CHECK LIST OF SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT

Clothes, Packing Advice, and Packing Limitations

For the trip west and return, pack required clothes and personnel items including a flashlight and/or headlamp in your day pack. Pack all clothing and personnel items that will not be used on the trip out west in one soft duffel bag. Do not bring a hard suitcase. You should be able to carry/lift all bags by yourself!

Sleeping bags and tents are "extra and they are not counted as duffel-bag items. You may also want to bring a second duffel-type bag to store your camping gear (e.g., tent, sleeping bag, etc,) for the trip out and back and the 4 day transition trip to Gunnison, CO. REMEMBER your non-camping gear duffel bag will be "unavailable" until arrival at Abiquiu.

All luggage/gear should have a name tag!! Clearly label/tag your day pack, duffel(s), sleeping bag, and tent to show ownership.

The following is a listing of materials for geologic mapping, camping and outdoor gear that will be useful. Please note that although some people might find some of these suggestions humorous or silly, the point of this listing is to provide you with an idea of the materials that are useful in the field. The BOLD FACE items are essential and you must have them, else you will not be able to do the projects you are assigned.

MAPPING EQUIPMENT

Hand lens (10 power). DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT - AN ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT

Calculator (with trig functions) - you will need it for the hydrology project in Cuba and computing slopes or gradients for the slope stability projects in the Taos Gorge area. Extra batteries would be useful. A solar powered one is also a good choice.

Field notebooks. Field notebooks are bound, not loose-leaf. Get 2 of them, one for the field, one for the office (in case you loose your field book, you only loose one day of data - it has happened!). There are water-proof notebooks available, but at a higher price. Your locale surveying supply store, www.forestrysuppliers.com, or www.benmeadows.com have them available.

Clip board.

INK pens and extra ink or extra pens. These pens come in different line widths and make the final draft of your map much easier. Get them in 00, 0, 1, and 2 line widths (about $1/each). Old style Rapidograph^TM pens are good for the OFFICE, but in the field clog continuously (unless you are really careful). The fiber ink pens by PENTEL and such (in various line widths are the best choice).

Coloured pencils, a minimum of 12 different shades and preferably 24 pencils, and erasers. You will be MAPPING on your MAP with these, as well as producing stratigraphic columns and geologic cross-sections - thus get a good set.

Drafting tape (like masking tape, but less adhesive) and correction fluid or film.

Protractor (approximately 10 cm in diameter). A circular one is easier to use to plot strike and dip of bedding or strike and dip of foliation data on your map in the field and in the office.

Triangles, one with 30-60-90 degrees and one with 45-45-90 degrees.

Engineer's scale (triangular in cross-section). Get a simple 10-scale as it is easier to convert to decimals than to use the fractional scales of most engineering scales.

Pencils (1H, 2H, 3H, and 1HB); all field notes should be recorded in pencil (pencil does not run when the page is wet). Mechanical pencils are fine as long as you bring enough lead.

pencil sharpener.

15 cm scale (15 cm along one side and 6 inches ruled on the other).

Lined paper, one pad 8 1/2 by 11 inches, and tracing paper, one pad 8 1/2 by 11 inches.

Field backpack to carry notebook, lunch, water bottles, camera, rain gear, and rocks; 2-compartment bag is best so that camera and lunch are separate from rocks.

Rock hammer, preferably an Estwing hammer or a 3-4 lb sledge if you carry chisels(available from FORESTRY SUPPLIERS - check the INTERNET).

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 (could save you a lot of trouble and free at least one hand). Your preference.

Chisels, 1 large, or 1 large and 1 small .

Sample bags (ZIP-LOCK) and waterproof Sharper markers (at least one red marker and one black marker).

Leather gloves (if you want). In some cases these are a good thing to have and no one, after a day of grubbing in cactus and mesquite country, as well as handling a variety of high-grade metamorphic rocks or sandstone, if going to say you are a wimp (especially after you give them all of your Band-Aids).

NOTE: Most of these items you should already have in your possession.

FIELD CLOTHING

Field work in the American West requires you pack for a variety of conditions. However, with the amount of space available, you cannot take everything. The following is a good checklist of important clothing items.

(1) Three complete outfits for working in the field; shorts are O. K. but beware of tough vegetation/cool weather. One casual outfit is nice for rare days off!

(2) Enough field socks and underwear (~10 pairs) for a week between laundry trips

(3) Brim hat or Bill cap to protect against the Sun.

(4) Lightweight waterproof jacket for rain protection and heavy shirts/jacket for keeping warm. Rain can come at any time. Cool weather can be anticipated in the New Mexico locations and in Gunnison.

(5) One pair of tough, sturdy field boots and one or two pairs of casual, everyday footwear. Be sure to wear or break in new shoes orboots BEFORE YOU LEAVE TO THE FIELD. One "expendable" pair of old sneakers is very useful for the hydrology project in Cuba.

MAKE SURE THEY ARE BROKEN IN - OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE SOME VERY SORE FEET (AND LOTS OF BLISTERS).

