5 biggest mistakes new gold dredgers make in Nome, Alaska (plus a bonus one at the end)

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Who here has ever thought about coming to Nome to mine for gold?

[@bking7507]

J thought

[@bctrails7206]

👋✋

[@islandgardener158]

Not Nome, it looks too cold, but definitely the Yukon

[@heavymeadowdetective192]

I have. Since Bryan joined Vernon's crew it's made me want to more. My original concerns were if my body could even be 30 feet under water, but you made me think about down time. I'd be in that bar within a month lol. Very informative video Emily. You and your crew stay safe and thanks for the upload. I'm off to thermal city to high bank!!✌⚒

[@scottjarvie6766]

I’d like to go to Nome just to meet people like you and have a Adventure for only about 3 weeks then get my ass back home where it’s nice and warm lol 😂

[@kixigvak]

I'm not a miner, I'm a reporter. I just left Nome after four years there and one thing I can say is the miners who are making money all have one thing in common: they work hard. They work very hard. Emily's advice is excellent. She's so cool! A beer in the bars of Nome will cost you ten bucks. So stay out of the bars. I suspect there are more miners making money by fleecing investors than there are miners finding gold. One guy told me "The baby boomers have got their IRAs burning a hole in their pocket and investing in something exciting like a gold mining operation is just too seductive." Nome is not such a bad place to live but it is very expensive. Housing and food are really high.

[@SpamMouse]

BSG producers are totally mad not to have included a whole episode talking to you, your father and other miners about these aspects of life in Nome, Thank you for compiling this Emily. 👍

[@larryhutton8776]

I lived in Nome in the 60s when gold was 35 dollars an ounce. I met a hiway worker from Wisconsin who took 3 months off from road work to pan on the beach from Nome to the mouth of the Nome river. He was taking 13 k off the beach every year..he came up about every year for 6 years..nice guy..

[@namehere7771]

I think your a strong smart woman being successful in the harshest weather around. Keep it up love watching the crazy stuff you guys do!

[@robertreid2489]

I'm not interested in becoming a miner: I don't have the skills. But I love watching you. Thanks for the new video, Emily!

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thanks Robert for watching as always!

[@Bennydyk]

@@TheEmilyRiedel Do you ever get people that travel to Nome just to meet you? If so, can you share any cool and/or awkward situations that you or others on the show have encountered?

[@mastermoarman]

I'd love to see a video series of all the crazy failed ideas

[@davidaven355]

Thanks Emily for being there. Your straight forward and charming demeanor about what most people do not know came by your experiences. Thank you , you are wonderful. If I came up there I would expect to know how to be a hermit and find a piece of land to buy as a or for a tiny home where I can park my equipment and of course welcome anybody who wants to visit me whether they ever did or not. I think you are right about being about the business and do not venture too far without really knowing how. Thank you again. Keep up the good work. I only hope should I ever come back there I could be friends with you and everybody.

[@sojc7144]

Excellent tips Emily! I would see other YT channels interviewing seasonal miners at Nome some would have a boat and some would just dredge inland and you can sense immediately is a very rough environment. I love the show “BSG” and I think when the viewers see Shawn “Mr. Gold” Pomerenke start doing their clean up and weighing his over 100 ounces of gold that gives potential miners the wrong motivation and idea that they can do better..I think!!

[@jamesmudd2227]

Thanks for the advice Emily, you've done very well for yourself also!! When is season 15 of BSG going to start? I'm a recreational miner,when I'm not working at my real job. I hope you have a successful mining season this summer!!!

[@mikevance5253]

Hey Emily, i have noticed while watching the show that none of the divers ever take down an external bottle of air as a safety implement should the air compressor goes to shit. Can you take bottled air into the icy water? If i were a diver i would want the back up tank because every season, one of the biggest problems they encounter is air issues. Can you help us understand why no one uses bottled air as a redundant back up.

[@stonewolf7850]

Condensing years into minutes. Your advice is gold. Maybe even diamonds amongst gold. It's appreciated.

[@3nuggeteers19]

Thank you so much for this video! We cant wait to see Nome July and get to know how things work up there and meet the locals! Anyone who thinks your job is easy really does have no clue about mining! As always great video and much love from California!!

[@chrismalcomson7640]

Great advice. You've got to feel for all those people who've lost their shirts chasing the dream. I love the show and love going out doing a bit of prospecting myself, but up there in Alaska is totally different ball game.

