Gold Rush: Alaska (2010–…): Season 2, Episode 9 - Behind the Scenes - full transcript

Narrator: BEHIND THE SCENES
OF "GOLD RUSH,"

AN ARMY OF PRODUCTION PEOPLE

COVERS THE EVERY MOVE
OF THREE GOLD-MINING CREWS.

OHH!

CAMERA TEAMS ARE SPREAD
ACROSS THREE CLAIMS...

WE'RE GONNA DO IT!

...ON 600 MILES
OF UNFORGIVING TERRAIN,

FROM SOUTHEAST ALASKA
TO THE KLONDIKE.

COPY THAT. ON OUR WAY.

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY,
PRODUCTION BATTLES

THE BRUTAL LANDSCAPE
RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE MINERS.



HERE WE HAVE OUR VULTURES, JUST
WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO DIE.

Man:
WE GOT TO GO. WHOO!

Narrator: FOR BOTH MINERS
AND TV CREW, THE DANGER IS REAL.

Clarke: SAM, YOU OKAY?
[ AIR HORN BLOWS ]

Narrator: THERE ARE RUN-INS
WITH WILDLIFE...

IS THAT A GRIZZLY?

EVERYTHING'S TRYING TO EAT YOU.

CAMERAMAN DOWN!

...FUNNY MISHAPS...
OH!

[ IMITATES SQUEAKING ]

OUR SOUNDIE'S STUCK.

Narrator: ...AND THE TV CREW
CAN'T HELP BUT CATCH GOLD FEVER.

GOLD FEVER, BABY!

IN NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN
FOOTAGE,



GET THE STORY
BEHIND THE STORY...

I'M WORRIED RIGHT NOW
ABOUT EVERYBODY.

Narrator: ...AND FIND OUT
WHAT IS TOUGHER...

WOMAN: Watch the bucket!
WHOA!

...GETTING GOLD
OR GETTING IT ALL ON FILM.

Doumitt: I SEE WHY THEY HAVE
A LOT OF CAMERAMEN.

I THINK THEY GO THROUGH THEM
PRETTY QUICK.

[ HORN HONKS ]

Narrator: AT THE BEGINNING
OF THEIR SECOND MINING SEASON...

IT'S PAYBACK TIME!

...THE HOFFMAN CREW SUDDENLY

HAD TO LEAVE
THE PORCUPINE CREEK CLAIM.

Fred:
I OWN PORCUPINE CREEK.

I'M GONNA MINE THIS CLAIM
THIS YEAR.

HEY, HEY!

NOT ONLY DID THE MINERS
HAVE TO UP AND LEAVE,

BUT PRODUCERS AND CAMERAMEN
ALSO HAD TO PACK UP

AND HEAD NORTH
IN SEARCH OF A NEW CLAIM.

MAN: Here we go.

TODD LED EVERYONE

TO THE LEGENDARY GOLD FIELDS
OF THE KLONDIKE.

THE HOPES OF BOTH THE MINERS
AND THE TV CREW

RESTED ON THE NEW
QUARTZ CREEK CLAIM.

Bates:
THEY'VE HAD A BAD SEASON SO FAR.

THEY'VE HAD PORCUPINE
TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM.

THEY'VE KIND OF GOT EVERYTHING
RIDING ON THIS, SO...

TODD RECKONS
HE'S GOT THE ANSWER HERE.

WE WANT TO SEE GOLD.
THE VIEWERS WANT TO SEE GOLD.

WE ALL WANT TO SEE GOLD.

Man: KEEP HER GOING,
KEEP HER GOING.

CRANK IT, CRANK IT.
THERE YOU GO.

Narrator:
THE HOFFMAN CREW SET UP CAMP

IN THE KLONDIKE WILDERNESS.

WHOA, WHOA,
WHOA, WHOA!

Todd: PERFECT.

Remsburg:
GOING FROM PORCUPINE --

A NICE, MOIST,
GREEN ENVIRONMENT --

THIS IS LIKE
WE JUST GOT DROPPED ON MARS.

Narrator: ADJUSTING TO THEIR NEW
HOME WAS TOUGH FOR THE MINERS,

BUT EVEN MORE SO FOR THE MAINLY
BRITISH PRODUCTION CREW,

MANY OF THEM
FRESH OFF THE STREETS OF LONDON.

Dalby:
THIS IS HOME FOR THE FILM CREW.

WE'RE GONNA BE UP HERE
FOR MONTHS ON END,

LIVING, WORKING,
YOU KNOW, SLEEPING.

IT'S KLONDIKE PARADISE.

IT'S A RETREAT
FROM THE HOFFMANS.

[ LAUGHTER ]

YOU KNOW, GOOD FENCES
MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS, OKAY?

WHAT THAT MEANS --
YOU EVER HEARD THAT TERM?

BUT...

[ LAUGHTER ]

WE'RE GONNA BE POOING
IN THE SAME HOLE,

SO WE'RE GONNA
HAVE TO GET ON.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE,
YOU JUST...

[ AIR HORN BLOWS ]
...YOU JUST HIT THE HORN.

THEY HAVE TO CARRY
BEAR HORNS.

AND SO WHEN THEY --
IF THEY'RE NOT LOOKING,

YOU JUST HIT THEIR HORN ONCE
IN A WHILE, AND EVERYBODY JUMPS.

Narrator: IT'S NOT EASY
FOR THE CAMERA CREW TO ADJUST.

THEIR FIRST PROBLEM IS THAT THE
GROUND THE HOFFMANS PLAN TO MINE

IS ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF QUARTZ CREEK.

THE MINE IS ACROSS THE RIVER.

WE EITHER GET WET FEET,
DON'T GET THERE,

HAVE TO GET A VEHICLE,
LOSE THEM.

SO WE GOT TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF
AND FIX A BRIDGE.

[ LAUGHTER ]

WE LIVE IT.
WE'RE IN THE DIRT WITH THEM.

WE'RE IN THE SUN.

WE'RE IN THE MOSQUITO-INFESTED
FORESTS.

WE COME
FROM VERY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS,

BUT WE EXPERIENCE IT WITH THEM.

NOW WE CAN GO ACROSS
THE RIVER...

WHOA!

...WITHOUT GETTING WET,
AND QUICKLY.

SO THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

[ LAUGHTER ]

WHOO-HOO!

Narrator: BUT THE MINERS
ARE LESS THAN IMPRESSED

WITH THE CREW'S EFFORTS.

THIS IS THE BEST
YOU GUYS COULD DO?

SERIOUSLY.

IT'S A PRETTY DECENT BRIDGE.

I DON'T KNOW, MAN.

NOT BAD FOR A BUNCH OF GUYS
FROM LONDON.

WHAT IS THIS --
"HUCKLEBERRY FINN"?

[ LAUGHTER ]

Narrator:
THE MINERS AND PRODUCTION TEAM
HAVE MADE THEMSELVES AT HOME.

BUT UP IN THE KLONDIKE,

THE WILDLIFE DOESN'T RESPECT
MAN-MADE BOUNDARIES.

Man: IS THAT A GRIZZLY?
IT'S A GRIZZLY.

A YOUNG GRIZZLY
IS IN THE HEART OF THE CAMP.

MAN: Obviously aware
of this bear in camp.

BUT TODD'S 12-YEAR-OLD SON,
HUNTER...

[ AIR HORN BLOWS ]
...IS OBLIVIOUS.

Man: SOMEONE GO AROUND
AND TELL HUNTER.

LUCKILY FOR HUNTER,
THE CREW ALL CARRY BEAR HORNS.

ONE JUST WALKED RIGHT IN FRONT
OF DAVE'S TRUCK,

AND IT'S RIGHT OVER THERE.

Narrator:
TO EVERYONE'S SURPRISE,

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE BEAR
IN CAMP.

I HAVE AN AIR HORN
AND SOME BEAR SPRAY.

SO, I GAVE A COUPLE OF TOOTS
'CAUSE THE BLACK BEAR WAS --

I DON'T KNOW -- 15, 20 YARDS
MAYBE FROM OUR TRAILER,

WHERE I WAS COOKING SOME NICE
PIEROGIES AND CARIBOU SAUSAGE.

