Narrator: ON THE ALL-NEW SEASON OF "GOLD RUSH"...
DON'T STOP FOR NOBODY.
...A WORLD-WIDE CRISIS...
THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS DECLARING
THE CORONAVIRUS A PANDEMIC.
Narrator: ...SHUTS MINERS OUT OF THE YUKON.
WHAT SETS THE STAGE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME?
GOLD PRICES HIT A SEVEN YEAR HIGH.
Narrator: GOLD PRICES REACH RECORD HIGHS...
-YEE-HAW! -...AND FUEL BOTTOMS OUT.
OIL PRICES HAVE TURNED NEGATIVE.
Narrator: THE PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR HUGE PROFIT...
Rick: DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS.
THAT'S A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS A MONTH.
...DRIVING PARKER, RICK, AND TONY
TO TAKE RISKS LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
Parker: THE HIGH GOLD PRICES ARE AWESOME,
BUT IT'S ALSO A BIT SCARY.
Narrator: AND A GROUP OF NEW MINERS...
LISTEN, EVERYBODY!
Narrator: ...FLOCK TO THE GOLD FIELDS.
THIS IS THE LITTLE SLICE OF FREEDOM UP IN HERE,
IT'S LIKE THE AMERICAN DREAM, IF YOU ASK ME.
Narrator: EVERY MINUTE COUNTS IN THE SHORTEST SEASON EVER.
-LET'S GO! -YEAH!
Fred: BEAUTIFUL!
-OH, MY GOD. -[ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S A BEAUTY THAT'S WORTH SOME SERIOUS MONEY.
WHOA! OUR [BLEEP] WASH PLANT IS ON FIRE.
YOU WITH ME? [ GROANS ]
FOR THAT KID BEING SUCH A GENIUS,
SOMEDAYS HE'S A [BLEEP] MORON.
IT'S A DISASTER.
Fred: THIS IS THE BIGGEST RISK I'VE TAKEN IN MY LIFE.
Mitch: OH-OH-OH! STOP!
IF ANYBODY WANTS TO GO HOME, THEY CAN [BLEEP] GO HOME,
I'LL GO PACK MY [BLEEP] AND I'LL LEAVE RIGHT NOW,
I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP].
YEE-HAW!
LOOK AT THAT THING. [ LAUGHS ]
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. YIKES. [GHS ]
WHOO! LET'S GET SOME GOLD, BOYS!
ALRIGHT!
HOLY SMOKES, WOW. HELL, YEAH.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Man: $4.3 MILLION WORTH OF GOLD, DEFINITELY A RECORD BREAKER.
--Captions by VITAC-- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♪
Narrator: IT'S MAY IN THE KLONDIKE.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LIVING MEMORY,
THE GOLD FIELDS ARE SHUT DOWN.
BUT ALL THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.
TONY, TONY, TONY, DO YOU COPY?
HEY, IT'S THE FILM CREW HERE.
WE'RE DOWN AT YOUR FRONT GATE. IT'S ALL LOCKED UP.
WE'RE HERE TO START THE SEASON FILMING.
-HI, TONY. -HI.
EXCELLENT. GLAD TO BE HERE.
HOW ARE YOU?
YEAH, YOU GOT A LOCK DOWN HERE.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?
WHAT'S THE RULES HERE WITH THIS GATE?
SO WE COME IN AND WE LOCK THIS BEHIND US?
OKAY.
Narrator: KLONDIKE LEGEND TONY BEETS HAS SUCCESSFULLY
MINED CANADA'S GOLD-RICH YUKON CLAIMS FOR 30 YEARS.
HE'S LEARNED TO DEAL WITH EVERY KIND OF CRISIS.
BUT HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LTHIS.
THIS FAR NORTH, THE SHORT YUKON MINING SEASON
IS MEASURED IN DAYS.
NOW TONY'S ALREADY A MONTH BEHIND.
IN THAT TIME, HE COULD HAVE EARNED OVER A MILLION DOLLARS
IN GOLD.
BUT IN THE MIDST OF THE CHAOS AND DELAYS,
A SILVER LINING THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING.
♪
Parker: IT'S DEFINITELY THE LATEST START
WE'VE HAD SINCE SHOWING UP IN THE YUKON.
WITH THIS VIRUS GOING ON AND COVID,
THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE PROBABLY
ONE OF THE MORE CHALLENGING YEARS THAT WE'VE EVER HAD.
Narrator: 25-YEAR-OLD MINING PRODIGY PARKER SCHNABEL
IS USED TO WINNING.
IN NINE YEARS, HE'S GONE FROM A THREE-MAN OPERATION
TO A CREW OF 20, MINING OVER $10 MILLION LAST SEASON.
BUT NOW HE'S BEHIND SCHEDULE WITH MASSIVE OVERHEADS
AND IN NEED OF A PLAN.
THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT WE FACE AS A COMPANY RIGHT NOW
IS THAT WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF GROUND.
SO IF WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR MORE,
THEN WE'LL ALWAYS BE AT RISK OF GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.
Narrator: LAST YEAR, PARKER REALIZED HIS DREAM
OF MINING HIS OWN GROUND...
Man: THAT MAKES OUR SEASON TOTAL...
7223.
Narrator: ...AND DIDN'T PAY A CENT OF ROYALTIES ON IT.
SO CHEERS TO ALL OF YOU GUYS.
CHEERS TO ALL OF YOU GUYS!
BUT HE STRUCK OUT FINDING HIS OWN GROUND FOR THIS YEAR.
0.0018, I MEAN, IT'S A PRETTY BAD MINE.
WELL, YOU'D PROBABLY LOSE MONEY ON A CUT LIKE THAT.
NOW PARKER WANTS TO EXPAND HIS EMPIRE BEYOND THE YUKON.
Parker: THE TRIP TO AUSTRALIA DEFINITELY MADE ME START THINKING
ABOUT WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE IN THE WORLD,
AND PROSPECTING DEFINITELY IS QUITE THE GAMBLE.
BUT THERE'S A PROPERTY IN ALASKA
THAT'S FOR SALE FOR LIKE $3 MILLION.
IF WE CAN GO TO ALASKA AND FIND LOTS OF OUNCES IN THE GROUND,
THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING.
THIS SEASON IS GOING TO BE PARTICULARLY ROUGH
BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE OUR OWN GROUND.
IT'S A LITTLE SCARY, ALMOST.
♪
WELL, I'M STILL AT HOME, CORONAVIRUS LOCK DOWN.
UNABLE TO MOVE AROUND, UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING.
Narrator: THIRD-YEAR MINE BOSS RICK NESS THOUGHT
THIS WOULD BE HIS SEASON TO HIT THE BIG TIME.
BUT THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC SHUT THE CANADIAN BORDER
AND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN HAS ISSUED A STAY AT HOME ORDER
WHILE THE PRICE OF GOLD RISES TOWARDS AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
WHEW. WOW. RIGHT NOW, I MEAN,
IT'S WELL OVER 1,700 BUCKS AN OUNCE TODAY.
THIS IS THE TIME TO BE MINING RIGHT NOW.
I MEAN, IT'S EXCITING.
AND IT'S ALSO DRIVING ME
ABSOLUTELY BAT[BLEEP] CRAZY RIGHT NOW
BECAUSE I'M SITTING HERE ON MY COUCH
STARING AT THE PRICE OF GOLD ON A SCREEN
RATHER THAN BEING UP IN THE YUKON MINING IT.
♪
A LITTLE CHEST ACTION.
Narrator: LAST SEASON, RICK BARELY BROKE EVEN,
BUT NOW WITH PRICES SOARING,
THIS COULD BE THE SEASON HE HITS THE BIG TIME.
I HAVE GOT EVERYTHING AT STAKE RIGHT NOW.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THIS IS --
I'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT OF REDEMPTION
WAITING FOR ME UP IN THE NORTH.
I DIDN'T DO IT LAST YEAR,
BUT I CAN'T HAVE ANOTHER ONE LIKE THAT.
I CAN'T ENDURE ANOTHER ONE.
TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE GAME
BEFORE I EVEN GET TO GIVE IT A SHOT
IS ABOUT THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO FOR ME.
LIKE, I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THAT.
I NEVER WILL.
I NEED TO BE IN THE YUKON.
SOME MINERS ARE GETTING IN AND SOME AREN'T,
EVEN IF I CAN GET IT'S SUPER LATE
AND IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY SHORT SEASON.
I JUST DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE LONG ENOUGH
TO GET THE GOLD I NEED.
♪
Narrator: AT PARKER'S CLAIM ON SCRIBNER CREEK,
HIS CREW RETURNS AFTER THE LONG OFF-SEASON LOCKDOWN.
Chris: I JUST FINISHED MY TWO-WEEK QUARANTINE
IN THE YUKON TERRITORY, GOT A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH.
GOT TO GET UP HERE.
Narrator: CHRIS DOUMITT, PARKER'S GOLD ROOM EXPERT,
HAS BEEN ALLOWED ACROSS THE CANADIAN BORDER
AS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER.
IT'S AMAZING THE DRIVE FROM HOME BACK UP TO HERE
WAS THERE'S NOBODY OUT ON THE ROAD.
I GOT IN AND DID MY QUARANTINE FOR TWO WEEKS.
AND I TELL YOU, I'LL NEVER DO ANYTHING BAD ENOUGH
TO GO TO JAIL BECAUSE THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLY BORING.
COULDN'T IMAGINE BEING LOCKED IN A CELL.
EXCITED TO GET BACK TO WORK, START MAKING SOME MONEY.
HOME SWEET HOME.
Narrator: MECHANIC AND CO-FOREMAN MITCH BLASCHKE
HAS ALSO MADE IT ACROSS THE BORDER.
[BLEEP] BROTHER!
HEY, BUDDY! HOW YOU DOING?
GOOD, YOU? BIG OL' COVID HUG FOR YA.
OH, MAN, WELL, I JUST GOT OUT A LOCKDOWN.
SO.YOU JUST COME BACK TO JAIL.
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S BETTER.
GIVE ME A HUG, YOU OLD BAT.
OH! [ LAUGHS ]
HOW ARE YOU FEELING?OH, NOT BAD.
YEAH? GOOD. GOOD.
I FEEL ABOUT AS OLD AS YOU.UH-OH, UH-OH.
THAT NOT GOOD. WE'LL BE DOWN HERE --
HEY, MITCHELL.FINALLY MADE IT, MAN.
[ LAUGHTER ]PAPA.
YEAH.HOW YOU DOING?
DOING GOOD.
GENTLEMEN.WHAT'S HAPPENING?
NOT A WHOLE LOT, HOW ARE YOU?
DOING GOOD. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
SO THANKS FOR COMING UP HERE. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A [BLEEP]
DISASTER OF LOGISTICS THIS SPRING,
AND IT'S LEFT US A BIT BEHIND.
I MEAN, THE BEST THING THAT'S HAPPENED RIGHT NOW
IS FUEL PRICES ARE REALLY LOAND GOLD PRICE IS UP.
