"Ice Road Truckers" Breakdown

1 00:00:01,320 --> 00:00:03,320 Narrator: Now on "Ice Road Truckers"... 2 00:00:04,790 --> 00:00:07,120 - Wow. 3 00:00:07,230 --> 00:00:08,060 Hopefully something like this is not gonna happen to me. 4 00:00:09,500 --> 00:00:11,700 - There ain't no way I'm getting turned around anywhere. 5 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:13,230 Narrator: Hard choices... 6 00:00:13,330 --> 00:00:15,170 - I got myself in a (bleep) jam. 7 00:00:15,230 --> 00:00:16,930 Whoa. 8 00:00:17,040 --> 00:00:18,700 Narrator: and big risks... 9 00:00:18,770 --> 00:00:20,070 Lisa: I have no steering. 10 00:00:20,140 --> 00:00:21,740 So I gotta start it now or never. 11 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:23,410 Art: I don't want him beside me. 12 00:00:23,510 --> 00:00:26,480 Narrator:...push the drivers to the edge. 13 00:00:26,580 --> 00:00:28,210 Art: Get the (bleep) away from me! 14 00:00:32,050 --> 00:00:42,030 ¶ ¶ 15 00:00:42,130 --> 00:00:52,100 ¶ ¶ 16 00:00:52,200 --> 00:01:00,310 ¶ ¶ 17 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:05,650 Narrator: In the Ontario wilderness... 18 00:01:08,350 --> 00:01:10,450 (Truck rumbles) 19 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:14,060 - Definitely feels like we're gonna have a short season this year. 20 00:01:14,130 --> 00:01:15,660 Narrator: A renegade business owner's 21 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:19,130 racing against the clock and Mother Nature. 22 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:22,030 - I've never seen the weather like this before up here. 23 00:01:25,740 --> 00:01:28,310 Narrator: Darrell Ward scored 20 tons of supplies 24 00:01:28,370 --> 00:01:31,580 for a school being built in the town of Pikangikum. 25 00:01:34,010 --> 00:01:36,950 But the 200 mile trail is in danger of being shut down 26 00:01:37,020 --> 00:01:40,080 due to rising temperatures. 27 00:01:40,190 --> 00:01:41,520 Darrell: They don't know whether the roads open 28 00:01:41,620 --> 00:01:43,090 or closed half the time. 29 00:01:43,190 --> 00:01:45,720 You might run towards your winter road, 30 00:01:45,820 --> 00:01:47,160 but when you get to the winter road 31 00:01:47,260 --> 00:01:48,890 you find a road closed sign. 32 00:01:48,990 --> 00:01:50,630 It's not safe, they close the road. 33 00:01:52,100 --> 00:01:53,360 Narrator: This early in the season 34 00:01:53,470 --> 00:01:55,700 warm temperatures are a rarity. 35 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:58,670 But this year El Nino is wreaking havoc 36 00:01:58,740 --> 00:02:00,970 for the ice road truckers. 37 00:02:01,070 --> 00:02:02,770 To keep the winter roads in tact 38 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,980 temperatures must be minus six degrees Celsius 39 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:08,610 or lower to remain open. 40 00:02:08,710 --> 00:02:11,850 If the thermometer raises to minus five or above 41 00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:14,820 the route could be closed by road authorities. 42 00:02:17,020 --> 00:02:19,160 Darrell: I got six below zero this morning 43 00:02:21,630 --> 00:02:23,290 so I don't know from hour to hour 44 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,260 whether these roads are gonna be open or closed. 45 00:02:26,700 --> 00:02:30,100 Narrator: At minus six Darrell's right on the cusp. 46 00:02:31,540 --> 00:02:33,670 Darrell: We're gonna have to have some major changes 47 00:02:33,740 --> 00:02:35,110 in the weather. 48 00:02:35,170 --> 00:02:36,770 It's a crazy warm year. 49 00:02:38,180 --> 00:02:39,540 (Engine roars) 50 00:02:44,420 --> 00:02:45,820 (Truck rumbles) 51 00:02:48,050 --> 00:02:49,990 (Truck honks) 52 00:02:53,990 --> 00:02:55,460 Darrell: I'm headed to Pikangikum. 53 00:02:55,530 --> 00:02:57,160 Has it been closed today, do you know? 54 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:05,074 Do you want subtitles for any video? -=[ ai.OpenSubtitles.com ]=- 55 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:11,340 All right. Ten four. 56 00:03:18,180 --> 00:03:19,680 That's kind of (bleep) up. 57 00:03:21,420 --> 00:03:24,150 Narrator: The path ahead has been shut down... 58 00:03:28,130 --> 00:03:31,530 so Darrell's got no choice but to wait it out. 59 00:03:34,700 --> 00:03:36,070 (Engine hums) 60 00:03:37,500 --> 00:03:39,400 Darrell: This company's survival 61 00:03:39,500 --> 00:03:42,510 depends on loads being delivered on time. 62 00:03:43,980 --> 00:03:45,310 I'm afraid that we won't get the loads in 63 00:03:45,410 --> 00:03:47,540 that we need to survive the season. 64 00:03:47,610 --> 00:03:49,480 This company could go down. 65 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:52,480 I don't know. 66 00:03:52,580 --> 00:03:54,150 (Engine idling) 67 00:03:57,290 --> 00:03:59,220 Narrator: While Darrell's down, 68 00:04:00,590 --> 00:04:02,860 50 miles to the northwest... 69 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:07,060 rival Polar's on the move. 70 00:04:09,430 --> 00:04:10,730 Art: This is my little good luck pouch here. 71 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:12,370 It's supposed to keep me safe. 72 00:04:12,470 --> 00:04:14,740 I was given that by a Cree friend of mine. 73 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:16,970 I rub that every day. 74 00:04:18,410 --> 00:04:19,710 Narrator: Art Burke's looking for luck 75 00:04:19,780 --> 00:04:21,950 on a high stakes mission. 76 00:04:22,050 --> 00:04:23,410 Art: Away we go again. 77 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:28,220 Narrator: A 400 mile trek to remote St. Theresa Point. 78 00:04:29,690 --> 00:04:31,050 (Chains clink) 79 00:04:33,460 --> 00:04:35,360 Art: Be nice to get a trip without anything going (bleep), eh? 80 00:04:35,460 --> 00:04:36,660 Like one trip is all I ask, you know. 81 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:40,830 Narrator: The load of building supplies 82 00:04:40,930 --> 00:04:43,370 could bring in a fortune for Polar. 83 00:04:45,770 --> 00:04:48,070 But the dangerous routes rumored to be in rough shape. 84 00:04:49,510 --> 00:04:50,840 - It's getting warmer now. 85 00:04:50,940 --> 00:04:52,310 I don't know. 86 00:04:53,780 --> 00:04:55,580 Well, well, well, well, well. 87 00:04:57,050 --> 00:04:59,050 Hey, there big truck, you got a copy, buddy. 88 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:00,380 Trucker: (on radio) Yeah. 89 00:05:00,490 --> 00:05:01,790 - You didn't come out of St. Theresa's 90 00:05:01,850 --> 00:05:03,320 by any chance, did ya? 91 00:05:05,020 --> 00:05:06,490 - Right on, buddy. How was the road? 92 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,000 - Now isn't that (bleep) something. 93 00:05:20,140 --> 00:05:21,670 (Truck rumbles) 94 00:05:24,580 --> 00:05:26,180 (Big thud) 95 00:05:28,180 --> 00:05:29,950 The road is getting worse and worse. 