1
00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:14,200
[Shawn] We got
dumped on here yesterday.
2
00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:16,967
We got all kinds
of fresh snow.
3
00:00:16,967 --> 00:00:19,367
It looks like we're about
done with it, though.
4
00:00:19,367 --> 00:00:24,100
It looks like we got
a really nice, solid week
coming up.
5
00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:26,867
We'll be able to make
a lot of gold this week.
6
00:00:26,867 --> 00:00:30,100
[narrator] Shawn Pomrenke
is sitting pretty
7
00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:33,867
after making a deal
to mine on Vernon's Claim 56.
8
00:00:33,867 --> 00:00:36,867
I'll give you two weeks,
no royalties,
9
00:00:36,867 --> 00:00:39,000
and then, after that, 15%.
10
00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:40,266
[Shawn] Sounds
like a deal, then.
11
00:00:40,266 --> 00:00:43,433
[narrator] Since then,
he's been racking up
the ounces.
12
00:00:44,467 --> 00:00:48,000
There's gold, it's yellow.
I like it.
13
00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:51,333
[narrator] And currently,
he's at the top
of the leaderboard.
14
00:00:58,700 --> 00:01:02,300
[Shawn] The price of gold
is kicking ass right now.
15
00:01:02,300 --> 00:01:05,600
I got the inland
I got to get rolling.
16
00:01:06,467 --> 00:01:09,233
You got to take advantage
of these nice days.
17
00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:11,900
The season's
starting out strong.
18
00:01:11,900 --> 00:01:15,800
Vernon gave me
the first two weeks on 56
royalty free.
19
00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:17,767
So, we've been
making it count.
20
00:01:17,767 --> 00:01:21,166
We need every ounce
we can get because,
starting this inland mine,
21
00:01:21,166 --> 00:01:22,634
it's not gonna be cheap.
22
00:01:22,634 --> 00:01:26,700
We've been working a pastry.
And today, we're gonna
go hammer it out.
23
00:01:37,266 --> 00:01:39,100
I'm gonna go ahead
and get suited up.
24
00:01:45,767 --> 00:01:47,934
[Joe] This thing's
giving us some trouble.
25
00:01:49,266 --> 00:01:52,600
Well, we might have
a engine issue.
26
00:01:53,467 --> 00:01:55,467
[Joe chuckles] Nope.
27
00:01:55,467 --> 00:01:57,500
We've got a lot
of hours on this engine.
28
00:01:58,467 --> 00:02:00,400
[Joe] She's
locked up solid.
29
00:02:01,767 --> 00:02:04,000
She's done for, boys.
30
00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,433
[man] Well, we'd better
break the news to Shawn.
31
00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:09,767
It's pretty bad.
32
00:02:09,767 --> 00:02:11,333
[Shawn] What are
you thinking, Joe?
33
00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:12,700
We're [bleep].
34
00:02:15,500 --> 00:02:17,367
[Shawn] This is
a punch in the gut.
35
00:02:17,367 --> 00:02:19,266
Our pump engine's dead.
36
00:02:19,266 --> 00:02:21,400
And without this engine,
we're not mining.
37
00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,667
Okay. I'll get
my clothes back on.
38
00:02:24,667 --> 00:02:28,100
The soonest I can get
a new one up here
is tomorrow.
39
00:02:28,100 --> 00:02:32,000
So, that means we're gonna
burn up royalty-free time.
40
00:02:32,767 --> 00:02:34,400
It's never good
to be shut down.
41
00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:37,600
-[narrator] Suddenly...
-[Shawn] Man, this sucks.
42
00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,300
...Nome's gold-count leader
is knocked out
of commission...
43
00:02:43,467 --> 00:02:48,867
creating an opportunity
for the rest of the fleet
to move up the ladder.
44
00:02:48,867 --> 00:02:52,734
But in mining,
you're only as strong
as the sum of your parts.
45
00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:57,700
So, which squad
has what it takes...
46
00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:02,500
to grab the crown
while the king is down?
47
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,500
On the outskirts of town...
48
00:03:21,266 --> 00:03:22,800
[cell phone rings]
49
00:03:23,300 --> 00:03:24,567
[Vernon] Yeah. Hey, Larry.
50
00:03:24,567 --> 00:03:25,834
[Larry] Hey. How's it going?
51
00:03:25,834 --> 00:03:28,667
No new developments
since the last time
I've talked to you.
52
00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:30,567
Gary is saying
he wants an apology.
53
00:03:30,567 --> 00:03:32,767
He's not getting
an apology from me.
54
00:03:32,767 --> 00:03:34,700
If an apology is coming,
it's coming from him.
55
00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:37,500
-[Larry] All right. Talk
to you soon. Let me know.
-Yep.
56
00:03:38,867 --> 00:03:41,734
[narrator] All is not well
in the Adkison camp.
57
00:03:42,500 --> 00:03:44,567
[Vernon] This is a tough one.
58
00:03:44,567 --> 00:03:46,567
My main diver, Gary,
59
00:03:46,567 --> 00:03:48,300
he's got
personal problems at home,
60
00:03:48,300 --> 00:03:52,867
and it's reflecting
on all of us because,
61
00:03:52,867 --> 00:03:56,867
well, I mean,
you can't bring your
personal problems to the job.
62
00:03:56,867 --> 00:03:58,600
[narrator] On the team's
first trip to the ice,
63
00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:03,467
tensions erupted
between the salty skipper
and his lead diver.
64
00:04:03,467 --> 00:04:05,467
[Gary] If it ain't
gonna [bleep] work,
it ain't gonna [bleep] work.
65
00:04:05,467 --> 00:04:07,700
If you don't want to do it,
then don't do it.