RIGHT? SO THAT'S A GOOD THING.
THE GROUND THAT WE BOUGHT LAST YEAR,
I MEAN, NOT ONLY IS THE LICENSE EXPIRED ON IT,
BUT WE PRETTY WELL MINED HER OUT.
SO IT DOESN'T REALLY LEAVE US MUCH OPTIONS FOR GROUND,
AND THE ONLY PLACE THAT I CAN REALLY THINK OF
IN TERMS OF LIKE CLOSE TO GETTING READY TO GO
IS DOWNSTREAM OF THE LAST CUT ON TONY'S GROUND.
♪
Narrator: WITH THE CLOCK TICKING,
PARKER MAKES A KEY DECISION
TO START HIS SEASON ON THE LAST CUT,
THE BEST GROUND HE'S EVER MINED.
HE'LL HAVE TO PAY LANDLORD TONY BEETS A CUT.
BUT WITH GOLD PRICES HIGH, IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE
TO MAKE UP FOR THE LATE START TO THE SEASON.
YOU KNOW, THE ROYALTIES I KNOW ARE HIGH,
BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS, AND IT'S FAIRLY CLOSE
TO BEING READY TO SLUICE. IT WOULD BE NICE
TO TRY TO GET A WASH PLANT RUNNING AS SOON AS WE CAN,
AND YOU GUYS SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET GOING IN A HURRY.
Chris: IT SUCKS THAT IT'S TONY'S,
BUT WE CAN STILL SALVAGE THIS SEASON.
WE MIGHT EVEN WIND UP WITH A RECORD SEASON, WHO KNOWS?
SO IS THAT OUR ONLY OPTION FOR THIS YEAR
THEN, IS JUST BACK ON TONY'S GROUND OR WHAT?
NOT FOR THE WHOLE SEASON.
WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN OPERATE
ON KEN AND STEWART'S PROPERTY. WE HAVE LOTS OF GROUND TO OPEN,
BUT THERE'S STILL SOME PERMITTING PROBLEMS
GOING ON THERE.OKAY.
WE NEED A WAR CHEST AND WE NEED TO BUY GROUND
AND WE NEED TO EXPLORE GROUND. SO I'M SPENDING MOST OF MY TIME
LOOKING IN A COUPLE OF PIECES OF GROUND IN ALASKA.
WE'RE TRYING TO BUY A PIECE OF GROUND UP BY FAIRBANKS.
Narrator: IN SEVEN YEARS IN THE YUKON,
PARKER'S BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL HE'S NOW RUNNING OUT OF GROUND.
THE TIME HAS COME TO EXPAND HIS EMPIRE BEYOND THE YUKON
AND HEAD HOME TO ALASKA, WHERE HIS MINING CAREER BEGAN.
NOW YOU GUYS NEED TO MAKE US SOME MONEY
SO THAT WE CAN PAY FOR IT.
JUST GET BIG RED UP AND RUNNING
AND READY TO GO IN A FEW DAYS
AND WE CAN START WASHING SOME ROCKS, RIGHT?
JUST TO GET THE PAD TWEAKED UP THERE.
SO GET A LITTLE BIT OF HELP ON THAT.
I THINK WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
SWEET.GET A WASH PLANT AND RUN IT
AND HOPEFULLY YOU CAN FIND US SOMETHING IN ALASKA,
THAT'D BE NICE.YEAH. IT WOULD BE.
ALRIGHT.
♪
Narrator: BRENNAN USES THE SUPER CONVEYOR
TO BUILD A PAD FOR WASH PLANT BIG RED TO SIT ON.
SO OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS WE CAN
SO WE CAN RAISE A BIT OF MONEY TO BUY SOME NEW GROUND IN ALASKA
THAT PARKER'S LOOKING AT.
WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE'VE LOST HERE,
IF WE CAN'T DO SOMETHING REAL SPECIAL
IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME HERE,
I MIGHT HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF JUST TO STAY HOME.
THAT'S KINDA THE TOUGH THING FOR ME RIGHT NOW
IS JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE SUCCEED.
♪
Narrator: COMING UP...
THE PRESSURE'S ON FOR MINERS TO MAKE BIG MOVES.
♪
Narrator: OVER A MONTH BEHIND SCHEDULE,
THE BEETS FAMILY MEETS TO HATCH A PLAN TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME.
PBBHT.
THIS SEASON, WE REALLY DO WANT TO GO BALLS TO THE WALL.
GOLD'S UP, FUEL'S DOWN.
IT WAS A REALLY [BLEEP] START LAST YEAR.
Narrator: LAST SPRING, TOAS FORCED
TO SHUT DOWN HIS MASSIVE INDIAN RIVER OPERATION.
WE DON'T HAVE A WATER LICENSE.
HE ABANDONED TWO MULTIMILLION DOLLAR DREDGES
AND LEFT THOUSANDS OF OUNCES OF GOLD IN THE GROUND.
FROM INDIAN RIVER, TONY MOVED HIS ENTIRE OPERATION
30 MILES NORTH TO HIS OTHER 1,300 ACRE CLAIM
ON TOP OF PARADISE HILL.
AT THE END OF THE YEAR,
THE WATER LICENSE CRISIS LEFT THE BEETS DOWN
ON THE PREVIOUS SEASON BY $2 MILLION.
Mike: I GOT A LOT OF PACING IN THE [BLEEP] HILLSIDE
THAT I CAN GET TO. I CAN GET SLUICING.
Narrator: LAST SEASON, TONY'S SON MIKE PRODUCED OVER
$2.5 MILLION OF GOLD FROM THE MEGA CUT,
18 ACRES OF GROUND HIGH ON THE HILL.
WITH OVER HALF THE CUTS STILL TO BE MINED
AND GOLD PRICES AT RECORD HIGHS, IT COULD BE A MASSIVE PAYDAY.
HAVING FAITH UP WILL MAKE A WORLD OF
[BLEEP] DIFFERENCE I BET.
Minnie: OH, I THINK IT WILL.
SHE'S ALSO YOUR GIRLFRIEND.
YEAH. THAT'S ALSO A BIT OF MOTIVATION.
WHICH MAKES FOR A HAPPIER KEVIN.
IT SURE DOES.
MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE
BECAUSE OF ALL THE FLIGHTS HAVEN CANCELING
LEFT, RIGHD CENTER. SO AIRFREIGHT
MIGHT BE A LOT HARDER TO GET IN THIS YEAR.
I'M VERY HAPPY YOU'RE HERE
BECAUSE IT MAKES A HELL OF A DIFFERENCE FOR ME.
YOU DO THAT VERY WELL.
[ LAUGHTER ]
-BYE, HONEY. -BYE, DAD!
Narrator: TONY OPENED THE MEGA CUT LAST YEAR.
IT'S THE MOST RELIABLE PIECE OF GROUND HE HAS LEFT ON THE HILL.
NOW THE WHOLE FAMILY MUST WORK TOGETHER TO MINE
IT OUT TO HIT HIS 3,000-OUNCE SEASON GOAL.
MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS READY TO RUN.
♪
BEAUTIFUL!
Narrator: TONY REPAIRED THE TROMMEL IN THE OFF SEASON,
NOW HE'S RELYING ON IT
TO RUN 350 YARDS OF GOLD-RICH PAY DIRT AN HOUR.
NEXT IN LINE, NOW THAT WE GOT THE TROMMEL GOING,
WE WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN GET CREWS STRIPPING 24/7
AND THEN JUST TRY TO KEEP [BLEEP] RUNNING.
THIS YEAR,
WE REALLY DO WANT TO DO BETTER THAN WE DID LAST YEAR.
WE WANT TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE PLANTS GOING.
WE REALLY WANT TO HAVE A BIT MORE OF A SUCCESS.
♪
Narrator: BACK IN THE UNITED STATES,
IN THE THROES OF THE PANDEMIC,
THE BORDER WITH CANADA IS CLOSED.
GOING A BIT NUTS JUST AROUND THE HOUSE HERE.
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.
Narrator: AS GOLD PRICES SOAR TO RECORD HIGHS,
RICK NESS IS TRAPPED IN HIS HOMETOWN OF MILWAUKEE.
I'M JUST NOT REALLY WILLING TO SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING
BECAUSE I'M JUST SICK OF THIS. I GOT TO DO SOMETHING.
Narrator: RICK CALLS LONG-TIME FRIEND AND CREW MEMBER,
CHRIS KRUSE.
HEY, BUDDY.
WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT, MAN,
I CAN'T SIT ON MY ASS ANY LONGER.
I'M GOING TO THROW MY [BLEEP] IN MY TRUCK.
AND I'M GOING TO HEAD TO THE BORDER, TRY TO GET ACROSS.
SO JUST LOAD UP THE TRUCKS AND TAKE A CHANCE
THAT AFTER WE DRIVE 2,000 MILES, THE GUY AT THE BORDER SAYS,
"SORRY, FOLKS, PARK'S CLOSED
MOOSE OUT FRONT SHOULD'VE TOLD YOU."
YEAH, WELL, WHEN YOU PUT IT THAT WAY.
I KNOW IT SOUNDS SILLY, BUT LISTEN,
I'VE BEEN TALKING TO EVERYBODY I CAN THINK OF.
MINING IS STILL CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL BUSINESS UP THERE.
AND I'VE HEARD THAT SOME GOLD MINERS HAVE MADE IT ACROSS,
BUT I'VE ALSO HEARD THAT SOME HAVEN'T.
SO IT'S RISKY FOR SURE.
BUT THE WAY THE GOLD PRICES ARE RIGHT NOW,
I MEAN, I JUST I GOT TO GO, MAN. I GOT TO TRY IT.
I THINK IF WE GO AND WE GET ACROSS,
WE CAN STILL HAVE A MINING SEASON, MAN.
DO YOU WANT TO GO?
I MEAN, YOU KNOW AS WELL AS ANYBODY,
I'VE NOT BEEN DOING ANYTHING FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS, SO.
YEAH, MAN, LET'S DO IT.
ALRIGHT, PACK YOUR [BLEEP], MAN, LET'S GO.
♪
Narrator: THE FIRST YEAR RICK BROKE OFF FROM PARKER
TO RUN HIS OWN CLAIM, HE BARELY BROKE EVEN.
THAT'S IT? THAT'S ALL OF IT?
THAT BARELY PAYS FOR THE FUEL FOR THE WEEK.
Narrator: RICK TOOK A MASSIVE GAMBLE...
-READY! -READY!
...AND MOVED HIS OPERATION
TO THE HILLS ABOVE KENO IN SEARCH OF A BIG PAYDAY.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST GAMBLE I'VE MADE.
HOLY [BLEEP]
THE POTENTIAL IS HUGE.
SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE.
Narrator: BUT THE GROUND WAS POOR.
SHUT IT DOWN. WE GOT A [BLEEP] BLOCK.
