Field Gear

Field Equipment, Supplies, Gear, Clothing List

for ESci 3911: Introductory Field Geology (you will need most of this gear for ESCI 4911 as well)

Geological Equipment (YOU MUST BRING ALL OF THIS)

• Rock hammer (required): We recommend an Estwing rock hammer with a hammer on one side and a pick (“rock pick”) or chisel end (“rock pick [chisel edge]”) on the other side. A 10 or 11 inch hammer should be sufficient.  Some folks like the longer handles, but I think they get in the way.  Nylon or leather grip as you like.  You do not need and probably will not want a mallet style hammer or crack hammer that has thick, heavy hammer ends on both sides.  This is generally a hard rock hammer and will be heavy to tote around in the field.  Claw hammers or framing hammers are not acceptable.
• Belt or hammer loop (optional): You can get various types of belts or gear holders that you can attach to a belt to hold your hammer and even your notebook or Brunton compass or other small gear.  I usually slip my hammer through my normal pants belt and put my notebook in my back pocket and clip my pencil to the neck of my shirt, but having a gear pack on your belt is handy too.  If you cannot slip your hammer through your belt or don’t have a hammer loop, you will basically have to carry your hammer around in your hand the whole time.
• Mapboard: This can be more or less elaborate as you want. The simplest arrangement is a regular old clipboard. This is not really ideal as it does not have good places for attaching or holding pens and pencils and your field notebook. You can also buy fancier metal clip boards that are like a shallow box with a flip top and a clip at the top.  The disadvantages of these is that they may not have a large enough area to have the whole mapping area visible at once, meaning you have to fold the map through the mapping area, and that the map cannot be covered while you are not working on it.  This won’t be a problem for our projects, but other field work you do may have a larger map area.  Another option is a couple rectangular pieces of plexiglass connected along the top with duct tape or some more permanent arrangement.  This design also lacks places to hold other equipment, but it allows you to see the map while it is protected from dirt and rain.  You should make the board 12x15 inches so that it will be big enough to have the entire mapping area visible with the rest of the map folded underneath.  If you go this route, be sure and round off corners and edges.  Also, you can get all fancy and design and make your own customized mapboard.  You might want to ask friends who have taken field camp already or grad students for more advice.
• Watch with alarm THIS IS REQUIRED: Your cell phone is not an acceptable substitute for a wristwatch in the field.  You are never certain about having service on a cell phone, not all cell phones have a clock that functions independently of cell service, and the charge on the batteries on a cell phone do not last as long as the battery in even the least expensive digital watches.  You must always be aware of the time of day so that you can make field meeting times, know how much field time you have left each day, and know how long it takes to move from one area to another.  Also, you will be responsible for waking yourself each day, so a watch with an alarm is handy and frees you from relying on anyone else.
• Plastic safety whistle.  You can get one that has a loop to attach to your back pack.  This is a valuable safety device to help others find you if you are lost in the field.

Clothing

• Jacket: It will get cool to cold at night in the mountains and the mornings will usually be cool also.  Check out www.weather.com for Dillon, MT to get an idea of average daily highs and lows.  We will be in cabins while in Dillon, but camping on the way out and back.  You do not need a parka, but something you can wear over layers is good.  A fleece jacket will probably do just fine.
• Wool sweater: This is good for layering.  I will bring both a sweater and a fleece jacket.
• Long sleeve shirts: Long sleeve t-shirts or flannels or synthetics are good for layering.  I will bring one or two of each.
• T-shirts: I will bring five or so t-shirts.  White or bright colored t-shirts are much better than black or dark colored and are easier to see at a distance in the field.
• Pants: I suggest long pants rather than shorts for field work, but that is just my personal preference.  You may prefer more tan over more of your body and advancing your risk of skin cancer.  I prefer fewer cuts and scrapes from sage and rocks!  One option is the ever hip lightweight pants with legs that zipper off.  You will also want to have at least one pair of warm pants to wear at night if it is cool.  I like blue jeans because they are sturdy and durable, but they do not dry quickly when they get wet.  I will bring both pants and shorts.
• Warm hat, gloves and/or mittens: it can get cold at night in the mountains.
• Field hat: THIS IS REQUIRED for protection from the sun.  A lightweight, light colored hat with a wide brim that shades your neck, ears, and face is best.  Think protection, not style, unless you find THE HAT that combines both.  That is a hat to hang onto!
• Sturdy hiking boots: You do not need mountaineering or expedition style boots, but you want a good, sturdy hiking boot or trail shoe that has tough soles and good ankle support.  You will be hiking around all day on uneven terrain.  If you have new boots, be sure to wear them for a few weeks before we go so they are broken in.  If you cannot go into the field because your feet are covered in huge blisters from your brand new boots, you will get a check minus for the day.  Gaiters to keep rocks and dirt and snakes out of your boots are optional.  Some folks use them and like them; I never have.
• Hiking socks: Bring at least three pairs of good hiking wool or wool/cotton blend socks.  I like Smartwool brand.  You can get good hiking socks at Midwest Mountaineering or REI or other outdoor stores.
• Rain jacket and pants (no ponchos; cannot work in them): We will work through light rain, so you will want to have a rain suit with both a jacket and pants with you in the field at all times.  A rain jacket is also good to have on cool and windy days to use as a wind breaker.
• Bandana: Good for all sorts of things while doing field work or camping.
• Underwear: I only list it because I did not in previous years and in 2009 someone did not pack any because it was not on the list.  Bring some changes of underwear.
• Bathing suit: optional.  You might have the opportunity to swim in rivers once or twice.
• Bath towel.

Luggage: The best thing to pack your clothes and camping and field gear into for travel is a duffel bag as that is the easiest thing to stack into the back of the vans.  The next best thing is a backpack.  We will not be doing any backpacking, so a backpack is not really necessary but it is basically a duffel bag.  The worst option is a regular hard suitcase.  These are bulky and harder to pack into the van.