Looking for an adventure

[Jwoot]

Post 1, I bet everyone knows where this is going :P

First a little about me and why I'm interest in a new adventure, even if it may be a costly one. I am a 27 year old vet who typically works as an NDT contractor. I take long breaks between contracts for international travel, hunting, or just enjoying time back home in West Virginia. So yea I am from WV and while I grew up in the country I understand that it is nothing like Alaska(where I am looking to go). Anyway, It looks like I will be laid off before this summer and instead of heading for Colombia for salsa dancing, Spanish, and culture or Thailand for Muy Thai training I am considering dredging in an Alaskan creek/river. I am well aware that getting rich is a 0% chance and making a nice profit as a noob is about as bad... Hell, I don't even expect to come close to breaking even, paying some expenses while enjoying the adventure would be nice though.

This type of hobby/business is right up my alley, only problem is that I didn't grow up in the culture so I have zero experience. I would like to learn because it seems like something I would enjoy thoroughly. It is too bad I never got orders to Alaska while in the AF, though England was a nice experience. I could try this for the summer and love it and continue it throughout life or maybe just go for a summer adventure and never try it again, who knows. I hate to ask too many broad questions because I know all the information is readily available online or in a book but maybe The forum could greatly reduce the amount of useless or outdated reading I have to do before I get to the good stuff. First I would like to do some general research just to get an idea and see if its even feasible. I really am not sure at what sort of costs are.

To learn some good basics and enjoy a vacation after a year+ of working I would like to go to Dean Race's Camp. I may even stay 2 weeks since the 2nd week is very cheap. I've heard really good things about the camp but since I am currently living in Greenville, SC maybe I could get a mentor around here and skip the camp haha... Who woulda though there was gold here haha

Claims. From the 10-15 or so small claims I've seen online the prices look to be roughly 5-8k(sizes), though I have no idea of the quality or how to find that yet. I am still not even quite sure how the claim situation works. It will obviously require a lot of research(possible lawyer?) if I decide to go through with this. I figure that these online claims are a decent amount above the locally listed... the same way foreign property listed online is. I could be wrong here though

Dredges. A lot would depend on the location of the claim but what would be a good idea for a beginner 4 inch? they look like they are 3-4k Can I even move enough dirt with these? I looked up the amount of dirt I can move with these but its hard to even comprehend it until I have experience.

Lodging. Is throwing a topper on the back of a truck sufficient? What about camping for the majority of the summer? There is no doubt in my mind that I could handle it but I worry a little about bears.

Safety. Not only from wildlife but from people. I'm sure this gold boom/discovery channel attracts its fair share of sketchy people. If I'm sleeping in a truck with a topper is it going to get robbed a couple times in the summer? What if I'm in the bush most the time? That should be better for humans but then what about wildlife?

miscellaneous. I know there are a ton of other miscellaneous costs. suits, food, water, propane, gas, repairs, and probably a ton more that I cant even imagine.

I'm Sure there are 100 things I am missing so please be patient with my ignorance. I'll try not to ask a million questions and just ask for great sources of good information. Hopefully I don't offend anyone who has spend decades gaining experience. I also would not be oppossed to somebody kinda taking me under their wing haha


Thanks, Justin

 

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[Sackett]

You live in Greenville SC so I'd join LDMA and get to prospecting every day off you have at their Oconee Camp, (30-40 miles from you) you will learn tons there from the guys..Then as was stated above I'd go with the Nome trip with LDMA & GPAA this summer. you can go for 1 week or all 8 weeks, there you get adventure, training, guidance, and GOLD....They really take care of their campers, I hope to go in a couple of years....2 weeks with 4x4 ATV is about $3500!!!! That's not bad for what you are getting.... BUT get to Oconee Camp ASAP! Good Luck

 

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[NJnuggetpirate]

id like to go to the GPAA Alaska trip for $132 a month its hard to beat

 

[Jwoot]

Can anyone shed some light on recreational dredge mining permits in Alaska. From the research I've done you do not need them in non anadromous streams. I've also seen in forums that you do need them to dredge at all so I am confused. This seems to make it pretty much impossible to just pack up and head to Alaska for the summer without a property already leased, assuming the permit takes a while to get and you need exact location.

 

[freddielee]

Justin, if you want a real gold prospecting adventure let me know !

