For years, I played sports with my friends in the park. However, after doing the same things day after day, I started trying to figure out different ways to keep things interesting. I was able to find a really inspiring group that did a wide range of different recreational activities, including group running, motorbike racing, and even paragliding. We had a great time together, and I can honestly say they expanded my horizons. Check out this website for more information on enjoying different types of recreation with your friends or family. You won't believe how much of a difference a little adventure can make.
Basic Tools You Need To Start Gold Panning For Fun
If you'd like a new hobby that allows you to spend time in nature, then you should think about recreational gold panning. Gold panning is fun, relaxing, and an interesting way to spend a day on the banks of a river in the great outdoors. This hobby might even become profitable if you find a hot spot for gold and hone your panning skills. Here is a look at some of the recreational gold panning equipment you need to get started.
The Gold Pan
Your success depends on the gold pan you use. A plastic pan is a good option since it's lightweight and you won't get tired handling it. The pan should also be fairly deep so you can process a lot of material each time you fill it up. With practice, you'll develop your own skills at gold panning, but the general process is that you submerge the pan in a gentle stream of water once you've filled the pan with material from the river. Pick out big rocks, but wipe clay and soil off them in case there is gold in the soil. Next, let the water flow over the pan so light soil and other debris is lifted up and floated away.
During this process the heavy gold slowly sinks to the bottom of the pan. You can knead the soil to break chunks up and cause small bits to float to the top. It's also necessary to shake the pan occasionally to help the gold settle and to help lighter debris rise to the top. At the end of this process, you'll have heavy metals and soil at the bottom of the pain that might include bits of gold. While this process of finding gold is too slow to be used commercially, it's perfect for recreational use especially if you like the relaxation of the slow-paced process. Gold pans are inexpensive, so you don't need much to get started with a gold panning hobby.
Gold Handling Tools
After you've panned for gold, you'll have to sort through the small amount of materials in the bottom of the pan to hunt for gold. Have a magnifying glass on hand to help you see small flecks easier. However, gold should be shiny and easy to spot if it's large enough. You'll also need tweezers for grasping the gold flakes and a vial for containing all the gold bits you find. Picking out the flakes can be time-consuming, and you may rather spend your time at the river panning. In that case, take along a large container for collecting the heavy debris after each panning session so you can sort through it all when you get home later.
Once you have the art of panning down, you may want to purchase other equipment like a sluice box that allows you to process material much quicker. If you run across a hot spot where you find many gold flakes, you may want to buy more equipment so you can be more aggressive at finding and securing the gold while you can. Even if you upgrade to other types of gold panning equipment, a trusty gold pan is still a useful tool for finding hot spots so you know where to focus your efforts, and a gold pan is all you need to get started in this interesting and potentially rewarding hobby.