EXPEDITION MANUAL

Welcome!

You are about to embark on an exciting adventure in studies of ancient forests in Ontario. This manual provides a brief introduction to general aspects of this research expedition. Topics such as daily duties, schedules, useful tips for living in the wilderness and tree identification are addressed.

This project would not be possible without your support. And, accordingly, the quality of the research and of your experience depends in large part on you. Teamwork is the most important ingredient for a successful and safe wilderness research expedition.

Remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question so feel free to ask. The staff are always ready and willing to assist you.

Working in the field for ten days in all types of weather conditions requires team effort. We will all perform duties to ensure that our camp runs smoothly. A duty roster will be posted in the commons area and should be checked daily to ensure that all tasks are performed.. Usually two people will be assigned to a task.

Meals

Three meals per day are scheduled, rationed and packed before each expedition:

• Persons assigned to breakfast preparation should rise by 6:45 a.m. Breakfast is usually served by 7:30a.m.. The cleanup crew should help clean up and wash any dishes which were used.
• Lunch food will be gathered in the morning just after breakfast so that it can be distributed in everyone's day packs. Most other lunch preparation will be performed in the field by everyone in the group.
• Dinner preparation should begin soon after returning to camp (around 5:00-5:30pm.). A wash basin should be placed out before dinner preparation begins so that anyone helping with the dinner can wash up before doing so. There will be a menu plan in the kitchen.

All food can be found in marked containers in the camp pantry.

Clean-up

Each day a crew will clean up and wash dishes after dinner, and bury the compost. In order to preserve water quality and maintain a tidy camp-site, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Do not rinse or wash dishes in the lake.
• Dish water should be disposed of in a small hole dug more than 30 m (100 ft) from open water.
• Food scraps will be composted at least 30 m from the campsite in a designated compost pit
• Dishes will be washed with heated lake water and rinsed a with bleached water (1 tablespoon / dish tub).
• Everything which is not compostable will be carried out from the campsite.
• We will be recycling paper, plastic and metal - please separate waste from recycling, and wash things before recycling them.

Water

To prevent the ingestion of giardiasis (a nasty parasite), which is transmitted by beaver and may cause severe intestinal upset, water from lakes will be chlorinated for drinking purposes. A water filter will also be available for those who prefer to use it over chlorination. The filter functions by pumping water by hand through a purifying system and into a container.

Water purification duty involves filling the 20 L blue water jug with lake water and treating it with chlorine. Lake water should be collected away from shore - If you find it difficult to lift a full water jug into a canoe, you may wish to use a scoop to fill it in the canoe. Use 40 drops of chlorine bleach to treat 20 L of water.

Swimming in the many lakes of an ancient forested landscape is an enchanting experience, enjoyed not only by expedition members but also by loons, beavers, and many fish and other species. A few things to keep in mind when swimming:

• Always swim with a buddy, or have someone keep an eye on you.
• Be sure to check for rocks before jumping in or diving. Never dive deep!
• Put shoes back on as soon as you get out of the water; even a small cut on your foot can be a real nuisance.
• Shoes are recommended when walking in water in case of sharp rocks or glass.
• If you bathe in the lake you should be using biodegradable soap. Try to use modest amounts of soap or rinse on land, since even biodegradable soap can affect the lake.

For general cooking we will use portable propane stoves. Fires may be built in the evenings using existing fire pits. Only dead wood should be used for these fires. A pail of water should be kept by the fire in case it gets out of control. After use, the fire should be thoroughly drowned out.

Latrines

A box latrine will be provided near the campsite at least 30 m away from the water. Soil will then act as a filter for nutrients and bacteria to protect the lake from pollution by human waste. The path to the latrine will be marked with flagging tape. When in use, the path should be blocked off with a flagging tape "door" to indicate that the latrine is occupied. There will be a water bag with sprinkler hanging by the latrine and we ask that after you finish your business that you wash you hands so that we can maintain the hygiene of the camp. The person on latrine duty will be responsible for filling the water bag and assuring that there is sufficient toilet paper. If a new hole needs to be dug we'll be taking volunteers.

If you get caught away from base-camp, nothing could be simpler! We will be carrying a trowel and toilet paper. For solid waste and toilet paper, dig a hole, and keep these guidelines in mind:

• Dig a hole which is 6-8 inches deep (deeper is not better).
• For solid waste ("shit") try to locate at least 30m (~100 ft.) away from bodies of water.
• Beware of areas which may have a lot of run-off in heavy rain or in spring thaw, and avoid very steep or well-drained slopes. Also avoid saturated soils.

Because the areas we're in generally receive low use, we don't recommend "packing out" toilet paper.

Useful tips

Wet set, dry set: working in the field, you are guaranteed to get wet. Use your wet set of clothes for working in the field and save your dry set to change into at night. If this means getting into soggy clothes in the morning, do it.

• Because weather and events are unpredictable, day packs should always include the following items:
• rain-gear
• water bottles (at least 1.5 L)
• sun protection
• extra clothing (wool shirt/sweater)

Other items your day pack should include are:

• lunch
• bug repellent/bug hat
• gloves
• sampling equipment
• matches
• knife
• map and compass

• Know where you are! Use your map! If you are exploring, use the buddy system and inform a staff member of where you are going and how long you plan to be.
• If you get lost, stay in one place and call out periodically until help arrives.
• Don't walk directly behind people - branches may snap back in your face.
• The forest floor can be treacherous when walking. The following situations may be particularly hazardous:
• walking on wet logs and rocks,
• walking around the base of big trees - there may be duff-covered gaps between roots, or in old streambeds where rocks pose the same danger.
• walking on rocky and boggy ground, it's especially difficult to judge where a solid foothold is,
• loose hand and footholds on steep hill-sides
• listen to your body, drink plenty of fluids and walk at your own pace, and
• be careful of snags when walking underneath them - they are often very unstable.

If you encounter large animals such as bear or moose, remain calm and stay clear. If you are approached, drop your pack and slowly back away. Never keep food in your tent, as this may attract animals.

Prevent problems before they start

We will always be at least an hour or two from any kind of assistance, sometimes much more. The best way to deal with any medical problem is to avoid it. Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Many accidents happen when people are tired - take a break when you need one, and alert your leader if the pace is too fast (they will thank you for it!).
• Again, drink lots of liquids - poor hydration is a source of many other problems!
• Deal with blisters by preventing them; open blisters are a pain! Alert a staff member as soon as feel a spot rubbing. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to treat a blister which is just forming.
• Report any problem, no matter how unimportant it may seem .

The wilderness experience

Going to a remote place is an opportunity to grow alongside others, and to know yourself better. The environment we will be in offers the opportunity for inward contemplation, and to share wonderfull experiences and form bonds with others. Also, one's respect and love of all life grows as we come to know other lifeforms better. These two things will help to protect and heal the earth. Again, thank you for your participation in this Earthwatch project, and remember to walk softly.