96 00:05:31,380 --> 00:05:32,720 Look at this. 97 00:05:32,820 --> 00:05:34,150 That's the top of the muskeg coming up 98 00:05:34,220 --> 00:05:35,950 through the (bleep) snow, eh. 99 00:05:36,020 --> 00:05:37,850 (Truck rumbles) 100 00:05:37,920 --> 00:05:40,260 Like this should be all covered with snow this time of year. 101 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:41,890 This is no good. 102 00:05:45,460 --> 00:05:47,760 This is a bad spot here, b'y. 103 00:05:50,070 --> 00:05:52,040 (Truck rumbles) 104 00:05:52,100 --> 00:05:53,740 I wouldn't wanna (bleep) up on this. 105 00:05:56,210 --> 00:05:57,570 (Truck rumbles) 106 00:06:03,820 --> 00:06:06,020 Wow! Check this out, buddy. 107 00:06:09,390 --> 00:06:11,550 (Airbrakes hiss) 108 00:06:17,160 --> 00:06:18,460 (Truck door shuts) 109 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:20,960 (Footsteps crunch) 110 00:06:21,070 --> 00:06:22,730 Holy (bleep), eh. 111 00:06:24,100 --> 00:06:25,540 Look at all the chains marks, man. 112 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,040 Whenever they were trying to pull this out, look. 113 00:06:28,110 --> 00:06:30,940 Everything tore all to hell. 114 00:06:31,010 --> 00:06:32,780 (Wind gusts) 115 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:34,980 Holy God, eh. 116 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:41,450 Narrator: The thawing muskeg can act like quick sand 117 00:06:42,820 --> 00:06:45,490 forcing drivers to flee and abandon their trucks 118 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:48,060 hundreds of miles from the nearest town. 119 00:06:51,730 --> 00:06:54,900 And this road's so ravaged even maintenance vehicles 120 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,270 aren't immune to the trails wrath. 121 00:06:58,770 --> 00:07:00,070 - You break through that road run, 122 00:07:00,170 --> 00:07:02,640 you'll go right to your (bleep) arse just like this, look. 123 00:07:07,450 --> 00:07:09,580 (Wind gusts) 124 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,480 Art: When you're in the middle of nowheres, 125 00:07:11,580 --> 00:07:13,820 you're in this by yourself. 126 00:07:13,890 --> 00:07:15,520 There's none of this call help 127 00:07:15,620 --> 00:07:17,590 or any of this kind of (bleep), b'y. 128 00:07:17,690 --> 00:07:19,890 We screw up we might not get to do it again. 129 00:07:24,100 --> 00:07:27,530 Hopefully something like this is not gonna happen to me. 130 00:07:35,070 --> 00:07:37,310 (Truck door opens and shuts) 131 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:53,060 What can I say... 132 00:07:54,530 --> 00:07:56,390 Away we go again. 133 00:07:59,030 --> 00:08:00,500 (Truck engine hums) 134 00:08:08,710 --> 00:08:11,710 That's all that happens today it'll be a good (bleep) day. 135 00:08:13,140 --> 00:08:15,750 Hooray hurrah. Ha, ha, ha, ha. 136 00:08:17,150 --> 00:08:18,520 Narrator: While Polar's wild card 137 00:08:18,620 --> 00:08:20,780 gambles down the brutal road. 138 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:25,020 100 miles to the north... 139 00:08:27,660 --> 00:08:29,030 (Truck rumbles) 140 00:08:30,430 --> 00:08:31,930 (Truck thuds) 141 00:08:33,570 --> 00:08:35,700 - Do some hard trucking today, man. 142 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,670 Narrator: the competition's looking to bank some big money. 143 00:08:42,770 --> 00:08:44,740 Lisa: Going to Winnipeg. 144 00:08:46,410 --> 00:08:48,550 Just got this back haul. 145 00:08:48,650 --> 00:08:50,580 It's a broken loader. 146 00:08:50,680 --> 00:08:54,550 Narrator: Lisa Kelly's hauling a busted $60,000 loader 147 00:08:55,950 --> 00:08:57,850 400 miles from remote Garden Hill 148 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,120 down to Winnipeg for repairs. 149 00:09:01,560 --> 00:09:02,860 Lisa: I like back hauls 150 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:05,360 it means that I'm making double the money on the same run. 151 00:09:05,460 --> 00:09:07,400 So that's pretty exciting. 152 00:09:08,870 --> 00:09:10,970 Narrator: A high price job will bring in much needed cash 153 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:12,800 for the small business. 154 00:09:12,900 --> 00:09:14,270 (Truck rattling) 155 00:09:17,910 --> 00:09:19,240 (Big thud) 156 00:09:19,310 --> 00:09:21,110 - Jeez Louise! 157 00:09:23,550 --> 00:09:24,850 The road's falling apart. 158 00:09:24,950 --> 00:09:26,320 So I just need to get out of here. 159 00:09:27,750 --> 00:09:29,990 Narrator: But the road's deteriorating fast 160 00:09:30,090 --> 00:09:33,660 and within hours is expected to get shut down. 161 00:09:35,130 --> 00:09:36,460 (Truck creaking) 162 00:09:37,900 --> 00:09:39,200 (Thud) - Whoa. 163 00:09:44,770 --> 00:09:46,100 (Truck rattling) 164 00:09:49,110 --> 00:09:50,470 (Big thud) 165 00:09:50,580 --> 00:09:52,640 What the heck was that? 166 00:09:52,740 --> 00:09:54,940 (Truck rattling) 167 00:09:55,010 --> 00:09:57,180 (Beeping) 168 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:58,750 (Truck engine sputters) 169 00:09:58,850 --> 00:10:00,320 What is going on? 170 00:10:00,390 --> 00:10:02,520 (Beeping) 171 00:10:02,620 --> 00:10:04,350 (Truck engine sputters) 172 00:10:05,760 --> 00:10:07,160 Whoa. 173 00:10:08,560 --> 00:10:10,090 We have a problem. 174 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:12,900 (Truck beeping) 175 00:10:15,700 --> 00:10:18,940 That's the engine, skipping or something. 176 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:20,970 (Truck engine sputters) 177 00:10:22,370 --> 00:10:23,810 All right, I gotta stop this thing. 178 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:26,540 (Truck beeping) 179 00:10:26,650 --> 00:10:28,240 (Sputters to a halt) 180 00:10:32,780 --> 00:10:34,180 (Truck beeping) 181 00:10:37,090 --> 00:10:38,690 So I gotta get out and I gotta pop my hood 182 00:10:38,790 --> 00:10:40,360 and see if everything's good. 183 00:10:41,830 --> 00:10:43,360 And in order to check the fluids and stuff 184 00:10:43,460 --> 00:10:44,890 I'm gonna have to turn the truck off 185 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,000 which is the ultimate no-no. 186 00:10:48,430 --> 00:10:50,300 Narrator: A cardinal rule of ice road trucking 187 00:10:50,370 --> 00:10:52,840 is never turn off the engine. 188 00:10:54,540 --> 00:10:57,210 In these conditions it might not start back up 189 00:10:57,280 --> 00:10:59,240 Leaving the driver stranded 190 00:10:59,340 --> 00:11:01,910 hundreds of miles from civilization. 191 00:11:02,010 --> 00:11:05,680 With the motor failing she may have to make the tough call. 192 00:11:08,090 --> 00:11:11,450 - So I'm gonna break the rules of the road right now, ready? 193 00:11:12,990 --> 00:11:14,620 (Engine shuts off) 194 00:11:16,900 --> 00:11:18,290 (Wind gusts) 195 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:26,870 ¶ ¶ 196 00:11:26,970 --> 00:11:28,340 (Crow caws) 197 00:11:36,210 --> 00:11:38,350 Narrator: 300 miles from Winnipeg. 198 00:11:39,880 --> 00:11:41,180 Lisa: In order to check the fluids and stuff 199 00:11:41,290 --> 00:11:42,550 I'm gonna have to turn the truck off 200 00:11:42,650 --> 00:11:44,750 which is all, the ultimate no-no. 201 00:11:44,860 --> 00:11:46,190 Narrator: To try and fix her engine 202 00:11:46,290 --> 00:11:48,990 Lisa Kelly's willing to take a giant risk. 203 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:54,860 - So I'm gonna break the rules of the road right now, ready? 