The US Department of Agriculture apparently has a “Low Temperature Scanning Electron Microscope” at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland that allows them to get some amazing photos of snowflakes, according to a post on Twisted Sifter.
Samples of snow, ice and associated life forms are collected by dislodging the crystals or biota from the face of a snow pit or the surface of the snow onto copper metal sample plates containing precooled methyl cellulose solution. Within fractions of a second these plates are plunged into a reservoir of liquid nitrogen which rapidly cools them to -196°C and attaches these pre-frozen materials to the plates. . . After arrival at the Beltsville Electron Microscopy facility, the copper plates can be stored at -196°C in storage dewars. Selected samples are transferred to the preparation chamber for sputter coating with platinum. This renders them electrically conductive and they are placed on the pre-cooled (-170°C) stage of a Hitachi S-4100 field emission Scanning Electron Microscope where they are imaged and photographed.
So that’s how they do it. Click the link to see a few more of the images and then realizes that on a powder day we go blowing through billions of these crazy micro architectural masterpieces.
An snowboarder cruising out of bounds in Aspen, Colorado’s Highland Bowl yesterday afternoon (March 20, 2013) discovered the body of what is thought to be a skier Jeff Walker, 55, (pictured right) who has been missing for two weeks, according to a story in the Aspen Daily News.
Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle confirmed a snowboarder found a dead body in what’s known as the “grey zones,” beyond the Northwoods portion of the bowl and an area called Child’s Play. The snowboarder reported the body to Highlands ski patrol around 4 p.m. Patrollers went to the area, confirmed that a body was there, took photographs and called the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Our thoughts are with Walker’s family and friends as well as with the snowboarder who found him. Not exactly the way to end a day in the Grey Zones.
Want to know the future of building objects? In The Diamond Age futurist novelist Neal Stephenson outlines “the feed” from which citizens can create anything they want for free. We’re not there yet, but that hasn’t stopped Signal Snowboards from creating the world’s first 3D printed snowboard in this month’s Every Third Thursday. Check it out.
Christopher Sorensen, 21, of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada died on March 9, 2013 after reportedly hitting a snow fence at Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park, according to a story in the Edmonton Journal.
“He was there with a few friends, videoing, having some fun. It looks like he just caught an edge and went into a snow fence,” said Jasper RCMP Sgt. Dave Maludzinksi. . . Sorensen was wearing a helmet, Maludzinksi added.
The Rome Snowboards crew hits up Austria for a little backyard action, apparently. If you have time, watch this clip and let us know how it was in the comments.
Illicit Snowboarding’s collection of classic snowmobiling fashion from Ski-Doo and others had us crying tears of sexy joy. Click through for one of the best collections of classic (60s, 70s, and 80s) snow fashion that would kill on the hill today, too. Oh, and you might see some pretty hot photos of your grandma in here, too.
Hey, none of us will ever do a run like Shaun White did to win the 2013 US Open Snowboarding Championships in Vail, Colorado, however, thanks to Shaun’s GoPro we can all enjoy it right along Shaun’s biggest Youtube fan, Caryl Thompson. She’s old, but she loves to watch. . .
Stoked Mentoring is getting board beyond belief on March 24, 2013 as 100 people will “join our youth to snowboard in Big Bear, then surf in Santa Monica, and lastly skateboard along the boardwalk – all in one day in what they’re calling the Trishredathon.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for STOKED’s programs that serve low-income youth in Los Angeles. The Kelly Clark Foundation, Asymbol, Zoo York, Flat Fitty and 20 other supporters have already raised nearly $10,000. We’re almost there! You can help us. Click here to donate.
Kyle Martin, the former Event and Promotions Manager at Bend, Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor resort has been named Dragon’s new snow marketing manager.
“We’re excited to have Kyle as part of our team,” says Rick Irons, Dragon’s Global Brand Manager. “His perspective as a rider is critical, and we’re excited to see what kind of fresh ideas he will bring.”
Another entry into our Don’t Do This Files: A French snowboarder slips while looking for a way to get around a cliff band. Unfortunately, he found it. He can be heard on the video stating the obvious in French, “I do not know how I return to the station.”
To see how he got there, watch the beginning of the video.