66
00:04:07,700 --> 00:04:12,200
[narrator] ...leading
to a day on the ice
with no dive.
67
00:04:18,567 --> 00:04:21,467
The result is,
he's got a bad attitude.
68
00:04:21,467 --> 00:04:24,667
And it doesn't seem
like he wants to roll.
69
00:04:24,667 --> 00:04:29,166
[narrator] Now, the jury
is out as to whether
Gary stays or goes.
70
00:04:29,166 --> 00:04:31,500
He think he's running
the [bleep] damn show.
71
00:04:32,266 --> 00:04:34,100
You know,
it's like on a ship.
72
00:04:34,100 --> 00:04:37,133
You've got a captain.
You've got a chief mate.
You've got a boat.
73
00:04:38,867 --> 00:04:41,900
You know,
you don't step over the lines.
74
00:04:43,900 --> 00:04:46,900
Generally, what happens,
when you get a good diver,
75
00:04:46,900 --> 00:04:51,166
it's hard for them not to cop
a prima donna attitude.
76
00:04:51,166 --> 00:04:52,867
You've got to have
your head in the game,
77
00:04:52,867 --> 00:04:55,000
and you've
got to have a good attitude.
78
00:04:55,767 --> 00:04:58,133
And that's not happening.
79
00:04:59,166 --> 00:05:02,166
So, today is D-day.
80
00:05:02,166 --> 00:05:03,967
Either we get this
straightened out
81
00:05:03,967 --> 00:05:06,333
or he gets on a plane
and gets the hell out of here.
82
00:05:11,667 --> 00:05:17,467
I'm on the best claim in town,
and we've got some of
the only workable ice in Nome.
83
00:05:17,467 --> 00:05:21,266
I've got guys mining on 56
paying me royalties.
84
00:05:21,266 --> 00:05:23,233
I should be
living like a king.
85
00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,367
But my own operation
is a dumpster fire right now.
86
00:05:28,367 --> 00:05:30,900
I need to sort this out
right quick.
87
00:05:50,166 --> 00:05:51,233
Perfect.
88
00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,567
Hey, guys, yo!
89
00:06:06,567 --> 00:06:09,200
Let's have a morning
shape up over here.
90
00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:24,233
Everybody try to stay focused,
keep your head in the game,
91
00:06:24,967 --> 00:06:27,300
and let's all try to have
a decent attitude.
92
00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:28,900
-Yep.
-[Vernon] Okay?
93
00:06:28,900 --> 00:06:30,133
Yep.
94
00:06:30,133 --> 00:06:33,200
Some days, you wake up
and, you know,
you spill your coffee.
95
00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:35,066
You drop everything,
you know.
96
00:06:35,066 --> 00:06:37,266
You just kind of, like,
want to just call it...
97
00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:42,000
You know, I mean,
when you get a couple of
hard-headed alpha type males,
98
00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,800
they're going to bump heads
every now and then.
99
00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:46,700
-Yeah.
-So, let's put that behind us
and get on with our job...
100
00:06:46,700 --> 00:06:48,800
-[men] Yeah.
-...all right?
101
00:06:51,166 --> 00:06:53,667
-Let's shake,
rattle, and roll.
-[Gary] Yeah.
102
00:06:53,667 --> 00:06:55,367
It's all good.
It's all good.
103
00:06:55,367 --> 00:06:59,333
We had some
ruffled feathers.
104
00:07:01,467 --> 00:07:06,934
But we're all big boys,
and get past that [bleep]
and get on about our business.
105
00:07:08,667 --> 00:07:12,567
Hopefully, all that garbage
is behind us, and we can
get back to mining.
106
00:07:12,567 --> 00:07:15,967
I need Gary to get down there
and do what he does best...
107
00:07:15,967 --> 00:07:17,033
Captain!
108
00:07:17,033 --> 00:07:19,667
...because we need to find
some gold of our own.
109
00:07:19,667 --> 00:07:21,767
That's how you
make the big money.
110
00:07:21,767 --> 00:07:24,266
-All right, we ready?
-[Larry] Let's fire
it up, Kevin.
111
00:07:24,266 --> 00:07:26,033
[engine rumbling]
112
00:07:26,700 --> 00:07:28,200
[Vernon] We got the flow.
113
00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:29,567
It's working.
114
00:07:29,567 --> 00:07:31,767
Kind of excited.
We might have
115
00:07:31,767 --> 00:07:33,834
some money in our box
at the end of the day.
116
00:07:41,066 --> 00:07:42,400
[Larry speaking]
117
00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:45,033
[Gary speaking]
118
00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:50,200
[air mask hissing]
119
00:08:01,567 --> 00:08:03,233
[breath hissing]
120
00:08:09,467 --> 00:08:11,500
[water gurgling]
121
00:08:24,500 --> 00:08:26,400
[breath continues hissing]
122
00:08:42,367 --> 00:08:45,000
[Gary speaking]
123
00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:46,934
[Vernon] It's all good.
It's all good.
124
00:08:52,066 --> 00:08:53,700
[Gary speaking]
125
00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:54,767
Full throttle.
126
00:08:54,767 --> 00:08:56,834
[motor whining]
127
00:09:01,467 --> 00:09:02,767
[Vernon] Tell him
to throttle up.
128
00:09:02,767 --> 00:09:04,300
[Larry] Okay, full throttle.
129
00:09:12,700 --> 00:09:15,867
[Gary speaking]
130
00:09:15,867 --> 00:09:17,433
[Larry speaking]
131
00:09:18,300 --> 00:09:20,500
-[Vernon] Boulders are good.
-[Larry] Big boulders.
132
00:09:20,500 --> 00:09:22,400
[Vernon] Big boulders
are even better.
