Geology

Summer Quarter 2012  

 BIOL 496/596 or GEOL 496/596

Vulcanalia! Exploring Mts. Rainier and St. Helens 

Instructors:  Drs. Buchanan, O'Quinn and Thomson

Objectives:  A seven-day field trip to Mt. Rainier National Park and Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument for the purpose of examining the geology and biology of the largest and most active volcanoes, respectively, in Washington State.  We will observe the short- and long-term effects of the interplay among volcanic activity, glaciation and recent human activity on the vegetation and wildlife of these two prominent and scenic mountains in the Cascade landscape.

Dates:  Field course meets 5 August through 11 August 2012.  We will depart Cheney on Sunday, 5 August at 7:00 am sharp from the parking lot above the EWU stadium, returning there late on 11 August.  Pack a lunch for the first day of travel.

Pre-trip Meeting:  A mandatory pre-trip meeting is scheduled for 16 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:

Sun. Aug. 5 - Drive to Mt. Rainier National Park via Chinook Pass; camp at White River C.G. in Park.

Mon. Aug. 6 - Various hikes at Mt. Rainier N.P.; camp at White River C.G. in Park

Tue. Aug. 7 - Various hikes at Mt. Rainier N.P.; camp at Cougar Rock C.G. in Park

Wed. Aug. 8 - Various hikes at Mt. Rainier N.P.; camp at Cougar Rock C.G. in Park

Thur. Aug. 9 - Drive to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument; camp at Iron Creek C.G.

Fri. Aug. 10 - Various hikes from Windy Ridge; camp at Iron Creek C.G.

Sat. Aug. 11 - Return drive to Cheney via White Pass.

Text:  Fire Mountains of the West by S.L. Harris and Field Guide to the Cascades and Olympics by S.R. Whitney are both required.  We encourage you to order them directly on-line or from your favorite book seller.  Some handouts will be provided. Bring extra money to purchase maps and trail guides along the way (strongly recommended).

Course Fees:  There is a $194 course fee (approximate, and in addition to tuition) which pays for transportation, camping and park entry 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 mostly state park campgrounds during the entire trip and preparing our meals in the field.  Grocery stops will be limited 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 prior to departure.**  The notebook, journal  and post-trip questions are due after returning from the field experience, no later than 16 August 2012.  Graduate students will make special presentations in the field during the trip.  All park and campground rules shall be observed by all participants in this field trip.  EWU's Code of Conduct will also be followed.

Grading:  Students taking this course for credit in partial fulfillment of their degree program must enroll for a grade.  All other "continuing education" students may take the Pass/Fail option if they so desire, but must complete the field notebook and journal, and pre-trip and post-trip questions.  Students must register for the appropriate grade option prior to the field class.  Audits are not allowed.

Rigor:  Some extended hiking will be done at high elevations and it is expected that students will be in very good physical condition and have good hiking shoes.  Expect sustained physical field activity on a daily basis.  Students with personal medical concerns must notify an instructor before participating in this field trip.

More information:  Call Drs. Buchanan and Thomson in the Department of Geology at (509)359-2286, or Dr. O'Quinn in the Department of Biology at (509)359-2339.

Suggested list of survival equipment:

1.  Outdoor clothing (including a good 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 and damp at night.  Also consider bringing shorts and t-shirts for hiking in hot weather.  Expect variable weather conditions! 

2.  IMPORTANT:  Good and 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 rain fly.  Also, don't forget a ground cloth for your tent.  Expect some rain.

4.  Sleeping bag and pad - recall that it may get cool 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.

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.  Opportunity for showers may be limited or non-existent on this trip.

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, but we will go on extended day hikes.

12.  Notebook, pencils (some colored) and pens.  Texts and handouts.

13.  No rock hammers or plant presses!  We will be visiting national parks, therefore, no collecting rocks and plants! 

14.  Miscellaneous: broad-rimmed hat, sun screen, sun glasses and bandana.  Flashlight for around camp at night.

15.  Camera with extra batteries and memory cards.

16.  Extra bucks for purchase of books, materials and maps along the way.  Always tempting!

17.  Hand lens.  OPTIONAL:  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.  Pack compactly.