1 00:00:05,379 --> 00:00:06,413 Narrator: Now... 2 00:00:06,551 --> 00:00:07,551 Todd: Hold on. 3 00:00:07,689 --> 00:00:09,137 Narrator: on "Ice Road Truckers"... 4 00:00:09,275 --> 00:00:11,344 [Chain snaps] Todd: Whoa! 5 00:00:11,482 --> 00:00:13,793 Narrator: the roads break apart... 6 00:00:13,931 --> 00:00:15,620 Alex: Saint Theresa Point closed. 7 00:00:15,758 --> 00:00:16,793 [Bleep]. 8 00:00:17,827 --> 00:00:19,413 Narrator: and so does the ice. 9 00:00:19,551 --> 00:00:21,689 Darrell: Look at the ice cracking right there. 10 00:00:21,827 --> 00:00:23,896 We'll go swimming with the fish. 11 00:00:24,034 --> 00:00:25,965 Narrator: As the season takes a turn... 12 00:00:26,103 --> 00:00:27,482 [Horn honks] Art: Whoa! 13 00:00:27,620 --> 00:00:29,413 There's a [bleep] truck. 14 00:00:29,551 --> 00:00:30,965 Narrator: ...for the worst. 15 00:00:31,103 --> 00:00:32,482 Art: Hang on. 16 00:00:34,413 --> 00:00:44,310 ♪♪♪♪♪ 17 00:00:44,448 --> 00:00:59,241 ♪♪♪♪♪ 18 00:00:59,379 --> 00:01:02,068 ♪♪♪♪♪ 19 00:01:06,413 --> 00:01:07,482 [Wind gusts] 20 00:01:07,620 --> 00:01:09,482 Narrator: In remote northern Manitoba... 21 00:01:11,275 --> 00:01:12,413 [Chains clink] 22 00:01:15,724 --> 00:01:17,793 Todd: The ice crossing into Shamattawa is closed. 23 00:01:17,931 --> 00:01:19,896 We are not getting across the ice. 24 00:01:20,034 --> 00:01:22,206 - Uh, no way. 25 00:01:23,448 --> 00:01:25,275 Todd: They have barricaded it as unsafe. 26 00:01:26,586 --> 00:01:30,103 Narrator: A Polar convoy is stuck dead in its tracks. 27 00:01:34,896 --> 00:01:36,172 - We're too far up the winter road 28 00:01:36,310 --> 00:01:38,034 to turn around and go back. 29 00:01:40,103 --> 00:01:41,413 Narrator: Rookie, Steph Custance, 30 00:01:41,551 --> 00:01:43,068 headed out with veteran, Todd Dewey, 31 00:01:43,206 --> 00:01:45,793 for her first trip on the ice roads. 32 00:01:45,931 --> 00:01:49,344 [Truck smashes] - Holy [bleep]. 33 00:01:49,482 --> 00:01:51,793 - Welcome to the ice road, baby. 34 00:01:51,931 --> 00:01:54,862 Narrator: A 500 mile journey to distant Shamattawa 35 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:57,413 to retrieve two abandoned trailers. 36 00:01:59,413 --> 00:02:00,448 - Yeah, I'm nervous. 37 00:02:00,586 --> 00:02:02,413 You can hear the ice flexing 38 00:02:02,551 --> 00:02:03,724 and I wanna get off. 39 00:02:03,862 --> 00:02:05,413 Narrator: Along the way... 40 00:02:05,551 --> 00:02:07,068 - I just made it to land, I think. 41 00:02:07,206 --> 00:02:09,241 Narrator: she conquered her first ice crossing. 42 00:02:09,379 --> 00:02:10,034 Steph: I'm so excited. 43 00:02:10,172 --> 00:02:11,517 Thank you so much. 44 00:02:11,655 --> 00:02:12,724 Todd: I'm proud of ya. Good job, junior. 45 00:02:12,862 --> 00:02:15,000 Steph: Oh, I'm so proud of myself. 46 00:02:16,275 --> 00:02:19,137 Narrator: But now only 50 miles from their destination 47 00:02:19,275 --> 00:02:21,068 the final crossing's been shut down 48 00:02:21,206 --> 00:02:23,896 after a truck broke through the ice. 49 00:02:24,034 --> 00:02:25,241 [Wind gusts] 50 00:02:25,379 --> 00:02:26,862 - There's no turning around and going back now. 51 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,482 If it stays cold as it is right now all night long 52 00:02:29,620 --> 00:02:31,310 they should open it in it the morning. 53 00:02:31,448 --> 00:02:33,275 We're just gonna have to bunker down for the night 54 00:02:33,413 --> 00:02:34,896 and then try it in the morning. 55 00:02:37,965 --> 00:02:40,551 Narrator: The convoy's got no choice but to wait 56 00:02:40,689 --> 00:02:42,793 as crews attempt to flood the crossing 57 00:02:42,931 --> 00:02:44,931 in an effort to refreeze it. 58 00:02:47,551 --> 00:02:48,620 [Wind gusts] 59 00:02:51,758 --> 00:02:53,758 As dawn breaks... 60 00:02:55,931 --> 00:02:57,862 Todd: So obviously they've opened it. 61 00:02:58,931 --> 00:03:00,310 So you can see where this barricade is 62 00:03:00,448 --> 00:03:03,000 this is where whoever went in fell through right here. 63 00:03:04,206 --> 00:03:06,344 Right in the middle of the ice crossing. 64 00:03:06,482 --> 00:03:08,034 [Ice cracking] 65 00:03:08,172 --> 00:03:10,965 We're taking a chance on, on getting across it. 66 00:03:12,793 --> 00:03:14,379 It's just, it's just dangerous. 67 00:03:17,689 --> 00:03:19,206 I want to get our load's and try to get out of here 68 00:03:19,344 --> 00:03:21,103 before this ends up getting barricaded again 69 00:03:21,241 --> 00:03:23,310 and we get locked in here for who knows how long again. 70 00:03:23,448 --> 00:03:24,655 Steph: We can get locked in tre? 71 00:03:24,793 --> 00:03:26,068 - Oh yeah. Oh yeah. 72 00:03:26,206 --> 00:03:27,448 If they barricade it off then we're stuck on that side. 73 00:03:27,586 --> 00:03:29,448 Then we ain't going anywhere again. 74 00:03:32,413 --> 00:03:33,413 There's only one thing left to do. 75 00:03:33,551 --> 00:03:34,689 - Hammer down. 76 00:03:34,827 --> 00:03:36,620 Todd: That's to suck it up and get across it. 77 00:03:36,758 --> 00:03:39,551 Narrator: With the threat of another shut down looming 78 00:03:39,689 --> 00:03:41,448 and an important mission at hand, 79 00:03:41,586 --> 00:03:43,655 the team rolls the dice. 80 00:03:43,793 --> 00:03:44,965 [Truck doors slam] 81 00:03:47,172 --> 00:03:50,965 ♪♪♪♪♪ 82 00:03:51,103 --> 00:03:53,965 - Remember, we go 15, 15K max speed. 83 00:03:55,034 --> 00:03:56,275 - Sounds good. 84 00:03:56,413 --> 00:03:58,034 I'll make sure I uh, make sure I watch your tracks 85 00:03:58,172 --> 00:03:59,655 and know, know which route you're taking 86 00:03:59,793 --> 00:04:02,103 and then I'll, I'll follow suit when you're ready. 87 00:04:02,241 --> 00:04:03,827 - Yep, 10-4. 88 00:04:11,862 --> 00:04:14,206 I still get nervous to this day crossing the ice. 89 00:04:20,862 --> 00:04:22,965 A little worried about what the ice conditions are gonna be like 90 00:04:23,103 --> 00:04:25,379 and if it's strong enough to hold a truck up. 91 00:04:25,517 --> 00:04:27,068 So here we go. 92 00:04:27,206 --> 00:04:28,896 [Shifts gear] 93 00:04:29,034 --> 00:04:36,172 ♪♪♪♪♪ 94 00:04:36,310 --> 00:04:37,620 [Ice cracking] 95 00:04:38,896 --> 00:04:40,551 [Wind gusts] 96 00:04:42,310 --> 00:04:44,275 - So far so good. 97 00:04:44,413 --> 00:04:45,965 - Coming across now. 98 00:04:47,241 --> 00:04:49,896 Narrator: With Todd at least a football field out in front, 99 00:04:50,034 --> 00:04:52,068 Steph cautiously adds more weight 100 00:04:52,206 --> 00:04:54,241 onto the newly frozen ice. 101 00:04:55,862 --> 00:04:58,172 Todd: [on radio] Pay attention, keep your window rolled down. 102 00:04:58,310 --> 00:05:00,344 Stay right, on my same tracks. 103 00:05:02,896 --> 00:05:04,620 [Wind gusts] 104 00:05:04,758 --> 00:05:06,241 Just kind of building a path there for Steph. 105 00:05:06,379 --> 00:05:07,620 I want her to take the exact path 106 00:05:07,758 --> 00:05:09,517 that I'm taking across the ice. 107 00:05:13,068 --> 00:05:14,310 [Wind gusts] 108 00:05:15,551 --> 00:05:17,206 [Water gurgling, ice cracking] 109 00:05:17,344 --> 00:05:30,827 ♪♪♪♪♪ 110 00:05:30,965 --> 00:05:32,275 - Definitely hear some fresh cracking in there though 111 00:05:32,413 --> 00:05:35,000 on that fresh ice they flooded it with. 112 00:05:35,137 --> 00:05:37,034 [Ice cracking] 113 00:05:37,172 --> 00:05:38,896 [Wind gusts] 114 00:05:39,034 --> 00:05:40,551 It's just spooky going across something 115 00:05:40,689 --> 00:05:42,620 that someone just fell through with about 12 hours 116 00:05:42,758 --> 00:05:44,206 before you're crossing it. 117 00:05:48,379 --> 00:05:50,551 Steph: It's dodgy for sure. 118 00:05:51,862 --> 00:05:53,000 There's weak spots all over this ice 119 00:05:53,137 --> 00:05:55,103 and you can even see it. 120 00:05:56,965 --> 00:05:58,137 [Ice cracking] 121 00:05:59,655 --> 00:06:01,068 [Bleep]. 122 00:06:01,206 --> 00:06:02,620 [Ice cracking] 123 00:06:02,758 --> 00:06:04,896 Narrator: The morning sun beats down on the crossing 124 00:06:05,034 --> 00:06:07,448 and it's quickly taking a toll. 125 00:06:07,586 --> 00:06:09,000 [Ice cracking] 126 00:06:10,103 --> 00:06:11,517 - Well, that was a loud crack. 127 00:06:12,862 --> 00:06:14,827 [Wind gusts, ice cracking] 128 00:06:14,965 --> 00:06:17,275 Pretty damn spooky. 129 00:06:17,413 --> 00:06:19,620 [Ice cracking] 130 00:06:22,068 --> 00:06:23,586 - Todd? 131 00:06:23,724 --> 00:06:25,103 Todd: [on radio] Yeah, what's up? 132 00:06:25,241 --> 00:06:26,344 Steph: [on radio] Just this little break in the ice here. 133 00:06:27,551 --> 00:06:28,793 Todd: [on radio] Yep, just follow my path. 134 00:06:28,931 --> 00:06:30,758 You'll hear cracking and you're gonna hear it popping. 135 00:06:30,896 --> 00:06:32,896 That's just part of crossing the ice, Steph. 136 00:06:33,034 --> 00:06:34,413 Just stay right on my path. 137 00:06:34,551 --> 00:06:37,413 Keep your speed steady and keep your window down. 138 00:06:39,275 --> 00:06:41,206 [Ice cracking] 139 00:06:41,344 --> 00:06:46,000 - I wanna just hurry up and get the [bleep] off the ice, man. 140 00:06:47,758 --> 00:06:49,758 [Ice cracking] 141 00:06:49,896 --> 00:06:52,034 [Wind gusts] 142 00:06:52,172 --> 00:06:53,827 [Engine hums] 143 00:06:53,965 --> 00:07:01,620 ♪♪♪♪♪ 144 00:07:01,758 --> 00:07:03,034 - Okay, I'm off the ice. 145 00:07:03,172 --> 00:07:05,034 Narrator: Todd makes it across... 146 00:07:05,172 --> 00:07:08,068 - Just keep it steady and follow my path. 147 00:07:08,206 --> 00:07:11,103 Narrator: ...leaving the rookie all alone on the ice. 148 00:07:11,241 --> 00:07:12,379 [Ice cracking] 149 00:07:13,413 --> 00:07:14,517 [Shuts door] 150 00:07:14,655 --> 00:07:19,241 ♪♪♪♪♪ 151 00:07:19,379 --> 00:07:20,551 - Come on, Steph. 152 00:07:20,689 --> 00:07:22,482 [Ice cracking] 153 00:07:22,620 --> 00:07:27,379 ♪♪♪♪♪ 154 00:07:27,517 --> 00:07:30,241 - Woo! Number two baby, I got number two down. 155 00:07:30,379 --> 00:07:31,965 I'm coming up, Papa Todd. 156 00:07:34,241 --> 00:07:36,689 - Thatta girl, junior. Good job. 157 00:07:36,827 --> 00:07:38,137 Steph: [on radio] Thank you. 158 00:07:38,275 --> 00:07:39,379 [Laughing] 159 00:07:39,517 --> 00:07:40,965 I feel great. 160 00:07:41,103 --> 00:07:43,482 ♪♪♪♪♪ 161 00:07:43,620 --> 00:07:46,172 - That's how you make money up here is by taking chances. 162 00:07:46,310 --> 00:07:48,689 If you don't take chances and just ain't getting the job done 163 00:07:48,827 --> 00:07:50,482 you ain't makin' a paycheck. 164 00:07:50,620 --> 00:07:52,241 - I feel great. I feel good. 165 00:07:52,379 --> 00:07:55,137 - Okay, girl here we go! 166 00:07:55,275 --> 00:07:57,862 Narrator: With the convoy safely to the other side... 167 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:00,275 Todd: We got a lot of miles to put on today. 168 00:08:00,413 --> 00:08:02,793 Narrator: ...it's time to bear down the final stretch, 169 00:08:02,931 --> 00:08:06,310 get the trailers and head back as fast as they can. 170 00:08:07,379 --> 00:08:09,000 - Just got to follow Papa Todd. 171 00:08:09,137 --> 00:08:14,275 ♪♪♪♪♪ 172 00:08:14,413 --> 00:08:16,206 Narrator: 200 miles to the south... 173 00:08:17,551 --> 00:08:19,862 Darrell: This is the start of the adventure. 174 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:21,068 [Truck rattles] 175 00:08:21,206 --> 00:08:23,310 But it's rough starting out. 176 00:08:23,448 --> 00:08:24,965 Narrator: a renegade business owner 177 00:08:25,103 --> 00:08:27,689 is facing his toughest test of the season. 178 00:08:27,827 --> 00:08:29,655 ♪♪♪♪♪ 179 00:08:29,793 --> 00:08:31,379 [Truck rattles] - Oh [bleep]. 180 00:08:31,517 --> 00:08:33,758 Hang on, it's the [bleep] rodeo. 181 00:08:33,896 --> 00:08:35,620 Narrator: Darrell Ward's hauling a massive 182 00:08:35,758 --> 00:08:38,517 37 ton load of heating oil... 183 00:08:39,827 --> 00:08:42,448 300 miles along the newly opened route 184 00:08:42,586 --> 00:08:44,931 to remote Elk Island Lodge. 185 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,379 But this trail is private 186 00:08:48,517 --> 00:08:52,103 and completely un-maintained by road crews. 187 00:08:52,241 --> 00:08:55,310 So truckers must drive at their own risk. 188 00:08:55,448 --> 00:08:56,931 - I don't even know what I'm up against. 189 00:08:57,068 --> 00:08:59,758 This road I have never been on before. 190 00:09:01,103 --> 00:09:02,482 Narrator: Any ordinary winter 191 00:09:02,620 --> 00:09:06,206 the narrow and rocky road would be a challenge... 192 00:09:06,344 --> 00:09:07,551 - But the road's awfully narrow. 193 00:09:07,689 --> 00:09:09,586 I keep dragging my trailer through the corners. 194 00:09:09,724 --> 00:09:11,758 They didn't make it for semis. 195 00:09:11,896 --> 00:09:14,275 Narrator: ...but in this record warm season 196 00:09:14,413 --> 00:09:16,482 it's an outright disaster. 197 00:09:16,620 --> 00:09:19,620 [Truck rattles] - Oogh. Oogh. Oogh. 198 00:09:19,758 --> 00:09:22,655 This road is not maintained by MIT. 199 00:09:23,689 --> 00:09:25,517 It's been warm all day. 200 00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,310 Incoming. 201 00:09:29,448 --> 00:09:31,137 [Truck rattles] 202 00:09:31,275 --> 00:09:32,724 Whoa! 203 00:09:32,862 --> 00:09:35,103 That is rough as [bleep]. 204 00:09:37,379 --> 00:09:39,448 Narrator: As Darrell blazes his own trail, 205 00:09:42,034 --> 00:09:44,344 back at Polar headquarters in Winnipeg... 206 00:09:44,482 --> 00:09:45,758 Mark: Hey, guys. 207 00:09:45,896 --> 00:09:48,034 Okay, let's kick this one out and get Alex on the road. 208 00:09:48,172 --> 00:09:49,689 We're in crunch time here. 209 00:09:49,827 --> 00:09:52,551 Narrator: The competition's got a time sensitive mission 210 00:09:52,689 --> 00:09:56,137 and they're entrusting it to an ice roads legend... 211 00:09:56,275 --> 00:09:57,275 Alex: Good morning. 212 00:09:57,413 --> 00:09:59,310 Mark: Alex, how you doing? 213 00:09:59,448 --> 00:10:01,689 Narrator: Alex Debogorski. 214 00:10:01,827 --> 00:10:04,172 - We got uh, I think we got everything all ready to go. 215 00:10:04,310 --> 00:10:05,344 - Perfect. 216 00:10:05,482 --> 00:10:07,275 - The weather right now is really uh, 217 00:10:07,413 --> 00:10:09,965 putting everybody's stress levels at an all time high. 218 00:10:10,103 --> 00:10:11,827 We've gotta get these supplies into these communities. 219 00:10:11,965 --> 00:10:13,931 I mean, we're their life line. 220 00:10:14,068 --> 00:10:16,482 So uh, you're gonna go out to Saint Theresa's Point. 221 00:10:16,620 --> 00:10:17,724 We've got these building supplies 222 00:10:17,862 --> 00:10:19,620 that are gonna go into the community. 223 00:10:20,758 --> 00:10:21,793 Just keep an eye on the weather. 224 00:10:21,931 --> 00:10:23,448 Anything above -6° shut her down. 225 00:10:23,586 --> 00:10:24,793 We don't want to damage the road. 226 00:10:24,931 --> 00:10:26,482 Alex: Okay. Appreciate it. 227 00:10:26,620 --> 00:10:28,275 - Okay. Safe travels. - Thank you. 228 00:10:30,482 --> 00:10:33,206 Narrator: The 22 ton load of construction supplies 229 00:10:33,344 --> 00:10:37,310 is due at Saint Theresa Point by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow 230 00:10:37,448 --> 00:10:39,965 and it's a grueling 400 mile journey 231 00:10:40,103 --> 00:10:42,793 over one of Manitoba's toughest rds. 232 00:10:46,137 --> 00:10:47,931 [Engine hums] 233 00:10:48,068 --> 00:10:50,862 Alex: I'm loaded and I'm ready to go on down the road 234 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,068 if we're gonna try to get to Saint Theresa Point today 235 00:10:54,206 --> 00:10:56,793 barring temperature. 236 00:10:56,931 --> 00:10:58,517 Narrator: But El Nino's warming weather 237 00:10:58,655 --> 00:11:02,275 is making this a race against the clock to pull it off. 238 00:11:02,413 --> 00:11:04,689 Alex: Hopefully the road is open. 239 00:11:04,827 --> 00:11:07,379 It's still, I think it's still cool enough to go right now 240 00:11:07,517 --> 00:11:09,344 but depending how much it warms up today. 241 00:11:10,413 --> 00:11:13,344 Narrator: If temperatures rise above -6 degrees 242 00:11:13,482 --> 00:11:15,620 authorities will shut down the trail 243 00:11:15,758 --> 00:11:19,310 and force drivers to wait until it cools down. 244 00:11:19,448 --> 00:11:21,103 - The concern is that I might not be able 245 00:11:21,241 --> 00:11:23,000 to go on the road if it's too warm 246 00:11:23,137 --> 00:11:26,413 because then it's, we could wreck the road 247 00:11:26,551 --> 00:11:28,310 and we're right there at the edge. 248 00:11:28,448 --> 00:11:30,241 It's been a very iffy year. 249 00:11:30,379 --> 00:11:32,206 We've got a lot less winter left. 250 00:11:34,862 --> 00:11:36,103 [Truck rattles] 251 00:11:37,517 --> 00:11:41,793 ♪♪♪♪♪ 252 00:11:41,931 --> 00:11:43,172 I'm almost at the winter road. 253 00:11:43,310 --> 00:11:46,137 I'm really hoping it's cold enough. 254 00:11:47,172 --> 00:11:49,000 It looks pretty soft though. 255 00:11:52,517 --> 00:11:54,482 But um, I haven't said my prayers. 256 00:11:55,517 --> 00:11:58,724 "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 257 00:11:58,862 --> 00:12:01,103 Thy kingdom come, thy will be done 258 00:12:01,241 --> 00:12:03,275 on earth as it is in heaven. 259 00:12:03,413 --> 00:12:04,862 Give us this day our daily bread 260 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:06,793 and forgive us our trespasses 261 00:12:06,931 --> 00:12:09,620 as we forgive those who trespass against us. 262 00:12:11,206 --> 00:12:12,586 Amen." 263 00:12:14,344 --> 00:12:16,758 We got our fingers and our toes crossed. 264 00:12:16,896 --> 00:12:18,620 There's the winter road right here. 265 00:12:21,206 --> 00:12:22,965 Saint Theresa Point closed. 266 00:12:23,103 --> 00:12:24,241 [Bleep]. 267 00:12:27,724 --> 00:12:30,896 Ohhh. I guess we can't go anywhere. 268 00:12:37,275 --> 00:12:38,689 Ohhh. 269 00:12:40,896 --> 00:12:42,862 I guess we can't go anywhere. 270 00:12:46,137 --> 00:12:49,310 Narrator: The temperatures crept above -6° 271 00:12:49,448 --> 00:12:52,241 and authorities have closed the road for travel. 272 00:12:53,275 --> 00:12:56,344 Alex: I don't get paid for waiting I get paid by the trip. 273 00:12:56,482 --> 00:12:58,206 So waiting's not to my advantage 274 00:12:58,344 --> 00:13:01,034 and of course it's not to the community's advantage. 275 00:13:01,172 --> 00:13:03,275 Narrator: With the load due by 9:00 a.m. 276 00:13:05,068 --> 00:13:07,000 and 200 miles still to go 277 00:13:07,137 --> 00:13:10,620 Alex, Polar and the village could be out of luck. 278 00:13:12,172 --> 00:13:13,758 [Wind gusts] 279 00:13:13,896 --> 00:13:15,310 Alex: Well, this is not a good thing, you know, 280 00:13:15,448 --> 00:13:16,724 this day is gonna be wasted 281 00:13:16,862 --> 00:13:19,344 because it's gonna take until midnight 282 00:13:19,482 --> 00:13:22,551 if it cools down before the roads good enough to drive on. 283 00:13:24,137 --> 00:13:25,586 Narrator: The veterans forced to wait 284 00:13:25,724 --> 00:13:29,448 with the vital haul sitting and time quickly slipping away. 285 00:13:30,689 --> 00:13:33,689 Alex: Hopefully it cools down for everybody's sake. 286 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,241 Narrator: Meanwhile... 287 00:13:37,827 --> 00:13:39,827 back at headquarters. 288 00:13:39,965 --> 00:13:42,724 Mark's looking to get another truck out fast. 289 00:13:43,758 --> 00:13:46,103 Mark: I've got a new community that's um, 290 00:13:46,241 --> 00:13:48,689 taking a chance on Polar uh, it's Summer Beaver Ontario. 291 00:13:48,827 --> 00:13:50,413 - Okay. 292 00:13:50,551 --> 00:13:52,068 Narrator: And he's calling on his wild card 293 00:13:52,206 --> 00:13:55,137 to break new ground for the company. 294 00:13:55,275 --> 00:13:57,896 - And uh, they've actually requested you specifically. 295 00:13:59,275 --> 00:14:01,000 - What, they want, they want me to take it, like? 296 00:14:01,137 --> 00:14:02,724 - They want you to take the first load that, 297 00:14:02,862 --> 00:14:04,172 that Polar does for the community. 298 00:14:04,310 --> 00:14:06,034 - I'm honored, b'y. - Represent us well. 299 00:14:06,172 --> 00:14:07,827 - Oh yeah. I'll enjoy this. - All right. Okay. 300 00:14:07,965 --> 00:14:09,137 - Right on, buddy. - Thanks, Art. 301 00:14:09,275 --> 00:14:10,758 - Okay. - Okay, we'll talk to you soon. 302 00:14:10,896 --> 00:14:11,827 - Right on, buddy. - Be safe. 303 00:14:11,965 --> 00:14:12,965 - Take care. 304 00:14:13,103 --> 00:14:15,068 Narrator: When Art first joined Polar... 305 00:14:15,206 --> 00:14:16,413 - Can you start right away? 306 00:14:16,551 --> 00:14:17,655 - Right away. 307 00:14:17,793 --> 00:14:18,862 - I'll uh, officially welcome you aboard. 308 00:14:20,379 --> 00:14:21,862 Art: I jack knifed the truck, buddy. 309 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,793 Narrator: It took him awhile to find his footing. 310 00:14:24,931 --> 00:14:26,206 Mark: What am I supposed to do with this? 311 00:14:27,482 --> 00:14:29,965 [Siren wails] Art: Did you hear that? 312 00:14:30,103 --> 00:14:32,448 [Siren wails] The DOT is behind us 313 00:14:32,586 --> 00:14:34,172 with the lights on and everything. 314 00:14:37,034 --> 00:14:41,310 Alex: Well, Art we just ran out of road, so we're [bleep]. 315 00:14:41,448 --> 00:14:43,931 - It never [bleep] ends. 316 00:14:44,965 --> 00:14:47,448 Narrator: But over the years his reputation's grown 317 00:14:47,586 --> 00:14:49,689 and he's become one of the most respected drivers 318 00:14:49,827 --> 00:14:52,482 in the winter roads community. 319 00:14:52,620 --> 00:14:53,965 Art: Yeah, we made her, buddy. 320 00:14:54,103 --> 00:14:55,689 Ah, you're making me look good again. 321 00:14:55,827 --> 00:14:57,689 Man: I know, it's unreal. - [Laughs] 322 00:15:00,931 --> 00:15:02,793 - I got a new position now, b'y. 323 00:15:02,931 --> 00:15:04,586 I went from the wild card 324 00:15:04,724 --> 00:15:06,620 to the ambassador overnight. 325 00:15:06,758 --> 00:15:08,344 That's good I can handle that. 326 00:15:09,379 --> 00:15:11,896 Narrator: For Polar's maiden voyage to the remote village, 327 00:15:13,241 --> 00:15:16,206 Art will have to grind out nearly 500 miles 328 00:15:16,344 --> 00:15:20,344 over a narrow trail notorious for its twists and turns. 329 00:15:24,689 --> 00:15:26,862 - I'm heading into Summer Beaver here this morning. 330 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:28,655 I have never been in here before. 331 00:15:28,793 --> 00:15:30,310 So I don't know what's gonna happen up ahead. 332 00:15:30,448 --> 00:15:32,724 I don't know what the road's like or anything like this. 333 00:15:32,862 --> 00:15:36,448 So we're just gonna mosey along here and hope for the best. 334 00:15:38,655 --> 00:15:40,068 [Truck rattles] 335 00:15:41,517 --> 00:15:43,137 [Bleep]. 336 00:15:43,275 --> 00:15:45,413 It's really warm and the roads are coming apart. 337 00:15:45,551 --> 00:15:47,172 [Truck rattling] 338 00:15:50,793 --> 00:15:52,034 Not to mention this 339 00:15:52,172 --> 00:15:54,862 I'm getting the [bleep] pounded out of me here. 340 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:56,896 The road is not much wider than my hips. 341 00:15:59,172 --> 00:16:00,586 [Truck rattles] 342 00:16:03,448 --> 00:16:06,275 Bang, bang, crash, bang, bang, smash, crash, bang 343 00:16:06,413 --> 00:16:08,103 all day long. 344 00:16:08,241 --> 00:16:09,724 But we gotta get her done. 345 00:16:11,689 --> 00:16:14,172 Narrator: While a Polar driver's just hitting the trail... 346 00:16:15,862 --> 00:16:17,862 500 miles to the north... 347 00:16:21,310 --> 00:16:23,137 Todd: Welcome to your first time ever in Shamattawa. 348 00:16:23,275 --> 00:16:25,931 - I'm in Shamattawa! Yeah! 349 00:16:27,965 --> 00:16:29,068 Narrator: ...Polar's rookie 350 00:16:29,206 --> 00:16:31,793 finally makes it to her first destination. 351 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:38,482 Narrator: But the next phase of the job, 352 00:16:38,620 --> 00:16:41,275 hauling two abandoned trailers back to Winnipeg, 353 00:16:41,413 --> 00:16:43,586 means the hard work is just beginning. 354 00:16:46,586 --> 00:16:48,241 When the melt comes each season 355 00:16:48,379 --> 00:16:49,827 equipment that can't make it out 356 00:16:49,965 --> 00:16:52,206 is forced to be left behind. 357 00:16:53,275 --> 00:16:55,724 And as the muskeg thaws and refreezes 358 00:16:55,862 --> 00:16:58,310 it becomes a challenge to recover. 359 00:16:58,448 --> 00:17:02,724 ♪♪♪♪♪ 360 00:17:02,862 --> 00:17:04,793 - Oh, I see a bunch of trailers up here. 361 00:17:05,758 --> 00:17:07,310 Let's get out. 362 00:17:07,448 --> 00:17:08,931 - Copy that. 363 00:17:11,517 --> 00:17:13,310 [Engine hums, airbrakes hiss] 364 00:17:13,448 --> 00:17:14,724 - Well, we found our trailers. 365 00:17:14,862 --> 00:17:15,896 Now we're gonna analyze to see what it's gonna take 366 00:17:16,034 --> 00:17:16,965 to get them out of here. 367 00:17:17,103 --> 00:17:18,689 That's gonna be the big one. 368 00:17:21,103 --> 00:17:22,275 Get your [bleep] out here, junior. 369 00:17:22,413 --> 00:17:23,758 We got work to do. 370 00:17:24,965 --> 00:17:26,310 [Truck door slams] 371 00:17:27,620 --> 00:17:28,931 So... 372 00:17:30,137 --> 00:17:31,965 those are our trailers. 373 00:17:32,103 --> 00:17:33,896 The two white ones. 374 00:17:34,931 --> 00:17:37,241 There's almost not enough room to even get hooked up to it. 375 00:17:37,379 --> 00:17:39,793 Steph: Are you serious? Todd: I'm dead serious. 376 00:17:39,931 --> 00:17:41,172 Yeah, we got some work cut out for us, 377 00:17:41,310 --> 00:17:42,965 I'm gonna tell you that right now. 378 00:17:43,103 --> 00:17:44,344 Narrator: To get the trailers out 379 00:17:44,482 --> 00:17:47,827 the team will have to get their hands dirty. 380 00:17:47,965 --> 00:17:50,724 Todd: Just around the tires and in between the tires. 381 00:17:50,862 --> 00:17:52,620 [Snow crunches] 382 00:17:52,758 --> 00:18:03,620 ♪♪♪♪♪ 383 00:18:03,758 --> 00:18:06,172 Todd: Okay. I'll get my truck back here. 384 00:18:06,310 --> 00:18:07,586 We'll see if we can't get hooked up to this one first 385 00:18:07,724 --> 00:18:08,931 and get it moved. 386 00:18:12,655 --> 00:18:14,310 [Engine hums] 387 00:18:19,034 --> 00:18:20,310 [Chains clink] 388 00:18:23,620 --> 00:18:25,551 [Engine roars, clank] 389 00:18:25,689 --> 00:18:29,310 - Okay, trailer's rolling. 390 00:18:29,448 --> 00:18:31,724 Narrator: Todd gets his trailer out with ease. 391 00:18:33,068 --> 00:18:36,344 - Believe it or not. 392 00:18:36,482 --> 00:18:38,413 Narrator: Now it's the rookies turn. 393 00:18:43,310 --> 00:18:44,689 Todd: We don't got all day to do this. 394 00:18:44,827 --> 00:18:46,517 We need to get hooked up and get out of here. 395 00:18:46,655 --> 00:18:48,482 Steph: Okay, heads up, I've never hooked up 396 00:18:48,620 --> 00:18:49,827 onto a 53 footer. 397 00:18:49,965 --> 00:18:51,413 So I might need you to just spot me as I back. 398 00:18:51,551 --> 00:18:52,482 - Okay. - And that's all, that should be good. 399 00:18:52,620 --> 00:18:53,655 - Okay. 400 00:18:59,758 --> 00:19:01,482 Keep going. 401 00:19:03,551 --> 00:19:04,896 And hit it. 402 00:19:08,206 --> 00:19:09,068 Yeah. 403 00:19:09,206 --> 00:19:10,517 Keep going. 404 00:19:10,655 --> 00:19:12,551 'Kay, stop. 405 00:19:12,689 --> 00:19:14,448 Give it just a little touch forward. 406 00:19:14,586 --> 00:19:15,758 [Engine hums] 407 00:19:15,896 --> 00:19:17,068 - It's a little hard to turn this wheel 408 00:19:17,206 --> 00:19:20,034 with little old arms like mine. 409 00:19:20,172 --> 00:19:22,310 Todd: 'Kay, hit it again in reverse. 410 00:19:24,862 --> 00:19:26,413 Now you're locked. 411 00:19:26,551 --> 00:19:28,310 - Ha, Ha. 412 00:19:28,448 --> 00:19:31,206 - Okay, one part of the mission down. 413 00:19:31,344 --> 00:19:33,689 We got it locked it's in. She's locked up. 414 00:19:33,827 --> 00:19:36,137 Narrator: Steph may be hooked up to the trailer... 415 00:19:36,275 --> 00:19:37,862 - Good to go, buddy. 416 00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:40,241 Todd: [on radio] Okay, go ahead and start backing up. 417 00:19:40,379 --> 00:19:41,517 Narrator: ...but now she's got to free it 418 00:19:41,655 --> 00:19:43,965 from the grip of the snow and ice. 419 00:19:44,103 --> 00:19:45,896 [Engine revs, chains clink] 420 00:19:46,034 --> 00:19:47,896 - 'Kay, hit it. 421 00:19:48,034 --> 00:19:49,931 [Engine revs, chains clink] 422 00:19:50,931 --> 00:19:52,586 Okay, hit it again. 423 00:19:54,137 --> 00:19:56,379 [Engine revs, chains clink] 424 00:19:58,586 --> 00:19:59,931 Okay, stop. 425 00:20:01,068 --> 00:20:03,172 It might be stuck. 426 00:20:03,310 --> 00:20:07,103 I'm gonna have to hook up to the back of ya and pull ya. 427 00:20:07,241 --> 00:20:10,034 Narrator: In an effort to get moving, 428 00:20:10,172 --> 00:20:13,482 Todd will hook up a chain from Steph's truck to his rig 429 00:20:13,620 --> 00:20:16,586 and try to use his pulling power to break the trailer free. 430 00:20:19,551 --> 00:20:20,827 Todd: It's always a pain in the [bleep], 431 00:20:20,965 --> 00:20:22,724 there's always complications. 