Want the opportunity to be a professional explorer? Please read.

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Trucker, Steward yer farm ?? ya mean yer still'

Don Jose de La Mancha

 

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[pmuggs]

This sounds perfect, no word of lie. Im only 16, but I really want to be a treasure hunter, or explorer when I'm of appropriate age. I love history, and I'm especially interested in the aztecs and incans. I know I still need to complete school, but if you could keep in touch with me and take me on when I graduate, it would perfect. This sounds like something I'd love to do, and solves the problem of not wanting a boring office job. Also, a li k to the site please? I'd like to check it out. Message me sometime, I'd love to talk o you about this further, Nd help out as much as I can. Also, sorry for typos, writing from my IPod

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Good evening Muggs: Do you really have a true idea what is involved in being an explorer? The unexplored areas of the world are rapidly diminishing. but there are some.

You might ask why are they unexplored ? It is because of extreme conditions, hostile animals, people, etc. Too wet, too dry, too hot, too cold, too rough, etc.,

As for food, are you ready to eat anything that swims, crawls, flies, or whatever, this incudes insects, or some of the gory goodies that the people that you will meet consider delicacies? Possibly Long Mary Kai kai? < This I managed to diplomatically avoid, and still keep face and my head.

Can you go without water or sleep for several days, and not whine or complain?

Basically this what you must be prepared to do and meet face to face if you intend to be a solitary explorer.

If you prefer be with with others, go to --> www.explorers.org A fine group incidentally.

In any event, welcome aboard my new friend.©@


Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[pmuggs]

Dedication is not a problem for me, once I'm behind something I don't complain and see it through right untill the bitter end. Extreme heat doesn't bother me, I have a condition were extreme cold could be a problem, but if I'm dressed properly I'm usually fine. I'm kind of a health nut, and I eat organic food in place of processed, or fast food. Needless to say taste doesn't bother me whatsoever, I'm just concerned about consuming enough calories a day. I'm physically fit, I workout three days a week so I wouldn't be any liability to a team of explorers. I'm an intelligent person, I'm on the honour roll at my school, and many people come to me when in need of advice. Like I mentioned before, I have a great fascination with history, and thats what led me to come to the decision that I wanted to be an explorer or treasure hunter; I wanted to experience history firsty hand. Conclusively, I have a great dislike of society. I'm a libertarian, for those who follow politics as closely as myself would know, means that I don't like being taken care of by the government, and I basically think that people should be allowed to do what they want to. This was a heavy factor when coming to the decision to pursue a career as a treasure hunter or explorer, because while I'm all the way out in the great unknown, I'm not doing a boring desk job that contributes to a implemented system. I light up just thinking about treading on land that no one else has set foot upon before. But I am a social person, and I always intended to find a group of like-minded people to work with, and make a living with. Either way, I'm grateful for the link you provided and I'm appreciative that you took the time to make me think twice about this lifestyle. Many a person would have not cared whether or not I got involved in something that I disliked, so I thank you for warning me about the hardships, while at the same time not being discouraging. Much thanks.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

G'afternoon Muggs: I am posting a few pages from my notes for my book on the life of looking for lost mines, treasures, and exploring

Don Jose de La Mancha

#1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp
　
Good afternoon ELLE, jason etc. : for some reason I was thinking about that bell, Tubares, and Your campaign Elle.

I remembered that I met Lupe vega who helped me with the Gloria pan mine investigation. He arranged for me to go to Jorge Juan's cabin in the Gloria Pan barranca. I had a young couple of Tarahumaras that agreed to act as my guides.

We went afoot since I was in prime condition and figured that i would have no problem with a young couple, that to me were kiddies, sheesh was I wrong. I left my mule and sleeping gear at Tubares since there was no grazing up there, and carried only 35 lbs - after all, it was only for one day..

The young couple in their teens, promptly ran up the hill and disappeared. I staggered on trying to catch up with them, near the verge of a heart attack, and finally stumbled over the rim where i had last seen them, I saw them wrestling (?) in the grass. As soon as they saw me, they jumped up laughing, and RAN up to the next crest. This was repeated at least a 'billion' times that first day. sigh

Then to add to my woes, it started to rain, a cold penetrating rain with wind. sheesh I was beginning to feel sorry for myself and wonder why or how I ever became involved with exploration and lost mines. As for my guides, they appeared just as happy as if they had good sense.

