In the series premiere, gold miners Boyce and Ben separately venture into the bush of British Columbia in search of the next big pay streak, as both men race against winter for the chance to walk home rich.
Ben is running out of food, but unexpected snow gives hope of tracking wild game. Meanwhile, a promising dig site motivates Boyce to haul in his heavy-mining equipment; and hunger and freezing temperatures threaten gold production as survival becomes critical.
With winter just weeks away, Boyce takes a massive risk crossing a river to reach rich ground, while Ben rappels down a cliff in search of legendary nuggets; and 68-year-old mining veteran John Belcik makes his initial descent into the canyon.
Desperate for a breakthrough, John's mining plans are derailed when a tree crushes his shelter. Ben discovers the best dig site he's ever seen, but without fresh meat has no energy to mine it. Boyce's only shot at gold leaves him with dire options.
Ben's season might be saved with a kill, but getting back on gold proves difficult; John uncovers a promising dig site, but fights against fading stamina; and Boyce's risks are rewarded with pay dirt, but transporting his gear will shake him to the core.