Cold weather prospecting...

[BurntBear]

As winter nears us once again, many people are probably hanging their prospecting hat for the cold months. I still enjoy prospecting in the cold weather and feel that it actually give us opportunities as well. Different water levels is obviously one advantage for certain types of prospecting. Do any of you prospect in the winter months? If so, what tips & techniques do you have to stay dry and warm in the water? I find it easier to spot gemstones in the cold months. The water is cleaner in winter & the light from the sun is better as well. -Luke

 

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[KevinInColorado]

I've prospected at least a couple times every month for the last several years. Winter I bring out the fleece and chest waders...along with insulated gloves. Sometimes have to break the ice to get to my sluice spot

A sunny day, temps in the mid 40's down on the creek so protected from the wind, finding gold, life is good!

 

[NeoTokyo]

I prospect during the winter too.
I underwater snipe with only chest waders to help keep me warm.
I am only good for a couple hours then my head starts hurting, vision becomes blurred and I get so stiff that I have to sit on the bank to warm back up before I can crawl to the car.
Yup, dedication without the right tools. lol

I also pan, sluice and detect in the winter.

 

[triple d]

No longer gold fever its called. Cold fever. And hardy soul"s I might add. And hopefully heavy pans for the effort.

 

[russau]

I haven't been out for 2 years or more now because of my back problems. BUT on my dredges I have drilled and taped a 1/4 NPT with a valve on the bottom of my pump for cold nights and flushing my pump to prevent any freezing or cracking of my housing..

 

[TheGoldProspector]

As winter nears us once again, many people are probably hanging their prospecting hat for the cold months. I still enjoy prospecting in the cold weather and feel that it actually give us opportunities as well. Low water levels is obviously one advantage for certain types of prospecting. Do any of you prospect in the winter months? If so, what tips & techniques do you have to stay dry and warm in the water? -Luke

Prospecting is a daily thing; either researching online due to a horendous storm outside your living room window, surveying the land while driving, or using Your free time to MD, pan ,sluice, or snipe.

Just because my shovel isnt breaking dirt, doesnt mean Im not prospecting All year round

 

[Hoser John]

With winter comes WATER and we need it by god. I use my tools 12 months a year when body allows that is like Russau. Nothing stops the hunt as what difference does rain mean when your in the water anyhow. Wetsuits,hoods and booties keep ya toasty as can be with newer materials especially. Actually the cold numbs the pain to your gain as proven by pics to buds of winter time fun.. John

 

[Goldwasher]

Prospect mainly in the winter, no water and my job seriously holds me back May to October.

 

[IdahoGoldGettR]

WINTER PROSPECTING - My favorite time of the year. I'll soon be firing up the Mr. Heater to thaw the shovel handles, pans, classifiers, view box finder, and snuffer bottle. I already have begun dressing warm and have been wearing the waders and gauntlet water proof gloves. Got to love those ice shelves for holding all your gear! Just thought I'd share a few previous winter outings to warm those frozen hearts. Cheers.

 

[Prospector70]

I too have already dusted off the waders, it was pretty chilly last weekend at 7 in the morning .

Bring on the winter! If you really have the fever, it will keep you warm. I look forward to no bugs and low water myself. I'm checking out some 7 mil suits today. Maybe we will just kick this up a notch hehe.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Cold Weather? What the heck is that? Down here many people take the summer off from mining because they don't want to fry their brains in the sun. I go year round since my brain is already fried anyway. During the cooler part of the year you can always put more layers of clothes on to keep warm. During the summer you can only take so much off and not end up in jail for public exposure!

 

[goldenmojo]

Aufisher and I went out last January on a very cold NF American river trip. It was truly amazing to see him fording the river in gym shorts at 7:30am. I thought I could handle the elements but he won hands down.

 

[Aufisher]

If you can break through the ice, you can pan! I thought that is what a pick is for!!! Epic trip Mojo!

 

[CApicker]

I cringe just thinking about it but my GOLD FEVER seems to keep me thawed out just enough for some winter runs... I really need to invest in some good winter gear tho.

 

[KiddoTheMiner]

its a bit more temperate here in the southeast

im worried about floods, here in Georgia in the fall months we get large rains so pretty much every streams flooded
witch is good because that will displace gold but now I cant mine as much

 

[okbasspro]

I do most of my dredging in the winter the water is up and flowing and not crowded. My job keeps me hooked up 7 days a week most of the year and slows down for winter. This pic is from a trip where water was mid 30s had to wear waders until pump primed and heater flowing hot water then put on 7 mil farmer Jon and start rockin.

 

[Prospector70]

Cold Weather? What the heck is that? Down here many people take the summer off from mining because they don't want to fry their brains in the sun. I go year round since my brain is already fried anyway. During the cooler part of the year you can always put more layers of clothes on to keep warm. During the summer you can only take so much off and not end up in jail for public exposure!

That reminds me of this spring, I knew it was time to leave the waders at home after a trip to Youngsfield. Worked all day in the waders and it got up to like 84 degrees. I thought I was gonna die, as I gulped water and lay on the bank I was asking Jesus to help me carry all my stuff to the car… Bahahah! <3

 

[Prospector70]

I do most of my dredging in the winter the water is up and flowing and not crowded. My job keeps me hooked up 7 days a week most of the year and slows down for winter. This pic is from a trip where water was mid 30s had to wear waders until pump primed and heater flowing hot water then put on 7 mil farmer Jon and start rockin.

View attachment 1063969



View attachment 1063970

What model Proline is that? << Edit. N/M I see it in yer sig. sweet!
PS:

 

[okbasspro]

What model Proline is that? PS: <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1063972"/>

It's a 4" with hp400 pump t80 and R&D water heater also has over/under conversion it catches -200 all day long thanx to Reed and Hoser John it blows the keene dredges away on production and recovery.

 

[AlaskaGold]

God I wish I could dig all winter, only thing I'm shoveling is snow!