Hey, I was just thinking. I am in the process (as we speak) of posting a "partner needed for prospecting trip" ad on Craigslist and got to thinking--I really don't want a stranger to make promises to me before the trip that they can't keep and then I'm stuck. I ha(d)(ve) a place I found on Airbnb.com in Salida for two weeks; have already pre-paid (non-refundable) for one week and although cheaper than hotels (it's a room in a house), they don't allow smoking. That makes it too expensive for that kind of stress--not smoking. I woke up this morning and, of course, lit a cigarette to smoke with my coffee. Yes, I could go outside, but what if it rains all day? I'm stuck going in and out and making my day aweful. I didn't come to Colorado for that--stress.

I would like to know if anyone would like to rent a room in their house for $150 a week for two weeks. I am never a bother and very self-sufficient. I am adventurous and crave challenges. I love to camp and fish-I'm bringing my pole and a bag of new gear and tent(s) one two-man and one 6-man). I never complain and don't like being inside. I would be gone most of the time. I just need a safe place to keep my things, sleep and shower (and, of course, allow a moderate amount of smoking). If I was able to stay somewhere cheaper, I would be able to do more things-- and I wouldn't have to advertise for a stranger to come with me and stay in my room, ya know? That would be dangerous.

My ad so far reads:
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"Planning a trip to Colorado to do some gem hunting and gold prospecting.

I am a female looking for a like-minded individual (male or female - platonic) to share some of the expenses and to have each other's back. I was going alone but it's really not a good idea to be alone 14,000 feet up and twist my ankle or find a huge pocket of gems that I can't carry by myself. I already have a place to stay that will accommodate 2, with a view of Aspen out the window for a couple of weeks. I will be leaving either June or July--gotta make sure the snow has melted.

If I can share with someone (I have the car), we will be able to rent ATVs to get up the mountains and dig around. If you already have an ATV, that's going to help determine who I pick to go with me. Otherwise, the hike to get to the dig sites is 6 hours up and 6 hours back, which doesn't leave much time for digging. The rentals in Salida, Co for an ATV is $155 a day. Not the best use of money as it's expensive but would need to be done. Paying $75 each is much more realistic.

I am located on facebook.com/terry.giancaterino. I am a world traveler and travel well I've been told. I've been to Japan, Guam, Hawaii, Taiwan, South Korea, Nicaragua and lived in Costa Rica (with no A/C) for 8 months.

I have a new metal detector and have made several things to help prospecting, such as a watering station generated by a 12V battery to rinse the gems on-site. I have bought and acquired many prospecting tools for the trip.

I need someone that's healthy and able to climb 7,000 -- 14,000 feet in search of precious gems. I'm very healthy and in good shape, but some days I will be carrying a heavy backpack, loaded with hand tools, shovels and the tub for rinsing, etc. It would help a lot if someone were to share in the carrying these things up. Some days I won't need help as I have many "day trips" planned that don't necessarily need heavy tools (turquoise mines).

I need a partner with motivation, strength and a good attitude."
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Many of these things would be non-applicable if I stayed with a local prospector that is knowledgeable about the area. I'm not going to pick your brain (unless you want me to).

I have 40 acres of historic placer mine at about 9K elevation with plenty of forest, very remote and peaceful, no ATV needed, lots of critters, nice base camp. You are welcome to set up camp there for as long as you want for free but there are no showers or anything, primitive. The nearest town is about 30 minutes away and I think there might be pay-showers there. Always nice to have a caretaker of sorts up there. There are neighboring mine claims also and they always enjoy the company when they're on the mtn, friendly.
It doesn't really fit your criteria though since it's Gold, not gemstones nor crystals.... and extreme northern Colorado, not southern where you've been mentioning.
Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya, good luck!

Thanks! Sounds a wee bit primitive but doable. Strangely enough I hate cold weather and afraid I wouldn't be able to get warm enough at night. Any bears? I also need my computer as I have several day trips set up in a program online. Let me look around a bit first and I will get back with you. I still have that Craigslist post on the other screen unposted and I hesitate to click "submit" for the listed reasons. I WILL take you up on some of my camping trips and mining for gold-sounds like fun! Are you sure there aren't any gems at that altitude? I've never been up that way, so what do I know?

Sounds like a cool weekend trip tho!

P.S.What city is 30 minutes away so I can get an idea of where it is?

It's not terribly cold at night during June/July. Bears, yes.... food and trash must be properly stored but they have never been a problem. Moose also. Many mosquitoes, Deet required.
No cell reception at mine. Travel 1/4 mile to top of mtn by vehicle (or walk) for cell and sometimes 3G/4G reception.
Small Garnets and lots of Epidote and Unakite but no crystal formations, no bedrock..... glacial deposit.
If you are a CP Club member go to the Protected Forum and view the topic "My Mining Update". Tons of pics from up there of past gatherings, critters, Gold, etc. You would know what to expect.

