National Storm Chaser
Conference
(formerly known as the Colorado Storm Chaser Conference)
(formerly known as the Colorado Storm Chaser Conference)
2004
This year was the second year I have attended the NSCC. It was quite a conference this year. While I can see a few areas that need improvement, my overall experience of the event was great. Good Keynote speakers and quests. Presentations were top of the line, and not only entertained me, but educated me as well. From seeing veterans and such as David Hoadley, Tim Marshall, to TV personalities like Dr. Greg Forbes from The Weather Channel. Doppler on Wheels (DOW) showcase was great...it and made standing out in the snowy parking lot not even an issue. This year Amos Magliocco rejoined the group and Jim Edds came for the first time. As the previous year, returning this year was Jeff Gammons, Chris Collura and myself.
Then, on Sunday, while some folks participated in the Forecasting class, Jeff, Kersten, Chris, Doug and myself ventured up into the mountains. This year we wanted to go as far as the Continental Divide. And this time we did, all the way up to 11,318' at the top of Fremont Pass . We ventured a lot farther this year since we were able to rent a Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4wheel drive. And there were a few times we surely needed it, and used it. But unfortunately, the high altitude did a few of us in. Because we were not accustom to the disciplines of high altitude we made the mistake of coming down out of the maintains too fast. Going from over 11,000 feet to just a little over 5,000 feet at the hotel, gave a few of us a bit of "altitude sickness". This may curb a few folks from venturing into the hills next year. At least it was not anything that a little time didn't cure.
Check out the picture gallery for some images from this years event. Also check out some of the links to past years, and future years as they are added.