Caldera Expedition 2009: Packing List

Field gear, for camping on the Southern end of Bioko Island and in the Caldera:

Last year we discovered that it is more important to have essential items where you are, rather than have everything you might need, but not where you are! Therefore, this year we are asking that everyone carry all their own gear between camps.   Below is a minimum list of essential items.

Clothing

All outerwear must be drab-colored (black, brown, tan, gray or dark blue). You are looking for fabrics that are light-weight and dry quickly. Just because it "wicks" doesn't mean it will dry quickly.

• 3-4 pairs light-weight, quick-drying pants. No blue-jeans (too heavy).
  
  
• 3-4 T-shirts (lightweight cotton OK, coolmax better); long sleeves good.
  
  
• 1 light-weight long-sleeved shirt.
  
  
• 3 sets/prs underwear. Cotton dries slowly; nylon or Coolmax better
  
  
• 3 pr thicker crew socks (long enough to pull over pantlegs) that dry quickly.
  
  
• 3 pr thin liner socks (also long enough to pull over pantlegs) that dry even faster.
  
  
• 1 set camp/sleep wear (PJ's or lightweight sweats)
  
  
• 1 pr Wellingtons or sturdy hiking boots (break them in before the trip)
  
  
• 1 pr. running shoes (preferably well-used so you can leave them in Africa)
  
  
• 1 pr. Goretex gaitors (worn with running shoes or hiking boots as protection against brush and snakes)
  
  
• 1 pr Teva-style sandals to wear bathing and around camp
  
  
• 1 sweatshirt with hood (Northern end of the Caldera is cold at night)
  
  
• 1 bathing suit
  
  
• 1 poncho (perfectly adequate) or rain suit (Goretex is nice, but expensive).
  
  
• 2 bandanas, or bandana and a hat
  
  

Equipment:

• 1 daypack to carry stuff when you go out on census. If you can manage to get all your gear into and tied onto this pack, you won't need to buy a regular backpack to carry your gear between camps. Your daypack must have well-padded shoulder straps and a waist strap. It must be a drab color.
  
  
• 1 backpack to carry your stuff between camps if you have a lot of stuff. You won't need this item if you can manage with your daypack (a good reason to manage with less stuff).
  
  
• 1 lightweight sleeping bag or sleep sack (warmth is only important at the northern end of the Caldera and your hooded sweatshirt can provide warmth) (in waterproof bag/stuffsack)
  
  
• 1 Thermorest pad (in waterproof bag)
  
  
• 1 sport towel
  
  
• 5 heavy-weight big strong trash bags (to protect your stuff from rain, leaky tents etc).
  
  
• 20 assorted size Ziplock plastic bags to keep everything from clothing to cameras dry.   For your camera we will provide a sausage of silica gel to keep it dry inside its Ziplock bag.
  
  
• 1 package parachute cord for hanging clothes to dry
  
  
• 1 Swiss army knife
  
  
• 1 headlamp (+ extra bulb) that takes AA batteries. You may also want to bring a regular small flashlight (AA batteries) in case your headlamp fails. some sort of flashlight is essential.
  
  
• 20-30 AA batteries
  
  
• 2 water bottles
  
  
• 100 iodine tablets (2 bottles) for treating drinking water
  
  
• 1 camera (35 mm single lens reflex best so far); zoom lens to 200 or 300 helpful; macro lens helpful; flash that can be disabled essential. Extra camera batteries essential (can't be bought in Malabo).
  
  
• 10-20 rolls of film, depending on your rate of photography. While ASA 200 works fine at the beach, you will need ASA 400 or higher in the forest.
  
  
• 1 pr binoculars (perfectly usable cheap models now available); expensive binoculars not worth the risk (moisture; mold on lenses etc).
  
  
• 1 pr sunglasses (for boat trip, beach, and maybe in Malabo)
  
  
• 1 waterproof sport watch (all plastic, no leather)
  
  
• 3 small (eg 3" x 5") spiral-bound field notebooks
  
  
• 1 hardcover journal for recording daily activities and observations.
  
  
• 10 ballpoint pens
  
  
• 1 sewing kit with thread, needles, safety pins, scissors.
  
  
• 1 large bottle of camp soap
  
  
• 3 small containers of DEET-containing insect repellant. 100% DEET best.   Spray cans are easier but they weigh more and take up more room.
  
  

Emergency items:

• whistle
  
  
• space blanket
  
  
• cigarette lighter (theoretically to start fire, but that's difficult to do when everything is so wet...)
  
  
• compass
  
  
• Toiletries:  Keep it simple. Each camp will have a first-aid kit. We will provide you with your own personal roll of toilet paper. Add your own items (contact lens equipment; feminine supplies) to this basic list but no fancy items. You will not need make-up, moisturizers.
  
  
• toothbrush
  
  
• toothpaste
  
  
• dental floss
  
  
• deodorant (minimal scent)
  
  
• shampoo If your hair has a lot of body, you'll need cream rinse.
  
  
• razor (but rusts fast so consider becoming hairy)
  
  
• comb and/or brush
  
  
• sun screen (for the beach and the boat, not the rainforest)
  
  
• Various medications, including:
  
  
• anti-malarial meds (Larium or doxycycline)
  
  
• typical over-the-counter meds like analgesics (asprin, tylenol, etc), Peptobismol tablets, and vitamin tablets.
  
  
• personal physician suggested prescription meds like Cipro
  
  
• 2 packages moleskin to prevent blisters
  
  
• 10 assorted bandaids
  
  
• 10 alcohol wipes
  
  
• 1 tube antibiotic cream
  
  
• 1 ace bandage
  
  
• tweezer for splinters (check your Swiss army knife first)
  
  

Census essentials

Every day when you go out on census you MUST have the following items:

• Emergency pack:   whistle, space blanket, cigarette lighter; 1 bottle iodine tablets; 1 week supply of anti-malarial meds; assorted bandaids and moleskin; antibiotic cream; alcohol wipes; ace bandage (snake-bite treatment); Swiss army knife, insect repellant.
• Poncho or rain gear
• Map (supplied by us in plastic Ziplock bag) and compass
• Headlamp with extra bulb and 4-6 extra AA batteries
• Field notebook in plastic bag with 3 ballpoint pens
• Watch
• Binoculars
• Water bottle entirely filled with iodine-treated water.
• High-energy snack

and you'll probably also want to take a camera with 2 extra rolls of film, 1 extra camera battery, 1 plastic Ziplock bag with a silica gel sausage.

Tips for packing and transporting your gear:

Carry your most important things with you on the plane. You might be limited to just one carry-on bag (we were in Jan 2000). Wear at least one set of field clothes including your boots on the plane. Consider layering (it will be winter in the northern hemisphere so you won't look too weird) to include your hooded sweatshirt and Goretex rain jacket.

Your camera and all of your film should be with you on the plane. The X-ray machines used for baggage are stronger than those used for hand luggage.

Please don't wear items (T-shirts, sweatshirt) with logos from institutions not associated with the expedition. Do wear items with your own institution's name! The videos and photographs taken on the expedition often get wide distribution, and we want to be certain the credit goes to the appropriate institutions.

Once you have signed up for the expedition, participants from previous years will be happy to advise you.