SO, I THOUGHT
IT'D BE A GOOD IDEA

TO MAKE MY PRESENCE KNOWN
TO THE BEAR

SO HE DOESN'T GET TOO CONVINCED

THAT HE'S GONNA GET
SOME OF OUR DINNER.

I'M NOT GONNA LET THAT BEAR TAKE
ANY OF OUR CARIBOU SAUSAGE.

[ LAUGHTER ]

FIRST THOUGHT WAS "SHOOT IT,"
WITH THE CAMERA, NOT A GUN.

BUT THEN I JUST FILMED HUNTER ON
HIS TROMMEL DOWN THE WAY THERE,

SO WE SENT
OUR LOVELY SOUND MAN DOWN

TO WARN HUNTER
ABOUT THE GRIZZLY.

Narrator:
TODD ARRIVES BACK AT CAMP

TO LEARN THEY'VE HAD NOT ONE,
BUT TWO WILD INTRUDERS.

SO, YOU'RE TELLING ME
THAT THERE'S A GRIZZLY BEAR

AND THEN A BLACK BEAR
RIGHT BEHIND HIM?

LIKE, YEAH.
RIGHT THROUGH CAMP?

THE GRIZZLY BEAR
WAS GOING THAT WAY,

AND THE BLACK BEAR
COMES UP THAT WAY.

WHAT IS THIS --
A CIRCUS OR SOMETHING?

IT'S NOT A ZOO HERE.

Nicholson: THAT'S
THE FIRST BEAR I'VE SEEN --

WELL, ACTUALLY, THAT'S A LIE.

THE FIRST BEAR I'VE SEEN
WHEN I'VE NOT BEEN IN A VEHICLE,

POUNDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

IT WAS BRILLIANT.
THE FIRST -- I WAS --

OH! AH!

EVERYTHING'S TRYING TO EAT YOU.

Narrator:
IN THE INHOSPITABLE KLONDIKE,

THE FILM CREW AND MINERS
QUICKLY FIND OUT

THAT THERE ARE DANGERS
AROUND EVERY CORNER.

Harness:
THIS ROAD IS TREACHEROUS TODAY.

NOW THERE'S A LOADER OFF.
THAT'LL NEVER GET OUT OF THERE.

Narrator: THE ONLY WAY IN AND
OUT OF THE QUARTZ CREEK CLAIM

IS A PERILOUS,
40-MILE MOUNTAIN ROAD

WHICH HAS ALREADY CLAIMED
TWO LIVES THIS YEAR.

Gorsuch:
REALLY, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS
THAT CAN HURT YOU OR KILL YOU

IN THE MAKING OF THE SHOW,
BUT PROBABLY THE GREATEST RISK

THAT WE FACE
IS THIS ROAD WE DRIVE ON.

Harness: JAMES TO BASE.

ONE OF THE TOURISTS HAS RAN
OFF THE ROAD UP ON HUNKER.

THIS IS JUST MUSH.

YOU GET ANY WEIGHT ON IT,
AND YOU'RE GOING DOWN.

Narrator: THE DANGEROUS ROAD
TO THE NEW CLAIM

BECAME A MAJOR STORY LINE

AS THE HOFFMANS SET UP
THEIR MINING OPERATION.

THEY'RE MOVING SOMETHING

FROM CIVILIZATION, BASICALLY,
OUT TO THE WILDERNESS,

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE GUY
WHO CAN DO IT,

AND IT'S THIS TRUCK DRIVER
TOM FENTON.

SO, HE'S GONNA GO UP
AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN

AND DELIVER THE FIRST PIECE
OF REAL BIG GEAR

TO THE CLAIM TODAY.

EVERYONE THINKS THE ROAD IS
THE BIGGEST DANGER ON THIS JOB.

SOMEONE DIED ON IT LAST WEEK.

THAT'S HOW TREACHEROUS IT IS.

SO, JUST PAY ATTENTION.

NOTHING'S WORTH
KILLING YOURSELF FOR.

Narrator: WITH LAST WEEK'S
FATALITY FRESH ON THEIR MINDS,

THE CAMERA CREW
WILL HAVE TO KEEP UP

WITH LEGENDARY KLONDIKE TRUCKER
TOM FENTON.

Man: CAN YOU TELL ME, WHY ARE
YOU THE ONLY GUY WHO WILL DO IT?

THE ONLY ONE DUMB ENOUGH?

[ LAUGHTER ]

THIS GUY IS TOUGH.

Narrator:
THE HOFFMANS' 228 EXCAVATOR

WEIGHS 50,000 POUNDS,

MEANING ONCE TOM GETS GOING,
HE WON'T SLOW DOWN FOR ANYONE.

THE CREW RIGS A MINI CAMERA
TO THE CAB,

BUT TO GET THE SHOTS THEY NEED,

THEY HAVE TO DRIVE IN FRONT
OF TOM'S MASSIVE TRUCK.

I'M SHOOTING IN FRONT
OF THE EXCAVATOR.

SO, WE'LL STRAP THE CAMERA IN
HERE, MAKE SURE IT'S ALL SAFE.

Man: HE WANTS TO GO.

SO I'M JUST GONNA
MAKE MYSELF COMFORTABLE.

WELL, AS COMFORTABLE AS CAN BE.

Man: WHERE'S THE SECOND VEHICLE?
HE'S GOING.

Narrator:
TOM IS ANXIOUS TO GET GOING

AND PULLS OUT
BEFORE THE CREW IS READY.

Man:
HE'S ALREADY GOING, GUYS.

Narrator: THE CAMERA CREW
SCRAMBLES TO CATCH UP

BUT IS LEFT EATING TOM'S DUST.

HE'S HIGHBALLING IT.
HE'S NOT WAITING FOR ANYBODY.

SURE AS HELL
CAN'T OVERTAKE HIM IN THIS.

THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET PAST HIM

IS WHEN WE GET HIM GOING UP
A HILL THAT'S WIDE ENOUGH

AND NOT DUSTY
AND SO THAT I CAN SEE,

AND THEN I'LL TRY
AND SNEAK BY HIM.

BUT, OTHERWISE, HE TAKES UP
THE WHOLE ROAD, AS YOU CAN SEE.

Narrator: PASSING ON THIS ROAD
IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS,

BUT TO GET THE SHOTS THEY NEED,
THE CREW WILL HAVE TO RISK IT.

Man: YEAH, IT'S GONNA BE
A HUGE, HUGE DUST BOWL.

BE LUCKY IF WE SEE ANYTHING
BUT THE HUGE EXCAVATOR.

WE MAY NEVER GET PAST HIM.

Narrator:
THE DUST DOES NOT SLOW TOM DOWN,

BUT LUCKILY FOR THE CAMERA CAR,
A STEEP HILL CLIMB DOES.

IT'S NOW OR NEVER.

UNIT MANAGER ROB TOOHEY
HAS TO HOPE

THE SOFT GROUND
AT THE EDGE OF THE ROAD HOLDS.

IF IT DOESN'T,
THE CAR WILL FLIP OFF THE ROAD.

THIS GUY IS A MADMAN.
[ LAUGHS ]

WE'LL STAY IN FRONT
OF THE LAD NOW.

Narrator:
IT TAKES THREE HOURS OF SHOOTING

ON A BUMPY, DANGEROUS,
AND DUSTY ROAD,

BUT DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
GARY CLARKE

FINALLY GETS WHAT HE NEEDS.

GREAT SHOTS.

AND FEARLESS
TRUCK DRIVER TOM

GETS TODD'S EXCAVATOR SAFELY
TO THE CLAIM.

[ AIR BRAKE HISSES ]

THIS IS OUR FIRST PIECE
OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE MINE.

IT FEELS GOOD,
LIKE WE'RE JUST KIND OF

MOVING IN TO AN APARTMENT
AND YOU GOT YOUR WATER BED IN.

GOT SOME GREAT SHOTS.

THE ENTIRE CAR
IS LIKE THE GOBI DESERT.

Todd: LOOK AT GARY.

[ CHUCKLES ]

YOU'RE
A LITTLE DUSTY THERE.