133
00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:28,000
There is marine growth
that's showing,
134
00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:31,734
which indicates
that this ground has
not been worked before.
135
00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:36,367
If it had been
worked before,
136
00:09:36,367 --> 00:09:39,300
those rocks had been
run through a sluice box,
137
00:09:39,300 --> 00:09:41,266
and dropped into
a tailings pile,
138
00:09:41,266 --> 00:09:43,967
you wouldn't see them
scattered around like this.
139
00:09:43,967 --> 00:09:46,367
And you wouldn't see
that marine growth
like you're seeing.
140
00:09:46,367 --> 00:09:47,467
[Larry] I see a lot
of it, yeah.
141
00:09:47,467 --> 00:09:49,333
[Vernon] We're on
virgin ground here.
142
00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,600
[Gary speaking]
143
00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:00,600
[Vernon] Everything
is working good.
144
00:10:01,367 --> 00:10:03,800
The box is looking good.
145
00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:07,900
I got high hopes
this is gonna be
a gold-bearing hole.
146
00:10:08,967 --> 00:10:10,233
Finally!
147
00:10:27,100 --> 00:10:30,600
[Chris] So, this year,
I'm happy, I'm stoked.
148
00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:35,300
I got married,
and I started a family.
I got a baby boy now.
149
00:10:35,300 --> 00:10:39,233
It's... He's a month
and two weeks. So, and...
150
00:10:40,300 --> 00:10:44,967
just like... I wanna run
a pro style industrious,
151
00:10:44,967 --> 00:10:49,000
you know, really, you know,
all about mining
and making money, and...
152
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,000
Because, at
the end of the day,
153
00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:52,867
I have a lot
of things on the line.
154
00:10:52,867 --> 00:10:56,100
I'm trying to dial in
which crew
155
00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:58,400
that I should keep
this winter, you know?
156
00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:00,867
So far,
the current crew I got,
157
00:11:00,867 --> 00:11:02,567
I'm not so sure about them,
158
00:11:02,567 --> 00:11:05,467
and I really need that...
that crew that I...
159
00:11:05,467 --> 00:11:09,266
Because this is
a different ice season
this year.
160
00:11:09,266 --> 00:11:12,300
Cap, who put the spark plugs
in here last night?
161
00:11:12,300 --> 00:11:13,667
The threads are stripped.
162
00:11:13,667 --> 00:11:16,367
[narrator] Last time out,
mistakes by the crew
163
00:11:16,367 --> 00:11:19,166
pushed young gun,
Chris McCully,
to the brink...
164
00:11:19,166 --> 00:11:21,066
Nobody's brave enough
to tell me,
165
00:11:21,066 --> 00:11:23,300
"Chris, I crossed the threads
of the plug."
166
00:11:23,300 --> 00:11:26,100
You guys don't even
know how to put
a spark plug back on.
167
00:11:26,100 --> 00:11:30,567
...leaving the team's future
twisting in the frigid
Nome air.
168
00:11:30,567 --> 00:11:33,333
I might have
to go through a crew change.
169
00:11:35,700 --> 00:11:38,900
[narrator]
Now, it's decision time
for the boss.
170
00:11:40,867 --> 00:11:46,100
I had to make a strong call
to where I can say,
171
00:11:46,100 --> 00:11:48,767
"You know what?
I don't like you.
You gotta go."
172
00:11:48,767 --> 00:11:51,266
You know, I need to have
that kind of attitude,
173
00:11:51,266 --> 00:11:54,266
because if I keep being
that nice guy,
174
00:11:54,266 --> 00:11:57,467
even though
it's slowing me down...
you know, I'm done with that.
175
00:11:57,467 --> 00:12:00,367
This year is
all about new Chris.
176
00:12:00,367 --> 00:12:05,867
It's, like, you know,
it's gonna be better,
it's going to be badder.
177
00:12:05,867 --> 00:12:09,300
This is the beginning
of it, you know? This year
is the beginning of it.
178
00:12:09,300 --> 00:12:14,467
Ever since I got that baby
boy, I feel like my life has
changed a lot, you know.
179
00:12:14,467 --> 00:12:17,834
I've got more than ever
on the line this season.
180
00:12:21,467 --> 00:12:23,100
It's that simple.
181
00:12:32,467 --> 00:12:34,700
I fixed the motor
that my team screwed up.
182
00:12:34,700 --> 00:12:38,700
But if they're gonna make
another mistake, I'm afraid
I'm gonna have to let them go.
183
00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:43,600
All right. You know,
I don't really like it,
but it's how it's gonna be.
184
00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:47,233
I will talk to them today,
and we'll see where
things stand.
185
00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:20,233
I get to the camp
and there were
no signs of those two guys.
186
00:13:20,967 --> 00:13:22,700
They literally bailed on me.
187
00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:28,634
So, I... you know, I know
I can be tough sometimes.
188
00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:30,967
[man speaking]
189
00:13:30,967 --> 00:13:33,166
[Chris] It was fine
when we first started it.
190
00:13:33,166 --> 00:13:36,800
[bleep] cam, man.
I swear to [bleep].
We're [bleep] around, dude.
191
00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:39,100
What the [bleep]
is this [bleep] operation?
192
00:13:39,100 --> 00:13:42,667
You guys are
[bleep] around, man!
193
00:13:42,667 --> 00:13:45,467
I just want people
to be good at their jobs.
194
00:13:45,467 --> 00:13:47,734
And now,
I'm here on my own.
195
00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:51,800
Those two guys quit.
196
00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:54,400
I'm not gonna let them
slow me down.
197
00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,567
It's gonna take
a little bit of time
to get things set up.