Field socks (wool, wool-synthetic - THORLO, REI or similar brands are good, !~10 pairs; liners if you prefer. Clean socks are one of the best things to have - thus enough pairs allows you to handle the longest period between laundry stops.
You will need some other footwear for travel days or non-field work days. Tevas, flip-flops, and running shoes are appropriate.
Rain gear. Let's be serious - a poncho is generally lousy in the wind. A rain jacket will keep you dry and also act as a windbreak. Get a good one - you will use it for years. Goretext is always a good choice. Rain pants are useful - they need not be Goretext. Most of the time you will not need them. But if you get cold easily - or if it is windy - wind pants make a difference.
Make sure your shirts and long pants are loose fitting. You will need (at least) 3 sets. Bring enough t-shirts to be comfortable - a clean t-shirt to sleep in at night is great after a sweaty 9and smelly) day in the field. Bring shorts (baggy with pockets). If you have jeans - make sure they are broken in - stiff new jeans abrade and rub in all the wrong places. A belt will hold your pants or shorts up and hold your Brunton compass and hammer holster. Remember - geologist seldom make the best dressed lists - plus these clothes will get dirty and beat up in the field - buy for strength not style. A good place to shop is your local Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or GoodWill retail shop.
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, and to blow your nose.
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. In general the 200 grade polyprop sweaters or pullovers are more wear resistant - and generally cheap - check out the discount warehouse groups such as SAM'S or COSTCO.
One "expendable" pair of old "tennies" is very useful for the hydrology project in Cuba. You WILL NOT BE WEARING TEVAS (or FLIP-FLOPS) in the streams - far too much chance of stepping on sharp stuff - from broken glass to broken rock fragments - the "tennies" will keep you from cutting your toes and such.

CAMPING GEAR

YOU WILL SPEND AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE COURSE LIVING IN CAMPGROUNDS AND TENTS. YOUR CHOICE OF THESE ITEMS WILL BE IMPORTANT TO YOUR FRAME OF MIND - AS WELL AS A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP

Tent (1 per 2-person team) and ground cloth. A good tent can be found for less than $120 (US dollars) or so (on sale). You may also be able to rent one from the university union or camping club on campus. Check with your friends who are also going to field camp and see about sharing a two (or four man) tent. Make sure that the tent stakes are long (the Abiquiu tent sites are pads with gravel and you need at least 1-foot long tent stakes - Coleman makes them - get metal ones rather than plastic). PITCH YOUR TENT (so you will know how to put it up in the dark) AND WATERPROOF ITS SEAMS (if necessary - some tents are seam sealed at the factory - check the instructions) BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE TO NEW MEXICO.
Sleeping bag, medium weight. These are often called three-season bags. 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), 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. 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. However, they are costly (~$60) and can get punctures by sharp objects (cactus spines are notorious). You can often get an off-brand pad made by THERMAREST (check out CAMPMOR on the NET) for $35. Nevertheless, our suggestion 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!!).
Solar shower (sometimes useful - but we generally will be able to have showers for most of the trip - but sometimes there is a line - so be patient).
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!

IMPORTANT MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

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, either digital or film. 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 and make sure the batteries in the camera (film or digital) are new. Film prices in the National Parks and Monuments, as well as any tourist towns, will be pricy. The camp managers will be able to purchase additional batteries and film as needed.
Toilet articles, Chapstick(TM) and heavy duty suntan lotion/sun block (at least SPF 30), nose spray (if you are prone to nose-bleeds; the air out west is dry!!) and personal 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 TOLET ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE. - however, a half roll of toilet paper, sealed in a ZIP-LOCK bag, tucked away in your day pack allows you the luxury of a "needed" stop or a quick Kleenex substitute.

Insect repellent .
Sunglasses. VERY IMPORTANT.
Appropriate contact lens cleaning and soaking solutions - as well as a spare pair of either glasses or contacts. Dusty conditions, tenting, and lots of travel are tough on contact lens, so clean them well and often.
Canteens, one 2-quart and one 1-quart, etc. (get NALGENE or other polycarbonate plastic, they are quite resistant to being pounded and dropped. However, a one litre soda bottle also works pretty well and is cheap and reusable). You will drink more water than you ever had - it is dehydration that is the major problem in field work - and we will continually ask you if you have had water.
One medium/small plate, one bowl, and one cup (a travel-coffee mug would be multi-purpose!!), and utensils. Makes sure you put your name on these items.
Tupperware sandwich container for the field. Get two and put your names on them (lids and bottoms).

PRETTY IMPORTANT. AMAZING HOW YOUR APPETITE CHANGES WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR LUNCH THAT HAS BEEN CRUSHED BY ALL OF THE ROCK SAMPLES YOU HAVE COLLECTED.

Flashlight. Spare batteries to fit the flashlight. Helps on those middle of night treks to the latrine.
Pocket Knife.
Safety goggles (required if you do not wear eyeglasses; goggles are available at most hardware stores).

Alright, some people think this is silly. If you wear glasses and a rock chip hits you in the face while pounding on a rock, you are generally going to be OK. But, contact lenses do not protect you from flying debris. If you work in a laboratory or in industry you are required to use face and eye protection. So, in the field, as a geologist you can also wear safety googles (or have safety lenses like I have for my glasses) and feel secure. Anyone who snickers or laughs about this is just a candidate for the emergency room and should be ignored.

First Aid Kit. Put together a small one of band-aids, 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 Band-Aid five (5) kilometers away from the vehicles, it will be worth it.
Ankle or knee brace (flexible). Some of you may have bad knees, ankles, or just a natural tendency to sprain your appendages. You know if you do. If so, please bring your brace. We will have the usual ACE Bandages and such available - but they are not as comfortable as a Neoprene knee brace (I have one - I know). Keep this in mind.
Swim suit and towel.
Towels, bring 2 or 3. And a wash cloth.
Laundry bag (we'll buy detergent out there). Laundry days are noted on the schedule. If you have a particular detergent (non-allegeric or such), the camp managers will be able to acquire it for your use. However, you have to have the quarters for the washer and dryer.
Post card stamps.

EVERYONE AT HOME WILL EXPECT A POSTCARD. BUY A BOOK OF POSTCARD STAMPS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

Brunton Compasses. If you have a personal one, that's great. However, the school (or the field course) will supply you with a Brunton compass and these should be checked out to you by a designated person at your university (to whom you will return it at the end of the field course). DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK OUT YOUR BRUNTON! You will be responsible for it for the course, so do not lose it.