Sat, Aug 11 2007 - Perseid Meteor Shower - Prairie Mountain (View Original Event Details)
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Finally, after a three-year wait we got to do this again! We did it the first time in 2004, and it was awesome, although most of us weren't quite prepared for how cold it would get up there. 2005 didn't work out because of clouds/rain and 2006 didn't work out because of a full moon.
This time, it was pretty cloudy all day. The hourly forecast showed the sky clearing in Bragg Creek at around 7:00 or 8:00 and then getting cloudy again around 1AM. We decided to take our chances and believe the weatherman. It was cloudy as we hiked up, with just a few smidgens of blue sky showing. When we reached the top, it was pretty overcast and stayed that way 'til after 10:00 but then stars started popping up and that's when I became hopefully that we'd actually see the meteors.
There were a million stars out by the time we spotted the first unmistakable meteor making it's brief, firey shot across the sky. Marty and a couple others said that there were a LOT of meteors (about 12 or so) in the half hour from 3:30 - 4:00. Funny, I didn't notice any during that time!
It was chilly and somewhat windy staying up top, but most people took my warning seriously and were pretty prepared for that. I woke up in the morning to about half the group still there, and as there were no discernable weak cries for help as we hiked down, I'm assuming that all who relied on the glow sticks to find their way did just fine. We watched the beautiful red sunrise and then hiked down.
Thanks to everyone for coming out - I hope you had a great time!
-- Rhonda
It was a blast! the hike up was fun and lots to see, as was the hike down! The meteors were fun especially when as one streaked across the sky leaving its cosmic skid mark on the sky, everyone would oooh and aww and even clap out loud! The weather was good, and I am surprised to say I was nice and toasty in my sleeping bag, a definite for any future hike of this kind, as those without usually left due to being cold. Was fun and met some really great people, some of whom went out for breakfast the next morning! Have tones of pics so if anyone wants them just let me know! Actually it would be great to know the names again of some of the people I even took photos of!
Was my first COC event, and I must say it was great to finally get out into the Mountains again and meet a bunch of new people! Plus it was my first ever real sleepover under the stars, you know without the tent being there too!
-- JenWile