Marcy: The color band is from MRO’s color filters. As I understand it (though I might not be entirely accurate here) the higher data requirements for color limits it to only this single band for each picture.

A problem with one of MRO’s filters now leaves this strip blank in the black & white image (see here), so the camera team now fills it in routinely with the color strip.

We can have a Mars 500 km race.

I have fun memories of hiking the Grand Canyon, and other state and national parks… but let’s examine the differences on Mars?

On the good side you’ll be hiking in 1/3 gravity.
But you’ll be in a space suit, carrying your oxygen, in temperatures that are far below freezing. The dirt will be soft, but the rocks sharp.
Also the view would be spectacular from such a height, but the dusty horizon at ground level is about 2 to 3 miles. (Mars is 1/2 the circumference of earth)

It appears the Mesa tapers off into the Delta… An easy drive for a vehicle to meet you on top to replenish your oxygen before you attempt hang gliding back to the bottom on the almost nonexistent air currents.