reconnaissance hike around the mountain to look for lakes suitable for further paleoclimatic studies; Return to summit to check the operation of the weather station
Possible trip to Peru to service the Pucajirca and Hualcan weather stations (6048 m)
Return to Amherst, Massachusetts
The duration of the research project is four years. The drilling of the ice cores is planned for the summer of 1997. Researchers from the University of Massachusetts will return to Bolivia to service the weather stations at least once every year for the duration of the project. (see also Project Description)