Narrator: ON THIS "GOLD RUSH"...
...TONY BEETS MOVES HEAVEN...
...AND EARTH...
...TO CASH IN ON LOST GOLD.
RICK NESS FOLLOWS A HUNCH...
Rick: IF THERE'S A PILE OF GOLD IN THERE,
THAT RIGHT THERE WIPES OUT MY LATE START.
Narrator: ...THAT WILL LEAD TO RUIN OR REDEMPTION.
WHOA!
AND FRED LEWIS...
WE'RE RUNNING PAY!
...WITH HIS CREW OF VETERANS, HAVE THEIR EYES ON THE PRIZE.
IT'S BEEN AWHILE, BUT THIS IS IT.
WHOO!
[ LAUGHS ]
AND NOW WE CAN TASTE THE GOLD.
--Captions by VITAC-- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♪♪
Narrator: RACING TO CATCH UP FROM HIS LATEST-EVER START,
TONY BEETS HAS SON MIKE RUNNING PAY DIRT
FROM THE 18-ACRE MEGA CUT.
HE'S CHASING A 3,000-OUNCE SEASON GOAL.
BUT ALMOST HALFWAY THROUGH THE SHORT SEASON,
TONY HAS LESS THAN 1/4 OF HIS TARGET.
NOW HE'S DETERMINED TO MINE EVERY PIECE OF GOLD-RICH GROUND
HE CAN FIND.
LAST WEEK, HE TESTED TAILINGS LEFT BY OLD TIMERS
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL.
HE RAN THEM THROUGH HIS KIWI PLANT
AND GOT 4 OUNCES FROM JUST 400 YARDS.
THAT'S VERY SLUICIBLE.
♪♪
HAVE YOU MET ME? I'M [BLEEP] FANTASTIC.
TONY'S BRINGING HIS 30-YEAR-OLD SCREEN DECK WASH PLANT
OUT OF RETIREMENT.
THE PLANT CAN CHEW THROUGH 200 YARDS AN HOUR,
TWICE AS MUCH AS THE ONE HE USED FOR THE TEST,
AND COULD EARN HIM MORE THAN $80,000 A DAY.
BUT THE SCREEN DECK CURRENTLY SITS ON TOP OF PARADISE HILL.
TONY MUST TRANSPORT
THE 50-TON CARGO DOWN A STEEP MINE ROAD,
NAVIGATING A SERIES OF NARROW SECTIONS AND TIGHT CORNERS...
TO A CUSTOM BUILT PAD BESIDE THE OLD-TIMER TAILINGS
AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL.
[ WHISTLES ]
♪♪
Narrator: TO KICKSTART THE PROJECT,
HE BRINGS IN THE 50-TON CRANE.
NOTHING. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?
ALL RIGHT. THE CABLE WILL BE COMING DOWN.
FIRST, HE REMOVES THE 45-FOOT-LONG CONVEYOR.
THEN THE 6-TON SCREEN DECK.
Man: OH, NO, NO, NO. TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH.
Tony: AH, [BLEEP].
♪♪
[ ENGINE REVS ]
♪♪
THE 5-FOOT-TALL STEEL HOPPER ABOVE THE SCREEN DECK
MAKES THE PLANT TOP-HEAVY.
USUALLY, WE TAKE THE HOPPER OFF. MAKES IT WAY MORE STABLE.
TONY DECIDES TO LEAVE THE HOPPER IN PLACE TO SPEED UP THE MOVE.
Mike: LET'S GET GOING.
SON MIKE BRINGS IN THE OSHKOSH, A TURBO-CHARGED V-8 ENGINE,
500-HORSEPOWER MILITARY TANK TRANSPORTER.
♪♪
[ WHIRRING ]
NOW MIKE MUST HAUL THE TOP-HEAVY WASH PLANT
DOWN THE STEEP ROAD TO THE TAILINGS.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
♪♪
[ HORN BLARES ]
[ METAL CREAKING ]
♪♪
Monica: THIS IS [BLEEP] FRUSTRATING.
OKAY.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: KEVIN MUST REMOVE THE BOLTS,
SECURING THE HOPPER TO THE FRAME.
Kevin: IT IS WELDED.
I DON'T THINK THESE THINGS SLIDE OUT ANYMORE.
Narrator: UNTIL THEY CAN CUT THE HOPPER OFF,
THE WASH PLANT MOVE IS AT A STANDSTILL.
♪♪
Rick: WE'RE MOVING ALONG REALLY WELL.
WE'VE ALL BEEN HITTING IT WITH EVERYTHING WE GOT.
Narrator: RICK NESS STARTED MINING A FULL TWO WEEKS BEHIND
PARKER AND TONY.
HE IS NOW IN THE RACE OF HIS LIFE
TO GET TO HIS 1,000-OUNCE GOLD.
Rick: WE FINALLY GOT OUR HOPPER FEEDER IN,
AND I PAID OFF TROY HIS ROYALTIES FOR THE YEAR,
SO THAT FEELS REALLY GOOD.
WITH ALL THE GOLD THAT WENT UP,
IT'S JUST GONNA BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO START
PUTTING SOME BACK IN THE SAFE.
Narrator: AFTER BARELY BREAKING EVEN LAST SEASON,
RICK NEEDS A BIG YEAR, OR HIS MINING CAREER IS OVER.