204 00:11:56,300 --> 00:11:57,670 (Engine shuts off) 205 00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:00,400 (Wind howls) 206 00:12:01,810 --> 00:12:06,580 ¶ ¶ 207 00:12:09,610 --> 00:12:10,910 Lisa: I cross my finger 208 00:12:11,020 --> 00:12:12,320 and hope it's something I know how to fix 209 00:12:12,420 --> 00:12:14,280 because if it isn't I don't know what to do. 210 00:12:15,690 --> 00:12:17,020 (Truck door slams) 211 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:18,420 What am I gonna do, sit here and do nothing. 212 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:19,890 That's not my motto. 213 00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:24,790 Just sitting here ain't gonna solve anything. 214 00:12:24,900 --> 00:12:28,600 Truck's don't heal, they get fixed. 215 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:31,600 Coolants good. 216 00:12:34,710 --> 00:12:37,270 And we're down a little bit. 217 00:12:37,380 --> 00:12:39,310 Right let me grab some oil here. 218 00:12:41,810 --> 00:12:43,250 So that's about all I can do. 219 00:12:44,680 --> 00:12:46,150 Narrator: With the oil topped off 220 00:12:46,250 --> 00:12:48,320 Lisa's ready to get back on the road. 221 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:51,120 Lisa: All right, let's get this truck started. 222 00:12:53,090 --> 00:12:54,920 (Truck engine chokes) 223 00:12:55,030 --> 00:12:56,790 - Man. What is going on? 224 00:12:58,230 --> 00:12:59,600 (Truck engine chokes) 225 00:13:01,030 --> 00:13:03,530 What the heck? Why is it not starting? 226 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,070 (Truck engine chokes) 227 00:13:14,910 --> 00:13:17,250 (Exhales) Gotta be kidding me. 228 00:13:23,890 --> 00:13:25,390 (Wind gusts) 229 00:13:28,530 --> 00:13:30,590 Narrator: While Lisa's troubles continue... 230 00:13:32,060 --> 00:13:33,900 100 miles to the southeast, 231 00:13:35,300 --> 00:13:36,800 on the road to Pikangikum... 232 00:13:39,340 --> 00:13:40,640 I don't know. 233 00:13:40,740 --> 00:13:42,870 Narrator: Her business partner's still shut down 234 00:13:42,970 --> 00:13:45,040 due to warming temperatures. 235 00:13:48,250 --> 00:13:50,180 Darrell: The way the weather's been you might come up here 236 00:13:50,280 --> 00:13:52,220 and it's, you got the five below rule, 237 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:54,350 if the weather is not good and the sun's right 238 00:13:54,450 --> 00:13:56,420 they shut 'em down. 239 00:13:56,520 --> 00:13:58,290 Narrator: If the load goes undelivered 240 00:13:58,390 --> 00:14:02,090 not only will the village go without the supplies... 241 00:14:02,190 --> 00:14:04,360 the young company will take a big financial hit 242 00:14:04,460 --> 00:14:06,560 it can't afford. 243 00:14:08,370 --> 00:14:09,630 Darrell: We'll do whatever it takes 244 00:14:09,730 --> 00:14:11,430 to overcome this obstacle. 245 00:14:11,540 --> 00:14:13,370 The company and the communities 246 00:14:13,470 --> 00:14:15,910 depend on these loads being delivered. 247 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:19,510 So I'm gonna have to get going. 248 00:14:21,380 --> 00:14:25,310 Narrator: But the veteran trucker's got a trick up his sleeve. 249 00:14:25,420 --> 00:14:28,020 - This is my first trip of the year into Pikangikum. 250 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:29,720 I was in here last year 251 00:14:29,820 --> 00:14:31,750 and I remember coming out of there before 252 00:14:31,860 --> 00:14:34,390 and there was a short cut road. 253 00:14:34,490 --> 00:14:35,990 Narrator: With the main road closed 254 00:14:36,090 --> 00:14:37,860 a potential alternate route 255 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:41,430 just be the key to reaching the community. 256 00:14:41,530 --> 00:14:42,870 Darrell: I'm gonna turn off here shortly. 257 00:14:42,970 --> 00:14:44,800 I know my corner's coming up 258 00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:47,370 so I'm gonna find the corner here 259 00:14:47,470 --> 00:14:51,540 and pull around the corner and check it out. 260 00:14:52,940 --> 00:14:54,580 Yep, this would be the road I'm taking. 261 00:14:58,380 --> 00:15:01,380 Narrator: But the shortcut isn't part of the winter road system 262 00:15:01,490 --> 00:15:05,090 and is completely unmaintained by road authorities. 263 00:15:07,890 --> 00:15:10,560 - I don't know what to think of my road. 264 00:15:10,660 --> 00:15:12,430 (Truck rattling) 265 00:15:12,530 --> 00:15:13,900 But it don't look like there's been any trucks 266 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:15,930 on this road this year. 267 00:15:16,030 --> 00:15:19,170 I'm hoping that it gets me out of here. 268 00:15:19,270 --> 00:15:22,510 Hope I didn't get myself in a spot I don't want to be in. 269 00:15:22,610 --> 00:15:24,540 Pretty sketchy road. 270 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:26,780 (Truck rattling, thud) 271 00:15:29,110 --> 00:15:31,010 (Truck creaking) 272 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,080 Whoa. Roads are rough on the body. 273 00:15:36,450 --> 00:15:39,890 Whoa! There are tree branches sticking out. 274 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:42,790 (Crunch) 275 00:15:42,890 --> 00:15:45,290 (Bleep). There goes my antennas probably. 276 00:15:47,470 --> 00:15:49,130 Wow. Wow. 277 00:15:50,570 --> 00:15:52,300 This is not very good. 278 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,200 (Truck rattling) 279 00:15:55,670 --> 00:15:57,240 (Truck creaking) 280 00:15:57,340 --> 00:16:00,040 There ain't no way I'm getting turned around anywhere 281 00:16:00,140 --> 00:16:03,080 and there's no way that I'm backing back through that spot 282 00:16:03,180 --> 00:16:04,850 I just came through. 283 00:16:06,250 --> 00:16:08,480 I'm totally (bleep) if I have to turn around. 284 00:16:09,920 --> 00:16:13,090 (Truck engine roars) 285 00:16:13,190 --> 00:16:14,590 Darrell: Now I'm afraid there's gonna end up 286 00:16:14,690 --> 00:16:16,990 being some (bleep) up spot in the road up here 287 00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:18,660 that I can't get through. 288 00:16:20,060 --> 00:16:21,360 If that happens... 289 00:16:21,470 --> 00:16:22,870 Well... 290 00:16:24,270 --> 00:16:26,540 I got myself in a (bleep) jam. 291 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:30,410 Narrator: The private trail's punishing Darrell in his truck at every turn. 292 00:16:30,510 --> 00:16:31,870 (Truck rattling) 293 00:16:33,340 --> 00:16:36,410 - (Bleep) this road's even getting narrower. 294 00:16:36,510 --> 00:16:37,780 Narrator: And up ahead... 295 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:39,180 Darrell: Oh-oh. 296 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:42,690 I've really gotten myself in a (bleep) situation. 297 00:16:42,790 --> 00:16:45,490 Narrator: it's got a big surprise. 298 00:16:45,590 --> 00:16:47,190 Darrell: Holy (bleep). 