Swizz, have you ever had problems at your claim? That sounds like an awesome spot.
Silky, are you going to pull the ATV trailer with your car? I was just curious.
I'm just over monarch pass and not far from Salida.
I'm usually after the gold but I dig minerals and pet wood sometimes as well. Mostly amazonite and smokies, but gold is my true love.
I have a substantial placer area to prospect this summer (hopefully my future claim), at around 11000 ft in the Taylor park vicinity. Its a glacial cut valley about a mile and a half long or so and I still need to map the gold deposits, sample the entire valley in detail, and document everything so I can make sense of it. I have alot to do there this summer.
If you have any experience with that I could use any help I can get.
I have a couple of guys to come out once in awhile but I'm basically on my own out there. It's amazing how much more gets done when theres more people.
Most just can't get out very often for a long weekend. Life always seems to get in the way. Plus there is no one in this area that I have found....everyone lives far away!

It is an awesome spot and I have had no problems at my claims. All of the claim neighbors up there look out for each others' claims and we have good relationships with the Sheriff and BLM Ranger who both visit the mtn.
Although not required, I have 32 signs posted in addition to my 8 boundary markers and two Discovery/Location markers. I put some work into my claims up there and all of my neighbors are fairly well marked. I also installed a gate at my entrance which has helped tremendously in addition to the existing BLM-owned gate on a closed road within my boundaries which I have my own lock for mining purpose as allowed by law.
Everyone has their act together up there, we pay attention to all vehicles we see.... we have pretty good surveillance for as remote an area it is.
We're all happy miners on that mtn!

Also.... forgot to add
Silky,
Be very careful regarding Craigslist, lots of creepers out there!

Before I chat with you guys, WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE SHOW ME HOW TO KEEP FROM ADDING THE ENTIRE QUOTE EVERY TIME i MAKE AN ENTRY? I'm not, by any means, a dumb blonde, but I feel like one here! Thanks!

Hi Silky,

No worries that's easy, rather than using the button that says (" reply), just scroll down a bit further to (add reply) at the bottom of the page. That will let you reply without quoting any previous posts.

BAM! Thank You! Jeez, I went back yesterday and edited my post and it posted it twice, including the quote!

Okay, well, I see that the quote is not here, but where is the reply now? Okay, I'm going to hit "add reply" now and hope it works! Otherwise, I think it might be like Facebook and just hit enter.

I meant to do it this time. Yeah, I know, I already have a creeper that was in Afghanistan for 6 years that keeps saying, "when are we going to meet?" over and over and over and we haven't even talked about the trip! Every time I ask him a question about it, he asks me that question. Also, I want to ask him why isn't he working but that will just initiate a conversation and I've quit conversing with him because he has a temper! Too soon for temper, but that's definitely not someone I want to travel with. I posted a vague one about it and that's where he came from. I was doing a new one, more indepth yesterday and I thought, wait, I'm probably just going to get more creepers!

Thanks!

Silky

If I can find one reasonable enough, yes. I'm still looking, why? Need one up there? That would be great if I can share that and you can share your placer area. Also, is it dangerous and steep in places between here and there? I am going to take the most traveled, flattest route unlike most times we go thru the panhandle waaay far west. I'm going to go straight up thru Austin and the tip of New Mexico to get there. I have roadside assistance with AT&T that's nationwide as long as I have a signal. That's another reason.

I'm sorry, I don't have experience outside what I've taught myself about the geology of that area of the rockies. I have also built a self-watering tub that recycles water over the specimens to see if there's any gold (or gems) under or between the quartz veins. I power it with a 12V battery and aquarium pump that I have tested and really puts out some water!

I would love to offer my manpower tho. I love hiking and treasure hunting and don't tire easily. I hiked across Oahu in 2013 to get to a surf contest that was called while visiting the island.

I have a whole two weeks or month, whichever I can afford by the time July gets here. I don't want to stay at that BNB that I already paid $240 for and owe $600 if I stay a month. I just can't afford that AND get quality time in on the claims. I've never been up that way, so point me in the right direction and let me find your gold! If I do, no, WHEN I do, I will gladly check in with you so that we can explore with YOUR tools and equipment that I don't have.

Silky

You can't get an ATV where im going. It's not a crystal area and I see that's what youre after.
If you're going to antero and white, the roads into there aren't open until end of June/ beginning of july usually. The rock doc in nathrop keeps up on the road openings around that area.