Have you ever searched for rockhounding supplies in sporting goods/outdoor stores, just to be disappointed with only a small selection? I mean really how do you even know what to get for rockhounding when the store selections focus mainly on gold panning, are limited, and the associates lack the knowledge to help you? You feel lucky to find a classifying screen set much less the minute tools needed for picking Topaz or finding Red Beryl. What about geodes and unearthing the amazing spheres full of surprises? Or wonder stones and agates? Not to panic, while not in a brick-and-mortar store, still the ability to find all of these items online and with the proper planning the ability to have all of the tools you need to be successful. 

Topaz Mountain Rockhounding and Finding Red Beryl

That’s where we come in to help with a few specific sets of tools we use to find beautiful clean gems from Topaz Mountain Rockhounding to searching for geodes. Starting with Topaz Mountain, we have a defined set of tools in our supply bags. 

• Bertha, Single Jack, and Thor’s hammer are all great names for the 5lb hammer we carry. A 2lb hammer works but we have found more success with the 5lb
• Concrete chisel set (hand protector strongly recommended) 
• Rock pick hammer for those visible pockets
• extra long tweezer set from 15″ and less
• Headlight, with various colors
• Paint Brush
• Classifier/ metal mesh strainer (an old screen will work)
• Plastic picks are similar to dental tools but made of a plastic material. Note we have metal ones too but they seem to fracture the stones if they are embedded in the rhyolite. 

All of the listed supplies work very well to expose the Topaz and Red Beryl, it is the hard work required to get these gemstones that seem to hold some back. With a little hiking and breaking the rocks with the chisel, you will find yourself beautiful colored gems. We even take the paintbrush and strainers and find the Red Beryl in the sand and washouts. 

These tools are good for Garnet Hill in NV as well as other hard rhyolite rock. There is always the easy way as well, for example, some websites such as Rock Paradise offer you amazing specimens at reasonable costs, on the other hand, if you are searching for that thrill these essentials will be a great start for finding the hidden gems you are searching for.

Search for Geodes

Geodes are a very different type of rock in a similar environment to Topaz, in Utah anyhow; but we have found hardened walls full of amazing geodes that the rockhounding supplies listed above work perfectly for. In addition to these, there are some key supplies you will need. 

• 5 gal buckets at least 2 as you can take 250 pounds of rocks home legally!
• Short shovels, spade type work the best
• Gloves, you use your hands a lot when digging these out
• Chain cutter to break them in half without damaging them (hammer splitting them is a bad idea if you must, make sure you wear safety gear, eye protection, etc….

In the Dugway area, the BLM digs open pits, keep in mind there are many holes and areas you can access and dig out to find the best ones. Look for the spheres with cross lines poking out of them, they feel light, and once you find one you will know exactly what to look for. 

Hard Rock Tools

In other digs, we have found the use of the chisels to be effective and some even use a diamond-tipped chain saw, you must ensure that this is a legal practice in the location you are digging. Hand tools only are the main requirement for most of the areas we rockhound. 

Conclusion

Overall, in most of the areas we rockhound, these sets of tools will help you find what you are looking for. We want to remind you if you are venturing off into the wilderness to rockhound, please be prepared! We have a lot of information on wilderness preparedness and how to plan for your environment in other posts on this site such as What to Pack For Backpacking or even the doIToutside book you can find if you click here  . 

Have fun and post to us on Facebook or here! We are excited to see your great finds!

Backpacking can be an amazing adventure! If everything goes right, you are prepared, and you know how to pack for backpacking the potential is virtually limitless.

Backpacking!

Not to be confused with packing a carry-on backpack for traveling on an airplane or hauling all your shit around everywhere you go, backpacking as in for those of us who want to adventure and live life!

Great now we are over that hill, let’s talk about the backpacks you might want to consider and what to pack for hiking.

We all know I love the outdoors and the feeling of nature’s energy, but what about backpacking? I remember the first metal frame pack I had. It was my dad’s, he had it from the military and he was very meticulous in how he cared for it. I took it on the outdoor survival trip and being the 7th grader I was, probably ruined it for life. I had no idea anything about packs. I knew I had to fill it up and carry my sleeping bag. It didn’t matter to me it was the size equivalent of carrying my little sister on my back or how it fit. It got the job done. Experience and age have changed my perspective on this.

