Sure, Dave, it's excellent.

Hello July travelers!
Are your suitcases and bagpacks ready for the big trip?

Yip.
Pretty much ready to go.
I've all my gear on the floor in the sitting room doing a check over.
My Astrotrac should be here tomorrow.
(fingers X'd!)

I'm modifying my ETX-125 field tripod to accept the astrotrac
with kind thanks to Mikkell for lending me his Manfrotto 410 geared head and a couple of adapters.
It looks like it's gonna be a rock solid yet very portable mount.
Now all I need is the Astrotrac and I'm ready to fly!

I've scaled back what I'm bringing in total.
hopefully to make the journey easier.

I'm getting there, given the replies here there is no point bringing any eyepieces, that's handy as its less weight in the hold.

Vagelis, what amount of clothing do you reckon we need!?
I'm traveling light.

I'm just going to bring literally what I am wearing on the flight out.
(Pair of Vans, Shorts, T & a hoodie.)

In the case I've thrown a few T's & some 'socks n' jocks'.
Then for the nights on the mountain a Ski pants & jacket.

I see nearly everyone in the images you linked
are wearing runners.
I was thinking we might need boots of some sort but I reckon the
Vans I have will be fine.

Up to what time in the night would you get away with wearing shorts?
I really don't want to bring any long pants if possible but John was
saying his ski pants came in handy.

Vagelis, what amount of clothing do you reckon we need!?
I'm traveling light.
I'm just going to bring literally what I am wearing on the flight out.
(Pair of Vans, Shorts, T & a hoodie.)

That's OK!

In the case I've thrown a few T's & some 'socks n' jocks'.
Then for the nights on the mountain a Ski pants & jacket.
I see nearly everyone in the images you linked
are wearing runners.

Hey, where is your swimming suit?

I was thinking we might need boots of some sort but I reckon the
Vans I have will be fine.

Chances are that you could well spend the whole night in your vans.
But if it gets cold, you would need boots. NOT heavy or ski boots, just light boots. Smth like
If it get's cold, a lot of people could lend you a spare jacket, but noone could lend you his boots!

Up to what time in the night would you get away with wearing shorts?
I really don't want to bring any long pants if possible but John was
saying his ski pants came in handy.

Me, up to sunset. John could get away quite longer.
Then it is time to wear long pants and a hoodie. And a jacket.
Ski pants is a good choice, but bring smth lighter also.
In June, I could't wear my ski pants, it was very hot.
Helpfull?

Hey, where is your swimming suit?

:?:
You mean it's not like the south of France?
Well, ok then,
I guess I'd better not scare the natives!
:wink:

Me, up to sunset. John could get away quite longer.
Then it is time to wear long pants and a hoodie. And a jacket.
Ski pants is a good choice, but bring smth lighter also.
In June, I could't wear my ski pants, it was very hot.
Helpfull?

Feck the ski pants and boots so.
We're Irish.
We can handle the cold.

Hi Frank,

Just a note on observing at altitude even from somewhere that's warm during the day. Twice I was at the RTMC in California at the end of May. The star party site is at 7,200 altitude and it got very cold after sunset. We were at 38-degrees north and were baked during the day. After dark was a different story and gloves, hat, and scarf plus a few layers of clothes were necessary for a long, long observing session.

Sort of reminds me the time I climbed Ben Nevis. Dozens of tourists swarming around the mountain top at the end of May in T-shirts and shorts while knee-deep snow still capped the peak!!! Myself and a friend were properly kitted out. What was more serious is that none of the tourists had maps or anything. Ben Nevis is prone to sudden mists and you need a compass bearing to navigate off it properly. Turn the wrong way and you plunge down a 2,000 foot drop on the north cliffs!!!

Have a great time observing in Greece 8-)

John

In my club, EAE, when we go to Mt Parnon for observing, we say:
"Think how many clothes you will need, and then take double as much".
Weather is sometimes unpredictable on mountain tops. Usually it is not so cold in summer, but if it is really cold and the sky is crystal clear and you don't have enough clothes with you, then you are forced to go to sleep early and you will miss a fantastic night's observation.
Another thing is that here in Greece it gets dark quickly after sunset, much more than in Ireland.
And sometimes even during the day it maybe too cold to wear short pants and tshirt, if it is windy.
I don't want to let you down, just be prepared as well as you can. In any case, we will have some spare clothes and lots of spare blankets for you, but no spare boots!

Cold?
I laugh in the face of cold :wink:
T minus 2 days and counting,

Bring back some pics Dave! Coupled with your groups trip this week, and John Murphy's last month, I haven't ruled out the August gathering myself. I even almost bought a nice compact 2-man tent on Friday thinking about it!

Seanie, what a nice surprise!
You are welcome
Are you coming to Novosibirsk, too?

Best of luck lads, i'm sure you'll have a great time. I'm heading over at the end of August and can't wait! You'll have to post a report on the forum when you get back.

Seanie, what a nice surprise!
You are welcome
Are you coming to Novosibirsk, too?

I don't know. Given the close proximities of the two meetings, I might have to sacrifice one over the other if I do decide to go! I am already planning on seeing next years total solar eclipse, so I could give this year a miss. I am slo in Belgium first week in September for the F1 Grand Prix. Coupled with the problem that I bet all accommodation is also gone might twist my hand in favour one way over the other might help!

As a suggestion Vagelis, next time you think talking about the August meeting, would you start it in a new thread to seperate it from this one? I meant to ask you to do it for the July one, just so that overlaps and distorted replies from IFAS users would be kept to a minimum.

Seanie.

I really found it quite warm even after the sun had gone down. I thought it strange that most of the Greeks were so well wrapped up in hats and hoodies etc. while I stolled about in shorts and a vest. I did though appreciate my ski pants and boots later in the night, and a warm jacket, with just a vest or T-shirt underneath. Didn't need my hat, in fact I lost it a few times - too hot - and eventually retired it. July should be quite a bit hotter than June so factor that in.
If your staying in a tent then it will be cold when you hit the scratcher. I slept in PJ bottoms and a T shirt and even socks with my jacket over my sleeping bag and this was fine and comfortable.
I so envy you guys heading there in a Group in just a few days time - ENJOY

If you haven't made reservations so far, well, it is a problem. And there is the visa issue ... bad thing ... So, see you in Greece!
Okie dokie, will comply for August expedition

Thanks Vagelis! Also, is there anyone else thinking of going end of August?

Okie dokie

John, am I spelling this right?

Thanks Vagelis! Also, is there anyone else thinking of going end of August?

James Kelly. Hi James

Hi Vagelis! Really looking forward to the trip next month. It couldn't come sooner.

Well nearly a month!

Ok you twisted my arm.
I will bring a light ski jacket & layered cargo pants.
Coupled with a few layers of T's and a hoodie I reckon
that'll be fine.

Actually.
What is the weather like and forecast?

Okie dokie

John, am I spelling this right?

Okeydokey, I think, better ask Bill O'Herlihy! (Irish soccer presenter, Says Okeydokey before almost every sentence)

Ooh I'm soo excited only two days to go!

One question for Vagelis. My wifie thought of this today. Is there any mobile phone coverage at or near the site? She wants a running report!

Actually.
What is the weather like and forecast?

Looks lovely today

www.metoffice.gov.uk/satpics/latest_IR.html