198
00:13:57,567 --> 00:14:00,567
But I'm gonna
get my dive today,
no matter what, you know.
199
00:14:00,567 --> 00:14:02,700
Because I'm gonna
put four hours in today,
200
00:14:02,700 --> 00:14:05,667
and get myself some
three to four ounces.
201
00:14:05,667 --> 00:14:07,600
You know, you never know.
202
00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:11,367
That's the mission.
I'm gonna give
my 100% today.
203
00:14:11,367 --> 00:14:13,700
I got my battery, I got gas.
204
00:14:13,700 --> 00:14:15,433
So, I'm ready
to rock and roll.
205
00:14:19,567 --> 00:14:22,500
[narrator] Solo diving
in the Bering Sea is rare.
206
00:14:22,500 --> 00:14:24,667
[generator buzzes]
207
00:14:24,667 --> 00:14:27,100
But not for Chris McCully...
208
00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:29,400
[Chris over radio]
Even though I don't have
a tender, that's okay.
209
00:14:29,400 --> 00:14:33,000
...as he's thrown
caution to the wind
numerous times.
210
00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:34,800
[Chris] But for me,
I'm going to get it.
211
00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:38,700
[narrator] Without the benefit
of anyone topside,
in case of emergency.
212
00:14:38,700 --> 00:14:40,900
[Chris speaking]
213
00:14:43,767 --> 00:14:46,266
[narrator] But those
solo dives were in the summer,
214
00:14:46,266 --> 00:14:48,433
never under the ice,
215
00:14:50,166 --> 00:14:53,867
where dangers are multiplied.
216
00:14:53,867 --> 00:14:59,900
If anything should go wrong
with the hot water, the air,
or reaching the dive hole,
217
00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:04,133
Chris' decision
to go it alone
could be his last.
218
00:15:05,867 --> 00:15:08,133
[engine rumbling]
219
00:15:49,266 --> 00:15:50,900
[Chris speaking]
220
00:17:14,367 --> 00:17:17,133
[Kris] Okay. You ready
to rock and roll?
Let's do this.
221
00:17:18,166 --> 00:17:20,900
[narrator] After
an ice cold start
to the season...
222
00:17:20,900 --> 00:17:23,233
[diver speaking]
223
00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:32,367
[narrator] Kris Kelly's plan
to work a seldom mined
claim finally bore fruit.
224
00:17:32,367 --> 00:17:35,500
[diver laughs,
speaks in sing song tone]
225
00:17:37,166 --> 00:17:38,567
Yeah!
226
00:17:38,567 --> 00:17:41,967
I gotta get my hat on.
It's a little windy.
227
00:17:41,967 --> 00:17:46,000
[narrator] Now, the captain's
ready to make his first dive
of the season...
228
00:17:46,000 --> 00:17:48,700
[Kris] Let's get
this heating up.
229
00:17:48,700 --> 00:17:52,967
...and he's intent
on showing the team
how to rake in the gold.
230
00:17:52,967 --> 00:17:56,600
[Kris] You really
need to preheat
most of your equipment
231
00:17:56,600 --> 00:17:59,600
before you start running it
or it's gonna blow up on you.
232
00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:02,300
Preheat the equipment.
233
00:18:02,300 --> 00:18:05,900
Get the hot water
system going.
Chip out the hole.
234
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:10,634
Bam, that's how
we do it.
235
00:18:12,467 --> 00:18:14,767
This season's been
rocky so far.
236
00:18:14,767 --> 00:18:16,867
It's taken too long
to get us on gold.
237
00:18:16,867 --> 00:18:20,000
But now that we're on it,
it's up to me as team leader
238
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:22,300
to put in a good dive
and make up for lost time.
239
00:18:22,300 --> 00:18:25,500
I'm gonna step up,
do my dive, and crush it.
240
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,400
You got this, right?
241
00:18:35,467 --> 00:18:36,600
-What?
-Everything.
242
00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:39,233
About what, [bleep].
This is what I do
for a living.
243
00:18:41,100 --> 00:18:43,266
I got this.
244
00:18:43,266 --> 00:18:45,900
Oh, I need a little piece
of rope because I broke
the weight belts.
245
00:18:45,900 --> 00:18:47,467
[Andy laughs boisterously]
246
00:18:47,467 --> 00:18:50,100
So, you need something, huh?
247
00:18:50,100 --> 00:18:52,233
Yeah, the plan
is get down there,
248
00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:56,100
move a lot of material,
249
00:18:57,467 --> 00:18:58,800
and just get gold.
250
00:19:03,367 --> 00:19:05,900
[air mask hissing]
251
00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:51,000
[Kris breathing over radio]
252
00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:53,233
[Andy speaking]
253
00:19:53,867 --> 00:19:56,000
[Kris speaking]
254
00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:57,233
[Andy speaking]
255
00:20:07,266 --> 00:20:08,867
[Kris speaking]
256
00:20:08,867 --> 00:20:10,233
Idle up!
257
00:20:15,767 --> 00:20:17,367
It's the [bleep]
power to be.
258
00:20:17,367 --> 00:20:19,800
Hook it up,
get down, start working.
259
00:20:25,567 --> 00:20:26,600
[Kris speaking]
260
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:42,133
[Andy speaking]
261
00:20:52,967 --> 00:20:54,300
[Kris speaking]
262
00:20:54,300 --> 00:20:57,100
That's what I like to hear.
About time.
263
00:20:59,066 --> 00:21:00,300
[Kris speaking]
264
00:21:01,567 --> 00:21:03,567
Everything's going smoothly.
265
00:21:03,567 --> 00:21:07,266
Rummage down there
and sucking up the material,
and he sees gold,
266
00:21:07,266 --> 00:21:10,066
which is a relief,
because if he sees gold,
267
00:21:10,066 --> 00:21:12,000
then we're on good gold.
