Photo credit: www.tvinsider.com
Warning: The following contains spoilers for the Season 8 premiere of Gold Rush: White Water.
Dustin Hurt is all set to make a bold move in Season 8 of Gold Rush: White Water, especially following the discovery of a remarkable $70,000 nugget. With 14 years of experience under his belt, Hurt continues his quest for significant fortune. In the season premiere on April 25, aired on the Discovery Channel, he revealed a strategy to unearth an enticing treasure believed to be hidden in the treacherous Alaskan waterfalls, the same location where that six-ounce nugget was found.
This journey covers a challenging 30 miles from Haines to Nugget Creek, posing potential risks that could endanger their lives. Hurt gathered his team—Carlos Minor, James Hamm, and the bearded brothers, Wes and Paul Richardson—to discuss their involvement in this perilous undertaking. Acknowledging the risks involved, Hurt made it clear that he couldn’t guarantee their safety. Concerns were voiced, especially by Hamm and Minor, a military veteran and family man. Despite their valid apprehensions, the crew chose to proceed with the mission.
Dustin Hurt navigating through snow to assess optimal digging locations on his claim. (Discovery Channel)
The team embarked on what would become the most dangerous white water mining expedition they had ever faced, setting up a remote camp 13 miles upstream at Nugget Creek. They soon encountered a black bear near their camp, prompting a shot fired into the air to scare it off, uncertain of how many more animals might be drawn to their site in search of food. Unfortunately, they didn’t find the waterfall Hurt and Paul had previously identified. Instead, they were met with an 80-foot barrier of snow and ice, blocking their path to the gold. This predicament forced Hurt to reevaluate their options quickly; failure was not an option. Fortunately, he pivoted, teaming up with Minor and Hamm to explore an alternative site, while enlisting the Richardson brothers to ensure their dredging equipment was operational.
James Hamm examining a gold pan while contemplating the vast surroundings. (Discovery Channel)
The team ultimately discovered a new location, nicknamed “The Wall,” still buried beneath 20 feet of snow. With suitable tools, they believed they could commence mining within a week. Minor proposed using an unconventional approach involving a flamethrower to melt the snow more effectively. Wes suggested salvaging components from their three damaged dredges to assemble a double dredge with dual sluices and separate heating and suction systems, enabling two divers to work simultaneously and theoretically doubling their gold yield.
However, the flamethrower proved ineffective, compelling them to revert to a more reliable technique: pumping creek water to expedite the snow melting at The Wall. Over a span of two days, the crew utilized a water pump and pressure washer, achieving significant progress. Hamm conducted initial panning and discovered some gold flecks, bringing them closer to their goal as they prepared the area for the dredge. Before relocating the dredge, Hamm undertook a supply run to the hazardous Devil’s Elbow, intensifying the pressure on Hurt, who was anxiously waiting for the dredge’s arrival. Tensions escalated particularly over fears regarding the dredge’s substantial weight. An earlier scare in the water added to their worries, but Hamm and their sturdy truck successfully navigated the challenges.
As the rain threatened to jeopardize their only exit, the crew faced an arduous task of transporting over 80 feet of boards to create a walkway anchored 20 feet above The Wall. With more than 2,500 dredge components scattered around the narrow boardwalk above the creek, it was a daunting challenge. During the process, Dustin experienced a slip that left him feeling dizzy and questioning whether he had injured himself.
After completing 50 trips to transport all the necessary equipment, they finally succeeded in preparing the Deuce Sluice, but the question remained: would it float? To their relief, it did! The team maneuvered it into the designated location using a skyline system. The new dredge weighed nearly double their previous model. To simplify the task of positioning it correctly, they employed double pulleys to reduce the lifting force by half. However, Hurt endured an injury that raised concerns about a potential break, complicating matters as the new season commenced. The unfolding drama will be one to watch.
Gold Rush: White Water airs Fridays at 8/7c on the Discovery Channel.
Source
www.tvinsider.com