How To Dig Relics In Frozen Ground

In this video I show how difficult it is to dig relics and coins in the frozen ground. It's pretty much impossible to metal detect, dig and not hit and destroy a majority of your targets if the dirt is rock solid. TLDR; Frozen ground? Watch Aquachigger videos.
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About Aquachigger:
Metal detecting, treasure, history, coins, river treasure, adventure, nature, animals and MOAR! That is what my channel is about. I enjoy caving, SCUBA diving and flying my powered paraglider. I foster sick and injured pets. My channel is family friendly. My videos are meant to be fun, educational and informative.
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How To Dig Relics In Frozen Ground
• How To Dig Relics In F...
Aquachigger
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[@downunderwest2501]

G’day Beau, I always find your metal detecting videos very interesting but appreciate these short humorous in-betweens as much. Your overall content and love for life and things living is quiet obvious

[@NQExplorers]

Some great tips with the axe there Beau - and although I am pretty confident I won't be digging any frozen ground here in Australia any time soon, most of our ground is that hard when dry LOL. Happy Fossicking mate! Warren.

[@thehooverboys]

I really wanted to see you recover that target! Hahaha! The ground is terrible. Hope you didn't throw your back out. Great video! The southerners have no idea

[@1983sfc]

No the Southerners have an idea.... That Idea is to be in the South. Born and raised in the South and I now that the Northern outdoors is to cold for me in the winter.

[@trirycheman]

But not many southerners realize that dirt freezes solid like concrete. Cold is just one part of winter up here.

[@thehooverboys]

This winter has been a Bitch!! So close to warmer days! I've been out filming the last couple days. Had a few ideas myself for winter detecting. Ill post the video Wednesday as always.

[@ronchambers2085]

This week for sure we have an idea

[@alm7707]

First I thought: man is he ever a dedicated treasure hunter! Yesterday it was -32 c here with wind it was -40c snow is a foot deep on the level-- 3 feet in the trees, the frost goes down about 2 feet maybe more. Always glad to see your videos.

[@x3mmumin78]

Lol! That was fun to watch! I have the same problem here in Finland. Thinking about getting the blowtorch out if i cant wait until spring.

[@dougdobbs]

You could build a campfire if you're desperate. Thaw out the ground under it and then scrape away the coals. :)

[@dougdobbs]

Hehe. :) Hey, you still willing to loan me a machine so I can find some wires in my yard? :)

[@rj32]

LOL, Great video Beau, I figured that if I flew all the way out there to go detecting, I would have been in the same type of ground.

[@sticks0012]

I worked near Marquette michigan all last winter and the frost in nearby towns hit eleven feet deep.Isphpeming were we stayed for the job the water in all the homes had to be continuously run or the drain pipes would freeze.When some of the snow finally started melting tops of cars would appear where we thought was just snow banks.It snowed a bit June first.Two years of brutal cold here,so ready for spring!

[@Uncle_Bucks_Forge]

Saw my first Robin of the year yesterday Feb. 28th. That is early for NW Ohio. You just demonstrated why I am waiting until things thaw out. AS BAD AS I WANT TO GO! I am waiting.....

[@trirycheman]

Funny to hear you mention nuggetnoggin. I'm a subscriber to both of you guys. His videos are a little more hyper than yours. You take time to teach us tricks and give us hints. He just goes from find to find. You take your time, and you can tell that you do this for the history, and the pure fun of it. Keep on keepin on brother.

[@LuisGarcia-pr9yb]

Nice video!!!, it's amazing how hard the ground is in winter, the snow and the ice, all that it takes to dig a small hole, then you start to sweat, then stop you get cold and catch a bad cold. I've read a comment and I want to point that out too, I like the way you take your time to explain some things, the history behind. Where I come from that's illegal, if police or civil guard caught you on metal detecting you're gonna get a nice fine, police call it recipe and forget about your metal detector

[@gregkerr725]

Beau, you're getting that Siberian trapper thing down real good! Of course at 10 degrees you need to! Clean off that ice and burn a pile of that cannonball powder on the spot to soften up that soil! Watching you dig I knew it was going to be a short video........of course you are right about the Noggin...he's probably power augering right now and getting excited about the busted piece of cast iron frying pan he just dug up LOL......yep...the young have energy to burn LOL!

