Dates: Course meets 16 July through 22 July 2000. We will depart Cheney on Sunday, 16 July at 7:00 am from the parking lot above the stadium and return on 22 July by late afternoon. Pack a lunch for the first day.
Pre-trip Meeting: A mandatory pre-trip meeting is scheduled for 10 July (Monday) at 6:00 pm in the Geology Department (SCI 135) on the Cheney campus. It is critical (and expected) you attend this very important meeting!
Tentative Itinerary:
Course Tuition/Fees: There is a $105 course fee which pays for transportation and camping fees. Students must provide their own camping gear and food during the trip.
Equipment: Students need to provide their own camping gear for the trip (a recommended equipment list is found on the reverse). We will be camping at the Madison Campground in the park during the entire trip, and preparing our meals in the field. Grocery stops will be limited while in the park so plan accordingly.
Expectations: Attend the pre-trip meeting. Complete a set of pre-trip questions (both biology and geology) due at departure time, maintain a notebook with daily summaries of activities and a road log of the trip that clearly describes each stop with text and sketches, and answer a set of post-trip questions. A short research paper is also required, to be completed upon return. The notebook, post-trip questions and research paper are due two weeks after returning from the field experience, no later than 7 August 2000. Graduate students will make special presentations in the field during the trip. All park rules will be observed by all participants in this field trip.
Rigor: Some extended hiking will be done and it is expected that students will be in reasonable physical condition. Students must be able to carry out sustained physical activity at high elevation, between 6,000 feet and 10,000 feet above sea level every day. Students with personal medical concerns must notify an instructor before participating in this field trip.
More information: Call Drs. Buchanan and Kiver in the Department of Geology at (509)359-2286, and Dr. Schwab in the Department of Biology at (509)359-2339, or e-mail us at geol@ewu.edu.
1. Outdoor clothing (including a rain jacket, warm jacket, sweater, long pants, hat, gloves, etc. in case of inclement weather). Daytime temperatures will most likely be pleasant to hot, however, it will get cool at night. Also consider bringing shorts and t-shirts for hiking in hot weather. Expect variable weather conditions!
2. Sturdy lightweight hiking shoes and extra socks; tennis shoes and/or sandals for around camp.
3. Shelter - pair up with someone and share a good quality, lightweight nylon tent. Bring a small tarp if your tent doesn't have a rainfly. Also, don't forget a groundcloth for your tent.
4. Sleeping bag and pad - recall that it may get chilly at night. No cots or huge inflatable mattresses, please!
5. Food - we will be camping every night and also preparing meals
in the field. Plan your meals ahead of time, preferably using foods
items that do not break or spoil. Also, bring your own snack food
for hiking. Because of space considerations, coolers are NOT allowed.
We recommend packing your foodstuffs in a small, plastic storage box -
available at any hardware store. A reminder: do not bring odorous
foods and fragrant perfumes/colognes as we will be camping in grizzly country!
6. Camp stove - again, pair up with someone and share a stove.
7. Eating utensils - to be both fed and polite! Include a bowl, knife, spoon, etc.
8. Personal toiletry items, towel, etc.
9. Water bottles - bring at least three (3) one-liter water bottles. We will provide all the water you can drink.
10. Money - as everyone knows one can always survive with money!
11. Sturdy day pack - a roomy day pack to carry your lunch, notebook, water bottles, sweater, etc. Do not bring a frame backpack! This is not a backpacking trip.
12. Notebook, pencils (some colored) and pens. Texts and handouts.
13. No rock hammers or plant presses! We will be visiting a national park, therefore, no collecting rocks and plants!
14. Miscellaneous: broad-rimmed hat, sun screen, sun glasses and bandana. Flashlight for around camp at night.
Non-essential items (what the heck, go first class):
1. Camera and film - buy your film (and extra batteries) ahead of time as it is very expensive in the park.
2. Extra bucks for purchase of material in park bookstore. Always tempting!
3. Hand lens and binoculars. Plant, bird, bug and rock field guides.
Important Note: Please try to pack all of the above items (except food) in a soft duffel to facilitate packing the gear. Avoid suitcases or frame backpacks! Also, keep important or necessary items in your day pack for instant access during travel to and from Yellowstone. Pack compactly.