Narrator: SIX GREENHORNS ARE RISKING IT ALL...
YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE YOUR HOUSE. DON'T LOSE FAITH.
...TO STRIKE GOLD IN ALASKA...
WE GOT GOLD!
[ GUNSHOT ]
...AND SAVE THEIR FAMILIES.
[BLEEP] [BLEEP]
HARDER, HARDER, HARDER!
GET THE FRICK BACK!
Narrator: NOW, AS THEY TRY TO SET UP THEIR OPERATION,
JACK HOFFMAN LOSES CONTROL... HOLD ON!
...AND THEY HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH EACH OTHER...
SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF MY CABIN NOW.
...AS TODD HOFFMAN AND HIS TEAM COME FACE-TO-FACE
WITH THE REALITY OF LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS.
WHOO!
TODD HOFFMAN AND HIS FATHER, JACK,
HAVE SOLD EVERYTHING THEY CAN
AND ARE STAKING IT ALL ON A GOLD CLAIM IN ALASKA.
THIS IS IT, MAN.
WE'VE GAMBLED A LOT.
AND IT BETTER BE THERE.
AS FAR AS GOLD MINING GOES, THIS IS IT.
IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.
THERE'S NO PLAN "B."
WE CAN'T EVEN AFFORD PLAN "A."
WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS MOMENT IN JESUS' NAME.
Jack: LORD, HAVE MERCY,
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO WIN ON THIS ONE.
Narrator: ONE WEEK AGO,
THEY LEFT THEIR HOME IN SANDY, OREGON,
FOR ALASKA WITH FOUR OF THEIR CLOSEST BUDDIES.
ALL HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.
TO BE ON WELFARE, FOOD STAMPS.
WE'VE DONE THAT.
I'M DONE WITH THAT.
I GOT TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.
Thurber: IT'S WEIRD TO SAY DO OR DIE,
BUT IT'S VERY CRUCIAL THAT WE FIND GOLD.
IT'S A VERY TENSE SITUATION.
IF WE CAN FIND GOLD, EVERYTHING'S GREAT.
IF WE DON'T, WE'RE IN TROUBLE.
Narrator: ALASKA'S MINING SEASON IS FIVE MONTHS,
BUT THE HOFFMANS CAN ONLY AFFORD THREE.
THEY NEED TO FIND GOLD BEFORE THEIR MONEY RUNS OUT.
[ HORNS HONKING ]
IF I FAIL HERE, I'M SCREWED.
I MEAN, FULLY SCREWED.
SO, I FULLY INTEND TO DIG GOLD OUT OF THAT HOLE.
Narrator: THEIR CLAIM IS 160 WILD AND RUGGED ACRES
UNDER THE CHILKAT MOUNTAINS IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA.
IT'S AN INHOSPITABLE WILDERNESS
WHERE THEY'LL HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE
ALONGSIDE THE LOCALS.
THERE'S AN ESTIMATED 15 MILLION DOLLARS OF UNTOUCHED GOLD
ON THEIR CLAIM.
THEY PLAN TO BE MINING HERE UNTIL THE GROUND FREEZES.
BEFORE THEY START PROSPECTING,
THEY HAVE TO SET UP A PLACE TO LIVE.
JACK CAN'T WAIT TO GET MOVING.
GOT TO STRIP THIS DOWN,
GET IT SMOOTH SO WE CAN BUILD OUR CAMP UP HERE.
Narrator: FIRST STEP IS TO CLEAR AND LEVEL THE GROUND.
THE GOOD NEWS IS
THERE'S AN OLD D-6 DOZER ON SITE --
ABANDONED HERE BY THE MINER THEY'VE LEASED THE CLAIM FROM.
THE BAD NEWS IS IT HASN'T BEEN STARTED FOR THREE YEARS.
WE'RE GOING TO HOT WIRE IT, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A KEY.
IT'S NOT LIKE THE OWNER IS GOING TO COMPLAIN.
Jack: THIS ISN'T THEFT.
WE'RE USING IT, TRYING TO GET ON HIS MINE TO MINE.
SO I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT.
I DON'T THINK HE WILL EITHER.
Narrator: AND IF HE DID,
THE NEAREST STATE TROOPER IS HOURS AWAY,
EVEN IF HE CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THE SNOW DRIFTS.
THAT'S GOOD.
WHOA!
THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH.
OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO TRY IT.
WHOA!
YOU MUST HAVE THEM WRONG.
OH, WAIT. NO, WE GOT IT WRONG HERE.
OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO TRY HERE.
WE GOT TO CHARGE IT AGAIN.
Narrator: IT LOOKS LIKE WINTER TEMPERATURES OF 20 BELOW
MIGHT HAVE DONE MORE THAN JUST KILLED THE DOZER'S BATTERY.
AFTER TWO HOURS,
THE FINAL HOPE LIES IN THE BOTTOM OF JACK'S TOOLBOX.
SQUIRT A LITTLE BIT RIGHT NOW.
STARTING SPRAY --
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE ETHER
THAT'S USED TO HELP COLD ENGINES AT NIGHT.
GIVE IT A TRY.
SPRAY. COME ON. SPRAY.
WHOO!
YEAH!
WHOO!
NO GUTS, NO GLORY!
YEAH!
WHOO!
Narrator: JACK MAKES QUICK WORK OF CLEARING THE SNOW
WHERE THE GUYS WANT TO SET UP CAMP.
THAT'S A COOL LITTLE DOZER.
BUT THE JOB HAS JUST BEGUN.
BASICALLY, WE GOT TO GET THIS MUCK OUT OF HERE.
WE GOT A LOT OF DIRT TO MOVE.
A LOT OF DIRT.
SO, I DON'T KNOW.
I'M KIND OF WORKING OUT THE PLAN AS I GO.
Narrator: THE TEAM WANTS TO BRING IN THEIR R.V.s,
BUT THE D-6 DOZER WON'T BE ENOUGH TO SHIFT ALL THE MUD.
THEY NEED THEIR HEAVY EQUIPMENT.
THE 270 EXCAVATOR, AND THE EVEN BIGGER 400.
WE GOT A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO BEFORE WE ACTUALLY START MINING.
YEAH. BACK HER UP A LITTLE MORE.
YOU'RE GOOD.
Narrator: IT'S SPRING IN ALASKA,
AND WITH TWO DAYS OF GOOD WEATHER AND HARD WORK,
TODD, JACK, AND THE TEAM FINISH THEIR CAMP.