JUST A LITTLE DIRTY.
JUST A LITTLE.

GOOD WORK, MAN.

Narrator: UP AHEAD...

MINERS AND FILM CREW
BATTLE THICK KLONDIKE MUCK.

Remsburg: I'LL TELL YOU WHAT --
I'M NOT AFRAID OF MUCH,

BUT THAT SCARED ME.

DOWN SOUTH
AT THE BIG NUGGET MINE,

THE CAMERAS GET IN THE WAY OF
THE RELENTLESS SCHNABEL FAMILY.

Man:
WE GOT TO GO. WHOO!

LITERALLY THE GROUND
WAS TAKEN FROM UNDER MY FEET.

Narrator: AND DISASTER STRIKES
FOR THE PRODUCTION TEAM

IN THE KLONDIKE...
Clarke: SAM?

...AS A "GOLD RUSH" PRODUCER

FALLS VICTIM
TO THE DEADLY MOUNTAIN ROAD.

Narrator: EVERY DAY,
THE "GOLD RUSH" CAMERA CREW

SET OFF FROM THEIR BASE
IN DAWSON CITY

TO RELIEVE THE TEAM OVERNIGHTING
AT QUARTZ CREEK CLAIM.

THEIR COMMUTE IS 40 MILES
OF TREACHEROUS MOUNTAIN ROAD

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WILDERNESS.

AFTER ONLY FIVE DAYS
IN THE KLONDIKE,

A RADIO CALL REACHES BASE

THAT ONE
OF THE PRODUCTION VEHICLES

HAS GONE OFF THE ROAD.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
GARY CLARKE

IS FIRST ON THE SCENE.

Clarke: SAM?

SAM, YOU OKAY?

YEAH, YEAH, I'M GOOD.

"GOLD RUSH" PRODUCER
SAM BROWN

HAS HAD A BRUSH WITH DEATH.

HE BRAKED TOO HARD
AND SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD.

LUCKILY,
A TREE STUMP STOPPED HIM

ROLLING HUNDREDS OF FEET
TO THE VALLEY FLOOR.

SAM, YOU WERE LUCKY.
YEAH.

THAT'S ONE
OF MY NINE LIVES.

YOU COULD'VE ROLLED
ALL THE WAY DOWN THAT HILL.

IT'S BEING HELD UP
BY A STUMP.

THE JIB, WHICH IS LIKE
THE CRANE FOR THE CAMERA --

THE FRONT RATCHET POPPED OFF,

AND SO IT SWUNG AROUND
OVER THE ROOF.

SO, I SLAMMED THE BRAKES
ON A BIT TOO HARD,

AND IT WAS ON A MUDDY PATCH,

AND THE BACK SLID OUT
FROM BEHIND ME.

Narrator: CLAIM OWNER
GREG McNEIL SHOWS UP TO HELP.

HE'S ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE
TO REGULARLY DRIVE THIS ROAD.

THERE'S BEEN MORE THAN ONE LOST
ON THE HILL HERE IN YEARS PAST.

BUT IT'S A TREACHEROUS ROAD.

Narrator:
IT'S GOING TO TAKE GREG'S
EXPERIENCE AND EXTRA HORSEPOWER

TO PULL THE CAMERA CAR
FROM ITS PRECARIOUS PERCH.

WE'RE JUST GONNA GO REAL EASY.
JUST LET ME DO IT.

I NEED
TO TURN THOSE WHEELS.

[ ENGINE REVVING ]

[ INDISTINCT SHOUTING ]

Maynard: SAM, GET OUT
OF THAT VEHICLE.

SAM, OUT!

[ ENGINE REVVING ]

STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL!
STRAIGHTEN IT! STRAIGHTEN IT!

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!

[ LAUGHTER ]

WE HAD A POOL

ON WHO WAS GONNA
GO OFF THE ROAD FIRST,

WHICH ONE OF THE BRITS,

AND SAM BROWN WON, HANDS DOWN.

SAFE AND SOUND.

WE'RE HERE
FOR THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS.

WE MIGHT HAVE TO
CALL ON YOU AGAIN.

SHOOT YOU OUT.
24-HOUR SERVICE.

NOW, HEY,
THEY CAN'T DRIVE FOR [BLEEP]

Narrator: IN THESE HARSH
CONDITIONS, THE CAMERA CREWS

ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES
HAVING VEHICLE PROBLEMS.

DAVE TURIN GOT INTO TROUBLE

AS HE STARTED STRIPPING
THE QUARTZ CREEK PERMAFROST.

Turin:
THE PERMAFROST IS MELTING.

IT'S MAKING IT HARDER FOR ME
TO GET ANY TRACTION.

IT'S JUST TURNING EVERYTHING
INTO MUD.

Narrator:
IT'S MAN AND MACHINE

VERSUS THE HOSTILE
KLONDIKE LANDSCAPE.

Turin: SEE THERE? WHOA!
THERE WE GO.

Narrator:
AND WHEREVER THE MINERS GO,

THE FILM CREW HAS TO FOLLOW.

THE MINERS' PROBLEM
IS OUR PROBLEM.

THEY'RE DEALING WITH PERMAFROST.

SO, THEY'RE STRIPPING THIS STUFF
OFF THE TOP,

EXPOSING THIS FROZEN MUD,

AND THEN OVERNIGHT WE GET 6 OR 8
INCHES OF IT THAWING OUT,

AND THAT IS JUST, LIKE, SLURRY,

AND WE HAVE TO
WADE THROUGH THAT.

IT'S REALLY HARD GOING
OUT THERE.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DRUNK,
STAGGERING AND SLIPPING

AND SLIDING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

Doumitt: YOU'RE RUNNING ON ICE,
IN THIS MUCK,

AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW, YOUR
EQUIPMENT IS SLIDING AROUND.

IT'S SCARY.

AND THEN YOU GOT SOME CAMERAMAN
2, 3 FEET AWAY,

TRYING TO GET A PICTURE OF IT,

AND HE'S STUCK IN THE MUD,
SO HE CAN'T MOVE.

CAMERAMAN DOWN!

Jack: I'LL DIG HIM OUT
WITH THE HOE!

I SEE WHY THEY HAVE A LOT
OF CAMERAMEN AND SOUND GUYS.

I THINK THEY GO THROUGH THEM
PRETTY QUICK.

I AM STUCK IN THE MUD...

UP TO MY KNEES.

LET'S TRY GIVING YOU
THE CAMERA.

[ SQUISHING ]

OHH!
[ LAUGHTER ]

YOU KNOW, THE WILDLIFE
CAN CRUISE RIGHT THROUGH THERE,

SO AS THEY'RE STANDING THERE,
SQUIRMING...

[ MAN GRUNTS ]

...AND YELLING FOR HELP...

[ MAN GRUNTS ]

...YOU KNOW, THEY GO, "HMM.

THERE'S AN EASY MEAL."

OH, MY GOD!

DUDE, YOU ARE STUCK!

[ LAUGHS ]

YOU CAN'T TELL

UNTIL YOU'VE STEPPED IN IT
WHAT CONSISTENCY IT HAS.

SOME OF IT'S FIRM,

AND SOME OF IT, YOU SINK
DOWN TO BELOW YOUR KNEE.

Man:
YOU NEED SOME HELP?

Remsburg: OH, NO.
HE IS KNEE-DEEP.

I THOUGHT
HE WAS KNEELING.

Narrator: THE BLACK MUCK
IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE.

TO SHOW JUST HOW WILD
AND UNFORGIVING

THE KLONDIKE LANDSCAPE IS,

THE "GOLD RUSH" CREW
HAS TO GET OUT OF THE MUD

AND INTO THE AIR.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHARACTERS
IN THE SHOW IS NATURE

AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND
HOW OUR MINERS DEAL WITH THAT.

Narrator: DIRECTOR OF
PHOTOGRAPHY PATRICK SMITH

WILL SHOOT OUT OF AN OPEN DOOR.

THE ONLY THING
BETWEEN HIM AND THE GROUND

IS HIS SAFETY HARNESS.

Gorsuch:
PATRICK IS GONNA BE SHOOTING
OUT THE DOOR OF THIS HELICOPTER.

