Living Alaska — Prospecting for Gold

Summary

An individual is exploring the hobby of gold prospecting in Alaska, researching gold metal detectors, and is eager to begin searching for gold despite their inexperience, with a cautious optimism about the potential discoveries and encounters with wildlife.

Abstract

The author has spent time researching various gold metal detectors online, noting the similarities in features across different price points, including enhanced tuners and Bluetooth capabilities on higher-end models. Although they are new to gold mining techniques, they are drawn to the idea of finding gold nuggets and the adventure of exploring Alaska's creek beds and lakeshores. The metal detector serves as a tool for satisfying the author's exploratory spirit, with the added excitement of potentially encountering wildlife, such as bears. The author's expectations for finding gold are low, but they are excited about the prospect and the joy of the search itself. The pursuit of this new hobby is temporarily paused as local stores are closed, delaying the purchase of a metal detector.

Opinions

The author finds the variety of metal detectors overwhelming but notes that the more expensive ones offer marginal improvements such as better tuners and Bluetooth functionality.
They are intrigued by the idea of listening to music, specifically Metallica, while prospecting with a Bluetooth-enabled metal detector.
The author acknowledges their lack of knowledge in gold mining but is optimistic about the learning process and the potential rewards of their new hobby.
There is a sense of adventure and a desire to explore off the beaten path, with the metal detector serving as a catalyst for these explorations

Gold Metal Detectors

Bluetooth Gold Detectors

I spent this morning looking at Gold Metal Detectors on the internet. I ended up on Amazon, scanning the 590 different metal detectors in my initial search request. After an hour of looking at every different feature, I realized that they were all similar. The more expensive ones had better tuners and Bluetooth headphones. Maybe I can listen to Metallica while I prospect?

The Prospector

There is gold in Alaska. Many people make a living mining gold. Others make good money with a side hustle. I know nothing about gold mining, panning, or sluicing. I do know what gold looks like, and like the way it sounds. I look forward to hearing the ping of my new metal detector when I find my first nugget. I have no experience looking for gold, but I do know how to read and understand geography.

The Explorer in Me

My intention is to hit the creek beds, and the lakeshores around my town. Some people have had good luck, I am not sure what I will find. My expectations are zero, so if I do find something one day, I will consider my efforts a win. I know I will have fun hunting, scouting, and exploring.

Bear Cubs in Alaska

I think the metal detector is just an excuse to get off the beaten path again and roam like a wolf. If I meet any bears along the way I hope, they are nice to me. I have no fear of getting mauled by a bear, but caution is advisable in Alaska when baby cubs are about.

Following the Klondike

I wanted to get a metal detector today, but the gold gods shut me down as Tongass Trading Co. is Closed on Sundays. My crazy desire to follow the Klondike will just have to wait another day. From Ketchikan, Alaska with love.