Ice Road Truckers

- Season 1

(2007)

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Take a look at the men who undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth--ice road truckers. In the thick of winter truckers in giant eighteen wheelers carry equipment and supplies to miners in the Canadian tundra. In this episode, road construction crews begin the process of creating the most unique passage in the world---a 350-mile highway of ice.

Jay hauls a 17-ton water tank over 31 inches of ice all the way to the De Beers Diamond mine. The rivalry heats up between Hugh and Rick as they compete for the highest load count. And the season's first spin out on "Charlie's Hill" causes a major traffic jam on the ice. Take a look at the men who undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth--ice road truckers.

An arctic storm forces a road closure. Alex hauls a 44,000 pound diamond ore crusher across 350-miles of ice to the BHP mine. And brutal -40 degree temperatures start to take their toll on the truckers. Take a look at the men who undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth--ice road truckers.

Take a look at the men who undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth--ice road truckers. In the thick of winter truckers in giant eighteen wheelers carry equipment and supplies to miners in the Canadian tundra. Travel over ice and frozen lakes in blizzard conditions with men who are trained in self survival.

It's half way through the grueling ice road season. Six hundred truckers have ferried more than 4,000 loads to the northern mines. They still have 6,000 left to go, but everyday roadblocks threaten their progress. Going a few miles over the speed limit is one thing on a regular road, but on ice it's a different story.

Take a look at the men who undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth--ice road truckers. In the thick of winter truckers in giant eighteen wheelers carry equipment and supplies to miners in the Canadian tundra. Travel over ice and frozen lakes in blizzard conditions with men who are trained in self survival.

It's just over a month into the new ice road season and more than 800 truckers are on the ice, working around the clock.

It's day 37 of the ice road season and there almost 3,000 more loads to go. Drivers are washing out and the road is beaten up. Rick Fitch, has a backlog of critical supplies that need to be delivered and an arctic storm is brewing. Rick organizes a special convoy of five trucks to get the loads out. TJ gets separated from the convoy just as the storm hits the road.

It's day 53 of the ice road season and only the toughest truckers remain on a road that's sent many people packing. Alex is part of a last great push to get some critical loads up the ice before it's too late. In his convoy is the heaviest load ever to cross the ice---a 100-ton electrical unit for the Diavik mine. If this load damages the ice, it could be the last run of the season.

Spring brings a rush of warm weather and the big melt begins. The road is nearly empty as only the toughest or craziest truckers remain. There's a race to the finish between Alex, Hugh, Jay and T.J. Alex and Hugh are neck and neck fighting for the top load count, but the road is down to its final days and every trip could be their last.

We'll also survey how trucks were specifically fitted for sub zero temperatures in the 1930's, and how the mines operated in the 1940's as opposed to the way they operate now.

Sit down with the men of "Season 2" who dare to drive over the frozen ocean and river waters of the Arctic, and learn why they risk their lives for the job. Explore the history of the ice roads with the man who founded them in Canada's Northwest Territories, John Denison. He and the truckers explain how the roads were first built and how modern technology has changed the way they are constructed. The truckers discuss how ordinary highway trucks are transformed to endure the harsh Arctic climate, and how vital the road is for the local communities and the prospects for...

The truckers continue their look back at their experiences during the last ice road season and explain what they do now that they're off the ice.