Duration: 10:16-13:42 (3 hours, 26 minutes)

Participants: Jason Schwier, Amy Blank, Daniel Hegeman

Equipment: digital camera, specimen bags, GPS, ruler, compass

Route:

1. 12S 0518165E 4250931N to 12S 0518164E 4250923N [Pan Site for Shale]
2. to 12S 0518163E 4250920N [Shale Sample 1A]
3. to 12S 0518163E 4250921N [Shale Sample 2A]
4. to 12S 0517516E 4253296N [Future better Shale Spot]
5. to 12S 0516967E 4254534N [Shale Sample 1B]
6. to 12S 0516970E 4254538N [Shale Sample 2B]
7. to 12S 0516973E 4254535N [Pan Site 2]
8. to 12S 0518163E 4250921N [Schriaparelli Rd X Brahe Rd]
9. to 12S 0518165E 4250931N [Hab]

Objectives/Work Done: EVA 11 was the fourth geological specimen EVA and the crew was looking for samples of shale. We tried to leave early to avoid the midday sun but succeeded in only leaving slightly earlier than usual due to leftover work from the night before. The crew followed the directions as outlined by RST and ATVed about 4.0 kilometers northwest of the Hab to a point on the trail closest to our first destination. We then proceeded to walk the .9 km to the shale site which, on a topographic map looked like a slightly bumpy trek. Much to our chagrin however, the route consisted first of several large dirt hills over 20 feet high that involved much climbing and sliding down. The second part made the first look like child's play. The view was certainly magnificent but there was at least a 150 ft drop down a 55 degree incline into a valley full containing more of the aforementioned hills, only these were steeper.

The crew probably spent just 45 minutes walking the .9 km from the parked ATVs to the first shale site. However, when we reached the GPS coordinates, which Daniel had triple-checked, there was no shale! We hypothesize that the location was mistyped or that all of the samples had been washed away in a recent rain. We scouted around the area but couldn't find any, so the crew spent 5 minutes kicking around ideas for what to do and ultimately decided to just walk back and pick up any samples on the way.

After traveling about .25 km in this hilly valley, we discovered two roughly square foot plots of shale samples on top of a slight rift. We took two samples and took a panoramic of the area which is typical procedure. The crew then had to hike back up the 150 ft mountain and over the hilly terrain, which took about half an hour due to stopping to rest several times. Keep in mind that this was around noon and we were walking around with full body suits and gloves in the Utah desert! It was definitely hard work but is something to tell the grandchildren about!

The crew then proceeded to the second shale site, which was much easier to find and only .1 km off Schriaparelli Road. We collected two samples, noted the appropriate information, and took the panoramic photo. We then hiked back to the ATVs and decided to keep going on Schriaparelli Road (instead of going back over the very bumpy plain from whence we had come) which we believed met up with Brahe Road and would ultimately lead back to the Hab along Lowell Highway. The rush of cool air on the ride back felt extremely good and we remembered why exactly we were putting our bodies through such anguish. Placing the rest of the world on hold for a moment and exploring the desert to simulate future Mars exploration is definitely a unique Spring Break!

Weather: Clear

Maximum distance from Hab: 4.01 km (total distance traveled today was 12 km)

Lessons Learned:

1. Elevation changes on aerial maps (such as Terraserver) are much more drastic when out in the field than on paper as we learned today.
2. The suits actually provide more maneuverability than expected. We were able to climb up and down several steep hills today with only one crew member developing a tear in the crotch due to lifting their foot too high.
3. The crew prefers climbing rocky slopes to dirt slopes because they get more traction.
4. When ATVing up a steep hill, try to get a "running start" and don't let off the gas. Maintaining momentum is key for difficult slopes.
5. Having some kind of voice recorder while on missions would allow a member to save important memos while in the field. One crew member often has several "aha!" moments while traveling but cannot later remember these great insights. A recorder would provide a memory bank for spur of the moment notes and ideas. You get so caught up in the moment while out there that momentary ideas easily fade.
6. During a couple of the breaks the crew felt it would have been easy to just "lay there for a little longer", which could have led to increased dehydration or possibly delirium. This just goes to show one how unforgiving this terrain is.