Last Pan syndrome... does it happen to you?

[CApicker]

Got out late yesterday to the American rivers around Colfax and didn't have time for more than about 3 pans with the crevassing I'm doing before having to head back to Sacramento. Got a little color in the first 2 pans but not what I wanted from this spot. So of course I said to myself;

"Well this will be my last pan"

Now is it only me or does this happen to anyone else I do a quick pan on my way out and Bam! Best pan of the day!

It's happened several times lately to me and my Prospector buddy had it happen to him too; when you are ready to go you finally catch that pay streak...

Any who it wasn't much but I'll post up the shot anyway...

Tell me I'm not alone...

 

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[kyleeskastles]

i havent started panning yet but yup totally sounds like something i would do with it, i know i do this metal detecting. I will say this is my last hole and sure enough i will be there for another 2 hours lol

 

[QNCrazy]

My phrase is "Just one more bucket" and then run 4-5 more.

 

[goldenmojo]

Nice take from the NF. I too am always looking for an extra pan because the next one will always be your best one. That's why I stay away from the slots in Reno.

 

[Prospector70]

My M.O.

Set up, shovel for a few hours, clean up see how im doin, reset, shovel until it's almost dark annnnnd I'm in trouble with the wife... LoL
Just one more shovel.
Just one more bucket.
Just one more pan O Lord. <3

 

[CApicker]

HA HA! I feel better already. Thanks all! I stay away from the casino's for the same reason GoldenMojo.

 

[H&F909ORO]

Your definitely not the only one. The last time I was out prospecting I was filling some dirt in my bucket to take home. I was like one more handful 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,4,4,4,44,4,4,4,4........... Ok I'm done, 1 more..... "Walk away". Yes it's a terrible feeling.

 

[DizzyDigger]

I love going out prospecting new areas with just my pans and a few diggin'
tools. There's no hard labor involved, and ya get to poke around in all kinds
of new spots ya never tried before.

Last pan? Well, that depends on how you define it, 'cause after it's gotten
dark enough I can't see the gold in the last pan on the creek I'll usually
dig a bunch more of the material (if it's gold bearing) and classify it, then
pack that home.

Once the Queen goes off to bed I'll sit in my shop and pan that bucketful
out...so the true last pan could be hours after I've left the creek..

 

[63bkpkr]

In 2010 I hit my first pay streak working it via panning and detecting. Next trip was the same but I decided I needed to do something different as I was moving way too much dirt to keep panning. Next trip I brought in a Keene A series sluice box, the larger one. In all I spent about a month working the spot and when I stopped as the season was ending I knew there was still gold there. It simply was time to stop or, I had too! The take was about a 1/4 oz., was it worth all that time and effort - as an adventure and time out in the hills away from the city, YES!

Don't worry about the last pan issue, just ask my kids about how many times their father said to them "Let's go around one more bend in the river to see if the fish are biting there", it happens in all sorts of things/activities/procurements/life. Enjoy your time out there as that is the best reason to be there in the first place....................63bkpkr (IMHO)

 

[Hefty1]

Nice take from the NF. I too am always looking for an extra pan because the next one will always be your best one. That's why I stay away from the slots in Reno.

My last Slot Machine paid me about 2 1/2 ounces.

 

[goldog]

Happens all the time. You may want to get one of these to find your way out

 

[Jimmydolittle]

Like your headlight. Here in Indiana, we can only prospect between sunrise, and sunset according to the rules, and regs.

Happens all the time. You may want to get one of these to find your way out

View attachment 1037164

 

[KevinInColorado]

Like your headlight. Here in Indiana, we can only prospect between sunrise, and sunset according to the rules, and regs.

Same here when I'm in metro Denver and thus am the guest of the local parks n rec districts. Still I find I must toss my shovel over on the bank to stop, otherwise "just one more" happens over and over

 

[triple d]

I believe its called gold fever.

 

[Scrappy]

I metal detect and often say "one more area". More often than not I score my best coins with either a speck of daylight left or dehydrated/hungry.

I think there's magic in the "fever"

-Lady Liberty is hot stuff...especially on a coin

 

[DDancer]

I'm with Kevin. If I don't toss my shovel or turn off my detector that "Last Pan" is likely to get me stuck right were I am for the night... sans a sleeping bag, dinner or anything good to say about going natural because I ran outta TeePee. And like it or not that last pan is usually the best one... Why? Because I'm finally at the bottom of the hole~~~~

 

[KevinInColorado]

I'm with Kevin. If I don't toss my shovel or turn off my detector that "Last Pan" is likely to get me stuck right were I am for the night... sans a sleeping bag, dinner or anything good to say about going natural because I ran outta TeePee. And like it or not that last pan is usually the best one... Why? Because I'm finally at the bottom of the hole~~~~

Indeed! The elusive bottom of the hole ...just one more shovel worth at the upstream edge (or inside side or ...) of the bottom would be even better if only I had time lol.