Ice Road Truckers (2007) s09e04 Episode Script
New Cold Blood
Narrator: Now Ha ha ha! Narrator: on Ice Road Truckers Mike: Oh oh! Here we go! Shit! Narrator: a new driver springs into action.
I feel like I've been in a fight.
Narrator: While the veterans Darrell: What the fuck?! Narrator: leap into danger.
Lisa: It is cracking.
Agh! Narrator: All season Lisa: Another load down, many to go.
Narrator: new business owners Darrell and Lisa, have been giving Polar a run for their money.
Watch your ass, Mark.
Mark: Well, I guess we can't win 'em all.
Bye.
Bye.
Fuck.
Narrator: And the trucking giant's been feeling the pinch.
I knew Darrell and Lisa teamed up together it would be a fairly serious threat, but I never would have imagined it would have been this big of a threat.
Narrator: So now the boss is expanding his army by taking a chance on Mike Simmons, a seasoned heavy-hauler from the Canadian oil field.
Mike: - Pleasure to be here.
Mark: - Hi there.
Narrator: But a rookie on the winter roads.
Give me some experience, what have you done out there? I've been doing loads in excess of two hundred thousand pounds, pulling up to ninety wheels.
Other than that I've got a lot of highway experience as well, I've- But you've never been on the ice? Okay, this is a whole different ball game out here.
I mean these roads are tough, these are the toughest roads in all of Canada.
They're going to beat the hell of your truck, they're going to beat the hell out of you.
I've got this.
Mark: I want you to take this seriously.
You're a little bit cocky, a little bit reckless.
- Can't have that here, you know.
Mike: - Okay.
- It's going to cost you your life.
Mike: - Okay.
It's going to cost somebody else's life out there.
Understood.
I'm used to doing things that most truckers will never do.
I've got more tricks up my sleeve than Houdini.
There's your safety coat.
Mike: I look forward to really showing them who I am.
Mike: - Excellent.
Mark: - Be safe out there.
Mark: - Hit the road.
Mike: - Pleasure to be here, thank you.
Mark: Thanks, buddy.
I get Mike in my office for the first time and you know, hot shot kid, you know, thinks he knows everything.
If he stays that way he's gonna get hurt, he's gonna damage some freight, but these roads will whip a guy into shape pretty quick.
(Phone ringing) Jackie: Hey, Mark.
Hey, Jackie, we've got these two Elk Island loads.
Mike's the new guy here, I kind of want to send him with somebody.
Jackie: Um, Art's available.
He's the only one? Jackie: I believe so.
I don't see anyone else.
Uh, okay, Art it is.
We want Art to step up, so I guess this is the time to do it, eh? All right, Art, here's your time to shine.
Narrator: The convoy's hauling building supplies in pontoon boats four hundred miles to Elk Island Lodge over a remote frontier that's unregulated by authorities.
(Truck rumbles) And the trail is topped off with a ten-mile ice crossing, that'll be unlike anything the rookie's ever experienced before.
What the fuck ever possessed you to come at this racket? (Both chuckle) Oh, you know, that's the best way I know how to Art: The best way you know how to drown is it? - (Both laugh) Mike: - Yeah.
Mark: It's kind of funny putting Art in a mentoring role, but I did ask Art at the beginning of the year to step it up this year for me, and here's his opportunity, so let's hope he can deliver.
I've got three rules.
First rule, listen to everything but don't bring your fucking knowledge here.
My second fucking rule, - never let them know how smart you are.
Mike: - Gotcha.
My third fucking rule, don't give a fuck, because the less you give a fuck, man, the happier your fucking trip is going to be.
I'm telling you the truth.
Mike: So I was talking to Mark and he said he kind of wants me to uh, me to follow behind for the first trip, so I'll hold off on the super truckin'.
So I'll just be following behind, keeping your keister warm for you.
My first impression is Mike is here's a guy that thinks he knows everything and he's in for a rude fucking awakening.
Okay boys, I guess we're off.
Mike: I'm a comin', I'm a comin'.
Art: I'll drag him along and see how it turns out, eh.
Between you and I, he's gnona come off his pedestal pretty fucking fast I'm thinking we get into that ice road.
(Laughs) Oh yeah, that's how it's gonna be, b'y.
Narrator: While the convoy hits the road, 200 miles northeast of Winnipeg Todd: Get up to a little village called Muskrat Dam.
They just opened this road.
There hasn't been anybody up here yet, I'm the first truck coming in, and I'm worried.
(Truck rumbles) Narrator: Polar's top dog is blazing a trail over new ground.
Todd: The road conditions are pretty rough.
Let's see what happens.
Narrator: Last week God! This is some scary ass shit right here.
Narrator: Todd proved his medal by hauling the heaviest load in company history.
(Ice cracking) Todd: It takes a lot to make me nervous, and I'm nervous.
Narrator: Now he's heading to Muskrat Dam.
(Loud thud) One of the furthest destinations in the winter road system.
Todd: It's a huge load of building supplies.
The whole first half of the trailer is nothing but double stacks of plywood, and plywood is not light.
Are-- Narrator: The rugged six hundred mile trail just opened at dawn.
Hold on.
Narrator: And Todd'll be the guinea pig, the first to test any dangers that may lie ahead.
(Gear shifts) I haven't seen any trucks, nothing, all morning.
It's been absolutely just like a ghost town.
It's kind of creepy.
(Truck whines) Narrator: If he runs into trouble, he'll be on his own.
I'm in the middle of nowhere all by myself.
That makes a guy naturally a little bit nervous, that's for sure.
(Truck engine rumbles) Narrator: But 150 miles back Darrell: Oh, here's my sign for Muskrat Dam.
Flipping loads pretty quick now, and I'm liking it.
Narrator: The competition's also braving the new route.
Darrell: I left early this morning.
A lot of freight moving right now on the winter roads and pretty much a lot of loads up for grabs.
Make a couple phone calls and the loads are there.
Narrator: Darrell Ward snagged the only other load due to Muskrat Dam, and it's one of the highest priced hauls he's wrangled all season.
Darrell: I want to be one of the top companies out here on these winter roads.