UH, HE'S AFRAID OF HEIGHTS.
[ LAUGHS ]

SO THAT'S ALWAYS FUN.

BUT HE'S BEING QUITE BRAVE
FOR US,

AND WE'RE JUST GONNA FLY AROUND

AND SHOOT SOME
REALLY PRETTY PICTURES TODAY.

WE'VE HAD WORD FROM THE CLAIM

THAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE GOOD,

SO WE'RE OFF.

[ HELICOPTER ENGINE HUMMING ]

[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]

GORSUCH:
Patrick, you ready?

SMITH:
Yeah, yeah, I'm ready.

THIS GIVES A WHOLE NEW
PERSPECTIVE ON THE AREA.

THE SCALE OF IT IS SOMETHING
QUITE HARD TO COMPREHEND.

WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH IT,
YOU ONLY SEE LITTLE POCKETS.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE UP IN THE AIR,

YOU REALLY SEE
HOW BIG THIS PLACE IS.

BLACK BEAR.
WHERE?

RIGHT ON THE ROAD
IN FRONT OF US.

BLACK BEAR ON THE ROAD,
ON THE LEFT FORK, JUST WALKING.

TIM, YOU GOT HIM.
THAT'S A DIFFERENT ONE.

DON'T SCARE HIM.

AH, WELL, HE'S SCARED.

YEAH.

CAMERA IN THE SKY IS KIND
OF INTIMIDATING, I THINK.

YOU DON'T KNOW
IF YOU'RE BEING WATCHED OR NOT.

WE'RE TOLD,
"DON'T LOOK AT THE CAMERA."

CAN'T LOOK UP, EVEN THOUGH YOU
WANT TO JUST STARE AT IT, LIKE,

"WOW. THAT'S THE COOLEST THING
IN THE WORLD."

Smith: JUST GET TIGHTER
ON THE WASH PLANT.

IT'S PRETTY DAMN EPIC.

MAN: The more pushing
that Dave does, the better.

Turin: OKAY. I'M PUSHING.

That's good.

Nice, tight circle around him
works well for me.

Smith:
I'M GONNA THROW UP.

[ LAUGHS ]

Turin: WOW. THAT WAS SO COOL.

I'M PUSHING ALONG,
PUSHING THAT MUD.

PATRICK'S LEANING
OUT OF THE HELICOPTER.

I'M GOING RIGHT FOR HIM,
AND HE'S TURNED SIDEWAYS,

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN
I'M, LIKE, RIGHT UNDERNEATH HIM,

AND HE JUST TAKES OFF.

I JUST FEEL THE WIND
BLOWING OVER TOP OF ME.

YEAH, THAT WAS COOL.

THIS WAS DEFINITELY
A GOOD DAY'S FILMING.

Narrator: COMING UP...

YOU WOULD LIKE ME
TO TALK TO YOU LIKE THAT?

...AFTER A FIGHT WITH FRED,
DUSTIN HURT GOES AWOL...

OKAY. COPY THAT.
DAMN CAMERA CREW.

...SENDING PRODUCTION
INTO CHAOS.

Narrator: AT PORCUPINE CREEK
IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA,

THE PRODUCTION TEAM IS BACK
FOR A SECOND MINING SEASON.

MANY OF THE CREW
KNOW THIS PLACE ALL TOO WELL,

AFTER SPENDING FIVE MONTHS
FILMING THE HOFFMANS MINING HERE

LAST YEAR.

IT'S WEIRD BEING BACK.

YOU SORT OF FORGET HOW BEAUTIFUL
IT IS AROUND HERE.

AND, OBVIOUSLY,
A LOT HAS CHANGED AT THE MINE.

FRED'S OBVIOUSLY COME UP
WITH HIS OWN PLAN

TO GET AS MUCH GOLD AS HE CAN.

Narrator:
"DAKOTA" FRED'S PLAN

IS RADICALLY DIFFERENT
FROM THE HOFFMANS' APPROACH,

AND HE ISN'T WAITING
FOR THE CAMERAS TO GET GOING.

I NEED TO CHANGE FRED'S BATTERY
IN HIS RADIO MIKE,

AND HE'S DOWN IN THIS HOLE, AND
IT HAS TO HAPPEN SUPER QUICK.

OTHERWISE, EVERYBODY GETS MAD.

I'M TEACHING 'EM HOW TO DO IT
A LITTLE QUICKER.

TRYING TO TRAIN 'EM
LIKE A NASCAR PIT CREW.

LET'S GO!

ALL RIGHT!
EVERYBODY SET?!

ALL RIGHT, DUSTIN!
HERE WE GO!

I THINK FRED'S ON A MISSION,
AND THERE'S NO STOPPING HIM.

I'VE NEVER SEEN HIM LIKE THIS.

HE'S LIKE A MAN POSSESSED.

AH!

I'D SAY THAT FRED AND HIS TEAM

ALL HAVE
A PRETTY AMAZING WORK ETHIC.

THEY'RE UP
BEFORE EVERYBODY ELSE,

AND THEY'RE THE LAST ONES
TO BED,

AND THERE ARE 18-HOUR DAYS,
LIKE, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Narrator:
BUT WEEKS OF GRUELING HOURS...

JUST LAY IT DOWN!

...WITH NO GOLD AT ALL...

GOOD JOB, FRED.

...TAKE THEIR TOLL
ON FRED'S SON, DUSTIN.

MOVE THAT BIG ROCK
DOWN THERE.

WHEN THE AGING LOADER
BREAKS DOWN,

THE CREW WORRIES
THAT DUSTIN MIGHT JUST SNAP.

FEEL REALLY SORRY FOR DUSTIN.
HERE HE IS. POOR THING.

Dustin: IT'S A PRETTY BAD DAY
FOR EQUIPMENT.

JUST MAKES YOU...

WANT TO JUST QUIT.

Narrator: THE PRODUCTION TEAM
SHARES THEIR CONCERN WITH FRED.

WE'RE VERY WORRIED
ABOUT DUSTIN.

WELL, SO AM I.

SO, I DON'T KNOW
EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.

[ METAL LATCH CLICKS ]

THE MINE NEEDS DUSTIN.
DUSTIN IS HERE.

HE'S THE MUSCLE.
HE'S HERE TO HELP FIND GOLD.

Jourdan: OKAY?

NO, I'M NOT OKAY.
[ CHUCKLES ]

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

I'M JUST EXHAUSTED.

IS HE GONNA WALK,
DO YOU THINK?

HE COULD. HE COULD.

YOU KIND OF GET INVOLVED
IN THEIR LIVES,

AND YOU END UP CARING FOR THEM.

YOU END UP CARING
FOR THEIR TROUBLES,

FOR THEIR HIGHS, THEIR LOWS.

WHEN YOU ASK ME A QUESTION,
YOU GO,

"WHAT THE HELL
YOU DOING?!"

THAT [BLEEP] STARTS
[BLEEP] WEARING ON ME.

I APOLOGIZE
IF IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS.

YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO TALK TO YOU
LIKE THAT ALL THE TIME?

Narrator:
DUSTIN'S HAD ENOUGH.

HE STORMS OFF THE CLAIM,

LEAVING PRODUCTION
SCRAMBLING TO CATCH UP.

MAN: Fred and Dustin have had
a bit of a dustup here.

We're not sure what's
going on, but we're
gonna chase after them.

OKAY. COPY THAT.
WE ARE ON THE ROAD.

THE BOTTOM LINE
COULD BE THAT DUSTIN

IS NO LONGER GONNA BE INVOLVED
WITH THE GOLD MINE,

SO THIS IS A CRUCIAL,
PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR OUR FILM.

Narrator: THE CREW CHASES DUSTIN
30 MILES TO HAINES.

THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE MINERS
WHEREVER THEY GO.

BUT NOW DUSTIN'S
MISSING IN ACTION,

AND THE CREW
IS MISSING THE STORY.

WHAT WE'RE REALLY
WORRIED ABOUT

IS THAT WE'RE GONNA
LOSE DUSTIN

OUT OF THIS STORY
COMPLETELY,

AND AT THE MOMENT,

THAT IS GONNA LEAVE FRED
WITH A ONE-MAN GOLD MINE.