[@jameslawson7383]

He cracks me up. I watched him find a spoon that was dang near rusted away, and his exact words were "Man, what an awesome find, might be civil war, might not, let's find another one" I almost gave myself a hernia laughing. That kid has to much energy!

[@nathanmurphy9387]

I have been watching your videos for a long time and it seems like you spend a lot of time in the outdoors alone because you take your time and not worried about what time of day it is:)

[@caseyalso1684]

Hey! That's why I wrote that article in E&W treasures in apr.86, snow shooting in Canada. Cause here we have that problem for six months. The vidio was great. Thanks

[@leehillsgrovesr.4208]

Ugh, we've got waist-deep snow and a thick layer of ice on top of the frozen ground here in NH. Can't wait for Spring to come, it is going to be quite a while before the frost is gone from the ground and the water is warm enough to go into without risk of hypothermia. You're right, it just isn't worth trying to dig in the winter.

[@henlypark6278]

Really enjoy all your vids beau. Your a funny guy too 😂 keep up the great work

[@davidhopper1087]

Best idea . Stop in the house the finds will be there in the spring. they aren't going anywhere. In the uk we can usually break through a crust of frost normally 1 to 2 inch max. But your extreme temps you have not chance. Looking forward to the spring all the best Dave

[@cutaplug]

Man those homeowners are gonna be so pissed! JK =)

[@josephmontero3398]

haha great vid man. I thought for a minute that you had come up with some new method. Good luck in the spring.

[@Texastigerdigsdetects]

Great Video!!!...As the channel name suggests I live in Texas I never recall having frozen ground.. I understood it was tough for Northern Diggers, but you really illustrated the problems with good humor and great bird sounds as a background.

[@EdLillywhiteNorton]

That ice digging failure made me subscribe. I can't stand 100% success stories. Keep up the good videos.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

😂 lol, hey Chigg I love your winter digs !

[@aquachigger]

Glad you like them!

[@sheep1ewe]

Another Excelent video! Where i live this is deffinitly a reality about 7 months/Year so it´s deffinitly useful tips.

[@ronhall6453]

Not sure who has more time on there hands. Someone trying to find relics in a frozen ground with an axe or someone sitting through 6:10 worth of video to see if he actually gets it ha ha. Love the video's. keep them coming!

[@brianbell8970]

Love your videos Beau! Can't wait for warm weather to get here so I can get out and hunt! Just got permission to hunt an early 1800's farm house property and can't wait to get on it!

[@sjohnson1776]

Thanks for the laughs!! LOL Digging with an axe is not my idea of a good time. Thanks for taking us along and yes, the ground will be thawed before you know. HH ATB -Steve

[@joshuarexroad3067]

I said the same thing about feeling spring even though it was cold lol! great vid!

[@jameslawson7383]

Hey now, I'm from the south, but I also live in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so I know what cold ground is like. Maybe not AS cold as up in Maryland, or Virginia, or Ohio, or wherever, but still cold. I can't wait for spring. By the way, Beau, this is one of the funniest videos I have seen. Thanks for the laugh. It helps with this cabin fever.

[@jcricket-vr5xr]

same here snow and sleet but i am not that far from you spring will be here soon i hope keep warm

[@chetyoder]

Great shout out for nugget , I live where its 4-6 ft frost line so stuck watching U tube vids and waiting for spring maybe May

[@karlastark4497]

Great video ! Thats how it works up in wisconsin Beau, 1 and 1/2 Mo. to go this year the frost is deep WE need more videos. Joe

[@rcochran46]

Agree with you Beau. Just told someone the other day that it would be no fun for me to try and detect in the winter. Hobbies are supposed to be fun, digging in the frozen ground is not. Let the Man upstairs thaw it out for us first!! HH!

[@desertfoxx1823]

Sweet video! It went from "how to", to "oh forget it!" Oh, and not to rub it in, but here in Las Vegas its suppose to be in the 70s this weekend for the big NASCAR races! Stay warm everyone!

[@ssn-leaks5775]

I had a pair of mourning doves make a nest in a gutter next to my house, me and my family watched them have 3 sets of babies, it was really amazing to see nature in action

[@WildDigger]

In the frozen winter is when you either surface hunt sled hills or go on vacation to the Caribbean.

