Sort Of A Bust - But Lessons Learned!

[reddesilets]

In the continuing adventures of a noob fossil hunter, I learned some good lessons today, even if my haul is less than mediocre. Though my son was excited for the tiger teeth. I think there is a couple broken makos, a super tiny and broken sand tiger (which broke again when I tried to pick it up later after these pics were taken). The top row - the one on the far left and the one on the far right I have no idea what they are...

Anyhow, I was searching via Google Maps and found a site I thought was promising. I shared it with another local hunter and he advised me he's been there. Said it could be promising and warned that the banks of the creek are very steep. Yeah... they are - nearly vertical! I saw some foot holds where someone else had climbed down about a third of the way down (I'm guessing this is a 12-15 foot bank). So I sat down at the top and slide down carefully until I could get my feet in the footholds. However, when I stood up, the entire side gave way so I slid (more like fell because it was so vertical) until my feet were at the bottom - with my arms stuck in thorny brushes... Yeouch! They still sting (my left arm is pretty torn up with some minor scrapes on both my wrists).

Well I wasn't going to give up, but looking both directions was disheartening. To my left it was pretty over grown. I'm a pretty big girl so trying to navigate all that - in a sandy bottom creek - wasn't too inviting. The other way was completely clear of overgrowth but that sandy bottom went on forever! You could see where other hunters had recently been there, digging into the bank (perhaps that's why what I stood on trying to climb down gave way?) but there was nothing but dirt and clay.

After some of my own test spots into the bank, I gave up and moved downstream a bit, trying to be careful to not sink into the boggy-like conditions (feet and legs got sucked in periodically, but I was able to get out of it). It was getting harder and harder to not sink so I started crawling to better distribute my weight. I finally came to a very small patch of gravel and sand so I found a place to sit without sinking and did some sifting (just a plain kitchen sifter). This is where I found everything photographed here.

So the lesson is - on a vertical climb down... just don't. For me anyway. And I also learned is far better to scout sites while my soon-to-be 9 year old is at school. This would NOT have been a fun trip for him at all.

[DeloiVarden]

Been there, done that...literally . Be careful as there is so much glass, uneven bottoms, and snakes. You will find more, the more effort you apply. I am glad you did not come home empty handed!

[reddesilets]

Thanks. Yes, snakes are something I'm always on the look out for. Until I fell, and on my way back up the bank, I was beating the brush in every direction before proceeding; also kept an eye out for any while I was in the creek. We see glass all the time. I'm truly lucky that the thorn bushes were the only thing that caused injury. It could have been a lot worse. I did enjoy it while I was sitting and sifting through the gravel and sand though. Three vultures flew overhead, and a fourth shortly after. The sounds of them flying is always captivating to me. They were pretty close and I could hear each "whoosh!" of their wings every time they flapped them. Fish were popping up here and there and the dragonflies were out en masse. A couple of dragonfly nymphs even ended up in my sifter a couple times. I just carefully scooped them out and set them back on the sand, watching them instantly bury themselves.

Edited September 3, 2015 by reddesilets

[ynot]

Sounds like quite a trial. But sometimes the hardest place to get has not been picked (as much).

Glad that You found something and suffered no serious harm.

Tony

[ZiggieCie]

At least you have some teeth for your blood, and gained experience.

[reddesilets]

Thanks. Despite the problems getting down, there was clear evidence of recent hunters so unfortunately, it's known and hunted. I need to fan out and look further out... I'm a shy person so getting up the gumption to go out alone and hunt has been another obstacle to overcome but I am definitely getting better at it.

[Auspex]

You collected riches that are now memories which will whisper forever like dragonfly wings.

[reddesilets]

Thx, Auspex

Edited September 4, 2015 by reddesilets

[bbrosen]

I have done that too, literally rolled out of the mire that sucked me in waist deep. I am weird, I actually prefer to hunt alone, Fossil hunting is my escape from work and lifes pressures and problems for awhile. I am in my own dino world and imagine what it was like those many millions of years ago. The North Sulphur River banks are high on both sides , about 20 25 feet, and it can feel quite isolating at times. As much as i like the solitude, once in awhile I get spooked and try not to think about the Big Foot sightings in the area.On a side note, I wear snake Chaps everytime Im in the field, it really gives me piece of mind.

[reddesilets]

I've done that too... Years ago I was just walking down a storm drainage system and I wanted to cross the creek. I saw a sandbar sticking out of the water half way to the other side so dummy me jumped, landing on my right leg - which was immediately swallowed up to the hips. LOL I'm certain if I had landed with both feet instead of just one that it would have been waist deep.

[Seaforth]

I am weird, I actually prefer to hunt alone, Fossil hunting is my escape from work and lifes pressures and problems for awhile. I am in my own dino world and imagine what it was like those many millions of years ago.

My thoughts exactly! I feel best while searching for (Carboniferous) fossils close to my home town as a means of escape the rigors of life on my own

I guess we ALL have stories to tell about injuries sustained while hunting fossils but we still keep on hunting.

I for one have received numerous cuts & bruises and an unvoluntary plunge in a freezing October lake but still, hunting fossils is the most rewarding hobby I have ever had.

[reddesilets]

It really is. And I am enjoying the solitude of being in nature alone. I used to fish but fell out of the habit as life tends to get in the way. Now fossil hunting is starting to become that escape for me.