[ DOOR CHIMING ]

Molly: DUSTIN!

HE JUST DOESN'T WANT
TO BE FILMED.

HE JUST DOES NOT WANT
TO BE FILMED.

Narrator: THE NEXT MORNING,
WORD REACHES PRODUCTION

THAT DUSTIN IS ON HIS WAY
BACK TO PORCUPINE CREEK.

WHATEVER HAPPENS
BETWEEN DUSTIN AND FRED,

THE CAMERAS NEED TO COVER IT.

THERE IS A FINE LINE
BETWEEN BEING TOO PUSHY

AND, AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW,

WE'RE MAKING
AN OBSERVATIONAL DOC,

AND I THINK, YEAH, YOU NEED TO
BE IN THERE AND GET THE ACTION

AND GET, YOU KNOW,
PEOPLE'S IMMEDIATE REACTIONS

AND EMOTIONS AND WHATEVER COMES,
BUT AT THE SAME TIME...

YEAH, AT THE SAME,
YOU DON'T WANT THEM

TO PUNCH YOUR CAMERA OUT.

AT THE END OF THE DAY,
HE'S HERE TO FIND GOLD,

WE'RE HERE TO FILM HIM
FINDING GOLD,

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE AFTER,
YOU KNOW?

WE'RE AFTER GOLD.

Narrator:
THE CREW TREADS LIGHTLY,

BUT THEY'VE GOT TO FOLLOW
THE DRAMA...

HEY, FELLAS.

...AND THAT MEANS GETTING
A MICROPHONE ONTO DUSTIN

AS SOON AS HE STEPS BACK
ON THE CLAIM.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

NOPE.
WHAT HAPPENED?

Dustin: I SNAPPED.

I'M SORRY FOR THAT.
YOU DIDN'T DESERVE THAT.

I WISH
I COULD TAKE IT BACK.

I BLAME IT ON FATIGUE.

I JUST LOST MY [BLEEP] MIND
YESTERDAY.

SO, I LOVE YOU.

LOVE YOU TOO.

COME HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK.

YEAH.

GOOD TO BE BACK.

Man:
THAT'S REALLY TOUGH.

THAT'S A REAL SITUATION,

WITH A GUY, YOU KNOW,
FIGHTING HIS EMOTIONS,

AND WE HAVE TO GET THAT
INTO OUR FILM, AS WELL.

NO, NO ONE PUNCHED THE CAMERA.
I WAS HOPING --

I WAS HOPING FOR AT LEAST THIS,
YOU KNOW,

OR "GET OUT OF MY F'ing FACE"
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT, NO.

Narrator:
UP AHEAD, AT QUARTZ CREEK,
THE ARRIVAL OF THE TEST DRILL

PUTS BOTH THE MINERS
AND PRODUCTION CREW ON EDGE.

THIS IS A BIG MOMENT.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE COVERING IT

WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERY CAMERA
WE'VE GOT.

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE SET
OF LIVELIHOODS ON THE LINE HERE.

Narrator: AT QUARTZ CREEK,

THE MINERS
AND THE PRODUCTION TEAM

HAVE BEEN LIVING AT THE CLAIM
FOR SEVEN GRUELING WEEKS,

BUT NO ONE HAS SEEN ANY GOLD.

Dalby: I'VE HEARD JACK SAY THAT
"IT'S DOWN THERE, WE'RE CLOSE,

WE'RE GONNA PULL IT OUT,"
SO MANY TIMES,

AND I'VE BELIEVED HIM
SO MANY TIMES,

AND I'VE BEEN READY FOR THE SHOT
OF THE OODLES OF GOLD

SO MANY TIMES,

AND I JUST WANT TO SEE IT NOW.

THEY'VE SPENT QUITE A LOT
OF TIME WORKING ALREADY,

AND THEY HAVEN'T
REALLY ACHIEVED THAT MUCH,

SO WE REALLY NEED TO --
FOR US AND THEM --

MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS POINT
QUITE QUICKLY.

PEOPLE IN TELEVISION TALK
ABOUT JEOPARDY ALL THE TIME.

IN MANY RESPECTS,
IT'S A BIT OF A DIRTY WORD.

I'VE WORKED
ON LOADS OF TELEVISION

WHERE THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
SAID, "WHERE IS THE JEOPARDY?"

GOLD MINING, YOU KNOW,

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PRODUCE
ANY OF THAT JEOPARDY.

IT'S NATURALLY HERE.

Narrator:
WITH A THIRD OF THE SEASON GONE,

THE HOFFMANS DECIDE
TO DRILL THE CLAIM.

THE MINERS AND CAMERA CREW
ARE ABOUT TO FIND OUT

IF THERE IS ANY GOLD
AT QUARTZ CREEK.

I'D LOVE FOR THEM
TO HAVE THE MOTHER LODE OF GOLD

RIGHT UNDER THEIR FEET,

BUT IT COULD GO
ANOTHER DIRECTION...

THAT'S RIGHT.

...AND THEY
COULD HAVE NOTHING.

GLAD TO HEAR YOU'RE HOPING
THE BEST FOR US.

I'M HOPING FOR ALL SIDES.

'CAUSE I THINK SOMETIMES YOU
HOPE FOR THE WORST, DON'T YOU?

I WOULDN'T WANT TO GO MINING

WITHOUT FIRST TESTING
THE GROUND,

BECAUSE ALL IT TAKES
IS ONE BAD BIT

AND YOU COULD LOSE
A FORTUNE RIGHT THERE.

[ Chuckling ] I'M NERVOUS.

IF WE DON'T FIND GOLD
IN THESE HOLES,

I DON'T THINK WE GOT
A BIG ENOUGH AREA TO MOVE TO.

IF THEY DON'T FIND GOLD TODAY,
IT'S THE END OF --

POTENTIALLY THE END
OF THEIR SEASON.

SO, THAT'S THE END
OF OUR SEASON, AS WELL.

Narrator: THE FUTURE
OF THE HOFFMANS' SEASON

AND THE FUTURE OF "GOLD RUSH"
HANG IN THE BALANCE.

IF THERE IS GOLD OR NOT,
THE STORY HAS TO BE CAPTURED.

THE DRILL SHOWED UP AND MADE
THE CAMERA CREW REALLY HAPPY,

BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM
A NEW PIECE OF EQUIPMENT,

ACTUALLY, TO FILM.

AND HENRY'S A LOT BETTER-LOOKING
THAN EITHER ONE OF US.

OH, YEAH, HANDS DOWN.

Qesku: THIS IS A MINI CAMERA.

WE HAVE JUST STUCK IT
TO A TENT POLE.

AND WE'RE DROPPING IT DOWN A
HOLE, SIMULATING A DRILL SHAFT.

AND ALSO KNEELING IN THE MUD,
WHICH IS DELIGHTFUL.

IT'S THE GLAMOUR OF TELEVISION.

Narrator: ON THE VEHICLE
TODD DUBS "LITTLE RED MAMA,"

HENRY HEADS INTO THE WILDERNESS

TO DRILL THE BOUNDARIES
OF THE CLAIM.

CARRYING THE JIB,
OR CAMERA CRANE,

THE FILM CREW GOES TO GREAT
LENGTHS TO GET THE SHOT.

IT'S NOT
AN INSIGNIFICANT TASK,

TRYING TO GET ALL OF THIS

THROUGH 200 FEET OF MUD
AND 200 FEET OF FOREST.

EVERY MACHINE THAT WE MEET
IN THIS PROGRAM, WE JIB IT.

SO, IT GIVES IT KIND OF A --
WHAT WE CALL A HERO SHOT.

WATCH YOUR HEAD.

Narrator: THE CLAIM DRILLED,

MINERS AND CAMERA CREW
WAIT TO HEAR THEIR FATE.

THIS IS A BIG MOMENT.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE COVERING IT

WITH PRETTY MUCH EVERY CAMERA
WE'VE GOT.

IF WE DON'T GET GOOD NUMBERS
ON THIS TESTING,

NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE SEVEN MINERS
THAT GO HOME,

WE HAVE ABOUT 25 CAMERA-CREW
GUYS GOING HOME, TOO.

