{"id":13,"date":"2019-06-20T14:06:41","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T18:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub-temp\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:14:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:14:27","slug":"field-gear","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/useful-information\/field-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-gb13-69db45f513323\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-gb13-69db45f513323-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-gb13-69db45f513323-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-gb13-69db45f513323-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2 id=\"u1405-2\"><span id=\"u1405\">Necessary Gear<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>($) &#8211; pricier items that you may want to save up for<\/p>\n<ul id=\"u1405-14\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li id=\"u1405-13\">\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-8\">($)\u00a0<\/span>Waterproof hiking boots<span id=\"u1405-10\">\u00a0that will\u00a0<\/span><span id=\"u1405-11\">cover your ankles<\/span><span id=\"u1405-12\">. 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.<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-14\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li><span id=\"u1405-15\">Some brands we recommend are Vasque, Merrell, Keen, Asolo.<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"u1405-20\"><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.sierratradingpost.com\/\">www.SierraTradingPost.com<\/a>\u00a0has a lot of gear and you can easily find coupons (20% off $200 boots is significant)<\/li>\n<li id=\"u1405-24\"><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/outlet\">http:\/\/www.rei.com\/outlet<\/a>\u00a0can save you a lot of money on REI gear<\/li>\n<li id=\"u1405-26\">Wear these in before going to camp unless you want blisters&#8230;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-32\">Water bottle(s) +\/- a backpack bladder<\/span>. We would suggest bringing 3-4 liters of water into the field each day. You can buy fairly cheap bladders at Walmart.\n<ul id=\"u1405-14\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li>You should use a bladder rather than water bottles.\u00a0 It allows you to drink on the go and it doesn\u2019t take up a lot of space. However, also carry a water bottle as backup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>($) Field Books.\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-43\">We suggest two\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.riteintherain.com\/numbered-bound-book-geological-fabrikoid-4-3-4-x-7-1-2\"><span id=\"u1405-44\">Rite in the Rains (suggested No 540F, geological field book)<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-46\">. Whatever you get MUST be water-resistant!<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Tall socks<\/li>\n<li>Field Pouch.\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-54\">Keeps pencils, colored pencils, acid, and other stuff in one spot so you don\u2019t lose stuff.<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-60\" class=\"list1\">\n<li id=\"u1405-59\"><span id=\"u1405-55\">A commonly used pouch is from\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.plateaudesign.com\/\"><span id=\"u1405-56\">Plateau Design<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-58\"> ($30), and others even used a fanny pack.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Pencils, colored pencils.\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-65\">Depends on field camp, but can also use fine tip pens (suggested Pigma Micron Pens).<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-70\" class=\"list1\">\n<li id=\"u1405-67\"><span id=\"u1405-66\">If using mechanical pencil, use hard lead (soft lead isn&#8217;t precise enough for making maps)<\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"u1405-69\"><span id=\"u1405-68\">24 pack colored pencils is probably better than 12 pack.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Rock Hammer.\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-75\">Estwing is common geology hammer (google &#8220;geology hammer&#8221;&#8230;.).<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-70\" class=\"list1\">\n<li><span id=\"u1405-76\">Estwing 22oz.\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Estwing-E3-23LP-Handle-Picks-Pointed\/dp\/B000E7RGDI\/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1462553374&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=estwing+22+oz+long+handle\"><span id=\"u1405-77\">long\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-79\">or\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Estwing-E3-22P-Pointed-Shock-Reduction\/dp\/B0002OVCMO\/ref=sr_1_4?s=hi&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1462553355&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=estwing+hammer\"><span id=\"u1405-80\">short<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-82\">-handled (~$35-$40)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Estwing-Leather-Sheaths-Pointed-Picks\/dp\/B001OPLVXK\/ref=pd_sim_sbs_469_1?