Narrator: ON THE SEASON FINALE OF "BERING SEA GOLD"...
Shawn: TODAY IS DEADLINE DAY.
WE NEED TO KEEP THE GOLD FLOWING FOR THE MEGA DREDGE.
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
IT'LL DEFINITELY HELP OUT
WITH THE BIG BARGE.
**
Kris: I'M STANDING ON A FORTUNE,
AND I CAN'T GET THE MONEY OUT OF THE GROUND MYSELF.
THIS IS ALL GONNA END, AND I'M REALLY STRESSED OUT.
A LOT IS RIDING ON THIS RIGHT NOW.
WHOO-WHOO!
Kris: NOW WE'RE READY!
Zeke: WE WASTED OUR WHOLE SEASON,
AND NOW WE'RE HERE,
AND NOW WE GET TO DO THE FUN PART.
I'M GOING TO DREDGE AS QUICKLY AS I POSSIBLY CAN.
WE GOT TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THE FEW HOURS WE HAVE.
LAST DAY.
WE CAN MAKE IT COUNT BIG-TIME.
THIS IS JUST STARTING TO GET FUN.
YOU GOT A BAD BACK, REMEMBER.
[ GROANS ]
WE NEED THIS GOLD.
WHAT THE [BLEEP]
OH!
-ALL RIGHT! -YEAH!
-COME ON. -OHH!
[ LAUGHS ]
I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY MIND.
I NEED EVERY LITTLE BIT.
-GOLD COPS. -WE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.
-HERE WE GO. -ARE WE GONNA DO IT?
Man: WHOO!
**
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
**
Narrator: APRIL 15th. NOME, ALASKA.
**
IT'S THE FINAL DAY OF THE ICE DREDGING SEASON.
**
AT SUNDOWN, THE GOVERNMENT PULLS THE PLUG.
ALL MINING WILL CEASE,
AND THE FLEETS WILL PULL OFF THE ICE.
UNDER THE SPECTER OF THE SHUTDOWN
AND WITH SPRING SUNSHINE BREAKING THE ICE APART,
THE CAPTAINS SCRAMBLE FOR EVERY LAST OUNCE OF GOLD...
**
...BEFORE THEIR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY SLAMS SHUT.
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NOME...
**
Shawn: LAST PUSH OF THE SEASON.
SPRINGTIME'S FINALLY ARRIVED.
I'M HEADING BACK OUT TO BLUFF.
"MR. GOLD," SHAWN POMRENKE IS BACK IN TOWN
AFTER A BUSINESS MEETING IN LAS VEGAS.
I MET THE INVESTOR.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S GONNA HELP US OUT
AND FUND THE MEGA DREDGE.
Narrator: HE'S EXHAUSTING EVERY OPTION
TO ENSURE HIS $6 MILLION MEGA DREDGE WILL BE BUILT.
BUT BACKING THE OPERATION
WITH MONEY FROM OUTSIDE THE FAMILY
IS NOT HIS FIRST CHOICE.
Shawn: THE BOTTOM LINE IS,
THE REASON THAT I WORK SO HARD IS FOR MY FAMILY AND MY KIDS.
AN INVESTOR IS THE LAST RESORT.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN FUND IT MOSTLY OURSELVES.
Narrator: SO HE'S MORE MOTIVATED THAN EVER
TO RELOCATE A PAY STREAK
HE FOUND AT THE END OF LAST SUMMER
THAT HE BELIEVES HOLDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GOLD.
IF HE CAN FIND IT,
THE FAMILY BUSINESS STAYS IN THE FAMILY.
TIME FOR ME TO GET BACK AND SNIFF OUT SOME GOLD.
Narrator: THIS SEASON...
**
...SHAWN HASN'T BEEN ABLE
TO GET BACK ON THE SUMMER PAY STREAK.
Shawn: WE MIGHT HAVE FOUND OUR NEXT HOLE
TO MAKE OUR NEXT THOUSAND OUNCES OUT OF.
BUT HE HAS PUT SOME GOLD IN THE BOX...
Shawn: THERE IT IS.
[ ENGINE STARTS ]
AH, FIRED RIGHT UP.
Narrator: ...AND MOVED FORWARD WITH HIS MEGA DREDGE PLANS...
I'M MEETING SOME INVESTORS TODAY.
Narrator: ...TRAVELING TO LAS VEGAS...
IT'S GONNA BE VERY PROFITABLE
FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN IT.
...AND ENTERING TALKS
TO SECURE A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT...
I THINK WE CAN GET EVERYBODY ON THE SAME PAGE.
Shawn: THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR.
...THAT'LL CLOSE THE GAP IN FUNDING THE MEGA DREDGE.
**
NOW...
OH, WE'RE BACK OVER HERE, MOVING MORE TOWARDS THE NORTH.
HOPEFULLY THIS WILL PAY OFF.
Narrator: IN SEARCH OF HIS PAY STREAK,
SHAWN HAS PLOTTED TWO LINES OF DIVE HOLES
ACROSS THE GROUNDS,
AND NOW, HE'S SETTING UP THE INTERSECTION OF THOSE LINES
IN HOPES OF REDISCOVERING THE ELUSIVE GOLD
AND LIVING UP TO HIS NICKNAME.
EVERY OUNCE IN THE BOX
WILL DEFINITELY HELP OUT WITH THE BIG BARGE.
