GE 430 GeomorphologyGE 430 Geomorphology2006 edition... 2006 edition...

The American SouthwestThe American Southwest

Goals:Goals:

To be THE BEST course in your college careerTo be THE BEST course in your college career To continue a tradition of excellence in To continue a tradition of excellence in

teaching/learning/field experienceteaching/learning/field experience To explore regional geomorphology/understand To explore regional geomorphology/understand

geomorphic processes and READ the landscapegeomorphic processes and READ the landscape To build an ‘espirit de corps’ that will be the envy of To build an ‘espirit de corps’ that will be the envy of

everyone else on the UNA campuseveryone else on the UNA campus ““From this day to the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered; From this day to the ending of the world, we in it shall be remembered;

we lucky few; we band of brothers...."we lucky few; we band of brothers...." -Henry V -Henry V

The Plan....The Plan....

Explore the Southwestern United States, Explore the Southwestern United States, exploring as many outstanding exploring as many outstanding landscapes/landforms and geomorphic landscapes/landforms and geomorphic processes as possible in two weeksprocesses as possible in two weeks

Costs for the course... Costs for the course...

The same for everyone $452 The same for everyone $452

Academic Assignments....Academic Assignments.... You will keep a daily field log describing where we have been You will keep a daily field log describing where we have been

and the more significant features/processes observed.and the more significant features/processes observed. The field observations should be thorough, including lat/long The field observations should be thorough, including lat/long

from a GPS (or other descriptive location information), from a GPS (or other descriptive location information), sketches and diagrams, photographs etc.sketches and diagrams, photographs etc.

These will be kept daily... Not put together after the trip is These will be kept daily... Not put together after the trip is over based on what you remember.. When you get out of the over based on what you remember.. When you get out of the rig, your notebook/camera is with you!rig, your notebook/camera is with you!

Each evening, I expect to see pencils on paper, maps being Each evening, I expect to see pencils on paper, maps being marked etc.marked etc.

Your entry/sketches/photographs will be evaluated based on Your entry/sketches/photographs will be evaluated based on completeness and depth. completeness and depth.

The field notebook will be 50% of your grade.The field notebook will be 50% of your grade.

Academic Assignments contd...Academic Assignments contd...Web site developmentWeb site development

You will be divided into groups You will be divided into groups Each group will be responsible for creating a website Each group will be responsible for creating a website

that describes one of the sites we have visitedthat describes one of the sites we have visited The web sites will present photographs of the site, The web sites will present photographs of the site,

you will scan or link to appropriate publications. you will scan or link to appropriate publications. Your work will be ‘the definitive answer’ for Your work will be ‘the definitive answer’ for questions about the site.questions about the site.

Each group will be responsible for helping the Each group will be responsible for helping the professor create successful links from a professor create successful links from a geomorphology class home page to your pages.geomorphology class home page to your pages.

If you have not yet used ‘front page’ this will be your If you have not yet used ‘front page’ this will be your big chance!big chance!

Academic Assignments contd...Academic Assignments contd...Final Presentation...Final Presentation...

Later in the summer, I will ask the group to come Later in the summer, I will ask the group to come together for an evening at my home.... together for an evening at my home....

We will look at the web site for each group and We will look at the web site for each group and collectively make suggestions to make them ‘perfect' collectively make suggestions to make them ‘perfect' (if my wireless internet is fixed!)(if my wireless internet is fixed!)

At this time I’d like to have individual slide shows At this time I’d like to have individual slide shows available for viewing...and story telling etc. (I available for viewing...and story telling etc. (I anticipate a month away from each other should be anticipate a month away from each other should be sufficient to make us want to be together again, at sufficient to make us want to be together again, at least for a couple of hours)least for a couple of hours)

Day to day management...Day to day management... MOST (not all) campgrounds will have showers...MOST (not all) campgrounds will have showers... We will have multiple rigs... I request everyone We will have multiple rigs... I request everyone

switch/shuffle every few days. The team is a unit, not switch/shuffle every few days. The team is a unit, not little groups inside the unit.little groups inside the unit.

