Click on this thumbnail to open a full-sized image in a new window.

The existence of an Earhart campsite, dubbed “Camp Zero,” is purely theoretical.   Unlike the Seven Site where we know a castaway’s partial skeleton and telltale artifacts were found in 1940, Camp Zero has zero historical support beyond the logic that some kind of onshore campsite should have been desirable or even necessary. Temperatures aboard the airplane out on the reef during the day would be unbearable and nearly all of the credible post-loss radio signals were sent at night.

Click on this thumbnail to open a full-sized image in a new window.

Comparing the 1938 aerial photos to current satellite imagery, the vegetation on northern Nutiran hasn’t changed much. From the beach there is an area of coral rubble and scattered scrub that extends inland for about 100 meters before the start of a large Buka (Pisonia grandis) forest. A campsite in the coral rubble and scrub doesn’t make any sense. The coral rubble reflects and magnifies heat and the scrub vegetation provides poor shade. The Buka forest, by contrast, is open, shady, and almost cathedral-like. We’ll focus our search on the edge of the Buka forest accepting that the border between scrub and Buka has probably shifted some over the years. Gary is working up the search plan.

Click on this thumbnail to open a full-sized image in a new window.

We also have a few specific points to check out where our forensic imaging specialist, Jeff Glickman, has spotted shapes in the 1938 aerials that may be man-made objects. We have lat/long for those points and will navigate to them with GPS.

What might Earhart and Noonan have brought ashore from the plane that might still be there? We don’t know what they had on the plane, what they might have considered useful, or what they might have been able to drag or carry across the reef given their physical condition. The point is, as in any search, don’t look for what you think might be/should be there. Pay close attention to what IS there. On that part of the island ANYTHING that looks unnatural is of interest. People probably passed through there from time to time when the island was inhabited but, as far as we know, nobody ever lived there and it should be too far inland for ocean wash-up even in storms. Something as innocuous as a piece of charcoal is a huge red flag.

For this kind of work there are two priorities – feet and water. If you don’t take care of your feet you’ll soon be hors de combat (out of action). If you don’t stay hydrated you’ll be in bigger trouble.

Footgear is highly individual. Wear shoes or boots you can hike in all day in rough terrain without getting blisters. I wear New Balance Dunham Cloud hiking boots. Whatever you choose it’s a good idea to bring two pair. Despite your best efforts, your boots could get wet and not dry overnight.

You’ll want something to wear in the skiff and for transiting to the shore at the landing channel – some kind of footgear that can get wet and provides protection for your feet on the coral. I use neoprene dive booties with a thick sole. I carry my hiking shoes and socks, and a towel, in a rubber “dry bag.” Once I’m ashore, I dry off my feet, change into my hiking boots, and leave the booties at the landing for the return trip. In this case, depending on how we set up the Tatiman Passage ferry, you might want to stay in the wet footgear until we get across the passage.

You’ll need to carry at least 2 liters of water on your person. How you do it is up to you. I prefer a CamelBak bladder. I’ll be wearing a 3 liter model. Some lucky devil will also get to carry a three and a half gallon jug of supplemental water on a pack frame.

You’ll also need to carry your lunch, whatever form that may take. The Nai’a galley will make you a sandwich and there will be an assortment of fruit and salty-crunchy stuff. You might want to bring along a supply of your favorite trail mix or power bars, etc.

Other incidentals: camera, sunblock, gloves, compass, small first aid kit.

	A couple of people will carry metal detectors. These will be Surfmaster PI Dual Field metal detectors provided to TIGHAR by White’s Electronics of Sweet Home, Oregon. White’s has been sponsoring TIGHAR’s work for over twenty years and many of our most significant discoveries have been made with White’s products. You’ll find them easy to use, rugged, reliable, and extremely sensitive. The new Surfmaster – waterproof down to 100 feet – will also be used by the Dive Team. So don’t worry if yours gets rained on.
Click on each photo to open a full-sized version in a new window.

Gary and at least one other person will have a radio for communication with the ship.

Looking at the current satellite imagery I don’t think we’ll need to hack our way through any dense scaevola – for which we can be thankful – so carry a bush knife or machete only if you have a good one and know how to use it. Niku is a bad place to have an edged-weapon mishap. He who lives by the sword….

If all this is starting to remind you of a military patrol you get the idea. We’re putting boots on the ground with the ability to “shoot, move and communicate.” Our objective is to accomplish the mission – i.e. conduct a thorough, well-documented search – and bring everyone home in one piece. Nikumaroro is not a dangerous place if you respect it for what it is and come prepared to deal with the island on its own terms. We should have plenty of time to cover the area we want to examine so there’s no need to hurry or take chances if conditions are unfavorable. If we need to wait for the tidal flow to slacken before we cross the passage, we’ll wait. If you feel like you need to take a rest, let Gary know and take a rest. We’ve done ten expeditions to Nikumaroro without a serious injury because we’ve followed the principle that it’s not worth hurting live people to look for dead ones.

One last reminder: as the old saying goes, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” We’ll need to stay flexible.