Life at 22,000 Feet

22,615 feet: height of Ojos del Salado 

3 CU team members in the field collecting 40 microbial and 15 mineral samples, plus light measurements

The team’s backpacks weighed about 50 pounds

Team’s base camp was at 19,000 feet and research was conducted at 21,000 feet. Other camps were located at approximately 13,000 feet, 17,000 feet and 18,200 feet. 

Highest recorded trip temperature 127.67 degrees F at  ~1 p.m. on Dec. 6 

Lowest recorded trip temperature 1.7 degrees F at ~1 a.m. on Dec. 12

Animals spotted on the trip: vicuñas (pictured), flamingos and condors 

The spiky snow formations called penitentes the team studied are typically 5-7 feet tall and are commonly found in dry environments above 13,000 feet

3-week-long study during the southern hemisphere’s summer 

4 trucks used for transportation, including a former African safari truck