THE CENTERPIECE IS THEIR 40-FOOT SEMI TRAILER,
HOLDING EVERYTHING THE MINERS NEED TO LIVE HERE.
THIS IS BIG FOR US TO GET THIS TRAILER IN HERE.
IT'S OUR KITCHEN,
AND IT HOLDS ALL THE SUPPLIES THAT WE'VE BEEN LIVING WITHOUT
FOR A FEW DAYS.
Narrator: IT'S EVEN HOLDING THE WOOD TO BUILD A CABIN.
Jimmy: I'M SUPER EXCITED.
BECAUSE ALL OUR STUFF'S HERE,
WE CAN ACTUALLY SET UP CAMP, AND WE'RE READY TO ROCK.
Narrator: NOW THE MINERS CAN ALSO BRING IN THEIR HOMES
FOR THE SUMMER --
FOUR R.V.s.
DOESN'T LOOK LIKE MUCH.
BUT THAT'S OUR HOME, FOR A WHILE.
THIS IS REALLY A KEY POINT FOR ME.
BECAUSE WE'RE HERE.
Narrator: THEY'VE MADE A START ON THE CAMP,
BUT WITH THE GROUND THAWED,
THE MINING SEASON HAS ALREADY STARTED.
THE HOFFMANS HAVE CALLED THE CREW TOGETHER.
THEY THINK THEY KNOW HOW TO STRIKE IT RICH HERE.
30 YEARS AGO, JACK MINED IN ALASKA,
AND FOR TWO YEARS,
TODD HAS BEEN RESEARCHING THE BEST WAY TO FIND GOLD.
GOLD NATURALLY OCCURS IN THE EARTH'S CRUST.
IN THE CHILKAT MOUNTAINS,
GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES HAVE FORCED THE GOLD INTO QUARTZ VEINS.
OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS,
EROSION HAS WASHED THE GOLD DOWN THE WATER COURSES
AT PORCUPINE CREEK.
18 TIMES HEAVIER THAN WATER,
THE GOLD HAS SETTLED ALONG THE OLD RIVERBEDS.
JACK AND TODD WILL BE TARGETING THESE DEPOSITS.
ON THIS CLAIM, THERE'S ANCIENT RIVER CHANNELS.
INSIDE EACH ONE OF THESE CHANNELS,
THERE'S AN ACTUAL PAY STREAK OF GOLD.
THESE PAY STREAKS ARE BASICALLY
A STREAK COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN,
AND THAT IS WHERE THE GOLD HAS SETTLED
INTO THIS PAY STREAK.
SO THAT'S WHERE WE GOT TO GET DOWN TO,
AND THAT'S WHAT WE GOT TO FIND.
Narrator: THERE ARE THREE ANCIENT RIVER CHANNELS
AT PORCUPINE,
EACH POTENTIALLY WITH A PAY STREAK.
ONE RUNS RIGHT BEHIND THE CAMP,
AND THAT'S WHERE TODD WANTS TO LOOK FOR THE FINE GOLD DEPOSITS.
ALTHOUGH THERE IS A BIGGER PRIZE.
ALONG THESE ANCIENT CHANNELS ARE WATERFALLS.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THESE,
BIG NUGGETS HAVE COLLECTED OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
THESE CONCENTRATED DEPOSITS OF GOLD ARE KNOWN AS GLORY HOLES.
THE WATER GETS DROPPED IN THERE.
LEFT IT IN THIS BASIN DOWN HERE.
THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL A GLORY HOLE.
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS GET DOWN AND DIG IT.
Narrator: GLORY HOLES ARE HARDER TO FIND.
OVER THOUSANDS OF YEARS,
THE ACTION OF EROSION HAS COVERED THEM UP.
SO THE BOTTOM OF AN ANCIENT WATERFALL
CAN NOW BE UP TO 100 FEET UNDER GROUND
WHEREAS THE FINE GOLD OF A PAY STREAK
COULD BE JUST FEET FROM THE SURFACE.
JACK WANTS TO GO STRAIGHT FOR THE GLORY HOLE.
BUT TODD HAS DECIDED
THAT THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY IT SLOW AND STEADY.
WE'VE GOT TO TRY TO LOCATE THAT PAY STREAK.
BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE OUR MONEY IS GOING TO BE, RIGHT THERE.
THE HOFFMANS AREN'T THE FIRST PEOPLE TO HAVE PROSPECTED
FOR GOLD AT PORCUPINE CREEK.
100 YEARS AGO, THIS WAS A THRIVING GOLD TOWN.
200 PROSPECTORS LIVED HERE.
IT WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL GOLD FIELDS
IN ALASKA,
BUT DEVASTATING FLOODS AND FALLING GOLD PRICES
BROUGHT AN END TO PORCUPINE'S GOLD RUSH.
HOWEVER, FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS, ONE MAN HAS GROWN RICH HERE.
HIS NAME IS JOHN SCHNABEL.
WE'RE RIGHT ACROSS THE CREEK FROM EACH OTHER.
OUR CLAIMS BUTT RIGHT UP TOGETHER.
THE LEGEND IS THIS GUY'S GOT SO MUCH GOLD,
HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
Narrator: WITH SUCH A SUCCESSFUL MINER JUST ACROSS THE CREEK.
JACK AND TODD WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN LEARN.
Todd: I'M HOPING HE'LL HELP A GUY
THAT DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO MINE.
HOW ABOUT SIX GUYS THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO MINE?
NOW, LISTEN, DON'T SAY ANYTHING STUPID OVER THERE.
YEAH, WELL -- ONLY ONE THAT WOULD DO THAT WOULD BE YOU.
I'M TODD. I'M JOHN.
GOOD TO MEET YOU, JOHN.
THIS IS THE TOP STUFF
THAT'S IN THAT DIRT YOU'RE LOOKING AT OVER THERE.
Narrator: IT SEEMS EVEN JOHN SCHNABEL'S POCKETS
ARE STUFFED WITH JARS OF GOLD.
YOU GOT A FEW PIECES A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THAN FLAKES.
THAT'S WHAT YOU GET DOWN ON THE BOTTOM.
SOMETIMES YOU GET INTO AN AREA
THAT THE GOLD IS BIGGER THAN THAT.
I LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT, JOHN.
YEAH. YEAH.
I REALLY LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT.
OH, YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.
MY WIFE SAYS IF I CAN'T HEAR IT DROP IN THE JAR,
I'M NOT INTERESTED. [ LAUGHS ]
NICE-LOOKING GOLD. IT IS NICE.