 

[TheNewCatfish]

Retired from the fire department in 89' and began prospecting in earnest in 98'. In 15 years, i've travelled to five states in the lower 48. Returning to Rose Creek Arizona this Spring and headed to Medford Oregon in June. I will offer you a couple of nuggets of advise, some negative and some positive. First the negative. There are lots of people out there who are desperate and will take advantage of your lack of experience and seperate you quickly from your money, especially if you advertise you've got money to burn. They'll seed dirt with gold from somewhere else and let you pan it for yourself. Then sell you the worthless claim and their busted equipment. I met one fella who made "fake nuggets" outta flour gold. He'd show them to newbies and indicate where they should dig. Most newbies got exhausted and stopped short of bedrock. Then he'd walk up after they were gone and finish the dig. Pretty ingenious, huh ? So you better develop a strong sense of skepticism before you even get started. Now for the positive. Networking is key to success. There are lots of ole' timers out there who'll show you the ropes and save you alot of money and years of learning the hard way. I recommend a trip to Cache Creek, Colorado. It's a BLM dedicated to recreational prospecting. No charge for camping. The host rents out equipment for 20% of your daily cleanout. So you can try out the stuff first without buying it. Or you can join a team of prospectors who are already set up and looking for more diggers. You'll learn alot about locating gold and processing dirt in a short time. It's a great place to start. You can only learn so much on the internet. To get the most valuable experience, you'll have to get out there and get your hands dirty. Good Luck. FYI. Don't leave your bag of coffee next to the campfire. Bears eat coffee.. and people too !

 

[kazcoro]

With me not knowing anything about AK, I would say that you would be better off learning the equipment first. Buy a dredge, and travel inside the continental US and learn how to use it first. Then, next year, go up to AK a good two months early, and find a place. By that time, you will know how to sample, and use your equipment, and what you are going to need. Get your camper all set up. That way, when you show up, you only need ground. Best to bring a dog with you. It will be able to warn you of other people, and bears.

 

[kazcoro]

A dog is the best alarm system made.

 

[nuggetshooter323]

It's been said twice, but for a noob with zero experience, but has time and money, the GPAA Alaska gold expedition is the best and safest way to get experience in Alaska. You can stay multiple weeks and do dredging one week, spend another week metal detecting, another week high banking or working the trommel operation. You can make a lot of your rookie mistakes there and gain experience in the Alaskan environment. Plus, they have all the support there, so all you have to do is learn.

 

[Frontier 49]

I second that advice the GPPA is a great way to learn and has a diversified progam and you have to get your education..I personally like Nome but there are some people there looking to take all you have..Spend a few days in town and check it out if you want I.can hook you up with some good men and you can.check out there operation...Good luck

 

[Jwoot]

I second that advice the GPPA is a great way to learn and has a diversified progam and you have to get your education..I personally like Nome but there are some people there looking to take all you have..Spend a few days in town and check it out if you want I.can hook you up with some good men and you can.check out there operation...Good luck

I was thinking that applied to everywhere but from what I'm hearing/reading it seems to be more common in nome. its funny but my biggest worry is the 5% of people who are bad apples and looking to steal or scam.

I've got a couple legit people offering to train me with no pay which is probably the best idea outside maybe GPAA. If I could find a reliable partner to share expenses it would be a lot easier but my hard working and trustworthy friends have other things going on.

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

i want to go so bad

 

[Frontier 49]

A couple of questions I have..Have you dredged offshore before and have you been to Nome? If I were you I would go just to check it out and see for yourself..Like last year guys will come things will go wrong and there will lots of equipment for sale..you can put a tent up at "dirtville" you will want to have transportation buying a vechical their is very expensive even a four wheeler remember all equipment has to be flown in or barged in.If you get a partner make sure its someone you can trust no matter what I have seen friendships destroyed by gold fever out of desperation, you must make sure that you have enough money to survive.. I had to invest lots of money in my Edumacation....I wish you all the luck in the world

 

[Jwoot]

A couple of questions I have..Have you dredged offshore before and have you been to Nome? If I were you I would go just to check it out and see for yourself..Like last year guys will come things will go wrong and there will lots of equipment for sale..you can put a tent up at "dirtville" you will want to have transportation buying a vechical their is very expensive even a four wheeler remember all equipment has to be flown in or barged in.If you get a partner make sure its someone you can trust no matter what I have seen friendships destroyed by gold fever out of desperation, you must make sure that you have enough money to survive.. I had to invest lots of money in my Edumacation....I wish you all the luck in the world

I am not looking to dredge offshore in nome... The expenses and logistics for somebody with no experience would be ridiculous there.... more interested in a small 1 man operation in a creek or river... within a couple hours of Fairbanks or Anchorage

 

[NJnuggetpirate]

im the type of person that will be willing to try anything like beiing a crocodile dentist or swimming cross country with whales