Yukon Gold (TV series)

Yukon Gold
Genre Documentary, Reality
Written by Michael Lavoie (Season 1)
Aynsley Vogel (Season 2)
Narrated by Bill Courage
Opening theme "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" by Cage the Elephant
Composer(s) Adam Lastiwka
Country of origin Canada
Original language(s) Canadian English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 42
Production
Executive producer(s) David Paperny
Cal Shumiatcher
Audrey Mehler
Beth Wichterich
Producer(s) David Paperny
Cal Shumiatcher
Vera Lubimova
Christine Brandt
Location(s) Klondike region, Yukon (Season 1 – present)
Atlin Mining District, Atlin, British Columbia (Season 4 – present)
Cassiar Country, British Columbia (Season 1)
Cinematography Simon Schneider
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) Paperny Entertainment
(Entertainment One)
Release
Original network History Television
Original release March 13, 2013 – present
External links
Website
Production website

Yukon Gold is a Canadian reality television series produced by Paperny Entertainment that airs on History Television. The series follows four or five placer mining crews as they search for gold over the four-month Yukon mining season. In the first season, miners Ken Foy, Al McGregor, Bernie Kreft, and Karl Knutson each led one of the crews.[1] Cam Johnson’s group replaced Bernie Kreft’s crew in the second season.[2] Nika Guilbault & Chris St. Jean’s group replaced "Big Al" McGregor’s crew in the third season.[3][4]

In the fourth season, the Bernie Kreft and "Big Al" McGregor crews rejoined the show, alongside the operations of Ken Foy & Guillaume Brodeur, Karl Knutson, and Nika Guilbault & Chris St. Jean.[5]

The series was acquired in the United States by the National Geographic Channel and aired starting in 2013.[6]

Episodes

Seasons

Season Episodes Special(s) Originally aired
Season premiere Season finale
  1 10 March 13, 2013 May 15, 2013
  2 10 February 26, 2014 April 30, 2014
  3 10 1 February 25, 2015 May 6, 2015
  4 10 1 February 17, 2016 April 27, 2016

Season 1 (2013)

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Original airdate
11"Sluice or Die"March 13, 2013 (2013-03-13)
Gold mining season begins in Dawson City, Yukon, and the countdown to winter is on. Newcomer “Big Al” worries his season could be over before it starts when his excavator named ‘Big Girl’ fails. Further south, Bernie struggles not only to teach his young sons how to be miners, but also to find gold. In Moose Creek, best friends Ken and Guillaume cannot get their sluice machine “The Beast” up and running – and without it, their entire season could be a bust.
22"No Deaths, No Worries"March 20, 2013 (2013-03-20)
It is week three for mining crew Ken and Guillaume and non-stop rain jeopardizes their cut. On Sulphur Creek, young crew boss Karl has no sluice machine, and no sluicer means no gold. Karl’s father Marty, a highly respected self-made miner, builds a new one from scratch. While Karl waits, he struggles to keep his crew on task – and live up to his father’s high expectations. Big Al tests new strategies – and new equipment – on a fresh claim. If only he could keep his machines running.
33"The Curse of Moose Creek"March 27, 2013 (2013-03-27)
Mining season in the North is in full swing, but for Ken and Guillaume equipment problems mean they are only sluicing half of what they should be. Karl must deal with mistakes his crew make and design flaws on the massive sluicer his dad Marty built. Bernie packs it in at McDame and moves his operation to Snow Creek, hoping his fortune is about to change.
44"Gold Fever!"April 3, 2013 (2013-04-03)
With the weeks passing quickly, Ken and Guillaume’s dreams of striking it big are starting to fade as they face continual equipment breakdowns and a crew member who goes AWOL. Bernie’s decision to move to Snow Creek seems to be paying off, if only he can get his sons to step up and meet his expectations. Al McGregor’s pay streak is threatened when he breaks a hitch trying to move his sluice plant.
55"Hard Days Night"April 10, 2013 (2013-04-10)
Karl Knutson is shocked to learn just how quickly the season is passing, and with one water issue after another, his opportunity for a big payday is dwindling just as fast. A faulty clutch on Al McGregor’s sluice machine results in a shutdown; it’s a race to get it fixed and get back to work, even if it means working around the clock.
66"Never Say Die"April 17, 2013 (2013-04-17)
Ken and Guillaume try to reverse their bad luck by moving across Moose Creek. Bernie has to deal with mistakes made by his junior crew. And Karl’s night crew is starting to slow him down.
77"Run for the Narrows"April 24, 2013 (2013-04-24)
Guillaume is ready to give up on “Bad Attitude” altogether, potentially sending half the crew home early. A frozen sluice box traps Karl’s gold causing him to confront his crew. The crew lets off some steam on a moose hunt. Over at Indian River, Hiro battles beavers for precious sluicing water and Big Al decides to try an unconventional mining technique.
88"Winter Gamble"May 1, 2013 (2013-05-01)
Ken makes a dangerous drive for fuel when winter hits early. Matt’s mistake could cost him his job. Karl has a bad day with a frozen sluice plant, broken truck, burst pipe, and a visit from Dad. And Bernie’s pay streak suddenly ends just as he loses a crew member.
99"The Last Stand"May 8, 2013 (2013-05-08)
Ken moves The Beast and finally hits a mother lode of gold. But breakdowns could end Bernie’s season early. And Big Al moves his sluice plant to its final site – his profit pit.
1010"Freeze Up"May 15, 2013 (2013-05-15)
In a dangerous attempt to replenish fuel, Ken risks everything to keep his sluice plant running before it and his pay dirt are covered in snow. Karl ignores his father’s advice, intent on scooping up whatever unfrozen ground remains. And Big Al’s rookie season on Indian River comes to a close, but mounting equipment failures and a tired crew may prevent him from reaching his magic number.

