And, in the old days, a smoke. I'd dump my pack on the ground, have a slug from the water bottle, and sit my butt down and size things up. Have lunch; or at least a snack... I'd take some pictures. I'd get out the binoculars and the map and do some arm-waving and visual mapping. I'd take a lot of notes look and stare at my field map for a while. I'd sample the rock I was sitting on and take some outcrop measurements.

Then I'd start to think about moving on, and how much work this site needs. I busted my butt getting here, got stuck in that sand-dune and all, and it's nice to see something other than dip-slope rock. But I don't think I want to go down there. Unless there is something really compelling about the lower strata. I may not ever have a chance to sample it again, so I might have to try. Maybe I'll see a piece in the apron, but that's not as good as in-situ, is it? A sample is a sample, though. Unless I get stuck, or break my neck. I'll look for good ways down while I consider the geology. But I don't have to go down all the way, the bottom is just sand, and while the eolean sedimentary department would like to do some stats on sorting, phi size and what not, I'm not sure I'm going to get stuck for a sample of that.

Better get a a view from other directions before I make up my mind about how and if I go down there. That means at least a 180 degree traverse, maybe more. Now the question is, right or left? Which way is the best way to view based on the direction of sunlight? Which way sees the taller outcrops? Which side has the better potential for complete sampling? Can I angle down partway then back up again...?

I might pace back and forth along the rim to decide which would be the best way to go. I'd look at my map again. I'd look at the air-photos, again.

Then I'd pack up my things, have another blast off the water-bottle, hoist the pack, slide the clipboard under my arm, double and triple check to see if I've left anything behind, and head out....