Narrator: FOR 100 STRAIGHT DAYS...
SIX DOWN-ON-THEIR-LUCK MEN FROM THE LOWER 48 STATES
HAVE STRUGGLED TO FIND GOLD IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS.
SO FAR, THEY'VE PULLED
A PITIFUL AMOUNT OF GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND.
WE GOT GOLD. THAT'S A START.
Narrator: WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING,
AND THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT TO MINE.
I'VE ALREADY PUT EVERYTHING I HAVE INTO THIS.
Narrator: WHETHER THE CREW LIKES IT OR NOT,
A GOLD-MINING VETERAN LIGHTS A FIRE UNDER THE OPERATION.
IT'S NOT A VACATION.
Narrator: THE GOLD STARTS TO FLOW.
WE GOT OUR FIRST REAL NUGGET.
BUT AS THE DAYS GET SHORTER,
THE PRESSURE TO STRIKE IT RICH REACHES A BOILING POINT.
NO, NO!
SITTING THERE BEATING ON THE THREADS!
DON'T ARGUE WITH ME.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ TRUCK BEEPING ]
IT'S EARLY SEPTEMBER IN PORCUPINE CREEK, ALASKA,
AND JACK HOFFMAN IS DIGGING DEEP FOR GOLD-RICH PAY DIRT.
WELL, OVER HERE, HE'S HITTING THE BIG BOULDERS.
THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.
UNDERNEATH THE BOULDERS IS WHERE WE GOT TO GO.
AND, I MEAN, IT'S GONNA BE TOUGH.
WE'LL RUN INTO SOME WE PROBABLY CAN'T EVEN MOVE.
[ CLANGING ]
THAT MEANS I'M DOWN AT THE BOTTOM. THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.
Todd: GET UNDERNEATH THOSE BIG BOULDERS.
WE MIGHT HAVE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS PER YARD.
WE'LL FIND OUT.
Narrator: FOR OVER THREE MONTHS,
THE HOFFMAN CREW HAS BEEN DIGGING THEMSELVES
DEEP INTO DEBT.
I'M JUST BLOWING MY GOLD RIGHT FREAKING DOWN THE CREEK.
Narrator: THEIR SEARCH FOR GOLD HAS COST THEM NEARLY $275,000.
THIS ISN'T AN EXACT SCIENCE. THIS IS TOUGH.
Narrator: AND THEY'VE ONLY FOUND 2.7 OUNCES,
WORTH JUST $3,200.
TO ME, IT'S A REAL LETDOWN.
Narrator: ADDING PRESSURE IS CLAIM OWNER EARLE FOSTER.
Foster: I MIGHT ASK HIM TO LEAVE.
DEPENDS ON WHAT GETS DONE THE REST OF THIS SEASON.
Narrator: EARLE IS DUE 20% OF ANY GOLD THEY FIND.
TO GUARANTEE A HEALTHY CUT,
EARLE HAS SENT IN HIS BEST MAN, "DAKOTA" FRED.
I WANT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE OWNER, EARLE.
Narrator: FRED, A VETERAN MINER, HAS FOUND GOLD EVERYWHERE,
FROM THE NEVADA DESERT TO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE.
HE'S ON THE CLAIM TO FIND GOLD AT ANY COST...
YOU CAN'T JUST SHOW UP AND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE THE BOSS.
Narrator: ...BEFORE THE BRUTAL ALASKAN WINTER SHUTS THEM DOWN.
Hurt: THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO LISTEN
TO SOMEBODY THAT'S BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT.
[ MACHINERY WHIRRING ]
Narrator: MIDMORNING,
AND THE PORCUPINE MINE SITE IS FULLY OPERATIONAL.
JACK DIGS GOLD-RICH DIRT AND BOULDERS FROM THE GLORY HOLE.
CHRIS DOUMITT SCOOPS UP THE HAUL WITH THE LOADER
AND TRANSFERS IT TO GREG REMSBURG
IN THE 270 EXCAVATOR.
FINALLY, IT GETS LOADED INTO THE WASH PLANT.
THE WASH PLANT IS DESIGNED
TO SEPARATE GOLD FROM DIRT AND ROCKS.
THE GRIZZLY BARS ALLOW ONLY 4-INCH ROCKS AND UNDER
TO ENTER THE SHAKER.
MATERIALS SMALLER THAN AN INCH
WASHES THROUGH THE VIBRATING PUNCH PLATE AND OUT TO A TROUGH.
HERE, SLANTED STEEL BARS, CALLED RIFFLES,
TRAP GOLD NUGGETS.
NEXT, THE TROMMEL SPINS THE MATERIAL,
AND ANYTHING SMALLER THAN HALF AN INCH
PASSES OUT THROUGH MESH.
BELOW, A SLUICE BOX AND A PAIR OF JIGS
TRAP THE SMALLEST PARTICLES OF GOLD.
Hurt: THAT'S A BIG BOY COMING DOWN THERE.
[ TRUCK BEEPING ]
Narrator: BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM.
WHAT THE HELL YOU GOT GOING ON?
BIG BOULDERS ARE PILING UP ON THE GRIZZLY BARS,
SLOWING THE OPERATION DOWN.
HARNESS AND FRED MOVE IN TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.
THEY STICKING UP THERE A LITTLE BIT?
Harness: YEAH.
Hurt: GET UP ON THERE.
WE GOT A ROCK. IT'S IN A WRONG --
IT JUST WILL NOT COME OUT OF THERE.
Narrator: WITH THE SHAKER CONSTANTLY GETTING BLOCKED UP...
Todd: SHUT IT DOWN!
...TODD DECIDES TO SHUT OFF THE WASH PLANT
AND BREAK FOR LUNCH.
I'M GONNA GO EAT SOMETHING.
OKAY.
FRED SKIPS LUNCH TO KEEP AT IT. HE HAS A PLAN FOR THE SHAKER.
Hurt: THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T ELIMINATE
ABOUT HALF OF THESE GRIZZLY BARS IN HERE.
THAT THING IS ONLY ACCEPTING 4-INCH ROCKS.
AND WE NEED IT TO ACCEPT UP TO ABOUT 8-INCH ROCKS.
SO WE GOT TO OPEN UP THIS GRIZZLY.
IT WILL SPEED UP THE FEEDING PROCESS
AND THE WHOLE PROCESS BY MORE THAN DOUBLE.
Narrator: THE GRIZZLY BARS SCREEN OUT LARGE BOULDERS
AND PROTECT THE SHAKER FROM DAMAGE.
