Yukon Gold Prospecting Expedition-Equipment Help

[dreamsofgold]

For a few years I have been gathering and accumulating equipment for a serious Yukon prospecting expedition (6 week initial budget) 2-3 man camping crew. I will be driving from south eastern PA up through to Dawson city, 3883 miles, 70+ hr drive time. From there we will make a quick 1 day stop in Alaska just to say we were there. After that we will head south back to the Yukon where I have several good locations in mind to start. The setting will vary from creek prospecting to higher altitude bench locating.

If I have it all together I will plan to leave sometime April 2015. Equipment I already have and questions below.


HAVE



Honda WH20X Pump, 134 gpm, 2" IN/OUT...??What are my dredging limitations & set-up recommendations with this pump?? First time dredger ;-)

Honda 5000 Gas Generator 110/220V

Honda 12V Gas Generator

Chevy Tahoe, (99) 5.7L, 4WD Auto, 3" lift, 18" Tires, GAS GUZZLER.. ??Thinking about a trade in for an older 6 cylinder, manual Jeep. Wrangler or Cherokee Sport??

Trailer 8x12

Powered Sluice, have materials to build whatever size I need. ?? High Banker ?? Limitations with aforementioned pump??

Tools, full set snap-on, welders, mig/tig/stick, plasma cutter, torches, electrical, massive hardware, nuts bolts, pipes fittings, bars, clamps, etc etc etc

10 HP Impact Mill Rock Crusher.. In case need to test any ores along the way :-)

Medical Emergency Supplies, ELT, Walkie Talkies, Back-Up Water Purification, 100 Watt Solar Charger

Firearms, 9mm Carbine Rifle, Mossburg .22 Model 152, Smith&Wesson 32 Cal Revolver.. ??Guess I should trade on of these for a 12 ga. Bear stopper huh?? :-)

Multiple Winches, steel cable, shackles, rope, pulleys, straps, tarps, spare 12V battery..

Gold Pans, Finishing Table, Orange Bowl Separator

Stihl Magnum 066 with brand new commercial 1/2 skip chain and roller bar ;-)

Falcon MD20 Gold Probe

Small 8x36" Low Volume Creek Sluice

Tent

Portable wood stove

Cast Iron Cook Set
Electric High Volume Pool Pump - Extra



Will/Hope To Have

Gas Money

Honda 500 up ATV 4x4

1 Man Gas Post Hole Auger

Towable Backhoe

Jeep Lifted w/lockers, Light Bar, Roof Top Tent

10x12 Canvas Shelter





Feedback Please..

 

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[Oregon Viking]

Least not forget a Bazooka Gold Trap. You need a first gen Cummins. You can get 22 MPG.
Good luck!

 

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[Reed Lukens]

We've used 1 ton Suburbans for years. They're reliable and can be converted to carry the whole crew after everything is unloaded. Plus it can double as a shelter and sleeping area in the rain. Plan on snow like Lanny said. June is the beginning of the rain basically and there will be a lot of it. When living in Anchorage we always told everyone to come from the 3rd week of June to Mid July because that's the window for the best weather. You will be getting lots of rain so if you plan on tents then stick with Alaknak Tents : Cabela's or even better Pacific Yurts ? What is a Yurt? ? Yurt Kits because you are surely underestimating the amount of heavy rain that you will be getting. The gold shows always show the clear weather and that my friend is rare during the monsoon months that we call summer down here mostly August and later and before mid June for heavy rains but there will be quite a few during the short summer. The best part about leaving in April is that you will witness the Spring because of the huge amount of daylight in mid May or so, Spring lasts just a few days... It is quite amazing.

 

[Oakview2]

Lots of good ideas Might check here

CANADIAN GOLD PROSPECTING FORUM - Gold Prospecting Forums - Gold Prospecting Forum

 

[Gare]

You better check the laws !!!!!!! I do not think you can take a pistol into Canada.

 

[afreakofnature]

Yes you need to do a lot more research than you have done before going or you will be dissapointed. First, very restricted on guns, second no sluices in creeks in yukon. You can pump and use a highbaker and discharge in a tailings pond though. No dredgeing without permit, especially in rivers. You have to do 5 grand worth of improvements to your claim and prove it in for each five years or you will lose it. Drilling counts. There is ton more, its not hard, but tedious. I was up there last year and had a blast and learned alot. Everyone is big ops up there, very few if any small guys. They laugh at us actually. Oh and make sure to dig deep. Honestly, if you are coming from PA, I would try to find some pay to play places.

