The Mining Blog

This week did not go as planned!

7/28/2015

    The helicopter was busy working on a fire, so I decided to rest up a bit, and spend the weekend going over the video we shot on the recon flight last weekend. Plus I needed to do some work on my boat, my annual fishing trip is coming soon.

     When we did our recon last weekend we had two video cameras going, so there was a lot of video to go over. It took me several hours of viewing to locate a few good areas to prospect. There are several areas that look good but there won't be enough time to check out all of them. From the air you get a much better view of how the bedrock looks and how the rocks and gravel are deposited along the river. When we finally get in there we're only going to have a one day to check things out. I want to be able to maximize my chances and get a good idea of the size and quantity of gold in this area.

     I've posted a short video of one of the areas I plan to check out.

     Sunday, I spent the day building and installing a fishing tower for my boat. I now can mount lights and extra rod holders on it. While I was at it I welded on a couple of tabs to mount the video camera. I will be fishing for salmon And albacore tuna. Hopefully the fishing was good and I can get some nice video.

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we have a plan!

7/20/2015

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Saturday I got a call that a helicopter was available later on that day - Did I want to take a recon flight. There is a section of river I have wanted to check out for years. I hiked into this area about 10 or so years ago. The hike was so long, and the hills so unbelievably steep, we were only able to stay on the river for about 2 hours before we had to leave to make it out before dark. 2 hours is nowhere near enough time to evaluate the potential of any area. The hike out of this area was so bad we named it - vertigo. I did find some gold while we were in there and have always wanted to go back, but that hike!

Well, I jump at the invitation, the plan was to see if we could locate an area where the helicopter could drop us off, then pick us up later on that day. I met my nephew David at the Airport, and after a short meeting with the pilot to explain "the plan" we were in the air. It never ceases to amaze me, how a hour and a half drive, can be a 10 minute flight.

It didn't take long at all to reach the river and locate a good looking area to prospect. We had one problem, there was no spot for us to land for a long way, up or down the river. This area was just too steep! But there was a very large rock outcropping in the middle of the area we were looking at. The pilot informed me he could hold a helicopter on the rock while we got out. After a short discussion we decided that was the plan. If everything comes together, we will fly in next week, so this is a - to be continued blog!

I just hope I can climb off that damn rock.

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why do I do this?...

7/9/2015

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Old mine in CO

     I'm sitting here going over what I need to get ready for my prospecting trip tomorrow. This made me think, why do I do this? It's going to be over 100° tomorrow, why would anyone in their right mind do this? Knowing full well, they will spend the day moving heavy rocks in the hot sun, working until they are dog tired, then putting on a heavy backpack and hike back up a long steep hill, in the hottest part of the day.

     Why do I do this? To get rich? Its been over 50 years - still not rich! For me, its because I love the the adventure, the hills, and the freedom. But another big reason is, because most people won't do it! I don't want to become them. Life is what you make of it, the best things won't come to you, you have to go get them.

     We live in a time where we're not allowed to take any chances. We are told we must wear seat belts, helmets, what we can and cannot eat. We drink a water from bottles, when was the last time you had a drink from a garden hose? Most people would never even entertain the thought of letting their kids ride in the back of a truck. My fondest memories are of the many fishing trips to the hills , riding in the back of the truck.

     There are two old saying that I pretty much lived by; what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger and pain is weakness leaving the body. I prospect because it keeps me young, the danger of the back country feeds my pride. It keeps alive that feeling of invincibility I had when I was 20. The hunt for treasure is a thrill most people will never experience, I pity them, they are missing out on such a fantastic part of a life.

     Don't get me wrong, I don't leave the gold there, it's a very nice extra! But it's not why I do it.

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Old Guy Tries New Technology

7/2/2015

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The weather here is now just stupid hot! ( 106 today) I was up and out of the house by 5:30. It was 7:00 AM when I left my truck and started the hike down to the river. By the time I reached my base camp where I change into my wet suit, I was dripping wet. I was thinking it's 8:00 AM, and already way too hot! I didn't even want to think about the hike out in the afternoon heat. I decided it was better to think about the gold I was gonna find today.

I got suited up, grabbed the backpack and headed upstream. Today was going to be my first attempt at underwater filming with a Gopro. I am nearly finished with my "basic crevicing" video, and I decided my next video was going to be "how to snip for gold". This would be the perfect opportunity for me to get out of the heat, and get some underwater footage for my new video. And hopefully find some gold.

I worked my way upstream to a good looking area that I located last weekend. After locating a small but good looking crevice, I got out to Gopro and tried to remember how to turn it on. Luckily for me there's not very many buttons on it. After a couple of failed attempts, I was filming. That's when I discovered you can't hold the camera with one hand and work a hammer and bar with the other. I tried my best to get some decent footage, but gave it up and put the camera way. I will get one of those headband mounts and try again next weekend.

I had killed quite a bit of time working with the Gopro, so I only had a couple hours left to find some gold. After working a couple more small crevices I manage to find about a penny weight and a half of gold. It was time to start thinking about the hike out. I decided to leave most my equipment there to lighten the pack. I was far enough back in, I figured if anyone finds my equipment, there not going to want to pack it out any more than I do.

I was kind of surprised when I got back to the truck, it didn't seem like the hike was all that bad. I'm not sure if I'm getting used to the heat or I was just delirious. My plan is to head back up next weekend with both cameras and put a serious dent in the new sniping video. I'm really starting to enjoy doing the videos, I just hope everyone will enjoy watching them.

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This week did not go as planned!

we have a plan!

why do I do this?...

Old Guy Tries New Technology

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