[@GrotyGold]

Great advice Emily we only play around with a bit gold for fun but love watching you work your dredge. Cheers from downunder.

[@JorgeRodriguez-iq7vb]

Great advice! Especially "don't invest your money in other's failures.

[@MrNightwalker66]

Thanks for your hard truths that some will never listen to but should

[@melplishka5978]

Ty for your honesty Emily. Your awesome.

[@ehardy1960]

Thanks you Emily I have considered coming up to Nome just to watch n be part of an operation if anything just to learn something new

[@luciisaura]

Thank you for doing this it’s good advice for anyone coming to the bush in Alaska I live in kotzebue and expect for not having gold the advice is the same thank you and keep up the work you were the best person on the show

[@d.t.4523]

I haven't seen the BSG show, sorry. This video was a random find, but a cool topic. I have one more that you can incorporate into another top 5 list. "If you didn't make it in the lower 48, how are you going to make it here?" Good luck to you. 👍

[@kayejaye261]

Always thought about going North and try my luck. Even b4 IRT I had job offer driving. Met guy in North Dakota. My girlfriends dad said I crazy. Then wanted to go because I heard divers needed. B4 I knew it. To old. Like to come b tourist and check out. Your very honest. Not arrogant. You have had success and failure. Wish u best. Great vids.

[@leannedwardsdesignandpaint7591]

You inspire me I would not even think about going after gold to many in that boat but good to watch you kick ass

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thanks Leann!

[@SYNERSTAR]

... be nice, be humble... something that is scarce these days, but there is an endless universal supply of.. cheers

[@studiotwentyfive]

Watched since season 1 just found your KZbin. I live in Scotland and can't believe how many people commenting on here that they want to try a season 🤣🤣🤣 it's cold enough here I will keep watching you all from my home comforts. Some amount of dreamers out there though place must turn into a circus once the sun shines.

[@bleedfreedom6528]

I'm hoping to go there for vacation soon. I've been minning on a small scale for years. Tks for the video

[@simongmeiner7641]

What an awesome video, well done Emily 😊

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thanks so much Simon!

[@soundadvicesomewhere9027]

See you soon on next show - Thanks

[@lindabegovich7463]

Have been watching bearing sea gold since the beginning or almost the beginning when you were going out with Zeke. I’m glad you didn’t stay with him but I’m not saying that to be mean but I don’t think you too clicked and your husband now seems genuinely nice and has a very nice personality I’m glad for you.

[@kimfrommn7162]

Very interesting video! I'm sure glad I found you! I'm in love with Alaska and I love learning the different trades of the land. Thanks for sharing your career, the geographical of your area, and you two are a fun couple and also enjoying you sharing that part of your life also! I love outdoor activity and to make it living in your area, you would have to love the outdoor activities to keep you out of the bars! I'm not against bars, but they are more trouble in someone's life than any other social activity. The outdoors is where it's at! Keep the video's coming!! 😊

[@ChristianLaurinE]

Here is a question, would location location location not be way up there? You can have the best gear and best team, but if you don’t know where the gold is, nothing is going to happen? I watch all of the gold shows and what strikes me is that those who make money understand it is not a question of equipment, but a question of finding the gold and how to find the gold. And that does not seem to be discussed much in the gold shows.

[@mp3625]

Sound advise, I am a longtime fan of your adventure of you and zack on the beach and your journey thru the seasons. Lol congrats you have come a long way. Plus there is the disclaimer on the season series?? There is always good and bad times in everyones life. Love your youtube series. Nice to see the true Emily Ridel.

[@Jaglitpill70]

love watching you and im proud of you i seen you come a long way !!! i hope you Love Mother Hood !!

[@johnbuckingham4608]

Shouldn't the divers take along an ab iron to help dig up the rocks instead of just using their hand? And would a smaller diameter hose work to increase volume? And maybe a cage to keep out large rocks? This is as close to mining as I'll ever get.

[@ryanmartinage]

I'd love to try a season up there just to have the experience. Would be a great adventure.

[@garycrispens9208]

Excellent advice for everyone. If it was easy to get rich, there would be plenty of rich miners walking around which there is not.

[@ScottzPlaylists]

About the bone yard (scrap yard) at start of video... Is that stuff Free? How hard is it to put together a boat comparable to the Eroica? what about motors, pumps, etc? Is there an online web site where everyone sells stuff for just for Nome?

