Nathrop

We stay in Nathrop, Colorado for one week.  The setting is spectacular with the Collegiate peaks of the Sawatch Range to the west separated from the Mosquito Range to the east by the Arkansas River valley.  We stay in a rustic lodge with incredible views of Mt. Princeton and Mt. Antero off of the back deck.  Students appreciate moving indoors with kitchen facilities instead of Coleman stoves and wash buckets.  The projects done here include an introduction to GPS surveying and navigation which become an integral part of the course thereafter, and digital mapping of Precambrian - Teritary volcanic and plutonic rocks using the PocketPC (iPAQ®) computers.  During the stay in Nathrop, we also take our annual raft trip down the Arkansas River.

 

View across Arkansas River graben of Collegiate peaks.  This summer was hazy with wild fire smoke but on a clear day all of the peaks in the background are over 14K in elevation and spectacular.  Mount Princeton is just above and to the right of the white area (Chalk Cliffs) in the upper center of the photo.

The lodge has a great elevated deck on which to relax and enjoy the view.  L to R; Chris, Kurt, Jeff, Matt, Sue and Kevin.  Mt. Antero (14,269') is on the left and Mt. Princeton (14,197') is on the right.

Dr. Charlie Onasch demonstrating digital field mapping using our new PocketPC computers with GPS.

 Each mapping team was given a PocketPC to use for mapping this volcanic and plutonic terrain.

Sugarloaf Mountain and the Arkansas river from the top of Ruby Mountain.  These features are in the southern portion of our multi-day mapping area.

The lodge is very comfortable with a rustic log interior.  After meals, the dinning room is often used as a work place.

This year during our day off in Nathrop, a hearty group of 8 souls decided to climb the second highest peak in the lower 48 States, Mt. Elbert (14,433').  The climb involved a 3 mile trek from the trail-head to the top with an elevation gain of about 4,000'.

We made it!!  Kurt, Joanna, Matt, Sue, Jeff, Rob.  Behind the camera, Ryan Murphy and Liz.

A view from top of Elbert looking west towards Aspen about 18 miles away.

The gang before the raft trip down the Arkansas. L to R; back row, John, Liz, Ryan, Jeff and Kurt.  Middle row, Matt, Joanna, Sue, Heather, Nicole, Sharon, Amber, Tracey.  Front, Chris and Wes.  Ryan Murphy is taking the photo.

Matt and Ryan taking a cool dip in the Arkansas after a long day stomping in the hills.

The faculty are a little more reserved.

 

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