You're riding through the Grizzlies, the air is thin, and suddenly you spot something weird etched into a cliffside. It looks like a skyscraper. Or maybe a DNA strand. In 1899? Yeah, Red Dead Redemption 2 loves to mess with your head like that. This isn’t just some random environmental detail Rockstar threw in to fill space; it’s the catalyst for "Geology for Beginners," arguably the strangest side quest in the entire game.
Francis Sinclair is the guy who starts it all. He’s hanging out in a cabin northwest of Strawberry, looking like he stepped straight out of a 1920s Gatsby party. He wants you to find all rock carving locations rdr2 has hidden across the map. Why? He won't really say. But if you want that Old Brass Compass to craft the Raven Claw Talisman—which, by the way, slows down your weapon degradation by 10%—you’re going to have to do some serious climbing.
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Most players give up halfway through. They get distracted by a legendary animal or end up in a shootout in Saint Denis. But honestly, the payoff for this quest is one of the few things in the game that actually hints at time travel. It’s weird. It’s lonely. And finding them all without a guide is basically a nightmare.
The Hunt for All Rock Carving Locations RDR2
Let's get into the actual locations. No fluff.
The first one is usually the easiest if you're already near Strawberry. Head to Owanjila Lake. On the southwestern shore, there’s a carving right on the rocks by the water. It’s accessible, simple, and gives you a taste of what to look for. You’ll see figures that look suspiciously like modern humans. Take a breath. Take a photo (in-game, obviously).
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Moving up into the mountains gets trickier. Near Mount Shann, there’s a carving that requires some careful footwork. You need to head to the peak and look for a path that winds down the southeastern face. If you slip, Arthur or John is going for a long, terminal slide. The carving here features what looks like a solar system. It’s a bit eerie seeing a depiction of the cosmos that looks more like a NASA chart than a 19th-century sketch.
The Heartlands and Beyond
People often miss the one near Dakota River. It’s perched on a high ledge overlooking the water, just north of Valentine. You have to approach from the top of the cliffs and find a small, narrow path that drops down. Most people ride right past it because they’re looking at the horizon instead of the cliff face beneath their boots.
Then there’s the one at Mount Moon. This one is tucked away near the "I" in Ambarino on your map. It’s high up. It’s cold. You’ll probably hear a wolf howling nearby while you’re trying to inspect the rock. The carving here depicts a giant figure, almost like a titan, looming over a city. It’s one of the more detailed pieces in the set.
- Whinyard Strait: Look for the bridge crossing the river. The carving is on the northern side, etched into the rock face near the water.
- Cumberland Forest: This one is located on a cliff edge facing south toward the Dakota River. It’s easy to spot if you’re looking up from the valley floor, but harder to find if you’re riding through the trees above.
- Bacchus Station: Head to the high ground northeast of the station. You’ll have to look down over the edge of the cliffs to find the ledge where the carving sits.
Why Francis Sinclair Matters
Who is this guy? Seriously. If you’ve finished the quest, you know the ending is a total brain-melt. You return to the cabin and Francis is gone, but there’s a woman there with a baby. The baby has the same birthmark as Francis. And the baby is named Francis.
The walls of the cabin are covered in sketches of portals and skyscrapers. It’s pretty clear Francis Sinclair is a time traveler. Rockstar isn't even being subtle about it. By finding all rock carving locations rdr2 players are essentially mapping out his journey through time. It’s a lore-heavy reward for a task that feels like a simple collectible hunt at first.
Some players think it’s a nod to the Epsilon Program from Grand Theft Auto V. The "Kraff" deity they worship is supposed to have a birthmark over his eye. Sound familiar? It’s the same one Francis has. It links the two universes in a way that’s just grounded enough to be possible but weird enough to keep forums buzzing years after the game's release.
Survival Tips for the High Altitudes
Don't go up into the Grizzlies without a warm coat. It sounds like basic advice, but I've seen enough players lose half their health core because they thought Arthur’s summer outfit was "fine" for a blizzard.
Horses are also notoriously stupid on cliffs. If you're hunting for the carvings near Window Rock or Mount Shann, leave your horse on the main trail. Hike the rest of the way. One wrong step and your White Arabian is a pancake at the bottom of a canyon. It’s not worth the risk.
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The Last Few Locations
Don’t forget the carving at Deer Cottage in Roanoke Ridge. It’s on a rock wall just to the north of the cottage. This area is creepy. Between the Murfree Brood and the constant fog, it’s not a place you want to linger. Get the carving and get out.
Lastly, there’s the one near Elysian Pool. It’s hidden on a ledge behind a rocky outcrop on the eastern side of the water. This one is often obscured by shadows, so try to visit during the middle of the day when the light hits the rock face directly.
Making the Most of the Rewards
Once you've mailed all ten locations from a post office, you’ll get an invitation back to the cabin. After the cutscene ends, don’t just leave. Go back inside the cabin.
On the table, you’ll find the Old Brass Compass. This is the key item. Take it to a Fence. You’ll need it, along with a bit of cash, to craft the Raven Claw Talisman. In a game where your guns get dirty and lose stats every time you breathe on them, having a 10% reduction in degradation is a massive quality-of-life upgrade. It means fewer trips to the store for Gun Oil and more time actually playing the game.
The rock carvings are more than just a checklist. They are a window into the weird, supernatural underbelly of Red Dead Redemption 2. Whether it's time travel, aliens, or just a very dedicated artist with a strange vision of the future, these carvings remain one of the most intriguing mysteries in the West.
Actionable Steps for Completion
- Check your Log: Ensure you have "Geology for Beginners" active by visiting the cabin northwest of Strawberry first.
- Post Office Runs: You don't have to find all ten at once. You can mail them in batches. This keeps your inventory clean and ensures you don't lose progress if something glitches.
- The Final Visit: You must wait 24 in-game hours after mailing the tenth location before the "Invitation from Francis Sinclair" arrives at the post office.
- Loot the Cabin: The Brass Compass is the only way to get the Raven Claw Talisman. If you forget to pick it up during the quest's finale, you’ll have to break back into the cabin later.
- Crafting: Visit the Fence in Saint Denis or Rhodes immediately after getting the compass to finish the Talisman.