COME ON, LET'S GO!
WHOA.
Narrator: ON THIS "GOLD RUSH"...
I MIGHT GO TRY TO FIND US SOME GROUND IN ALASKA.
WE'LL TRY AND KEEP HER ON TRACK.
Narrator: PARKER HUNTS FOR NEW GROUND,
LEAVING HIS CREW IN CHARGE.
THE BOTTOM LINE HERE, MAN, PARKER'S NOT HERE
AND WE'RE GONNA DO IT MY WAY.
WHOA! HEY, HEY, HANG ON!
IF YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE COOL WITH THAT SET UP
RIGHT THERE, YOU NEED TO [BLEEP] RETHINK YOUR GAME, MAN.
LOOK AT THAT HOLE.
Narrator: ON HIS ROAD TO REDEMPTION...
[BLEEP] GOD [BLEEP] DAMN IT.
Narrator: RICK NESS...
OH, MAN.
Narrator: ...FACES A CRISIS...
IT'S A [BLEEP] DISASTER.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
Narrator: ...AND TONY BEETS PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS
IN HIS HUNT FOR LOST GOLD.
-TONY! -WHAT? NO!
--Captions by VITAC-- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♪♪
THINGS HERE ARE RUNNING GOOD.
THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE FACE RIGHT NOW
IS THAT WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF GOOD GROUND.
Narrator: HALFWAY THROUGH THE SHORTEST SEASON EVER,
25-YEAR-OLD PARKER SCHNABEL IS ABOUT TO MAKE A BIG MOVE
TO EXPAND HIS GOLD MINING EMPIRE.
A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE GAVE ME A LEAD
ON A PRETTY GOOD PIECE OF GROUND JUST OUTSIDE OF FAIRBANKS
THAT'S FOR SALE.
THAT'S $3 MILLION DEAL.
♪♪
Narrator: WITH GOLD PRICES AT A RECORD HIGH,
PARKER'S BUILDING A WAR CHEST TO BUY
THE NEW GROUND IN ALASKA.
DESPITE THE LATE START TO THE SEASON,
HE'S ALREADY BANKED AS MUCH GOLD AS THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
WE NEED TO MAKE SOME MONEY UP HERE AND A LOT OF THAT NEEDS
TO GO TOWARDS EXPLORING NEW PROPERTY
AND FINDING MORE AND BETTER GROUND.
♪♪
Narrator: BUT NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME,
PARKER IS LEAVING HIS MINE SITE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON.
IT CONCERNS ME A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT
OF JUDGMENT CALLS THAT GET MADE
AND I LIKE BEING INVOLVED IN MAKING THEM.
♪♪
SO I'M JUST ABOUT TO HIT THE ROAD...
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
I'M GONNA GO TRY TO FIND US SOME GROUND IN ALASKA.
WE DEFINITELY ARE GONNA NEED SOMETHING HERE
SOONER THAN LATER.
AND MITCH, WHILE I'M GONE, YOU'LL BE IN CHARGE.
I GOT IT.
ALL RIGHT, WHILE I'M GONE,
MY MAIN CONCERN
IS GETTING SLUICIFER MOVED TO RIGHT HERE.
UH-HUH.
TYSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE THEIR PLANT AND DEAL
WITH ALL OF THEIR DITCHES AND WHATNOT.
BUT I'D LIKE YOU TO JUST KEEP A FINGER ON THE PULSE
IF HE STARTS GETTING STRETCHED TOO THIN.
OKAY.
WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE SLUICIFER DOWN
OR WE ARE GONNA BE IN TROUBLE.
WE'LL TRY AND KEEP HER ON TRACK.
I KNOW YOU WILL.
[ LAUGHS ]
SOUNDS GOOD, MAN. LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
-ALL RIGHT. -THANK YOU.
OKAY.
♪♪
WANNA COME WITH ME?
HOPEFULLY I COME BACK TO A NICE SET UP
AND NOT A WASH PLANT UPSIDE DOWN ON THE GROUND.
♪♪
PARKER'S GIVING US A LOT OF BIG TASKS HERE,
KEEP WASH PLANTS RUNNING,
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO MOVE SLUICIFER,
AND THEN JUST TRY AND KEEP OPENING GROUND.
SO WE'VE GOT A LOT ON OUR PLATE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I FEEL REALLY GOOD
THAT HE'S TRUSTING US WITH JUST RUN THE OPERATION HERE.
Narrator: CO-FOREMAN MITCH BLASCHKE,
AND BRENNAN RUAULT A RUNNING WASH PLANT, BIG RED,
AFTER A RECENT MOVE,
THEY'RE NOW MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH THE CUT.
THINGS ARE RUNNING REALLY NICE HERE AT BIG RED.
WE'VE GOT A NICE BIG CUT.
TOOK US A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO GET IT HOW WE WANTED IT
AND WHERE WE WANTED IT.
BUT IT'S CERTAINLY PAYING OFF.
IT'S PRETTY CONSISTENT.
IT'S ALWAYS CLICKING OFF NICE CLEAN UPS
AND GOT THE END OF THE YEAR, IT ADDS UP TO A LOT OF GOLD.
PARKER'S AWAY AND HE'S LEFT NOT ONLY US IN CHARGE
OF TAKING CARE OF BIG RED HERE,
BUT ALSO HE WANTS ME TO GO DOWN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON SLUICIFER.
I REALLY HOPE THINGS ARE LOOKING AS NICE DOWN THERE
AS THEY ARE HERE, BUT WE'RE GONNA GO CHECK IT OUT.
