HI everybody!

[Mike369]

I'm new to the forum and am excited to explore this site. I am fairly new to mine exploration but have been an novice explorer for a while. I am really excited about getting into this and seeing some neat mines. The only real question I have is what kind of helmet should I get? Anyways, it is going to be fun to meet everybody and to start going out with you guys.

[btay801]

I just have the $6 helmet i bought at the Army/Navy Surplus store and it works fine for now! And it is a good platform to drill holes in to mount lights on until you get the funds to buy a climbing helmet.

I have been meeting up with Mojave Underground for 2 years now and absolutely love every trip. The leadership team (Stu, Crystal, Miah, Mike, Jeff and Shawn.) are very knowledgeable and fun to hang out with. You found the right site!!! WELCOME.

[Joanne]

Before I bought a climbing helmet, I was using a bicycle helmet with a Princeton Tec Fuel headlamp mounted on it. It worked find although I have to admit that it looked a bit goofy. I keep it around as an extra when someone wants to join me but doesn't have their own helmet. If you are going to get serious about exploration I would suggest a climbing helmet. If money is tight you might be able to find a skateboarding helmet at a yard sale. They have impact resistance and are generally closer fitting than the bike helmets.

After having used my Princeton Tec Apex headlamp for a while now, I'm really pleased with it. It has two modes, spot and flood. Each of the modes has high and low power settings.

Joanne

[ExpUt]

Welcome to the forum!

[Mike369]

So I decided that I am going to get a skatboard helemt for $20. It is hard plastic with a foam liner that should be comfortable to wear for a while. Also I think the pastic will hold up to gluing or drilling, at least until I can get a better climbing or mining helmet. Now what is a decent light to get?

[Joanne]

Now what is a decent light to get?

There are lots of options available on the market right now. A lot of it depends on how much you want to spend. My original headlamp was a Princeton Tec FUEL. It worked well and was priced right. It isn't a flame-thrower, but it puts out adequate light. Of course you'll want a back up light or two. Once you get past the entrance of a mine, your light becomes a life support device. Without a light your chance of getting out of mine alive would decrease dramatically. My own opinion is that you don't have to spend a lot of money, but the light(s) you purchase should be of good quality.

I have a primary headlamp and backup light mounted on my helmet, and carry a hand held too. Look at the various photos posted on this forum and you will see a lot of different configurations.

Joanne

[ghostshot]

Welcome Mike369! This is a great site!

Does a hard hat qualify...anyone?

[Jeff]

Welcome to MU.

Yes a hard hat does qualify however a helmet or hard hat with a chin strap is preferred.

[ghostshot]

Jeff,thank you for your reply.

[Jeff]

Sure No problem.

[Mike369]

So I have been using a $15 skatboard helmet. It is great because it is easily modifiable and has enough padding so that when I nail my head it doesn't put me down and out.

[Stuart]

Welcome to the site Mike!

I'd say that a skateboard helmet is a step above a hardhat because it has a chinstrap, but I think eventually the extra weight will make you want to go with a climbing helmet. The base weight of a helmet becomes very important when you start to add lights.