groz
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/14/07
Posts: 540
Loc: Duncan, BC
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A quick scan thru the recent threads, I dont see anything mentioned about table mountain.
So, who is headed up the hill at table later this month ? Chris and I will be driving out of duncan, likely on tuesday afternoon, or early wednesday morning. We plan to have the van set in place, and telescopes out for wednesday evening. Ours is not the fanciest of setups, but, for those of you rough camping up there, the coffee pot is pretty much always on, and there may even be an odd cold one in the fridge.
We are planning on making a real trip out of this one, after the festivities on table mountain start to die down, its strait north to osoyoos, and on up to Mt Kobau for the weeklong star party there. Clear sky gods willing, for us, it'll be 10 consecutive nights of mountaintop astronomy fun.
Edited by ~Steph~ (07/18/08 11:53 AM)
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 23797
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Wow. Sounds great. I'm going to miss TMSP this year. I'm going to the Mt. St. Helens event that weekend. I hate to miss Table. 
It's a hoot! 
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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Shmals
sage
Reged: 04/18/06
Posts: 325
Loc: PDX
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Just got my registration confirmation so I will be there. Likely going up on Wednesday!
Quote:
for those of you rough camping up there, the coffee pot is pretty much always on, and there may even be an odd cold one in the fridge.
 Hope I am close to you guys in the field! 
How big is your fridge?  Rough camping = 'Warm ones' 
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Tom
"I don't have to out run the bear, I just have to out run you."
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miniventures
Something Else
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 11037
Loc: Powell Butte, Central Oregon
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Table is coming real fast...woohoo!!! I have a similar situation, I'll get to TMSP on Tuesday afternnon/evening, head home on Sunday and then the following Wednesday, Mt Bachelor Star Party begins....
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LarryC
Volunteer
http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org
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gripweed44
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 903
Loc: PDX
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then the NW granddaddy!!!
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John
Omega Centauri is the finest Globular I have seen with my own eyes.
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miniventures
Something Else
Reged: 09/13/03
Posts: 11037
Loc: Powell Butte, Central Oregon
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Good thing I get a couple of weeks off, John!
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LarryC
Volunteer
http://www.sunrivernaturecenter.org
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groz
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/14/07
Posts: 540
Loc: Duncan, BC
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Quote:
How big is your fridge? Rough camping = 'Warm ones'
The fridge is not very big, but it does the job for a few days. The freezer is absolutely miniscule, but, large enough to keep a rotation of icepacks frozen for the cooler.
Look for the rig in the photo, and you will have found us.
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Myles
sage
Reged: 03/25/06
Posts: 491
Loc: Seattle, Washington
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We'll be up on Wednesday for year #3. Now is where I watch the weather forecast keeping my fingers crossed. Also flip/flopping on how many scopes to bring - solar/no solar, 80mm/no 80.
Should be fun - hope the Seattle/coastal weather stays west of TMSP.
- Myles
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Seattle, WA
100ED, SV80ED, SV115 on order
PST DS, WO66 white light
35Pan, 27Pan, 14XW, 10XW, 7XW, 5XW, 3.5XW
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RS67Man
Tinker King
Reged: 11/10/07
Posts: 740
Loc: Spanaway, WA USA!
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I am also going to the same star parties as the Pegster. I have heard that the road up to table mountain is a bit rough, I do not have a vehicle I can drive on bad roads! I do have a 73 Chevy K10, but it has two go flats and two may pops for tires. No $$ for replacements 
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Celestron 15X70 binos
Zhumell 10" "Photon Cannon"
Baader Hyperions 5mm, 8mm, 13mm, and 17mm, + FTR's
70mm Meade refractor on "broken" 494 Autostar tripod
6" F/8 "Ellis" 50 Year Old Newtonian Project!
