What to Bring and What to Wear for Rock Hunting

As for any outdoor activity you want to make sure you bring enough water for your time outside. A general recommendation is to bring half a liter of water, per hour of moderate activity, in moderate temperature. Always apply sunscreen beforehand and bring extra for the trip. For beginners, ensure you have a solid pair of gym shoes that are supportive and waterproof (if possible). For more advanced folks, I would invest in Merrell hiking boots/shoes. If you do a lot of hiking, you will get your money’s worth. They are super supportive, have ankle support, and are waterproof. Always bring an extra pair of socks! I recommend keeping a pair in your glove box, so you have them at all times. Depending on where you are going, you may need to bring an extra pair of clothes. You never know when you might get wet! Bring rock identification references. Whether you have books to utilize for reference pictures, or have photos on your phone, you will need something to refer to, for confirmation if you have found something (or not). Here are a list of some other important items to bring along while rock hunting:   

Transportation of Specimens: Field bag or internal-frame backpack: To carry all your stuff! If you anticipate carrying a very heavy load, a properly adjusted internal-frame backpack will make your life easier. For beginners, a decent backpack with padded back support and padded straps will suffice

Bucket: As you become more experienced and gather for specimens during your hikes a bucket is a good investment. It can be used inside your pack or field bag to protect the fabric from tools, as well as to carry the specimens you don’t have room for in your pack on the way home. This can be purchased at Lowe’s for $10.

Personal Safety Equipment: You should always have a travel First aid kit on hand, or in your car. Travel first aid kits are rather small and can easily fit into a backpack. Make sure to bring something to protect you from the sun. A hat, sunscreen, and long sleeve shirt are key to protecting yourself, even when it’s cloudy out. Please make sure to select a mindful sunscreen that is not only good for your body, but also good for the environment. Appropriate shoes for the journey (for more information, see above). Small and lightweight gloves are another key item to bring. They are easy to keep with you at all times and they are one of the most important gear pieces to bring. 

 Collecting Tools:  Hand chisels, wide-ended or pointed: A basic tool, and you should have a good-quality set of them. These can be purchased on Amazon. However, a good quality set can be pretty pricey.

Pocket tools: These are used to extract specimens from deep pockets and will go a long way toward saving your hands. A multitool pocket knife works pretty well also.

Unless you find a huge piece you cannot carry back, save the Crack Hammer for home.

Specimen Identification: 10x loupe or magnifying glass: A good quality lens is an important aid, particularly for identifying small crystals and fossils. This can be purchased on Amazon for less than $10.

Vinegar: A few drops of vinegar on your specimen will form bubbles if carbonate is present. This is not a necessity to bring.

Field guides: Bring the appropriate field guide for the specimens you are hunting (crystals, fossils, general rocks and minerals, etc.). These can be bought at your local bookstore, or even on Amazon for a decent price.

Maps and/or guidebook: Guidebooks for your state will list a number of collecting sites, along with what can be found there and directions for reaching each site. Topographic maps can help you find your way, particularly in rough territory. If there are maps at the trails that you are hiking, definitely take one.

Permission to collect: Always get permission to collect on private land! Depending on where you are hiking the guidelines for rock collecting may vary. Make sure you do your research (Google It!) for the expectations of rock hunting & collecting for where you are at.