We stayed in a cave that night where I warmed up a bit. The next day was an even worse repetition of the first, if possible. The boy finally called to me, and pointing to a cleft in the ridge above us, fairly close to the Gates of Heaven, and said that was where I had to go. From there it would drop down into the barranca of the Gloria Pan. All that I had to do was to go down the barranca until I saw Jorge Juan's cabin. simple enough, no? As They then 'ran' off giggling and playing, I overheard a remark on how i had slowed them up from a two hour 'walk' to two day one??

The 'next' Day, about dusk, I finally saw a small one room brush covered shack and stumbled to the door, where with numb fingers I tapped on the door. No response, so I repeated the knocking, still no response, so I started kicking the damn door, it swung open. There was no-one there, so I entered.

It was by now dark, my matches were wet, and after three days of stumbling through cold gusty rain, continuously wet, I was trembling with cold and beat. All I could think of was getting warm and to sleep. There was just enough light to let me see a broken cot with a sleeping bag on it. Without further ado I crawled into it. sheesh it was so dirty and greasy that it was stiff as a frozen sail , but it did get me warm and I went to sleep listening to the wind howl, shake the cabin, and the roar of the rising arroyo.

The next morning it was bright and sunny, so after starting a fire and cooking breakfast, I returned to liking the life of an explorer and commenced searching the cabin. it was litterally full of junk, from mining equipment, to books and pages of notes. Being nosey, I quickly found why my unwilling host was gone. He had formented an uprising against the Mission in the 30's, He was called the "Arab". The gov't was still looking for him, There were vague references to a Priest having been killed. He had been involved in several murders and had lately been shot in the stomach, but recovered. This was my unwilling host, sheesh.

This is your job Elle, check on this.


Anyway, I quickly found what fit the sealed entrance of La gloria Pan mine and decided to return to El fuerte, where my friend and partner was waiting, so that he could be there when we opened it. That part you already know. About this time an Indian arrived with my sleeping gear, so I returned to Tubares with him.

Incidentally the return trip only took 1/2 a day ?

So Elle, dig up what you can about this mini, aborted uprising. But remember, the Gloria Pan was closed in the 1600's, along with Tayopa, Tepoca, Las pimas, LaTarasca, and two others near Caborca.
This also includes El Fuego de Barras (?) south west of Tubares.

Side thingie, to the East from the bell tower, on the south side of the river, there is a small rock walled corral. Check it with a metal detector. During the last rev. a gov't pay roll officer, with his escort ,were caught by the rebels and took refuge in there. They were all killed but the pay roll as never found. It is probably buried in there . It was claimed to be mostly gold, but this I doubt, since even a single peso was a large amount of money in those days, still the silver would be worth quite a bit and could go to help restoring the Mission.


Thank you Jason, as usual it is Elle's fault. This is a fill in for her project.

Don Jose de La Mancha
A brief continuation. I learned that they were stripping the metal from the LLuvia de Oro mine and had opend a road to access it. Since this was at least one day closer by mule, I left the Gloria Pan mine closed and returned to El Fuerte to bring my partner to be there when we opened the Mine.

It took three days, and when I had arrived, it was to find that my partner had had a heart attack and died the night before, he was dead when I arrived. I remained in El fuerte long enough to bury him, then left for Alamos. To date I have never returned to the Gloria Pan mine to open it up, in fact I stopped looking for lost mines and treasures for several years, we had been very close friends, even though he consistantly beat me at Chess. I kinda lost the spark.

So, La Gloria pan mine still sits there closed, yet with her portal known. Some day I will have to return there and finally open her up to let the souls of the people that died working there can rest.

After all, they now have a road to Tubares, which is only perhaps 1/2 day by mule from La Gloria Pan mine..©@


Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[pmuggs]

Thanks for posting, not only was it intriguing but it gave me some thought provoking insight. Just one question, while you were searching for lost mines, and treasures, what was it that paid for everything? Was the organization you referred to me earlier responsible for funding this expedition, or did you have a 'day job'? If so, what kind of work did you do that was flexible enough to allow treasure hunting? I hate to ask so much questions, and come off as naive, but I just really don't want to go to school for another eight years, paying through the nose to do such, just to get an office job that involves me stamping pages and writing reports for the rest of my natural life. You probably understand, you did afterall become an explorer. But in conclusion, thanks for posting, it really is very appreciated, and I hope to hear from you again sometime in the future.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

G'evening MUGGS: You asked what did I do to support myself? Well since I was a 'solitary explorer / Treasure hunter', After leaving college, I bounced between large and small treasure finds, but mostly between misc jobs to fill the pot. This ran between being a USAF pilot officer, Commercial MEL Land & Sea pilot Prison Guard, US Border patrol, Assayer, and on, and on, a sorta jack of all trades. In other words, I financed my expeditions myself.