268
00:21:13,867 --> 00:21:16,000
[Kris speaking]
269
00:21:24,667 --> 00:21:26,233
[over radio] Yeah!
270
00:21:28,166 --> 00:21:29,834
[narrator] Across the ice...
271
00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:48,000
[Vernon] Okay, Gary,
why don't you try
to give me an assessment?
272
00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:49,433
[breath hissing over radio]
273
00:21:50,367 --> 00:21:52,233
[Gary speaking]
274
00:21:56,166 --> 00:21:59,467
[narrator] The Adkison team
may be back on the same page,
275
00:21:59,467 --> 00:22:01,100
but after three hours,
276
00:22:01,100 --> 00:22:03,967
the gold hasn't gotten
the memo.
277
00:22:03,967 --> 00:22:05,634
[Gary speaking]
278
00:22:09,367 --> 00:22:12,367
[Vernon] The good news is,
Gary is focused again,
279
00:22:12,367 --> 00:22:14,400
and he and I
are back in rhythm.
280
00:22:16,100 --> 00:22:19,800
The bad news is,
he doesn't think there's
much gold on the spot.
281
00:22:20,467 --> 00:22:22,867
Singing "Kumbaya"
is fine and dandy,
282
00:22:22,867 --> 00:22:26,233
but if you're
not making money,
who gives a damn?
283
00:22:28,700 --> 00:22:30,233
[Gary speaking]
284
00:22:33,667 --> 00:22:35,233
[Vernon speaking]
285
00:22:39,166 --> 00:22:41,500
[Kevin] Pull it in!
Pull it in!
286
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,000
[engine rumbling]
287
00:22:52,567 --> 00:22:54,033
All right. You good?
288
00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:56,600
I know I didn't really
see much gold.
289
00:23:01,467 --> 00:23:03,000
Over there looks better.
290
00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:06,000
It looks like it starts
to turn into, like,
a sand cobble.
291
00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:07,667
-Go get warm.
-Go get warm, man.
292
00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:12,533
[Vernon] Gary covered
a ton of ground
and moved a lot of material.
293
00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,934
He thinks it will be better
just a little ways away.
294
00:23:18,266 --> 00:23:21,400
But before we move,
we'll clean up what we've got.
295
00:23:22,367 --> 00:23:23,834
Maybe it will surprise us.
296
00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:26,900
I still got
my fingers crossed
297
00:23:27,567 --> 00:23:29,400
this is gonna
be a good hole.
298
00:23:41,467 --> 00:23:45,667
[narrator] Time now
for another Social Hour
with Vernon.
299
00:23:45,667 --> 00:23:49,800
I'll check my social media
and see what the trolls
are doing today.
300
00:23:51,767 --> 00:23:54,300
[Vernon reading post]
301
00:23:59,800 --> 00:24:02,367
Well, what I do with it,
net it up.
302
00:24:02,367 --> 00:24:05,467
I can work 56
for the rest of the time
I'm on this planet.
303
00:24:05,467 --> 00:24:07,100
I've had
some successful seasons
304
00:24:07,100 --> 00:24:09,166
and some seasons
that were not successful.
305
00:24:09,166 --> 00:24:11,066
Here we are,
sitting at the dock.
306
00:24:11,066 --> 00:24:12,400
I've got no divers.
307
00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,600
On average,
it's been like break-even.
308
00:24:18,500 --> 00:24:20,400
Two ounces?
Well, I'll be damned.
309
00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:22,867
And what do I do
with any profit I make?
310
00:24:22,867 --> 00:24:24,967
The same thing I've done
with all my other money.
311
00:24:24,967 --> 00:24:27,100
I roll it back
into the operation.
312
00:24:27,100 --> 00:24:30,166
I've bought properties,
I've bought claims,
I've bought equipment.
313
00:24:30,166 --> 00:24:32,066
Comes equipped
with a toilet.
314
00:24:32,066 --> 00:24:34,300
-[beeping noise]
-Bells and whistles.
315
00:24:34,300 --> 00:24:37,467
I'm investing in the future
of my mining operation.
316
00:24:37,467 --> 00:24:39,300
I'm a risk taker.
Always have been.
317
00:24:39,300 --> 00:24:41,166
I may fail, but guess what?
318
00:24:41,166 --> 00:24:43,667
[bleep] damn it!
I'll fail while I'm trying.
319
00:24:43,667 --> 00:24:46,467
If I do make it,
what good's it gonna do me?
320
00:24:46,467 --> 00:24:48,567
I'm coming up on 80 here
in a couple of years.
321
00:24:48,567 --> 00:24:51,667
What am I going to do?
Buy a [bleep] jet
or something?
322
00:24:51,667 --> 00:24:53,367
I mean,
this is what I like to do.
323
00:24:53,367 --> 00:24:55,266
I find it interesting,
challenging.
324
00:24:55,266 --> 00:24:58,467
And I don't want
to sit home on my duff,
watching TV,
325
00:24:58,467 --> 00:25:01,667
or out there
on the golf course, playing
that foolish game of golf!
326
00:25:01,667 --> 00:25:04,800
I'm playing the game of gold.
That's serious business, baby.
327
00:25:06,767 --> 00:25:10,734
[narrator] We hope
you enjoyed another
Social Hour with Vernon.
328
00:25:25,867 --> 00:25:28,100
[Chris speaking]
329
00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:33,567
[narrator] After two hours
solo diving under the ice...
330
00:25:33,567 --> 00:25:35,500
[Chris speaking]
331
00:25:37,867 --> 00:25:40,567
[narrator] ...so far,
Chris McCully is enjoying
332
00:25:40,567 --> 00:25:42,700
the alone time
with his gold.