FRED WANTS TO REMOVE TWO OF THE BARS
TO ALLOW MORE GOLD-BEARING MATERIAL INTO THE SHAKER.
BUT FRED WOULD BE MAKING THESE MAJOR CHANGES
WITHOUT ASKING CREW MECHANIC JAMES HARNESS.
WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
WELL, SIR...
...WE PLUGGING UP UP HERE.
YOU CUT OUT THE GRIZZLY BARS?
THAT MACHINE WILL HANDLE AT LEAST 12-INCH ROCKS.
FRED, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
WHY NOT? YOU GOT THOSE GREAT, BIG, OLD BARS DOWN THERE.
WHAT ABOUT THE STRENGTH?
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WHEN IT STARTS TWISTING
WHEN YOU GET THIS MACHINE ALL OVER IT
AND IT'S ALL SCREWED-UP THEN?
WHAT'S GONNA TWIST? I DON'T SEE ANYTHING GONNA TWIST.
BUT NOW YOU'VE DESTROYED THIS THING.
I TOTALLY ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE.
WE ARE DOING NOTHING
BUT PLUGGING THIS THING UP ON BOTH SIDES.
EVEN IN THE MIDDLE, IT'S PLUGGING UP.
I APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION, BUT WE NEED TO ALL SIT DOWN
AND TALK ABOUT THIS KIND OF STUFF BEFORE WE DO IT.
YEAH, BUT IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.
NO, IT DOESN'T, NOT AROUND HERE. YES, IT DOES.
Todd: FRED, CUT THOSE TWO OUT.
THAT'LL BE A HAPPY MEDIUM. AND LET'S GET TO WORK. COME ON.
SOUNDS GOOD. LET'S GO.
ALL RIGHT. I LIKE THAT.
Todd: HE JUST DID IT. SORRY, MAN.
YOU JUST GOT TO GO THROUGH THE PROTOCOL.
YOU JUST CAN'T GO RUNNING, DOING YOUR OWN THING.
WE'VE HAD THAT BEFORE, AND THAT DOESN'T WORK.
WE GOT TO WORK AS A TEAM.
I KNEW THIS WAS GONNA CREATE A PROBLEM.
THEY CAN CHEW MY ASS ALL THEY WANT.
GO AHEAD AND CHEW.
RULE NUMBER ONE IS YOU DON'T CHOP ANYTHING UP
WITHOUT TALKING TO ME FIRST.
RULE NUMBER TWO IS YOU DON'T ARGUE WITH ME.
OTHERWISE, IT PISSES ME OFF.
CLEAR!
IT'S GONNA HELP OUT A GREAT DEAL ON THE FEED SITUATION UP HERE.
Narrator: BUT NOT EVERYONE SHARES FRED'S OPTIMISM.
NOW WE'RE GONNA THROW A BUNCH OF WEIGHT ON IT
AND SEE IF IT HOLDS TOGETHER OR NOT.
IF IT BEATS ITSELF TO DEATH, I'M GONNA SAY, "I TOLD YOU SO."
WE HAVE TO KEEP MINING, YOU KNOW?
IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WANTING TO. WE HAVE TO.
Narrator: THE CREW POWERS UP THE SHAKER...
...AND PREPARES TO TEST THE GRIZZLY BAR MODIFICATIONS.
BUT AS SOON AS THEY START TO MOVE DIRT...
...TODD HITS THE GRIZZLY BARS
WITH 2,000 POUNDS OF FORCE FROM THE EXCAVATOR'S BUCKET.
I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED.
NEED TO GET A CHAIN I ACCIDENTALLY HOOKED IT.
Narrator: THE IMPACT HAS RIPPED THE GRIZZLY BARS LOOSE
FROM THEIR SUPPORT POLES.
THE CREW SCRAMBLES
TO STOP THE 1,600-POUND GRIZZLIES FROM COLLAPSING.
Todd: YEAH, JUST HOOK ME RIGHT UNDER THAT!
HOOK ME UNDER ONE OF THOSE BARS!
HOOK THAT UP UNDER THAT BAR RIGHT THERE!
TO HOLD UP THE BARS, TODD APPLIES TENSION TO THE CHAIN
WHILE FRED AND GREG MOVE I TO SECURE THE FIRST SUPPORT...
HURRY UP! LET'S GO!
GET GOIN'!
...AND GREG GETS THE SECOND.
[ METAL SCRAPING ]
FINALLY, TODD INCHES THE GRIZZLY BARS
BACK INTO PLACE.
[ METAL CLANGS ]
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
Hurt: ALL RIGHT! MUCH, MUCH BETTER.
[ LAUGHS ]
A LITTLE OPERATION ERROR.
YOU KNOW, IF THAT THING FELL ON OUR SHAKER, WE'D BE DONE.
DONE.
SO, IT'S A CRITICAL, CRITICAL JOB.
Narrator: BY PREVENTING THE GRIZZLY BARS
FROM CRUSHING THEIR PRECIOUS SHAKER,
THE CREW HAS AVOIDED DISASTER.
LET'S WASH SOME ROCKS, MAN! LET'S WASH SOME ROCKS!
PUT SOME MATERIAL IN THERE!
FINALLY, IT'S TIME TO TEST FRED'S MODIFICATIONS
TO THE GRIZZLY BARS.
WE'RE STARTING TO PUT MATERIAL IN THERE.
LET'S JUST WATCH AND SEE HOW IT GOES.
HOW'S IT LOOK, FRED?
Hurt: THAT'S MUCH BETTER. MUCH BETTER.
[ LAUGHS ] YEAH!
COME ON, NOW.
PUT IT IN THERE.
YEAH, THAT'S AWESOME. IT'S CLEAR.
Narrator: FRED'S MODIFICATIONS ARE WORKING,
AND THE WASH PLANT IS PROCESSING MATERIAL TWICE AS FAST.
SOME MONSTER BOULDERS DOWN THAT SHAKER.
IF THE CREW CAN MAINTAIN THIS PACE,
THEY STAND A CHANCE OF HITTING THE MOTHER LODE.
THE NEXT MORNING, WITH MINING BACK ON TRACK,
TODD TAKES THE TIME TO PREPARE A SURPRISE
FOR HIS DAD'S BIRTHDAY. Todd: OH.
FRICK.
DECORATING A CAKE --
WHAT MORE OF A WAY TO SAY, "I LOVE YOU, DAD"?
I WAS GONNA KNIT HIM SOMETHING, BUT I'M NOT...
[ LAUGHS ]
NOTHING SAYS "I LOVE YOU" THAN A HOMEMADE CAKE.
LET'S TRY ONE.