SHAWN'S GOT A LITTLE ITCH FOR PROSPECTING,
SO HE MIGHT GO DOWN AND FIND ANOTHER POT OF GOLD.
**
WE GOT TO TRY AND GET AS MUCH GOLD AS WE CAN.
COULD BE AN OUNCE,
COULD BE A HUNDRED OUNCES DOWN THERE.
YOU NEVER KNOW.
IT'S GOLD MINING.
**
HEY, BUDDY, WHAT'S YOUR STRATEGY DOWN THERE?
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Shawn: I'M LOOKING FOR THAT YELLOW BRICK ROAD, BUDDY.
LOTS OF STRUCTURE.
LOTS OF BIG ROCKS.
**
AH! WHOA!
**
GEEZ.
THERE'S GOLD UNDER EVERY ROCK DOWN HERE.
OH, LOOK AT THAT ONE!
**
JUST FIND A NUGGET?
JUST FOUND A NICE PICKER.
WE'RE PUTTING GOLD IN THE BOX ALREADY.
HERE WE GO.
I MEAN, VERY FIRST HOLE I DROPPED DOWN,
AND I'M LOOKING AT 20, 30 PIECES.
Narrator: IN THE FINAL HOURS, MR. GOLD...
...PUTS HIS OPERATION BACK ON PAY DIRT.
THIS IS GONNA BE FUN!
[ LAUGHTER ]
BUT IS IT TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?
**
300 FEET ACROSS THE ICE...
**
I ALWAYS FEEL MORE PRESSURE NOW, THE LAST DAY.
I REALLY NEED THIS MONEY.
Narrator: CAPTAIN KRIS AND KELLY UNITED ARE IN A FAMILIAR PLACE.
Brad: ONE LAST PUSH.
WE'RE GONNA TRY AND GET THAT STARTER GOING.
Narrator: BROKEN DOWN AND OFF THE GOLD.
MIGHT BE A LITTLE BARBARIC, BUT WE GOT TO GET IT RUNNING.
WE NEED THIS GOLD.
**
Kris: THE GOLD'S RIGHT UNDERNEATH MY FEET,
AND MY EQUIPMENT KEEPS BREAKING.
I'M HERE TO WORK.
I'M HERE TO GET UNDERNEATH THE WATER
AND MAKE MONEY.
IT'S TEARING ME UP INSIDE.
Narrator: AFTER SETTING THE LOFTY GOAL
OF MAKING HIS FAMILY MILLIONAIRES THIS WINTER,
REALITY HAS RECALIBRATED THE YOUNG CAPTAIN'S FOCUS.
NOW, HE'S DESPERATE JUST TO BREAK EVEN.
IF HE CAN'T, THE IRISH WILL BE RUINED.
I GOT TO GET DOWN THERE
AND I GOT TO SEE THIS GOLD FOR MYSELF.
I REALLY GOT TO.
BUT THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO.
WE'RE PRETTY MUCH DEAD IN THE WATER.
**
Narrator: THIS WINTER...
...CAPTAIN KRIS FOLLOWED A SIMPLE, INSPIRED PLAN.
Shawn: DID YOU GUYS COME FIND THIS?
-NO. -DID YOU FIND IT?!
Narrator: FOLLOW MR. GOLD TO THE GOLD.
Kris: I FOUND A THOUSAND FLAKES.
LEADING HOUSE KELLY...
-9.3. -9.3 OUNCES.
THAT IS THE BEST GOLD CLEANUP
WE'VE EVER HAD IN OUR LIVES.
IN OUR LIVES!
...TO GOLDEN GREATNESS.
[ DEVICE BEEPING ]
Kris: NOTHING'S WORKING FOR ME.
Man: KRIS, THE AIR!
[ COUGHS ]
BUT EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWNS ATE AWAY AT THEIR PAYDAY...
[ DEVICE BEEPS ]
THE COM LINE'S BUSTED.
...AGAIN...
[ MOTOR SPUTTERS ]
I CAN'T START IT.
...AND AGAIN...
THIS SUCKS!
...AND CAUSED...
JUST SHUT UP.
...WHAT ELSE? FAMILY FRICTION.
-SMARTEN UP! -[BLEEP] GET IN THE WATER!
**
Narrator: NOW...
Brad: IT'S 11 OR 12.
IT PROBABLY MEANS THE STARTER IS DRAWING TOO MUCH AMPERAGE.
Kris: COME ON, BABY.
Narrator: WITH ONLY 16 HOURS LEFT IN THE SEASON,
WHAT SHOULD'VE BEEN A SIMPLE REPAIR
HAS TAKEN DAYS.
[ MOTOR STARTS ]
WE'RE GOOD. WE'RE READY TO GO.
[ MOTOR WHIRRING ]
**
WE REPAIRED IT.
WHOO-WHOO!
WHOO!
Kris: NOW WE'RE READY!
**
Kris: MY DAD DID A 180 AND FIXED MY ENGINES
AND BASICALLY SAVED THE END OF MY SEASON.
SURE, IT TOOK US A LONG TIME,
AND IT TOOK US A LOT OF FIGHTS, YOU KNOW,
AND I WAS ACTING CRAZY,
AND I NEEDED A SHOT IN THE HEAD AT THE END.
ANDY'S BACK ON BOARD, TOO.
[ LAUGHS ]
I'M GONNA GO GET CHANGED.
LET'S GET GOING.
Narrator: THE IRISH HAVE BEEN PARKED ABOVE PAY DIRT FOR WEEKS.
