In 1898 gold was discovered in Alaska. Joe Rinehart of Milwaukee was one of thousands lured to the gold fields. His true story, told by newspapers of the time, as well as the letters he exchanged with his wife, is a tale of adventure, treachery, disappointment and finally, media manipulation. A woman, claiming to be the sole survivor of a party of 17, spins her tale of horror in Alaska, at the same time as a brave rescue party from Kotzebue, Alaska is making its way through harrowing ice-filled flooded rivers to save these same 17 adventurers.