LITTLE NUGGETS.
MMM. THAT'S CLASSY.
YOU GUYS BLOCK IT SO HE CAN'T GO BY YOU. DON'T LET HIM GO BY YOU.
YEAH, HAVE HIM STOP RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.
SAY, JACK. Jack: ALL RIGHT.
[ LAUGHTER ]
Todd: HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JACK.
YAY! YAY!
HAPPY 65, MAN.
YEAH.
[ LAUGHTER ]
GET IN HERE, JAMES.
I FEEL LIKE 45, BUT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW I'M NOT,
SO, YEAH, THAT --
HE LOOKS LIKE 70.
[ LAUGHS ]
BEFORE THEY MELT THE CAKE. [ BLOWS ]
YOU CAN DO IT. COME ON.
HEY, ALL RIGHT!
[ CHEERS ] HOLY COW.
Jack: YOU'RE IN ALASKA,
AND THEY HAVE SURPRISES AND STUFF,
AND THEY'VE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF EFFORT TO DO THIS, YOU KNOW.
IT'S NOT EASY TO COOK A CAKE UP HERE.
I'M ALSO A DIABETIC, AND THAT'S ALL PURE SUGAR,
BUT IT'S PRETTY GOOD.
Narrator: FOR THE CREW, A FEW PRECIOUS MOMENTS OF DOWNTIME
GO A LONG WAY.
BUT THE FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE DOESN'T LAST LONG.
UP AHEAD, THE WASH PLANT IS OVERWHELMED BY TONS OF ROCK...
[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
THE RAMP CRASHED.
...FRED AND JAMES HARNESS
FACE OFF OVER YET ANOTHER CRUCIAL REPAIR...
...THREADS! DON'T ARGUE WITH ME.
...AND IN THE MIDST OF THE DRAMA,
THE CREW'S FORTUNE TAKES A RADICAL TURN FOR THE BETTER.
THOSE ROWS ARE FREAKIN' STRAIGHT GOLD GOING ACROSS THERE --
NOT JUST HERE AND THERE. I MEAN, BAM, BAM, BAM.
Narrator: WINTER IS CLOSING IN
ON THE GOLD FIELDS OF PORCUPINE CREEK.
THE CREW HAS JUST WEEKS
TO MAKE THE $275,000 THEY NEED TO TURN A PROFIT.
VETERAN MINER FRED HURT
HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY.
HE IS PUSHING THE EQUIPMENT AND THE CREW TO THEIR LIMITS.
Hurt: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
IS TO FEED MATERIAL IN THAT THING,
KEEP IT GOING, KEEP IT GOING.
AND ONE MORE THING -- KEEP IT GOING.
Narrator: FRED TAKES CONTROL OF THE 270 EXCAVATOR
TO PROCESS AS MUCH DIRT AS POSSIBLE.
SUDDENLY, THE EXCAVATOR STARTS GUSHING HYDRAULIC FLUID.
Hurt: HOLY... Todd: AW, FRICK!
A CYLINDER HAS COME LOOSE AND SNAPPED A HOSE.
SON OF A [BLEEP]
WE NEED A BUCKET.
THE CREW CAN'T RUN ANY DIRT UNTIL THE 270 IS REPAIRED.
Hurt: IT BROKE OFF CLEAN,
BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT OUT OF THERE WITH A CHISEL
AND FOLD IT IN AND TAKE IT OUT, UNSCREW THIS.
TODD CALLS IN CHIEF MECHANIC JAMES HARNESS
TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE.
FRED HAS SHEARED OFF THE BOLT
CONNECTING THE HOSE TO THE CYLINDER,
AND THE THREADS ARE NOW JAMMED WITH METAL.
LET'S PUT IT UP IN THERE AND GET THE PIN BACK IN THERE.
WE'RE GONNA NEED BIGGER CHUCKS, MAN.
YEAH, WELL, WORKING ON IT.
Narrator: THE CREW HAS TO MOVE FAST,
OR THEY WILL LOSE THE REST OF THE DAY'S MINING.
HARNESS STARTS TO CHISEL OUT THE DAMAGED THREAD.
BUT IT'S NOT A QUICK FIX,
AND FRED WANTS TO GET UP AND RUNNING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Hurt: WHOA, WHOA. WATCH THE THREADS.
YOU WANT TO DO THIS?
YEAH. IF YOU WANT.
COULD YOU ROLL THAT? CAN'T WE JUST ROLL IT?
YOU GOT IT STARTED REAL GOOD RIGHT THERE.
CAN YOU JUST ROLL THAT IN, OR...
I WOULD HAVE ALREADY IF I COULD.
YOU'RE MESSING WITH THE THREADS DOWN THERE.
YOU'RE MESSING WITH ME.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO GET A HAMMER IN YOUR [BLEEP]
OH, SWEET.
FRED STEPS IN TO SPEED UP THE REPAIR.
WHEN YOU [BLEEP] IT UP, FRED, I'LL SAY, "I TOLD YOU SO."
Hurt: YOU GOT THE THREADS SO [BLEEP] UP,
I CAN'T DO NOTHING WITH IT.
THAT ISN'T THE THREADS, YOU DUMB [BLEEP]
YOU ROLL THE PIECES IN. GET OUT OF MY WAY.
Man: HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY!
YOU WANT THIS UP YOUR [BLEEP]
JAMES...
YOU'VE BEEN IN MY WAY SINCE THIS STARTED.
NOW, JUST QUIT [BLEEP] ARGUING WITH ME.
YOU'RE SITTING THERE BEATING ON THE THREADS!
DON'T ARGUE WITH ME! Todd: HEY! STOP IT!
DON'T PUSH HIM. Todd: DON'T PUSH ANYBODY.
I SAID, "YOU'RE MESSING THE THREADS UP"!
OKAY. OKAY.
'CAUSE YOUR [BLEEP] NOSE IS IN MY WAY. GET OUT OF THE WAY.
HEY, HEY, HEY. LET'S WALK. LET'S TAKE A WALK.
I JUST ASKED YOU TO ROLL IT IN.
YOU KNOW WHAT? I'LL ROLL SOMETHING IN.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. JAMES, STOP.
JAMES, COME HERE. JUST --
WE ALREADY HAD ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS.
WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER ONE.
EVERYBODY, CALM DOWN.
COUGAR'S IN CHARGE OF THE SITUATION.
Hurt: DO YOU HAVE ANY THREAD DIES?
COME WITH ME.
DO YOU HAVE ANY THREAD DIES?
FRED, FOLLOW ME.
DO YOU HAVE ANY THREAD DIES?
