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Hermit, Mountain Man, And Unwitting ‘Climate Researcher’

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For 40 years, billy barr (yes, he spells it all lowercase!) lived alone in rural Colorado collecting data on snowpack. His collection was a welcome discovery for scientists studying climate.

Day’s Edge Productions’ latest film, “The Snow Guardian,” profiles barr. He began collecting snowfall data 40 years ago. His meticulous notes record snowfall, measured twice daily, over four decades.

Scientists from the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab are able to better understand the history of snowpack with his data.

The wisdom he imparts as the video ends is “learning to fall is the most important thing. If you’re going to fall, sit. It’s a lot easier falling on your butt than your face.”

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