WE'RE HERE
TO FILM GUYS GOLD-MINING,

AND IF THERE'S NO GOLD TO MINE,
THEN WE'VE GOT NOTHING TO FILM.

THERE'S MORE THAN ONE SET
OF LIVELIHOODS ON THE LINE HERE.

Reinink:
IT DOESN'T LOOK TOO GOOD.

WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE THE RESULTS
THAT THEY'RE GETTING

AT THE MOMENT ARE NOT FANTASTIC.

IT'S A BIT TENSE AT THE MOMENT.

IT'S NOT GOOD.

IT SERIOUSLY COULD BE THE END
OF THEIR SEASON.

I MEAN, IT REALLY COULD.

Man: THERE YOU GO.

THAT'S A NICE-LOOKING PAN.

THAT'S PRETTY GOOD,
ISN'T IT?

SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN
KIND OF POORER THAN THEY HOPED,

BUT I THINK THE LAST ONE
WAS QUITE POSITIVE,

AND THEY'RE FEELING
BACK IN THE GAME A BIT.

I SAW AT LEAST 20, 30 PIECES
OF GOLD IN THERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
20, ANYWAY.

Man: THAT'S GOOD.

WELL, WE GOT EIGHT BUCKS
A YARD UP AGAINST THE SIDE.

COULD DO A LOT BETTER
THAN WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR.

IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE

A TINY AMOUNT OF GOLD
ACTUALLY MAKES,

AND NOT JUST TO THE MINERS,
BUT TO US, AS WELL.

NOW, THE MINERS HAVE SEEN THAT
GOLD. WE'VE SEEN THAT GOLD.

BOTH OUR FUTURES DEPEND ON IT.

IT'S DEFINITELY A TURNING POINT
TO SEE THEM FIND GOLD.

IT'S LATE. IT'S VERY LATE.

AND THE QUESTION REMAINS,

YOU KNOW,
ARE THEY GOING TO FIND ENOUGH?

BUT AT LEAST
THEY'VE TURNED THE CORNER.

FOR ME, IT'S REFRESHING.

WE FINALLY HAD A DAY
THAT WASN'T BAD NEWS.

Narrator:
AFTER THE DRILLING PROVED
THERE WAS GOLD IN THE GROUND,

EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TURNED TO
GETTING THE WASH PLANT WORKING.

SINCE THOSE DRILL RESULTS
CAME IN,

IT'S BEEN MUCH MORE
KIND OF FRENETIC.

Narrator:
THE MINERS ARE READY

TO TEST-RUN WATER
THROUGH THEIR WASH PLANT,

AND THE CAMERA CREW WANTS
TO CATCH IT FROM EVERY ANGLE.

WE USE A LOT OF THESE MINI CAMS,
AND HE'S RIGGING ONE NOW.

THEY'RE GONNA FIRE UP
THIS WASH PLANT,

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME
THEY'VE RUN IT WITH WATER WET,

SO WE JUST WANT TO GET THAT
MOMENT WHERE IT GOES -- BAM!

THE CAMERAS
ARE IN THESE LITTLE HOUSINGS.

THEY'RE WATERPROOF.
THEY'RE CRASH-PROOF.

WE PUT THEM EVERYWHERE.

THEY'RE OUR FAVORITE LITTLE TOY
TO PLAY WITH.

THERE HE GOES.
RONAN THE CAMERA MONKEY.

THIS GUY CAN PUT
A CAMERA ANYWHERE.

AND I MEAN ANYWHERE.
HE'S GOOD.

[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]

HERE IT COMES
UP THE HOSE!

WATER LOOKS GOOD THIS YEAR
COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

GET THAT ONE GOING.

Narrator: WHILE THE MINERS
FOCUS ON THE WATER FLOW,

THE CREW MONITORS
HOW THE MINI CAMERAS

ARE CAPTURING THE ACTION.

Man: THE ONE ON THE TOP
SEEMS TO BE CATCHING
ALL THE ACTION WE WANTED.

THIS ONE ISN'T AS GOOD,

BUT WE'RE GONNA MOVE IT AGAIN
IN A SECOND.

BUT SUCCESSFUL SO FAR.

Todd:
IT NEEDS MORE WATER!

TURN IT UP A LITTLE BIT!
LET ME OPEN THIS UP OVER HERE.

I DIDN'T ANTICIPATE

TODD TURNING ON A HOSE OF WATER
DIRECTLY ON IT.

IT'S SUPPOSED
TO BE SPLASH-PROOF.

IT'S NOT REALLY MEANT
FOR DIRECT IMMERSION LIKE THAT.

[ STATIC ]

IT'S TURNING ON, BUT IT'S COMING
UP WITH A MESSAGE -- "S.O.S.,"

WHICH IS --

I'M NOT AN EXPERT, BUT I THINK
IT'S PROBABLY A BAD THING.

WHAT?
YOU KILLED IT.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT,
I KILLED IT?

TURNED ON THE HOSE ON THAT ONE.
THAT WASN'T A WATERPROOF CASE.

LET ME ASK YOU
A QUESTION.

IS THAT CAMERA MY RESPONSIBILITY
OR YOURS, RONAN?

Narrator: COMING UP,
DOWN AT BIG NUGGET MINE,

THE FILM CREW FIGHTS
TO STAY AHEAD

OF THREE VERY DETERMINED
GENERATIONS OF SCHNABEL MEN.

Man:
WE GOT TO GO. WHOO!

COME ON, MAX!

Narrator:
AT BIG NUGGET MINE IN ALASKA,

THE "GOLD RUSH" FILM CREW

STRUGGLES TO KEEP UP
WITH THE NEW MINE BOSS --

TEENAGER PARKER SCHNABEL.

LET'S GO FOR AN ADVENTURE.

PARKER! WAIT! PARKER!

WHOO-HOO!

I GUESS SOMETIMES I'M KIND OF
GOING 100 MILES AN HOUR.

WE'RE NOT THAT FAST!

THEY CAN'T GO THAT FAST,

'CAUSE THEY'RE ALL
OUT OF SHAPE AND OLD.

SORRY!
WE COULD'VE WALKED.

[ LAUGHS ]

ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES
OF THIS SHOW

IS JUST TRYING TO KEEP PACE
WITH THAT KID.

TODAY, I'M GONNA START BUILDING
A ROAD UP ON SMITH CREEK,

AND MY DAD AND BROTHER
ARE GOING TO HELP ME OUT.

Gorsuch:
SO, HE'S DIGGING A ROAD.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOING
STRAIGHT UP A MOUNTAIN.

HE'S GOT THIS GREAT PLAN
THAT HE'S GONNA FIND GOLD

UP THIS SMITH CREEK AREA,

AND THE TRICK IS,
HOW DO YOU GET TO IT?

AND TO MY EYE,
THAT'S A VERY, VERY STEEP HILL.

WE DON'T EVEN KNOW
IF IT'S POSSIBLE.

Narrator: THE GOLDEN RULE
FOR THE PRODUCTION --

NEVER GET IN THE WAY
OF THE MINERS.

COME ON, TEAM.

BUT WITH THREE GENERATIONS
OF THE SCHNABELS

NOW WORKING TOGETHER

TO FIND GOLD
AND SAVE THE FAMILY MINE,

THE FILM CREW SCRAMBLES
TO STAY AHEAD OF THE ACTION.

WE GOT THE WHOLE FAMILY HERE,

SO THERE'S TWO CREWS
SHOOTING TODAY, AND WE NEED IT,

BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON
AND IT ALL HAPPENS SO QUICKLY.

HIS DAD IS THE KIND OF GUY

WHO'S NEVER TAKEN A LUNCH BREAK
IN HIS LIFE.

HE'S GOT A JOB TO DO.

HE'S REALLY NOT LOOKING OUT
FOR A CAMERA CREW.

DANGER ALL AROUND.
DOWN THERE, YOU GOT THE DANGER

OF THE EXCAVATORS
AND THE DUMP TRUCKS.

AND UP HERE,
IT'S NATURE TRYING TO GET YOU.

