Stuff to Bring

RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING

     Here’s the trick about Ecuador that may surprise you: most any generic personal item can be purchased in Ecuador (shampoo, bath towels, wool hats, etc.). However, you should definitely bring any unique personal items that are especially important, such as medication, eyewear, footwear, etc. 

     In selecting items for your time in Ecuador, be practical as well as flexible.  Again, the highland environment is windy and sometimes chilly with slight drizzles during the day.  Bring clothes that dry fast and are not heavy if they get wet. We recommend wearing heavy pants with long underwear in the field (not shorts), and we recommend layering with long-sleeve items under a fleece layer and a heavy windbreaker or raincoat.  Wide-brimmed hats are good protections against the sun; also bring lots of sunscreen. One pair of sturdy hiking boots is highly recommended for your trip, and you should know that no matter how nice and expensive the boots are you will wear them down.  Your boots should be comfortable and waterproof, or fast-drying in case they get wet. Lastly, a day pack would be good for carrying your lunch and note book during survey or when traveling to site visits. 

     If you are partial to certain tools that you’ve used in the field in the past we ask that you bring them for use in the excavations.  Favorite items owned by many archaeologists might include a pointing trowel with a 5-6 inch blade, a small line level, a retracting-blade tape measure marked with metric graduations, maybe some brushes, and a whisk broom.  If you want to start your own ‘dig kit’ we suggest "Forestry Supplies" and "Ben Meadows" (available online). If none of this makes any sense then remember that the project supplies tools as well.

Here is a list of the items you should consider bringing on your trip:

Personal Items:  (starred items are a definite, other stuff you can get there)

*photocopies of essential documentation (passport, etc.) – in a different place than your passport

*winter, low-temperature sleeping bag

*large back-pack (large enough for a weekend trip)

*small day back-pack (large enough for a day in the field)  - these two can be the same backpack – a good Jansport is fine

heavy-duty plastic bags (for keeping stuff organized and dry)

*underwear and long underwear

*long-sleeve work shirts, t-shirts

*sweaters, fleece pullovers, warm vests

*heavy windbreaker, raincoat

*jeans and long pants

*shorts and swimsuit

*warm wool socks

*hiking boots, sneakers, bath sandals

*winter hat, warm gloves, neck scarf

*sunglasses

*toiletries (small amount – buy there, save space)

*sunblock (maximum SPF)

sunburn cream – aloe?

insect repellant – not really needed in highlands

flashlight and extra batteries – semi-necessary

alarm clock – not really

*camera - 

small binoculars

books

warm work gloves

pocket knife

personal water bottle

*medication, eyewear, - especially if you have prescriptions 

      In selecting items for your time in Ecuador, be practical as well as flexible.  Again, the highland environment is windy and sometimes chilly with slight drizzles during the day.  Bring clothes that dry fast and are not heavy if they get wet.  We recommend wearing pants with long underwear in the field (notshorts), and we recommend layering with long-sleeve items under a fleece layer and a heavy windbreaker or raincoat. (this is at the high elevations – not always)