4 suburbans, a cargo van, and a pick up truck. That's all what we had throughout the whole field camp. We arrived at the Nelson Base Camp at Mount Whitney in July 17th. My last proper meal was vegetarian spaghetti. That was the last time I met with civilization. The next morning, we were brought to see the regional geology of the mapping area, got to know, to recognize and identify the rock units to be mapped on the next day.
Assignment 1: Seven days mapping the Poleta Fold(s)
Not just a small fold, not just a minor fold, but there are folds in here! The area was huge. If I were to come back here, I wouldn't hike up and down here anymore T_T. Looking back at my completed map for this assignment, "Serious?!! I did this?". Besar gila kut tempat ni. Of course, there were times that I felt like giving up but no, that's just weak and coward! Alhamdulillah, I completed this assignment within given time, also thanks to my team member, Nadine, Lauren and Leanndra for their great help, supportive attitude and most importantly their tolerance each other's needs.
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| if you can zoom in this picture, besar and sangat2 remarkable, subhanaAllah! |
Leanndra and Nadine - taking the strike and dip on one of the mappable rock units. We were standing on CP-5, a code we agreed on a fossilliferious limestone (if I remember well).
Then we had few occasions of flat tires. The map said that this is 4WD road, but anyways, kalau the whole journey just bumpy rides, memang expect flat tires lah kan? The best part is, every time this happened, guys yang akan tolong tukar tayar. Girls? Nah, that's not our job to do ;D
See, we just looked from far and start gossiping. Hewhew
A nightmare? Shouldn't this exciting? Yes, it is, but this was our first assignment and it covered a very big area. It became my nightmare when I kept dreaming about mapping this area every night! I once took a nap in our suburban while waiting for others to come back to the vehicle. I dreamed that I completed the map, with colors, but when I woke up, my map was still three-quarter mapped and black and white, still! Right after this exercise, we had our little exam called the "independent mapping" in which you are not allowed to talk, communicate with anybody by any means while mapping a small area. All works and cross section should be handed in on the same day before we had our 1.5 days off. Off for shower!
After all, we made it to the tops and made it to finish mapping this area after days hiking up and down ;)
Note: Remember to put scales on your cross section! Every single points means a lot for your efforts!