This is from when my leg was sucked completely in back in '03... LOL

[Seaforth]

Indeed.

Being alone with mother nature is truly wonderfull.

Am hoping to go on another remote fossil dig soon. Last time I went the finds were very minimun indeed but the experience of being in the great outdoors (in France that time) is something I will never forget.

I experienced the same when I was exploring the old battlefields in France (ww1) on a pretty remote spot. Not a single soul seen all day which is something that never happens where I live (Holland)

[reddesilets]

Awesome, Seaforth!

[jcbshark]

Nice finds! It's worth exploring ANY new area that you think might have what you're looking for At the least you find out if it''s worth hitting again and at the worst you're enjoying the outdoors All the best spots I've been fortunate enough to see I've ventured to just to see what's there

[DeloiVarden]

It really is. And I am enjoying the solitude of being in nature alone. I used to fish but fell out of the habit as life tends to get in the way. Now fossil hunting is starting to become that escape for me.

This is from when my leg was sucked completely in back in '03... LOL

I am just encouraged to know there are still people out there willing to put in some of their own sweat and tears. Seems like so many people just want to be told where to go, what to do, etc. There are times that I enjoy some company, but more often than not, it is the experience of hunting and reward of being successful. I believe you learn more by making the connections yourself. It is just a matter of time before we are drooling over all your goodies!

[reddesilets]

LOL Thanks. I hope you are right. I fear the only way to get the drool-worthy finds is to dive. A friend that snorkels even has some issues sometimes... It'll be a while before I can learn to scuba dive though. At any rate, as autumn falls, a few more sites I've driven by will be far more accessible. And I did have a couple of people generously show me their sites as they offered to join with other hunters, but I want to find my own and share with them too.

[RickNC]

There is more there, you just have to find the spot and the technique that works best for that location.

[reddesilets]

If I can get a telescoping ladder and better stuff for digging/sifting I *might* try again, but as a person that, for now, primarily surface hunts, I won't go back. There are creeks that don't turn up a lot or anything at all even though they may look promising. The biggest city in the area that produces the best fossils has outlawed digging altogether, which makes it harder. I want to snorkel the bigger rivers and eventually dive them. That's where the best stuff is right now. Seems everything else has been mostly hunted out. :/ I need to find spots that are further out and more hidden for more successful hunts with my current skill level and tools. I'm in college and will be transferring to the College of Charleston. I hope to take an archaeology class to help me learn more skills.

[Salty]

Yep there are a lot off sites that look "oh so promising".....until you get there! Briars, glass, varmints, .....but fossils! suddenly its all worthwhile! Glad you found something even if it's not a huge mother lode!

[Khyssa]

Your sifter looks like what I use for collecting gravel to take home and sort! I've found that when exploring a new site taking only lite gear with you can work in your favor. It allows you to scout out the area and get to know the terrain without lugging a lot of heavy equipment along. You can always have the larger shovels and sifters waiting in the car if a site looks promising. I'm very much an over packer so I usually bring a little of everything as you never know what you might need. And really you never know when a site will turn out to be productive. A site that produces a wide range of things the first time visited can be a dud the next time as well as vise-versa. At least that's my experience.

I don't know if you've considered them yet but have you thought about getting a pair of water boots? They are very good to have when exploring creeks particularly when there is lots of glass. You can get them at any dive shop.

I'll hunt both alone and with friends although I usually go out with a close friend who is also a fellow fossil hunter. It makes both of our families feel better when we hunt together and really reduces the amount of fussing they do. I'm not exactly the most coordinated of people and my family is well aware of this fact. I have a tendancy to fall off rocks and trip over my own feet but fortunately haven't done any major damage, just a range of scrapes and bruises. Thorns are the worst though as that is almost a guaranteed infection for me. It does make for an amusing time for whoever is with me as I tend to make sqeeking and eeping sounds while stumbling about and tipping over. I have been told that it's a rather hilarious sight to see!

[reddesilets]

I do have a pair of Keen's on order - hopefully they will be delivered today. I have considered boots but like the idea of the Keen's for now. I may change my mind when the weather turns cold. LOL I did wear my "SWAT" style boots to a marsh location on Saturday was was REALLY glad I did! The Keen's would have been fine as well but my son's Croc's would have been lost in the bog for sure. I was basically waist deep in pluff mud! I too am not the most graceful of people; far from it. I have injured myself pretty bad in the past - fell down a flight of stairs permanently damaging some discs in my neck. Then, nearly two years ago, one of my dogs got away from me and I chased after her. I tripped on a root coming up through the road and broke my left knee cap while injuring my other knee, my hands, and my lower back. So far I haven't done any serious damage to myself fossil hunting - give it time though. But the likely inevitability of such event doesn't stop me from living as fully as I can.

[Khyssa]

Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Those sound like very painful injuries! The worst I've had was a herniated disk in my lower back which was caused by my love of rocks and using boulder sized ones to edge all my flowerbeds. Thankfully I didn't have to have surgery but it did take a year to recover from it.

[reddesilets]

I'm glad you didn't need surgery! I've already had surgery on one disc in my neck which was actually easy to recover from. I understand surgery on a disc in the lower back is very hard and difficult to recover from! I hope the issue w/the herniated disc in my lower back doesn't end up needing surgery either. Physical therapy has been sooo important in getting mobile again. If I had not done that earlier this year, there is no way I could hunting fossils at all.