WE JUST NEED TO GET UNDERNEATH THE WATER
AND GET THE [BLEEP] GOLD.
**
Narrator: ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS GO GET IT.
**
THIS IS OUR LAST OPPORTUNITY, KRIS,
TO GET BIG GOLD FOR THE SEASON.
WE'RE DEPENDING ON YOU
TO PUT A LOT OF GOLD IN THE BOX.
YEAH, I KNOW.
I JUST NEED TO GET THIS GOLD TO PAY MY DEBTS OFF,
AND EVERYTHING WILL BE GOOD.
**
OKAY, LET'S SEE.
**
I'M TRYING TO PROSPECT AROUND.
THERE'S SOME REAL WEIRD [BLEEP] HERE.
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING?
**
NO GOLD SO FAR.
**
OH, THIS SUCKS!
COME ON.
OH, HOLD ON. WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS THAT?
HOLY [BLEEP]
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING DOWN THERE?
**
REALLY?
REALLY, REALLY!
ARE YOU SEEING PUDDLES OR WHAT?
LOTS OF BITS AND PIECES, SOME CHUNKY STUFF.
[ LAUGHTER ]
GIVE ME A DOLLAR FIGURE.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH GOLD I'M SEEING RIGHT NOW.
WELL, IT'S MADE EVERY STRUGGLE, PROBLEM, CONFLICT,
STRAIGHT-UP FIGHT THAT I'VE HAD
WORTH IT AND THEN SOME.
Brad: JUST GET THE GOLD IN THE BOX.
WE'RE DOWN TO A FEW HOURS LEFT FOR THIS SEASON.
Narrator: COMING UP...
Kris: WHOA, WHAT'S THAT?
YEAH!
Brad: IS THAT PUMP ALL THE WAY UP?
Narrator: 80 MILES EAST OF NOME, AT THE BLUFF.
Zeke: LAST DAY, FINAL PUSH.
Narrator: WITH THE SEASON SHUTDOWN LOOMING,
ZEKE TENHOFF, WITH HIS BROTHER SAM TENDING,
IS ABOUT TO GET UNDER THE ICE.
WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME,
BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE TIME THAT WE HAVE,
WE CAN MAKE IT COUNT BIG-TIME.
Narrator: AFTER A SEASON OF PROSPECTING,
NOME'S MAD SCIENTIST
IS LOOKING TO MAKE HIS LATEST CREATION PAY.
Zeke: FROM EVERYTHING WE'VE HEARD FROM EVERYBODY,
IT'S THOSE NUGGET POCKETS THAT ARE PAYING.
SO, GOT TO DO IT. WE GOT TO FIND THEM.
Narrator: THIS WINTER...
HASTINGS CREEK'S SPITTING OUT GOLD,
RIGHT DIRECTLY THAT WAY.
THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
Narrator: ...ZEKE DEDICATED THE SEASON
TO STAKING CLAIM TO GROUND AT HASTINGS CREEK.
GOOD [BLEEP]
Narrator: AND AFTER WEEKS OF GATHERING SAMPLES...
THAT'S GOLD.
...HE FOUND THE PAY DIRT HE WAS LOOKING FOR.
THERE COULD BE, LIKE,
THE REST OF OUR WORKING CAREERS WORTH OF MONEY
JUST SITTING OUT THERE.
BUT WHEN HE DECIDED TO SWITCH TO MINING...
THERE'S A BIG GREASY CRACK JUST OPENING UP RIGHT THERE!
Narrator: ...THE ICE WAS PULLED OUT FROM UNDER HIM.
WE NEED TO GET GOOD [BLEEP] DREDGING DONE
AND WE NEED TO GET SOME GOLD.
Sam: WE GOT TO GO TO BLUFF.
SO, AGAINST HIS NATURE,
ZEKE FOLLOWED THE CROWD TO THE BLUFF.
Zeke: JUST GONNA KEEP MOVING AROUND
UNTIL I GET ON SOME OF THAT CHUNKY GOLD.
Narrator: AND AFTER A MARATHON 13-HOUR PROSPECTING SESSION...
DEFINITELY GOLD IN THE AREA.
...HE FOUND GOLD.
FOUND IT.
YEAH.
Narrator: NOW...
I WENT OVER, RIGHT OVER THERE,
KIND OF JUST CUT A LITTLE BENCH IN BETWEEN.
THEN I WENT OVER THERE.
KIND OF ALREADY GOT KIND OF CHEWED UP OVER THERE.
THEN I WENT OVER THERE.
IT'S ALREADY BEEN SORT OF CHEWED UP OVER THERE, TOO.
I THINK WE'RE GONNA BE DREDGING THIS WAY.
Narrator: ZEKE'S READY FOR ONE LAST DIVE
TO PACK THE BOX FULL OF GOLD.
IT'S GONNA BE -- GONNA BE A GOOD DIVE.
Zeke: THIS WHOLE ICE SEASON, WE MADE NO MONEY.
WE HAVE TO MAKE THE ABSOLUTE MOST
OF THIS FINAL DAY.
Sam: YOU READY TO GO?
YEAH, GOOD TO GO.
[BLEEP] YEAH.
ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT, MAN.
**
Narrator: TO MAKE THE MOST OF HIS LAST DAY,
ZEKE'S USING A ONE-OF-A-KIND, CUSTOM-BUILT SUB DREDGE
THAT ALLOWS HIM TO COVER TWICE THE GROUND
IN HALF THE TIME.