 

[DadOfTwo]

I had a CJ-7 for a while. Wish I still had it. However, it got 13 mpg. Up hill, downhill, in town, highway, towing or un-laden. 13 mpg. Just as well stick with your Tahoe and have more cargo room. Once you outfit that Jeep with lockers and bigger tires, it will probably get the same mileage you are currently getting. Besides, you probably want to think about range more than mpg. The Tahoe with a bigger tank and similar mileage with get you farther afield with fewer jerry cans.

Personally, I'd look into getting an imported Landcruiser diesel in Canada. Canadians can import 15-year-old vehicles, while we can only import 25-year old. Most are imported from Japan. You couldn't bring it back into the US, but maybe store it in Canada until your next trip. Or sell it after the trip. I don't think there is a vehicle in the world more reliable and simple than a Toy diesel.

 

[Bonaro]

you said you don't have a claim but you intended to file one. First of all the yukon has been prospected heavily and all of the rich locations are already under claim. Secondly, all the easy gold is gone and your 2 inch may not be big enough to find much. to be certain you will likely not find enough gold to offset the cost of this trip so don't depend on that. the claim filing process in Canada is probably not an easy one you should be well familiar with that before you leave.
get some experience before you try to have the experience of a lifetime

 

[Vance in AK]

As others have said, no handguns for NON RESIDENTS PERIOD!!!!!
There is no permit you can get that will get them in. There are also restrictions on semi-auto rifles/carbines, especially in "military calibers" & regarding magazine fed, so check on your 9mm.

 

[Argentium]

Sounds to me like you would do well to take an information gathering trip first- before you get all geared up - even if it cost's you
another season to do it . I'm guessing you have a partner , why not go up there say in May or June -confer with all the authorities
over all the legal/permit/claim/equipment type issues . Having done these things you could spend a bit of time test panning to
get an idea of where you may want to claim a site . I think this approach will prepare you to bring in the heavy gear and be
prepared for the realities on location .

 

[dreamsofgold]

Sounds to me like you would do well to take an information gathering trip first- before you get all geared up - even if it cost's you
another season to do it . I'm guessing you have a partner , why not go up there say in May or June -confer with all the authorities
over all the legal/permit/claim/equipment type issues . Having done these things you could spend a bit of time test panning to
get an idea of where you may want to claim a site . I think this approach will prepare you to bring in the heavy gear and be
prepared for the realities on location .

I have done much research pertaining to this subject. Laws are always complicated no matter where you are going but with ten minutes of research I learned that all I need to do is fill out a firearms decleration form ahead of my trip. That document can be found via the Royal Canadian Police or here Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (Form RCMP 5589 / CAFC 909). Im not sure why all the guys above insist on firearms being illegal but that is simply misinformation.

 

[dreamsofgold]

Quite an adventure you're planning....

April seems awful early in the year to be heading that far north.
Springtime generally brings the biggest snows, and it can still
get uber cold that time of year. Plan for it, and be sure you've
got clothing that matches the weather.

A decent vehicle would be the #1 issue on my list. You're going to
be driving over 3800 mi. each way, plus you need that same
vehicle to travel off-highway to your working area.

An older 6 cyl. Jeep might do fine in the field, but it'll beat ya
to death on the road. You also need enough motor in it to
pull that loaded trailer. Canada has some serious grades to
their mountain roads, and a long climb with a trailer will put
a lot of stress on an engine.

How much fuel can the Tahoe hold? Fuel could be an issue if you
are working far from town, or you get delayed by snow, etc. Carry
at least 2 spare tires (mounted), plus at least one full set of chains
(all 4 wheels). A spare battery (charged), spare hoses and belt(s),
and extra anti-freeze. I would bring several 5 gal. cans of gas along,
just in case of emergency.

Dizzy, this trip, even if not a single gram of gold is found is going to be nothing short of epic.
I was leaning towards the very end of April until the wheels are on the highway. Initially I was going to head west then north up into Canada. However after careful consideration and to make the absolute most of the trip I am currently working on a re-route. With a simple online miner saftey test i can obtain a propsectors permit for Ontario which is 14 hr drive from my home state PA. Day 1 drive, set up camp, take a nap, eat breakfast and get right to the hunt. Maybe spend 2-3 days per leg unless something great is found. Ontario is loaded with Silver, Gold, and Gemstone Deposits and its close to home so its worth looking at on the way through. Then once satisfied, we will head west and cut across the Canadian provinces. Just about all of them contain gold, silver and platium, so each leg that we set up camp to rest we will put thought into that location so we can take advantage of any oppertunity to prospect if it exists.

