Kevin Saka EVA-Commander
Felipe Broering
Adam Rehnberg

This morning, after a good breakfast of oatmeal and fruit, Commander Hugh started a briefing for our newest mission. The idea was to roam a distance of roughly 35 Km and, if the weather stayed like it was, visit some other unexplored sites of possible interest.

As we have planned to drive through a bigger stretch we have decided to bring some extra ‘glucose’, besides the usual be of water. The ATV (all terrain vehicles) have big tanks which cover the planned distance so fuel for them was not a trouble. A detail that I actually had not realized was about the neck collar, as we have one in the health cabinet. There is not any specific instruction for carrying it on EVAs together with the first aid kit. The last one is considered a standard procedure for EVAs involving ATVs. Well, nothing would be more appropriate than an EVA with ATVs to bring the neck collar we have at the Hab. If there is a situation on MDRS which a neck collar would be likely to be used, this situation is an EVA on ATVs. That is why Cmdr. Hugh and I have decided to start carrying one on every EVA on ATVs in which a paramedic or trained health professional was present. If we do not have a trained health professional we do not recommend carrying it as it could do more harm than good. Another suggestion would be about the first aid kit, as we have more than one. We suggest at least 2 kits must be carried, since there is room for them on ATVs. And as only the blue First Aid Kit contains special scissors for cutting clothes, this specific kit must be always carried.

After a detailed weather site consultation, we were on our way to the lower deck and no more than 20 minutes later, Kevin (EVA-Cmdr), Adam (2nd in command) and I (Health & Safety Officer) were suited up and go to go for our mission: EVA-7 with the ATVs.

At 12:00 we have started the day journey heading to an intersection point between paths, leading to two different rock formations. We had already visited these but at this time we have decided to go further, heading to the Midridge Planitia, northwest, just by the side of the Skyline Rim, a unique and marvelous view. But we had to stop, some cougar tracks seemed to be really fresh. Better not take the risk.

So we came back to the intersection point and leading us to The Huygen’s Orbit heading to the Muddy Creek. A beautiful scenario, quite different from the other one. Now we were surrounded by huge walls. Certainly if we had a geologist between us it would have been more interesting. In a given moment the walls narrowed in a way we could not proceed, we were in the ATVs. At this point we were forced to come back.

We took again the main highway and headed to the Lith Canyon area. But at the middle of the way our EVA-commander saw more fresh cougar tracks. As they seemed not to be small and the clouds were starting to get heavier, he decided to come back to The Hab. It was 16:30h. Plus half an hour, we were arriving at The HAB and another outstanding afternoon has just finished.