♪♪
Narrator: OVER IN PARKER'S NEW CLAIM,
THE PROMISED LAND,
TYSON LEE IS RUNNING WASH PLANT SLUICIFER.
HE'S OFF TO A STRONG START THIS SEASON
DESPITE NEVER HAVING RUN A PLANT BEFORE.
♪♪
THAT'S CRAZY.
LOOK AT HOW SMALL THIS CUT IS, JUST THE SHAPE OF THIS CUT.
HOW NARROW IT IS.
MAKES IT REALLY TOUGH.
AND YOU'VE GOT A WASH PLANT THAT LOW TO THE GROUND
AND YOU'VE GOT TO CONSTANTLY BE BABYSITTING IT.
♪♪
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
JUST GETTING READY TO MOVE SLUICIFER.
SO WHAT'S YOUR GAME PLAN HERE?
PARKER SAID TO ME BEFORE HE LEFT
THAT HE WANTED TO WASH PLANT UPSTREAM
AND HE WANTS IT SET UP LOW.
SO WE GOT TO GET THIS DONE AND GET SLUICING
BY THE END OF THE WEEK.
THAT'S NEVER HOW WE'VE MINED IN THE PAST.
YOU GOT TO HAVE SOME ROOM AND THESE ARE BIG WASH PLANTS
THAT NEED BIG CUTS, BIG AREA.
PUT THE WASH PLANT UP ON A HILL. YOU GOT THIS SPOT OVER HERE.
TRY AND SET YOUR PLANT UP ON IT. GET SOME HEIGHT.
IT'S GONNA BUY YOU A LOT OF TIME
AND GIVE YOU A LOT MORE FREEDOM DOWN HERE.
Narrator: BEFORE HE LEFT, PARKER TOLD TYSON
TO MOVE SLUICIFER 150 YARDS FROM ITS CURRENT LOCATION
TO A LOW PAD IN A SMALL NEW CUT
WITH EASY ACCESS TO PAY DIRT.
MITCH WANTS TO MOVE THE PLANT TWICE AS FAR,
PUT IT ON A HIGH PAD, AND OPEN UP A MUCH BIGGER CUT
THAT WAY, THEY WON'T HAVE TO STOP
AND MOVE THE PLANT AGAIN.
EVERY TIME YOU'RE MOVING A WASH PLANT,
WELL, IT'S NOT MAKING YOU MONEY.
THAT'S A LOT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE SEASON,
YOU'RE NOT GONNA SEE ON A TABLE.
YEAH, WELL, I MEAN, MAN, IT'S HIS SANDBOX
AND I'M JUST PLAYING IN IT.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET IN [BLEEP], YOU KNOW,
WHEN HE GETS BACK.
HE'S NOT GONNA LIKE IT,
BUT PARKER'S NOT HERE.
I'M RUNNING THINGS NOW.
AT THE END OF THE DAY,
HE'S GONNA APPRECIATE AT THE END OF THE SEASON
WHEN HE SEES A LOT MORE GOLD ON THE TABLE, ALL RIGHT?
ALL RIGHT, THANKS.
TYSON IS TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING
THAT PARKER WANTS DONE.
I'M NOT OUT HERE TRYING TO PISS HIM OFF
OR DO THINGS A DIFFERENT WAY THAN HE WANTS THEM DONE,
BUT I'M OUT HERE TO MAKE THIS COMPANY WORK AND MAKE MONEY.
AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GONNA CHANGE ALL THIS [BLEEP]
RUNNING DOWN HERE.
COME ON, QUIT [BLEEP] AROUND.
LET'S GO!
♪♪
PARKER SAID TO ME BEFORE HE LEFT,
HE WANTS THAT WASH PLANT SITTING OVER THERE
IN THAT CUT BEFORE HE GETS BACK,
AND IF IT'S NOT, IT'LL PROBABLY MEAN I'M PACKING MY BAGS.
SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST -- IT'S NOT AN OPTION.
♪♪
Narrator: AT PARADISE HILL,
YUKON LEGEND TONY BEETS IS BETTING ON THREE DECADES
OF MINING EXPERIENCE TO CASH IN ON HIGH GOLD PRICES.
HALFWAY THROUGH THE SEASON,
TONY HAS MINED 732 OUNCES OF GOLD,
MOST OF IT FROM THE MEGA CUT
USING SON MIKE'S MONSTER TROMMEL.
NOW, TONY IS TAKING A GAMBLE ON A PILE OF TAILINGS
LEFT BEHIND BY OLD TIMERS
THAT COULD HOLD MILLIONS IN GOLD.
TONY SPENT THE LAST TWO DAYS GETTING HIS 50-TON SHAKER DECK
DOWN TO THE SITE.
NOW HE NEEDS HIS CREW TO REBUILD THE PLANT
AND GET IT RUNNING BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK
SO THAT HE CAN STOP SPENDING MONEY AND START BANKING GOLD.
BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM, THE TAILINGS PILE
IS ON A STEEP SLOPE
AND THE ONLY PLACE FOR THE WASH PLANT
IS A NARROW LEDGE.
RUNOFF FROM THE SLUICES WOULD QUICKLY UNDERMINE THE PAD.
SO TONY WILL BRING IN AN OLD PEARSON BOX WASH PLANT,
WELD IT TO THE END OF THE SLUICES, AND EXTEND IT
WITH A 20-FOOT CHUTE
TO FUNNEL WATER AWAY FROM THE HILLSIDE.
