Objectives: A nine day field trip and camping experience that will enable participants to study the spectacular geomorphology and biology of the southern Cascade Range. The class will visit Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, and Lassen National Volcanic Monument, and examine the geologic history of these fascinating volcanic landscapes. Students will also observe a variety of plant and animal adaptations to colonizing and surviving harsh volcanic environments.
Dates: Course meets from 24 July through 1 August, 1999. We will depart the Cheney campus from the Red Barn parking lot at 7:00 A.M. sharp on Saturday and return late the following Sunday. Pack a lunch for the first day of travel.
Pre-trip Meeting: A mandatory pre-trip meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 12, at 6:00 pm in the Geology Department on the EWU Cheney campus. It is critical (and expected) that you attend this important meeting!! Contact the instructors if you absolutely can't attend this meeting!
Tentative Itinerary:
Course fee: The $ 142.00 course fee pays for all transportation, entrance fees, handouts and campground fees. Students must provide their own camping gear (see list on reverse) and furnish their own meals. We will be camping for the duration of the entire course.
Expectations: Attend the pre-trip meeting. Students are required to complete a set of pre-trip questions due at departure time, maintain a road log of the trip that clearly describes each stop with text and sketches, and answer a set of post-trip questions. All assignments are due no later than 4 pm on Monday, 9 August. Graduate students will have special presentations to make in the field. All park rules will be observed by all participants in this field course. Course participants are expected to be capable of daily strenuous activity in rough terrain at high elevations.
Rigor: It is expected that students will be in good physical condition and capable of extended daily hikes at high elevation and in the desert environment. Students with personal medical concerns must see an instructor before participating in this field course.
More information: Call Dr. Buchanan or Dr. Kiver at 509-359-2286, or Dr. Schwab at 509-359-4727.
Or you can send inquiries via email to: 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 can get cool at night. Also consider bringing shorts and t-shirts for hiking in hot weather. Note:be prepared for variable weather.
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 good rain fly. Don't forget a ground cloth.
4. Sleeping bag and pad - recall that it may get cold at night. No cots or huge inflatable mattresses.
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. Pack your foodstuffs in sturdy cardboard or plastic utility boxes. Space is limited and coolers are not allowed. Pack your lunch for the first day of the trip. We will make grocery stops every few days.
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. Showers may be available at some campgrounds.
9. Water bottles - bring at least three (3) one-liter water bottles. We will provide the water.
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!
12. Notebook and pencils (some colored), and handouts.
13. No rock hammers or plant presses! We will be visiting a federal lands, therefore, no collecting!
14. Miscellaneous: Sun screen, sun glasses, bandana and/or broad-rimmed hat. Long underwear for lounging around camp on a chilly night, and a flashlight.
Non-essential items (what the heck, go first class)
1. Camera and film - buy your film ahead of time as it is very expensive in the monument.
2. Hand lens and binoculars. Plant, bird, bug and rock field guides.
3. Extra bucks for purchase of material in visitors center. Always tempting!
Visit the official EWU Home Page for a virtual tour of the university.
Stop by the U.S. National Park Service home page to learn more about the parks and monuments we will be visiting.
Read the top 20 ways to tell that you are on an EWU Geology/Biology field trip.