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Narrator: BEFORE THE START OF THE NEW SEASON,
WHOO! WHOO!
...PARKER SCHNABEL...
Parker: WHOA! THAT'S RIGHT!
Narrator: ...AND THE DAKOTA BOYS
EACH RE-INVENT THEIR OPERATION.
THE HOFFMANS QUIT THE KLONDIKE...
...AND VENTURED TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH...
THIS IS INSANE.
[ HORN HONKS ]
Narrator: ...CONFRONTING CONSTANT DANGER...
Todd: IS THAT DYNAMITE? HOLY FRIG.
HOLY CRAP.
...TO HUNT DOWN THE BEST GOLD-RICH GROUND
IN SOUTH AMERICA.
GUYS, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO GET.
Dodge: THAT'S SOME BEAUTIFUL GOLD.
Turin: 50 BUCKS A YARD!
Narrator: UP NORTH, THE DAKOTA BOYS
SET THEIR SIGHTS ON *** GROUND
AT CAHOON CREEK...
THERE'S SOME GOLD RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: ...BUT THEY CAN'T FIND A WAY TO GET THERE.
Dustin: THIS IS ALL AVALANCHE CRAZINESS.
YOU CAN'T COME THROUGH HERE. YOU'LL DIE.
Narrator: AND IN ALASKA, 18-YEAR-OLD PARKER SCHNABEL...
[ LAUGHS ]
I WANT YOU TO BE SAFE.
...AND THE BIG NUGGET...
...TO MINE FOR KLONDIKE GOLD.
BUT THE 18-YEAR-OLD MINE BOSS...
WHAT THE [BLEEP]
...MAY HAVE BITTEN OFF MORE THAN HE CAN CHEW.
I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT THE HELL I'M DOING.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: UP IN THE KLONDIKE, AT THE END OF
HIS THIRD SEASON MINING FOR GOLD IN THE FROZEN NORTH,
TODD HOFFMAN VOWED TO TRANSFORM HIS OPERATION.
I'M NOT GONNA MAKE THESE GUYS MILLIONAIRES ON 10 BUCKS A YARD.
I HAVE GOT TO GO GET US BETTER GROUND.
EVEN IF I'VE GOT TO GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH,
I'LL FIND IT.
Narrator: FOUR MONTHS LATER, TODD HAS KEPT HIS WORD.
HIS CREW IS 5,000 MILES FROM HOME,
FLYING INTO PERU,
THE NUMBER-ONE GOLD PRODUCER IN SOUTH AMERICA.
WOW, LOOK AT THAT.
MILLIONS OF OUNCES OF GOLD
WERE PULLED RIGHT OUT OF THE GROUND
RIGHT UNDERNEATH THIS PLANE.
ALL'S WE NEED IS A LITTLE, TEENY PIECE OF THAT PIE.
Narrator: THEIR MISSION -- FIND GROUND WORTH $60 A YARD,
6 TIMES THEIR YIELD IN THE KLONDIKE.
YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GOLD FOR ME, YOU KNOW?
AND I WANT TO GET A LOT OF IT.
I WANT TO HAND IT OUT TO THE GUYS.
THEY HEAD STRAIGHT FOR SOME OF THE RICHEST GROUND IN PERU.
THE TOWN OF LA RINCONADA,
THE HIGHEST CITY IN THE WORLD,
IS THE SITE OF A MODERN-DAY GOLD RUSH.
DUDE, WE ARE AT THE END OF THE EARTH.
Jack: THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, NASTY THING I'VE EVER SEEN.
THE SOURCE OF ALL THE GOLD HERE LIES DEEP IN THE MOUNTAIN.
FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN IN A HARD-ROCK GOLD MINE.
I DON'T LIKE WHAT I SEE, BUT I'VE COME THIS FAR.
I'M GONNA GO THE REST OF THE WAY.
Todd: I HAVE THREE KIDS AND A WIFE,
AND IF I DON'T SEE YOU AGAIN,
I LOVE YOU GUYS.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS. [ LAUGHS ]
THERE'S JUST OLD TIMBERS HOLDING IT UP.
Dodge: HOLY SMOKES.
GUYS, IF HE HITS ONE OF THESE LOGS --
OH, MY GOSH.
Narrator: 1/2 A MILE INTO THE MOUNTAIN,
THE ONLY WAY TO GET TO THE GOLD FROM HERE IS ON FOOT.
THEY'RE NOW 16,500 FEET UP,
AND THERE'S HALF THE OXYGEN HERE AS THERE IS AT SEA LEVEL.
NOW WE'RE DOWN IN A HOLE.
I FEEL LIKE I'M GONNA PASS OUT.
AFTER AN HOUR'S WALK,
THEY REACH THE END OF THE ROAD.
THERE'S THE GOLD I WANTED TO SHOW YOU.
YEAH.
Turin: WE'RE RIGHT HERE AT THE VEIN?
UH-HUH.
LOOK AT THAT.
Jack: NOW WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE.
Lembcke: 78 GRAMS PER TON.
Turin: WOW.
Narrator: THIS VEIN CONTAINS A STAGGERING
$4,000 OF GOLD A YARD
COMPARED TO THE $10 A YARD THE HOFFMANS FOUND
LAST YEAR IN THE KLONDIKE.
BUT HERE, YOU RISK YOUR LIFE TO GET AT IT.
Turin: OH, THIS IS NUTS. UH-OH.
Todd: IS THAT DYNAMITE? HOLY FRIG.
Jack: MY GOSH. LOOK AT IT.
DUDE, ARE YOU SURE WE SHOULD BE IN HERE, GUYS?
Turin: I DON'T KNOW. THIS IS SKETCHY.
