While walking across the mud flats at Crater Island I had the thought that viewers might
enjoy seeing the mud up close. Previous experience at nearby Floating Island told me
that the dry surface could conceal a moist body below, and I expected that to be the case
here. After a little bit of digging with my "backpacker's trowel" I realized
that this mud was different: the exposed mud was almost as dry at that on the surface.
However, it was not completely dry, as some of it adhered to the trowel.

The hole is about four inches (6cm) deep. The whitish substance on the surface is precipitated salt
or similar minerals. After digging this much I changed into Internet Documentation Mode and captured
this image. Before continuing with the hike I filled in the hole. The trowel is a tool in my toilet
kit. The duct tape holds inside the handle a spare nozzle-cleaning tool for my Optimus stove.
.