YOU GET THE BEDROCK, YOU GET THE HEAVY GOLD.
IN THAT AREA OF THAT HILL THERE WAS 100 FEET.
IT TOOK US TWO YEARS TO GET TO BEDROCK.
SPENT A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY
TO STICK WITH IT LONG ENOUGH TILL YOU GET THERE.
AS THEY SAY, NO GUTS, NO GLORY.
YEP. THAT'S RIGHT.
Narrator: THE REVELATION THAT IT TOOK JOHN SCHNABEL TWO YEARS
TO FIND A LARGE DEPOSIT OF GOLD IS A BOMBSHELL.
HE DUG FOR TWO YEARS IN THAT ONE SPOT.
$200,000 WORTH OF DIGGING.
I HAVE THE FAITH THAT WE'RE IN GROUND
THAT WE THINK IS REALLY GOOD.
YOU KNOW, GEEZ, IT BETTER BE THERE.
WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME.
OUR TIME'S RUNNING OUT.
SO WE HAVE TO GO FOR IT.
TODD AND JACK HAVE ONLY GOT ENOUGH MONEY
TO MINE FOR THREE MONTHS.
THEY'VE SPENT $150,000 ON EQUIPMENT
AND CAN'T WAIT TWO YEARS TO HIT PAY DIRT.
THEY HAVE TO FIND GOLD BEFORE THIS SEASON IS OUT.
UP AHEAD -- THE SEARCH FOR GOLD AT THE CLAIM BEGINS.
HOW DO WE REALLY KNOW THAT THERE'S GOLD HERE?
THE ALL-IMPORTANT MINING EQUIPMENT ARRIVES,
AND THE LOCAL INHABITANTS GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.
THAT BEAR'S NOT GOING GET IN BETWEEN MY SON AND I.
THAT I GUARANTEE YOU.
Narrator: TODD AND JACK HOFFMAN ARE GOLD MINING IN ALASKA
AND HAVE BEEN HIT BY A BOMBSHELL
FROM NEIGHBOR AND FELLOW MINER JOHN SCHNABEL.
HE TOLD US HE DUG FOR TWO YEARS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME.
YOU KNOW, OUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
THEY ONLY HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO MINE FOR THREE MONTHS
AND WILL BE GOING HOME
BEFORE THE END OF THIS SUMMER'S MINING SEASON
IF THEY DON'T FIND GOLD.
TODD'S PLAN IS TO LOOK FOR A PAY STREAK OF GOLD
IN THE OLD COURSE OF PORCUPINE CREEK
WHICH USED TO RUN BEHIND THE CAMP.
TODD THINKS FINE GOLD DEPOSITS WILL HAVE SETTLED
INTO THE OLD RIVERBED.
DON'T GO DOWN IN THERE.
DON'T WALK IN THERE.
KIND OF A DANGEROUS PLACE, BUT I'LL SPEND A FEW SECONDS.
Narrator: WITH A HOLE DUG,
THEY'RE GOING TO PAN FOR GOLD
TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY SIGN OF THE PAY STREAK.
Todd: A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR, BUT NOT MUCH.
NOT WHAT WE WERE EXPECTING.
I'VE SEEN SOME LITTLE SPECKS,
BUT NOT ENOUGH TO REALLY TURN MY CRANK.
I KNOW WE GOT TO JUST KEEP TRYING.
I KNOW THE GOLD'S HERE.
HEY, GET OUT OF THERE.
EVERY SECOND IS DANGEROUS.
GET OUT OF THERE.
GRAB IT, QUICK.
Narrator: IT'S 30 YEARS SINCE JACK MINED IN ALASKA.
IT SEEMS LIKE HE WON'T LET ANYTHING GET IN THE WAY
OF FINDING GOLD NOW.
HE'S A LONE WOLF.
HE'S A MAVERICK.
HE JUST WANTS TO DIG GOLD AND STUFF.
HE'S READY TO DIE.
THAT'S SCARY.
Jack: I TAKE RISKS, YOU KNOW.
IF YOU DON'T TAKE A RISK, YOU CAN'T WIN.
Narrator: WITH NO SIGN OF A PAY STREAK,
JACK RUSHES OFF TO DIG ANOTHER HOLE.
[ THUD ]
JACK!
DID I HIT IT?
AH, CRAP!
CHECK YOUR SURROUNDINGS BEFORE YOU GET IN THE EQUIPMENT.
TOO BAD FOR HIM IT'S HIS OWN TRUCK.
Narrator: TODD HAS MADE JIM THURBER
THE SITE SAFETY OFFICER --
A JOB THAT'S PROVING TESTY WITH A CREW OF ROOKIE MINERS.
IT'S LIKE WE'RE ON A VACATION, BUT THIS IS DEADLY.
OH, WELL, IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS.
YOU GET OLD AND YOU DO DUMB THINGS.
Thurber: THAT'S SOMEONE SMASHED.
EQUIPMENT TAKES THEM OUT LIKE THAT.
THAT'S DEATH,
SO THERE'S NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT THAT.
Narrator: SURVIVAL IN ALASKA
ISN'T JUST ABOUT AVOIDING JACK IN AN EXCAVATOR.
THE CREW NEEDS TO SET UP
EVERYTHING THEY'VE BROUGHT WITH THEM.
Greg: WE HAVE TO HAVE AN OPERATING CAMP.
WE'VE GOT TO EAT, DRINK, AND SLEEP HERE.
WE NEED WATER, ELECTRICITY, HOT SHOWERS, TOILETS.
WE'RE PRETTY MUCH OFF THE GRID.
Narrator: THEY'RE PUTTING IN FIVE SEPTIC WASTE SYSTEMS
AND ARE USING SEVEN GENERATORS TO POWER THE ENTIRE SITE
THROUGH 3,000 FEET OF CABLE.
BUT THEY NEED TO TAP
INTO ALASKA'S NATURAL RESOURCES AS WELL.
Todd: WE DON'T HAVE A WELL OR ANYTHING.
WE GOT TO GRAB WATER OUT OF THIS LITTLE SPRING.
JUST GETTING UP AND WALKING DOWN THE HALL TO A SHOWER
ISN'T HAPPENING HERE.
SO, YEAH, WE'RE KIND OF SPOILED WITH WHAT WE HAVE AT HOME.
BUT IT'S EDUCATIONAL.