Timelines... When it is time to roll, we need to roll... Timelines... When it is time to roll, we need to roll... We are not going to be splitting up because people We are not going to be splitting up because people are sleeping late etc. This is not a military campaign, are sleeping late etc. This is not a military campaign, but neither is it an undisciplined ramble across the but neither is it an undisciplined ramble across the country.country.

Aquatic sampling and other recreational activities ... Aquatic sampling and other recreational activities ... Fine, as long as they do not interfere with the Fine, as long as they do not interfere with the business of the class.business of the class.

Management contd.Management contd.

Smokers... Not in the van! Smokers... Not in the van! We reserve the right to splash you down with air We reserve the right to splash you down with air

freshener if you climb back on board with smoke freshener if you climb back on board with smoke clinging to your clothesclinging to your clothes

We reserve the right to toss individuals into a body of We reserve the right to toss individuals into a body of water who fail to take advantage of showers when water who fail to take advantage of showers when available.available.

Be cautious of taco bell’s $.99 bean burritos and other Be cautious of taco bell’s $.99 bean burritos and other such... We are living in close quarters!such... We are living in close quarters!

Alcohol...Alcohol...

NONE in the vehicles! Ever, under no NONE in the vehicles! Ever, under no circumstances!circumstances!

NONE till the work is done!NONE till the work is done! MODERATION... Act stupid, and you will find MODERATION... Act stupid, and you will find

yourself sitting on a pile of your gear beside the road yourself sitting on a pile of your gear beside the road with your thumb out in the wind! (don’t test me... with your thumb out in the wind! (don’t test me... Remember my goals of this course, its hard to have Remember my goals of this course, its hard to have this be THE BEST if I am dealing with stupidity, this be THE BEST if I am dealing with stupidity, chemically induced or not!)chemically induced or not!)

The West...The West... We are not going into a cowboy movie, but, the West We are not going into a cowboy movie, but, the West

isis different. different. The distances between places are longer...The distances between places are longer... There is not a convenience store on every corner, There is not a convenience store on every corner,

sometimes cell phones don’t work...sometimes cell phones don’t work... The possibilities of getting into trouble are very real... The possibilities of getting into trouble are very real...

To wander off into a canyon and get lost can be very To wander off into a canyon and get lost can be very serious business. Wandering off without water can serious business. Wandering off without water can be serious...be serious...

It is the most magnificent part of the world... But it It is the most magnificent part of the world... But it demands your respectdemands your respect..

Camping...Camping... Each student will provide their own gear*Each student will provide their own gear*** If you do not have gear of your own, and cannot ** If you do not have gear of your own, and cannot

borrow or rent the gear, please visit with the borrow or rent the gear, please visit with the instructor and we will try to make arrangements for instructor and we will try to make arrangements for you.you.

We need to establish a “tent plan” in ‘05 we actually We need to establish a “tent plan” in ‘05 we actually packed 3 tents each day that were never used!packed 3 tents each day that were never used!

As with personal gear, try to pack small! Again using As with personal gear, try to pack small! Again using ’05 as an example, we had more than sufficient ’05 as an example, we had more than sufficient folding chairs (1.3 chairs/person) I think .75 folding chairs (1.3 chairs/person) I think .75 chairs/person will be sufficientchairs/person will be sufficient

Camping....Camping....

We will spend 14 nights on the ground you need to be We will spend 14 nights on the ground you need to be as comfortable as possible.as comfortable as possible.

A good bag is critical... As is a pad, and for most a A good bag is critical... As is a pad, and for most a pillow.pillow.

Not only does the pad make it softer... It keeps you Not only does the pad make it softer... It keeps you off the cold ground.off the cold ground.

We will try to stay at lower elevations, but we will be We will try to stay at lower elevations, but we will be in the arid west.... It may get COLD at night!in the arid west.... It may get COLD at night!

