The Mars Rover Site has a nice image showing the Columbia hills and the path that the Spirit Rover is going to try and follow, with an eye toward some possible up close viewing of layered outcrops.

Here's a large version of the image:
Columbia Hills

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Does anyone knows if there is or might be any scientific value in trying to climb as high as possible on the hills? I understand that the possible outcrops on the SE parts of the hills(seen in the picture) can be of huge scientific importance, but getting to the highground is way cooler.

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"Measure what can be measured, and make measurable what cannot be measured" - Galileo Galilei

"Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master" - Commissioner Pravin Lal, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

I was thinking the same thing. I suspect that it really couldn't be that valuable scientifically to go to the top and look around since the crater walls can be imaged with more detail by the orbital craft, but it would sure make a cool panorama.

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Cooler is probably right, bet its' 30 degrees or more cooler at the top of one of those hills compared to where Spirit is now. So probably won't try that anytime soon. They can get some decent elevation w/o going to the top of a hill.

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~\_/~\_O
Burmese

I've looked at the recent batch of images from the Spirit Rover. Where are the hills? For the last month or so, the Hills have been in the foreground, but now they are not in sight. I'm guessing that it is nearly to 'lookout point'. In a few days we should have a pretty interesting panorama shot from Spirit.

Side note: Opportunity's been taking some interesting shots. It appears to be about half way round the crater now.

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Well, they have a new huge color closeup picture of the hills.

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"Measure what can be measured, and make measurable what cannot be measured" - Galileo Galilei

"Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master" - Commissioner Pravin Lal, Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

It's interesting seeing the crater wall in the distance to the right.

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Forming opinions as we speak