Gold, Gemstones and Geology Excursion

Geology at its finest

The Thompson River between Ashcroft and Lytton is a geologically rich and diverse area.

From the dramatic 150-million-year-old Black Canyon to the massive landslides that blocked the river and claimed many lives, the geology, natural history, and archaeology along the Thompson River are captivating.

Murphy demonstrating how to pan for gold

No, not everyone is mesmerized by geology; however, understanding what happened geologically sometimes helps you to find precious gemstones. And who doesn’t want to find a gemstone?

This two-day rafting trip between Ashcroft and Lytton brings you down into the heart of the Thompson River, within a stone’s throw of its geology and gemstones.

Your personal geologist, will identify and explain every landslide and geological feature as we drift downriver, and the lapiaderist will identify potential gemstone locations.

Meals Included: two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners.

Glacial silt along the river

Click here to view a slideshow of photographs taken mid May 2012, on a naturalist trip down the Thompson. It’s three minutes of beautiful photos.

Leaders

Doug VanDine, Geological Engineer

In 1973, Doug VanDine was studying the Drynoch slide south of Spences Bridge and stopped by the humble beginnings of “Bernie’s Raft Rides” (later to become Kumsheen). Bernie and Doug ran the river together, and a few years later, they co-authored Rafting in BC: Featuring the Lower Thompson River. Doug penned the geology of the river and Bernie wrote the details about the rapids and stories about the river. In this new excursion, rafting and geology will meet again.

Murphy & Katharine Shewchuk, Authors, Naturalists, Photographers

Murphy Shewchuk was bitten by the gold bug decades ago when as a young boy his family moved to Pioneer Gold Mines west of Lillooet. Since then he has maintained a strong interest in gold panning, rock hounding and BC Gold Rush history, writing more than a dozen books on related subjects including, Fur, Gold and Opals in 1975. Katharine is well known in birding and naturalist circles and brings an added dimension to this river journey.