Narrator: TODD AND JACK HOFFMAN LEAD A CREW OF SIX ROOKIE MINERS
THAT ARE RISKING IT ALL TO FIND GOLD IN ALASKA.
IF WE STRIKE GOLD, WE'RE GONNA WALK OUT OF HERE RICH MEN.
Narrator: AFTER THREE MONTHS, THEY'RE OUT A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS
AND HAVE ONLY FOUND 2.7 OUNCES OF GOLD, WORTH JUST $3,500.
WE'RE GETTING REALLY TIGHT.
WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF SUMMER. WE'VE GOT TO GET THIS GOLD.
Narrator: WITH WINTER WEATHER CLOSING IN
AND THE MINING SEASON RUNNING OUT,
TODD DISCOVERS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR OPERATION.
I'M JUST BLOWING MY GOLD RIGHT FRICKIN' DOWN THE CREEK. CORRECT.
TEMPERS FLARE AS THE TEAM HAS TO REBUILD THE WASH PLANT.
SHUT THE HELL UP! WE'LL BE DONE IN A FRICKIN' MINUTE!
AND FLAT BROKE, TODD IS FORCED TO TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES.
Todd: I NEED CASH. I NEED HELP.
Narrator: IF HE CAN'T COME UP WITH MORE MONEY,
HE'LL HAVE TO CLOSE THE MINE AND GO HOME EMPTY-HANDED.
YOU CAN'T GO THIS FAR...
...AND NOT FINISH THE FRICKIN' JOB.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: AT PORCUPINE CREEK IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA,
THE HOFFMANS' CREW CONTINUES TO RUN ITS WASH PLANT
IN THE HUNT FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GOLD.
I GOT HUNDREDS OF OUNCES TO GET THIS SUMMER.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DINK AROUND.
WE'RE GONNA BRING THAT DIRT UP AND RUN IT THROUGH HERE,
BUT THIS ISN'T AN EXACT SCIENCE.
THIS IS TOUGH.
Narrator: FOR 13 WEEKS, THE CREW HAS BEEN DIGGING
FOR AN ESTIMATED $15 MILLION IN BURIED GOLD.
EVERY YARD OF DIRT THEY DIG IS FED THROUGH THESE MACHINES.
THE SHAKER, TROMMEL, AND DUPLEX JIG
SHOULD EXTRACT GOLD AT EVERY STAGE.
BUT THEY ARE DOWN TO THEIR LAST BARRELS OF FUEL
AND STILL HAVEN'T STRUCK IT RICH.
DAMN IT.
TODD HAS NOTICED A PROBLEM.
HEY, THURBY! SHUT IT OFF!
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIS WASH PLANT.
IT KIND OF BUNCHES UP RIGHT HERE.
IT'S NOT WORKING REALLY GOOD.
IT'S CLOGGED UP.
Narrator: THIS SLUICE BOX SHOULD CATCH GOLD
BUT CAN'T DO IT IF IT'S CLOGGING WITH DIRT AND STONE.
Todd: YOU GET THIS DIRT AND RUN IT THROUGH YOUR MACHINE,
AND YOU GOT TO SOMEHOW CATCH THE GOLD,
AND I THINK I'M ONLY CATCHING PART OF IT.
WE PUT OUR SWEAT AND BLOOD INTO THESE STUPID MACHINES,
AND WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT PAY.
Narrator: ONE WEEK AGO,
THE HOFFMANS CLEANED OUT THEIR WASH PLANT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THEY WERE HOPING TO FIND $40,000
TO COVER COSTS UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON.
THAT'S THE TOTAL TAKE RIGHT HERE.
THEY FOUND JUST $3,500 WORTH OF GOLD.
WITH THEIR FUTURE ON THE LINE, JIMMY DORSEY FOUGHT WITH GREG.
Dorsey: I WAS MAD.
I WAS LIKE, "DUDE, WHO ARE YOU
TO TRY AND TALK TO ME LIKE THAT?!"
AND DORSEY LEFT THE CLAIM FOR GOOD.
WITH HARDLY ANY GOLD AND TENSIONS MOUNTING,
TODD AND CREW FACE A HARSH REALITY.
THAT'S IT. BASICALLY, WE'RE BROKE.
Narrator: TODD AND JACK SPENT $150,000 ON EQUIPMENT.
THEY RAISED ANOTHER $100,000 FOR RUNNING COSTS.
BUT NOW ALL $250,000 IS GONE.
THE HOFFMANS ARE RUNNING ON CREDIT,
AND THEY NEED HELP TO TRY AND TURN THEIR FORTUNES AROUND.
HOPE THIS IS FRED.
THEIR LAST HOPE IS FRED DODGE, A WASH-PLANT EXPERT
THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THEM PULL MORE GOLD
OUT OF THE DIRT THEY'RE RUNNING.
WE HAD A PRETTY DOWNER CLEANOUT.
THAT CLEANOUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN $4,000, $5,000, $6,000.
IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW?
BASICALLY BLOWING MOST OF OUR MONEY.
I GOT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CATCHING THE GOLD.
Dodge: WELL, WE'LL HAVE A LOOK AT THE PLANT
AND SEE HOW MUCH GOLD YOU'RE LOSING.
THE WASH PLANT IS MADE UP OF THREE MACHINES
CONNECTED BY SLUICE BOXES.
THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO TRAP THE GOLD AT EVERY STAGE --
COARSE, MEDIUM, AND FINE.
THE FIRST AREA FRED INSPECTS
IS THE NUGGET TRAP IN THE SLUICE BOX COMING OUT OF THE SHAKER.
HOW DOES MY DAD'S NUGGET TRAP LOOK TO YOU?
Dodge: NOT GOOD.
BUT DEFINITELY USE THIS AREA TO CATCH GOLD, TODD.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S JUST A STRAIGHT CHUTE
THAT MATERIAL SLIDES DOWN.
SO, WHAT WE WANT TO DO HERE, TODD,
IS WE WANT TO MAKE A TRUE NUGGET TRAP WITH RIFFLES IN IT.
RIFFLES ARE METAL GRIDS USED IN WASH PLANTS.
BECAUSE GOLD IS 19 TIMES HEAVIER THAN WATER,
IT DROPS AND GETS TRAPPED IN THE RIFFLES
WHILE DIRT IS WASHED UP AND AWAY.
THE HOFFMANS DON'T HAVE ANY RIFFLES IN THIS SLUICE BOX
AND, AS A RESULT,
MAY HAVE LOST NUGGETS WORTH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
REMEMBER ONE THING, TODD -- SLICK PLATES CAN'T CATCH GOLD.
OKAY.
THE SLUICE BOX COMING OUT OF THE TROMMEL
SHOULD CATCH GOLD FLAKES OF 1/2 AN INCH AND SMALLER,
BUT THE RIFFLES HERE ARE CLOGGING UP WITH DIRT.
THE RIFFLES FILL UP. THEY JUST PACK UP.
