Post date: Oct 13, 2016 8:34:23 PM
An enjoyable day of rock hounding can quickly turn into a high adrenaline adventure. This can be especially true if any loose rocks on cliffs or slopes above an area you are hounding happen to pick the time of your visit to come down!
While it is uncommon to catch a rock slide on video, we happened to have a camera recording when this boulder, which was much larger than an old big block V-8 engine, succumb to Mother Nature's desire to reside at the bottom of the hill, rather than its present location.
Luckily, we were just above the boulder in the following video when it relocated! We didn't think it would travel very far, but once it started tumbling downhill, we realized it wasn't going to stop until it got to the bottom. It is chilling to think that we were minutes from heading down into the area this massive boulder traversed and eventually came to a rest.
Many sites we visit on our rock hounding expeditions can be quite desolate, with no one else for miles around, and zero chance of cell phone service. We are totally on our own should an emergency arise or become stranded, due to storms creating high rivers that we cannot cross safely. Somehow, it usually seems that the more desirable the material or specimens we are looking for, the more remote and hazardous the area is!
So, just a word to the wise, always be aware of your surroundings for any potential dangers. Events, such as a sudden, unexpected change in the weather, an unpredictable rock movement, or an untimely meeting with certain members of the local animal population, may all have the potential to ruin a perfectly good day of rock hounding!
I only ask that you be careful and mindful of your surroundings on your adventures. The rewards of a good rock hounding trip may be great, but keep in mind that Murphy may just be waiting around the next bend!