Ep 17. Mammoth Mess

Gold Rush Season 13 Episode 17, "Mammoth Mess," follows the journey of three mining teams as they continue their search for gold in the frozen wilderness of Alaska.

First, we follow Parker Schnabel and his crew at the Big Nugget mine. With the end of the mining season in sight, Parker is feeling the pressure to hit his ambitious gold target. However, he's facing a major setback: a massive boulder has fallen into his trommel, causing a major blockage. Parker must figure out how to remove the boulder without causing any damage to his equipment.

Next, we join Tony Beets and his team at the Eureka Creek mine. After running into some mechanical issues earlier in the season, Tony is back on track and making some major progress. However, his focus on getting the most gold possible has caused him to overlook some important safety protocols. When a member of his crew nearly gets injured, Tony realizes that he needs to prioritize safety over gold.

Finally, we catch up with the crew at the McKinley Creek mine, led by Fred Lewis and his son Dustin. Things are going well for the team, but tension is building between Fred and Dustin over how to run the mine. Fred wants to focus on blasting out a new cut, while Dustin is more interested in exploring some new ground. As they work through their differences, the team faces another challenge when their excavator breaks down.

Throughout the episode, we see the highs and lows of gold mining in Alaska. From the thrill of hitting a major vein to the frustration of equipment breakdowns, the crews must navigate a wide range of obstacles in their pursuit of gold. As the season draws to a close, the pressure is on to make the most of the remaining time and reach their goals.