IF YOUR RIFFLES ARE PACKING UP,
YOU'RE LOSING ALL OF YOUR GOLD RECOVERY
THAT'S POSSIBLE IN THE SLUICE BOX.
RIFFLES PACKED WITH DIRT CAUSE ANY GOLD-BEARING GRAVEL
TO WASH QUICKLY OVER THE TOP AND OUT THE END OF THE SLUICE BOX.
WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME
IS I'M BASICALLY LOSING MOST OF THE GOLD.
MY SUGGESTION IS GET MORE PITCH TO THIS BOX
AND COMPLETE RIFFLES ALL THE WAY DOWN.
SO, BASICALLY, I NEED MORE ANGLE, I NEED MORE RIFFLES.
CORRECT.
I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE I GOT THE 2 OUNCES THAT I GOT.
I CAN'T, EITHER.
BELOW THE DUPLEX JIG IS THE LAST SLUICE BOX.
IT'S THERE TO CATCH THE FINEST FLOUR GOLD.
WELL, TODD, THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM RIGHT HERE.
YOU'RE TRYING TO USE A SLUICE BOX
TO SEPARATE FINE GOLD OUT OF HEAVY ELEMENTS.
YOU'LL PLUG THIS SLUICE BOX UP.
BASICALLY, I'M JUST BLOWING MY GOLD
RIGHT FRICKIN' DOWN THE CREEK.
CORRECT.
SO, WHEN I RUN FOR 4 HOURS,
THE FIRST 10 MINUTES, WE'RE CATCHING GOLD,
AND THE REST IS...
THE REST, YOU'RE GIVING IT BACK.
UNTIL NOW, THE HOFFMANS HAVE TRAPPED JUST 2.7 OUNCES.
IF FRED'S RIGHT, THEY COULD HAVE BLOWN
OVER 95% OF THEIR GOLD DOWN THE CREEK...
OKAY.
...POSSIBLY AS MUCH AS $65,000 OF GOLD.
BUT THE STEEL NEEDED TO MAKE THE UPGRADES COULD COST THOUSANDS --
MONEY THE HOFFMANS DON'T HAVE.
I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF MONEY WITH YOUR BUDGET,
BUT IF YOU DON'T DO IT, TODD, YOU'RE LOSING ALL YOUR GOLD.
YEAH.
THE CREW SPENT SIX MONTHS BUILDING THE WASH PLANT.
THIS IS NOT THE NEWS THEY WANTED TO HEAR.
Harness: IT'S FRUSTRATING. IT REALLY IS.
THERE'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT SET OF PROBLEMS.
YOU KNOW, EDUCATION'S NEVER FREE, AND THIS IS ANOTHER ONE.
WE'RE MISSING OUR GOLD, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
Narrator: THE NEXT DAY, TODD FACES REALITY.
WE'RE IN GOOD GOLD COUNTRY.
IF WE CAN MAKE THESE CHANGES,
I THINK WE CAN START MAKING SOME MONEY.
Narrator: THEIR $100,000 OPERATING BUDGET IS LONG GONE.
ANY MODIFICATIONS NOW WILL ONLY TAKE THEM DEEPER IN DEBT.
BUT WITH EVERYTHING ON THE LINE, THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.
THEY HAVE TO FIND GOLD
BEFORE THE FREEZE SETS IN AND THE MINING SEASON ENDS.
Todd: THERE'S PROBABLY HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF OUNCES,
AND I DON'T WANT TO SEND IT DOWN THE FRICKIN' CREEK.
I'M GONNA TAKE AS MUCH OF THE ADVICE AS POSSIBLE
FROM OUR CONSULTANT.
WE'RE GONNA PUT 7 FEET OF RIFFLE IN HERE.
WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH EXPANDED METAL WE NEED.
WE'RE GONNA BUILD SOME RIFFLES,
STARTING WAY UP IN THERE AND COME DOWN, ALL THE WAY DOWN.
Thurber: WELL, AT LEAST WE'RE GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION
INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO KEEP EVERYTHING RUNNING.
Narrator: WITH THE NEW MEASUREMENTS IN HAND,
TODD CALLS THE NEAREST SUPPLIER.
DOUG, THIS IS TODD.
I GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF TO ORDER.
I NEED EXPANDED METAL AND FLAT BAR.
YOU CAN CUT IT RIGHT ON THE SPOT. OKAY.
Narrator: THE SUPPLIER HAS THE MATERIALS,
BUT TODD DOESN'T KNOW
HOW MUCH IT'LL END UP COSTING TO MODIFY THE WASH PLANT
OR HOW HE'LL PAY FOR IT.
I'M GONNA PROBABLY DO SOMETHING LIKE A CREDIT CARD. I DON'T KNOW.
IT'LL BE ENOUGH TO BUY THE STEEL, I THINK, SO...
WE'RE GETTING REALLY TIGHT.
Narrator: TODD AND JACK MAKE THE COSTLY 500-MILE ROUND TRIP TO CANADA.
WHAT'S UP?
I'LL TAKE A SHEET OF THAT.
CUT ME TWO 3-FOOTERS AND A 2-FOOTER.
Narrator: TODD NEEDS EXPANDED STEEL MESH FOR THE RIFFLES
CUT TO JUST THE RIGHT SIZE.
HE CAN'T AFFORD ANY MISTAKES.
I JUST THINK I JUST SCREWED UP.
IT'S CUT THE WRONG WAY.
GOD. STUPID.
IT'S NOT HIS FAULT. IT'S MY FAULT.
NOW I GOT TO BUY ANOTHER FRICKIN' SHEET OF THE STUFF,
WHICH IS NOT CHEAP.
Narrator: THE TRIP JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE EXPENSIVE.
I THINK I'LL BE IN THE $1,500 RANGE BEFORE I WALK OUT OF HERE.
Narrator: ONCE THE CUTS ARE DONE, TODD WAITS NERVOUSLY
TO SEE IF HIS CREDIT CARD CAN HANDLE THE TOTAL.
I'M SURE AN OUNCE WILL COVER IT.
OH, NO.
OH.
IT WENT THROUGH, HUH? THAT'S A-FRICKIN'-MAZING.
WITH ANOTHER $1,500 ON CREDIT,
THE HOFFMANS ARE BANKING ON GOLD
THEY HAVEN'T EVEN DUG OUT OF THE GROUND.
IT'S A SUPER-EXPENSIVE DAY TODAY, YOU KNOW?
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE EVERY DAY IS LIKE THAT.
WE JUST KEEP POURING THROUGH MONEY.
Narrator: AFTER THE 5-HOUR TRIP BACK TO PORCUPINE CREEK,
TODD CALLS THE CREW TOGETHER.
3 OUNCES AIN'T GONNA CUT IT. WE'RE BURNING DAYLIGHT.
WE'RE BURNING THE REST OF OUR SUMMER.
WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS GOLD.
