To Alaska for Gold; Or, The Fortune Hunters of the Yukon

When the Portney brothers’ modest timber claim in Maine crumbles under debt, the older sibling Earl and his younger brother Randy are forced to confront a harsh reality: staying home means losing everything. With their parents gone and the Jackson Lumber Company dissolved, the two decide to chase the promise of fortune that has sparked a frenzy up north. Inspired by tales of the Klondike, they set their sights on the gold fields of Alaska, hoping a daring trek will turn their fortunes around.

Their adventure begins with a rough ride to California, where they reunite with a seasoned mining uncle, then pushes them onward through the treacherous Chilkoot Pass and the icy waters of the Yukon headwaters. Along the way they face biting cold, scarce supplies, and the relentless drive of countless hopefuls, each step a test of endurance. Once they finally reach the gold district, a brutal summer of prospecting and a relentless winter of survival await, promising both danger and the chance of a life‑changing strike.