[ KLAXON ALARM SOUNDS ]
YOU HAVE SEVEN MINUTES TO LEAVE THE PREMISES
BEFORE THE BLOW-UP.
GOT TO GET US OUT OF HERE.
DAD, GET UP HERE.
STOP THE TRUCK.
YOU CAN CROSS THIS OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST.
Turin: I SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.
THAT WAS FREAKIN' ME OUT.
THANK YOU, LORD.
[ LOUD EXPLOSION ]
HOLY CRAP.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE STRANGEST PLACE ON EARTH.
UNBELIEVABLE.
Narrator: HAINES, ALASKA.
Parker: WHOA!
THAT'S RIGHT!
Narrator: 18-YEAR-OLD PARKER SCHNABEL
HAS MADE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF HIS YOUNG LIFE --
LEAVE HOME AND THE BIG NUGGET MINE
TO SET UP A NEW OPERATION
600 MILES NORTH IN THE KLONDIKE.
Parker: HONESTLY, I'M PRETTY SCARED.
THE TOUGHEST THING I'VE EVER DONE IS GONNA BE LEAVING HERE.
IF I'M GONNA BE SERIOUS ABOUT GOLD MINING,
THE YUKON IS THE PLACE TO BE.
I WISH I COULD JUST TAKE MY GRANDPA WITH ME.
Narrator: IT'S PARKER'S LAST NIGHT AT HOME WITH HIS FAMILY.
Nancy: IN KEEPING TO OUR WORD,
WE'RE WILLING TO GIVE YOU COLLEGE MONEY
TO START YOUR VENTURE.
WE'LL SEND YOU TO DAWSON
WITH A JARFUL OF GOLD.
PARKER,
HERE IS 100 OUNCES OF GOLD
FOR YOU TO HAVE.
Narrator: THE GOLD IS WORTH $160,000.
Parker: THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO JUST REFILL THIS JAR ONCE.
I CAN TURN THIS 100 OUNCES INTO A LOT MORE.
PARKER'S CREW INCLUDES HIS OLD OPERATOR RICK NESS...
[ LAUGHS ]
...AND NEW FOREMAN GENE CHEESEMAN.
HEY, GUYS, HOW'S IT GOING? NICE TO SEE YOU.
I WANT YOU TO BE REALLY, REALLY CAREFUL.
I WANT YOU TO BE SAFE.
BYE.
PARKER'S CONVOY HEADS NORTH
ON THE SAME ROUTE GOLD-RUSH PROSPECTORS TRAVELED
OVER 100 YEARS AGO.
IN DAWSON CITY,
THE OWNER OF HIS NEW CLAIM, TONY BEETS,
IS READY TO TAKE HIM TO SCRIBNER CREEK.
HEY, TONY!
GOOD.
OH, IT'S COLD.
PARKER HAS ARRIVED IN THE KLONDIKE
WEEKS BEFORE THE OTHER MINERS
TO TRY AND GET A HEAD START,
BUT IT'S NEGATIVE-20
AND HIS PLAN MAY HAVE BACKFIRED.
WHAT IS THIS?
THIS IS [BLEEP]
MOUNTAIN RUNOFF HAS FROZEN
INTO AN IMPASSABLE SHEET OF ICE KNOWN AS A GLACIER.
PARKER HAS TRAVELED 600 MILES,
BUT WITH JUST 2 MILES TO GO TO REACH HIS CLAIM,
HE'*** A DEAD END.
[ WHISTLES ]
Parker: IT'S PRETTY BAD NEWS.
YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY NOT THE START I WAS LOOKING FOR.
Narrator: THE HOFFMAN CREW IS IN PERU,
ON THE HUNT FOR ***, GOLD-RICH GROUND.
WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, GUYS.
THIS IS MADRE DE DIOS.
UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE, GUYS -- LOOK AT THIS.
Narrator: THE REGION OF MADRE DE DIOS -- "MOTHER OF GOD" --
PRODUCES OVER A BILLION DOLLARS IN GOLD EVERY YEAR.
ALL THE EASY GOLD HAS ALREADY BEEN MINED,
SO THEY'RE FORCED DEEP INTO THE JUNGLE.
Todd: I HOPE THIS WORTH IT, BUDDY.
Lembcke: THIS IS THE PLACE.
CONCENTRATION IS HIGH.
IT'S ABOUT $60 TO $100 PER YARD.
ALL AROUND, YOU CAN PICK YOUR SPOT.
Turin: FINALLY, WE'RE GONNA PUT A SHOVEL IN THE GROUND
AND DO SOME SLUICING.
THIS IS COOL.
$60 TO $100 A YARD IS ABOVE OUR GOAL.
I LOVE IT.
Narrator: SOMEHOW JACK MANAGES TO
BORROW AN EXCAVATOR FROM LOCAL MINERS.
NICE!
NOW LET'S DIG SOME DIRT.
THE HOFFMAN CREW WANTS TO RUN A TON OF DIRT,
BUT THEY ONLY HAVE A FEW HOURS OF DAYLIGHT LEFT,
AND THE JUNGLE IS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE AT NIGHT.
Man: THERE IT GOES.
LET'S GO RUN SOME DIRT!
OKAY, GO.
GIVE ME 40 BUCKETS, OKAY?
I NEED TO GET A GOOD ANSWER ON THIS LAND.
Turin: EVERY SHOVELFUL, EVERY BUCKET,
IT'S GETTING DARKER, AND I DON'T LIKE IT.
I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE UNLESS I KNOW, OKAY?
I THINK THERE'S REALLY GOOD GOLD HERE.
Narrator: DESPITE THE DANGER,
TODD PUSHES HIS CREW TO WORK INTO THE NIGHT.
I HOPE THIS IS GOOD.
