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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Pesky Wind

For the second day (without fair warning from the meteorologists in El Paso) the wind has blown consistently strongly throughout our hike, making the somewhat warmer temperatures feel much colder.  The chilled wind persisted all during the time we trekked around Tortugas Mountain, turning what could have been a pleasant hike into a not-so-pleasant hike.  We're headed for 64 F. today.



3 comments:

Dr. K said...

When it's windy in the winter, the desert can be awfully cold.

Scott said...

The wind didn't seem to bother Becca! Your last image made me think to ask you how juicy, water-filled cacti are able to persist in freezing climates.

packrat said...

Scott: The water inside of cacti is contained within the pulp, and, therefore, not subject to the same type of freezing hazard as is pure H2O. Also, in wintertime cacti do not require as much water. Nevertheless, they can freeze. Two Februaries ago, when we had brutally cold temps, we lost quite a few cacti to the freeze--even some mature Barrels. But here in the Chihuahuan Desert--a really high desert--most of the cacti are extraordinarily cold hearty.

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