In the list of items below:

"Required" designates equipment/gear that each field team member MUST bring along. In some cases, a spare is required. "Required" equipment is considered bare-bones minimum. You should have this equipment in order to be properly prepared for your rotation at the MDRS.

"Recommended" designates equipment/gear that each field team member is strongly advised to bring along. These are items that are not required but are likely to make your life A LOT more pleasant.

"Optional" designates additional suggested equipment/gear. This is equipment that you should bring along if you think you will enjoy having it.

Utility knife (like a Victorinox "Swiss Army"), Leatherman or Gerber tool	1	Strongly recommended	Very handy for doing Hab repairs and field work
Rock Hammer	1	Optional	Rocks in area are mostly "soft" so a standard sedimentary pick/hammer ("mason's tool") should suffice; the Hab has one sledge
Handlens	1	Recommended	10X, for close examination of hand-specimens in the lab. The hab has 2 handlenses.
Brunton	1	Optional	For the level and clinometer functions
Personal GPS	1	Recommended	If you have it, bring it. MDRS data recorded in UTM Zone 12 North Northings/Eastings; Know how to use the GPS; bring spare batteries. The hab has 2 units.
Field Book, pens	1	Recommended	Waterproof recommended. Fisher, the maker of the space pen, is an official sponsor of the Mars Society. Space pens are excellent for field work
Topographic Maps	As needed	Optional	MDRS has one or two copies of local (Skyline Rim Quad) Topo maps at 1:24,000. Detailed mapping may require additional maps at better scales; check on-line with the USGS for information. The maps in the hab are getting beaten and old.
Camera/Digital camera	1	Recommended	If you have it, bring it. Digital images can be downloaded to the MDRS computer- bring cables or diskettes as needed. Bring film, spare/rechargeable batteries, charger, a good case and lens care kit (recommended). It is very difficult to take pictures with a regular camera through the helmet of the space suits. The hab has 2 digital cameras.
Canned Air	37258	Optional	This is great for cleaning cameras and other personal equipment in the field and in the Hab.
Camcorder	1	Optional	Those allowing digital stills are very useful. Be sure to bring enough tape, batteries/charger, cables.
Tripod	1	Optional	Bring a sturdy tripod for field work- the desert can be windy.
Photo scale	1	Optional	Handy for taking field photos
Bungie Cords	1	Optional	For securing items on ATVs. MDRS has a limited supply.
Foam padding	As needed	Optional	If you need to transport delicate equipment on ATVs, be sure to bringadequate padding for the ATV baggage rack. Unpadded equipmentand gear take severe beatings on rides.
Personal Laptop Computer	1	Strongly Recommended	Strongly recommended. MDRS has one computer, and one laptop. Additional seats are always helpful. Bring all necessary peripherals (cables, mouse, AC power adapter, power-strip w/internal circuit breaker, etc.). Bring addition network cable. Note LAN information below. Some staterooms have network and internet access; others do not.