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Shit I'll wear a blindfold a couple G's is all I need

I here you there, never a guarantee you'll have a lucky day out there! I'm not sure if I'm in shape enough to do all the climbing up washes that I used to be able to do. I haven't been out to that spot in over five years now!

I hear that need to get really lucky to find anything substantial with basic tools

It's true, the only reason that area worked with metal detectors is because is was on top bedrock where an ancient river dumped nuggets. If someone took a claim on that and brought in half a million dollars in equipment they might find enough to cover their cost, or maybe not. Prospecting is very risky on large scale operations.