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Industry Field Schools

Industry Field Schools

Industry Field Schools

Packing List — Geology Field School

Geology Field School

We provide Two bags Every trip Field pack Medical

Pack for the outcrop.

This is a hotel-based work week out in the field. Treat it with office-like professionalism, but prepare for the outdoors.

What we carry so you don’t.

Confirm the specifics on your course page. We provide the equipment you need to work. You show up prepared to learn.

Field exercisesPrinted exercises for the week.
Pens, sharpies, binder clips, and other writing suppliesBring a field notebook. We have the loose tools.
Food, water, and snacks in the fieldField lunches, drinking water, snacks, sunscreen, sanitizer, and extras on request. Group dinners are listed on the course page.
Rock helmets where requiredIssued at the outcrop when the section calls for them.
Group first-aid equipmentCarried by EMT or WFR trained field staff, with satellite tracking, throw ropes when relevant, and high-visibility vests.

Try to pack only two bags.

Travel case

A roller, hard case, duffel, or carry-on — whatever you already fly with. Clothes, hotel shoes, toiletries, and chargers live here.

Field backpack

28–48 liters. Osprey Talon / Tempest 33 and Stratos / Sirrus 34 are common sizes.

What to bring on every trip.

Required means definitely bring it. Quantities assume a five- or six-day hotel week.

Documents and travel

Government photo ID requiredNeeded for hotel check-in and domestic flights. International weeks need a passport valid at least six months past return, plus any visa the itinerary requires. Credit card for incidentals requiredRoom and tax are already paid. The front desk will still authorize a card for parking, minibar, or damage. Health insurance card and a written emergency contact requiredKeep both with your identification.

Footwear

Close-toed hiking footwear is required on every outcrop. Hiking boots, approach shoes, and trail runners are all acceptable. Fashion sneakers, slides, and open sandals are not field shoes. Break new boots in before you fly. Old boots delaminate and fall apart, so check the soles before you pack them. Blisters on Day 1 are a medical problem, not a character-building exercise.

Broken-in hiking boots, approach shoes, or trail runners required Shoe glue if the boots are two or more years oldA small tube has saved more than one pair after the sole started to peel. Spare lacesLook at your laces and decide. Hotel shoesA clean pair for dinners keeps field boots from dirtying the hotel.

Clothing

Cotton holds water on a cold morning and fails to evaporate sweat in the heat. Aim for light colors and for long sleeves and long pants, which handle sun, brush, and insects. Pack layers you can add and take off as the day turns.

Three or four moisture-wicking field shirts requiredAt least one long-sleeve. Merino or synthetic. A conference polo as your only shirt will not do. Two pairs of field pants requiredQuick-dry cloth with pockets that close. Zip-offs are fine. Jeans get heavy when wet. Underwear and socks for each field day, plus one spare set requiredSynthetic or wool socks. Cotton socks cause the blisters we treat every year. Insulating mid-layer requiredA fleece or light puffy for the cold mornings on every trip we run. Sun hat with a brim requiredA brim beats a ball cap when you are looking down at an outcrop all day. Waterproof rain shell with a hoodIt needs to be actually waterproof. It downpours in the desert on the day you leave it home. If it is raining, we are still outside. Rain pantsSame reason as the shell. Warm hat and light glovesWind on a cliff will surprise anyone who packed only for the afternoon high. SleepwearBring it if that is your thing. One presentable outfitKickoff dinners are restaurants. We are not that formal. Treat yourself if you want to dress up.

Recommended field backpack contents.

This bag comes to the outcrop. Keep both hands free for a notebook, a measurement, and catching yourself on wet rock.

Field guide requiredWe will hand you the 11×17 spiral-bound guide. Leave room for it. Reusable water bottle, one liter minimum, preferably two liters total requiredA hydration bladder is fine if you also carry a bottle you can mix electrolytes in. Your field notebook requiredWe have pencils, pens, and sharpies. People still prefer their own book. Rite in the Rain is a good idea. Sun protection requiredSunglasses with a retainer, sunscreen you will reapply, and lip balm with SPF. A buff or neck gaiter earns its space on windy and sunny days. Personal medical and blister supplies requiredSee the list below. Mid-layer you can put on without opening the travel case requiredMornings start cold more often than the forecast admits. Rain shell, even on a clear morningCoastal marine layers and High Plains cells do not RSVP. Insect repellent with DEETTicks and other biting insects carry disease, and they show up in every location we visit. Battery packCold weather and GPS drain phones. A 10,000 mAh pack usually covers a field day. Work glovesA thin leather or synthetic pair just comes in handy. Small dry bag or two zipper bagsPhone, notebook, and a spare pair of socks stay useful when the pack does not stay dry. Favorite hand lens, if you have oneBring the 10× you already like. Hiking polesBring them if you like them. Brunton or tabletPack yours only if you already live with it. HeadlampYou probably will not use it. We are not nocturnal. You never know.

Personal medical.

Treat little problems before they become big.

Prescriptions in original labeled bottles, plus a two-day spare in your carry-on requiredThey go missing when you need them most. Any rescue medication on your person requiredEpinephrine, nitroglycerin, glucose, and so on. Blister supplies you will actually use requiredLeukotape or kinesiology tape, hydrocolloid bandages, and alcohol wipes. Treat hot spots at lunch, not after dinner. NSAIDs, migraine, and GI medication you already useBring the versions you already tolerate. Electrolyte packetsUseful on desert and coastal heat days. Antihistamine you preferPack the one you already take. Feminine supplies for the full week plus a buffer Spare glasses or contact suppliesBring them if you need them. Tick keyBring it if you have one. We carry one too.

Hygiene and hotel.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and soap you likeHotels stock the basics. Bring the versions you will actually use. Earplugs and an eye maskYour hotel neighbor is going to snore loud. That is almost guaranteed. Any CPAP or medical device, plus a plan for powerConfirm voltage and plug type before you travel. Phone and laptop chargers Plug adapter on international travelUnited States: Type A/B, 120 V. Ireland: Type G, 230 V. Spain: Type C/F, 230 V. Mexico: Type A/B, 127 V. Confirm the device is dual-voltage before you plug it in.

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We Work With

RTB Geoscience

ExxonMobil

Texas State Parks

TotalEnergies