Stories, tips & tricks
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.
Hunches, Choices and Guesses
September 2013
When you approach a location, even if you've been there before, you should consider all the factors and conditions present at the site. This includes both natural and man-made factors.
When you approach a location, even if you've been there before, you should consider all the factors and conditions present at the site. This includes both natural and man-made factors.
12-Year-Old Unearths Large Diamond
September 2013
It is the eighth largest brown diamond to be found and certified by park staff.
It is the eighth largest brown diamond to be found and certified by park staff.
Twenty Minutes on a Five-inch Dredge
September 2013
The first thing I realized was this was not a toy—this thing had power and I needed to really pay attention. I got into position, took a deep breath, and pushed that monster into the hard pack.
The first thing I realized was this was not a toy—this thing had power and I needed to really pay attention. I got into position, took a deep breath, and pushed that monster into the hard pack.
Time for a New Approach: Detecting Float Gold
September 2013
The first pieces found were in a spot that most gold hunters would not even detect, right in the middle of a downslope meadow.
The first pieces found were in a spot that most gold hunters would not even detect, right in the middle of a downslope meadow.
Ask the Experts
August 2013
Q: Will my detector react to fine gold?
Q: Will my detector react to fine gold?
Common Mistakes of the New Detectorist
August 2013
Detecting is not very complicated and the rewards can be tremendous. The difference between success and fruitless toiling can be remedied by a few small adjustments and a whole lot of perseverance.
Detecting is not very complicated and the rewards can be tremendous. The difference between success and fruitless toiling can be remedied by a few small adjustments and a whole lot of perseverance.
Mining for Gemstones and Mineral Specimens
August 2013
It is better in a gem and mineral mining operation that the driller, blaster and mucker be the same person in order to be able to predict placement of the desired mineral enriched pockets.
It is better in a gem and mineral mining operation that the driller, blaster and mucker be the same person in order to be able to predict placement of the desired mineral enriched pockets.
The Essentials of Dry Washing
August 2013
Most dry washers have a feed rate adjustment. It needs to be set so that the material flows evenly over the riffles and does not bury them.
Most dry washers have a feed rate adjustment. It needs to be set so that the material flows evenly over the riffles and does not bury them.
Fortymile, Alaska Prospecting Adventure
August 2013
Some creeks have nuggets, while others, particulary the rivers, nothing but fine gold.
Some creeks have nuggets, while others, particulary the rivers, nothing but fine gold.
Sampling Placer Stockpiles
August 2013
Sampling other people's stockpiles or dumps has some inherent risks that sampling undisturbed ground does not have.
Sampling other people's stockpiles or dumps has some inherent risks that sampling undisturbed ground does not have.