THEY'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT IF THIS GROUND IS GOOD ENOUGH
TO ABANDON THEIR KLONDIKE OPERATION.
COME ON, BIG MONEY.
HOLY MOLY.
THEY'RE SHOWING.
YEAH, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL GOLD.
OOH, LOOK AT THAT.
Jack: OOH, OOH, OOH.
Todd: WHAT ARE WE TALKING, PER YARD?
Dodge: GOOD GOLD. 55, 60 BUCKS A YARD.
OH, SWEET.
Narrator: THE RESULTS ARE OVER FIVE TIMES
WHAT THEY GET IN THE KLONDIKE --
THE BEST PAY DIRT THE HOFFMANS HAVE EVER SEEN.
60 BUCKS A YARD, I SAY WE DO THIS.
WE COME BACK TOMORROW, PUNCH TWO MORE HOLES.
IF THOSE TWO HOLES ARE LIKE THIS ONE,
I'M GONNA JUST, LOW KEY,
GO AHEAD AND CLOSE ON THIS LAND,
[ HORNS HONKING ]
BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY,
ON THEIR WAY BACK TO THE CLAIM...
LOOKS LIKE THE WILD, WILD WEST.
THERE'S A LOT OF DESPERATE PEOPLE, MAN.
THE MINERS AND TV CREW...
GET OUT OF THE WAY.
...ARE STOPPED DEAD IN THEIR TRACKS
BY A ROADBLOCK.
OH, FRICK.
[ ENGINES REVVING ]
THERE'S A LOT OF ILLEGAL MINING AROUND HERE,
AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE ASKED US TO NOT FILM.
WE MIGHT HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE IN A HURRY.
THIS IS NOT GOOD.
IT COULD JUST BLOW UP, THAT QUICK.
[ ENGINES REVVING ]
Narrator: IN PERU'S MADRE DE DIOS,
THE HOFFMAN CREW HAS FOUND
THE BEST PAY DIRT THEY'VE EVER SEEN.
MIKE, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS?
BUT AN ANGRY MOB IS BLOCKING THE ROAD
BACK TO THEIR NEW GROUND.
IF SHOOTING STARTS,
WE ALWAYS KEEP OUR KEY IN THE IGNITION.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
Turin: IT'S MAKING ME NERVOUS.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THESE GUYS GOT.
Narrator: EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THIS CROWD
IS HERE TO HELP THE HOFFMANS,
THE MAN IN WHITE AND HIS ASSOCIATES
CLEARLY DON'T WANT THEM PROSPECTING ON THEIR TURF.
STAND NEAR YOUR TRUCKS.
Todd: HE'S RALLYING HIS GUYS.
WE'RE GETTING THE FRICK OUT OF HERE.
BROWNE: Get back in the vehicles and get the hell out of here.
Narrator: THE MINERS AND PRODUCTION CREW
DECIDE NOW TO TAKE ANY CHANCES.
Lembcke: IT WAS GONNA GET UGLY UP THERE.
WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED IN 10 MINUTES.
Todd: WE'RE GONNA GO BACK TO THE HOTEL.
WE'RE GONNA REGROUP THERE.
Jack: WE WOUND UP WALKING INTO A HORNET'S NEST.
Narrator: THE HOFFMAN CREW IS FORCED TO ABANDON
THE BEST GROUND THEY'VE EVER FOUND...
I LIKE GOLD AS MUCH AS THE NEXT GUY,
BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO HAVE A SHOOTOUT OVER IT.
...AND GET OUT OF PERU -- FAST.
LET'S GO!
THEIR DREAM OF MILLIONS IN PERUVIAN GOLD
IS OVER.
IN ALASKA, THE DAKOTA BOYS HAVE BIG PLANS THIS SEASON.
THEY ARE CONVINCED THAT CAHOON CREEK,
3,000 FEET ABOVE PORCUPINE,
IS THE SOURCE OF ALL THE GOLD IN THE AREA,
BUT THERE ARE NO ROADS TO GET UP THE MOUNTAIN.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR RIGHT NOW IS
SOMEWHERE WHERE I CAN SET UP SOME SORT OF BRIDGE
ACROSS THIS DAMN GORGE.
Narrator: THEY'RE DETERMINED TO FIND A WAY UP TO CAHOON TO MINE.
Dustin: OH, MAN, THIS DOES NOT LOOK GOOD.
THIS IS ALL AVALANCHE CRAZINESS IS WHAT THIS IS.
YOU CAN'T COME THROUGH HERE. YOU'LL DIE.
Narrator: 2,500 MILES SOUTH IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA,
DAKOTA FRED THINKS HE'S FOUND A WAY
TO GET TO THE GOLD UP AT CAHOON CREEK --
IN A SUPER CUB.
ALL RIGHT. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
BUT IN CAHOON CREEK,
THEY'D NEED TO TAKE OFF IN LESS THAN 300 FEET.
THIS LINE OF CONES REPRESENTS
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
MISSING THE LAST CONE MEANS
THE CUB WOULDN'T TAKE OFF IN TIME UP AT CAHOON.
THEY TOOK OFF ABOUT 50 FEET PAST THE 300-MARK.
IF THIS WAS IN CAHOON, HE'D HAVE RUN INTO A ROCK
OR SMASHED INTO A WALL OR FELL OFF A CLIFF.
Narrator: BUT FRED'S DETERMINED TO GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT.
Dustin: THAT WAS A GOOD TAKEOFF JUST NOW.
THEY MADE IT UNDER THE 300-FEET MARK.
Narrator: THE SECOND TAKEOFF IS A SUCCESS.
NOW FRED NEEDS TO LAND WITHIN THE SAME 300 FEET.
WHOA!
YEP, HE GOT IT.
THAT WAS A LITTLE ROUGH, BUT HE DID IT.