♪♪
Rick: WELL, IF WE WERE IN A COMPETITION
TO MOVE THE MOST DIRT WITH NO GOLD IN IT,
WE WOULD HAVE WON LAST YEAR, EASY.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: FOR THE LAST FOUR WEEKS,
RICK HAS MINED THE CHEAP CUT,
WHERE THE GOLD-RICH PAY DIRT IS NEAR THE SURFACE.
BUT NOW NEW RECRUIT MARK DOVERSPIKE
IS RUNNING OUT OF CHEAP-CUT PAY TO FEED WASH PLANT ROCKY.
Mark: YEAH, WE'VE GOT ABOUT A DAY'S WORTH OF
CHEAP-CUT PAY LEFT, SO WE'RE GONNA CHANGE THINGS UP.
NEW GROUND.
Narrator: RICK HEADS OUT TO LOOK FOR A NEW AREA TO MINE.
♪♪
Rick: SO, THIS IS WHERE WE'VE MINED THE CHEAP CUT UP TO.
YOU KNOW, THIS GROUND HAS BEEN PAYING REALLY WELL,
AND IT'S KIND OF GOT -- IT'S GIVEN ME A RENEWED INTEREST
TO, LIKE, INVESTIGATE AND SEARCH.
I'D LIKE TO THINK AFTER EIGHT YEARS,
I'M STARTING TO BE ABLE TO READ THE GROUND.
I JUST GET A FEELING THERE'S MORE GOLD HERE.
THE WAY THIS MATERIAL IS PILED UP IN HERE,
I THINK THE BEST STUFF THAT THERE IS
COULD BE AT THIS CORNER.
Narrator: ON LOWER DUNCAN CREEK 20,000 YEARS AGO,
A GLACIER PUSHED UP A MOUND OF ROCK AND DIRT,
KNOWN AS A MORAINE, ON THE EDGE OF THE CHEAP CUT.
RICK BELIEVES THE MORAINE HAS TRAPPED GOLD WASHED DOWN
FROM THE MOTHER LODE.
Rick: IF THE GLACIER MADE SOME KIND OF A HARD STOP HERE,
ALL THAT GOLD WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THIS CORNER.
IT COULD BE THE BEST STUFF WE'VE SEEN ALL YEAR.
AND WITH GOLD PRICE THE WAY IT IS,
LIKE, THE PROFIT MARGINS ARE BIG.
SEE WHAT WE GOT.
♪♪
I NEED TO SEE AT LEAST 15 TO 20 COLORS IN THIS PAN
TO MAKE IT WORTH EXTENDING THIS CUT.
YEAH, THERE'S GOLD IN HERE.
LOOK, GUYS, THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF FINE GOLD
MIXED IN DOWN THERE.
I LIKE THAT.
IF THERE'S A [BLEEP] PILE OF GOLD IN THERE,
THAT RIGHT THERE WIPES OUT MY LATE START,
YOU KNOW, DUE TO THE WHOLE COVID THING.
HEY, CAN YOU GUYS ALL MEET ME AT THE WASH PLANT, PLEASE?
♪♪
OH, HEY, GUYS.
I'VE GOT A BIT OF A HUNCH ON THE CHEAP CUT HERE.
AND THERE'S MORE GROUND TO BE HAD.
IT'S RIGHT IN A CORNER.
THERE'S NOT MUCH OVERBURDEN THERE.
LIKE, WE COULD GET IN THERE AND STRIP, YOU KNOW,
A WEEK'S WORTH OF PAY IN, LIKE, ONE DAY.
Chris: YOU'RE THE BOSS.[ CARL LAUGHS ]
[ LAUGHS ]
HOPE YOUR HUNCH IS RIGHT.
LET'S GET THE TRUCKS FIRED UP,
GET EVERYTHING FIRED UP HERE, AND LET'S GO GET IT.
-OKAY. -LET'S DO THIS.
Narrator: RICK GETS THE CREW STRIPPING THE EXTENSION CUT.
GAMBLING, THEY'LL GET TO PAY DIRT
BEFORE THE EXISTING STOCKPILE RUNS OUT.
IT'S NO SECRET RICK SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY
CHASING AFTER BIG NUGGETS LAST YEAR ON A HUNCH.
I HOPE THIS ISN'T LAST YEAR ALL OVER AGAIN.
I DON'T NEED THAT.
Rick: I'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD FEELING
ABOUT THE CHEAP-CUT EXTENSION.
I KNOW I MADE SOME MISTAKES LAST YEAR, AND I KNOW
THE GUYS ARE SKEPTICAL, BUT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT.
I KNOW THINGS ARE GONNA PAY OFF.
♪♪
Karl: LOOK OUT!
HOLY [BLEEP]! [BLEEP]!
♪♪
[ CRASHING ]
Narrator: ON RICK NESS'S DUNCAN CREEK CLAIM,
OPERATOR CHRIS KRUSE HAS JUST ROLLED HIS ROCK TRUCK
WHILE HAULING OVERBURDEN FROM THE NEW EXTENSION CUT.
Carl: GOT TO BE [BLEEP] KIDDING ME. STAND BACK.
Narrator: RICK'S ALREADY BATTLING A LATE START
THIS SEASON.
NOW HE COULD BE DOWN A TRUCK, AS WELL.
Carl: IF WE DON'T GET THERE IN A RUSH,
THIS WHOLE THING'S UPSIDE DOWN.
CARL AND THE CREW IMPROVISE TO RIGHT THE TRUCK
USING AN EXCAVATOR AND WEBBING.