WE'RE JUST CLEARING A PATH

TO GET A LITTLE FARTHER AWAY
FROM ROGER,

WHO'S DIGGING RIGHT ON TOP
OF WHERE WE JUST STOOD.

[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]

Man:
SORRY. HANG ON A SEC.

YEAH. HERE.

LITERALLY THE GROUND
WAS TAKEN FROM UNDER MY FEET.

SO, JUST HAD TO GET OUT
OF THE WAY PRETTY QUICK.

THEY ARE ONE OF THE
FASTEST-MOVING FAMILIES, YEAH.

THREE GENERATIONS OF THEM.

ALL RIGHT.
LET'S BRING IT BACK.

WE JUST START MOVING
WHEN THEY MOVE.

COME ON, MAX!

Man: KEEPS US ON OUR TOES,
'CAUSE WE'VE GOT TO MOVE AS FAST

AS THEY ARE,
OR WE DON'T GET THE STORY.

SO, THEY DON'T TEND
TO WAIT FOR US.

HEY, IT'S EXCITING
TO LIVE ON THE EDGE.

Narrator:
AFTER AN EPIC SIX DAYS,

PARKER AND THE FILM CREW MAKE IT
TO THE TOP OF SMITH CREEK HILL.

PARKER, MAN, AMAZING.
HIGH FIVE.

ALL RIGHT.

BUT THERE'S LITTLE TIME
TO CELEBRATE.

SCRAMBLING TO GET THIS SET UP
BEFORE HE COMES UP HERE.

HE'S GONNA COME BACKING
THE ROCK TRUCK UP THE HILL

AND TAKE HIS FIRST LOAD
OF PAY DIRT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.

SO, HE'S BEEN WORKING
ALL WEEK FOR THIS.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED
TO SEE HIM

FINALLY GET SOME GOLD
OUT OF THIS HILLSIDE,

AND WE WANT TO CAPTURE
THE MOMENT.

John: I'LL TAKE A RIDE
WITH YOU.

OH, I SEE.
YOU'RE HOOKED UP WITH...

THAT'S THAT.

OH! THAT'S THE CAMERA.

WE'RE ON CAMERA, HUH?
GEE WHIZ.

WE CAN'T GET AWAY
FROM THESE PEOPLE NO WAY.

[ CHUCKLES ]

GOING UP.

I'M WITH YOU.

[ CHUCKLES ]

[ TRUCK BEEPING ]
I HEAR HIM.

Parker:
I'M NERVOUS WITH YOU IN HERE.

John: OH, COME ON.

Narrator:
PARKER STARTS UP THE HILL

BEFORE THE CAMERA CREW
IS IN POSITION AT THE TOP.

SUDDENLY, HIS FRONT WHEEL
SINKS INTO THE SOFT GROUND.

PARKER'S STUCK,
AND THE MAIN CAMERA CREW

IS 500 YARDS TOO FAR UP THE HILL
TO GET THE SHOT.

ALL RIGHT. COPY THAT.
ON OUR WAY.

THE CREW RACES
DOWN TO THE ACTION,

BUT AS THEY RUN DOWN THE HILL,
PARKER IS ON HIS WAY UP.

Man:
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

GO LOOK AT THE TRUCK.

WELL, FIRST TRIP UP HERE
SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT.

THIS IS NOT GOOD.

APPARENTLY HE'S GONNA
GO GET THE EXCAVATOR

TO HELP DIG OUT THE ROCK TRUCK.

SO MAY BE WORSE THAN WE THOUGHT.

WATCH IT, WATCH IT.

Narrator: THE CAMERA CREW

AND PARKER'S GRANDPA,
JOHN SCHNABEL,

ARE NOW STUCK BETWEEN
TWO MASSIVE MACHINES

ON A DANGEROUSLY STEEP HILLSIDE.

WHOA! BE CAREFUL.

I'M WORRIED RIGHT NOW
ABOUT EVERYBODY.

Bowen:
IT'S DANGEROUS FOR US,

BUT WE'RE GONNA KEEP FILMING
TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

IF THE BRAKES GO ON THAT,
IT'S GONNA FLY DOWN THE HILL

AND END UP IN THE CREEK
AT THE BOTTOM.

Parker: GRANDPA SAYS
TO PULL IT OUT WITH THE 330.

OUR JOB IS TO OBSERVE
WHAT HE DOES AND SHOOT IT.

SO, YOU KNOW,
IT BREAKS OUR HEARTS

TO WATCH HIM SORT OF
STRUGGLE WITH THIS,
BUT THIS IS THE PROCESS.

SO, WE'RE ROOTING FOR HIM,
BUT WE CAN'T HELP HIM.

USUALLY WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE,

THERE'S NOT FIVE CAMERAS
STARING AT ME.

I'M GONNA GO DOWN
AND LOOK FOR A CABLE.

Narrator:
THE CREW IS THERE TO OBSERVE,

BUT WHEN 91-YEAR-OLD JOHN FALLS,

ASSISTANT PRODUCER CARA BOWEN
SPRINGS INTO ACTION.

Bowen:
JOHN'S FALLEN OVER!

AND JUST WHEN THINGS
CAN'T GET ANY WORSE...

[BLEEP] [BLEEP]

...PARKER JAMS THE 330 EXCAVATOR
INTO THE DUMP TRUCK.

Man: JOHN, ARE YOU OKAY?
YOU JUST HAD A NASTY FALL.

YEAH, I'M OKAY.
WHAT HAPPENED?

MY SHOE HIT A LOOSE ROCK,

AND I LOST MY FOOTING.

SEE WHAT WE GOT HERE
TO WORK WITH.

Woman:
IF ANYONE COULD GET PARKER

OUT OF THIS
PRECARIOUS SITUATION,

THEN IT WOULD BE JOHN.

TAKE IT EASY, HUH?
YEAH, I'M DOING THAT.

I'M USING MY OWN JUDGMENT.

Narrator: NO ONE'S GOING TO STOP
JOHN FROM RESCUING PARKER.

THERE YOU GO.
THAT'S THE RIGHT WAY.

[ BEEPING ]

DURING THAT LAST HOUR
OF FILMING,

OUR LIVES WERE IN THE HANDS

OF A 16-YEAR-OLD
AND A 91-YEAR-OLD.

DON'T THINK THAT'S EVER HAPPENED
TO ME BEFORE.

[ JOHN LAUGHS ]

MAN, THAT WAS ONE
OF THE MOST STRESSFUL THINGS

WE'VE SHOT THIS YEAR.

I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE NERVOUS

THAN I WAS WATCHING PARKER
DO THIS TODAY.

I DO, ACTUALLY,
HAVE QUITE A LOT OF TRUST

IN THIS GUY
NOT TO KILL US.

[ LAUGHS ]

IT COULD'VE HAPPENED
SEVERAL TIMES TODAY,

AND I'M GLAD HE DIDN'T.

SO, WELL DONE, YOU,
FOR NOT KILLING THE CREW.

[ LAUGHS ]

Narrator: UP AHEAD,
THE HOFFMANS AND THE CAMERA CREW

FINALLY GET TO THE GOLD.

GREAT MOMENT.

THERE'S STUFF COMING OUT OF THE
GROUND AFTER ALL OF THIS.

Narrator:
AFTER MONTHS OF GRUELING SETUP,

MINERS AND FILM CREW
AT QUARTZ CREEK

ARE GEARING UP
FOR A BIG DAY.

TODD!

Turin:
WHOA! LOOK AT THIS GUY!

WOW! THESE GUYS
ARE RUNNING TO WORK!

[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]

Narrator: ALMOST HALFWAY
THROUGH THEIR SEASON,

THE HOFFMAN CREW IS FINALLY SET
TO RUN PAY DIRT FOR REAL.

LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING MINING.

GREAT.
IT'S A HIVE OF ACTIVITY HERE

UP AT THE CLAIM IN DAWSON
AT THE MOMENT.

IT'S RUNNING AS CLOSE
TO 24 HOURS AS THEY CAN.

Narrator: WITH THE WASH PLANT
RUNNING AROUND THE CLOCK,

THE CAMERA CREW
CAN'T MISS ANYTHING.

