Below zero temperatures how did the old timers do it?

BIG-LAKE-GOLDPANNER

BIG-LAKE-GOLDPANNER

Jr. Member
Nov 22, 2012
26
10
above the arctic circle
Primary Interest:
Prospecting
-10 below zero here above the arctic circle and just panned out the last of the material that i dug up as the river froze right in front of me. i was wonder how the old timers that made there way up here to look for gold in the early 1900's dug up there material in the sub zero temps?

p.s. where i live it gets below 70 degrees Fahrenheit
 

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The good news - won't have to see a lot of tree-huggers trashing up your claim on weekends!
 

I didn't think the old timer did any prospecting or placer mining during the cold months. That's the time to let the muscles recup, repair equip or buy new equip. Sit around the fire and drink whickey while you wait for things to thaw out again.
 

That's a big part of why Denver is sitting where it is. The miners would leave the mountains in winter and come down here to the plains. They could pan or sluice enough here in winter to pay for beans and whiskey while they waited for spring. We still have fun getting gold out of the water right here in the Denver metro area! Good thing I don't have to feed myself from the gold I find though!!!
 

I think that Jason and Kevin answered your question really well. I am sitting in a place that was 78* the last two days and may go into the 50's tonight. I am toying with the idea of building a fire(Walmart fire logs)for me and the kitty. Brrrrr! So you can imagine me living where you are. I am the KING of warm weather wussies...
 

Whiskey.
 

austin said:
I think that Jason and Kevin answered your question really well. I am sitting in a place that was 78* the last two days and may go into the 50's tonight. I am toying with the idea of building a fire(Walmart fire logs)for me and the kitty. Brrrrr! So you can imagine me living where you are. I am the KING of warm weather wussies...
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81 degrees in LA today. Something not right about that. Tomorrow 85 or so... It is winter right??? Lol.
 

Whelp if you have an area that produces well then you could build a moveable hut, break through the ice and work all year long in a nice little cabin. :D

Ice fishers do it so why cant Ice PROSPECTORS!? :)

If the area is level and large enough or the creek wide enough I dont see why you couldnt do something like that.
 

Yes, Neo, I know a guy who owns land on Clear Creek here in CO...every winter he does essentially this. He digs a modest hole, waits for the walls to freeze down a ways, (damp soil next to the creek) then digs deeper, let's it freeze, etc. He gets down 20-30+ feet to to pay dirt you couldn't reach in summer without seriously big yellow machines! Very cool technique eh?!?
 

KevinInColorado said:
Yes, Neo, I know a guy who owns land on Clear Creek here in CO...every winter he does essentially this. He digs a modest hole, waits for the walls to freeze down a ways, (damp soil next to the creek) then digs deeper, let's it freeze, etc. He gets down 20-30+ feet to to pay dirt you couldn't reach in summer without seriously big yellow machines! Very cool technique eh?!?
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Heh, that is a hell of a neat way to get to pay dirt, smart guy. :)
 

Yep,Kevin and Jason nailed it.Thats how most big cities around gold areas started,most guys flocked to them,or went home in the winter
It was well known especially by the Chinese that prolonged exposure to cold water would cause arththritis.......I am walking proof of that too!!!
 

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I've heard that in some frozen areas like Alaska, they dig below the frozen stream to get the paydirt in winter.
 

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what is the best sluice box setup for catching fine gold?

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