The Chisana Story

[Bugler]

Thank you, Steve! What a great story.  So glad you were willing to share it.

Bugler

[wwace]

Great seeing the final chapter and all the photos from Gold Hill. I read of the early adventures many years ago at AMDS. I first visited that country in Sept of 71 hunting the hills across Jack Creek from the Nabesna road with my dad and uncle. The Nabesna river sand bars closest to the road used to be a landing strip from the building of the AK HWY era and littered with hundreds of 55 gal drums. Beautiful country.

[Lanny]

Simply amazing . . .

What an incredible series of adventures you've had Steve, and I love the pictures you've added which only contribute to the richness of your stories.

There are a lot of little tips sprinkled throughout, ones that are worth noting for later recall.

I loved what you wrote, and you have a nice, relaxed writing style that is very comfortable to read.

My hat is off to you for the excellent job you've done while reliving your memories.

Thanks again, and all the best,

Lanny

P.S. I'll have to come back later to add likes as I'm out of "likes" again for the day. (That just lets me know how much good suff there is on this site to like!)

[Swampstomper Al]

I can but echo sentiments expressed..
Thanks for the ride-along..!

Swamp

[Jeff from Reno]

Great story Steve, the pictures really take you there.

Wish i'd have known about this spot when I was in Chisana back in '84, my neighbor lady in Anchorage hired me to work on the lodge and cabins there. Her husband  had died the year before packing the horses across the river. Nobody mentioned a gold mining area within walking distance! I had a strong suspicion when a guy walked into camp one day asking for an airlift out for an injured party member, and he paid in gold.

 

[JohnnyRox]

Just finished reading page 3.  Fascinating!  ?

[Grizz12]

Great story and incredible pictures, I am pumped to get outside now and find some gold. I was surprised you dont have any bear stories related to your adventures or are you saving them for later?

[Steve Herschbach]

I am glad you enjoyed the tale! Bears at Chisana are more a springtime tear up the cabins issue than anything. All those years up on the hill I can only recall seeing a bear at ground level once. Probably more than that but I have probably forgotten. In any case these are gold prospecting and metal detecting forums so there is no reason for me to get into bears unless they are pertinent to the story at hand. The only bear tales relating to Chisana and me are all about cleaning up cabins. Boring.

In later days my goal was to get some decent bear photos which can be a challenge. Here is a shot I took of a grizzly just somewhere north of Whitehorse....

[Grizz12]

Thanks Steve, that's surprising but good to know. When I lived in Juneau I saw black bears just about every week when they were awake. Up here on the Peninsula I have yet to see any bears although I did have one huff at me one afternoon...

 

Did you wear your headphones with one ear out to listen for bears? I've been looking into different headphones that will allow me to somewhat hear what's going on around me.