What to take on a Summer Fossil Hunting and camping adventure

for the past seven years my family has been going on camping trips to NON-campground areas, were there are dry creek-beds, Cliff faces, and rivers with Creigh rock. here we find fossils and danger.

What To Take On A NON-campground Camping trip.

1.Hydration the most important, i bought a KAMEL pack, it is a silicon bag that has a tube connected to it, it fills with water and slowly distributes the water through the tube as you bite on the end of the tube. it has SAVED my life several times, because of my kidney issues i need such hydration tools.

2.Snacks, get something that is in no way loaded with sugars, you need calories, they will give you natural energy with no debilitating crash, although i enjoy Cliff Bars occasionally, they are bland and can get very old very quickly, "Nature Valley" Granola bars are very long lasting and very healthy for any and all, the "Honey and Oats" flavor is my personal favorite. for quick one day hikes or hunts can be satisfied with natural fruits and veggies, like apples or celery.

3.Warm Clothing, whether it is the dead cold of winter, or the blazing heat of summer, have three layers, the first, a sleeveless undershirt, with shorts. second a nice t-shirt, and leg warmers. and third, a heavy jacket. remember that you can always take these clothing items off. i wear a deep blue undershirt, black t-shirt,denim blue jeans,a twenty pocketed vest, and i carry a denim jacket everywhere i hike or camp.

4.First Aid Kit's are and always will be a smart choice, whether it is just a few band aids, Medicine you must have for any medical issues you have, an epiduo shot and an emergency trake kit, or just a few cotton balls and a rubber band, anything to help save a friend or family members life. where we rock hunt and hike there are dozens of very poisonous snakes, and while yes we are entering their home domain, accidents can still happen. also my mother and father are both extremely allergic to wasps and honey bee stings, my mother can be saved with an epiduo shot, but my father would need an emergency trichotomy (i do not know if i spelled that correctly.) in which we would have to cut open a new airway for him to breathe until paramedics could arrive to take him to a hospital.

5. A Utility Belt, with several attachments, i will list each attachment and explain why i have them and the tools that go in them.

   5-A. a flashlight holder, for extremely obvious reasons.

   5-B. a Gun Holster. i do not believe in true firearms, its not a hippie dippy thing i just believe that no one should ever be able to kill with such ease, i carry a CO2 powered PT80 Gammo pistol, it has an eight chamber pellet round, i only use it if i absolutely have to. although snakes do not rear their young, they protect their nest to the death, i love snakes, they are the most evolved reptiles on this planet, and they are the fiercest predators next to cats, but three years ago, after we started a camp fire in the wrong place, we quickly realized that we will have to kill one or two snakes to survive, i respect the creatures, and if i have to kill them i make it a quick painless death. and occasionally eat parts of them so that they do not go to waste.

    5-C. a pocket for extra ammo and CO2 cartridges. for obvious reasons.

    5-D. sparklers and small fire crackers (like black cats, the little bitty ones) large predators, like bears, cats,and canines, will be scared away, seeing as a pellet pistol will not even faze most of these animals. 

     5-E. Pocket knives, i carry two on my belt, these are used for digging and cultivating certain wild crops for food. and i carry two more on my pants pockets for self defense even when in the urban jungle.

     5-F. straight knives, i carry one large buck knife, and one filleting knife, the large buck knife for close combat in case a would be thug comes to rob me or my family, because after i have shot the Air gun they would know it is not threat. the fillet knife is for skinning and eating fish.

     5-G. a small Folding shovel, when rock hunting you will need something to dig with.

     5-H. a pocket with a knife sharpener, this will without a doubt become very handy.

6. a Staff or pole arm, this is not only helpful for balance, but it can fend off snakes in a harmless way, but never let the predator get to close, you are most likely going to be over an hour away from any hospital, if it lands a bite you will die.

7. a pack, i carry a duffel bag, because of my vest i cannot carry a back pack or my KAMEL will not flow right. use this to put the clothes you are not wearing, foods, and heavy tools in. i also put my best and most fragile finds in this bag.

8. Starter logs, Lighters, and Waterproof matches, cook your caught fish, keep warm, and ward off would be predators. fire is a mans best friend.

extras- I wear a headlight, it keeps my hands free, and i also carry a whistle just in case i cannot find the others i am with.

i hope this was insightful, i know it is in no way what i usually write, but i have been wanting to chronicle my knowledge  of camping and rock hunting were others can read it and be prepared.

Author's Note

as spring begins to open its eyes, i have to get back in the swing of gathering my supplies and getting in shape for the adventure :) pleas leave me any and all questions that come to mind :)

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Your list remind me of a Army training location. You need a lot to survive in the heat or cold of nature. In my many field trips if I had a choice. I prefer the cold over the heat. No escape from hot weather. A very good list. Thank you for sharing your skill of camping out in the rought.
Coyote

[Robin]

they make some great inline water filters for camelbaks , especailly the silver based ones . I have used one for years in my back country travels . I have a pack by Vaude that allows me to carry two camelbak bladders , very comfortable and tons of room . In heavy bear areas I put up a flashing bicycle taillight works similar as your sparklers . Snakes are so misconstrued , the walking stick and and a heavy footed warning usually do the trick for me . it is not fun to run up on a awakening den in the spring though . Good luck with your fossil hunting .

[ShaneBerry]

im sorry all i havent been reviewing or posting very much, i will be back to full power soon :)