Your E
Field Equipment
Ok, a lot of times a new prospector will ask me "What do I need to find gold?" Well, this page will be dedicated to that question.
I personally have been seeking gold for over 35 years and I know what works
and what does not. Below is a list of equipment and I will explain why and when you should use them. Now don't rush off and purchase these items
right away, but take your time, shop for the best prices and let the gold fever set in. Spending money on a hobby and not knowing how to use them is ---- well disappointing. Almost like buying
a workout station and not getting buff right away! So, take your time and enjoy what you are doing because the gold hobby is great exercise as well as rewarding. Here is my list:
*Gold Pan*
This item is a must-have and the first piece of equipment you will carry on your backpack. There are many types of pans on the market. You can buy the hard plastic green or black ones for about $6, and they work fine but are subject to cracking or splitting if you step on them or by dropping them on a rock. My choice is the softer type, slightly bendable black plastic with the wide bottom. It is easier to work your concentrates with this pan and the gold is more visible. Also, with time the bottom will roughen up and catch those fine and flour gold pieces. These pans usally run about $13 and are worth it. As you become more experienced, you will have around 5 or 6 pans of various sizes.
*Shovels, Pry Bars, and Hand Tools*
A break-down shovel that fits into your backpack works great and some have a digging spade on the opposite side.
Long pry bars are great if you want to lug them around, but for now just get a small one at your local hardware store. I use the carpenter's-type that are slightly curved on each end. These are very strong and work as a good cracking/splitting tool.
Hand Tools are a must and almost anything works as long as it's strong, slender and sharp. This is for cleaning out cracks in the rocks/bedrock or wedging small stones out of a pocket. We use dental tools because they won't float away and they are very fine. As for the bigger stuff, use an old screwdriver. Do not forget to pick up a couple pairs of tweezers for your pickers and flakes.
*Classifiers*
Classifying screens are a must because who wants to spend all that time cleaning overburden out of the pan. Here are two great screens that you can make in your garage: First, build a square with hardwood, make it a little bit bigger than your plastic 5 gallon bucket. Buy some screen at the hardware store (the size that a pencil eraser will pass thru) and tack it onto your frame.
Another way is to heat up some screen on your BBQ till it's red hot, throw it onto the ground and push a plastic bucket onto it. The screen will melt into the plastic and seat it. You then carefully cut around the sides about 2" from the opening. TaDa, instant classifier.
*Gloves*
This also is must have and you should use two types; either leather (for dry work) or vinyl (for wet work). Don't spend a lot on gloves because you will wear them thin quickly!
*Knee Pads*
Believe me, get these because it's just damn smart no matter how old you are or what your friends will say!
*Buckets*
These are a dime a dozen, so stock up on various sizes. Also, get some small 1X2X4 or larger, plastic containers. You will use these containers to act as a catch pan. Let's face it, your new to panning for gold and with all the work you have done, why slosh it away. It takes practice to become a good panner and learn the way things settle out in your pan. Also, never throw away your black sand! Save it for later when you understand how to remove the micro gold. (Believe me, there is a lot.)
*Snuffer Bottles*
This to is a must, and like everything above, it's an item that saves time. If you're a GPA member, then they will send you a couple with your order. Also, they send a pan, patches, and a GPA book with accessible claims that you can go to. This probably is the only thing that will cost you ($100 for a year) but it is worth it for the beginner. It has a wealth of information about usable claims and finding gold.
*Glass Vial*
This is to put your booty into. For now, go for the smaller size (size of thumb). Fill this with clear water and when your gold touches the top, it will fall to the bottom with a distinctive clink. Also, it will act as a magnifying glass to view those great one-of-a-kind flakes or nuggets.
*Lunch*
Always pack a good lunch and some water to drink. I pack an extra bottle to use when I dry pan areas that are far from the streams/creeks.
*Nightrider's Advice*
Make sure to sample all creeks, streams, bars and benches that you come upon because most gold is not always found in the water. You must remember that the river you're working has changed and moved over thousands of years. So take a moment and try to read the land, look for rounded stones, old riverbeds, tree roots that catch gold, and also check out those stray bolders, because a lot of gold is still in the rock or the cracks. The old timers did a lousy job in searching for gold and a lot of times, they stacked their rocks on top of ground that was never checked. Don't give up either, for it took me a couple of years to find my first nugget. In that time, I learned how the gold will settle in rivers or become part of the landscape. You will find a lot of gold flakes and dust when you start, then a lot more as you practice, but believe me, as you learn this intoxicating hobby, then you too will find what I find.
Always try to meet other prospectors in the gold field, listen for advice if they give it, and don't take up too much of their time, for they too have the GOLD FEVER!
So, there you go, it's not much to start with and you will add to your equipment as I have thru the years. Just remember this -- Pack Light, Don't Rush, and ENJOY!
I will be posting a second addition to this post for the slightly more experienced in the near future. If you have any questions, please post them at our Forum.
