Narrator: SIX DOWN-ON-THEIR-LUCK MEN
FROM THE LOWER 48 STATES RISKED EVERYTHING
TO FIND GOLD ON A SMALL CLAIM IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA.
WHERE IS THE GOLD?
Narrator: AFTER 4 1/2 MONTHS OF MINING...
Todd: HOLY [BLEEP]
...THEY'RE FINALLY FINDING GOLD.
WHOO-HOO! WE GOT OUR FIRST REAL NUGGET.
Man: THAT'S IT.
Narrator: BUT IT MAY BE TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.
WE'RE PRETTY MUCH UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE.
Narrator: THEY'VE SUNK ALMOST $275,000 INTO THE GROUND
FOR ONLY $8,000 WORTH OF GOLD.
QUITE POSSIBLY, I COULD LOSE MY HOUSE.
Narrator: WITH THE HARSH ALASKAN WINTER BANGING ON THE DOOR...
[BLEEP]
...THE CREW IS AT THEIR BREAKING POINT.
BACK UP. JUST BACK OFF A LITTLE BIT.
AND PLUMMETING TEMPERATURES
WREAK HAVOC ON THE MINING EQUIPMENT.
Harness: I THINK IT'S FROZE. WE'VE GOT WINTER ALREADY.
[ SPITS ]
THE ANSWER TO THEIR PRAYERS
COULD LIE AT THE BOTTOM OF A 50-FOOT HOLE
IF THEY CAN GET THERE BEFORE THE DEEP FREEZE.
WE'RE GOING RIGHT TO THE BITTER END.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ BIRD CAWING ]
Narrator: IT'S MID-SEPTEMBER,
AND WINTER IS COMING TO THE GOLD FIELDS OF ALASKA.
WHAT DO YOU GOT, THURB?
THE SALMON RETURN TO SPAWN BEFORE THE BIG FREEZE.
Remsburg: NICE ONE, TODD.
NEARLY OUT OF MONEY, TODD HOFFMAN AND HIS MINING CREW
HIT THE RIVER TO CATCH A FREE MEAL.
THERE'S ONE. LOOK AT THAT COLOR ON HIM.
WOW.
BUT ALASKA NEVER GIVES ANYTHING AWAY
WITHOUT A FIGHT.
WHAT DO YOU GOT? OH, TROUBLE.
DO YOU SEE HIM? YEAH.
HE'S COMING PRETTY QUICK, LIKE HE KNOWS.
HE'S ABOUT A 500-, 600-POUNDER.
THAT'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION RIGHT THERE.
YEAH, WE'RE NOT GONNA PUSH THE ISSUE WITH HIM,
BUT IF IT'S ME OR THAT BEAR, THAT BEAR'S A DEAD BEAR.
WHAT THE HECK? DID I SEE WATER SPRAYING UP?
OH, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.
Narrator: THE BEARS ARE FATTENING UP ON THE SALMON
FOR THE LONG WINTER HIBERNATION.
GREG, YOU WANT TO GRAB THE COOLER?
THEY'RE WORKING THEIR WAY DOWN HERE.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
Narrator: AS ALASKA BRACES FOR WINTER,
MOST GOLD MINES ARE CLOSED.
THE HOFFMANS' CLAIM IS STILL OPEN.
THE CREW OF SIX HAS BEEN DIGGING FOR GOLD FOR OVER FOUR MONTHS.
THEY CAN'T STOP NOW.
IF I DON'T GET GOLD, I'M GOING BACK HOME WITH NOTHING.
Narrator: AFTER ENDLESS BREAKDOWNS,
THEIR HOMEMADE WASH PLANT IS RUNNING
OVER 1,000 TONS OF GOLD-BEARING DIRT EVERY DAY.
NOW WE'RE ROCKING AND ROLLING.
Narrator: THEY'RE HOPING THEY'VE CAPTURED GOLD
IN HUNDREDS OF BUCKETS OF BLACK SAND.
THIS THING WEIGHS A TON. IT MUST BE FULL OF GOLD.
Narrator: BUT THEY'RE PINNING ALL THEIR HOPES
ON FINDING THE BIG GOLD NUGGETS DEEP DOWN ON THE BEDROCK.
Jack: WE'RE ONLY ABOUT 20 FEET FROM HITTING REALLY GOOD GOLD.
Narrator: NOW GREENHORN MINER TODD HOFFMAN IS CONFIDENT
HE'S CLOSING IN ON A $15 MILLION FORTUNE.
RIGHT HERE'S WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GET BELOW THESE BIG BOULDERS.
SEE THE ROCK UNDERNEATH MY DAD'S TRACK?
THEN YOU'LL SEE A BROWN LINE THERE, OKAY?
FROM THAT BROWN LINE DOWN, IT'S ALL VIRGIN GROUND.
Narrator: THE CREW HAS BEEN DIGGING
ON WHAT THEY THINK IS THE SITE OF AN ANCIENT WATERFALL.
AS THEY GOT DEEPER AND DEEPER,
THEY FOUND MORE AND MORE GOLD IN DEPOSITS,
KNOWN AS PAY STREETS.
BUT THE TAKE SO FAR IS SMALL CHANGE
IN COMPARISON TO THE BIG GOLD THE HOFFMANS BELIEVE
IS SITTING ON THE BEDROCK,
AT THE BOTTOM OF WHAT MINERS CALL A GLORY HOLE.
THE DIRT THEY DIG OUT OF THE GLORY HOLE
IS TAKEN OVER TO THEIR WASH PLANT IN A SECONDHAND LOADER.
THIS IS ONLY A 1973.
WE'RE A LITTLE BIT PAST OUR WARRANTY.
Narrator: THE OLD LOADER DELIVERS THE DIRT
TO THE FRONT OF THE WASH PLANT TO BE PROCESSED FOR GOLD.
THEN THE LOADER GOES AROUND THE BACK
TO MOVE THE WASTE ROCKS POURING OUT OF THE OTHER END.
WITHOUT THAT LOADER BRINGING MATERIAL,
WITHOUT HAULING AWAY THE PROCESSED MATERIAL
THAT WE DON'T NEED, EVERYTHING WILL BACK UP,
AND I'LL GET OVERRAN WITH MATERIAL, AND THEY'LL RUN OUT.
Narrator: TO KEEP THE OPERATION RUNNING,
THE 37-YEAR-OLD LOADER HAS TO WORK CONTINUOUSLY.
BUT IT STRUGGLES TO KEEP UP WITH THE WASH PLANT'S MIGHTY HUNGER.
[BLEEP]
MESSED UP!
I NEED SOME MATERIAL!
Narrator: AFTER MONTHS OF HARD LABOR,
THE OLD WORKHORSE IS FINALLY WORN OUT.
THE CAB STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE.
AND I LOOKED OVER, AND ALL MY ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE BURNING.
YOU CAN SEE THAT'S JUST FRIED.
[ SIGHS ] EVERY MACHINE WE HAVE, WE NEED.
BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH
BECAUSE IT DOES ALL THE MOVING OF THE MATERIAL.
Narrator: THE OLD, TIRED EQUIPMENT
CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE PACE.
IF THE HOFFMANS WANT THE MILLIONS IN GOLD
THEY THINK SITS ON THE BEDROCK,
SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE.