Narrator: RICK FINISHED THE SEASON WITH 547 OUNCES OF GOLD,
HALF OF HIS 1,000-OUNCE GOAL.
OH, MAN.
I MEAN, IF I'M BEING COMPLETELY HONEST,
THINGS DID NOT GO GREAT THIS YEAR.
Narrator: NOW HE'S AT A TURNING POINT.
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE...
THERE WE GO.
...HE'S DOWN A COUPLE CREW MEMBERS.
Rick: I LOST A COUPLE OF CREW MEMBERS THIS YEAR.
ZEE'S NOT COMING UP.
HE JUST HAD A KID AND HE DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE HER,
OBVIOUSLY, AND HIS WIFE.
I GET THAT. AND BRIAN'S GOT A STEADY JOB
AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF THOSE RIGHT NOW.
SO I GET THAT TOO.
PRETTY MUCH JUST LEAVES ME AND KRUSE.
BUT KARLA'S GONN MEETING US UP THERE, TOO.
SO WE'VE GOT AAST A SMALL CREW, BUT THAT'S ALL I NEED.
Narrator: FIVE WEEKS INTO THE MINING SEASON, RICK SETS OFF
ON THE 3,000 MILE JOURNEY NORTH TO THE YUKON.
IT'S GO TIME. IT'S TIME TO QUIT WAITING.
AND IT'S TIME TO ACT, SO I'M GONNA HIT THE ROAD.
♪
WHAT DO YOU SAY, RUBES?
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
AND WE'RE OFF.
GONNA BE A LONG RIDE.
Narrator: IN OREGON, SKYROCKETING GOLD PRICES
ARE SENDING NEW HOPEFULS
FLOCKING BACK TO THE GOLD FI.
Fred: I REALLY FEEL LIKE WITH THE PRICE OF GOLD GOING UP,
IT'S TIME TO HIT IT.
Narrator: GREENHORN MINER FRED LEWIS
IS ON THE HUNT FOR HIS OWN CLAIM.
Fred: WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE WORLD,
EVERYBODY I KNOW IS STRUGGLING.
I DON'T HAVE A JOB RIGHT NOW AND I'VE GOT NOTHING COMING IN.
Narrator: FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, EX-SPECIAL FORCES MEDIC
FRED HAS BEEN HUNTING GOLD WITH PARKER
IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA, AUSTRALIA, AND THE YUKON.
FIRST TIME I PULLED GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND MYSELF,
THAT WAS IT. IT HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT ON ME PERSONALLY.
WHEW! GOLD FEVER.
Narrator: FRED FOUGHT IN IRAQ AND NORTH AFRICA
BEFORE A COMBAT INJURY IN AFGHANISTAN
ENDED HIS MILITARY CAREER.
Fred: I WAS A SPECIAL FORCES MEDIC, MY TIME IN THE MILITARY
WAS A PIVOT POINT IN MY LIFE
THAT KIND OF TAUGHT ME WHO I WAS AND BROUGHT OUT THE BEST IN ME.
AND IN AFGHANISTAN, I TOHE ROUND TO THE HELMET.
SNAPPED ONE OF THE SIDE FORAMENS ON MY NECK.
AFTER THAT FIREFIGHT,
I STARTED HAVING ISSUES AND SEIZURES AND MIGRAINES
AND THEY ENDED UP FINDING I HAD A BRUISE ON MY BRAIN.
I WENT FROM FIGHTING IN COMBAT WITH A FULL TEAM OF BROTHERS
THAT I LOVED TO BEING ON MY OWN.
TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING
AND HAVE NOTHING TO DO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 14 YEARS,
THAT IS A CHALLENGE.
Narrator: LOOKING TO REBUILD HIS LIFE, FRED'S GAMBLING
EVERYTHING ON FINDING HIS OWN GOLD MINE IN OREGON.
Fred: YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE WORLD,
BEEN ON SOME REALLY CRAZY MISSIONS,
AND WHEN I TRY AND COMPARE THIS, HONESTLY,
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING THINGS I'VE EVER DONE.
Narrator: HE ALSO PLANS TO BUILD A CREW OF MILITARY VETS.
Fred: I DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE.
A TEAM OF ALL COMBAT VETS,
THIS IS A PLACE THAT WE CAN PULL GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND
AND GIVE OURSELVES A LIVING.
WE'LL SECURE OUR OWN FUTURE,
WE'LL NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT [BLEEP],
WE'LL BE MINING GOLD.
Narrator: BUT BEFORE HE CAN FORM A CREW,
HE NEEDS TO FIND A GOOD PIECE OF GROUND.
ONE THING I KNOW IS THAT YOU NEVER WANT TO GO ANYWHERE
WITHOUT A GOOD BATTLE BUDDY, SO I'VE ASKED ONE OF MY BUDDIES,
KENDELL, TO COME OUT HERE AND MEET ME IN THIS CRAZY PLACE
TO GIVE ME AN IDEA WHAT I WANT TO DO.
AND I KNOW HE'S ALWAYS GOT MY BACK.
♪
KENDELL, WHAT'S UP, BROTHER?
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
LONG TIME, DUDE.
Narrator: U.S. AIR FORCE VETERAN KENDELL MADDEN
IS PART OF A GOLD MINING DYNASTY.
HIS DAD IS A PROSPECTOR AND WASH PLANT EXPERT.
HE EVEN TAUGHT HIS YOUNGER BROTHER,
GOLD RECOVERY LEGEND FREDDY DODGE.
I REMEMBER FREDDY AND MY DAD HAD A BIG GOLD WHEEL,
AND I JUST REMEMBER THINKING, LIKE,
"THIS THING CATCHES MONEY?"
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT SEEING THAT SHINY ROCK
THAT IS INDISTINGUISHABLE
FROM JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE ON PLANET EARTH
THAT PEOPLE REALIZE HOW QUICKLY IT GOES FROM BEING
JUST ANOTHER ROCK TO LIKE PRINTING HARD CASH.
BETTER THAN CASH, ACTUALLY.
♪
WHAT IN THE HECK AM I DOING ALL THE WAY UP HERE, MAN?
SEE THAT RIGHT DOWN THERE, THE LITTLE CREEK
YOU FOLLOWED IT UP?THE LITTLE CLEARING?
YEAH, THAT'S LITTLE CRACKER CREEK
COMES ALL THE WAY UP TO HERE,
DOWN AT THE BOTTOM IT RUNS INTO CRACKER CREEK.
AND RIGHT DOWN THERE WHERE THOSE TWO CREEKS COME TOGETHER,
I THINK THERE'S SOME HUGE POTENTIAL.
AND I KNOW AT LEAST ONE CLAIM FOR SALE DOWN THERE.
REALLY?
I THINK THERE'S THERE'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL.
BUT I GOT TO ACTUALLY SEE SOMETHING.
WHAT IF I COULD SHOW YOU SOME GOLD AT THIS ELEVATION?
GOLD ALL THE WAY UP HERE, 8,300 FEET?
RIGHT NOW. IF YOU GOT GOLD
ALL THE WAY UP HERE,
I'M DEFINITELY GOING TO WANT TO GO DOWN THERE
AND SEE IT AS WELL.ALRIGHT.
DID YOU BRING YOUR HEADLAMP?OF COURSE, MAN.
MIND YOUR FEET GETTING WET?
OH, LET'S DO IT. LET'S GO.
GO GET YOUR [BLEEP] AND MEET ME OVER HERE.
ALRIGHT. LET'S DO IT.
Kendell: FRED THINKS THAT WE CAN START A GOLD MINE HERE IN OREGON.
PRETTY CRAZY, BUT LET'S SEE WHAT HE HAS TO SHOW US HERE.
HERE IT IS, DUDE.
WOW. [ LAUGHS ]
THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYBODY IN HERE IN A LONG TIME.
IS THAT RIGHT?
I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR BACK IT GOES YET.
WOW.
BUCKEYE MINE BEGAN PRODUCTION IN THE 1900s,
BUT WAS ABANDONED AT THE OUTBREAK OF WORLD WAR II.
Fred: [ LAUGHS ]
THIS IS PRETTY CRAZY. ALRIGHT.
[ LAUGHS ]
SO SEE HOW THESE ARE ALL ROTTEN?
BE REALLY CAREFUL, DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING.
OKAY.
♪
[ SIGHS ] DUDE.
YOU SEE HOW THIS VEIN RIGHT HERE IS EXPOSED?
THERE'S GOLD ALL THROUGH IT.
FOLLOW THAT VEIN DOWN, THERE'S GOLD IN IT.
YEP.
THIS IS A VEIN THAT NOBODY EVER SAW
BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED BY ROCK AND THAT THIS COLLAPSED
AND I CAME IN AROUND THIS SIDE, TELLS ME
THERE'S STILL A BUNCH OF GOLD HERE THAT NOBODY'S FOUND.
IT'S THERE. NOW WE JUST GOT TO FIND IT OUT THERE.
YEAH, RIGHT?
Narrator: THIS GOLD VEIN IS PART OF A MOTHER LODE RUNNING
THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN.
OVER MILLIONS OF YEARS, RIVERS ERODED GOLD
FROM THE ROCK AND WASHED IT DOWN TO THE VALLEY BELOW
WHERE IT FORMED PLACER DEPOSITS.
IF FRED CAN FIND ONE OF THESE DEPOSITS,
WITH TODAY'S GOLD PRICES,
HE COULD MAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GOLD.
-WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO! -GOD!
Kendell: YOU KNOW, GOT TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF GOLD HE WALL THERE.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND DOWN BELOW.
Fred: MY GOAL IN GETTING KENDELL OUT HERE WAS TO CONVINCE HIM
THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO START A MINE.
NOW, I'M GOING TO GO AND SEE IF I CAN SHOW HIM THAT CLAIM
AND GET HIS INTEREST A LITTLE MORE.
♪
WE ARE CLEARLY IN MONTANA NOW AND WE ARE BURNING UP THE MILES.
YOU LIKE BEING IN MONTANA?
[ WHINES ]
SHE SAYS, "HELL NO, KEEP GOING WEST.
WE'VE GOT TO GET TO THE YUKON."
Narrator: IN A BID TO RESCUE HIS MINING SEASON,
RICK NESS AND BUDDY CHRIS KRUSE
HAVE DRIVEN 2,000 MILES NORTH
IN THE HOPE OF MAKING IT ACROSS THE CANADIAN BORDER.
Rick: AT THE END OF THE SEASON LAST YEAR,
I TESTED SOME GROUND AT TROY'S, I TOLD TROY
THAT I WANTED TO MINE THAT GROUND,
BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
I GOT TO GET THERE AND WE GOT TO BE FACE TO FACE
AND SHAKE HANDS AND SAY WE'RE STILL ON.
I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN, I'VE DONE EVERYTHING RIGHT,
AND HOPEFULLY WHOEVER I GET AT THE BORDER
TO PROCESS MY PAPERWORK FEELS THE SAME WAY.
MY ENTIRE SUMMER, MY ENTIRE SEASON,
MY ENTIRE MINING CAREER IN FACT,
IS GONNA BE FIGURED OUT HERE IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES.
WHEW!
WELL, THIS IS IT, I'M PULLING UP
TO CUSTOMS RIGHT NOW.
♪
Narrator: THE U.S./CANADA BORDER HAS BEEN CLOSED TO ALL
BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL FOR SIX WEEKS.
Rick: WELL, THIS IS IT, I'M PULLING UP TO CUSTOMS RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: RICK MUST CONVINCE THE OFFICIALS
THAT HE IS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER
TO HAVE ANY CHANCE OF MAKING IT ACROSS.
♪
GOOD, HOW ARE YOU DOING, SIR?
SURE.
♪
I OWN A MINING COMPANY BASED OUT OF B.C.
OPERATING IN THE YUKON TERRITORY,
SO I'M GOING TO START IT UP.
I DO, SIR, YES.
YES.
NO.
YES, SIR.
OKAY, WELL --
THAT'S IT. THERE'S NOBODY OVERLOOKING IT RIGHT NOW.
I HAVE TO GET THERE TO OPEN IT UP
AND GET MY PEOPLE WORKING.
OF WHERE I'M GOING TO QUARANTINE?
THAT I CAN GIVE YOU, YES, SIR.
UH, WRITE YOU AN E-MAIL.
♪
[ LAUGHS ] YES, SIR. THANK YOU.
[BLEEP] YEAH!
WELL, IF YOU MADE IT THROUGH,
I GUESS I'M GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH.
♪
YEE-HAW!
I MEAN, WE'RE ACROSS THE [BLEEP] BORDER, MAN.
KRUSE, YOU GOT A COPY?
Narrator: RICK NESS AND BUDDY CHRIS KRUSE
HAVE SUCCESSFULLY CROSSED THE BORDER INTO CANADA.
YEAH, I THINK BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT BORDER CROSSING
IS THEY NEVER SEEM TWO HUNKS AS HANDSOME AS US.
AND THEY WERE JUST, SAID,
"YEAH, GO ON, GO ON THROUGH."
Rick: Clearly you are correct.
I mean, there's no other explanation on why
we breezed on through like that.
WERE YOU AS NERVOUS AS I WAS? BECAUSE I WAS [BLEEP] BRICKS.
YES, I DO SAY.
Narrator: THEY NOW HAVE JUST 1,000 MILES
TO THEIR DESTINATION, KENO CITY IN THE YUKON,
AND A CHANCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PERFECT
GOLD MINING CONDITIONS.
I MEAN, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW NERVOUS I WAS.
THAT WAS THE ONE THING HOLDING US BACK.
AND WE JUST MADE IT AND THAT'S IT.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MINING SEASON. THAT'S THAT MATTERS.
♪
Parker: I'M JUST LOOKING AROUND FOR SOME PAY,
AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S THAWED OUT PRETTY NICELY.
Narrator: OVER A MONTH LATER THAN NORMAL,
PARKER SCHNABEL IS FINALLY DIGGING DOWN TO PAY DIRT.
WITH HUGE AMBITIONS TO EXPAND HIS MINING EMPIRE,
HE NEEDS TO START SLUICING AND GET GOLD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
RIGHT NOW, I'M JUST DOWNSTREAM OF THE LAST CUT
THAT WE DID ON TONY'S GROUND,
WHICH INCIDENTALLY, WE CALLED THE LAST CUT.
YOU KNOW, WITH GOLD PRICE HIGH AND FUEL PRICE LOW,
IT MAKES SENSE TO TRY TO TAKE ANOTHER SLICE OUT OF THIS GROUND
THAT WE'VE GOT FROM TONY.
Narrator: OVER THREE SEASONS, PARKER HAS MINED
MORE THAN $12 MILLION OF GOLD FROM THE LAST CUT,
BUT HEEVER STARTED THIS LATE IN THE YEAR
AND HE'S PUSHING THE CREW TO MOVE FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE.
WE'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD SIZED AREA DOWN TO GRAVEL,
AND NOW I'M FINDING SOME PAY.
I'M DEFINITELY PULLING UP A LOT OF NICE SIZED
ROCK AND SAW SOME BEDROCK IN A FEW SPOTS.
NOW IT'S A MATTER OF TRYING TO GET A WASH PLANT IN
AND ACTUALLY GET THE GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND.
Narrator: BRENNAN FINISHES BUILDING THE WASH PLANT PAD
WITH THE SUPER CONVEYOR.
BRENNAN, HOW YOU DOING DOWN THERE?
FIVE OR SIX LOADS LEFT.
THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID FIVE OR SIX LOADS AGO.
THIS IS [BLEEP] FRUSTRATING. WE ARE WAY BEHIND.
AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET CAUGHT UP
AND GET PLANTS GOING AND RUNNING.
Narrator: 20 FEET DOWN, PARKER'S HIT PAY DIRT.
HE CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE DELAYS.
MAN, YOU'VE BEEN BUSY OHERE.
SOMEBODY SHOULD BE.
WHAT'S THAT MEAN?
HMM?
I JUST WANT TO GET A PLANT RUNNING.
I GOT 26 PEOPLE ON SITE AND NO MONEY COMING IN.
YEAH. YEAH.
Narrator: EVERY DAY THE PLANT IS NOT RUNNING
COSTS PARKER $85,000 IN LOST GOLD.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A LATE START FOR US HERE.
HE'S GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE PAYROLL
AND NO INCOME COMING IN.
SO I GET WHY HE'S A LITTLE WORKED UP HERE.
Brennan: WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT RUNNING BY TONIGHT.
ONCE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALWAYS RUSHED AS USUAL,
BUT HAPPY PARKER'S A BETTER DAY FOR THE REST OF US.
Narrator: TO MOVE THE WASH PLANT FROM THE YARD TO THE LAST CUT,
MITCH CALLS ON MECHANIC SHANE SMITH.
HEY, SHANE, HOW'S IT GOING?
HEY, GOOD, WHAT'S HAPPENING?
OH, BUDDY, WE JUST GOT TO GET BIG RED DRUG DOWN TO THE CUT.
PARKER'S JUST CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO GET SLUICING.
WE'RE ABOUT READY FOR THE SHAKER DECK.
I WAS JUST GOING TO SEE IF YOU CAN MAYBE
HELP US GET IT DOWN THERE.
YEAH, WE'LL PUT IT ON IN A LITTLE BIT,
BUT I THINK WE'LL SAVE QUITE A OF TIME DOING IT THAT WAY
AND THEN IT'LL KEEP HIM HAPPY.
THAT'D SAVE US A BUNCH OF TIME.
PERFECT. SOUNDS GOOD. WE'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE.
THANKS, MAN.
DRAGGING THE PLANT TO THE LAST T WITH AN EXCAVATOR
COULD TAKE SIX HOURS.
INSTEAD, SHANE PLANS TO LOAD IT ONTO THE NARROW LOWBOY
AND HAUL IT THE HALF MILE TO THE PAD.
IT'S A RISKY MOVE, BUT IF IT WORKS, IT WILL SAVE FOUR HOURS.
YEAH, THIS IS A NEW THING HAULING IT ON THE LOWBED.
SO IT COULD BE KIND OF A MYSTERY.
WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
PARKER'S IN A PANIC TO GET IT ALL DONE TODAY.
LOAD UP!
WHEN HE DOES THAT, ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE
SO ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN TODAY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? WE HAVE THIS THING RUNNING
IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS?
IS THAT WHAT THE BOSS WANTS?I THINK SO.
HE'D RATHER HAVE IT RUNNING IN ABOUT FOUR HOURS.
[ LAUGHS ]
♪
DROP TONE IN.
I'LL COME POKE THEM IN.
Narrator: SHANE USES TWO 300-POUND LOADER TIRES
FOR A MAKESHIFT RAMP.
♪
YOU'RE GOOD!
I'M JUST GOING TO MOVE THIS OVER A BIT.
THAT'S ALRIGHT, YOU CAN SUCK IT OVER NOW.
♪
NOW WE GOTTA TRY AND DRAG IT ON,
HOPEFULLY WE GOT ENOUGH POWER.
TIRES SHOULD HOLD IT UP OR TAKE MOST OF THE WEIGHT.
♪
EASY.
LOOKING GOOD!
♪
NICE AND EASY.
LOOKING PRETTY GOOD THERE.
THEN I'LL SPIN IT RIGHT WHERE IT IS.
Narrator: SHANE MUST NOW TURN
THE QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLAR PLANT 90 DEGREES
TO LINE UP WITH THE TRUCK BED.
♪
IT WOULD TOTALLY DESTROY IT IF THIS THING CAME OFF
THE TRAILER RIGHT NOW,
WE'VE GOT TO BE A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL HERE
AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY.
YEAH, A LITTLE BIT MORE.
PERFECT.
IT'S A SNUG FIT?
WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
♪
Narrator: MITCH TRUCKS THE TOP-HEAVY PLANT HALF A MILE
TO THE COMPLETED PAD.
♪
WHAT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HERE IS JUST,
YOU KNOW, HAVING ANY HICCUPS HERE TODAY.
I KNOW PARKER'S REAL ADAMANT ABOUT GETTING THE WASH PLANT
RUNNING AND GETTING SOME MONEY COMING IN.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED A LOT OF THINGS TO GO RIGHT
AND A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK.
MAYBE A LOT OF LUCK.
♪
[ HORN BLOWS ]
AT LEAST IT'S HERE, WE'RE A LOT CLOSER THAN WE WERE.
YOU WANT TO YANK IT OFF, SHANE?
OR WATCH YOU GUYS DO THIS OR WHAT?
SURE.
OH, COME ON, YOU CAN DO HER.
I'VE NEVER DONE YOU GUY'S THE SYSTEM YET.
WE HAVEN'T EITHER.[ LAUGHS ]
I WAS SCARED, GEEZ, MAN.
SO I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT.
Narrator: SHANE TURNS THE PLANT TO EASE IT OFF THE TRAILER.
SOME DAYS YOU JUST GOT TO SIT BACK
AND WATCH AN OLD BOY DO IT, AND LEARN SOMETHING NEW HERE.
♪
GET BACK.
OH-HO.
WHOA!
DRIVE IT BACK!
WHOA, WHOA!
OH-HO.
WHOA!
DRIVE RIGHT BACK!
WHOA, WHOA!
♪
NAILED IT!
Narrator: IN THE LAST CUT,
CO-FOREMAN MITCH BLASCHKE AND BRENNAN RUAULT
ARE RACING TO INSTALL A 50-TON WASH PLANT, BIG RED,
SO PARKER CAN BEGIN SLUICING FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.
THAT'S THE SKETCHY PART THERE.
YOU CAN SEE WHEN BIG RED STARTED COMING AHEAD.
SEE THIS DISTANCE HERE BETWEEN THE CYLINDER
AND THE WASH PLANT, IT'S A GOOD THING
BIG RED STOPPED WHEN IT DID.
