Introduction: Campsite Rock Sculpture
Balancing rocks at your campsite can be both decorative and therapeutic...and just about anyone can do it!
CAUTION!!! Snakes like to live in and around rocks! Be VERY careful not to stir up something nasty! (yellow jackets and black widow spiders like rocks, too!)
CAUTION!!! Falling rocks can crush your toes! Be careful!!!
Please remember to 'Leave No Trace'! Take down your scupture when you depart public areas!
Step 1: How to Balance Rocks
An object will balance when its center of gravity (the place where all of its mass, on the average, resides) is over the point of support. The larger the base, the more stable the object is.
Find rocks that look like they’d be difficult to balance…or pick easier rocks to stack…the challenge is all yours!
For a full mathematical explanation
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/cm.html
Step 2: Size Doesn't Matter
Small rocks are fun to balance, too and can be a real challenge!
Step 3: Strong Base!
A good supporting base is important. Place your rock on a flat surface...or in a niche
Step 4: Extra Help
Sand beneath the base can sometimes be used to steady it.
Step 5: Extra, Extra Help
or a 'cheater' rock
Step 6: Steady Hands!
Support your base rock and 'feel' its center...you may need to add rocks in order to find good balance.
Step 7: Photograph
Be as creative as you can and make some fun images!
Step 8: Leave No Trace!!!
When you leave a public camp area, be sure to take down your sculpture and scatter the rocks 'naturally'!
Participated in the
Green Living & Technology Challenge
Participated in the
Summer Camping Challenge
11 Comments
5 years ago
Just leave the rocks alone in ANY park. Do this in your own back yard.
9 years ago
Not to be rude or anything but why do you say to scatter the rocks after?
9 years ago on Introduction
I was doing something similar today and yesterday, hikers loved it.
10 years ago on Step 8
Really happy to see this as the last step. As a avid hiked and trail crew leader I just hate finding things like this when I'm out backpacking or working. Kudos to you sir, for a nice guide and following "leave no trace" standards!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Not only LNT, but cairns are often used to mark trails, sometimes rerouting an existing trail from a dangerous spot, or to mark a trail whose markers are missing or covered over. So, take nothing but memories (or pix,) leave nothing but footprints.
10 years ago on Introduction
One of my favorite artists, Andrew Goldsworthy, works entirely with natural materials found outdoors. This makes me think of his stuff.
10 years ago on Introduction
A bit ago when I was at a festival, I met this lady at the river there and she showed me how to do this. I think it is really cool and now and again I try to balance random objects, like my calculator. Here are some ones I made from broken concrete pieces at the beach near where I live.
10 years ago on Introduction
Like a natural Jenga.So clever.
11 years ago on Introduction
wakarusa waterfall? if anyone goes there, head to the waterfall for the rock stacking championships, huge stone cities built in the creek bed every fest!
11 years ago on Introduction
In Utah there are hundreds of these on one trail at brice canyon
11 years ago on Introduction
Fun idea!