WE'LL GO TALK ABOUT IT OVER HERE.
YEAH, AND I ALWAYS GOT TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.
BUT THERE WAS NOT GONNA BE ANY MORE PUNCHES THROWN.
I'LL GUARANTEE YOU THAT.
YOU JUST DON'T TOUCH ANOTHER GUY.
AND WHEN SOMEONE GETS THAT BEADY LOOK IN THEIR EYES
AND THEY'RE GONNA GO AT SOMEBODY, YOU BETTER STEP IN
'CAUSE IT'S JUST SECONDS AWAY
FROM JUST BEING REALLY UGLY.
YOU JUST DON'T GO OFF ON SOMEBODY
THAT JUST MAKES AN INNOCENT, LITTLE SUGGESTION
BASED ON EXPERIENCE.
UH...
THIS TERRITORIAL [BLEEP]
DON'T NEED TO BE.
YOU KNOW, HE TRIES REAL HARD AND EVERYTHING,
AND THAT'S COMMENDABLE, BUT...
YOU KNOW, HE HAS TO LEARN
THAT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO STEP BACK AND LET THINGS HAPPEN.
YOU CAN'T SIT THERE AND MICROMANAGE PEOPLE,
OR THEY'RE GONNA GET PISSED OFF.
AND WHEN I'M TRYING TO HURRY UP AND FIX SOMETHING
AND SOMEBODY'S IN MY WAY...
IT IRRITATES ME A LITTLE BIT.
I'M GONNA COOL OFF BY THE FIRE.
Narrator: DAKOTA FRED WAS INSERTED BY EARLE, THE CLAIM OWNER,
TO TURN THE MINING OPERATION AROUND.
THE HOFFMANS CANNOT GET RID OF FRED
AND HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DEAL WITH HIM.
Todd: HE'S JUST KIND OF A LONE WOLF,
AND HE NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO WORK AS A TEAM.
YEAH.
HE THINKS HE'S THE BEST MINER IN THE WORLD,
BUT HE NEEDS TO JUST TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH.
YEAH.
I'M AFRAID HE'S GONNA GET INTO IT WITH SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW?
WELL, I WOULD HOPE NOT.
I HOPE NOT, TOO. I'M DONE WITH ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.
YEAH. YEAH.
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
[ OWL HOOTS ]
THE NEXT MORNING, TODD ASKS FOREMAN GREG REMSBURG
TO ACT AS PEACEMAKER BETWEEN FRED AND JAMES HARNESS.
EVERYBODY ON THIS TEAM HAS AN ISSUE WITH YOU
BECAUSE OF YOUR ARGUMENTATIVE ATTITUDE.
HEY, IT IS MY JOB
TO QUESTION SOME OF THE THINGS Y'ALL ARE DOING, ANYWAY.
Y'ALL DON'T KNOW THIS, DO YOU?
WHY IS IT YOUR JOB?
I'VE BEEN TOLD TO DO IT.
ALL RIGHT?
I'M SURE. I'M SURE.
I MEAN, THAT'S PART OF IT. IT'S JUST PART OF IT.
BUT A SIMPLE, LITTLE SUGGESTION --
AND IT WAS A QUESTION, REALLY. THAT'S ALL IT WAS.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT --
YOU HAVE HAD ARGUMENTS WITH ME SINCE DAY ONE.
SINCE DAY ONE, YOU'VE ARGUED WITH ME
ABOUT EVERYTHING I'VE DONE, AND I'M TIRED OF IT.
AND I HAVE NO MORE PATIENCE FOR IT, ALL RIGHT? THAT'S IT.
NO MORE. DON'T ARGUE WITH ME, AND WE'LL BE FINE.
HEY. THAT'S FINE.
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT ME OR WHATEVER,
YOU CAN TAKE IT UP WITH TODD.
I JUST DON'T WANT TO ARGUE WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT I'M DOING.
IT'S NOT YOUR [BLEEP] PLACE, AND IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.
WELL...
IT ISN'T.
IT'S MY PERSONAL BUSINESS. IT'S MY JOB.
I'VE BEEN HERE -- I'VE BEEN A MECHANIC
FOR ALMOST AS LONG AS YOU'VE BEEN ALIVE.
SO DON'T TELL ME I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.
DON'T COME UP AND ARGUE WITH ME ABOUT STUFF, AND WE'LL BE FINE.
I'M NOT GONNA ACCEPT IT FROM ANYBODY.
Narrator: INSTEAD OF CALMING TEMPERS,
THE MEETING HAS ONLY INFLAMED THEM.
LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
Hurt: I OBVIOUSLY RUB HIM VERY MUCH THE WRONG WAY,
EVER SINCE I'VE EVER BEEN HERE.
EVERYBODY'S ALWAYS WARNED ME ABOUT JAMES.
"BE CAREFUL WITH JAMES.
"HE'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE KEG OF DYNAMITE --
GO OFF AT ANY TIME."
WELL, I DON'T -- YOU KNOW...
HE DOESN'T INTIMIDATE ME.
Narrator: UP AHEAD...
Todd: WHOO-HOO!
...THE CREW FINALLY FINDS BIG NUGGETS...
WE GOT OUR FIRST REAL NUGGET.
...FRED KEEPS UP THE PRESSURE...
OH, IT'S NOT THE BIG ROCKS!
...AND HARNESS' WASH PLANT CRACKS UNDER THE STRAIN.
THE RAMP CRASHED.
Narrator: TROUBLE IS BREWING IN PORCUPINE CREEK, ALASKA.
WHILE JACK DIGS DIRT FROM DEEP DOWN IN THE GLORY HOLE...
HEY, CHRIS!
GIVE ME SOME MATERIAL TO PUT IN THE HOPPER.
Narrator: ...THE MATERIAL THAT THEY HOPE HOLDS THE GOLD
IS NOT GETTING UP TO THE WASH PLANT FAST ENOUGH
FOR DAKOTA FRED.
THAT BIG, OLD LUMBERING MACHINE OUT THERE IS TOO SLOW.
Narrator: IN THREE AND A HALF MONTHS,
THE HOFFMANS HAVE SUNK $275,000 INTO PORCUPINE CREEK
AND PULLED OUT JUST $3,200 WORTH OF GOLD.
FRED IS DEAD SET ON SPEEDING UP PRODUCTION.
MATERIAL'S GOING THROUGH JUST FINE.
APPARENTLY, EVERYTHING DOWN THERE IS GOING FINE.
BUT WE'RE OUT OF MATERIAL.
IT'S TAKING A LONG TIME TO HAUL MATERIAL OVER HERE.