299 00:16:48,630 --> 00:16:50,060 Narrator: The crossing at the trails edge 300 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:51,930 stretches nearly three miles 301 00:16:54,230 --> 00:16:56,470 and entering from an unused access point 302 00:16:58,940 --> 00:17:00,500 Darrell has no way of knowing if the ice is strong enough 303 00:17:00,610 --> 00:17:03,140 to support his 20 ton load. 304 00:17:04,580 --> 00:17:05,940 (Wind howls) 305 00:17:08,950 --> 00:17:10,410 (Footsteps crunch in the snow) 306 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:12,580 - Can't see the ice. 307 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:14,350 Packed full of snow. 308 00:17:16,590 --> 00:17:18,520 (Ice cracking) 309 00:17:24,660 --> 00:17:26,260 Makes you wonder why you're here doing this (bleep) 310 00:17:26,360 --> 00:17:27,660 when you look out across that 311 00:17:27,770 --> 00:17:29,870 and you know you gotta drive across it. 312 00:17:33,910 --> 00:17:35,970 I don't have time to sit here 313 00:17:36,070 --> 00:17:38,340 and look for cracks in the ice. 314 00:17:43,820 --> 00:17:47,380 (Truck door shuts) 315 00:17:47,490 --> 00:17:49,790 There ain't no turning around now. 316 00:17:52,220 --> 00:17:54,490 So I guess it's now or never. 317 00:18:00,170 --> 00:18:02,800 ssing... 318 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:05,840 - There ain't no turning around now. 319 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:10,270 So I guess it's now or never. 320 00:18:10,380 --> 00:18:13,710 Narrator: Darrell Ward's risking it all. 321 00:18:13,810 --> 00:18:17,010 Darrell: Ugh! Coming down onto the ice. 322 00:18:17,120 --> 00:18:18,880 Narrator: Trying to deliver a vital haul 323 00:18:18,980 --> 00:18:22,020 and keep his young company from going under. 324 00:18:22,120 --> 00:18:25,090 - Put my window down and see what kind of 325 00:18:25,190 --> 00:18:27,190 cracking noise I get anyway. 326 00:18:27,290 --> 00:18:28,760 (Ice cracking) 327 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:32,260 Whoa, a lot of cracks. 328 00:18:34,830 --> 00:18:36,630 When I walked up I didn't find any 329 00:18:36,740 --> 00:18:38,970 but boy, once you get out there you can see 'em. 330 00:18:40,370 --> 00:18:45,540 (Ice cracking) 331 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:47,180 I can see where there's water's squished up 332 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:48,950 through the ice cracks right here. 333 00:18:49,050 --> 00:18:50,610 The different color of the ice 334 00:18:50,720 --> 00:18:54,120 from the water pushing up through the cracks. 335 00:18:54,220 --> 00:18:55,920 It's pretty thin. 336 00:18:57,360 --> 00:18:58,720 (Ice cracking) 337 00:19:00,730 --> 00:19:03,390 Kind of creepy feeling looking at all the cracks in this ice. 338 00:19:03,500 --> 00:19:04,830 I don't know how it holds together 339 00:19:04,930 --> 00:19:06,700 when it's got all these cracks in it. 340 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,030 It would suck for this thing to go down. 341 00:19:12,670 --> 00:19:16,970 Woo! Dunno. Yeah, there's a big ol' crack down the middle. 342 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,110 That ice is moving. 343 00:19:21,910 --> 00:19:25,450 I can see water over here on this edge of the ice crossing. 344 00:19:26,890 --> 00:19:29,720 (Bleep)! I don't like that. 345 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:32,460 Makes me nervous. 346 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:35,030 Maybe get across this ice. 347 00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:40,630 Coming off the ice, back onto land. 348 00:19:42,270 --> 00:19:43,770 (Truck engine hums) 349 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,070 Success on that crossing. 350 00:19:47,170 --> 00:19:49,140 I am now at Pikangikum. 351 00:19:50,580 --> 00:19:52,310 Narrator: Thanks to Darrell's bold call... 352 00:19:52,410 --> 00:19:53,810 - Now if I can get unloaded 353 00:19:53,910 --> 00:19:56,150 and get of here I'll be in good shape. 354 00:19:56,250 --> 00:19:57,950 Narrator: ...taking the unused shortcut 355 00:19:58,050 --> 00:19:59,950 proves to be the right move. 356 00:20:02,390 --> 00:20:04,090 - Right on! Well, you'll drop it and I'm out of here. 357 00:20:04,190 --> 00:20:08,390 Narrator: And the renegade company pockets a big paycheck. 358 00:20:08,490 --> 00:20:10,690 - With El Nino the days have been warm. 359 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:14,030 It's gotta be colder to go on these roads. 360 00:20:14,130 --> 00:20:16,470 I didn't know if I was gonna make it. 361 00:20:16,570 --> 00:20:17,830 What am I to do? 362 00:20:17,940 --> 00:20:19,740 Once I committed myself I kept going, 363 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:21,670 and, you know, luckily, today I made it. 364 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:26,440 Narrator: While Darrell turns and burns, 365 00:20:26,550 --> 00:20:28,380 100 miles to the northwest, 366 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,520 on the remote trail out of Garden Hill... 367 00:20:33,920 --> 00:20:35,920 Lisa: I don't know. I don't know why it won't start. 368 00:20:36,020 --> 00:20:38,760 Narrator: his business partner still can't get moving. 369 00:20:40,230 --> 00:20:42,660 - Stupid truck. Why won't you start now? 370 00:20:42,760 --> 00:20:46,200 Narrator: After breaking the cardinal rule of the winter roads: 371 00:20:46,300 --> 00:20:48,470 never turn off your engine. 372 00:20:48,570 --> 00:20:50,730 Her motor hasn't started back up. 373 00:20:52,940 --> 00:20:55,170 - See that's the thing, that's like, okay, 374 00:20:55,270 --> 00:20:56,710 so it's not running right 375 00:20:56,810 --> 00:20:59,140 so you turn it off to make sure it's running right 376 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:01,210 and then it doesn't start at all. 377 00:21:01,310 --> 00:21:04,880 I mean, I took a gamble and lost on this one. 378 00:21:06,420 --> 00:21:07,880 Narrator: Hundreds of miles from help 379 00:21:07,990 --> 00:21:11,760 it's up to Lisa to figure out a way to get back on the road 380 00:21:11,860 --> 00:21:14,290 or face being stranded through the night 381 00:21:15,760 --> 00:21:17,390 or even for days. 382 00:21:18,830 --> 00:21:20,500 - I don't know what my options are. 383 00:21:23,540 --> 00:21:25,600 Whether you're a mechanic or not you're still a mechanic. 384 00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:27,840 A lot of imagination and creativity 385 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:30,670 has to go into fixing things 386 00:21:30,780 --> 00:21:32,780 cause there's no one there to help you. 387 00:21:32,880 --> 00:21:34,510 (Wind gusts) 388 00:21:37,850 --> 00:21:39,750 I bet I could bump start the truck. 389 00:21:41,590 --> 00:21:44,220 I don't even know if it's enough hill to get it started. 390 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:46,120 I'm gonna try though. 391 00:21:47,590 --> 00:21:49,090 Narrator: A bump start or push start 392 00:21:49,190 --> 00:21:51,860 is a way to starting a vehicle by using momentum 393 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:53,830 to turn an engine back on. 394 00:21:55,470 --> 00:21:56,970 Once the brake's released 395 00:21:57,070 --> 00:22:00,470 gravity begins rolling the truck downhill. 