HE'S ALL YOURS, BIG CAT.
OH, I WAS ENJOYING WATCHING THIS,
THE OLD SEASONED PRO.NICELY DONE.
NOW THE HEAT'S ON YOU.
-NICELY DONE. -THANKS, SHANER.
Shane: IT'S ALWAYS DICEY PULLING STUFF OFF
A LITTLE BED LIKE THAT. I MEAN,
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
IT ALL CAME OFF.
I KNEW IT WAS COMING DOWN FAST, SO.
Narrator: BRENNAN PULLS BIG RED INTO PLACE ON THE PAD.
YEAH, IT FEELS PRETTY NICE TO GET BIG RED UP
AND GOING, STILL A LONG WAYS FROM THE FINISH LINE.
Mitch: THIS YEAR, WE'RE GONNA NEED TO FIND MORE GOLD FASTER
THAN IT EVER HAS, AND WE'RE JUST GONNA HAVE TO
PUSH HER RIGHT TO THE LIMIT.
AND KNOWING PARKER, WE'RE GOING TO PUSH IT PAST THAT POINT.
♪
GO LONG!
WHEW!
I COULD FEEL THAT ALL THE WAY OVER HERE.
Brennan: EVERYTHING LOOKING ALRIGHT?
NOW YOU GOT ABOUT SIX INCHES.
♪
LIKE THAT?
WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS JUST THE SIGHT LINE HERE
OF BIG RED TO THE CUT INTO THE TAILINGS POND.
THAT'S GOOD.
I THINK WE GOT IT, WE GOT BIG RED ITS NEW HOME.
IT'S A GOOD FEELING. WE'RE CLOSE TO SLUICING
AND START GETTING SOME GOLD COMING IN.
Narrator: MITCH GUIDES THE RADIAL STACKER INTO PLACE...
THIS IS REALLY A CRITICAL SET UP HERE
BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NO ROOM FOR ERROR.
LOOKS REALLY NICE.
...AND POSITIONS THE 40-FOOT SLUICE RUNS...
THERE YOU GO. HEY, LOOKS GOOD.
BOO-YAH!
...AND CONNECTS THE WATER SUPPLY.
A MONTH LATER THAN NORMAL,
BIG RED'S FINALLY READY TO START SLUICING.
♪
SHE'S DEFINITELY QUICK AND DIRTY.
GENTLEMEN.
DON'T LOOK AT IT TOO CLOSE.I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP]
IS IT GONNA WASH ROCKS?IT SHOULD.
THEN THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.
IT'S ALL THERE.
♪
YOU READY?
HERE WE GO!
♪
ON THE WAY IT STARTING, IMAGINE SHE'S RUNNING JUST LIKE SHE
TURNED OFF.LOOKS GOOD.
Narrator: TO MAKE THE MOST OF RECORD GOLD PRICES
AND RAISE THE MONEY HE NEEDS TO FUND
A NEW OPERATION IN ALASKA,
PARKER MUST NOW KEEP THE PLANT RUNNING 24/7.
Parker: IT'S NICE TO BE SLUICING WITH, YOU KNOW,
JUST THE WAY THIS SPRING'S BEEN AND THIS YEAR OVERALL,
AN, IT'S NICE TO FINALLY SEE SOME MONEY COMING IN,
HOPEFULLY, ASSUMING THERE'S GOLD IN THIS [BLEEP].
♪
YAY!BIG CAT! GOOD TO GO!
GOOD JOB, MAN.THANKS, MAN.
LOOKS LIKE A GOOD SET UP.
♪
Narrator: WITH HIS PLANT SET UP,
PARKER LOOKS TO RECRUIT AN OLD FRIEND TO JOIN HIS CREW.
♪
[ SKYPE TONE RINGS ]
-HELLO? -HI, FRED.
PARKER! I CAN'T TAKE THIS COVID ANYMORE.
YEAH, TELL ME ABOUT IT. IT'S BEEN A [BLEEP] SHOW.
AS FAR AS THE SUMMER GOES,
WHERE DO YOU STAND ON COMING UP TO THE YUKON?
I'VE BEEN FIGHTING THE BORDERN.
EVERY TIME I GO AND TALK TO THEM,
THEY KEEP TELLING ME IT'S GETTING PUSHED.
AND TWO DAYS AGO, THEY PUSHED IT ANOTHER MONTH.
SO FOR ME TO GET UP THERE,
IT'S GOING TO TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS, BASICALLY.
YEAH, IT'S A REALLY PERSONAL DECISION FOR EVERYBODY,
WHETHER THEY WANT TO DO THIS OR NOT.
AND I WON'T HOLD IT AGAINST ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T WANT TO.
♪
SO WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO?
I'VE BEEN KIND OF STRUGGLING,
TRYING TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT, TO BE HONEST, DUDE,
I'M KIND OF THINKING ABOUT GETTING MY FEET WET.
I'VE ACTUALLY GOT A FEW LEADS ON SOME CLAIMS DOWN HERE,
AND I'M THINKING ABOUT PUTTING MY FEET IN THE POT.
GOING GOLD MINING?
I DON'T KNOW, MAN. I FEEL LIKE WITH THE PRICE OF GOLD
BEING THE WAY IT'S AT
AND WITH MY LIFE BEING AS AVAILABLE AS IT IS
AND WITH MY EXPERIENCE THAT I GAINED FROM YOU,
I REALLY FEEL LIKE I'D BE STUPID NOT TO TRY IT.
YEAH, I MEAN, PRICES ARE GOOD RIGHT NOW,
FINDING GOOD GROUND'S THE DIFFICULT PART.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF IT IS JUST GETTING YOUR FEET ON THE GRO
AND MOVING SOME DIRT AND FIGURING OUT HOW IT GOES.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT.
AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU THINK I CAN DO TO HELP,
THEN LET ME KNOW.
THANKS, DUDE. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
Kendell: LOOK AT THIS, DUDE. LOOK EVERYWHERE,
THERE'S TAILING PILES EVERYWHERE.
Narrator: DOWN IN OREGON, FRED TAKES VETERAN BUDDY
KENDELL MADDEN ON THE HUNT FOR A GOLD MINE.
THIS PLACE, THEY'VE CHEWED IT UP, BRO.
BUT FINDING A CLAIM IN THE LOWER 48
THAT HASN'T BEEN MINED OUT IS A CHALLENGE.
YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND, DUDE,
THOSE GUYS THEY USED TO MINE IN THE '20s,
THEY GOT ALMOST ALL OF IT.
SO DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP.
I KNOW. BUT I THINK, HONESTLY,
WHAT WE FOUND POTENTIALLY COULD BE VIRGIN GROUND.
I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT.
THIS IS IT? ELKHORN CLAIM.
ELKHORN CLAIM IS AT THE JUNCTION OF TWO MOUNTAIN CREEKS.
♪
FRED BELIEVES THIS GROUND
WILL BE RICH WITH GOLD WASHED DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
IT'S THE FIRST MINE SET I'VE DRIVEN ON
AND NOT FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET SHOT.
[ LAUGHS ]
NOW, I KNOW YOU SAY ALL MINERS ARE BULL[BLEEP]
BUT THIS GUY SEEMS LIKE A REALLY STRAIGHT SHOOTER, DUDE.
HE GOT A LOT OF EQUIPMENT.OH.
JEFF HAWK AND RUSS SCHIMETZ
HAVE OWNED THE CLAIM FOR FOUR YEARS.
RUSS. FRED?
FRED, YEAH. NICE TO MEET YOU FINALLY.
YEAH. IS THIS JEFF?
JEFF.JEFF, KENDELL.
KENDELL, VERY NICE TO MEET YOU.
MAN, IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUT HERE. HOLY COW.
LOVE IT UP HERE, YEAH.
LIKE, IF I COULD THINK OF A PLACE TO TUCK MYSELF
IN AND MINE, I THINK THIS IS IT.
Jeff: WHAT IS YOUR PLANS? WHAT ARE YOU GUYS LOOKING FOR?
Fred: WELL, YOU KNOW, I GOT INTO GOLD MINING
ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.
KENDELL'S BEEN DOING THISFOR OVER A DECADE.
AND I KIND OF FEEL LIKE THE TIME IS RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, GOLD IS SOARING.
WITH MY MILITARY BACKGROUND
AND KENDELL'S A BROTHER IN ARMS, YOU KNOW, WE SERVED.
I JUST FEEL LIIME IS NOW.
ALL YOUR GUYS ARE MILITARY, THEN?
ALL MILITARY, ALL HAVE COMBAT EXPERIENCE, RIGHT?
WELL, THAT'S GOOD. YEAH, I'M A VET AND WAS,
YOU KNOW, IN THE AIR FORCE.
HELL, YEAH.GOT THE TAT TO PROVE IT.
AND THAT JUST MAKES IT EVEN BETTER.
SO WHEN DID THEY STOP MINING IN THIS AREA?
THEY USUALLY PICK THROUGH PRETTY HEAVILY.
Russ: THE MAIN STUFF WAS PROBABLY BACK IN ABOUT 1912.
THEY HAD THREE DREDGES RUNNING ABOUT 35 YEARS
AND THEY TOOK OUT OVER 600,000 OUNCES
AND DIDN'T EVEN GET DOWN TO THE GOOD STUFF.
THOSE DREDGES ONLY GO DOWN 29 FEET,
BEDROCK'S LIKE 80. YEAH.
SO EVEN THOSE DREDGES WERE JUST SCRAPING THE LOW PAY.
I FEEL LIKE THE GOLD'S WINNING.
IT'S BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG AND NO ONE CAN GET IT.
I DON'T LIKE THAT.
YOU GUYS WANT TO GO FOR A WALK?
YEAH, LET'S GO CHECK IT OUT.
-WOW. -OKAY.
SO HOLD ON. HOW FAR TO BEDROCK DOWN THERE?
-NEVER HIT IT. --NEVER HIT. YOU SERIOUS?
-55 FEET. -NEVER HIT IT.
THIS IS ALL PAY?YEAH.
Kendell: WOW, THERE'S A LOT OF ROCK IN HERE.
AND A LOT OF BIG ROCK TOO.
IT'S A LOT MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON AN EQUIPMENT
AND SUPPLY CHAINS AND ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE AS WELL.
BIG GOLD RUNS WITH BIG ROCK.
LOOK AT THAT QUARTZ.WOW.
THERE IS GOLD IN THIS ROCK.
RIGHT HERE, LOOK AT THE RED.
THERE'S A LOT IN YOUR COPPERS.
Fred: I MEAN, IF YOU ASK ME,
THIS IS PRETTY MUCH THE PERFECT SCENARIO,
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S SOME ISSUES THAT KENDELL HAS AND OBSTACLES,
BUT I'M SEEING EVIDENCE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE GOLD HERE
AND SOON AS I CAN SEE IT IN A PAN,
I THINK IT'D TAKE A LOT TO KIND OF CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS ONE.
