Guatemala Field - EQUIPMENT LIST

This should be considered a basic list. Keep in mind when you are packing:

1) we'll be moving a lot so bring as little as possible. Ideal? One duffelbag for all your gear, plus one day pack. You can get laundry done during the trip.

2) The temperatures change pretty drastically: Guatemala City is warm (80's) in the day and cool (50's) at night with low humidity; on tops of the volcanoes it is always windy, and can be cold even during the day, and to freezing overnight, but blazing hot on the lava flows during the day. On the coastal lowlands it is tropical – hot and humid. So you need to have clothing for a wide range of conditions.

3) You need to drink at least several quarts of water per day to prevent dehydration. You'll almost certainly get the runs at some point, so will need to keep your nutrients and electrolytes up too.

4) bugs are attracted to perfume, so leave things that make you smell good at home (heavily scented shampoos also attract the bugs). In general bugs are not a big problem, but best not to get bit so bring your DEET.

5) good idea to keep with you all the time: passport, Spanish/English travel dictionary, Guatemala country guide. Also a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport somewhere else.

FIELD GEAR

day pack, big enough to carry your field stuff (rain gear, field notebooks, 2+ water bottles, lunch, maybe a few rocks)

pocket knife

water bottles - at least 2-3 quarts, to carry in the field

watch, with alarm

hand lens

pencils and pens (with permanent ink)

field notebook

sunglasses

roll of toilet paper in zip lock bag, for the field

small flashlight and extra batteries

lighter

rock hammer

bags to hold rock samples; permanent marker for bags

hard hat (get from Bob Barron; can also get Brunton, rock hammer, hand lens)

PERSONAL TOILETRIES AND MEDICINES

sunscreen (max SPF for yoopers); usually very sunny and you'll burn fast on the mountains

bug goop

small towel/washcloth

personal kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, razor, etc.

medicines: aspirin or Tylenol, antihistamine and lotion for bug bites, band-aids and moleskin for blisters

for stomach problems: antibiotics if you've got them (many doctors won't prescribe these beforehand); Pepto-bismol; Immodium; Anti gas or anti-diarrhea stuff; plan on eating a lot of oatmeal for breakfast too.

CLOTHING (generally light-colored is best)

shorts

t-shirts

socks

hat (for sun)

hat (for cold)

gloves for working on lava flows, or for cold

bandanna

lightweight long pants (for sun, bugs and cool weather)

swimsuit (might be at a hotel with pool)

long-sleeved shirt (for sun, bugs and cool weather)

warm sweater/sweatshirt or poly-pro layer

jacket (for cold weather)

rain gear/poncho (unlikely to get rain)

boots - best to have tough outer layer which goes up over ankles

tennis/walking shoes/sandals

MISCELLANEOUS

water filtration kit or iodine pills (or will need to drink bottled water)

camera + film (a good type is Fujichrome 100 for slides)

polarizing filter for camera (very hazy around the volcanoes)

small binoculars

money: the exchange rate is about 7 Quetzals to 1 dollar; probably the first day you should exchange some money and get field food.

It is also a good idea to have some food with you, like granola bars, just in case.

For staying overnight on Santa Maria, I bring one of those light “emergency blankets” to use as a sleeping bag.