**
I, UH...
AAH!
**
DO I HAVE ANY TETHER LEFT?
Sam: YOU'RE ALMOST MAXED OUT.
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M STUCK IN THE ICE.
**
Narrator: IF ZEKE HAS AN EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION
WITH THE TETHER FROZEN INTO THE ICE CEILING,
HE WON'T BE ABLE TO REACH THE SAFETY OF HIS DIVE HOLE.
**
DAMN, YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO WATCH OUT FOR THAT.
IT FREEZES INTO THE CEILING FAST!
BASICALLY THE TETHER FLOATS TO THE TOP,
AND THEN IT MELTS ITS WAY UP INTO THE ICE CEILING
AND FREEZES BACK OVER
IF YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION.
**
WANT ME TO PULL IT UP?
NO, I'M JUST TRYING TO GET IT OUT OF
ITS FROZEN CEILING TRAP.
**
THERE WE GO.
**
Zeke: COPY THAT.
**
WE GOT -- WE GOT SOME GRINDING TO DO.
**
MAN, IT'S GONNA TURN
OUR WHOLE SEASON AROUND WHEN YOU FIND THAT FIRST NUGGET.
I MEAN, THE THING IS,
IS IT STILL COULD REALLY, REALLY PAY OUT FOR US.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HOPING FOR.
**
Narrator: BUT THERE'S A PROBLEM.
DAMN IT, I'M JUST NOT SEEING GOLD IN THIS STUFF.
I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY MIND.
Narrator: THE RICH GROUND ZEKE LOCATED
SEEMS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED.
**
WHERE'S THE GOLD? WHERE ARE YA?
**
Narrator: THE TIDAL ACTION OF THE OCEAN
CAN SHIFT TONS OF OVERBURDEN ACROSS THE GROUNDS OVERNIGHT,
MAKING EVEN A WELL-PROSPECTED AREA
LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
I'M GONNA GO OVER THIS WAY AND CHECK OUT OVER HERE.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN SPOT
ANY NUGGETS IN THESE HERE ROCKS.
I MIGHT SEE ONE, LIKE, CHUNKER OR SOMETHING LIKE IT.
THAT'LL DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY TURN MY DAY AROUND,
THAT'S FOR SURE.
WHOA. WHAT'S THAT?
YEAH!
THERE'S LITTLE CHUNKERS OF GOLD IN IT!
THERE ARE! WHOO-HOO!
I MEAN, THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
**
YEAH!
OW!
BUNCH OF CHUNK,
BUNCH OF DIFFERENT, LITTLE LAYERS.
[BLEEP] YEAH!
OH, THANK [BLEEP] FINALLY.
**
Narrator: 500 FEET SOUTH.
Andy: HOW YOU DOING, JAY?
Kris: WE'RE ON GOLD. EVERYTHING'S GOING GOOD.
[ LAUGHS ]
Narrator: DETERMINED TO SAVE HIS SEASON,
CAPTAIN KRIS KELLY IS FIVE HOURS INTO HIS DIVE.
SEEING THE MOST GOLD
I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
IT'S EVERYWHERE.
IT'S INSANE.
**
THE CLEANUP CREW'S HERE.
**
[ BANG ]
Andy: WHAT THE [BLEEP]
**
HOLY!
OH [BLEEP] ME. Brad: WHAT'S GOING ON?
**
Narrator: IT'S A SIMPLE FACT.
BROKEN-DOWN EQUIPMENT BREAKS DOWN.
**
OH, COME ON.
**
Narrator: AFTER A WINTER
OF BREAKDOWN AFTER BREAKDOWN AFTER BREAKDOWN,
FOR THE IRISH, THE SEASON IS OVER.
Brad: YEAH, WE'RE DONE.
**
COMING UP...
Kris: FINAL CLEANOUT OF THE YEAR.
WHAT'S THAT SAY?
THIS IS JUST INCREDIBLE, FANTASTIC NEWS.
**
Narrator: 80 MILES EAST OF NOME, AT THE BLUFF...
Kris: WE'RE NOT LEAVING ONE SPECK OF GOLD BEHIND.
I NEED EVERY LITTLE BIT.
AFTER A SEASON DEFINED AND ENDED
BY A GRUELING STRING OF EQUIPMENT FAILURES,
THE FIGHTIN' IRISH ARE STARTING
THEIR FINAL WINTER CLEANUP.
WE DIDN'T COME HERE FOR A CAMPING ADVENTURE.
WE DIDN'T COME HERE TO HANG OUT WITH OUR FRIENDS.
WE CAME HERE TO GET GOLD, AND WE BARELY DREDGED, SO...
HOPEFULLY, I CAN TURN A PROFIT HERE.
Kris: FINAL CLEANUP,
EVERYTHING'S COMING DOWN TO THIS DAY.
WE REALLY NEED THIS GOLD CLEANUP TO BE A BIG ONE.
Kris: PULL IT APART.
I WANT EVERY BIT OF GOLD THAT COMES OUT OF HERE.
I REALLY NEED 10 OUNCES, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.
I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH HOURS
TO GET ANYWHERE NEAR THAT GOLD,
BUT I'M TELLING YOU RIGHT NOW,
I REALLY NEED 10 OUNCES.
**
RIGHT NOW, I HAVE NOTHING BUT DEBTS IN TOWN TO PAY,
AND I'M SUPER SCARED AT THIS POINT,
'CAUSE I KNOW THIS IS THE END.