HOW LONG UNTIL YOU THINK WE'RE ON BEDROCK?
I MEAN, HOW LONG YOU THINK
IT'S GONNA TAKE US TO GET DOWN THERE?
ANOTHER WEEK? NO. NO.
I DON'T THINK IT'S GONNA TAKE THAT LONG --
THREE, FOUR DAYS, YOU KNOW, MAX.
WELL, THE GOLD'S GETTING BETTER.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY DOWN BELOW.
BUT I'M JUST WONDERING HOW FAR DOWN BELOW.
SO, I MEAN, I'M EVEN KIND OF CONSIDERING
THAT MAYBE WE JUST STOP THE RUN UNTIL WE TOUCH BEDROCK.
MAYBE WE JUST DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG, DIG
AND THEN JUST RUN THE MATERIAL THAT HIT DOWN BELOW?
THERE'S NO BENEFIT TO THAT.
I MEAN, I'D RATHER SPEND THE LAST BIT OF MONEY WE HAVE
ON ONLY THE DIRT THAT'S ABOVE BEDROCK.
MY GOAL -- AND STILL IS --
IS TO GIVE THE GUYS A BUNCH OF GOLD.
AND RIGHT NOW, THAT'S NOT MUCH.
TODD WANTS TO STOP RUNNING TONS OF SHALLOWER DIRT,
TO CONCENTRATE ALL OF THEIR RESOURCES
ON DIGGING TO THE BIG GOLD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GLORY HOLE.
COME HERE, AND LET'S HAVE A LITTLE MEETING WITH THE GUYS.
THEY'VE SPENT WELL OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS
AND HAVE ONLY FOUND 6 OUNCES OF GOLD, WORTH ABOUT $8,000.
THEY HAVE TO FIND AROUND 190 OUNCES OF GOLD
BEFORE ANYONE GETS PAID A SINGLE CENT.
THEIR DECISION COULD BE MAKE-OR-BREAK.
BASICALLY, THE TWO OPTIONS ARE THIS --
WE KEEP RUNNING THIS MATERIAL.
WE'RE GETTING BETTER GOLD, OBVIOUSLY.
BUT WE MAY RUN OUT OF MONEY,
AND WE MAY BREAK SOMETHING THAT WE JUST CAN'T FIX.
AND THAT WILL RUIN OUR CHANCES TO GET DOWN TO BEDROCK.
OR WE STOCKPILE THIS MATERIAL WITH THE LOADER RIGHT UP HERE,
AND WE JUST SUPPORT JACK AND JUST DIG, DIG, DIG.
I STILL BELIEVE THE GOLD'S DOWN THERE. WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED IT.
AND I KNOW WE'RE COMING TO THE END OF THE MONEY,
AND THAT MEANS THE END OF THE SUMMER.
SO I'M ALL FOR GOING FOR IT.
Todd: THURB?
NO, I THINK WE'RE CHASING FAIRY TALES.
I THINK WE SHOULD RUN WHAT WE CAN RUN.
Narrator: BACK IN OREGON,
THURBER RAN HIS OWN SHEET-METAL SHOP,
BUT THE RECESSION CLOSED HIM DOWN.
HEAVENLY FATHER...
RIGHT, AND I DON'T HAVE A PAYCHECK, SO...
IT'S NOT TOO HARD TO FIGURE OUT I'M IN BIG TROUBLE.
Narrator: HE RAIDED HIS PENSION TO COME MINING
AND IS ONE MORTGAGE PAYMENT AWAY FROM LOSING THE FAMILY HOME.
WE WERE AT THE VERGE OF FORECLOSURE
A COUPLE DIFFERENT TIMES BECAUSE WE DID GET BEHIND.
AND THE BANKS DON'T HAVE ANY REMORSE OR ANYTHING.
THEY JUST SAY, "THAT'S IT. TOO BAD."
[ Voice breaking ] THAT'S BEEN REALLY, REALLY HARD.
Narrator: DESPERATELY IN NEED OF ANY MONEY HE CAN GET,
THURBER THINKS
EVEN THE POOR-QUALITY DIRT IS WORTH RUNNING.
I KNOW YOU NEED MONEY AS BAD AS I DO
AND YOU GOT BILLS TO PAY.
WOULD YOU RATHER TAKE A CHANCE AND PAY THEM OFF,
OR JUST GO HOME AND PUT A DENT IN THEM?
WELL, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE IS BETTER THAN NOTHING.
I KIND OF AGREE WITH TODD, THOUGH.
I SAY THROW THE DICE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.
Hurt: YEAH, THERE'S SOMETHING I WANTED TO SAY.
A GUY COULD REALLY LIKE YOU GUYS.
WELL, I WANT TO SEE Y'ALL GET IT.
I WANT TO SEE WHAT'S THERE. [ LAUGHS ]
YOU'RE WITH ME. YES, SIR.
I JUST DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE THIS PLACE
UNLESS I KNOW WHAT IS AT THE BOTTOM,
AND THAT'S REALLY WHY WE'RE ALL HERE, GUYS,
'CAUSE WE'RE OUT ON AN ADVENTURE.
IT'S LIKE FLYING TO THE MOON.
I DON'T WANT TO RUN OUT OF GAS
WHEN I FEEL LIKE WE'RE CLOSE, YOU KNOW?
AND THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR LAST PUSH.
WE'RE GONNA GO GET THIS FRICKIN' BEDROCK.
EVERYBODY IN?
YEAH. LET'S DO IT.
HUH? PUT YOUR HATS IN.
Narrator: IT'S BEDROCK OR BUST.
THE WASH PLANT IS SHUT DOWN.
AND WITH THE CREW SUPPORTING HIM,
JACK IS IMMEDIATELY ENCOURAGED
BY WHAT HE SEES IN THE GLORY HOLE.
Jack: I'VE GOT ONE OF THOSE GREEN BOULDERS
RIGHT IN HERE RIGHT NOW.
I'LL SHOW YOU.
THAT BOULDER RIGHT...THERE.
THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT TO LOOK FOR.
Narrator: BUT THURBER STILL THINKS
THEY SHOULD RUN THE WASH PLANT
INSTEAD OF RISKING IT ALL TO DIG FOR BEDROCK.
TO ME, WE'RE -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE CHASING A FAIRY TALE.
WE DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S A WATERFALL THERE.
WE DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S BUCKETS OF GOLD.
THAT WATERFALL COULD BE 100 FEET.
I JUST THINK WE GOT MATERIAL THAT HAS GOLD,
MORE THAN WE'VE HAD ALL SUMMER.
RUN IT.
Narrator: WITH EVERYTHING RIDING ON THEIR DECISION,
TODD TRAVELS TO HAINES AIRPORT.
HE'S FLYING IN SOME SERIOUS MUSCLE.
TO ACTUALLY MAKE IT, WE NEEDED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.
TRUST ME.
WE NEED A MASTER PLAN. IT MAY BE 60 FEET DEEP.
Narrator: WHEN THE MINERS FIRST CAME TO ALASKA...
OH, HEY, BUDDY.
...DAVE TURIN HELPED THEM
GET THE WASH PLANT UP AND RUNNING.
GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAN.
PUT AN ANGLE IRON ON HERE. BRING ANOTHER ANGLE IRON UP.
