HardPack

Passing of an era. Kenneth Ronald White August 5, 1936 – January 13, 2024

After the read you see the country side in a different light, especially the branches of the Merced. They were not in anyway prepared, Paint Your Wagon wasn’t even close to their reality.

What are the odds that there’s a “sewing machine” in that room? Thanks for taking the heat for all the rest of us.

Back in the late 1930’s my father was employed on Kodiak. During his stay he found himself on the deck of a barge spooling a communication cable up Cook Inlet towards Anchorage. According to his story the temperatures were so extreme that 15 minutes of deck exposure was 10 minutes too long. Two of the crew were locals that had a lode claim somewhere up the inlet, I believe it was in the Chugach. They convinced him to accompany them on a hike up into the claim. He would often described the free gold he saw in the quartz they had him carry out. After that he was hooked.

Poor Sam McGee from Tennessee the huskies did know “deep fried” when they smelt it.

It is the history connected to the button that interests me, far more than the button itself. About the time Sutter purchased Fort Ross the Russians were experiencing a food shortage in their Alaskan settlements plus they had about depleted the sea otter population along the California coast. The Spanish moved north of the SF bay to block the Russians from expanding their operation south and refuse to trade. The British were sailing up the coast to the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. Whaling stations were eventually established from Monterey to Fields Landing. So for any merchant vessel sailing up the coastline there were ample opportunities for trade, a need for provisions and fresh water with a limited number of ports north of Point Conception. Unless there is a collector among us, a clue to the story behind that button may well remain a mystery. Good find.

I found this an interesting read: “Gold Seeker”, a gold rush journal by Jean-Nicolas Perlot. If nothing else the book provides some insight into the primitive conditions these California prospectors found themselves in the 1850’s. In addition to the mining techniques employed there are a few clues regarding what to look for while out detecting old mining sites.

So you’re saying there’s a Chesapeake Bay retriever on that button. Under the right conditions, others may believe it to be Grateful Dead concert token. Either way I’d enjoy seeing photos posted of Sportmen’s buttons.

History Revisited has a few videos on the Legend plus the Simplex Ultra:

And higher.

I crawl down through the hatch in the floor leaving the XP Deus RC setting close to the woodstove. But the only thing down here is firewood and a couple of hibernating chipmunks. I thinking of heading back upstairs for another try under the couch cushions.. Good luck finding a parking space in Soldotna.

Yeah, what if Garrett is aiming at the ML 7000, I mean we are talking Texas! Just imagine a satellite linked “ Texas Ranger 7500 “ with ground penetrating radar and a built in trackhoe for them core-deep treasures…

No! Dilek Gonulay, NDT* has asked us to not pester her with questions regarding any unofficial release dates. However, she did not specifically restrict questions regarding official release dates. *What’s that country song about being “both pretty and smart, I am going to break a million hearts”? And now watch as I tie that comment to prospecting and detecting… Dear Dilek, I love my Legend.

No need for the mister. My parents were married… to each other. The closest I got to Woodstock was a couple of fellow marines out of upstate New York. A redheaded Irish from Callicoon, NY, made a curvy figure with both hands while asking his fellow jerk-offs “ If you could have anything back in the world.. what would it be?” Being the latest arrival from home, knowing I had a better chance, my reply was “ ice cream”. The next morning as we moved out “Red” came up from behind choking his arm around my neck singing “ Ice Cream, Ice Cream, everybody loves ice cream”, the rest of the squad joined in on the chorus. “Ice Cream” would become my call sign. Into the future my real world “hippie wife” did attended the Woodstock concert of the west at Altamount Pass. She rode up with some biker dude from Oakland. Tequila is not addictive only transformative. HardPack.. that’s a label from an old acquaintance of my wife. I eventually quit drinking in order stand up and walk… which allowed me to start metal detecting. I have found metal detectors are far more addictive but thankfully no hangovers. Doc, keep us posted on that button. “You have a real piece of maritime history there”.

You might as well enjoy the ride before making a purchase decision. Here’s a link to “History Revisited”. You may find his videos also make good training for your ear (hit the CC bottom).

The video can also apply to the XP Deus I, especially with a HF coil. It definitely puts it all together.

XP Deus II ferrous filters in Discrim & IAR. Towards the second half of the video covers ferrous settings and audio in mineralized ground.

Buried a 12mm lead round ball at 8 inches among several pieces of iron & coins at 4, 6, 7, 8 inches to test a couple of SMF VLF detectors. The ground is wet clay with a the GB 40. Both the VLF in SMF struggled with the 8” round ball, dime & penny. Decided to test the ML SDC2300 with the stock 8 inch mono loop. At sensitivity 4 & 5, without headphones. the 2300 signal was faint but clear. The 8” deep penny, nickel, dime & quarter were all detected. I was pleasantly surprised with the 2300 detection depth. I need to play with the buried iron to get a better feel to the ferrous signal. Has anyone experienced similar depths detecting with the SDC in the field?

The lode claims might be “Carlin” type deposits, there may have been speculation of resale involved. The old claim patent rules required proof of assessment work over a period of time (5 years?). There might be old (eocene) placer deposits on the ridges to the south.

Any new rumors out there of a scheduled “surprise announcement” by Nokta for a release date for their new “high end” Pulse Induction MD?

If I recall correctly John Bidwell (1841 Bartleson-Bidwell Party) was employed by Sutter at Fort Ross & Bodega Bay in Jan. 1842. Sutter purchased Fort Ross from the Russian American Company in 1841. John Bidwell relieved Robert Ridley then continued the work of dismantling the Fort Ross outpost then transferring the assets to New Helvetia. I have seen that Diving Helmet monkey face too. Try the US Navy Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) and Seal Team patches… 20,000 Leagues under the Sea?

Doc, Any progress on the sea hag button?

I just viewed “History Revisited” explanation for what he is exchanging the Manticore for the Deus II. He does not use the screen or the 2D graphics and prefers & trusts the Deus II audio. The Manticore at $1600 vs the Deus II master at $800. You may be correct regarding Garrett targeting the Deus II. We will eventually find out. I think he is over in the “classifieds” section. He has his eye on that T2. If he and Gerry are testers we won’t hear anything until after the Garrett release.

Wonder why the move, especially from the Manticore to the XP Deus II. Are they more focused on the tones? I don’t know if Garrett will shoot that high.

Yeah, if Garrett finally comes out with an AT multi frequency we will all be standing in line.