Carl: UP.
UP!
Chris: A ROCK TRUCK FLOPPED OVER,
AND WE'RE TRYING TO FLOP IT BACK OVER THE RIGHT WAY.
NOT THE WAY YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO PARK THESE.
♪♪
Carl: WE GOT IT!
SWEET.
♪♪
Narrator: WITH THE TRUCK UP AND RUNNING, THE TEAM GETS BACK
TO DIGGING DOWN TO PAY DIRT IN THE NEW CUT.
Rick: NICE JOB, GUYS.
♪♪
Narrator: THREE HOURS LATER, THE EXTENSION IS STRIPPED
AND READY TO RUN.
Rick: HELL, YEAH, WE'RE ALREADY DOWN TO PAY. I LIKE THAT.
♪♪
[ CAR DOOR CLOSES ]
[ GROANS ]
FEELING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
Narrator: ROOKIE MINER FRED LEWIS HAS GAMBLED
HIS LAST $20,000
LEASING A 36-ACRE CLAIM IN OREGON'S ELKHORN MOUNTAINS.
YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK WAS KIND OF TOUGH.
WE HAD TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF MSHA COMPLIANCES
AND KRA COMPLIANCES, BUT...
WE STEPPED IT UP, GOT EVERYTHING DONE.
WE JUST GOT TO PUT IN THE WORK AND GET ON THE GOLD.
Narrator: UP TO NOW, THE TEAM HAS ONLY RUN THEIR OPERATION
FOR A TOTAL OF EIGHT HOURS.
NOW FRED AND HIS CREW OF VETERAN BUDDIES
ARE RACING TO CASH IN ON RECORD-HIGH GOLD PRICES.
Fred: FIRE IT UP, JOHNNY. FIRE IT UP. FIRE IT UP.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
♪♪
WATER'S COMING!
[BLEEP]. HERE IT COMES!
♪♪
Fred: LET'S DO THIS! RUN SOME GOLD!
♪♪
FORMER SPECIAL FORCES MASTER SERGEANT
STEFAN GENERALLY DIGS PAY DIRT IN THE SWAMP CUT
WITH THE 400 EXCAVATOR.
Stefan: MY WIFE -- SHE'S NEVER OWNED A HOUSE BEFORE.
COME OUT HERE, MINE FOR GOLD, MAKE SOME MONEY.
MAKE ONE OF MY WIFE'S DREAMS COME TRUE.
SERGEANT KYLE PLETZKE THEN HAULS THE PAY DIRT TO THE PLANT
IN A 988 LOADER.
Kyle: PRETTY MUCH DEAD BROKE, SO THIS HAS TO BE A SUCCESS
OR I'M GOING TO END UP LIVING OUT OF MY TRUCK FOR REAL.
AND SERGEANT STUART McKENZIE
FEEDS THE PAY DIRT INTO THE PLANT WITH THE 225.
Stuart: IF THIS PAYS OFF,
IT'LL ALLOW ME TO GIVE MY WIFE AND CHILD
THE LIFE THAT THEY DESERVE.
♪♪
WE'RE RUNNING PAY!
Kendell: I'M PRETTY SURE THIS IS GOLD MINING.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE, BUT THIS IS IT.
WE'RE DOING IT.
♪♪
WE GOT A NEW RECORD FOR RUNNING, BABY.
WE SPENT ALL THIS TIME GETTING THIS THING GOING,
AND NOW WE CAN TASTE THE GOLD.
♪♪
[ TRUCK BEEPS ]
[ SIGHS ]
MAN! [ GROANS ]
HO, HO, HO! WHAT'S GOING ON, MAN?
I DON'T KNOW, MAN. IT JUST DIED. I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
[BLEEP].
HEY, SHUT DOWN THE PLANT, AND SHUT DOWN THE WATER.
[ ENGINE SHUTS OFF ]
Johnny: WHAT IS GOING ON?
WE GOT TO GET THIS CRAP STRAIGHTENED OUT
'CAUSE THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
DUDE, THIS LOOKS LIKE [BLEEP].
I'M LOOKING AT ALL THIS OIL DOWN IN HERE.
-Stuart: YEAH. -THE EXPOSED WIRES.
DUDE, SOMETHING -- SOMETHING IS CAUSING THAT.
Kendell: THIS THING IS A FIRE HAZARD.
AND IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD.
Narrator: FRED WORKED A DEAL WITH THE CLAIM OWNER
TO INCLUDE ALL THE SITE'S EQUIPMENT.
BUT SO FAR, HE'S RUN INTO PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM.
THIS PLACE IS [BLEEP] HAUNTED, FRED.
♪♪
WE ARE SO CLOSE TO THE EDGE. WE HAVE TO HAVE OTHER OPTIONS.
WE HAVE TO RENT SOME EQUIPMENT, WE HAVE TO LEASE SOME EQUIPMENT,
SOMETHING.
WE DON'T HAVE THE BUDGET.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO RUN THAT [BLEEP] 400 NONSTOP
FROM THE SWAMP, MARCH IT BACK UP, AND FEED THE COLONEL.
THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO.
FRED'S PLAN -- USE THE WORKING EXCAVATOR,
THE 400, TO DIG PAY DIRT AT THE SWAMP CUT,
THEN SEND THE 988 LOADER
TO STOCKPILE THE DIRT AT THE WASH PLANT.
