Tool User II

Just found this image of running transects during the Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). U Myint Maung, the Warden of the Hukaung Tiger Reserve, is steadying the yellow transect rope; I am getting ready to record the data for the next plot. Can't help noticing how much stuff I am carrying: I have a Spiegel relascope to measure rattan heights and slopes, a 30 m loggers tape to measure the distance from a sample plant so that I can measure its height, a GPS device in the side pocket of my pack (don't want to get lost), and the blue tube of a Camelback hydration bag over my shoulder (in case I get thirsty). And then, of course, my green "Rattan Survey Hukaung" cap, which, surprisingly, I still have and is hanging up on the coat rack in my office as I write this. [NOTE: I am so ready to go back to Myanmar, and it appears that I have been approved to start community forestry work in Sagaing Division next month. Fingers crossed. I can only assume that U Tun Shaung took this picture (thx, Tun Shaung)].