♪♪
GOOD TO GO.
Narrator: WITH HEAVY LOAD SPECIALIST MIKE
BUSY RUNNING THE TROMMEL, IT'S DOWN TO LEN HOEKSTRA
TO OPERATE THE 50-TON CRANE.
NOW, TONY WILL USE TWO OLD DREDGE PONTOONS
AND BACKFILL THEM TO SHORE UP THE NARROW PAD
SO HE CAN BRING IN THE HOPPER FEEDER.
[ HORN HONKING ]
EACH PONTOON WEIGHS THREE TONS.
Ruby: TRY TO PREVENT IT FROM SWINGING INTO THE CRANE.
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ] ...TO HIT THAT THING.
OH, [BLEEP].
-[ GROANS ] -OH, MY GOSH.
TONY?
♪♪
Ruby: OH, [BLEEP].
-[ GROANS ] -OH, MY GOSH.
TONY?
♪♪
YES.
STICK IT...
THANK [BLEEP] [BLEEP].
♪♪
AND STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP.
Len: [ GROANS ]
Narrator: WITH THE HOPPER FEEDER AND LARGE CONVEYER IN PLACE,
TONY'S TAKEN A GIANT STEP FORWARD IN HIS PLAN
TO RECOVER A MOUNTAIN OF FORGOTTEN GOLD.
♪♪
Rick: THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN ROUGH,
JUST BREAKING EVEN.
THIS YEAR WAS -- WAS NOT GONNA BE
A FAILURE LIKE LAST YEAR.
Narrator: AT DUNCAN CREEK,
RICK NESS IS FIGHTING TO CATCH UP
AFTER STARTING HIS MAKE OR BREAK SEASON
TWO WEEKS BEHIND PARKER AND TONY.
Rick: I'M ALL BUSINESS THIS YEAR.
I'M FOCUSED ON PROFIT.
LAST YEAR, I SPENT A WHOLE BUNCH OF [BLEEP] MONEY
I DIDN'T HAVE IN A YEAR WHERE I DIDN'T MAKE ANY MONEY.
AND THIS YEAR IS ALL ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
I WOULDN'T SAY BEING CHEAP, BUT DOING THINGS SMART.
Narrator: HIS CREW IS DIGGING PAY DIRT FROM THE GOLD RICH,
CHEAP CUT EXTENSION.
LAST WEEK, RICK HAD HIS BEST GOLD WEIGH SO FAR THIS SEASON,
MORE THAN 80 OUNCES.
Rick: LAST WEEK WAS A GREAT WEEK.
EVERYBODY'S WORKING REALLY HARD.
I WANT TO GET EVERYBODY PAID
AND I WANT TO DO IT WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF STRESS.
JUST KEEPING IT SIMPLE, AND THAT'S -- THAT'S GONNA BE
THE KEY TO GETTING BACK ON TRACK,
YOU KNOW, AFTER A YEAR LIKE LAST YEAR.
Narrator: TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE GOOD GOLD,
RICK BRINGS IN NEW OPERATOR BEN BELLAI.
THIS IS BENNY.
-HOW YOU DOING, BUDDY? -BEN. NICE TO MEET YOU.
-THANKS FOR COMING UP. -NO WORRIES, MAN.
I CAN'T BELIEVE CARL HAS FRIENDS.
YEAH, NICE.
I HATE TO BREAK IT TO YOU RIGHT OFF THE BAT,
BUT GONNA KIND OF HAVE TO USE AND ABUSE YOU.
[BLEEP] RIGHT.
WE'VE ALL BEEN DOING IT.
SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE SEASON.
-NO PROBLEM. -ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO.
-[BLEEP] YEAH. -ALL RIGHT.
-RIGHT ON. LET'S GO. -LET'S GO.
♪♪
THESE ARE NUGGETS, IT LOOKS GOOD.
HOWEVER, THEY DON'T WEIGH MUCH.
IT'S THE FINE GOLD THAT ADDS UP.
Narrator: IN THE GOLD ROOM,
KARLA ANN WASHES CONCENTRATE FROM TWO DAYS
OF RUNNING TO SEPARATE OUT THE FINE GOLD.
WE'VE BEEN DOING CLEANUPS EVERY 20 HOURS JUST TO STAY CONSISTENT
AND TRY TO READ THE GROUND A LITTLE BIT BETTER,
BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON,
THIS CLEANUP IS NOT LOOKING SO HOT.
I'M NOT SURE WHY.
IT'S THAT FINE GOLD THAT USUALLY IS THERE.
IT'S JUST NOT HERE THIS TIME.
RICK, YOU COPY?
Yeah, go for Rick.
HEY, JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW SOME OF OUR FINE GOLD
JUST ISN'T HERE.
[Bleep] are you serious?
IT'S A BIT BIZARRE JUST BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SO CONSISTENT.
Okay, I'll head over there.
YEAH, COPY.
HOPE HE CAN FIND AN ANSWER.
I'M A LITTLE BIT WORRIED THAT OUR NUMBER IS GONNA BE
OFF AND RUIN OUR OUR STREAK.
Rick: [ GROANS ]
WELL, THAT'S NOT GOOD.
HEY, CARL, YOU GOT A COPY?
Hey, Rick.
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO JUST DROP WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
GET DOWN TO THE WASH PLANT, GOLD IS GOING DOWN.
THAT SCARES ME.
WHAT THE [BLEEP] GOING ON?