FINALLY, WALK THE 400 FROM THE CUT TO FEED THE PLANT.
WALKING THE 30-YEAR-OLD EXCAVATOR
FROM THE CUT TO THE PLANT COMES WITH A BIG RISK.
LOOK, IT'S YOUR CALL, BUT IF THAT GOES DOWN,
OUR SEASON IS DONE.
Fred: I KNOW, DUDE. I'M SORRY. IT'S A TEMPORARY FIX.
♪♪
Stefan: ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: DOWN IN THE CUT, STEFAN IS STILL DIGGING PAY DIRT
WITH THE 400.
HEY, STEFAN, 2:25 IS DEADLINE.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO HAVE THE 400 PULL DOUBLE DUTY.
SO ONCE YOU'RE DONE WITH THAT BUCKET,
CAN YOU MARCH IT UP TO THE RAMP?
STUART'S GONNA HAVE TO FEED THE COLONEL WITH IT.
Stefan: ALL RIGHT, YOU GOT IT.
♪♪
HE WANTS US TO RUN THESE [BLEEP] INTO THE GROUND,
YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?
♪♪
Stefan: ALL RIGHT, BROTHER, SHE'S ALL YOURS.
NO PRESSURE, RIGHT?NO PRESSURE WHATSOEVER.
OKAY.GET THAT GOLD, BABY.
ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.
♪♪
LET'S FIRE IT UP, MISFITS.
Stuart: ALL RIGHTY, LET'S GET HER GOING.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
♪♪
ALL RIGHT, STUART, THE COLONEL'S HUNGRY. FEED HIM.
WHOO!
Narrator: COLONEL NUGGET CAN ONLY RUN
UNTIL THE PAY PILE RUNS OUT.
SO, WITH THE 225 BEING DOWN RIGHT NOW,
WE ONLY HAVE ONE EXCAVATOR.
THAT PRETTY MUCH PUTS US AT 50 PERCENT.
IT'S NOT IDEAL, BUT 50 PERCENT'S BETTER THAN ZERO.
Narrator: AFTER ONLY TWO HOURS, THE 50-YARD PAY PILE IS SLUICED.
COLONEL NUGGET IS SHUT DOWN WHILE STEFAN WALKS THE 400
BACK TO THE CUT TO DIG MORE.
[ RATTLING ]
♪♪
[ BRAKES SQUEAL ]
Stefan: THE [BLEEP]?
[BLEEP].
AM I STUCK ON A ROCK ON THIS ONE OR SOMETHING?
Fred: IT'S CLEAN AS HELL.
TRUCKING FORWARD, THE LEFT SIDE STOPPED.
THE RIGHT SIDE KEPT GOING.
OH, [BLEEP].
Fred: WELL, DOES IT MOVE?
IT CAN MOVE, BUT IT'S NOT GONNA BE HAPPY ABOUT IT.
FRED, THIS THING IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN.
WE CAN'T HAVE IT RUNNING DOUBLE DUTY
UP TOP AND DOWN BELOW.
THIS THING HAS TO STAY DOWN HERE AND DIG DIRT FOR US.
[BLEEP] PIECE OF [BLEEP].
Narrator: WITH THE 400 STRANDED AT THE CUT,
FRED'S OPERATION IS SHUT DOWN.
DUDE, I BEG YOU, THERE'S TOO MANY THINGS TO FIX RIGHT HERE.
WE NEED SOME HELP.
Fred: YOU'RE RIGHT.
FRED NEEDS A MECHANIC.
LUCKILY, HE KNOWS THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS -- JUAN IBARRA.
[LINE RINGING]
Juan: HELLO?
JUAN, HOW'S IT GOING? IT'S FRED.
HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON, MAN?
I HATE TO CALL YOU WITH BAD NEWS,
BUT OUR EQUIPMENT IS BREAKING DOWN CONSTANTLY.
I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU WERE MAYBE ANYWHERE NEAR.
I'D LOVE TO HELP YOU OUT,
BUT I'M A LITTLE BUSY RIGHT NOW.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF PIECES OF EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE.
REALLY?
WHAT KIND ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
SO, THE 225, THE SMALLER EXCAVATOR -- IT WENT DOWN.
I'M ALSO LOOKING AT THAT LOADER. IT'S GOT A LOT OF ISSUES ITSELF.
WE CAN HELP YOU GUYS OUT HERE.
AWESOME. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT, JUAN.
BUT I GOT A LOT OF MONEY INVESTED IN THIS EQUIPMENT,
SO I'D LIKE TO SEND ONE OF MY OPERATORS WITH IT
TO KIND OF HELP YOU GUYS OUT
AND KIND OF LOOK AFTER MY EQUIPMENT.
OKAY, I UNDERSTAND.
STILL TO COME...
TONY FIGHTS TO GET THE SCREEN DECK MOVE BACK ON TRACK.
OH, YOU [BLEEP].
♪♪
Kevin: [BLEEP] EVERYBODY ELSE?
Narrator: THE BEETS FAMILY IS IN THE MIDDLE
OF MOVING A MONSTER SCREEN DECK WASH PLANT
DOWN TO TONY'S NEW TARGET, THE OLD-TIMER TAILINGS.
CODY'S GONE UP AND CAUGHT THE MATERIAL,
HOLDING THAT UPPER END.
SO WE CAN HAUL IT DOWN THE [BLEEP] HILL, GET IN POSITION.
