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GaryM
12-01-2018, 21:08
I recently learned of the gemstone rich areas along the trail in NC and have a wild idea for a bit of added fun and adventure while passing through. I do enjoy a bit of night hiking so I want to bring a UV flashlight and shine it around as I cover the miles. The odds of finding anything are very slim but what the heck.
Has anyone here done anything like this? Any comments, ideas or helpful hints??

Slo-go'en
12-01-2018, 23:03
I kind of doubt you'd see much along the trail. It's mostly dirt and vegitation up to Virginia. Not much for exposed rock which might have something of interesting in it. Occasional ledges or broken up generic rock. Your best bet is to examine streams. I saw some (very small) shiny red garnets in the stream at the Groundhog shelter just into NC. It might be fun to have a uV light if you see something which looks worth examing. Just shining it around at random as you hike probably isn't going to be worth the trouble and would just slow you down even more then night hiking already does. As you say, the odds are pretty slim.

Traveler
12-02-2018, 08:40
You can purchase UV lights on Amazon for around $10.00, though spotting gems on the trail itself may not happen too often. You will see some interesting things though, some insects like scorpions for example will fluoresce with startling brilliance.

TexasBob
12-02-2018, 09:39
I got one of these a few years ago for another purpose. It is not bright enough though for what you want.

https://www.photonlight.com/led-flashlights/specialty-uv-ultraviolet-blacklight-led-flashlights/

Puddlefish
12-02-2018, 10:25
I rather hope this isn't effective and never becomes a thing. While an amusing concept for a single human for a single night, there are far too many hikers on the trail to encourage any kind of anti Leave No Trace behavior by anyone.

zelph
12-02-2018, 10:27
Get one of these monsters and hike all night :-)

HQRP Professional Gemstone and Mineral Inspection / Identification 380 nM 21 UV LED Ultraviolet Flashlight / Blacklight + HQRP UV Meter

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Tcu5l2ZFL._SX342_.jpg
or even bigger ones

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61VlqKIOjDL._SX425_.jpg

Speakeasy TN
12-04-2018, 17:08
Franklin is a fantastic area to explore while you are down this way but just cut yourself a few days to hang around rather than carry extra with you. Plenty of hounds have extra equipment to dig with you!

bighammer
12-05-2018, 11:48
Might have better luck on the North Country Trail. ;)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2018/09/17/michigan-man-discovers-strange-glowing-rocks-in-the-upper-peninsula/#7b2d8b3323ff

Starchild
12-05-2018, 11:53
Do it, it's something you will not regret. Talking about it, however, you may regret.

GankenBerry
12-06-2018, 17:53
i didn't know this was a thing and now i'm all about it!