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OC '02
As the late spring sun sets across the Chenango valley, it is hard to believe that the 2003
off campus group is preparing to set out for the Adirondacks. A year has already passed
since the members of OCO2 took part in the geology department's annual field course. OCO2
began in the humble confines of Gatehouse where we lived for the first days of orientation.
We learned the finer points of compass navigation and got a refresher on a little structural
geology. Campus safety made sure we got up bright and early each morning and we even got to
see the introduction of President Chopp before we left for the Adirondacks.
We started the first leg of the OC at the Canada Lake Store cabins in the southern Adirondacks.
Bruce Selleck, William Peck, and Allen Dennis introduced us to the various rock units in the
region and soon we were mapping a large fold in the forest north of Canada Lake. After
enduring the black flies for a week we completed mapping the area and celebrated with a
party at Chief's house on Canada Lake. Chief offered his famous hospitality and reminded
us all that ³there are no bugs in the Adirondacks.² The following day we visited road cuts
across the eastern Adirondacks and even located the famous monument with giant garnets
in Indian Lake. Next, Rich April and Di Keller led the OC, teaching us about the soil,
sediment, and groundwater of the region. Finally, Connie Soja led us across the Adirondacks
to various road cuts and dams, pointing out the interesting fossils that make up the
paleontology of the region. I'm sure all members of the OCO2 group look back fondly on
Connie's paleo quiz.
After our first leg in the Adirondacks, we returned to Colgate for a few days to prepare
for the western leg. With the lead of professor Amy Leventer we set out for Colorado in
three vans. Two days later we arrived at Denver and the Chief Hosa campground. We soon
were mapping the sedimentary units around the red rocks theater in our first project of
the western leg. Next we traveled south to Moab Utah where we completed a mapping project
near the entrance to Arches National Park. During our day off at Moab some of the group
rafted down the Colorado River while others hiked in the nearby La Sal Mountains. After
Moab we visited the Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks as well as the Canyonlands
National Monument, where we discovered the Lathrop trail. Next we traveled north to Salt
Lake City where Amy Leventer departed and Dave Baird joined us for the drive to Wyoming.
After we reached the Seminoe reservoir in southeast Wyoming we were joined by professors
Paul Pinet and Allen Dennis. At the Seminoe reservoir we completed the largest and most
complex mapping project of the OC. We also found some time to enjoy the cool water of
the lake and compare our OC experiences with the Beloit OC group who was there.
In the closing days of OCO2 we drove from Wyoming to Colgate in two days. We spent a few
days completing our write-ups and enjoying the 4th of July in Hamilton. We all left with
a better understanding of field geology and treasured memories.
Adam Skarke '03
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