Kiwigold is back

[Kiwigold(NZ)]

Hi Folks

Was checking old gold forums to see if they were still here or active a few weeks back. Seems a lot of us have got a little older, a little slower, and moved on from chasing the stuff. Plenty of good memories tho. Anyway found the link to here. And applied to join. But never got an email saying I had been approved. So tried again just now. Same user name same password, and voila. It said this user name and password have been taken. So went to login and here I am. Some may know me as Trev (NZ). I was distantly associated with the birth of Mike Pungs the " Gold Cube" . Right now off to see whats been happening on here. My thanks for Danny (Danidoor) NZ not sure what user name he uses on here. Was txting with him last night over another matter, and he mentioned this forum. So I said I would try and get back in. Won't have any new stories, as I said, my gold days finished quite a few years back. But I can scan my memory banks and locate a few cells that may retain some exploits from my younger days.

Cheers Trev (NZ)

[Joe S (AK)]

YAHOOOOOOO - Trevor is back!!!

Absolutely stunning that you have come full circle. Catch us all up on your adventures!

All the best!

Joe

[Kiwigold(NZ)]

Hi Joe

Good to see a few of the old names on here. I'm 72 now. Wow doesn't time fly eh. Seems I have a lot of reading to do on here this winter catching up. But hey having been to Alaska, maybe they will make me an Honorary Alaskan, or even their NZ Consul/Ambassador. Although my time was spent around Fairbanks and Circle and up, was it the Elliot Highway to that last Home Steaders, that was an Outfitter/Hunting Guide/gold miner, now no longer with us his ex wife wrote a book about it. Memory has gone there, as to his name. Stayed on his airstrip, great guy to meet and jaw with.

Trev(NZ)

[Geowizard]

Hi Trev,

Welcome back!

Was it Les Cobb that you are having difficulty remembering?

He lived in the same town that I live in, here in Arizona during the winter. His wife still lives here. He met with an unfortunate accident a few years ago.

- Geowizard

[Kiwigold(NZ)]

Yep Geo, thanks that's who it was. Yep a tragic end indeed for Les. We were camped on his airstrip for a few days. Les had been out to NZ previously on a hunting trip chasing Chamois. So knew a little about us strange people from down under. He was very hospitable. Invited us up to his cabin for evening meals. Called a spade a spade and a shovel a shovel, my kind of man. Straight up guy, but friendly once he had you sorted.

Cheers Trev (NZ)

[Jim_Alaska]

Welcome back Trev. Fond memories of times gone by with you on the forums. Yes, we are all a bit older, but while still kicking lets revive the old memories.

[Joe S (AK)]

I met Les Cobb over a few weeks one summer, a few years before he died. What a true "Man's Man".

As you said, once he sorted you out he was a true and good friend. After Norma, his wife, and a co-author wrote the book about the Cobb's early years of homesteading and carving out a life for the family of seven near Rampart / Manley Hot Springs (with the gold mining, big game guiding and such) she chose to leave Alaska. As I heard it, having had enough Alaska for a lifetime. Les, as far as I know, remained in Alaska and only left for his adventure filled trips to far away places.

Les later traveled to Mongolia with other miners I knew to look at the possibilities of Gold mining there - but alas it seemed to all fall through on that one.

If memory holds true Les, in the end, was involved in a serious accident while alone, quite some distance from help. He managed, somehow, to drag himself to his truck (with a broken back) and again, somehow, drove himself to get help. I believe he died from the injuries a short time later.

Les was certainly a larger than life man. Stories of his adventures (many were told were in the book, and many, um, err, weren't able to be told in the book) along with all the things he did over the years could all be summed up in one thought - "He played for all the marbles, all the time."

The Book: https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-26198-6

Joe

[Kiwigold(NZ)]

Joe as I recall Les was setting a bear bait, climbed a tree to secure the holding rope it to a branch. Unfortunately something went wrong and he fell, sustaining those very serious injuries. RIP Les your exploits in that untamed wilderness live on. Gone but never forgotten.

Cheers Trev (NZ)

[Beav]

Well Trev, GREAT to have you back!!!!
You will have to fill us in on all your goings-on....plus I can pick your brains for stuff related to gold mining, etc, etc.
Don't be a stranger....
Beav (Canada)

[Geowizard]

A man named Chick,

I met a man here that practically ate three meals a day with Les.

Apparently Les returned from Mongolia/China with a "trophy". That's the reason Norma "had enough of Alaska".

I'm sure as time goes on - as with many legends, the stories will grow with time.

- Geowizard