♪♪
I SEE WATER COMING OUT OF RUNS. THERE'S GOT TO BE A HOLD.
IT ISN'T GOOD. WE'RE LOSING GOLD.
WE'LL SHUT HER DOWN.
[ MACHINE WHIRRING DOWN ]
LOOK AT THAT [BLEEP] HOLE.
IT'S WORN RIGHT OUT.
[BLEEP] ME.
WE CAN'T RUN LIKE THAT.
WE CAN'T HAVE DIRT COMING OUT OF THERE, RIGHT?
BECAUSE THAT DIRT'S GOT GOLD IN IT.
Narrator: GOLD RICH PAY DIRT ENTERS THE PLANT AND TRAVELS
ACROSS THE UPPER SLUICE RUNS
WHERE THE HEAVIER GOLD IS CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE RIFFLES.
♪♪
FINER MATERIAL PASSES INTO THE DISTRIBUTION BOX,
WHICH SENDS IT EVENLY TO THE LOWER SLUICE RUNS.
A HOLE IN THE BOX MEANS SOME OF THE GOLD IS BEING LOST.
♪♪
-GOT SOME HOLES, MY FRIEND. -SOME HOLES?
YEAH.
[BLEEP] DAMN IT.
IT'S [BLEEP] BAD.
GOT A COUPLE THERE AND ANOTHER ONE RIGHT THERE.
HOLY [BLEEP].
IT LOOKS SCABBY AS [BLEEP].
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO REBUILD THE WHOLE FLOOR, OBVIOUSLY.
ARE YOU [BLEEP] SERIOUS?
IT'S A BIG JOB, WE'VE GOT TO PULL THIS DISTRIBUTION,
WE'RE GONNA PULL BOTH RUNS OFF
AND I GOTTA DROP THE MAIN BOX.
SO IT'S QUITE A BIT OF WORK HERE, EH?
YOU KNOW, IT COULD TAKE ME A COUPLE OF DAYS.
[ BLEEP ]
I DON'T WANT TO DO ANY MORE THAN YOU WANT TO DO, RIGHT,
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE.
Narrator: EVERY HOUR THE PLANT IS DOWN COSTS RICK
MORE THAN $1,500 IN LOST GOLD.
WE'RE JUST GONNA HAVE TO TRY AND THROW A PATCH ON IT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY WAY I'M GONNA BE WELDING THAT.
IT'S STILL WORN OUT, RIGHT?
IT'S A [BLEEP] PAIN IN THE ASS,
BUT WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE THE TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT.
I'M NOT HAPPY, BUT I'LL GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT.
ALL RIGHT.
THIS STEEL IN THE PLANT'S JUST WEARING OUT,
SO WE'VE GOT HOLES WHERE ALL THE MATERIAL'S FLOWING.
IT NEEDS TO BE REBUILT,
BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO DO IT PROPERLY.
JUST GONNA PUT SOME BAND-AIDS ON IT.
Narrator: TO GET BACK RUNNING
AS QUICKLY AND CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE...
HEY, CARL, I GOT YOUR PLATE HERE.
OKAY, THANKS, BUDDY.
Narrator: ...MECHANIC CARL ROSK WILL WELD A STEEL PLATE
ONTO THE BASE OF THE BOX
TO COVER THE HOLES AND PREVENT ANY MORE GOLD BEING LOST.
CARL JUST NEEDS TO COVER THE HOLES
IN THE DISTRIBUTION BOX SO WE STOP LOSING GOLD.
IT'S TRICKY TO WELD IN THAT POSITION,
BUT IF HE COVERS THEM UP, IT SHOULD BE FINE.
WE'LL BE BACK TO WASHING ROCKS IN NO TIME.
OH, MAN.
WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME THAT...
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
...SO WE'RE GONNA DO A COMPLETE SCAB JOB ON IT.
OH, [BLEEP].
♪♪
-HOW'S IT GOING, BUDDY? -OH, PRETTY GOOD.
I'M GONNA GO SPEND SOME TIME DOWN AT SLUICIFER.
IF YOU NEED ME BACK HERE, JUST HOLLER AT ME.
I'M GONNA JUST SEE IF I CAN GIVE THOSE GUYS A HAND
FOR A LITTLE BIT, GET THINGS STRAIGHTENED OUT.
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: ON INDIAN RIVER, COFOREMAN MITCH BLASCHKE
IS IN CHARGE OF PARKER'S OPERATION.
I GUESS THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THE BOSS.
YOU GOT TO GO WHERE YOU'RE NEEDED MOST.
YOU KNOW, WITH PARKER BEING AWAY
AND I WANT TO TAKE THE REINS HERE
AND RUN THE SHOW.
I'M GONNA GO DOWN TO SLUICIFER JUST CHECK ON THINGS,
SEE HOW THEY'RE GOING.
HOPEFULLY THEY GOT A NICE SETUP
AND PUT SLUICIFER WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.
Narrator: MITCH TOLD ROOKIE PLANT BOSS TYSON
TO IGNORE PARKER'S ORDERS
AND FOLLOW HIS PLAN FOR MOVING AND SETTING UP THE PLANT.
Mitch: YOU GOT TO BE [BLEEP] KIDDING ME.
GOD, IT'S JUST A JOKE.
WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS GOING ON?
HEY, HEY, HANG ON!
Tyson: [ BLEEP ]
Narrator: BUT TYSON IS STICKING TO PARKER'S ORDERS,
HAULING SLUICIFER TO A NEARBY LOW LYING LOCATION IN THE CUT.
