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. In this episode, road construction crews begin the process of creating the most unique passage in the world---a 350-mile highway of ice. Truck drivers from all over North America make the long journey to Yellowknife, Canada for their chance at some quick cash. When the temperature is cold enough and the ice is thick enough, the big rigs get ready to roll.

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; from fixing a truck in sub-zero conditions in seconds to escaping from a truck if the ice cracks. Follow the truckers in a tradition that goes back over a hundred years as they race against time to reach the miners and make it back before the temperatures rise.

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. Blowouts are appearing in the ice as a result of reckless speeding. Other trucks come to a standstill when a fuel tanker overturns on the Ingraham Trail. The wreck not only blocks traffic, but it's a potential environmental disaster. Rescue crews race to prevent a diesel spill from contaminating the Yellowknife River, the only water supply for this entire outpost.

Truckers have hauled more than 100,000 tons of supplies in temperatures of forty degrees below zero, but accidents and strict safety regulations have sent many drivers packing. Jay Westgard embarks on a trip to the De Beers mine with a 95,000-pound diamond ore scrubber. Without it the De Beers mine can't go into production in the fall, but Jay has to haul it across two hundred miles of lake ice to get there. Rookie T.J. Tilcox is being investigated for driver negligence. Rick Yemm continues to make the long hauls with no heat in his truck. Emergency crews spring into action when a truck goes through the ice.