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Post by 1dave on Oct 18, 2021 12:01:10 GMT -5
So you've decided to go out rockhounding. What do you need to take along? On your person:1. A pocket knife with a blade you don't mind dulling.  IF the knife does not scratch the rock it is hard enough to be a keeper. IF the knife scratches the rock it is usually a "leaverite" where it is. A spray bottle to be sure you have a keeper. 2. A rock hammer, chisels, and goggles.  Often keepers are wedged in and need to be pried out. 3. A bucket, backpack, cart, sack - something to carry your finds.  Pockets fill up fast. 4. An emergency kit! The unexpected happens. A pocket size medical kit, matches, a whistle, a signalling mirror, cell phone, AND be sure family and friends know approximately where you are going! In your vehicle:WATER, food, blankets, coats, a large medical kit, shovels, picks, material to get your vehicle unstuck . . . |
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Post by RickB on Oct 18, 2021 12:27:40 GMT -5
And a Beer Belt  |
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Post by Peruano on Oct 18, 2021 13:49:23 GMT -5
Actually you don't need much beyond a. that pocket knife; to cut up the apple for lunch;
b. a heavy duty shopping bag to carry the rocks; and c. a gps to record the exact location of the stone that is sensational but too large to carry at the present moment. I often mark the spots where good finds are made so that I can return or recommend them to "friends". Since I was often (until recently) rock hounding on a motorcycle, I left the beer belt at home to provide refreshment when the rocks were sort, fondled, and washed.
I tend to collect in alluvial deposits and hence have no need for a rock hammer in the field. My knife will pry loose almost anything I can see exposed on the ground surface.
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quartz
Cave Dweller 
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,359
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Post by quartz on Oct 18, 2021 23:03:10 GMT -5
Something to start a fire with.
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Post by stephan on Oct 19, 2021 0:23:29 GMT -5
A pack of cards. If you get lost, you can play solitaire, and before long, someone will come by to tell you that you missed a move.
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quartzilla
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2020
Posts: 1,240
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Post by quartzilla on Oct 19, 2021 7:34:00 GMT -5
Something to start a fire with. a flashlight too. Never know if you will need one. Thankfully most phones have one but in the case of an emergency you may wanna preserve your cell batteries. Also a back up charged battery cell is a good idea too, especially if your in the boondocks. You never know what can happen out in the field and it’s best to be over prepared. For an example my wife almost sat on a baby rattlesnake that was cold and coiled up on a boulder. It was the exact same color as the rock and she sat about a foot away from it. |
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Post by orrum on Oct 19, 2021 7:51:32 GMT -5
Really basic but spot on. Gooder Dave,
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 19, 2021 7:55:44 GMT -5
Something to start a fire with. a flashlight too. Never know if you will need one. Thankfully most phones have one but in the case of an emergency you may wanna preserve your cell batteries. Also a back up charged battery cell is a good idea too, especially if your in the boondocks. You never know what can happen out in the field and it’s best to be over prepared. For an example my wife almost sat on a baby rattlesnake that was cold and coiled up on a boulder. It was the exact same color as the rock and she sat about a foot away from it. Also, if you put your cell phone in "Airplane" mode, it'll help preserve battery life... Thank goodness she saw the little bugger before sitting down! I will add that bug spray is a necessity out where I hound...tics can be pretty bad in cattle country... (I'll second the flashlight! It saved my tail the last time I was on an adventure! LOL) |
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Post by mohs on Oct 19, 2021 9:36:56 GMT -5
a walking stick I use a crow bar rock'n  walk'n |
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Post by stephan on Oct 19, 2021 10:04:36 GMT -5
Something to start a fire with. a flashlight too. Never know if you will need one. Thankfully most phones have one but in the case of an emergency you may wanna preserve your cell batteries. Also a back up charged battery cell is a good idea too, especially if your in the boondocks. You never know what can happen out in the field and it’s best to be over prepared. For an example my wife almost sat on a baby rattlesnake that was cold and coiled up on a boulder. It was the exact same color as the rock and she sat about a foot away from it. Most new phones are glued together and won't easily let you change batteries anymore (you basically need a heat gun). Joke is on them, though. Power banks are now cheaper than spare batteries were. |
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 19, 2021 13:13:08 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Oct 19, 2021 13:23:12 GMT -5
Elizabeth brings a bug out bag for a trip to the grocery store. Sometimes it seems there's no room left for rocks if it's a longer trip.