[@nicholsongc11]

That's truthfully advise that would apply to every aspect of life. Specially business.

[@timkay4386]

Great commentary and very insightful! Thanks M and all the best this season

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thanks so much Tim!

[@Sandman330]

I would love to come up there but hate the cold. UK is bad enough 😁I'm from SA 🇿🇦 like ABIT of warmth. As u say u need a vehicle and a warm place. 🔥 Thanks for sharing. ❤️💛

[@twebb2726]

Love bsg thanks for the extras without any network influence. You rock

[@nhragold1922]

I love dredging. I'm heading up next season. But not attempting any sea dredging . Rather deal with the pain in the ass in getting equipped in shitty spots then attempting that entire new world! You guys are tough as nails

[@iamwesterncanadian570]

Hi Emily, Was watching an episode last year where someone was beach mining, and he was doing okay. I was wondering does gold move around on the beach, and that's why people continue to find it in the same spots that were mined out earlier. That spot I'm talking about was below an old river that doesn't even exist anymore. Thanks..

[@greenandgold2185]

Lake superior beach mining is similar. Just less gold. And it can definitely be here today gone tomorrow. I seen that episode also. He stopped beach mining and became her diver. I also heard him say he recovers an oz a day if he works hard enough. I'd love to put in 60 days of that.

[@richavic4520]

I commented on your prices video, and boom, here you are again. Not many people can wing it, live by their wits and survive. Much less in an extreme environment. The ones who seem to look that way have performed their due diligence, putting serious thought into all contingencies. Some do it and still fail. Nome is a long way from most places. Closer to Russia than most places. Think about the stories about the shortages of basic supplies in the former Soviet Union. You covered the realities, the result of a small population in at a remote location in the aforementioned video. One subject that I learned while trying to earn a living was to treat your competition with respect. Someday you might need them, and the same for them. That, and you can't make up for losses by increasing your volume.

[@georgemcdonald4525]

Thank you very much for the advice.. I am planning on coming up (down) ? In May.. one question.. are there any kareoke bars?

[@GSProspecting]

great work all around fam. glad I come by. GOLD SQUAD OUT!!!

[@stevezurek5826]

Whats a bottle of belle gloss cost in nome? You have to fly that in?

[@robertswanson4070]

Youve come a Long way, Emily. Say hi to Rick. Great videos

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Hey, thanks!

[@NoraSUMINSKI]

Do you know of any places in the mainland to attempt to pan for gold? It's been a bucket list but I can barely afford to drive to the next state let alone afford to go to Alaska w machinery. I def want to go big time

[@s.d.iprospecting4359]

Hey Emily has anybody looked into the Shell gold dredge? They make a 10,12,and a 15 inch suction/cutter dredge its made for mining gold,there expensive the 15 inch is 5 million dollars but can be run by 2 people. Im just curious if anybody has used them in Nome.

[@TheMonkeyrock77]

I helped some dredgers at a Reservoir in California where I lived once. We found a nugget the size of your thumb along with a bunch of little nuggets. I've wanted to go to Alaska to try my luck ever sense.

[@TheRudyruud]

I am just wondering what amount of cash people spend to start diving for gold? I would never start something without a backup plan.

[@fathead7140]

Mite be a stupid question, but what do people use for cell service in nome? I have t- mo and wonder if it would even work there..lol

[@HappyBees]

Wish we could find gold in the UK like you do there.

[@ScottzPlaylists]

what's the biggest suction hose being used in nome?

[@theguru-s2l]

Hey Emily, i used to watch the show all the time. Always knew its not as easy as it looks. I like your videos, honest and straight to the point. So if i were to come up to you and told you i want to compete with you( do what you fo minus bsg) would you spend the time it would take to explain to a newbie what he will need to start? Given said newbie is nice to you. Lol. I love the outdoors so i would not mind beach mining, i can see myself shovel dirt into a highbanker for hours. But its not something id be able to achieve financially in the near future.

[@rylandmacneil4581]

Grate video Emily keep up the grate work 💯

[@stoneystead1871]

Emily I watched the 1st episode of BSG last night and you weren't in the opener or mentioned at all. Are you not on the show anymore or just this season?

