Field Session II, PEGN 316 by T. Sorensen
Happy 100th Anniversary from Massadona! This year had its own col- lection of challenges, and the students overcame in true Oredigger fashion. A warm, sunny start to fieldwork took a colder turn after 3 days when the temperature dropped 50 degrees F and sustained winds of 30 mph made for a long, noisy night. Luckily the firepit was usable and much deadwood from around camp has now been cleared out and put to good use. S’mores, hot cocoa, and karak kept us all warm, and we even held the debate around the firepit. Meanwhile, the first round of rafters earned kudos for enjoying a trip which snowed on them three times while on the water!
The weather became more forgiving once it was time to visit the new owners of the Rangely Field, and we are very excited to be partnering with Scout Energy, who purchased the field from Chevron. We all en - joyed a wonderful presentation series from them, and are grateful for their willingness to step in where Chevron helped us in the past. Our traditional visit to PLS and their cased-hole logging systems happened the next day, and the owners said our students were the most engaged and attentive group of students they have ever taught from Mines.
Before finishing up, we discovered torbenite crystals in an anthill in the camp, so we will apparently always have a small supply of naturally occurring uranium near the much-contested cornhole setup. Said corn- hole competition was fierce, and resulted in the sound and enjoyable defeat of the instructors…multiple times. We look forward to many more years of survival at the cornhole boards, hopefully with less wind and snow.
Above: The frisbee exercise demands intense concentration.
Left: Cornhole!
Right from top to bottom:
Listening to Scout Energy’s
presentation.
Group shot on the last day.
Around the fire pit during one
of the really cold days.
26 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES