Field Gear

Necessary Gear

($) – pricier items that you may want to save up for

  •  ($) Waterproof hiking boots that will cover your ankles. There is a REI in College Park, I would suggest stopping by there and trying on boots for sizing. Ordering online may be best for prices and selection.
    • Some brands we recommend are Vasque, Merrell, Keen, Asolo.
    • www.SierraTradingPost.com has a lot of gear and you can easily find coupons (20% off $200 boots is significant)
    • http://www.rei.com/outlet can save you a lot of money on REI gear
    • Wear these in before going to camp unless you want blisters…
  •  Water bottle(s) +/- a backpack bladder. We would suggest bringing 3-4 liters of water into the field each day. You can buy fairly cheap bladders at Walmart.
    • You should use a bladder rather than water bottles.  It allows you to drink on the go and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. However, also carry a water bottle as backup.
  • ($) Field Books. We suggest two Rite in the Rains (suggested No 540F, geological field book). Whatever you get MUST be water-resistant!
  • Tall socks
  • Field Pouch. Keeps pencils, colored pencils, acid, and other stuff in one spot so you don’t lose stuff.
    • A commonly used pouch is from Plateau Design ($30), and others even used a fanny pack.
  • Pencils, colored pencils. Depends on field camp, but can also use fine tip pens (suggested Pigma Micron Pens).
    • If using mechanical pencil, use hard lead (soft lead isn’t precise enough for making maps)
    • 24 pack colored pencils is probably better than 12 pack.
  • Rock Hammer. Estwing is common geology hammer (google “geology hammer”….).
  • Hand lens (10x magnification)
  • Map board/clip board.  Can be a classic  clipboard or a sheet holder.  A sheet holder will protect your map from the elements.
  • Protractor with straight edge. You will want a small plastic protractor for drawing strike/dip.
  • ($)  Rain Jacket.
    • NEVER FORGET TO TAKE THIS IN THE FIELD.
  • ($) Day pack. A small to medium sized backpack that can hold your water, writing utensils, first aid, layers of clothing, etc…
    • You can typically find Camelbaks and other day packs from REI, REI outlet, or Sierra Trading Post for $40 – $80 if you want to buy a nice field pack.
    • Alternatively, a normal backpack would work as well.

Suggested Gear

  • ($) Lightweight field clothes: lightweight pants ( Never wear shorts in the field!) and long sleeve shirts (mountain sun will burn you quickly). You may also want to buy quick drying or waterproof pants.
    • Sierra Trading Post has great cheap-ish field clothes.
    • Zip-off pants with cargo pockets are clutch.
  • A wide brimmed hat/something to cover your face and neck from the sun
    • You don’t get sunburned? We will see after 6 weeks of 10 hour days outside at high altitude…
  • Watch
  • Camera/phone camera.  Beware, sometimes camps will not allow phones in the field.
  • ($) Camping equipment – this will depend on the camp.
  • Small bags/ziplocs for labeling samples you may want to bring home.
  • Laptop – again this depends on the field camp.
  • Pocket knife.
  • Personal first aid kit.