We also take LOTS of bottled water, I usually have more than enough in my reusable containers in the cooler, but all too often we meet people IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN ARIZONA who didn't bring enough water.
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electrocutus
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2020
Posts: 341 
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Post by electrocutus on Oct 19, 2021 15:57:13 GMT -5
#3 is typically my problem. I end up with a hoodie with the front looking like a full udder :-)
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Post by perkins17 on Oct 19, 2021 18:21:02 GMT -5
a flashlight too. Never know if you will need one. Thankfully most phones have one but in the case of an emergency you may wanna preserve your cell batteries. Also a back up charged battery cell is a good idea too, especially if your in the boondocks. You never know what can happen out in the field and it’s best to be over prepared. For an example my wife almost sat on a baby rattlesnake that was cold and coiled up on a boulder. It was the exact same color as the rock and she sat about a foot away from it. Also, if you put your cell phone in "Airplane" mode, it'll help preserve battery life... Thank goodness she saw the little bugger before sitting down! I will add that bug spray is a necessity out where I hound...tics can be pretty bad in cattle country... (I'll second the flashlight! It saved my tail the last time I was on an adventure! LOL) LAST TIME??? You mean something like that has happened before? 😂 Gosh. If so mething like that happened to me, I would stick to nice, safe, lake shores and club digs. As for this thread, a small shovel, a pick, bag, spray bottle, cell phone, tough and comfortable clothes, and maybe a kayak for water-hounding. |
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Post by 1dave on Oct 19, 2021 19:17:46 GMT -5
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Post by 1dave on Oct 19, 2021 19:34:02 GMT -5
Or how about this: Carson MicroBrite Plus 60x-120x LED Lighted Zoom Pocket Microscope with Aspheric Lens System. But it is expensive - $14. 00. |
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Post by 1dave on Oct 19, 2021 19:54:19 GMT -5
Just in time for Halloween -  |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,612
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 20, 2021 8:33:02 GMT -5
I tend to visit really remote rugged places for my rock hounding pursuits so I've found that TWO spare tires, shovels and several tow ropes, chains are a must. Last year I came upon a Tesla high centered in the sand on a lonely dirt road in the middle of absolutely nowhere. The guy and his kid spent the night there and they were lucky I came along. In five minutes my 4X4 had them pulled out and on their way.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 20, 2021 9:58:39 GMT -5
I tend to visit really remote rugged places for my rock hounding pursuits so I've found that TWO spare tires, shovels and several tow ropes, chains are a must. Last year I came upon a Tesla high centered in the sand on a lonely dirt road in the middle of absolutely nowhere. The guy and his kid spent the night there and they were lucky I came along. In five minutes my 4X4 had them pulled out and on their way. The amount of stupidity it takes to drive a Tesla into that kind of terrain with a child on top of it is stunning. You are a good soul, RWA3006.
Those people were very lucky you happened by.
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 20, 2021 11:15:39 GMT -5
I tend to visit really remote rugged places for my rock hounding pursuits so I've found that TWO spare tires, shovels and several tow ropes, chains are a must. Last year I came upon a Tesla high centered in the sand on a lonely dirt road in the middle of absolutely nowhere. The guy and his kid spent the night there and they were lucky I came along. In five minutes my 4X4 had them pulled out and on their way. The amount of stupidity it takes to drive a Tesla into that kind of terrain with a child on top of it is stunning. You are a good soul, RWA3006 .
Those people were very lucky you happened by.
I'm not going to lie...this is what I pictured reading what you wrote! Then I reread it! LOL  RWA3006 - Good on ya Randy! |
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walk'n
