Field Course Details

Itinerary

9/6 - Meet at EvCC for introductory class and to discuss trip logistics

9/7 - Travel from EvCC to Camp Ramblewood in Sequim, WA

9/8 - 9/10 - Field exploration of the landscape of the Olympic Mountains

9/11 - Travel to Mt. St. Helens Science and Learning Center

9/12 - 9/14 - Field exploration of Mt. St. Helens

9/14 - Return to EvCC

9/15 - Debrief, final class, and discussion at EvCC

Accommodations

Accommodations are provided as part of the course fee at Camp Ramblewood  and at the Mt. St. Helens Science and Learning Center (SLC).  Both facilities have beds, a full kitchen, and bathrooms. Showers will be available at Ramblewood but NOT at SLC. Beds are bunks with mattresses in cabins or dormitory style rooms. You will need to provide your own bedding (sleeping bag or linens and pillow) and personal toiletries.

Food

Meals will be prepared communally in the group kitchen facilities provided at both sites. Lunches will be packed for the field in the morning. Those with dietary restrictions should contact the instructor prior to the course so they can be accommodated. Cooking and cleaning responsibilities will be shared among students.

Required Gear/Materials

Students should come with comfortable hiking shoes or boots, clothing for all weather conditions (rain jacket is a must!), a daypack, and a field notebook (Rite in the Rain is recommended). We will meet the day prior to departure to develop a menu and full packing list and ensure all students are prepared. If you do not have any of the essentials, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

There are no textbook costs for this course. The $350 lab/field trip fee covers all food, lodging, transportation, and park admission costs during the eight days we are in the field.

Hiking

Field explorations will require hiking on steep and uneven terrain. However, because we are critically examining the landscape, we will stop frequently (perhaps too frequently for some!). This means our pace will be quite slow, perhaps a mile an hour. Over the course of the day, however, we may cover as much as 10 miles. Furthermore, we will be out in the field all day, regardless of weather.

Course Content Overview

This course is intended as an introductory exploration of the mountain landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Through field observations and discussions, we will seek to unravel the stories of two vastly different landscapes: the Olympic Mountains and Mt. St. Helens. Along the way, you will learn critical field skills such as rock, landform, and plant identification. These skills will be used to uncover the recent glacial and volcanic histories of the two landscapes. Finally, our interpretation of the geologic landscape will be used to explain the distribution of ecological communities at both sites. Emphasis will be on active, collaborative, and student-driven learning. Students interested in receiving 7 credits for the course will complete an independent project based on our field observations.