Both Tish and I have a smaller torso, which means those everyday backpacks rub the shit out of your neck and cause you to have a semi meltdown and I use the term semi lightly it was more like a tantrum of epic proportions that was handled very well. And can I mention there was a great lesson for me during this hike… (be inspirational no matter what the situation is, she will tell you when she has had enough).

For me, I love my internal frame pack, it has so many variables to adjust it. It also has a cushioned topside, my neck almost never gets jacked up anymore. When it does it’s due to having an offset load or something strapped to the top.

Other Options

• You could consider a donkey or apparently, there is a camel website you can join to get on the waiting list haha
• Or as discussed in an earlier post (click here to read ) your furry friends can carry a backpack as well…

Okay, so it was a short discussion about how you should fit their packs BEFORE you go to the trail. A more in-depth look at different packs could encompass a dog or a team of dogs! Choose what best fits your lifestyle. Our pups don’t have anything fancy; they are everyday backpacks to haul their water, a first aid kit, and maybe a snack. You can pick up those cooling-style vests if you are worried about them overheating on a long hot hike.

Considering our recent experiences with backpacking and fitting packs to our body types, I reached out for some expert advice. Thank you to Diane Spicer, Founder, and CEO of Hiking for Her. I asked her a whole host of questions about sizing and even a few personal questions as well. I love her outlook; she really changed my mindset on how I was approaching my outdoor adventures.

When asked what her favorite all-time hike was, she said “It may disappoint you to hear that my favorite hike is the next one I’m planning to take, regardless of where it is. I don’t get attached to the label “favorite” because I’d rather remain open to adventure than spend time reliving the past.” What an amazing answer! Great advice for all of us to follow.

As you can imagine I was even more excited to learn about Diane’s process on backpacking.

Gear

I asked her if she has a favorite for gear. I always say I have a favorite pack, and it has its own rescue story as does most of everything I have, we kind of found each other. This reinforced for me, Diane’s advice that no matter what anyone recommends, to find rock-solid gear that fits you and your adventures.

She spends more upfront, for lasting comfortable functional gear. I agree as we found, buying the everyday gear like that cause of the semi meltdown mentioned earlier that is not functional, and it costs much more in the long run. It was not just the sore neck but also the emotional strain.

Diane really stressed the fact and I totally agree “Don’t just grab a pack because someone recommends it, spend time comparison shopping and be sure the features you need are what you are paying for.”

Fitting into your pack

Considering the meltdown, I asked Diane if she had any tricks or sizing methods she followed for choosing her gear.

She has a petite frame and struggles as well to find a pack that fits her well. She focused on the sternum strap and hip belt, where our focus on the neck was so strained we didn’t even bother to pay attention to these things.

That is until our latest adventure to Topaz Mountain. Tish had the meltdown pack loaded up with water and picks and all things needed to find Topaz. She had some extra motivation to find Red Beryl and we headed straight up the cliff face. This day in particular we made it to the cave! 4 hours later after finding a massive amount of Topaz and one Red Beryl and a 2000 foot gain on a slick rock face, the realization of that old saying what goes up must come down, was now a reality for us.

That damn cheap pack, what to do as it is the main cause of loss of balance and sits/rubs directly on the neck… Well, we ended up doubling up the packs on me so I could carry both to allow us to safely descend.

I found Diane’s article Best Adjustable Hiking Gear: Customize To Your

Personal Specs very informative when it comes to sizing and fitting into your pack. When interviewed she did pass on a small tidbit of insider information. She said eat a hearty breakfast, go to the outdoor store, (REI, SCHEELS, Bass Pro) and try on pretty much every pack you can to see how they fit, feel, their features. She said “Tighten and loosen every strap, wear it around the store and imagine where you will stash your lip balm, take it off and on several times, bend over in it, see where it hits your particular curves and valleys. When you narrow it down to two packs that will work, you’ve done well!”

 Location

When I think of location so many possibilities come to mind. The glaciers of Alaska, the Highlines of Montana, the deserts of Utah, the 14ers of Colorado… the list goes on and on. Is it possible to have just one pack?

No! Good old red can be used for all of these, but do I want to haul her and all her glory for a single day? That is like trying to pick the same fur baby dog to take every time… I can but is it really the best choice? It’s like Diane said chose the volume of pack that fits your trip and the amount of gear you want to carry.