Remember 80% of your body heat is lost through Remember 80% of your body heat is lost through your head...if your feet are cold, put on your hat!your head...if your feet are cold, put on your hat!

FOOD...FOOD...

you will be providing your own supplies. you will be providing your own supplies. We will have stoves and some utensils for group use. We will have stoves and some utensils for group use. While I am not adverse to occasionally stopping at While I am not adverse to occasionally stopping at

‘fast food’ places or “Mom’s café”, when the ‘fast food’ places or “Mom’s café”, when the opportunity presents itself, do not plan on being able opportunity presents itself, do not plan on being able to stop all the time. Many times the opportunity will to stop all the time. Many times the opportunity will not be available. not be available.

We will also plan on a couple of group ‘social eating’ We will also plan on a couple of group ‘social eating’ events (e.g. Isabella’s Pizza in Moab)events (e.g. Isabella’s Pizza in Moab)

Forms...etc.Forms...etc.

UNA Liability formUNA Liability form Rafting Liability Form (?)Rafting Liability Form (?)

Stupidity is frowned upon.Stupidity is frowned upon. First Aid will be applied by the instructor, or whoever First Aid will be applied by the instructor, or whoever

is handy... is handy...

Look around, do you want these people responsible Look around, do you want these people responsible for your care after an accident?... for your care after an accident?... Be safe!Be safe!

Weather....Weather.... While the Southwest is generally stable and rain free While the Southwest is generally stable and rain free

in May, appropriate rituals and sacrifices will be in May, appropriate rituals and sacrifices will be performed insuring good weather...performed insuring good weather...

However, we will plan on living in the weather like However, we will plan on living in the weather like the vagabonds we will become....so be readythe vagabonds we will become....so be ready Raingear Raingear TarpsTarps A mat for the front of your tentA mat for the front of your tent Seal the seams on your tentSeal the seams on your tent

IF its really bad... We’ll be flexible and try to flee to a IF its really bad... We’ll be flexible and try to flee to a more comfortable alternativemore comfortable alternative

Weather contd....Weather contd....Moab Utah Moab Utah

Elevation: 4934 feet    Latitude: 38 29N   Longitude: 109 27WElevation: 4934 feet    Latitude: 38 29N   Longitude: 109 27W

The average precipitation for Moab Utah in The average precipitation for Moab Utah in may is .6”may is .6”

The average number of Rainy days is 1.8The average number of Rainy days is 1.8 The average high temperature is 75 degrees F The average high temperature is 75 degrees F

the average low is 48 degrees Fthe average low is 48 degrees F

Other Logistics....Other Logistics.......”Amateurs are concerned with ‘tactics’... Professionals are ...”Amateurs are concerned with ‘tactics’... Professionals are

concerned with logistics...”concerned with logistics...” Vehicles/people/gearVehicles/people/gear RadiosRadios Maps/GPSMaps/GPS # of camping spots (usually limited to 8 people/site)# of camping spots (usually limited to 8 people/site) ResupplyResupply laundrylaundry Sharing gearSharing gear

StovesStoves TentsTents Cooking suppliesCooking supplies Other?Other?

Day by day...Day by day...Consult ‘The Plan’ for details. Consult ‘The Plan’ for details.

Stops/readings/special assignmentsStops/readings/special assignments

Day 1Day 1 Day 1 (Sunday 14 May)Day 1 (Sunday 14 May): EARLY START : EARLY START

(0700) LONG DAY. (Celebrate Mother’s day (0700) LONG DAY. (Celebrate Mother’s day on SATURDAY!)on SATURDAY!)

880 miles from the well-watered East to the 880 miles from the well-watered East to the arid West arid West

Day 2...Day 2... Day 2.(Monday 15 May) Day 2.(Monday 15 May) EARLY START (0700) and EARLY START (0700) and

another Long Day:another Long Day: 380 miles from the heart of the Llano Estacada to the Sangre 380 miles from the heart of the Llano Estacada to the Sangre

De Cristo Mountains of ColoradoDe Cristo Mountains of Colorado..

