The first crew, led by Neil Eklund, begins its raft building and search for wood. The next two crews follow close behind, but tensions arise as competition begins. These three crews must make money fast before winter ends all their efforts.
As three separate crews take on the Yukon River and begin their initial float downstream, they quickly learn the challenges of river life. The three rafts approach the first village of Rampart and must decide to barter or keep on floating.
With a week under their belts, all three crews have protein and cash on their minds. All the crews notice winter freeze slowly creeping over the Yukon.
After three weeks on the river, all the crews prepare to winterize their rafts for the fast-approaching freeze. All the crews end the night bonding before the winter freeze sets in.
After weeks on the river, all crews have reached a crossroad with the same question in mind: Should they push on for profit or cash out and leave the Yukon behind? As the freeze sets in, they risk everything for the possibility to cash out.
300 miles down the Yukon, the crews arrive at Galena with the dreams to cash in and end their time on the river. Once the two rafts begin downstream, there is no choice but to fight the rapidly freezing river.
Six weeks into their journey, the remaining two rafts struggle to navigate the perilous Yukon River. With whipping winds and massive waves threatening to sink their rafts, both crews must pull over and regroup.
In the wilderness outside the village of Galena, Neil and Lauro take their dogsled team deep into the forest, trying to reach their winter cabin. But surviving in the snow-covered wild will take all of their skill and courage.