New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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First fossick found a few flakes - plan for more by cycle

Free Fossicker Forster		Posted : Monday, 30 January 2012 9:43:45 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 30/01/2012(UTC) Posts: 35 Location: Oxford, New Zealand Thanks: 17 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 8 post(s)		Hello folks my name is Andy, a Scot resident in Oxford, NZ, with a small family (3 of us) which is far from the gold. We recently went on holiday to Danseys Pass. We stayed at the caravan park there and borrowed gold pans for the day and headed up the river to try out what I'd been dreaming about for some time. Alas, it seemed not a sausage could be found, and indeed we were gazing at anything reflective bouncing about in the gravel without a clue. The others got quickly bored and went off up the valley. I persevered and got talking to another fossicker there. Literally decided to have one more try and hey presto a small constellation of flakes in my pan. Hooked! Next day I returned briefly with my bucket to gather some soil from the same spot to take home in a bucket. Now we went to another spot over the pass to camp with some friends in the vicinity of Mt Kyeburn. On the second evening I pulled out the steel camping pot and tried the creek which with a gleam in my eye I had noted old diggings on the map. Success straight away (no where else on the creek did I find any) and so another small bucket was filled to take home. All in all I have perhaps at the most a gram of flakes and dust barely covering the bottom of one of those little glass jars. Since then I have been researching and planning my week long March bicycle tour to take in a few spots on the west coast (Grey, Inangahua and Maruia river areas). I've been looking at Slab Hut Creek and Moonlight Creek as well as other non public fossicking areas. Carrying all my gear, tent, stove, food etc. by bicycle will limit the weight of "equipment" I will carry, but I hope to put a few ultra lightweight items together other than just a small pan. (which will double up as a luxury dinner plate :). Plan B depending on west coast rains is back to Otago. Catch the bus down to Oamaru and take off from there. It is my hope to gain some experience and maybe meet some other fossickers out there. There seems a wealth of experience, knowledge (and great storys) here. With a bit of luck I'll meet some of you out there. So what's this all about? A link to the country and the pioneering past and a good way to waste time and hard labour somewhere worthwhile. Cheers Andy

Lammerlaw		Posted : Monday, 30 January 2012 11:20:56 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 24/05/2011(UTC) Posts: 1,721 Thanks: 72 times Was thanked: 579 time(s) in 396 post(s)		Hi Andy Its good to hear that you achieved some success at Danseys Pass and Kyeburn and a gramme is not to be sneezed at. Kiwiland must be getting inundated with Scottish gold fossickers because I ran into four of them a while back tinkering around looking for gold and with some success I might add. I was looking at a video of gold mining in the Scottish highlands and was mightily impressed as I didnt know there was anything there at all and now I am all fired up to go and pillage the place. I dont think the biking idea impresses me but good on you if thats what spins your wheels...mind you I suppose its your legs that spins your wheels - but will there be any energy left to look for gold when you get there? Good luck though as I am sure you will deserve every colour you find and I am sure you will do OK

mineforgold.co.nz		Posted : Monday, 30 January 2012 11:21:04 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 14/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 299 Location: Nelson Thanks: 58 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 35 post(s)		Hi Andy, well done on your success so far. It is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air if nothing else. It sounds like you will find a lot more with your determination though.
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Free Fossicker Forster		Posted : Tuesday, 31 January 2012 9:43:19 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 30/01/2012(UTC) Posts: 35 Location: Oxford, New Zealand Thanks: 17 times Was thanked: 16 time(s) in 8 post(s)		Thanks for the welcomes. The cycling is something I've done for many years. A mix of exhilaration, and at times sheer hell and exhaustion, but always worthwhile and great way to see the country. Will I have any energy left for the gold? I think the gold will keep speaking to me. Hopefully I'll get a couple days worth in and maybe more as toying with the idea of busing it one way.