SO, IF WE CAN GET ALL THIS METALWORK DONE,
THEN WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ROCK 'N' ROLL AGAIN.
Jack: HEAVENLY FATHER, WE THANK YOU
FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE MINING.
LORD, WE ASK THAT YOU JUST HELP US NOT TO LOSE GOLD.
BLESS US RICHLY.
AMEN.
AMEN.AMEN. AMEN.AMEN.
Todd: LET'S DO IT.
Narrator: THE HOFFMANS HAVE RISKED IT ALL
TO STRIKE IT RICH IN ALASKA.
NOW THEY'RE BROKE AND RUNNING ON CREDIT.
THEY NEED A MIRACLE.
UP AHEAD, JACK GETS IN TOO DEEP ON THE EXCAVATOR...
[ WHISTLES ] HEY! HEY! GET OUT OF HERE.
...A NEW ARRIVAL WREAKS HAVOC ON THE CLAIM...
NOBODY'S COMMUNICATING.
SHUT THE HELL UP! WE'LL BE DONE IN A FRICKIN' MINUTE!
...AND TODD IS FORCED TO MAKE A GUT-WRENCHING DECISION.
PARTY'S OVER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
Narrator: TODD AND JACK HOFFMAN ARE BACK FROM WHITEHORSE, CANADA.
THEIR $100,000 OPERATING BUDGET HAS RUN OUT,
AND THEY'VE BEEN FORCED TO RELY ON CREDIT CARDS
TO BUY THE STEEL NEEDED TO IMPROVE THEIR WASH PLANT.
WE SPENT ABOUT $1,500 IN WHITEHORSE,
AND WE JUST GOT TO MAKE IT WORK.
Narrator: THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE THE PARTS THEY NEED
FALLS TO MECHANIC JAMES HARNESS...
[ LAUGHS ]
...AND TODAY HE'S READY FOR ANYTHING.
WELL, IT'S THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR FLIES.
THEY ARE IN THE THOUSANDS PER SQUARE FOOT AROUND HERE.
WHAT'S UP WITH ALL THE NETS, MAN?
YOU DON'T LIKE FLIES?
YOU GUYS LOOK LIKE YOU'RE ABOUT READY TO GET MARRIED.
JAMES' FIRST JOB IS TO BUILD EXTRA-LARGE RIFFLES
TO REPLACE THE NUGGET TRAP IN THE SLUICE BOX BELOW THE SHAKER.
GOLD EXPERT FRED DODGE HAS GIVEN THEM A DESIGN
TO ALLOW THEM TO GET UP TO 90% MORE GOLD.
THE WATER FLOW AND THE MATERIAL IS COMING THIS WAY, OKAY?
YEAH.
THE MATERIAL'S GONNA COME OVER THE TOP,
DROPS DOWN INTO THIS RIFFLE,
AND GETS CAUGHT RIGHT DOWN IN HERE BECAUSE OF ITS WEIGHT.
IT'S HEAVIER.
THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ONE HERE, OF COURSE.
EACH RIFFLE NEEDS TO SIT AT JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE.
IF THEY'RE OFF, THEY'LL LOSE GOLD AGAIN.
BASICALLY, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ANGLES RIGHT
TO MAKE THE WATER DO WHAT WE WANT IT TO.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING SMALL PARTICLES,
IT'S GOT TO BE PRECISE.
AS JAMES MAKES QUICK WORK OF THE LARGE RIFFLES,
TODD AND GREG ADJUST THE PITCH
OF THE SLUICE BOX LEAVING THE TROMMEL.
HERE THEY WILL ADD GRIDS OF EXPANDED METAL.
THIS TYPE OF RIFFLE WILL CATCH MEDIUM-SIZED GOLD --
IF THEY CAN GET THE ANGLE RIGHT.
Todd: WE HAVE TO HAVE THESE RIFFLES AT A CERTAIN DEGREE
TO WORK PROPERLY.
IF IT'S TOO HIGH, YOUR MATERIAL PACKS UP, LIKE WHAT WE HAD.
IF IT'S TOO STEEP,
YOUR MATERIAL GOES OVER YOUR RIFFLES AND DOESN'T GET CAUGHT.
Narrator: THERE IS LITTLE MARGIN FOR ERROR.
Todd: PROBABLY 1/8 OF AN INCH HERE AND THERE,
WHICH IS NOT MUCH FOR THIS BIG OF A SLUICE BOX.
Narrator: THE ONLY WAY TO ADJUST THE PITCH IS TO LIFT THE SLUICE BOX,
THEN REMOVE THE ROCKS AND SOIL UNDERNEATH.
GET THE ANGLES WRONG NOW,
AND THEIR LAST CHANCE TO CATCH GOLD WILL BE LOST.
WHAT DO YOU THINK, GREG? HOW'S IT LOOKING?
Remsburg: ALL RIGHT.
THAT LOOKS PRETTY COOL. THAT'S REALLY GOOD. IT'S PRETTY GOOD.
JACK ISN'T HELPING ON THE MODIFICATIONS.
HE'S DEAD SET ON FINDING GOLD-RICH DIRT
TO PUT IN THE WASH PLANT ONCE IT'S BACK UP AND RUNNING.
I WANT TO GET IT. YEAH.
I'M TIRED OF MESSING AROUND.
YEAH, I KNOW. I CAN SEE THAT.
FOLLOWING THE UNSUCCESSFUL CLEAR-OUT,
JACK HAS MADE THE EXECUTIVE DECISION TO BREAK NEW GROUND.
Jack: WE THOUGHT WE HAD A REALLY GOOD HOLE,
BUT IN 3 MONTHS, WE'VE ONLY MADE 3 GRAND.
Narrator: ONE YEAR AGO, JACK AND TODD LEASED THE CLAIM
FROM MINER EARLE FOSTER.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT ON THE CLAIM,
THERE IS A BURIED ANCIENT WATERFALL --
KNOWN AS A GLORY HOLE --
THAT COULD CONTAIN HUGE DEPOSITS OF GOLD.
THEY'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR IT EVER SINCE.
Todd: WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR 400 OUNCES OF GOLD?
RIGHT ABOUT IN THIS AREA?
RIGHT ABOUT HERE.
JACK BELIEVES HE'S NOW DIGGING ABOVE EARLE'S GLORY HOLE.
EARLE CLAIMS THAT 30 YEARS AGO, IT YIELDED 400 OUNCES OF GOLD,
WORTH A STAGGERING $500,000.
BACK THEN, EARLE DIDN'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT
TO DIG DEEP ENOUGH TO REACH EVEN LARGER DEPOSITS.
THE HOFFMANS HAVE THE KEY TO GETTING DOWN FURTHER --
A 400 EXCAVATOR CAPABLE OF GOING DOWN TWICE AS FAR AS EARLE DID.
IF THIS IS IT, THEN WE'RE ONLY ABOUT 20 FEET
FROM HITTING REALLY GOOD GOLD.
I ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY BELIEVE IT.
Narrator: JACK IS CONVINCED HE IS IN THE RIGHT SPOT.
THE GROUND HE IS DIGGING NOW IS SOFT AND FULL OF TAILINGS --
THE FINE MATERIAL FROM AN OLD MINING OPERATION.
HE MAY HAVE FOUND EARLE'S ANCIENT WATERFALL.
Jack: AND IT'S JUST GOING DOWN REAL EASY.
IT'S ALL BEEN DUG BEFORE.
Narrator: JACK MAKES THE MOST OF THE 400's REACH.
HE DIGS DOWN UNDER THE TRACKS OF THE EXCAVATOR.
BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW
WATER FROM THE RIVER IS SEEPING INTO THE HOLE,
MAKING THE SOFT GROUND UNDER THE EXCAVATOR COLLAPSE.
JACK CAN'T SEE THE DANGER.
JACK. [ WHISTLES ]
BUT SITE FOREMAN GREG REMSBURG DOES.
HEY! HEY! GET OUT OF HERE.
Remsburg: THERE'S A LOT OF WATER THERE.
YOU GOT 10 TIMES THAT AMOUNT COMING RIGHT BELOW YOUR TRACKS.
COMING PRETTY QUICK.
Jack: OKAY, OKAY. I'LL GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW.
WITH JACK AND THE 400 STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS,
TODD SPOTS THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.
HIS DAD'S BEEN DIGGING DOWN VERTICALLY TOO QUICKLY.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE LEVELS, YOU KNOW?
YOU GOT TO WORK YOUR WAY DOWN AND MAKE A BENCH, YOU KNOW?
AND THEN YOU GOT TO GET YOUR MACHINE DOWN TO THIS BENCH
AND WORK DOWN AND MAKE ANOTHER BENCH,
WORK YOUR WAY DOWN TO THAT BENCH.
I DON'T SEE ANY BENCHES OVER HERE.
I JUST SEE HIM KIND OF DOING HIS THING.
Narrator: THE CREW HAS AN EVEN MORE IMMEDIATE CONCERN.
AT PORCUPINE CREEK, AN IMPORTANT VISITOR IS COMING
TO CHECK UP ON THE HOFFMANS.
I GOT A PHONE CALL. EARLE'S COMING.
EARLE FOSTER IS THE OWNER OF THIS MINE.
THIS IS SUPERIMPORTANT FOR US.
Narrator: EARLE FOSTER CLAIMS TO HAVE PULLED
A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE GROUND AT PORCUPINE CREEK,
BUT EARLE RECKONS THERE'S A LOT MORE HERE.
THERE'S PROBABLY $15 MILLION STILL IN THE GROUND
ON THE PORCUPINE PROPERTY.
Narrator: AND AS THE CLAIM OWNER,
HE'S ENTITLED TO 20% OF ANY GOLD THE HOFFMANS FIND.
WE OWE HIM A PERCENTAGE, YOU KNOW,
AND RIGHT NOW, WE'VE ONLY GOT A SMALL, LITTLE JAR OF GOLD.
HOW YOU DOING?
HEY.
Narrator: UNEXPECTEDLY,
EARLE BRINGS TWO EXPERIENCED MINERS WITH HIM.
HEY, FRED. I'M TODD.
KNOWN AS THE DAKOTA BOYS, FRED HURT AND PAUL BEAN
WORKED THIS CLAIM FIVE YEARS AGO.
Man: WELL, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN MOVING SOME MATERIAL.
WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KIND OF JUST...
Jack: ACTUALLY, JUST GETTING SET UP.
Narrator: IT'S EARLE'S FIRST VISIT TO THE MINE THIS YEAR.
HE WANTS TO SEE WHAT HIS 20% SHARE IS
AFTER THREE MONTHS OF MINING.
THIS IS OUR CUMULATIVE AMOUNT OF GOLD RIGHT NOW.
I'M NOT REAL PROUD OF THE AMOUNT.
Todd: YEAH?
OH, I THOUGHT I'D SHOW EARLE.
THAT'S WHAT WE GOT. THAT REPRESENTS THREE MONTHS.
WITH YOUR 20%, EARLE, YOU'RE ONLY UP ABOUT 500 BUCKS.
WELL, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH HERE TO PAY FOR THE BEANS,
AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THE FUEL,
SO THERE'S NOT GONNA BE ANY SPLIT.
WE'RE NOT HAPPY WITH IT, BUT...
Hurt: THAT'S HALF A DAY'S WORK.
YOU ONLY HAVE 40 DAYS LEFT,
AND PRETTY SOON, ONE MORNING, YOU GO OUT THERE
AND ALL YOUR PUMPS ARE FROZEN AND YOU'VE MESSED UP.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: IT'S NOT A GOOD START TO EARLE'S VISIT.
AS THE CLAIM OWNER, HE HAS THE RIGHT
NOT TO RENEW THEIR LEASE AT THE END OF THE SEASON.
I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT WAS GOING ON
UNTIL, ACTUALLY, I GOT DOWN HERE.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THIS CREW THAT WELL.
I MIGHT ASK THEM TO LEAVE.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL A POSSIBILITY.
Narrator: LEGENDARY MINE OWNER EARLE FOSTER
IS VISITING HIS CLAIM AT PORCUPINE CREEK.
HE'S JUST FOUND OUT
HOW LITTLE GOLD THE CREW HAS MINED IN THREE MONTHS.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THIS CREW THAT WELL.
I MIGHT ASK THEM TO LEAVE.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALL A POSSIBILITY.
Narrator: JACK HOFFMAN CAN'T HANDLE MORE DISAPPOINTMENT.
THE OPERATION IS RUNNING ON CREDIT,
AND THEIR ONLY CHANCE IS TO FIND EARLE'S OLD GLORY HOLE,
BUT ONLY EARLE KNOWS IF JACK IS ON THE GOLD.
EARLE, COULD IT POSSIBLY BE RIGHT OVER HERE?
EARLE CLAIMS TO HAVE FOUND 400 OUNCES
IN THE GLORY HOLE THAT JACK IS HUNTING.
PRIMITIVE EQUIPMENT AND FLOODING FORCED EARLE TO STOP MINING
BEFORE HE COULD GET DOWN TO THE BEDROCK
THAT HE IS SURE HOLDS HUGE DEPOSITS OF GOLD.
DO YOU REMEMBER? WAS IT TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT?
Jack: I GOT A FUNNY FEELING IT'S JUST RIGHT OVER HERE.
WELL, I SEE TAILINGS. WE'VE MOVED ALL THESE TAILINGS OUT.
WHEREVER YOU'RE FINDING A LOT OF TAILINGS...
YEAH.
...IS WHERE THE GLORY HOLE WAS,
BECAUSE A FLOOD FILLED IT UP WITH FINE MATERIAL.
ABSOLUTELY. OKAY. THEN I FOUND IT OVER HERE, YEAH.
