RECOMMENDED TOOLS & SAFETY EQUIPMENT:

Rock chipping hammer
3 lb. sledge/crack hammer
5 lb. sledge/crack hammer
12 lb. sledge hammer
20 lb. sledge hammer

Rock or geo pick
Mattock
Rock chisels, flat and round
Prybar, short and long (4-6 feet)
Short handle hoe
Garden claw
Flat screwdriver
Shovel
Short handle shovel (army style)
5 gal. bucket(s)
Backpack
1/8" sifting screen
1/4" sifting screen
1/2" sifting screen
Specimen containers (tupperware, etc.)

Handtruck
Bungie cords
 Newspaper to wrap specimens
Masking tape to hold loose crystals in matrix
Bug spray (Off, Repel, etc.)
Hard hat


Headlamp, lantern, flashlight
Short wave UV light
Long wave UV light
Work gloves
Heavy boots
Safety glasses or goggles
Long pants
Rubber boots
Waders
Knee pads
Raincoat/Poncho
Change of clothes
Camera
Compass
GPS unit
Maps, guidebook
First aid kit with snake bite kit
Drinking water
Food
Cell phone
Towel/s

Of course you will not need all these tools at every site, a good guidebook will give a list of the tools needed for each location, this is a list of tools and equipment that the beginning rockhound can start collecting as he or she expands their interests in the hobby.

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WINTER CAMPING EQUIPMENT:

Clothing:

Wool pants, wool is a hollow fiber, they will dry fast, won't freeze, and they will keep you warm even when the pants are wet. Jeans will freeze to you when wet.
Rain gear.
Water proof hiking boots.
Jacket.
Extra socks-1 pr.
Extra t-shirt.
Extra underwear.
Hat.
Towel.
Washcloth.

Tent & Sleeping gear:

Tent, three season tent for this area.
Sleeping bag, rated to zero degrees.
Sleeping pad, inflatable, or foam rubber, thermo rest is a good brand.
Pillow case, roll up your jacket at night and put it in the pillow case.

Cooking equipment:

Canteen and cookpot, army issue.
Coffee pot.
Spoon.
Can opener.
Cup.
Propane cook stove.
Food.
Plenty of water, at least 1 gallon for overnight.

Other equipment:

Backpack.
Bugspray.
Newspaper to start fires and wrap specimens.
Matches.
Ziplock bags.
Trash Bags.
Toilet paper.
Camera.
GPS.
Writing paper.
Pen.
Gun.
Extra batteries.
Hunting knife.
Headlamp.
Bucket.
Candle.

Tips:
Put newspaper in boots at night to absorb moisture.
Eat more, bring chili, beans, dry chili, carbohydrate food, drink lots of water.
Keep your canteen in sleeping bag at night and it will not freeze.
Keep clothes you want to wear the next day in sleeping bag and they will be warm in the morning.
Layer your clothing to adjust to changes in temperature.