Pack List

And what to pack for backpacking. Diane has a massive amount of information directed at what to pack for backpacking on Hiking for Her. When I asked her what is in her personal checklist for her day pack, naturally it is second nature for her. I am happy to know we are not the only ones who leave our packs on the ready. She too keeps it packed at all times and only needs to add food before heading out.

For our gear checklist, we have this at the minimum on a day trip…

Gear Checklist Day Trip

€ Water (Camel Back Style)

€ Water Purifier of choice

€ First Aid Kit

€ Snacks/Protein Bars

€ TP

€ Fire Building Kit

€ Socks

€ Map/GPS

€ Whistle

€ Pocket Knife

€ Flashlight

€ Cable Saw

€ Space Blankets

Extras

 Don’t forget to check out Diane’s website and sign up for her monthly newsletter! It’s awesome!

>> https://www.hiking-for-her.com/dayhike-checklist.html
>> https://www.hiking-for-her.com/hiking-equipment-list.html
>> https://www.hiking-for-her.com/hikingpacklist.html

Our Links to gear… as always some of these links help feed us! It costs you the same but we get a little too 🙂 

Gear Survival Lantern Link 

Life Straw Link

Alderleaf Wilderness College Wilderness Survival Skills Course

Now get out there and doIToutside! 

Follow us on facebook and TikTok #doIToutside

Are there still wild horses, why yes, yes there are. Tucked away in the West Desert ironically off of the Pony Express Trail of all places is the Onaqui Mountain Herd. They live out here in 100 degrees days for the duration of the summer. They also survive the cold winter nights and snowdrifts here there and everywhere. 

 In the summer to describe it, I would say imagine sticking your head in the oven and inhaling the dry air with a splash of dirt! The air is so hot it burns your nose when you breathe in. So why would we go there you ask? This particular day was 97 degrees, and these big guys were scratching their butts and necks on these abandoned fence posts. They didn’t even care I was standing there taking pictures of them with my iPhone. 

We had so much fun dirt road driving and listening to music. Just relaxing and letting the sounds sink in. The herd we seen this day was small and cared less we were even there. It was fun to see them interacting with eachother. 

We go out here for sanity! 

West Desert Utah

For a lot of reasons, there are so many fun places to go in the desert! You might start at the Pony Express, and follow the trail to Simpson Springs, or maybe you want to see Fish Springs. Either way on most given days you will find anywhere from a small to a huge herd of Wild Mustangs. 

History of The Beautiful Wild Mustangs

It is rumored this herd has been around since the late 1800s, made up of escapee horses from various farms in the area. This being the Pony Express there could have been several holding stables along the way. These wild horses have survived over 100 years out in this crazy beautiful desert. 

Can you still see wild horses?

YES! YOU CAN! Anyone can drive out this way. If you are in the West Desert area in Tooele County, You can visit the historical Pony Express and possibly see the wild herd of beautiful Horses. If you stay on the trail you will find various hidden gems in this vast Desert.

I would not recommend going out here without your gear bag, there is minimal cell phone service and very few people stop on the trail if you need help. A full spare tire, maybe a 12v air compressor, and at least extra water are minimal considerations when you travel this route. 

Don’t Forget The Camera

While these are the most beautiful majestic creatures, you don’t want to get too close to them. They are wild. My Wife thought the first time she saw the herd, about 200 of them getting water she could stand close. She said, “I am from Montana and have been around horses my whole life”. I said Okay, be careful! Then someone else spooked them and it was all on stampede. The herd went around us, but it was heart-pounding and very dangerous. Be safe out there. 

Want to learn more about photography… 

Photography Class

Share Your Story!

Get out there and doIToutside! Share your stories about your wild horse experiences! Thanks for reading, doIToutsidebook and stories! Click the picture below for a link to the book!

The Mountains Are Calling

The days are getting long and hot, over one hundred degrees already in June! Seriously it is HOT! 

We decided to go to the mountains, we have been talking about hiking Deseret Peak for 6 months, why not today? Last week we hiked about a half-mile up the trail on a little adventure, it was pretty good but we were not ready to stay that day, we were just exploring.  It gave us an idea of what we would expect, we needed water for sure, and we knew if we made it by 5pm we should have enough light and it would be cool enough to get started up the mountain. Tish had never backpacked in and stayed the night anywhere, so we thought “we will just go as far as we can and hang up our hammocks in the trees”. 