HE JUST CONFIRMED MY SUSPICIONS THAT I WAS IN THE GLORY HOLE,
SO I'M IN THE RIGHT SPOT.
Narrator: NEXT, EARLE TAKES A LOOK AT THE HOFFMANS' WASH PLANT,
AND IT DOESN'T TAKE HIM LONG TO FIND A PROBLEM.
Foster: NOW, DOES YOUR GRIZZLY BAR UP THERE WASH OFF YOUR ROCKS?
WE'RE WASHING ONLY WHAT COMES THROUGH.
THAT'S NO GOOD.
STEEL RODS CALLED GRIZZLY BARS
PREVENT ROCKS OVER 6 INCHES WIDE FROM ENTERING THE WASH PLANT.
THESE LARGER ROCKS ARE CURRENTLY DISCARDED,
AND ANY GOLD THAT'S STUCK TO THEM IS ALSO THROWN AWAY.
Todd: WHAT DO YOU THINK, EARLE?
YOU HAVE SOME CHANGES TO MAKE.
OKAY.
THE GOLD STICKS TO THOSE ROCKS.
Jack: YEAH? YEAH?
IF YOU DON'T WASH THEM OFF, YOU'RE GONNA MISS.
I SEE THESE BIG ROCKS GOING OFF.
WASH IT AT THAT POINT SO YOU'RE WASHING OFF YOUR ROCKS.
WHEN THE ROCKS HIT THE GRIZZLY, THEY'RE FAIRLY CLEAN.
Narrator: THE HOFFMANS HAVE NO MORE MONEY TO INVEST IN THE OPERATION.
THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO FIND ANOTHER WAY
TO WASH THE BIGGER ROCKS BEFORE THEY ARE THROWN AWAY.
APART FROM JACK, NONE OF THE CREW HAS MINED BEFORE.
THE GRIZZLY-BAR MISTAKE AND RESULTING LACK OF GOLD
HAS LEFT EARLE UNHAPPY.
I THOUGHT THEY WERE MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE
ABOUT THE MINING INDUSTRY.
THEY GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO
IN ORDER TO GET THE EQUIPMENT TUNED UP.
I'M A LITTLE SKEPTICAL WHETHER THEY CAN COMPLETE THAT OR NOT.
Narrator: EARLE CALLS AN EMERGENCY MEETING
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, WITHOUT CAMERAS.
HE HAS SOME THINGS TO TALK TO US ABOUT,
AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE.
[ BIRD CAWING ]
Narrator: OUT OF THE MEETING COMES A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MINE.
EARLE WANTS DAKOTA BOY FRED HURT TO BECOME HIS MAN ON THE GROUND
TILL THE END OF THE SEASON.
EARLE AND FRED MINED TOGETHER
AT LITTLE SQUAW LAKE IN NORTHERN ALASKA,
WHERE FRED CLAIMS THEY FOUND AROUND 600 OUNCES OF GOLD.
EARLE HAS EVERY REASON TO TRUST FRED.
Hurt: HE IS SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED.
HE SAID, "WELL, FRED, YOU COULD PROBABLY --
"WELL, TO PUT IT POLITELY --
KIND OF KEEP A LITTLE EYE ON THE OPERATION."
IF I DECIDE TO STAY, I WOULDN'T SAY WE WOULD DOUBLE OUR TAKE,
BUT NEARLY.
Narrator: EARLE LEAVES WITH FRED FOR THE TIME BEING,
BUT THE HOFFMANS WILL SOON HAVE
A NEW, UNINVITED MINER AT PORCUPINE CREEK.
IF HE'S GONNA COME, HE'S GONNA BE EARLE'S MAN.
A LITTLE UNEASY ABOUT HAVING SOMEBODY
THAT'S NOT REALLY FROM OUR INNER-CORE TEAM.
YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE TO WATCH
WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE SAY, YOU KNOW?
LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS.
Narrator: WITH EARLE GONE, THE CREW QUICKLY RETURNS TO WORK.
TODD AND GREG FIT THE LARGE RIFFLES
TO THE SLUICE BOX LEAVING THE SHAKER.
THE ROCK AND EVERYTHING IS GONNA COME RUNNING OVER HERE,
AND THESE ARE GONNA BE OUR RIFFLES,
AND WE'RE GONNA CATCH OUR GOLD RIGHT HERE.
RIGHT HERE, WE'RE GONNA EXTEND A PIECE OF PLATE
OVER JACK'S NUGGET TRAP.
THE NEW RIFFLES REPLACING THE NUGGET TRAP
ARE DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THE COARSEST GOLD.
IF NUGGETS ARE OVER 1/2 AN INCH,
THIS IS THE PLACE IN THE WASH PLANT THAT SHOULD CATCH THEM.
NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO PAY FOR SOME COSTS
AND TO HOPEFULLY GET AHEAD.
WHILE THE CREW CONTINUES WITH WASH-PLANT MODIFICATIONS,
JACK GETS READY TO DIG AGAIN,
BUT THEIR FUEL SUPPLY IS DANGEROUSLY LOW.
Jack: I'D LIKE TO GET THIS FILLED UP.
WHEN WE RUN OUT OF THIS, WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR ONE MORE TANK.
SO, YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THE WORST,
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: THE CREW'S ALMOST OUT OF FUEL,
AND ALTHOUGH THEY'VE IMPROVED THE WASH PLANT,
THEY STILL NEED TO REBUILD THEIR GRIZZLY BARS.
BUT THE HOFFMANS HAVE BLOWN THROUGH $250,000,
AND THEIR CREDIT CARDS ARE ALL MAXED OUT.
NOW WE'RE IN TROUBLE.
I MAY HAVE TO GO DOWN SOUTH AND TRY TO BORROW SOME MONEY.
I'M TRYING TO THINK OF WHAT ELSE I OWN TO GET RID OF, YOU KNOW?
I GOT SOME GUNS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
Narrator: IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS,
WINTER WILL SHUT DOWN THE ALASKAN MINING SEASON.
TODD HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE CLAIM TO RAISE FUNDS.
Todd: IT TAKES AROUND 1,000 BUCKS A DAY, GIVE OR TAKE,
TO RUN THE MINE.
I HAD ENOUGH MONEY, BUT, YOU KNOW,
ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS POPPED UP.
HEADING DOWN SOUTH.
I GOT TO TRY TO GET SOME --
SOME MORE MONEY, SOME MORE FUNDING, TO KEEP US ROLLING.
Narrator: HE'S ON HIS WAY HOME TO OREGON TO BEG FOR CASH.
WITHOUT IT, HE'LL HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE MINE
AND SEND EVERYBODY HOME WITHIN A WEEK.
TODD'S MISSION HAS A SINGLE FOCUS.
HE NEEDS TO PERSUADE HIS LITTLE SISTER, ALICIA,
TO GIVE HIM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP THE OPERATION GOING.