However, I cannot suggest strongly enough that you stay in school and perhaps become an accredited Archaeologist. Physical feet on the ground are quite common and have no high value, but as a titled Pro., you would find many more doors open to you, especially since most countries now demand one or more to every party they give permission to search for something.

As a solitary Explorer you are on your own with no backup.

Hint, get your title first, you will have the rest of your life to enjoy it

An example of what I did or considered doing --->

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A notice on the tv reminded me of about the same date in the 50's. I had just returned from the Yucatan / Quintina Roo expedition looking for lost Mayan ruins.

I was enjoying a sunday cup of coffee at the lil sidewalk cafe in Alamos appreciatively eyeing the lovely senoritas walking arm in arm on the Central plaza promenade displaying their wares for possible suitors ( I was single then) .

In the midst of my sordid / erotic speculations, I saw a gentleman approaching me. He was well dressed in a conservative fashion. He introduced himself, then proceeded to tell me that he had been talking to my friend Reis, who was a former US Marine machine gun specialist in Korea. After a few minutes of rambling talk he finally came to the point.

He was a recruiter for a Certain Fidel Castro who was forming a group to over throw the Dictator of Cuba, Batista, and was actively looking for specialists for Castro. He said that Reis had agreed to join him as a machine gun instructor for excellent pay, and had recommended me as a former Military pilot, qualified in multi engine Sea aircraft.

He asked me if I was interested and mentioned what was a very high pay in those days, He said that I would be given a rank of an Officer and would be based in the Yucatan. I would be expected to fly at least a few times monthly to Cuba to deliver arms, personnel, and equipment, always at night.

I was to be given a PBY-5A and plenty of gasoline to bring myself up to date in water landings as well as to aquaint myself with it's handling characteristics. To a tropical tramp and bum it sounded quite romantic and appealing a 'soldier of fortune', so I tentatively agreed.

Later, Reis and I commenced to compare notes and became a bit uneasy. It seems that I would earn that nice salary only while I was in Cuban territorial waters, the rest of the time I would be based in a jungle camp in Quintana Roo eating beans and tortillas at $ !:00 US a day "

The same applied to Reis. A quick call to the American Consulate in Hermosillo asking about the swearing of allegiance to a foreign group - Gov't -and it's possible effect on my American citizenship, only received evasive answers. They only said that the US was effectively looking the other way. No commitments. Hmm red flags starting to be unfurled.

Further checking revealed that Batista now had a new group of P-51's being used as night interceptors as well as for daily patrols, sorta cooled off my romantic ideas a bit more. I was well aware of the ability of a lumbering PBY-5A to out fight or out fly a Mustang, my patriotic ideas towards Castro and his humanitarian efforts drooped considerably.

After finding that the mechanics would be from the dregs of tropical America aircraft mechanics, which was very low at that time, I finally told the recruiter "gracias , but no way". However I would keep his offer in mind. To put it mildly he was a bit upset and mumbled a bit about my short life expectancy since I now knew too much. I countered by mentioning that I had put out a life insurance contract with one of the Sinaloa boys on the agents life also, so to back off. He finally did.

I later learned that after the successful revolt, all foreign fighters, such as my position would have been, were promptly thrown into prison and most were simply executed for one reason or another, a pattern which Castro continued to follow throughout his career.

Just think if I hadn't been so suspicious, you would have been spared my rambling posts, and Tayopa would have been found by another. So have another cuppa coffee and cheer up.©@


Don Jose de La Mancha

 

[Chisos]

pmuggs----Listen to the man, a college degree does a lot of things. It tells people you are an educated man, it opens doors instantly, it makes you an expert in your field, it gains you status and most of all it gets you a job that allows you to do the other stuff you want to do. Besides, college is fun if you do it right. Just go to class(don't skip), take good notes and get projects and papers done early(not at the last minute). Then you have time for chicks, parties and anything else you want to do. At least that's what I told my students for 30 years.

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Muggs, listen to Don Chisos, He speaks with authority and experience. Remember you can always put that nice new degree in a drawer, do what you wish while you are physically able - and there will come a time when you will not be so - then, if necessary, simply open the drawer again and dust it off. One might say your final Ace in the hole, which all adventurers eventually need.

Quite frankly, I am at that latter stage, I have had just too many unpleasant things happen to my body. I went through a world war, accumulating a few scars here and there, I have had a few run ins with bandits and have some more scars to show for it. I have had aircraft wrecks which added a few more, and about 9 years ago was hit with multiple cancers caused by too much tropical sun, which, after 'curing' myself, left me with limited use of my right arm (loused up my pistol shooting) a slight limp from my left leg, and a sexy leer..

