moxford

I have a few friends who've never been panning/detecting before ... a couple of whom have never even been camping ... even car-camping! So now that I'm done with SAR and have some availability, I'm going to go show them a good time. =) I was looking at Auburn SRA's Mineral Bar, but it does not look like they take reservations there and we're coming from the Bay Area (about 4 hours out.) Any suggestions on a good backup spot? Any good access points to NF land we could camp on and then drive in? Thanks in advance! -Mike

My house in SJ was all farmland until the 1960s. Envious of you all who have stuff to hunt. =D Beep on! -mox

Eh, it's car-camping. Two nights tops. I have extra gear and I don't mind humping gear for 'em or carrying the trip. Worst case - we sit around the campsite, hang out, maybe drink a few and relax while enjoying being out of city-life for a while. Panning/sluicing/detecting is a distraction/side-effect (heresy, yes, I know) but the goal is they have a good time first and foremost. If they get into a few little flakes or some dust to show off later ... so much the better. They'll pull a little color out of just about anywhere up there with a little elbow-grease - I simply don't know the easy access/easy camping spots. I usually don't pay much attention or look for easy places since I have no problem doing multi-day out of a backpack; easy places are usually hit harder by "everyone else" and I like a bit of solitude when I can escape the craziness of the Valley. -mox

So I have a few people here at work who've never detected, sluiced, panned or, in one case, even camped! I'm looking to take care of all of those in one fell swoop with the caveat -- they're really not in good shape for humping around the backcountry. I'm looking at putting everyone in my truck and taking them up to the Mother Lode area of California (coming up from the Bay Area.) Requirements: 1) Near an easy-access stream for panning/sluicing 2) Drive-up campsite or SUPER easy hike in/out. Emphasis on "not in good shape" for some of the party. 3) Area is amenable to detecting (Taking a GB2 and v3i. v3i is not optimal but hopefully better than nothing.) I was thinking about the Auburn Rec area - I seem to remember a campground under/near a bridge but it's been a very very long time since I've been there. Maybe it was Mineral Bar? I wasn't driving and don't remember. 😛 Something like Ruck-a-Chucky might be doable but it's up away from the river a bit. Another option is camping BLM land if the hike in is short/easy - something around Columbia that might be unclaimed. If anyone knows of the correct terrain/area I'll research the claims in that area. This is more of a "fun trip" instead of a "hunt hard" trip but I'd like to get them into a little color and get them hooked - could use a prospecting buddy or two if I can get them into shape. =D Thanks! -mox

Not sure when this was updated; Steve's post on the v3i back in September mentioned that White's wasn't making them so I'm guessing that this is newer. It does note that it's not v3i compatible as Steve found out - DFX/MXT are the only two listed. http://www.whiteselectronics.net/calif/accessories_loops_.htm It does say "Currently Unavailable" so I'm not sure if it's too new or if it's dead. -mox

The v3i is an interesting beast too because not only does it tell you "at what level" something will respond on the various frequencies but you can flip the display and see exactly HOW it responds via the "arrows" and "loops" screens. Based on those additional screen you may get a hint whether it's a "dig" or a "pass." Google for "v3i custom programs" and you can find out what other people have come up with. It's almost like a car-modding scene with people developing different programs for different locations and environments. Definitely a "stick shift" kind of detector if you want it to be. =)

So I've ended up in Arnold, California for a couple of days with a GB2. Any recommendations for locations to detect within, say, 30 minutes? It seems like there should be some due to the proximity to Columbia and Angel's Camp. Thanks! -mox

Oh, that reminds me. We were looking for SAR vehicles and conversion companies at one point and ran across a bunch of Econoline 350s which were all modded up. The same company does stuff with the Sprinters. Enjoy - http://www.sportsmobile.com/penthouse-expandable-top/

FWIW.... Widths! 2k3 Tacoma 66.5" CJ5 68.5" 2k5 4Runner 73.8" 2k5 Astro (van) 77.5" 2015 MB/ Sprinter 79.7" <-- OP/topic vehicle 2k2 Avalanche 79.8" Interesting that my truck (Avalanche, based on Silvarado truck chassis) is over a foot wider (13"!) than the 2k3 Tacoma but only about 6" wider than a 2k5 4Runner. -mox

Looks like you have the essentials but I'd add/change a couple of things. Add a compass with mirror and know how to use it. If you're way out in the boonies: a Spot or DeLorme InReach or PLB. I'd cut down on the pills and go with something like a Sawyer Squeeze. Those pills are nasty and not really good for you. The other purification methods can make life much more pleasant and you get access to water faster. Personally I use a Steripen. My headlamp and flashlight both use the same CR123s so I don't usually carry extras. Pills are a good backup if you can stand them. =) Besides, if I'm really out of the way I'll likely be using this in a "non-emergency" situation so I don't hump too much water. I would swap the poncho for 2 heavy-duty leaf bags (garbage bags.) Super useful for rain-gear, shelter, water collection, etc. I don't carry matches + lighter, I opted for a Swedish firesteel and lighter. I've been very happy with that switch. I carry a small medical kit - couple advil, a couple bandaids, a couple sudafed, a couple benadryl, a couple "baby asprin" (81mg) etc. Usually 2-4 pills each, tops. -mox

Cannot wait to hear which it is. G'luck out there! =)

The v3i is a *beast* insofar as "configurability." The book alone doesn't do it justice and is almost a joke - you'll have to read the forums and advanced guides as you've already noted. Here's another set: http://forums.whiteselectronics.com/showthread.php?46072-V3i-Advanced-User-s-Guide It's interesting because you can run it in single, double or triple-frequency modes and it'll actually process all of them simultaneously. Can't wait to see your thoughts on it! -mox

Hope you have a great trip!

