GoldHunter24k

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  Aurabbit79er

• Feb 7, 2013

Don't give up Hunter. Don't forget I didn't go mining for two years because of the job I was on, and only a couple times a year on the last job I had. when I finally got back out there and start a gold panning again I thought my arm was going to fall off it'd been so long since I panned. Now I have been able to go gold mining at least once a month,and I got my coach asked so I can go gold mining. But of course the world is not perfect, I got registration and insurance and smog to do to it now.

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  GoldHunter24k

• Jan 21, 2013

Hey Rich, sorry i've fallen off the map lately with bills and such and haven't had the time to even think about going prospecting but as soon as things calm down a little bit i am totally up for making a trip to the desert or to EF. My ride is pretty much the same as it was and i haven't been able to fix it yet so any trips out to the mountains are pretty risky with it overheating. That trip in February sounds like fun definitely keep me posted. Glad you got the faithful steed working again. Hunter, out.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Jan 9, 2013

Hi Hunter, I haven't heard from you for a while, I hope you're okay.
The golden rabbit tour is back on the road.
How is your ride doing?
I'm heading out this weekend with my wife in the coach to help a friend take gear out to his new land in the Mojave Desert above Barstow. It's January, the temperatures are cool. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the low 20s, but it should be clear.
Once there we're going to do some dry washing. Pulled it out today, put it all together,and fired it up.
Dennis is my friend out there, he's the one who helped me Weld my exhaust manifold.
So let me know what's going on in your world.
I'm also trying to plan a second desert mining trip with mellow somewhere around the first week in February.
If you are interested in going too let me know.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Jan 1, 2013

Happy New Year to you and yours Gold Hunter 24K.
I hope you find many new riches in 2013.
From the Bowen Clan

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  Aurabbit79er

• Dec 24, 2012

Hey Gold Hunter,
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I know my post can get long some times. It's my daughter's fault, she bought me Dragon speech, it's awesome.
It works just like they said, I talk and it types.
The Golden Rabbit Coach tour update.I have the parts, the broken parts are fixed, and I'm putting it back together now.
It should run smooth and quiet when I'm done.
And just in time too. It's time to smog and register. Figures.

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  GoldHunter24k

• Dec 11, 2012

Awesome. I might be heading back to the narrows to clean up the rest of the hole we dug this weekend but current funds might dictate otherwise. In regards to the miner bullies well I totally agree with you but the regulars are trying to establish a kind of common code and if someone spends a lot of time in a certain area them it's common courtesy to find a different spot to dig especially if there's a significant amount of work done. Helps to protect our own digs as well. If you see a tool or buckets in the hole that mean that it is still being worked on. Its difficult though when someone else brings you to their own area they like to work and then you are kind of expected to follow directions if you want part of the take of that hole. Not something I totally agree with but I understand the reasoning behind it and I would probably want someone digging in a hole i've been working on to do the same I guess. Sending you a pic in your e-mail.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Dec 11, 2012

Well I have removed number four of eight manifold bolts. And it looks like I am on schedule to see my welder friend this Sunday, the 16th.
I knew you would enjoy it up there, it's away from everybody, and yes, the dangers are overrated. I like your new avatar. Girlfriend doesn't have to be happy. She'll cheer up as you bring home more gold. You must always remember that East Fort San Gabriel River is a recreational mining area. No one can claim, the only claims there are 100 years old. Everywhere else is anybody's spot. I hate 2 kinds of people, stupid people, and bullies. And some of those miners are both. My reply to "hay you can't dig their"is"I have permission from the government". And if they come after me, well, they are stupid and now they made a mistake. Chance favors the prepared mind.

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  GoldHunter24k

• Dec 9, 2012

As soon as the water warms up, I want to hit a few cracks in the center of the river where Scott said he doesn't think anyone has hit. My car is on the fritz so the only way I can get there is to get a ride both ways. Stinks that Scott's truck is only a 2 seater. The girlfriend isn't too happy about that either :P Hopefully I can secure some better transportation after the holidays

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  GoldHunter24k

• Dec 9, 2012

We emptied out a HUGE crack and I began to understand what exactly we are looking for and what the objective of the dig was. Most of the gold was on bedrock I think. He mentioned it wasn't as chunky as usual but we found some decent flakage. About a gram I would say but I am still panning the concentrate at the moment. I'll post picks as soon as I'm done but I want to try and minimize the activity over there because the regular miners are quite anal about where you are digging. They seem to feel like the narrows belongs to the ones who have spent the most time there and it can get aggravating at times taking orders. All in all it was fun and I am definitely going back soon.

