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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />10 <br /> <br />canyon. It was common to have the mountain peaks on either side of the canyon <br /> <br />obscured by clouds or falling snmV'. By flying up one side of a canyon, it <br /> <br />~vas ahV'ays possible to turn around and exit the area if necessary. This had <br /> <br />to be done on only one occasion. The procedure was straightforward and <br /> <br />caused no special concern to the flight crew. Prearranged flight plans ~V'ere <br /> <br />typically flown at 3.7 and 4.3 km between Navajo Reservoir and Pagosa <br /> <br />at minimum obstruction clearance altitude when clouds were present. During <br /> <br />these in-cloud box patterns at 3.7 and 4.3 kID it was necessary for the scientist <br /> <br />in the right seat to act primarily as a copilot rather than a scientist. His <br /> <br />primary function was to continually cross-check the position of the aircraft <br /> <br />~vith the various navigation aids and instruct the pilot on heading corrections, <br /> <br />turns and future way points. <br /> <br />If on descent to 3 km over Navajo Reservoir the pilot was unable to <br /> <br />visually descend further, then the decision was sometimes made to proceed to <br /> <br />Farmington, fly an illustrated approach over the airport, then climb <br /> <br />back on course to ~avajo Reservoir and continue the flight without flying <br /> <br />beneath the clouds. <br /> <br />B. Ground Data <br /> <br />Dr. Larry Vardiman of the Bureau of Reclamation collected precipitation <br /> <br />samples at various points along Wolf Creek Pass during several storms. These <br /> <br />data were kindly furnished to us by Dr. Vardiman, and have served to complete <br /> <br />the picture of these storms, especially in regard to the important precipi- <br /> <br />tation mechanisms. <br /> <br />There were two types of data obtained. Samples of the falling snow were <br /> <br />collected in cold hex;me and photogrophed under .:1 microscope to provide a <br /> <br />picture of the individual snowflakes. From these data crystal habits, degree <br /> <br />of rjming and nggrcgation \o1er(' determ,incd. In addition, a bhwk velvet. cushion <br />