Beginner in Alaska

[James/Ouida]

I've never panned before, but 3 years ago, an older fella walked into my work wearing a necklace. A gold one. With an oblong nugget for a pendant about the size of a half-dollar. Of course, I asked him where he got beautiful thing...with a grunt and nod in a VERY general direction, he said "about a weeks hike thattaway.". Hello gold fever. I live in south east Alaska, and I've been doing reaserch on how to, and where to. I've reaserched (on paper)several 100yr old local claims, and laws on when, where, and how much I can pan. Even how long I can set up camp. Problem is, locals dontreally like sharing where they got their gold. I'm not offended, just wondering where to really start. Should I just start going out?

[Daedalus]

Well I can tell you that the best thing to do is look at the Claim maps to make sure it is not claimed and then pick a spot to start.
There really is not better place to start than another. Well try to start where gold has been found before.
I found while living here in Alaska that their is gold just about anyplace you look.

No Really , you need to find someone who has done this before and go out with them to learn the ropes . It will save you a lot of time and money .
Also as you may already know there are a few places set aside for you to pan for gold in some area rivers and state parks , that is a good place to go.
But finding someone to go with you the first few times will help get you on your way, but if you can not then start at one of the places like a stated above and you can take your time and learn without being some place you should not be.

I will say one thing it is a lot of fun out looking for gold , you will see some sites that will take your breath away !

[russau]

thats good advice to go with!

[Hoser John]

Join a local yokel smaller Gold Club and prosper. Do not and wallow in newby misery for years. Locals have claims,experience,different equipment to see,club outings,swap meets,demos and lectures and you'll meet some a the craziest SOBs on the planet---tons a au 2 u 2 -John

[James/Ouida]

I've been looking for where claims have already been laid - I don't want to get shot at! I've also been checking out geological maps and surveys done in the local area. I pulled up a map from 1910 outta the library, it had most of the info I needed on old claims. I talked to a buddy of mine that I haven't seen in awhile and he said he'd love to point me in the right direction. He's got years of experience. Ive got a little creek out back I'm going to practice in, and while I've got a few rifles, im looking into buyin a pistol. Black bears here are abundant, and seem to prefer breaking into my BEAR PROOF garbage cans over my neighbors flip lid ones. Thanks fellas!

[Doug Watson]

Like John said, if you have a local club around it'll save you years of trying to learn on your own. Been there done that. Doug.

[James/Ouida]

Gotchya - and I can see why someone needs to show me. Today was my first time out panning and the creek out back seemed ok for practice. I see now why they say it takes awhile to get it down. As I moved from what I thought was a good spot to another, I surveyed the creek, trying to apply knowledge I've only read about. Someone showing, pointing, and demonstrating whoulda helped a bunch. Also, having someone with me might have taken my mind of my fingers, which were slowly beginning to not work, ha! It was nice to see the pan and sand in action. I understand that good panning teq. will lead me to building my first sluice box.

[manorman]

did find any thing in your pan? classify and try to get to hardpack or bedrock.
Mike

[James/Ouida]

I did, actually, but too small to know wether it's gold or not. Now I've got a little sniffer bottle and I vial so I can bring it back and identify it. I also got some great leads today on where to go. Hopefully it's not exaggerated too much! I'm going back out tomorrow, this time with a shovel so I can try and hit bedrock. My little shovel broke - ill be investing into a trench shovel.