THAT'S THE BATTLE PLAN.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE.
Narrator: THE HOPPER FEEDER MADE THE PLANT TOO UNSTABLE
TO TRANSPORT.
[ SPARKS CRACKLING ]
AND AFTER A DAY SPENT CUTTING IT LOOSE...
...TONY IS NOW READY TO LIFT IT FROM THE SCREEN DECK FRAME.
DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN, TONY.
WASH PLANT SECURED, MIKE HEADS DOWN THE STEEP DIRT ROAD.
Mike: LET'S GET GOING.
[ HORN BLARES ]
IF ANY OF THE GUYS IN THE FILM CREW CAN HEAR ME,
I WOULD AVOID BEING IN FRONT OF THIS TRUCK ON THE HILL.
IT'S HIGHLY HAZARDOUS.
[ LAUGHS ]
OOH, COME ON. TURN, YOU.
Kevin: EASY, MIKE. EASY, MIKE.
♪♪
Mike: SINCE IT'S AN AUTOMATIC,
YOU HAVE TO USE THE BRAKES ALL THE TIME.
OH, YOU [BLEEP].
[BLEEP] AUTOMATICS.
I HATE AUTOMATICS.
♪♪
Narrator: TWO DAYS AFTER THEY STARTED
AT THE TOP OF PARADISE HILL,
THEY FINALLY GET THE SCREEN DECK DOWN TO THE OLD-TIMER TAILINGS.
NOW ALL THAT'S LEFT IS TO UNLOAD THE 50-TON BEAST,
AND TONY HAS AN OLD TRICK UP HIS SLEEVE.
-PIECE OF CAKE. -LET'S GO.
Narrator: TONY'S PLAN --
EXCAVATE A PIT WITH A SLOPE AT ONE END
TO REVERSE THE OSHKOSH DOWN,
THEN DRAG THE WASH PLANT DIRECTLY ONTO THE PAD,
WHERE IT WILL SLUICE THE TAILINGS.
♪♪
ALL BY YOURSELF?
♪♪
IS IT GOOD?
THE PLANT IS IN PLACE,
BUT BEFORE THE BEETS CAN CASH IN ON THE OLD-TIMER TAILINGS,
THERE'S STILL WORK TO DO.
♪♪
Rick: YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE GOLD COMING IN ALL SEASON.
Narrator: RICK NESS IS CHASING A HUNCH AND MINING PAY DIRT
FROM AN EXTENSION OF THE CHEAP CUT.
Rick: I REALLY NEED THIS EXTENSION ON THE CHEAP CUT
TO PAY OFF.
I HAD A BAD SEASON LAST YEAR,
SO I GOT A LOT OF GROUND TO MAKE UP THIS YEAR.
Narrator: IF HIS HUNCH IS A BUST,
RICK WILL BE EVEN FURTHER BEHIND AFTER THE LATE START.
LOADER OPERATOR MARK
HAS A GROWING STOCKPILE OF EXTENSION PAY DIRT
TO FEED INTO THE WASH PLANT.
Mark: OH, [BLEEP].
HEY, CARL, WE GOT A PROBLEM. YOU GOT TO GET DOWN HERE.
WE'RE LOSING WATER PRESSURE.
♪♪
[BLEEP] ME.
♪♪
EVERY DAY, I GO BEHIND A DAY, IT SEEMS LIKE,
SO BY THE END OF THE WEEK, WE'RE GONNA BE BEHIND A WEEK, RIGHT?
CRAZY.
WHAT'S GOING ON, BOYS? WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Mark: WATER PRESSURE DECREASED.
♪♪
SO, YOU SEE THIS LEAK IN HERE?
THAT'S NOT GOOD. THAT'S OUR [BLEEP] SEAL GOING, RIGHT?
[ DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE ]
THAT SUCKS.
SUCKS BIG TIME.
Narrator: WITHOUT A WORKING WATER PUMP,
RICK'S OPERATION IS SHUT DOWN.
TOO MUCH DOWNTIME.
WE'RE GONNA STRETCH THE PUMP OUT.
WE NEED TO SPEED UP.
LET'S GO.
Narrator: WITH NO TIME TO FIX THE PROBLEM,
CARL BRINGS IN THE BACKUP PUMP.
Carl: NICE AND EASY, RIGHT?
YEAH.
WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT.
OKAY, LET IT OUT!
♪♪
THAT'S MORE LIKE IT.GET READY.
LET'S FIRE IT UP.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
♪♪
[ ENGINE SHUTS OFF ]
[BLEEP]. DIDN'T WORK.
WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS THIS [BLEEP]?
♪♪
Narrator: RICK NESS'S WASH PLANT IS DOWN
WITH A BROKEN WATER PUMP.
MECHANIC CARL SWAPPED IT OUT,
BUT NOW THE REPLACEMENT WON'T START.
Carl: WHY THE [BLEEP] DOESN'T IT RUN?
[ ENGINE SPUTTERING ]
♪♪
WHAT, IS THERE A PINCHED FUEL LINE OR SOMETHING HERE?
THAT'S THE FUEL LINE. IT'S NOT PINCHED THERE.
CARL NEEDS TO FIND OUT
WHY THERE'S NO FUEL TO THE INJECTORS.
THERE'LL BE A TUBE THAT GOES DOWN INTO THE TANK, RIGHT?
SO I THINK THE TUBE HAS FALLEN OFF.