WE CAUGHT A LITTLE BOUNCE IN THE BACK BACK THERE.
I SAW THAT.
YEAH, BUT --
I JUST DROPPED HER ON THE LINE.
I SAW THAT.
WE COULD HAVE JUST, POM,
NAILED IT RIGHT ON THE...
Dustin: THIS IS GONNA BE OUR START.
MAKE A 300-FOOT STRIP UP THERE AND SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER.
Narrator: AFTER A DRAMATIC DEPARTURE FROM PERU,
THE HOFFMAN CREW IS FLYING INTO CHILE'S ATACAMA DESERT.
THEY'RE ON THE HUNT FOR BETTER GROUND THAN THE KLONDIKE
DEEP IN GOLD-RICH SOUTH AMERICA.
LOCAL MINING MAGNATE DON QUIJANO
IS TAKING THE CREW TO A CLAIM THEY CAN PROSPECT.
Whoo-hoo!
BEFORE THEY SIGN A DEAL,
THE HOFFMANS NEED TO CHECK OUT
THE GOLD-RICH SAND FOR THEMSELVES.
GOLD GURU FREDDY DODGE WILL RUN POINT.
WE NEED TO BUILD A PLANT THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET MATERIAL THROUGH.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'LL BUILD IT OUT OF, BUT WE'LL FIND SOMETHING.
Turin: YOU'RE GONNA BUILD A WASH PLANT ON THE BEACH?
THAT'S CRAZY.
TODD AND FREDDY RETURN FROM THE NEAREST TOWN
WITH THE PARTS THEY NEED FOR THE WASH PLANT.
NICE JOB.
LOOKS LIKE WE GOT SOME EQUIPMENT.
AND THEY'VE HIRED A BACKHOE AND SKID STEER.
Turin: FIRE IT UP!
TODD: Yeah. You pick six different spots.
BUT HERE'S THE DEAL -- I NEED YOU TO HAVE THEM DONE
BY THE TIME WE GET THE SLUICE BOX DONE.
THAT WON'T BE HARD.
THE REST OF THE CREW GETS TO WORK
BUILDING THE WASH PLANT FROM SCRATCH.
I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE A LITTLE ADVENTURE IN YOUR LIFE.
Turin: THIS HAS TO BE THE CRAZIEST THING
THAT I HAVE EVER DONE.
[ DRILL WHIRS ]
Dodge: SO, NOW WE'LL START ASSEMBLING THE SIDES,
PUTTING STIFFENERS ON IT.
THIS IS REALLY COMING TOGETHER WELL.
I'VE NEVER MET ANYBODY THAT COULD BUILD A SLUICE BOX
OUT OF WOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT
IN THE MIDDLE OF CHILE.
PRETTY DARN IMPRESSIVE.
Narrator: AFTER 12 HOURS OF BACKBREAKING WORK,
FREDDY'S MAKESHIFT WASH PLANT...
EASY.
...IS READY TO WASH THE CHIPANA BEACH PAY DIRT.
FIRE IT UP!
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
WE GOT WATER.
HOW'S IT LOOK?
Dodge: IT'S RUNNING GOOD, TODD. GOOD WATER.
IT'S PRETTY GOOD FOR A MAKESHIFT SLUICE BOX.
WHOO! WHOO!
YEAH. LET'S TOSS SOME DIRT IN THAT THING.
THANKS.
Narrator: FREDDY'S MAKESHIFT WASH PLANT IS A HUGE SUCCESS.
SIX HOURS LATER, JACK PUTS THE FINAL TON OF PAY DIRT
THROUGH THE WASH PLANT.
DAVE!
[ ENGINE SHUTS OFF ]
Dodge: WE'LL PULL THE CARPETS, WASH THEM IN THE TUBS,
AND PAN IT DOWN, SEE WHAT'S IN IT.
Narrator: TO MOVE THEIR ENTIRE MINING OPERATION TO SOUTH AMERICA,
THE HOFFMAN CREW NEEDS GROUND WORTH 60 BUCKS A YARD.
THEIR FUTURE SITS IN THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAN.
Turin: WELL, TODD, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME
AND A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS LITTLE WASH PLANT.
I SURE HOPE IT'S GOT SOME GOLD IN IT.
Todd: I'M FRICKIN' NERVOUS.
Narrator: CHIPANA BEACH, NORTHERN CHILE.
IF FREDDY'S PAN SHOWS $60 A YARD,
THE HOFFMAN CREW WILL RELOCATE
THEIR ENTIRE MINING OPERATION
FROM THE FROZEN KLONDIKE
TO THIS BEACH IN SOUTH AMERICA.
Jack: YEAH, I'D LOVE TO MINE THIS BEACH, MAN!
Todd: I GOT A GOOD FEELING ON THIS.
Dodge: I SEE SOME GOLD THERE.
YEAH.
SEE THOSE PIECES STANDING OUT?
SEE THAT ONE? THAT ONE, THAT ONE.
WHAT'S YOUR GUESS, BALLPARK, PER YARD?
A DOLLAR.
[BLEEP]
WHAT A FRICKING DOWNER.
A BUCK A YARD, FREDDY?
THAT'S TERRIBLE.
Narrator: THIS SECTION OF BEACH HOLDS JUST 10%
OF THE GOLD THEY'D FIND IN EACH YARD OF KLONDIKE GROUND.
I SAY WE --
WE SCRATCH IT.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
Narrator: FOR THE HOFFMAN CREW, IT'S NOT WORTH MINING.
Turin: WE FOUND GOLD.
THE PROBLEM IS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ME TO GIVE UP ON WHAT WE'VE DONE,
WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE KLONDIKE TO COME HERE.
IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH.
Narrator: PERU PROVED TOO DANGEROUS TO MINE,
AND NOW CHILE IS A DEAD END.
