Optical Surveying
LOGISTICS
Optical Surveying
Advanced Permaculture Certificate Course
2026 Course held at Soda Springs, 20 minutes outside Ashland
Course starts the first day at 10:00 AM, and the week will end the last day at 5:00 PM. Students are welcome and encouraged to arrive the previous evening, especially if you’re coming from far away.
Directions: TBA
PLEASE BRING TOOLS
Required:
1/4 inch graph paper pad
Pencils
Clip board with rain protection (plastic bag will work)
Work gloves
Strongly recommended:
Pocket Transit/Sighting compass (see details below)
Hand Sight Level (see details below)
If you have it, please bring:
Small binoculars, small pruners (Felco or equivalent), Jacob’s staff or tripod, engineer’s scale or wooden ruler, 100 foot (30 meter)+ measuring tape, walking wheel, transit, surveying vest with pockets galore, pocket rod (see details below)
We will have tools for students to use, but if you have your own tools, you will have more time to practice with them. Below is a list of the recommended tools with links to the best prices we could find at the moment. Please note that prices and availability changes frequently, so you may need to shop around. Order tools in plenty of time to receive them before the course.
Pocket Transit
You need a pocket transit for this course. A pocket transit combines a compass and clinometer. We have tried out different transits and recommend this one. We used to use the Brunton, but it doesn’t seem available now.
Silva Ranger 2.0 (Do not get the Quad) If you shop around, make sure the compass has a clinometer (able to read slope). If you don’t want to buy a clinometer compass, you can bring a high quality regular compass.
Hand Level
If you expect to be doing surveying on jobs, you will want a magnifying level. One of our students brought a 5x scope that was greatly enjoyed by all. However, we are not currently seeing more than 2.5x available on line.
Students have been frustrated with the limited distance they can see with the non-magnifying sight levels, so we highly recommend getting a magnifying level if you can afford it. When considering levels, we strongly recommend finding one with split screen stadia.
We really like the Kuker-Rankin Hand Level, Model 572-S, 5-7 inches long, 2 power with stadia, ration 1:40.
In the past, some student used the SitePro 2.5 Hand Level 13-590. Make sure to purchase the 2.5 with stadia. It looks like the 2x does not have stadia.
A more affordable option which looks good (though we haven’t tried it) is the David White 2x Sight Level 43-D620. It doesn’t mention stadia, so likely it doesn’t have any. However, it does give you the 2x.
Our local hardware store has a cheap signt level that is 1.0 (no magnification at all).
We are finding the quality and precision of the pocket transits and sight levels to be inconsistent, so we will spend some time in class making sure everyone’s tools are working properly.
Pocket Rod
We don’t need everyone to have one, but it’s recommended if you expect to be doing some surveying in the near future.
We recommend the Keson PR-610 6-1/2 ft. Builder’s Engineers Pocket Rod (make sure you get the PR610 which is 10ths instead of the PR612 which is in inches). This is about the size of a builder’s tape measure so you can carry it easily.
These linked products may be available from other Sellers as well.
FOOD AND CAMPING
Bring your own food; no food is provided through your course fee. We will create dinner from your food contributions. Everyone usually makes their own breakfast and lunch, but we may decide to cook warm food together at lunch as well. There will be a camp kitchen with stove and wash-up area. Additional cook stoves could be useful. We encourage participants to show up the evening before class starts to set up camp.
OLD INFORMATION NEEDS UPDATING: This is a campground with porta-potties. Solar shower available if the sun is shining (wouldn’t count on it in November). Some indoor sleep spaces will be available in the event of very inclement weather.
Please pay attention to the Checklist of What to bring. You will want these items with you!
Daypack suggested as we will be roaming far from camp. There will be plentiful foxtails and burrs at this grassy location. There may be ticks this time of year. Poison oak will require constant awareness (ours is not super potent to most folks). A hot cup can be helpful in staying warm throughout the day. Hot water will be available for tea most of the time.
CHECK LIST OF WHAT TO BRING:
* = an item you must bring. Others are somewhat optional as we can share. Perhaps check with the people with whom you are carpooling to make sure you have provided from amongst your group.
Water:
* water bottle
Camping Gear:
* Tent (sharing is good), tent footprint,
* warm sleeping bag
* sleeping pad
* flashlight
towel
lantern (it will be getting dark early and lanterns will be quite useful)
headlamp for doing tasks and walking in the dark
Daytime/Class Comfort:
* Rain-protected clipboard/notebook. This can be rain resistant notebook, field notebook or a plastic bag over your notebook.
* Daypack or bag for carrying clothing, tools, while roaming far from camp
* Camp chair (hopefully 2) It’s great to have one in the classroom and another at the eating area.
Tarp to sit on or hang for rain protection
Small thermos and/or insulated cup for tea
Solar shower bag
Bring only biodegradable soaps/shampoo. Shower priority will be given to those who are sensitive to poison oak.
Sun screen
Clothing:
Temperatures in Southern Oregon are unpredictable at this time of year. Be prepared for very hot or very cold temperatures. Layers are necessary with warm things for sitting in un-heated conditions.
* Raingear. Rain repellant but breathable work jacket. We will be walking and working outside regardless of weather conditions.
* Long sleeve shirts and long pants for moving through brush including poison oak. Burr-proof clothes such as tight nylon (quick dry) work well
* Warm gloves/mittens, fingerless gloves are useful
* Sun hat (brimmed hat for strong horizontal sun)
Wool cap and scarf
Food and cooking:
* At breakfast and lunch. Bring what you want for yourself. You can use our camp kitchen for preparation. 3 days during the course we will be away from camp at lunch, so you will need food you can carry in your backpack.
* Dinner: Bring food to contribute, especially vegies. We will be providing a big pot of grain (rice or quinoa) each evening and making a stew or stir-fry and salad from whatever people bring. Dairy and meats will be kept separate from the rest of the food, but are appreciated by many. We will have pots for boiling water and some pans for frying/toasting.
* Snacks are nice for tea time and after dinner. Shared tea snacks are greatly appreciated.
* Ice chest (sharing is good). We need to keep food contained and out of reach to critters.
* Dishes and utensils.
Small pot if needed for breakfast or other personal cooking.
Small stove, optional