I WANT TO RELY ON KENDELL'S OPINION A LOT,
BUT I'M FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THIS PLACE.
Russ: WE GOT SOME NUGS.
OKAY, I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT.
GO THEM ALL HERE IN DISPLAYS HERE, SO.
OH, WOW.TRY TO KEEP THEM
ALL SEPARATED OUT. OOH!
LOOK AT THAT GUY.WHOA.
LOOKS LIKE A PIECE OF HAM.
YEAH, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTO SEE.
YEAH, THIS IS -- THIS IS WHAT I WAS HOPING TO SEE.
AND ALL OF THIS IS FROM HERE?
YEAH.SO THIS IS LAST SEASON?
TO BE QUITE HONEST. IT MAKES ME MAKES ME WONDER
WHY YOU ARE GOING TO GET RID OF A GOLD MINE LIKE THIS.
WE HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER PROPERTY CLOSER TO HOME.
OTHER GOLD MINES CLOSER TO HOME?
A LITTLE EASIER ON EVERYBODY, THE FAMILY.
YEAH, THAT DOES MAKES SENSE.
AND YOU THINK THE WHOLE PROPERTY IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS?
YEP.
YOU'LL PULL NUGGETS ABOUT THE SIZE OF YOUR THUMB,
SO WE'VE SEEN ALL THIS GOLD. WHAT'S THE PRICE?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO GET FOR THE CLAIM?
WE'RE ASKING A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE CLAIM.
A MILLION DOLLARS STHT UP?
YEP. ALL THE EQUIPMENT, WHOLE OPERATION.
COOL MILLION. JUST ONE.
JUST ONEJUST ONE MILLION DOLLARS.
OKAY.
YEAH, THAT'S QUITE A BIT MORE TH ACTUALLY
HAD BEEN THINKING.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO FOR A LEASE?
I MEAN, WE'RE OUT TO SELL THE PROPERTY.
IF WE WERE TO ENTERTAIN A LEASE, IT'D BE PRETTY STIFF.
OKAY.
BE $20,000 BOND, 15% ROYALTY AFTER THAT.
THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
UM, YOU MIND IF WE GO HAVE A TALK OVER THERE REAL QUICK?
NO, THAT'S FINE.
♪
THAT'S A LOT FOR A LEASE AND A LOT OF PROPERTY
THAT WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY SEEN GOLD COME FROM.
LOOK, I LIKE THESE GUYS,
BUT ALL THAT GOLD COULD HAVE BEEN BOUGHT ON EBAY.
IT'S A GOOD POSSIBILITY.NICE CASES.
THOSE NICE CASES. YEAH, THERE'S A CHANCE, MAN.
WE HAVE TO SEE THIS STUFF FOR OURSELVES.
100% AGREE WITH THAT.PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.
Narrator: BEFORE FRED AND KENDELL COMMIT TO A LEASE,
THEY NEED TO TEST THE GROUND TO FIND
IF IT'S AS RICH AS JEFF AND RUSS CLAIM.
I'M WONDERING IF MAYBE WE COULD GO FORWARD
AND DO A TEST.
I'M NOT OPPOSED TO A TEST, ARE YOU?
-NO, NO. -OKAY.
SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN. THANKS FOR SHOWING US AROUND.
YOU BET.LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING
FROM YOU GUYS.PLEASURE MEETING YOU GUYS.
APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT.TAKE CARE.
-YOU GUYS HAVE A SAFE DRIVE. -WE'LL TALK TO YOU SOON.
COME ON, GIRL.
♪
I'D HAVE TO SELL MY HOUSE TWICE FOR A MILLION DOLLARS.
OH, MAN.[ LAUGHS ]
♪
THERE'S A LOT OF DIRT I GOT TO PUSH OFF THIS HILL
AND I GOT TO GET IT DONE AS FAST AS I CAN.
SO PETER, PATTER, OR GET AT HER.
Narrator: FOR OVER 30 YEARS,
TONY BEETS HAS BEEN A MINING LEGEND IN THE KLONDIKE,
BUT AFTER SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
RESURRECTING TWO ANCIENT DREDGES THAT HE NOW CAN'T USE,
TONY NEEDS TO GET BACK ON TOP OR FACE FINANCIAL RUIN.
LAST YEAR, WE KIND OF GOT BONED WITH THAT WATER LICENSE.
SO WE GOT KICKED OUT OF THE INDIAN
AND CAME UP TO THE HILL.
WE ESSENTIALLY HAD TO START FROM SCRATCH
AND THAT WAS PRETTY INTENSE.
Narrator: HE'S PUTTING ALL HIS HOPE IN THE MEGA CUT ON PARADISE HILL.
THE BEETS FAMILY MUST MINE AROUND THE CLOCK
TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME AND HIT TONY'S 3,000-OUNCE SEASON GOAL.
SO AS LONG AS WE CAN KEEP THAT PLANT FED,
THEN WE'RE GOLDEN.
♪
DID YOU HEAR THAT?
I DON'T LIKE THE LOOK OF THIS.
THIS IS BULL [BLEEP]!
THIS WAS BOUNCING.
SO PANICKED, SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN, COME OVER.
FIND OUT THAT THE BOLT HAD BROKEN OFF.
SO WITH ONLY THREE BOLTS HOLDING IT IN,
IT DOESN'T SIT SOLID, SO IT WIBBLE WOBBLES,
LUCKILY CAUGHT IT IN TIME,
OTHERWISE PROBABLY GET A [BLEEP] GEARBOX, HALF A DISTRIBUTOR.
♪
IT'S A SIMPLE FIX WHEN IT GOES WELL.
Narrator: THE WHOLE PLANT IS DOWN UNTIL KEVIN CAN REMOVE
AND REPLACE THE BROKEN GEARBOX BOLT.
COME ON.
♪
[BLEEP] YOU.
[BLEEP] WITH THIS PROBABLY FOUR HOURS NOW.
Narrator: EVERY HOUR THE WASH PLANT IS DOWN,
TONY IS LOSING $2,500 IN GOLD.
WE ARE EXPOSING A LOT OF GROUND RIGHT NOW.
AND I MEAN, AS SOON AS KEVIN SAYS GO,
I CAN START SHIPPING TRUCKS OF PAY OVER.
I'M SURE HE'S FEELING THE PRESSURE.
THE ENTIRE OPERATION IS DOWN BECAUSE A STUPID BOLT
DOESN'T WANT TO COME OUT OF ITS HOLE.
MINIMUM, I'D SAY THE BOLT'S BEEN IN THERE PROBABLY 20 YEARS.
THAT'S 20 YEARS IN THE RAIN, IN THE WEATHER.
PLENTY OF TIME TO GET ALL NICE AND RUSTY.
UGH!
DEEP BREATHS, DEEP BREATHS.
THIS BOLT IS SO SEIZED IN
I DON'T THINK SHE'S COMING OUT ANYTIME SOON.
YEP.
[ GRUNTS ]
OKAY, I THINK WE MAY BE GETTING AHEAD OF OURSELVES HERE,
THE BOLT'S NOT REALLY THE PROBLEM,
IS THAT IT WIGGLE WOBBLES, SO
WE REINFORCE IT WITH SEVEN BOLTS
INSTEAD OF [BLEEP] THREE, WOULDN'T THAT [BLEEP] DO IT?
YEAH, SWEET.
YES.
THERE WE GO.
♪
Narrator: TO STOP THE GEARBOX SHAKING,
KEVIN CUTS TWO LARGE BRACKETS OUT OF HALF-INCH STEEL,
HE'LL MOUNT THEM ON EITHER SIDE OF THE GEARBOX ON THE PLANT,
AND THEN SECURE THEM WITH BOLTS ON EACH SIDE
SO THE SLUICE RUNS WILL GET EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF GOLD.
IT'S A START.
OKAY, WE GOT IT ALL MOUNTED.
WELL, IT'S DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE.
SHE'S REALLY SOLID NOW, LIKE NO WIBBLE WOBBLE,
SO WE JUST GOT TO FIRE IT UP AND SEE IF IT WORKS.
-KEVIN, DO YOU GOT TO GO? -YES.
AS SOON AS YOU SAY SHE'S FIXED, I CAN START SENDING TRUCKS.
Kevin: YEP, WE GOT IT.
ALRIGHTY, LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE.
♪
NEW PLATES GOOD TO GO.
SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT FROM THE BEGINNING, BUT.
Narrator: KEVIN FINALLY HAS THE TROMMEL BACK UP AND RUNNING
AND WASHING 350 YARDS OF GOLD-RICH DIRT AN HOUR.
YES.
♪
SHOESHINE!
COME ON!
Narrator: GREENHORN MINER FRED LEWIS HAS SET HIS SIGHTS
ON A 36-ACRE CLAIM IN OREGON,
BUT BEFORE HE SIGNS A LEASE WITH THE OWNERS,
HE NEEDS TO CONFIRM THERE'S GOLD IN THE GROUND.
HE'S GOING TO TEST A SECTION OF PAYDIRT PULLED
FROM NEAR THE SURFACE BETWEEN THE TWO CREEKS
THAT RUN THROUGH THE CLAIM.
WHAT'S UP, GUYS?
-HEY, HOW'S IT GOING? -HOW YOU DOING?
GOOD, GOOD.
THIS IS OUR OTHER PARTNER, JUDE.
NICE TO MEET YOU FINALLY.MY PLEASURE.
JUDE OVERSEES ALL THE EQUIPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND STUFF.
OKAY, PERFECT.
Kendell: ALL OF THIS TESTING THAT'S GOING TO BE GOING ON,
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO BE USING TO TEST?
WHAT ABOUT THAT GUY OVER THERE?
WELL, WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME
SINCE SHE RUN.HOW LONG'S A LONG TIME?
FIVE YEARS. -FIVE YEARS.
BUT JUDE, HE'S GOOD. HE CAN BRING US BACK TO LIFE.
WE'LL SEE.JUDE, DO YOU THINK
YOU CAN GET THAT GOING?YEAH.
ALRIGHT, WELL, CAN WE GO CHECK IT OUT?
YOU BET.
IT'S A BEAUTY.
OOH, THIS THING IS A PIG, GUYS.
[ LAUGHS ] THAT'S A PERFECT NAME.
I LIKE THIS PIG.
FRED, YOU SEE THIS?WHAT?
THE ELECTRIC MOTOR TO A GEARBOX, TO A DRIVE SHAFT,
TO A DIFFERENTIAL, TO A CHAIN DRIVE,
TO A DIFFERENTIAL, TO TIRE DRIVEN TROMMEL.
I'M GOING TO NEED A DIAGRAM.
[ LAUGHTER ]
I THINK I AM TOO.
Narrator: JEFF BUILT THIS MAKESHIFT TROMMEL
OUT OF SPARE PARTS,
AN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVES A SHAFT,
WHICH TURNS TWO TRUCK TIRES,
THEY ROTATE THE TROMMEL DRUM,
AN OLD 1,500 GALLON PROPANE TANK WHICH FEEDS THE SLUICE.