WHAT'S THE STORY WITH THIS?
I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO IT THAT WAY.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO?
PARKER'S IN HERE TELLING YOU TO CUT CORNERS
AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S GONNA LEAD TO THIS?
YOU GOT TO STRAIGHTEN HIM OUT.
WHEN HE COMES AT YOU WITH A STUPID IDEA,
YOU GOT TO TELL HIM THAT.
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF A HARD HEAD HE CAN HAVE OVER STUFF.
YOU CAN'T JUST TELL THE BOSS WHAT HE WANTS TO HEAR.
YOU HAVE TO TELL HIM WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
IF YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE COOL WITH THAT SET UP RIGHT THERE,
YOU NEED TO [BLEEP] RETHINK YOUR GAME, MAN.
♪♪
Mitch: THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN THE BOSS LEAVES,
COMES BACK TO DISASTER.
THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT TO HAPPENING HERE.
Narrator: MITCH BLASCHKE IS IN CHARGE OF PARKER'S OPERATION,
BUT ROOKIE PLANT BOSS TYSON LEE HAS IGNORED HIS INSTRUCTIONS
AND SPENT HOURS HAULING SLUICIFER AWAY FROM THE PAD
HE TOLD HIM TO PUT IT ON.
Tyson: WANT TO KEEP THIS TRAIN ON THE RAILS HERE
WHILE PARKER'S GONE.
I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GIVE HIM A CALL HERE
SAYING THAT [BLEEP] HIT THE FAN.
♪♪
HEY, TYSON, YOU GOT A SECOND?
SORRY FOR LOSING IT ON YESTERDAY.
THAT'S NOT THE KIND OF BOSS I WANT TO BE.
YEAH.
WAS JUST HEAT OF THE MOMENT SORT OF THING, SO.
YEAH.
YEAH, WELL, THANKS, MAN, I APPRECIATE IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT, MITCH, YOU HAVE MORE SENIORITY THAN I DO,
SO WE'LL MOVE THE PLANT YOUR WAY.
I THINK IT'LL WORK BETTER FOR EVERYBODY IF WE GET
THIS THING SET UP RIGHT, IT SHOULD RUN PRETTY SMOOTH.
WELL, EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.
-YEAH. -WELL, LET'S DO IT.
OKAY, LET'S GO!
Narrator: NOW, FOLLOWING MITCH'S PLAN,
TYSON MUST DRAG THE MASSIVE 45-TON WASH PLANT
MORE THAN 300 YARDS ALONG A NARROW TRACK
AND ONTO A HIGH PATH ABOVE THE CUT.
PULL STRAIGHT AND THEN TURN 90. YEP.
Narrator: IT'S A LONGER, STEEPER ROUTE
FOR THE 80-FOOT LONG PLANT.
HOW'S THE OTHER SIDE LOOKING, NICK?
CAN YOU SUCK INTO YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE?
JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE, YES.
WHOA, DAMN.
NICK! [BLEEP].
JUST TRACK WITH IT, TY!
Narrator: BUT IF THE MOVE GOES TO PLAN, THEY CAN RUN IT HERE
FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON AND SAVE ON DOWNTIME.
IT TAKES SOME TIME AND SOME EFFORT
TO SET THEM UP ON THE MOUNTAIN.
IT'S NOT EASY, BUT ONCE YOU GET IT THERE
AND YOU GET IT ESTABLISHED, THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU GET
WELL, WORTH IT.
AWAY FROM ME, AWAY FROM ME.
WHOA!
[ BLEEP ]
IT IS SOFT.
THERE WE GO, THERE WE GO.
GOOD.
TWO FEET TO EDGE.
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE.
-HEY, HEY! -WHOA!
♪♪
-A LITTLE SHORT? -YEAH.
THE BACK OF THE PONTOON'S GOT TO BE HERE
FOR A SHOOT OVER THE BACK BRAKE.
WE'VE MOVED SLUICIFER.
WE GOT IT UP IN THE AIR HERE,
BUT TYSON DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM.
THAT'S A BIG DROP.
ONCE YOU GO OVER THE EDGE, NO COMING BACK.
LOOKING LIKE I'M GONNA HAVE TO GO OVER.
OH, MAN.
WE'LL DRAG IT OVER.
♪♪
YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN NOW, BUD. SINK OR SWIM.
JUST GO NICE AND SLOW SO IT DOESN'T SKI OFF.
♪♪
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.
♪♪
THAT STARTS OFF DOWN INTO THIS MUD, WE COULD BE SCREWED.
-KEEP HER GOING. -KEEP GOING?
♪♪
WHOA!
I'M CALLING IT GOOD.
AWESOME.
-NICE JOB, BUDDY. -THANKS, MAN.
-BEAUTIFUL WORK. -THANKS, MAN.
IT'S LOOKING NICE!
YEAH.
Narrator: THIS SUPER STACK IS THE LAST PART OF THE PLANT
TO BE BROUGHT OVER AND CONNECTED BEFORE THEY CAN FIRE BACK UP.
THAT'S AWESOME.
-WHOO! -GOOD JOB.
-ALL RIGHT, BUDDY. -HERE WE GO.
♪♪
TIME TO MAKE SOME MONEY!
ALL RIGHT, ALEC, LET'S GO!
♪♪
HERE SHE COMES.
