Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

App State climate ‘superhero’ Dr. Baker Perry inspires young Brazilian scientist

View larger image
View larger image

Pictured at right is Dr. Baker Perry’s fan in Brazil — a 4-year-old boy whose father said he has become fascinated with all things Mount Everest and Perry since watching a National Geographic documentary of Perry’s work installing the world’s highest weather station atop Everest as part of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition. Perry, a professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Geography and Planning, is pictured at left working in high-altitude gear at the weather station he installed on the Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru in 2018. Left photo by Marie Freeman. Right photo submitted

View larger image

Dr. Baker Perry, a professor in Appalachian State University’s Department of Geography and Planning, is pictured working in high-altitude gear at the weather station he installed on the Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru in 2018. Photo by Marie Freeman.

By Linda Coutant
Posted April 16, 2021 at 2:34 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Dr. Baker Perry in the Department of Geography and Planning is a superhero in the field of climate science — and for a 4-year-old in Brazil interested in Mount Everest and the professor’s work there.

According to an email Perry received from the child’s father, the young science enthusiast has become fascinated with Mount Everest and Perry’s climate science research since seeing the professor in a National Geographic documentary on the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition to Mount Everest.

View larger image

Dr. Baker Perry’s fan in Brazil — a 4-year-old boy whose father said he has become fascinated with all things Mount Everest and Perry since watching a National Geographic documentary of Perry’s work installing the world’s highest weather station atop Everest as part of the 2019 National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expedition. Photo submitted

“Thanks for all the important work you do and for being a role model to my kids,” wrote the father, who also shared his son calls Perry his “superhero” and even dresses up like Perry in make-believe high-altitude gear.

In response, Perry sent the family a recording of himself talking about his work and encouraging the youngster and his twin sister to keep up their interest in science.

Perry was part of the meteorology team that installed the world’s highest weather station at 27,657 feet above sea level as part of the Mount Everest expedition.

He is recognized as one of the top experts in climate science — one of a handful of researchers who have placed weather stations at high elevations worldwide to study the changes in climate and their impacts on populations.

Data from the Mount Everest weather station are helping improve forecasting on the mountain, predict future glacier extent in the region and water resources, and understand the subtropical jet stream.

“In both of the Himalayas and in the Andes, climate change is not some abstract idea. It’s direct. It’s observable and it’s something that people are very concerned about because it’s had direct impacts on their livelihoods — through the water, through their livestock, through their crops and ability to irrigate,” Perry said in a January 2020 “Find Your Sustain Ability” podcast produced by App State.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
June 14, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry and Dr. Anton Seimon were part of a multidisciplinary expedition that installed the world’s two highest weather stations (at 8,430 meters and 7,945 meters), examined soil samples and glacial lakes to better understand the range of life surviving on Earth’s highest peaks, and more.

Read the story
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
March 15, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, has involvement and research interests in the tropical Andes and Appalachian Mountains. His work in studying precipitation, snow and ice, tropical glacier–climate interactions and climate change helps affected populations plan for the future.

Read the story
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Jan. 27, 2020

Appalachian's own Dr. Baker Perry has ascended to great heights for climate change research. On this Find Your Sustain Ability, Perry provides insights from his 2019 National Geographic and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest, in which he and the expedition team climbed more than 27,000 feet to install the world's highest weather station.

Read the story

About the Department of Geography and Planning

The Department of Geography and Planning promotes the understanding of the spatial dimensions of human behavior within the physical and cultural systems of the earth, and the role of planning in achieving improvement in those systems. The department offers degrees in geography and in community and regional planning. Learn more at https://geo.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
App State researchers scale Mount Everest to conduct climate research as part of National Geographic expedition
June 14, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry and Dr. Anton Seimon were part of a multidisciplinary expedition that installed the world’s two highest weather stations (at 8,430 meters and 7,945 meters), examined soil samples and glacial lakes to better understand the range of life surviving on Earth’s highest peaks, and more.

Read the story
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
Dr. Baker Perry — 'cornerstone of research’ in Appalachia and the Andes
March 15, 2019

Dr. Baker Perry, professor in App State’s Department of Geography and Planning, has involvement and research interests in the tropical Andes and Appalachian Mountains. His work in studying precipitation, snow and ice, tropical glacier–climate interactions and climate change helps affected populations plan for the future.

Read the story
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Find Your Sustain Ability: Dr. Baker Perry
Jan. 27, 2020

Appalachian's own Dr. Baker Perry has ascended to great heights for climate change research. On this Find Your Sustain Ability, Perry provides insights from his 2019 National Geographic and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mount Everest, in which he and the expedition team climbed more than 27,000 feet to install the world's highest weather station.

Read the story

Share

Topics

  • Community Engagement
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Global
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Sustainability

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Community Engagement
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Global
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Sustainability

Other Recent Posts

  • 4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
    4 new and reappointed App State Board of Trustees members to begin new terms July 1
  • App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
    App State awards degrees to over 4,200 graduates ready to shape the future
  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat