Posted on 07/08/2007 4:20:24 PM PDT by NewLand
The History Channel embarks upon an unparalleled adventure revealing the virtually unknown occupation of ice road trucking, considered to be one of the world's most dangerous jobs. ICE ROAD TRUCKERS charts two months in the lives of six extraordinary men who haul vital supplies to diamond mines over frozen lakes that double as roads. The livelihood of many depends on these tenuous roads, which through the years have been responsible for the deaths of dozens of men.
Always prepared for the ice to give way under the weight of their trucks, these drivers put their lives and financial security of their families on the line in an exhilarating dash for cash. Beginning Sunday, June 17 at 10pm ET/PT, this adrenaline packed series reveals the raw, gripping quest of ice road truckers.
The desolate white landscape stretches as far as the eye can see in a world where the land meets the sky at an invisible horizon, just miles from the Arctic Circle. The fascinating, yet little-known ice road trucking industry, stationed just outside of Yellowknife in Canada's Northwest Territory, is responsible for supporting the diamond mines there. Canada now stands as the third largest diamond producer in the world, housing an industry that rakes in $1.9 billion a year.
Each year, the many lakes of this region completely freeze over and engineers build an ice road over them that can withstand the weight of tractor trailers, hopefully. Jackknifing, breakdowns and accidents are commonplace. Last year, because of the effects of global warming, the ice road was closed early, leaving hundreds of tons of supplies stuck at the dispatch station. Since the terrain in this region is virtually impenetrable, and there are so few paved roads, the only way for supplies to reach the mines is by traveling over the ice road. The entire industry depends on the weather and the courage of the ice road truckers, who are willing to push themselves to the limit and who constantly hear the cracking of the ice right beneath their wheels.
This show is flat out awesome! Don't miss it!
It’s a decent show but it doesn’t beat The most dangerous catch.
I did like the last episode of Ice Road truckers. The boss was firing his pistol out the window and telling that other trucker to stay back. LOL.
A friend of mine was telling me about this, and he said that the trucks have to be careful to not even brake too hard or it could cause the ice to crack. (At least that’s what I think he said!)
Definitely sounds like a show to watch. Thanks for the heads-up.
There was a documentary about Ice Road Truckers several months ago. They can’t go over a very low speed otherwise it will cause a wave beneath the ice that will strike the shore ahead of the truck, breaking the ice and causing the truck to sink at that point.
You won't see THAT on Dangerous Catch!
Ice Road Truckers rule! :-D
Gotta say..........
been there, done that, i.e. Lake Erie, ice car, and lived to tell about it.
AWESOME!
Ditto your whole post.
If you liked Ice Truckers you may enjoy this epic .I did.
Turtle Expedition
http://turtleexpedition.com/adventures/intro.php
Not really I have seen better. It is kind of like that Alaska Crab fishing show all hype or most of it is at lest from what I have seen.
Ice Road Trucker PING! all 4 episodes in a row on tonight starting now!
LOL Did you plan that whiteout??
That plus the overall ice thickness varies day to day, and the total weight of all the trucks on the frozen lakes can be a huge problem! They can't stop and idle too long or else the vibration will crack the ice.
etc etc etc
Heck no! Should work this time...
Looks cool! Thanks.
Hey thanks. I can see camp now so guess I won’t get stuck out here and become another frozen oddity...
Just follow The Polar Bear (Hugh) and you'll be all set.
But don't try and pass him on the ice or he might shoot his pistol at you! (last week's episode)
Damn, -— This show sounds cool!
Another reason I need to get cable TV !
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