396 00:22:00,570 --> 00:22:03,110 The driver then attempts to start the engine, 397 00:22:03,210 --> 00:22:05,110 putting the truck in gear. 398 00:22:09,580 --> 00:22:11,480 (Door shuts) 399 00:22:11,580 --> 00:22:13,480 - So put it in neutral. 400 00:22:15,590 --> 00:22:17,690 Once the brake comes off it should start rolling. 401 00:22:19,120 --> 00:22:20,890 Ready? I'm gonna try this. 402 00:22:22,460 --> 00:22:32,400 ¶ ¶ 403 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:33,970 (Truck whines) 404 00:22:35,410 --> 00:22:37,310 Okay. I'm rolling. 405 00:22:37,410 --> 00:22:38,810 (Chains clink) 406 00:22:38,910 --> 00:22:47,350 ¶ ¶ 407 00:22:47,450 --> 00:22:49,220 I don't have any steering. 408 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:51,350 Like seriously I can't turn the wheel at all. 409 00:22:51,460 --> 00:22:52,760 (Chains clink) 410 00:22:52,860 --> 00:22:55,260 Oh man this is gonna be bad if it doesn't work. 411 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:00,560 I gotta start it now or never. 412 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,530 (Truck engine clanking) 413 00:23:06,140 --> 00:23:08,370 Come on, baby, you can do it. 414 00:23:08,470 --> 00:23:09,940 (Chains clink) 415 00:23:13,480 --> 00:23:15,150 (Truck engine roars) 416 00:23:17,750 --> 00:23:19,620 Ah! There! 417 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:21,280 (Truck engine hums) 418 00:23:23,420 --> 00:23:25,390 Oh my gosh, it worked. 419 00:23:25,490 --> 00:23:28,090 Put it in fifth, push the clutch in, 420 00:23:28,190 --> 00:23:30,460 roll down the hill, pop the clutch 421 00:23:30,560 --> 00:23:32,260 and away, the engine starts up. 422 00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:35,060 Wooo! (Laughs) 423 00:23:36,700 --> 00:23:38,000 Just gotta make tracks for Winnipeg. 424 00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:39,600 I gotta go fast and hard. 425 00:23:41,070 --> 00:23:43,510 Let's get out of here before anything else happens. 426 00:23:47,210 --> 00:23:49,350 road system 427 00:23:49,450 --> 00:23:52,280 more trails are finally opening. 428 00:23:55,550 --> 00:23:57,390 Narrator: But with temperatures changing rapidly... 429 00:23:57,460 --> 00:23:59,190 (Water splashing) 430 00:24:00,990 --> 00:24:04,560 the window of opportunity could be shorter than ever. 431 00:24:09,830 --> 00:24:12,270 So at Polar Industries in Winnipeg... 432 00:24:13,710 --> 00:24:15,440 Mark: All right, Steph, so... 433 00:24:15,540 --> 00:24:16,810 I know you want to hit the ice roads, 434 00:24:16,910 --> 00:24:20,110 but we gotta put you through a few tests here today. 435 00:24:20,180 --> 00:24:21,480 Narrator: Boss, Mark Kohaykewych, 436 00:24:21,550 --> 00:24:23,480 is looking to act fast 437 00:24:23,550 --> 00:24:26,280 by taking on a new driver. 438 00:24:26,350 --> 00:24:27,750 Mark: I'm gonna put Steph to the test here 439 00:24:27,820 --> 00:24:30,450 and see if she's got what it takes to be an ice road trucker. 440 00:24:31,890 --> 00:24:34,520 - Hi I'm Steph. Heard you're looking for drivers. 441 00:24:34,630 --> 00:24:36,590 Narrator: 22-year-old Stephanie Custance, 442 00:24:36,690 --> 00:24:40,160 came to Polar aiming to get a job on the ice. 443 00:24:40,270 --> 00:24:41,560 - You got experience: 444 00:24:41,630 --> 00:24:42,970 - I'm very new. 445 00:24:43,070 --> 00:24:44,530 Narrator: To see if she could cut it... 446 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:46,400 Steph: No-no-no-no, no, no, no. 447 00:24:46,500 --> 00:24:49,570 Narrator: Mark put her through a series of challenges. 448 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:51,940 (Crunch) Mark: Oh, that's not good. 449 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:54,410 - Oh. - Ugh. 450 00:24:55,810 --> 00:24:57,980 All right, hop in the truck let's go. 451 00:24:58,080 --> 00:25:00,050 Narrator: Now it's her final test, 452 00:25:00,150 --> 00:25:03,590 prove what she's got behind the wheel on the local roads. 453 00:25:04,990 --> 00:25:06,290 Steph: I'm nervous. 454 00:25:06,360 --> 00:25:08,290 My test drive with Mark will be my first time ever 455 00:25:08,360 --> 00:25:10,460 even on the highway in the winter. 456 00:25:10,530 --> 00:25:12,930 So I'm just praying that I got enough wits about me 457 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:14,500 to do this right. 458 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:15,930 Narrator: Over the years... 459 00:25:16,030 --> 00:25:17,870 (Truck honks) Man: Watch out. Watch out. 460 00:25:17,970 --> 00:25:19,340 Woman: Oh! 461 00:25:20,810 --> 00:25:22,070 Oh, my God. 462 00:25:22,170 --> 00:25:24,410 Man: All right, you're done driving. 463 00:25:24,510 --> 00:25:26,710 Narrator: ...rookies have notoriously struggled on the ice roads. 464 00:25:26,810 --> 00:25:28,880 - The (bleep) you gotta go through up here. 465 00:25:28,980 --> 00:25:30,510 I've just about had it. 466 00:25:32,980 --> 00:25:34,250 Narrator: And it's proven too much for many a trucker. 467 00:25:35,690 --> 00:25:37,790 Boss: I have to cut our losses and cut our risk. 468 00:25:37,890 --> 00:25:41,090 I guess what I'm thinking, Pork Chop, 469 00:25:41,160 --> 00:25:43,390 is that we'll get you sent back home. 470 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:47,100 - All right, Steph, let's go hit the road. 471 00:25:47,170 --> 00:25:49,400 Narrator: With Polar under the gun 472 00:25:49,500 --> 00:25:52,800 Mark can't afford to send out a driver who's not ready. 473 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:56,610 Mark: I'm gonna take you on a couple of back country roads here. 474 00:25:56,710 --> 00:25:59,510 Put you through your paces, see what you can do. 475 00:26:01,110 --> 00:26:02,750 How does it feel so far? 476 00:26:02,850 --> 00:26:05,950 - I'm nervous but I'm, I feel okay. 477 00:26:06,050 --> 00:26:08,380 I've never had to drive on icy highway before. 478 00:26:08,490 --> 00:26:10,390 (Gears grinding) 479 00:26:10,490 --> 00:26:12,620 Mark: Watch your shifting there. 480 00:26:12,690 --> 00:26:14,660 (Gears grinding) 481 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:16,460 Mark: Oh, you're killing my gears. 482 00:26:16,560 --> 00:26:18,660 Get that shifting down a little bit. 483 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:20,960 Can't be screwing up shifts on the winter road. 484 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:23,930 (Truck engine hums) 485 00:26:25,770 --> 00:26:27,640 - Let's get you turning right here, 486 00:26:27,740 --> 00:26:29,940 and we're gonna get down one of the quarry roads. 487 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:31,940 I'm gonna get you to try a couple things there. 488 00:26:33,510 --> 00:26:36,350 I want you to go up a little bit of a hill here. 489 00:26:36,410 --> 00:26:38,050 I want you to stop right here. 490 00:26:39,480 --> 00:26:40,820 - Right here? - Yep. 491 00:26:40,920 --> 00:26:42,220 - Okay. 492 00:26:43,690 --> 00:26:45,490 - Okay, now start now that we're midway up. 493 00:26:45,590 --> 00:26:47,120 - Now start? - Yep. 494 00:26:48,590 --> 00:26:49,890 (Engine roars) 495 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:51,330 - I'm like not going forward though. 