HERE'S WHAT YOU DO. DON'T LIKE DOING THIS, BUT...
I'M GONNA SUCK ON A HOSE HERE.
Mark: [ LAUGHS ] GOT TO GET YOUR FACE RIGHT IN.
IF CARL'S WRONG AND THE TUBE IS STILL CONNECTED,
HE'LL GET A MOUTHFUL OF FUEL.
SEE, IT'S PULLED RIGHT OFF. THERE'S NOTHING THERE.
TUBE HAS FALLEN OFF, SO NOW IT CAN'T PICK UP FUEL.
Narrator: THE PUMP WON'T FIRE
BECAUSE THE UPTAKE HOSE HAS FALLEN INTO THE FUEL TANK.
NO ROOM, EH?
Carl: IT'S JUST TOUGH TO GET IN THERE, RIGHT?
YEAH.
OH, YEAH.
COOKING WITH ETHER NOW.
[ CARL GRUNTS ]
[ ENGINE STARTS, METAL CLANGING ]
JUST LIKE THAT.
♪♪
Narrator: THE NESS CREW IS BACK IN BUSINESS.
♪♪
HEY, RICK?
YEP?
YEAH, THIS PUMP'S UP AND RUNNING,
SO WE'RE PUMPING WATER.
[BLEEP], YEAH. NICE JOB, CARL.
THANK GOD FOR THAT.
RICK'S BACK ON THE GOLD.
AND THANKS TO CARL, HE'LL SOON DISCOVER IF HIS HUNCH
ON THE EXTENSION CUT WILL PAY OFF.
Chris: YEAH, THE GOOD NEWS IS THE PLANT'S RUNNING AGAIN,
AND HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE WEEK,
THERE'S GOLD IN THE BOX
BECAUSE IF THERE'S NOT, IT'S GONNA START FEELING
AN AWFUL LOT LIKE LAST YEAR ALL OVER AGAIN.
♪♪
Narrator: IN OREGON,
FRED LEWIS IS FACING ANOTHER DAY OF DOWNTIME.
REALLY DIFFICULT TRYING TO GET PROFICIENT AT A NEW JOB
WHEN THERE'S NO JOB TO ACTUALLY DO.
Stefan: BEEN DOING MORE HANGING AROUND WAITING
THAN WE HAVE ACTUALLY DOING MINING.
THAT BREAKS, THEN WE FIX THAT.
THAT BREAKS. WE FIX THAT. THEN THAT'LL BREAK AGAIN.
MORALE IS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE ALL KIND OF BUMMED OUT.
THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING ABOUT BEING HERE IS THAT
WE'RE NOT MINING GOLD RIGHT NOW
BECAUSE ALL OF US HAVE SACRIFICED A LOT.
WE'LL STICK IT OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER NO MATTER WHAT.
BUT I KNOW FRED IS GONNA COME THROUGH FOR US.
Fred: LAST COUPLE OF DAYS HAVE BEEN REALLY TOUGH.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS AND A LOT OF DOWNTIME,
AND THAT'S BEEN REALLY TOUGH ON THE GUYS.
SO I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH JUAN,
AND THAT EQUIPMENT IS ON ITS WAY NOW.
♪♪
THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
Narrator: FRED HAS LEASED AN EXCAVATOR
AND A LOADER FROM JUAN IBARRA
AND AGREED TO PAY HIM ONLY WHEN HE GETS ENOUGH GOLD.
Fred: I DON'T LIKE OFFERING UP FUTURE GOLD,
BUT, HEY, IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK,
YOU SHOULDN'T BE MINING GOLD.
Narrator: JUAN HAS SENT SPECIALIST OPERATOR ALEX VOIGHT
TO MAKE SURE IT COMES BACK IN ONE PIECE.
FRED! YOU MUST BE ALEX.
GOOD TO MEET YOU, FINALLY.
Fred: NICE TO MEET YOU, FINALLY. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
WE'RE HERE. WE BROUGHT EQUIPMENT.
I AM STOKED. SO, WELCOME...
WELL, THANK YOU....FIRST OFF.
LET'S GET THESE BAD BOYS OFF AND GET OUT OF HERE.
WE HAD TO MAKE THE CALL AND UP THE ANTE
AND GET BETTER EQUIPMENT.
JUAN CAME THROUGH. NOW IT'S GO TIME.
THIS VOLVO EXCAVATOR
IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE NICEST MACHINES I'VE RAN.
[ WRENCH CRANKING ]
SHE'S ONLY GOT ABOUT 1,200 HOURS ON HER.
VERY NICE, VERY SMOOTH.
GUY ON IT'S KIND OF COOL, TOO.
I WANT TO GET MOVING BECAUSE I WANT TO GET THIS TO THE GUYS.
THEY'RE GONNA BE SO EXCITED. THEY NEED IT.
LET'S GO MEET THE GUYS.
HEY, WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS THAT?
IS THAT FRED?
[ STEFAN LAUGHS ]
HOLY CRAP. IS THAT OUR MACHINE?
WHY ISN'T THIS STUFF COVERED IN OIL?
♪♪
Fred: HEY, EVERYBODY, THIS IS ALEX.
HE'S OUR NEW TEAMMATE.
LOOK AT THAT. HE'S FIXING OUR ROAD RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
HOW YOU DOING? ALEX.
I HEARD YOU GUYS NEEDED SOME EQUIPMENT,
SO THIS IS IT, GUYS.
