Treasure Hunting

I think that between the four of us working on this blog we’ve posted plenty of articles about the price of gold, but let’s talk about the effects this is having on America for a change.

Gold is now over $900.00 an ounce, which is the highest it’s been in decades. A drastic rise in gold’s value usually happens when the economy is slumping, as investors typically turn to gold during times of political and economic instability. The falling dollar, threat of a recession, political troubles in the Middle East and rising oil costs have raised the metal’s appeal as a safe investment. I don’t think it matters which side of the political fence you’re on - it’s clear as day that the economy ain’t what it used to be.

The result? Prospectors are heading north, and by north I mean Alaska. Right now the snow is still knee-high, but that doesn’t stop men from getting into river’s chest-deep of nearly freezing water to pan for gold.

Gold prospecting clubs have seen memberships spike, along with sales of pans, dredges, metal detectors and other small-scale mining equipment. This means that our favorite hobby has turned into more then a hobby for some - it will soon become a way to make a living.

This is a particularly sobering thought, especially for those of us that just want to get out there, have fun and enjoy the great out doors - making money just happens to be a side-effect, not a goal. In fact, most hobbyist treasure hunters keep their finds.

What are your thoughts on this news? Would you pick up and leave to start prospecting gold in the undeveloped and cold country that is Alaska? How do you feel about people taking our hobby and turning it into a career? Is finding gold for a living worth the toll it will take on your body?

Currently there are about 150 families in Alaska that live off of the gold they find - despite the unpredictable and taxing way of life this is. And while the current interest in gold prospecting hasn’t reached the level of the famous 19th-century gold rushes in California, Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory, there is still a significant amount of people trying their hand at finding gold.

Here’s the link to Gold Prospectors Association of America’s website which as a lot of useful information on it for gold prospectors. I also dug up the Wikipedia page on Gold Mining in Alaska, which is a great history lesson.

Happy Hunting Everyone,

Adam in St. Cloud, Florida

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