How many "Gold Tramps" on here?

[idowa]

I understand the term describes someone who has given up their "day job" to pursue prospecting as their main source of income.

I met a guy a couple of months ago who I believe exemplifies this to the extreme. He is technically a homeless person, since he lives outdoors and has no home or vehicle, but he is not like any other homeless person I've run across before.

He is not crazy, not a criminal, and not mentally defective in any way that I've been able to discern. He just decided he had enough of working 9 to 5 a few years ago and now lives in a tent and gets all of his income from panning gold on a nearby creek.

The guy even has his own website, laptop, cell phone, etc. Gold Prospector

I know some may look down on him, but I actually admire the guy and am a bit envious. He doesn't worry about making payments on a house or car, being late with the electric bill, getting yelled at by his boss, or not getting that promotion. Of course, worrying if you will get enough food to eat to survive, or if you will freeze to death may not be for everyone...

With the price of gold being so high the last couple of years and the economy being so bad, and life in general just getting so stressful lately, I wonder how many people have turned to prospecting full-time and found a simpler way of life, and if there are any of those folks here...

 

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[ol timer]

You have many spots to prospect over there in Prescott you would like to share ? Just bought a new AT Gold and can't wait try it out
at Quartzite.

 

[Sackett]

, but he is not like any other homeless person I've run across before.

He is not crazy, not a criminal, and not mentally defective in any way that I've been able to discern. He just decided he had enough of working 9 to 5 a few years ago and now lives in a tent and gets all of his income from panning gold on a nearby creek....

Your statement here that "he is not like any homeless person I've run across before" there are way more people who choose to be "homeless" that are not drug users, drunks, or anything else wrong with them, they just choose to live a different lifesyle, nothing NEW about this, really..Think back to the old time mountain men...they chose a different lifestyle for their time period...Prior to my retirement as a police officer I once met a "homeless/hobo" under a train underpass, dirty, unshaved, stinky, but a really well spoken "nice" guy. After talking with him a while I assertained that he was a Doctor from Boston. His wife and child were killed by a drunk driver. He had no other family and after a time period after the deaths, well, he said" one day what am I doing here"? At his own medical practice. He said he went home made arrangements for his mortgage, packed a small bag and "just walked away"!! He said that was 8 years ago and he said he has never looked back! He said he may go home some day, and he said he may not, that he was really happy? What we need to remember is that what is normal to us, may not be normal to others! I kept a check on him for 3 days or so, then one day he was gone, I guess he jumped on another train?? Anyway I learned a lot from this man, about such "hobo's" and they take pride in that name...HOBO!!

 

[gold tramp]

the reality of my death bound existance was my reason for leaving the mainstream and heading for the mnts, i had and still have alott to teach my sons that they couldnt learn in the real world.
I had some health issues that made me realize i might not be here tomorow, so till i get tired of sleeping the dirt and beating the rocks i will stay GOLD TRAMP.

great story Sacket, death can do funny things to folks.

 

[soupfreak]

I respect anyone who decides to "go off the grid" and can handle the challenge. A lot easier said than done.

 

[pmgsourdough]

I would consider myself a professional prospector. 95% of the year, I call a 12' x 12' Alaknak my home. I wouldnt consider myself a tramp, as I dont move out of the BH in search of color. I know the hills and their geology, so why move. I make a good living doing what I do, but still get eyeballed by my wifes family on holidays. They believe that I have some kind of mental illness because I refuse to live as they do. 9-5, 401k, insurance, etc....

 

[MadMarshall]

For Almost two years now I have relied on gold as my main source of income..I share a house with my brother and split the rent equally.. In the summer Time I spend the majority of my time camping outdoors..I am working to buy some land and live off the grid..And be in a way of life that I find rewarding..But to be simple these days cost a pretty penny..So I try to make money doining something I enjoy and am somewhat good at..I probaly could get a job and reach my goal way sooner but I rather be pateint then hate my life..Alot of times it is a struggle but I know I have made alot of progress in my goals..I have also met alot of GOLD TRAMPS and I know that these men are of a rugged breed who endures what most men take for granted..I admitt I can be somewhat of a wimp sometimes as I know that I can always go to a home.

 

[63bkpkr]

In 2011 I stayed in the mountains for three months as it was the cheapest thing I could do to live. I camped, backpacked, made a few friends in a little town and did some yard work for them but mostly I was in the mountains exploring and doing what I wanted to for those months. I found a little gold, had a good time and at the end of it all a job was waiting for me so I headed back to the city for employment and a steady means of paying on my debts.

I had shoulder surgery a month ago, recovering well looking forward to being whole again and I'm looking forward to heading into the mountains for a ten day stay, just as long as I work at getting in shape I will be good to go for the ten days. The mountains are just another way of life and I enjoy being out there.....................63bkpkr

 

[sidvail]

I respect anyone who decides to "go off the grid" and can handle the challenge. A lot easier said than done.

True that. I've been bouncing the idea around in my head for the last couple of years, but as yet have not made the commitment. Still too many responsibilities that I want to complete before trying it. Some of those responsibilities are excuses, I know - but I'm slowly but surely working up the skills and the courage to increase the length of my stays out there in the wilds. I think I'll just spend a week or two at a time out there for now and see how tough I really am.

My respects to those who do.