496 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:53,360 - Exactly. Not that easy, is it? 497 00:26:54,770 --> 00:26:57,030 Gotta put you through the test. 498 00:26:57,140 --> 00:26:59,470 This is just a baby hill 499 00:26:59,570 --> 00:27:01,140 compared to what you're going to see on the winter roads. 500 00:27:01,210 --> 00:27:02,170 - Come on, baby, come on, baby. 501 00:27:02,270 --> 00:27:03,570 (Tires spinning) 502 00:27:03,670 --> 00:27:05,010 Mark: Ease on the gas, easy on the gas. 503 00:27:05,110 --> 00:27:07,380 You don't want to be spinning. 504 00:27:08,810 --> 00:27:10,580 Steph: We're almost there. 505 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:14,780 Mark: There you go. - Ha. 506 00:27:14,850 --> 00:27:16,890 - Good job. 507 00:27:16,990 --> 00:27:19,260 - Woo. 508 00:27:19,360 --> 00:27:20,160 Mark: That's nothing compared to what you're gonna get faced with, all right. 509 00:27:20,220 --> 00:27:21,620 - Okay. 510 00:27:24,130 --> 00:27:26,200 Mark: All right, Steph, stop, stop, stop, stop. 511 00:27:29,170 --> 00:27:30,730 Have you done some off-roading in a quad before? 512 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:32,130 - Yeah, in a quad. 513 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:34,470 - You want to do it in a truck? 514 00:27:34,570 --> 00:27:38,270 - Yes. - Head down the power line, see what you can do. 515 00:27:41,010 --> 00:27:43,350 - This is what you're going to be doing. 516 00:27:43,450 --> 00:27:44,480 You're literally going to be off-roading with a semi truck. 517 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:47,850 Steph: Holy (bleep)! 518 00:27:49,290 --> 00:27:51,890 Mark: See this? That's what you're going to feel 519 00:27:51,990 --> 00:27:55,290 for ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen hours a day. 520 00:27:55,390 --> 00:27:58,090 - Does Polar have a masseuse benefits package? 521 00:27:59,830 --> 00:28:02,470 - Get some momentum. You're gonna get stuck. 522 00:28:02,570 --> 00:28:03,930 (Gears grinding) 523 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:07,040 - I want you to stop right here. 524 00:28:07,110 --> 00:28:08,970 'Kay, so here I'm gonna throw another challenge at you. 525 00:28:09,070 --> 00:28:10,370 So now you've off-roaded forward 526 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:11,770 let's see if you can off-road backwards. 527 00:28:14,550 --> 00:28:15,950 Steph: You want me to back right out of here? 528 00:28:16,010 --> 00:28:17,350 Mark: I want you to get right out of here. 529 00:28:17,450 --> 00:28:19,080 Oh, oh you're sliding off the road. 530 00:28:20,550 --> 00:28:21,820 Careful you got rocks here too. 531 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:24,190 That's what you're going to be faced with. 532 00:28:26,020 --> 00:28:27,360 Don't get too carried away. 533 00:28:27,460 --> 00:28:28,720 You're almost out of here. 534 00:28:28,830 --> 00:28:30,130 No need to get faster and faster. 535 00:28:30,190 --> 00:28:31,560 Just be careful. 536 00:28:37,900 --> 00:28:39,870 - Holy (bleep)! 537 00:28:39,970 --> 00:28:41,600 - Good job. 538 00:28:41,710 --> 00:28:43,240 Nice work. 539 00:28:44,710 --> 00:28:45,980 Let's head 'er back to the shop. 540 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:47,440 Steph: Woo. 541 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:52,580 (Engine hums) 542 00:28:52,680 --> 00:28:54,050 (Airbrakes hiss) 543 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:57,090 (Truck door opens and shuts) 544 00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:06,260 Mark: So... 545 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:07,730 some good things and some not so good things. 546 00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:10,870 I mean, your inexperience shows for sure, but uh, 547 00:29:13,540 --> 00:29:15,670 I need drivers. I got a lot of loads to move. 548 00:29:17,180 --> 00:29:19,680 - I know what I want to do. 549 00:29:19,780 --> 00:29:21,580 I want the job so if you want to... 550 00:29:21,680 --> 00:29:23,450 Mark: Um, let me think this over. 551 00:29:23,550 --> 00:29:25,110 Come see me in the morning we'll talk. 552 00:29:25,220 --> 00:29:26,980 - Sounds good. Thank you. - All right. Take it easy. 553 00:29:28,950 --> 00:29:31,420 Steph: The test was okay, some hairy spots. 554 00:29:31,520 --> 00:29:34,220 I'm just hoping that I did good enough that he likes me. 555 00:29:34,330 --> 00:29:35,990 I'll probably just be up all night waiting, 556 00:29:36,060 --> 00:29:37,790 (laughs) hoping, thinking about it. 557 00:29:39,330 --> 00:29:41,230 Narrator: While a newcomer waits for the call 558 00:29:41,330 --> 00:29:44,070 up to the big leagues... 559 00:29:44,170 --> 00:29:46,240 the sun sets on the north... 560 00:29:47,970 --> 00:29:50,040 and 400 miles from Winnipeg 561 00:29:51,610 --> 00:29:54,340 on the road to St. Theresa Point... 562 00:29:54,450 --> 00:29:55,740 (Truck rattles) 563 00:29:55,850 --> 00:29:57,980 - (Bleep) I didn't see that coming. 564 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:00,220 See the (bleep) hole we went in there? 565 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:01,650 Wow! 566 00:30:01,750 --> 00:30:03,320 Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. 567 00:30:04,790 --> 00:30:06,090 Narrator: An ice road veteran's 568 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:09,060 deep into his toughest mission of the season. 569 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:10,560 (Truck rattles) 570 00:30:13,860 --> 00:30:16,000 Crazy road going up and down, up and down, 571 00:30:16,070 --> 00:30:19,300 twist and turn and full of potholes. 572 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:21,240 It's a full moon, b'y. 573 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:25,070 Yeah, there will be no falling asleep on this (bleep) road 574 00:30:25,140 --> 00:30:27,580 that's for (bleep) damn sure. 575 00:30:30,620 --> 00:30:32,080 (Truck rattles) 576 00:30:32,150 --> 00:30:33,720 Oh-oh, oh-oh. Oh-oh, oh-oh. 577 00:30:33,780 --> 00:30:35,880 It's a bad road, buddy. 578 00:30:35,950 --> 00:30:39,690 (Bleep), scared the (bleep) gonna pop out of gear. 579 00:30:39,790 --> 00:30:41,560 Narrator: The further Art gets 580 00:30:41,660 --> 00:30:44,060 the worse each mile becomes. 581 00:30:44,130 --> 00:30:45,830 (Truck rattles) 582 00:30:52,840 --> 00:30:55,370 Art: Isn't this wonderful? 583 00:30:55,470 --> 00:30:58,240 I can hardly wait to get to the (bleep) end of this. 584 00:31:06,750 --> 00:31:09,020 There we are at an ice crossing. 585 00:31:12,120 --> 00:31:13,820 (Truck rattles) 586 00:31:15,230 --> 00:31:16,590 (Squeals to a halt) 587 00:31:18,760 --> 00:31:20,560 (Airbrakes hiss) 588 00:31:20,670 --> 00:31:22,500 (Engine hums) 589 00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:25,670 There's a mile lake crossing in between here 590 00:31:25,770 --> 00:31:27,800 and St. Theresa's Point. 