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=31fyoHJrzCL&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&amp;refRID=1B7DMKKSX9BN48HKJJ22\"><span id=\"u1405-84\">Estwing No.3<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-86\"> hammer holder is also very useful (~$10)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Hand lens (10x magnification)\n<ul id=\"u1405-70\" class=\"list1\">\n<li><span id=\"u1405-93\">Cheaper =\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/HTS-202A0-Stainless-Jewelers-Singlet\/dp\/B00TEC9RHM\/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1462553078&amp;sr=8-10&amp;keywords=geology+hand+lens\"><span id=\"u1405-94\">HTS 202A0<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-96\">\u00a0(~$6)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-98\">Expensive =\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/BelOMO-Triplet-Loupe-Folding-Magnifier\/dp\/B00EXPWU8S\/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1462553078&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=geology+hand+lens\"><span id=\"u1405-99\">BelOMO<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-101\">\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sight-Savers-Hastings-Triplet-Magnifier\/dp\/B00A0EIZZS\"><span id=\"u1405-102\">Hastings Triplet<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-104\">\u00a0(~$30)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Map board\/clip board.\u00a0\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-111\">Can be a classic\u00a0 clipboard or a\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"http:\/\/www.morgandepot.com\/images\/SAU13031-1.jpg\"><span id=\"u1405-112\">sheet holder<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-114\">.\u00a0 A sheet holder will protect your map from the elements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Protractor with straight edge.\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-119\">You will want a small plastic protractor for drawing strike\/dip.<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-14\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li><a class=\"nonblock\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Westcott-Protractor-Ruler-Transparent-W-5\/dp\/B0027A5JI4\/ref=sr_1_23?s=office-products&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1483467765&amp;sr=1-23&amp;keywords=protractor\"><span id=\"u1405-122\">Westcott Protractor<\/span><\/a><span id=\"u1405-124\"> ($~4)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>($)\u00a0 Rain Jacket.\n<ul id=\"u1405-14\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li>NEVER FORGET TO TAKE THIS IN THE FIELD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>($) Day pack.\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-138\">A small to medium sized backpack that can hold your water, writing utensils, first aid, layers of clothing, etc\u2026<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-14\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li><span id=\"u1405-139\">You can typically find Camelbaks and other day packs from REI, REI outlet, or Sierra Trading Post for $40 &#8211; $80 if you want to buy a nice field pack.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Alternatively, a normal backpack would work as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"u1405-149\"><span id=\"u1405-148\">Suggested Gear<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul id=\"u1405-161\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li id=\"u1405-160\">($) Lightweight field clothes:\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-152\">lightweight pants (<\/span>\u00a0Never\u00a0<span id=\"u1405-154\">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.<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-161\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li><span id=\"u1405-155\">Sierra Trading Post has great cheap-ish field clothes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Zip-off pants with cargo pockets are clutch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-163\">A wide brimmed hat\/something to cover your face and neck from the sun<\/span>\n<ul id=\"u1405-161\" class=\"list0 nls-None\">\n<li><span id=\"u1405-164\">You don&#8217;t get sunburned? We will see after 6 weeks of 10 hour days outside at high altitude&#8230;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-170\">Watch<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-174\">Camera\/phone camera.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span id=\"u1405-175\">Beware, sometimes camps will not allow phones in the field.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-179\">($) Camping equipment<\/span><span id=\"u1405-180\"> \u2013 this will depend on the camp.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-184\">Small bags\/ziplocs<\/span><span id=\"u1405-185\"> for labeling samples you may want to bring home.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-189\">Laptop\u00a0<\/span><span id=\"u1405-190\">\u2013 again this depends on the field camp.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-194\">Pocket knife.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span id=\"u1405-198\">Personal first aid kit.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Necessary Gear ($) &#8211; pricier items that you may want to save up for \u00a0($)\u00a0Waterproof hiking boots\u00a0that will\u00a0cover 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, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":9,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":730,"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13\/revisions\/730"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geol.umd.edu\/geologyclub\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}