Squaw Hosts Mountaintop Campout During Perseid Meteor Shower

Families can watch the sky light up at the Perseid Meteor Shower Campout on August 13

[Olympic Valley, Calif.] July 26, 2012 – Friends and families can camp under the stars on Monday, August 13 and watch the night sky light-up during the Perseid Meteor Shower at the best viewing location in Lake Tahoe. Squaw Valley's Perseid Meteor Shower Campout will take place at High Camp at elevation 8200 feet, where guests watch the spectacular meteor shower and enjoy amazing views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada.

The Perseids come every year beginning in late July and stretching into August. Among the many nights of the shower, there is always the one night that the viewing of the shower is at its best. This year, that evening falls on Monday, August 13. On this night, sky watchers can witness colorful fireballs, occasional outbursts and long hours of gracefully streaking meteors.

Perseid Meteor Shower campers can upload Squaw’s Aerial Tram between 4:20 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. After setting up camp on the mountaintop, there will be an informational briefing on telescopes with meteor shower viewing beginning at 10 p.m. In the morning campers will enjoy a continental breakfast from 6:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. before downloading on the Tram.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-403-0206. Prices for the Perseid Metor Shower Campout are $79 for adults and $54 for kids. Price includes Tram ride, professional stargazing instruction, camping and continental breakfast. Reservations for the Perseid Meteor Shower Campout are required as this event does sell out. Registrants will receive a detailed information packet along with confirmation.

Campout Schedule:

4:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. - Camper upload (Tram to run every 20 minutes until 5:20 p.m.)
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Camp set up (Please note that dinner will not be available after 3:30 p.m. Guests wishing to dine may bring a cooler or arrive early)
6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. – The Earth is a Peppercorn: A Guided Walk Through the Solar System (optional)
8 p.m. - The Sky Tonight: Meteors, Planets and More: Perseid Meteor Shower Discussion and Camping Overview
10 p.m. to 5 a.m. - Camping and Perseid viewing
6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. - Camp breakdown
6:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. - Continental breakfast
8 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 9 a.m. – Tram downloads

Price:

Adults (16 +): $79
Young Adults & Children (15 & under):  $54
Price includes Tram ride, professional stargazing instruction, camping and continental breakfast.