Low hills on the road to Mopti.

View of the runway at the airport in Mopti.

Mr. Bakari Kante inspects the new ASECNA Warren Knight theodolite. This had been sent from Dakar a few months earlier, but had not been used because true north had not been yet determined.

Javier Murillo (left) and one experienced observer. Note the theodolite base is too large and has pointed corners, which makes it hard to track the balloon at high elevation angles.

Closer view of observer maneuvering the Warren Knight theodolite in perfect condition.

One observer looks into the eyepiece while another person looks through the gunsights and operates the elevation and azimuth knobs.

The theodolite was too high for one of the observers. Bricks were used as a temporary solution.

The theodolite is now too low for the taller observer.

Jose Galvez (left) explaining the operation of the theodolite to one of the observers.

We were taken to this local jeweller when we asked for a place to weigh our nozzles.

The person in charge of preparing gas is getting ready to start pouring chemicals into the cylinder.

Chemicals are normally shipped in wooden boxes containing 6 charges each.

A large amount of chemicals were available at the Mopti airport.

Reading the surface parameters at the met station in Mopti.

Thermometer array at the met station.

View of main street and cloudy sky in Mopti.

Storms in distance seen from the airport in Mopti.

Countryside scene on the way to Bamako.

Baobab tree on the side of the road on way to Bamako.

Colorful lizard at our hotel grounds.

One of the observers’ sister and nephew riding with us to Bamako.