STUDENT’S VOICE
sequence of sediments and those of debated provenance, which marks the gap between the Proterozoic formations and those of the Mesozoic. Textbook- quality structural features, including boudinage and dykes, were found below the unconformity in the Vishnu Schist.
It was pleasant to sit in Blacktail Canyon while our guide’s guitar and lyrics echoed through the narrow slot canyon and feel the significance of a half billion years of missing rock record. At this point, the rim of the canyon and the Kaibab limestone rested over 1,000 meters above us. We all began to appreciate the spectacularly tall canyon walls, especially since the rocks exposed near river-level were far into the 1.7 billion-year Vishnu Schist and Zoroaster Granite Basement Complex!
We spent our final days on the river floating through Granite Gorge, the narrowest part of the canyon with the most technical and daunting rapids. In between the class 9 and 10 rapids, we enoyed reflecting on the geology we had seen and discussing the forthcoming fate of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon due to increasing demand for water in the western U.S. and tourism to the national park.
After what seemed like a few short days on the river, we were back to “rim life” in Lexington, Virginia where we soon deemed warm showers overrated compared to river baths and campsite nights accompanied by two guitars, a harmonica, and numerous vocalists.
We spent the last week of our adven- ture preparing final proects, which was a fantastic way to review and highlight different aspects of the trip. Groups of students were responsible for present- ing on a different aspect of the Grand Canyon, from culture to stratigraphy to hydrology to volcanism. Our papers on these topics were bound into a class river guide, an educational compilation of pictures and excerpts from the trip.
Unfortunately, never again will we be awarded such a unique opportunity to learn geology. We are so very thank- ful to the Washington and Lee Geology Department and alumni who made this trip and course possible, including Dr. Lisa Greer and Nick Fox who led this amazing learning experience.
The class stops for a photo after investigating Paiute sacred grounds and tri- lobite tracks in the Cambrian Bright Angel Shale. Left to right: (back row) Dr. Lisa Greer, Nick Fox, Tanner Waggoner, Stephen Ball, Jack Blair, Julian Martin Irigoyen, Burke Plater, Tal Keel, Gabby Kitch, and Alden Schade; (front) Zack Barney, Marshall Woodward, Edward Hudson, and Faith Meyer.
Left to right and back to front: Dr. Lisa Greer, Zack Barney, Franklin Wolfe, Tanner Waggoner, Faith Meyer, Tal Keel, Marshall Woodward, Nick Fox, Gabby Kitch, Alden Shade, Edward Hudson, Burke Plater, Stephen Ball, Julian Martin Irigoyen, and Jack Blair..
Franklin stands at the multi-colored confluence of the Little Colorado River and main Colorado River.
Cliff-jumping off of Pumpkin Spring. Left to right: Jack Blair, Nick Fox, Tal Keel, Stephen Ball, Faith Meyer, Franklin Wolfe, and Tanner Waggoner.
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