COME ON, LET'S GET IT DONE, YOU GUYS.
LET'S FIND SOME FRICKIN' GOLD!
LET'S GO. RIGHT HERE.
Narrator: DAVE RUNS A LUCRATIVE ROCK QUARRY BACK IN OREGON.
IF ANYONE CAN GET THEM DOWN TO THE BEDROCK QUICKLY, IT'S DAVE.
Todd: WE NEED TO POSITION OURSELVES
SO WE CAN GO DOWN ANOTHER 20 FEET.
ANOTHER 20, YOU THINK? MAYBE.
I THINK I'M AT 35 NOW. WOW.
AND I THINK I NEED TO GO TO 45, MAYBE, 40, 45.
ANOTHER 10 FEET? MAYBE.
WITH WINTER FAST APPROACHING
AND SIX FAMILIES' FUTURES HANGING IN THE BALANCE,
DAVE TURIN MAY JUST BE THEIR LAST HOPE.
SO, WHEN'S THE SNOW GONNA START TO FLY?
TOMORROW, MAYBE.
UP AHEAD, TEMPERS FLARE OVER THE PLANS
TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GLORY HOLE.
WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ANOTHER ROAD OUT HERE?
I'M NOT.
I GUESS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND DIGGING.
SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES CHANGE THE GAME OVERNIGHT.
HEY, DAVE, GRAB THAT HOSE AND SHAKE IT A LITTLE BIT.
WE GOT A LITTLE FROZEN HOSE SOMEWHERE.
AH [BLEEP] IT.
AND WITH HIS HOUSE ON THE LINE...
[BLEEP] Todd: COME ON, DUDE.
DON'T GET -- GET OFF!
Narrator: ...THURBER SNAPS.
I'VE BEEN [BLEEP] TOLD THAT ALL OF MY TIME WAS WASTED.
AH [BLEEP] IT. [BLEEP]
[ BIRD CAWING ]
Narrator: STRUGGLING WITH OUTDATED MACHINERY,
THE MINERS AT PORCUPINE CREEK HAVE MADE A RISKY DECISION --
SHUT DOWN THE WASH PLANT
TO CONCENTRATE ON DIGGING TO BEDROCK.
WE'RE AT OUR LIMITS IN EVERY DIRECTION.
THERE'S NO...HOPE IF WE BREAK ANYTHING.
Narrator: THEY HAVE A SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
TO SOMEHOW PULL 190 OUNCES OF GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND
TO TURN A PROFIT.
TODD HAS RECRUITED QUARRY EXPERT DAVE TURIN
TO GET JACK DOWN TO THE GOLD
BEFORE WINTER CRIPPLES THE OPERATION.
I'M ENCOURAGED. WE'RE GONNA GET YOU DOWN THERE.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE, THOUGH, JACK.
WE DON'T WANT YOU TIPPING THAT THING OVER
IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT WATER.
WHAT IF WE WANT TO GO ANOTHER 10, 20 FEET DOWN?
YOU GTO DO.E WORK OKAY.
YOU GOT TO GET THIS A LITTLE WIDER.
WE GOT TO GET MORE AREA OPENED UP.
IF YOU COULD JUST GET US DOWN...
ANOTHER 10 FEET OR SO?
...JUST ANOTHER 10, I THINK THAT'S PLENTY.
[ ENGINE RUMBLING ]
Narrator: DAVE GETS TO WORK ON SOME QUICK FIXES
AROUND THE GLORY HOLE.
AS YOU GO DOWN,
THE FURTHER YOU GO DOWN WITH THE SLOPES OF YOUR WALL,
YOU END UP WITH THIS TINY, LITTLE HOLE AT THE BOTTOM,
AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY ROOM TO WORK.
SO THEY GOT TO START OUT WIDER AT THE TOP,
AND THEN THEY CAN DIG DOWN AND GET DOWN DEEPER.
BUT THEY GOT TO HAVE A LOT WIDER FOOTPRINT AT THE TOP
IN ORDER TO MANEUVER DOWN IN THE BOTTOM.
Narrator: DAVE WIDENS THE TOP OF THE GLORY HOLE
TO MAKE THE SIDES LESS STEEP.
WHEN HE IS DONE, IT'LL BE EASIER FOR JACK TO DIG
AND FOR THE OLD LOADER TO STOCKPILE MATERIAL.
IT'S NICE TO HAVE DAVE HERE --
FINALLY SOMEBODY THAT REALLY KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING,
YOU KNOW, BESIDES US IDIOTS.
HEY!
Narrator: BUT JACK STARTS DIGGING A ROAD
ON THE AREA DAVE JUST WIDENED.
[ TRUCK BEEPING ]
WHY DON'T WE GET YOUR DAD TO QUIT DIGGING?
HEY, DAD!
WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ANOTHER ROAD OUT HERE?
I'M NOT. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET RID OF THIS MATERIAL.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR MASTER PLAN.
I CAN'T GO DOWN THERE WITH THE LOADER,
TURN AROUND, AND LOAD.
YOU CAN IF YOU GO DOWN HERE.
I GUESS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND DIGGING.
IT DOESN'T WORK -- WE HAD A PLAN.
DAVE LAID IT OUT.
YOU'RE NOT GETTING IT. YOU'RE DOING YOUR OWN THING.
JACK'S JUST GOT HIS OWN PLAN, DAVE. HE'S JUST DIGGING.
THAT'S -- DAD, WE BROUGHT DAVE IN TO BUILD US A PLAN.
Jack: AND WE HAVE TO DO THIS --
GET ON THAT HOE, GO OVER THERE, AND SIT THERE.
NO. I GOT A GUY HERE THAT'S GOT A PLAN.
WELL, I KNOW, BUT -- WELL, YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO HIM?
WHAT DO YOU THINK WE OUGHT TO DO, DAVE?
LOOK, I'M 30 FEET DOWN IN THAT HOLE.
WHY DON'T YOU JUST LISTEN FOR A SECOND?
WHAT IF YOU TOOK THE DOZER OVER HERE, JACK,
AND JUST GET THIS ALL LEVELED OUT
SO YOU'RE NOT DINKING AROUND WITH IT?
Narrator: NO ONE CAN ARGUE WITH DAVE'S EXPERTISE.
AND JACK AND TODD AGREE TO DISAGREE.
HE JUST WANTS TO HAVE US GET UP,
HAVE HIS COFFEE, EAT, AND GO DIG SOMETHING,
AND, LIKE, NO, WE GOT TO HAVE A FRICKIN' PLAN HERE, POPS.
TODD DOESN'T UNDERSTAND DIGGING.
TO HIM, IT LOOKS REAL EASY, YOU KNOW?
YOU CAN JUST GO DOWN THERE AND JUST MOVE STUFF.
Narrator: DAVE'S BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE.
THAT'S THE FATHER/SON THING.
I DEAL WITH IT ALL THE TIME WITH MY DAD.
IT'S LIKE WE STILL DON'T KNOW ANYTHING,
AND WE NEVER PROBABLY WILL.
[ ENGINE RUMBLING ]
Narrator: TODD TAKES OVER THE 400 FROM JACK
TO FINISH THE WIDENING ACCORDING TO DAVE'S PLAN.
