Looking for an adventure

[jwoot]

Post 1, I bet everyone knows where this is going

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. 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information is readily available online or in a book but maybe The forum could greatly reduce the amount of useless or outdated reading I have to do before I get to the good stuff.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. If costs would rack up to the 20k+ range for a 1 man crew then it would likely be a no go.

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. I would not include this camp into my expenses as it is more of a vacation for me.

Information. Can I have some links to some great information. I want to start small and general to get an overall idea without investing too much time and then move more in depth.

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 3-4 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. Probably flawed thinking here but I would hate to get a claim and be able to dredge 5% of it. Does that make any sense? or am I lost?

Lodging. Is throwing a topper on the back of a truck sufficient? How often to people stay in the bush yet not that far outside civilization? All depending on the location I guess.

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

 

[steve herschbach]

I will try and save you a ton of time and money by advising you to sign up with Dean and just go do that. A couple weeks there with him will probably teach you all you need to know.

I personally consider a 4" dredge to be a great sampling unit and a 6" the smallest unit I usually consider for production.

Claims, you get what you pay for. Often you do not even get that! Claims under $10,000 usually fall into the "hope I can pay for the gas" category.

Gold Prospecting Research Material for Alaska

 

[au79]

The big adventure around going to Alaska is just that, going to Alaska! You are young and inspired so this is the time for you to do it. Do you have the intestinal fortitude? Can you persevere thru long periods of discomfort such as swarms of skeeters, 24 hr a day sunlight, (don't laugh, there is a sickness around this and I experienced it on my adventure to Alaska) icy water, living without modern convenience, long days of hard work that goes on and on with no reward, (hopefully a pay streak will show up) and last but most important, getting past all the hype and dream merchants that want your money. Beware of what you read in books (altho books can shed some light) and especially beware of what you hear from prospective "claim sellers" as you could be led astray. Throughout history the quest for gold has led many people to poverty and hard fortune and, I must add, even to their death. I know this is harsh but read the history of the gold rush era and you will find that there is always someone standing between you and the gold that wants your money and will tell you what you want to hear. Now, putting the gloom and doom aside - I feel you have the right attitude. If you go, do it for the adventure and do it to get a "foot hold" in your quest for the mellow yellow. You are right to go with a " pay to play" type approach as this will teach you a bunch and give a feel for what is in front of you. Also, the accommodations will probably be better to ease you into that wilderness experience and allow you to see what your up against. Alaska is awesome, beautiful and wild and is vast with a very diverse landscape. I guarantee if you go once it will always be calling for you to return. You will want to go back! One thing I learned is "never buy any equipment till you know you have ground to justify the cost"! If I were you and really wanted to buy a dredge get a 4 inch. As Steve said, "do testing with 4 inch". This was my approach when I went on my adventure and I was not sorry and eventually (after finding good ground) I bought a 6 inch. One man can handle and operate a 4 inch but when you move to a 6 you will need help with every step of the process. A 6 is so much more than a 4 and an 8 is way more than a 6 but the 4 is great for testing and does great in shallow ground. Good luck with your adventure! Hope you find an awesome pay streak!