333
00:25:42,700 --> 00:25:44,800
[Chris speaking]
334
00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:53,600
[engine rumbling]
335
00:26:05,166 --> 00:26:06,533
[Chris groans]
336
00:26:19,266 --> 00:26:20,934
[Chris groans]
337
00:26:51,166 --> 00:26:52,834
[engine rumbling]
338
00:26:57,166 --> 00:26:59,133
Let's go check the box
before we get out of here.
339
00:27:10,266 --> 00:27:13,367
I'm owning great gold,
but I can't get it
without a team.
340
00:27:13,367 --> 00:27:15,066
In the summer, maybe.
341
00:27:15,066 --> 00:27:18,967
But in the winter,
with all this ice,
it's just too risky.
342
00:27:18,967 --> 00:27:21,634
So, I really gotta come up
with a team quick.
343
00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:35,433
[narrator] Five miles east...
344
00:28:00,100 --> 00:28:01,900
[Andy speaking]
345
00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:03,934
How do you feel?
346
00:28:04,400 --> 00:28:05,900
[Kris speaking]
347
00:28:07,367 --> 00:28:09,767
[narrator] After two hours
under the ice...
348
00:28:09,767 --> 00:28:11,967
[Kris speaking]
349
00:28:11,967 --> 00:28:15,700
...the captain's setting
an impressive example
for the team.
350
00:28:15,700 --> 00:28:17,500
[Kris speaking]
351
00:28:53,200 --> 00:28:54,900
[Andy speaking]
352
00:28:56,300 --> 00:28:59,033
We're having an issue
with one of my dive gloves.
353
00:29:01,300 --> 00:29:03,400
[Kris speaking]
354
00:29:04,367 --> 00:29:06,400
[Andy] So, I don't think
he's gonna last
too long today
355
00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:09,700
because his hand's
already cold and he's
already bitching.
356
00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:14,133
[Kris speaking]
357
00:29:25,367 --> 00:29:27,667
[Andy speaking]
358
00:29:27,667 --> 00:29:29,400
[Kris speaking]
359
00:29:42,266 --> 00:29:43,800
[Andy speaking]
360
00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:47,700
[Kris speaking]
361
00:29:48,600 --> 00:29:49,800
[Andy speaking]
362
00:29:50,367 --> 00:29:52,500
Sounds good, Jay.
363
00:29:52,500 --> 00:29:55,900
See? That's all you gotta say.
"Sounds good, Jay."
364
00:30:01,867 --> 00:30:04,233
[Kris speaking]
365
00:30:05,467 --> 00:30:07,400
PJ! Coming up!
366
00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:32,567
[Kris] You see that?
Right here. I can't
feel my left hand anymore.
367
00:30:32,567 --> 00:30:35,200
[Andy] Yeah,
that's a big hole, dude.
368
00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,266
My fingers,
now that I'm dethawed,
they hurt bad.
369
00:30:38,266 --> 00:30:40,000
I pushed it too far.
370
00:30:42,166 --> 00:30:43,667
[Andy] Come on now.
[bleep] happens.
371
00:30:43,667 --> 00:30:45,900
[Kris] I can't
dive anymore today.
372
00:30:45,900 --> 00:30:47,400
There's nothing I can do.
373
00:30:48,300 --> 00:30:50,000
[John speaking]
374
00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:51,600
[Kris] Oh, ground's hot.
375
00:30:53,100 --> 00:30:55,867
As the boss,
I wanted to blow
everyone away.
376
00:30:55,867 --> 00:30:59,000
This glove situation
screwed me.
377
00:30:59,000 --> 00:31:02,133
But I got us on the gold
and I got the team
to keep us there.
378
00:31:03,000 --> 00:31:05,667
Reaper Nation
is strong as hell.
379
00:31:05,667 --> 00:31:09,166
John's gonna jump down,
he's got everything ready
to rock and roll.
380
00:31:09,166 --> 00:31:10,333
Yeah.
381
00:31:11,166 --> 00:31:13,000
[Kris] Okay, good.
You pull your weight.
382
00:31:13,000 --> 00:31:16,000
Pull us along behind you, too.
And everything's going good.
383
00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:17,900
I'm gonna go
start the pump.
384
00:31:22,767 --> 00:31:24,700
Yukon John is going down.
385
00:31:27,300 --> 00:31:28,934
The ground is really good.
386
00:31:31,066 --> 00:31:34,200
We've got lots
of gold and it's time
to make some money.
387
00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:37,000
All right. It's game time.
I'm warmed up now.
388
00:32:05,767 --> 00:32:07,700
[engine rumbling]
389
00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:11,734
[breath hissing]
390
00:32:17,867 --> 00:32:19,500
Hey, John, how's it going?
391
00:32:22,000 --> 00:32:23,900
[John speaking]
392
00:32:24,700 --> 00:32:26,166
See any gold?
393
00:32:26,166 --> 00:32:29,667
[John speaking]
394
00:32:29,667 --> 00:32:33,400
Yukon John's doing good.
He's on the nozzle,
sucking up material.
395
00:32:46,867 --> 00:32:48,400
Yeah, I got it.
396
00:32:48,867 --> 00:32:51,900
[groans]
It's always something.
397
00:32:59,266 --> 00:33:02,000
We had a couple
of massive icebergs
398
00:33:02,000 --> 00:33:05,400
come right underneath the hole
and try to plug it up
a little bit.
399
00:33:10,900 --> 00:33:14,000
[narrator] Mining
in the Bering Sea
is always risky.
400
00:33:14,000 --> 00:33:20,166
But when you dive in winter,
there's only one way down
and one way up.