[@TheTimRamone]

Nice video Beau! Greetings from frosted Finland as well! I feel your pain :D

[@StivNagen]

Yep, Beau...a lot like it is for 9 months of the year here in Minnesota.

[@vegemite3245]

So true! It is the same situation here in Finland.

[@evakyl40]

9 years ago, we went digging when it was 6 degrees in PA. My uncle chiseled out a 1794 Liberty Cap large cent with a chisel. He chiseled into the side of it. Will never forget that day. We won't do that again.

[@RelicDirtyhands]

Whahahaha!!! Thank you for showing what some of our winters are really like :) I am sure to use this video as the perfect reference why we don't hunt in the winter as well! Could be frozen a good 4 feet.. :) loved it thanks for sharing :)

[@diggingtreasuresmoto]

Hahaha! I'll wait until it thaws, thank you. HH and GL from TT

[@littlebear956]

A perfect exerciser about getting exercise !!!

[@Thebigmanmetaldetecting]

Hahaha excellent video mate I see you get roughly the same kind of weather as we do here in Scotland keep up the good work mate

[@DugMoneyDetecting]

I hear ya buddy, up in Ol' PA we are frozen solid!!!...I was waiting to see the torch you lit the gun powder with come out.....but the old ax will work too.....Lol....Take care, nice to hear the robins and doves, haven't heard them up here....but we're waiting.

[@adamcaldwell1414]

Haha! Hilarious, this reminds me of me. Grounds is frozen too here in va, so I'm passing the time watching others dig on youtube:). Thanks for sharing

[@robbymorgan9695]

This winter it seems every winter I say it was the worst I don't know it was pretty bad in Bridgeport CT this year. This town is pretty run down alot of abandoned lots, lotsa of history always good places to go detect. Just bring protection l.o.l . Great videos you take detecting to next level .

[@sterlingstauber8040]

Can't wait for spring...I have so many trips planned

[@vicvary]

Good job made me wait for spring

[@jrquillin70]

Looks like Jack in The Shining. Here's AquaChigger!!

[@joedunlap2223]

Im in the same boat. I want to dig but do not want to mess up my target or the ground. Plus you cant make it look nice filling your hole back in which could have a negative outcome with a land owner. The video was great keep up the good work.

[@patrickwilliams6017]

love this channel,great job!

[@corried5576]

Lol! that was great. I know I'm envious of Nuggetnoggin. My season up here in Alaska is even shorter.

[@spaghettibeans]

This winter has been rough, It got down to about 64 last night here brrr! :P

[@tombstonefpv9053]

Maybe you could try one of those new battery powered jack hammers. But twenty minutes to dig a pull tab can be frustrating. Great video.

[@cariboupetepeterson3711]

I really enjoy your videos so thank you for sharing all of your adventures. I was wondering if relic hunting is your full time job or do you have another occupation?

[@vicconi3723]

LOL... Farther north in where I'm from it's worse. Several feet of snow as well. I've watched some Facebook vids where they did use an axe and take the plug home to thaw it. Quite the commintment. Also at times they hit the coin and destroyed it. I would recommend to them and you to use a backhoe to dig a nice hole that won't destroy your target and pull it out much easier. Just remember to fill your holes. Lets see if Nugget has THAT kind of commintment.

[@akawireguy1197]

Maybe to keep from terminal winter boredom just hunt promising signals, take GPS readings, maybe even drop something cheap and harmless that would conflict with the primary signal, like a fender washer, on top of the signal? (assuming the primary signal is non-ferrous) Then come spring you would go to the GPS coordinates and look for a dual signal?

[@keepitdown07]

Life is like a garden dig it (when it thaws). Its been frozen here in northwestern pa since Christmas time. Sucks but thats the way it is.

[@worldwidemetaldetecting8034]

that was funny dude! ur video's are getting better =)

[@dennman8832]

That ice looked like it had vehicle tire tracks in it. Would be hardpacked soil if so. Anyway a nice light hearted vid for a Sunday morn.

[@andymandyandsheba4571]

great tutorial beau should of used some of that black powder to blow that find out lol

[@DiggingFrance]

Hi Beau- Funny video. Just curious if you have heard of the Tribord Easy Breath scuba masks. They are French, and well made. You don't breath thru a tube, they don't fog, and give you 180 degree field of vision. Thought they would be great for river hunting. Good luck this year!

