Steve, that is an awesome story and very informative. I called Whites and they pretty much told me the exact same thing about each. I just bought 3 used machines today on craigslist: 1- MXT All Pro NIB for $500; 1-MXT 3 yrs old with 950 eclipse and 4x6 shooter for $425; and 1- GMT 1.5 yrs old in pristine condition for $400. We will fly to Anchorage and drive to Fairbanks to fly in to Galena. We will take some boat excursions up and down the Yukon including to one now long gone village where my wife's grandfather built a trading post.
If You are still in Anchorage, I would love to meet you before we head in to the bush and thank you.
My wife was born in L.A. In 1956 to an Athabascan/Italian mother who placed her for adoption and returned to Alaska. We found her just 3 years ago and her father, Joseph Notti was a prospector/businessman during the early gold rush days in the late 1800's and on. Her great-grandfather was Pitka Pavlov who was well known apparently for several early exploits and gold discoveries, but as a native, he was usually cut out or not allowed to own claims so he often worked on the behalf of white bosses. Lots of cool stories are out there that I discovered during the search for her mom and you may already know some of the things and names I have mentioned. When we went to Anchorage in 2011 to meet her mom, I got to hold a 6 oz. nugget when we visited!
