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FIELD CAMP RELATED FAQs (from 2003, thanks sinan)

 

Q: What do I need for mapping in the field?

A: Here is a checklist of suggested field equipments. The items in bold will be provided by us.

  • Hand lens (10 power).
  • Brunton Compass.
  • Field notebook, hardback, waterproof.
  • Clip board or drafting board.
  • INK pens and extra ink or extra pens.
  • Colored pencils, a minimum of 12 different shades and preferably 24 pencils, and erasers.
  • Drafting tape (like masking tape, but less adhesive) and correction fluid.
  • Protractor.
  • Pencil holder and various pencil leads, or else a variety of pencils (1H, 3H, 5H).
  • Pencil sharpener.
  • 15 cm scale (15 cm along one side and 6 inches ruled on the other).
  • Pens.
  • Field backpack to carry notebook, lunch, water bottles, camera, rain gear, and rock samples.
  • Rock hammer, preferably an Estwing hammer.DO NOT get brick hammers or ball pean hammers (such as at SEARS) as the metal is too soft and will often result in flying metal splinters when hitting any rock worth collecting.
  • Hammer holster (will save you a lot of trouble and free at least one hand).
  • Safety glasses
  • Acid bottle
  • Work gloves (if you want).
  • First-Aid Kit.
  • Whistle.

Q: What kind of clothing do I need for field camp?

A: Here is a checklist of suggested field clothing items.

  • Field boots, good quality, broken in; snowseal them!!!! MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN - OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE SOME VERY SORE FEET (AND LOTS OF BLISTERS).
  • Heavy wool or thermal hiking socks. Liners if you prefer.
  • You will need some other footwear for travel days or non-field work days, e.g. Tevas, flip-flops, and running shoes.
  • Rain jacket. Goretex is always a good choice. Rain pants are useful - they need not be Goretex. Most of the time you will not need them.
  • Make sure your shirts and long pants are loose fitting. You will need 2 or 3 sets. Bring shorts (baggy with pockets). A belt will hold your pants or shorts up and hold your hammer holster. Remember - these clothes will get dirty and beat up in the field - buy for strength not style.
  • A lightweight hat or cap, with brim. Sunburn is a major problem among flatlanders out west. Bring two bandanas - good for wiping your face in the heat of the day, as a scarf or headband.
  • Sweater, light jacket, and/or sweatshirts (your choice). We suggest a wool (or wool blend) sweater or a pile pullover. Problem with cotton sweaters is that if they get wet - you get cold. Wool will keep you warm (with a proper wind jacket) even if soaking wet. Polypropylene (under a variety of names) is also a good choice.
  • Thin liner gloves are usefull in cold weather. You can still write while wearing them.

Q: What kind of camping geear do I need to bring?

A: Here is a checklist of suggested camping items.

  • Tent and ground cloth. Make sure it can withstand highwinds.
  • Sleeping bag. It can get pretty cold ( 0 F) at night in the desert. We have a couple of extra sleeping bags at the storage, which you can use as additional blankets. If you will be buying a new one, get one with a synthetic fibre (Holofill, Qualofil, etc.). They are much less expensive than down-filled bags, can be washed in a large washing machine (especially important after 3 or 4 weeks of sleeping in it, unless you are using a liner), and are much more durable. Get a mummy style (the rectangular ones are for car camping and you can get cold in them on a brisk night).
  • You will need a good sleeping pad for your bag. This won't be a 2-day weekend trip. It will last a full month and you don't need to carry anything on your back for several hours. You can get foam (closed cell is better) or an air mattress style pad. An air mattress pad (such as a Thermarest pad) are great and highly comfortable. Our suggestions is to get something you can get a good nights sleep on. This is extremely important to you - just think of being unable to sleep night after night because you feel every rock you are sleeping on.
  • Wristwatch w/alarm, and/or alarm clock (wake-up on-time and come out of field on-time!!).
  • A good flashlight (MagLite makes a good one) or a headlamp (battery powered) - never know when you need to go somewhere in the middle of the night. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND OFTEN FORGOTTEN ITEM - GET SOME SPARE (FRESH) BATTERIES!

Q: Do I need to bring anything else?

A: Here is a list other things you should consider bringing:

  • A camera is an optional piece of equipment, but you will regret it if you do not bring one. Any type of camera would be appropriate. However, a 35mm point and shot style is small, has usually telephoto, and nearly impossible to screw up when taking photographs. Buy some film for your camera before you leave. With all the laptops we have at the basecamp, digital cameras can be very useful. You can look at the pictures of your mapping area at the end of each night. A picture means a thousand words, especially when you look at them while remembering those thousand terms. A 2 Megapixel camera is good enough for our work. Howevr, higher the resolution, the better it is. Prefer cameras which accept AA batteries. However, since we have a generator, you can use other battery rechargers as well.
  • Toilet articles, chapstick and heavy duty suntan lotion/sun block; medicines. IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC MEDICINES YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU EITHER HAVE ENOUGH OR ARRANGE FOR A PRESCRIPTION TO BE REFILLED IN GUNNISON. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BRING A CASE OF TOILET PAPER - WE WILL NOT BE LOST IN THE WOODS. THE CAMP MANAGER, ON THEIR SHOPPING TRIPS, CAN PICK UP ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Water bottles , one 2-quart and one 1-quart, etc. (get NALGENE or other polycarbonate plastic, they are quite resistant to being pounded and dropped. Camelbacks or similar items work great, too. However, a one litre soda bottle also works pretty well and is cheap and reusable).
  • Pocket Knife.
  • First Aid Kit. Put together a small one of bandaids, footpowder, aspirin, tape, etc. and put it into a plastic soap box. It will then fit in your day pack and be there when you need it. The field course vehicles will have larger, more elaborate ones - but when you need a bandaid 5 kilometers away from the vehicles, it will be worth it.
  • Swim suit and towel.
  • Laundry bag (we'll buy detergent out there).
  • Envelopes and stamps. EVERYONE AT HOME WILL EXPECT A POSTCARD. BUY A BOOK OF POSTCARD STAMPS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

.Q: Where can I buy all these equipment?

A: All of the following retailers are found on the web by entering their names in a search engine such as Google.com or ixquick.com 

If you have any other questions, feel free to get hold of me.

 

 
  modified: 15 - IX - 05 contact: mountain@mit.edu