Narrator: THE TWO 500-GALLON WATER TANKS
WILL PROVIDE ENOUGH WATER FOR ONE WEEK.
IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK TO TURN THIS CLAIM INTO A HOME.
PASTOR MIKE HALSTEAD HAS TURNED HIS ATTENTION
TO PUTTING A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS.
HE BROUGHT MORE THAN A TON OF TIMBER FROM OREGON
TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WE'LL HAVE A BIG PORCH AND THERE WILL BE A BIG LIVING ROOM
THAT WILL JUST BE A COMMUNITY ROOM
WHERE EVERYBODY CAN COME IN AND HAVE LUNCH
OR HANG OUT WHEN IT'S RAINING.
THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A WOOD FRONT,
A WOOD BACK AND WOOD WALLS,
AND THEN A CANVAS TOP.
SO THE BEAR'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE OVER 8 FEET TALL TO REACH IN.
Narrator: MIKE'S TAKING PRECAUTIONS FOR GOOD REASON.
Halstead: OUT HERE, THERE'S A FOOD CHAIN,
AND WE'RE NOT ON TOP ANYMORE.
Narrator: WITH THE ADVENT OF SPRING,
PORCUPINE CREEK'S BEARS ARE WAKING FROM HIBERNATION.
THERE'S BEAR. BLACK BEAR.
Todd: WHOA! LOOK AT THAT.
THERE HE IS RIGHT THERE. TO THE LEFT OF THE STEEL THERE.
THEY'RE COMING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.
Narrator: THE VALLEY IS HOME TO 400 BLACK AND GRIZZLY BEARS.
THEY CAN SMELL FOOD FROM FIVE MILES AWAY.
AND AFTER SIX MONTHS OF SLEEP, THEY ARE HUNGRY.
I THINK WE'RE OKAY RIGHT HERE.
BUT...DANG IT.
I MEAN, THERE'S BEARS EVERYWHERE AROUND HERE.
Narrator: IT'S PARTICULARLY WORRYING
'CAUSE THERE ARE THREE KIDS ON SITE --
TODD HOFFMAN'S SONS HUDSON, AGE 9, AND HUNTER, AGE 11,
AND GREG REMSBURG'S BOY, BRANDON, WHO'S 10.
2,000 MILES SOUTH IN OREGON, THEIR MOMS ARE CONCERNED.
I'M NERVOUS ABOUT THE BOYS BEING CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY A BEAR.
Sandy: MY SON COULD BE WALKING OVER
AND RIGHT THERE IS A 500-POUND GRIZZLY BEAR.
Narrator: JIMMY DORSEY IS ALSO WORRIED.
HE'S THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE CREW
WHO HASN'T GOT AN R.V. TO SLEEP IN.
ALL HE HAS IS HIS TENT.
THE BEARS COME DOWN THIS HILLSIDE.
AND THIS IS WHERE THEY KIND OF STALK US FROM.
THEY JUST SIT UP THERE.
Narrator: AS THE TEAM IS ABOUT TO BED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT,
DORSEY HEARS A SOUND.
Jimmy: THERE'S SOMETHING RIGHT UP HERE IN THESE BUSHES.
WHOA! WHOA! LOOK AT THAT.
YOU GUYS...
Narrator: DORSEY HAS SEEN A BEAR.
WHERE?
IT WAS RIGHT THERE, BY THOSE TREES.
HOW BIG WAS THAT BEAR, MAN?
HE'S PROBABLY 500, 600 POUNDS.
DUDE.
YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE FOX.
I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE DEER.
I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE ELK, NO MOOSE.
ALL I'VE SEEN IS THREE BEARS SO FAR.
AT THE MINE SITE? YEAH.
THAT'S JUST --
I MEAN, IT'S LIKE NOTHING LIVES HERE EXCEPT BEARS.
FOR EVERY ONE YOU SEE,
THERE'S 10 OUT THERE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN YET,
SO WHO KNOWS HOW MANY ARE WANDERING AROUND?
Narrator: AN ATTACK FROM A 600-POUND BEAR COULD BE FATAL.
THE GUYS HAVE TO CHECK THE CAMP TO SEE WHERE IT'S GONE.
THIS IS A .338 ULTRAMAG.
LOOK AT THIS.
TODD'S GOT AN AR-15 ASSAULT RIFLE.
MY GOD. I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD THAT.
AND HE'S TAKING THE GATOR,
HOPING THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE WILL SCARE THE BEAR OFF.
RIGHT THERE.
SEE THE EYES?
RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S A TRUCK DOOR, DAD.
IS IT? YEAH.
IT WAS JUST RIGHT THERE.
RIGHT THERE BY THE WILLOW TREES.
I THINK THIS IS A GRIZZLY BEAR.
OH! IT'S RIGHT THERE. RIGHT THERE.
FACING RIGHT OR LEFT?
I CAN'T TELL.
[ SIGHS ]
THIS IS A BAD HUNT, JIMMY.
HE'S GOT REALLY GOOD EYES AT NIGHT.
YOU CAN'T SEE THROUGH THE BINOCULARS.
Narrator: THE BEAR ISN'T IN THE CAMP,
BUT THIS IS HIS TERRITORY AND HE WON'T HAVE GONE FAR.
SLEEPING IN A TENT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SUCH A GOOD IDEA.
I WAS THINKING ABOUT STAYING MAYBE IN THE TRUCK TONIGHT
OR THE TRAILER.
I DON'T KNOW.
IN THE SEMI?
THAT BEAR'S STILL OUT THERE.
SO JUST TRY TO KEEP THESE DOORS SHUT
AND IF ANYTHING HAPPENS, GIVE ME A HOLLER.
[ THUD ]
TODD, IS THAT YOU?
TODD?
Narrator: AT PORCUPINE CREEK,
A VITAL PIECE OF MINING EQUIPMENT IS ARRIVING.
Todd: STEP BY STEP.
WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE GOLD.
Narrator: IT'S THE SHAKER.
SHAKERS ARE THE FIRST STEP IN RECOVERING GOLD.
THEY SHAKE THE GOLD-BEARING GRAVEL FROM BIG BOULDERS.
BACK IN OREGON, THE TEAM SPENT THREE MONTHS
CREATING THEIR VERY OWN MACHINE
BEFORE SHIPPING IT TO PORCUPINE CREEK.
NOW JACK'S IN CHARGE OF THE FINAL STEP --
GETTING IT SAFELY OFF THE TRAILER.