YEAH, DON'T TELL MY DAD.
HE DON'T LIKE ANYBODY IN HERE.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
Narrator: THEY WIDEN OUT THE TOP OF THE GLORY HOLE
TO 75,000 SQUARE FEET,
AN AREA LARGER THAN A FOOTBALL FIELD.
BUT DAVE IS ONLY GETTING STARTED.
HE ALSO HAS A CONTROVERSIAL SUGGESTION --
RUN THE WASH PLANT AGAIN.
HEY, WE GOT TO TALK. Todd: OKAY.
WHAT DO YOU GOT GOING HERE?
YOU GOT TO HELP ME OUT HERE. I'M KIND OF LOST.
I SEE YOU DIGGING A HOLE,
BUT YTHE WASH PLANT.NG I KNOW.
WHY CAN'T YOU GET THAT MATERIAL UP TO THE PLANT?
WELL, HERE'S THE THING --
OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO GET DOWN TO THE GOLD AT BEDROCK.
SO, BASICALLY, I SAID, HEY,
WE'LL USE THE LOADER TO SUPPORT JACK.
EVERYBODY SUPPORT JACK WITH THE PUMPS AND EVERYTHING,
AND GET DOWN TO BEDROCK.
ONCE WE GET THERE, THEN WE FIRE UP
AND WE ONLY RUN THE JUICIEST MATERIAL THAT WE HAVE.
HERE'S WHAT I THINK YOU OUGHT TO DO -- CUT IN A NEW ROAD,
GET THAT HAUL TIME DOWN, AND GET HIM CLOSER TO THE PLANT,
AND THEN HE CAN HAUL IT OFF AS FAST AS JACK CAN DIG IT
AND YOU CAN RUN.
THE LOADER HAS BEEN TAKING THE LONG WAY
AROUND THE GLORY HOLE TO THE WASH PLANT.
THE ROUTE IS INEFFICIENT
AND TOUGH ON THE 37-YEAR-OLD MACHINE.
DAVE SUGGESTS A SHORTCUT
THAT WILL TAKE THE STRAIN OFF THE LOADER
AND GET DIRT PROCESSED A LOT FASTER.
I'M GONNA PUSH A ROAD RIGHT DOWN IN HERE.
WE'RE GONNA MAKE THESE GUYS SO MUCH MORE EFFICIENT
AT GETTING THE MATERIAL OUT OF THE GROUND TO THE PLANT.
Narrator: IF THE LOADER CAN HANDLE THE NEW ROAD,
THE CREW MIGHT JUST BE ABLE TO RUN THE WASH PLANT
AND DIG FOR BEDROCK.
Todd: I DON'T KNOW IF IT COULD BE DONE.
I'M NOT SAYING DAVE CAN'T DO IT --
I'M JUST SAYING, WITH OUR JUNK AND OUR GUYS,
IF WE WE COULD RUN BOTH EFFECTIVELY.
SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HE CAN COME UP WITH, YOU KNOW?
IF HE CAN DO IT, HEY, I'M OKAY TO RUN.
BUT I NEED TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOAL
OF GOING DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS HOLE.
Narrator: IT TAKES DAVE THE BETTER PART OF A DAY,
BUT THEY FINALLY MANAGE TO GET THE NEW ROAD CUT.
IT'S GONNA SAVE US A BUNCH OF TIME.
WE'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME
JUST COMMUTING WITH THE LOADER,
MOVING MATERIAL OVER TO THE PLANT.
Narrator: JACK FILLS UP THEIR PATCHED-UP LOADER,
AND IT MANAGES THE NEW ROAD WITHOUT A PROBLEM.
NOW THEY CAN DIG DEEP AND RUN DIRT AT THE SAME TIME.
THAT SHOULD BE PRETTY, PRETTY AWESOME STUFF.
Narrator: JUST WHEN THINGS ARE FINALLY RUNNING LIKE CLOCKWORK,
THE ALASKAN WINTER MAKES ITS FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE MINE.
THE RAIN'S GETTING A LITTLE CHUNKY, ISN'T IT?
WE'RE GETTING CLUMPS IN OUR RAIN.
Narrator: THE SNOW IS A GAME CHANGER.
DAVE'S IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.
YEAH, HERE IT IS. IT'S HERE.
IT COULDN'T COME AT A WORSE TIME.
[ BIRD CAWING ]
Narrator: OVERNIGHT, THE TEMPERATURES IN PORCUPINE CREEK
DROPPED BELOW THE FREEZING POINT,
SIGNALING THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE GOLD-MINING SEASON.
WITHOUT WATER, WE CAN'T RUN.
SO IF IT FREEZES ANY MORE THAN THIS,
WE'RE GONNA BE IN TROUBLE.
THIS IS JUST NOTHING YET. IT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.
IT'S GONNA GET AWFUL COLD HERE.
IF WE CAN GET TO BEDROCK IN TIME
BEFORE WE GET RAN OUT OF HERE BY THE SNOW,
THAT'S THE QUESTION.
I DON'T KNOW.
AND IF IT STARTS FREEZING UP OUR PUMPS,
IT'S GONNA BE A NIGHTMARE.
Thurber: IT'S JUST A LITTLE SHOT OF SNOW,
BUT IT'S KIND OF A WARNING SHOT ACROSS THE BOW,
KIND OF, I THINK, WAKING EVERYBODY UP.
WE SHOULD START THINKING ABOUT HOW MUCH TIME WE HAVE LEFT.
Narrator: QUARRY EXPERT DAVE TURIN'S NEW ROAD
SHOULD ALLOW THEM TO DIG AND RUN MATERIAL THROUGH THE WASH PLANT
AT THE SAME TIME,
IF THE EQUIPMENT CAN HANDLE THE WEATHER.
AS LONG AS WE DON'T SLOW HIM DOWN, WE CAN RUN THE PLANT.
I SAY LET'S RUN IT.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME. I'M FINE.
THE LOADER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT.
TAKE IT EASY.
LET'S GO!
IT'S BETTER JUST TO RUN AND LOOK
AT THAT FRICKIN' SLUICE BOX, SEE WHAT WE GOT.
JACK, MY DAD, CANNOT BE MORE THAN 4 OR 5 FEET FROM BEDROCK.
I EXPECT TO HIT IT WITHIN THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
Narrator: THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE 48 HOURS LEFT
TO FIND THE $275,000 WORTH OF GOLD THEY NEED
JUST TO BREAK EVEN.
WITH THE TEMPERATURE FLIRTING WITH THE FREEZING POINT,
NO ONE KNOWS HOW THE WASH PLANT WILL COPE.
IT'S COLD IN HERE! MY FEET ARE FREEZING!
READY? YOU READY?
LET'S WASH SOME ROCKS!
GOOD TO BE RUNNING.
THAT WHOLE PLAN OF JUST STOPPING
TO DIG DOWN TO BEDROCK DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT.
Narrator: JACK REACHES THE DEEPEST
HE HAS EVER BEEN IN THE GLORY HOLE.
THE LOADER FERRIES THE PRECIOUS DIRT
STRAIGHT UP TO THE WASH PLANT, USING DAVE TURIN'S NEW SHORTCUT.
BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM UP AT THE WASH PLANT.
HEY!