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  GoldHunter24k

• Dec 9, 2012

Best of luck to you on your truck! Hopefully your friend can help you with that asap. I was able to go out to EF last week and it was quite interesting. That guy Scott offered to pick me up and take me out to his spot about 6.5 miles out. Spooky at night but not all the terrible danger that most make it out to be. I think those are old wives tales to try and keep other miners out. We spent about 2 days digging and a day and a half running material.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Dec 9, 2012

Flash, this is your after Saturday night update. It's now early Sunday morning I've started working on my coach. It's in front of my garage and I'm taking it apart. The crack is extensive on my driver side exhaust manifold. One of my friends said that they will help me welded back together. He's an expert at welding cast-iron. I should be able to have a put back together in just about a week. It's all that I can think about now. After a full inspection I found about half a dozen other minor things on the engine. Two things I've already take care of. Tomorrow I start pulling the manifold off the engine block. I'm also going to replace all my fan belts at the same time. I'm going to share this message with the other guys here too.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Dec 1, 2012

Thanks for the heads up.
I'd like to meet both you and Scott, and mining with 3 is better than 2, But 2 miners can triple what 1 can do.
If you get a good chance to get out for a couple or 3 days and Scott is still in the wind I'm sure we can hit some glory holes.
I added my BountyHunter MD to my pack. It can pick out a 22c casing under 6" with fresh batteries. I can use it in the water as long as I keep the box dry. Oh I added perforated metal to the flare of my A52. I extended it past the 1st riffle. I found some scrap. I have a Shear-Break- Roller combo, and I do sheet-metal fabrication. If I'm not careful I'll end up building something silly that works. I don't have a welder "YET" but a buddy does and I want to make my own Scoop Digger. I have a shovel I can chop up.
So have you figured out my screen name yet?

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  GoldHunter24k

• Nov 29, 2012

NP thanks as well

Sounds like a low spot in the river where the current drops out and the trout can remain buoyant easier. Also sounds like a good spot for gold to drop out too.

Might be heading out next week but i'm not sure yet. It's been pretty hectic on my end and I dont have much time for anything right now.

That Scott guy called me but I missed it so he left a message. I'll be calling him soon and finding out more details. I'll keep you posted.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Nov 28, 2012

Thanks for all the "likes".
That is the first time I've posted the Yosemite Story.
Right where I was diving for gravel there is a foot bridge between 2 campgrounds.
My kids were watching me and there were several trout down there with me. I told the get the poles I had set up that morning for them.
I showed them where to cast and from down stream I watched the the lures come up behind these trout. They were at station keeping over their respective spots on the river bed. This was weird. As the lure approached, the Trout moved to the side and let the lure pass, then returned to the same spot in the river.
Maybe spawning I don't know. Then I noticed no feeling in my hands. That water was frig-in COLD.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Nov 25, 2012

I now use 3" to 2"threaded ABS reducer to 2" threaded PVC connector, to a 2" X 14" PVC pipe.
I made a off set connector and put 2 long screws through it at right angles as a rock jam protector.
Check your email. pics sent.

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  GoldHunter24k

• Nov 24, 2012

Yes I think you posted this once before and thanks! Took me a sec to put it together in my head but I see how it works now and i'm going to build one pretty soon. Do you still use the 1 1/4" attachment or is the 2 1/2" better all around?

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  Aurabbit79er

• Nov 24, 2012

Did I send you this pic of the hand dredge I made?

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  GoldHunter24k

• Nov 21, 2012

Oh Rich, it's a different Scott. This one doesn't go on the forums and I just met him last week in the parking lot. Not the Mellowyellow Scott that you're thinking of.

We talked and walked down to the flats and chatted for a bit. This guy has been ALL over the canyon and I mean ALL over. And he seems to know where the yellow stuff is at. Was talking about serious nuggets. Went up on monday and I think he said he was staying for a week or so. Said he would call when he got back so we'll see what happens.

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  Aurabbit79er

• Nov 21, 2012

Yea sounds good.
I have his email, I'l drop him a note.
I have talked to him about hooking up before.
I've already started planning my pack for a 2 day stay out there.
I haven't ever been that far up.
15 years ago I went to the Bridge to Nowhere and back in one day.
I told myself I would have to stay up there for more than one day if I ever went up again.

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  GoldHunter24k

• Nov 20, 2012

That would be awesome. I'd have to ask Scott first, of course. I think he has gear up there hidden way up so I'll see what he says. I gave him my info. He might not even call me so we'll see heh. But you have to talk to this guy trust me. You would want to plan to go into the narrows on your next trip too hehe. I'll let you know what happens. If not we will go in a week or two anyway. sound good?