Day: January 23, 2018

English

Sol 11

The hours of sleep have lengthened in recent days as fatigue begins to be present. Knowing that today four crew members would travel to the distant Lith Canyon, it was a priority to have enough energy and hydration, a full breakfast. We already know that the food will be enough. Sorry Crew 188, it’s important to eat well.

Less than an hour later covered with up to three layers of clothing designed by the best engineers on Earth – or that you can buy in any supermarket of a certain American chain – our astronauts left the habitat in their motorized vehicles to conquer the canyon and impose on the extreme temperatures of the red planet.

After driving on the roads the secondary road seemed difficult to identify but after an hour and a half the end of the road appeared. During the next two hours there was a dance between dodging rocks and thorny plants. It was like a combination between the dry plains and deserts from Africa together with the red mountains of Mars, like an adventures and expeditions documental

It was not easy, for the first time since we arrived the scorching heat and little traces of the uncomfortable human perspiration appeared.

The allowed time of the expedition was diminished more and more and the entrance of the deep cannon continued distant. It is not recommended to mix fatigue, space suits, solar radiation and bags that together reach up to 5 kilograms, take note astronauts.

Finally the walk stopped and after admiring a quarry and flying our little friend the crew decided to walk back to the vehicles. The landscapes were not so impressive but if anything we are sure is that any geologist would envy the memories of today.

Although returning to the road took less time than thought, their bodies were already fighting the situation. Seeing the vehicles at a distance became the greatest joy of the day which filled them with more energy. That energy, the last breath that is given before achieving the impossible. And although one of the explorers tripped every two meters in her attempt to get there, the four boarded safely back home.

During the way back and having in their eyes the wonders and colours of Mars, it is not difficult to inspire yourself and let your mind fly. It is amazing how such different people coordinate themselves no matter how difficult it is and manage to work under one goal when the passion is so great, it is the effect of space.

Now here relaxed and all together we realize that each one reflects a certain personality that complements to form a single system that works surprisingly. Every characteristic such as seriousness, calmness, awkwardness, the good and the bad make us oneself. The countdown is starting but we know that back in Earth our ties will continue there, with faith!.

LATAM II will continue to inform

Tania Robles, MDRS Crew 187 Journalist