Spring Season 2006: Date TBD: Spring Trip to PCS Lee Creek Mine, Aurora, NC. Our club was awarded 20 seats for a trip into the mine on Nov 19th, 2005. If you were able to reserve a seat via the call-in, make sure you show up in the PCS parking lot by 7:30 am. With so many folks going into the mine, occassionally they have to go in on two bus trips. Don't worry though, they hold the first group until everyone has been bused in. The usual Steel toed boots are still an absolute requirement - no exceptions. The mine does require you to wear a hard-hat, so either bring your own, or they will provide one for you. If you bring your own, it cannot be white, this is the color that the guides wear.

As usual, the first few trips into the mine go to Friends of the Museum members. But don't fret about not finding much this late into the season. Keep checking on elasmo.com for weekly trip results. Last year, as the season progressed, they periodically expanded the collecting area. So, even though you may be going in a month after the season starts, you must just be on the weekend when the area is expanded into new territory.

                                   Tips, Rules, & other Information

Steel toed boots are required as well as hard hats (provided by the mine if you do not have one). For directions or other information you can contact David Andersen. Site contains fossils of marine and estuarine life of Miocene-Pliocene age. Collection is by screening or surface examination.

NEW DRESS CODE: The Safety Department has announced that the MSHA is requiring that anyone in the Mine Area wear STEEL TOED SHOES or BOOTS , and SAFETY GLASSES (if you plan on chipping on rocks etc.). The mine will continue to furnish hard hats and the safety glasses, but collectors will have to supply their own steel toed shoes or boots. Full compliance is expected and required.

A valid photo ID may be required, in addition to signing the required waivers for PCS and MGS. You should plan to arrive at the PCS parking lot no later than 7AM the morning of the trip. This should allow ample time for preparation. It will be necessary that each of us follow the rules of the mine explicitly, because if there are any infractions, we may all be permanently expelled. The mine's rules appeal to our common sense, and if you think safety, you won't have any problem. NEVER cross any flag lines and follow all requests from those wearing white helmets! You will be in the mine from 9AM-3PM, and you will not be able to return to your automobile until after 3PM. So dress warmly, wear STEEL TOED shoes and SAFETY GLASSES, bring enough liquid to drink, and you may wish to bring a small lunch. No sleeveless shirts or shorts are allowed. PCS usually supplies hard hats, but if you prefer to bring your own, the color cannot be white. When the school bus drops us off at the mine, remember the location of the bus. You must return to the bus before 3PM to exit. No excuses for lateness. There will probably be a Spot-a-Pot available for your convenience at the point of disembarkation. Let's begin our 11th year with an enjoyable and safe trip to Lee Creek.

DOs and DON'Ts from the old PCS brochure: (See #10 Below)

1. DO plan your trip in advance (this is mostly handled by the club, of course)-- this refers to arranging the dates and numbers of participants.

2. DO bring your own water and food. No potable water is provided in the mine. NO alcoholic beverages allowed.

3. DO bring your own hardhat and safety glasses if you have them. No one will be allowed into the mine without proper safety equipment. PCS Phosphate will have spare hardhats and safety glasses for those who do not have them.

4. DO wear appropriate attire. No shorts or sandals will be permitted while in the mine area.

5. DO bring your own collecting bag or backpack. PCS Phosphate does not furnish collecting equipment or tools.

6. DO work in pairs. For safety purposes, no one is allowed to collect without having a partner to team up with. Use the buddy system when collecting in the mine spoils.

7. DO collect anything you find in the mine spoils. Any fossil you find is fair game for you to collect.

8. DO use caution when hunting for fossils in the spoil areas. Watch out for loose soil and muddy areas.

9. DO NOT expect to drive your personal car into the mine. All access to and from the mine will be on the company bus.

10. DO NOT go outside the designated collecting area. Your coordinator will inform you of the area you are allowed to collect in proir to going into the mine.

11. DO NOT collect in areas near high vertical walls, standing water or loose and unstable spoil. Use common sense.

12. DO NOT pile up rocks and debris near the edge of a bank or hill.

13. DO NOT collect outside the designated area.

14. DO NOT walk on or across exposed power cables and pipelines.

15. DO NOT over exert yourself while collecting. Take your time and slow down to conserve energy. Remember to drink plenty of water and use sunscreen if needed.

16. DO NOT collect alone. If an emergency situation arises, the presence of someone who can help you or summon help is very important.

ONLY persons of 18 years of age are permitted in the mine area to collect.

Due to the rugged terrain in the mine area, only physically fit individuals are encouraged to participate.