AEACC The Automatic Electric Aluminum Can Crusher thread
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groz
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/14/07
Posts: 540
Loc: Duncan, BC
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Quote:
I am also going to the same star parties as the Pegster. I have heard that the road up to table mountain is a bit rough, I do not have a vehicle I can drive on bad roads! I do have a 73 Chevy K10, but it has two go flats and two may pops for tires. No $$ for replacements
I heard that too, so we went prepped last year for a rough road, but I've got an old 82 ford van, it'll take it. Well, as we drove up the hill on _pavement_ we kept asking 'where does the rough road start?'. When the gps said we were a little over a half mile from the site, we got off the pavement, onto a couple hundred yards of washboard gravel, then it was an easy dirt track for the last half mile.
Honestly, I dont think the folks talking about rough roads in that area know what a rough road is. When we bought the camper van, bought an old one for a bunch of reasons. First off, no big deal if we scratch the paint headed up backroads with overhanging trees, and secondly, it's got a proper frame under it, so it _can_ head onto a _rough_ road, of which there are plenty in this part of the world.
Table mountain is paved to within a mile of the site. Granted, it's only one lane paved, with occaisional pullouts to pass oncoming traffic, so be prepared to back up if you run into someone going the other way as you head up. It's narrow, and in a few places, steep, but nowhere did I see a grade worse than 10%.
When we leave Table, and head off to Kobau, there I expect to see a rough road.
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 23797
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Yep, the road to Table is fine. Any car can travel it.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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Myles
sage
Reged: 03/25/06
Posts: 491
Loc: Seattle, Washington
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This is my favorite time - watching the Weather Channel website forecast for Ellensburg  Wed - Sat now shows clear nights an improvement since this morning.
I pretty much look at WC, NOAA, and ACCU Weather, looking for the best forecast and ignoring the bad ones - 
Here is hoping for clear skies  
- Myles
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Seattle, WA
100ED, SV80ED, SV115 on order
PST DS, WO66 white light
35Pan, 27Pan, 14XW, 10XW, 7XW, 5XW, 3.5XW
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Shmals
sage
Reged: 04/18/06
Posts: 325
Loc: PDX
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Its almost time! This time tomorrow I will be en route.
Groz, love the rig, I will definitely stop by and say hello.
Myles, definitely bring the solar setup if you have room! I would love a peek (or two) through it. I am also guilty of checking the weather a lot lately.
Have a safe drive everyone.
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Tom
"I don't have to out run the bear, I just have to out run you."
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StargazerJMK
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/12/05
Posts: 690
Loc: Out in the Dark Looking Up
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Quote:
Yep, the road to Table is fine. Any car can travel it.
But it DID put a hole in the gas filter on my motorhome 2 years ago.... 
I'm going to TRY to get to the "Other" star party this year...
Tom, Can't wait to see ya again. The corona is on me...
Edited by StargazerJMK (07/28/08 02:36 PM)
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 23797
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Then the bourbon is on me!
Here's to OSP! Hope you can make it, Joan.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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groz
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/14/07
Posts: 540
Loc: Duncan, BC
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Weather forecast is looking pretty decent at this point. Everything is packed in the van except some last minute groceries we will pick up after crossing the border, mostly stuff we aren't allowed to bring across. We'll be on the road by noon tomorrow, stopping to see family in vancouver on the way, then plan to be parked up top on table by wednesday afternoon.
Two weeks of non stop mountaintop starparties for us, it's going to be FUN.
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Astrodweeb
member
Reged: 05/12/06
Posts: 86
Loc: Washington State
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Do cell phones work up at Table Mountain or should I just leave it at home?
Kevin
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12 inch GSO Dob with Argo Navis
Old Celestron C-8 with Byers drive
William Optics ZS80FD on EZ Touch mount
Vintage Edmund 4.25 inch Newtonian
ST80 on EQ 1 mount
Meade ETX 60
Orion 10X50 and 15X70 Binos
PST
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 23797
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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There's a cell phone 'hotspot' about a 1/2 mile up the road at Lion Rock. Folks who need to use their cell phone hike up there. There's internet onsite.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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groz
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/14/07
Posts: 540
Loc: Duncan, BC
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Quote:
There's a cell phone 'hotspot' about a 1/2 mile up the road at Lion Rock. Folks who need to use their cell phone hike up there. There's internet onsite.