Todd: FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS,
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GOING AFTER GOLD,
AND LET ME TELL YOU ONE THING -- IT AIN'T EASY.
IF WE'RE GONNA HIT A GRAND SLAM OUT OF THE PARK -- OKAY? --
IT'S GONNA BE IN SOUTH AMERICA, I KNOW IT.
Narrator: UP IN THE KLONDIKE,
PARKER SCHNABEL HAS BOUGHT TODD HOFFMAN'S
OLD WASH PLANT AND DOZER
TO MINE HIS NEW CLAIM AT SCRIBNER CREEK.
DO YOU THINK THIS THING'S EVEN GONNA TURN OVER?
I DON'T KNOW. WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL WE TRY.
BUT THEY'VE BEEN SITTING UNDER SNOW AND ICE
THROUGHOUT THE BRUTALLY COLD KLONDIKE WINTER.
[ ENGINE SPUTTERS, TURNS OVER ]
THE OLD DOZER FIRES RIGHT UP.
IT'S PARKER'S FIRST BREAK IN THE KLONDIKE.
Parker: THIS IS A REALLY GOOD SIGN.
IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR FIVE MONTHS,
AND IT'S BEEN NEGATIVE-30.
Narrator: THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SHOULD'VE CLEARED THE ICE
BLOCKING THE ROAD TO SCRIBNER CREEK BY NOW.
PARKER READIES HIS EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOVE TO HIS NEW CLAIM.
Parker: I'VE GOT A DOZER AND I'VE GOT A WASH PLANT.
I JUST NEED TO GET TO MY CLAIM.
YEAH, WHAT'S GOING ON?
OH [BLEEP]
Narrator: THE ROAD TO SCRIBNER IS STILL BLOCKED.
PARKER'S PLAN TO GET A HEAD START
ON THE KLONDIKE MINING SEASON IS FALLING APART.
I MEAN, BUT I'VE GOT A CREW.
I GOT TO WORRY ABOUT MY GUYS, YOU KNOW.
HE CAN ONLY PAY HIS GUYS IF HE FINDS GOOD GOLD.
BUT RIGHT NOW, THAT LOOKS LESS AND LESS LIKELY.
Ness: IT AIN'T [BLEEP] COOL.
I'M [BLEEP] 4,000 MILES AWAY FROM HOME.
IT'S [BLEEP] NEGATIVE-26 DEGREES OUT,
AND THERE'S NO ANSWERS.
Cheeseman: I'M THINKING, "WHY AM I LEAVING WHAT I HAVE GOING ON
TO COME UP TO SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NOT EVEN BE AN OPTION AT ALL?"
RIGHT, I UNDERSTAND.
I'LL SORT THIS OUT.
Narrator: IF PARKER CAN'T GET TO SCRIBNER CREEK SOON,
HE COULD LOSE HIS CREW BEFORE THE SEASON EVEN STARTS.
GENE, HIS FOREMAN,
HEADS HOME TO ALASKA TO WEIGH HIS OPTIONS.
LITTLE BIT OF BAD PLANNING.
DOESN'T GIVE ME A VERY GOOD FEELING ABOUT COMING UP HERE.
PROBABLY 50/50 CHANCE I'LL COME BACK.
Narrator: PARKER IS TRYING TO MINE
WITH THE BIG BOYS UP IN THE KLONDIKE,
BUT TWO WEEKS IN, HE MAY HAVE LOST
HIS MOST EXPERIENCED CREW MEMBER.
Parker: I'M IN OVER MY HEAD.
I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT THE HELL I'M DOING.
Turin: HOLY SMOKES! LOOK AT THE DROP ON THAT FALLS.
Narrator: IN SOUTH AMERICA,
TODD HOFFMAN HAS ONE FINAL ACE UP HIS SLEEVE --
THE JUNGLES OF GUYANA.
FROM CHILE, THE CREW HAS TRAVELED
TO THE CAPITAL, GEORGETOWN.
Todd: WE'VE BEEN TO PERU, WE'VE BEEN TO CHILE --
NOTHING.
HERE WE ARE IN GUYANA.
I THINK THIS MIGHT BE IT.
Narrator: $700 MILLION OF GOLD
WAS PULLED OUT OF THE GROUND IN GUYANA LAST YEAR.
I THINK THIS IS OUR BEST CHANCE IN SOUTH AMERICA.
WELL, ACTUALLY, THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE.
Narrator: MARSHALL MINTZ,
A CONTACT OF TODD'S FROM THE KLONDIKE,
HAS SET UP A MEETING WITH A POWERFUL GUYANESE CLAIM OWNER.
I THINK IF YOU CAN STRIKE THE RIGHT DEAL WITH ED HOPKINSON,
YOU CAN WIND UP BEING A MILLIONAIRE OUT OF THIS.
THIS MEETING IS THEIR LAST CHANCE
OF SECURING GOOD GROUND IN SOUTH AMERICA.
HI, ED. I'M TODD HOFFMAN.
WE HEAR YOU HAVE,
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF GOOD LAND.
I HAVE A NUGGET.
HOLY FRICK.
IT'S LIKE 9 OUNCES.
THIS NUGGET ALONE
IS WORTH OVER $14,000.
GUYS, THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO GET.
YOU SAY YOU WANT TO COME AND MINE MAPLE CREEK AREA.
WHY SHOULD I ALLOW YOU TO COME AND...
WE'RE NOT -- I'M NOT GONNA SAY
THAT WE'RE THE BEST MINERS IN THE WORLD.
BUT WE'VE COME FROM NOTHING, AND LAST YEAR,
WE DUG ALMOST $1.3 MILLION IN GOLD OUT OF THE GROUND.
