Rick Ness, a mainstay of Discoverys Gold Rush, took a year off from work and disappeared from the shows 13th season to spend time on his own and come to terms with personal and professional hardships. In Season 13, Episode 2, it was revealed that Rick was suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to changes in seasons. Rick admitted that he never used to struggle with depression, which made it hard for him to pinpoint it as the cause of his lackluster emotions as of late. Ricks absence from the show represents deeply personal issues, but he has been able to lift himself up and get back into the proverbial saddle. In Season 14, Rick returned to the show with renewed vigor and is keen on changing his fortunes in the mining world.