March 28, 2007: Day 3
Today was the only day that hasn’t been filled with activities to sign-up for. The reason why was that it was media day and most people were involved with the event. You would think that that, would make it a good day to sleep in, but several of us got up at 4:00 in the morning. Our plan was to do some exploring on our own. Zzyzx is an oasis on the edge of Dry Soda Lake. Soda lake is a dry lake bed that extends for a couple of miles to the east and northward towards the town of Baker. To the west, is a large range of mountains that extend northward from Zzyzx. At the end of the range overlooking Zzyzx, is a peak called Mt. Springer. Several of us decided we would get up early and climb it. Why risk out lives climbing in the dark with headlamps and flashlights? It wasn’t to avoid the hot daytime sun, but to make sure we returned in time for breakfast. It turns out that the camp cook was outstanding and no-one wanted to risk missing breakfast at 7:00.
We met in the parking lot. The sky was dark, but sprinkled with more stars than I had ever seen in my life. It is true that desert skies provide an amazing view of our universe. The mountain itself was only a black outline before us, its boundaries only distinguishable by the sparkling stars.
We started out climbing a spur of hill that jutted out towards Zzyzx. In the dark, with a flashlight in my hand, all I could see was the boulders in front of me and the beams of the other’s headlamps. In a way, it made it easier to climb because you couldn’t tell how far down the slopes were around us. The climb up took about two hours and was over 1000’. At the top, there were several cairns and a weather station. One of the cairns had a cross in it and ammo can at its base. The can held a logbook and items left by others who had been there.
A little after six, the sun began to show over the mountains to the east. The view was spectacular. From our high point we could see the valleys and desert all around us. Ten miles away we could see Baker and the line of traffic coming and going from Las Vegas. Below us was Zzyzx. It was also much cooler at the top, as we had been protected from the breeze by the mountain. At the top though, the wind was strong and the sweat on our backs from our climb, quickly chilled. After pictures and signing the logbook, it was time to head back down. We could take the long route down the ridge, or go straight down a ravine on the face of the mountain.
We split up, with some of us taking the old route and some of us going straight down the face. I went down the face which ended up being much more challenging than I expected. We had to lower ourselves from ledge to ledge, which during a rain would have been a series of water falls. It took us around an hour to get back to Zzyzx, getting us back in time for breakfast.
After breakfast and a little rest, we had until the afternoon before we went back out into the field. I went and watched the end of the English version of the web cast and spent some time in the lab. Another group heard about us going up the mountain and they wanted to give it a try too, so we met again at 10:00 and decided we would climb for an hour and then return for lunch. My legs were tired, but we made it about half way up to where the spur connected with the ridge. Even half way up, it was still a spectacular view of dry Soda Lake and the desert.
While the day was not full of planned scheduled activities, I found it one of the best only because it was true exploration. It was the chance to wander and see what we wanted and go to whatever caught our eye. That is what I need to get my students involved in, some form of exploration where they learn on their own and go where their interests take them.
Today was the only day that hasn’t been filled with activities to sign-up for. The reason why was that it was media day and most people were involved with the event. You would think that that, would make it a good day to sleep in, but several of us got up at 4:00 in the morning. Our plan was to do some exploring on our own. Zzyzx is an oasis on the edge of Dry Soda Lake. Soda lake is a dry lake bed that extends for a couple of miles to the east and northward towards the town of Baker. To the west, is a large range of mountains that extend northward from Zzyzx. At the end of the range overlooking Zzyzx, is a peak called Mt. Springer. Several of us decided we would get up early and climb it. Why risk out lives climbing in the dark with headlamps and flashlights? It wasn’t to avoid the hot daytime sun, but to make sure we returned in time for breakfast. It turns out that the camp cook was outstanding and no-one wanted to risk missing breakfast at 7:00.
We met in the parking lot. The sky was dark, but sprinkled with more stars than I had ever seen in my life. It is true that desert skies provide an amazing view of our universe. The mountain itself was only a black outline before us, its boundaries only distinguishable by the sparkling stars.We started out climbing a spur of hill that jutted out towards Zzyzx. In the dark, with a flashlight in my hand, all I could see was the boulders in front of me and the beams of the other’s headlamps. In a way, it made it easier to climb because you couldn’t tell how far down the slopes were around us. The climb up took about two hours and was over 1000’. At the top, there were several cairns and a weather station. One of the cairns had a cross in it and ammo can at its base. The can held a logbook and items left by others who had been there.
A little after six, the sun began to show over the mountains to the east. The view was spectacular. From our high point we could see the valleys and desert all around us. Ten miles away we could see Baker and the line of traffic coming and going from Las Vegas. Below us was Zzyzx. It was also much cooler at the top, as we had been protected from the breeze by the mountain. At the top though, the wind was strong and the sweat on our backs from our climb, quickly chilled. After pictures and signing the logbook, it was time to head back down. We could take the long route down the ridge, or go straight down a ravine on the face of the mountain.
We split up, with some of us taking the old route and some of us going straight down the face. I went down the face which ended up being much more challenging than I expected. We had to lower ourselves from ledge to ledge, which during a rain would have been a series of water falls. It took us around an hour to get back to Zzyzx, getting us back in time for breakfast.
After breakfast and a little rest, we had until the afternoon before we went back out into the field. I went and watched the end of the English version of the web cast and spent some time in the lab. Another group heard about us going up the mountain and they wanted to give it a try too, so we met again at 10:00 and decided we would climb for an hour and then return for lunch. My legs were tired, but we made it about half way up to where the spur connected with the ridge. Even half way up, it was still a spectacular view of dry Soda Lake and the desert.
While the day was not full of planned scheduled activities, I found it one of the best only because it was true exploration. It was the chance to wander and see what we wanted and go to whatever caught our eye. That is what I need to get my students involved in, some form of exploration where they learn on their own and go where their interests take them.
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