Kris: OKAY, HERE WE GO. FINAL CLEANOUT OF THE YEAR.
**
COME ON, BABY.
**
9 -- 9.43.
CALL IT 9.5.
Narrator: 9.5 OUNCES IS WORTH OVER $12,000...
SO THAT'S 2 OUNCES AN HOUR WE WERE ON AT THE END.
...BRINGING THEIR SEASON TOTAL TO 24 OUNCES,
WORTH OVER $30,000.
WE ENDED UP GETTING 9 1/2 OUNCES,
WHICH WAS JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP GOING ON,
JUST ENOUGH TO PAY OFF MOST OF MY BILLS,
AND JUST ENOUGH TO SAVE THE KELLYS FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
24 OUNCES.
[BLEEP] WE GET THAT MUCH GOLD DURING A SUMMER.
I WISH WE WOULD BE LEAVING WITH 100 OUNCES.
YEAH, WELL, WE'RE NOT, SO WE STILL HAD A GOOD SEASON.
ONE OF OUR BEST SEASONS.
ACTUALLY, A BEST-EVER ICE SEASON FOR THE IRISH...
IT IS. IT'S OUR BEST IN GOLD.
BUT IT WAS [BLEEP] LIVING AND LIFE AND THE STRUGGLE.
AND FOR CAPTAIN KRIS,
THE PROMISE OF A GOLDEN SUMMER.
I MADE AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN THIS YEAR.
WE GOT MORE GOLD THAN WE'VE EVER GOTTEN
IN THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME WE'VE EVER DREDGED.
WE CAN SEE THERE'S A FUTURE.
I THINK THIS BLUFF HAS DEFINITELY GIVEN EVERYBODY
A SHOT IN THE ARM THAT THEY REALLY NEEDED, A HOPE.
OKAY, LET'S BE IN A POSITIVE MOOD.
WE'RE GONNA KILL IT HERE THIS SUMMER.
I'M TALKING 200 OR 300 OUNCES, FOR SURE.
Narrator: 500 FEET NORTH...
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
YOU KNOW, IT'S ABOUT A RELIEF TO SEE GOLD.
OH, THERE IT GOES UP THE NOZZLE.
Narrator: WITH JUST HOURS LEFT UNTIL THE ICE-MINING SHUTDOWN,
ZEKE TENHOFF AND HIS BROTHER, SAM,
ZERO IN ON THEIR TARGET.
Zeke: DUDE, JUST A POCKET OF NUGGETS.
IT'S RIGHT THERE. OH, THERE'S ANOTHER NUGGET.
A WHOLE POCKET OF NUGGETS.
Sam: YEAH!
THAT LITTLE POCKET'S LOADED WITH GOLD.
YEAH.
IN THEIR SIGHTS,
A GOLDEN PAYDAY TO MEET THE COSTS OF THE SEASON.
JUST LOADED. I KNEW WE WERE GONNA FIND IT.
I KNEW IT.
**
YEAH, THERE'S A NUGGET.
**
RIGHT THERE, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.
YEAH.
ALL RIGHT!
FEELS GOOD.
FEELS REAL GOOD.
ALL THIS WORK,
COMING OUT HERE AND [BLEEP] HAULING OUR [BLEEP]
IS FINALLY WORTH IT.
[BLEEP] DIVING ON GOOD GOLD.
STOKED.
**
Zeke: LIKE, THIS IS -- THIS IS --
THIS IS, FOR A GOLD DREDGER,
THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SIGHT YOU COULD EVER SEE.
WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS IS, LIKE, THE BEST,
THE MOST AMAZING SCENARIO THAT YOU COULD EVER SEE.
THIS IS JUST INCREDIBLE, FANTASTIC NEWS
FOR THE TENHOFF BROTHERS AT THIS POINT,
BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A HARD GO OF IT THIS WINTER.
AND WE'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE MAP,
TRYING TO MAKE THINGS WORK OUT FOR US.
I KNOW IT'S PRETTY LATE IN THE GAME,
BUT WE'RE ON SOME GOLD.
IT'S HERE. I'M SEEING IT.
THAT'S AWESOME, MAN.
NUGGETS! ALL RIGHT!
-THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT. -YEAH!
I'M STOKED, MAN. WE'RE ON IT.
WE'RE ON IT, MAN. WE'RE ON IT.
KEEP IT THERE. I WANT TO GO DOWN THERE.
**
GONNA HAVE TO GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE TIME
TO REALLY ANALYZE THE GOLD QUANTITY
IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.
DO WHAT YOU CAN TO MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE UP THERE.
**
'CAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'RE GONNA BE MOVING FOR A BIT.
I HAVE QUITE A BIT OF RANGE IN THIS SPOT,
GOING INTO THIS COBBLE FIELD.
[ ACCORDION PLAYS ]
Narrator: AS ZEKE GETS TO WORK
CLEANING UP THE COBBLE FIELD,
SAM BRINGS THE FINAL HOURS HOME
WITH A SERENADE FOR THE SEASON.
[ MUSIC CONTINUES ]
[ SINGING INDISTINCTLY ]
[ SINGING CONTINUES ]
AWESOME.
OKAY.
Sam: [ SINGING INDISTINCTLY ]
* YOU TAKE MY SPARE TIME AND THROW IT AWAY *
* I DON'T KNOW *
[ MUSIC CONTINUES ]
Narrator: NOT BAD, SAM.