I just am not the guy I was, but fortunately, I have already found my mines etc., and am now consolidating them.

In the case of Tayopa, hundreds spent their lives looking for it, some are still looking, and in the process, many have lost their lives.. Somehow I managed to grab the golden ring, but what of the other adventurers / seekers?

No, my young, impatient friend, prepare yourself, just as for any other career, don't become one of the ones that didn't find a Tayopa and now only have memories of what 'might' have been if '.

As for memories, I personally wouldn't take a million dollars for mine, I periodically dust them off and enjoy life as it was again, probably bore the H---- out of any listeners, just as the civil war vets did to me as a kiddie.

No my friend, the world is not the same as when I was very active, I had opportunities that your generation will never have, freedoms that you probably can't imagine, and many projects that were still unfound. That was a world where individual ability counted heavily in surviving, today formal training is far more important.

Today you still have the Peruvian jungles to explore, but that is fast coming to an end, however you have science with fantastic opportunities for adventure in it's own right, projects that are narrowing the former space between the so called normal and the para normal, space and other planets to explore.

If I could do it again, I would go for Theoretical physics, not medicine as I originally studied in college. I love the Holistic theories.

Enjoy life my friend, it is there to enjoy, ©@


Don Jose de La Mancha

"I exist to Live, not live to exist"

 

[pmuggs]

Thanks for the information; I always planned on attending university, but now I know it's a necessity to have a degree, practically. Archaeology or anthropology would be good to have, but for quick jobs to make extra money I could also do something like personal training or bartending. I'd just like to enjoy life, as you said, and not decimate into society. And there's always been something, a sort of drive, that compels me to find the amber room. Unlikely, but hey, a boy can dream eh? Thanks again, you've been immeasurably helpful in all of this.

 

[Cubfan64]

pmuggs - something else to consider. If 4-6 years (and lots of student loans to pay back when you're done) doesn't sound appealing to you, consider a trade school. Learning a skilled trade like electrician, plumbing, welding, mechanic, etc... is a VERY viable option for you! Those sorts of skills can travel with you wherever you go and provide you with a skill that's always going to be in demand and prove useful.

 

[pmuggs]

I've thought about trades recently, but I'm still looking around to find one that I could be passionate about, and enjoy. If you got any suggestions, feel free to share my friend. Basically I'm looking to travel around looking for treasures, mines, wrecks, that sort of stuff, and have a job that feeds me, ahaha. I'm also looking to stay fit and healthy, so physical jobs aren't out of the question.

 

[Alaskan Adventurer]

Hey guys. Great topic. My main career is a flooring installer. Keeps you in shape, is a stable job and once you are a full installer on your own, you can land a job just about anywhere. I have always been able to bust my butt for a few months and then travel for a few.

Also sorry for being so inactive. Been busy in multiple ways and haven't had much forum time.

AA

 

[Red James Cash]

Interesting stuff guys.And how are you doing Don Jose,long time no see.Hope youre fine and well.Another thing thats one of the most valuable things that you can have muggs,and i'm not yanking your crank, and you cant learn it in school or on the street,it is common sense.

 

[Alaskan Adventurer]

Yes, Red James. Common sense goes a hell of a long way in all areas of life. But as an explorer/treasure hunter, common sense will keep you alive.

 

[Alaskan Adventurer]

I have had some people message me about my future website. It is just that, a future website. We are trying to make plans for the immediate future, and that is high on our list. I am going to hold it off for now, because it would simply be too much of a distraction at this point.

We have 3 major expeditions in the works, but I am taking things slowly. My attack i mentioned in a previous thread in this section has caused me to slow things down a bit, though not much. This is a very dangerous "hobby" and people should be aware of it. It is especially dangerous in a country like Ecuador...aka third world. Even with my brutal attack, I would have it no other way, though because for the first time in my life, I feel absolutely free. Now I am totally addicted to my lifestyle and couldn't change it if I wanted to. Deep down I feel like the attack was a test of my will power and persiverence and I survived.

The more time I spend in Ecuador, the more contacts and friends I make. I have made some very spectacular contacts in the last 6 months, some which I feel have massive potential. At this point, I can't see myself ever leaving Ecuador permanately and will be spending at least half of my remaining life in this wonderful little country. Is it perfect? No. Is it perfect for me? YES!

