Past Field Trip Details - Willis Mountain Kyanite Mine

Official Field Trip Notice of the Shenandoah Valley Gem and Mineral Society

❖ ❖ ❖
OFFICIAL COMBINED MINERAL COLLECTING FIELD TRIP

THE GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY OF LYNCHBURG, VA INC. (HOST)
AND
THE ROANOKE VALLEY MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY INC. (HOST)

KYANITE MINING CORP. ------- ANNUAL FIELD TRIP

WILLIS MOUNTAIN KYANITE MINE
Note: If the mine is working, we may have to limit our collecting areas

SEPTEMBER 28, 2013
9:00AM to 1 PM

Sign-up is required, email Dean Hostetter: deanboy@ntelos.net

All club field trip leaders send me a list of your total collectors so that I can compile a list and forward to the mine management by 9-26-13. There is a total limit of 100 collectors from all clubs for this event so there should be room for everyone.

SAFETY: Everyone should arrive at the office parking lot between 8:30AM and no later than 8:45AM for the required safety briefing. Each Club field trip leader, or his appointed replacement, will act as safety observer and will be expected to be on the lookout for and correct all safety infractions from any collector. Keep in mind that this site is one of the few that is still open for collecting. Not obeying all the safety rules will cause this site to be closed to all future collecting.

DRIVING FROM THE ROANOKE AND LYNCHBURG AREA: From Roanoke, follow US 460 East to Lynchburg, to the Sheets Station on US 460 and Rt. 811 in New London. Continue on the US 460 East by-pass around Lynchburg thru Appomattox and take Rt. 24 North to the end at US 60 at Mt. Rush. Continue on US 60 East to Sprouses Corner. Turn right on US 15 South and drive 4 miles to Willis Mt. Plant Road. Turn left and stop at the stone mine office and park out of the way as not to block traffic. Allow 1 1/4 minimum hour driving time from New London west of Lynchburg.

GENERAL LOCATION and ASSEMBLY TIME: Everyone will meet at the mine office for sign-in and safety instruction, be there between 8:30 and no later than 8:45am. The mine is located north of Farmville, Va. on Rt. 15 North. Proceed from US 460 North on Rt. 15 for a little over 12 miles to Willis Mt. Plant Rd. The stone mine office on the right. If you approach from Rt. 60 at Sprouses Corner, then go south on Rt. 15 for 4 miles to Willis Mt. Plant Rd. and the office will be on your left. Wait in the parking lot and do not block traffic. Many trucks may be using the road. While you’re waiting, be sure to enjoy the beautiful blue kyanite bolder in the front yard from the old closed Baker Mountain.

COLLECTING: Willis Mountain is what's known as a monadnock. The kyanite exposure resisted weathering and, as the surrounding area was eroded and weathered away, the mountain outcrop was left standing. This is very much like the famous Graves Mountain kyanite mine in Georgia. The center of the mountain has been mostly mined away. We should be able to find plenty of white kyanite blades in the massive kyanite quartzite; pyrite; quartz; hematite with some iridescent, red mica, apatite and possibly some blue kyanite and pale green trolleite. Some of the white kyanite here fluoresces a beautiful light blue as well as some of the quartz.

EQUIPMENT: The standard quarry gear required is hard hats with a mfg. date of 5 years or less, safety glasses, only steel toed boots or very good strong leather boots will be allowed, long pants, gloves, hammer and chisels, wrapping paper, buckets, food and water. If you do not have the required safety equipment, you will not be allowed to enter the quarry. Be prepared for windy, hot or wet weather. We will be on the mountain top and it's always windy. We can drive to the designated collecting area, so hand trucks should not be needed. Bring a camera, as the view is awesome.

--->>>UPDATE!!!!
Hello, All Field Trip Leaders:

I talked to Mike Morris at Willis Mt. and he told me that now, for this trip and all future trips, we all must have two wheel chocks per vehicle to comply with Federal Regulations. They are available many places such as Northern Tool and possibly Lowe's, Home Depot or any store where trailers are sold. I got mine at Walmart in the camping section. They should be at least 1/4th the height of the tire. Most you see on the market are about 6” to 8" tall and are made of plastic or hard rubber. I guess that you could saw out a pair from a scrap 6" X 6" square wood post as well.

Thank you for passing this information along to all your members.
Thank you,
David


David Callahan
The Gem and Mineral Society of Lynchburg, VA. Inc.

AGE LIMIT: There is no age limit, but all children must be signed for and supervised by an adult.

WEATHER: The trip will be canceled in case of hard rain or a thunderstorm. Call Dean to confirm if there are any questions: 540-649-3572

Thanks,
Dean Hostetter
Field Trip Coordinator

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