♪♪
YOU KNOW, THIS CERTAINLY WASN'T EASY,
BUT WE GOT SLUICIFER DOWN HERE ON THE BEST WASH PLANT PAD
IT'S PROBABLY EVER HAD AND EVERYTHING'S RUNNING SMOOTH.
EVERYBODY'S GONNA GET TO DO THEIR JOB
AND NOT HAVE TO KILL THEMSELVES TO MAKE ALL THIS WORK.
♪♪
-WELL, WE FOUND A NEW HOME. -YEAH, FOR NOW.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.
LET'S GET AS MUCH GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND AS POSSIBLE.
NICE JOB.
-RIGHT ON. -LOOKS GOOD.
♪♪
Narrator: AT PARADISE HILL,
TONY BEETS IS REBUILDING HIS SHAKER DECK
TO RUN AN OLD TIMER TAILINGS
AND CASH IN ON HIGH GOLD PRICES.
[ HORN HONKS ]
Narrator: BEFORE HE CAN START RUNNING,
HE NEEDS TO CONNECT THE PLANT TO A WATER INTAKE POND
MORE THAN HALF A MILE AWAY.
SO HE'S BUILDING A MASSIVE PLASTIC PIPELINE.
BEAUTIFUL!
WELL, THE MACHINES ARE FUSING MACHINES
SO WE'RE FUSING THE PIPE TOGETHER.
SO THAT'S ALL GONNA BE ONE PIPE.
♪♪
OKAY, SWING THIS WAY.
♪♪
GONNA PUT ON THE HEAT PAD AND MELT IT.
♪♪
FUEL PIPES BECOME ONE.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE THE PIPELINE GO FROM THE PUMP
ALL THE WAY TO THE SHAKER DECK ABOUT 3,100 FEET.
♪♪
IT'S PROBABLY GONNA TAKE TWO DAYS TO GET THIS ALL DONE.
Narrator: SINKING THIS MUCH TIME,
MONEY, AND MANPOWER INTO THE SHAKER DECK IS A RISK,
BUT IT COULD PAY OFF BIG TIME.
♪♪
-WHOA! -YEAH!
Narrator: AT PARADISE HILL, TONY BEETS
IS DETERMINED TO FIRE UP HIS SHAKER DECK
AND RUN OLD TIMER TAILINGS BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK.
♪♪
IN JUST TWO DAYS,
KEVIN'S PUT TOGETHER A HALF-MILE LONG PIPELINE.
YEP.
Copy, Kevin.
Yep.
COOL.
♪♪
WE HAVE WATER, WE HAVE POWER, WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
♪♪
[ MACHINE STARTS ]
Kevin: SHAKER'S TURNING ON, EVERYONE CLEAR.
♪♪
SHAKER'S ON.
YEP, OPEN IT.
♪♪
Ruby: HERE WE GO.
THIS IS THE FIRST BUCKET... [ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
♪♪
THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
Narrator: AFTER THREE DAYS, THE PLANT IS UP AND RUNNING.
IF IT CATCHES AN OUNCE OF GOLD EVERY HOUR,
TONY WILL QUICKLY START TO TURN A PROFIT.
♪♪
Narrator: AT DUNCAN CREEK,
RICK'S OPERATION IS AT A STANDSTILL.
CARL HAS DISCOVERED HOLES
IN THE WASH PLANT'S DISTRIBUTION BOX
WHERE GOLD IS ESCAPING
AND RICK IS LOSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN GOLD.
THIS STEEL IN THE PLANT'S JUST WEARING OUT
SO WE'VE GOT HOLES.
THE GOLD'S GONNA GO RIGHT OUT THAT HOLE FIRST
BEFORE IT EVER GOES BACK INTO OUR SECONDARY SLUICE BOXES.
Narrator: RICK HAS ORDERED CARL TO QUICKLY PATCH THE HOLES
AND GET THE PLANT RUNNING.
THE STEEL DISTRIBUTION BOX HAS WORN SO THIN,
CARL'S WELDING RODS ARE BURNING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE METAL.
WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO [BLEEP] DISASSEMBLE
THIS WHOLE THING.
Narrator: TO REMOVE THE DISTRIBUTION BOX
FROM THE PLANT AND REBUILD IT
WOULD TAKE THREE DAYS, COSTING RICK UPWARDS
OF $55,000 IN LOST GOLD.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS GONNA BE AN EASY FIX, BUT CARL CAN'T WELD
A PATCH OVER THAT BECAUSE THE [BLEEP] STEEL
IN THE DISTRIBUTION BOX IS SO THIN,
YOU JUST KEEP BLOWING HOLES THROUGH IT.
IT'S GONNA TAKE [BLEEP] DAYS TO TRY
AND REPLACE THAT WHOLE BOX.
AND WITH SUCH A SHORT SEASON,
I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE DOWN FOR DAYS.
IT'S A [BLEEP] DISASTER.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
♪♪
WAIT. -WHAT?
TAKE A CONVEYOR BELT.
YEAH.
AND BOLT A CONVEYOR BELT THROUGH.
DUDE, THAT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD IDEA, LET'S DO THAT.
OKAY.
I KNOW IT'S HILLBILLY, BUT THAT'S WAY EASIER, RICK.
Narrator: RICK'S FIX --
ATTACH A PIECE OF CONVEYOR BELT ALONG THE LENGTH
OF THE DISTRIBUTION BOX,
PROTECTING THE BOX FROM WEARING OUT
AND PREVENTING GOLD FROM FALLING THROUGH THE HOLES.