432 00:20:22,862 --> 00:20:24,586 [Truck door slams] 433 00:20:26,413 --> 00:20:28,034 [on radio] You ready, Steph? 434 00:20:28,172 --> 00:20:29,965 You got it in reverse, brake's all released? 435 00:20:31,862 --> 00:20:33,137 - Good to go, buddy. 436 00:20:33,275 --> 00:20:35,000 - Okay, go ahead and start backing up. 437 00:20:36,793 --> 00:20:38,068 [Engine hums] 438 00:20:39,793 --> 00:20:41,034 [Engine roars] 439 00:20:41,172 --> 00:20:42,931 [Truck creaking] 440 00:20:46,551 --> 00:20:47,896 [Truck creaking] 441 00:20:53,241 --> 00:20:54,517 [Chains clink] 442 00:20:58,413 --> 00:20:59,620 [Tires spin] 443 00:21:02,551 --> 00:21:03,862 [Truck creaking] 444 00:21:06,551 --> 00:21:07,862 [Tires spinning] 445 00:21:09,931 --> 00:21:11,137 [Chains clink] 446 00:21:11,275 --> 00:21:13,068 - You just spinning out? 447 00:21:13,206 --> 00:21:14,724 - Yep. 448 00:21:16,448 --> 00:21:18,517 Narrator: Todd's first attempt can't cut it. 449 00:21:18,655 --> 00:21:20,206 - Hold on. 450 00:21:20,344 --> 00:21:23,862 Narrator: So he'll kick the rig into overdrive. 451 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:25,310 [Engine roars] 452 00:21:26,517 --> 00:21:29,068 [Chain snaps] Todd: Whoa! 453 00:21:32,310 --> 00:21:34,724 Todd: [on radio] Hold on. 454 00:21:34,862 --> 00:21:36,172 [Engine roars] 455 00:21:37,793 --> 00:21:39,655 [Chain snapping] Whoa! 456 00:21:39,793 --> 00:21:41,172 There it goes. 457 00:21:44,827 --> 00:21:48,034 Narrator: Trying to pull the second abandoned trailer free. 458 00:21:49,620 --> 00:21:51,896 The clutches of the ice and frozen muskeg 459 00:21:52,034 --> 00:21:53,689 is proving too much. 460 00:21:55,206 --> 00:21:56,896 Todd: The brakes are froze up. 461 00:21:57,034 --> 00:21:58,931 That's the problem. 462 00:22:00,896 --> 00:22:03,379 Let's see if we can't get all the tires rolling. 463 00:22:05,517 --> 00:22:08,517 Just a matter of getting the pads loose from the wheels. 464 00:22:08,655 --> 00:22:09,586 We can hit it with the hammer 465 00:22:09,724 --> 00:22:12,034 and see if we can get it to pop free. 466 00:22:12,172 --> 00:22:14,034 Narrator: After sitting in the cold for weeks, 467 00:22:14,172 --> 00:22:16,482 the brake pads have frozen to the wheels. 468 00:22:16,620 --> 00:22:18,655 So the team will use a little manpower 469 00:22:18,793 --> 00:22:20,241 to try and loosen them up. 470 00:22:20,379 --> 00:22:22,103 [Hammering] 471 00:22:22,241 --> 00:22:24,000 Todd: Starting to get a little taste of what it's like on the ice roads? 472 00:22:24,137 --> 00:22:25,344 - Starting to, yep. 473 00:22:25,482 --> 00:22:26,620 [Hammering] 474 00:22:26,758 --> 00:22:28,620 - It's not just about sitting in the truck. 475 00:22:28,758 --> 00:22:30,172 It's about having to get outside 476 00:22:30,310 --> 00:22:32,068 and do what we're doing right now. 477 00:22:32,206 --> 00:22:35,620 The cold temperatures freezing you to death. 478 00:22:35,758 --> 00:22:38,034 It is one of the toughest jobs in the world. 479 00:22:38,172 --> 00:22:42,068 It's absolutely no rest for the wicked, I'll tell ya. 480 00:22:42,206 --> 00:22:43,517 [Hammering] Yep, that's it right there. 481 00:22:43,655 --> 00:22:45,448 That's it. 482 00:22:45,586 --> 00:22:47,034 Narrator: After some pounding 483 00:22:47,172 --> 00:22:49,724 it's time for the rookie to give it a go. 484 00:22:49,862 --> 00:22:51,172 [Wind gusts] 485 00:22:54,620 --> 00:22:56,206 - Come on, you can do it, you can do it. 486 00:22:56,344 --> 00:22:58,103 [Engine revs] 487 00:23:04,068 --> 00:23:05,758 Todd: Come on, you son of a bitch. 488 00:23:05,896 --> 00:23:07,827 Push it! 489 00:23:07,965 --> 00:23:10,206 [Engine revs, chains clink] 490 00:23:12,034 --> 00:23:14,758 Todd: Okay, okay! 491 00:23:14,896 --> 00:23:16,793 Steph: Yeah! [Bleep] yeah! 492 00:23:17,793 --> 00:23:20,379 Holy [bleep]. 493 00:23:20,517 --> 00:23:22,034 - Come on over here. 494 00:23:22,172 --> 00:23:26,827 ♪♪♪♪♪ 495 00:23:26,965 --> 00:23:29,000 Nice job. 496 00:23:29,137 --> 00:23:30,413 Here we go. 497 00:23:30,551 --> 00:23:31,896 Two trailers hooked and loaded. 498 00:23:32,034 --> 00:23:33,103 Steph: We did it. 499 00:23:33,241 --> 00:23:34,689 Todd: Can't tell me that wasn't a son of a bitch. 500 00:23:34,827 --> 00:23:36,413 [Door slams] 501 00:23:36,551 --> 00:23:38,241 [Todd and Steph laugh] 502 00:23:39,275 --> 00:23:41,000 - Now we're making money. - Ha. Ha. 503 00:23:41,137 --> 00:23:42,379 - 'Cause we got our load. 504 00:23:42,517 --> 00:23:43,862 There's only one thing left to do now. 505 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:45,137 - Hit the road. 506 00:23:45,275 --> 00:23:46,724 - Hit the winter road and get out of Dodge. 507 00:23:47,758 --> 00:23:50,620 Narrator: As the convoy readies for the long haul back... 508 00:23:54,724 --> 00:23:56,689 300 miles to the south... 509 00:23:57,931 --> 00:23:59,448 [Engine hums] 510 00:23:59,586 --> 00:24:01,965 - Taking a bit of a [bleep] kicking, eh. 511 00:24:02,103 --> 00:24:03,758 Narrator: ...on a new trail for Polar 512 00:24:03,896 --> 00:24:06,517 Art Burke's got his hands full. 513 00:24:06,655 --> 00:24:09,517 - Just beam me up, Scottie, for [bleep] sake. 514 00:24:09,655 --> 00:24:12,310 Narrator: The 500 mile path to remote Summer Beaver 515 00:24:12,448 --> 00:24:14,724 is notoriously narrow... 516 00:24:14,862 --> 00:24:16,793 - If we were just sitting somewhere level 517 00:24:16,931 --> 00:24:18,344 and an earthquake was causing all this going on 518 00:24:18,482 --> 00:24:20,448 there wouldn't be a [bleep] thing left. 519 00:24:20,586 --> 00:24:24,689 Narrator: ...and flanked with soft snow on the trails edges, 520 00:24:24,827 --> 00:24:26,965 it's giving Art and his 20 ton load of food 521 00:24:27,103 --> 00:24:28,862 all he can handle. 522 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:30,413 - I hope when I get up there with this 523 00:24:30,551 --> 00:24:32,862 it doesn't look like mashed potatoes back there. 524 00:24:35,620 --> 00:24:36,931 [Truck rattles] 525 00:24:41,586 --> 00:24:43,000 [Truck smashes] 526 00:24:44,068 --> 00:24:45,310 [Engine groans] 527 00:24:49,310 --> 00:24:52,655 [Tires spinning] 528 00:24:52,793 --> 00:24:56,172 Narrator: Art veered too far from the middle of the path. 529 00:24:56,310 --> 00:24:57,724 - That's it. 530 00:24:57,862 --> 00:25:00,896 Narrator: And got stuck in the soft shoulder of the road. 531 00:25:01,034 --> 00:25:03,103 - Try this again. 532 00:25:05,344 --> 00:25:06,344 [Engine roars] 533 00:25:09,172 --> 00:25:14,620 ♪♪♪♪♪ 534 00:25:14,758 --> 00:25:17,448 - Now there's an example of getting too close to the edge, eh. 535 00:25:20,310 --> 00:25:23,275 'Cause if it goes over towards the bank 536 00:25:23,413 --> 00:25:25,206 we sink right down over there, eh. 537 00:25:25,344 --> 00:25:27,068 So you got to stay in the middle. 538 00:25:27,206 --> 00:25:28,827 And the road is really narrow. 