THE BOTTOM -- THE BACK END OF THAT AIN'T PUMPING RIGHT.
THE LITTLE JIG AT THE BACK IS CLOGGING UP.
IT'S NOT WORKING RIGHT.
SOMETHING IS STOPPING THE GOLD-BEARING BLACK SAND
FROM REACHING THE BUCKETS.
TODD, THIS ISN'T EVEN MOVING. THERE'S NO HUTCH WATER.
I THINK IT'S FROZE.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GONNA HAPPEN
WHEN WE'VE GOT WINTER ALREADY.
IT MIGHT BE OCTOBER BACK HOME,
BUT IT'S MORE LIKE DECEMBER HERE.
HEY, DAVE, GRAB THAT HOSE AND SHAKE IT A LITTLE BIT.
WE GOT A LITTLE FROZEN HOSE SOMEWHERE.
IT'S SOMEWHERE RIGHT IN HERE, GUYS.
Narrator: THE DUPLEX JIG SHOULD BE PULSATING
160 TIMES A MINUTE TO CATCH FINE GOLD.
WE GOT TO LET THIS RUN OUT A LITTLE BIT.
BUT THERE'S A FREEZE IN ONE OF THE OUTLET FUNNELS,
AND ONE SIDE HAS COMPLETELY SEIZED UP.
Todd: IT'S GOT A BUNCH OF SAND IN THERE,
AND IT GOT FROZEN TOGETHER.
YEAH.
I COULD TELL BY THE LITTLE CHUNKS COMING OUT.
IT'S COMING RIGHT OFF OF THERE.
OH! THERE YOU GO.
Narrator: TODD CLEARS THE ICE FROM THE JIG'S OUTLET FUNNEL.
HAS EVERYBODY STOPPED RUNNING UP THERE?
I DON'T KNOW.
BUT GOLD-RICH BLACK SAND IS BEING LOST.
HE NEEDS TO GET THE OUTLET FUNNEL BACK IN PLACE FAST.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I'M GONNA GET THIS IN THERE.
YOU GOT GLOVES. HERE WE GO.
JUST PRETEND YOU'RE JUMPING IN THE GLORY HOLE.
[BLEEP]
OKAY. JUST DON'T MESS WITH IT.
GEEZ!
THERE, NOW IT'S MOVING. SEE IT?
YEP.
Narrator: WITH THE BLOCKAGE FIXED,
THE WATER CAN AGAIN CARRY FINE GOLD PARTICLES
THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND INTO THE BUCKETS.
IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING PRETTY GOOD NOW.
SO, HOPEFULLY IT STAYS WORKING, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: THE WASH PLANT IS BACK TO RUNNING DIRT
FROM OVER 40 FEET DOWN IN THE GLORY HOLE.
THIS IS GONNA TURN TO GOLD THERE PRETTY QUICK.
WE'RE IN EXCELLENT STUFF.
Narrator: THE MORNING CHILL GIVES WAY
TO THE MIDDAY ALASKAN SUN.
AND AS THE ICE THAWS,
THE CREW MANAGES TO RUN THEIR ENTIRE STOCKPILE OF DIRT.
AFTER THAT ONE, NO MORE.
JACK SUSPECTS IT'S RICHER THAN ANYTHING THEY'VE DUG SO FAR.
BUT TO FIND OUT, THEY MUST STOP THE PLANT AND TAKE A LOOK.
YEAH, I SEE GOLD ALL THROUGH THAT,
BIG CHUNKS RIGHT IN HERE.
WHEN YOU CAN SEE IT UP HERE AT THE TOP,
MORE THAN LIKELY PRETTY GOOD.
LOOK AT THIS PIECE DOWN HERE.
YOU GOT A PICKER?
ALL RIGHT.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A NOSE PICKER OR WHAT,
BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU PICK IT OUT OF HERE.
I'LL PICK GOLD ALL DAY LONG.
THE RIFFLES AND NUGGET TRAPS ARE CATCHING GOOD GOLD
FROM THIS NEW MATERIAL.
BUT IT'S THE FINE GOLD THEY CAN'T SEE
COMING OUT THE BACK OF THE WASH PLANT
THAT THEY THINK WILL MAKE THEM RICH.
Thurber: THAT'S WHERE THE GOLD WILL BE MIXED IN WITH THE BLACK SAND.
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS WE DON'T HAVE A WAY
OF GETTING THAT GOLD OUT OF THE BLACK SAND.
THERE'S 60% OF OUR GOLD.
OF COURSE, WE'VE NEVER MINED BEFORE, AND WE'RE LEARNING.
BUT THAT'S OUR BIG CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: BLACK SAND CONTAINS THE HEAVIEST PARTICLES OF GOLD,
ALONG WITH A MAGNETIC MATERIAL CALLED MAGNETITE.
THE MINERS USE MAGNETS IN A BUCKET
TO TRY AND REMOVE IT.
BUT SMALL PARTICLES OF FINE GOLD GET TRAPPED AS WELL.
Todd: THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT I'M DEALING WITH.
SEE IT? YEAH, AND THERE'S GOLD.
WHEN I LIFTED THAT OUT,
IT PICKED UP GOLD WITH IT.
SOMETIMES YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT.
IT'S LIKE HAIR.
Narrator: NOW THAT THE CREW
CAN RUN THE WASH PLANT AND DIG SIMULTANEOUSLY,
EVERY PASSING DAY GENERATES
ANOTHER 24 BUCKETS OF BLACK SAND.
JIM THURBER HAS BEEN HAULING THE BUCKETS FROM DAY ONE.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WE'RE SPINNING OUR WHEELS.
WE GOT A BUNCH OF BLACK SAND.
I CAN'T GO MAKE A MORTGAGE PAYMENT WITH BLACK SAND.
I CAN'T TAKE IT IN THE SUPERMARKET AND BUY GROCERIES.
IT DOES ME ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD IN THIS STAGE.
AND WE GOT A CRAZY AMOUNT.
WE'VE GOT 24 BUCKETS TODAY.
I GOT THAT MUCH FRICKIN' BLACK SAND.
Todd: I JUST GOT 30 MORE BUCKETS.
AND IT'S LIKE I CAN'T KEEP GOING AND BUYING BUCKETS.
IT'S $150 EVERY TIME I BUY THEM.
Narrator: THURBER'S DESPERATE TO GET
AT THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF GOLD
THEY THINK IS TRAPPED IN THE BUCKETS.
CAN YOU HANG IN THERE? GIVE US ONE MORE DAY.
I DON'T KNOW.
TODD NEEDS TO GET $275,000 WORTH OF GOLD
TO HAVE ANY PROFIT TO SHARE WITH HIS CREW.
MY GUYS ARE LIKE -- IT'S LIKE THEY THINK
I'VE BEEN GOLD MINING MY WHOLE LIFE OR SOMETHING, YOU KNOW,
LIKE I'M SUPPOSED TO PULL A RABBIT OUT OF MY HAT.
I DON'T KNOW.
BUT, I MEAN, 24 BUCKETS OF BLACK SAND IN ONE DAY?
THAT'S A LOT.
Narrator: TODD CALLS IN YET ANOTHER EXPERT
FROM HIS HOME STATE OF OREGON
WITH A MACHINE THAT COULD SOLVE ALL THEIR PROBLEMS.