I went to college majoring in Archaeology but unfortunately didn't finish school. After 3 years, I decided to head back to Alaska to learn the skilled trade of flooring installation through my father. I do have some small regrets not finishing my degree, but at the same time I learned a very useful, and well paying job in which I can work almost anywhere. As I stated in an earlier thread, it keeps me in shape, gives me freedom and work will always be around. Job security is key.

On the bright side, archaeology has always been of great interest to me and it has led me to Ecuador. Ancient pre-colombian civilizations are what made the country of Ecuador what it is today. The architecture and history of the country are amazing. I still have the knowledge of archaeology in my head and it has proven very useful.

My other passion in life, organic gardening and overall permaculture. It has been a huge part of my life and I am basically a professional horticulturist. I love nature in general from plants to animals. It also has been a very important aspect of my life in Ecuador. Being able to grow year round is amazing and if you can get passed the numerous pests, things grow exceptionally well. I usually have bags and bags or organic seeds with me everywhere I go.

A buddy and I was recently given an invitation to meet up with and potentially teach the Huaorani Indians how to dredge for gold. What do we get in return? The awesome freedom of being able to sample and potentially dredge the remote rivers of their reserve. Some of these rivers are very rich and have only been panned. They will take us to the richest locations. In addition, i will be teaching some of them aspects of organic gardening and learning a heck of a lot myself from their medicine men. We still haven't decided on our course of action, but this sounds pretty exciting. If you don't know who the Huaorani are, look them up. Up until the 60s, they were one of the most aggressive and feared tribes in the modern world and a movie was even made about them. The movie is called End of the Spear and is excellent.

I have many skills that have proven more than useful. My biggest weakness has to be my ability to learn languages and it frustrates me. I am so very far from fluent at this point, though I am very slowly progressing.

Some skills I have that have, and/or will be useful are:

-extensive outdoor survival skills
-in decent to good shape
-archaeology background
-I am an experienced spelunker(caver)
-I trained with a professional herpetologist and have been around reptiles my whole life.
-fairly skilled in medicinal plants and other forms of alternative medicine.
-experienced gold prospector
-and one of the more important aspects, as Red James Cash mentioned...common sense. It can and will save your life. Intuition as well.

I didn't post the above to brag in any way. I just felt I should give others and idea on what I feel has been important in my travels.

Hopefully I didn't bore anyone with my small novel I wrote, lol.

Cheers!
AA

 

[Red James Cash]

Yes, Red James. Common sense goes a hell of a long way in all areas of life. But as an explorer/treasure hunter, common sense will keep you alive.

It sure does Alaskan,without it youre a dead man.

 

[cactusjumper]

AA,

Besides the movie, there is a fine book with the same name. The author, Steve Saint, was five years old when his father was killed by a Waodani warrior in Ecuador. Steve eventually comes to be very good friends with the man who killed his father.

I have never seen the movie, that I can remember, but the book is well worth the read.

Take care,

Joe

 

[pmuggs]

Floor installer eh? I'll look into something along the lines of that. I've always been a history enthusiast, and I love archaeology, but my family isn't exactly well off, so university may be tough; not to mention sitting in a classroom for another x amount of years. While living in ecudor must be dangerous, I understand what you mean when you say free. Not the free the government feeds us, but truly free. I've been pursuing it my whole life. Oh, and if were talking about languages I'm not very impressive, essential French and I'm working on Spanish this year. But I'm enthusiastic about projects, and a good team player. I'm sociable and understanding, not to mention a bit sarcastic at times. I really need to thank you guys, all of you, you've all been of great help, and inspired me a lot. And having any connections is good I'm sure. Oh, and to sum up my reply, I have a good amount of common sense. More then the half wits I go to school with, anyway. Thanks again!

 

[Real de Tayopa Tropical Tramp]

Mugs, what hasn't been mentioned so far, is the fact that there are excellent, inexpensive - or free - college 'accredited' courses on line, including Archaeology. Geology, etc. . that you can study while learning a basic trade such as our lazy friend Alasky mentioned hehehe. In other words you can have your cake while eating it. You can access these courses anywhere in the world.

As for being free, no one can truly explain the feeling, especially the later generations that have been deliberately taught otherwise
by our benevolent gov't . It is not in the interest of modern societies for their members to feel this way.

How can I explain the feeling when in the days past I could just mount my mule, or head off into the Yucatan jungles, and just go off exploring or just living without a schedule or even a 'purpose', except curiosity?

I have no idea how any times I have been greeted with "Sheesh Don Jose, we had given you for lost, it has been so long that we thought that the Indians or bandidos had killed you.


Alasky can tell you of this, and cubber will be on the list soon.

Don Jose de La Mancha