Daily Entry

Last post for this week. Going back to Friday night, I was watching Alaska Gold Rush. It was highly entertaining, enjoyable episode (though its the first one I've watched). I believed its the second to the last show for the season. The crew they were documenting had been working on their "Glory" hole for the last 5 months with this episode counting down to the winter season (which normally shuts down all mining). The crew finally hit the bedrock were the potential rich hit is. In the last 16 minutes, they showed how much gold was in the dirt before they sifted it thru the filtering water machine. All that being said, my biggest concern about watching all the events unfold was how destructive their methods are in the environment. In order for the crew to break even, they need to find about $275,000.00 worth of gold. Anything more is profit. If their lucky, their "Glory" hole could have millions of dollars. In the worst case scenario, they would find less than the $275,000.00. What struck me as tragic is these guys are trying to make a profit at the expense of tearing up this old river/waterfall and leaving a gaping whole when they are done. Who is going to clean up their mess when they are finished? The government? Probably not since they have more important bills to try to pay. Some concerned local citizens? Unlikely. Maybe an environmental group? Slim chance. In the end, Mother Nature will probably have to take care of the mess but it will take years and years. When interviewed, one of the crew members mentions that the jobs in his hometown have all dried up. Thus forcing him to invest his mortgage in this gold mining venture. One of the last pristine environments in North America but some people desperate enough to tear up for gold. It really looks like the past is repeating itself. The same thing happened in Nevada and California in the 1800's. From gold panning 49er's to big mining companies using hydro processing that left a devastation. I'm curious to see if any of these concerns will be addressed on the last episode. Incidentally Alaska Gold Rush claims to be the #1 rated Friday night show with I think 6 million viewers watching every week.

jp