TODD SAID HE EXPECTED
SOMETHING BIG TO HAPPEN,

SO, YOU KNOW,
WE GOT TO STAY WITH IT

AND FOLLOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

HERE WE HAVE OUR VULTURES
UP THERE IN THEIR BASKET.

THEY'RE PERCHED.

THEY'RE JUST WAITING
FOR SOMETHING TO DIE

TO PRANCE DOWN ON.

[ ENGINE STOPS ]

Todd:
THURBER, THE BELT'S STUCK!

QUICK, QUICK,
QUICK, QUICK, QUICK!

Narrator:
THE CAMERAS NEED TO CAPTURE

EVERY PROBLEM WITH THE PLANT...

[ MAN GRUNTS ]

...AND THAT MEANS GETTING
DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE ACTION.

WE HAVEN'T KILLED
A CAMERAMAN YET.

[ CLEARS THROAT ] AT LEAST
THAT ANYBODY KNOWS ABOUT.

Peppiatt: IF YOU'RE NOT GETTING
GOOD-ENOUGH PICTURES,

IT'S 'CAUSE YOU'RE NOT CLOSE
ENOUGH. THAT'S HOW I FEEL.

SO, THIS IS THE PLACE
TO GET THE SHOT.

I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL
THAT I DON'T HIT HIM.

AS MY SON SAYS OFTENTIMES...

IT'S REALLY HARD TO FIX STUPID.

HE WOULDN'T RISK
KNOCKING ME OUT,

'CAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN THEY'D
HAVE TO STOP RUNNING FOR A BIT.

Narrator: MINERS AND CAMERA CREW
RUN HARD FOR DAYS,

BUT NO ONE IS SURE IF THE PAY
DIRT IS GOING TO PAY OFF.

THIS IS A REALLY CRITICAL MOMENT
IN THEIR MINING SEASON.

I MEAN, THIS IS MAKE-OR-BREAK
RIGHT NOW.

TODAY IS THEIR FIRST CLEANUP,

AND THEY'VE REALLY GOT TO FIND
SOME GOLD.

OH, LORDY!
THIS IS HEAVY!

WE'RE HERE,
AWAY FROM OUR FAMILIES,

ON LOCATION,
ROUGHING IT IN THE WILDERNESS,

JUST AS THEY ARE,

AND NOW WE'LL FIND OUT
IF IT PAYS OFF.

Dodge:
THESE PARTICULAR MACHINES

ARE GONNA CONCENTRATE
OUR MATERIAL.

Narrator:
MINING EXPERT FRED DODGE

HELPED DESIGN AND BUILD
THEIR EQUIPMENT.

THE CAMERA CREW NEEDS HIM
TO EXPLAIN HOW IT WORKS.

I DON'T WANT TO BREAK DOWN
WHAT ACTUALLY...

BUT GETTING SEASONED MINERS
LIKE FRED

TO REVEAL THE TRICKS
OF THEIR TRADE IS A CHALLENGE.

THERE'S SOME TECHNICAL THINGS
I'M JUST NOT WILLING TO SHARE.

IT'S OKAY.
HE CAN HAVE HIS SECRETS.

BUT ALL I'M ASKING HIM TO DO,
ACTUALLY, IS SAY,

"PUT MUD IN HERE, AND, YOU KNOW,
THE MUD GOES OUT THAT END,

THEN THE GOLD COMES OUT
THIS END."

THAT'S ALL I WANT.

NO, HE'S NOT GONNA GIVE IT UP
TO YOU ON CAMERA,

'CAUSE HE'S GIVING IT
TO THE WORLD

IF HE GIVES IT
TO THE CAMERA, RIGHT?

WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING UP
WITH CAMERAS?

Man:
YEAH, HOW DOES IT WORK?

YOU WANT THE TRUTH?
YEAH.

PAIN IN THE ASS.

Narrator:
FRED WON'T GIVE AWAY ANYTHING,

BUT THE CAMERA CREW
STILL CAPTURES

EVERY STAGE OF THE PROCESS.

Thurber:
READY OR NOT, HERE WE GO.

Narrator: AND THEY'RE
JUST AS DESPERATE TO SEE GOLD

AS THE MINERS.

THERE GOES THE FIRST PIECE
RIGHT HERE.

SO, WHAT WE'RE SEEING ON THIS
TABLE HERE, QUITE HONESTLY,

IS GOLD -- A LOT OF IT --
JUST POURING INTO THIS HOLE.

IT'S EXCITING TO SEE.

OH, IT'S BRILLIANT, YEAH.
THERE'S GOLD ON THE TABLE.

THIS IS THE LAST STAGE
OF THE CLEANOUT.

SOLID TWO MONTHS OF WORK,

MOVING UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNTS
OF DIRT, TO GET TO THIS.

THEY'RE NOT RUNNING
THEIR BEST DIRT,

AND THERE'S STILL SOME
MODIFICATIONS TO BE MADE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MUCH
GOLD IS GONNA BE IN THERE,

BUT, REALISTICALLY, IF THEY GET
ANY MORE THAN 2.5, 3 OUNCES,

THEY'RE GONNA HAVE DONE
VERY WELL.

HEY, GUYS,
LET'S SEE WHAT YOU DID.

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL GOLD THERE.
IT'S PRETTY.

Todd: 1, 2 OUNCES.

3 OUNCES.

4 OUNCES.

THAT'S NOT A BAD START.

NO.

GUYS, 4 OUNCES.
5 FEET ABOVE BEDROCK.

GREAT MOMENT.

THERE'S STUFF COMING OUT OF
THE GROUND AFTER ALL OF THIS --

AFTER THE RAIN,
AFTER THE PERMAFROST,

AFTER LOSING SOUND MEN
IN THE MUD.

YEAH, IT'S A GREAT MOMENT.

Narrator:
AFTER ALMOST THREE MONTHS,

THE CAMERA CREWS
FINALLY HAVE GOLD ON FILM,

AND NOT JUST IN THE KLONDIKE,

BUT ALSO 600 MILES SOUTH
AT PORCUPINE CREEK.

GOLD FEVER, BABY!

AND AT BIG NUGGET MINE,
THE RACE IS ON

TO GET THE GOLD AND TO GET
THE STORY BEHIND IT ALL.

THIS IS WHERE THE GAME BEGINS
FOR ME.

Narrator: IN THE SECOND HALF
OF THE MINING SEASON,

THE CAMERAS CAPTURE A STORY
FEW COULD'VE IMAGINED,

AS THE SEASON RAMPS UP
ACROSS ALL THREE CLAIMS.

WE'RE GONNA RUN LIKE CRAZY.
LET'S GET TO 100 OUNCES.

Narrator: THE MINERS
AND CAMERA CREW PUSH THEMSELVES

AND THEIR EQUIPMENT
TO THE BREAKING POINT.

Man:
EASY, JACK! WHOA!

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE GUTS,
YOU DON'T DESERVE THE GLORY.

HE'S DOING WHEELIES.

Narrator: THEY GO TOE-TO-TOE
WITH THE AUTHORITIES.

THEY'RE GONNA CLOSE DOWN
THE MINE.

BECAUSE OF SOME DAMN
PAPERWORK BULL [BLEEP]

DON'T DO IT.

Narrator: AND EVERYONE
FACES BEING FROZEN OUT

BY THE ARCTIC WINTER.

WE'RE GETTING OUR BUTTS KICKED
BY THE WINTER.

IT'S ICE.

Turin: DESPERATE TIMES
REQUIRE DESPERATE MEASURES.

Narrator: RUNNING 24/7 WILL TAKE
EVERYTHING THE CREWS HAVE GOT.

STOP! YOU KNOW
WHAT [BLEEP] "STOP" IS?!

[ METAL CLATTERS ]

GET OUT OF THE WAY!
I'VE HAD IT!

COME ON.

Narrator: BUT THERE'S
EVERYTHING LEFT TO FIGHT FOR.

LOOK AT THAT THING.
Todd: AWESOME!

IF THAT DOESN'T EXCITE YOU,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT DOES.

ALL RIGHT!

[ LAUGHTER AND CHEERING ]