camping backpack on sale image
ruby_7
I have had multiple backpacks since my first field school but it always seems that my trowels cut right through them. I know they make leather sheaths for them but, I know me and I doubt I would actually use them. So do you know of a good sturdy bag that would be great for field work? Thanks :)
Answer
Duluth Trading Company makes some nice canvas, waxed cotton and leather shoulder bags and totes that are reasonably priced and well made. (don't confuse them with Duluth Pack, which is a different company that also makes wonderful canvas bags but they cost an arm and a leg).
http://www.duluthtrading.com
I like the reddish one in the upper right on this page:
https://www.google.com/#q=duluth+trading+company+purses&hl=en&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=Q9FlUZLzBZbk4APR_IHADw&ved=0CEsQsxg&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=77f4a17ed2126bc8&biw=847&bih=388
I got my first field bags for geology and archaeology field camp from Army surplus stores. If you can find the REAL military surplus bags, especially the ones from NATO or German army stock, they are heavier and better made than the "Made in China" reproduction junk that a lot of supposed "surplus" stores have.
L.L. Bean has some canvas messenger bags that are fairly reasonable too.
By the way, Duluth Trading also makes excellent women's clothing for wearing on field sites including their "firehose canvas" strech cargo pants, vests and shorts and their long sleeved work shirts with the bi-swing back and long tails. Their tee shirts also hold up extremely well and have extra long tails so your butt isn't hanging out when you are crouched over peeling back your excavation unit with a teaspoon and toothbrush. They have great sun hats too, and miscellaneous gee-gaws that come in handy in field camps. The clothes are a little pricey but well worth it. They look great and wear like iron. Watch for clearance sales -- they practically give stuff away sometimes when they change designs and mark down the old stock.
Tip on trowel storage: hardware and building supply and paint stores sell plastic half moon shaped small paint cups with a handle that you can put about a pint of paint in and carry around or even hang on a ladder while painting trim. If you stash one of these in your field bag you can drop your trowels in, tips down, and they won't wear through the material or get mud all over the inside of the bag. I shove my work gloves in the plastic container too, to keep the trowels from shifting around and rattling. You can make a similar pocket holder for them by slicing the top off a cheap plastic flat canteen or flattened shape water bottle (there is a bottled water brand called "Fred" that makes the perfect shape for this, looks like a soft clear plastic gin flask.) http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.somethingtocroweabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fred-water.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.somethingtocroweabout.com/2012/09/25/meet-fred-bottled-water-with-a-personality/&h=775&w=600&sz=53&tbnid=3dNOtMotSN8QlM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=70&zoom=1&usg=__xjnc_4fJIDnLms96th6lnExA5m4=&docid=y4Xi2aqhz_hNBM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rtZlUcjBOfHE4APzuYGACg&ved=0CHcQ9QEwCA&dur=453
Duluth Trading Company makes some nice canvas, waxed cotton and leather shoulder bags and totes that are reasonably priced and well made. (don't confuse them with Duluth Pack, which is a different company that also makes wonderful canvas bags but they cost an arm and a leg).
http://www.duluthtrading.com
I like the reddish one in the upper right on this page:
https://www.google.com/#q=duluth+trading+company+purses&hl=en&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=Q9FlUZLzBZbk4APR_IHADw&ved=0CEsQsxg&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=77f4a17ed2126bc8&biw=847&bih=388
I got my first field bags for geology and archaeology field camp from Army surplus stores. If you can find the REAL military surplus bags, especially the ones from NATO or German army stock, they are heavier and better made than the "Made in China" reproduction junk that a lot of supposed "surplus" stores have.
L.L. Bean has some canvas messenger bags that are fairly reasonable too.