YOU KNOW WHAT, IT ALL HINGES ON
SOMEBODY LIKE YOURSELF THAT'S GONNA TRUST US
AND ALSO GIVE US A CHANCE INTO THIS COUNTRY.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO GO AND PROSPECT.
TODD. A PLEASURE.
THE HOFFMAN CREW GETS THE GO-AHEAD
TO MINE A *** CLAIM CALLED MAPLE CREEK.
IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE,
BUT I ACTUALLY SAW THE GOLD, YOU KNOW?
I ACTUALLY THINK THAT EVERY LAST ONE OF OUR GUYS
COULD GO HOME A MILLIONAIRE.
Todd: I THINK THIS GROUND'S GONNA BE THE BEST GROUND WE'VE EVER SEEN.
I THINK IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME.
Narrator: AFTER WEEKS OF FAILURE,
THE HOFFMAN CREW IS BACK IN THE GAME.
BUT TO GET TO THE CLAIM, THEY'VE GOT TO VENTURE
DEEP INTO THE REMOTE JUNGLES OF GUYANA.
I DON'T CARE HOW TOUGH THIS ROAD IS.
IF THERE'S GOLD AT THE END OF IT, LET'S MINE IT.
Turin: HOLY CRAP. LOOK AT THAT.
Narrator: SIX HOURS INTO THEIR JOURNEY,
A MUDDY CREEK BLOCKS THEIR PATH TO THE GOLD.
COME AS TIGHT TO ME AS YOU CAN RIGHT HERE.
KEEP GOING.
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE,
THERE'S NO HELP IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
[BLEEP]
[ ENGINE REVS ]
TURN YOUR WHEELS TO THE RIGHT A LITTLE BIT.
YOU'RE GONNA FLIP IT.
Todd: WE'RE STUCK! [BLEEP]
I DON'T NEED THIS RIGHT NOW,
ESPECIALLY NOT GOING AFTER THIS GOLD.
Narrator: IN THE GUYANA JUNGLE,
THE HOFFMAN CREW HAS A NEW *** CLAIM TO PROSPECT...
IF THEY CAN GET THEIR TRUCK OUT OF THE MUD.
Todd: LET'S WINCH IT OUT.
OKAY. YOU READY?
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
WE WANT TO STAY BACK,
'CAUSE IF THIS CABLE SNAPS, IT COULD TAKE YOUR HEAD OFF.
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
Turin: IT'S MOVING.
Todd: COME ON! COME ON! COME ON! COME ON! COME ON!
YOU GOT IT! YOU GOT IT! GO, GO, GO!
THERE YOU GO. YOU GOT IT! GO, GO, GO!
YOU DID IT, BUDDY.
GOOD JOB.
Narrator: THREE HOURS LATER,
THE HOFFMAN CREW FINALLY APPROACHES MAPLE CREEK.
Marshall: ANOTHER 200 YARDS, YOU GUYS,
AND WE'LL BE ON THE BOUNDARY LINE.
THEY'VE TRAVELED 175 MILES
ON THE PROMISE OF ***, GOLD-RICH GROUND.
THIS IS ABOVE THE CREEK.
Turin: WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?
Todd: WHAT THE [BLEEP]
HOLY CRAP.
IS THIS WHAT WE CAME TO SEE?
Marshall: THERE WAS GOOD GOLD HERE,
AND SOMEBODY ELSE KNEW IT, TOO.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.
NOT MUCH TO SAY, MARSHALL.
Narrator: MARSHALL SUGGESTS ONE LAST ROLL OF THE DICE.
A NEIGHBORING CLAIM, ALSO OWNED BY ED HOPKINSON,
CALLED THE Q.O.D.
OKAY, GUYS.
THIS IS THE BOUNDARY LINE OF THE Q.O.D. PROPERTY.
I THINK WE'RE INTO SOME TERRITORY
THAT MIGHT BE ***.
LET'S SET IT UP, HUH?
Narrator: AFTER SIX LONG WEEKS ON THE ROAD IN SOUTH AMERICA,
THE Q.O.D. CLAIM IS THE HOFFMAN CREW'S
LAST CHANCE TO FIND GOLD-RICH PAY DIRT.
THIS IS THE LAST HURRAH FOR SOUTH AMERICA.
I SURE HOPE THERE'S GOLD IN HERE.
Dodge: START RUNNING MATERIAL.
[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]
Narrator: THIS YARD OF DIRT WILL TELL THE HOFFMAN CREW
IF THIS JUNGLE GROUND HOLDS ENOUGH GOLD
TO MOVE THEIR ENTIRE OPERATION SOUTH.
IT LOOKS GOOD.
Todd: I LIKE SEEING THAT, BOYS.
THAT'S IT, FREDDY.
THIS IS OUR LAST SOUTH AMERICAN PAN RIGHT HERE, FREDDY.
BE HONEST, FREDDY. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Dodge: THAT'S SOME BEAUTIFUL GOLD.
I'M GUESSING ABOUT 50 BUCKS A YARD.
Turin: 50 BUCKS A YARD!
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR, FRED.
THREE COUNTRIES.
ALL KINDS OF CRAP.
$50 A YARD.
I THINK WE DID IT, BROTHER.
IT'S BEEN A TRIP, BUT WE DID IT.
I WANT TO CALL ED HOPKINSON
RIGHT NOW ON THE SATPHONE.
WE'RE GONNA GO AHEAD AND LEASE THE Q.O.D.
GUYS, THE JOURNEY STARTS RIGHT HERE.
Narrator: AFTER SIX GRUELING WEEKS,
THE HOFFMAN CREW HAS FINALLY FOUND
THE GOLD-RICH GROUND THEY NEED
TO MOVE THEIR ENTIRE MINING OPERATION
FROM THE KLONDIKE TO SOUTH AMERICA.
