If a market bottom is determined by investor sentiment. IMHO the sentiment about gold and gold shares could not have been more negative. Even Richard Russel said sell all stocks including mining stocks. He then revised that comment to say that he believed all stocks should be sold, however he would keep his gold shares "till the bitter end" Of course we can never know the future but I can't think of any other thing to do with my retirement funds. If the government would allow me to use all of my funds to buy a house and hold that in my RRSP's I might consider this, as realestate is also a real assett. I am afraid of debt however and living in vancouver doesn't present too many affordable options in real estate.