THEY NEED TO STOCKPILE A LOT OF MATERIAL
AND A DOZER PUSHING IT UP HERE CONSTANTLY.
Doumitt: [ LAUGHS ]
FRED -- HE JUMPS ON THE EXCAVATOR.
HE EXPECTS EVERYTHING TO BE DONE FOR HIM.
I DO WHAT I DO.
Narrator: AS FRED UPS THE PACE, THE WATER SUPPLY RUNS LOW,
AND THE WASTE ROCKS, KNOWN AS TAILINGS,
PILE UP AT THE BACK OF THE SHAKER.
WHERE THE HELL IS EVERYBODY?!
[BLEEP]
WHERE THE HELL'S THE OTHER OPERATORS?!
WELL, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S JUST ME, YOU, AND THURBER HERE.
NOBODY TURNED THE WATER PUMP ON, MAN.
WE'VE BEEN RUNNING THE WHOLE TIME
WITH JUST WHAT'S IN THE POND, AND IT'S RUNNING LOW.
ALL RIGHT. SOMETHING'S HAPPENING.
ALL THE ROCKS ARE ALL STACKED UP IN THE BACK END BACK THERE.
WELL, DO YOU WANT ME TO MOVE THE ROCKS OR RUN OUT OF WATER?
THERE YOU GO. PICK ONE.
SEE WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON IN THERE.
Narrator: FRED'S GRIZZLY BAR MODIFICATIONS
NOW ALLOW THE WASH PLANT
TO PROCESS MATERIAL SO FAST CHRIS CAN'T KEEP UP.
THE LOADER HAS BEEN SO BUSY, OVERWORKED,
TRYING TO PICK UP THE FINDS,
BRING ME MATERIAL, PICK UP THE BIG ROCKS.
THEY DIDN'T COME OVER HERE AND UNLOAD THIS,
AND IT'S COMPLETELY BUILT UP WITH ROCKS.
Narrator: THE WEIGHT OF THE BOULDERS BUILDS,
AND EVENTUALLY THE RAMP CRACKS UNDER THE PRESSURE.
LOOK OUT!
THE RAMP CRASHED.
THE CREW DESPERATELY NEEDS TO RUN DIRT EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY
TO GET EVERY FLAKE OF GOLD THEY CAN.
BUT ONCE AGAIN, HARNESS HAS TO SHUT DOWN THE WASH PLANT.
WELL, LOOK AT THESE BOARDS.
WHAT, THREE NAILS ON THERE HOLDING THE BOARD UP?
SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT? YOU KNOW, GIVE ME A BREAK.
Narrator: FRED'S MODIFICATIONS TO THE GRIZZLY BARS
ENABLE THE WASH PLANT
TO PROCESS A LOT MORE MATERIAL AND BIGGER ROCKS.
BUT WHEN WASHED ROCKS AREN'T CLEARED AWAY FAST ENOUGH,
THEY PILE UP...
AND OVERWHELM THE SHAKER'S SUPPORTS.
THEY LET THE...
HOPPER COMPLETELY FILL UP WITH ROCKS.
IN FRED'S EXPERIENCE,
HEAVY BOULDERS ARE OFTEN PACKED WITH GOLD-BEARING DIRT.
BUT HARNESS IS CONVINCED THAT THESE LARGER ROCKS
ARE TOO MUCH FOR THEIR SETUP TO HANDLE.
...OVER THE END OF IT.
YEAH, WELL, THE BIG ROCKS TOOK THIS THING OUT.
OH, IT'S NOT THE BIG ROCKS!
WELL, THE LITTLE ONES DIDN'T DO IT.
IT'S A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THEM.
I TOLD YOU WE'RE GONNA HAVE TROUBLE.
'CAUSE THIS ISN'T SET UP FOR THAT.
THAT THING WOULD WORK FINE
IF YOU JUST HAD THAT BOX CLEARED OUT COMPLETELY.
IT NEVER SHOULD EVER STAY IN THAT THING.
YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT? YES, SIR.
[ LAUGHS ]
I TOLD HIM IT WOULDN'T TAKE IT, AND NOW IT HASN'T,
SO THERE'S NOT REALLY ANYTHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT.
YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE ALL THAT WEIGHT
GOING THROUGH THERE BEATING EVERYTHING UP.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS WAS DESIGNED FOR.
WE HAVE FINE, LITTLE, TINY GOLD.
WHY PUT 100-POUND ROCKS THROUGH THERE?
IT'S STUPID.
WELL, THAT'S HIS OPINION.
HIS OPINION ONLY.
AND I'M SURE IT WOULD BE IN THE MINORITY.
Harness: NOW WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND MODIFY
THE REST OF THE SYSTEM TO TAKE THE WEIGHT,
WHICH I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO.
WE DON'T HAVE THE DAMN TIME.
DO YOU WANT ME TO UNBOLT THIS, GET RID OF THE WOOD --
STEEL, STEEL -- AND USE THAT?
WHY DON'T WE DO THAT? LET'S GET RID OF ALL THIS.
IT'S NOT FAIR FOR HIM TO GAMBLE
WITH THE OUTCOME OF WHAT WE'RE DOING.
WE HAVE NO TIME LEFT.
I NEVER WOULD HAVE CUT THOSE OUT OF THERE,
BECAUSE IT'S GONNA ADD MORE WEIGHT, MORE ROOM FOR ERROR,
MORE PROBLEMS JUST LIKE THIS.
AND I DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME.
IT'S NOT FAIR TO THESE GUYS
THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING THEIR BUTTS OFF FOR MONTHS, YOU KNOW?
IT JUST PISSES ME OFF BECAUSE THIS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
IT'S SO BOWED IN THE MIDDLE, IT LOOKS LIKE SOME WOMEN I KNOW.
Narrator: THE BREAKDOWN IS COSTING THEM
PRECIOUS GOLD THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE.
THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH A FIX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
BRING THAT BOARD THIS WAY SOME.
[ DRILL WHIRRING ]
I THINK THAT'LL GET US RUNNING.
AND IF THE WHOLE CREW STAYS HERE TOMORROW,
WE CAN COME UP WITH A FIX.
BUT WE'RE BACK RUNNING.
DESPERATE TO RUN,
THEY USE AN EXTRA LAG BOLT, A 2x6 TIMBER,
AND MORE REINFORCEMENT
TO TAKE THE STRAIN OFF THE SPLINTERED SUPPORT.