The tahoe will hold 30 Gal and gas prices could not be better for our Journey (if) they hold steady where they are today $2.09 in PA :-)
I have gone over this Vehicle with meticulous care. Headgaskets, Entire Top end refresh & reseal, including ECU, Breaker Box, Intake, coil Etc etc etc this engine will run under water. I have even gone to the extent to build a heavy duty transmission for the trip. The tahoe suspension is slightly lifted 3" and with bigger 18" tires I probably have a lift total of a little over 6". I managed to pick up an older 90's Suzuki King Quad 4x4 ATV with wich. Initially I didnt plan on dragging an ATV but from the research I have been doing this could be the most important tool of all. It will allow us to reach areas that would normally be a 3 day hike just to get to, not to mention having to haul out anything we do find, samples etc.

I use the word (we) but I do not yet have a crew picked out. I have been checking people off the list regularly trying to sift through the week to get to the tough. I am rugged in that I can stand out in the cold all day yet smart enough to make fire using damp wood. I heat my shop using only wood and it's -11 wind chill tonight so i am thotoughly schooled in keeping warm :-) However finding someone rugged as myself who I feel confiednt with my life if put in a bad situation has been quit a struggle i must say. I can smash my freezing cold finger with a hammer, pucker up my ass, wrap it with some electrical tape and move forward. I am looking for a few good men or woman who can do the same.

I have most all of the equipment and tools anyone could ever need, I just need to fill in a few blanks and (I) will be ready ;-)

 

[Goldwasher]

I've driven to Alaska Twice. Once entering in B.C. and Once into Alberta. From what I remember if you were hunting you declared your firearms and they had to be sealed in a bag If you were going to Ak. they checked at the border to make sure they weren't unsealed. And pistols were a big no no wasn't something you could even declare. And if you were going to hunt in Canada there was more of a process. I wouldn't discount what Vance is saying as he lives in Alaska and has the boots on the ground info that isn't always expressed as well on Gov. websites. Doing a quick check confirms the difference between traveling through ATT and bringing in. You are not there for a competition or hunting so you might have issues anyway.Canada Welcomes You!
I never tell anyone not to go on the adventure of their choice. The first time I went to Alaska I left in a Chevy s-10 blazer with three buddies all of us 19....I had 200.00 dollars and we made it the whole way I spent the summer working in fish processing my three friends cheesed out and went home to momma after two weeks. I went back and worked in Denali National Park the next four seasons. I was in Alaska from April to October so I had time to fish for Steelhead and Salmon pre and post work season.You can plan all you want but, once you start to hit mid to northern B.C and Alberta its a totally different world. It does sound to me like you are over equipped for what is really an exploratory journey. Don't forget you are more than likely going to have to unload and repack all that gear at the border crossing. The mentioning of the large ops vs. the small fry prospector is very true. Have you looked into any of the properties near Dawson or White horse or over near Chicken Ak. that are prospecting tourism related? You can find a good safe base camp in an area geared towards smaller ops and meet others who maybe have spent a summer or two up there digging. These aren't your normal pay to play places considering where they are. Just going up saying you have some areas in mind is setting yourself up to not have anywhere to dig. Its not like the western u.s. with "public lands" you can just "Check out"........Just thoughts I say go for it either way.

 

[kayakpat]

I thought up there you have to have a claim to mine, and that most of it is already claimed? I don't know for sure

 

[dreamsofgold]

I've driven to Alaska Twice. Once entering in B.C. and Once into Alberta. From what I remember if you were hunting you declared your firearms and they had to be sealed in a bag If you were going to Ak. they checked at the border to make sure they weren't unsealed. And pistols were a big no no wasn't something you could even declare. And if you were going to hunt in Canada there was more of a process. I wouldn't discount what Vance is saying as he lives in Alaska and has the boots on the ground info that isn't always expressed as well on Gov. websites. Doing a quick check confirms the difference between traveling through ATT and bringing in. You are not there for a competition or hunting so you might have issues anyway.Canada Welcomes You!
I never tell anyone not to go on the adventure of their choice. The first time I went to Alaska I left in a Chevy s-10 blazer with three buddies all of us 19....I had 200.00 dollars and we made it the whole way I spent the summer working in fish processing my three friends cheesed out and went home to momma after two weeks. I went back and worked in Denali National Park the next four seasons. I was in Alaska from April to October so I had time to fish for Steelhead and Salmon pre and post work season.You can plan all you want but, once you start to hit mid to northern B.C and Alberta its a totally different world. It does sound to me like you are over equipped for what is really an exploratory journey. Don't forget you are more than likely going to have to unload and repack all that gear at the border crossing. The mentioning of the large ops vs. the small fry prospector is very true. Have you looked into any of the properties near Dawson or White horse or over near Chicken Ak. that are prospecting tourism related? You can find a good safe base camp in an area geared towards smaller ops and meet others who maybe have spent a summer or two up there digging. These aren't your normal pay to play places considering where they are. Just going up saying you have some areas in mind is setting yourself up to not have anywhere to dig. Its not like the western u.s. with "public lands" you can just "Check out"........Just thoughts I say go for it either way.

