134 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 65 



perature was recorded (see fig. 9). In another, August 2, the air movement 

 could be observed up to 17 kilometers. On July 24 and 27 the winds were 

 westerly, with a small south component up to the height at which the minimum 

 temperature was found. Above this height the wind was easterly. On 

 August 2 and 3 the winds were southerly, with a small west component up to 

 the point of minimum temperature. Here again the winds became easterly. 

 On July 24 the wind velocity increased as the easterly component made its 

 appearance ; on July 27 there was little change ; on August 2 and 3 there 

 was a decided decrease in velocity as the wind became easterly. 



B. The Captive Balloon and Mountain Observations on and Near 



Mount Whitney 



By W. R. Gregg 



Meteorological observations, including some captive balloon ascensions, 

 were made at Mount Whitney, Cal., from August 1 to 13, inclusive, and at 

 Lone Pine, Cal., from August 1 to 4, inclusive. Mount Whitney is the highest 

 peak of the Sierra Nevadas,. its altitude being 4,420 meters. It lies in latitude 

 36° 35' N. and longitude 118 17' W. On the north, south, and west it is 

 surrounded by mountains, many of which are nearly as high as itself ; its 

 eastern slope is quite precipitous and at its foot lies Owens Valley, which is 

 about 25 kilometers in width and extends in a north-northwest and south- 

 southeast direction. East of this valley and running parallel to the Sierras 

 is the Inyo Range, altitude about 3,000 meters. Lone Pine is situated about 

 midway between these two ranges, near the northern end of Owens Lake. 

 Its altitude is 1,137 meters and it lies in latitude 36 35' N. and longitude 118 

 3' W., about 25 kilometers due east from Mount Whitney. Topographically 

 the location of Lone Pine is similar to that of Independence, Cal., which is 

 about 25 kilometers north-northwest of it and therefore practically the same 

 distance from Mount Whitney. Independence is in latitude 36 48' N., longi- 

 tude 118 12' W., and has an altitude of 1,191 meters, or 54 meters higher 

 than that of Lone Pine. 



SURFACE OBSERVATIONS AT MOUNT WHITNEY 



The instrumental equipment consisted of a Short and Mason aneroid 

 barometer, sling psychrometer, small kite anemometer of the Robinson type, 

 Marvin meteorograph, and Richard meteorograph. The Richard instrument 

 recorded pressure and temperature only and the object in taking it was to 

 obtain a surface record of these elements and also to provide a substitute in 

 case the Marvin instrument were lost or injured. The latter recorded relative 

 humidity in addition to pressure and temperature. In order to secure good 

 ventilation during balloon ascensions a section of the horizontal screening 

 tube containing the humidity and temperature elements had been cut out, thus 

 exposing these elements directly to the air. 



As soon as they were unpacked, both of these instruments were started 

 recording and a continuous record of pressure, temperature, and relative 

 humidity was obtained. The sheets were changed at 8 a. m. and 5 p. m., and 

 eye readings of the aneroid barometer and psychrometer were taken at these 

 times; also at 11 a. m. and 2 p. m., and during balloon ascensions. In addi- 



