Highbanking for Gold

August 2018 by Chris Ralph

Pumps can be set up quite a distance away horizontally from the sluice, even hundreds of feet. It will work so long as there is sufficient water at the source where the pump is located. Vertical distance is more of a problem than horizontal distance; 30 to 40 feet is the maximum vertical climb for most pumps.

Cold Alaskan Gold—Part II

October 2012
I decided to focus my attention on some exposed bedrock that was along a little stream only about 100 yards from our cabins. My very first pan full of gravel showed several nice small flakes that were just big enough to be picked up with my fingers. That first pan showed that indeed there was some very nice gold to be had here...

Ancient River Channels of Trinity County

June 2013
Trinity County is located in the far northwest corner of California and stirs up many different memories for those who have been there.

Keep Watch for The Unexpected

May 2019

As I have always done, I stashed those heavy black rocks in my pack and put them in the garden at home. They never were given a second thought until a half decade later…

My Great Nevada Adventure

July 2015

…with renewed determination and a belief in success, I did finally find a nugget. It was there waiting under a bush not 50 feet from my truck.

Ophir—Possibly the Best Kept Secret in Alaska!

November 2013
...I decided to excavate the semi-frozen high-bank that was resting on a soft shale bedrock footing. Within three feet, I encountered an intrusive!

Habits, Procedure, and Where Is The Gold?

August 2016
In my early days of nugget hunting things were fairly simple. Just headphones, a pack, a detector and a small pick were all I needed for my search for great wealth.

Key to Successful Prospecting: Confidence

May 2015
The one undeniable truth in prospecting is that the more time you spend in the field, the more gold you will find. Here are a few keys I use to help build my confidence.

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