Thurber: SOMEDAY THIS ALL WILL JUST BE A BIG NIGHTMARE.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: THE MAKESHIFT REPAIR IS ENOUGH
TO KEEP THE MINE RUNNING... FOR NOW.
Narrator: IT'S A NEW DAY IN PORCUPINE CREEK, ALASKA.
SAFETY OFFICER JIM THURBER IS UP EARLY AND ON WATCH.
HE'S SPOTTED A PROBLEM.
[BLEEP]
OVER NIGHT, WATER HAS STARTED LEAKING
FROM THE HOLDING POND INTO THE GLORY HOLE.
Thurber: [ SIGHS ] GREAT.
OUR SUPPLY IS NOW LEAKING BACK THROUGH,
AND I'M AFRAID, AT ANY SECOND, THIS IS JUST GONNA ALL GO.
AND PROBABLY SHOULD GET OFF OF HERE
'CAUSE THIS BANK WILL PROBABLY JUST TAKE OFF.
GREAT.
Narrator: WATER POURS THROUGH, WEAKENING THE CRITICAL DAM.
THE ENTIRE MINING OPERATION DEPENDS ON THREE SMALL PUMPS
THAT WILL HAVE TO WORK NONSTOP
TO KEEP THE GLORY HOLE FROM FLOODING WITH 30 FEET OF WATER.
IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO KNOW
IF THE GOLD'S ON THE SIDE OF THE ROCKS
AND YOU'RE DRAGGING IT THROUGH WATER, IT'S GONNA DROP OFF
'CAUSE IT'S 19 TIMES HEAVIER THAN WATER.
SO IF YOU DROP ALL YOUR GOLD OFF IN A POND,
YOU DON'T WIND UP WITH IT IN YOUR SLUICE BOX.
THAT'S KIND OF STUPID.
Narrator: BUT THE PUMPS ARE SEIZING UP.
Doumitt: THE BIG ONE'S NOT PUMPING.
Jack: IT WAS GOING.
IT QUIT.
Narrator: CHRIS DOUMITT IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEM.
Doumitt: SEE HOW THICK THE MUD IS?
THICK MUD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GLORY HOLE
IS CLOGGING THE PUMP INTAKES.
Doumitt: THE BIG TRASH PUMP --
ALWAYS PICKING UP MUD AND DIRT AND CRUD OFF THE BOTTOM --
IS PLUGGING UP THE SUCTION.
WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY PUMPING.
Narrator: THE RACE IS ON TO FIX THE PUMPS BEFORE THE HOLE FILLS UP
AND THE PRECIOUS GOLD IS WASHED OFF THE ROCKS.
CHRIS COMES UP WITH A BRILLIANT SOLUTION.
Doumitt: JUST FLOATED THE SUCTION LINES.
YOU PUT A BUCKET TOWARDS THE END OF IT.
THAT KEEPS IT UP OFF THE BOTTOM SO IT FLOATS AROUND
AND IT CAN JUST PUMP WATER INSTEAD OF MUD.
Jack: THAT IS REALLY A GOOD IDEA.
YOU KNOW, CHRIS IS INVENTIVE, YOU KNOW?
I APPRECIATE CHRIS.
AND I'M MORE CONFIDENT RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE ONTO GOLD.
I KNOW WE ARE. I'VE SEEN IT. I KNOW EXACTLY THAT WE'RE HERE.
ALL I GOT TO DO IS GET IT, YOU KNOW?
I'M TRYING TO GET IT DRY, BUT IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW?
SO I GOT TO TAKE IT ANY WAY I CAN GET IT.
Narrator: WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE GLORY HOLE TO DRAIN,
THE CREW GET A VISIT FROM A GOLD-MINING LEGEND.
YOU GOT TOO MUCH GOLD, AND YOU WANTED
TO BRING SOME OVER HERE TO HAVE US HAUL IT DOWN.
IS THAT RIGHT? HEY, JACK. HOW ARE YOU?
I'M ALL RIGHT. YOU? OH, I'M FINE.
HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE.
I KNOW -- I'VE JUST GOT LOTS OF THINGS TO DO,
LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. YEAH.
Narrator: JOHN SCHNABEL HAS BEEN MINING ACROSS THE CREEK FOR 25 YEARS.
AT HIS BIG NUGGET MINE,
HE RECOVERS UP TO $30,000 WORTH OF GOLD PER DAY.
THE SEASONED MINER IS ENCOURAGED BY THE CREW'S PROGRESS.
LOOKING AT THIS BIG HOLE THAT THEY ARE NOW DIGGING,
I HAVE THE FEELING
THAT THEY'RE GOING TO FIND SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
FOR THE 25 YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE DIGGING ON THIS CREEK,
WHEN I HIT LARGE BOULDERS, I ALWAYS COME ACROSS GOLD.
SO, THEY GOT LOTS OF BIG BOULDERS.
I'M HOPEFUL THEY ALL ARE HIDING NUGGETS.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: AS THE WATER RECEDES,
JACK SPOTS THE BOULDERS THAT SCHNABEL IS TALKING ABOUT.
I KNOW IT WEIGHS PROBABLY MORE THAN TWO CADILLACS,
BUT THAT IS A BIG ROCK.
SO RIGHT AROUND THOSE BIG BOULDERS
IS WHERE YOU FIND YOUR BIG GOLD.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE COUNTING ON.
I WANT TO DIG THIS OUT. I'M PUMPING IT.
I'M JUST ABOUT DOWN TO THE POINT
WHERE I CAN KEEP UP WITH WHAT WATER'S COMING IN.
SO I COULD PULL SOME OF THIS STUFF OUT.
IT'LL BE A LITTLE MUCKY,
BUT IT'LL HAVE THE GOLD STILL STUCK TO IT.
THAT'S MY GOAL, SO...
Narrator: THE CREW BEGINS MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME.
GREG REMSBURG STARTS BY COLLECTING A TEST PAN.
Remsburg: I KNOW IT'S HERE. THIS IS THE GLORY HOLE.
WE'RE NOT EVEN DOWN TO THE BOTTOM YET.
I HAVE TO GO GET OUR PANNING EXPERT.
Jack: YEAH, I SAID IT'S THERE.
AND I...
I WANTED TO BELIEVE MYSELF, YOU KNOW?
BUT I WANTED TO SEE IT FIRST, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: THE TEST PAN PROVES THEY HAVE HIT RICH PAY DIRT.
Hurt: YEP.
BIG BOULDERS COMING OUT OF THERE.
BIG BOULDERS.
THAT'S A VERY GOOD SIGN.
THERE IS GOLD IN IT.
OH, ABSOLUTELY. THERE IS GOLD IN THERE.