Season 2 (2014)

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Original airdate
111"Behind the Eight Ball"February 26, 2014 (2014-02-26)
Karl hopes to score 100 ounces of gold in one week. Ken weighs the cost of an eager but careless hand who keeps breaking equipment. Big Al has to replace big iron without a big payday.
122"In for a Penny, in for a Pound"March 5, 2014 (2014-03-05)
Ken sinks big money to dig out a narrow cut. New miner Cam’s big payday is threatened by fire. Karl’s experienced but unreliable operator forces his hand.
133"It's Ours to Take"March 12, 2014 (2014-03-12)
Ken loses a machine when he can’t afford to pay his debts and his crew. Big Al smells gold in the ground, but gets shut down by equipment breakdowns. Dennis has to scrape $10,000 out of hostile ground to replace a part or face permanent shutdown.
144"What Doesn't Kill You..."March 19, 2014 (2014-03-19)
Ken fights a double mutiny when his plant and a crew-member go rogue. Cam’s veteran welder is struck down and airlifted to hospital. Karl’s crew encounters a bear.
155"Know When to Hold ‘Em"March 26, 2014 (2014-03-26)
Ken’s wife visits to discover he’s on the verge of going broke. Big Al’s excavator takes a nosedive. Karl’s season is threatened by permafrost.
166"Between a Rock and a Hard Place"April 2, 2014 (2014-04-02)
Dennis’ hunt for gold proves unsuccessful. Ken breaks a machine in his haste to sluice. Karl’s cut floods, putting his season in jeopardy.
177"All That Glitters Is Not Gold"April 9, 2014 (2014-04-09)
Ken takes a roll in his bulldozer. Beavers threaten to shut down Big Al. Karl’s loader springs a leak.
188"In It to Win It"April 16, 2014 (2014-04-16)
Crews are racing to rip through ground as winter descends. Ken and right-hand man Guillaume fight to keep the Beast sluicing through subzero temperatures only to discover the dirt they’ve banked on has run dry. Cam’s plans to mine an ancient waterfall go sideways when the treacherous ground threatens to bench his iron for good. Karl and right-hand man Kyle’s mechanical skills are put to the test when the season takes its toll on Sulphur Creek’s operation.
199"Know When to Fold ‘Em"April 23, 2014 (2014-04-23)
The short Yukon gold mining season is almost over, and crews are battling the elements in a mad push for gold. Ken is forced to call in reinforcements when winter hits Moose Creek hard. Cam hits an impenetrable ice wall that freezes him out of his cut and moves to risky new ground only to have crucial iron go down. Big Al’s plans to rip through promising dirt are sidelined when his only stripping dozer suffers a catastrophic breakdown that puts right-hand man Hiro’s mechanical skills to the ultimate test.
2010"Know When to Run"April 30, 2014 (2014-04-30)
The miners battle nature’s wrath in an epic final push for gold. Ken’s bid to pull 100 ounces out of hot ground goes sideways when the mine runs out of fuel, forcing him to shut down sluicing and fight his way up Moose Creek’s treacherous road in a desperate bid to get to a fuel station at the top. Karl’s race to mine Sulphur Creek out so he can stake his own claim is benched when one of his crew deals his prize sluice plant a near fatal blow. Big Al follows his gut to high-stakes ground only to be shut out when his only stripping dozer goes down for the count.

Season 3 (2015)

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Original air date
211"Fresh Start"February 25, 2015 (2015-02-25)
Ken and Guillaume journey over a treacherous mountain pass. Cam stresses over getting Oklahoma welder Gary into the country. Mining couple Nika and Chris have a rough start to their season.
222"Game Changer"March 4, 2015 (2015-03-04)
Cam gambles on an expensive new water cannon. A broken part on his sluice plant slows Karl’s progress. Ken and Guillaume's first gold test is a dud.
233"Time Crunch"March 11, 2015 (2015-03-11)
Cam and his crew rush to start sluicing Donovan Cut. Karl comes up with a clever way to motivate his crew. Chris and Nika’s operation is halted by a sluice plant breakdown.
244"Under Pressure"March 18, 2015 (2015-03-18)
Chris and Nika butt heads while moving to a new cut. Cam struggles with machine failures and contaminated fuel. Ken and Guillaume find traces of gold.
255"Divine Intervention"March 25, 2015 (2015-03-25)
Frozen ground threatens Cam’s season. Ken and Guillaume abandon Arizona Creek. Karl gambles with broken equipment.
266"Financial Crisis"April 1, 2015 (2015-04-01)
Chris and Nika face financial hardship. Cam’s son-in-law is determined to find gold. Ken and Guillaume find a prime location to salvage their season.
277"Bedrock Blues"April 8, 2015 (2015-04-08)
Karl hopes to make a profit at Last Chance. Chris and Nika move to Stowe Creek. Cam and his wife melt the gold they’ve collected and find they’re way below their target.
288"Desperation Mode"April 15, 2015 (2015-04-15)
Chris and Nika’s mine hand Charles gets injured, leaving them short-handed. Cam gives Donovan Cut one final try to save his season. Ken and Guillaume up their recovery system in hopes of catching finer gold.
299"Home Stretch"April 22, 2015 (2015-04-22)
Ken and Guillaume face a dangerous situation. Karl finally hits a pay streak. Cam tries to finish his season on a positive note.
3010"Final Push"April 29, 2015 (2015-04-29)
Nika and Chris push through the final week of the season. Low temperatures freeze Karl’s sluicing plant. Ken and Guillaume get a huge surprise.

