Death Valley packing list

You are allowed two bags, your main bag with stuff in it and your day pack.

If you need suggestions on where to find relatively cheap but good daypacks, let us know! Here's a good place to start. I recommend anything with a waist strap and good padded shoulder straps. I like ones with few pockets.

Facebook Marketplace is also a great place to look.

Everything on this list is NON NEGOTIABLE unless it is under the "Optional/Accessories" list. If you cannot afford anything on this list/do not want to spend money on something you won't use again, please let me know! We can figure something out.

Geology supplies:

1. Rite in the Rain field book (you can continue with 2751 book but bring an extra) - Get a big enough book: ~4 5/8” x 7 ¼”.  We recommend the 540F.

2. Colored Pencils - A 24 pencil set. 

3. Pencil Sharpener

4. Ruler x 3 – the little red transparent kind with a protractor on it! Also with the metric grid.

5. Protractor (see above) - and set squares for drafting (2 of them is good).

6. Hand lens – 10x

7. Mechanical Pencils – AT LEAST FIVE, must be .5mm, none of this .7 nonsense. Extra Lead. 

8. Eraser – geologists most important tool - a good one or three.

9. Micron pens – 01 tip size (.25 mm) and 05 tip size BLACK. You will need at least 3 of each of these, they bust. - re-used for 4751 likely.

10. Map Board – You can make one if you like with two pieces of Plexiglas and some duct tape. Best if you can make it A4 paper size ( 210 by 297 millimetres of 8.27 in × 11.7 in) . Notice this is not an 8.5 x 11. Map board will be constructed for Summer Camps.

11. Rock hammer – A normal pick will work fine.

12. Field bag – small day pack with room for your field equipment and a minimum 2L of water

13. Field Clothing: (Temperatures typically range from 30F-65F during the trip - but could be colder and hotter - be prepared!)

    • Rain Jacket / Shell – Make sure it is actually water-proof. If it is raining, we will be outside. Often called a "shell" - thick, light weight, and good for wind is best - especially for alpine summits

    • Puffy or agile winter jacket - you don't need a $200 patagonia but some sort of down or synthetic puffy is best, they are lightweight, well-insulated, and perfect for winter field gear.

    • Thick field pants (2 pair) - This will protect you from wind and spiky stuff (everything is spiky in the desert).

    • Tights or long underwear - in case it is extra cold it may not hurt to have a dryfit underlayer of sorts. - lightweight and easy to pack.

    • Rain pants – You may not need these in DV - but doesn't hurt to have.

    • Solid field shoes – hiking shoes are fine, if you have weak ankles you might want boots. NO TENNIS SHOES AT ALL.

      1. Death Valley has been known to destroy shoes - so maybe not your favorite best pair if you don't want them torn up. But please make sure you have solid shoes!

    • Socks - Many pairs of smartwool or wool and some synthetic socks - no cotton - you may want some thick ones - it could be cold.

    • Field Hat – It is sunny.

    • Hat for cold - It can get cold in DV in January - Please be prepared

    • Gloves - our fingers will be cold - bring several types of gloves, maybe a day-time field pair and a nighttime mitten-style.

    • Long sleeve field shirt x 2 – loose fitting, light color, probably best to stay away from cotton.

    • Maybe a vest?

14. Sun screen – get 100000 spf, you will be in the sun.. 

15. Acid bottle with HCl - IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THIS DONE - We can ONE filling session in Rankin. Trust me you neeed diss in DV - lots of carbonates! 

16. OPTIONAL: Camelbak or Nalgene bottles

Camping Supplies:

Somedays we will be getting up and going within 30 minutes (breakfast included). Please bring efficient gear.

1. Tent or tent buddy - needs to be a good tent

2. Sleeping pad  (inflatable is probably necessary-espeically since we will be sleeping on rocks)

3. Sleeping bag (rated to 20F maximum - a 30 degree bag might not cut it)

4. Eating supplies (bowl, utensils, napkin/rag - all fit into a mesh bag that can drip-dry)

5. Reusable bag for packing lunch

6. Medium reusable storage container

7. Headlamp

8. Paracord or rope - for tying tent down, other uses. a few ten feet should be fine.

Personal Items:

Please remember: You will be limited to one bag, one backpack. We will do laundry once during the trip, so ensure that you have about 1-week worth of clothing. You can probably get by with just a couple of overshirts/pants each day, but will want plenty of underclothing.

9. One week’s worth of socks, underwear, shirts. - Good, wool socks are recommended (smart wool, darn tough, etc.).

10. One pair of non-field pants

11. One Sweater/sweatshirt.

12. One pair of non-field shoes.

13. One towel

14. Soap/shampoo/ toiletries/shower shoes with something to put it all in.

15. Laptop computer/tablet/phone - solar charger if desired - we won't have electricity much of trip.

Optional/Accessories:

1. Ear plugs

2. Medication – MAKE SURE YOU GET PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED FOR THE WHOLE TIME YOU ARE THERE.

3. If you need Pseudophedrine, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc., you will need to provide it for yourself.

4. Electrolyte powder - it is dry and you will get dehydrated faster than in Boone

5. Bathing suit – you will get an opportunity to swim in hot springs.

6. Laundry bag