[@DiggingFrance]

Yeah that, and one of the see thru Kayaks! You would be set for the new season!

[@borderruffian]

Those were the conditions (minus the snow) when I dug my gold coin in January.Ground was frozen hard and all I could really do is score the top 1" for a plug.A miracle that I didn't kiss it with the shovel.That's why I just research during these conditions unless I am overcome with cabin fever.

[@kellymittong1140]

No kidding Beau. The ground here in W.N.Y. is still frozen solid and impossible to dig, chip or pry, and dynamite seems a drastic methodology for coin shooting. As an alternative, a friend of mine who owns a couple of stores in the downtown section of the village I live in has invited me to metal detect the dirt basements of his buildings. Built in the mid1800's, they could prove to be a viable option in this still frozen place we call home. Whudayathink?

[@ladyravenswood147]

OMG you should be a comedian, Beau. You really had me laughing. Yes, frozen ground bad. Hot coffee (or hot cocoa) much, much better.

[@detecthistory5271]

I need a nap lol. Thanks for the laugh!

[@BigDoggCaseAdventures]

Winter Sucks! I wish i lived somewhere else to. I am northern Indiana. 4 miles from Michigan. Ground been solid for 2 straight months YUCK! GL & HH, Casey, Indiana History Digger

[@john24gold1]

try a cordless drill, punch a few quick holes around the target, stick a good sized pick in a hole and lever, need to be on with your target sizing though...works in solid ground here in Australia, but is still tedious and time consuming...

[@terryladouceur2651]

your more dedicated then i am. up here on the shore of georgian bay the 4 feet of snow is what T's me off.but come spring but the sound of a Loon at 6am on a misty lake is both beautyful an erie

[@ErlefromVa]

My sentiments exactly...LOL you are funny!

[@stonewallbook]

I'm like you. I'll wait for spring. I don't dig in frozen ground either. Forget it.

[@VAHOSS]

(Chuckling)...... you are crazy, my friend! :)

[@007tallguy]

i can relate to the snow and frozen ground. not fun at all trying to get through that stuff, then the mess that's left after the snow melts, not easy to cover up that kind of "digging", lol. anyway, enjoy your vids! and not to worry, the ground will soon be thawed enough for some serious 'tecting!! :)

[@chrismesamote2898]

yeah I love you videos just started watching ground doesn't look like you can hunt during the winter at all you videos are very informative yeah and if you keep joking around about a dead body you're probably going to find one

[@joshuabuckingham1617]

LOVE IT! Your awesome!

[@BurntSkidaddle]

My dads a septic inspector and me and him have to find and dig up septic tanks with the ground like this....it sucks. We have a pick axe that we use to get the holes started and get past the frost in the ground. Its real fun to do in single digit temps....

[@BurntSkidaddle]

***** Oh, most definitely. I was just saying I feel your pain with the whole frozen ground situation lol.

[@tristonsmith5919]

hey win are you going to do the water searching i love those videos there so amazing lol

[@twofeathersnmi]

Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Go play with the cats Beau!

[@fishcamp235]

If the weather doesn't warm up soon I'm going to get a battery powered chipping hammer LOL

[@silverprepper6827]

try not digging from November to April and wanting to hunt really bad...frozen tundra up in Minnesota! I feel your pain.

[@anndodds8781]

Lol your too too funny. You looked like Jack Nicholson in The Shining with that ax. Lol

[@MUDSWAT]

LoL !! I think I'll just wait for spring....

[@matthewsummers1697]

I feel your pain! But this Wednesday looks promising. Itching to try my NEL 15x17 Big coil. By the way you mentioned nugget noggin before in a video and that's how I found him. I have to say that I don't think my ground up here is that hard and you are in the same county. Take care.

[@SaltyNationalist]

Here in Maine the frost line usually goes down about 3 feet or so... That's a long dang way to dig through frost...lol.

[@Nate-tu4km]

In CT we have like 4 ft of snow on top of like 4 inches of frozen ground

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

***** Beau - I put a stock tank heater (off of Amazon) in my 55 gallon drum 'pond' and it keeps the water warm enough (at least near the surface) that the fish are active year round & I have to even feed the buggars when they should be relatively inactive. For ponds, it only opens up a small area of ice-free water so the fish can remain inactive over the winter. A stock tank heater really works well & so long as you have a small area melted for gas exchange that's all you need. It's just when the gasses from pond debris & fish poop build up that the water gets toxic... if it's a large pond (vs something like my barrel) then it's less of an issue.