539 00:25:28,965 --> 00:25:30,689 Narrator: To try and stay out of the banks 540 00:25:30,827 --> 00:25:33,931 Art will drive the rig down the centre of the road. 541 00:25:35,275 --> 00:25:37,551 Art: There's a lot of turns in this road, man. 542 00:25:37,689 --> 00:25:40,448 Narrator: But with the upcoming patch of blind turns 543 00:25:40,586 --> 00:25:42,344 it won't be without risk. 544 00:25:43,379 --> 00:25:45,793 Art: That could be uh, disastrous 545 00:25:46,827 --> 00:25:48,172 'cause you wouldn't be able to pass here 546 00:25:48,310 --> 00:25:50,655 that's for [bleep] sure. 547 00:25:50,793 --> 00:25:52,000 [Wind gusts] 548 00:25:53,827 --> 00:25:55,137 [Truck rattles] 549 00:26:01,448 --> 00:26:03,413 Just gotta be very careful. 550 00:26:03,551 --> 00:26:08,482 ♪♪♪♪♪ 551 00:26:08,620 --> 00:26:10,172 [Truck rattles] 552 00:26:12,137 --> 00:26:13,275 [Engine hums] 553 00:26:14,379 --> 00:26:23,379 ♪♪♪♪♪ 554 00:26:23,517 --> 00:26:25,206 [Truck rattles] 555 00:26:25,344 --> 00:26:26,620 Whoa! 556 00:26:26,758 --> 00:26:28,620 [Bleep] there's a [bleep] truck. 557 00:26:28,758 --> 00:26:30,689 [Horn honks] 558 00:26:39,275 --> 00:26:40,586 [Horn honks] 559 00:26:42,344 --> 00:26:43,758 [Skids to a halt] 560 00:26:45,172 --> 00:26:49,586 ♪♪♪♪♪ 561 00:26:49,724 --> 00:26:52,275 Well, that was [bleep] close. 562 00:26:53,931 --> 00:26:55,379 [Engine hums] 563 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:03,000 I'll tell ya, that was an eye opener. 564 00:27:03,137 --> 00:27:04,724 [Engine roars] 565 00:27:07,103 --> 00:27:08,655 [Truck rattles] 566 00:27:10,344 --> 00:27:11,689 [Engine hums] 567 00:27:15,172 --> 00:27:16,931 First rush of the day. b'y. 568 00:27:17,068 --> 00:27:18,137 It's nice to get one every now and then. 569 00:27:18,275 --> 00:27:20,275 Gets the adrenaline going, eh. 570 00:27:21,517 --> 00:27:23,413 Narrator: Pushing through the final ten miles... 571 00:27:24,655 --> 00:27:26,275 [Engine hums] 572 00:27:26,413 --> 00:27:28,034 Art: Summer Beaver. 573 00:27:28,172 --> 00:27:31,586 Narrator: Art finally makes it to the community of Summer Beaver. 574 00:27:31,724 --> 00:27:33,344 [Horn honks] 575 00:27:33,482 --> 00:27:35,000 Art: Okay, boys and girls. 576 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:37,758 [Door shuts] 577 00:27:37,896 --> 00:27:39,000 Little screwing around but we got here. 578 00:27:39,137 --> 00:27:40,275 Hey, buddy. - I'm Joe. 579 00:27:40,413 --> 00:27:41,620 - Pleasure to meet you, Joe. - This is Morris. 580 00:27:41,758 --> 00:27:42,931 - Hello Morris, buddy. 581 00:27:43,068 --> 00:27:44,310 Pleasure to meet you, my friend. 582 00:27:44,448 --> 00:27:46,344 I know, buddy. What's your name again? 583 00:27:46,482 --> 00:27:47,413 Geldof: Geldof. 584 00:27:47,551 --> 00:27:48,758 Art: Geldof, pleased to meet you. 585 00:27:48,896 --> 00:27:51,379 Narrator: Art was handpicked for this mission... 586 00:27:51,517 --> 00:27:53,034 Mark: And they want you to take the first load 587 00:27:53,172 --> 00:27:55,068 that, that Polar does for the community. 588 00:27:55,206 --> 00:27:57,655 - I'm honored, b'y. - Represent us well. 589 00:27:57,793 --> 00:27:59,310 Art: All right, buddy, nice to meet ya. 590 00:27:59,448 --> 00:28:01,310 Narrator: ...and for Polar's new ambassador 591 00:28:01,448 --> 00:28:03,068 it's a gratifying moment. 592 00:28:03,206 --> 00:28:04,551 Art: Darren. Pleased to meet you, Darren. 593 00:28:04,689 --> 00:28:07,241 Yeah, we got her done, man, and it's, it's great. 594 00:28:07,379 --> 00:28:08,931 I met all kinds of new people 595 00:28:09,068 --> 00:28:10,172 and they got their stuff in there. 596 00:28:10,310 --> 00:28:12,896 Yeah, it makes all the [bleep] worthwhile. 597 00:28:13,034 --> 00:28:14,862 Have a good day and we'll see you later. 598 00:28:15,931 --> 00:28:17,793 Am I proud to do what I do? 599 00:28:17,931 --> 00:28:20,965 Right from the heart, yeah, I am. 600 00:28:21,103 --> 00:28:23,103 Narrator: The veteran's made his mark 601 00:28:23,241 --> 00:28:25,827 and hits the long road back to Winnipeg. 602 00:28:27,103 --> 00:28:30,137 - When they get their material then everybody's happy. 603 00:28:31,655 --> 00:28:33,931 And that's what this whole [bleep] thing is all about. 604 00:28:34,068 --> 00:28:35,896 [Engine roars] 605 00:28:38,275 --> 00:28:40,448 Narrator: Meanwhile, 300 miles away... 606 00:28:41,931 --> 00:28:43,310 deep in Manitoba... 607 00:28:45,379 --> 00:28:47,206 Darrell: It's dead ahead. 608 00:28:47,344 --> 00:28:48,931 [Truck rattles] 609 00:28:49,068 --> 00:28:51,724 Knock the bottom right out of that [bleep] hole. 610 00:28:53,344 --> 00:28:55,379 Narrator: ...the competitions barreling down the route 611 00:28:55,517 --> 00:28:57,206 to Elk Island Lodge. 612 00:28:58,827 --> 00:29:00,482 Darrell: I don't know what I'm in for. 613 00:29:01,586 --> 00:29:03,172 Narrator: An un-maintained private trail 614 00:29:03,310 --> 00:29:06,655 that's been obliterated by the warm season. 615 00:29:06,793 --> 00:29:10,241 Darrell: I guarantee the road here is only made for four wheelers. 616 00:29:10,379 --> 00:29:12,413 You can tell it's not maintained. 617 00:29:12,551 --> 00:29:14,344 [Truck rattles] 618 00:29:16,068 --> 00:29:17,758 That's kind of scary. 619 00:29:20,068 --> 00:29:21,724 [Wind gusts] 620 00:29:24,965 --> 00:29:27,655 Narrator: But as the sun begins to set over the north... 621 00:29:30,310 --> 00:29:31,551 Darrell: Holy [bleep], 622 00:29:31,689 --> 00:29:34,793 I see a lake here on my left though out my window. 623 00:29:34,931 --> 00:29:37,517 Narrator: ...things are about to get a whole lot tougher 624 00:29:39,413 --> 00:29:42,586 as a four mile ice crossing looms ahead. 625 00:29:44,172 --> 00:29:46,586 Darrell: Here I am 75,000 pounds 626 00:29:46,724 --> 00:29:48,310 coming up to an ice crossing 627 00:29:48,448 --> 00:29:50,931 just as it's starting to turn nighttime. 628 00:29:51,068 --> 00:29:52,586 I don't even know if anyone's out here. 629 00:29:52,724 --> 00:29:54,827 I don't even have a clue what's going on. 630 00:29:57,137 --> 00:29:59,103 [Airbrakes hiss] 631 00:30:01,517 --> 00:30:03,068 Darrell: I haven't seen any monitoring holes 632 00:30:03,206 --> 00:30:05,620 where they've even tested the ice out here at all. 633 00:30:05,758 --> 00:30:08,586 Think I'm gonna walk out here and check this ice out. 634 00:30:17,862 --> 00:30:19,551 Darrell: Right now it's getting dark and I don't have much time 635 00:30:19,689 --> 00:30:21,896 but I want to look at what I'm driving on. 636 00:30:22,034 --> 00:30:23,068 [Footsteps crunch] 637 00:30:23,206 --> 00:30:24,517 I wanna get out here to this dark stuff 638 00:30:24,655 --> 00:30:26,620 and see what it's looking like. 639 00:30:26,758 --> 00:30:28,862 Yeah, I don't see any, 640 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:32,724 I don't see any marks where anyone's wore any tire chains out here. 641 00:30:32,862 --> 00:30:36,689 Boy, I look down and I can't tell how thick it is but, 642 00:30:36,827 --> 00:30:38,517 boy, I don't know. 643 00:30:39,586 --> 00:30:41,068 [Ice cracking] 644 00:30:41,206 --> 00:30:42,758 [Wind gusts] 645 00:30:44,655 --> 00:30:48,034 I see no sign that there's been any trucks on this crossing 646 00:30:48,172 --> 00:30:49,793 and I know the ice isn't maintained. 647 00:30:49,931 --> 00:30:52,103 I know they haven't been checking it for thickness. 