Ep 14. We Found Jade

In Jade Fever season 4 episode 14, titled "We Found Jade," the crew of jade miners led by Claudia Bunce ventures into new territories to find the precious stone. With the end of the mining season looming, the pressure is on to hit the jackpot and secure their livelihood for the coming year.

The episode opens with Claudia and her husband Robin scouting a new claim site in the Cassiar Mountains. They analyze the terrain and speculate about the presence of jade based on past experiences and geological signs. With the help of their expert geologist, Guy, they conclude that the area has potential and decide to set up camp there.

As they start digging, tensions rise between the crew members. Claudia faces resistance from Josh, her head foreman, who questions her decisions and authority. Meanwhile, Robin has to deal with his own set of problems, including a malfunctioning excavator and a hurt team member. The physical demands of the job and the long hours take a toll on everyone's morale.

Despite the setbacks, the crew manages to find some promising veins of jade, which they send to their trusted jade cutter, Gene, for evaluation. He confirms that the jade is of high quality and could fetch a good price. Claudia is thrilled and optimistic that they can meet their yearly targets.

However, their luck seems to run out when a sudden storm hits the camp, causing a landslide that blocks their only road back to civilization. They are stranded with limited supplies and no way of contacting the outside world. The situation becomes dire as they realize that their food and fuel won't last for long.

Claudia takes charge and devises a plan to clear the debris and create a temporary road using their heavy equipment. The crew works around the clock, battling fatigue and hunger, but their efforts seem futile as the weather worsens and the rocks keep falling.

As the days drag on, tensions escalate and the crew members start to turn on each other. Josh challenges Claudia's leadership again, accusing her of putting them all in danger. Robin tries to mediate, but the situation seems to be spiraling out of control.

Just when things seem hopeless, a stroke of luck comes their way. They discover a previously unknown vein of jade, which turns out to be the largest one they've ever seen. The sight of the valuable stone lifts their spirits and renews their determination to survive.

Finally, after a week of grueling work, they manage to clear the road and make their way back to Jade City. Once there, they celebrate their successful mining season and the discovery of the new jade vein. Claudia reflects on the challenges they faced and the lessons learned, reminding her crew that they are a family and that they need to work together to overcome any obstacle.

In conclusion, "We Found Jade" is an intense and emotional episode that showcases the highs and lows of jade mining in the remote wilderness of northern Canada. It highlights the struggles and triumphs of a hardworking group of people who risk everything to chase their dreams and provide for their families.