got out today.......

[oneguy]

Been holed up in the shack for days waiting out our sub zero/teens weather and was going stir-crazy. Got above 35 today so loaded up Goldzilla and headed up the mountain to claim. Struggled with the GGT set up but kinda got it working so-so and things started moving along. All systems go until I took a tumble in the river and filled my hip boots so emptied those out and got in another 30min until I got real cold so had to cut the day short....lol Didn't do too good...7-8 flakes and 25 or so little colors but I got out!!!!!! Kinda like the GGT and so does my back!!!!

 

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[smokeythecat]

You gotta do what you gotta do. Spring is here in Maryland. There will be a new batch of baby birds soon. The moms and dads are in a frenzy right now. Robins are back, mourning doves are back, the Red Tailed hawk is setting up his or her territory. That thing is one noisy bird! Huge too.

 

[mike(swWash)]

Oh man.....nice lines below the slick plate. Pics of the clean up please

No snow here but, high water and rain are keeping me inside.
I've got to finish this years sluice box creation before the rivers drop

 

[Bodfish Mike]

Nice use of a piece railroad track holding that sluice down. Don't think I would want to carry that around but it looks like you
have the tool for that. Stay warm

 

[Assembler]

Nice use of a piece railroad track holding that sluice down. Don't think I would want to carry that around but it looks like you
have the tool for that. Stay warm

The railroad track will help with the 'Heavy metals'........LOL
Interesting hold down for sure.

 

[smokeythecat]

Yes, the water is high here and cold. No major floods over the winter, however.

 

[63bkpkr]

Well oneguy, that is one heck of a 'red sports car' you have there! how deep of snow will the track layer version get you through? Wet with cold water in 35F temps would see me rolling around in the snow and then get my back side back to the wood fire in the cabin! Be careful of situations like that, be kind to yourself!..................63bkpkr

 

[Aufisher]

Hard earned cold gold is the best!

 

[oneguy]

Thanks guys!!!!

'63.... machine does pretty good and I never worry about not being able to go pretty much anywhere anytime. It does struggle in deep light powder but 90-95 % of the time I go where I want. It's slow and geared low as the small motor has a tuff time turning all that track but it suits my needs fine. This pic is just shy of 7000' and 8-12' snow (hard to judge when that amount)....

Got out again today and fed the GGT for 4 hrs straight and did almost exactly what I did yesterday....7-8 chunkies and 15-20 specs....

 

[Jim in Idaho]

O.G....that makes me cold just looking at the pics...LOL. I can remember my fur-hunting days, and sleeping in an open pickup bed at -20*. Some of the best times of my outdoor life, but I can't do it anymore....LOL. I could still do it at 60, but that was 9 years ago. Glad you got at least a little color for your efforts. Be careful out there.
Jim

 

[oneguy]

O.G....that makes me cold just looking at the pics...LOL. I can remember my fur-hunting days, and sleeping in an open pickup bed at -20*. Some of the best times of my outdoor life, but I can't do it anymore....LOL. I could still do it at 60, but that was 9 years ago. Glad you got at least a little color for your efforts. Be careful out there.
Jim

I also used to trap for many yrs....now I still get out and "trap", using same methods I always used, except now I use trail cams (no more cold hands putting up stinky dead half frozen yotes, animal lives to be "caught" again, and close is good enough as a catch....lol). I also use the machine for this....works great. I hear ya on the getting old crap..... started this prospecting thing way to late!!!! After a heart attack, chemo, and just being wore out, etc. getting wood, prospecting, and just trying to stay active somewhat is getting harder and harder at 64. Cram in all you can while you can because pretty soon you'll just want to sit in that chair!!!!

I said in OP that my back kinda likes the GGT..... well it don't, shoveling is shoveling and last 2 days the bad back caught up with me so I'll be couch bound for a couple days then back out to check some camera traps.

I'll try and get a pic of my 2018, 6 trips total gold so far this yr......not too impressive but I "think" I'm having fun(?)....lol Here's the big take (lmao) for 6 days....

 

[63bkpkr]

Still out there at 69

Well Shucks, that's more gold than you had before you chose to get some more so you are doing just fine.

Yes all that tread contact area sure would make your machines engine grunt, gearing it way down makes a big difference! I had a Rokon once upon a time, the two wheel drive worked well taking the bike up and over 3' high 'stuff' but it was hopeless in mud and I suspect it would not have done well in snow with its 135cc Chrysler marine engine.

Rokon, Circa 1976

This April I turn 74 yrs of age though I'm still not old yet. Keep on keeping on and enjoy yourself out there! I'm looking forward to being "out there" this summer and the high country is finally getting some snow!..............63bkpkr

This is some of the country I explore in, hands/feet/legs and some rope is what is needed to get around out here.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

I also used to trap for many yrs....now I still get out and "trap", using same methods I always used, except now I use trail cams (no more cold hands putting up stinky dead half frozen yotes, animal lives to be "caught" again, and close is good enough as a catch....lol). I also use the machine for this....works great. I hear ya on the getting old crap..... started this prospecting thing way to late!!!! After a heart attack, chemo, and just being wore out, etc. getting wood, prospecting, and just trying to stay active somewhat is getting harder and harder at 64. Cram in all you can while you can because pretty soon you'll just want to sit in that chair!!!!

I said in OP that my back kinda likes the GGT..... well it don't, shoveling is shoveling and last 2 days the bad back caught up with me so I'll be couch bound for a couple days then back out to check some camera traps.

I'll try and get a pic of my 2018, 6 trips total gold so far this yr......not too impressive but I "think" I'm having fun(?)....lol Here's the big take (lmao) for 6 days....

View attachment 1558103

I'd say you're doing well! Wish I had gold that size in my area. What part of Montana do you live in? I graduated from high school at Darby in 1966.
Jim

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Well Shucks, that's more gold than you had before you chose to get some more so you are doing just fine.

Yes all that tread contact area sure would make your machines engine grunt, gearing it way down makes a big difference! I had a Rokon once upon a time, the two wheel drive worked well taking the bike up and over 3' high 'stuff' but it was hopeless in mud and I suspect it would not have done well in snow with its 135cc Chrysler marine engine.

This April I turn 74 yrs of age though I'm still not old yet. Keep on keeping on and enjoy yourself out there! I'm looking forward to being "out there" this summer and the high country is finally getting some snow!..............63bkpkr

I had a Rokon, once, too. Great outfit, but really hard on your back. Never tried it in the snow.
Jim

 

[oneguy]

I'm in NW MT..... I'll be passing thru Darby this summer on one of my bikes with a bud. We'll be heading to Bannack for a couple days, he's never been there, I've been a few times (I'll probably even sneak my small finishing pan and my detecting shovel along just in case? hehe.......)

 

[Arachnofreak]

That looks like a lot of fun man! I have had to break ice to get to panning water before but it's always worth it to me, I get a little gold, a little exercise and a little story to tell. Good stuff man! Love the railroad tie

 

[wizerdgreg]

Well, nice and warm here in St. Augustine Fl... Nice time of the year for some beach hunting..!!