Amazon here I come

[RanaVenenosa]

Hey Ya'll

Well, good news bad news. Bad news is Sierra Nevada (Colombia) is off limits due to recent "activities", so I talked the wife into going interior @ Leticia (near Iquitos Peru on border). I might still get to see Truncatus as wife is taking me to the Rio Magdalena close to her hometown. Otherwise I hope to get some herpin in the wild Amazonas!!! YeeHaw I get 3nights 4 days in the jungle then its back to the city. I am going middle of May, so hope to still have decent rain to keep frogs active.

Anyone else been to the Amazon and want share any advice? I have been in cloud forests and Himalaya, but never hardcore tropical Jungle.

Scott

[Philsuma]

Ah...THE Amazon....I thought you found a new book on amazon.com.

Here's my jungle pack-list. It's just a guide / start...use some of it....

cameras-and-equiptment-f62/field-herping-and-exploration-check-list-t4531.html

[RanaVenenosa]

Thanks for the link Phil

Any recommended field guides? I could check amazon.com but wanted some perspectives from talented herpers

[Philsuma]

Check out this too:

dart-frog-photographs-wild-habitat-pics-f37/field-photography-website-for-frogs-and-more-t4267.html

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Before you go I suggest reading the U.S. Army Survival Guide, you never know what situation you might find yourself in. Also familiarize yourself with all the venomous snakes in the areas you'll be herping.

[RanaVenenosa]

Got my Yellow Fever shot this weekend. Ouch.... no not the pain of the needle, the pocket book. Cost $130 per person

Other protection against the most dangerous creature in the world: Permethrin for the clothes and 3m Ultrathon for the skin.

[Philsuma]

Field expedient insect repellent - Listerine or other mouthwash in a spray bottle and sprayed on skin.

[BluePumilio]

I don't know where you plan to sleep, but a nice light hammock and a mosquito net always proved helpful for me.

[stemcellular]

Send me an email (raymond.coderre@gmail.com) and I'll send you my list.

Also, I have an E version of the frogs of iquitos, field guide.

[RichFrye]

Got my Yellow Fever shot this weekend. Ouch.... no not the pain of the needle, the pocket book. Cost $130 per person

Other protection against the most dangerous creature in the world: Permethrin for the clothes and 3m Ultrathon for the skin.

I'm just hoping that the vaccine for Dengue Fever is offered to the public soon...

The best flashlight you can afford is key. Best bang for the buck I've found is the Nebo Blueline , single AA battery-run.
DEET.
Watch every single place you put hand or foot while in the jungle.
Earbuds/plugs for when noise does not allow for sleep.

Rich

[stemcellular]

I'll echo Rich, a good headlamp is essential, as are knee high gum boots.

[RichFrye]

I'd ditch the boots idea personally. Sneakers/hiking shoebooties are much more use if climbing at all, moving well, avoiding sudden actions, etc. If worried about snake bite , get Kevlar pants. If you want to avoid getting wet, wrong hobby to go in-situ.

[Philsuma]

Here's my fav lamp out of 4:

http://princetontec.com/?q=apex-extreme

Don't take the spouse/partner/sig other in the woods unless they are hardcore.....But...DO try and take a friend/guide or someone along. Field herping is potentially dangerous...even more so at night. Even in 'parks'...

[stemcellular]

disagree; after a good time in wet and dry weather in peru, costa rica and panama i dont even bother bringing hiking boots, shoes anymore. if you can get a good, cheap, pair of ecuadorian rubber gum boots you will be able to climb through anything with zero blisters or water logging.

[stemcellular]

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/ ... /tpod.html

[RichFrye]

Well , I can tell you that your rubber boots , off the shelf, are by far the first rubbers I've heard of which are better forming, have better traction, and mobility (including fairly important climbing) than shoes and boots made for such things. Rubber protects from water sometimes (they don't breath) and snake bites, sometimes. I never understood the want to remain dry all day, in the jungle...because you won't, usually.

[RichFrye]

Here's my fav lamp out of 4:

http://princetontec.com/?q=apex-extreme

Don't take the spouse/partner/sig other in the woods unless they are hardcore.....But...DO try and take a friend/guide or someone along. Field herping is potentially dangerous...even more so at night. Even in 'parks'...

Yes, it can all be very dangerous. Even to hardcore locals.
Hands and feet.

[Philsuma]

Every casa, casita,bogada, rancho ect...has at least 2 small barking dogs - the bane of field herpers everywhere.

[RichFrye]

Every casa, casita,bogada, rancho ect...has at least 2 small barking dogs - the bane of field herpers everywhere.

...thus earbuds/plugs. Yup.
Howler monkeys, snoring, partying...

[stemcellular]

Well , I can tell you that your rubber boots , off the shelf, are by far the first rubbers I've heard of which are better forming, have better traction, and mobility (including fairly important climbing) than shoes and boots made for such things. Rubber protects from water sometimes (they don't breath) and snake bites, sometimes. I never understood the want to remain dry all day, in the jungle...because you won't, usually.

In rain and wet clay, they are the only thing that hold up; no matter the quality of boots, and I had great boots, if you are doing wet weather work, climbing, hiking, you will end up in gum boots, or with rotted feet.