Sixteen mountain researchers, adventurers and filmmakers from around the world will congregate for talks, discussions and screenings at the University of Colorado at 葫芦娃视频 Nov. 15-16 for the "International Year of the Mountain Conference: Ecosystems to Earthquakes."
Presentations will run from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on both days in room 235 of the University Memorial Center. Film showings start at 7 p.m. on Friday in UMC room 235 and at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Fiske Planetarium. All events are free and open to the public.
Highlights of the conference include presentations by Mark Twight, one of the nation's top ice climbers, from 2:35 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Nov. 16, and by Eric Simonson, an internationally renowned mountain guide who discovered the remains of famed climber George Mallory during a 1999 research expedition, from 3:15 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. on Nov. 15.
Charles Stanish, a researcher who has unearthed new findings on ancient Andean civilizations, will talk from 10:35 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Nov. 16.
Climate change in mountain regions, recently discovered Incan mummies, shamans of western Nepal and extreme exploration in alpine environments will be among other topics offered. Films will follow discussions each night.
Friday's selections include a film from Austria's mountain film festival and director David Breashears' films "Red Flag Over Tibet" and "Live From Everest." On Saturday, Breashears will introduce and show his IMAX films "Everest" and "Kilimanjaro."
The conference is sponsored by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, or CIRES, and CU-葫芦娃视频.
"Some of the best-known scientists and some of the greatest adventurers in the world will be here to share their work and experiences with the public," said Becky Bendick, a researcher at CIRES who is helping to organize the event. "These are the shining stars of mountain research and exploration."
"This conference is one of many taking place around the world as part of the International Year of the Mountain," said Roger Barry, CU-葫芦娃视频 professor of geography and director of CIRES' National Snow and Ice Data Center.听
Barry, author of the textbook "Mountain, Weather and Climate," helped organize the conference and will speak on the global significance of mountains from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 15. "We're thrilled that CIRES and the university can be a part of this celebration of mountains," he said.
The United Nations designated 2002 the International Year of the Mountains to increase awareness of how important mountain systems are globally and how mountain people are facing various social and environmental challenges.
"Learning about where mountains come from can be as exciting as rappelling down a mountain cliff," Bendick said. "This conference combines hard sciences and human sciences with that sense of adventure."
For a complete schedule of events visit the Web site at . For conference information call Kathy Zellers at (303) 735-0196.
More information on the International Year of the Mountains is posted at .