What to Bring to Field Camp

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Last Updated: Dec 19, 2024, 12:24 PM

You are responsible for bringing the following articles:

Note: You probably have a lot of these items. Don't feel that you must buy new field equipment if you have items that at least approximate those on the list below. We have listed things that we think you need. Although some items are required, others can be considered optional.

Recommended Textbook:

Basic Geological Mapping, 5th Edition
by Richard J. Lisle, Peter Brabham, John W. Barnes
ISBN 978-0-470-68634-8
September 2011
Paperback, 230 pages

While it may be tempting to bring all of your old course texts with you, we will not have room to transport a library for each student. If you wish to bring some reference material, get together with a couple of classmates and plan for each to pack one or two books in such a way that major fields (structure, geomorphology, hard rock, sedimentology, etc.) are covered.

Equipment Supplied By the Department of Geology:

Brunton compasses, stereoviewers, base maps, aerial photographs, acetate, HCl, acid bottles, measuring tapes, and other items for specific exercises will be supplied.

Each student will be responsible for the return of issue items in good repair. If you have your own Brunton, bring it along.

Field and Camping Equipment

Drafting Equipment, Material, and Supplies

Bring the following:

  • Drafting pen. #0 (0.35 mm) or #1 (0.50 mm) preferred.
  • 6" scale. Scales in inches and centimeters.
  • Small or medium-sized plastic triangle. For use as straight-edge.
  • Protractor.
  • Pencils (medium) and erasers.
  • Colored pencils. Assorted colors for maps.
  • Graph paper. A few sheets - OPTIONAL but handy on occasion.
  • Calculator. For roping and tying numbers.

  • Optional But Recommended Field and Camp Equipment

    • Camera. If you have one, bring it along. There's a lot of good scenery where we're going.
    • Flashlight. Very highly recommended for camp use.
    • Insect repellent. Montana State animal: the mosquito.
    • Sunglasses. Highly recommended. The sun's bright in the West.
    • Bathing suit. We may have a few chances to swim (as recreation rather than necessity).
    • Pillow. Pillows are not supplied except by WMC. If you need one, bring it. Excellent (and space-saving) substitutes for standard pillows are the "camp" types (inflatable or stuffed with synthetic fill) that you can obtain from L. L. Bean or other outfitters and camping supply stores. Of course, some of the more rugged among us simply stuff soiled clothes in a sack, toss it on the ground, and nod off to dreamland.

Suggested Durable Field Clothing

Miscellaneous Information and Good Advice Department

  • More On Clothing and Equipment

    If you forget to bring the necessary articles of clothing or equipment, you will probably be able to buy them in Red Lodge. There are several clothing stores and at least one camping supply store in town. Product availability and shopping time are limited, however, so do not wait until you get to Montana to purchase important items. They may not be stocked by local merchants.

  • Social Note

    You will not need "dressy" clothing. Folks in the northern Rockies are pretty informal, and you will be welcome in even the higher quality restaurants and bars in casual clothes. As a rule, a neat and clean appearance is far more important than the elegance of dress. By the way, the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" philosophy is standard out West.

  • Important Weather Information

    Montana temperatures are either hot, cold or somewhere between. On many occasions, we will work at relatively low elevations (5,000 feet or so) in the intermontane basins of the Rocky Mountain Foreland Province. Temperatures at such locations can be in the 90s (F) or higher. On at least 3 days we will work at altitudes above 10,000 feet in weather that is typically both windy and cold. The YBRA camp is about 7,000 feet above sea level. Mornings and evenings in camp are often cool if the weather is nice, or very cool if it's raining. And it will rain some of the time. Try to be prepared for extremes without packing several cubic meters of clothing. A good practice is to combine LAYERS of clothing. For example: for colder conditions, you might start with a T-shirt or a light-weight, synthetic undershirt; next wear a heavy shirt (flannel or wool); next, a heavy sweater or a down (or fiber-fill) vest or jacket; finally, cap it all off with a wind shell. Various layers can be stuffed in the day-pack if the conditions moderate or if you become overheated while hiking.

  • About Luggage

    In packing your gear, do not use hard-sided suitcases. Soft luggage is preferable because it packs into oddly-shaped spaces in the carryalls much more easily. A large duffel bag is fine, and a combination of medium and/or small duffels is even better. You might wish to pack a small bag with enough gear for the trip out and for other road trips. You will not need field boots, for example, until we get to Red Lodge. Remember - room in the vehicles is limited. There will be enough space if you bring what is needed but NOT if you seriously over-pack. Another point - DO NOT bring a pack frame. They are rigid, hard to stuff into corners, and might be damaged in transit. You will not need one during the course. If you intend to backpack after the course is over, mail your pack frame to YBRA. Other extra gear can also be mailed, of course.