By the way, Duluth Trading also makes excellent women's clothing for wearing on field sites including their "firehose canvas" strech cargo pants, vests and shorts and their long sleeved work shirts with the bi-swing back and long tails. Their tee shirts also hold up extremely well and have extra long tails so your butt isn't hanging out when you are crouched over peeling back your excavation unit with a teaspoon and toothbrush. They have great sun hats too, and miscellaneous gee-gaws that come in handy in field camps. The clothes are a little pricey but well worth it. They look great and wear like iron. Watch for clearance sales -- they practically give stuff away sometimes when they change designs and mark down the old stock.
Tip on trowel storage: hardware and building supply and paint stores sell plastic half moon shaped small paint cups with a handle that you can put about a pint of paint in and carry around or even hang on a ladder while painting trim. If you stash one of these in your field bag you can drop your trowels in, tips down, and they won't wear through the material or get mud all over the inside of the bag. I shove my work gloves in the plastic container too, to keep the trowels from shifting around and rattling. You can make a similar pocket holder for them by slicing the top off a cheap plastic flat canteen or flattened shape water bottle (there is a bottled water brand called "Fred" that makes the perfect shape for this, looks like a soft clear plastic gin flask.) http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.somethingtocroweabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/fred-water.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.somethingtocroweabout.com/2012/09/25/meet-fred-bottled-water-with-a-personality/&h=775&w=600&sz=53&tbnid=3dNOtMotSN8QlM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=70&zoom=1&usg=__xjnc_4fJIDnLms96th6lnExA5m4=&docid=y4Xi2aqhz_hNBM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rtZlUcjBOfHE4APzuYGACg&ved=0CHcQ9QEwCA&dur=453
What is the best dimension of bear locker I should plan for?
Jennifer
Normally my family and friends tend to go camping in areas, mainly privately owned campsites, where bear lockers are not mandatory. This year we are going to a number of state parks where locking food and other supplies in the bear lockers is mandatory. I have quickly realized bear lockers come in a variety of sizes listed on the National Parks website but I am also going to some State Parks this years too, such as Calaveras. I will be going to buy a new cooler for this summer and wanted to know the average locker size I should plan for so that I do not end up with a cooler that is too big. (I realize I could just call Calaveras for the locker dimensions but I am trying to plan for future trips too)
Also, I was looking at REI and saw those bear canisters for sale. Am I right in assuming that those canisters do not need to go into a locker as long as they are closed properly or will I get fined? That would save space in the locker if that was the case, otherwise what would be the point then?
Answer
The canisters are designed for backpacking. I have heard of Kevlar bags that even function as bear-proof storage containers. In remote wilderness settings, I have never had any problem bear enter my dispersed campsite. However, I have encountered many bears in developed campgrounds where bears have been trained to exploit food and trash left by irresponsible campers.
Contact California State Parks and ask the rangers about what typical car campers utilize to meet the "locker" criteria, if you intend to camp in developed campsites. Usually, where bear-proof storage is a requirement, such as Grand Teton National Park and Katmai National Park and Denali National Park, metal storage lockers are provided for each campsite. You are merely required to safely store your food and fuel. I have never needed to purchase a bear canister, although some parks rent them for backcountry campers.
Calaveras State Park: (209) 795-2334
The canisters are designed for backpacking. I have heard of Kevlar bags that even function as bear-proof storage containers. In remote wilderness settings, I have never had any problem bear enter my dispersed campsite. However, I have encountered many bears in developed campgrounds where bears have been trained to exploit food and trash left by irresponsible campers.
Contact California State Parks and ask the rangers about what typical car campers utilize to meet the "locker" criteria, if you intend to camp in developed campsites. Usually, where bear-proof storage is a requirement, such as Grand Teton National Park and Katmai National Park and Denali National Park, metal storage lockers are provided for each campsite. You are merely required to safely store your food and fuel. I have never needed to purchase a bear canister, although some parks rent them for backcountry campers.
Calaveras State Park: (209) 795-2334
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Title Post: I need a sturdy yet reasonably priced Archaeological field bag?
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Author: Unknown
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Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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