COOK ISLANDS 2026
Field Guide
Archived snapshot. This page was frozen on June 21, 2026 and may be outdated. Use the Daily Logs for updated field records.

Readiness

Equipment and packing

Shared science equipment and personal packing list.

18 personal items 15 shared equipment items 3 open coordination lists

Personal packing

18

Each traveler

  • Passport, wallet, and travel documents
  • Field notebook and pencils
  • Hand lens
  • Headlamp
  • Sunscreen
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Electrolyte tablets
  • Floppy hat
  • Long-sleeved sun shirts and field pants
  • Water shoes
  • Swimsuit
  • Mask and snorkel
  • Field pouch and/or small day bag
  • Personal rock hammer
  • Personal camera if bringing one
  • Dry bags or waterproof stuff sacks
  • Books/kindle

Shared field equipment

15

Common kit

  • Satellite messenger (maybe not coming?)
  • First aid kit
  • EOS Arrow Gold GNSS kit
  • GNSS pole, bipod, tripod, batteries, and charger
  • Ground control points
  • Tide gauges and logger-reader
  • Sample bags and labels/sharpies
  • Phantom 4 Pro drone
  • Drone batteries
  • Drone charging hub
  • Drone backpack
  • Olympus waterproof camera and case
  • Spare SD cards and adapters
  • Extra field hammers and chisels
  • Duct tape

Coordination

Open checklists

Use these as pre-departure decision lists; unresolved language should stay visible until assigned or closed.

Procurement and confirmation

12
  • Confirm sample bags and who is bringing them.
  • Buy or bring mini SD cards for cameras/drones.
  • Buy or bring micro SD adapter.
  • Buy Type I plug adapters.
  • Confirm the EOS antenna tripod.
  • Confirm the EOS spare battery and charger.
  • Confirm the Phantom 4 charging hub.
  • Confirm the tide-gauge kit: 3 gauges plus 1 logger-reader.
  • Confirm the Olympus TG camera and protective case (is this a LDEO item?).
  • Confirm field hammers and chisels.
  • Decide whether Starlink/ATLAS is needed.
  • Decide whether a field iPad is coming.

Documents and printing

8
  • Print the research permit.
  • Carry proof of onward travel from the Cook Islands.
  • Carry proof of accommodation.
  • Print a few copies of the key LIG papers.
  • Print island field maps (Not yet made).
  • Confirm the EOS subscription.
  • Confirm the CU trip registration is complete.
  • Double-check the drone and Olympus SD-card requirements.

Handoffs and decisions

2
  • Confirm the Billy-Tilli gear handoff at LDEO.
  • Confirm the paleoclimate corer is not traveling.