Ice Road Truckers

In a 7th season episode of History's television program, Ice Road Truckers, drivers had to cross a frozen lake on thin ice. One of the truckers removed half the cargo his rig was carrying before he attempted crossing.

During winter, truck drivers maneuver huge rigs over frozen lakes and rivers in the Arctic Territories of Canada and Alaska. Only when freezing temperatures allow the creation of roads over frozen grass swamps, lakes and rivers, are the truckers able to deliver supplies and construction materials to the mining and commercial establishments.

The roads are treacherous, but experienced drivers manipulate semi trailers around hazardous curves with snow banks and ditches at every turn.

Drivers who accept the challenges, earn high wages for each run. The appearance of straight stretches of highway can be deceiving with unseen hazards under the ice and snow. Semi trucks weighing as much as 60 tons, can at a moments notice, slide into a ditch or thru a crack in the ice. Drivers make delivery runs 24/7, taking advantage of the frozen roads before Spring melts the lake and river ice.

Watching Ice Road Truckers is a nail biting, holding ones breath, adrenalin rush! The men and women who drive those roads are a special breed!

Mackenzie River Ice Road