If I keep hammering loads like this, you know that's setting this company up pretty solid.
(Truck engine roars) (Gear shifts) She's slick here in the sunlight.
Get a little glare on it, you know that she's slick.
Narrator: But as the sun beats down on the path Darrell: Dang it! (Loud clang) Narrator: Darrell struggles to keep the 22 tonne haul on the road.
(Tires crunch in snow) Oh boy, that's a rough one, though.
(Loud clang) Narrator: And now the business owner is about to be put to the test.
Darrell: Look at that! Narrator: As he approaches an 18% grade hill, the steepest on the entire trail.
Hey, I need to get a run at this fucking hill.
(Gear shifts) A little bit of momentum will get you there, though.
Narrator: Darrell's plan? Put his foot to the floor and gain enough momentum to conquer the beast.
Here we go, again! It's slick out here.
Narrator: But over the slick terrain, it'll be a challenge to keep the rig on the road.
(Truck rumbles) Darrell: Come on! Come on, a little more! (Truck tires crunch in snow) I'm spun out.
(Tires spinning) What the fuck! Narrator: Coming up Mike: Here we go! Here we go! Narrator: Bumps Shit, what that fuck! Narrator: and jumps.
Lisa: It is cracking.
Agh! Narrator: On the path to Muskrat Dam Darrell: Come on, come on, just a little more.
(Gear shifts) Narrator: Darrell Ward's big money haul has gone off the rails.
Darrell: What the fuck! I'm spun out.
Fuck! Backing up.
(Hits snow bank) You know, the key to getting up this hill is about momentum.
Narrator: To try and scale the mammoth hill All right, I'm going to make my run for it here.
Narrator: Darrell gives himself a long, running start to gain more speed before he hits the incline.
(Gear shifts) Darrell: Come on, girl, you can lug her up over this! We're almost to the top.
Over the top of another one.
Feel like the lone ranger.
So now I've just gotta make up time, lost time.
So, let's motor on out of here.
If this road gets any worse, gonna be tight.
Narrator: While Darrell presses on, 100 miles to the north (Truck honks) A legend's on the road for the competition.
Alex: I'm going north to Big Trout Lake First Nations delivering a load of building supplies.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski's making his maiden voyage into Ontario.
But road crews haven't even reached the newly opened trail.
(Loud clangs) Making for a rough ride.
Alex: Twisting and turning in the wind.
(Clang) Whoa.
(Tires crunch in snow) Shit! Whoa, baby! If I want to drive on these roads, that's what you do.
You bounce up the-- up and down.
If I don't like bouncing up and down, I'll have to go find something smooth.
Narrator: But rocky terrain isn't Alex's only challenge.
(Airbrakes hiss) I'm at a fork in the road, I'm not sure which way to go.
Narrator: The winter roads are so remote, GPS rarely works, and maps are often inaccurate.
So drivers have to rely on their instincts and experience to lead them, or they could become stranded hundreds of miles from the nearest town.
(Crow caws) Alex: So I've got two choices, left or right.
One's the right way and one's the wrong way.
The road on the left hasn't had as much traffic as the road on the right.
Best I can figure, I'm just gonna try to follow the road that has the most tracks on it, which may or may not make sense, but I have to make a choice.
I am hoping, I definitely am hoping that is the right turn.
A lot of these roads, once you get lost, there's nowhere to turn around until you get to where the road ends.
And now I'm not sure whether I'm going the right way or the wrong way.
(Truck engine rumbles) Well, the road has split again.
This is ridiculous.
(Airbrakes hiss) I think it would be a good time for a prayer, maybe.
(Crow caws) Narrator: 200 miles to the southwest, on the road to Pikangikum Lisa: Hurry, hurry, hurry.
Hurry, hurry, every year, hurry, hurry, hurry.
Narrator: A new business owner's on a race against the clock.
Lisa: Pikangikum's building a big, big school, so they need these loads in there.
They want this stuff by truck as soon as possible.
Narrator: When this road first opened the ice crossing tested Darrell.
We're definitely walking across some pretty thin ice out here.
I can see where this crack comes out in front of me, here.
- (Ice cracks) - Oh Narrator: And a week later, it barely withstood the pressure from Todd's 130,000 pound crane.
Todd: Biggest load ever.
Biggest load in history across this ice right here I'm hauling right now.
Narrator: But heavy truck travel has damaged the crossing beyond repair.
And road authorities are shutting it down in less than 24 hours.
Lisa: My concern going in is that I don't know what to expect.
The ice has been well worn throughout the season, and it'll be all mud in a couple days.
So we've got to get in and out.
Narrator: Now, Lisa will be the last one to attempt to cross it before it's closed for the season.
Oh, here's the ice, damn it.
(Chains clink) (Airbrakes hiss) That's so slushy.
(Ice cracks) Who knows? Shit.
(Water bubbling) Yeah, you can already hear it cracking.
You can already see more clear spots, like the snow's starting to melt on top of it.
(Truck tires crunch) This has been well worn ice throughout the season.
I've been talking to some of the locals about these like big cracks, these two big cracks that run through the middle, how every time you go by it, it like re-cracks that big crack.
Traffic on this road has definitely taken its toll.
There's starting to be like big, bit sink holes in it now, like it's starting to thaw all the way through.
(Ice cracking) Yeah, that crack's getting deep.
(Ice cracking) Like whenever you get scared, you have this tendency to like punch it, so like to get off what's breaking behind you, but that's like the worst thing you do on ice is punch it.
The best thing to do is slow down, and that's even scarier because you're like I want to make it across the ice.
Narrator: As Lisa reaches the middle of the lake where water falls to depths of over 200 feet Holy snap and pop.
Narrator: The ice begins to splinter.
Oh yeah, it's groaning, it's not liking it today.
Narrator: In case rigs break through It's loud! Narrator: Drivers keep their doors open for a quick escape.
Man, it is cracking something fierce.
I can't go any slower.
- (Ice cracks) - Ahh! Narrator: On the disintegrating crossing at Pikangikum (Water bubbles) It's loud! Narrator: Lisa Kelly's hit the breaking point.
Man, it is cracking something fierce.
I can't go any slower.