My cell worked everywhere on the site last year. The vendor that ran the satellite internet last year isn't coming, so I am hoping somebody else has stepped up with a satellite system. Do you know for sure there is going to be internet again this year ? I haven't seen anything about it on the website.
Last year the satellite internet was in the RV that the astrogizmos folks drove up. I was talking to jeff a couple weeks ago, to get some new scope covers from them, and he said that table mountain is just to far to drive this year with the price of gas etc, so they are doing an east coast event instead, something 'next door' instead of 'on the far side of the continent'. I cant blame him, they would have to sell a stack of astrogazers just to pay for the gas.
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Astrodweeb
member
Reged: 05/12/06
Posts: 86
Loc: Washington State
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Great. Thanks for the info. I don't plan on using the phone much but it's good to know I can use it if needed.
Kevin
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12 inch GSO Dob with Argo Navis
Old Celestron C-8 with Byers drive
William Optics ZS80FD on EZ Touch mount
Vintage Edmund 4.25 inch Newtonian
ST80 on EQ 1 mount
Meade ETX 60
Orion 10X50 and 15X70 Binos
PST
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StargazerJMK
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/12/05
Posts: 690
Loc: Out in the Dark Looking Up
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Quote:
Then the bourbon is on me!
Here's to OSP! Hope you can make it, Joan.
OHHHH Bourbon AND Corona... how can a girl say No???? hehehe
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Joan
StargazerJMK
Location:
47° 15' N/122° 30' W (Tacoma, WA)
Out in the Dark Looking UP!
Orion XT12 Classic/F4.9 w/a Wyorock Focuser
EZ CBP tracking platform
Coronado PST H-alpha
Home-made 8 in./F6 Dob
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StargazerJMK
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/12/05
Posts: 690
Loc: Out in the Dark Looking Up
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I bounced my cellphone off the same satellite that I used for my internet and HBO...But I'm not going up this year.
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Joan
StargazerJMK
Location:
47° 15' N/122° 30' W (Tacoma, WA)
Out in the Dark Looking UP!
Orion XT12 Classic/F4.9 w/a Wyorock Focuser
EZ CBP tracking platform
Coronado PST H-alpha
Home-made 8 in./F6 Dob
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square_peg
Postmaster
Reged: 03/26/04
Posts: 23797
Loc: Maple Valley, WA
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Quote:
The vendor that ran the satellite internet last year isn't coming, so I am hoping somebody else has stepped up with a satellite system. Do you know for sure there is going to be internet again this year ? I haven't seen anything about it on the website.
I wasn't aware of that. I was just basing it on how things were the last few years. If nothing else Verizon Wireless customers should have internet. I did last year....a little weak....a little slow, but it worked.
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Tom (Pegster)
DSH-8 (GSO Dob)
15x70 Oberwerks
SVP 100 f/6 achro
WO 66 Petzval
Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900
8x42 Regals
History is Philosophy teaching by examples.
Thucydides
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Myles
sage
Reged: 03/25/06
Posts: 491
Loc: Seattle, Washington
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Enroute to TMSP in a couple hours ...
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Seattle, WA
100ED, SV80ED, SV115 on order
PST DS, WO66 white light
35Pan, 27Pan, 14XW, 10XW, 7XW, 5XW, 3.5XW
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JohnH
sage
Reged: 10/04/05
Posts: 492
Loc: vancouver near the wilds of B...
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We are packed and leaving, the wife and I.