[@TonyL-gw4qx]

Thank you for this video. I have always wanted to try mining and know I would not be a big miner. Who would suggest people talk to about renting for a season so I could start out and do beach mining? That would help me figure out where to start and get the ball rolling. I am an experienced advanced open water diver and would like to at least try that when I am there but I’m sure I can figure out who to talk to for that when I’m there. Thanks again I have been watching your video for quite some time and never commented but the time is near for a change! Thank you again! Tony L

[@Happyharhar]

I've always wondered, how efficient do you think your dredge is at catching fine gold. What percentage do you think you miss?

[@chunkymonkey55555]

Is there an actual large enough margin there enough to make a person risk a fortune to pull up sticks and set up in Alaska to search for gold?

[@fathead7140]

Would you consider your operation a big or small operation?

[@martymichalski5587]

Well at least thank you totally honest what it takes to get up there do appreciate it

[@shawnlarock9159]

Please keep these vids coming! Thanks very much and we love you in Wisconsin

[@quimt.6440]

Siempre estabais montando jaleo. No callabais ni debajo del agua pero tienes una fuerza de superación increible. Todo el día llena de morados, pero con el deber cumplido. 😘

[@chrispatriot]

Great Video Emily! Where I grew up much the same issue with a lot of tourists coming to the Black Hills of South Dakota(7 miles from Mount Rushmore).... THE REAL GOLD in Nome, AK isn't in the water!! That much I've learned real fast watching all of you on Bearing Sea Gold... It lies within the "knowledge/Wisdom" of those who eat, live, breathe this stuff 24/7/365..... I'm potentially coming up there next summer, too late this year. I sure hope I run into some great people up there. Your opening line was spot on too.... It should be one of the most stark lessons anyone can learn coming to Nome.... Look at all the people who thought they had all the answers... Because they're lining the roads and fields. Hope you have a great season! Save some for me! :)

[@NCMOUNTAINSbackyardRC]

Yes 👍. I live on old Sapphire mine. In. NC.

[@geraldkoth654]

I probably have not seen every single episode, sometimes I do not have satellite reception as I travel full time. I have seen many of the episodes. I have seen you go from tiny amounts of gold in your early years to a decent haul the last season that was on. The crazy part of that is that you made less in gold than I would get working as an engineer at an aerospace company. Then there are the Kelly's LOL

[@gradysfalcon]

Great advice I will keep rooting for you !

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thanks Fred!

[@MisterMakerNL]

Imma just gonna watch you on KZbin from my cozy warm home.

[@tjprospecting4541]

Hey... Love the show and your episodes... Can beach mining in Nome be profitable?

[@jeffreycarrow8584]

wish i was 20 again this is a young persons game emily is an extremely talanted person like eastwood said youve got too know your limitations

[@bend1841]

I have seen every Battle Star Galactica episode, I am ready to mine!

[@southernvtgrown]

Loving the videos folks, much 💚 from Vermont 🇺🇸

[@brianstandefer7317]

Did your stove catch fire ?

[@charlesmartin1262]

I think the first mistake they make coming there is thinking that there is dirt to mine. It's all claimed. No one's videos even touches on that subject and it gives the impression one can just find a spot and start digging but that's not gonna happen. No one's gonna hire you no one's gonna let you mine their claim.

[@woodyahh2110]

Nice heads up advice for the newbies with gold fever

[@s.d.iprospecting4359]

I want to go to Nome and get into the buisness im a prospecter in N.C i would start on the beach with a highbanker and keep my overhead to a minimum. start small and work up. maybe try and get a job on a dredge to lkearn more about Nome dredging. Ive always said for every hour of prospecting i do, ive done 3 hours of research and that is no joke. every peice of equipment i currently own ive researched countless hours on its viability to my application and what i need it for. Im currently saving and researching 4 inch dredges for my N.C prospecting and other states i plan on prospecting. All your points u have made in this video are absoulutley valid points especially the not being a d**k lol. that gets nobody anywhere in life let alone gold dredging in nome alaska I do hope someday i will be able to make it up there its on my bucket list along with doing the 40 mile gold camp adventure in Chicken. great video Emily!

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thanks so much for watching Shawn and for the kind words! good luck I hope you find lots of G!