YEAH, THIS JUST ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE THE NOME GOLD AT ALL,
BUT THAT'S FINE.
I LIKE IT BETTER.
I LIKE IT.
I MEAN, DUDE, THERE'S A PIECE OF GOLD RIGHT THERE.
IT'S JUST -- JUST...
IT'S A SERIES OF THOSE LITTLE CHUNKERS
THAT GET US PAID.
YOU'RE ALMOST MAXED OUT.
**
Sam: THAT PLANE LOOKED LIKE A DNR.
**
Narrator: COMING UP...
Zeke: IT'S WEIGH-OUT TIME.
WE GONNA DO IT?
-GOT THE FINAL CLEANUP. -HERE WE GO.
**
Shawn: HO HO HO.
Narrator: 80 MILES EAST OF NOME...
AT THE BLUFF...
WE'RE ON SOME GOLD.
Sam: THAT'S AWESOME, MAN.
...ZEKE TENHOFF AND HIS BROTHER, SAM,
ARE MAKING THE MOST OF THE FINAL HOURS
IN HOPES OF SECURING A PAYDAY
THAT'LL MAKE THE END OF THE SEASON GOLDEN.
Zeke: OH, YEAH, THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE.
**
Sam: THAT PLANE LOOKED LIKE A DNR.
Narrator: IN THE STATE OF ALASKA,
THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
REGULATES MINING ACTIVITIES.
AND PER STATE LAW,
ALL ICE DREDGING MUST CEASE AT SUNDOWN,
JUST A FEW SHORT HOURS AWAY.
Sam: THEY'RE DEFINITELY TRYING TO SIGNAL US
TO GET OFF THE ICE.
Zeke: YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY
GONNA BE A GOOD TIME TO JUST CLEAN UP THE BOX.
WE DID EVERYTHING WE SAID WE WERE GONNA DO.
WE DID.
NOW WE GOT TO PACK OUT OF HERE,
'CAUSE WE'RE TIRED, AND WE'RE DONE.
**
GIVE ME SOME SKIN.
YEAH.
WE'RE DONE, MAN.
WHOO!
**
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
**
-HOW'S IT LOOKING DOWN THERE? -JUST STARTING TO GET FUN.
[ GRUNTING ]
OH!
Narrator: AT THE TAIL END OF A MARATHON 13-HOUR DIVE,
CAPTAIN SHAWN POMRENKE
IS FIGHTING TO SUCK UP EVERY OUNCE OF GOLD HE CAN
BEFORE THE SUN SETS ON THE SEASON.
PRETTY GOOD.
THERE'S GONNA BE SOME NICE, CHUNKY GOLD AROUND HERE.
Narrator: HE'S BEEN HUNTING ALL WINTER
FOR AN ELUSIVE PAY STREAK HE BELIEVES
MARKS A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR GOLD DEPOSIT.
COME ON. COME TO DADDY.
AND WHILE HE HASN'T FOUND IT,
HE STILL HOPES TO PULL IN ENOUGH GOLD
TO FUND HIS $6 MILLION MEGA DREDGE
WITHOUT OUTSIDE INVESTORS.
OH, YEAH, WE'RE MAKING SOME MONEY, BOYS.
WE'LL JUST LET YOU GUYS JUDGE WHEN YOU SEE THE BOX.
HEY, YOU GOT A BAD BACK, REMEMBER.
DON'T PAT YOURSELF TOO HARD.
YOU MIGHT HURT YOURSELF.
[ LAUGHING ]
OH, HO, HO.
IS THAT PUMP ALL THE WAY UP?
WIDE OPEN?
UH, HOLD ON A MINUTE.
**
IT WENT OUT?
Narrator: SHAWN'S HOT-WATER SUPPLY IS CUT OFF.
THE HUMAN BODY COOLS 25 TIMES FASTER
IN COLD WATER THAN IN AIR,
AND IN THE 29-DEGREE WATERS OF THE BERING SEA,
WITHOUT A HOT-WATER SUPPLY,
SHAWN HAS MERE MINUTES BEFORE HYPOTHERMIA SETS IN.
IN HIS PUSH TO THE ABSOLUTE END,
SHAWN HAS RUN OUT OF PROPANE FOR HIS HOT-WATER HEATER...
Man: THAT'S IT, MAN.
THAT'S IT. I'M DONE.
**
HOT WATER QUIT, STARTED GETTING REALLY COLD.
STARTING TO GET HYPOTHERMIC.
WHEW!
**
Narrator: ...ENDING HIS DIVE JUST BEFORE THE CLOSE OF DAY.
Shawn: WISH I COULD'VE DOVE LONGER,
BUT TIME TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
**
Narrator: AS A NEW DAY DAWNS OVER NOME...
**
...THE ICE-MINING SHUTDOWN IS IN EFFECT.
AFTER A BRUTAL THREE MONTHS, THE GROUNDS ARE STILL.
**
NOW THE REMAINING CLEANUPS FOR THE FLEET
ARE UNDER WAY.
IT'S TIME TO REAP THE LAST REWARDS.
**
ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NOME, AT ZEKE TENHOFF'S COMPOUND...
Zeke: THE CLEANUP IS LOOKING SOLID.
THIS IS LOOKING AWESOME, MAN.
Narrator: AFTER A GRUELING WINTER SEASON
SPENT GATHERING SAMPLES
TO STAKE A CLAIM AT HASTINGS CREEK...
