Stories, tips & tricks
Dry Washing to Capture Fine Gold
November 2013
There may be lots of smaller gold I cannot hear with a detector, but it looks just fine in my pan once it is out of the crevice.
There may be lots of smaller gold I cannot hear with a detector, but it looks just fine in my pan once it is out of the crevice.
Are There Any Good Prospects Left?
November 2013
This type of thinking will get you discouraged pretty fast, and soon all of your mining equipment will be found gathering dust in your garage.
This type of thinking will get you discouraged pretty fast, and soon all of your mining equipment will be found gathering dust in your garage.
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!
...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!
Southern Oregon's Illinois River—A Lesson in Sharing
November 2013
Our theory was that a dredge would collect far more material in a shorter period of time, leaving us with ounces of gold every day.
Our theory was that a dredge would collect far more material in a shorter period of time, leaving us with ounces of gold every day.
Using Sucker Guns to Find Gold
November 2013
...if you have a good, rich spot, hand-operated systems can produce some decent gold.
...if you have a good, rich spot, hand-operated systems can produce some decent gold.
Making Adjustments to Catch Fine Gold
November 2013
This fine gold that is so common is probably the most notorious for eluding our riffles and mattings.
This fine gold that is so common is probably the most notorious for eluding our riffles and mattings.
The Subsurface Suction Dredge
November 2013
The problems of the submersible dredge tube are addressed by the subsurface dredge, where the enclosed sluice recovery tube is suspended from a flotation assembly...
The problems of the submersible dredge tube are addressed by the subsurface dredge, where the enclosed sluice recovery tube is suspended from a flotation assembly...
A Few Thoughts About Successful Nugget Hunting
November 2013
...I got the faintest of rises in the threshold. It was hardly a signal at all, and I thought it was one of the many, deep, hot rocks in the area.
...I got the faintest of rises in the threshold. It was hardly a signal at all, and I thought it was one of the many, deep, hot rocks in the area.
A Few Pointers About Cracks and Crevices
October 2013
Because these crevices catch and hold gold so well, it's worthwhile to learn how they form, which ones are good for catching gold and which ones are not.
Because these crevices catch and hold gold so well, it's worthwhile to learn how they form, which ones are good for catching gold and which ones are not.
Hunting for Gold in the Quartzsite Area of Western Arizona
October 2013
Winters are a great time to explore the hills in the area of the Middle Camp, Oro Fino and La Cholla placers on the southern flank of the Dome Rock Mountains.
Winters are a great time to explore the hills in the area of the Middle Camp, Oro Fino and La Cholla placers on the southern flank of the Dome Rock Mountains.
The Madonna Nugget
October 2013
It was down deeper than I expected for surface trash. It wasn't until I was down six inches that the target screamed from my scoop.
It was down deeper than I expected for surface trash. It wasn't until I was down six inches that the target screamed from my scoop.
Research and Fieldwork Yield Some Promising Gold
October 2013
A week later, a small team of us hit it again, and this time the gold really showed up.
A week later, a small team of us hit it again, and this time the gold really showed up.
The Alaska Highway and Beyond
October 2013
My first clean-up showed that my efforts were not in vain. There was considerable color with some good-sized nuggets in the riffle trap.
My first clean-up showed that my efforts were not in vain. There was considerable color with some good-sized nuggets in the riffle trap.
It's Hard to Find Gold!
October 2013
...even the best prospectors have times when they do not find gold. It is all about taking chances against tough odds and succeeding.
...even the best prospectors have times when they do not find gold. It is all about taking chances against tough odds and succeeding.
Highbanking at the 144
October 2013
My third sample location proved to be my last and most interesting. I needed to look no further.
My third sample location proved to be my last and most interesting. I needed to look no further.
Potential Gold at Old Hydraulic Sites
October 2013
So why would a modern-day prospector want to learn about a method of mining that was banned by the courts more than a century ago?
So why would a modern-day prospector want to learn about a method of mining that was banned by the courts more than a century ago?
California State Panning Championships—Foresthill, CA Heritage Celebration
October 2013
Here's the kicker—for every lost flake there was a five minute penalty added to the time. Lost gold generally meant you didn't make it past the preliminaries.
Here's the kicker—for every lost flake there was a five minute penalty added to the time. Lost gold generally meant you didn't make it past the preliminaries.
Prospecting Tales: Forest Service, Fires and Bears—Oh My!
October 2013
I woke up on Sunday morning, August 10, to heavy smoke. I saw where it was coming from, but it seemed like it was a long way off so I thought I was okay for the time being.
I woke up on Sunday morning, August 10, to heavy smoke. I saw where it was coming from, but it seemed like it was a long way off so I thought I was okay for the time being.
What, Where and How for the New Prospector
September 2013
How to go about the entire process of prospecting is a big question. The answer comes down to research and preparation.
How to go about the entire process of prospecting is a big question. The answer comes down to research and preparation.
Proper Spacing of Placer Sample Sites
September 2013
The zone of influence of each sample must be carefully considered when deciding how far sample sites should be spaced from each other.
The zone of influence of each sample must be carefully considered when deciding how far sample sites should be spaced from each other.