- (Ice cracks) - Ahh! Oh my gosh! (Engine rumbles) I thought for sure it was gonna fall through.
Oh my gosh! It made such a loud noise.
Narrator: Her 25 tonne load of concrete has proven too much.
Lisa: Oh, what a heart attack.
Narrator: Now as she approaches the crossing's edge, where ice is at its thinnest, she'll have to brave the cracks and try to steer to the other side.
(Ice cracking) (Water bubbling) Lisa: Well, that was interesting.
Getting close to shore.
That doesn't mean it's over yet.
Hold on! Survived to truck another day.
My offload site is right down here.
Get these unstrapped and offloaded.
Narrator: Lisa gets the delivery in before the road is closed.
And the new company continues knocking down every challenge they face.
Lisa: They need it, I brought it, that's all that matters.
I'm done, off this road, gotta get out of here.
Narrator: As the renegade owner locks in a big one, 100 miles to the north, on the road to Elk Island Lodge (Horn honks) Are we going to come up with some terrible, awesome code names for this trip? What's your handle gonna be? Call me Art for the whole trip and not prick, or anything like this, I'll be happy.
You can call me Nighthawk.
Art: Nighthawk.
Fuck.
I mean it's his first day and he's trying to make an impression, but holy fuck.
Narrator: Art Burke's leading a convoy with Polar's newest trucker, Mike Simmons and they've hit the first rough stretch.
Hey, buddy, away we go.
Now we're on this, this is the true test.
Ha ha! Now we're talkin', Sunshine.
Sunshine Okay there, Puss in Boots.
Yeah.
That's a big 10-4, Rubber Ducky.
Art: I'll tell you one thing, if you're the new guy and you start out on a job, and all of a sudden you start dishing out nicknames for everybody first day you're there, that's gonna backfire, b'y.
(Loud clangs) Let the games begin! (Gear shifts) Narrator: Art puts the newcomer through the ringer by taking off the training wheels Damned to hell, b'y.
Narrator: And seeing if the rookie can keep up.
Bumps, bump, bumps.
- (Loud clangs) - Bumps.
Agh! Art has got his foot into it.
He is balls to the wall on this road.
(Truck roars) Boy oh boy, you're gonna have to catch up.
Narrator: Mike's gotta learn to ride the terrain, and still keep control.
(Loud clang) Oh! Fuck me.
(Loud shift) Oh! Oh! Oh! Here we go! Here we go! - (Clang) - Wow.
(Chuckles) Holy fuck! Mike: The bumps come out of frickin' nowhere, I can't even see these bumps.
Everything's white.
Narrator: Reading these roads takes years to master and today, Mike's getting a crash course.
- (Loud clang) - Ah fuck! Art: By ice road standards, this is pretty fucking good going along here.
(Truck hits snow) Ha ha ha! That motherfucker is crazy.
(Chuckles) - (Loud clang) - Fuck me! Fuck, fuck, fuck! Agh! Woo! (Truck engine roars) Narrator: For the next 50 miles Mike manages to keep pace with the old-timer.
Mike: I feel like I've been in a fight.
Now I know why Art curses so much.
Shit.
Fuck.
It's hard not to.
Art: Anyway, b'y, we're on the ice crossing.
Narrator: But as night approaches his biggest test lies ahead.
Art: On the other side of that ice is Elk Lodge, eh.
So we can cross the ice together, eh.
Well b'y Narrator: At 10 miles, Island Lake is one of the longest crossings in Canada.
Yeah, this is a private fucking road, this one.
The government doesn't look after this.
Narrator: And on private property, it's unmaintained by road authorities.
Mike: Let's just hope it's, that ice is nice and thick.
Art: You've gotta be careful because you don't know.
Narrator: Making it a challenge for a seasoned veteran, and a daunting initiation for a newcomer.
No sense worrying about it, what the fuck, you gonna turn around and go back? Fuck no.
Mike: - Let's get at 'er.
Art: - We're goin' anyway, eh.
Mike: - Oh, we're going! Art: - Fucking get at 'er.
Art: He says he knows what he's doing on crossing the ice.
It'll take me about a minute and a half to figure out if he's full of shit or not.
Got that out there, buddy? Got that, Mike? Ha ha! Narrator: At the epic ice crossing at Elk Island Lodge Art: He says he knows what he's doing on crossing the ice.
It'll take me about a minute and a half to figure out if he's full of shit or not.
Narrator: It's time for rookie, Mike Simmons, to show what he's made of.
As Mike awaits his trial by ice Art: Welcome to the ice roads.
Narrator: The veteran's the first to test the crossing.
(Ice crunches) Well, we're on the fucking ice crossing.
(Ice cracking) Crackin' and a poppin'.
Snap, crackle, and fucking pop.
(Truck tires crunch on ice) I'm entering now.
(Ice cracking) Well, she's poppin'.
(Truck tires crunch on ice) Art: I can see it crackin'.
Take a look out your side window.
I can see right down through, eh.
(Ice cracking) Wow, that is black.
Art: I've never seen it that clear.
You can see right down through, I can watch the cracks going and everything here.
It's pretty neat, if you're into that type of thing.
Imagine normal people would probably shit in their pants.
Wow.
Narrator: The 10 mile stretch over Island Lake is privately maintained, which means the thickness and stability of the ice is an unknown for the drivers.
Be careful with the shit.
You never know, right.
I'll tell ya, this a creepy one.
It's like you're driving over broken glass.
(Water bubbling) (Ice cracking) Can you imagine how cold that is, buddy.
(Ice cracking) You know what's messed up, what makes me even more nervous about all this? Is I can't swim.
Narrator: Halfway across the lake Art: All right, Mike, b'y? Mike: This is not something the average person can get used to.
Holy fuck! Narrator: The ice isn't the only thing starting to crack.
My heart's beating 100 mile an hour.
Narrator: As the pressure wears on the cocky newcomer Last year when I was out here I wrote a poem, b'y.
Since we're going across here this is an appropriate time.
Narrator: Art tries to cool him down in his own special way.
Art: "My name is Art, I drive the ice roads.
It's a job that I like to do.
A lot of people think I'm fucked.
That's really nothing new.
You might not like the way I talk, but I don't give a fuck.
I'm not here to be judged by you, I'm here to drive a truck.
I like to keep the truck alone on top side of the ice.
Well, I fucking don't mind the job, I don't get to do it twice.
When I get to where I'm goin', I see the people smile.
They finally got the supplies they needed, it makes my job worthwhile.
Now maybe you don't like me, or like the job I do, you keep your fucking shitty jobs, this ain't the job for you.
" Ain't that wonderful, b'y? (Laughs) Mike: That was great, buddy.
Shit.
Hey, Bubba.
I enjoyed that.
(Ice cracking) I'm trying not to think of the millions of gallons of death under the ice.
I'm trying to think of the safety of the ice.
Art: I'm sure he felt tough behind me, a super fucking guy, when all this fucking shit, hey.
But when you hit this stuff, boy, she fucking changes.
(Truck tires crunch on ice) Art: I'm off the ice, buddy.
Mike: I'm not far behind.
(Truck engine rumbles) It's nice to get off that ice.
Narrator: As the convoy rolls into Elk Island Lodge, the rookie's ice initiation is finally over.
Art: Mike had a bit of an attitude when he first got here, but slowly but surely, slowly but surely the air was comin' out of him.
Well, what'd you think of that, b'y? Mike: Not what I'm used to.
- (Art laughs) Mike: - Not what I'm used to.
I felt like I was on that ice for half a day.
It's all still very vivid in my mind, I don't think I'll forget those cracks for a while.
Mike: - Yeah.
Art: - See ya in the morning.
Mike: Yes, sir.
Take 'er easy, buddy.
Art: Way to go on your first one, b'y.
Mike: Thanks, man.
See you in the morning.
Art: See ya tomorrow.
Narrator: As morning breaks Alex: Finally, there's Big Trout.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski closes in on his destination.
Alex: There are so few people in all these areas that they're a lot closer, because there's not many of us.
Doesn't matter what colour you are, or what race you are, so you're kind of connected by this remoteness.
I'm at a fork in the road, I'm not sure which way to go.
Narrator: The old pro confronted twists and turns over the uncharted trail.
Well, the road has split again.
This is ridiculous.
Finally, mission accomplished.
Narrator: But successfully navigated his way to the finish line.
Alex: They're unloading me right away, which is good.
My load is in one piece, I'm pretty pleased it didn't shake apart.
Narrator: With the delivery, Alex bags his first load in Ontario for Team Polar.
Alex: The boys, they unloaded all the insulation, they unloaded the pipe by hand, so I'll be on my way shortly, going back for another load.
Narrator: While one Polar driver has safely delivered 100 miles to the southwest Todd: Piece of plywood with an arrow, that's all I needed to see.
Narrator: Todd Dewey's pioneering a new route.
Hang on, gonna get rough.
(Loud clang) Told ya, it's gonna get rough! Narrator: Blazing the trail to remote Muskrat Dam.
Todd: My goodness sakes.
(Loud clang) They did not do much work on this road.
Narrator: And he's fighting to keep his wheels on the ground (Loud clang) And his load on the trailer.
Oh my, it's a little bit rough.
As long as I know that, keep an eye on that lumber and make sure none of that falls off there, because I do not want to spend any time out reloading lumber to re-strap her down.
That is for damn sure.
(Loud clangs) Oh-ho-ho! (Loud clang) Holy shyster! (Warning beeps, air hisses) We just bottomed out really bad.
Something just fucking got knocked off the bottom of my truck.
I'm losing air fast, too.
It must have been a big rock.
(Screeches to a halt) I'm gonna stop right here, it's locking up.
The back tires are locking up.
Son of a bitch.
(Warning beeps) Definitely ripped off something.
I've got no air pressure, the engine light just came on.
Both valves are down in the red, I've gotta figure out what's going on.
Where's my fucking gloves at? (Warning beeps) - (Air hisses) - I can hear it, I just can't see it.
Fuck! Always something, always something, every time.
Okay, well, I can't hear any air back here, I can-- I could hear it in the front, not in the back.
(Air hisses) Ah fuck! There it is, right there.
I wonder if it if caught one of these rings, ripped the plug right out of the tank.
See these plugs? These are your air tank plugs.
It ripped the front one completely right out of the tank.
It's gone.
There's no plug in that, I can't hold any air in the tank.
It's just about air, though.
I didn't have much air left in to begin with.
Narrator: Without air pressure, the brakes will remain locked, and the rig won't move.
Todd: Well, if I had a new plug and I can put a plug in there, without that plug, I can't hold no air, I'm screwed.
I ain't goin' anywhere.
Narrator: Drivers are equipped with repair kits in case any situations spring up on the road.
There's a kit right here.
My fingers are freezing ass cold.
There's got to be a plug, I need a plug.
It's got air fittings for air lines, splicers for lines.
Hose connectors.
You're jokin' me, right? Is this some kind of sick joke? Why wouldn't they put a fucking kit in here that's got plugs in it? Fuck! You know what? I don't know what to do.
Right now I am just fucking flabbergasted.
I don't know what to say, I don't know what to fucking do.
But I will tell you this, my truck ain't fucking going anywhere until I get a fucking plug, because I can't build any fucking air pressure until I have a plug in the air tank.
So we possibly could be here all night.
(Truck door shuts) Narrator: 25 miles from the closest village Come on you son of a bitch, just go through, one call, please.
Narrator: The satellite phone is Todd's last lifeline.
You have no available service.
Real fucking good these stupid fucking things do ya, too.
Nothing to do, I can't, there's nothing I can do.
I'm just stuck here.
Narrator: With temperatures plummeting more each minute, and only three hours of fuel remaining, Todd's facing every trucker's nightmare.
We won't freeze to death until I run out of fuel.
Then we'll freeze to death.
- (Warning beeps) - Fuck! Narrator: On the distant trail to Muskrat Dam Todd: You know what the sad part about it is? I've been travelling for eight hours on this road and I haven't seen a truck run all day long.
Nothing.
Zilch.
Narrator: An air leak in the brake line has locked up Todd Dewey's wheels, and left him stranded in -30 degrees.