YEAH, SO THESE ARE BASICALLY ON LEASE FROM JUAN, SO...
ALEX, TOO?
ALEX COMES WITH THE EQUIPMENT, BUT HE'S OUR NEW TEAMMATE.
HE'S HERE TO TRAIN US
AND TO MAKE SURE WE USE THE EQUIPMENT PROPERLY
AND TO MAKE SURE THE EQUIPMENT GOES BACK IN THE SAME SHAPE
THAT IT WAS IN WHEN WE GOT IT.
THIS IS THE FRESH START FOR OUR FREAKIN' CLAIM.
AND I THINK IT'S A GAME-CHANGER.
ALL RIGHT, GUYS, WE'VE GOT THE EQUIPMENT.
WE GOT EVERYTHING WE NEED. LET'S GET TO WORK.
GET YOUR STATIONS. LET'S FIRE UP THE COLONEL, MAN!
Alex: WHO'S COMING WITH ME TO THE EXCAVATOR?
FIRE UP THE COLONEL!
♪♪
STUART, YOU'RE GOOD TO GO.
WHOO!
Stuart: LOOKING GOOD RIGHT NOW!
Narrator: WITH A FULLY WORKING FLEET OF MACHINES...
YEAH!
THE COLONEL'S GETTING GOLD.
Narrator: ...THE MINE IS BACK IN ACTION.
IT'S ABOUT [BLEEP] TIME WE GOT EVERYTHING UP AND ROLLING.
THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO BE RIGHT HERE,
IF WE COULD JUST KEEP THIS GOING THE REST OF THE SEASON.
I'M IN, MAN.
♪♪
Parker: WE CANNOT HAVE THIS WASH PLANT DOWN.
IT'S JUST -- THAT CAN'T HAPPEN.
Narrator: AT PARKER SCHNABEL'S CLAIM,
TYSON HAS BEEN STRUGGLING TO DEAL
WITH OVERNIGHT BREAKDOWNS AT WASH PLANT SLUICIFER.
SO HE'S COME UP WITH A RADICAL SOLUTION.
-HI. -HI.
HOW'S THAT HOLIDAY TRAILER OF YOURS LOOKING?
WHY? DO YOU WANT TO MOVE DOWN HERE?
REALLY? FOR A WEEK.
WOULD THAT BE COOL WITH YOU?
WHERE ARE WE GONNA [BLEEP]?
IN THE CREEK?
I JUST WANT TO PLAY IT SAFE
AND BE DOWN THERE IN CASE ANYTHING HAPPENS.
WELL, I APPRECIATE THE DEDICATION.
WELL, I'M GOING TO BED.
♪♪
Narrator: THE BEETS FAMILY GATHERS
FOR THE WEEKLY GOLD WEIGH.
HOLA.
Minnie: WHERE'S FAITH?
SHE'S ON HER WAY.
WELL, I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU'RE ALL HERE.
I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE WE HAD MUCH CHOICE, REALLY.
ACCURATE.
WE'LL GET IT, THOUGH. NOT TOO WORRIED.
ANYWAYS, WE SHOULD MAYBE SEE HOW MUCH WE GOT.
Narrator: UNTIL THEY CAN GET THE SCREEN DECK ASSEMBLED
AND RUNNING, THE BEATS ARE RELYING ON JUST ONE PLANT --
MIKE'S TROMMEL AT THE MEGA CUT.
TRUSTY TROMMEL PUMPED OUT ABOUT A JAR, SO...
OH, GOD, GEEZ.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Monica: HA, HA, MIKE'S POURING.
READY?
Faith: 5, 10, 15, 20...
Narrator: TO HIT THEIR 3,000-OUNCE TARGET,
THEY NEED AN AVERAGE OF 177 OUNCES A WEEK,
BUT 11 WEEKS IN, THEY HAVE YET TO HIT IT.
160, 170,
178...
178.6.
MIKE'S TROMMEL IS KEEPING THE FAMILY AFLOAT
WITH A GOLD HAUL WORTH $312,000.
Faith: HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE NOW?
732.6
WE STILL HAVE QUITE A BIT OF TIME LEFT, RIGHT?
AND WITH THE GOLD PRICE BEING SO HIGH,
THAT IS A TREMENDOUS HELP.
Narrator: EVEN WITH A BIG HAUL, THE BEETS ARE STILL
MORE THAN 2,000 OUNCES OFF THEIR SEASON GOAL.
THAT'S TRUE.
♪♪
IT'S THE END OF A TOUGH WEEK ON THE LEWIS CLAIM.
♪♪
YOU KNOW, I REALLY FEEL LIKE GETTING THIS NEW EQUIPMENT IN
AND ALEX, ESPECIALLY, WITH HIS EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY
TO HELP TEACH US A LITTLE BETTER,
I THINK WE'RE GETTING A BOOST RIGHT NOW.
Stefan: HELL, YEAH.
HOW ARE YOU LIKING THAT NEW MACHINE?
OH, NO, IT'S AWESOME.
A/C, HEATER, RADIO.
I'M EXCITED FOR IT.
Kyle: YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TIME
IN THAT NEW LOADER YET,
BUT THE ONE THING THAT I REALLY LIKE SO FAR
IS THAT I CAN ACTUALLY MANEUVER AROUND THE MINE.
