Mac

I'm basically a life-long rock hound and amateur geology enthusiast who took up prospecting with a rock hammer and chiesel, which I shoved in a backpack just in case something interesting was found in the mountains, then got into panning, digging, sluicing, dredging, sniping, in that order. Very reluctantly I got into detecting due to my wife -- a tech-savvy, gadget loving gal who loves metal detecting. Whereas I'm not much of a gadget fan; I'd rather be using a pick axe, truth be told, but I love the challenge that detecting presents and it's never dull nor a chore. I am continuously learning everything I can about it, mostly by trial and error but also intensive studies.

I favor doing a lot of research prior to hitting areas; and this suits my analytical nature. 

In addition to gold, rocks such as thundereggs, geodes and agates, jade, labradorite and other specimens are hunted throughout Alaska where it's legal, productive, and enjoyable. Am especially fond of being in remote wildernesses, particularly mountainous regions and alpine tundra.