I Need Camping Advice

[Coasterkidmwm]

I was invited to do research/mapping in an area about 2 hours north of Las Vegas from mid May to mid June this summer. Involves lots of hiking and climbing around on something called "Mormon Mesa". When you're a geology major you get to do badass things like this.

Since this will be funded by grant money me, my professor, and some other professor my professor knows from University of Las Vegas will be camping out in tents for 3 weeks straight in dig a hole and crap in it conditions. My professor has cooking stuff and advised me on what to buy but I'd rather go over it here one more time. Here is what I'm going to buy excluding the miscellaneous geology stuff and personal hygiene stuff I need like my hammer and notepads.

*Lots of sunscreen
*Big ass hat (think Indiana Jones)
*Big ass canteen
*White and tan clothes
*Small broom and dustpan (for sweeping sand out of the tent)
*Small shovel

I have been warned about the rattlesnakes, donkeys, and scorpions in area and the fact that it's going to be rather hot.

I'd prefer if people who had actual experience with doing something like this replied. Actual experience would be the hardcore outdoorsy types or people who were in the military. Yuppies who spend half a day in the weak desert by Israel or something like that I don't want to hear anything from.

Also the professor I'm going with is a newly hired late 20's early 30's woman so no rape jokes.

A long sleeve shirt. You would be surprised how cool it can get in the Southwest during the night. It would also come in handy if your arms get sunburnt.

I would also avoid most cotton items. It doesn't wick sweat away from you skin as well as other material. Pick clothes that will dry fast.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Yeah I was warned about nighttime. I have a thermal sleeping bag for my other random weekend trips we've had to take to northern Wisconsin in early april (nice and below freezing at night).

[jayman]

i just got back last night from 3 days out not much different than where you are going. i'm one of those outdoor non-pussies , so i dont have a problem if i have a sleeping bag and blankets.. i do it lots , but desert season ends in early april .. while it was nice of forny to reccomend a long sleeved shirt it probabally wont get that cold at night that time of year.. i've been out there in may and it was close to 75 degrees ALLL night .. it WILL be blazing hot in the daytime though, like not funny hahah hot , but OH MY GOD IT'S HOT! so yes, sunscreen, cold water and like he said .. go and get a shirt made out of something like nylon. WEAR BOXERS OR HATE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oscar]

Take a machete in case a you come across rattlers and desert bears.

Take condoms (non lubricated), they are good to store water in case your canteen breaks

Take blanket, you'll need one at night.

Take toilet paper or a rag which you don't mind wiping your ass with it. Or first thing you do when you get there, find the smoothest rocks possible and hide them

Take sunglasses, dark and light. You know, the ones you look out from are dark and the light ones are yellowish. You'll need both.

There's more stuff you need but you'll figure out when you get there.

[jayman]

yep..

Always have clean dry socks dewd!

[jayman]

another VERY VERY VERY important rule of desert camping.. and i'm not joking !!!!!!!!!!
DO NOT sleep past sunrise.. within minutes of the desert sun hitting your tent or just you if you arent using one, you will fall into the deepest dreamiest sleep you have ever known, dont be fooled though, that's NOT a good thing.. if you are lucky enough to wake up before 9 from that sleep you will survive, but spend the next 4-6 hours unable to participate in normal activities.. and the other one is that you might want to supplement one bottle of water for every other beer you might drink..