*Gold is where you find it*
*nightrider*
I personally have been seeking gold for over 35 years and I know what works
and what does not. Below is a list of equipment and I will explain why and when you should use them. Now don't rush off and purchase these items
right away, but take your time, shop for the best prices and let the gold fever set in. Spending money on a hobby and not knowing how to use them is ---- well disappointing. Almost like buying
a workout station and not getting buff right away! So, take your time and enjoy what you are doing because the gold hobby is great exercise as well as rewarding. Here is my list:
*Gold Pan*
This item is a must-have and the first piece of equipment you will carry on your backpack. There are many types of pans on the market. You can buy the hard plastic green or black ones for about $6, and they work fine but are subject to cracking or splitting if you step on them or by dropping them on a rock. My choice is the softer type, slightly bendable black plastic with the wide bottom. It is easier to work your concentrates with this pan and the gold is more visible. Also, with time the bottom will roughen up and catch those fine and flour gold pieces. These pans usally run about $13 and are worth it. As you become more experienced, you will have around 5 or 6 pans of various sizes.
*Shovels, Pry Bars, and Hand Tools*
A break-down shovel that fits into your backpack works great and some have a digging spade on the opposite side.
Long pry bars are great if you want to lug them around, but for now just get a small one at your local hardware store. I use the carpenter's-type that are slightly curved on each end. These are very strong and work as a good cracking/splitting tool.
Hand Tools are a must and almost anything works as long as it's strong, slender and sharp. This is for cleaning out cracks in the rocks/bedrock or wedging small stones out of a pocket. We use dental tools because they won't float away and they are very fine. As for the bigger stuff, use an old screwdriver. Do not forget to pick up a couple pairs of tweezers for your pickers and flakes.
*Classifiers*
Classifying screens are a must because who wants to spend all that time cleaning overburden out of the pan. Here are two great screens that you can make in your garage: First, build a square with hardwood, make it a little bit bigger than your plastic 5 gallon bucket. Buy some screen at the hardware store (the size that a pencil eraser will pass thru) and tack it onto your frame.
Another way is to heat up some screen on your BBQ till it's red hot, throw it onto the ground and push a plastic bucket onto it. The screen will melt into the plastic and seat it. You then carefully cut around the sides about 2" from the opening. TaDa, instant classifier.
*Gloves*
This also is must have and you should use two types; either leather (for dry work) or vinyl (for wet work). Don't spend a lot on gloves because you will wear them thin quickly!
*Knee Pads*
Believe me, get these because it's just damn smart no matter how old you are or what your friends will say!
*Buckets*
These are a dime a dozen, so stock up on various sizes. Also, get some small 1X2X4 or larger, plastic containers. You will use these containers to act as a catch pan. Let's face it, your new to panning for gold and with all the work you have done, why slosh it away. It takes practice to become a good panner and learn the way things settle out in your pan. Also, never throw away your black sand! Save it for later when you understand how to remove the micro gold. (Believe me, there is a lot.)
*Snuffer Bottles*
This to is a must, and like everything above, it's an item that saves time. If you're a GPA member, then they will send you a couple with your order. Also, they send a pan, patches, and a GPA book with accessible claims that you can go to. This probably is the only thing that will cost you ($100 for a year) but it is worth it for the beginner. It has a wealth of information about usable claims and finding gold.
*Glass Vial*
This is to put your booty into. For now, go for the smaller size (size of thumb). Fill this with clear water and when your gold touches the top, it will fall to the bottom with a distinctive clink. Also, it will act as a magnifying glass to view those great one-of-a-kind flakes or nuggets.
*Lunch*
Always pack a good lunch and some water to drink. I pack an extra bottle to use when I dry pan areas that are far from the streams/creeks.
*Nightrider's Advice*
Make sure to sample all creeks, streams, bars and benches that you come upon because most gold is not always found in the water. You must remember that the river you're working has changed and moved over thousands of years. So take a moment and try to read the land, look for rounded stones, old riverbeds, tree roots that catch gold, and also check out those stray bolders, because a lot of gold is still in the rock or the cracks. The old timers did a lousy job in searching for gold and a lot of times, they stacked their rocks on top of ground that was never checked. Don't give up either, for it took me a couple of years to find my first nugget. In that time, I learned how the gold will settle in rivers or become part of the landscape. You will find a lot of gold flakes and dust when you start, then a lot more as you practice, but believe me, as you learn this intoxicating hobby, then you too will find what I find.
Always try to meet other prospectors in the gold field, listen for advice if they give it, and don't take up too much of their time, for they too have the GOLD FEVER!
So, there you go, it's not much to start with and you will add to your equipment as I have thru the years. Just remember this -- Pack Light, Don't Rush, and ENJOY!
I will be posting a second addition to this post for the slightly more experienced in the near future. If you have any questions, please post them at our Forum.
*Gold is where you find it*
*nightrider*
nightrider
scotsman