Day 3Day 3

Day 3 (Tuesday 16 May):Day 3 (Tuesday 16 May): Local travel Great Local travel Great Sand Dunes Natl. MonumentSand Dunes Natl. Monument

Day 4Day 4 Day 4 (Wednesday 17 May):Day 4 (Wednesday 17 May): Sand dunes to Mesa Verde via the San Juan Sand dunes to Mesa Verde via the San Juan

Mountains 267 milesMountains 267 miles

Day 5Day 5 Day 5 (Thursday 18 May):Day 5 (Thursday 18 May): Local travel... Mesa Verde National Local travel... Mesa Verde National

MonumentMonument

Day 6Day 6 Day 6 (Friday 19 May): Day 6 (Friday 19 May): Mesa Verde to Moab 323 miles (via Monument Valley, Mesa Verde to Moab 323 miles (via Monument Valley,

Mexican Hat etc. (early start required)Mexican Hat etc. (early start required)

Day 7Day 7 Day 7 (Saturday 20 May):Day 7 (Saturday 20 May): local travel, Dead Horse Point State Park, Island in the skylocal travel, Dead Horse Point State Park, Island in the sky

Day 8Day 8 Day 8 (Sunday 21 May):Day 8 (Sunday 21 May): The Needles district of Canyonlands NPThe Needles district of Canyonlands NP

Day 9Day 9 Day 9 (Monday 22 May):Day 9 (Monday 22 May): local travel… Arches NP, Land Behind the rocks, Rafting the local travel… Arches NP, Land Behind the rocks, Rafting the

Colorado (1/2 day)?Colorado (1/2 day)?

Day 10Day 10 Day 10 (Tuesday 23 May):Day 10 (Tuesday 23 May): Moab to Capitol Reef NP 157 miles Torrey to Escalante 55 Moab to Capitol Reef NP 157 miles Torrey to Escalante 55

miles miles One night stand at Escalante SPOne night stand at Escalante SP

Day 11Day 11 Day 11 (Thursday 24 May):Day 11 (Thursday 24 May): Escalante Burr trail/waterpocket fold/slot Escalante Burr trail/waterpocket fold/slot

canyons/Kodachrome Basin 190 miles (some back tracking canyons/Kodachrome Basin 190 miles (some back tracking required as there are a limited number of roads available!)required as there are a limited number of roads available!)

Day 12Day 12 Day 12 (Friday 25 May):Day 12 (Friday 25 May): Bryce Canyon/Zion Canon 260 miles (stay camped in Bryce Canyon/Zion Canon 260 miles (stay camped in

Kodachrome Basin)Kodachrome Basin)

Day 13Day 13 Day 13 (Saturday 26 May): Day 13 (Saturday 26 May): Kodachrome Basin to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon 140 Kodachrome Basin to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon 140

milesmiles

Day 14Day 14 Day 13Day 13 (Saturday 27 May): North Rim to Flagstaff 207 miles Flagstaff (Saturday 27 May): North Rim to Flagstaff 207 miles Flagstaff

to Red Rocks SP Gallup NM miles (The Malpais?)to Red Rocks SP Gallup NM miles (The Malpais?)

The final days...The final days...

Day 15 (Sunday 28 May)Day 15 (Sunday 28 May) Gallup to Oklahoma City Gallup to Oklahoma City (?)miles(?)miles

Night:Night: Hotel in Oklahoma City Hotel in Oklahoma City

(SHEETS! Hotel sheets, but sheets nonetheless!)(SHEETS! Hotel sheets, but sheets nonetheless!) Day 16 (Monday 29 May) Memorial Day! Day 16 (Monday 29 May) Memorial Day!

Oklahoma City -Florence 621 milesOklahoma City -Florence 621 miles

The end of the trail....return to realityThe end of the trail....return to reality