591 00:31:27,910 --> 00:31:30,940 But I can see the big (bleep) black spot there. 592 00:31:33,540 --> 00:31:35,980 (Footsteps crunch in the snow) 593 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:37,550 Look at that. 594 00:31:37,650 --> 00:31:40,220 (Bleep), b'y, this is gonna be a (bleep) show. 595 00:31:41,650 --> 00:31:43,450 Narrator: The weather's been so warm 596 00:31:43,550 --> 00:31:45,650 the ice hasn't frozen thick enough 597 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:47,860 to support the weight of big rigs. 598 00:31:49,890 --> 00:31:52,490 (Loud whirring) - Hear the pump? 599 00:31:52,560 --> 00:31:54,030 It's too thin, eh. 600 00:31:55,470 --> 00:31:56,830 They pump water all over, 601 00:31:56,930 --> 00:31:58,200 let it freeze in the night time. 602 00:31:58,300 --> 00:32:00,170 All that's flooded look. 603 00:32:03,470 --> 00:32:06,540 Narrator: Maintenance crews flood the surface of crossings 604 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:08,980 in an effort to garner thicker ice over night, 605 00:32:11,350 --> 00:32:14,280 but only if the temperature drops low enough for it to freeze. 606 00:32:17,460 --> 00:32:19,290 Art: You gonna flood the whole thing or just one side? 607 00:32:21,190 --> 00:32:22,560 Art: Okay. 608 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:30,700 (Whirring) 609 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:32,370 Narrator: It's anything but a sure bet 610 00:32:32,470 --> 00:32:35,370 that the crossing will freeze solid enough for travel, 611 00:32:35,470 --> 00:32:37,570 but even it does... 612 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:39,810 - I'm pretty sure that I'm too heavy to cross it. 613 00:32:41,280 --> 00:32:43,380 Narrator: ...Art could be over the weight limit. 614 00:32:44,820 --> 00:32:46,150 (Slams door) 615 00:32:50,620 --> 00:32:52,720 - They're not gonna let us cross that. 616 00:32:52,820 --> 00:32:54,820 There's no (bleep) way. 617 00:33:04,830 --> 00:33:06,130 Steph: Mark's still making up his mind. 618 00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:08,140 He's got some thinking he said he's gonna do. 619 00:33:08,240 --> 00:33:10,870 Narrator: ...it's judgment day for Steph Custance. 620 00:33:10,970 --> 00:33:13,010 Steph: I'm really hoping that I get the opportunity 621 00:33:13,110 --> 00:33:14,880 and I'm also hoping I don't let him down. 622 00:33:14,980 --> 00:33:17,380 I wanna get out there, I wanna be an ice road trucker. 623 00:33:20,380 --> 00:33:21,680 - Hey, Steph. - Hey. How's it going? 624 00:33:21,790 --> 00:33:23,250 - Good. Grab a seat. 625 00:33:24,650 --> 00:33:26,520 So, I've seen what you can do. 626 00:33:26,620 --> 00:33:27,990 I've seen the way you drive. 627 00:33:28,090 --> 00:33:29,720 You're definitely green. 628 00:33:29,830 --> 00:33:31,160 You do have a lot of energy. 629 00:33:31,260 --> 00:33:32,560 You do have a lot of enthusiasm 630 00:33:32,660 --> 00:33:34,230 but I don't know if you fully appreciate 631 00:33:34,330 --> 00:33:36,830 what this job entails. 632 00:33:36,930 --> 00:33:39,700 It's dangerous. It's a really dangerous job. 633 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:41,300 Guys get hurt out there. 634 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:43,640 Truck's breaking down, you gotta know how to fix it. 635 00:33:43,740 --> 00:33:46,070 I'm not quite sure you cut out for that just yet. 636 00:33:47,540 --> 00:33:50,080 I-I've been giving this a lot of thought and uh... 637 00:33:56,490 --> 00:33:57,990 Don't let me down. I'm gonna give you a shot. 638 00:33:58,090 --> 00:33:59,390 - Yeah. - All right? 639 00:33:59,490 --> 00:34:00,790 - Awesome, thank you. 640 00:34:00,890 --> 00:34:03,120 - I'm taking a huge risk on her, 641 00:34:03,230 --> 00:34:04,530 but you know what, 642 00:34:04,630 --> 00:34:05,960 we've all gotta start somewhere. 643 00:34:06,060 --> 00:34:07,960 She's got the drive. 644 00:34:08,060 --> 00:34:09,360 She's got something in her 645 00:34:09,470 --> 00:34:12,070 that's gonna make her succeed out there. 646 00:34:12,170 --> 00:34:13,500 You gotta open your ears and you gotta watch 647 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:14,900 and you gotta learn. 648 00:34:15,010 --> 00:34:16,640 - I'm ready. - Welcome aboard. 649 00:34:16,740 --> 00:34:18,470 - Thank you. Awesome. - All right? Take care. 650 00:34:18,580 --> 00:34:20,270 - Yeah, you too. 651 00:34:20,380 --> 00:34:22,740 So I met with Mark. It's a huge opportunity. 652 00:34:22,850 --> 00:34:24,150 It's a huge change in my life 653 00:34:24,250 --> 00:34:26,680 and it's gonna be awesome for my son. 654 00:34:26,780 --> 00:34:28,150 So I'm pumped. 655 00:34:29,590 --> 00:34:31,590 I get to be an ice road trucker. (laughs) 656 00:34:31,690 --> 00:34:33,190 I'm excited. 657 00:34:34,660 --> 00:34:36,420 Woo, ha, ha! 658 00:34:36,530 --> 00:34:39,590 Narrator: As Steph joins the Polar squad, 659 00:34:41,230 --> 00:34:43,160 400 miles to the north... 660 00:34:44,900 --> 00:34:47,140 (Art murmuring) Subtract. 34. 139. 661 00:34:47,240 --> 00:34:48,570 34. 139. 662 00:34:50,510 --> 00:34:52,470 Narrator: After a long night in the truck 663 00:34:52,580 --> 00:34:56,240 the company wild card's weighing his odds. 664 00:34:56,350 --> 00:34:57,880 - I'm trying to figure out how many pieces 665 00:34:57,980 --> 00:35:00,310 I got on the back of the truck and what they weigh 666 00:35:00,420 --> 00:35:03,220 so I can figure out if I'm, if I can cross this ice or not 667 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:06,220 cause if I screw this up we're gonna get drowned. 668 00:35:07,620 --> 00:35:09,220 (Footsteps crunch in the snow) 669 00:35:10,760 --> 00:35:12,960 Look at the (bleep) crack. 670 00:35:13,060 --> 00:35:15,000 They flooded this last night, eh. 671 00:35:15,100 --> 00:35:16,400 (Whirring) 672 00:35:16,500 --> 00:35:18,800 They pump water all over let it freeze in the night time. 673 00:35:18,900 --> 00:35:20,770 All that's flooded look. 674 00:35:20,870 --> 00:35:23,270 Narrator: The crossing was flooded by road crews 675 00:35:23,370 --> 00:35:25,440 in an effort to strengthen the ice. 676 00:35:26,880 --> 00:35:28,140 Art: It's too thin, eh. 677 00:35:28,240 --> 00:35:30,240 This is gonna be a (bleep) show. 678 00:35:31,950 --> 00:35:34,480 Narrator: But even after a night of cold temperatures... 679 00:35:35,990 --> 00:35:39,420 - It's not even (bleep) froze under there. 680 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:43,360 Narrator: the crossing might not be strong enough for safe passage. 681 00:35:44,790 --> 00:35:46,560 Art: Last year, I (bleep) near went through, eh. 682 00:35:46,660 --> 00:35:48,400 I broke through the surface layer. 683 00:35:50,900 --> 00:35:53,700 Art: No, no, no, no, no. 684 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:55,640 We're gonna go through the ice here you got that? 685 00:35:55,740 --> 00:35:57,140 (Water splashing) 686 00:35:59,810 --> 00:36:02,640 Narrator: If Art's over the 34 ton weight limit 687 00:36:04,050 --> 00:36:07,550 this could be a life or death decision. 688 00:36:09,050 --> 00:36:10,990 - It says 34 ton. 689 00:36:11,090 --> 00:36:13,690 That would give me like 68,000 pounds. 