Thursday, August 23, 2012

Survivors Episode 1: The Poleta Nightmare

 Bismillah,

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. 
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!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Survivors Special Edition

Salam 'alaykum wbt.

Alhamdulillah, after almost a month travelling from central California to the edge of the North America continent, I am finally back in the 21st century, I am finally home. Away from civilization, I knew only rocks and trees, my campsite and my tent, my gorgeous hiking boots, my mapping board and my lovely Mr. Brunton. Got up at 4:30 am in the morning for subuh prayer then got ready for another super long day, that was my routine. Should a government officer starts working at 9:00 am and come back from work at five, I did the same, except for my schedule started at 7 am in the morning. 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Yes, and the routine lasted for almost 29 days. Not under the cool of air conditioning, neither under the windy ceiling fan, but under the hot sunshine and the pacific blow from the Western California. Sometimes we had our lucky day, hail poured in, ouch! That's hurt my head! At least, the days with hail were a little bit colder.    

After all, this experience reminded me of my favorite tv show when I was younger; Survivor. I was wondering how would they survive in an island with no facilities etc. Now I get it, yes, boleh punya, nothing is impossible. I remember a person told me "the word impossible itself is breakable into I'm possible!". Absolutely.

Not wanting to write much in one post, I'm gonna share the stories based on the series of assignments I did throughout the field camp AND, mind you, I have lesser picture because I was too focus doing my mapping ;D and I don't have a good camera to take photos!

"You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails"
Allahu'alam.