Packing we used our Gear Checklist, we had everything on there in addition to the dog food. We checked the list twice, and oops we needed to grab some Cliff Bars. On the way out we grabbed a gallon of water to fill up our camelbacks and we grabbed a new life straw and some chem lights. Checked our first aid kit and grabbed a fire starter as well. 

The dogs are restless too so we took Caly, Jack, and Auggie. Tish had loaded water bottles for them into their dog backpacks. Side note, you should fit the backpacks BEFORE you get to the trail. Moving on, we loaded up and headed out. On the way to the trail we noticed a small fire a couple of ridges over, it was a safe distance away but nonetheless caused a massive amount of smoke and made it a bit hard to breathe. It was not enough to stop us though. 

We arrived about 4 pm, it was still 95 DEGREES! Jack threw up all over our gear and the dog gear. Ewe, thanks JACK! It didn’t help either our thought that it would be cooler in the mountains, it was not even close. It was shady though, so it can only get cooler from here. We cleaned up the puke, filled the camelbacks and Tish tried to put on Jack’s backpack… Well, back to the fit prior to the hiking story, Jack was not very enthused and Tish was running low on patience due to the heat. She said just throw those 10 bottles of water in my pack I will carry them!…. Um, Babe, you hate wearing a backpack, that is ten pounds… Okay, sure no problem. HAHA, I loaded 6 of them in my pack (it has a frame and is made for carrying a load) and 4 in hers. And we headed out, without the dog backpacks. 

We were off to a great start, Tish was on a mission and I was a little nervous for some reason. We hiked about a half-mile at a really fast pace. Tish stopped and was breathing really hard, the smoke made the air really thick. I was worried and asked if she wanted to go back to the car… Yeah, that was a dumb ass question. She said NO and now she was really booking it, with a backpack she never carries, full of dog food, water, and our hammocks. Probably an extra 15 pounds or maybe even 20 I would guess. 

We stopped again and rested at a river we found, oops guess I didn’t need to bring an extra 10 pounds of water for the dogs. But I didn’t know so they had a drink we rested and then a couple carrying only water passed us on the trail. Tish made sure to tell me they only had water in their packs! I laughed. They were not staying the night… HA! She did not think I was funny. At all. She reminded me I wanted to empower women and all I was doing was asking her if she wanted to go back. Yep, she was right… From that moment on, I drove her crazy with you got this, and let’s go! She is so damn determined, she makes me want to be better and do better and I feel so thankful that she is in my life! 

We made it in probably halfway and stopped for the night. We hung out in the hammocks and let the dogs be dogs and explore the mountainside. The river rushing by, we decided one hammock was enough and cuddled up. It was cold up there, with a patch of unmelted snow nearby it had still been hovering in the lower temps. Every time the wind blew my ass would freeze! It was so refreshing! Stars bright and dogs nearby, so peaceful. 

The sunrise was beautiful and after a night under the stars, Tish looked like she stayed at the Ritz hotel! 

We gathered up our stuff and headed down before the heat set back in. Caly played in the one patch of snow in the whole county and we were off. What an amazing trip! 

I cannot wait to go back and hike it again. We will make the top this year, along with all the other amazing goals we have to hit. Living life doitoutside and killing it every day!

PS I can only get better at this damn blog thing… thanks for reading and bear with me as I figure out the Blogger platform.
For our survival guide click on the link below…. 

doIToutside 

I’m so happy you’re here! 

MY STORY

Thank you for joining me on my quest to share stories and help women become the best version of themselves they can be! I have had many amazing times and a lot of destructive crazy times in my history! I share these stories with you strong and courageous women, so you know you are NOT alone! You have the power to overcome any obstacle in your way. Even if it is yourself.

Helping you feel like you can own your day, that is why I write, I talk about my stories, from the good the bad, and the really ugly! I have no shame it’s all there.

Change Your Situation

I want anyone to feel they CAN change their situation. At doIToutside we are a culture of support and survival and we push you to find your limits and excel past them. Get out there on the trail, read those crazy stories until you laugh, you cry and you relate them to you. Take them, make them your own and go out there and doIToutside.

Leave comments and your stories. We are here to share and build each other up.

If you ever have any questions, feel free to leave them below or send us an email at info@doitoutsidebook.com and I will be more than happy to help you out.

All the best,

Kristen
doitoutsidebook.com