LOOK AT THESE TIRES, DUDE.
Fred: THAT TIRE IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD.
THAT ONE OVER THERE DOESN'T LOOK SO HOT EITHER.
LOOK AT THIS THING, IT'S DEFINITELY A PIG,
BUT I THINK WE THROW SOME LIPSTICK ON THIS THING,
WE CAN ACTUALLY MAKE IT ALRIGHT.
WE'RE GOING TO BLOW UP THIS TIRE AND SEE IF IT'LL HOLD AIR.
BECAUSE WITHOUT THAT TIRE IT WON'T SPIN,
I DON'T THINK, WILL IT? -NO.
HOW'S IT LOOKING?
OH, IT'S MOVING.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
SEEMS TO BE HOLDING AIR.
NOW, YOU NEED TO COME TO THIS SIDE.
YEAH, WE NEED TO GET OVER THERE.
THANKS, BUDDY.
I HEAR AIR.
THAT ONE'S NO GOOD.
IF IT'S A FLAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER SPARE
IS IT A 15?IT'S A 15 INCH, YEAH.
-YEAH, THAT'S 8, 10. -THIS ONE?
-15. -15.
I WONDER IF THAT WOULD WORK,
PIGS' GETTING SOME NEW SHOES.
WE CAN JACK UP THE WEIGHT OFF THROMMEL TIRE
SO WE COULD POP IT OFF, CHANGE IT.
IT'S CLEAR. IT'S CLEAR.
ALRIGHT. WHOO!
THAT WAS THE LAST ONE.
Kendell: ALRIGHT, WE GOT F TIRES ON THE OLD PIG HERE.
SHE'S RUBBING IN A FEW PLACES.
BUT I THINK THAT WILL KIND OF SELF CORRECT
ONCE WE ACTUALLY GET THE MOTOR RUNNING.
A FEW SMALL THINGS TO PUT ON AND THEN --
AND WE'RE PRETTY MUCH READY FOR TESTING.
Fred: I THINK KENDELL'S FINISHING THE LAST COUPLE PIPES.
I DON'T WANT TO JINX IT, WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.
NICE AND EASY. ALL THE WAY.
Narrator: FRED DIRECTS THE TEST TROMMEL
INTO PLACE NEXT TO THE TEST SITE.
SO WE GOT THE PIG IN PLACE, TOOK A LITTLE
MORE WORK THAN WE WANTED TO, BUT IT'S HERE.
IS IT BULK TEST TIME?START MOVING SOME DIRT.
♪
FIRST BUCKET!
SO I'M SEEING A LOT OF LARGE ROCKS, THEY'RE MOSTLY ROUND.
REALLY GOOD SIGN BECAUSE THIS IS THE AREA
WHERE THE TWO CREEKS CONVERGED.
Narrator: FRED BELIEVES THAT WHERE THE TWO ANCIENT
MOUNTAIN CREEKS ONCE CONVERGED,
THEY DEPOSITED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GOLD.
Kendell: I'M SEEING EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED.
I JUST GOT TO HOPE THAT THE OLD TIMERS
DIDN'T COME THROUGH HERE AND CLEAN UP EVERYTHING.
HOW MUCH DIRT YOU THINK WE GOT HERE?
OH, WE PROBABLY HAVE 20 YARDS OR SO.
OKAY, SO WE'LL RUN IT.YEAH.
I'M READY TO RUN IT.YEAH.
LIKE RIGHT NOW.LET'S GO NOW.
THAT'S GOING TO BE GOOD DIRT.
WE'RE SO CLOSE NOW. JUST NEED TO RUN THAT PAY DIRT.
♪
KENDELL, IT'S FRED, WATER'S ON ITS WAY, YOU HEAR?
Kendell: THERE SHE GOES.
SEE WHAT KIND OF BACON SHE CAN MAKE FOR US.
♪
EATING DIRT! THAT'S WHAT I WANNA SEE!
Fred: IT TOOK US ABOUT THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF TIME
I WANTED IT TO TO GET HERE,
BUT NOW WE'RE UP AND RUNNING PAY DIRT, LOOKING GOOD RIGHT NOW,
BUT THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.
WHEN WE'RE DONE WITH THE TESTS
WE'LL SEE WHAT THE SLUICE SHOWS.
♪
ALRIGHT, GUYS, THAT'S ENOUGH, LET'S SHUT IT DOWN.
Fred: WHOO!
Narrator: FRED AND KENDELL HAVE RUN 20 YARDS OF PAY DIRT.
FOR NOT CLEANING THESE MATS, AND IF WE SEE SOME GOLD,
WE'RE REALLY LOOKING GOOD.
Kendell: NO, LET'S NOT GET TOO EXCITED QUITE YET,
STILL HAVEN'T SEEN TOO MUCH ON THE SURFACE.
THERE'S A GOOD PIECE OF GOLD RIGHT HERE.
THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
IT'S ALL FINE AND DANDY TO SEE THE FLAKES
STUCK IN THE CARPETS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY,
WE'VE GOT TO WEIGH THE GOLD. THEN WE KNOW.
I THINK THIS IS LIKE A LITTLE SLICE OF FREEDOM UP IN HERE.
DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO, PULLING GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND,
I MEAN, KIND OF LIKE THE AMERICAN DREAM.
YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S GOLD HERE,
THIS IS DEFINITELY THE AMERICAN DREAM.
JUST NEED TO FIND THE GOLD. JUST NEED TO FIND THE GOLD.
Narrator: TO PROVE THE PAY DIRT IS WORTH RUNNING,
THEY NEED TO GET HALF AN OUNCE OF GOLD PER 100 YARDS,
SO THE 20-YARD TEST
MUST GIVE AT LEAST A TENTH OF AN OUNCE OR THE DEAL IS OFF.
YOU READY?
ALRIGHT, SEE WHAT WE GOT.
♪
Jeff: IT'S A PRETTY NICE LITTLE NUGGET YOU GOT.
Jude: YEAH.
0.10 OUNCE.
Kendell: IT'S A TENTH OF AN OUNCE FOR 20 YARDS OUT.
-HALF OUNCE PER HUNDRED. -THAT'S PRETTY FREAKING GOOD,
RIGHT? -THAT'S NOT BAD AT ALL.
NOT FROM SURFACE.
YEAH, THAT'S SCRATCHING THE SURFACE THERE.
WE DIDN'T EVEN GET TO 10 FEET OF THAT.
WE KEEP GOING DOWN AND SHOULD BE GETTING A LOT BETTER.
THAT'S PHENOMENAL, ACTUALLY.
Narrator: FRED KENDELL'S 20-YARD TEST
HAS PRODUCED A TENTH OF AN OUNCE
AND PROVED THAT THE CLAIM IS RICH IN GOLD,
IF THEY CONTINUE AT THIS RATE,
THEY COULD TAKE HOME UPWARDS OF A MILLION DOLLARS.
I'M LIKE LIKING THIS, IT'S A SMALL TEST.
THAT'S A DECENT AMOUNT OF GOLD.
I THINK THAT WE CAN A LOT MORE OF THIS OUT OF THE GROUND
IF YOU GUYS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH US ON A LEASE.
I JUST -- I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY.
I WISH I DID.YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING
TO START A LOT OF DREAMS HERE
FOR A LOT OF VETERANS.
AND, YOU KNOW, WITH YOUR GUYS' HELP,
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY ALL PULL TOGETHER.
Jeff: WE LOVE THE STORY. AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO,
IT WEIGHS HEAVY ON US, TOO.
SO IS THAT YOU GUYS SAYING THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO WORK WITH US?
I THINK WE'RE GOOD WITH IT,
AS LONG AS LONG AS YOU'RE GOOD WITH THE TERMS.
IT'LL BE A $20,000 BOND.OKAY.
THAT'S FOR RECLAMATION?FOR RECLAMATION.
OKAY.15% ROYALTY.
THAT'S FAIR.DOESN'T SOUND TOO BAD.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT AT ALL.
A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYONE.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.I'M EXCITED.
NOW WE JUST NEED TO GET A WHOLE BUNCH MORE OF THAT.
WE'LL BE SET.
Kendell: SO I WAS SUPER SKEPTICAL COMING IN HERE,
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE ALL THE STARS ARE ALIGNING
AND I REALLY WANT TO PUT IN 100% OF EVERYTHING THAT I AM
TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL HERE.
Fred: THIS IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST RISK I'VE TAKEN IN MY LIFE.
I'VE EMPTIED EVERY PENNY I OWN ON THIS AND BORROWED SOME.
BUT EVERYTHING IS COMING TOGETHER.
I DON'T REALLY THINK WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN OFF
TO A BETTER START. I'M PRETTY STOKED ABOUT THIS,
SO I'M READY TO ROLL. I'M JUST READY TO ROLL.
♪
I HAVEN'T SEEN A BAR THAT'S BEEN OPEN IN MONTHS.
JUST MY LUCK. QUARANTINE IS OVER, BARS ARE BACK OPEN,
AND WE'VE GOT A [BLEEP] TON OF WORK TO DO.
Rick: Yes, we do.
Narrator: AFTER 3,000 MILES ON THE ROAD,
RICK NESS AND BUDDY CHRIS KRUSE
ARE JUST A FEW MILES FROM THEIR LAST YEAR'S CLAIM,
UPPER DUNCAN CREEK.
SO IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE THE LAST ONE STANDING THERE,
KRUSE, IT'S YOU AND I.
YEAH. I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN FILL
THE SHOES OF BOTH OF THOSE GUYS.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF GROUND TO MAKE UP
AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO FIND SOME MORE PEOPLE.
Buy a kayak right now with Karla.
♪
MADE 'ER, BUDDY. YEAH.
WHAT A LONG [BLEEP] TRIP.
YEAH, I'M TIRED OF BEING IN THAT TRUCK.
I WAS PLANNING TO BE HERE APRIL 1st.
YEAH. WELL, ONE THING'S
FOR SURE, UPPER DUNCAN'S DONE FOR US.
WE AIN'T DOING ANY MORE MINING HERE.
Narrator: AFTER A BAD SEASON HERE,
LAST YEAR, RICK TESTED A NEW CLAIM ON LOWER DUNCAN...
OH, I LOVE THAT SOUND. LOVE IT!
...AND HAD HIS BEST CLEANUP OF THE YEAR.
-OH, MAN. -THAT ONE'S FOR YOU GUYS.
-GUYS! -I'VE STILL GOT ANOTHER SHOT
TO COME BACK UP HERE AND DO IT AGAIN.
Narrator: IF HE CAN MAKE A DEAL ON THE GROUND,
THIS SEASON COULD BE HIS BIGGEST YET.
WE CAN GET ALL THIS STUFF MOVED OUT OF HERE, AND...
YEAH....GET ON WITH NEW GROUND.
YEAH.I'M GONNA MISS THE VIEW
OF THESE MOUNTAINS, BUT I'M NOT GONNA MISS THIS PLACE.