TODD CALLS CLAIM OWNER ED HOPKINSON
TO LOCK DOWN THE DEAL FOR THE Q.O.D.
Todd: WE FINALLY FOUND THE GOLD THAT WE REALLY WANT --
ON THE Q.O.D.
YOU'RE FRICKING KIDDING ME.
SO WHO HAS THEM?
[BLEEP]
OH, BAD NEWS.
WHAT?
ED HOPKINSON SOLD THE MINING RIGHTS TO THE Q.O.D.
TO A GROUP OF GUYS CALLED THE MEKDECIS.
I AM NOT KIDDING YOU.
[ WHISTLES ]
SO I GOT TO GO TALK TO THEM.
WHAT A FRICKING DOWNER.
THIS IS NOT COOL.
Narrator: UP IN THE KLONDIKE,
PARKER SCHNABEL'S SEASON ALREADY HANGS IN THE BALANCE.
IT'S BEEN OVER TWO WEEKS SINCE HE ARRIVED,
AND A GLACIER STILL BLOCKS THE ROAD TO HIS CLAIM.
IT'S TIME FOR THE BOY FROM HAINES TO MAN UP.
Parker: I'M NOT GONNA LET A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET OF ICE
GET BETWEEN ME AND THAT GOLD.
I'M GONNA GO FIND AN EXCAVATOR,
AND I'M GONNA TEAR THAT GLACIER OUT MYSELF.
Narrator: PARKER HOT-WIRES
ONE OF TODD HOFFMAN'S OLD EXCAVATORS.
WE'RE CONNECTED.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S START THIS THING NOW.
READY, RICK?
COME ON.
[ LAUGHS ]
WHOO-HOO-HOO-HOO!
BOOM.
CLAIM OWNER TONY BEETS BRINGS IN THE DRILL THAT PARKER NEEDS
TO TEST THE GROUND ON HIS NEW CLAIM.
PARKER'S FIRST KLONDIKE SEASON
DEPENDS ON GETTING THE DRILL THROUGH TO SCRIBNER.
HE ONLY HAS THREE HOURS TO CLEAR THE GLACIER
BEFORE TONY AND THE DRILL ARRIVE.
TO HIS LEFT, THERE'S AN 80-FOOT DROP-OFF.
YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU DO?
YOU DIG THROUGH THE ICE TILL YOU HIT THE ROAD, RIGHT?
IT CAN'T BE THAT COMPLICATED.
WHAT'S THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN?
WHAT THE [BLEEP]
OHH.
Narrator: ON TOP OF THE ICE,
TODD'S OLD EXCAVATOR TURNS INTO A 51-TON ICE SKATE.
Parker: [BLEEP]
Narrator: AT THE LAST MINUTE, A SNOWBANK SAVES PARKER.
HE NEEDS TO PULL HIMSELF OUT
BEFORE HE SLIPS DOWN THE DROP-OFF.
I GUESS THAT MEANS WE'RE STARTING HERE.
WHOO!
Narrator: WITH MINUTES TO SPARE,
PARKER CLEARS A PATH FOR TONY'S DRILL.
[ HORN HONKS ]
YOU MADE HER, HUH?
AFTER THREE LONG WEEKS,
PARKER FINALLY MAKES IT TO HIS KLONDIKE GOLD CLAIM,
SCRIBNER CREEK.
Parker: I'M RELIEVED THAT THAT ALL WENT WELL.
WE'RE ON OUR GROUND.
NOW THE WORK BEGINS.
Narrator: JUST ABOVE PORCUPINE CREEK,
DUSTIN IS DEAD SET ON FINDING A VIABLE WAY
TO GET HEAVY EQUIPMENT UP TO CAHOON.
RIGHT THERE'S THE GORGE WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO CROSS.
BIG DROP-OFF, A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET.
IT'S HUGE.
HOLY [BLEEP] THERE'S A --
THERE'S A CABLE.
LOOK AT THAT.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS.
Narrator: DUSTIN TESTS THE STRENGTH OF THE CABLE.
WELL, I GOT PROOF NOW THAT THIS THING'LL HOLD ME UP.
I CAN TELL FRED THAT WE FOUND A WAY ACROSS.
BUILD ME A CABLE CAR.
NEXT STOP, CAHOON!
WE'RE GOOD TO GO!
Narrator: 18-YEAR-OLD PARKER SCHNABEL HAS FINALLY CLEARED A PATH
TO HIS KLONDIKE GOLD CLAIM, SCRIBNER CREEK.
NOW HE NEEDS TO DRILL THE GROUND
TO DETERMINE IF IT CONTAINS GOLD.
THIS THING TURNS, AND IT GOES INTO THE GROUND,
AND IF THERE'S GOLD DOWN THERE,
IT'LL COME UP OUT OF THE HOLE OR SOMETHING.
Narrator: PARKER TAKES HIS FIRST PAIL OF FROZEN PAY GRAVEL
BACK TO TONY'S GOLD ROOM TO PAN.
RIGHT ON.
FROM LESS THAN A YARD OF DIRT DRILLED AT RANDOM,
HE WILL BE LUCKY IF HE SEES A SINGLE FLAKE.
LOOK AT THAT.
BUNCH OF LITTLE FLAKES.
Narrator: AFTER THREE WEEKS IN THE KLONDIKE,
PARKER HAS HIT GOLD.
IF THE REST OF HIS GROUND IS THIS GOOD,
SCRIBNER COULD YIELD PARKER 20 BUCKS A YARD,
TWICE WHAT THE HOFFMANS GOT LAST SEASON.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
THAT PAN, WE'RE GONNA BE THROWING THOUSANDS OF THOSE
THROUGH A PLANT EVERY DAY.