THAT OTHER ONE --
DUDE, IT'S LIKE -- I FEEL LIKE I'M AUSTIN POWERS,
YOU KNOW, UP AGAINST THE WALL, TRYING TO GO, TRYING TO GO.
AND THERE'S JUST NOTHING THAT'S HAPPENING.
IT'S GONNA BE A GAME-CHANGER FOR SURE.
Kendell: SO, WHAT'S UP, GUYS?
HI, KENDELL.
JUST WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE NEWS.
KATIE AND I ARE GONNA HAVE OUR FIRST KID.
I'M GONNA BE A NEW DAD.[ CHEERING ]
WHAT? [ LAUGHS ]
OH, MY GOSH! THAT'S AMAZING!
-LIFETIME DEATH SENTENCE. -[ LAUGHS ]
LET ME SEE.
IT'S A LITTLE NUGGET. AH, WHATEVER.
[ LAUGHTER ]
CONGRATULATIONS, BUDDY.
Fred: MUCH BIGGER THAN ANY NUGGET WE'VE FOUND.
♪♪
EVERYTHING'S LOOKING GOOD. WE GOT ALL THE CHECKS.
Alex: YOUR FIRST KID?FIRST KID.
WOW. CONGRATULATIONS.
Kyle: KATIE'S GONNA HAVE TWO.
[ LAUGHS ] EXACTLY.
KENDELL, MAN, IT'S SO MUCH FUN.
I CAN'T -- YEAH. IT'S AWESOME.
I'M EXCITED.
♪♪
Narrator: RICK NESS IS READY TO FIND OUT
IF HIS GAMBLE ON EXTENDING THE CHEAP CUT HAS PAID OFF.
RUBY! HI, BABY.
OH, YOU GUYS ARE HERE, TOO.
OH.
[ SIGHS ]
YEAH.
WHAT'S UP, KRUSE?
REMEMBER WHEN YOU GOT YOUR ROCK TRUCK STUCK THIS WEEK?
Karla: HEY-OH![ LAUGHTER ]
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS. YEP.
[ LAUGHS ]
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS.
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?
Narrator: RICK NEEDS AN OUNCE PER 100 YARDS
FROM THE EXTENSION CUT.
AFTER RUNNING OVER 7,000 YARDS,
HE NEEDS AT LEAST 70 OUNCES.
WELL... Karla: LET'S SEE THIS.
SHALL WE SEE IF THE OLD EL HUNCHO PAID OFF?
Chris: OOH.
-Carl: HOLY SMOKES, RICKY. -LOOKS PRETTY GOOD, RIGHT?
I LIKE IT.
YOU READY?
Karla: I HOPE YOUR HUNCH IS RIGHT.
WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT.
ALL RIGHT, WE GOT 10.
WE GOT 20. Chris: EXCELLENT.
30...
THERE'S 40, GOING 50...AWESOME.
...60, 70.
NO WAY. 82.37
Narrator: WITH PRICES AT A MASSIVE $1,750 AN OUNCE,
RICK HAS MINED $144,000
WORTH OF GOLD FROM THE CHEAP CUT EXTENSION.
IT'S HIS BIGGEST HAUL OF THE SEASON.
-Rick: UNREAL. -WOW.
Carl: THAT'S AWESOME.
Chris: I'VE NEVER SEEN A CLEAN-UP LIKE THAT.
YEAH, THAT'S TRUE. WE NEVER HAD ANY LIKE THAT LAST YEAR.
THAT'S AWESOME, GUYS. AWESOME.
SURE IS PRETTY.
YEAH!
Karla: YEAH! YEAH!
WELL, I'M JUST HAPPY THAT PAID OFF.
A FEW MORE OF THOSE, WE'RE GOOD.
-WE'VE GOTTEN AHEAD. -MORE THAN A FEW.
-LET'S KEEP IT UP. -WELL, LET'S GO GET A FEW MORE.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO THIS.
YEAH, I'M SUPER HAPPY WITH THE GOLD.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT KIND OF STUFF IN YEARS, RIGHT?
SO WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
IF WE CAN KEEP THAT UP, MAN, WE'RE GONNA SMASH OUR GOAL.
SO I'M HAPPY ABOUT IT.
Chris: I'VE NEVER SEEN A CLEAN-UP LIKE THAT BEFORE.
KEEP HAVING CLEAN-UPS LIKE THAT
AND WE'LL BE GOING HOME WITH POCKETS FULL GOLD.
WELL, WE FINALLY GOT SOME MONEY IN THE BANK, WHICH FEELS GOOD.
AND PERSONALLY, I REALLY NEEDED THAT TO PAY OFF.
SO I'M HAPPY, AND NOW I CAN JUST FOCUS ON THE REST OF THE SEASON.
♪♪
Narrator: NEXT TIME ON "GOLD RUSH"...
I'M GONNA GO TRY TO FIND US SOME GROUND IN ALASKA.
...WITH PARKER OUT OF THE PICTURE...
YOU NEED TO [BLEEP] RETHINK YOUR GAME, MAN.
...THE CREW IS UNDER PRESSURE.
WHOA! [BLEEP].
Narrator: THE CRACKS START TO SHOW...
OH, [BLEEP].
...IN RICK NESS'S OPERATION.
Rick: THAT'S NOT GOOD.
AND THE SCREEN DECK BUILD...
Tony: BACK UP...
...PUTS TONY BEETS TO THE TEST.
-WHOA! -WHOA!
OH, MY [BLEEP].