Look for a blue CRV, BC plates, a big bug tent (Scrabble and card players welcome)
I didn't think we could pack it all in but theres still room!!! (Insert evil laugh)
3 tables, 2 tent, 2 scope one mount, propane stove etc ettc.
Maybe I'll ACTUALLY onserve this year.
I will be bringing at least one keg of Heinekin, so stop by. I'm John, the wife is Deb and our dog is Koko. who will be in a kennel in E-Burg from Thur to sunday
Edited by JohnH (07/30/08 10:07 AM)
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rwiederrich
Goldfinger
Reged: 11/17/05
Posts: 5888
Loc: Bremerton Washington
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You guys have a great time. Table is a fun star party. One of the best I have ever been to.
I'll stay back here and enjoy the same stars from GOMOC at our star party. Travel safe.
Try to take a day hike over to the gorge, and see if you can find any hidden snow piles......Great refreshment during a hot day.
Have fun fun fun......
Rob
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www.goldmtobservingcenter.com
Providing a great place for amateur astronomers, and ATM's to come and enjoy their hobby.
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Spaced
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 03/01/05
Posts: 1695
Loc: Tacoma, Washington, USA
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Ya'll have yourselves the time of your lives!
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Mike
Look! Up in the sky!
_____________________________
XT 10i - the i stands for Telrad
Megrez II 80 ED Triplet APO "Punk"
Siebert Black Night BVs
8 X 42 Celestron Regals
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Myles
sage
Reged: 03/25/06
Posts: 491
Loc: Seattle, Washington
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TMSP - recap:
Overall - frozen - winds, daytime temps 55 - 70 nightime approaching 32.
Multiple layer required, hats, gloves fully advised.
I might have some of the details on the wrong day...
Wednesday - a few hours of mostly clear, cold, breezy - viewing over around midnight
Thursday - cold, windy clouded up around 11 ish - I think it cleared around 2AM, but I turned in.
Friday - heavy winds overnight, fog, dew, and we awoked in a cloud with cold and wet. Night - clear for a moment - very windy and cold - maybe clearing after 2:30AM
Saturday day and approaching night looked greatt - clear skies but... dew! Took my finder and 4" refractor out almost immediately, cold, used binos. Dew gave way to frost around 12:30 AM, friend's observing table covered in frost - - Dew probably abated alittle after 2:00, but I turned in a 1:45
- On the bright side, those with kids on the west side of the student tent enjoyed an annual reunion with a half dozen familys having camped there over the past 3 TMSPs.
- Myles
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Seattle, WA
100ED, SV80ED, SV115 on order
PST DS, WO66 white light
35Pan, 27Pan, 14XW, 10XW, 7XW, 5XW, 3.5XW
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nicmert
newbie
Reged: 09/03/07
Posts: 3
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Myles hit it right on. It was cold! I think that on Friday it didn't get over about 46. I had a great time in spite of the cold. It would have been good to have a couple more hours of viewing on the nights it clouded over, but we didn't. Can't wait till next year!
Steve
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groz
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/14/07
Posts: 540
Loc: Duncan, BC
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Cold and windy did sum it up quite well. We parked overnight in Ellensburg on Tuesday nite, arrived there about 1 am, part of the plan to get the body clock turned around into night mode for a couple weeks of star party fun. After a big breakfast, we drove up the hill to the site of the event on table mountain. The first clue, after we arrived and got set up, we saw one of the port-a-potties with the door taped closed. Turns out, it had blown over on tuesday night, a forwarning of weather to come.
Wednesday nite - I was sick, think I ate something I shouldn't have, spent the nite curled up in bed, freezing. Chris was out, said the views were ok, but it was cold.
Thursday nite - Cold, windy, views were good until the clouds rolled in just before midnight. We froze. Our neighbor had a telescope blow over in the field overnight.
Neighbors on the other side had 2 teen aged girls with them (grandkids), and froze. Friday morning we all got weather forecasts via cellphone browsers, and saw 'more of the same' for fri |
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