Narrator: IT'S TIME TO START MINING AND CASHING IN ON THE GOLD.
THE CREW HAS NEVER BEEN SO CLOSE.
Narrator: THE MINERS AT PORCUPINE CREEK
ARE RUNNING DIRT FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE.
TO MAKE A PROFIT, THEY NEED TO DIG OUT
$275,000 WORTH OF GOLD
BEFORE WINTER SETS IN.
CHRIS DOUMITT HAS TO WORK TWO JOBS --
FERRYING GOLD-RICH MATERIAL TO THE WASH PLANT
AND CLEARING DISCARDED TAILINGS.
BUT WORKING AT THIS RELENTLESS PACE
IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON THE EQUIPMENT.
AND IT ISN'T LONG...
BEFORE A HYDRAULIC LINE BURSTS ON THE LOADER.
ONCE AGAIN, HARNESS IS LEFT TO PICK UP THE PIECES.
THERE'S A HUGE HYDRAULIC LINE RIGHT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE THERE
THAT'S ATTACHED TO A ROTATING ASSEMBLY.
THAT'S THE WORST [BLEEP] PIECE OF [BLEEP]
YOU COULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
EXCUSE MY FRENCH.
GETTING ANY HELP AROUND HERE IS RIDICULOUS.
IT TAKES AN ACT OF CONGRESS.
WHAT?
BECAUSE OF OUR TIMELINE, THIS HAS TO BE DONE FIRST
'CAUSE IF WE DON'T GET THE HOSE MADE,
WE AREN'T USING THIS MACHINE.
OKAY.
SO HOLD THE OTHER END THERE THAT I'VE GOT THE TOOL IN.
GOT IT. 'CAUSE I CAN'T TURN THIS.
IT KEEPS TURNING. IT'S ON A ROTATOR.
GOT IT.
Doumitt: JAMES SAYS THERE'S SOMETHING STICKING OUT DOWN THERE
THAT'S WEARING ON THE HOSE AND BREAKING IT.
I THINK I OVERLOADED THE MACHINE.
Narrator: EVERY WORK STOPPAGE CUTS INTO POTENTIAL PROFITS,
AND THEY STILL NEED NEARLY 200 OUNCES OF GOLD.
Harness: ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED?
THE NEAREST REPLACEMENT HOSE
IS A 40-MILE DRIVE AWAY DOWN DIRT ROADS,
AND THE STORE CLOSES IN AN HOUR.
Jack: YEAH, I GOT TO GO TO BIGFOOT AND GET A HOSE.
OTHERWISE, WE DON'T RUN TOMORROW.
Narrator: THERE ARE ONLY WEEKS LEFT
IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA'S MINING SEASON.
THE HOFFMAN CREW CAN'T AFFORD TO STOP
JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN'T RUN DIRT.
WITH THE LOADER OUT OF ACTION,
THEY SWITCH THEIR ATTENTION TO A CLEANOUT OF THE WASH PLANT.
THEY START BY CHECKING THE RIFFLES
TO SEE IF THEY'VE COLLECTED ANY GOLD.
COME HERE AND LOOK AT THIS.
SEE THAT?
THAT'S GOLD. A PIECE OF GOLD.
RIGHT THERE AND RIGHT THERE.
SEE ALL THAT? I KNOW. BUT LOOK RIGHT HERE.
SEE THAT THROUGH THERE? SEE THAT PILE RIGHT THERE?
IT'S TIME TO CLEAN OUT. YEAH.
I SEE GOLD HERE. LOOK AT THAT PILE.
AND LOOK AT THAT PILE. LOOK AT THAT RIGHT THERE.
RIGHT THERE. SEE THAT ONE?
YOU SEE BLACK SAND AND GOLD
STICKING AT THE BACK OF ONE OF YOUR RIFFLES,
WHICH IS LIKE --
THAT'S PRETTY COOL. THAT'S A GOOD FEELING.
WHOA. WHOA.
IT'S WEIRD-LOOKING. LIKE, A WEIRD-LOOKING --
IT'S A ROCK, OKAY? FALSE ALARM.
Narrator: DESPITE THE FALSE ALARM, THERE ARE PROMISING SIGNS
THAT THE DIRT THEY'RE WASHING THROUGH THE SHAKER
IS PACKED WITH GOLD.
'CAUSE I THINK THAT THAT LAST 10 YARDS, GREG --
A LOT OF THIS GOLD'S ON THE TOP.
THAT LAST 10 YARDS YOU BROUGHT FROM DOWN THERE
IS FREAKIN' DYNAMITE.
JACK IS BACK AND WANTS TO SEE HOW THE CLEANOUT IS GOING.
GOT A LITTLE -- WHAT YOU CALL A "CLINKER" IN THERE.
AH.
FOR FRED, THIS CLEANOUT WILL MAKE OR BREAK HIS REPUTATION.
IT COULD HAVE ACTED LIKE A RIPPLE.
THAT'S WHY I SAY, JUST DIG YOUR STUFF
AWAY FROM THE EDGE THERE REAL CAREFUL.
START WITH YOUR ROCKS. JUST PUSH THEM AWAY.
THERE'S GOLD UP HERE ON TOP OF THIS ROCK.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT OVER ON THE WALL AWAY FROM YOU.
GOOD LORD. [BLEEP]
HOLY! [ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]
THERE IT IS. THERE IT IS.
WE'VE GOT OUR FIRST REAL NUGGET.
LOOK AT THAT. HOLY CRAP!
WHOO-HOO! THAT'S IT.
YES! I DON'T FREAKIN' BELIEVE IT!
Thurber: ALL RIGHT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S WORTH.
BUT THAT'D LOOK GOOD ON A NECKLACE...
A PAIR OF EARRINGS...
MAYBE A NOSE RING.
Harness: NO.
TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF GOLD IS REALLY GOOD.
TO SEE A LOT OF GOLD IS EVEN BETTER.
THOSE ROWS ARE FREAKIN' STRAIGHT GOLD GOING ACROSS THERE --
NOT JUST HERE AND THERE. I MEAN, BAM, BAM, BAM, BAM.
MUDDY HANDS AND ALL.
Hurt: THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF GOOD TIMES FOR THIS CREW.
THEY'VE PUT IN AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK, MONTHS OF WORK.
AND THEY'VE BEEN DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
BUT WHEN THEY SAW SOME OF THAT GOLD,
WHEN WE STARTED PANNING THAT STUFF OUT,
I NOTICED A LITTLE SPARK IN EVERYBODY.
Man: YEE-HAW!
