In the dying days of winter, McCarthy locals join forces to survive wolf attacks and starvation, but the plan to open the frontier to the outside world turns residents against each other when locals night at the golden saloon turns into a free for all.

The great Alaskan breakup fractures McCarthy. Food is lean for man and beast so locals combat hungry wolves stalking their herds. A last chance treaty between supporters of the new and old goes up in flames. Tim closes up his cabin atop the summit.

The battle for McCarthy wages on as a team of experts works to locate the only known entrance into the Mother Lode mine. Meanwhile, locals fight to break free of Neil's stranglehold on the town by casting their own ammo.