"Interesting, would be happy to take a look sometime. You sure the garnet is pyrope? Massive Mn garnet is pretty unusual.
Bob"

Garnet was the conclusion of some of the more knowledgable folk at the club because of the hardness and cleavage and red flash. The individual crystals may not be tetrahedrite either. Some appear to be too hard.

Your opinion would be appreciated.

Of course the azurite/malachite/chrysocolla is unmistakable.

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I have linked the pdf to the washington page. you should discuse the particulars on this thread.

~Zeke

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"This is my first post, as a result of my first ever trip. I took my 7 year old daughter with me out to the Hansen Creek site last Sunday (9/27). She has collected rocks (in our yard and everyone else's) since she was about 4. We just started buying actual sought after material earlier this summer and now have about 2 tons or so, but never actually went out and collected the material ourselves.

We are definately rookies, but everyone had a first trip right? I did make 4 screens, and we have small shovels and other tools. We spent about 5 hours and collected almost a lunch sack full (no, that's not what I was using, just a size comparison) of quartz, both individual pieces up to 3 inches long and some in conglomerate chunks.

We had an absolute blast! My daughter wants to be a geologist. I just wanted to thank those on this board who provided us the information we needed, along with Garrett's book and especially the video! I'm not sure if I would have taken my truck over those initial bumps on the lower trail if I hadn't seen it!

I know my days of my daughter digging in the dirt with me are numbered, but I'll take it while I can get it! I think we'll be seeing a lot of Bob next year around here and probably in Canada too.

Thanks again, we're hooked! :)"

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the wiki ... a great source of info, populated by fun folks with a passion just like your daughter's. I decided to be a geologist at age 9, so ya never know. I look forward to seeing you guys on some of our digs!
Bob

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Bob, now that I know that heck ya for sure you need to expose those rats. I can't believe they would try to treat someone like that. What a bunch of BS. I would call the RC Journal and say boy do I have a story for you and let it go from there. :) DB

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For the last few days I have been sending out emails in the hopes that our road trip would not be canceled this year. Just making sure that some of the many gem mines we venture to are going to open.

Here is the latest response from Gem Mountain, Spruce Pine North Carolina.

From: "Gem Mountain" gemmtn@bellsouth.net
To: WizardOfTheStone
Subject: RE: Gem Mountain Information Request
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 09:05:28

Quote

Dear Wizard,

We are open March 1st-December 31st. Our hours are Mon.-Sat. 9-5, then Memorial Day-Labor Day 9-7. We do not charge any admission fees. At the flume line, we sell it to you by the bucket and they are from $20 to $125. They are from a 2 gallon to a 5 gallon size. We normally do not need reservations for the flume line unless you are bringing a large group.

Mine trips to the Brushy Creek Aquamarine Mine are $65 for adults and $30 for children under 12. You need to make a reservation for our mine tours. We will be running the trips Mon.-Sat April thru Oct. weather permitting. Equipment, transportation and a guide are furnished. We leave from Gem Mountain around 10:00am and return around 2:00pm.

You might want to take a small cooler with water and a sandwich that will fit under the van seat. Also, wear comfortable clothes and shoes and maybe a hat. With the mine trip, a reservation is required. With the mine trips, there are dangers. We discourage taking small children due to places that they may fall from, rocks that may overturn, etc.

Also, the guide is not responsible for watching children and you would have to keep your eyes on them at all times. A waiver does have to be signed before anyone goes on the trip, acknowledging that Gem Mountain is not liable for any injuries incurred while on the trip. Whatever you find, you get to keep! We hope you have fun with us!

End Quote

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Years ago I use to hike a lot in the Cascades. Even hikers can have a very adverse affect on established trails. Some people wouldn't stay on the maintain trails, lets say cutting corners on switchbacks, shortcuts etc. Well that gets started, others follow, and then when there is a large rain, erosion starts on the short cut and low and behold it washed out the established trail. Then come the costs for repairs. Well it is easier now days not to fund the repairs and close the trail than it is to keep it open. Man there use to be a lot of forest service maintained trails, not so much any more. Again abuse and being lazy ruined it for us all.

Don, I can sure relate when it comes to the ranchers have more rights for access to public lands just cause they pay $2 a head to range their cattle in SD. That exists everywhere. You walk miles to rock hunt or to enjoy the land and they laugh at you, drive by you “looking for their cattle”. Horses work very well and can have a lot smaller impact on the land. The rights of use should be equal in that manner. The only ones I would agree that would have better access would be law enforcement or the managers of the land. Sometimes they just need to get there quick.

I know I am rambling, sorry, but yes we need to comment on the proposed access and use regulation changes in the National Forests, but we as a group just need to be the best example as we can be. Dang I hate soapboxes.... sorry all.

Commenting should not only be limited to WA state citizens, these are Federal lands and anyone can comment because you are a citizen and part owner of the lands in question. Everyone needs to make their feelings known. One never knows, land in your state may be next.

Paul

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No apologies necessary. I will look forward to Andy's report. Knowing him I think we will get the facts.
Bill

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Thanks Paul...........fun 2 look back :)
I'm wondering if those two .........Yeah U 2 "08"(Tom & Jake) framed there awards yet? OK! OK! so I was a little late getting them to you two. I got mine framed! hehe..lol.. OK Ok so I gave myself an award to. Maybe we should Ante up a Agate for an entry fee? Winner takes all :)

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Thank you Aman,

I very much value your words. Its a shame I have lost hope in our elected officials, and their ability to protect the interests of the people and the values they were elected to uphold, and protect. This country's forefathers got it right and its a shame in the last 50 years or so things have become so curved, slowly but surely the laws and interests of the people have been slanted for a small group of individuals using protectionism as their tools to achieve monopolies on natural resources. It used to be an American could go out and stake a claim, and improve the land they were working, and generate new revenue streams in this country from the earth we came from, and now we are boxed into corners, and told to make something with nothing, and if we cannot do that we need to work for the man;) Who does have rights to work the lands and the ability to generate revenue streams from the earth. Sigh. Its frustrating.

Thanks,

Aaron

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I just read the December RnG.. Don't see it so I assume you meant the January one ..
I bet someone already said that, huh ? :-)

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