THE SHAKER WEIGHS IN AT 22,000 POUNDS,
AND THE MINERS CAN ONLY LIFT IT WITH THE 400 EXCAVATOR.
ALL JACK NEEDS TO DO IS LIFT THE SHAKER A FEW INCHES
SO THE TRUCK CAN DRIVE AWAY.
NOW, IS THE OTHER SIDE IN?
JUST HOLD ON UNTIL HE'S DONE.
BUT JACK'S GETTING IMPATIENT.
COMING YOUR WAY.
WHOA, WHOA!
WATCH. HEY!
NO, YOU'RE ALL GEE-HAWED.
I WOULD GET SQUARED UP.
THAT CABLE'S RIGHT.
AND WHO PUT THE GENERATOR RIGHT IN THE WAY?
DOES THAT LOOK RIGHT TO YOU?
I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU PEOPLE LEAVE STUFF IN THE WAY.
LISTEN, WE DIDN'T PLAN ON -- WELL, MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY.
Narrator: BUT JACK CAN'T WAIT FOR TODD TO MOVE THE GENERATOR.
OH, NO!
YOU GOT IT ALL SCREWED UP.
NO, I DIDN'T.
Narrator: BEFORE ANYONE CAN STOP HIM,
PASTOR MIKE HALSTEAD JUMPS UP
TO RECONNECT THE CABLE TO THE JAWS OF THE 400.
MIKE.
THAT'S STRAIGHT TEETERING.
WATCH OUT, MIKE. WATCH OUT, MIKE. WAIT.
WITH SUCH A HUGE WEIGHT, THE JAWS ARE AT BREAKING POINT.
HOLD ON!
OH, SHOOT.
LISTEN.
CAN YOU COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT?
SEE IF IT WILL SET.
YEAH, I'LL COME DOWN. WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?
IT GOT HOOKED UNDER THERE.
Narrator: FORTUNATELY, THE SPRINGS ARE AN EASY FIX.
BUT IF THE WELDS ON THE SHAKER BREAK,
IT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR SETBACK.
Jack: WHAT? LET ME GET THE 270.
Narrator: TODD WANTS TO TAKE HALF THE WEIGHT
WITH THE SMALLER EXCAVATOR,
BUT JACK'S IN NO MOOD TO BE HELPED.
WAIT.
TELL HIM TO START IT UP AND GET OUT!
[ SHOUTS ]
GO! GO! GO! GO! GO!
THERE YOU GO!
GOOD LORD.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
IT'S OFF THE TRAILER, AND IT'S FIXED.
BUT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD.
Jack: EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HAVE A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING THINGS,
YOU KNOW?
I HAVE MY WAY THAT I THINK IS RIGHT.
IT'S JUST GOT TO GET DONE.
Narrator: THE SHAKER IS THE FIRST SECTION
OF THE TEAM'S WASH PLANT,
WHICH WILL SEPARATE GOLD FROM DIRT.
TODD AND DORSEY HAVE TO GO ON A 1,000-MILE JOURNEY
TO ANCHORAGE
TO BUY THE LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT PIECE --
A DUPLEX JIG.
IT'S OWNED BY THE MAN
THE HOFFMANS HAVE LEASED THEIR CLAIM FROM -- EARL FOSTER.
THIS JIG, WITHOUT THAT, WE'RE SUNK.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THIS THING,
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET ABOUT HALF THE GOLD.
BUT TODD'S SHORT OF CASH,
AND DUPLEX JIGS DON'T COME CHEAP.
I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, DUDE.
IT'S $30,000.
TODD'S ONLY HOPE IS IF EARL IS PREPARED TO MAKE A DEAL.
WHAT'S PLAN "B"?
I HAVE NO PLAN "B" AT THIS POINT.
BACK AT THE MINE,
JACK'S SUPPOSED TO BE DIGGING SMALL HOLES
TO LOCATE THE FINE GOLD THAT THE DUPLEX JIG WILL PROCESS.
BUT HE'S GETTING GOLD FEVER.
I'M SO ANXIOUS TO GO MINING, I CAN'T HARDLY STAND IT.
HE'S ABANDONED TODD'S PLAN TO SEARCH FOR THE PAY STREAK
AND IS DIGGING ALL OVER THE CLAIM TO FIND A GLORY HOLE.
WE NEED THE MONEY, YOU KNOW.
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WANTING IT.
WE NEED IT.
TODD'S JUST GOT TO TRUST ME.
I'M THE GUY THAT REALLY KNOWS HOW TO MINE.
Narrator: ALTHOUGH A GLORY HOLE COULD YIELD
A MILLION DOLLARS' WORTH OF NUGGETS,
YOU HAVE TO DIG MUCH DEEPER HOLES
TO LOCATE AN ANCIENT WATERFALL.
IT COULD BE FIVE FEET AWAY, YOU KNOW.
Narrator: JACK'S GOING ON AN OLD MINER'S INTUITION.
ON A 160-ACRE CLAIM, THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST HIM.
Jack: I'M GOING TO DO ANOTHER ONE RIGHT HERE.
Narrator: 24 HOURS DOWN THE ALCAN HIGHWAY,
TODD AND DORSEY FACE TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS
TO BUY THE DUPLEX JIG FROM EARL FOSTER, THE CLAIM OWNER.
HEY, EARL, THIS IS IT, HUH?
WOW.
DUPLEX JIGS ARE VITAL
BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FINAL STAGE IN A WASH PLANT.
UNDERNEATH THE JIG, DIAPHRAGMS PULSATE WATER
THROUGH A BED OF STEEL SHOT,
WASHING THE HEAVIER FINE GOLD FROM THE DIRT.
60% OF THE HOFFMANS' GOLD MAY JUST COME THIS WAY.
TELL ME HOW THIS WORKS, EARL.
THIS IS A RUBBER DIAPHRAGM.
IT PULSATES THE WATER?
AND ALLOWS THE HEAVIER PARTICLES TO SEEP DOWN IN BETWEEN THEM
AND FALL OUT THE BOTTOM DOWN HERE.
YOU GET BLACK SAND AND THEN GOLD.
I HATE TO ASK, MAN. I'M RUNNING OUT OF MONEY.
WOULD YOU TAKE HALF DOWN,
AND MAYBE HALF AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
UP AHEAD, JACK HOFFMAN'S NEW PLAN FOR FINDING GOLD
COMES INTO QUESTION.
HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S GOLD HERE?
AND PORCUPINE'S BEARS PAY THE CAMP A VISIT.