♪♪
WE'RE CUTTING THIS TO GO IN OUR DISTRIBUTION BOX,
SEE HOW WE CAN HILLBILLY FIX THIS AND GET HER RUNNING AGAIN,
GET BACK ON THE GOLD.
♪♪
THERE YOU GO.
-THAT'S COVERING THE HOLES. -THIS'LL WORK.
HAMMER SOME [BLEEP] BOLTS THROUGH IT.
WE'LL BE IN BUSINESS.
-THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. -MARK!
YO!
-HERE YOU GO, BUDDY. -THANKS, BUDDY.
[ TOOL WHIRRING ]
[ LAUGHS ]
THERE YOU GO.
♪♪
GOOD.
DUDE, THAT LOOKED GOOD, MAN.
Narrator: AFTER FIVE HOURS,
THE RUBBER BELT IS IN PLACE.
OH, I CAN BARELY MOVE.
[ LAUGHS ]
WELL, ALL IN ALL, THOUGH, IT TURNED OUT PRETTY GOOD,
YEAH, I'M PRETTY HAPPY WITH IT.
[BLEEP] YEAH, THE RUBBER WAS A GOOD IDEA, MY FRIEND.
CRISIS AVERTED.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING TO REALLY LOOK AT AND BE PROUD OF.
THE MAIN THING IS THERE'S NO HOLE THERE FOR GOLD
TO ESCAPE THROUGH, SO NO MATTER WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE,
AS LONG AS IT DOES ITS JOB.
LET'S GO! FIRE IT UP.
Narrator: IF RICK'S BUSH FIX HAS WORKED,
IT WILL HAVE SAVED THREE DAYS OF DOWNTIME.
Man: BINGO. JUST ADD WATER.
♪♪
WELL, WE'RE BACK SLUICING.
HOPEFULLY, THOSE PATCHES HOLD UP,
BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE DO A CLEANUP UP,
WE GET A GOOD ONE THEN WE KNOW THEY WORK.
♪♪
OH, [BLEEP]. THE TRUCK.
Narrator: AT PARADISE HILL,
LEN IS TRUCKING URGENT SUPPLIES TO THE SHAKER DECK.
♪♪
I DROVE FROM THE HILL THEN IT DIED ON ME.
TONY'S WAITING FOR ME.
THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO FIX IT.
I KNOW THERE IS SOME JUICE.
I GOT TO TRY.
[ ENGINE STALLS ]
I THINK THAT'S A BATTERY FOR A FLASHLIGHT.
I NEED THAT BIG BATTERY. SO CLOSE, BUT SO FAR.
Narrator: LEN IS FORCED TO ADMIT DEFEAT.
Len: HOPEFULLY WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE POWER,
I COULD START IT UP AGAIN.
♪♪
TRY THAT.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
♪♪
-HEY. -HEY, MITCH.
-HEY, HEY. -WHAT'S GOING ON?
Narrator: COFOREMAN MITCH BLASCHKE
IS RUNNING PARKER'S WHOLE INDIAN RIVER OPERATION
WHILE PARKER'S OFF PROSPECTING IN ALASKA.
HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP, MITCH?
OH, MAN, THERE'S JUST A LOT ON THE PLATE THESE DAYS, FOR SURE.
JUST TO MAKE SURE WASH PLANTS ARE RUNNING AND MAKE SURE
THAT PARKER GETS BACK, HE'S HAPPY WITH WHAT HE SEES.
ME AND TYSON, WE'RE ABOUT THROWING ROCKS
AT ONE ANOTHER.
[ LAUGHTER ]
BUT IT ALL WORKED OUT. -YEAH.
THINK YOU HANDLED IT GREAT.
I THINK PARKER JUST CAN BE THRILLED TO DEATH
WHEN HE GETS BACK AND YOU GOT HIS BACK,
YOU KNOW, YOU GOT HIM COVERED.
IT'S GREAT.
YOU GUYS ARE WASHING ROCKS AND I'M CLEANING
GOLD DOWN THERE.
IT'S A STEADY FLOW. -IT'S GOOD TO HEAR.
LIKE A WELL-OILED MACHINE.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
IT'S BEEN KIND OF A TEST DRIVE FOR ME HERE, YOU KNOW,
FOR PARKER TO GIVE ME THE REINS HERE
AND SAY, HEY, GO AHEAD AND RUN THIS OPERATION.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS.
I NEVER THOUGHT NINE YEARS AGO I'D STILL BE MINING, YOU KNOW,
AND WHO KNOWS WHERE I'LL BE IN ANOTHER NINE
OR 10 YEARS, YOU KNOW?
♪♪
WE'LL START IT OUT.
Narrator: AT DUNCAN CREEK,
RICK'S CREW HAS RUN PAY DIRT FOR TWO DAYS
SINCE REPAIRING THE HOLE
IN THE WASH PLANT'S DISTRIBUTION BOX.
-ANYTHING? -I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY.
THEY LOOK LIKE BROWN WATER.
SOMETIMES YOU SEE IT, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T.
I REALLY NEED THIS TO BE GOOD.
Narrator: IT'S TIME TO CLEAN OUT THE PLANT
AND SEE IF RICK'S BUSH FIX HAS WORKED.
FINGERS CROSSED.
JUST GOTTA RINSE IT GOOD. -YEAH.
OH, YEAH!
-CAN I GET ONE, TOO, OR WHAT? -HERE, BUDDY.
ON A WEEK THAT COULD'VE BEEN A DISASTER
IF NOT FOR CARL FINDING A HOLE IN THE SLUICE BOX.