One stupid little brass plug is all I need.
So I could stay warm for a half a tank worth of fuel, then yeah we're gonna be in trouble.
Narrator: As each hour passes, Todd's situation becomes more dire.
Todd: I keep trying the sat phone.
I've had this problem before.
They don't always work up here.
The sat phones don't always come in.
I'm in the middle of a great big treed area on the side of the freaking road, about 2,000 miles up north, in the middle of nowhere.
It ain't givin' me any bars.
You know what? Here comes a truck.
Darrell: I'm pushing it right now.
Muskrat Dam.
I need to get in there and get this load off, get turned around and get out of there.
Oh, here's a truck in the road.
Got his flashers on.
(Truck honks) Oh, it's a Polar truck.
(Airbrakes hiss) Un-f'n-believable.
Darrell: The fuck you doin', Todd? Todd: What in the hell are you doin'? Truckin' up the road! Fuck, I haven't seen nobody on this road until I come across you.
I've been sittin' here all damn day.
I think I must have hit that great big toad, it busted an air fitting right out of my tank.
Tell me that you have some parts.
Well, let me get out of the way, I'll see what ya got.
(Truck engine roars) Just got myself ahead of a Polar truck.
Think I should keep on goin', or should I go back and help him? Nah, it's Todd.
The competition is Polar, it's Mark, it's not Todd.
Todd works for the company, but Todd and I are still friends.
I will not leave a fellow trucker in the bush.
It's the trucker's code, you got a fellow trucker that's broke down, you always stop and help them.
But there should be a plug in here.
There, is that the right one? Todd: Oh yeah.
That's the one, right there.
You need to come more prepared, Todd.
You need to talk to that boss of yours.
Todd: (Laughing) Darrell: And give him some shit about not being prepared out here.
Todd: I'll keep my mouth shut just because you're helping me right now.
I need to get rollin', see if I can't make it.
Todd: Yeah, we're not, we shouldn't be too far out of there right now.
Should be able to get in there.
Darrell: Yeah.
Well, I'm ahead of you.
Todd: I'm goin'! (Laughing) (Truck doors shut) Are ya rollin'? Fuck, Darrell, I'm rollin'.
Thanks, buddy.
All right.
If I get goin' too fast for ya, let me know.
My radio gets out of range pretty quick.
Oh! Shoot, bud, you know how I drive.
I'll be right with ya.
Darrell: Yeah, I figure you're gonna look like you're chained to my bumper.
Oh, sweet lord.
You miss me, don't ya, Todd.
I do, I do.
Narrator: As night sets in (Truck engine hums) Todd: Yeehaw! Muskrat Dam! Narrator: Todd - (Truck honks) - And Darrell.
Well, I'm gonna pull right up here.
Narrator: Finally arrive at Muskrat Dam, and both companies make their mark on the remote trail.
(Backing up beeps) I appreciate the help today anyway, buddy, once again.
Darrell: No problem, I'd help anybody, even you.
(Laughing) Well, obviously.
You know I've never been down this road before.
I didn't know what to expect, but I surely didn't expect to find Todd.
I had the part he needed, fixed him up, and got him here, too.
Both of us are here, both of us are gettin' unloaded.
Todd: At the end of the day, I still work for Polar, I'm still going to get every load I can fucking get.
We'll see who's on top at the end of the, end of the road.
Todd: Hey, may the best man win, buddy.
It turned out to be a long day for me.
Shit does happen, he knows that.
Out here in the bush, you don't leave somebody behind, you give them a hand when they need it, and Darrell came through today and got me back up and rolling.
You know, you've gotta have respect for a guy when he does that.
Darrell: - Well, I'm outta here.
Todd: - I appreciate it, Darrell.
Darrel: - You bet.
Todd: - Thanks.
Narrator: Next time - (Loud clang) - What the fuck! Narrator: on Ice Road Truckers Mike: This is fucking mission impossible.
Narrator: The bigger they come Mike: Come on, move! Holy shit! Narrator: the harder they fall.
Oh, this sucks! Lisa: They can't let us cross until it freezes up.
Narrator: And for one team Darrell: This is what kills the company.
I don't know what to do.
Narrator: it could be the end of the road.
Darrell: Basically, we're fucked.
I feel like I've been in a fight.
Narrator: While the veterans Darrell: What the fuck?! Narrator: leap into danger.
Lisa: It is cracking.
Agh! Narrator: All season Lisa: Another load down, many to go.
Narrator: new business owners Darrell and Lisa, have been giving Polar a run for their money.
Watch your ass, Mark.
Mark: Well, I guess we can't win 'em all.
Bye.
Bye.
Fuck.
Narrator: And the trucking giant's been feeling the pinch.
I knew Darrell and Lisa teamed up together it would be a fairly serious threat, but I never would have imagined it would have been this big of a threat.
Narrator: So now the boss is expanding his army by taking a chance on Mike Simmons, a seasoned heavy-hauler from the Canadian oil field.
Mike: - Pleasure to be here.
Mark: - Hi there.
Narrator: But a rookie on the winter roads.
Give me some experience, what have you done out there? I've been doing loads in excess of two hundred thousand pounds, pulling up to ninety wheels.
Other than that I've got a lot of highway experience as well, I've- But you've never been on the ice? Okay, this is a whole different ball game out here.
I mean these roads are tough, these are the toughest roads in all of Canada.
They're going to beat the hell of your truck, they're going to beat the hell out of you.
I've got this.
Mark: I want you to take this seriously.
You're a little bit cocky, a little bit reckless.
- Can't have that here, you know.
Mike: - Okay.
- It's going to cost you your life.
Mike: - Okay.
It's going to cost somebody else's life out there.
Understood.
I'm used to doing things that most truckers will never do.
I've got more tricks up my sleeve than Houdini.
There's your safety coat.
Mike: I look forward to really showing them who I am.
Mike: - Excellent.
Mark: - Be safe out there.
Mark: - Hit the road.
Mike: - Pleasure to be here, thank you.
Mark: Thanks, buddy.
I get Mike in my office for the first time and you know, hot shot kid, you know, thinks he knows everything.
