Cold weather prospecting...

[BurntBear]

As winter nears us once again, many people are probably hanging their prospecting hat for the cold months. I still enjoy prospecting in the cold weather and feel that it actually give us opportunities as well. Different water levels is obviously one advantage for certain types of prospecting. Do any of you prospect in the winter months? If so, what tips & techniques do you have to stay dry and warm in the water? I find it easier to spot gemstones in the cold months. The water is cleaner in winter & the light from the sun is better as well. -Luke

 

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[TheGoldProspector]

Indeed..
and in less than 48 hours, I hope to have a Very heavy pan..in Very Cold Waters

 

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[BurntBear]

Can't wait to see!

What is everyone doing with their heavy minerals and gemstones? Garnet frequently ends up with our heavies; as does corundum. I just started saving the under-sized ones in little vials.

 

[TravyLeigh]

Yep but it's warm here in CA still. Had some snow two weekends ago at a spot my friend and I went to, then it was like 76 degrees yesterday!

 

[russau]

Depends; where you planning to try it out? Missouri/Mississippi rivers? Or points further west?

Maybe both! Both rivers are close to me and theres a big sand bar on the Mississippi River that's got to have fine gold in it. Just across the River on the St.Louis side a friend of mine was working on a construction job and they dug big some big holes for foundations to tie up barges to. he grabbed some material from that mixture and panned it out when he got home and found enough gold to get excited about. he gathered up all the 5 gallon buckets he could find for the next morning ,BUT he was to late! they already started dumping concret into the hole.

 

[Nugs Bunny]

Winter Prospecting

Prospecting in the late Fall, Winter and early Spring is about all I get time for.

There are a lot of perks that come with Winter prospecting IMHO, at least here in the East. Higher water let's me work areas that are off limits in the Summer, I have the ENTIRE claim to myself, no skeeters, first take at the new flood gold plus the cold weather keeps me moving lol!

I wear chest waders over insulated coveralls with a few hooded sweatshirts underneath. Cheap jersey gloves under rubber gloves work good for highbanking but no so much for dredging. I plan on setting up a hot water system on the dredge exhaust and eventually making one from a camp heater.

I have been out a few times when it was below freezing but it's not worth it here, no chance to profit and plenty of 35° days.

Here are a few videos shot during Winter

 

[TheGoldProspector]

Love the matting

 

[Lanny in AB]

Cold weather? What's that?

All the best,

Lanny

P.S. Just had to add this winter sport while I was at it.

 

[BurntBear]

Thanks for dropping in Lanny!

 

[KevinInColorado]

Yeah Lanny, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

 

[strickman]

I have a hard time in the winter.All the injuries flare Up. Cold hurts. Think i found out the answer.Saw this On You tube. For camp,shower,and dredge.

 

[kikinit247]

The chilly weather we are having has dropped the river nicely. I was out yesterday. Here are a few cold weather prospecting pics.
This bucket was supposed to be thawing the chunks of frozen gravel/sand that screened out, but only did a marginal job.


The gravel bar I was working.


The results from 8 gallons 1/4 classified.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Kikin'...you are a brave soul to be out there in the deep chill, and ya
got some color too..

 

[BurntBear]

Nice! Thanks for sharing! It's been COLD here!

 

[Lanny in AB]

Check out this fantastic winter find!!

They had to drive through a blizzard to get to the place they hunted.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/g...rth-american-placer-freakin-fantastic-20.html

All the best,

Lanny

 

[BurntBear]

Thanks Lanny! WOW!

 

[GoldpannerDave]

Maybe both! Both rivers are close to me and theres a big sand bar on the Mississippi River that's got to have fine gold in it. Just across the River on the St.Louis side a friend of mine was working on a construction job and they dug big some big holes for foundations to tie up barges to. he grabbed some material from that mixture and panned it out when he got home and found enough gold to get excited about. he gathered up all the 5 gallon buckets he could find for the next morning ,BUT he was to late! they already started dumping concret into the hole.

Way too late! That is sad. Hopefully you will be successful with the 2" dredge out there.

 

[IdahoGoldGettR]

Back to the snowy environment I so frequent this time of year - the claim. Though I had worked this particular area several years before, I did recall how shallow the bedrock was and how concentrated the gold seemed to be at the time. "Did I get it all," was the question I asked myself as I re-opened a stretch of iced river. Previously, this section of river was worked in late spring with high rushing water and a possible risk to gold loss. Thinking back, maybe I worked this area too quickly and didn't do a better "clean-up job" as I should have. Well, after 20 minutes of work on this hole, I sure was glad that I took such a risk. Below are the recent photos taken on such an adventure. Last picture is of the total day's clean up.

 

[KevinInColorado]

Tasty gold indeed!

 

[BurntBear]

IGGR,

That is some great color and I don't think you got it all!!!

 

[IdahoGoldGettR]

I don't think you got it all!!!

How true you are BurntBear. It appears there was more gold missed (perhaps replenished) than I had thought. This past Sunday I made another return trip to the claim. I widened the same hole and found a tad bit more color. The following picture is of this Sunday's clean up.




Looking forward to yesterday's (Dec. 23rd) clean up. Quite cold and so my concentrates were brought back home with me last night. Perhaps not as much gold but it looks very promising. I'll post those findings later this week. I love spending the holidays on the river! Merry X-mas everyone.