DUDE! DUDE!
ARE YOU TIRED OR WHAT? MAN, ARE YOU GUYS HARD TO FIND.
LONG DRIVE.
BRYON TOLLE IS AN INVENTOR
WITH A PASSION FOR GOLD MINING.
HE CLAIMS HIS LATEST INVENTION
CAN REMOVE THE MAGNETIC MATERIAL FROM TODD'S BUCKETS,
LEAVING BEHIND NOTHING BUT GOLD AND OTHER MINERALS.
HEY, BRYON, THE LAST TIME WE RAN IS RIGHT HERE.
HOLY CRAP.
AND YOU SAID YOU COULD DO THIS IN A HALF HOUR?
Tolle: IS IT REAL MAGNETIC? IS IT REAL MAGNETIC?
50% OF IT IS.
50%? 90% IS BETTER.
Narrator: THE HOFFMAN CREW TRIED ONCE BEFORE
TO GET GOLD OUT OF THE BLACK SAND WITH A WAVE TABLE.
IT IS JUST NOT WORTH THE POWDER TO BLOW IT TO HELL.
DESPITE ALL THEIR EFFORTS,
THEY COULDN'T GET ANY GOLD OUT OF THE BLACK SAND.
YOU CANNOT PULL IT OFF OF HERE.
IT'S IN PRODUCTION MODE. YOU CANNOT DO THIS AND PULL.
I CAN'T TALK TO YOU.
WITH SO MUCH AT STAKE,
TENSIONS HIT A FEVER PITCH.
'CAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR THREE MONTHS
AND WE HAVEN'T ANY [BLEEP] MONEY!
DUDE, YOU WANT TO GO? WELL [BLEEP] GO.
AND JIMMY DORSEY EXITED THE CAMP, NEVER TO RETURN.
NOW IT'S BRYON TOLLE'S TURN
TO PUT HIMSELF IN THE FIRING LINE.
THERE'S LIKE 3 OR 4 TONS OF BLACK SAND SITTING HERE,
AND I'VE PROCESSED SMALL AMOUNTS,
YOU KNOW, AS I CHECK CLAIMS.
SO I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW MUCH IT'LL RUN AN HOUR
OR HOW MUCH HE'S EXPECTING AN HOUR.
I WANT TO SEE THIS MACHINE, BRYON.
TA-DA! WOW.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
SO, HERE IT IS.
YOU'RE KIDDING ME. THERE'S THE MACHINE.
YOU GOT IT ALL PAINTED AND EVERYTHING.
Narrator: TODD AND HIS CREW HAVE CALLED IN MANY FAVORS ALONG THE WAY,
BUT NONE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THIS ONE.
EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH.
IT'LL WORK WITH OUR MATERIAL
PROBABLY BETTER THAN ANY MATERIAL.
Narrator: THE HOFFMAN CREW IS DOWN TO THE LAST DAYS
OF THE GOLD-MINING SEASON.
WINTER'S FIRST SNOW SHOWERS AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES
THREATEN TO CLOSE THEM DOWN AT ANY MOMENT.
IF YOU QUIT, YOU DON'T GET THERE.
SO WE'RE GOING RIGHT TO THE BITTER END.
Narrator: THEY ARE NOW RUNNING RICHER, DEEPER DIRT
THROUGH THE WASH PLANT THAN THEY HAVE ALL SEASON.
LOOK AT THAT WHOLE BAR. OH, WOW.
THIS IS OUR BEST ONE YET.
BUT THE GUYS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THEIR HANDS
ON THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF FINE GOLD
THEY THINK IS TRAPPED IN THE BLACK SAND, UNTIL NOW.
INVENTOR BRYON TOLLE HAS BROUGHT IN A NEW MACHINE
THAT COULD MAKE THEM ALL RICH.
THERE WE GO.
HEY, DAD. YEAH.
I NEED JIM TO COME UP HERE.
HE'S BEEN BUSTING HIS BACK ON THOSE BUCKETS.
YOU'RE THE ONLY GUY NOT RUNNING A PIECE.
I NEED HIM TO COME UP HERE
AND WORK THIS BLACK SAND WITH BRYON.
OKAY, I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT HERE.
JACK'S GOT A SAMPLE OF DIRT
FROM THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE GLORY HOLE.
THIS IS HOT STUFF.
LET'S GO!
JACK DOESN'T TRUST THE PRIZE MATERIAL
TO BRYON'S PROTOTYPE MACHINE.
HE WANTS TO PAN IT BY HAND.
LISTEN, THIS BUCKET HERE,
I DON'T WANT IT GOING THROUGH THAT.
THIS BUCKET HERE STAYS HERE.
THAT BLACK SAND IS WHAT WE'RE INTERESTED IN.
OKAY, LET'S GO. OKAY.
YOU'RE NOT MESSING WITH MY BUCKET.
[ GRUNTS ]
LET'S RUN THIS ONE.
WE'RE GONNA RUN THE GOOD STUFF.
JACK JUST TOLD ME NOT TO RUN THIS BUCKET, BUT...
I THINK WE'RE GONNA RUN IT.
IS THAT A SCOOP, OR IS THAT TOO MUCH?
THIS IS OUR FIRST SCOOP, DUDE.
WOW, THERE IT GOES.
Tolle: WELL, ACTUALLY, SEE, YOU GET A LITTLE BONUS LOOK.
THERE'S GOLD ALL THROUGH THERE.
THERE'S GOLD. SEE HOW THE GOLD'S LAYING DOWN THROUGH THERE?
Narrator: THE PORCUPINE CREEK BLACK SAND
CONTAINS SMALL PARTICLES OF GOLD,
ALONG WITH OTHER MINERALS
AND A MAGNETIC METAL COMPOUND CALLED MAGNETITE.
THE SEPARATOR HAS A BELT WITH A MAGNET INSIDE IT.
AS THE BLACK SAND FALLS THROUGH THE WATER,
MAGNETITE IS PULLED TOWARD THE BELT.
THE GOLD AND NON-MAGNETIC MATERIAL
FALLS STRAIGHT DOWN INTO ONE BUCKET,
AND THE WORTHLESS MAGNETITE IS SEPARATED OUT INTO ANOTHER.
THAT TAKES CARE OF THE BLACK SAND FOR YOU.
THERE'S YOUR MAGNETITE, BUDDY.
NO GOLD IN IT.
Thurber: THAT'S AWESOME.
HERE'S YOUR GOLD SIDE.
SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS JUST TAKE THIS MAGNET,
RUN IT DOWN THROUGH HERE,
FIND OUT HOW GOOD OF A JOB WE DID.
AMAZING. TEENY.
SO YOU'VE JUST GOT RID
OF ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST ENEMIES IN HERE.
LET ME PAN THIS OUT A LITTLE BIT.
Narrator: THE REMAINING MATERIAL CONTAINS MORE GOLD
THAN THEY HAVE EVER SEEN IN THEIR PANS.
Todd: HWAS THAT?COOPS Thurber: TWO.
TWO SCOOPS. WHATEVER WE'RE RUNNING IS NO JOKE.
LOOK AT THAT. THERE'S NO MAGNETIC PROPERTIES IN IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU CANNOT ARGUE WITH SUCCESS.