My thinking: 4 C-cells but you're probably carrying a backup set if you're far from your truck/camp/etc for a total of 8. Depends on the environment and the person.

NY, USA http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/883812-REG/Powerex_MHRCI2_IMEDION_Ready_When.html For the Aus crowd: http://www.videoguys.com.au/Shop/p/24312/maha-powerex-imedion-rechargable-5000mah-c-batteries-2-pack-mhrci2.html UK/Euro: http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/C_Size_Rechargeable_NiMH_Batteries.html And no-one has yet brought up custom battery packs in fanny packs or in the backpack. Drop the weight off of your arm and put all 8 C-cells (in serial/parallel as needed) and just go

So ... beer's on him, right? Congrats!

Congrats on the great hunt and success! -mox

You should have Chris pack in a small soldering kit for that 2200 while he's headed your way, or get it fixed when you head over to scoop him up. Sounds like a fun time up there ... at least the rain makes it easier to dig! =P

Virtual road-trip! Woohoo! Keep the pics coming! Oh yeah, and good luck up there! -mox

BTW, if what I did was some kind of screwup you have my apologies.

Read it again - I did check before I went (via phone call.) That's how I knew their posted regs and booklet were BS. Not trying to get anyone hassled - just the opposite. Take the real regs with you so if you get get some "rookie environmental greenie liberal ranger" trying to hassle you then you've got documentation.

I got my new test-subjects! But no gold ones. Phooey. =P

Okay, I'm back. It was ... interesting. I called earlier in the week to check on the regulations. Got version A. Loose regulations. Excellent. When I arrived I got version B in a booklet form (the very old regs.) There was a middle-version posted up on the park info boards, version C, which said it was current as of 3/27/14. The rangers themselves didn't know which was correct, or even what sequence they came out in. Detecting - due to regs being all screwy and the rangers not knowing which was correct, they went with the version which said "you can detect only on the sand/gravel bars which are annually flooded" (the same as panning. They also said no digging, anywhere. Exception: the old "pans and hands" rules. Not even shovels/picks in the bars. I know this one was old and incorrect but nothing I can do. I neglected to get a copy of the new regs sent over, or even document who I spoke to. Metal detecting was limited to "recent objects" and they held to the old rockhounding rules where, again, no disturbing the earth. Whatever you find has to be on the surface. Yeah. Ruck-a-Chucky - Took me 4 hours to finally get there from home. The river was high and fast. They had the whitewater people out in serious force. It would have been doable but obnoxious to hump to one of the few exposed bars (due to high water) and pan (cannot sluice, old regs...) so I gave my pass to some some poor guy and his wife who got all the way to Chucky but didn't have exact change for the iron-ranger. He offered to pay me $10 for it but I was headed out anyways so they got it gratis. The ranger didn't look super happy about my transfering it but he didn't say anything or stop me so oh well. He was really nice while trying to figure out the regs though - tried to raise people on the radio but couldn't get signal down by the river. So I headed up to Foresthill. Took Garden over to check out Yankee Jim's .... Or the lack of it. At least they have a monument. Interesting that they were that high up and mining for gold (or running hydraulics that far from the river but obviously they got paid so good for them. It took me a bit to figure out where the transfer station actually was, and then the older guy at the entrance shack to the station was nice enough to tell me how to find/access the old area. He did say he sees a lot of detectors going back in there, often the same people over and over. Got parked, headed back and spent about 2 hours there digging up rusty bits and lots of square nails out from under the manzanita. At least I'm starting to learn the GB2 nuances a little. Fun things I learned: 1) Iron discrim seems to SOUND if it's iron, not quiet out like I expected it to. (Backwards from what I thought it should do.) 2) Square nails suck, but at least they like to overload the coil and the iron discrim works on them. 3) I need a big magnet. Something to suck square nails directly up out of the soil at 6" would be ideal. =) 4) The GB2 is almost too sensitive- on 10 I cannot have my tools within about 2' of the coil or it overloads. It does make it annoying to dig while it's on, too. 5) The use of a metal garden trowel instead of a plastic scoop was a big oops. Gotta fix that .... 6) Manzanita LOVES headphone wires. 7) I need to find a better "carry" system. I lost a number of tiny targets (one was in a niche of a rock and would trigger the TRX when touched but on cleaning it out I lost it. I suck. I keep telling myself it was just more iron.) Other things I found - bullets, shell casings, birdshot and a rusty steel can. I was careful with the can but nothing of value inside. (Yes, I checked the ground around and under very well too! =) Thanks for the tips Steve! It's too bad the SRA staff didn't have the same info as the office and kinda borked the day. The area across from RaC and slightly downstream looked interesting too. The pit was fun. I could see losing a lot of hours back in there. It's too bad it's all 3-4 hours away! -mox

Ack, it ate my reply! =( Short version: Huge thanks for the insights. I'm taking pan/sluice and detector. Sluice will live in the car, most likely ... it's for "just in case." The pan is just for a change of pace - this is mostly a detecting trip (and scouting trip to get a feel for the area. I'll read up on the pit and RuckaChuck - I've been Google Earth'ing for a bit and there's a section near Yankee Jim's bridge (hit super hard, I'm sure) but I'm going to take a different tack and try something most casuals won't. We'll see if it pays off (literally and figuratively.) I usually hump hills with SAR looking for people; looking for beeps will be a nice change. =) Nice website, btw. You have some really great pieces on it. Thanks again! -mox

I'm going to head up towards Auburn Rec Area tomorrow (Sunday) if anyone's interesting in a quick outing. I'm doing some looking now as to where's best in the park so no further details available at this time. Rock on! -mox