Jul 28

Written by:
7/28/2003 12:00 AM 

Greetings from Cripple River Gold Camp! The weeks here seem to be flying by.

We are so busy we all need to be twins, or maybe triplets. There never seems to be enough time to do all the things I want to do, or to check out all the places I want to prospect. In talking with of the volunteer crew, and the trip participants I know most people here feel the same way. As for me, I know there is a glory hole full of gold just waiting for me to find it! The gold rush in Nome was started just before the turn of the last century, in the late 1890’s when a 97-ounce nugget was found in Anvil Creek, only a short distance from here. There’s plenty of flour gold, coarse gold, wire gold, and nuggets, (although not of the 97 ounce category) still being be found today!

ATV trips led by Perry Massie have proven to be extremely popular this year. It’s a toss up as to which trip is the most popular, the trommel trip or the Sinuk River trip. On the trommel trip, the ATVers get to see beautiful, wild country, pick blueberries or salmonberries and maybe get to see some of the local wildlife. Then they run the high-bankers to get some gold! On the Sinuk River trip, they see beautiful wild country, fish for Salmon and Dolly Varden (if they have a license), hunt for gem quality jade, and maybe see some local wildlife. Those who are not fishermen can stroll along the beach looking for all sorts of treasures. What a tough choice! How do you decide? Many prospectors do all of the above.

A list of the names of people who report finding Jade would be too long to put in this paper, but other unusual items are also found. This week Jim and Carole Gurley, from Thornton Colorado, rented a quad and rode to the Sinuk River for a day trip. While at the river Jim was looking through the tumbled rocks, seashells and driftwood that was on the shore just above the wave line. He spied a piece of rock (?) that he thought looked like marble. Instead of whiteish marble, or even quartz he bent over and picked up a well tumbled piece of Fossilized Ivory. This is a fair sized piece, brownish/gray on one side, and golden Ivory on the other. Carole plans to have it wrapped with gold wire, and possibly have a small nugget added to the front. It would make a terrific pendant. The Gurleys who were here for two weeks, had a fun time. Jim said, “This is a great place, the people are tremendous and very friendly.” Carole added, “I’ve never seen so many strangers become friends so fast before. Prospectors are good people.” Jim and Carole are already planning to return next year if possible.

More and more animal sightings happen every day with fox, musk ox, caribou, seals and many varieties of birds. Today, two moose were seen by Ken Morse, from Scio Oregon, as he walked from the chow hall to his hooch. He spent some time watching them through his binoculars. More people gathered to join the moose watch. The moose seemed content to drink water from the Cripple River, and graze along the bank while ignoring the 15 or so on-lookers. Then an excited individual with a camera ran up to them to take a closer picture. This, of course, frightened the moose who then ran away. Taking pictures of the wildlife in a favorite pastime here, but sudden or fast moves startle them, as does getting too close, so easy does it.

Ralph Rogers from Irving Texas, was with a few friends up near the town of Council, about 60 miles from here. Ralph spotted an Alaska Porcupine, brought his vehicle to a screeching stop and jumped out of his suburban. Fleet of foot he, (Ralph that is) managed to chase this lonesome, shy creature, catch up to it and take a picture. Then Ralph decided to chase the porcupine back towards the vehicle so that the other people could also partake of this prime photographic opportunity. “Porky” ran a short ways. Then, perhaps tired of Ralph’s aftershave, (or just tired of being pestered by Ralph) the porcupine stopped, turned around, shook his quills as a warning and chased Ralph back to his vehicle! And yes, Ralph can run, when he has to. Unbeknownst to Ralph, this game of tag was being video taped by his “friends”. Again I will repeat myself; the animals here are wild and should not be harassed. Ralph was lucky he did not become a pincushion. And best of luck in the future to Mr. or Ms. Porcupine.

The weather here has been very different, with days of sunshine and warmth, intermixed with days of clouds and rain or just a light mist. Wearing layered clothes helps to be comfortable in all temperatures and of course, in Alaska you should always keep your rain gear handy, (as well as snacks, food, water or juice and bug dope). The weather here can change at the drop of a hat. It’s hard to prospect or work the beach when you are uncomfortable.

Marvin Selsor from Oakville Missouri is 84 years young, and has been a prospector for three days---that’s right---3 days. Marvin, who has been married to a beautiful woman named Lucille for 62 years, has taken up prospecting as a hobby. His son Jon gave him this one- week trip as a present this past Christmas Season. Marvin then joined the G.P.A.A. in January 2003. Marvin told me he has worked the beach box and found gold, saw three moose out by Mystery Creek while he was trying to pan for gold and has generally been having a great time! He and Jon were met up here by their friends Al Sevener from Fresno California, and his son Mike Sevener from St. Louis Missouri. This is the third year that Al and Mike Sevener have been here.

Fishing is good this year but the season at Cripple River has not yet opened for Salmon. Keep the Dolly Varden trout, but please catch and release the salmon until Game and Fish open the season.

Gotta go now, I have a skookum feeling (Indian word meaning strong) that I should be prospecting. So goodbye for now and may your life and the bottom of your gold pan be golden!

Arctic Annie