Treasure Hunt Wilderness Hunt – Color or Camouflage?
I have to admit, I’m not the most outgoing person in the world. I’m not one to walk up and start a conversation, especially with strangers. Nor am I someone who likes people to come up to me and strike up a conversation, although I can be outgoing when that happens. But usually the conversation is not long. When I walk around the “big city”, I go somewhere to do something and “sitting on a park bench and chatting with the locals” is not my thing. Nor do I stand out in a crowd…except for my altitude. I don’t dress to be seen. I don’t act to be noticed. I don’t draw attention to myself on purpose. Not that I mind being seen. I’d just rather ‘be in the background’. Call it the remnants of a shadow life.
A lot of this comes out in me when I work “in the field”. I’m there for a purpose…generally, treasure hunting, metal detecting, or gold panning. When I’m focused on my activities, I don’t want to be approached, especially if I’m wearing headphones (listening to the almost imperceptible tone changes of my metal detector) or working around or under water for gold. I’m not paranoid, but in my experience, not everyone is friendly and well-intentioned. I’m suspicious of people I don’t know approaching me in the middle of nowhere, especially if I’m looking for or digging up valuables and a stranger comes up to me and wants to know what I’m doing. Not that I’m trying to hide either. If I was, I’d go into full “stealth mode” (Whole other topic). So when I’m “out” I dress for success…my kind of success.
I can’t tell you how many times I go out into the woods only to see streams of people walking down the trails dressed like they’re trying to be spotted from outer space. Now, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with wearing neon colors if that’s your thing. If you communicate [some kind of] making a fashion statement is part of your enjoyment of going out in the desert, by all means make it. As a treasure hunter, this carries some inherent risks… especially if you are successful or perceive yourself to be successful in your hunt.
When looking for clothing and equipment for my treasure hunting activities (in all its forms), I have a few basic criteria. First, it must be functional for what it is needed for. Second, it should be “down to earth” or at the very least “non-flashy”. I won’t even consider bright reds, blues, yellows, oranges, lime greens, whatever. I choose to blend in. The camouflage is great. I have a lot of camo “stuff”. But camouflage is optional. Dark blue… OK. Dark orange (like autumn “burnt orange”) – OK. If I’m going to wear it, carry it, or use it, I want it NOT to draw attention…to him or to me.
One of the easiest things to spot is a bright unnatural color on a naturally colored background. Luckily, there’s a great selection of quality apparel and gear that manufacturers make in earth tones…many of which come in bright colors too (if you choose to). Fleece for warmth, Gortex for rain resistance, 400 Denier nylon for durability. They all come in “muted” colors. There are other modern fabric technologies besides these three, many of which are good. But whatever, I choose “low-key.” I encourage you to do the same.
Now for a counter tip. Always… and I mean always… wear something that is bright orange, signal red, or at least “very bright”. Why? If you get hurt. If you get lost. If you’re marking a spot for aircraft or rescue teams, you need to have something they can easily spot. Keep it handy at the bottom of your pack or carry a shortened version in a trunk pocket or pouch on your canteen belt/backpack. But, wear one.
The main intention of going out “into the woods” while looking for treasures is to have a great time. If part of that “great time” is getting people over so you can socialize and do community learning while you work, by all means “Dress for Success.” However, if you’d rather not have crowds around to watch you discover, mining, sluices and finding coins, jewels and gold, then I recommend my “Dress for Success” look. So, here’s to seeing you (or not) on your next treasure hunting adventure!
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