Season 3 Special (2015)

No. in
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season		 Title Original air date
3111"Looking Back"May 6, 2015 (2015-05-06)
In a special retrospective episode, the miners recap their highs and lows of the season, and reveal their plans for next season.

Season 4 (2016)

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Original air date
321"Homecoming"February 17, 2016 (2016-02-17)
Now in a wheelchair, Big Al returns to gold mining; Bernie clashes with his son; Karl finds gold right away; Chris reunites with his partner and their kids.
332"Treasure Hunt"February 24, 2016 (2016-02-24)
Karl finds new gold with old maps; Nika and Chris find their first gold of the season; Bernie struggles to get started. Permit problems stall the beginning of Ken and Guillaume’s season.
343"Hard Rain, Bad Luck"March 2, 2016 (2016-03-02)
Karl struggles to find gold after a heavy rain; Nika and Chris’ new crew member Nick gets their only dozer hopelessly stuck in the mud of the new cut; Big Al makes steady progress rehabilitating, but has a disappointing gold haul; Bernie pushes his sluice plant “Bouncing Betty” to the limit.
354"Embrace the Chaos"March 9, 2016 (2016-03-09)
Nika and Chris face an excavator breakdown and water problems; just when Ken and Guillaume’s mining permits are approved, Ken’s wife wants him home for their child’s birth; Bernie’s son Jarret goes AWOL. Karl has a poor cleanup after betting on unproven ground.
365"For Blood or Money"March 16, 2016 (2016-03-16)
Big Al’s gamble pays off; Bernie argues with his son Justin; Ken and Guillaume sluice before Ken has to leave for his child’s birth; Karl’s team tries to sluice 200 ounces of gold in a week.
376"Desperate Times"March 23, 2016 (2016-03-23)
Nika and Chris face an excavator repair they can’t afford; Guillaume has trouble while Ken is away; Karl asks his family for help; Bernie gets a surprise.
387"Hurts Like Hell"March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)
Breakdowns shut down Nika and Chris’ mine; Big Al remembers his wife’s death; Ken and Guillaume try to save their season; Bernie and his team have a big payoff.
398"Double Down"April 6, 2016 (2016-04-06)
Nika's little brother Daylen gets in the way; when his main sluicing water pump stops, Big Al is shut down; Ken and Guillaume’s two sluice plant plan turns into a disaster; Karl and his crew go to a charity golf tournament.
409"Old Timers’ Revenge"April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)
Big Al revives an old passive “push-in sluice box” in a last-ditch effort to keep sluicing; Karl brings in help to hit his goal; Chris and Nika get help from Chris’ family when they check their gold haul. Bernie finds extensive Gold Rush-era mine shafts under his claim, ending his season.
4110"Race to the Finish"April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)
Big Al risks his health to break even; Nika’s brother Daylen makes a surprising decision; Ken and Guillaume dig deep; Karl tries to top his goal.

Season 4 Special (2016)

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series		 No. in
season		 Title Original air date
4211"Grit, Guts & Glory"April 27, 2016 (2016-04-27)
A special retrospective episode of the previous four seasons featuring all six crews. Includes some scenes never before broadcast.

Cast

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Locations

See also

References

  1. ↑ Strachan, Alex. TV Wednesday: Yukon Gold pans for ratings gold, "Postmedia News", Mar 13, 2013. Accessed Mar 14, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Yukon Gold returns to History for another season of big drama and big paydays" (Press release). Vancouver, British Columbia: Paperny Entertainment. January 28, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Family and fortune are on the line in third season of Yukon Gold" (Press release). Vancouver, British Columbia: Paperny Entertainment. January 26, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  4. ↑ Henry Lazenby (February 19, 2015). Tracy Hancock, ed. "Docu-series gives glimpse into world of placer-mining pioneers". Mining Weekly. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Yukon Gold returns this February with more grit, gambles, and glory" (Press release). Vancouver, British Columbia: Paperny Entertainment. January 25, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ Nat Geo acquires ‘Yukon Gold’, "Variety", Dec 11, 2012. Accessed Mar 13, 2013.
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