Sounds awesome Goldwasher and I understand what your saying. Whats written in the law isnt always how it is when your standing at the gates.

As for being over equipped well that list is simply the things I have. Some of it will be used for the 1st prospecting trip and some of it will be left behind and used (hopefully) on the mining trip after I find some land to claim and mine. There is an online claim veiwer that is constantly updated for the Yukon and although there are many claims in the abvious gold rush districs, there is much virgin ground in hard to reach gold bearing areas. People tend to follow the path of the least resistence, however I am not those kind of people. I take the difficult route always and even though sometimes it is a struggle, i find the reward is best the harder the challenge. In other words I am ok outside of the saftey zone ;-) I have much experience, climbing, repelling, caving, traversing harsh terrain with 60lb of ore loaded in my back pack so physically I am ready just need to focus on some good planning.

 

[dreamsofgold]

Delorme Explorer

Got one of these for my birthday few days ago :-) As a pilot I am very good with a paper map but this will link right up with my android and as I learned previously when navigating "use any and all available navigations tools" when traveling into remote regions.

 

[Bill_saf]

If I could give you my 2 cents take it for what it is. Do a FBI background check on your self! If you have ever been arrested here in the low 48 CA. can and might not let you in to CA. carry all papper work on you at all times and have copys. I'm a x over the road driver have driven lower 48 and Canada. Crossing in to ON CA. are you crossing at thousand island? Have all your papper work passport and for your fire arms ready and claim at boarder booth. you can expect to be at the boarder crossing from 1 hr - 8hrs depending on they feel that day and you have fire arms they might go through your stuff and pocket knives are wepons in CA. I would not take hand guns auto or not/ Long guns only in bolt , lever or pump action. You can take up to 500 rounds of amao no more. If you take a 12 gage shot gun get a slug barrel for sabit slugs good out to 200 yards and will stop a bear at 50yards. Canada hyw speed limit is 100 k you can do 65 mh and get away with it CA police look for US plates. Each providence have there own rules and laws. gas is not chep in CA last time I was there it was $4.20 a liter on the CA Hwy. If it was me I'd go up in to BC from Washington. other wise it's all been coverd.

Like I said just my 2 cents
I can no longer go in to Canada till I get my FBI background done and summit papper work to Canada gov.

 

[dreamsofgold]

If I could give you my 2 cents take it for what it is. Do a FBI background check on your self! If you have ever been arrested here in the low 48 CA. can and might not let you in to CA. carry all papper work on you at all times and have copys. I'm a x over the road driver have driven lower 48 and Canada. Crossing in to ON CA. are you crossing at thousand island? Have all your papper work passport and for your fire arms ready and claim at boarder booth. you can expect to be at the boarder crossing from 1 hr - 8hrs depending on they feel that day and you have fire arms they might go through your stuff and pocket knives are wepons in CA. I would not take hand guns auto or not/ Long guns only in bolt , lever or pump action. You can take up to 500 rounds of amao no more. If you take a 12 gage shot gun get a slug barrel for sabit slugs good out to 200 yards and will stop a bear at 50yards. Canada hyw speed limit is 100 k you can do 65 mh and get away with it CA police look for US plates. Each providence have there own rules and laws. gas is not chep in CA last time I was there it was $4.20 a liter on the CA Hwy. If it was me I'd go up in to BC from Washington. other wise it's all been coverd.

Like I said just my 2 cents
I can no longer go in to Canada till I get my FBI background done and summit papper work to Canada gov.

Bill thank you! The very reason I posted this thread is to hear peoples input who have experienced it. I am meticulous in planning so everyones comments have given me some of the tools i need to make it happen. I have the declarations already printed and ready. I will hand them in with my travel itentirary which will finally end in dawson city Yukon. If thousand island is the way of buffalo and toronto this is the plan yes. I will only take my bolt action 30.06 hunting rifle and a full size 12 guage shotgun. Since pistols appear to be problematic crossing I will simply not bring one. If a guy cant take care of things with a 30.06 and a shotgun he has no business carrying a firearm to begin with :-) I really want to poke around ontario silver mines a few days since i applied for a prosperctors permit for that region. I guess I could headback south into US and cross over into washington if its to much of a hassle but I figure if im all legit it (should) be a smooth travel. However we all know everything doesnt always goes as planned, so ill have some time to do a little more research on this subject.

