THE CAMPING EXPERIENCE
Surviving the Rugged Outdoors in GGR 480,
The Capstone Undergraduate Field Course.

This web page includes:


Angel Peak Campground, New Mexico.  This site provided spectacular views and challenging terrain on which to set up tents.  One student found a "peninsula" of land and literally camped "on the edge" (seen here).  Each campsite, weather fully developed or "primitive," provides its own unique geographical setting and experience.  The camping experience itself is an important one for the field course, given that the class stays at each campsite for a much longer period than any other designated stop along the trips.  Thus, the campsites present an opportunity to get to know a particular place or environment for a little longer than just an hour or two.


Cerbats Range Campsite, "above" Chloride, AZ.  Three students pose impatiently for the camera as they begin the task of setting up camp, the sun setting fast in the distance.  Although many campsites we visit maintain "full" facilities, such as showers, occasionally there simply are not any developed camp sites along the routes of our trips.  Thus, a BLM "throw-down" site such as this one provides for a unique camping experience!  For our "desert" trips, we try to camp as high as possible, as was the case here.  For more northerly "mountain" trips, camping low is a primary goal.


"Morning Coffee and Paper".  Aside from an occasional "briefing" by the fearless professors, students are typically allowed to recreate as they wish while at the campsites.  From experience, early mornings at camp are the most tranquil or peaceful times of the field course.  Usually by 8am, though, it's time to hit the road again and pack up those vans!

See Field Course Memoirs 2001, Page 4, for more detailed accounts of the camping experience in 2001, from the perspective of Prof. Tom Paradis.


WHAT CAN I EXPECT?  WHAT ARE THE CAMPSITES LIKE?  WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS?  HOW WILL I SURVIVE WITHOUT MY "MTV" (or nearby cell towers)?

The campsites: After the class has arrived at a campsite for the night, students are generally free to use time as they wish.  Instruction stops here for the day, and it is time to relax and enjoy the surroundings.  In most cases, the campsites we choose are within state parks or some other "semi-developed" area.  Occasionally we may ask students to chip in a few dollars to pay for the site.  Often, however, the sites are reserved in advance and paid for by the Department of Geography and Public Planning.  Typically, campsites include group sites for tent camping and full shower/restroom facilities.  Sometimes it's a 5 minute walk from the campsite to the facilities, but the fact that showers exist at all is usually a great plus.  The showers are usually free of charge, but sometimes they might require 25 or 50 cents.  Because state parks and their respective campsites are often located near lakes (usually artificially dammed), swimming opportunities are more common than one might think.  Occasionally, we will have to camp at a "throw-down" site, where we literally "throw down" our tents and equipment on bare public land (often in a designated camping area).  In such places there are no showers or restrooms -- perhaps a primitive latrine.  On multi-night camping trips, however, we try not to include two consecutive throw-down sites in a row.  It is wise to plan ahead for camping without facilities, however, which usually involves little more than packing some washcloths and soap, and a canteen of water to wash up with.
    Also to keep in mind: It is the rare campsite that allows campers to build wood-burning fires.  Most places do not allow campers to collect wood at all.  Do not plan, therefore, to cook on a wood fire.

Typical Weather/Temperature Conditions:  For those of you who are used to camping in sub-freezing alpine conditions, you will most likely describe the GGR 480 camping experience as "wimpy".  But "wimpy" is good in this case.  Being in the Southwest, precipitation in May is highly unlikely, because May and June tend to be the "dry season".  Winter storms have moved northward with the Jet Stream, and the summer monsoon pattern hasn't yet developed.  In my five years of teaching this course (through 2002), the class has been rained on only once at a campsite.  Further, minimum temperatures rarely fall below 60 degrees because we are often camping in low-lying, semi-desert locations.  In Colorado for 2002, however, it is wise to expect that low temperatures will likely be in the 40s.  Overall, however, May is the perfect month for this type of field course -- not too hot, not too cold, and often perfect for camping!  The wind is rarely an issue as well. Still, it is wise to be prepared for the worst, and hope for the best.  Come prepared with some kind of water-resistent clothing and/or camping gear, and layered clothing for chilly nights.  In high elevations, including many places we tend to visit, temperatures fall quickly after the sun goes below the horizon.

Food and Meals: We leave the "food issue" up to the preferences of the students.  Some students like to form "cooking groups," with one student bringing a small propane stove, for instance.  Others like to cook individually, and many (such as myself) prefer not to cook at all.  In any case, our typical habit is to stop at a nearby grocery store before heading to the campsite for the evening.  Students can thus purchase what they wish.  Usually, this grocery stop happens between 5 and 6pm, so that students can bring prepared food to the site.  Or, there are usually options for eating at or near the grocery stop so that food at the campsite is not an issue at all.  Still, it is always wise to pack a few non-perishable snacks for those times when the hunger pangs begin, and when we are nowhere near a store.  Also, small coolers are very common, since students can purchase bags of ice (often shared among several students) to keep food and drink cool for the evening.  We tend to make at least two "ice stops" a day, to fill up the coolers.

Student Expectations: In short, students are responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing their entire camping experience (just as the instructors are responsible for their own situations).  Students should be fully prepared with the proper equipment for specific trips, taking into consideration the duration of the trip, the types of campsites, and the expected weather circumstances.  The old Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared," is fully applicable here!  Students should not depend on others for their sustenance or equipment, unless planned for in advance.  Students are expected to travel as light as possible, because space in the vans is limited for extensive amounts of gear.  After 2002, space will likely become even more precious as NAU is planning to eliminate the roof racks from all the vans.  Roof rack or not, however, students will be responsible for packing and unpacking the gear from the vans and making sure that it is secure on the roof rack, if there is one.
    Finally, while evenings tend to be somewhat relaxing and without time pressures, it is wise for students to be as efficient as possible in the morning while "striking camp".  We usually leave camp around 8am, and the vans need to be packed up with all students ready to depart on time.  Departure times will be provided to the students in advance.  Trust me, you do NOT want to be the last student scurrying around to pack up your stuff while everyone is waiting for you!  Peer pressure in this course tends to be severe  :-).


A CAMPING CHECK-LIST FOR GGR 480
- by Dr. Lee Dexter
(Some of these items are considered optional.  Use your own judgement.)

Clothing and toiletries:

Use layers and bring a couple of sets:

Food: Camping gear: Small Day-pack:

CHECK OUT THE NAU OUTDOOR RECREATION WEB SITE FOR LIST OF CAMPING RENTAL SUPPLIES AND PRICES.  YOU CAN RENT CAMPING GEAR STRAIGHT FROM THE REC CENTER, ON CAMPUS.