dress

A number of factors can contribute to a successful collecting trip. Having the proper directions, tools and equipment are a must! I want to talk here about how to dress for successful rock hunting. Most people don't like to be told how to dress but when it comes to rock hunting, but some folks need a little help.

In the past, my son and I have conducted guided field trips for out of town rockhounds. It always amazed me at the clothes people would show up in to go hiking through the woods, briars, and brush—digging in creeks and lakes, hunting in quarries, abandoned mines, etc. Mineral collecting at some sites can be a nice leisure activity but at other locations it can be a laborious activity that requires the proper attire. No matter what the conditions, it always requires heavy protective clothing. Remember you are hunting for rocks and minerals not picking flowers!

You should check the conditions of any site in advance to be properly prepared. For example, don't arrive at a collecting site wearing shorts and sandals with a straw tourist hat with the little green sun visor! Not only will you look ridiculous, you will severely limit the amount and type of collecting you can do. What is it the Boy Scouts always say? BE PREPARED!

Long pants and hiking boots are always a must, especially when hiking in the woods. A good wide brimmed hat to shade from the sun is always a good idea. Knee pads come in handy at many locations and will save you lots of money on new pants or jeans. Depending on the weather, just use common sense when deciding whether to wear short or long sleeved shirts. During seasons of transitional weather (fall and spring), you may want to dress in layers, shedding extra layers of clothing as the weather changes. Happy hunting!