STUFF (supplies) TO BRING TO FIELD CAMP
Before camp begins you need to decide what supplies you will need and purchase them. It is possible to buy gear once you arrive in Idaho but it may be more expensive than planning ahead. The weather in Mackay, Idaho will vary from cold rain and snow in the first weeks to possibly 90 degree dry heat during the last couple weeks. Nights are almost always quite cool. Mapping will take place in all weather, so bring appropriate clothing and field gear. The terrain varies from rolling sage and cactus-covered hills to angle-of-repose slopes with pine trees. Fording of streams is possible.
This is a comprehensive list of what is needed for field camp from someone who has been there. This includes what to put into a personal first aid kit which you should take with you on any camping or hiking trip.
Clothing:
- Hiking boots - Your feet will be grateful if you buy a sturdy pair of hiking boots (do not bring logger's boots with heels). Bring two pairs if possible. This allows wet ones to dry and you will be more comfortable in the long run. Qualities with which you should be especially concerned: Make sure they fit well, heavier weight leather are more durable, thick soles with good tread, extra laces, and a minimum of exposed stitching (sage brush and basalt rip the stitching). * * * Make sure to break your boots in BEFORE coming to camp. Wade for a while with them on, then dry well, and waterproof them.
- Sandals in a fabric that can get wet and dry quickly - These will be needed when crossing streams. You should also wear them in the public showers to protect your feet from fungus.
- Comfortable shoes - old, broken-in sneakers feel great after a long day of hiking.
- Socks - wool or polyester hiking socks plus several pairs of light weight under-socks (polypro or silk) to prevent blisters. Changing socks often keeps feet healthy and happy.
- Gaiters - a pair of short gainters will keep sticks and stones from falling into your boots and keep sage-brush and other plants from scratching your legs.
- Underwear - what ever you need plus long underwear is good to wear under nylon pants on cold days.
- T-shirts - Lots of these; short sleeved and lightweight long-sleeved ones (really nice on cool days).
- Long sleeved button down shirts - several of these are good. Baggy and cotton are especially good for protection from the sun to layer over t-shirts.
- Warm sweatshirts/sweaters - fleece is best since it's lightweight and dries quickly. Wool sweaters work also, but remember that 2 midweight layers are better than one heavy-weight layer. A fleece jacket is almost a must.
- Pants - sturdy, roomy and lightweight - synthetic fibers are best since they dry out faster and are lighter weight than cotton.
- Windbreaker - for windy days. You will use this almost everyday. Wear over the fleece sweater and you won't need a separate warm jacket.
- Rain gear - a poncho works but blows in the wind. (It can be quite windy in Idaho, especially at higher elevations). An anorak or cagoule is much better. Rain pants are optional. If of a good quality, could double as windbreaker also.
- Hats - a warm hat for cool days, plus a hat for protection from sun and rain. Straw or felt cowboy hats, baseball caps, cloth Indiana Jones type hats. Something to cover those ears from the sun ! ! !
- Gloves - lightweight gloves are useful for warmth and protection from sharp rocks.
- Sleepwear - this is where the wool socks come in handy.
- Shorts - several pairs for warm weather days.
- Swim suit - by July you'll be basking in the sun.
- Bandanas - many uses for a couple of these.
- Sunglasses - it is bright at these high elevations.
- Watch - one with an alarm is handy.
- Belt - strong enough to hold hammer and Brunton compass.
- Camp and going to town clothes - whatever is comfortable for lounging.
Personal Items:
- liquid body wash - it's less messy than soap in bar form
- sunscreen - sunscreen with bug repellent is a plus
- chapstick with sunscreen
- toothpaste/toothbrush
- dental floss
- kleenex
- shampoo and conditioner-in-one
- Q-tips - for that dirt that gets into all kinds of places
- personal drinking cup
- fingernail clippers
- hairbrush/comb
- hair bands and barettes if your hair is long
- unscented hand lotion (bugs are attracted to scented lotions)
- towels - washcloth, hand-size, and full-size
MAPPING SUPPLIES:
- Hand lens (10 power). DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT - AN ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. Attach it to a cord and wear it around your neck.
- clipboard - I combined a plastic file-folder with a cheap clipboard. It was inexpensive and I had somewhere convenient to keep my ruler, pencils, maps, etc...
- colored pencils
- handlens - attach it to a cord and wear it around your neck
- ziplock bags and masking tape - for your samples
- pencil pack - include mechanical pencils with hard lead, calculator, permanent markers
- rock hammer
- white-out
- field book
- ruler/protractor - I like the 75-cent plastic ones from Miner's catalog best
- rubber bands - use these on your clipboard to keep maps from blowing around, and on your field book to mark your place.
Camp Gear:
- mini locker with lock - to protect your valuables
- camera and lots of film
- sleeping bag
- blanket - use with sleeping bag on cold nights
- clothes pins
- pillow
- thumbtacks - the tents have wooden posts on which you can hang your handlens
- flat bedsheets - foam pads are provided, but you will want to cover them with a sheet
- plastic bin - use one to tote your toiletries from your tent to the showers
- audio tapes, walkman
- duct tape - this stuff does everything! I find that this works better than anything for protecting feet from blisters and keeping bandaids from coming off. You'll use it, believe me!
- bandanas
- binoculars
- flashlight and extra batteries
- insect repellent
- pocket knife
- pocket-size kleenex
- rope - you never know
- sewing kit - include needles, thread, buttons, extra shoelaces...
- water bottles
- tupperware for lunches - lunch will get squashed in a bag
- whistle - if you get really lost, remember · · · – – – · · · means SOS.
- wet/dry wipes
- Tent and sleeping bag - don't worry about not being able to carry this stuff. When we camp away, it was arranged that our gear would be there when we arrived.
- Waterproof groundcloth - the groundcloth should be just smaller than the base of your tent
- Sleeping pad - not only for comfort, they keep you warmer, too.
AT CAMP:
ON THE TRAIL:
CAMPING AWAY:
First Aid Kit:
- waterproof matches
- adhesive tape
- alcohol pads
- atihistamine tablets
- antiseptic ointment
- assorted bandaids
- diarrhea medication
- wet/dry wipes
- elastic bandage
- fine tweezers
- instant hot pack
- instant cold pack
- hydrocortisone/anti-itch cream
- ibuprofen
- Power Bar (or some other emergency snack)
- iodine tablets - for making potable water. Note the quantity of water each tablet will sterilize. Once the bottle of tablets has been opened, it should be replaced. If you are ever in a situation where you desperately need water but are unable to sterilize it, drink the water anyway!
This is a compact, basic first aid kit. You should always have one for emergencies. At camp someone should have a complete first aid kit and a wate purifier - make sure you always know who that is or where it is.