Jack: ALICIA AND HER BROTHER MIGHT NOT HAVE THE BEST OF RELATIONSHIPS.
I JUST DON'T KNOW IF ALICIA IS GONNA LEND HIM ANYTHING,
YOU KNOW, OR NOT.
Todd: MY LITTLE SISTER'S TOUGH,
BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
YOU CAN'T GO THIS FAR
AND EXPERIENCE WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS MUCH
AND NOT FINISH THE FRICKIN' JOB.
IF MY LITTLE SISTER COMES THROUGH,
WE'RE GONNA MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE END.
IF NOT, PARTY'S OVER.
Narrator: TODD HOFFMAN HAS LEFT THE MINE AT PORCUPINE CREEK
TO TRAVEL HOME TO OREGON.
[ HORN HONKING ]
HE NEEDS TO COME UP WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
TO KEEP MINING FOR GOLD IN ALASKA.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME HE'S SEEN
HIS WIFE, SHAWNA, AND DAUGHTER, OLIVIA, IN SIX LONG WEEKS.
OH!
IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.
I GOT A LOT OF STUFF TO DO, THOUGH.
I GOT TO GET SOME MONEY FROM ALICIA,
BUT AT LEAST WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME HERE.
Narrator: BACK AT THE CLAIM,
THE CREW WORKS ON THE SLUICE BOX THAT COMES OUT OF THE TROMMEL.
EACH OF THESE MEN
HAS PUT EVERYTHING ON THE LINE THIS SEASON.
NONE OF THEM WILL GET PAID
UNLESS THEY FIND A LOT OF GOLD SOON.
THEIR ONLY HOPE NOW LIES IN MAKING KEY MODIFICATIONS.
Remsburg: THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GONNA CATCH A LOT OF OUR GOLD.
WE GOT TO GET THIS THING BACK IN OPERATION.
Narrator: BUT IF TODD DOESN'T GET ANY CASH,
THEIR WORK IS IN VAIN
AND THEY'LL BE GOING HOME AT THE END OF THE WEEK.
Remsburg: I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT I WOULD DO
IF THE HOPE OF FINDING GOLD IS GONE.
Narrator: WITH THE EXPANDED-METAL RIFFLES INSTALLED
AND READY TO CATCH GOLD, THE CREW STAYS POSITIVE.
WE'VE COME UP WITH A WAY TO CAPTURE
JUST ABOUT EVERY LITTLE BIT IN EVERY SINGLE PART,
SO I THINK WE'RE GONNA DO REALLY WELL.
ALL WE NEED TO DO IS GET THE GROUND
THAT'S GOT THE GOLD IN IT, AND WE GOT IT MADE.
Narrator: 100 YARDS FROM THE WASH PLANT,
JACK DIGS BENCHES IN THE GLORY HOLE
SO THE 400 CAN GET DEEPER ONE STEP AT A TIME.
I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET DOWN ABOUT 20 FEET.
THEN I GOT TO GET 20 MORE FEET.
BUT YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING STUPID.
Narrator: JACK'S QUEST TO FIND THE GLORY HOLE COULD BE SHORT-LIVED.
THE 400 IS RUNNING ON ITS LAST TANK OF FUEL.
I'M GOING TO GET THIS HOLE DONE.
IF I RUN OUT OF FUEL, I RUN OUT OF FUEL,
BUT I GOT TO KEEP GOING ON THIS THING,
BECAUSE HOPEFULLY TODD WILL COME UP WITH THE MONEY.
HE'S ASKING MY DAUGHTER,
AND HE DIDN'T TREAT HER THE BEST WHEN THEY WERE GROWING UP,
SO SHE MIGHT HOLD THAT OVER HIM.
I DON'T KNOW.
Narrator: 2,000 MILES SOUTH, IN OREGON,
TODD HOFFMAN'S BIG MOMENT HAS ARRIVED.
HE'S ABOUT TO ASK HIS SISTER, ALICIA, FOR A LOT OF MONEY --
ENOUGH TO SAVE THEIR MINING SEASON.
BASICALLY, THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE.
IF MY LITTLE SISTER DOESN'T LOAN ME THE MONEY,
WE'RE PROBABLY GONNA FINISH UP THIS WEEK,
TRY TO WEATHERIZE EVERYTHING.
WE'RE BASICALLY DONE.
[ KNOCK ON DOOR ]
Alicia: HEY. HEY.
[ BOTH SIGH ]
I THINK YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE.
YEAH, I KIND OF FIGURED WHEN I SAW YOU AT THE DOOR.
I WAS LIKE...
"CRAP." "CRAP."
THAT'S ALL THE GOLD WE'VE GOTTEN.
IT'S REALLY -- THAT --
THAT'S IT?
SO, LIKE, ALL THE MINING YOU'VE BEEN DOING --
LIKE, IT'S JUST BEEN FOR NOTHING?
YOU KNOW, NORMALLY I'D PACK IT ALL IN
AND JUST SAY, "HEY, YOU KNOW, LET'S TRY SOMEWHERE ELSE."
BUT WE'RE THERE. WE'RE ON THE GOLD.
THING IS IS THAT IT COSTS A LOT MORE MONEY
THAN I THOUGHT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, SO WE ARE ACTUALLY --
IT ALWAYS DOES WITH YOU AND DAD.
[ LAUGHS ] IT ALWAYS DOES.
WE NEED ABOUT 40,000 BUCKS OR WHATEVER YOU CAN GIVE US
THAT WILL PUSH US AT LEAST FARTHER.
OH, GOD, TODD. YOU MAKE ME -- IT MAKES ME BARF.
THIS HAS BEEN A GIFT TO OUR FATHER, IS WHAT IT IS.
PULLING OUT THE SENTIMENTAL CARD?
HE'S YOUR DAD, TOO -- NOT JUST MY DAD.
I KNOW, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?
HEY, I PUT FRICKIN' EVERYTHING I GOT
INTO THIS THING -- EVERYTHING.
TODD, YOU'RE AT MY HOUSE.
YOU DON'T NEED TO BE GRUMPY WITH ME.
IT'S MY JOB TO CONTINUE THE DREAM FOR EVERYBODY,
AND EVERYBODY'S BASICALLY LOOKING AT ME,
AND THAT WEIGHT'S ON MY SHOULDERS.
[ Voice breaking ] THEY'RE MY -- THEY'RE MY FRIENDS, TOO.
YOU AND DAD GO DO THESE ADVENTURES AND STUFF,
AND THESE OTHER PEOPLE, LIKE, CATCH YOUR DREAM,
AND THEN I FEEL RESPONSIBLE JUST BY BEING ASSOCIATED WITH YOU,
AND I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONE
WHO DOESN'T GIVE THEM THE MONEY TO FINISH OFF.
IT'S NOT REALLY YOUR -- IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.
WHATEVER. I NEED A KLEENEX. I'LL BE BACK.
DEAR LORD.