IF WE DO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR ON THIS GROUND,
WE'RE GONNA KICK SOME ***.
THE KLONDIKE'S THE BIGGEST SANDBOX IN THE WORLD,
AND I'M READY TO PLAY.
Narrator: AFTER AN EPIC SOUTH AMERICAN QUEST,
THE HOFFMAN CREW HAS FOUND THE GOLD-RICH GROUND THEY NEED
AT THE Q.O.D. CLAIM DEEP IN THE JUNGLE OF GUYANA.
TODD HAS ARRANGED TO MEET WITH
THE Q.O.D. CLAIM OWNER, TONY MEKDECI.
TONY?
HOW YOU DOING?
THE HOFFMAN CREW'S FUTURE IN SOUTH AMERICA
DEPENDS ON TODD STRIKING THIS DEAL.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED, BUT WE ONLY
YEAH, I KNOW.
WE ONLY GOT THIS PROPERTY IN DECEMBER.
HOWEVER...
[ GUNSHOTS ]
OH, NICE SHOT!
LET'S SHOOT SOME PIGEON, AND THEN WE CAN TALK BUSINESS.
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.
[ GUNSHOT ]
GOD, DANG IT.
TODD, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. [ CHUCKLES ]
I HOPE YOU CAN MINE BETTER THAN YOU CAN SHOOT.
GEEZ.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT A MILLION-DOLLAR RISK,
IS WHAT I'M DOING.
I'M GONNA THROW ABOUT A MILLION BUCKS INTO THIS YEAR,
AND, TRUST ME, THAT'S SCARY FOR ME.
WHAT DO YOU SAY YOU GIVE ME A SHOT DOWN HERE IN GUYANA?
HOW LONG IS YOUR MINING SEASON IN KLONDIKE?
ABOUT 150, 160 DAYS.
OKAY. LET'S DO IT LIKE THIS.
I'LL GIVE YOU THE SAME PERIOD YOU HAVE IN THE KLONDIKE --
150, 160 DAYS -- AS A TRIAL PERIOD.
SO YOU GET A LOOK AT ME, I GET A LOOK AT YOU.
WELCOME TO GUYANA.
[ BOTH CHUCKLE ]
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ GUNSHOT ]
DAD, DAVE, FREDDY!
WE'RE GONNA BE MINING IN GUYANA.
I GOT IT. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
LET'S GO.
Q.O.D.
WHOO! YEAH! WHOO!
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU PULLED THAT OFF.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE WE'VE EVER DONE.
AND GUESS WHAT?
WE'RE GONNA COME DOWN HERE AND KICK SOME ***.
DAD, WILL YOU SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR US?
Jack: LORD, WE ASK THAT WE WOULD BE MORE THAN SUCCESSFUL.
WE'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THIS KIND OF GROUND
FOR A LONG, LONG TIME
AND DREAMING ABOUT IT FOR EVEN LONGER.
IT'S GONNA BE HARD WORK.
IT'S GONNA TEST EVERY ONE OF US ON THIS TEAM,
AND WE'RE GONNA FIND OUT WHAT THESE GUYS ARE MADE OUT OF.
Jack: WITH THE GOLD THAT WE FOUND,
I THINK THAT EVERY LAST ONE OF OUR GUYS
COULD GO HOME A MILLIONAIRE.
Todd: IT'S GONNA BE TOUGH.
IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY. I'LL GUARANTEE YOU THAT.
BUT THIS GROUND IS WORTH IT RIGHT HERE.
BRING 'ER ON.
Narrator: THIS SEASON ON "GOLD RUSH"...
IT'S GONNA BE A DIFFERENT BALL GAME THIS YEAR.
Narrator: ...ALL THREE MINING CREWS BITE THE BULLET...
WE'RE GONNA GO DOWN THERE. WE'RE GONNA KICK SOME ***.
AND WE'RE GONNA GET DOUBLE WHAT WE GOT LAST YEAR.
Narrator: ...AND TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH THAT COULD COST THEM EVERYTHING.
NOW WE FIGURE OUT IF WE'RE REAL MINERS.
Narrator: THEY BREAK *** GROUND ON TWO CONTINENTS.
WE'RE A LONG WAY FROM HOME.
AND WITH NEW GROUND COMES A WHOLE NEW SET OF PROBLEMS.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! WHOA, THAT'S ABOUT READY TO TIP!
THIS IS PROBABLY THE HARDEST, MOST SCARIEST THING
WE'VE EVER DONE.
Narrator: PARKER SCHNABEL MANS UP
AND MAKES THE DECISION OF A LIFETIME...
THE PRESSURE IS ON, SO WE NEED TO FIND SOME GOLD.
Narrator: ...TO GO IT ALONE IN THE KLONDIKE...
THAT'S NOT GONNA COME EASY, PARKER.
...BUT FACES REBELLION...
Cheeseman: I AM USED TO WORKING WITH GUYS WHO KNOW HOW TO DO IT.
I'M [BLEEP] FRUSTRATED.
...AND BREAKDOWNS.
YOU MUST BE JOKING.
GO!
[BLEEP]
...THE DAKOTA BOYS TACKLE REMOTE, UNCHARTED TERRITORY...
IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GO UP TO CAHOON.
I GOT TO FIND SOMETHING OUT THERE.
NO!
TURN IT THE [BLEEP] OFF!
AND 6,000 MILES SOUTH IN THE JUNGLES OF GUYANA,
TODD HOFFMAN'S PURSUIT OF GOLD...
Todd: CUT THE POWER!
...DRIVES HIS TEAM...
[BLEEP] DAMN IT!
I'M DONE.
"GOLD RUSH: SEASON FOUR," THE MOST AMBITIOUS YET.
NO WAY.