401
00:33:20,166 --> 00:33:21,934
And that's through
the hole in the ice.
402
00:33:22,767 --> 00:33:24,767
If the dive hole
gets blocked...
403
00:33:24,767 --> 00:33:26,367
[Shawn groans]
404
00:33:26,367 --> 00:33:29,400
...then your only way out
has disappeared.
405
00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:32,100
[Shawn speaking]
406
00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:36,266
While we're diving,
we do not want that.
407
00:33:36,266 --> 00:33:38,300
[man speaking]
408
00:33:40,266 --> 00:33:42,367
-[chainsaw buzzing]
-[narrator]
With the boss down,
409
00:33:42,367 --> 00:33:45,667
Shawn's team takes the time
to reduce the chance
410
00:33:45,667 --> 00:33:48,200
of that happening
on his next dive.
411
00:34:13,767 --> 00:34:16,500
[Kris speaking over radio]
412
00:34:18,667 --> 00:34:20,500
[John speaking]
413
00:34:20,500 --> 00:34:23,000
All right!
414
00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:27,266
[narrator] After two hours,
pinch hitter, Yukon John,
continues to deliver
415
00:34:27,266 --> 00:34:29,867
from off the bench
for the captain.
416
00:34:29,867 --> 00:34:31,634
[Kris speaking]
417
00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:46,800
Hey, you seem to be
breathing a little heavy.
Everything okay?
418
00:34:47,867 --> 00:34:49,600
[John speaking]
419
00:34:53,867 --> 00:34:55,600
[Kris speaking]
420
00:34:55,600 --> 00:34:57,000
Idle down the pump.
421
00:35:13,166 --> 00:35:14,900
PJ, go grab him.
422
00:35:15,467 --> 00:35:16,900
Don't fall in.
423
00:35:21,266 --> 00:35:24,100
-You fall in, you're fired!
-[Andy chuckles]
424
00:35:24,100 --> 00:35:27,634
Hey, we're done!
We're gonna pack up and go.
425
00:35:28,100 --> 00:35:29,667
There you go.
426
00:35:29,667 --> 00:35:34,100
I think I learned today
that I have the team
to pull this off this winter.
427
00:35:34,100 --> 00:35:37,700
I'm confident in my skills
and their strength in numbers.
428
00:35:40,000 --> 00:35:43,000
[John] Good ground,
had a good dive,
made some money.
429
00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:45,567
-See that gold?
-[Kris] How's it looking?
430
00:35:45,567 --> 00:35:49,133
[John] That looks pretty good.
A little trail coming
down there.
431
00:35:51,467 --> 00:35:53,567
[Kris] I saw really good gold
down there.
432
00:35:53,567 --> 00:35:55,800
-Oh?
-[Kris] Oh, yeah.
433
00:35:55,800 --> 00:35:58,133
We had
a great day today.
434
00:35:59,667 --> 00:36:00,800
We got gold.
435
00:36:00,800 --> 00:36:04,300
It looks like we're gonna
hit 50 ounces for sure.
436
00:36:04,300 --> 00:36:06,600
Good job together, team.
437
00:36:06,600 --> 00:36:09,500
But, yeah,
tomorrow is... it's just gonna
get better every single day.
438
00:36:12,100 --> 00:36:13,867
All right!
439
00:36:13,867 --> 00:36:16,300
[narrator] While Kris Kelly's
team came through...
440
00:36:22,900 --> 00:36:25,100
[Chris] I'm gonna see
what I have today here.
441
00:36:25,100 --> 00:36:27,867
Without those boys
that they quit.
442
00:36:27,867 --> 00:36:30,200
[narrator] ...solitary man,
Chris McCully
443
00:36:30,200 --> 00:36:34,266
is ready to see how
going it alone is going.
444
00:36:34,266 --> 00:36:37,100
[Chris] It's really hard
to find good divers, right?
445
00:36:37,100 --> 00:36:38,800
One guy
can only do so much.
446
00:36:39,500 --> 00:36:41,166
So, I wish I could put
some more hours.
447
00:36:41,166 --> 00:36:44,100
But... at least,
I'm on the gold.
448
00:36:44,100 --> 00:36:45,300
That's all that matters.
449
00:36:46,667 --> 00:36:48,400
So far, it's looking good.
450
00:36:51,500 --> 00:36:53,400
Okay, here we go.
451
00:36:54,867 --> 00:36:56,600
Let's see
what I did in one dive.
452
00:37:03,567 --> 00:37:06,300
And we have 165 grams.
453
00:37:06,300 --> 00:37:11,533
165 divided by 31.1,
plus...
454
00:37:13,200 --> 00:37:14,800
Five and a quarter.
455
00:37:15,300 --> 00:37:16,834
Sweet.
456
00:37:18,066 --> 00:37:21,100
So, I got 5.3 ounces
in that one dive.
457
00:37:21,100 --> 00:37:24,166
[narrator] 5.3 ounces
is worth over 12 grand.
458
00:37:24,166 --> 00:37:26,767
Not bad for a one man team.
459
00:37:26,767 --> 00:37:30,900
And Chris McCully
is clawing at
the gold-count lead.
460
00:37:38,467 --> 00:37:40,967
[Chris] It's a good haul,
but moving forward,
461
00:37:40,967 --> 00:37:42,800
I really need
to come up with a crew.
462
00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:45,300
I'm a dad now,
and I've got a family.
463
00:37:45,300 --> 00:37:48,000
And I can't really take
these kind of risks anymore.
464
00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:50,000
The stakes are way too high.
465
00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:53,166
I can't be solo diving
like I did in the past.
466
00:37:53,166 --> 00:37:57,266
Now that I have a family now,
all that risk is not worth it.
