Quarry Mud and Safety

[Combustible_Water]

Hello all, I'm new around here and wanted to ask a few questions about staying safe when sinking into quarry mud. I have tried sinking in mud quite a few times now, and I really enjoy it! The mud I have found and sunk into has mainly consisted of lake recesses and a few streams. I think the type of mud has mostly been a red clay sand mix. (Tons of sticks and grainy sand) My only problem is that all the places I find feel super public, and being close to the road stresses me out. I've started to get tired of scratching up my legs, so I wanted to try something creamy and sticky with nothing in it that gets past my waist.

So, I scouted a few quarries and after checking out a few, most were inaccessible from what I could see, except for one. This quarry has an amazing spot that I think should work really well, I think that area might not be in use too. But since I am new to quarries I have some concerns. As annoying as it was, I couldn't find a stick to gauge the depth because I was worried about being seen. (I didn't have the best parking spot, and I think they might still have been open). So that's issue one. Secondly, for the very brief amount of time I stepped in with my shoes I stood there for a second to catch my breath then tried to climb the brim nearby to get out and that stuff had some insane suction, and that was just the surface level stuff. I wanted to know if that could be a possible problem when trying to sink in it.

Let me describe the pit too to give a little more details too because I don't have any photos (whoops). I wasn't able to get a stick to gauge the depth because there weren't too many nearby in the more private section of the quarry. So instead, I used stones at the top of the berm to test consistency and thickness. I threw one into the thicker part, and the rock stayed at the surface, while the other one made a plop, splashed, and went under. There is a massive amount of silt (I think that's what it is, not too sure about terminology yet. It was white and looked sandy but was soft like clay when stepping on dryer stuff.) to the right of the pit, and it seems like the pit is a collection of runoff from that giant mound. There is 4 sections to the pit. First, is the dried crust stuff at the front of it. Second is a thicker, clay-looking section (the part where I mentioned my shoes). Third is a more watery section that seemed more liquidly. (I knew this from the stones). Fourth Is a small puddle of water, Its not very deep and from what I could tell and it was pretty dirty but I'm not too picky. I do have concerns about if it would be safe to even enter that section of the mud to clean up though. I have ideas for an alternative cleanup I saw online; more on that in a second.

All in all, I am very excited to try out this mud, but I want to be as safe as possible. I don't sink with clothes on besides a suit or underwear, so I am not concerned about boot suction. I will have a rope, but I am worried about where I could tie it, from what I remember I don't think I saw anything, although I wasn't looking for that at the time. (It has knots tied on it so I should be able to grip it) Also, I would really like proper tips on how to get unstuck from the quarry mud because I have heard the suction is crazy. I think I want to do another scout at some point this week so I can get pictures, test the depth with a stick, and to send here to help with context. (Probably Tomorrow or Wednesday, so I will reply here with photos if I do go.)

My goal is to try and get out there this weekend at night, as it might rain and it will be closed. Also real quick too, would rain even be a good idea? But if I can't get out there for a second site visit, I might hold off. As for that alternative cleaning method, I found this website that talks about a way to wash off without getting in water, and I want to try it. Has anyone seen it or tried this method, and do you know if it's effective?
(Link: https://www.spotlesssploshing.com/post/ ... n-clean-up)
I am bring everything listed in the mud kit on the website and I will probably bring more washing water and towels, as I have heard and seen that this stuff is pretty sticky.

Thank you for any replies, I really appreciate them! I hope to get to know ya'll better!

[dlodoski]

I'm sure that some good advice is forthcoming, but it's probably a good time to point out that;

Quicksandfans does not condone or encourage illegal or unsafe behavior.

In other words, trespass and solo adventures are both not recommended.

[Fred588]

I share Dave's misgivings. I have had one guest here at my Studio who got stuck at a quarry and had to be rescued. That person also had to pay a substantial fine in addition to the rescue costs.

[Mynock]

Tell a trusted friend or family member where you're going (you can use hiking as an excuse) And give them a firm deadline of when you will be back in touch, and if you are not to call emergency services. The consequences of needing a rescue can be serious but at least you'll (hopefully) be alive to face them.

On the subject of ropes.....they are not a "Get Out Of Mud Free" card. They can provide a solid anchor point to work yourself free, but you won't be able to just, like, pull yourself hand over hand to safety. Clay and silt mud like you're describing have an incredible amount of suction.

Assume the depth to be bottomless, at least as far as you're concerned. I've seen the settling ponds I play in when they were totaly dredged out, the holes left behind were 20 feet deep.

[mudxdresser]

Two items of concern draw my attention. The first is that doing mud at a quarry at night is inherently more dangerous, especially if you are not familiar with how the quarry settling pond operation is set up. Some settling ponds have very dangerous drain sumps. There are sometimes holes and unstable ground that are much more difficult to see at night.

Most quarries are closed on Sundays. It is better to go during the day if that is the case. If this one operates on Sundays, note that there will often be a maintenance crew there at night.

You mention that some of the mud has a sandy look. Clay is fun to play in whereas sand is not as it is abrasive to the skin. Keep in mind that the presence of any sand could mean there is quicksand present and can lock your foot in an instant. Quicksand under the only few inches of wash up water available is common. With experience you can learn to wash up by lying down and train yourself to sit down when your feet detect quicksand, however, that experience is purchased for the price of having survived the learning curve, which is a good reason to have a friend along, even one that doesn't do mud.

Two good items to have with you when learning the mud at a given quarry are a small unbendable garden trowel and something like a board with a flat surface that can be used to spread your weight on to pull yourself up with.