Today the biology team focused on a sample collection area from Feb. 9, 2002 called Waypoint 13. This is now renamed ‘Lith Canyon’. Both Steve and Troy went on EVA, so no lab analysis was performed today. Lith Canyon was rich in biological activity.

Primary Mission - Biological Sample Collection
Overview of Waypoints

As mentioned previously, Lith Canyon contains abundant geological deposits containing green sediment and strata. Samples were taken so we can determine if green sediment is associated with biological growth. Rock samples in the streambed were taken for analysis. Lichens were plentiful on large rocks. An excellent endolith sample was found in the middle portion of the canyon. Desert varnish with possible endoliths was also present near this location. Water was abundantly present in the canyon and more so than any other area visited. The water was frozen and snow was found near the bottom of the canyon. A bone and petrified wood were found at the same location. Rocks in this location were overturned, and apparent hypoliths were found. Vegetation was plentiful throughout the canyon, and cacti were found at the top of the canyon. Evidence of large animal activity was noted, including large cat (bobcat or mountain lion) and antelope.

• Waypoint 37: This was the top of the canyon before descent. Cacti and other vegetation were present. No samples were taken here.
• Waypoint 38: This area contained frozen pits of water. A sample was taken (#1) in a small plastic test tube. A soft green stratum was present near the bottom of the canyon outcrop, and a sample was taken (#2) to determine if this green color can be associated with microorganisms. A photo was also taken of the sample #2 source.
• Waypoint 39: The streambed contained numerous embedded rocks. A particular rock had a green-black layer on its surface. A sample (#3) was chiseled off and photographed.
• Waypoint 40: Heldmann saw blue rocks in the streambed, and these may be of interest to the biology mission (Sample #4).
• Waypoint 41: Geological only
• Waypoint 42: On the canyon sidewalls, medium grain sedimentary sandstone had fallen from the top of the canyon. Lichens were present on the sides of rocks that averaged 2 feet in length. When the rock was split to expose it 2 inches below the surface, a dark green powdery growth was present. Also, a pit was present in the rock after being split, and green material was abundant there. A sample was taken by scraping a plastic tube against the powdery growth (#5) and photographed, and another sample (#6) contained a piece of the split rock and another endolithic sample from a similar stone nearby. The split rock portion retained was one which housed the domed green powdery growth (apparently a pocket in the rock interior).
• Waypoint 43: Geological only. Between waypoints 42 and 44, animal tracks and waste were found. One set of tracks is from a large cat, probably a small mountain lion or a bobcat. The other distinct set is from antelope. Spoor from a cat (most likely) was retained and seemed to have sufficient hair/fur content to make possible an analysis of the diet of the animal.
• Waypoint 44: Large boulders (~6 feet long and 3 ft wide) were present at the bottom of the canyon. The surface appeared black and brown and resembles desert varnish. The rocks that contain this desert varnish have been the same type at different locations. The desert varnish surface was chipped, and at certain points, a green endolithic layer was present. A sample was taken (#6) and photographed.
• Waypoint 45: This location was at the top of the 30-40 ft. canyon drop. A sample of sand in the streambed was taken at this location (#7). Another sample on a nearby sidewall was taken that resembled the green material at Waypoint 38.
• Waypoint 46: About halfway down the 30-40 ft. drop, snow was visible on the surface of large boulders. A sample was taken (#8). A bone resembling a leg bone was found at this location (#9). It is unclear whether this is fossilized or a recent deposit. Under a very large rock hypolithic growth was seen, and a sample was taken (#10). Another hypolith sample was taken under a streambed rock (#11). More desert varnish coated rocks were present here, but no sample was taken.
• Waypoint 47 This was the lowest elevation that we traveled to in the canyon, but the canyon extended beyond this point. Vegetation was plentiful here.

The biology team will attempt to conduct the full battery of biology mission tests on these samples tomorrow.