How to carry tools when sniping?

[northern_sierras]

Im wondering how you guys who do a lot of sniping carry your tools/gear. I really only carry a hammer, pry tool and snuffer but when swimming around in the river it seems easy to lose. Also, my river has cliffs for banks so you can only get up or down stream by swimming. Since we cover a lot of ground how do you carry food or your pack with you? Is there a backpack designed for this sort of thing?

 

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[russau]

well if you got to swim to get to a location, why not put your stuff into a innertube that has a metal/plastic washtub in it and a rope to tow it behind you.

 

[meMiner]

When in the water, I like everything clipped to me. There are some great ways to attach things at dive shops. I guess you could also stuff into a scuba mesh bag. I hate losing stuff, so like to know all is secure.

 

[fowledup]

Mesh Abalone dive tube with zipper closure. Also has a two pound ball and twenty foot of 1/4" rope to anchor it near me.

 

[Caribou369]

Carrying tools while in the river and bringing your other gear along safe and dry are two entirely different animals!

Dry bags meant for rafting and kayaking are great to keep your food, clothes, etc. So long as you don't have bricks in there, they should float just fine with the trapped air that's in between all your stuff. Just be sure to tie 'em down once you're off on your sniping mission so they don't float...away.

As for carrying tools while floating / swimming, I improvised an auxiliary harness out of paracord, which I like better than any of the geologists' or builders' tool belts on the market. If you aren't handy with knots in string, check out a regular nylon webbing tool belt. You can find them online or at hardware stores.

The washtub or bucket inside an inner tube sounds amusing, it could work all right so long as you don't encounter any rapids!

 

[russau]

I don't swim very well with tools tied on to me! but for tying knots try: Animated Knots by Grog | How to Tie Knots | Fishing, Boating, Climbing, Scouting, Search and Rescue, Household, Decorative, Rope Care,

 

[Hoser John]

I simply strap on a nice big fanny pack to my front and good to go as all my tools fit it and all compartments have zippers so nothing gets lost.Garage sales,swaps,craigslist has a cornucopia of fishermen multi-pocketed belly packs also-John

 

[dave wiseman]

When I did the sniping/ fanning thing back in the late 1970's I used the leg off a pair of old blue jeans cut off at the knee.Sew up the bottom by the cuff and punch holes around the top material..add your old leather shoestring as a drawstring aand your set.For a gold bottle I used a small fat squat pimento bottle with holes punched in the lid so it would sink if swept downstream.Large surgical tweezers with serrated tangs also help.I would also carry a single jack(3lb hammer) and handsteel in the sack,and prybar in my hand.

 

[kayakpat]

I just carry as much as I can in the 5 gal bucket

 

[ohiochris]

I dont swim with tools but I carry them in a backpack on the hike in and out. I tie a rope on my hand dredge/sucker like a sling and carry it on my back.

 

[huntsman53]

I guess the main thing to consider, is safety first! No matter what you use to transport gear while swimming, diving and/or sniping, make sure you have a quick release option in case you get in trouble and you are being pulled under by the weight. While I do very little sniping, I carry most of my' prospecting tools, hammers...chisels...pry bars...hand dredge...shovels,...Gold pans and classifiers in a backpacking Duffle bag, then only take out what I need in the area I am working. I carry my' buckets in hand coming and going but if I need an extra hand, I may tie them to the Duffle bag, especially when empty.


Frank

 

[jog]

Here is how I carry mine.

 

[Reed Lukens]

The washtub or bucket inside an inner tube sounds amusing, it could work all right so long as you don't encounter any rapids!

Actually a tub with a locking lid works really well between 2 innertubes. It can roll over in the rapids and hold all of your food and gear when gone over night. I use to use paracord and innertubes when going out for a day. You just pack everything into the box and tie it between the tubes. Then tie it off or put it on shore when you have found the place to work. The dry bags work great with them also It was a funny look when I was on the river with the raft tied to me with paracord along with all of the food, drinks and gear on an overnight float trip sniping down the river.

 

[NeoTokyo]

I have a Jansport hiking backpack that I don't care if I get wet.
When it eventually fails on me, Jansport will replace it free.
It even has a camelback but being snipers we don't need that unless we are hiking in.

My BASIC tools that are always with me, Estwing Geo Hammer - Mask and Snorkel - Harbor Freight rubberized gloves - My Custom snuffer bottles.
90+% of the time, that is all that I need.

 

[SunshineMiner]

Wrong kind of sniping you silly goose you. I like it.

 

[Underburden]

NeoTokyo...How about we get a look at your custom sucker bottles......please
Bob

 

[NeoTokyo]

Jog that picture is kinda small but that looks like a Mosin Nagant on his back.

 

[NeoTokyo]

Underburden, soon enough >:]
You guys (probably) wont be able to find the same tube that I use though.
I am trying to turn on a profit on these after all, all be it a spall profit do to the cost of the tube.

 

[hey_ad_man]

I use a camelback.. just take out the bladder. Leaves me two large pockets and three smaller ones, then strap it to my front