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the Degree Confluence Project
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Austria

2.2 km (1.4 miles) NW of Gresten, Niederösterreich, Austria
Approx. altitude: 412 m (1351 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 48°S 165°W

Accuracy: 9 m (29 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: Confluence Monument, looking east #3: Look to the west & The Spot #4: To the north #5: To the south #6: GPS readings, taken on April 17th, 2001

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  48°N 15°E (visit #1)  

#1: To the east

(visited by Michael Carl)

17-Apr-2001 -- 1st attempt on April 12th, 2001
That Thursday the weather forecast for Austria said "mostly cloudy with sunny spots". Could have asked a Froggy in a jar as well...

Oh yes, it was "mostly cloudy" as predicted, and between two raindrops it was quite dry ... unfortunatly there were so many of 'em!

And more: my Digicam turned out to be moisture-sensitive, could hardly photograph the GPS reading at 48N 15E, then the electronics said "sorry, dear" ...

So I decided to visit this Confluence another time in order to collect more evidence, and non-grey sunny pictures as well!

When I first noticed the Confluence Project and studied the photos people posted on that homepage, I considered visits documented with "Bad-Weather-Photos" as wasted ones, why didn't they present their country from its best side to the rest of the world ?

Now I comprehend the weather as an inseparably part of a landscape. Affecting and shaping each other, it´s simply "there" with or without me, the classification "bad" exist in my mind only... Mystique dark "Fog-Photos" with thousand shades of grey or the silence in a "snowy" one convinced me soon! I only had to look twice...

Besides: having "good" weather increases the risk of someone else visiting the confluence before you :)

48N 15E itself has been already visited in July 1987 by the "Land Surveying Office Scheibbs" (a little town some 20 km / 12 mi east the Confluence) At that time the intesection was determined with an accuracy of approximatly 1/10 of a Minute, placing a little monument called "Meridianstein" at the spot (see photo #1). Several signposts lead you to that place, you can't miss it.

Actually my GPS locates that stone-globe at N47°59'58'' and E014°59'56'' with an accuracy of 9 m (30 ft) (which means 1/3 of a second) 436m (1430 ft) above sealevel, with the "real" confluence situated some 100 m (330 ft) northeast of it, at a tree next to a fenced fish-pond near the trail to the monument.

Had a nice talk to the owner of the surrounding land, who was quite interested in this mismatch and GPS matters as well, since he is captain of his motorboat and the former owner of that parcel of land the monument was built on.

Starting at that monument, a trail called "Proviantweg" takes you on a journey back in the 15th Century. Several brasses along the way tell you interesting facts about the history of the county and the people. Many scenic viewpoints invite you to take a look over the green hills around you as well.

The photos posted were taken during the 2nd attempt, on April 17th, 2001 Hope you enjoy !

c ya
Mike ;-)


 All pictures
#1: To the east
#2: Confluence Monument, looking east
#3: Look to the west & The Spot
#4: To the north
#5: To the south
#6: GPS readings, taken on April 17th, 2001
ALL: All pictures on one page