An amateur gold panner’s dream of finding treasure during an expedition in California did not go as planned after he went missing for two days and was successfully rescued over the weekend.
The panner and his companion had started trailing through northern California’s Plumas national forest on Thursday to search for gold. The companion became tired, so the missing hiker went to get water. That was the last time the two saw each other that day, according to the Butte county sheriff’s office.
The companion waited all day Friday at the same spot, spending another night outside. On Saturday morning, the panner’s partner decided to hike back to their truck, hoping the missing hiker would be there. When he wasn’t, the companion called the police.
A helicopter search crew eventually spotted the missing hiker’s campfire on a steep cliff, about 1,000ft below Milsap Bar Road and above the Feather River, about a 105-mile drive north-east from Sacramento.
“Due to the steep terrain, a hoist operation was ruled out and a joint rescue team from Butte County Search and Rescue and Cal Fire was deployed,” the Facebook post from the sheriff’s office said.
A rescue team hiked through “VERY THICK vegetation” to reach him, and they found him in good health before helping him out of the canyon.
Butte county sheriff’s office highlighted the hikers’ readiness to go gold panning, posting several pictures of the hikers and saying that they “were prepared to spend the night in the elements”.
Describing the missing hiker’s emergency shelter, the sheriff’s office said: “He had tarps and the ability to make a fire. In the current conditions, dehydration and starvation will kill you within days, but Hypothermia can kill you within hours.”
This type of 1800s-style expedition is not rare. Plumas county is known for its rich gold deposits. Some popular spots for panning are located along the Feather River and the North Fork, according to the county’s website. Some locations, such as Rich Bar and Seneca, have historical ties to the gold rush.
“While many prospectors came to Plumas county with dreams of instant wealth, the reality of gold mining was often harsh and grueling,” reads the Plumas county website. “The work was physically demanding, and the chances of striking it rich were slim.”
Beginners can start with basic equipment such as pans and shovels, while experienced panners might use advanced tools such as sluice boxes. Success in gold panning requires knowledge of local spots, proper equipment use, and patience, according to the county.
In Plumas county, the 19th-century gold rush spurred local business growth and created employment. Now, recreationally, gold panning still attracts tourists, with the county celebrating this history with festivals and re-enactments.
“The influx of miners created a demand for goods and services, leading to establishing of businesses and the growth of local economies,” reads the website. “Merchants, blacksmiths, saloon owners, and other entrepreneurs thrived, catering to the needs of the gold-seeking population.”
Although most recreational gold panners nowadays don’t expect to get rich out of their hobby, and might spend more money on equipment than they make in profit, an ounce of the mineral can sell for more than $2,000.
Still, all that glitters is not gold. The gold rush in California led to violent conflicts against Indigenous people, resulting in tens of thousands of killings by settlers.
Chinese immigrants working in gold mines faced intense discrimination after an influx of thousands of young Chinese men to California. Some Americans, believing these immigrants were taking jobs and income from others, pushed for restrictions on Chinese immigration and imposed a tax on all foreign miners in California.
