James and I ventured out again in the Mars Skin Suits on EVA-14 with the pressurized rover to Factory Butte, Coal Mine Wash and Skyline Rim. The goal of the EVA was another systems test of the Mars Skin and this time there were no casualties though I had to run on a 30 minute reserve in order to make it back to the rover before I perished. The Mars Skins function very well for walking EVAs being lighter and cooler but in either suit I have a difficult time doing anything remotely strenuous like climbing or hammering. The rover, though old, served us well having to use the 4WD on a couple of occasions. I found I enjoyed the freedom of traveling in the rover without the suit on and then use the suits for traverses like we did in the Coal Mine Wash.

James and I tried to find the coal mine but didn't and instead enjoyed a 2 hour hike in the canyon. I found and broke open 2 samples of the volcanic rocks I've been seeing, one intrusive (Diorite?) and likely originated in the Henry Mountains, the other extrusive (vesicular basalt) and likely originated in the west (Aquarius Plateau). Tomorrow I intend on sending photos of these samples to the RST to confirm type and likely place of origin. It looks to me like the volcanic samples I reported from an earlier EVA were washed in during floods and are much younger than the rocks I've found them on. I have not seen any in outcrops, only lying about freely.

I also photographed James next to a coal vein in the wash that was ~2m thick. The canyon has gorgeous erosional flow features in the sandstone. It would be a worthwhile day to spend hiking the canyon to its mouth at the base of the cliffs of the Skyline Rim. Another day, another expedition perhaps. We were met in the wash by 2 of our EVA members who worked there way to that point from the Hab by ATV.

To end the day, we followed a road that ended at the top of Skyline Rim near sunset and were afforded a dazzling view of the terrain to the east. Given more time, I would like to collect samples from the Henry Mountains and Aquarius Plateau to see if they match what I've collected during our exploration.

My remaining EVAs will be spent collecting endolith samples from at least 3-4 different outcrops, collecting the samples required for the forward contamination study, and accompanying the CRV crew to help determine the science capabilities of the instruments. The time has been well spent among good company.