piker

Piker refers to a type of prospector, particularly common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who was known for working claims alone or with a very small group. The term is most strongly associated with the gold rushes of the American West, especially during the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon Territory of Canada and Alaska. Piker prospectors were often seen as solitary figures, content with modest finds and preferring to operate independently rather than join large, organized mining operations.

The lifestyle of a piker was often characterized by hardship and self-reliance. They would stake claims in remote areas, often on the fringes of more established mining camps, and work them with basic tools and equipment. Their aim was not necessarily to strike it rich with a massive deposit, but rather to extract enough gold to make a living or to fund their next venture. This contrasts with the larger, more capitalized mining companies that sought to exploit vast ore bodies.

The term "piker" could sometimes carry a slightly derogatory connotation, implying a lack of ambition or a focus on small-scale, less significant endeavors. However, it also evoked an image of rugged individualism and a deep connection to the land. Many stories and accounts from the gold rush era feature the piker as a quintessential character of the frontier, representing a particular spirit of independent exploration and resourcefulness.