Geologist & Tearaptor
You know, I’ve been mapping out that canyon for a potential training exercise. It’s packed with exposed limestone and fault lines that could give us natural cover and quick escape routes—perfect for a real‑world survival scenario. How do you assess the stability of those formations before we set up camp?
Geologist: First look for any active fault movement—rock slickensides, fresh fractures, or recent slips. Check the bedding angle of the limestone; steeply dipping layers can fail more easily, especially if the fault has re‑activated. Then do a quick field test—tap on the surface, listen for hollow sounds, and look for signs of weathering like potholes or slump scars. If the rock shows a lot of jointing or has been weathered into irregular shapes, it’s weaker. Also, be wary of hidden water pockets; they can destabilize the strata. So, for a safe camp, pick spots where the limestone is thick, joints are sparse, and the fault isn’t showing recent activity. That’ll give you the most stable ground to set up.
Sounds solid. We’ll stick to the thick, joint‑free patches and avoid the slick, weathered zones. Keep a tight watch on any sudden shifts and have a backup plan if the fault starts acting. Safety first, then training.
Sounds good. Keep an eye on the rock faces for any new fractures, and maybe set up a simple line or two across the potential slip zones so you can detect a shift early. A quick stake test before the first night could save a lot of trouble later.
You got it. We’ll stake out the main slip lines, run a quick tension test, and keep those lines taut. If anything shifts, we’ll know right away. Let’s stay sharp.