648 00:30:52,241 --> 00:30:54,137 It's private road. 649 00:30:54,275 --> 00:30:55,137 [Ice cracking] 650 00:30:55,275 --> 00:30:56,310 But I'm going for it. 651 00:30:56,448 --> 00:30:59,137 I got the load. I'm going across it. 652 00:31:02,103 --> 00:31:03,896 No need to hesitate. 653 00:31:04,965 --> 00:31:06,068 The quicker I go through 654 00:31:06,206 --> 00:31:07,793 the quicker I go through and get it over with. 655 00:31:09,482 --> 00:31:10,689 [Wind gusts] 656 00:31:10,827 --> 00:31:12,896 Darrell: I don't know how far across this it is. 657 00:31:13,034 --> 00:31:17,206 You know, I haven't seen ice this clear all year. 658 00:31:19,620 --> 00:31:21,206 I guess if I'm the first truck across this 659 00:31:21,344 --> 00:31:24,206 and it's not that thick I guess I'll find out, won't I? 660 00:31:24,344 --> 00:31:26,034 [Ice cracking] 661 00:31:31,482 --> 00:31:34,310 Narrator: The first big rig to test the private crossing, 662 00:31:34,448 --> 00:31:36,689 it's a guessing game whether the ice can support 663 00:31:36,827 --> 00:31:38,206 Darrell Ward's heavy 37 ton load of heating oil. 664 00:31:40,620 --> 00:31:41,758 [Ice cracking] 665 00:31:42,793 --> 00:31:44,586 - I'll go swimming with the fish. 666 00:31:44,724 --> 00:31:46,103 [Engine hums] 667 00:31:48,068 --> 00:31:49,896 I want to listen for... [Ice popping] 668 00:31:53,241 --> 00:31:55,103 [Engine hums] 669 00:31:56,241 --> 00:31:57,379 [Ice cracking] 670 00:31:58,413 --> 00:32:00,172 You definitely hear it cracking. 671 00:32:01,965 --> 00:32:04,655 I don't think it's had this kind of load test on it. 672 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:08,931 Get my speed set right. 673 00:32:09,965 --> 00:32:11,241 Wow. 674 00:32:12,551 --> 00:32:13,689 [Ice cracking] 675 00:32:17,482 --> 00:32:18,965 [Water gurgles] 676 00:32:19,103 --> 00:32:20,551 [Ice cracking] 677 00:32:20,689 --> 00:32:31,344 ♪♪♪♪♪ 678 00:32:31,482 --> 00:32:34,172 [Loud ice pop] Whoa! Did you see that one crack? 679 00:32:34,310 --> 00:32:35,586 Holy [bleep]. I saw it crack. 680 00:32:35,724 --> 00:32:36,862 Dude, look at the water. 681 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:38,931 What the [bleep]. 682 00:32:39,068 --> 00:32:41,448 Dude, this ice is [bleep] cracking. 683 00:32:41,586 --> 00:32:42,862 [Ice cracking] 684 00:32:44,137 --> 00:32:45,172 It's thin ice. 685 00:32:45,310 --> 00:32:47,068 I can see to the bottom of the cracks. 686 00:32:47,206 --> 00:32:48,379 It's clear ice. 687 00:32:48,517 --> 00:32:50,620 I can see this deep as the cracks go down 688 00:32:50,758 --> 00:32:52,000 and then they stop. 689 00:32:52,137 --> 00:32:55,241 This ice is only 14 inches thick maybe. 690 00:32:56,310 --> 00:32:57,448 [Ice cracking] 691 00:32:58,482 --> 00:33:00,896 Look at the ice cracking right there. 692 00:33:03,551 --> 00:33:06,724 This has gotta be the thinnest ice I have ever gone across. 693 00:33:08,517 --> 00:33:11,551 If this was an MIT crossing it would not be open. 694 00:33:13,103 --> 00:33:14,793 And I have no end in sight. 695 00:33:14,931 --> 00:33:17,000 I cannot see where the road goes. 696 00:33:17,137 --> 00:33:18,586 It goes around through these islands 697 00:33:18,724 --> 00:33:20,551 and just keeps right on going. 698 00:33:20,689 --> 00:33:22,586 [Engine hums, ice cracking] 699 00:33:22,724 --> 00:33:24,379 I hope I make it across here. 700 00:33:24,517 --> 00:33:25,827 This is [bleep] up. 701 00:33:27,137 --> 00:33:29,620 This ice is not thick at all. 702 00:33:31,206 --> 00:33:32,620 And I'm out in the middle of this lake 703 00:33:32,758 --> 00:33:34,758 and I'm a long way to anywhere. 704 00:33:36,620 --> 00:33:38,689 Let's [bleep] keep a steady speed. 705 00:33:38,827 --> 00:33:41,103 Keep a steady speed, Darrell. 706 00:33:41,241 --> 00:33:43,103 [Ice cracking] 707 00:33:49,482 --> 00:33:50,862 Uh-oh. 708 00:33:52,758 --> 00:33:54,068 Right here coming off the ice 709 00:33:54,206 --> 00:33:57,000 is usually where the ice is thinnest and the weakest. 710 00:33:57,137 --> 00:33:58,620 [Ice cracking] 711 00:34:04,103 --> 00:34:06,482 I'm off, I'm off the ice crossing. 712 00:34:08,275 --> 00:34:10,241 Narrator: Once across... 713 00:34:10,379 --> 00:34:12,793 Darrell rolls into the tiny village... 714 00:34:13,931 --> 00:34:17,413 Darrell: Just arrived in the old Elk Island Lodge. 715 00:34:17,551 --> 00:34:20,241 Narrator: ...and delivers big for his young company. 716 00:34:20,379 --> 00:34:22,068 - Hey, good enough. Thanks. 717 00:34:24,827 --> 00:34:26,103 Right on. 718 00:34:26,241 --> 00:34:28,137 Just met up with the boys that'll unload me in the morning 719 00:34:28,275 --> 00:34:30,344 and I'm gonna kick back tonight, kick my feet up, 720 00:34:30,482 --> 00:34:32,103 get this trailer unloaded in the morning 721 00:34:32,241 --> 00:34:33,689 and get out of here. 722 00:34:37,241 --> 00:34:39,137 Narrator: While Darrell calls it a night... 723 00:34:41,344 --> 00:34:43,448 in the Manitoba wilderness... 724 00:34:43,586 --> 00:34:46,344 [Engine hums] 725 00:34:52,551 --> 00:34:53,862 [Truck rattles] 726 00:34:55,068 --> 00:34:56,655 Narrator: Steph Custance and Todd Dewy, 727 00:34:56,793 --> 00:34:59,862 are on the rocky home stretch of their marathon journey. 728 00:35:01,517 --> 00:35:05,344 - Finally this adventure is just about coming to an end. 729 00:35:05,482 --> 00:35:08,517 We got our loads, we got to rescue the trailers. 730 00:35:08,655 --> 00:35:11,724 Narrator: But even the last few miles aren't coming easy. 731 00:35:13,206 --> 00:35:15,241 [Truck rattles] - Oh, [bleep]. 732 00:35:17,206 --> 00:35:18,413 - Man, you can't take your eyes off this road 733 00:35:18,551 --> 00:35:21,551 for like one second, like actually. 734 00:35:21,689 --> 00:35:22,724 Like I can't even look out my window 735 00:35:22,862 --> 00:35:24,793 to do it up or down or whatever 736 00:35:24,931 --> 00:35:28,000 without [bleep] coming to the next bump or curb or tree or... 737 00:35:31,241 --> 00:35:32,793 - This is the end of the road right here. 738 00:35:38,482 --> 00:35:39,655 Narrator: Finally... 739 00:35:40,827 --> 00:35:43,827 the team reaches the end of the winter road. 740 00:35:43,965 --> 00:35:46,310 - You made your first full ice road in and out. 741 00:35:48,275 --> 00:35:49,827 Narrator: And the rookies first trip 742 00:35:49,965 --> 00:35:52,655 a 1000 mile, 45 hour odyssey is in the books. 743 00:35:54,896 --> 00:35:57,655 - [emotional] I really can't even describe this feeling. 744 00:35:57,793 --> 00:35:59,655 Thank you so much, Todd. 745 00:35:59,793 --> 00:36:01,931 - You actually drove a big rig for the first time 746 00:36:02,068 --> 00:36:05,379 in places where a lot of guys don't even begin 747 00:36:05,517 --> 00:36:06,793 to even try to drive trucks. 748 00:36:06,931 --> 00:36:08,241 - [Happy crying] 749 00:36:09,482 --> 00:36:11,344 - She's got a lot of drive, she's got a lot of heart 750 00:36:11,482 --> 00:36:13,793 and she really strived really hard to prove to me 751 00:36:13,931 --> 00:36:15,551 that she's got what it takes. 752 00:36:16,896 --> 00:36:19,551 - I'm a real ice road trucker. [Laughs] 753 00:36:19,689 --> 00:36:20,931 [Elated laugh] 754 00:36:22,206 --> 00:36:23,413 - But you still got a lot to learn. 