The Joe Rogan Experience #1918 - John Reeves, from The Boneyard Alaska
Dec 30, 2022
John Reeves, an Alaskan gold miner and star of 'Goldfathers' and 'Boneyard Alaska,' shares his thrilling adventures in the pursuit of gold. He recounts the extraordinary discovery of Ice Age animal remains beneath the permafrost, including mammoth tusks. Engaging anecdotes about wildlife encounters, from quirky pelicans to grizzly bears, bring humor to his tales. Reeves also dives into the rich geological history of Alaska and the ethical dilemmas surrounding the commercial use of mammoth ivory, painting a vivid portrait of frontier life.
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Early Life and Swimming
- John Reeves, captivated by treasure from youth, set a swimming record and was recruited by Eddie Reese.
- Bear Bryant suggested he play football after catching Joe Namath's pass, but Reeves chose swimming.
Move to Alaska and Pipeline Boom
- After getting second place in a swimming competition, Reeves dropped out of college, hitchhiked to Alaska, and became a teamster.
- He tried gold mining, went broke, and then found success in air freight during the Alaska Pipeline construction.
Leaving College and Arrest
- Reeves wrote "Gone Fishing" on his college dropout sheet and left with a shotgun.
- He was arrested in Seattle, mistaken for the I-5 sniper, due to the shotgun.