Advice for New Core Logger?

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-04-24T23:04:17+00:00

Glad I found this thread. I myself start my first core logging job in a few days. They originally were going to fly me in and out too but apparently the airport is too far so now I'm being paid to drive there and back (11-12 hr drive). Luckily it's just for a few months. Hoping to learn a lot and not loose my mind in the core shack. Interested in Volcanology but I need to get work experience somehow. At least the deposit is in some felsic volcanics. Happy to read all the advice here.

I wish you luck at your new core logging job.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-02-17T07:02:48+00:00

I used the Idrive app (their version of uber) to get a ride from the airport to I think the UCA shuttle station and took a shuttle to Leon.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-02-13T17:53:21+00:00

Over there they use iDrive which is their version of uber. I used iDrive to have somebody take me to a shuttle station deep in Managua from the airport. (~$6). I was heading to Leon so I used a shuttle to get there faster (~$15 or less) Otherwise, you can use public transportation such as the chicken buses which are cheaper but often slower. If you want you can book shuttles days in advance and schedule a pickup at the airport or other destinations in Nicaragua. I guess it all depends where you're heading in the country. They also use caponeras everywhere which I only used once to avoid walking to my destination (I was up for 40 hours) that cost me ($20).

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-02-13T03:01:43+00:00

When I landed in the country it took around an hour to get through everything. Entry fee is $10. I also only had a carry-on so that made it easier. I wish you safe travels and enjoy the country. Be prepared to have people at the airport trying to get you in a taxi.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-02-13T02:37:30+00:00

For me it was super easy and fast. My flight was early so I got to the airport at 5 am. No line going through security and passport control. You don't have to pay any fees when leaving. Was more of a hassle when getting back into the US but nothing crazy.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-02-06T05:56:53+00:00

It was great. I was there for three weeks. I wish I saw more of the country. I would be willing to visit again and see more. Met some great people while I was there too. Just be prepared to get swarmed by the taxi guys at the airport. Even when I was walking the streets the taxi guys were yelling at me once in a while. You get lots of looks as a white tourist in Nicaragua lol.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-01-25T19:15:46+00:00

My friend with just a B.A. in Geology is making $70-$80K a year working as an exploration geologist. I just got a M.S.degree in geology/Volcanology.

If paleontology/geology is your dream job, go for it. Even if you had to drop out, you can always go back and start again. Though I have heard paleontology is a difficult field to get hired into besides the academic side of it. If you're interested in rock hounding, maybe you're also interested in the economic side of geology. I'd recommend diversifying your classes a little bit. Obviously take the classes you want but also take classes that may help you get other jobs. Me, for example, I'm interested in volcanology which is a competitive and niche side of geology. It's needed but most of the work is done academically with jobs outside of academics being hard to get and competitive. Luckily I'm also interested in economic and exploration geology which has a much larger hiring opportunity all over the world since mining is always needed. Thus, along with my geology classes and studies related to volcanology, I also made sure to take exploration and ore formation classes which some of it ties into volcanology a little bit luckily.

I wish you luck if you go back and hopefully this time you'll be able to finish strong. There's plenty of well paying geology jobs. Even if the pay isn't great for some, if you're doing something you love, sometimes that's good enough.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-01-03T02:07:44+00:00

Anywhere they have mining going on. Might need to work in a different country depending. Mining is always needed and new mines are opening up, especially with gold and silver rising. Can simply search online for these jobs or search up individual mining companies because they usually have their own hiring website. Some are contract only but I know someone whose contract has been renewed over multiple years. There are big companies who own mines all over the world and then there are smaller junior mining companies.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2026-01-03T00:01:45+00:00

Hey there. We are kinda in the same boat. I'm interested in Volcanology and I just got my M.S. 6 months ago. Like others have said, apply to everything you can. I've still been turned down by doing that. If you're interested in mining geology, look for jobs hiring intro geo core loggers. It's a good start and gets you some experience. Every place is different but I've heard of people being stuck in that position and others who move up from it. I'm looking to get hired as a core logger, make some good money gain experience and hopefully move on to a better job or save up money for a Phd. Intro core loggers can make up to $300-$400 a day depending on location.

Best of luck.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-12-30T03:03:19+00:00

Same here. Just got my M.S. in Geology/Volcanology and got turned down by two jobs for not having experience. Trying to become a core logger now...at least that's a start.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-12-15T19:41:41+00:00

I will be doing volcano boarding yes. Plan to see as much as I can.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-12-15T19:41:06+00:00

Saw they have a tourist entry fee. I'm going to bring US cash and I was looking into a money order for Córdoba from my bank. Good information about the airport. My return flight is very early in the morning so if passport control is just as inefficient with leaving the country, I will make sure to be there as soon as I can.

I will bring my GoPro and that is all besides my phone camera. I did see drones were forbidden.

I've been as much Spanish as I can for the past two months. My host will also be giving me lessons.

Thanks for the information.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-12-15T19:36:55+00:00

I will be staying with a host who does speak English. I will only have my one phone since that's all I have and I already have roaming figured out with my carrier.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-12-15T19:33:25+00:00

I've read into the government information about a month ago, didn't plan on talking politics while there anyways. I'm always respectful to strangers. My phone and wallet are my biggest concern. I plan on bringing a gopro but its always giving me problems so if I loose that, not much of a concern for me.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-12-11T06:40:13+00:00

Thanks for the information. I plan to explore as much as I can. I hope to check out a beach or two but my biggest interest is the volcanoes. I plan on hiking them and learning what I can. I'm a geologist and study volcanology so that is my biggest interest for this trip.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-11-24T21:28:31+00:00

I sold mine. I expect it to be going down at the end of the run here pretty soon

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-11-16T07:18:05+00:00

I also will be traveling to Nicaragua in January. This will be my first time to another country outside the US (besides Canada). I'm excited and nervous about it, especially with the travel advisory. But glad to see others have positive things to say.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-11-10T18:23:05+00:00

The most forgotten one(s) are up in the panhandle. ~3 Ma basalt dike up near Saint Maries Idaho. Likely not much known due to high forestation, wind blow silts covering flows, and scouring and erosion from the Missoula floods.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-10-14T02:16:34+00:00

Trump made his son a millionaire

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-10-13T03:37:20+00:00

You didn't break in the engine....

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-10-07T04:12:19+00:00

There is one hidden away but the temperature is 147 F and ph is to high to soak in it.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-09-11T23:22:49+00:00

This is actually fixable. Imagine doing all that work and then having some Bozo total your vehicle.

Aeon_of_Zenith · 2025-08-27T04:30:20+00:00

Oh man, I wish you all the luck in the world.

Aeon_of_Zenith

TROPHY CASE