GPAA/LDMA Outings

Greetings

I'm about to write an article on the GPAA and LDMA. I have some research I've done and have talked to Perry Massie. But what I would like is to hear any comments about their outings to Alaska, Motherlode, and LDMA outings from participants.

Any comments provided will be on a "non-attrition basis"

I just did some research on the "New 49'ers" and I'm truly impressed. I did catch "Gold Struck" on the Travel channel and noticed that their club president was featured and well versed in the subjects of gold dredging.

Yes, I have caught the shows on the Outdoor channel for the GPAA which I noticed that some were quite outdated. I was told by Perry that new ones shows would be out in mid or late October. Just so you know that I know the Outdoor channel is the parent company over GPAA/LDMA.

Please be frank with your comments. The question is: Base on what GPAA and LDMA charge for their outings is it worth the money paid and is the gold draws sufficient for the effort? Was there another benefit obtained?

Thanks

[coinvac41]

Greetings,
I went on the Alaska Trip to Nome in 1988. The fee for the trip has not changed since then, unusual in this day and age. As for the value of the gold split, don't go on any of the trips, "New 49'ers included, with the expectation of recouping all or even a percentage of your fee. The Alaska trip is a totally unique experience. The climate; I left Indianapolis at 6:30 a.m, where it was 90 degrees the day before, and after flying 4000+ miles(my first jetliner, boy it was lucky I liked it) I arrived in Nome where it was 49 degrees and misting rain. The fishing; awesome! to me worth most of the cost of the trip. The food; mostly pasta with meat once a week(a hamburger and a coke cost $5.05 in town) so take some Spam or corned beef in with you. The gold; the only common operation they had at that time was an 8" dredge on Big four creek and low water meant they had to move downstream and dredge 23' of overburden. The beach gold is flour gold and can be found by proper prospecting. I would probably go again if my body had not gone bad. I could go on all night about the experience but go to an outing in the lower 48 before you opt for the Alaska Trip. Good luck.

[Gregory]

Hi,

I would love to go one day, I've often dreamed of going and hitting it big

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip, and thanks for posting it

[warsawdaddy]

Hey, Greg I just noticed this thread(finally) and you might get some input from Tom Gabriel.He's the pres of our GPAA chapter and I know several of our members have been on the outings.You can contact him at:
www.showmegold.com

[warsawdaddy]

Sorry,Greg--it should be:
www.showmegold.org

[Gregory]

Thanks Ron, will check it out!

[WVaTom]

i see them on tv alot. got gold fever from watching the GPAA on tv.

[warsawdaddy]

I haven't been on any of the outings,except for our local chapter ones,but I have been to four of the GPAA Gold Shows and they were great!

[Bond-James Bond]

I've been to many of the outings over the years at various LDMA camps. I've never actually paid for an outing but I can tell you if you want to get away from the big city for a couple days- it's worth it. If you think you'll get your money back with your share of the gold. Forget it. It's all a scam. They plant just enough gold to make everybody happy- Not a grain more. I know these camps well enough to know they are worked to death and have very little accesssible gold.

Bond- James Bond