Cold weather prospecting...

BurntBear

BurntBear

Bronze Member
Jul 4, 2014
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N.E. Tennessee
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Shovels....lots of shovels!
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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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Idaho Gold Getter-OMG when young yes but ol'fart now and THAT much snow is a definate no go for me now. Cold is ok but THAT wow -a no thank you. I've broken ice and drained the oil and taken it home nightly to keep warm to start dredge in the am but your pics are daunting to say the least . John
 

IdahoGoldGettR said:
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.

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Good stuff there GettR!
 

Cold, is COLD and gold,,, well that's GOLD with a warm fuzzy feeling that sparks the eye. If it's retrieved through the ice during sub frigid temps, it can be a down right chore to say the least. As Hoser John pointed out, there are some aches and pains that are attributed to old age. To be honest, this old fart would rather be working gold under the ice than to spend his remaining years playing Bingo or shuffle board in some nursing home (no offense to those who enjoy those games). Winter prospecting is not for everyone but it certainly is for me. A lot can go wrong out there and depending on your circumstance, it might even prove to be fatal. I always let someone know where I'll be that particular day and when to expect me back. On another note, I also bring an extra set of clothing, jacket, gloves and foot wear. Not only for obvious reasons (falling into the river and getting wet) but that first hour or so of shovel and chopping ice can produce much sweat, resulting in loss of body heat and hypothermia. Know your limitations and remember that the gold isn't as important as the taking of one's life. If you must venture out this winter for some prospecting, please enjoy yourself, be safe and find lots of it. *Here are some more winter pics and gold. Cheers -

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IdahoGoldGettR said:
Cold, is COLD and gold,,, well that's GOLD with a warm fuzzy feeling that sparks the eye. If it's retrieved through the ice during sub frigid temps, it can be a down right chore to say the least. As Hoser John pointed out, there are some aches and pains that are attributed to old age. To be honest, this old fart would rather be working gold under the ice than to spend his remaining years playing Bingo or shuffle board in some nursing home (no offense to those who enjoy those games). Winter prospecting is not for everyone but it certainly is for me. A lot can go wrong out there and depending on your circumstance, it might even prove to be fatal. I always let someone know where I'll be that particular day and when to expect me back. On another note, I also bring an extra set of clothing, jacket, gloves and foot wear. Not only for obvious reasons (falling into the river and getting wet) but that first hour or so of shovel and chopping ice can produce much sweat, resulting in loss of body heat and hypothermia. Know your limitations and remember that the gold isn't as important as the taking of one's life. If you must venture out this winter for some prospecting, please enjoy yourself, be safe and find lots of it. *Here are some more winter pics and gold. Cheers -

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Yeo! Know your limitations. Only problem is the limitations start to limit more as you move closer to three score and ten years. :)

Very lovely nugget there--cool weather find doing what? Sluicing, detecting, dredging? That is some nice gold!!
 

Actually goldDave, this nugget was found after classifying with a shovel of river bed gravels. I dug deep into a corner of bedrock not more than 16 inches beneath the water and could not believe my eyes when I saw what gold lay in my Keene 1/4" classifier (which by the way was sitting on top of my gold pan). It was a day from hell,,, 12 degrees , 4 inches of ice with 2 1/2 ft. of snow removal from the spot chosen. Can't ask for a better turn out when all you have going for yourself is a "looks like a good spot to work today" attitude. I wish all days where as golden as this. ***Special thanks to BurntBear for post such a great topic. I know I'll be adding more as this winter season approaches. Cheers to all - Randy
 

Thanks for your great photos and input GettR! -Luke
 

Your welcome Luke. I'll try to assist you and anyone I can on this subject - don't hesitate to ask the Q. By the way,,, here are the winter photos of that day I got that nugget. Cheers. ~~ Maybe I lied a tad bit about the 2 1/2 of snow,,, that was the depth on the bank.


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Nice scenes, gotta love those little creeks, loads of overlooked hot spots!
 

what part of idaho are you in? i am in the northern part around coeur d' alene.
 

Some Cold Weather Gems

Did some test digging in a nearby creek yesterday. Found a few gems a couple of inches down on the backside of a pillar that supports the center of a small bridge.

Colorless Topaz: 15 cts. - Nice clarity but quite a few fractures. Still a neat find though.

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Corundum - 7.5 cts. - Yellow with a few blue and green sections, it is covered in Biotite Mica; a neat piece.

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Cold fever? Nothing a little jack Daniels can't fix ;)
 

It looks like cold weather may be my only chance to try out my 2 inch dredge. this year has been either to hot, to wet and hot or flooding and hot. maybe this winter the waters will drop??
 

russau said:
It looks like cold weather may be my only chance to try out my 2 inch dredge. this year has been either to hot, to wet and hot or flooding and hot. maybe this winter the waters will drop??
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Depends; where you planning to try it out? Missouri/Mississippi rivers? Or points further west?
 

Anyone been catching that sassy gold in the cold lately? -Luke
 

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