Narrator: TODD HOFFMAN HAS TRAVELED TO ANCHORAGE
TO MEET EARL FOSTER,
THE MAN HE HAS LEASED HIS GOLD CLAIM FROM.
THIS IS IT, HUH?
EARL HAS A VITAL PIECE OF MINING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE.
THE DUPLEX JIG WILL HELP TODD AND HIS TEAM
GET UP TO 60% OF THEIR GOLD FROM THE DIRT.
THE PROBLEM IS TODD DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY IT.
I HATE TO ASK, MAN. I'M RUNNING OUT OF MONEY.
WOULD YOU TAKE HALF DOWN,
AND THEN MAYBE HALF AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
NO PROBLEM.
WHATEVER IS COMFORTABLE FOR YOU IS OKAY WITH ME.
HEY, MAN, I APPRECIATE IT.
WHOA, HANG ON.
Narrator: THAT'S ANOTHER $15,000
TODD HOFFMAN HAS SPENT ON THE GOLD-MINING DREAM.
THANKS, MAN.
WITH THE SAME AGAIN DUE AT THE END OF THE SEASON,
THE NEED TO STRIKE GOLD JUST GOT GREATER.
[ HORN HONKING ]
1,000 MILES LATER,
THEY'RE BACK AT THE CLAIM WITH THE ALL-IMPORTANT JIG.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
ALL RIGHT.
GO, MAN.
HERE IT IS, GUYS.
HERE'S THE DUPLEX JIG.
THIS IS GOOD TO SEE RIGHT HERE. IT IS.
Narrator: TODD'S RETURNED TO FIND OUT
JACK HAS BEEN DIGGING HOLES SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM
ALL OVER THE CLAIM.
Todd: JUST DIGGING HOLES HERE AND THERE,
THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP US ANY.
HEY! THIS ISN'T RIGHT.
Narrator: TODD WANTS TO KNOW WHY HIS DAD HAS THROWN OUT HIS IDEA
TO FIND THE PAY STREAK.
I THOUGHT WE AGREED WE'RE GOING TO WORK OUT --
TRY TO FIND THE PAY STREAK OVER TOWARDS THE CREEK?
I KNOW, I KNOW.
I THINK WE OUGHT TO GET KIND OF A SLOW AND STEADY PLAN --
THAT'S ALL FINE AND DANDY,
BUT WE NEED THE GOLD, WE NEED THE MONEY.
THE GLORY HOLE HAS THE MOST GOLD IN IT FOR RIGHT NOW.
ONCE WE'RE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE BILLS,
I CAN RELAX AND GO FOR A PAY STREAK,
BUT RIGHT NOW, WE GOT TO GET THE MONEY.
ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL GO YOUR ROUTE, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
I JUST DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE BEST ROUTE TO GO.
NOW, WITH TODD'S OKAY,
JACK'S GOT EVERYONE PANNING THE HOLES HE'S DUG
SEARCHING FOR A GLORY HOLE.
YOU GET ANY? NOT MUCH.
HUH? NOT MUCH. JUST A FEW PIECES.
DID YOU GET ANY?
Narrator: IT'S HARD WORK,
AND IT'S TAKING ITS TOLL ON THE TEAM.
Jimmy: MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PAN.
IT'S JUST YELLOW ROCKS.
AND THE WORST PART ABOUT IT
IS GOLD ISN'T YELLOW ALL THE TIME.
GOLD IS BROWN, GOLD IS PINK, GOLD HAS A REDDISH COLOR.
THEN, TO TOP IT ALL OFF, I'M COLOR-BLIND.
HEY, JACK, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S GOLD HERE?
HOW DO I KNOW? YEAH.
WELL, I KNOW THERE'S GOLD.
Jimmy: WELL, I MEAN, I'M SEEING LITTLE PIECES,
BUT, I MEAN -- HOW DO WE REALLY KNOW
THAT THERE'S GOLD HERE?
YOU KEEP PANNING UNTIL YOU CAN SEE IT.
I DON'T KNOW, REALLY, HOW TO FEEL.
MAYBE THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT NAIVE OR SOMETHING.
I DON'T KNOW.
Narrator: THE SEARCH FOR THE GLORY HOLE
MIGHT NOT BE PAYING OFF.
READY?
BUT AT LEAST THEY'RE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE CAMP.
OKAY, NOW, HOLD IT RIGHT THERE.
COME ON, MAN, HURRY UP.
READY?
[ GRUNTING ]
GOOD.
HOLY MOTHER.
Narrator: IN JUST ONE WEEK,
MIKE HALSTEAD HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY
AND ALMOST FINISHED THE FIRST HOUSE ON THE CLAIM.
HE'S BROUGHT EVERYTHING OUT HERE TO ALASKA.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A COUNTER AND THEN THE SINK RIGHT HERE.
AND HAS EVEN BUILT A ROOM
OUT THE BACK OF HIS COMMUNITY CABIN
FOR TODD AND HIS FAMILY.
THIS IS YOUR LITTLE LOVE NEST HERE.
HAVING MIKE AS A PASTOR AND PART OF OUR TEAM IS GOOD.
HE'S A MONSTER, THE MANANIMAL.
THERE WE GO.
Narrator: THE FINAL DETAIL MAKES MIKE'S CABIN BEAR-PROOF --
A POINT NOT LOST ON REALTOR JIMMY DORSEY,
WHO'S WORRIED HIS TENT ISN'T BEAR-PROOF.
HE'S BEEN INSPIRED TO BUILD HIS OWN CABIN FROM THE LOGS ON SITE,
AS HIS WIFE, JOY, BACK IN OREGON
IS WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR KIDS, ELLA AND HANK.
I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
BEING ATTACKED BY A WILD ANIMAL.
THAT'S TERRIFYING.
Narrator: THE PROBLEM IS
DORSEY HAS NO EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING HOUSES.
Jimmy: I PUT, "LOOK, JOY, SOLID DOOR."
SO I THINK THAT SHE'S GONNA BE HAPPY WITH THIS,
AND THE KIDS ARE GOING TO LOVE IT.
IT'S STILL A TENT TECHNICALLY 'CAUSE IT HAS A CANVAS TOP,
BUT THAT'S ABOUT ALL THE TENT CHARACTERISTICS OF IT.
I THINK IT'S BEAR-PROOF.
Narrator: AND IT WILL NEED TO BE.
THE BEARS ARE GETTING BOLDER BY THE MINUTE.
GRIZZLY BEAR.
GOT A GRIZZ?
RIGHT HERE. RIGHT HERE.
HE'S RIGHT IN OUR DEAL.
BLUE! HEY!
GRAB...
Narrator: GREG REMSBURG'S 10-YEAR-OLD SON, BRANDON,
HAS JUST SEEN A GRIZZLY BEAR.
HE'S RIGHT IN OUR DEAL.
IT'S THE FIRST BEAR THAT'S COME INTO CAMP IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.
AND IT'S JUST YARDS FROM WHERE THEY'RE EATING BREAKFAST.
THEIR SAFETY IS NOW UNDER THREAT.
WHERE DID HE GO?
DID HE GO UP?
WHAT'S HE DOING IN HERE?
THERE HE IS, RIGHT THERE.
COMING RIGHT AROUND.
HERE, I'M GOING SCARE HIM A SECOND.
[ CLICK ]
OH, WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING?
MAN, MY GUN IS MESSED UP.
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN --
THEY WOULD GET REALLY USED TO US.
HE'LL BE BACK.
GRAHAM CRACKERS, THEY'RE HIS FAVORITE.
Narrator: FOOD IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS
BEARS AND HUMANS COME FACE-TO-FACE.
IN THE WILDERNESS, IT SHOULD BE KEPT IN AIR-TIGHT CONTAINERS
OR AT LEAST 12 FEET IN THE AIR.
IF FOOD IS LEFT OUT, A BEAR WILL COME BACK DAILY.
THAT'S NOT FUNNY.
Jack: WELL, THAT'S YOUR KIDS LEAVING CRAP OUT, MAN.
YOU LEFT YOUR CRACKERS OUT.
HEY, CUBBY.
YOU LEFT YOUR CRACKERS OUT.
THERE'S A GRIZZLY BEAR AT THE FIRE,
TOOK YOUR GRAHAM CRACKERS.
HE WAS 15 FEET FROM US HAVING COFFEE THIS MORNING.
YOU GOT TO PICK THAT STUFF UP.
HEY, YOU SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF MY CABIN NOW.
GET OUT OF THE CABIN BEFORE I THROW YOU OUT.
AS A CAMP, WE ALL HAVE RESPONSIBILITY.
Narrator: GREG HAS HAD A REAL FRIGHT.
LIKE ANY FATHER, HE WANTS TO PROTECT HIS SON.
IT'S ONE THING TO SEE THEM OUT AT A DISTANCE
RUNNING FROM US,
BUT IT'S ANOTHER THING TO HAVE HIM SNEAK IN
WHEN YOU'RE HAVING YOUR MORNING COFFEE
AND TAKE A LITTLE BAG OF CRACKERS,
LITERALLY 50 FEET FROM YOU.
IF OUR WIVES AND KIDS
ARE GOING TO SPEND THE SUMMER HERE WITH US,
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE CAMP IS SAFE.
THAT BEAR IS NOT GOING TO GET IN BETWEEN MY SON AND I.
THAT I GUARANTEE YOU.
YOU'RE ALLOWED TO SHOOT MENACING BEARS,
SO I WOULD SAY WHAT HAPPENED THIS MORNING WAS MENACING.
HEY.
THURBER AND I ARE GOING TO GO
AND MAKE SURE THAT BEAR DOESN'T COME BACK.
OKAY?
YOU GUYS STAY IN HERE AND KEEP THE DOOR LOCKED.
SEE YOU IN A LITTLE BIT.
SEE YOU LATER.
[ CLANK ]
OKAY. NOW I CAN LEAVE.
Thurber: THERE'S SCAT RIGHT HERE, PRETTY FRESH YET.
THAT'S THE TRAIL, RIGHT DOWN TO OUR FOOD SUPPLY RIGHT THERE.
I'M SLEEPING RIGHT DOWN THE HILL IN THAT TRAILER,
AND THEY'RE NESTLED RIGHT UP HERE IN THIS HILL.
HERE'S ITS BED RIGHT HERE.
GEEZ.
THIS IS HIS HOUSE.
WE GOT TO [BLEEP] HIM OFF ENOUGH WHERE HE WANTS TO MOVE.
TAKE THAT, YOU [BLEEP]
[ URINATING ]
[BLEEP] US OFF. YEAH.
THAT OUGHT TO DO IT.
THAT TAKES CARE OF ONE OF THEM, ANYWAY.
Narrator: GREG HAS DECIDED TO CALL HIS WIFE, SANDY.
HELLO? HI.
BRANDON SPOTTED A GRIZZLY BEAR IN CAMP TODAY.
OH, MY GOSH!
YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK WITH HIM.
HEY, MOM. HI, BRANDON.
TELL ME THE STORY ABOUT THIS BEAR THAT YOU SAW AROUND CAMP.
IT LOOKED UP AT ME, AND THEN IT GOT UP...
OH, MY GOODNESS.
...AND WALKED AWAY. SO...
DID IT SCARE YOU AT ALL?
I WAS A LITTLE FREAKED OUT AT FIRST.
YOU WERE FREAKED OUT BUT YOU WEREN'T SCARED?
IT SCARED ME.
I JUST WALKED OVER TO DAD
AND SAID, "HEY, DAD, THERE'S A BEAR."
AS A MOM, MY FIRST JOB IS TO PROTECT.
TO NOT BE THERE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR HIM AS HIS MOM
IS REALLY HARD.
Greg: THERE'S NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE
IN THAT INSTANCE.
Man: IT MEANS A LOT TO HAVE HIM UP HERE.
OH.
YEAH, I'M REAL THANKFUL TO HAVE MY SON.
Narrator: SINCE BRANDON SPOTTED THE GRIZZLY BEAR IN CAMP,
TODD AND THE GUYS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SECURE
A SAFETY PERIMETER.
NOW A BLACK BEAR HAS EMERGED FROM THE TREES
JUST FEET FROM MIKE HALSTEAD.
YOU GUYS STAY BACK HERE TILL WE GIVE YOU THE...
I KNOW THERE WAS A BIG BLACK BEAR
THAT WAS HANGING OUT HERE THE OTHER DAY.
THERE'S A BEAR ABOUT 200 YARDS UP HERE.
Narrator: MIKE'S THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE TEAM WITH A BEAR TAG --
THE ONLY ONE LICENSED TO SHOOT IT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO WAIT AROUND 'CAUSE IT'S ALSO GETTING DARK,
AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO THIS
IN A HALF AN HOUR WHEN IT'S DARKER.
