I read a recent post from Hive account@guiltyparties about his metal detecting trip along Florida's Treasure Coast and it has inspired me to write about some of my treasure hunting experiences in Northern Ontario. To read more about his post, click here
I have been fascinated with treasure hunting/prospecting ever since Hive account@phelimint and I teamed up in Northern Ontario while working with First Nations people. When we had down time from the clinic, this was one of the many things we enjoyed doing together. Sadly however, I don't have any pics from this time but I can tell you we spent hours and hours sourcing information and maps, talking to community members, organizing day trips, we even bought matching metal detectors so we could use them in closer proximity to each other...pretty awesome times! I hope Hive account@phelimint has some of these pics still....would make a great story to tell!

Treasure Hunting in Fort Hope, Ont

Last fall, I did a nursing contract in a place I go to often called Fort Hope, Ont. A first nations community located in northern Ontario just off the Albany river. The community is rich in history going back to the fur trading times and the Hudson Bay outpost stores. There are also mineral deposits which can make treasure hunting all the more excting!
On one metal detecting trip, we were able to find a couple neat things. We were searching along the point of an old settlement area - found lots of trash and pop cans....but we did find a couple cool things


A red devil spoon, ice skate bottom, toy gun and I think we found an axe head that trip too. Decent score and fun for the afternoon.

Later in that contract, I decided to try another favorite hobby, prospecting!! There's something magical about filling your pan with gravels and rhythmically washing it out. There's a constant struggle to balance patience with excitement before you take your first look at the bottom of the pan.

A decent looking spot with gravels and natural bends. The water was quite low too which made getting about much easier.

After a few hours of panning...

No gold lol but a heck of a lot of black sand which is an encouraging sign!

I won't give up that easily tho, I'll continue to try my luck later this year once the weather breaks!