YOU AND YOUR FIX THERE, BUDDY.
I WAS THINKING WE WERE GONNA BE DOWN FOR A BIT,
BUT THAT RUBBER SURE FIXED IT, MAN.
LIKE, THAT'S A KICK ASS FIX, MAN.
IT'S LESS KICK ASS AND IT'S MORE CHEAP AND SLAP IT TOGETHER.
SO IT [BLEEP] WORKS. -BUT IT WORKED, DUDE.
IT WORKED.
IT WORKS GOOD, MAN. GIVE ME A LOT OF WORK.
[ LAUGHS ]
SHOULD WE CHECK THE DAMAGE FROM THIS WEEK?
YEAH.
YEAH, LET HIM FEEL THAT, RICK.
YEAH, CHECK THAT OUT, BUDDY.
Narrator: TO STAY ON TRACK FOR HIS 1,000 OUNCE SEASON GOAL,
RICK NEEDS AT LEAST 67 OUNCES.
WE GOT 10...
♪♪
20...
30...
40...
♪♪
56.34.
-YEAH! -OH, YEAH.
Narrator: WORTH MORE THAN $95,000.
BRINGING HIS SEASON TOTAL SO FAR TO 300 OUNCES.
IT'S NOT THE BEST GOLD DAY WE'VE HAD, PRETTY AVERAGE,
BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD SOME DOWNTIME.
Narrator: THE FIX WORKED,
BUT BECAUSE OF A DAY NOT RUNNING,
RICK IS NOW 10 OUNCES BEHIND WHERE HE NEEDS TO BE.
Rick: SO WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.
WE'RE IN PRETTY DAMN GOOD SPOT, RIGHT?
CHEERS, YEAH, CHEERS. YEAH!
OH, YEAH.
WE'RE BUILDING MOMENTUM AND THE GOLD'S COMING IN,
I MEAN, WE'RE ALL IN GOOD SPIRITS.
WELL, THIS WEEK COULD'VE BEEN A BIT OF A DISASTER,
BUT LUCKILY, CARL'S ON TOP OF THINGS AS ALWAYS.
SO WE'VE GOT ANOTHER 56 OUNCES
TOWARDS OUR 1,000-OUNCE GOAL AND I'M PUMPED.
♪♪
HI, GUYS, HOW ARE YOU GUYS?
TIRED.
Narrator: AT PARADISE HILL,
TONY BEETS HAS RUN OLD TIMER TAILINGS
THROUGH THE SHAKER DECK FOR THREE DAYS.
SO YOU GUYS STARTED SLUICING WITH THE SHAKER DECK.
HOW DID THAT ALL GO?
YEAH, THAT THING RUNS REALLY NICE, ACTUALLY.
YEAH, OH, YEAH.
Narrator: TONY NEEDS TO GET AT LEAST AN OUNCE OF GOLD
FOR EVERY HOUR OF RUNTIME TO MAKE IT ALL WORTH IT.
IT'S DEFINITELY NOT PRETTY STUFF.
KIND OF GRAYISH IN COLOR.
10...
20...
30...
♪♪
72.12.
-THAT'S NOT BAD. -YEAH. [ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: WORTH MORE THAN $126,000...
♪♪
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OVER AN OUNCE A MOUND.
Narrator: ...TONY HAS ALREADY TURNED A PROFIT
ON THE OLD TIMER TAILINGS.
SO NOW, WE'VE DONE THE SHAKER DECK,
WHAT'S COMING OUT OF THE TROMMEL FOR THIS WEEK?
WELL, YEAH, IT HAD TO HAPPEN EVENTUALLY.
NO, I THINK I'M...
IT WENT SMOOTH, BUT I GOT THE GOOD CREW.
SO SINCE WE HAD SUCH A NICE WEEK,
LET'S FIND OUT HOW MUCH WE GOT.
20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,
120, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200,
230, 240...
242.34.
-WOW. -[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: WITH MIKE'S TROMMEL PULLING IN ANOTHER 242 OUNCES,
IT'S THE BEST GOLD HAUL OF THE SEASON.
AND TONY'S NEW SEASON TOTAL
IS 1,046 OUNCES OF GOLD.
BYE, GUYS.
THAT WENT PRETTY GOOD.
66 HOURS ON THE SHAKER DECK, 70 OUNCES.
THAT'S NOT TOO [BLEEP] BAD
AND I'M SURE WE CAN GET EVEN MORE GOING ON THAT.
WELL, IT'S NICE OF THOSE OLD TIMERS TO LEAVE US SOME, EH?
YOU CAN'T BITCH ABOUT THAT.
I MEAN, WHY ARE YOU SITTING HERE, THEN?
WELL, GO WORK ALREADY, YOU CAN GET SOME MORE OF THAT.
EH, YOU WOULD BE SO LOST WITHOUT ME.
-[ LAUGHS ] -YEAH.
♪♪
Narrator: ON THE NEXT "GOLD RUSH"...
IF THE GOLD'S NOT GOOD, IT'LL BREAK IT.
♪♪
OH! STOP!
SOMETIMES YOU'VE GOT TO BITE THE BULLET,
JUST DO IT.
ATTABOY.
THAT'S ONE DAY? OH, BUDDY.
WHOO!
ALL RIGHT, WE'RE READY TO ROLL. LET'S DO THIS.
HA HA!
HEY, TURN OFF THAT WATER.
JOHNNY!
TURN IT OFF!
THIS WATER'S PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE.