Narrator: THE RACE IS ON
TO FIND GOLD IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS.
THIS IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
AFTER SIX WEEKS, THE TEAM RUNS DIRT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE GOT GOLD!
GOLD OUT OF OUR MINE.
YOU ARE [BLEEP] ME.
Narrator: AND THE HOFFMANS...
Girl: WE NEED HELP! WHAT?
...COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH TRAGEDY.
AAH!
[ SIREN WAILS ]
IF SHE QUITS BREATHING AND HER HEART STOPS,
THERE'S NOTHING THOSE DOCTORS CAN DO.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: IT'S 6:00 A.M.
TODD HOFFMAN IS TRYING TO ROUSE HIS CREW OF GOLD MINERS.
LET'S GO, GUYS.
GOOD MORNING.
LET'S GO, GUYS.
HOW YOU DOING?
GET HER TOGETHER, MAN. GET SOME COFFEE. LET'S GO.
Todd: JIM'S ASLEEP. GREG JUST GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER.
WE'RE GETTING GOLD. THAT'S IT.
THAT'S MY COMMITMENT.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE GOLD COMING OUT OF THE JIG TODAY.
Narrator: TODD AND HIS CREW ARRIVED AT PORCUPINE CREEK
SIX WEEKS AGO.
THEY FINALLY GOT THEIR WASH PLANT ASSEMBLED,
AND THEY'VE BUILT A POND FOR THE 100,000 GALLONS OF WATER
THEY'LL NEED EVERY DAY.
THE FINAL STEP WILL BE WHEN WE'RE ACTUALLY RUNNING.
Narrator: SO FAR IT'S COST THEM $180,000
ON EQUIPMENT AND RUNNING COSTS.
AND EVERY DAY PUTS THEM ANOTHER 1,000 BUCKS DEEPER INTO THE RED.
THEY MUST START FINDING GOLD, AND SOON.
WE'RE BLEEDING DRY.
AFTER MONTHS OF PREPARATION,
THEY'RE FINALLY READY TO RUN DIRT.
ALL THEY NEED IS TO PUMP WATER
FROM THE INTAKE POND UP TO THE WASH PLANT.
OUR WATER IS GONNA COME UP THROUGH THE PUMP,
OUT THAT MANIFOLD THERE, DOWN THESE RED LINES.
AND EACH RED LINE IS A ONE-INCH WATER LINE
TO FOUR WATER BARS UP ON THE SHAKER.
WE GOT ONE WATER BAR TO THE JIG,
ONE GOING TO THE SECOND SLUICE.
Narrator: WATER FLOWS THROUGH EVERY PART OF THE WASH PLANT
TO RECOVER GOLD.
IT WASHES AWAY THE LIGHTER DIRT
AND LEAVES THE HEAVIER GOLD BEHIND.
THEY ONLY HAVE ONE PUMP BIG ENOUGH FOR THE WASH PLANT.
AND IT'S NOT WORKING RIGHT.
Turin: LOOK AT THE AIR COMING OUT OF THAT.
THERE'S OUR PROBLEM.
IT STARTS SUCKING AIR RIGHT THERE.
DAVE TURIN RUNS A QUARRY BACK IN OREGON,
AND HE'S HERE TO HELP TODD GET THE WASH PLANT RUNNING.
A LITTLE BIT OF AIR JUST SCREWS THESE THINGS.
IT STARTS SUCKING AIR, IT'S LIKE SUCKING WATER THROUGH A STRAW
AND YOU GOT A HOLE IN THE STRAW AND YOU CAN'T SUCK IT UP.
Harness: THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT IS TAKE THAT THING OFF,
FLIP IT OVER UPSIDE DOWN, DRY IT OUT, AND WELD IT.
BUT WE GOT TO GET THE WATER OUT FIRST.
OKAY. LET'S DO THAT.
Narrator: DAVE TURIN AND JIM THURBER
DRY AND CLEAN THE AREA THAT NEEDS TO BE WELDED.
STICK WELDING USES UP TO 600 AMPS OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT,
MORE THAN ENOUGH TO KILL A MAN
AND PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IN THESE WET CONDITIONS.
TEAM MECHANIC JAMES HARNESS STEPS UP TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
IT'S GOOD.
GET THIS BABY BACK TOGETHER AND START ROCKING.
MAKE SURE THE NUTS DON'T COME OFF.
Narrator: IF THE WELD HOLDS, THE PUMP SHOULD BE ABLE TO FEED
THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF WATER A MINUTE TO THE WASH PLANT.
Todd: READY, DAVE?
CLEAR.
IF THEY GET WATER OUT OF THE SPRAY BARS,
THEY'LL KNOW THAT THEY'RE IN BUSINESS.
WOW.
I THINK WE'RE OKAY. I THINK WE GOT IT.
IS THE BOTTOM TURNED ON?
I DON'T KNOW. I THINK THEY'VE GOT IT.
WHOO!
ARE WE READY TO TURN STUFF ON?
Todd: IT'S BLOWING WATER EVERYWHERE.
Turin: PUMPS ARE RUNNING. WE'RE READY TO GO.
RUN SOME ROCK THROUGH HERE. GET SOME GOLD.
Narrator: JUST BEFORE THEY CAN START MINING...
HEY!
...TODD SPOTS A STRANGER ON THE CLAIM.
THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN.
I SAW HIM HEADING DOWN BY THE RIVER.
Narrator: THE STRANGER IS A GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR
INVESTIGATING WATER USE AT THE MINE.
Hitselberger: WE NEED TO FIX THIS, OKAY?
WE NEED TO CLOSE IT OFF,
THIS AREA RIGHT IN HERE AND THIS BERM,
SO IT'S COMPLETELY BLOCKED. OKAY.
TO GET ENOUGH WATER TO MINE,
THE TEAM DUG A CHANNEL
CONNECTING THE CREEK TO THEIR HOLDING POND.
BUT IT'S IN BREACH OF FISH AND GAME REGULATIONS.
THIS PART RIGHT HERE NEEDS TO BE RETURNED
TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION.
OKAY.
THIS CHANNEL THAT THEY'VE EXCAVATED
HERE IN THE STREAM BANK IS A VIOLATION.
IF THEY DON'T GET IT SORTED OUT,
THERE'S THE POTENTIAL TO SHUT THIS WHOLE OPERATION DOWN.
Narrator: PORCUPINE CREEK
IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR SALMON.
TODD AND HIS MINERS HAVE COME UP
AGAINST THE ALASKAN FISHING INDUSTRY,
WORTH OVER $2 BILLION A YEAR.
Hitselberger: THE SALMON FISHERY IN ALASKA IS VERY IMPORTANT,
HUGE COMMERCIAL FISHING AND RECREATIONAL FISHING.
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES
DON'T IMPACT HABITAT.
Narrator: FISH AND GAME IS WORRIED THAT YOUNG FISH
COULD SWIM INTO THE HOLDING POND FROM THE CREEK
AND BE SUCKED UP INTO THE WASH PLANT.
Todd: WHEN DO YOU WANT ME TO CLOSE THIS OFF, IMMEDIATELY?
UH, YEAH.
RIGHT NOW. OKAY.
WILL DO. WE'LL DO IT RIGHT NOW.
FISH AND GAME COULD END OUR SEASON RIGHT HERE.
WE GOT TO PLAY BY THEIR RULES. THEY COULD SHUT US DOWN.
AND IT PUTS US IN A REALLY BAD POSITION,
BECAUSE NOW WE DON'T HAVE WATER.
IT REALLY FREAKIN' HURTS.
Todd: I DON'T HAVE A PLAN "B."
WITHOUT WATER, WE'RE SCREWED.
YOU GOT ANY IDEAS?
THIS IS A MESS, MAN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Narrator: THE CREW NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A WAY
OF GETTING WATER FROM THE CREEK
THAT MEETS FISH AND GAME REGULATIONS, AND FAST.
THEY HATCH A PLAN TO USE AN OLD PUMP HEAD AS A FISH SCREEN.
THIS IS PERFECT.
SOMETHING LIKE THIS,
BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT THE SCREENING AND CAN'T SUCK UP.
IT'S SOLID UNDERNEATH. WE COULD SET.
WE'RE NOT GONNA SUCK ANY ROCKS UP INTO THE PUMP.
Narrator: THIS SCREEN WILL ALLOW THEM
TO DRAW WATER WITHOUT SUCKING IN FISH.
NOW ALL THEY HAVE TO DO
IS PERSUADE THE MAN FROM FISH AND GAME.
IF YOU GUYS ARE COOL WITH IT, WE COULD GET STARTED.
YEAH, YEAH. I THINK THIS WILL WORK.
ALL RIGHT, MAN. THANKS.
ALL RIGHT. APPRECIATE IT.
Jack: OKAY, I'LL KEEP THIS.
YEAH, KEEP IT. ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: THEIR QUICK FIX HAS STOPPED THEM BEING SHUT DOWN.
BUT THEIR HOLDING POND HAS ALREADY DRIED OUT.
THEY'LL NEED TO FILL IT
IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE MINING IN THE MORNING.
Todd: THIS HAS PUT A KINK IN OUR LITTLE WHEEL.
WE GOT TO GET ON IT, THOUGH. WE GOT TO GET BACK TO WORK.
RIGHT HERE!
Narrator: THEY HAVE JUST A FEW HOURS OF DAYLIGHT LEFT.
FIRST, THE TEAM NEEDS TO LAY 80 YARDS OF PIPING
FROM THE CREEK OVER THE BERM TO THE CANAL.
Todd: THIS IS CALLED LAY-FLAT PIPE.
IT'S AN INEXPENSIVE WAY TO GET PIPE,
GET IT OUT THERE A WAYS.
Narrator: NEXT, THEY USE THE 400 EXCAVATOR
TO BRING IN THE PUMP WITH THE FISH SCREEN ATTACHED.
TRYING TO GET THIS PUMP SET IN THE WATER.
Narrator: THE PORCUPINE RIVER IS FED BY WATER FROM GLACIERS.
AND IT'S JUST ABOVE FREEZING.
UGH!
TODD HAS GIVEN REALTOR JIMMY DORSEY
THE JOB OF DIGGING OUT A HOLE
FOR THE PUMP HEAD TO SIT IN.
DUDE, THIS WATER IS SO COLD.
OH, RIGHT ABOUT TO HERE, DORSE.
WHY DON'T WE JUST USE THE EXCAVATOR?
WE CAN'T. WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO.
I'LL TRY TO GET YOU SOME GLOVES OR SOMETHING, DUDE. THAT'S COLD.
UGH.
THE NEXT JOB IS TO CONNECT UP THE PUMP,
WHICH WILL DRAW WATER FROM THE CREEK TO THE CHANNEL.
SERIOUSLY, THIS THING WILL PUMP OUT
450 TO 500 GALLONS A MINUTE EASILY,
SO THAT'S A LOT OF STINKING WATER.
THE PUMP IS CONNECTED TO THE LAY-FLAT PIPE
RUNNING OVER THE BERM.
Todd: WE'RE DOING TWO CLAMPS BECAUSE THE PRESSURE ON THIS THING
MIGHT BE SO GREAT, IT'LL PROBABLY RIP THIS THING OFF.
PLUS, I DON'T WANT THIS THING TO RIP OFF AT NIGHT.
Narrator: THEY PRIME THE PUMP,
SUBMERGE THE PUMP HEAD, AND THEY'RE READY TO ROLL.
Jack: TURN IT OFF. WHOA.
WHERE'S THAT PIPE WRENCH?
RIGHT HERE.
Todd: WE GOT WATER, GUYS.
THAT PUMP IS WORKING GREAT.
Greg: WE GOT WATER. WE GOT WATER.
WE'RE MINING TOMORROW.
Todd: A YEAR IN PREPARATION,
ALL OF MY MONEY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE,
EVERYTHING I COULD BEG, BORROW, AND STEAL,
IS RIGHT COMING UP.
WE'RE GONNA MINE TOMORROW. WE'RE GONNA RUN IT.
Jimmy: I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS.
I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT.
I DON'T HAVE A WATCH ON.
SO, IT'S GOT TO BE AFTER MIDNIGHT.
Narrator: THEY HAVE JUST A FEW HOURS
TO GET SOME WELL-DESERVED REST
BEFORE THEY RUN DIRT IN THE MORNING.
UP AHEAD...
LET'S FIND SOME FRICKIN' GOLD.
Narrator: ...THE TEAM FINALLY STARTS MINING.
THE WASH PLANT GRINDS TO A HALT.
SHUT IT ALL OFF.
THIS ISN'T EASY. THIS IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT.
AND A YOUNG LIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.
ALLS I'M SEEING IS BLOOD AND FOAM COMING OUT OF HER MOUTH.
Narrator: WITH THE WATER PROBLEM SOLVED,
THE HOFFMANS ARE READY TO RUN DIRT FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
TODD'S BEEN PLANNING THIS MOMENT FOR MONTHS.
6-INCH-AND-UNDER ROCKS ARE GONNA GO ONTO THE SHAKER, OKAY?
THE SHAKER HAS 1 1/2-INCH HOLES.
THE GOLD MATERIAL THAT WE'RE GONNA DEAL WITH
IS GONNA FALL DOWN THROUGH THE HOLES
AND COME DOWN THE BOTTOM CHUTE.
THIS TROMMEL WILL BE TURNING, OKAY?
MATERIAL WILL FALL THROUGH THE HOLES.
THERE'S A HOLE IN THIS PIPE, WRAPPED IN SCREEN.
I DON'T WANT ROCKS BIGGER THAN A HALF-INCH
TO COME THROUGH THIS HOLE.
I WANT TO CONTROL THE WATER ACROSS THAT JIG.
SWIRL IT AROUND IN THERE, THERE BETTER BE SOME GOLD.
AND BASICALLY, WE'LL DO THAT ALL DAY
AND, IF WE HAVE TO, ALL NIGHT.
Narrator: PASTOR MIKE HALSTEAD
HAS RETURNED TO THE CLAIM FOR THE BIG DAY.
THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB PUTTING ALL THIS EQUIPMENT TOGETHER.
BUT IT'S HARD TO REALLY THINK THROUGH WHAT IT'S GONNA DO
UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT IT DOES.
Narrator: AND THERE'S NO POINT IN RUNNING
UNLESS YOU'RE DIGGING DIRT THAT'S RICH IN GOLD.
Jack: 20 OUNCES, RIGHT THERE.
I GOT THIS HUGE KNOT IN MY STOMACH.
I DON'T SLEEP VERY LONG.
IT'S VITAL TO SEE SOME GOLD TODAY.
Narrator: THE PRESSURE TO FIND GOLD IS MOUNTING.
GREG'S WIFE, SANDY, AND HIS KIDS
ARE THE LATEST FAMILY TO ARRIVE AT THE CLAIM.
Greg: EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY,
WE'RE NOT ONLY BURNING FUEL FOR THE EQUIPMENT,
WE'RE BURNING A LOT OF FOOD.
SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE.
EITHER THE KITTY'S GOT TO BE REPLENISHED
OR IT'S GONNA RUN DRY.
AND WHEN IT RUNS DRY, WE'RE DONE.
THREE MEALS A DAY FOR 25 PEOPLE --
YOU CAN DO THE MATH.
Narrator: JAMES HARNESS IS STRUGGLING, TOO.
HE HAS CHRONIC BACK PROBLEMS AND HASN'T SLEPT FOR NIGHTS.
IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR ME TO STAY IN BED ALL DAY.
BUT I CAN'T LET THESE GUYS DOWN.
Narrator: WITH TEAM MORALE SO LOW, TODD CALLS A MEETING.
GUYS -- GUYS, LISTEN.
YOU'VE ALL WORKED YOUR BUTTS OFF.
YOU'RE OUT OF MONEY. YOU'RE OUT OF MONEY.
YOU'RE ABOUT READY TO LOSE YOUR HOUSE.
YOU'VE MOVED OUT OF YOUR HOUSE. YOU'RE BANKRUPT.
YOU KNOW, GOD PUT US ALL TOGETHER
FOR A FRICKIN' REASON, OKAY?
AND THIS SUMMER, WE'RE GONNA DIG THAT YELLOW STUFF
OUT OF THE GROUND, MAN.
BACK HOME, PEOPLE ARE JUST STRUGGLING
TO MAKE A STINKING LIVING.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO?
WE NEED TO START HELPING EACH OTHER OUT.
Thurber: I KNOW IN MY HEART THERE'S GOLD IN THE GROUND.
WE JUST GOT TO GET IT.
AND I'M EXHAUSTED, SO I APOLOGIZE.
YOU KNOW I COMPLAIN A LOT ABOUT THE ECONOMY,
AND I COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR COUNTRY,
BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU,
THIS IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
WE LIVE IN THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
JAMES, FIRE THAT UP, MAN.
LET'S GO.
COME ON, LET'S GET IT DONE, YOU GUYS.
LET'S FIND SOME FRICKIN' GOLD.
COME ON IN HERE.
LORD JESUS, WE JUST GIVE THIS DAY TO YOU,
AND PUT THE GOLD IN THE GROUND,
AND PUT IT IN THAT SLUICE BOX AND IN THAT JIG.
LORD JESUS, HELP US.
AMEN.
AMEN.AMEN. AMEN.AMEN.
LET'S GO, GUYS. LET'S DO THIS.
Narrator: RUNNING DIRT THROUGH THE WASH PLANT
FOR THE FIRST TIME
IS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR EVERYONE.
IF SUCCESSFUL, THERE IS EVERY CHANCE
THEY'LL BE COUNTING GOLD BY THE END OF THE DAY.
HOW ABOUT TROMMEL? TROMMEL!
TURN THE JIG ON!
ALL RIGHT, LET'S RUN A LITTLE DIRT.
RIGHT HERE. RIGHT HERE.
Narrator: JACK DUMPS THE FIRST BUCKET OF DIRT INTO THE SHAKER.
IT SEPARATES THE LARGER STONES,
AND THEY ARE DISCARDED.
FINALLY, THE MINERS GET TO SEE
HOW THEIR HOME-BUILT PLANT IS WORKING.
WE NEED A LITTLE GUARD RIGHT ACROSS THE TOP.
WE NEED A LITTLE GUARD RIGHT HERE.
WE NEED THOSE WINGS 'CAUSE WE'RE LOSING IT OUT ON THE SIDES.
YEAH.
FROM THE SHAKER,
THE SIFTED MATERIAL RUNS INTO A CHUTE
WHERE WATER WASHES IT DOWN THE PLANT.
CHUTE'S WORKING GOOD. LOOKS GOOD SO FAR.
THE SECOND BUCKET OF DIRT IS DROPPED IN.
THE MATERIAL WORKS ITS WAY THROUGH TO THE TROMMEL.
HERE, THE DIRT IS SPUN,
AND THE SMALLER PIECES PASS THROUGH THE SCREEN
DOWN TO THE JIG.
I'LL BE DAMNED.
THE LAST PART OF THE WASH PLANT IS THE DUPLEX JIG.
HERE, TWO DIAPHRAGMS PULSATE A BED OF BALL BEARINGS.
BLACK SAND AND ANY GOLD SHOULD SINK DOWN THROUGH IT
INTO THE BUCKET.
FIRST DAY OF MINING -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS FANTASTIC.
THERE'S A MILLION GUYS
THAT WOULD LOVE TO BE HERE DOING THIS.
Narrator: TODD AND JACK PLAN
TO RUN 100 CUBIC YARDS TODAY.
BUT BY THE FOURTH BUCKET,
THERE'S GRAVEL STARTING TO BUILD UP IN THE SLUICE BOXES.
NEED MORE WATER HERE.
IT'S NOT WORKING RIGHT IN HERE.
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL,
THE JIG, WHERE THE GOLD IS COLLECTED,
IS PRODUCING NOTHING.
ANYTHING COMING OUT?
THIS AIN'T RUNNING RIGHT.
AFTER MONTHS OF PREPARATION AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS,
JUST FOUR YARDS OF DIRT,
AND THEIR WASH PLANT DOESN'T WORK.
THIS ISN'T EASY. THIS IS HARD TO FIGURE OUT.
Narrator: THE TEAM'S RUNNING DIRT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THERE'S A BLOCK.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE PIPE'S CLOGGED UP.
BUT THEY'VE HIT A PROBLEM.
NOTHING'S COMING OUT OF THE DUPLEX JIG.
[ TAPPING ]
ANYTHING COMING OUT?
YEAH, WE'RE ALL PLUGGED UP.
Jack: SHUT THE JAMMED PLANT DOWN.
OKAY.
Todd: WELL, OUR TROMMEL WORKS PRETTY GOOD.
THE SHAKER WORKS.
YOU KNOW, ALL THE STUFF
THAT YOU HAVE TO USE YOUR BRAIN FOR, THAT WE SET UP,
THAT I SET UP, DOESN'T WORK VERY GOOD, SO...
Narrator: UNTIL THEY FIX THE FINAL STAGE OF THEIR WASH PLANT,
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEPARATE GOLD FROM DIRT.
I'M ABOUT READY TO FALL OVER. MY BRAIN HURTS.
I'M FAT. EVERYTHING HURTS.
IT'S TOUGH WHEN YOU'RE A FAT KID TRYING TO GO GOLD MINING
AND YOU CAN'T BEND OVER RIGHT, YOU KNOW.
MY FRICKIN' ANKLES HURT. MY KNEES HURT.
I DON'T KNOW.
I'M GONNA FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FRICK I'M DOING.
I DON'T KNOW. [ DOG WHINES ]
HEY, BUDDY.
Narrator: ACROSS THE CREEK,
JOHN SCHNABEL RUNS THE BIG NUGGET MINE.
HE KNOWS EXACTLY HOW TO FINE-TUNE A WASH PLANT.
WE GOT THIS LAST WEEK, AND WE PULLED IT OUT OF THE JIG.
AND THE GOLD IS HEAVY ENOUGH THAT IT DON'T BLOW AWAY.
PARKER, HIS GRANDSON,
HAS BEEN HELPING HIM SINCE THE AGE OF 6.
THAT'S ABOUT -- I WOULD JUDGE CLOSE TO A HALF AN OUNCE.
YEAH, I'D SAY SO, TOO -- A LITTLE OVER, I BET.
THERE'S 480 GRAINS IN AN OUNCE,
SO HALF AN OUNCE WOULD BE 240.
275 GRAINS.
I WAS RIGHT.
PRETTY CLOSE, YEAH. THAT'S OVER A HALF-OUNCE.
THAT'S AROUND $650.
THE SCHNABELS KNOW HOW MUCH WORK
GOES INTO TURNING A CLAIM AND WASH PLANT INTO PROFIT.
I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 25 YEARS,
AND IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR MOST PEOPLE
TO STAY WITH IT AND BE SUCCESSFUL AND MAKE MONEY.
AND ONLY MAYBE 5% OF THE PEOPLE THAT ATTEMPT IT ARE SUCCESSFUL.
Narrator: TODD NEEDS HELP TO GET THE JIG RUNNING PROPERLY.
AND THE SCHNABELS ARE SENDING THEIR EXPERT TO BAIL HIM OUT.
Todd: IT'S A LITTLE EMBARRASSING
TO HAVE A 15-YEAR-OLD KID TELLING YOU HOW TO MINE,
BUT HE'S GOT A LOT MORE EXPERIENCE THAN I DO.
HEY, PARKER.
TODD.
HOW ARE YOU, BUDDY? PRETTY GOOD.
I WANT YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY JIG.
SOMETHING'S WRONG. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING WITH IT.
ALL RIGHT. IT AIN'T WORKING RIGHT.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT'S IN THE RIGHT POSITION OR RIGHT ANGLE.
YOU HAVE THE BALL BEARINGS, RIGHT?
I DO. COME HERE. ALL RIGHT.
COME TAKE A LOOK.
Narrator: WATER CARRYING DIRT AND GOLD
FLOWS FROM THE WASH PLANT INTO THE TOP OF THE DUPLEX JIG.
TWO DIAPHRAGMS AT THE BOTTOM PULSATE WATER
UP THROUGH A LAYER OF BALL BEARINGS OR STEEL SHOT.
THE PRESSURES FORCES THE SHOT APART.
THE LARGER WASTE MATERIAL PASSES OVER THE TOP OF THE SHOT,
WHILE THE HEAVIER FINE GOLD AND BLACK SAND
DROP THROUGH THE GAPS DOWN TO THE OUTLETS.
THEIR HOMEMADE SYSTEM HAS TO WORK
IF THEY'RE GOING TO SEE GOLD-BEARING BLACK SAND
OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE JIG.
I GOT THEM BOTH PIPED TOGETHER AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH JIG...
THAT WHITE PVC.
...YOU KNOW, WHERE THE GOLD AND BLACK SAND
COMES OUT OF THE BOTTOM.
I PIPED THEM BOTH TOGETHER WITH ONE VALVE.
YOU GUYS HAVE THEM BOTH SEPARATELY DROPPING INTO A PIPE,
RUNNING THAT PIPE TOGETHER AND DOWN INTO A SLUICE.
YEAH.
THE ADVANTAGE OF THAT IS YOU CAN ADJUST EACH JIG SEPARATELY,
AND YOU CAN HAVE MORE PRESSURE IN THE FRONT OR THE BACK,
DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH PRESSURE YOU NEED.
THAT'S WHAT WE GOT TO DO.
I GOT TO TAKE THAT APART. I GOT TO DO THEM SEPARATELY.
I THINK SO.
THEIR HOMEMADE SYSTEM HAS TO GO
IF THEY'RE GOING TO SEE GOLD OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE JIG.
AND THEN I SHOULD PUT A VALVE ON EACH ONE, HUH?
I WOULD.
THAT'S WHAT WE DO, AND IT WORKS GOOD.
AND WE ADJUST EACH ONE SEPARATELY.
SEE, THAT'S WHERE I SCREWED UP.
I WAS RUNNING THEM BOTH IN TOGETHER.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
OH, I SEE GOLD ON MY FINGERS.
Jimmy: WE GOT GOLD!
Todd: YOU'RE KIDDING.
NO. WE'RE SERIOUS.
IT'S ALL PLUGGED UP WITH GOLD.
[ LAUGHS ]
DUDE. DUDE, YOU ARE [BLEEP] ME.
I THINK THIS WHOLE PIPE IS JUST PLUGGED UP WITH GOLD.
YOU'RE KIDDING ME.
LOOK OUT. LOOK OUT.
WHOA! [ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: THEY CLEAR THE BLOCKAGE,
BUT NOW GOLD'S RUNNING THROUGH THEIR FINGERS.
I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND.
BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO PAN IT TO SEE,
BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S GOLD.
Parker: I MEAN, IT'S JUST GOLD FEVER.
THAT'S ALL IT IS.
WHEN DORSEY AND JACK GOT ALL EXCITED
WHEN THEY UNPLUGGED THE BOTTOM OF THE JIG,
THAT'S NOT REALLY THAT BIG OF A DEAL.
I SAW THREE LITTLE, TINY FLAKES -- LIKE, TINY.
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT,
A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS' WORTH OF GOLD ISN'T MUCH
COMPARED TO EVERYTHING THEY'VE SPENT HERE.
YOU KNOW, THEY NEED A LOT OF GOLD TO COVER THEIR COSTS.
Narrator: UNDER TODD'S ORIGINAL SCHEDULE,
THE TEAM SHOULD ALREADY BE GETTING ENOUGH GOLD
TO TURN A PROFIT.
TODD'S WIFE, SHAWNA,
AND HIS 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, OLIVIA,
WERE SUPPOSED TO ARRIVE AFTER THE MINERS FOUND GOLD.
BUT AFTER FOUR WEEKS,
THEY DECIDED TO COME TO ALASKA ANYWAY
SO THE FAMILY COULD BE TOGETHER.
IT'S STARTING TO TRANSFORM INTO A HOME.
AND I GOT MY LITTLE GIRL.
SHE'S A WILD ANIMAL. LOOK AT HER.
SHE'S GOT HER PAJAMAS ON TONIGHT WITH HER YELLOW BOOTS.
AND SHE'S BUSY, FRICKIN' BUSY.
Narrator: THE FACT THAT OTHER MINERS
HAVE BROUGHT THEIR FAMILIES UP, TOO,
IS ONLY ADDING TO THE PRESSURE TO FIND GOLD.
EARLY NEXT MORNING,
MECHANIC JAMES HARNESS IS MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE JIG.
Harness: I WISH I COULD SAY
THAT EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PERFECTLY,
BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT YET.
THIS IS ALL A FINE-TUNING SCIENCE.
Narrator: AND JACK'S HARD AT WORK
STOCKPILING DIRT HE HOPES WILL BE FULL OF GOLD.
ONCE I KNOW THAT THE PLANT'S RUNNING GOOD, I'LL RUN THIS.
Narrator: BUT TODD THINKS HIS DAD
IS DIGGING IN THE WRONG PLACE.
I WANT TO START MINING ALONG THIS ROCK BASE DOWN,
ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS.
YOU WORK THIS ROCK DOWN, DAD.
Jack: I'M GONNA WORK THIS SIDE WALL.
THAT WAY.
WELL, I'M GONNA BRING THE 400 DOWN RIGHT NOW.
AND MAKE THAT DEEP. YOU'VE GOT TO GET IT DEEP.
I KNOW. I'LL GO AS DEEP AS I POSSIBLY CAN.
ONCE YOU HIT BEDROCK, THAT'S IT.
I KNOW, BUT WHEN WE -- OKAY.
Todd: I'M NOT ROLLING OVER,
BECAUSE I'M ACTUALLY DOING IT FOR HIM.
HE'S NOT A DESIGNER, AND HE'S NOT A STRATEGIST.
MY JOB FOR HIM IS TO HELP HIM BE SUCCESSFUL,
EVEN THOUGH HE THINKS MAYBE I'M JUST GETTING IN HIS WAY.
BUT I'M NOT.
Narrator: BY MIDDAY, JACK'S ALMOST READY
TO LOAD THE DIRT INTO THE WASH PLANT.
IT'S GOOD PAY.
AND HARNESS HAS NEARLY FINISHED THE JIG.
Girl: HELP! Todd: WHAT WAS THAT?
Shawna: SHE'S NOT BREATHING!
GO, GO, GO!
Narrator: AT PORCUPINE CREEK,
A YOUNG LIFE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.
Todd: SHE WAS BITING HER TONGUE.
I HAD TO PUT A PIECE OF WOOD IN BETWEEN HER TEETH.
GO, GO, GO!
Narrator: TODD'S DAUGHTER, OLIVIA, HAS HAD A SEIZURE.
THAT ROAD IS SUPPOSED TO BE A 20-MILE-AN-HOUR ROAD.
WE DID 55 DOWN IT.
Shawna: I TRIED TO GET HER ATTENTION.
I NOTICED THAT HER EYES WERE OPEN,
BUT THEY WEREN'T FOCUSING ON ME.
I COULD SEE HER FOOT CONVULSING,
AND HER HAND -- HER LITTLE ARM WAS SHAKING THE WHOLE TIME.
Narrator: OLIVIA IS TRANSFERRED TO AN AMBULANCE
AND DRIVEN TO HAINES AIRPORT.
Jack: WHILE THIS IS ALL GOING ON,
SHE STOPPED BREATHING.
AND SO...
SO IT WAS -- IT WAS REALLY TOUGH,
BUT...THEY GOT HER GOING AGAIN.
[ SIREN WAILS ]
Todd: ALL'S I'M THINKING IS JUST HOLD ON, HOLD ON, OLIVIA.
JUST HANG IN THERE. JUST FRICKIN' HANG IN THERE.
Narrator: STILL UNCONSCIOUS,
SHE IS PICKED UP BY A LIFE FLIGHT
AND MEDEVACKED 500 MILES TO ANCHORAGE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
[ MONITOR BEEPING ]
OLIVIA IS BEING SCANNED
TO SEE IF SHE SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE.
WHEN YOUR LITTLE GIRL IS LAYING HERE,
YOU KNOW, HAVING TESTS AND --
UM, THAT'S...
WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD, YOU KNOW.
SO, WE LOVE OUR LITTLE GIRL,
AND THAT'S WHAT -- YOU KNOW, WE WANT THE BEST FOR HER.
BUT, UM...
BACK AT PORCUPINE CREEK, MINING HAS COME TO A HALT.
YOU GUYS BE GOOD.
Halstead: WE'RE REAL CONCERNED AROUND HERE,
BECAUSE WITHOUT KNOWING THE CAUSE OF THAT --
IF IT WAS SOMETHING
THAT WAS A PART OF WHO SHE IS, THAT'S ONE THING.
BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING FROM THE ENVIRONMENT,
2- AND 3- AND 4-YEAR-OLDS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE
TO LOTS OF THINGS THAT WOULD NEVER BUG AN ADULT.
Narrator: EVERYONE AT THE CAMP HAS A THEORY
ABOUT WHAT'S CAUSED OLIVIA'S SEIZURE.
Joy: WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS,
YOU KIND OF GO THROUGH WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN ENVIRONMENTALLY,
AND MOST DEFINITELY I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE WATER.
WE GET IT FROM A WATERFALL
COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN,
SOME GLACIERS MELTING.
BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S UP THERE.
I MEAN, THERE COULD BE BEAVERS UP THERE OR, YOU KNOW, BEARS.
Narrator: JOY'S HUSBAND, DORSEY,
THINKS THE BLAME MAY LIE ELSEWHERE.
Jimmy: UP HERE IN ALASKA, THE BUGS ARE INCREDIBLE.
THEY'RE BIGGER AND THEY'RE JUST MORE FEROCIOUS
THAN ANYTHING YOU'LL SEE ANYWHERE ELSE.
Narrator: IT'S MID JULY,
AND ALASKA'S 35 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOSQUITO
ARE COMPETING FOR THE MINERS' BLOOD.
THEY JUST ATTACK YOU EVERYWHERE.
Narrator: TO COMBAT THIS INVASION,
THEY USE A REPELLANT CONTAINING DEET.
BUT DEET IS A TOXIN
AND, IN LARGE, REPEATED DOSES,
MIGHT CAUSE SIDE EFFECTS, PARTICULARLY IN CHILDREN.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WORSE, ALL THE BITES
OR GETTING SICK FROM ALL THE MOSQUITO REPELLANT.
[ SPITS ]
Narrator: WITH THE CAUSE OF OLIVIA'S SEIZURE STILL UNKNOWN,
THE PARENTS ARE RECONSIDERING THEIR FUTURE AT PORCUPINE CREEK.
Jimmy: JOY AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH EACH OTHER LAST NIGHT.
AND WE REALLY DISCUSSED
WHETHER THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OUR FAMILY.
AND I THINK EVERY COUPLE NEEDS TO MAKE THAT DECISION,
AND EVERY WORKER HERE NEEDS TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
Narrator: IN ANCHORAGE,
TODD RECEIVES THE RESULTS OF OLIVIA'S SCAN
TO CHECK FOR ABNORMALITIES OR BRAIN DAMAGE.
HIS BEST FRIEND, GREG, IS WAITING TO HEAR THE NEWS.
Greg: WE JUST WANT TO GET ANSWERS
FOR WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HER AND HER LITTLE PRECIOUS BODY.
SO IT'S -- YOU KNOW, IT'S IN THE LORD'S HANDS.
WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WAIT AND TRUST.
DUDE, RESULTS ARE NORMAL.
[ LAUGHS ]
OH. I'M HAPPY FOR YOU.
THANKS FOR COMING WITH.
DUDE. YOU KNOW?
I'M JUST HANGING WITH YOU, MAN.
THERE'S NOTHING I CAN SAY OR DO.
JUST PRAYING FOR HER.
THERE'S NOTHING TO SAY, DUDE.
THE LORD IS WITH US AGAIN ONE MORE TIME.
THAT'S GREAT. I'M GLAD FOR YOU.
YEAH. I GOT TO GO BACK IN THERE.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL HANG OUT HERE.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
SEE YOU, MAN.
OLIVIA'S NOT SUFFERED BRAIN DAMAGE.
HI, BABY.
BUT SHE STILL NEEDS INTENSIVE CARE.
I CAN'T GIVE YOU CHOCOLATE
BECAUSE WE GOT TO EAT DINNER FIRST, OKAY?
[ SNIFFLES ]
HOW YOU FEELING? YOU FEELING OKAY?
NO.
A LITTLE BIT SICK?
YEAH. OKAY.
Narrator: SHE'LL HAVE TO UNDERGO FURTHER TESTS
TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OF THE SEIZURE.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY THAT HAPPENED.
MAYBE IT'S A ONE-TIME DEAL. I DON'T KNOW.
BUT WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.
Narrator: OLIVIA'S TEST RESULTS MAY PROVE
THAT PORCUPINE CREEK IS TOO DANGEROUS
FOR THE FAMILIES TO STAY.
IF SOMETHING SHOWS UP, THEN I'M DONE.
I'M DONE MINING. IT'S ALL OVER.
MY FAMILY COMES FIRST OVER ANYTHING,
SO PACK UP, DREAM'S OVER.
Narrator: THE NEXT DAY,
OLIVIA IS DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL
AND HEADING BACK TO OREGON FOR MORE TESTS.
YOU READY TO GO HOME?
WHEE, WHEE, WHEE.
GONNA TAKE THEM HOME BACK DOWN TO SANDY.
I'D RATHER BE PRETTY DANG CLOSE JUST FOR A WHILE
UNTIL WE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE CAN PINPOINT WHAT WENT ON, SO...
[ SNIFFLES ]
Narrator: TODD'S SEARCH FOR GOLD WILL HAVE TO WAIT.
BACK AT THE CLAIM, HALSTEAD AND DORSEY
ARE TRYING TO TRACK DOWN THE CAUSE OF OLIVIA'S SEIZURE.
Halstead: WE'RE GONNA CHECK OUT THIS WATER.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING SICK, AND WE'RE NOT SURE
IF IT'S THE FOOD OR THE WATER
OR SOMETHING BLOWING AROUND IN THE AIR.
BUT THIS IS WHERE WE'VE BEEN GETTING OUR WATER FROM.
THING IS THAT THERE'S BEAVER RIGHT DOWN THERE.
THAT'S ONLY 50 FEET OFF THE ROAD.
THERE COULD BE BEAVER UP THERE.
A BIG POND DOWN THERE, SO WE'LL SEE.
BEAVERS NEAR A WATER SOURCE ARE A SERIOUS HEALTH RISK.
THEIR DROPPINGS OFTEN CARRY THE PARASITE GIARDIA LAMBLIA,
WHICH CAUSES BEAVER FEVER.
THIS CAN BE LIFE-THREATENING IN INFANTS.
SO FAR, THE ENTIRE CAMP HAS BEEN DRINKING THEIR WATER
UNBOILED AND UNFILTERED.
NOT ALL THINGS ARE AS THEY SEEM.
YOU THINK, OH, YOU'RE IN ALASKA --
IT'S A FRESH MOUNTAIN STREAM.
YOU STILL HAVE TO GO CHECK OUT THE SOURCE.
WE THOUGHT IT WOULD COME STRAIGHT OUT OF THE ROCK.
IT'S COMING OFF OF A ROAD.
OH, JIMMY, LOOK AT THAT.
WHAT IS IT?
JUST TOUCH IT. IT'S PITCH.
THAT'S NOT PITCH.
SEE, THERE'S ONE COMING OFF EACH --
OHH!
THAT'S NOT PITCH.
WELL, THERE'S ONE COMING OFF EACH ONE OF THOSE.
EWW. OH, IT'S, LIKE, GOT ITS SKIN ON IT.
THIS IS ABOVE THE WATER SOURCE.
I DON'T LIKE THAT. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
HERE. HOLD MOMMY'S HAND.
Narrator: IN OREGON,
SHAWNA IS TAKING OLIVIA TO SEE HER PEDIATRICIAN.
OLIVIA.
HI, GUYS.
HI, BABY. HOW ARE YOU?
GOOD. GOOD.
Narrator: SHAWNA WANTS TO FIND OUT
WHAT NEARLY KILLED HER DAUGHTER.
THERE ARE SOME SEIZURES
ASSOCIATED WITH INSECT REPELLANT.
WHETHER THAT'S DEET OR NOT,
WHO KNOWS FOR SURE WHAT EXACTLY THAT CAUSE IS.
WATER SUPPLY DEFINITELY COULD BE A FACTOR.
THERE'S SOME BACTERIA THAT COULD BE IN THE WATER
THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SEIZURES.
SO YOU GUYS ARE DEFINITELY HEADED BACK UP?
I DON'T THINK THAT WE WILL BE GOING BACK UP THIS SUMMER.
THAT'S PROBABLY NOT A BAD PLAN.
IF YOU'RE CLOSE TO MEDICAL ATTENTION,
THEN I THINK WE JUST WAIT,
AND YOU CARRY THE EMERGENCY MEDICINE
AND TREAT HER IF WE NEED TO.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
Shawna: DR. FRANK CALCAGNO ADVISED US STRONGLY
TO STAY WITHIN 10 MINUTES OF HELP FOR HER.
I TOTALLY MISS ALASKA.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL, AND I DO REALLY WANT TO GO BACK,
BUT IT WON'T BE TILL NEXT SUMMER.
Olivia: * JESUS LOVES ME, THIS I KNOW *
* FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO *
Narrator: WITH THE DOCTORS UNCERTAIN
ABOUT THE CAUSE OF OLIVIA'S SEIZURE,
THE PARENTS AT THE CLAIM ARE STILL WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY.
THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERNS I HAVE
WITH A SOON-TO-BE YOUNG ADULT.
SO TO HAVE LITTLE ONES --
OH, MY GOODNESS -- I JUST COULDN'T DO IT.
SINCE TODD'S IN OREGON,
IT'S UP TO JACK TO GET THE TEAM MINING AGAIN.
THIS WHOLE INCIDENT COULD BREAK OUR SPIRIT, YOU KNOW.
AND I HOPE IT HASN'T.
I HOPE IT HASN'T DAMPENED YOUR ENTHUSIASM
FOR OUR GOALS.
I JUST THANK YOU FOR STICKING IT OUT.
WE JUST GOT TO GET THERE AND GET IT DONE.
Narrator: BUT BEFORE THEY CAN GET GOLD, THEY NEED FUEL.
RIGHT NOW, FUEL'S ALMOST AS PRECIOUS AS GOLD IN OUR CAMP.
WE'RE DOWN TO OUR LAST DAY OF FUEL.
Narrator: THE CAMP IS OFF THE GRID.
AND EVERYTHING RUNS ON DIESEL.
THE KITCHEN, THE SHOWERS,
THE PUMPS, AND THE WASH PLANT
ARE ALL POWERED BY GENERATORS.
ADD ON THE TWO EXCAVATORS AND THE DUMP TRUCK,
AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT 300 GALLONS OF FUEL A DAY.
IF YOU CAN'T BUY FUEL, YOU CAN'T RUN.
IF YOU CAN'T RUN, YOU CAN'T GET GOLD.
IF YOU CAN'T GET GOLD, YOU CAN'T GET MONEY, YOU KNOW?
IT'S A VICIOUS CIRCLE.
Halstead: JACK'S REALLY FEELING THE CRUNCH HERE. THIS IS FRIDAY.
MONDAY'S A HOLIDAY, WITH 4th OF JULY MOVING TO THE 5th.
AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK.
IF THEY DON'T GET ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUEL,
THEN STUFF'S GONNA START SHUTTING DOWN.
WE GOT TO GO.
Narrator: JACK STARTS THE 30-MILE TRIP TO HAINES
TO TRY AND ARRANGE AN EMERGENCY FUEL DELIVERY.
HE'S GOT ONE HOUR BEFORE THE GAS STATION CLOSES.
Narrator: JACK HOFFMAN IS RACING TO GET FUEL.
YOU KNOW, NO FUEL, NO RUNNING,
AND SO WE GOT TO HAVE THE FUEL.
Narrator: IF JACK CAN'T GET A DELIVERY,
THERE'LL BE NO MINING UNTIL AFTER THE 4th OF JULY WEEKEND --
THREE FULL DAYS.
IF I DON'T START SHOWING THEM GOLD PRETTY SOON,
SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE TAKING OFF AND HEADING FOR HOME.
HEY.
Narrator: HE MAY BE ON TIME.
WE NEED SOME FUEL REALLY BAD.
BUT HE'S OUT OF LUCK. THERE'S JUST NO WAY.
I JUST CAN'T PHYSICALLY GET IT OUT THERE.
I'M SHORT A DRIVER,
AND IT'S FRIDAY, A THREE-DAY HOLIDAY.
ANY WAY THAT WE COULD PAY A LITTLE MORE TO GET IT?
EARLIEST I CAN GET OUT THERE IS TUESDAY.
YEAH, IT'S COSTING US ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
A GRAND A DAY TO NOT RUN, AND WE NEED TO RUN.
YEAH, I CAN IMAGINE.
THERE'S JUST NO WAY WE CAN GET IT?
NO. CRAP.
COULD I GET SOME -- I GOT A 100-GALLON TANK.
WE COULD PUT THAT IN THE JIG PLANT.
THANKS A LOT, MAN.
WITH NO FUEL DELIVERY FOR THREE DAYS,
THE CREW WILL HAVE TO SURVIVE
ON WHAT JACK CAN LOAD INTO THE BACK OF HIS TRUCK.
100 GALLONS IS BETTER THAN NOTHING, YOU KNOW,
AND THIS'LL MAKE IT SO WE COULD RUN
FOR ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 45 MINUTES, MAYBE.
MAYBE WE MAKE AN HOUR.
AT NEARLY $5 A GALLON,
JACK HAS SPENT JUST UNDER $500 ON FUEL.
IT'S ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN THE CAMP FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS
AND BRIEFLY RUN THE WASH PLANT.
I'M ANXIOUS. I WANT TO GET GOING.
I WANT TO ROLL.
Narrator: JACK TAKES SOME DIRT FROM THE NEW HOLE HE'S DUG.
HE HAS JUST 45 MINUTES OF FUEL TO PROVE HE CAN FIND GOLD.
THEY'VE CUT OFF THE PIPES CLOGGING THE JIG
AND ARE PUTTING THEIR FIX TO THE TEST.
ALL THIS DIESEL THAT WE'RE BURNING
IS JUST FOR THAT DRIP OF WATER THAT HAS ALL THE GOLD IN IT.
Narrator: EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE WORKING.
ON THE STROKE OF 45 MINUTES,
JUST BEFORE THE FUEL RUNS OUT,
JACK TURNS OFF THE GENERATOR.
THERE'S JUST A FEW OUNCES OF MATERIAL TO SHOW FOR IT.
WE'RE GOING TO PAN IT, SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING IN THAT.
THEN WE'LL KNOW WHETHER OUR JIG'S WORKING.
OH, SWEET. THAT'S NICE.
Narrator: THE GOLD IN JACK'S PAN IS A SIGN
THAT THEY COULD HAVE HIT A MAJOR DEPOSIT.
GUYS, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU THINK THIS LOOKS LIKE MUCH,
BUT IT LOOKS FANTASTIC TO ME.
I DON'T WANT TO GET YOU TOO EXCITED,
BUT THIS TIME NEXT WEEK,
WE SHOULD HAVE ABOUT $100,000 WORTH OF GOLD IN OUR BOX.
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS KEEP RUNNING.
THIS IS THE TOP OF THE LAYER OF THE MATERIAL
THAT WE'VE BEEN GOOFING AROUND WITH.
THIS IS JUST THE VERY TOP,
AND IT'S GONNA START PAYING OFF.
WE COULD HAVE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS
BY THE END OF THE SEASON.
THAT'S RIGHT, BROTHER. SEE?
Jack: HEY. WE DIDN'T MESS IT ALL UP.
I KNOW YOU'RE TRYING.
GOOD JOB.
IT'S JUST GOOD TO SEE GOLD OUT OF OUR MINE,
OF OUR DIRT, THROUGH OUR MACHINES.
WE MIGHT OWN A FAMILY CAR.
THAT WOULD BE NICE. OH, MY GOD.
NO, IT'S A HUGE RELIEF FOR ME.
THERE IS GOLD HERE.
WELL, IT GIVES ME A LITTLE BIT MORE HOPE.
I WAS STARTING TO GET A LITTLE SKEPTICAL
WHETHER WE WERE GONNA GET ROLLING
AND ACTUALLY FIND ANY GOLD.
AND IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING POSITIVE HAPPENING.
Narrator: THERE'S ONE MORE PERSON
WHO'S YET TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS...
I WENT AHEAD AND RAN A LITTLE BIT.
...TODD.
TODD: Good Lord, why'd you do that?
WELL, BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE --
Oh, you're supposed to wait.
I WANTED TO SEE GOLD.
AND WE -- WE GOT GOLD.
Awesome. Awesome. WE GOT GOLD.
[ GUNSHOTS ] THAT WAS LOUDER.
IT MAY BE A LITTLE EARLY TO START CELEBRATING,
BUT, AFTER ALL, IT IS INDEPENDENCE DAY.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
EXCELLENT.
[ FIREWORKS WHISTLING ]
[ PEOPLE CHEERING ]
[ GUNSHOT ] OHH!
[ LAUGHTER ]
DID THAT GO ALL RIGHT?
YOU DID IT.