Supplies for the field scientist

Clothing. There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Here are some recommendations

1. Rainproof coat or poncho. Being wet is the first step in being miserable.

2. Warm undergarments in layers. It is better to have a shirt and a vest than a big thick coat. The idea of layers is that as you hike and warm up you can take a layer off. If all you have is a heavy ski parka, then as you hike and warm up, you take off your coat, get cold, put it on again, get too hot and start sweating.  Better to have a couple of layers, shirt, vest or sweater, undershirt, so that you can take off one layer at a time to adjust your temperature.

3. A hat. A wide brimmed hat helps keep rain off your face much better than a hood does. A snug fitting hat that covers your ears will help keep you warm on cold days. Lots of heat radiates from the head, in fact an old mountaneers saying goes: If you are cold, put on a hat.

4. Shoes. Comfortable to walk in is best, waterproof is next best. Good sox do wonders. If you have rubber boots, sometimes they will be useful. There are hiking style tennis shoes at Big 5 sports, and the other discount shoe places which are not too expensive and do a pretty good job of keeping feet more or less dry. 

5. Other comfort items. Umbrellas sometimes are handy, sometimes get in the way. A bandana (handkerchief) is very useful on rainy days to wipe off binoculars and glasses. Mittens or gloves on very cold days as well are nice to have. Believe it or not, sunscreen and sunglasses occasionally find use, especially in the spring. Toilet paper was the number #1 advice from last  years class.

Food

A water bottle and snacks  should be normal gear you always bring. Lunch will sometimes need to be brought, the website will alert you. Test your water bottle to see that it does not leak. A plastic grocery sack will help keep the inside of the daypack clean as we often pack out all our trash, and sometimes other trash as well.

Naturalist gear

We will provide a field journal. It needs to come to EVERY CLASS. If you have binoculars bring them, we have several pairs to loan if you do not. A camera can be fun if you are already interested in photography. Pencils for writing. A handlens will be provided, but if you want to buy your own you can. A good place to get all kinds of naturalist stuff is a company called Acorn Naturalists    www.acornnaturalist.com