755 00:36:23,551 --> 00:36:25,862 There's a long road ahead of ya. 756 00:36:32,137 --> 00:36:33,862 Narrator: Throughout the north 757 00:36:34,000 --> 00:36:36,482 all the drivers are off the road... 758 00:36:36,620 --> 00:36:38,517 [Wind gusts] 759 00:36:38,655 --> 00:36:41,448 except for one. 760 00:36:41,586 --> 00:36:43,275 [Snoring] 761 00:36:44,655 --> 00:36:46,241 Alex: Hopefully the road is open. 762 00:36:46,379 --> 00:36:49,586 I might not be able to go on the road if it's too warm. 763 00:36:49,724 --> 00:36:51,482 Narrator: On a time sensitive mission... 764 00:36:52,551 --> 00:36:54,275 Alex: Saint Theresa Point closed. 765 00:36:54,413 --> 00:36:55,862 [Bleep]. 766 00:36:56,000 --> 00:36:58,172 Narrator: ...the road to Saint Theresa Point was closed 767 00:36:58,310 --> 00:37:00,448 due to warming temperatures. 768 00:37:01,517 --> 00:37:04,482 - Ohhh, I guess we can't go anywhere. 769 00:37:06,413 --> 00:37:07,827 Narrator: Since then 770 00:37:07,965 --> 00:37:11,344 Alex's been shut down for over 10 hours. 771 00:37:11,482 --> 00:37:13,206 [Snoring] 772 00:37:13,344 --> 00:37:15,689 [Phone rings] 773 00:37:18,344 --> 00:37:20,068 - Oh, that must be Mark. 774 00:37:23,448 --> 00:37:24,586 Hello? 775 00:37:24,724 --> 00:37:26,206 - Hey Alex. 776 00:37:26,344 --> 00:37:28,275 Yeah, I just checked everything out uh, you're good to go now. 777 00:37:28,413 --> 00:37:30,413 - No kidding. Great. 778 00:37:30,551 --> 00:37:32,310 - Yep, thanks. Bye-bye. 779 00:37:35,172 --> 00:37:36,931 - I can go. 780 00:37:37,068 --> 00:37:38,689 Thank goodness for that. 781 00:37:40,103 --> 00:37:41,241 Narrator: The good news, 782 00:37:41,379 --> 00:37:43,172 temperatures have finally dipped low enough 783 00:37:43,310 --> 00:37:45,241 to open the road. 784 00:37:45,379 --> 00:37:48,482 The bad news, with the haul due at 9:00 a.m. 785 00:37:48,620 --> 00:37:52,206 Alex will have to drive over 200 miles through the night 786 00:37:52,344 --> 00:37:54,344 to deliver on time. 787 00:37:54,482 --> 00:37:57,172 Alex: I don't have any choice but to drive all night. 788 00:37:57,310 --> 00:37:59,275 [Truck rattles] 789 00:37:59,413 --> 00:38:01,310 One of the priorities of making this trip, 790 00:38:01,448 --> 00:38:03,517 was keeping the load on the truck. 791 00:38:03,655 --> 00:38:05,482 It looks a little chewed up. 792 00:38:05,620 --> 00:38:07,068 Looks like it's been taking some sun 793 00:38:07,206 --> 00:38:08,448 and it's been getting beat up. 794 00:38:10,103 --> 00:38:12,862 Narrator: The days warm weather has melted the road 795 00:38:13,000 --> 00:38:16,172 exposing the rocky muskeg below. 796 00:38:16,310 --> 00:38:19,172 - Made the road rougher than when it's ice on it. 797 00:38:19,310 --> 00:38:21,758 Narrator: ...making for a brutal ride. 798 00:38:21,896 --> 00:38:23,137 [Truck rattles] - Whoa. 799 00:38:26,896 --> 00:38:27,965 It is rough. 800 00:38:29,034 --> 00:38:30,551 Up and down, side to side, 801 00:38:30,689 --> 00:38:32,931 big moguls, potholes, ruts, 802 00:38:34,689 --> 00:38:36,620 you get to bounce through all of it. 803 00:38:36,758 --> 00:38:37,551 [Truck rattles] 804 00:38:37,689 --> 00:38:39,206 It hurts when it hits you. 805 00:38:42,551 --> 00:38:45,034 I have a miscellaneous load uh, 806 00:38:45,172 --> 00:38:47,758 something that could be easy to shake apart. 807 00:38:49,482 --> 00:38:50,965 [Truck rattles] Whoa! 808 00:38:52,137 --> 00:38:53,172 I'm gonna have to keep an eye on it 809 00:38:53,310 --> 00:38:54,758 make sure it doesn't come apart. 810 00:38:54,896 --> 00:38:57,206 I'll have a big mess back there and probably on the road too. 811 00:38:57,344 --> 00:38:59,310 And I'll be spending the night picking everything up. 812 00:39:00,413 --> 00:39:02,379 [Engine hums] 813 00:39:05,137 --> 00:39:07,000 Narrator: As night turns to day... 814 00:39:07,137 --> 00:39:08,931 [Wind gusts] 815 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:13,241 Alex: Well, I've driven through the night 816 00:39:13,379 --> 00:39:14,896 and I'm really tired. 817 00:39:15,034 --> 00:39:17,655 Narrator: Alex is still pushing forward... 818 00:39:17,793 --> 00:39:19,103 [Chains clink, truck rattles] 819 00:39:19,241 --> 00:39:21,551 - Owie, owie, owie, owie, owie. 820 00:39:21,689 --> 00:39:23,068 Narrator: ...determined to deliver the load 821 00:39:23,206 --> 00:39:25,068 by the 9:00 a.m. deadline 822 00:39:25,206 --> 00:39:27,379 and the clock's a-ticking. 823 00:39:29,655 --> 00:39:31,655 - It's not over yet. 824 00:39:31,793 --> 00:39:33,413 Sucker for punishment. 825 00:39:34,551 --> 00:39:36,448 It's warming up. 826 00:39:36,586 --> 00:39:38,103 It's close to where we can't drive 827 00:39:38,241 --> 00:39:40,620 but I'm determined to get over there 828 00:39:40,758 --> 00:39:42,206 and get this load delivered. 829 00:39:42,344 --> 00:39:46,620 ♪♪♪♪♪ 830 00:39:46,758 --> 00:39:48,931 [Truck rattles] - Whoa! It's rough. 831 00:39:49,068 --> 00:39:50,310 [Truck rattles] 832 00:39:51,827 --> 00:39:53,793 Whoa! 833 00:39:54,965 --> 00:39:56,758 This is a nightmare. 834 00:40:01,689 --> 00:40:03,793 Narrator: Finally... 835 00:40:03,931 --> 00:40:06,448 Alex: Here we are Saint eresa Point. 836 00:40:06,586 --> 00:40:09,103 Narrator: ...Alex arrives at the small village 837 00:40:09,241 --> 00:40:10,827 just in time. 838 00:40:11,896 --> 00:40:13,068 - I'm relieved to be here. 839 00:40:13,206 --> 00:40:14,689 That's quite the job getting here this time. 840 00:40:15,931 --> 00:40:19,000 Narrator: And despite the challenges of the warmest season in years, 841 00:40:19,137 --> 00:40:20,620 the legend comes through 842 00:40:20,758 --> 00:40:23,655 for Polar and for the community. 843 00:40:23,793 --> 00:40:25,689 Alex: I was worried about the load but it held together. 844 00:40:25,827 --> 00:40:27,275 [Beeping, clank] 845 00:40:27,413 --> 00:40:30,241 An eventful journey but this trip's taken way too long. 846 00:40:30,379 --> 00:40:32,793 When I'm sitting waiting due to weather 847 00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:34,241 it's always to do with patience. 848 00:40:34,379 --> 00:40:36,827 And there's some things I don't have control over 849 00:40:36,965 --> 00:40:39,034 I have to hand off to God. 850 00:40:39,172 --> 00:40:41,275 But it's always a sense of satisfaction 851 00:40:41,413 --> 00:40:44,586 once that load is off the truck I'm done. 852 00:40:44,724 --> 00:40:47,448 That in itself is like winning a prize. 853 00:40:47,586 --> 00:40:49,275 [Laughing] 854 00:40:53,034 --> 00:40:55,344 Narrator: Next time on "Ice Road Truckers"... 855 00:40:55,482 --> 00:40:57,310 [Truck rattles] Todd: Hang on. 856 00:40:57,448 --> 00:40:59,758 [Thud] - Whoa! 857 00:40:59,896 --> 00:41:02,896 Narrator: ...the trails are packed with surprises... 858 00:41:03,034 --> 00:41:05,000 Art: Holy [bleep], man, look down there. 859 00:41:05,137 --> 00:41:06,965 I think we're on an ice crossing here. 860 00:41:07,103 --> 00:41:10,137 When I say bail, you [bleep] well bail. 861 00:41:10,275 --> 00:41:13,275 Narrator: ...as the drivers dive into the melt. 862 00:41:13,413 --> 00:41:15,862 - Hear the ice cracking and popping. 863 00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:17,000 Narrator: ...feet first. 864 00:41:17,137 --> 00:41:18,517 Alex: See a little bit of water on- 865 00:41:18,655 --> 00:41:20,724 Whoa! Oh!