YOU'RE A JERK.
[ SIGHS ]
HONESTLY, IT MAKES ME NERVOUS.
TOMORROW, I'LL GIVE YOU MY ANSWER.
OKAY.
Narrator: THE FUTURE OF THE MINE HANGS IN THE BALANCE.
IT'S OUT OF MY HANDS NOW.
I DID EVERYTHING THAT I -- THAT I CAN DO,
AND THAT'S ALL I CAN DO, IS JUST DO MY BEST.
Narrator: FROM THE REMOTE ALASKAN GOLD CLAIM, PORCUPINE CREEK,
GREG REMSBURG CALLS TODD HOFFMAN TO GET AN UPDATE ON HIS ATTEMPT
TO BORROW THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM HIS SISTER.
TODD: I will find out soon here if we get it or not.
WE'RE GETTING ANXIOUS TO GO UP HERE.
If I can get the cash, we're just gonna be rolling.
HE SOUNDS GOOD, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT UP TO HIM.
Narrator: GREG'S NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO'S NERVOUS.
THEIR FUEL HAS FINALLY RUN OUT.
WITH NO MONEY, ALL MINING HAS COME TO AN ABRUPT HALT.
Jack: IF HE DOESN'T COME BACK WITH THE MONEY,
WE'RE PRETTY MUCH UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE.
Thurber: I'M DEFINITELY STUCK UP HERE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO GET HOME.
Harness: WE'RE IN LIMBO AT THE MOMENT.
IT'S A LITTLE STRESSFUL AND A LITTLE BIT FRUSTRATING TO --
TO GET THIS FAR AND NOT BE ABLE TO JUST GO THAT MUCH FURTHER.
Narrator: 24 HOURS AGO, TODD ASKED HIS SISTER, ALICIA, FOR $40,000.
THE FUTURE OF THE MINE NOW DEPENDS ON HER ANSWER.
UH...
...HEY, LISTEN.
GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU.
$25,000.
COOL. THAT'S HUGE.
YEAH. HERE YOU GO.
[ Chuckling ] DON'T TRY TO CASH IT BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
THAT'S AWESOME.
GIVE IT A GOOD SHOT. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS MONEY. THANK YOU.
ALICIA'S DECISION IS A BIG WIN FOR THE ROOKIE MINERS.
TODD WAS AFTER $40,000,
BUT WITH $25,000, HE'S MORE THAN SATISFIED.
THAT'S 25 DAYS OF RUNNING. THAT'S GONNA DO IT.
I BELIEVE THAT'S GONNA DO IT.
Narrator: WITH HIS BACK AGAINST THE WALL, TODD HAS COME THROUGH.
[ HORN HONKS ]
AT AN OPERATING COST OF ABOUT $1,000 PER DAY,
THE HOFFMANS CAN NOW COVER ANOTHER 25 DAYS' MINING,
WHICH COULD KEEP THEM GOING TO THE END OF THE SEASON.
I KNOW ALICIA, AND IF SHE GAVE TODD $25,000, HOLY CRAP.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THAT'S AWESOME.
THE CREW NOW HAS THE CASH, BUT THEY ARE STILL ONE MAN DOWN
EVER SINCE JIMMY DORSEY STORMED OFF THE MINE.
HE HIT HIM FIRST, AND WE'RE GOING TO THE POLICE FIRST.
TO GET THE GOLD BEFORE THE END OF THE SEASON,
THE HOFFMANS ARE GOING TO NEED
ALL OF THE MANPOWER THEY CAN GET.
CHRIS DOUMITT CAME TO PORCUPINE CREEK
FOR THREE WEEKS TO BUILD GREG'S HOUSE.
SINCE THEN, HE'S BECOME ESSENTIAL TO THE TEAM,
HELPING CLEAN OUT THE WASH PLANT.
I THINK WITH WHAT THIS THING HOLDS,
IT COULD TAKE YOU FOR A RIDE, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: NOW THE HOFFMANS WANT HIM TO STAY
TILL ALASKA'S WINTER FORCES THEM HOME.
Doumitt: YOU KNOW, THESE GUYS HAVE INVESTED EVERYTHING THEY HAVE,
BUT I THINK THEY'RE PURSUING
THE GREAT AMERICAN DREAM THAT WE'VE LOST SIGHT OF.
MAYBE THAT'S WHY I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH THEM.
Narrator: THE NEXT DAY, TODD CALLS HIS NEW TEAM TOGETHER.
Man: SHOULD I GO GET THURB?
Todd: YEAH, GET THURB. LET'S HAVE A BIG MEETING.
Narrator: JUST WHEN IT SEEMED LIKE
ALL THE CREW'S ISSUES WERE BEHIND THEM...
THE DAKOTA BOY CALLED ME -- FRED --
AND HE WANTS TO COME UP.
Man: REALLY? YEAH.
Jack: WHEN'S THAT GONNA HAPPEN?
I ACTUALLY THINK BY THE TIME I GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH HIM,
HE WAS PACKING HIS BAGS.
REALLY?
Narrator: DAKOTA FRED IS RETURNING TO THE CLAIM
TO LOOK AFTER THE INTERESTS OF OWNER EARLE FOSTER.
I WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE OWNER, EARLE.
HE WANTS TO SEE THIS THING A REAL SUCCESS.
IF IT DOES NOT BEGIN TO WORK,
THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO LISTEN A LITTLE BIT.
I DIDN'T GET ALL THIS WHITE HAIR FOR NOTHING. [ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: WITH YEARS OF MINING EXPERIENCE
AND THE AUTHORITY OF EARLE FOSTER BEHIND HIM,
THE CREW HAS NO SAY IN THE MATTER.
HEY, GUYS, THIS IS A NEW MEMBER OF OUR TEAM.
WELCOME ABOARD.
Narrator: THEY'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH AN OUTSIDER
FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON.
Jack: HE'S EARLE'S GUY, SO WE JUST HAVE TO WATCH WHAT WE DO.
WE GOT TO LISTEN TO WHAT HE SAYS.
NICE, LITTLE, PLEASANT ROOM IN HERE.
YOU KNOW, HE'S GOT TO COME IN, WALK SOFTLY,
AND QUIETLY MAKE SUGGESTIONS.
YOU CAN'T JUST SHOW UP AND KNOW YOU'RE THE BOSS.
DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY -- NOT HERE.
Narrator: NOW, WITH $25,000 IN THEIR POCKETS,
JACK HOFFMAN HAS THE FUEL HE NEEDS
TO FIRE UP THE 400 EXCAVATOR.
Jack: NOW GOT MORE DAYS.
I JUST HOPE THAT IT'S ENOUGH SO WE CAN FINISH OFF THE SEASON.
Narrator: JACK MAY HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME
TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GLORY HOLE.
Jack: I WOULD SAY THAT 20 FEET
AND WE'RE GONNA HIT GOLD RIGHT IN THAT HOLE.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PAY EVERYTHING BACK
AND BE ABLE TO PAY ALL THESE GUYS.
