Yes – I finished the pre-flood wet-season field work on
Sunday (Nov 10) at my sixth field sites on the Rio Pacuare. With the last photo of my over-head photo
surveys done (click to see photo survey example) I stood holding the extension pole,
camera mounted on top, contemplating the actual conclusion of this round of data fieldwork. I opened the site map I had folded
in my pocket and checked the survey area to make sure I was finished. “yes” was my conclusion. Before the map was refolded and tucked back
into the pocket of my shorts the sky cracked with lightening and a raging
monsoon let loose. Yes – data collection
was definitely done that day.
I know better than to stand in a storm with a metal
extension pole 3.6m tall. I was alone on
the bar with the river’s fast muddied waters rumbling loudly over boulders and
bedrock. Hopping from one large boulder
to the next I rushed to my gear and packed things up. Then I gloried in the 4-5km hike out/up to where
I had parked the truck. I was soaked in seconds so duration in the storm was
not important.
All gear was stored in
dry bags in my pack dissuading any concern for equipment. Upon reaching my
vehicle for the remaining 4x4 drive out I had accumulated clay jungle mud from
between the toes to mid-shin. I was
happy.
I know people that would question
this part of my character but I truly am happy and comfortable in wet tropical
steep mountains cut by rivers and dripping with life. Apparently,
it’s for me.
Access to my sites has been over 4x4 roads of varying
conditions. Often it’s slow moving. Not a lot of kilometers when all added up but
plenty of time driving (or should I say crawling) up and down. The scenery is
fantastic and truth be told, the roads are fun to pass. The old field truck I have is doing well but
repairs have already been needed (rear and front suspension, new back tires,
and a power steering fluid leak).
Now I wait and start making offerings to the weather
gods/esses for rain rain rain. The kind
of rain that raises rivers and moves the boulders stacked on their beds. I’m asking for big storm events that cover the
entire watershed.
Almost daily pre-rainy season storms have the jungle’s
hillslopes and tributaries saturated -- wet and ready for a high flow event.
On Sunday within
ten minutes of the break of the storm there was overland flow and
gully erosion occurring along the edges of the trail and road I walked out on.
Rise Rio Pacare, and do your magic, I am here
to witness……and to measure the size of the boulders you can move.
