3 GEOLOGY FIELD CAMP, MAY & JUNE 2013 By Jim Puckette Field Camp 2013: The Year of the Fire The 2013 field camp was unforgettable in that this was the first time that we were forced from the field by fire. As a result of the prolonged drought in the southern Rockies, we have been aware of the dangers of fire. In past years, smoke from fires in New Mexico, Arizona and southern Colorado created air-quality issues, but this year the Royal Gorge Fire resulted in an evacuation order along Temple Canyon Road and forced us to leave the Mixing Bowl. The Gorge Fire as it came to be called started south of the Royal Gorge and quickly moved northward on gusty winds, jumped the canyon and burned most of the buildings in the park. Luckily, the animals were spared and fire was stopped in the Priest Canyon mapping area by the change in wind direction and the dumping of large volumes of flame retardant. From the Mixing Bowl, which is located approximately 5 miles to the east-southeast of Royal Gorge, we watched the smoke column grow as the fire expanded. Though we were never in danger from the Gorge Fire, the evacuation area included the Bowl and the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department requested we leave the area. The OU students were in the Bowl at the same time and vans from both camps were used to shuttle students to the safety of the parking area at the Cañon City Eco Park, known to many vintage geologists as the Cañon City Dump and the entrance to the Grape Creek section. Fortunately, the Gorge Fire was stopped before it reached U.S. Highway 50 and Twin Mountain. Though we were not allowed to return to the Bowl due to the closure of Temple Canyon Road, the rest of camp was completed without difficulty. Enrollment in 2013 was fifty-eight students. Students from fifteen different colleges and universities attended including twenty-one from OSU, and thirty seven from the other fourteen schools included Angelo State, Central Michigan, Georgia Southern, Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, James Madison, Midwestern State, Rutgers, Sam Houston State, Texas A&M Kingsville, TCU, Temple, University of Colorado, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, West Texas State. Our outstanding teaching assistants were Chris Geyer and Andrew Katumwehe. Our camp maintenance man was Rawlings Akondi, who also assisted with field trips and the geophysics project. Tim Sickbert served again as our capable medical officer and fortunately only had to deal with minor complaints. Our two capable cooks, Ms. Michelle Leach and Ms. Jana Van Pelt, kept the kitchen running smoothly and provided tasty, healthy and filling meals. Michelle and Jan were assisted by Rawlings and Jon Fields, who have added dishwasher to their lists of many talents. Fulltime faculty were Chester Wallace, a retired Colorado mapper, Rick Hobbs from Amarillo College, George Bolling from University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and Jim Puckette. Ms. Tiny Striegel of Canon City visited her camp family each week and entertained all with her poetry and camp history. Tiny welcomed the students to camp and assured them that they would be successful and enjoy the experience. Field projects in 2013 included Phantom Canyon/Gnat Hollow, Grape Creek, Mixing Bowl, Big Orange, Red Canyon Park, Blue Ridge and Twin Mountain. Field trips included Cripple Creek and Victor, Pikes Peak, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Leadville. Under the guidance of Andrew, Rawlings and Tim Sickbert, the geophysical exercise concentrated on imaging the alluvial aquifer along Eightmile Creek where it crosses the camp property. Due to high demands for water early in camp, we purchased water from town and filled the cisterns. Our hope is that a wet spring will cause Eightmile Creek to flow again and fully recharge the aquifer. Thanks to a generous contribution from Mr. Terry Clay, a new commercial side by side refrigerator was added to the kitchen serving area. These improvements are necessary and welcome as we filled the 2013 camp in October 2012. Field Camp Reunion The summer of 2014 will mark the 65th anniversary of field camp. Visitors are always welcome anytime camp is in session, but this summer we will host a reunion Friday June 6 and Saturday June 7. Activities will include a cookout on Friday evening, a tour of selected field areas during the day Saturday and a program of reminiscing and feasting that evening.
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