LOOK AT THIS.
IT'S FRESH.
WARM.
I SEE HIM RIGHT OVER THERE.
MIKE.
GET THE GATOR.
[ WHISTLES ]
MIKE.
Narrator: TODD HOFFMAN AND MIKE HALSTEAD
ARE TRACKING A BEAR.
WITH BEARS COMING ONTO THEIR SITE,
THE SAFETY OF THE TEAM IS UNDER THREAT LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
[ GUNSHOT ]
WHAT HAPPENED?
IT'S A LITTLE SHAKY.
100 YARDS.
HEY, MIKE.
COME UP ON HIM REAL SLOW.
MIKE.
LOOK AT THAT GUY.
YOU CAN SEE THE EXIT WOUND WAS JUST RIGHT OUT OF THE HEART.
Todd: THEY'RE GETTING IN CLOSE NOW.
A BEAR LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW, A 300-POUNDER
COULD DO A LOT OF DAMAGE TO ANYBODY.
THESE KIDS ARE ALL RUNNING AROUND.
WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES COMING UP.
WHETHER IT'S A GRIZZ OR AN OLDER MALE BLACK BEAR,
THEY'RE ALL A THREAT.
MY RULE IS SHOOT IT, YOU BETTER EAT THE WHOLE THING.
RIGHT, BOYS?
YOU DON'T GO SHOOTING THAT SPARROW
UNLESS YOU PLAN ON COOKING IT UP.
Narrator: FOR TODD, THE SUCCESS OF THE BEAR HUNT
HAS RENEWED HIS FAITH THAT THEY CAN SURVIVE IN THE WILDERNESS.
I'M STARTING TO BELIEVE IT NOW.
MAYBE WE'LL CARVE OURSELF OUT A LITTLE LIFE HERE, YOU KNOW?
FIRST STEP, THE BEAR.
NEXT STEP, GOLD.
Narrator: FOLLOWING THE TEAM'S SUCCESS WITH THE BEAR,
THE MOOD IN CAMP IS GOOD.
WELCOME TO MY HACIENDA.
Narrator: JIMMY DORSEY HAS FINISHED BUILDING
A BEAR-PROOF HOUSE FOR HIS FAMILY.
IT'S STARTING TO FEEL LIKE HOME.
I'M PRETTY PROUD OF IT.
Narrator: AND TODD IS ALL FIRED UP.
HE WANTS TO BRING A STRATEGY
TO HIS DAD'S CHAOTIC APPROACH TO FINDING A GLORY HOLE.
Todd: I CAN'T REALLY CHANGE THE OLD BOY'S MIND.
WE JUST GOT TO PUT SOME KIND OF PLAN IN PLACE.
Narrator: HE CALLS EARL FOSTER, THE CLAIM OWNER.
HEY, EARL, IT'S TODD.
I GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU, THOUGH.
Narrator: IF ANYONE KNOWS WHERE AN ANCIENT WATERFALL
MIGHT BE LOCATED,
THAT WOULD BE EARL.
Foster: WHERE JOE'S OLD CABIN IS,
THE LIMESTONE BEDROCK IS SLANTED AND YOU CAN FOLLOW THAT DOWN,
AND YOU'LL FIND POCKETS AND IT'LL HAVE GOLD IN IT.
YOU THINK IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THERE? I THINK SO.
AWESOME.
SOMEWHERE RIGHT IN HERE IS A WATERFALL.
GOES FOR ABOUT 15 FEET DOWN TO 40 FEET.
I THINK I'M STANDING ON THE WATERFALL.
SHOULD JUST BE HAVING AN ABSOLUTE PILE OF GOLD
DOWN AT THE BOTTOM.
Narrator: ACROSS THE RIVER, THEIR NEIGHBOR JOHN SCHNABEL
ISN'T QUITE SO SURE.
YOU SHOULD NEVER BELIEVE EVERYTHING SOMEBODY TELLS YOU.
AND EARL FOSTER, WHEN HE WAS OVER THERE,
SOLD THE CLAIM TO TWO BOYS FROM DAKOTA,
AND THEY PUT 15 HOLES DOWN
AND THEY DIDN'T GET ANYTHING OUT OF IT.
AND THEY WENT DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN,
AND THEY WENT FLAT BROKE.
HE SHOULD NOT LISTEN TO EARL FOSTER.
NO.
Narrator: WYLIE OLD MINER JOHN SCHNABEL
MAY NOT TRUST EARL,
BUT THE HOFFMANS DON'T HAVE A BETTER PLAN.
Todd: HERE'S THE DEAL.
I WANT YOU TO DIG SOMEWHERE OUT HERE.
DIG IT BACKWARD UNTIL IT DROPS OFF.
YEAH.
TAKE SOME OF THIS.
THAT'S THE FARTHEST I'VE BEEN DOWN.
HEY, THERE'S GOLD IN THIS ROCK.
WHAT?
I SEE GOLD IN THIS ROCK RIGHT HERE.
ARE YOU SURE?
YEAH, I'M SURE.
YOU SEE IT?
THAT'S GOLD. RIGHT THERE IN THE MUD.
I GOT TO GET TO PANNING THIS.
Narrator: ALTHOUGH THERE'S STILL A HUGE JOB
TO GET THE GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND,
IT LOOKS LIKE EARL MIGHT HAVE LED THEM
TO THE RIGHT SPOT AFTER ALL.
THREE WEEKS AFTER LEAVING OREGON,
THINGS ARE FINALLY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Todd: THAT FLAG MEANS FREEDOM.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY THIS COUNTRY WAS FORMED.
LITTLE BUSINESS GUYS ARE FAILING ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.
PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR HOMES.
SO WE GOT TO TURN THIS BOAT AROUND.
I'M HOPING THAT GOLD MINING IS THE KEY TO THAT.
MAYBE RESPARK THE AMERICAN DREAM AGAIN.
YEAH!
FT. PORCUPINE. YEAH!
Narrator: THE TEAMS MADE THE CAMP SECURE,
FOUND A PROMISING SPOT TO START MINING,
AND ARE GETTING A TASTE FOR THE ALASKAN WILDLIFE.
BEAR BURRITOS.
NO, THEY'RE BEARRITOS.
BEARRITOS.
CHEERS.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU [BLEEP] US OFF.
WE EAT YOU.
NOW, FOR THE NEXT PHASE, GUYS. LET'S GO GET SOME GOLD.
ALL RIGHT.
WHOO! YEAH!