If he stays that way he's gonna get hurt, he's gonna damage some freight, but these roads will whip a guy into shape pretty quick.
(Phone ringing) Jackie: Hey, Mark.
Hey, Jackie, we've got these two Elk Island loads.
Mike's the new guy here, I kind of want to send him with somebody.
Jackie: Um, Art's available.
He's the only one? Jackie: I believe so.
I don't see anyone else.
Uh, okay, Art it is.
We want Art to step up, so I guess this is the time to do it, eh? All right, Art, here's your time to shine.
Narrator: The convoy's hauling building supplies in pontoon boats four hundred miles to Elk Island Lodge over a remote frontier that's unregulated by authorities.
(Truck rumbles) And the trail is topped off with a ten-mile ice crossing, that'll be unlike anything the rookie's ever experienced before.
What the fuck ever possessed you to come at this racket? (Both chuckle) Oh, you know, that's the best way I know how to Art: The best way you know how to drown is it? - (Both laugh) Mike: - Yeah.
Mark: It's kind of funny putting Art in a mentoring role, but I did ask Art at the beginning of the year to step it up this year for me, and here's his opportunity, so let's hope he can deliver.
I've got three rules.
First rule, listen to everything but don't bring your fucking knowledge here.
My second fucking rule, - never let them know how smart you are.
Mike: - Gotcha.
My third fucking rule, don't give a fuck, because the less you give a fuck, man, the happier your fucking trip is going to be.
I'm telling you the truth.
Mike: So I was talking to Mark and he said he kind of wants me to uh, me to follow behind for the first trip, so I'll hold off on the super truckin'.
So I'll just be following behind, keeping your keister warm for you.
My first impression is Mike is here's a guy that thinks he knows everything and he's in for a rude fucking awakening.
Okay boys, I guess we're off.
Mike: I'm a comin', I'm a comin'.
Art: I'll drag him along and see how it turns out, eh.
Between you and I, he's gnona come off his pedestal pretty fucking fast I'm thinking we get into that ice road.
(Laughs) Oh yeah, that's how it's gonna be, b'y.
Narrator: While the convoy hits the road, 200 miles northeast of Winnipeg Todd: Get up to a little village called Muskrat Dam.
They just opened this road.
There hasn't been anybody up here yet, I'm the first truck coming in, and I'm worried.
(Truck rumbles) Narrator: Polar's top dog is blazing a trail over new ground.
Todd: The road conditions are pretty rough.
Let's see what happens.
Narrator: Last week God! This is some scary ass shit right here.
Narrator: Todd proved his medal by hauling the heaviest load in company history.
(Ice cracking) Todd: It takes a lot to make me nervous, and I'm nervous.
Narrator: Now he's heading to Muskrat Dam.
(Loud thud) One of the furthest destinations in the winter road system.
Todd: It's a huge load of building supplies.
The whole first half of the trailer is nothing but double stacks of plywood, and plywood is not light.
Are-- Narrator: The rugged six hundred mile trail just opened at dawn.
Hold on.
Narrator: And Todd'll be the guinea pig, the first to test any dangers that may lie ahead.
(Gear shifts) I haven't seen any trucks, nothing, all morning.
It's been absolutely just like a ghost town.
It's kind of creepy.
(Truck whines) Narrator: If he runs into trouble, he'll be on his own.
I'm in the middle of nowhere all by myself.
That makes a guy naturally a little bit nervous, that's for sure.
(Truck engine rumbles) Narrator: But 150 miles back Darrell: Oh, here's my sign for Muskrat Dam.
Flipping loads pretty quick now, and I'm liking it.
Narrator: The competition's also braving the new route.
Darrell: I left early this morning.
A lot of freight moving right now on the winter roads and pretty much a lot of loads up for grabs.
Make a couple phone calls and the loads are there.
Narrator: Darrell Ward snagged the only other load due to Muskrat Dam, and it's one of the highest priced hauls he's wrangled all season.
Darrell: I want to be one of the top companies out here on these winter roads.
If I keep hammering loads like this, you know that's setting this company up pretty solid.
(Truck engine roars) (Gear shifts) She's slick here in the sunlight.
Get a little glare on it, you know that she's slick.
Narrator: But as the sun beats down on the path Darrell: Dang it! (Loud clang) Narrator: Darrell struggles to keep the 22 tonne haul on the road.
(Tires crunch in snow) Oh boy, that's a rough one, though.
(Loud clang) Narrator: And now the business owner is about to be put to the test.
Darrell: Look at that! Narrator: As he approaches an 18% grade hill, the steepest on the entire trail.
Hey, I need to get a run at this fucking hill.
(Gear shifts) A little bit of momentum will get you there, though.
Narrator: Darrell's plan? Put his foot to the floor and gain enough momentum to conquer the beast.
Here we go, again! It's slick out here.
Narrator: But over the slick terrain, it'll be a challenge to keep the rig on the road.
(Truck rumbles) Darrell: Come on! Come on, a little more! (Truck tires crunch in snow) I'm spun out.
(Tires spinning) What the fuck! Narrator: Coming up Mike: Here we go! Here we go! Narrator: Bumps Shit, what that fuck! Narrator: and jumps.
Lisa: It is cracking.
Agh! Narrator: On the path to Muskrat Dam Darrell: Come on, come on, just a little more.
(Gear shifts) Narrator: Darrell Ward's big money haul has gone off the rails.
Darrell: What the fuck! I'm spun out.
Fuck! Backing up.
(Hits snow bank) You know, the key to getting up this hill is about momentum.
Narrator: To try and scale the mammoth hill All right, I'm going to make my run for it here.
Narrator: Darrell gives himself a long, running start to gain more speed before he hits the incline.
(Gear shifts) Darrell: Come on, girl, you can lug her up over this! We're almost to the top.
Over the top of another one.
Feel like the lone ranger.
So now I've just gotta make up time, lost time.
So, let's motor on out of here.
If this road gets any worse, gonna be tight.
Narrator: While Darrell presses on, 100 miles to the north (Truck honks) A legend's on the road for the competition.
Alex: I'm going north to Big Trout Lake First Nations delivering a load of building supplies.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski's making his maiden voyage into Ontario.
