Gear

So today, we've got a little update on gear. Specifically today we're going to be talking about the gear that one should consider having on a site patrol. The idea, again with a patrol, is to observe a site or area for a period of time without being noticed. For this reason, I prefer to use camouflage to remain hidden from prying eyes. I personally prefer ACU camo, as it seems to blend in well with the high desert sage/blackbrush/rabbitbrush environments where most of the ruins I patrol are found. Your preferred camouflage may vary - you may not even want to wear any. The choice is yours.

What should be noted is that a site patrol is more than just a dayhike and you should be prepared for more than just dayhiking conditions. I have some pictures here of my Rothco medium daypack from Amazon.com ($41+shipping). The camouflage pattern is pretty good, but it does not show up under IR illumination (I tested this :( ). It does seem to carry weight well, though if you are wearing a load-bearing vest under the pack, it can feel awkward. It does have lots of space, however, and the compartments are mostly useful (except for the outer bottom one - permanently strapped in).

So here is the loadout that fits into the pack. As you can see, its nothing too fancy. I'll start from the upper step and work my way down so that you can get a sense of what I feel is important to have on a site patrol.

• Mission-Related Gear:
• Compass
• GPS
• Binoculars
• Hand-crank flashlight/weather radio
• Pen
• Hex tool
• Rope
• FRS radio (on side of pack - looking to upgrade eventually)
• Not pictured - Rite-in-the-Rain notebook, Leatherman tool (on belt or in vest)

• Survival Gear:
• Snacks
• Water filter and spare filter
• Emergency Food
• ACU duct tape
• Underwear and socks
• Emergency poncho
• Survival blanket
• Extra baggies
• Emergency fire starter
• Extra boot laces
• Not pictured - lighter, 3L Camelbak bladder, SPOT GPS messenger, electrolyte drink mix
• First Aid:
• Safety pins
• Nitrile gloves
•  Two widths of self-adhesive tape
• Large bandages
• Medium and small bandages + butterfly closures
• Hydrocortisone
• Ibuprofin
• Antidiarheal
• Rolled gauze
• Nail trimmer
• Iodine and purifying tablets
• Not pictured - dental floss, small bottle of alcohol, shears.

As you can see, there's a big difference between this loadout and my normal dayhiking pack: a Camelbak Lobo w/3L bladder and only a few snacks. None the less, the load is not too heavy, even with the water. Thankfully the pack does have a good strap system so it is easy to get things loaded in and tightened down. I wish the hip straps had a bit more padding, but they certainly do their job - and over a vest the padding would certainly get in the way. I'm hoping to be able to get out and make a video this weekend of this pack in action at a site patrol - stay tuned, as always. Keep sending in those site reports - we're starting to build up a decent database. I'll update y'all with that status next time. I'll send you off with some pics of the pack against some Buffaloberry and oak to give you an idea how well ACU works in this area of the desert.

 

 Pack in an oak tree by a seep.

Pack in an Buffaloberry at 1, 25, and 50 yards.

How to Volunteer

I get asked often, "Okay, I want to help protect Arizona's past, but how? What do you guys actually do?" Here's a great place to answer that question:
Site Visits
Site visits are exactly what it sounds like: visiting archaeological sites. They can be little PII sites on the Arizona Strip or big American territorial-era forts. We try and stay away from major sites that are within National Parks and Monuments, just because these generally receive more attention than the average archaeological site. The idea is to go to the site and check for damage from looting or vandals. This works especially well if it is a site you are familiar with and can spot change. Site visits don't mean you are spending hours wandering a site. Simply check the site for damage. Usually several sites can be visited in a day or an afternoon, depending on your location. We are working on a Site Visitation Form for AAI to use so we have some sort of standardized reporting system. This way if multiple people are visiting a site in a short period, it is not necessary for them to communicate with each other; the forms can provide useful information.
Patrols
Patrols are more involved. If you know of an vulnerable site or area, it may be especially useful to conduct occasional patrols. This can involve doing a site check for damage/looting/vandalism, but ideally a patrol involves two or more people keeping watch on or actively patrolling an area. This may include stationary surveillance, foot patrols, etc. Like with site visits, it is recommended that you carry a cell phone with Law Enforcement to call if you encounter looters. It is also recommended to take appropriate safety precautions when going on a patrol.
Volunteer Activity
 We like to volunteer time to archaeology related causes. This could be graffiti clean-up, like at Keyhole Sink (dates pending), or education at a park or forest. It is a good idea to call the land management agency to see if there is a way that you can volunteer as an AAI volunteer in their jurisdiction.