Narrator: YET ANOTHER EQUIPMENT FAILURE
HAS FORCED THE CREW AT PORCUPINE CREEK TO STOP DIGGING.
BUT IT'S ALSO GIVEN THEM A CHANCE
TO CLEAN OUT THE WASH PLANT
FOR ANY GOLD THEY'VE TRAPPED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.
LOOK, WHEN YOU PULL THESE OUT OF HERE,
RAP THEM UP AGAINST THE SIDE REAL HARD
AND GET ALL YOUR MATERIAL OFF
BEFORE YOU SET THEM OFF TO THE SIDE.
MOST OF THEIR GOLD WILL BE TINY SPECKS,
SMALLER THAN A GRAIN OF SAND.
SO, WE'LL DO IT.
TO GET IT OUT,
THEY NEED TO SIFT THROUGH THE DIRT IN THE SLUICES,
CAUGHT IN THE LAYERS OF A SPECIAL CARPET
KNOWN AS MINER'S MOSS.
Hurt: RIGHT NOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FULL OF GOLD,
BUT THEY'RE FULL OF A LOT OF DIRT
AND A LITTLE BIT OF GOLD.
PULL THE HANDLE. PULL LIKE YOU MEAN IT.
Hurt: OKAY, WELL...
SEE? THERE. SEE?
[ LAUGHTER ]
THIS BELONGS OUTSIDE.
WE GOT GOLD ON THE BOTTOM OF THAT BUCKET.
Narrator: THE CREW IS MAKING PROGRESS,
BUT FRED IS STILL QUICK TO POINT OUT THEIR ROOKIE MISTAKES.
[ WHISTLES ] NO, NO, NO, NO. WHOA.
COATING HIS SHOES WITH GOLD?
I MEAN, HE IS COATING HIS SHOES WITH GOLD.
YOU KNOW, I GOT TO LET YOU GUYS MAKE SOME MISTAKES.
WELL, WE'D APPRECIATE THAT.
[ LAUGHS ]
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS?
I DON'T KNOW, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO SHUT THEIR PIEHOLE.
I'LL TELL YOU THAT.
Thurber: EVERYONE'S GOT THEIR OPINION,
AND WE'RE ALL ENTITLED TO HIS, SO THAT'S GOOD.
Jack: IS THAT IT FOR THAT? ONE MORE.
Narrator: THE WHOLE CREW JOINS IN
ON THE EFFORT TO SEPARATE THE TINY FLECKS OF PRECIOUS GOLD
FROM BUCKETS OF THICK MUD.
YOU KNOW, THE ANTICIPATION OF THIS CLEANOUT IS JUST CRAZY.
WE RAN SOME GOOD DIRT FOR ABOUT SIX HOURS,
SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.
I JUST ALWAYS KNEW THAT WE HAD TO GET TO WHERE WE'RE AT.
AND THIS IS GONNA PROVE IT.
Doumitt: EVERY PAN IS JUST FULL OF GOLD.
AT LEAST EVERY PAN I'VE DONE.
GREG'S STILL WORKING ON THE ONE HE STARTED THIS MORNING.
HE SHOULD HAVE IT DONE SOMETIME TOMORROW.
SO WE'LL SEE HOW HE'S DOING.
Narrator: THE CREW KEEPS AT IT WELL INTO THE NIGHT.
IT'S PAINSTAKING WORK, BUT IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT
WHETHER FRED'S CHANGES HAVE BEEN A SUCCESS
OR WHETHER HE'S WASTED THEIR TIME.
Todd: THERE'S TOO MUCH GOLD IN HERE FOR TWO OLD GUYS THAT CAN'T SEE.
GET OUT OF HERE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO TELL YOU.
HEY, WE'RE GONNA TAKE EVERYTHING THAT LOOKS LIKE GOLD,
EVEN IF IT'S PYRITE.
Narrator: UNTIL JACK DOES A FINAL COUNT,
THE TEAM WON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY'VE FOUND ENOUGH GOLD
TO PROVE THIS CLAIM CAN FEED THEIR FAMILIES
AND SAVE THEIR HOMES.
Jack: SO, WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WITH THIS GOLD NOW --
I'VE PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.
AND WE'RE GONNA WEIGH IT,
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA PUT IT IN A BOTTLE,
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA TALK TO THE GUYS ABOUT IT.
Narrator: THE LAST CLEANOUT
DELIVERED JUST 2.7 OUNCES OF GOLD,
WORTH LESS THAN $3,500.
TO MAKE A PROFIT AND START PAYING THE CREW
FOR THEIR BACK-BREAKING WORK,
THEY NEED MORE THAN 200 OUNCES.
WELL, IF HE COMES OUT WITH ANYTHING OVER A COUPLE OUNCES,
I MEAN, I'M ECSTATIC.
KIND OF STARTING TO JUST TASTE A LITTLE BIT OF VICTORY IN IT.
IT JUST KEEPS YOUR GUYS GOING.
WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR OLD JACK TO GIVE US THE COUNT.
NUMBER ONE IS, WE GOT 3.4 OUNCES.
[ ALL CHEERING ]
AND THAT -- I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THAT IS CLEAN STUFF.
Narrator: IN JUST FOUR DAYS' MINING,
THE HOFFMAN CREW HAS GOTTEN MORE GOLD
THAN IN THE PREVIOUS THREE AND A HALF MONTHS.
OKAY, AT TODAY'S PRICE...
IT WOULD BE $7,775.
[ FIREWORKS POPPING ]
Man: FRED, YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE!
LONG TIME WAITING FOR THAT.
YOU KNOW, AND I'VE SAID IT ALL ALONG.
I KNEW IT WAS THERE.
YOU KNOW, YOU JUST HAVE THAT GUT FEEL.
AND THE FRUSTRATIONS OF NOT GETTING THERE
AND THEN THE RELIEF OF FINALLY GETTING THERE,
AND, THEN, WHAT WE ANTICIPATED IS HAPPENING.
SO THAT'S PRETTY COOL.
Narrator: THEY MAY FINALLY BE ON THE GOLD,
BUT THEY NEED ANOTHER 20 CLEANOUTS LIKE THIS ONE,
AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH TIME THEY HAVE
BEFORE THE ALASKAN WINTER SHUTS THEM DOWN.
I THINK FINALLY THEY GOT ALL THAT WET FROM BEHIND THEIR EARS,
THEY GOT THEIR FEET WET A LITTLE BIT,
THEY GOT DIRTY AND NASTY.
THEY FINALLY EARNED THE TITLE OF BEING MINERS.
[ LAUGHTER ]
HEY.