EVA-06 Report
Jamon Neilson Reporting

Duration: 3:05 -- 6:00 (2 hour, 55 minutes)

Participants: Jamon Neilson, Richard Humphreys

Route:
Hab to 12 S 0521365 UTM 4251097
12 S 0521365 UTM 4251097 to 12 S 0519088 UTM 4256023
Brahe Hwy to Back Side of Skyline Rim

Equipment: Camera, Maps, Core Sample Tool

Objective: Jamon led the EVA team to explore and get a general idea of the area. We drove down Cactus Road, and explored the area east of the Hab. We found some possible areas where we could deploy the CRV robot. Edwin asked us to look for a cliff that was accessible from the top and bottom, in case there is problem in retrieving the CRV. The cliffs were rather interesting to look at, but inaccessible from the bottom. We turned back to Lowell Hwy to Lithe Canyon, where we went for a short hike. This area is ideal for the requirements that Edwin has. The cliff face is approximately 60 to 70 ft high and can be reached at the top by the ATVs, while a short hike to the bottom makes it possible to observe the CRV's deployment. After leaving Lithe Canyon we drove north to the top of Lowell Hwy to an outlook over the Muddy Creek River. On our way back to the Hab we took a short detour along the Brahe Hwy. We discover two new roads marked by signs Ptolemy, and Schiaparelli, that where not marked on our map. These will prove useful in accessing different areas. The landscape is strikingly different from the cliffs by Cactus Rd -- the soil is black sand material. After 3 hours we returned to the Hab and refueled the ATVs. We also replaced a missing locking nut on the ignition.

Weather: Clear skies, a few clouds

Maximum distance traveled from Hab: 4.5 km appox.

Lessoned Learned:

1. Reviewed previous mission EVAs
2. Locating a route up to part of Skyline Rim
3. EVA mission planning
4. Endurance hike in suits
5. Locating suitable cliff for the CVR employment
6. Repairing the ATV ignition system
7. Sweat bands for head
8. Cougar tracking techniques

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EVA-07 Reports
Jamon Neilson Reporting

Duration: 3:00 -- 5:05 (2 hour, 5 minutes)

Participants: Reece Lumsden, Susmita Mohanty

Destination: Waypoint 111, Field of fossilized oyster shells

Equipment: Camera, Maps, GPS, First Aid Kit

Description: Reece Lumsden and Susmita Mohanty undertook an EVA this afternoon to waypoint 111 -- located approximately 1.7 miles from the HAB. The afternoon sortie lasted 2 hours. The temperature outdoors was approximately 77 F (24 C). The crew's EVA commander Jamon had set up the GPS based on the data from an EVA by an earlier MDRS crew. The GPS gave Reece and Susmita fairly accurate directions, until its batteries ran out. But that wasn't too big of a problem because they had already set their bearings by then and got to waypoint 111 without any difficulties. The only challenge was the hot sun, but since they were in full simulation, they only took a couple of short breaks in the shade, but did ok without drinking any water. Once Reece and Susmita got to waypoint 111, they scouted the area for oyster shell fossils and found only a few good ones, most of them were broken, possibly a result of weather wear. The fossils they found were orange in color and rather fragile. Susmita also took some photos using an digital camera wrapped in a ziplock bag and improvised to take pictures in bright sunlight. They also picked up some rocks both on our way to and from the site, to study back at the Hab.

Weather: Blue skies, 77 F

Maximum distance traveled from Hab: 1.7 miles approx.

Lessoned Learned:

1. Review and leverage previous mission EVAs
2. Charge GPS batteries the night before the EVA
3. EVA mission planning
4. Endurance hike in suits
5. Wear gloves that are suitable for picking rocks and fossils
6. Cool off in the shade of rocks and canyons