MY HAT'S OFF TO YOU, BROTHER.
THANK YOU, SIR. YEAH.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
Narrator: WITH THE ALASKAN WINTER BEARING DOWN,
THE CREW NEEDS TO RUN AS MUCH DEEP MATERIAL
AS FAST AS THEY CAN.
BUT THE GLORY HOLE IS NOW SO DEEP,
IT'S FILLING UP WITH GROUNDWATER AS SOON AS JACK STOPS DIGGING.
FROM NOW ON, THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK 24/7
TO KEEP THE GLORY HOLE DRAINED.
THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE CREW, CHRIS DOUMITT,
DRAWS THE SHORT STRAW.
FOR WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH, I CERTAINLY HOPE IT IS WORTH IT.
JACK GOT DOWN INTO SOME REALLY, REALLY FINE MATERIAL.
THAT'S ABOUT THE ONLY REASON I'D BE DOING IT.
IF IT WAS ANYTHING LIKE IT'S BEEN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS,
I PROBABLY WOULDN'T GO THROUGH THIS.
Narrator: THE HOLE IS NOW 250 BY 300 FEET ACROSS
AND AS DEEP AS A 5-STORY BUILDING.
OVER 150 GALLONS OF WATER FLOOD INTO IT EVERY MINUTE.
IT TAKES ABOUT 7 1/2 HOURS
TO PUMP IT DOWN AS DRY AS WE CAN GET IT.
Narrator: IT'S NO EASY TASK.
WATER HAS TO FIRST BE FED
FROM AN AUXILIARY PUMP INTO THE MAIN PUMP.
AND NOW WE'LL GET THIS ONE PRIMING.
IT WOULD BE KIND OF NICE
IF THERE WAS SOMEBODY ON ANOTHER PUMP,
BECAUSE I'M OPENING, CLOSING VALVES
AND TURNING THINGS ON AND OFF.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
Narrator: CHRIS MANS HIS POST ALL NIGHT IN CASE A PUMP FAILS.
THINGS LOOK DIFFERENT IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: ONE FALSE STEP COULD LAND HIM
IN 25 FEET OF FREEZING WATER.
THE BANKS ARE STEEP.
I DON'T NEED TO HURT MYSELF OUT HERE TONIGHT
IS WHAT I'M SAYING,
'CAUSE NOBODY'S GONNA COME CHECK ON ME.
Narrator: UP AHEAD, TODD BREAKS DEVASTATING NEWS TO THURBER.
[BLEEP]I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
[BLEEP]
CDON'T GET --. GET OFF!
BACK UP. JUST BACK OFF A LITTLE BIT.
[ BIRD CAWING ]
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
Narrator: IT'S FIRST LIGHT IN PORCUPINE CREEK, ALASKA.
FOR NOW, THE GOLD MINERS HAVE BEEN SPARED ANY MORE SNOW.
IN A RACE AGAINST TIME,
CHRIS MANNED THE GLORY-HOLE PUMPS ALL NIGHT
TO GIVE JACK A FIGHTING CHANCE
TO HIT BEDROCK AND GET TO THE GOLD.
Jack: YEAH, IT'S A HOLE, THAT'S FOR SURE.
YEAH, CHRIS WORKED ALL NIGHT KEEPING THE PUMPS GOING.
SO, YEAH, I'M REAL PROUD OF HIM 'CAUSE NOW I CAN SEE IT.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I HAD GOTTEN DOWN THAT FAR.
HOPEFULLY, I CAN TOUCH BEDROCK.
IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE DO THAT SO I CAN PAY ALL THESE GUYS.
Narrator: THE HOFFMANS HAVE SPENT
NEARLY $275,000 TO GET THIS FAR.
WITH THE GLORY HOLE THE DEEPEST AND DRIEST IT'S EVER BEEN,
NOW IS THEIR BEST CHANCE OF FINDING ENOUGH GOLD TO GET PAID.
WE'RE GONNA HIT BEDROCK TODAY.
IF WE DON'T HIT BEDROCK TODAY, I'M GONNA BE PISSED OFF.
SO I WANT IT BAD.
WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND RUN.
WITH ALL THIS MATERIAL, WE GOT TO GET IT OUT OF HERE.
WE GOT TO RUN IT, AND IT'S REALLY GOOD STUFF.
Narrator: THE BLACK SAND COMING OUT OF THE WASH PLANT
IS GETTING RICHER BY THE DAY.
THURBER HAS BEEN HAULING BUCKETS OF IT FOR MONTHS,
HOPING THE GOLD TRAPPED INSIDE
WILL SAVE HIS HOUSE FROM FORECLOSURE.
Thurber: IT'LL WEAR ON YOU.
I'M DONE, BUT YOU GOT TO KEEP GOING.
I'VE GOT RESPONSIBILITIES, YOU KNOW?
I COULD THROW IN THE TOWEL AND JUST SAY,
"GUYS, I'M PHYSICALLY SHOT," BUT I CAN'T.
I GOT TO KEEP GOING.
Narrator: IT'S DOWN TO BRYON TOLLE TO GET GOLD
OUT OF THE HUNDREDS OF BUCKETS STOCKPILED
ON THEIR DIG DOWN TO BEDROCK.
IF THE OLDER BUCKET LOADS ARE AS RICH
AS THE MATERIAL COMING OUT NOW,
THEY COULD BE LOOKING AT $2 1/2 MILLION WORTH OF GOLD.
BUT IF THE OLD MATERIAL IS NOT RICH IN GOLD,
THEY WILL HAVE SPENT ALMOST FIVE MONTHS
BATTLING THE ALASKAN ELEMENTS FOR NOTHING.
THEY'RE ALL OVER THERE LOOKING NICE AND PRETTY ALL LINED UP.
BUT WHAT THE FRICK, YOU KNOW? I GOT TO GET THE GOLD OUT OF IT.
Narrator: THE MAGNETIC SEPARATOR PROVED
THE DEEPEST DIRT IS RICH IN GOLD.
IF THERE'S GOLD IN THE BUCKETS THEY'VE STOCKPILED,
THE SEPARATOR WILL FIND IT.
IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY RICH TO ME,
BUT THERE IS GOLD THAT YOU CAN BARELY SEE.
WE'LL FIND OUT.
BUT THE BLACK SAND FROM THE LAST FEW MONTHS
IS FROM MUCH SHALLOWER DIRT.
WHEN THE MAGNETIC RESIDUE IS REMOVED,
THERE'S VERY LITTLE GOLD.
THE NEWS IS DEVASTATING.
YEAH, IT COULD MEAN THERE'S NOTHING IN ANY OF OUR BUCKETS,
AT LEAST NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT WORTH A CRAP.
Tolle: THAT'S REAL FINE MATERIAL RIGHT THERE.
SO IT'S SHOWING THAT THE SEPARATOR
ISN'T LETTING IT FLOAT AWAY AND YOU'RE LOSING IT.
YOU'RE CAPTURING IT IN HERE,
BUT HOW MUCH YOU GOT OUT THERE TO START WITH,
THAT'S HARD TO SAY NOW.
Narrator: THE CREW WAS SURE
THEIR FOUR-MONTH STOCKPILE OF BLACK SAND
WAS MONEY IN THE BANK.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.
