flakmagnet

I have never found anything to surpass a HipStick. It needs minimal adjustment while you are hunting and definitely saves back and shoulder damage from being furthered. In addition, I use one of Chet's always-smart recommendations and attach the HipStick to the topmost strap on my shoulder harness. This adjustment made a small but noticeable difference. IMHO it is one of the best add-on's for detecting comfort.

I think so Lunk, I got the black decal-version very early on from Rob Allison. This coil has been a revelation both in sensitivity and its lighter weight. I am constantly amazed at how easy it is to work with especially when compared with the stock coil; it seems to balance out the GPZ. I don't know whether the subsequent coil decal releases mean changes in how the coil works, but if they are an improvement on this early one, I would jump at the chance to get one. The soft coil cover is it's only drawback but I have had good luck with using non-metallic epoxy on the edges and it still remains noticeably lighter.

Like we say Jim, the difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. good story...

Yup Bob, that's where I panned and where my friends used to dredge. I never understood why the forest service closed the road. They kept it closed after that last big fire out there too. I tried to drive out and have a look, but couldn't even get close. Ridiculous when you aren't allowed to access own open land.

I used to pan on Piru Creek decades ago. Only found flakes, but I knew folks who dredged at a certain little campground there - when there was water - who had some quite good days. They were using 5" dredges. Have fun if you ever give it a try.

'Way to go!!

Definitely, Jasong

Nice work gents. Rye Patch lives on...

wonder what percentage of detectorists use a mac anyway, anything with asking MineLab to fix/modify/update, is usually beating a dead horse and…I still love my 7000

Thank you for posting this latest insanity. Conservation begins with big corporations, not recreational miners. Every person I know who does what we do is ultra-aware of the fragility of the desert. I hope everyone who reads this will sign the petition. If we don't it's gonna disappear.

My hat is off to you living like you are choosing. It's not for sissies. I would like to contribute to your YouTube, how do you recommend I do that? Wishing you great good luck in Arizona this winter.

I asked Steve H. about it and he said - why, it's what we're all doing anyway in these threads, but if you want to go ahead… But for now, since I only have these three, I think I'll just stick them in this thread since nobody is objecting. So here. Boulder Bonanza.pdfThe Dale District .pdfLost in the Middle of Nowhere .pdf

I used to try to write about dredging and prospecting but never felt I could do it the justice it deserved. There is so much that happens that is beyond being able to express well. I do have three other gold-related short bits, but don't want to hijack the thread (any more than I have). Maybe if you want I'll start a thread for people who write about what we do and see if anyone else has writing they want to share - that would be fun. Let's see if anyone is interested. And thank you for the comment...

Jim, those were interesting photos. It shows, once again, the amount of work that goes into mining. Are the First Class Miners functioning out there still? I've lost track of the activities in the Dale...

I feel the same way, I don't know how to describe it but the Dale has always been hauntingly evocative.

Lucky…since you've hunted the Pinto's…and you mentioned the wind - which reminds me of a quote from another prospector who has passed on, 29Prospector, who said "it's not the heat that get's you out here, it's the wind." Oh yeah. I hope folks don't mind but I have a story partly about the wind in the Pinto's which I"m going to attach. You guys are the only people who understand this kind of writing, so again, hope it's alright. Bob "29Prospector".pdf

Hi Reece, I don't know if you will find this apropos, but just in case. Picking a partner is, like so much of prospecting, sometimes a matter of luck. This is a true story. Continued good searching... RD and Area 51.pdf

I don't know if they have the equivalent in ATV tires (maybe if I read Jasong's post correctly) but I have run-flat tires on my 4x4 and have had a few occasions where I've gotten nails/bolts/ etc. punctures and finished my trip at 75mph on the freeway with absolutely no indication of a problem. This is my third set of them and I wouldn't have anything else. They are great off-road as well…the sidewalls are strong and they give me confidence that even with a puncture out in the boonies, I'm good to go.

In all honesty, there's no way I would identify myself as a detectoist or a gold hunter. Not these days. Anonymity has a lot going for it. But I hope you find a good plate for you new car, congratulations.

Hi Jim, they were out of town at the time and we still haven't heard. That was eye-opening video of those boulders being pushed down the street by the force of the mudslide wasn't it... Glad you're okay.

So Jim, you still afloat? It looked like it got pretty wet out there...

Too bad they never thought to make this compatible with Mac's...

Clay being his usual informative and responsible self. Thank you for all of us.

"Basin and Range" is a classic and, even though it's a touch outdated as far as plate tectonics go, McPhee's other book about that area is called "Assembling California" which is a fascinating read that has information that translates somewhat to NV geology as well.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and your photos. Well done.