I WANT THEM TO GO HOME
WITH THE BIGGEST JAR OF GOLD THEY COULD POSSIBLY TAKE.
Narrator: WHILE JACK GETS BACK ON HIS 400 EXCAVATOR,
TODD RETURNS WITH A VITAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
HE PURCHASED WITH HIS SISTER'S CASH...
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
[ CHUCKLES ] THIS IS COOL.
...AN OLD SET OF WET GRIZZLY BARS
THAT EARLE FOSTER SUGGESTED FOR THE SHAKER,
THE LAST MODIFICATION NEEDED IN THE WASH PLANT.
THIS IS A GOOD FIND.
EARLE POINTED OUT THAT A LOT OF OUR GOLD IS STUCK TO BIG ROCKS.
BASICALLY, THEY'RE GONNA ROLL DOWN HERE,
AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO HIT THEM WITH WATER.
Narrator: THE CREW IMMEDIATELY MODIFIES
THE NEW WET GRIZZLY BARS.
THEY REMOVE UNWANTED PARTS...
AND INSTALL THE PERFORATED PIPES
NEEDED TO SPRAY WATER ON THE BOULDERS.
A 1-INCH HOSE IS GONNA FEED THIS 2-INCH BAR,
AND OUT OF THESE HOLES IS GONNA SPRAY THE WATER.
BE KIND OF LIKE A SHOWER.
Narrator: WITH THE FIXES COMPLETE,
TODD WASTES NO TIME GETTING THE MODIFIED GRIZZLIES INTO PLACE.
THIS ISN'T EASY, MAN. THIS IS TOUGH STUFF.
IT'S THE FIRST TIME EVERYONE HAS WORKED TOGETHER.
I'M REALLY EXCITED. I AM READY TO ROCK 'N' ROLL.
Hurt: THEY HAVE THEIR WAY OF DOING THINGS,
AND THEY'RE USED TO DOING IT THEIR WAY.
I ONLY GIVE MY OPINION.
Narrator: DAKOTA FRED'S OPINION MATTERS,
BUT FOR THIS TASK, SITE FOREMAN GREG REMSBURG IS IN CHARGE.
WE GOT OLD, RUSTY CHAINS, AND ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.
IT COULD BREAK. IT COULD FALL.
COMING UP!
LIFTING THE GRIZZLY BARS TAKES A STEADY HAND.
SCARY -- VERY SCARY.
TODD NEEDS TO SLOT THEM CAREFULLY INTO BRACKETS,
WHERE BOLTS WILL HOLD THEM IN PLACE.
OKAY, HOLD!
ANY WRONG MOVE,
AND 1,500 POUNDS OF STEEL WILL CRASH INTO THE SHAKER,
THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON THE CLAIM.
COMING DOWN!
OKAY, HOLD IT!
HOLD, HOLD, HOLD, HOLD, YEAH.
HOLD ON.
YOU'RE IN ONE. GOT IT.
ONE SIDE IS IN, BUT THE OTHER IS JAMMED.
IT'S STUCK!
GREG, YOU WANT TO STEP IN HERE?
OKAY. IS IT A TIGHT FIT?
YEAH, REALLY TIGHT.
Narrator: GREG PLANS TO WIDEN THE GAP OF THE BRACKET
WITH A CROWBAR SO THE GRIZZLY BAR CAN DROP INTO PLACE,
BUT IT'S NOT BUDGING.
CAN YOU GET IT OUT?
Todd: WHAT'S GOING ON, GREG?
GREG? GREG. CAN I TRY SOMETHING, GREG?
Narrator: EXPERIENCED MINER FRED IS GETTING IMPATIENT.
GREG? Remsburg: YES.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS PUT YOUR BUCKET DOWN
AND PUSH THAT THING DOWN IN THERE.
USE THE BACK OF YOUR BUCKET.
FRED SUGGESTS USING THE BUCKET OF THE 270 EXCAVATOR
TO FORCE THE GRIZZLY BARS DOWN INTO PLACE.
PULL THEM DOWN.
HE NEEDS TO SHUT THE HELL UP.
ALL RIGHT. NEED THE BOOM DOWN?
NOBODY'S COMMUNICATING. HEY, GREG!
SHUT THE HELL UP! WE'LL BE DONE IN A FRICKIN' MINUTE!
HE'S NOT IN THE LEAD ON THIS, AND HE'S YELLING STUFF.
YOU DON'T DO THAT.
WHERE'S THE BIGGER HAMMER? HANG ON.
Hurt: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
HURRY UP! LET'S GO!
Narrator: WHEN GREG DOESN'T LISTEN, FRED GOES DIRECTLY TO TODD.
TODD, PUT THE BACK OF YOUR BUCKET ON THERE.
IT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, FRED,
BUT IF I BEND THOSE THINGS OFF WITH THE BACK OF THE BUCKET,
YOU'RE NOT GONNA LIKE ME TOO MUCH.
I'M GONNA BEND OFF THOSE HOOKS.
Hurt: NO, YOU'RE NOT.
IF THEY WOULD TAKE A LITTLE DIRECTION --
THEY DON'T WANT TO LISTEN. LET THEM WORK AWAY AT IT.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: 15 MINUTES OF HITTING THE BRACKET DOESN'T WORK.
TODD HAS NO OPTION BUT TO GO WITH DAKOTA FRED'S PLAN.
COMING DOWN.
YEAH, IT'S GOING.
THE 270's BUCKET APPLIES HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF PRESSURE
TO THE GRIZZLY BARS.
Man: EASY! EASY!
THE INTENSE DOWNWARD FORCE COULD SNAP OFF THE BRACKETS.
Man: WHOA! HEY, HOLD! OKAY!
OKAY. COMING DOWN.
WHOA! THERE IT IS.
THERE IT IS!
DAKOTA FRED IS PROVED RIGHT.
THIS ISN'T THE LAST TIME HE'LL SEIZE CONTROL.
TODD'S GOT HIS IDEAS. I GOT MY IDEAS.
SOMETIMES THEY GOT TO LISTEN TO SOMEBODY
THAT'S BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.
Narrator: BUT NOW, WITH THE NEW, IMPROVED WASH PLANT
AND JACK ON THE GOLD...
WE'RE IN THE HOLE. NOW WE'RE ROCKING AND ROLLING.
...TODD'S CONVINCED
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR THE ROOKIE MINERS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S COST US, OBVIOUSLY,
MORE MONEY THAN WE THOUGHT,
BUT HOPEFULLY NOW WE'RE CAPTURING
SOMEWHERE IN THE 80% TO 90%.
AND THAT'S -- THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
WE'RE FIRED UP.
IF IT CAN HOLD TOGETHER,
WE CAN JUST RUN IT ALL THE WAY OUT TILL THE SNOW COMES,
AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL PUT SOME MONEY IN OUR POCKET.