IF IT'S IN THERE, IT'S FRICKIN' FINE.
I CAN'T SEE IT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING.
I'VE GOT -- YOU KNOW, I WEAR GLASSES.
BRYON CHECKS BUCKET AFTER BUCKET OF THE OLDER MATERIAL.
BUT THE STORY REMAINS THE SAME.
Tolle: THAT'S THE AMOUNT OF GOLD
THAT I GOT OUT OF ONE 5-GALLON BUCKET.
THAT'S ABOUT $2 WORTH OF GOLD.
YOUR BUCKETS COST YOU 5 BUCKS APIECE.
YOU GOT MORE MONEY IN YOUR BUCKETS THAN IN YOUR GOLD. I'M SORRY.
OOH, THAT'S NOT GOOD. YEAH, I AM SORRY.
DUDE, THURBER'S GONNA CRY.
WITH JUST $2 WORTH OF GOLD FLAKE IN EACH BUCKET,
THURBER SPENT THE SEASON EARNING THE CREW A PALTRY $240.
HEY, THURB!
YEAH.
WE GOT ABOUT 2 BUCKS.
BRYON FOUND ONLY ABOUT $2 WORTH OF GOLD
IN THAT WHOLE BUCKET OF BLACK SAND.
ONE WHOLE BUCKET.
SO WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS
IS A BUNCH OF [BLEEP]
YEAH, IT LOOKS, YOU KNOW...
I DON'T KNOW.
AH [BLEEP] IT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.
[BLEEP]
COME ON, DUDE.
DON'T GET -- GET OFF!
WE'LL TALK -- I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW.
Man: HOW'D HE TAKE IT?
HOW DO YOU THINK HE FRICKIN' TOOK IT?
BACK UP. JUST BACK OFF A LITTLE BIT.
I'VE BEEN [BLEEP] TOLD THAT ALL OF MY TIME WAS WASTED.
AH [BLEEP] IT. [BLEEP]
Narrator: THE GOLD MINERS AT PORCUPINE CREEK
ARE FACING THE END OF THE SEASON.
THEY WERE CONVINCED THAT THEY HAD
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF FINE GOLD
IN THEIR BLACK-SAND BUCKETS.
BUT THE BUCKETS HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE WORTH
MORE THAN THEIR CONTENTS.
TO MAKE ANY MONEY AT ALL, THE CREW HAS JUST DAYS
TO FIND 40 TIMES MORE GOLD
THAN THEY HAVE IN ALMOST 5 MONTHS.
FOR SOME, IT IS A DESPERATE TIME.
Thurber: IT'S A LOT ABOUT SURVIVAL.
I MEAN, WE ALL CAME UP HERE
'CAUSE WORK AT HOME ISN'T THERE.
[ SNIFFLES ]
YOU KNOW, ANYONE THAT SAYS GOLD MINING IS EASY
HASN'T DONE IT, THAT'S FOR SURE.
Narrator: FOR SOME OF THE CREW, THERE IS STILL HOPE.
OVER AT THE GLORY HOLE,
JACK'S PULLING OUT BOULDERS THE SIZE OF REFRIGERATORS,
A SIGN THAT BEDROCK COULD BE CLOSE.
Todd: THERE'S THIS BIG BOULDER DOWN HERE,
AND IT WASN'T BROUGHT IN BY A RIVER.
IT'S TOTALLY BROUGHT IN BY A GLACIER.
AND IT'S NOVEL, AND A LOT OF THESE GUYS FIND GOLD
STACKED UNDERNEATH THESE BIG, LARGE BOULDERS
THAT ARE RIGHT DOWN ON THE BOTTOM.
SO WE HAVE ONE HERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF MY DAD CAN EVEN GET IT OUT, BUT IT'S BIG.
Jack: THERE IT IS.
DIG IT!
Narrator: JOHN SCHNABEL,
AT THE BIG NUGGET MINE ACROSS THE CREEK,
TOLD THE HOFFMANS HE FOUND $100,000 WORTH OF GOLD
UNDER A BOULDER LIKE THIS.
Todd: LOOK AT THAT. LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THAT ROCK.
A FIND OF THAT SIZE COULD SAVE THEIR OPERATION.
YOU'RE GETTING CLOSE TO SOMETHING.
THAT BIG ROCK -- WHATEVER WAS UNDER IT
OUGHT TO BE PRETTY GOOD WITH GOLD.
Narrator: THE SEDIMENT SURROUNDING THE BIG BOULDER
WAS UNDISTURBED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS
AND COULD BE PACKED FULL OF GOLD.
Jack: WHERE'S CHRIS PUTTING THIS?
IT SHOULD BE FIRST TO RUN.
THIS IS THE HOTTEST STUFF WE'VE HAD YET.
HEY, THAT MATERIAL
THAT JACK'S PULLING OUT OF THE HOLE RIGHT NOW,
IT'S THE HOTTEST STUFF YET.
WE'RE GETTING CLOSE.
WE'RE GETTING REALLY CLOSE.
SO LET'S JUST TAKE ALL THAT GOOD MATERIAL
STRAIGHT TO THE PLANT.
YOU GOT IT. ALL RIGHT, MAN.
Narrator: AFTER ALMOST FIVE MONTHS OF STRUGGLE,
THE GUYS RUN THE BEST DIRT YET THROUGH THE WASH PLANT.
EVERYTHING LOOKS PRETTY GOOD...
FOR A BUNCH OF HOMEMADE CRAP!
Narrator: FOR THURBER, THERE IS A GLIMMER OF HOPE
THAT HE COULD STILL SAVE HIS HOUSE FROM FORECLOSURE.
I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.
THIS IS THE DEEPEST WE'VE GONE.
THE GOLD'S BEEN GETTING BETTER AND BETTER ALL THE WAY DOWN.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS TURNS OUT.
IT SHOULD BE OUR BEST.
Narrator: THEY RUN FOR SIX HOURS, THEN SHUT DOWN
TO TEST THE DIRT THEY FOUND BENEATH THE BOULDER.
Todd: ALL THIS GOLD RIGHT THROUGH HERE, GUYS.
LOOK AT THAT CHUNK.
THAT'S LOOKING REALLY FRICKIN' GOOD.
YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CAN SHAKE YOUR PAN
AND HEAR THE GOLD IN IT,
THAT'S JUST --
THAT'S THE RICHEST MUSIC YOU CAN HEAR RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: ALL SIGNS INDICATE THE HOFFMAN CREW
IS CLOSER THAN EVER TO BEDROCK
AND GOLD THAT CAN MAKE THEM RICH
AND WIPE OUT $275,000 WORTH OF DEBT,
IF WINTER DOESN'T FREEZE THEM OUT FIRST.
Todd: IT MEANS THERE'S A CHANCE, YOU KNOW?
AND THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT WE WANT, YOU KNOW?
I MEAN, THE AVERAGE DUDE OUT THERE IN AMERICA,
HE'S NOT TRYING TO GO OUT AND SLAY THE DRAGON.
HE JUST WANTS TO KNOW THAT WE STILL LIVE IN A PLACE
WHERE THERE'S FREEDOM AND THERE STILL IS A CHANCE.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S A CHANCE FOR US
TO GO OUT AND DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.