[@Maxvigna]

Watching your videos for the First Time. I.m a man 44yo from North of Italy....immediatly notice your elusive gaze which remind me how i am. I live in a small Village close to mountains and relations with people could be difficult but at the same time authentic. I also have "important" nose which allowed me to feel much more undestood.....i Will follow you, i Will not be a Dick...👍

[@AliMackMechanical]

Very interesting and informative. I think if I was going to start up there with you. I would probably stick to what am good at being a mechanic. Nome reminds me a lot of the The little village I come from in the Highlands of Scotland where everyone knows everyone. Tc and stay safe until the next time 😃✌🤙

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

The smartest people in town mine the miners! We have like one diesel mechanic in town and he has all the work he wants

[@AliMackMechanical]

@@TheEmilyRiedel You find a good mechanic is never out of work. 😃👍

[@kayejaye261]

Could a good mechanic make it? Small engine and heavy equipment?

[@snowman1695]

Sound advice, you've put the time in and know what it takes to be successful gold mining in Nome. Thank you for sharing insights without sugar coating 👌

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for following along!

[@donpablo2170]

This broad is straight butter....love the videos...wish you were on this season but worth the wait......

[@rockeyroy1]

your are so special Emily I've loved your journey since day one and frankly only really watch for you and Mr. Gold All my love if you are ever in Vancouver we should say high I am a friend of Bill W. and get how following a dream is NOT a part of the program

[@HEAVYMETALJSTYLES]

Thanks. 👍

[@smurph4959]

Sounds like really hard work but very exciting too. Living in a tent or vehicle would be hard if it got really cold brrrrrr. I would love a gold hunt but where I'm from we don't really have any. I settle for mud larking instead.

[@boblindstrom3479]

Can a beach miner actually make bank with the cost of living, etc in Nome? What would the "average" beach miner make in ounces per year? Why is there a "season" for mining? Can the beach be mined all year round? Thanks and am an avid watcher forever! PS: I'm not going to come up, just curious questions.

[@twt000]

Great idea for a video. I always think people that mine gold in poor parts of the world would do well in Nome. Humble, practical, and hard working. I dive for a different kind of gold......Nudibranchs.

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

Thank you!

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

I never heard of those little creatures. What are they used for?

[@twt000]

@@TheEmilyRiedel Just cute beautiful creatures to marvel at/film. I think there may be Nudibranchs in the Bearing sea as they do live around SE Alaska. BTW you can tell how long ground has been undisturbed by the age of soft coral growth patterns. You probably know this.

[@clivepeterson5272]

Great vid. Alot of this advice can be applied in life in general. One thing is be very paranoid as bout would be getting robbed! That would be on my mind constantly man.

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

It happens but Nome is too small of a town for someone to succeed as a thief for very long. Usually it's someone who's desperate and addicted to something and then gets run out of town fast. Word gets around

[@baddog9320]

So what about beach mining. Im not interested in dredge mining. Because it looks like yoy need a lot even for a tiny operation. And you have to dive, to work a dredge. But it looks like there is some gold to be had by beach mining. Im not looking to get rich. Just looking to make some money.

[@mizziepox3470]

Background music has a familiar ring to it 😇

[@RaySarasin]

I have watched and cheered for you since day 1, you have the skills cheers and i wish you all the luck.

[@garyzamora3183]

Hey E, didn't know you were a miner? Only thing I saw you do underwater was freak out! Never did see you dive for more than 5 minutes! Lmao!

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

All excellent points. My guess is that most of the people showing up in Nome won’t heed them.

[@melplishka5978]

Sorry too hear about nick.

[@avsystem3142]

Why even prospect for gold underwater? Look for it where it is in the native rock, i.e., on land. That is a lot cheaper way to get started with gold mining.

[@poorboysblue42]

Great advice thank you

[@bobsimon1554]

I will be very glad to go in nome just to see how it works, how people is. Since i am french, it s gonna take too many months and efforts to go there...green card and stuff....BSG is not a documentary but much more a serie/doc with fake mistake, drama and stuff. anyway ty for your advices, hope the best you

[@chrisfrench2130]

It has always been a dream, but that is most likely why it is is a dream. I'm sure up there it's who you know and be a full blown mechanic.

[@ResQer]

Wonderful video… but what is the Opera scene like in Nome? Do you ever perform?

[@TheEmilyRiedel]

I am the opera scene in Nome. I've been asked to sing at a couple funerals in Nome but if I'm performing it's usually in the off-season

[@ResQer]

@@TheEmilyRiedel Off season? You’re much too hard a worker to have one of those. Thanks for the response, and the interesting videos… and, if I am ever near Nome, I will assume the only high C’s I hear will come from your talented instrument. Cheers from Canada.