690 00:36:13,790 --> 00:36:16,120 So I'm guessing this, right? 691 00:36:19,560 --> 00:36:22,230 To tell you the honest to God truth I don't know. 692 00:36:22,330 --> 00:36:23,930 The sensible side of me is saying, 693 00:36:24,030 --> 00:36:27,540 you know Art maybe we should wait and see what's going on? 694 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:30,510 The crazy side is saying, (bleep) that prick, Art. 695 00:36:30,610 --> 00:36:32,610 Go, go, go, go, go! 696 00:36:32,710 --> 00:36:34,040 Eh. 697 00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,350 So I think I'm gonna go a little bit with the crazy side this morning 698 00:36:38,450 --> 00:36:40,380 cause I think I can make it. 699 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:42,020 (Wind howls) 700 00:36:42,120 --> 00:36:44,850 Before the sun comes up and starts (bleep) it up. 701 00:36:49,260 --> 00:36:51,260 (Airbrakes hiss) 702 00:36:52,700 --> 00:36:54,030 (Engine roars) 703 00:37:01,240 --> 00:37:02,740 I don't know if this is the right decision, 704 00:37:02,840 --> 00:37:05,370 but I'm doing it anyway. 705 00:37:09,950 --> 00:37:11,850 (Ice cracking) 706 00:37:11,950 --> 00:37:13,480 Open your (bleep) door. 707 00:37:13,580 --> 00:37:15,480 Open your (bleep) door! 708 00:37:21,420 --> 00:37:23,890 - Not gonna be answering your stupid (bleep) questions or nothing. 709 00:37:23,990 --> 00:37:25,830 You just listen for cracks. 710 00:37:27,260 --> 00:37:29,800 (Tires crunching) 711 00:37:29,900 --> 00:37:32,130 I'm on the (bleep) ice now. 712 00:37:36,870 --> 00:37:40,240 When I say bail you (bleep) well bail, okay? 713 00:37:42,710 --> 00:37:44,510 (Ice cracking) 714 00:37:49,350 --> 00:37:50,690 - I don't know where we're at. 715 00:37:52,620 --> 00:37:54,390 Just please sit there and be (bleep) quiet 716 00:37:54,490 --> 00:37:56,260 with your door open. 717 00:38:01,530 --> 00:38:03,260 (Ice cracking) 718 00:38:07,440 --> 00:38:08,740 Look at this. 719 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:11,110 Somebody (bleep) popped through there. 720 00:38:12,510 --> 00:38:13,840 That's all we need is something like that to happen 721 00:38:13,940 --> 00:38:15,710 and the gig is up, b'y. 722 00:38:17,550 --> 00:38:19,480 (Bleep) big crack there. 723 00:38:19,580 --> 00:38:20,950 (Ice cracking) 724 00:38:22,420 --> 00:38:24,190 (Water gurgling) 725 00:38:30,160 --> 00:38:32,260 Look at this coming now. 726 00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:33,930 Holy (bleep)! 727 00:38:34,030 --> 00:38:35,630 I don't want him beside me. 728 00:38:37,070 --> 00:38:38,700 Narrator: As Art nears the edge of the crossing 729 00:38:38,800 --> 00:38:40,700 where ice is at its thinnest 730 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:45,370 any added weight could be enough to cause the ice to shatter. 731 00:38:45,480 --> 00:38:47,940 - (Bleep), ole buddy, don't come near me for (bleep) sakes. 732 00:38:48,040 --> 00:38:49,340 Stay way far away. 733 00:38:49,450 --> 00:38:51,150 You'll get us drowned. 734 00:38:51,250 --> 00:38:52,750 Get the (bleep) out of here! 735 00:38:52,850 --> 00:38:54,720 Get the (bleep) away from me! 736 00:39:00,660 --> 00:39:04,030 Narrator: On the ice crossing just outside St. Theresa point, 737 00:39:05,960 --> 00:39:07,930 Art: Look at this coming now. 738 00:39:08,030 --> 00:39:09,730 (Bleep)! 739 00:39:09,830 --> 00:39:11,800 I don't want him beside me. 740 00:39:11,900 --> 00:39:13,400 Narrator: Polar driver Art Burke 741 00:39:13,500 --> 00:39:16,140 may have reached the breaking point. 742 00:39:16,240 --> 00:39:18,670 - (Bleep) ole buddy, don't come near me for (bleep) sakes. 743 00:39:18,780 --> 00:39:20,040 Stay away far away. 744 00:39:20,140 --> 00:39:21,740 You'll get us drowned. 745 00:39:23,180 --> 00:39:25,180 Narrator: With Art's load right at the weight limit 746 00:39:25,280 --> 00:39:26,950 even a single truck could be enough 747 00:39:27,050 --> 00:39:28,650 to start the pressure waves below 748 00:39:28,750 --> 00:39:31,750 flowing from both directions 749 00:39:31,860 --> 00:39:34,520 and shattering the fragile ice. 750 00:39:38,360 --> 00:39:40,260 Art: (Bleep), man. 751 00:39:41,670 --> 00:39:43,870 Get the (bleep) out of here for (bleep) sake! 752 00:39:43,970 --> 00:39:45,270 Get out of here! 753 00:39:45,370 --> 00:39:47,100 Get the (bleep) away from me! 754 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:49,770 (Ice cracking) 755 00:39:49,870 --> 00:39:59,780 ¶ ¶ 756 00:39:59,880 --> 00:40:01,620 (Bleep), b'y. 757 00:40:04,150 --> 00:40:06,920 I got to be (bleep) to be doing this, eh. 758 00:40:08,390 --> 00:40:09,660 (Bleep) I think it's a mile. 759 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:11,060 I'm not sure if it ends right there or not. 760 00:40:11,160 --> 00:40:12,830 I'm hoping the (bleep) it ends right there. 761 00:40:15,870 --> 00:40:17,830 (Bleep) near there, b'y. 762 00:40:19,270 --> 00:40:20,840 (Ice cracking) 763 00:40:22,270 --> 00:40:23,810 Go, go, go, go, go. 764 00:40:27,850 --> 00:40:29,650 So we made 'er across. 765 00:40:31,650 --> 00:40:34,820 I only (bleep) in my pants twice across. (Laughs) 766 00:40:39,560 --> 00:40:41,190 Here we are at St. Theresa's, b'y. 767 00:40:41,290 --> 00:40:44,260 Narrator: Art makes it to his destination. 768 00:40:44,360 --> 00:40:46,090 (Airbrakes hiss) 769 00:40:47,560 --> 00:40:49,560 - We got her done again, b'y. 770 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:52,700 I was scared the load was gonna be all screwed up, eh, 771 00:40:52,800 --> 00:40:54,240 but it's nice. 772 00:40:54,340 --> 00:40:56,540 Stayed nice and dry. 773 00:40:56,640 --> 00:40:59,440 Narrator: The high price hauls delivered safe and sound 774 00:40:59,540 --> 00:41:03,310 and the wild card comes through big for Polar. 775 00:41:03,410 --> 00:41:05,610 - Good day. Sun is shining. 776 00:41:05,720 --> 00:41:08,020 They're happy with their stuff and they got it. 777 00:41:08,120 --> 00:41:10,120 I prevailed again. 778 00:41:18,500 --> 00:41:19,930 Narrator: Next time... 779 00:41:21,370 --> 00:41:23,330 on "Ice Road Truckers"... 780 00:41:23,430 --> 00:41:25,870 - So far I'd say this is the worst road yet. 781 00:41:25,970 --> 00:41:27,940 Narrator: the roads go from bad... 782 00:41:28,040 --> 00:41:29,370 (Thud) 783 00:41:29,470 --> 00:41:32,010 Steph: Holy (bleep)! 784 00:41:32,110 --> 00:41:33,580 Narrator:...to worse. 785 00:41:33,680 --> 00:41:35,340 (Beeping) - I have no idea if we'll make it. 786 00:41:35,450 --> 00:41:37,650 - I can see how they call this the Death Road. 787 00:41:39,420 --> 00:41:41,050 Narrator: And for the rookie... 788 00:41:41,150 --> 00:41:42,880 Steph: Say I did go through, how fast am I gonna go through? 789 00:41:42,990 --> 00:41:44,620 - You're gonna go through probably pretty quick. 790 00:41:44,720 --> 00:41:47,290 Narrator: ...it's trial by ice. 791 00:41:47,390 --> 00:41:50,430 (Truck rumbles) 792 00:41:50,530 --> 00:41:51,860 Todd: (on radio) Watch it! 793 00:41:51,960 --> 00:41:55,130 (Ice cracking) Steph: Oh my God. 793 00:41:56,305 --> 00:42:56,244 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org