But road crews haven't even reached the newly opened trail.
(Loud clangs) Making for a rough ride.
Alex: Twisting and turning in the wind.
(Clang) Whoa.
(Tires crunch in snow) Shit! Whoa, baby! If I want to drive on these roads, that's what you do.
You bounce up the-- up and down.
If I don't like bouncing up and down, I'll have to go find something smooth.
Narrator: But rocky terrain isn't Alex's only challenge.
(Airbrakes hiss) I'm at a fork in the road, I'm not sure which way to go.
Narrator: The winter roads are so remote, GPS rarely works, and maps are often inaccurate.
So drivers have to rely on their instincts and experience to lead them, or they could become stranded hundreds of miles from the nearest town.
(Crow caws) Alex: So I've got two choices, left or right.
One's the right way and one's the wrong way.
The road on the left hasn't had as much traffic as the road on the right.
Best I can figure, I'm just gonna try to follow the road that has the most tracks on it, which may or may not make sense, but I have to make a choice.
I am hoping, I definitely am hoping that is the right turn.
A lot of these roads, once you get lost, there's nowhere to turn around until you get to where the road ends.
And now I'm not sure whether I'm going the right way or the wrong way.
(Truck engine rumbles) Well, the road has split again.
This is ridiculous.
(Airbrakes hiss) I think it would be a good time for a prayer, maybe.
(Crow caws) Narrator: 200 miles to the southwest, on the road to Pikangikum Lisa: Hurry, hurry, hurry.
Hurry, hurry, every year, hurry, hurry, hurry.
Narrator: A new business owner's on a race against the clock.
Lisa: Pikangikum's building a big, big school, so they need these loads in there.
They want this stuff by truck as soon as possible.
Narrator: When this road first opened the ice crossing tested Darrell.
We're definitely walking across some pretty thin ice out here.
I can see where this crack comes out in front of me, here.
- (Ice cracks) - Oh Narrator: And a week later, it barely withstood the pressure from Todd's 130,000 pound crane.
Todd: Biggest load ever.
Biggest load in history across this ice right here I'm hauling right now.
Narrator: But heavy truck travel has damaged the crossing beyond repair.
And road authorities are shutting it down in less than 24 hours.
Lisa: My concern going in is that I don't know what to expect.
The ice has been well worn throughout the season, and it'll be all mud in a couple days.
So we've got to get in and out.
Narrator: Now, Lisa will be the last one to attempt to cross it before it's closed for the season.
Oh, here's the ice, damn it.
(Chains clink) (Airbrakes hiss) That's so slushy.
(Ice cracks) Who knows? Shit.
(Water bubbling) Yeah, you can already hear it cracking.
You can already see more clear spots, like the snow's starting to melt on top of it.
(Truck tires crunch) This has been well worn ice throughout the season.
I've been talking to some of the locals about these like big cracks, these two big cracks that run through the middle, how every time you go by it, it like re-cracks that big crack.
Traffic on this road has definitely taken its toll.
There's starting to be like big, bit sink holes in it now, like it's starting to thaw all the way through.
(Ice cracking) Yeah, that crack's getting deep.
(Ice cracking) Like whenever you get scared, you have this tendency to like punch it, so like to get off what's breaking behind you, but that's like the worst thing you do on ice is punch it.
The best thing to do is slow down, and that's even scarier because you're like I want to make it across the ice.
Narrator: As Lisa reaches the middle of the lake where water falls to depths of over 200 feet Holy snap and pop.
Narrator: The ice begins to splinter.
Oh yeah, it's groaning, it's not liking it today.
Narrator: In case rigs break through It's loud! Narrator: Drivers keep their doors open for a quick escape.
Man, it is cracking something fierce.
I can't go any slower.
- (Ice cracks) - Ahh! Narrator: On the disintegrating crossing at Pikangikum (Water bubbles) It's loud! Narrator: Lisa Kelly's hit the breaking point.
Man, it is cracking something fierce.
I can't go any slower.
- (Ice cracks) - Ahh! Oh my gosh! (Engine rumbles) I thought for sure it was gonna fall through.
Oh my gosh! It made such a loud noise.
Narrator: Her 25 tonne load of concrete has proven too much.
Lisa: Oh, what a heart attack.
Narrator: Now as she approaches the crossing's edge, where ice is at its thinnest, she'll have to brave the cracks and try to steer to the other side.
(Ice cracking) (Water bubbling) Lisa: Well, that was interesting.
Getting close to shore.
That doesn't mean it's over yet.
Hold on! Survived to truck another day.
My offload site is right down here.
Get these unstrapped and offloaded.
Narrator: Lisa gets the delivery in before the road is closed.
And the new company continues knocking down every challenge they face.
Lisa: They need it, I brought it, that's all that matters.
I'm done, off this road, gotta get out of here.
Narrator: As the renegade owner locks in a big one, 100 miles to the north, on the road to Elk Island Lodge (Horn honks) Are we going to come up with some terrible, awesome code names for this trip? What's your handle gonna be? Call me Art for the whole trip and not prick, or anything like this, I'll be happy.
You can call me Nighthawk.
Art: Nighthawk.
Fuck.
I mean it's his first day and he's trying to make an impression, but holy fuck.
Narrator: Art Burke's leading a convoy with Polar's newest trucker, Mike Simmons and they've hit the first rough stretch.
Hey, buddy, away we go.
Now we're on this, this is the true test.
Ha ha! Now we're talkin', Sunshine.
Sunshine Okay there, Puss in Boots.
Yeah.
That's a big 10-4, Rubber Ducky.
Art: I'll tell you one thing, if you're the new guy and you start out on a job, and all of a sudden you start dishing out nicknames for everybody first day you're there, that's gonna backfire, b'y.
(Loud clangs) Let the games begin! (Gear shifts) Narrator: Art puts the newcomer through the ringer by taking off the training wheels Damned to hell, b'y.
Narrator: And seeing if the rookie can keep up.
Bumps, bump, bumps.
- (Loud clangs) - Bumps.
Agh! Art has got his foot into it.
He is balls to the wall on this road.
(Truck roars) Boy oh boy, you're gonna have to catch up.