467
00:37:57,266 --> 00:38:00,100
Safety is first,
gold is second,
468
00:38:00,100 --> 00:38:03,800
and Chris BG
cannot be replaced.
You know what I mean?
469
00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:05,400
So, um... [chuckles]
470
00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:09,934
I think I'm slowly
getting this figured out.
471
00:38:15,266 --> 00:38:16,233
[narrator] Down the street...
472
00:38:20,667 --> 00:38:25,700
[Vernon] Okay. This will be
our first weigh.
473
00:38:29,000 --> 00:38:31,567
But this is
looking pretty good.
474
00:38:31,567 --> 00:38:35,166
[narrator] A pleasant surprise
may be emerging
for Vernon Adkison
475
00:38:35,166 --> 00:38:38,700
after the season's first dive
appeared to be a downer.
476
00:38:38,700 --> 00:38:40,266
-[man] Yeah.
-[Vernon] All right.
477
00:38:40,266 --> 00:38:44,200
[Gary] I got my test mat.
This right here is
our chunky.
478
00:38:44,200 --> 00:38:47,767
So, now, we're down
to fine gold here.
479
00:38:47,767 --> 00:38:52,100
[Vernon] Sometimes you think
you're on hot gold, and then,
the scale breaks your heart.
480
00:38:52,100 --> 00:38:54,867
Yeah, let's start
weighing this stuff up.
481
00:38:54,867 --> 00:38:58,600
But there are other times
when you think the ground
is nothing special.
482
00:38:58,600 --> 00:39:00,066
Come on, come on.
483
00:39:00,066 --> 00:39:03,266
But those hours
on the box pay off.
484
00:39:03,266 --> 00:39:05,033
Let's see what it
comes out to.
485
00:39:06,367 --> 00:39:09,567
Well, there's one,
two ounces.
486
00:39:09,567 --> 00:39:12,967
Three. Four.
487
00:39:12,967 --> 00:39:15,767
Come on, baby. Five.
488
00:39:15,767 --> 00:39:17,634
Six.
489
00:39:23,967 --> 00:39:25,367
6.39.
490
00:39:25,367 --> 00:39:26,967
That's pretty [bleep] good.
491
00:39:26,967 --> 00:39:28,266
Wow.
492
00:39:28,266 --> 00:39:30,767
We were getting a lot more
gold than we thought
we were getting.
493
00:39:30,767 --> 00:39:34,367
[narrator] 6.4 ounces ring in
at over 14 grand.
494
00:39:34,367 --> 00:39:37,000
And just like that,
the gatekeeper of Nome
495
00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:41,000
makes his own contribution
to Claim 56's revenue.
496
00:39:49,100 --> 00:39:51,900
Ooh, man,
that's just like a weight
lifted off my shoulders, dude.
497
00:39:51,900 --> 00:39:53,133
[Vernon] That's a fine number.
498
00:39:53,133 --> 00:39:56,600
-[man] That's a lot better
than I was expecting it.
-[bleep]
499
00:39:56,600 --> 00:40:00,367
I mean, look. Gary's
actually smiling over here.
500
00:40:00,367 --> 00:40:02,266
[Gary] I'm stoked.
This is awesome.
501
00:40:02,266 --> 00:40:05,567
This puts a big smile
on my face, you know.
502
00:40:05,567 --> 00:40:09,000
[Vernon] This proves
that 56 is the real deal.
503
00:40:09,000 --> 00:40:12,400
If we can keep it together,
the sky's the limit.
504
00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:16,400
You're a new guy,
but I'm impressed
with your work ethic.
505
00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:20,767
And then, Gary... I mean,
he's been my mainstay
for years.
506
00:40:20,767 --> 00:40:22,100
[man] You guys are like
an old married couple.
507
00:40:22,100 --> 00:40:24,400
[Vernon feigns laughter]
Uh... Yeah.
508
00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:26,967
-I mean, we haven't
killed each other yet.
-[Gary] Yet.
509
00:40:26,967 --> 00:40:28,800
Close, a few times.
510
00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:31,800
[sighs in relief] Okay.
511
00:40:32,767 --> 00:40:35,834
Drinks and dinner
on me tonight.
512
00:40:37,100 --> 00:40:38,667
[narrator] With Shawn
out of the action,
513
00:40:38,667 --> 00:40:41,867
the fleet fought hard
to steal the crown.
514
00:40:41,867 --> 00:40:44,166
Though it still
belongs to Mr. Gold.
515
00:40:44,166 --> 00:40:46,700
With Chris McCully
hot on his heels,
516
00:40:46,700 --> 00:40:48,834
it may not be Shawn's
for long.
517
00:40:49,900 --> 00:40:50,834
Next time...
518
00:40:50,834 --> 00:40:53,767
-[Kris] Idle up!
-...on Bering Sea Gold.
519
00:40:53,767 --> 00:40:55,567
You know the job.
520
00:40:55,567 --> 00:40:59,467
We're on gold and now
we've got to track it down
like wild hounds.
521
00:40:59,467 --> 00:41:01,000
[Shawn] The days
are burning.
522
00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:04,100
We're almost at the end
of our free royalties.
523
00:41:04,100 --> 00:41:05,200
[yells in frustration]
524
00:41:05,200 --> 00:41:06,800
All right, G. It's showtime.
525
00:41:06,800 --> 00:41:07,900
[Chris speaking]
526
00:41:07,900 --> 00:41:09,200
[man] The air compressor
shut off.
527
00:41:11,000 --> 00:41:13,166
Time to get some gold, baby.
528
00:41:13,166 --> 00:41:14,600
[Kris] Let's rock and roll!
529
00:41:15,100 --> 00:41:16,767
[John speaking]