[@azmetaldetector5918]

LOL. I think you finally lost your mind. I love the dedication though. However, I can relate. Out here in Phoenix that is how the ground is during summer months. Not frozen, just hard as rock

[@12345675858]

A propane torch you pull behind on a dolly, or on a sled that you can tow behind you over the snow, very lightweight, you can buy at your favorite "big box" store...

[@freddieeatsgoldcoins]

Yo Beau, Cool...or should i say Freezing..... cold video....!! cheers,G:)

[@DaveDigginDirt]

I know exactly what you're up against Beau. Let's put it this way, Dave ain't diggin any dirt these days and can't wait for winter to end! Thanks for sharing the humorous side of this dilemma.

[@PalmettoDigger]

Digging one or 2 holes like that and even the younglings would be done for the day! Like chopping wood. I tried it in Wisconsin in December and even tried a pick. Alls I got was ice in my eyes!

[@davidmunro4262]

Thanks, Beau! Wonderfully uninformative...in a good way :) I feel your pain, Maryland is just as bad right now.

[@HobbyCache]

Are the creeks frozen also? Just get back in the water Aquachigger no problem. I hope it thaws out for you soon and I'll be watching you use the AT Propointer finding all kinds of treasures.

[@63sonotech]

You should try to dig in Maine...you have to dig down 6 feet of snow before you hit the ground. I have no idea where you are at but up here, I would agree with ya. No digging in frozen ground. I did think of a solution but it hasnt been invented yet....a hand held battery operated heating jackhammer....that could do it.

[@FabulousMe65]

☀️enjoyed☀️

[@stevenk1965]

HaHa I bought my first detector 2 weeks ago but here in western NY there's still more than a foot of snow and ice on the ground. I'm going crazy watching all these guys down south that have been going out most of the winter. The snow around our driveway and sidewalks is still 3 to 5 feet deep. Come on spring I'm waiting for ya lol...

[@txguynnh]

Oh you made my day!

[@leburnham5864]

I have the same shovel here that you do, but I dig razor clams with it on the beach, not frozen soil .:p You need to make a trip up here to Washington State. Be happy to show you some interesting locations, and take you gold panning on a stream I just found. Pretty much find flour gold in every pan!. Not freezing here except at night right now. I want to visit my grandparents homestead in Eastern WA. as I know that grandmother used the original well as a garbage dump and when they got electricity, she threw the kerosene lamps into it. If I could find my other grandfathers old saloon site, that should be real productive too.

[@leburnham5864]

You weren't too far from where I live. Its about 3-4 hrs from my place

[@ChillBill1]

Beau just take a hairdryer along. A few well aimed whooshes of hot air and digging will be no problems. Hilarious video.

[@kimjameson7979]

I've seen geese flying north the past few days, so hang in there. I see you appreciate the Ushanka, too. I'm glad we don't have to wear them all year long, but they're right cozy in the winter. Mine still has its Russian military badge affixed, so I've been a bit reluctant to stroll through Wallyworld wearing it, but it's the bees knees for wind chill. I wonder if an application of 6 oz.of Boy Scout Fluid would fire up the hole enough to pop out a plug? Maybe not, but you could toast some s'mores on the flame. They're always good trail yummies and guaranteed for a healthy dose of marshmallowy face fur clingons. Or a guy could just lay on the hole long enough to thaw it out. Or stick a dayglo survey flag in it and come back when it warms up. Or stay home and comment. I mostly resemble that option. Thanks for a demonstration of why we take time out for other stuff in the winter. Hard water hunting and frozen ground take a toll on us old guys, too. If there was a microwave laser pinpointer with a "thaw" setting, we'd have it in the bag, so to speak, but until then, we'll just have to make do with Mom Nature. Cool sparks in the snow from the vintage axehead, too.

[@iknowdaeway4203]

Wish I can find stuff like you!, there is a little creek down the street from my house but I don't have a metal detector and it's way too shallow also :'(

[@pkmitch5]

I needed a good laugh.You needing boiling water.Or just move to Tucson, Arizona ,but can freeze here in the winter but not like in your video .It was 111 yesterday . Patty

[@mikedavis7455]