I MEAN, JUST THERE'S SOMETHING TO BE SAID
ABOUT JUST GOING OUT,
TWO DUDES ON A TRACK FOUR-WHEELER,
AND MAKING IT HAPPEN,
AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.
ZEKE AND HIS BROTHER, SAM,
ARE HOPING THEIR LATE RUN AT THE BLUFF
WILL MAKE ENDS MEET AND SET THEM UP FOR THE FUTURE.
Zeke: I'M PANNING OUT
OUR FIRST AND FINAL CLEANUP OF THE SEASON.
I MEAN, THIS IS ALL OF THE WORK
THAT WE DID FOR THE ENTIRE WINTER,
BREAKING OUR BACKS.
I MEAN, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS LITTLE BUCKET.
THE ANTICIPATION IS KILLING ME.
AAH. AAH!
IT'S WEIGH-OUT TIME.
ALL RIGHT, HERE WE GO.
END OF SEASON. IT'S THE CULMINATION HERE.
IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
**
6...
7...
OH, DUDE.
12 OUNCES.
YEAH. LIKE THAT CLINKING.
YEAH.
13.
DUDE, WE'RE COMING UP ON --
WE'RE COMING UP ON A POUND.
OH, MAN. ARE WE GONNA DO IT?
WE GONNA DO IT?
OOH. 15 OUNCES...
OH! FLEW BY A POUND!
YEAH! YEAH!
SWEET. A POUND AND CHANGE, MAN.
HIGH FIVE.
LOW FIVE, YEAH.
Narrator: 16.64 OUNCES -- OVER A POUND OF GOLD --
IS WORTH OVER $21,000.
MADE IT ALL WORTH IT, THE WHOLE SEASON.
Narrator: A COLOSSAL 2.5 OUNCES OF GOLD PER HOUR
ON THEIR FINAL DIVE,
ALLOWING ZEKE AND SAM TO MAKE A SMALL PROFIT FOR THE SEASON.
Zeke: THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND SATISFYING CLEANOUT
THAT I'VE EVER HAD.
Zeke: YOU JUST CAN'T ARGUE WITH A POUND OF GOLD.
YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE WITH YOUR BROTHER
AND YOU SEE SUCCEED,
AND YOU COME BACK, AND YOU'RE HOME,
AND YOU CLEANED UP A POUND OF GOLD...
YEAH.
...IT WORKS.
YOU KNOW, IT WAS REAL HARD.
WE GOT STUCK A LOT.
WE GOT A POUND OF GOLD.
YEAH. MOVE --
NEXT CONVERSATION. YEAH. [ LAUGHS ]
**
Narrator: COMING UP...
BY NO MEANS ARE THE KELLYS FINISHED.
IT IS DO OR DIE RIGHT NOW.
LET'S SEE WHAT IT DOES.
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
Narrator: AND NOW "GOLDEN THOUGHTS,"
BY BRAD KELLY.
**
Brad: WE NEED GOLD TO CONTINUE OUR LIFE.
GOLD IS MONEY, MONEY IS GOLD, RIGHT?
SO IT'S THE KEY TO ALL LIFE, GOLD, RIGHT?
WHO GAVE GOLD A VALUE?
JUST A BRIGHT, SHINY ROCK.
ARE WE STUPID OR WHAT?
I WANT TO MEET THE GUY THAT SAID,
"THIS -- WE'RE GONNA SUCK THESE HUMANS INTO THINKING
THIS IS VALUABLE."
MAN, ARE WE DUMB OR WHAT?
Narrator: 80 MILES EAST OF NOME, AT THE BLUFF...
Kris: WELL, THAT'S IT. WE'RE OUT OF HERE.
YEP. THANK [BLEEP]
Narrator: THE MINING SEASON IS OVER,
AND MEMBERS OF THE FLEET
ARE PULLING THEIR GEAR OFF THE ICE.
Kris: FOR SURE, I DIDN'T GET MY MILLION OUNCES.
THAT'S ALL DETAILS
AND JUST LITTLE BUMPS IN THE ROAD.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
THERE'S A MILLION DOLLARS AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW,
AND I KNOW I'M GONNA GET THERE.
I KNOW I'M GONNA TAKE MY TEAM.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE TOGETHER
AND WE'RE ALL GONNA GET RICH DOING THIS.
**
WELL, THIS SUMMER SEASON'S GONNA BE AMAZING.
**
Narrator: 50 MILES WEST...
THIS ICE SEASON'S BEEN A MISERABLE SLOG FOR ME.
I STILL GOT TO FIND MY OWN JAM.
THE SPOT THAT I FOUND AND NOBODY ELSE DID,
IT WAS BANGING.
THAT'S WHAT DRIVES ME FORWARD,
AND THAT'S THE GLORY THAT I NEED
IF I'M GONNA KEEP DOING THIS AND GIVING A [BLEEP] ABOUT IT.
Zeke: MINING IS WHAT I'LL ALWAYS DO,
BUT PROJECTING TO WHERE I WANT TO BE
AND AT SOME FUTURE DATE
IS REALLY NOT HOW MY BRAIN WORKS.
ENGAGE WITH LIFE CONSTANTLY,
AND LIFE WILL, LIKE, LEAD YOU TO WHERE YOU'RE GONNA GO.
Narrator: ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN...
**
Shawn: GET OFF THE ICE
AND START GETTING READY FOR THE SUMMER.
Narrator: ALL FINAL CLEANUPS ARE IN THE BOOKS
EXCEPT FOR ONE.
