Not many companies can say that they’ve touched the top of the world, but we’re proudly one of them. Our Alpine Wind Monitor survived a year atop Mount Everest as part of a monitoring station to measure the most extreme weather conditions in the world. At an altitude of 28,904 feet (just 128 feet below Everest’s summit), the Bishop Rock weather station has set the record as the world’s highest, and we are proud to be a part of that monumental achievement. Here is our case study, discussing the project goals, challenges, and outcomes, and how we have used that experience to grow and improve our equipment even further.
This project consisted of 3 summits, in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
About the Project
This project started in 2019 when National Geographic and Rolex teamed up with scientists from Appalachian State University and King’s College London in order to collect high alpine weather data. The team consisted of geologists, glaciologists, biologists, cartographers, and climate scientists who each conducted fieldwork at varying elevations collecting samples and installing sensors to analyze every aspect of the terrain. This massive task required months of preparation, including ensuring the proper gear to get the job done.
Why They Chose the YOUNG Alpine Wind Monitor
For this project, it was vital to carefully select equipment that could withstand some of the harshest weather conditions on the planet. With an ice-shedding design proven on Mt. Washington (often recognized as having “the world’s worst weather”), the Alpine Wind Monitor was the obvious choice to ensure longevity.
Some might ask why a mechanical sensor was used as opposed to an ultrasonic sensor, since there are moving parts that might be prone to wear, damage, and ice and debris obstruction. However, the Alpine Wind Monitor is one of the most accurate in the industry and is tested and proven to record wind speeds up to 250 miles per hour while ultrasonic sensors cannot even approach this number. Because a remote weather station relies solely on solar power, it was vital to use low-energy options. Whereas ultrasonic sensors are power hungry and require a strong, stable power source, the Wind Monitor is extremely low power due to energy-efficient sensing methods and unique passive ice-phobic coating. It was clear that the Alpine Wind Monitor was the only choice for this application. (Check out this blog post on Ultrasonic vs Mechanical Wind Sensors.)
We eagerly awaited the installation with a goal for our Wind Monitor to survive an entire year while collecting accurate data. It was a long-shot considering the conditions, but we had faith in our product and hope that we’d be able to achieve that seemingly insurmountable (and bragworthy) accomplishment.
Why They Chose Mount Everest
Scientists chose Mount Everest for this experiment, as the Himalayas are one of only a few places on Earth that are taller than the jet stream. The jet stream is a fast-flowing, narrow air current found in the atmosphere, typically occurring in the upper levels of the troposphere and the lower stratosphere. It was important to install equipment above it, because that allowed the scientists to better understand atmospheric dynamics, predict weather patterns, research the climate, and more. Remaining within the jet stream could also cause inaccurate readings and have a much higher risk of equipment damage.
Weather conditions at Bishop Rock can vary greatly. Wind speeds have reached over 200 miles per hour, but they can drop as low as 22 miles per hour during calm periods. The high altitude causes temperatures to shift drastically and quickly. During the installation, the temperature was 68 degrees below zero, which was warmer than the expected 98 degrees below zero. With wind chill factored in, that number dove down to a shocking 104 degrees below zero.
At those temperatures, frost can occur in less than 5 minutes, there’s a high risk of hypothermia, respiratory issues, cardiovascular strain, dehydration, cognitive impairment, and much more. So it was vital to have equipment that they could quickly and easily set up and minimize their exposure to the elements.
The First Summit, 2019
After months of preparation choosing the appropriate equipment and mapping out the journey, the scientists were ready for their first expedition to the top of the world. To support their research of the first voyage, Campbell Scientific provided the meteorological equipment, including the Alpine Wind Monitor. To avoid the log jam of climbers at the top, scientists decided to set up the weather station on The Balcony on the Southeast Ridge of Mount Everest at a then record-breaking 27,650 feet elevation, 1360 feet below the summit.
Although hindered by the cold conditions, the scientists were able to successfully assemble and install the weather station at the Balcony location. During that first year, engineers and scientists alike watched excitedly as the winds of Everest waxed and waned, waiting to see the performance of the equipment. The Wind Monitor was able to successfully collect data for several months from extremely high-speed winds, reaching up to 150 miles per hour. Unfortunately, a mounting stand toppled over within the first year, causing damage to the wind sensor and making the readings inaccurate. That means they weren’t able to achieve their goal of surviving a whole year unscathed… yet.
The Second Summit, 2022
Once the dust settled and everyone was rested and recovered from their first venture into the unknown, the team decided to partner up once more in 2022, when they yet again summited the world in order to build an even higher weather station. This one was at an altitude of 28,904 feet at Bishop Rock, setting yet another record for the highest weather station on the planet.
The team of scientists finally made it to Bishop Rock through the frost-bitten winds and assembled the weather station. It was only after the expedition had ended and the researchers had returned home that they realized they were unable to collect station data due to an unidentified system failure. However, the non-functioning equipment remained in place for another year.
Learning from Experience
Despite the challenges and failures, we took everything we learned through these two experiences in order to further improve our instruments. We poured resources into ensuring that our Wind Monitor was the most robust, accurate sensor on the market and able to withstand even the most frigid conditions of the tallest place on Earth. We also learned that it’s not all snow and clouds on the top of the world—it is covered in dust and dirt, which can become damaging when thrown around in the high winds.
Taking all of this into consideration, we worked diligently to ensure our equipment was built from the most impact-resistant materials possible to prevent breakage in the tail and propeller. This protected our Wind Monitor during deployment in the most extreme weather conditions with challenges posed by high speeds, turbulence, frigid temperatures, and debris. The exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to impact and fatigue ensured its endurance.
To prevent the accumulation of ice, snow, and debris, which could hinder the performance of the Wind Monitor, we applied a hydrophobic coating to all external surfaces. This non-stick coating effectively repelled water, reducing the risk of ice formation.
In order to safeguard the internal components from environment contaminants, we employed measures to prevent ingress of dust and dirt to the sensor housing, increasing longevity and accuracy.
The Third Summit, 2023
With the one-year survival goal still unmet, the scientists approached us once again in 2023 to express interest in another summit with the hopes of finally achieving their goal. We whole-heartedly agreed. Without the backing of the original sponsors, we provided Wind Monitors free of charge to support them on their trek. This time, the team climbed past The Balcony to reach Bishop Rock at an even higher elevation, and replace the non-functioning equipment with our new and improved Wind Monitor.
For a year, we anxiously monitored the weather station, checking whether or not it was still actively providing data. And for a year, it obliged. With the enhancements they produced, we were finally able to achieve our goal in having our Alpine Wind Monitor survive an entire year on top of the world.
Walking on Cloud 9
With such a massive achievement under our belts, it’s no surprise that we were ecstatic with the outcome. We’re now using that motivation and excitement to continue propelling our technology into the future with confidence that ours holds a record that none other has yet to break. Reliability so resilient, it can weather through even the harshest environment in the world.
Read more about the expedition on National Geographic’s Website here.
This article was first published in the September issue of Meteorological Technology International.