NO, WELL, DUDE, IT'S JUST TWO OF US.
I'M STARING AT A MOUNTAIN OF WORK DOWN THERE.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU.
GONNA HAVE TO GET SOME CREW HERE.
THERE'S NO WAY YOU AND I ARE HANDLING ALL THIS.
NAH. I MEAN, WE CAN GET STARTED,
BUT WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME PEOPLE.
WE GOT A LOT OF [BLEEP] TO MOVE.
YES, WE DO.YEAH, WE'VE GOT A LOT TO DO.
A LOT. A LOT.
♪
BEAUTIFUL. WE'RE HAPPY.
Narrator: AFTER A ONE MONTH DELAY STARTING THE SEASON,
THE BEETS HAVE RUN THEIR TROMMEL AT PARADISE HILL FOR FOUR DAYS.
KEVIN SHUTS DOWN SO THEY CAN REMOVE
AND CLEAN THE CONCENTRATE BEFORE THE WEIGH IN.
♪
Narrator: IT'S THE BEETS FAMILY'S FIRST GOLD WEIGH OF THE SEASON.
-VOILà. -HELLO!
OKAY, WELL, HERE WE ARE ONCE AGAIN.
WELL, WE RAN, WHAT, THREE OR FOUR DAYS
BEFORE THE DISTRIBUTOR WENT?
YEAH, THREE DAYS.
SO THERE'S ABOUT 100 HOURS THERE.
YEAH. DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT'S
HOW MUCH IS IN THE DIRT?
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW MUCH.
Kevin: 10,
25, 30, 35,
40, 55, 60,
70, 90,
100, 110, 120, 130,
135, 140.
141.52.
Narrator: WHEN TONY STARTED MINING, GOLD WAS $500 AN OUNCE.
NOW IT'S $1,750,
MAKING THIS WORTH NEARLY A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS.
YEAH, JUST SHY OUNCE AND A HALF AN HOUR.
NOT A BAD THREE DAYS.
Minnie: WE'RE STILL PRODUCTIVE.
Kevin: WE HAD TO SLAP THAT GEARBOX,
THOSE MOUNTS BACK TOGETHER PRETTY QUICK.
WE SHOHAVE PICKED THAT UP THERE,
BUT... OH, YEAH,
BY AT LEAST A GEARBOX ITSELF ISN'T [BLEEP].
YEAH, RIGHT.BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE
ANOTHER WHOLE DIFFERENT ISSUE.
THAT'S RIGHT.
YEAH.
YOU KNOW WHAT? THIS PANDEMIC ISN'T GONNA KICK OUR ASS.
♪
FINALLY MADE IT UP TO THE YUKON, BUT I'M REAL LATE.
I NEED TO GET MY EQUIPMENT RUNNING.
I NEED TO GET CREW UP HERE.
BUT REALLY, NONE OF THAT'S GOING TO MATTER
IF I CAN'T SECURE MY DEAL FOR THE GROUND.
LAST FALL, WE WENT TO LOWER DUNCAN.
WE DID SOME TESTING AND IT WAS GOOD.
EVERYTHING WAS GOOD TO GO WITH TROY.
AND THEN WE HAD A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW,
AND NOW I'M TWO MONTHS LATE.
AND I'M FINALLY HERE,
BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF HIM LATELY.
I MEAN, HE'S OUT IN THE BUSH, HE'S WORKING
AND HE DOESN'T HAVE SERVICE. SO I'VE GOT TO GET WITH HIM
AND I'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DEAL IS STILL ON.
Narrator: AFTER WEEKS OF UNCERTAINTY, RICK HAS MADE IT TO KENO.
NOW HE MUST SECURE A DEAL ON NEW GROUND WITH LANDOWNER
TROY TAYLOR OR HIS MINING SEASON WILL BE OVER BEFORE IT STARTED.
I BARELY BROKE EVEN LAST YEAR,
AND I WORKED PRETTY HARD ALL WINTER
TO TRY AND GET SOME MONEY TO GIVE THIS ANOTHER SHOT.
BUT I'M ACTUALLY STARTING OFF WORSE THAN I EVER HAVE BEEN.
I'M STARTING OFF IN THE HOLE THIS YEAR,
AND THAT FEELS TERRIBLE BECAUSE I'VE TAKEN GREAT PRIDE
IN NOT BEING IN DEBT AS AN AD
IF FOR SOME REASON THIS DEAL THAT I'VE GOT
WITH TROY FALLS THROUGH
AND I DON'T START GETTING GOLD RIGHT AWAY,
I THINK THAT'S IT.
YOU KNOW, I SCRAMBLED TO PUT THIS TOGETHER LAST YEAR.
IF I LOSE THAT BIG AGAIN, IT'S OVER.
I WON'T GET ANOTHER SHOT. I CAN'T DO IT.
SO IF TROY SNO, I'M GOING HOME.
♪
HEY, TROY.
♪
THAT WHOLE PLATE'S BENT OUT FURTHER.
YES, IT IS.
Narrator: IN PARKER SCHNABEL'S GOLD ROOM,
THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE JIG.
YOU [BLEEP] [BLEEP]
SO HERE'S MY SHORT-TERM SOLUTION, HOLD THAT DOWN.
♪
THIS IS LIKE STRAIGHT OUT OF YOUR PLAYBOOK
RIGHT HERE, ALEC. ISN'T IT?
OH, MAN.
THE TENSION IN THE CHAIN. OOH.
[ LAUGHS ]
THERE YOU GO. RIGHT THERE.
COOL.
LOOKS LIKE A SCRAP YARD.
SET THE ANGLE OF THE SLUICE WITH A PIPE WRENCH
AND A STRAP HOLDING IT UP, AT LEAST I FOUND MY PIPE WRENCH.
Narrator: RICK NESS IS MEETING CLAIM OWNER TROY TAYLOR TO DO A DEAL
THAT WILL DECIDE THE FATE OF HIS SEASON
AND HIS FUTURE AS A GOLD MINER.
HEY, RICK.HOW YOU DOING, BUDDY?
GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?GOOD. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
HAVE A SEAT.
RICK NEEDS TO SECURE 2,000 ACRES OF TROY'S LAND
TO MINE THIS SEASON.
YOU'VE PROBABLY BEEN WONDERING WHERE I'VE BEEN AT.
WELL, I JUST BROKE OUT OF QUARANTINE JAIL.
I FIGURED, YEAH.
I TOLD YOU LAST YEAR THAT I FULLY INTENDED, YOU KNOW,
I WANTED TO COME HERE AND MINE.
I DON'T KNOW IF THINGS HAVE CHANGED.
YEAH, RICK, I KNOW THAT COVID ISN'T YOUR FAULT,
IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. IT'S FRUSTRATING, THOUGH.
IT'S SO LATE IN THE SEASON NOW.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S -- IF YOU CAN REALLY SALVAGE IT OR NOT.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS THERE.
I MEAN, I KNOW THIS IS NOT IDEAL,
I STILL PLAN ON GETTING A HELL OF A LOT OF WORK DONE.
WE'RE READY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING,
GET SOME GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND.
JUST TO BE CLEAR THAT WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE.
OUR DEAL IS 10% OR 100 OUNCE MINIMUM.
YEP.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I JUST WANT TO -- I'M WORRIED,
WORRIED ABOUT IT'S A BIG TICKET FOR YOU TO PULL THIS OFF.
SO I'M HOPING YOU CAN PULL OUT
100 OUNCES IN A MONTH OR SO
AND THEN I'LL FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE
THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY AT THE END OF THE SEASON.
OKAY, SO YOU WANT YOUR 10% UP FRONT
AND YOU GIVE ME A MONTH TO GET IT.
YEAH, I MEAN, THAT'S, I MEAN, THAT'S NOT --
I THINK WE CAN MANAGE IT.
RIGHT ON.
WELL, I'M GONNA GO GET SOME GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND.
THANKS A LOT, TROY.
I APPRECIATE IT.GOOD TO HAVE YOU, RICK.
Narrator: RICK HAS ONE LAST CHANCE TO SAVE HIS MINING CAREER.
I'M TAKING THIS YEAR VERY PERSONAL HONESTLY,
WHEN WE WALK OUT OF HERE THIS FALL,
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HUGE AMOUNT OF VICTORY
IN OUR CORNER.
I AIM TO LEAVE WITH IT.
♪
Parker: BRING IT HERE. BRING IT HERE!
DUDE, YOU WERE ROCKING IT.
YOU DIDN'T BREAK YOUR NECK WITH THAT THING, THOUGH.
Chris: OH, LOOK, AT THIS. NOW YOU GOT TO THROW IT FOR HIM,
[ LAUGHTER ]
JUST GET CLUBBED OVER THE HEAD.
DO WE THROW SOME GOLD ON THE SCALE AND SEE WHAT WE GOT?
Narrator: AFTER A FOUR WEEK DELAY AT THE START OF THE SEASON,
IT'S TIME FOR PA'S FIRST GOLD WEIGH FROM THE LAST CUT.
HOLY, THAT IS A BIG SILVER JUG.
I HOPE IT'S FULL.
Narrator: WITH GOLD PRICES SOARING,
PARKER NEEDS A BIG SEASON TO PAY FOR AN EVEN BIGGER GAMBLE,
EXPANDING HIS EMPIRE INTO ALASKA.
SO YOU WANT TO CALL IT OUT, MITCH?
SURE.
LET'S GET HER GOING.
20, 30, 40, 70, 84,
120, 140, 160,
170, 190, 200,
210, 220. THERE YOU GO.
221.7. -[BLEEP]
Narrator: WORTH NEARLY $390,000.
CHUGS ALONG, DOESN'T IT? HAS FOR YEARS.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Parker: I'M GLAD IT'S PULLING TOGETHER.
AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR COMING UP HERE
AND MAKING THIS HAPPEN.FOR SURE.
I KNOW WE'VE GOT A LONG WAYS TO MAKE UP,
BUT WE'RE OFF TO A GOOD START.
THANKS, GUYS.
I HAD NO IDEA WHAT OUR SEASON WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE,
AND SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT WE'RE UP HERE.
CREW'S BACK TOGETHER,
FINDING GOLD AND OPERATING AND GETTING GROUND
OPENED UP AND HAVE A WASH PLANT RUNNING, LATE BUT GOOD.
Narrator: ON THE NEXOLD RUSH"...
WHERE'S ALL THIS WATER COMING FROM?
[BLEEP]
TYSON! SHUT IT DOWN NOW!
Tony: WHERE I COME FROM, THEY CALL THIS COMPLETELY [BLEEP].
IT'S A MESS.
I SEE WATER COMING! GET READY!
THAT WHOLE [BLEEP] SLUICE JUST FLEW OFF
LIKE IT WAS A FIREWORK, MAN!
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF REDEMPTION WAITING FOR ME.
Kruse: WATCH OUT! WHOA!
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
THIS IS AN UGLY SITUATION, REAL [BLEEP] UGLY.