[BULK] - RE: [pct-l] Campo to Morena Day Hike (was 16+ mi.drystretches)

[blisterfree at isp01.net (Brett)]

>I think katabatic refers to strong, cold winds which occur 
>in polar regions,
> especially over ice caps. Antarctic explorers had to deal 
> with them
> constantly.

Katabatic has nothing to do with acrobatic mountain lions. 
It's simply the colder and thus heavier air that sinks into 
low lying areas, most commonly in the evening and overnight 
hours when heat radiates away from the earth at a faster 
rate than it is absorbed. It is not a 
geographically-specific phenomenon, although it tends to 
occur most noticeably in mountainous areas where the 
lower-lying drainages are natural conduits for the cold air 
from the heights. Katabatic air acts like a mini-river that, 
in fact, often "flows" just above the actual rivers. Or 
creeks. Climb away from the creeks before selecting a 
campsite, even as little as 10 or 20 feet above them, and 
avoid much of the katabatic cooling effect. Sleep warmer.

Now who wants to explain "adiabatic"?

- blisterfree

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