WHOA-HO-HO! WHOA.
Shawn: WE'RE GONNA BE GOING BACK TO TOWN.
HOPEFULLY, WE'LL SEE A BUNCH OF GOLD IN THIS FINAL CLEANUP.
Narrator: AFTER A SEASON SPENT HUNTING
FOR A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR PAY STREAK AT THE BLUFF,
MR. GOLD'S MOMENT OF TRUTH IS FAST APPROACHING.
Shawn: THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ICE-MINING SEASON
I'VE EVER HAD.
HAD A REALLY GOOD CREW OF GUYS.
WE'RE ALL STAYING IN A SMALL LITTLE CABIN
AND WORKING OUR ASSES OFF.
Shawn: LET'S PILE UP THAT GOLD.
IT'S BASICALLY CAMPING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE,
AND WE NEED TO MAKE MONEY.
SO IT'S GONNA BE KEY TO KEEPING THE CREW HAPPY
AND TO GET THE BIG MEGA DRUDGE GOING.
Shawn: GOT THE FINAL CLEANUP.
HOPEFULLY, IT'LL BUMP US UP OVER 100 OUNCES.
WOULD BE NICE.
Narrator: FOR SHAWN, THE MOMENT HAS ARRIVED,
AND THE TRUTH LIES IN THE PAN.
**
I'M HOPING FOR, LIKE, 12 OUNCES.
HOPING FOR ANYTHING OVER 10 OUNCES.
**
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, 13...
**
OH-HO-HO.
17.42.
17 1/2.
Narrator: 17.4 OUNCES IS WORTH OVER $22,000,
BRINGING SHAWN'S SEASON TOTAL
TO 120 OUNCES OF PURE BERING SEA GOLD.
THE HAUL WORTH OVER $156,000.
BUT THAT'S JUST A FRACTION OF THE AMOUNT HE NEEDS
TO FUND THE MEGA DREDGE.
-NOT BAD. -NOT BAD, BRO.
Narrator: STILL, IT REAFFIRMED SHAWN'S FAITH IN THE BLUFF.
OUR BEST ICE SEASON SO FAR.
SO SUCCESSFUL? YES.
DID WE HIT THE MOTHER LODE? NO.
BUT WE'RE GONNA KEEP LOOKING.
I COULD JUST TASTE THAT GOLD AT THAT BLUFF.
I JUST GOT TO SETTLE DOWN
AND KNOW THAT THAT GOLD'S GONNA BE THERE.
DEFINITELY, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO COME.
ALL OF US GUYS ARE GONNA PUT A LITTLE GOLD IN OUR POCKET
AND THEN GET READY FOR PROBABLY THE BIGGEST SUMMER YET.
**
Narrator: IN A SEASON WHERE ALL ROADS LED TO THE BLUFF,
MR. GOLD TAKES TOP HONORS.
KELLY UNITED LIMPS INTO SECOND.
THE TENHOFF BROTHERS TAKE THIRD.
AND TO CAPTAIN EMILY,
A LOVELY PARTICIPATION TROPHY.
**
Shawn: WE MADE IT.
WE MADE IT TO ST. MARY'S.
Narrator: IN GOLD MINING, THERE IS NO OFF SEASON.
THAT'S FLOATING.
THERE SHE IS.
Narrator: AND MR. GOLD HIMSELF
HAS ARRIVED IN ST. MARY'S WITH THE SPRING FLOOD
TO CLAIM HIS PRIZE.
NOW THE FIRST HUGE HURDLE
IS GETTING THIS BARGE OUT INTO THE DEEPER WATER.
Narrator: IF SHAWN CAN'T MOVE THE BARGE OFF THE BANK,
IT COULD DELAY THE MEGA DREDGE PROJECT
FOR A YEAR OR MORE
AT A COST OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
IT IS DO OR DIE RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE HOOKED UP ONTO THE BARGE,
AND HOPEFULLY, IT SLIDES OUT,
BUT WE'RE GONNA GIVE HER THE WOOD RIGHT NOW
AND SEE IF SHE GOES.
WE GOT 450 HORSE, SO...
LET'S SEE WHAT IT DOES.
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
HERE IT GOES.
**
COME ON.
AAH.
**
[ RUMBLES ] THERE SHE GOES.
**
OH, WE'RE FREE.
WE'RE FREE. [ LAUGHS ]
WHOO!
WALK IT TO THE BACK.
Shawn: I'M EXCITED.
I SEE THIS VISION OF MINE COMING TOGETHER.
Man: READY, SHAWN?
THAT'S A WAY TO SECURE MY OWN FUTURE
AND A GREAT LEGACY TO LEAVE MY KIDS AND GRANDKIDS.
BAM! YEAH.
FIRST STEP TO BUILDING THIS DREDGE IS DONE.
Shawn: ONCE I GET THIS THING ALL DONE,
IT'LL BE THE BIGGEST DREDGE IN NOME, BY FAR.
Narrator: AND SHAWN IS GONNA NEED IT,
BECAUSE THIS SUMMER,
A TITAN UNLIKE ANYTHING NOME HAS EVER SEEN...
HOO-HOO! WE'RE DIGGING!
-YEAH! -ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: ...ENTERS THE GAME.
Shawn: WE GOT SOME COMPETITION.
Narrator: AND MR. GOLD FACES HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE YET.
Shawn: I DO NOT LIKE SECOND PLACE.
GOOD LUCK.
**