 

[meMiner]

A couple of tips immediately come to mind. Have an inventory of what you have with you (and where it is) and if at all possible, receipts. Buy your food and booze in Canada. You can only bring one bottle per adult. Before you bring any food, look at the rules as some things are OK. You will likely have to declare how much cash you have with you and keep it under $10K CDN/adult. If anybody in your vehicle has a criminal record, they need to be prepared to declare it and they still might get turned away - - if the offence is an indictable offence in Canada, no matter how long ago, they will know it and may not allow the person in. The amount of gear you are bringing may give the impression that you are planning to work vs recreation/holiday. Look up what this means, because they will turn you away if they suspect you are here to work. I would leave all firearms at home. If you insist you need one, it can only be a long gun and have it trigger locked, in the locked part of the vehicle and out of sight while traveling. Pack the amo separately. If you plan on fishing (the fishing in BC and the Yukon is outstanding), buy a license when you are there. You cannot dredge or use an in stream sluice. Look at the rules around pump size for your high banker. Fishing and mining rules are pretty much zero tolerance (you can lose your gear and face hefty fines). There are areas where driving at night is risky because of moose (northern Ontario), elk (Alberta), deer (everywhere) on the highway. Hitting a moose with a truck can kill you. There will likely still be snow on the ground in April in northern Ontario. Take an extra spare tire (on rim) for your truck and trailer. Bring some gas cans and fill them all in Alberta (cheapest gas). If your truck is a pig on gas, there are some BC highways that have a long distance between gas stations and some stations that are not 24 hours. Do not bring bear spray across the border. Strangely enough, you can buy that in Canada if you want. Bugs are bad in the spring, so spray with deet and bug jackets are recommended. Protect your gear as best you can from theft if you leave your vehicle or camp for extended periods (especially tools). A chainsaw and come-along or winch is pretty handy when off road. A can of the goop that fixes flats and inflates your tire is awfully nice to have if you catch a nail. A spare spark plug for your ATV can be a life saver in case one burns out. Buy topo maps now for any place you think you will be, as they may not be available locally. Many of the truck stops have shower facilities, which is a nice way to clean up when you want to. It is a nice drive through Ontario and then you will want to push it hard through Manitoba, Sask and some of Alberta (flat and straight and to most, boring). It is spectacular other side of Edmonton, all the way north, with whatever route you take. Since you are interested in silver, in Ontario take highway 11 through North Bay, rather than the route closer to the lakes. That is further, but actually faster. It also takes you right through historic silver areas. If you look up Thunder Bay, there are probably some stops there you will want to check out (especially amethyst and silver). You should have a blast in the Yukon. It is very mining and tourist friendly. The government mining offices are quite helpful.

 

[specksandflecks]

Not a one of us that hasn't already wouldn't want to do something like this. Google chicken gold camp since you're going to be in the area. Running a dredge there should be just fine btw.

 

[DizzyDigger]

Bill thank you! The very reason I posted this thread is to hear peoples input who have experienced it. I am meticulous in planning so everyone's comments have given me some of the tools i need to make it happen. I have the declarations already printed and ready. I will hand them in with my travel itinerary which will finally end in Dawson city Yukon. If thousand island is the way of buffalo and Toronto this is the plan yes. I will only take my bolt action 30.06 hunting rifle and a full size 12 gauge shotgun. Since pistols appear to be problematic crossing I will simply not bring one. If a guy cant take care of things with a 30.06 and a shotgun he has no business carrying a firearm to begin with :-) I really want to poke around Ontario silver mines a few days since i applied for a prospectors permit for that region. I guess I could headback south into US and cross over into Washington if its to much of a hassle but I figure if I'm all legit it (should) be a smooth travel. However we all know everything doesn't always goes as planned, so ill have some time to do a little more research on this subject.

As another OTR driver (retired) I agree 100% with Bills suggestions.
The border crossings can be lengthy, at times, and he's correct about
the "mood of the day" for the immigration people...they can be testy
at times.

Bill mentioned previous arrests, but you also need to make sure
that none in your party has ever been charged with a DUI.
Canada considers a DUI to be a felony, therefore how long ago
is of no relevance.

If you come up through Washington, drop me a note when you're
up this way. I live about 30 mi. from the border (as the crow flies).
From I-5 you can access the Blaine crossing, and also the Sumas
crossing. Depending on time of day, waits at Blaine could be 5 min.
to a couple hours before you even reach the checkpoints.