Posted on 07/01/2007 3:11:31 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.
10:00 PM Eastern on The History Channel!
I’m hooked on it. Love that Canadian humour!
PING to the #1 ICE ROAD TRUCKER fan!
It’s also available on iTunes.
So why don’t they fly the supplies in by helicopter?
30 tons of cement across 350 miles doesn't travel well.
I saw some of the ads and I am already hooked and I don’t like shows like that.
Extremely heavy equipment for gold mining...can't do by helicopter.
Watch and see!
It’s interesting, alright. I’m looking forward to tonight’s installment. But nothing is better than “Most Dangerous Catch.” [even if they’re running repeats]
Have seen some of it, excellent show.
WIth one episode free.
My TV is on DISCOVERY CHANNEL about 75% of the time
I’ll download the free episode on iTunes and check it out.
I should have included HISTORY channel as well.
As long as its not too political of a topic. They turned the search for water one into a Global Warming Sobfest
they could use boats in the summertime, and stockpile what they need for winter?
It’s a great show. I’m really hooked. If I was younger, I might give it a try. $1000 per day I think that’s what I heard they earn.
Diamonds are dumb
Get back to me when they are trucking to ANWR.
The land along these routes is dotted with lakes. In the summer, the land between the lakes is pretty marshy.
Great show. I now know of two jobs I’ll never do. “Deadliest Catch” and “Ice Road Truckers”.
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