Miners backpack

What Jimmy said. Get the Large A.L.I.C.E. pack (also known as a L.R.R.P. pack) with the frame and you'll be able to load everything ya need in it. I've lived out of one for over 2 weeks while in the Army. Just remember to keep the heavy items packed at the bottom and as close to your body as they'll go. Makes it easier on you. Also pick up a few ammo pouches to attach to the sides of the pack for more storage. Great for smaller items.

You can find them on line as well as at some of the local surplus stores.
 

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I see a lot of military packs, and also regular aluminum framed backpacks. I've seen those of eBay as used as cheap as $30.
 

My son Jboy refuses to carry any other type of pack, its alice or none, we use all military surplus as the sun tends to break down the fabric fast out here in the desert, and buying high dollar gear for us is out of the question.

I think the military gear works just fine and holds up to abuse of toten hammers,picks, shovels, ect..............
 

you all must be younger guys! i haul it all on my ATV cause them days of backpacking/walking long distances are long gone for me! Happy Thanksgiveing to all!
 

Jimmydolittle said:
Military rucksack! Any military surplus stores out there?
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Yup...I've been lugging an Alice pack, mounted on a Jansport frame, for about 30 years.
Jim
 

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One thing to check or just do before heading out. Look at the shoulder strap and buckle connections. My last internal frame mil spec. surplus pack shoulder strap tore loose about 2 miles down the trail. Tied it into a knot which lasted the remainder of the trip. When I got home I took it to the canvas awning shop and had them repair and reinforce it, charged mne something like $10 or $15 bucks, well worth it as they are the best packs out there for the money.
I put 2-2.5 gal buckets in the bottom, my BGT- Prospector, small shovel, and a two piece digging bar all fit it inside the buckets and protect the pack cloth and I'm still able to snap,cover over top, very hand when busting through buck brush!
 

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All depends on what you have handy, what you find at the second hand store. I have an old backpack frame with new shoulder and waist straps that I use as a freighter frame. I put my gear into a stuff sack or duffel bag and simply strap the gear bags to the frame. I used this method for travel in Europe as well as in the Sierras..............................63bkpkr
 

Look at your local thrift store first, amazing deals on packs sometimes...
 

Just to give you an idea of the abuse that an A.L.I.C.E. pack will take... When I first got out of the Army I was doing roofing as part of a training project. We had to stock the roof and it was up three stories. Everyone else was dragging the bundles of shingles up one bundle at a time. I threw two bundles in my pack and then grabbed a third in my arms and started hauling them up the stairs. I wanted to get the stocking done because this roof was 9300 sq/ft. which worked out to almost 300 packs of shingles. Everyone thought I was crazy but I was still buff from the Army and used to hauling that pack all day anyway.
 

goldenIrishman said:
Just to give you an idea of the abuse that an A.L.I.C.E. pack will take... When I first got out of the Army I was doing roofing as part of a training project. We had to stock the roof and it was up three stories. Everyone else was dragging the bundles of shingles up one bundle at a time. I threw two bundles in my pack and then grabbed a third in my arms and started hauling them up the stairs. I wanted to get the stocking done because this roof was 9300 sq/ft. which worked out to almost 300 packs of shingles. Everyone thought I was crazy but I was still buff from the Army and used to hauling that pack all day anyway.
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Nice...like a BOSS!
 

goldenIrishman said:
Uhhhh Kev... you DO know what the definition of a BOSS is don't you? Someone that's full of carp and all over yur a$$.
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LOL, that's a phrase my daughter and college kids in general seem to use for really doing something well. Just try to keep up ;-)
 

russau said:
you all must be younger guys! i haul it all on my ATV cause them days of backpacking/walking long distances are long gone for me! Happy Thanksgiveing to all!
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Well, I guess I'm young....will be 65 next month. Still cover about 5-6 miles/day prospecting in the summer. Places I go, you can't get to on a 4-wheeler. Since I'm usually alone, I trust my legs more than the 4-wheeler. Also, the 4-wheeler can take you much farther back than you can walk out, if it breaks down.
Jim
 

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Look for something with quick release buckles and loops you can hang your gear on. Taking your pack apart to find gear is a pain when you can just slide a pick or shovel out of a loop. I also put a pair of zipties on my pans and classifiers so I can clip them on the back of my pack with carabiners. Access is everything.
 

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My backpack hasn't really changed over the last few years. If anything it has gotten lighter as now experience has taught me some... Though when I find a spot that needs some more attention I will make trips carrying Rockbars sluice ect.. Sometimes 3 days of packing crap in.. All to common for prospectors not to know what tools are really needed and waste time packing in crap because in beecouse they might need it..A good prospector not only finds gold but it very aware of the tools needed to exploit it. And I am willing to bet you may be surprised on how little actual tools a prospector needs to actually work... Different places could require a different set up.. Anyway Gentlemen if you are spending more money on sluices and highbankers and other crap and have yet to have your finds pay for it.. You may want to step back and rethink your tools!!!! Lets not forget what prospecting is!! Finding gold and making a buck.. Not collecting gold recovery equipment/toys....
 

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