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Sniping is a term dating back to at least the depression era when transient people who made their means by mining were known as snipers. In modern recreational mining it is a term used to describe working underwater by hand with a mask and snorkel. |
| This type of mining is great fun, but it's not for everyone. There is inherent danger swimming in most mountain streams. Don't risk it if you're not a strong swimmer or in good health. |
| When sniping, you are not looking for fine gold, but nuggets and flakes that are trapped in and on bedrock with you hand thus exposing crevices. Using tools you break the crevice open and loosen the material. Fan again creating currents, which blows sand and gravel out of the crevices exposing gold. A suction bulb is a tool for extracting the exposed gold. I add surgical tubing to the bulb so I can attach it to my wrist. You will be surprised at the amount of force you can use to clear out the sand and gravel without loosening pieces of gold. Lighten up a little as you approach the bottom of the crevice and you may get a few extra small flakes. Work the crevice and break up the bottom and re-fan. It's hard to get a feel for this at first but you will start to find nails, sinkers, and bullets which are much lighter than gold. You can use this as a gauge. You should look for crevices with tightly packed gravel, as this is an indication the crevice was not recently worked. Don't forger: grab the nails, sinkers and bullets and pack them out as trash. |
| The great thing about sniping is your ability to move along the river. Try a few crevices and move on if you're not finding anything. You can work only so deep, so you need to cover as much ground as you possibly can. Don't take too many tools along; only those you can carry in your two hands. |
| Most creeks and rivers run pretty cold most of the year. I suggest you wear a Farmer John-style wet suit. Cut pieces of inner tube, and glue them to your thighs and shins, and also on your elbows to protect your wet suit. Don't use diving booties for kicking around on sharp bedrock: use an old pair of tennis shoes. I recommend you use a facemask with a purge valve built in, because it's a lot easier to clear the mask under water. I modified my snorkel by adding a 6" extension. WARNING: if you add too long an extension you will be breathing what you have exhaled, not breathing fresh air, and bye-bye, miner! This is another good reason for a mask with a purge valve; inhale through your snorkel, and exhale through your mask. |
| Have fun sniping! |
| Washington Prospectors Mining Association |
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