living in wonderland: 10% fatality rate

Friday we did some real fieldwork that includes a 12k 400m elevation gain hike up a valley, over a saddle and down the valley on the other side. Our fearless leader, Wolf, told us that we expected a 10% fatality rate and we just about had that. Some of the springs were nasty (very nasty) and some were nice (very nice). On the way up we stopped at several pools that were acidic and hot (~60-70C) and sampled grey, yellow, green and pink bacteria and waters from each of the springs. These samples will be incubated while we are in the highlands the next week and we will do lab work next week to see what's there. The walk up the canyon was a bit precarious walking though mud and over moss-covered rocks trying to be wary of hidden hotsprings.
Unfortunately, one girl in our group mis-stepped and sunk calf deep in 92C mud. we rushed to get her boot off and got her to the cool river, but she had 2nd and 3rd degree burns on her leg and foot. The skin was literally sloughing off. Yuck. She was a trooper though and didn't scream or cry even! I would have been a mess I'm sure. We walked up to the top of the hill to get cell coverage and called 112 for emergency. A group of the guys volunteered to carry her down the river to the rescue crew ( what heroes - she was a pretty blond Finish girl) while the rest of us continued on our hike.

On the opposite side of the saddle a hot spring dumped into the cold river creating wonderfully temperatured pools in which those of us who had brought bathing suits got in and rested for a bit (very nice). We then continued down the valley with beautiful views back to the bus and on to a nice buffet dinner with (maybe a little too much) white wine. :)