Narrator: Mike's gotta learn to ride the terrain, and still keep control.
(Loud clang) Oh! Fuck me.
(Loud shift) Oh! Oh! Oh! Here we go! Here we go! - (Clang) - Wow.
(Chuckles) Holy fuck! Mike: The bumps come out of frickin' nowhere, I can't even see these bumps.
Everything's white.
Narrator: Reading these roads takes years to master and today, Mike's getting a crash course.
- (Loud clang) - Ah fuck! Art: By ice road standards, this is pretty fucking good going along here.
(Truck hits snow) Ha ha ha! That motherfucker is crazy.
(Chuckles) - (Loud clang) - Fuck me! Fuck, fuck, fuck! Agh! Woo! (Truck engine roars) Narrator: For the next 50 miles Mike manages to keep pace with the old-timer.
Mike: I feel like I've been in a fight.
Now I know why Art curses so much.
Shit.
Fuck.
It's hard not to.
Art: Anyway, b'y, we're on the ice crossing.
Narrator: But as night approaches his biggest test lies ahead.
Art: On the other side of that ice is Elk Lodge, eh.
So we can cross the ice together, eh.
Well b'y Narrator: At 10 miles, Island Lake is one of the longest crossings in Canada.
Yeah, this is a private fucking road, this one.
The government doesn't look after this.
Narrator: And on private property, it's unmaintained by road authorities.
Mike: Let's just hope it's, that ice is nice and thick.
Art: You've gotta be careful because you don't know.
Narrator: Making it a challenge for a seasoned veteran, and a daunting initiation for a newcomer.
No sense worrying about it, what the fuck, you gonna turn around and go back? Fuck no.
Mike: - Let's get at 'er.
Art: - We're goin' anyway, eh.
Mike: - Oh, we're going! Art: - Fucking get at 'er.
Art: He says he knows what he's doing on crossing the ice.
It'll take me about a minute and a half to figure out if he's full of shit or not.
Got that out there, buddy? Got that, Mike? Ha ha! Narrator: At the epic ice crossing at Elk Island Lodge Art: He says he knows what he's doing on crossing the ice.
It'll take me about a minute and a half to figure out if he's full of shit or not.
Narrator: It's time for rookie, Mike Simmons, to show what he's made of.
As Mike awaits his trial by ice Art: Welcome to the ice roads.
Narrator: The veteran's the first to test the crossing.
(Ice crunches) Well, we're on the fucking ice crossing.
(Ice cracking) Crackin' and a poppin'.
Snap, crackle, and fucking pop.
(Truck tires crunch on ice) I'm entering now.
(Ice cracking) Well, she's poppin'.
(Truck tires crunch on ice) Art: I can see it crackin'.
Take a look out your side window.
I can see right down through, eh.
(Ice cracking) Wow, that is black.
Art: I've never seen it that clear.
You can see right down through, I can watch the cracks going and everything here.
It's pretty neat, if you're into that type of thing.
Imagine normal people would probably shit in their pants.
Wow.
Narrator: The 10 mile stretch over Island Lake is privately maintained, which means the thickness and stability of the ice is an unknown for the drivers.
Be careful with the shit.
You never know, right.
I'll tell ya, this a creepy one.
It's like you're driving over broken glass.
(Water bubbling) (Ice cracking) Can you imagine how cold that is, buddy.
(Ice cracking) You know what's messed up, what makes me even more nervous about all this? Is I can't swim.
Narrator: Halfway across the lake Art: All right, Mike, b'y? Mike: This is not something the average person can get used to.
Holy fuck! Narrator: The ice isn't the only thing starting to crack.
My heart's beating 100 mile an hour.
Narrator: As the pressure wears on the cocky newcomer Last year when I was out here I wrote a poem, b'y.
Since we're going across here this is an appropriate time.
Narrator: Art tries to cool him down in his own special way.
Art: "My name is Art, I drive the ice roads.
It's a job that I like to do.
A lot of people think I'm fucked.
That's really nothing new.
You might not like the way I talk, but I don't give a fuck.
I'm not here to be judged by you, I'm here to drive a truck.
I like to keep the truck alone on top side of the ice.
Well, I fucking don't mind the job, I don't get to do it twice.
When I get to where I'm goin', I see the people smile.
They finally got the supplies they needed, it makes my job worthwhile.
Now maybe you don't like me, or like the job I do, you keep your fucking shitty jobs, this ain't the job for you.
" Ain't that wonderful, b'y? (Laughs) Mike: That was great, buddy.
Shit.
Hey, Bubba.
I enjoyed that.
(Ice cracking) I'm trying not to think of the millions of gallons of death under the ice.
I'm trying to think of the safety of the ice.
Art: I'm sure he felt tough behind me, a super fucking guy, when all this fucking shit, hey.
But when you hit this stuff, boy, she fucking changes.
(Truck tires crunch on ice) Art: I'm off the ice, buddy.
Mike: I'm not far behind.
(Truck engine rumbles) It's nice to get off that ice.
Narrator: As the convoy rolls into Elk Island Lodge, the rookie's ice initiation is finally over.
Art: Mike had a bit of an attitude when he first got here, but slowly but surely, slowly but surely the air was comin' out of him.
Well, what'd you think of that, b'y? Mike: Not what I'm used to.
- (Art laughs) Mike: - Not what I'm used to.
I felt like I was on that ice for half a day.
It's all still very vivid in my mind, I don't think I'll forget those cracks for a while.
Mike: - Yeah.
Art: - See ya in the morning.
Mike: Yes, sir.
Take 'er easy, buddy.
Art: Way to go on your first one, b'y.
Mike: Thanks, man.
See you in the morning.
Art: See ya tomorrow.
Narrator: As morning breaks Alex: Finally, there's Big Trout.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski closes in on his destination.
Alex: There are so few people in all these areas that they're a lot closer, because there's not many of us.
Doesn't matter what colour you are, or what race you are, so you're kind of connected by this remoteness.
I'm at a fork in the road, I'm not sure which way to go.
Narrator: The old pro confronted twists and turns over the uncharted trail.
Well, the road has split again.
This is ridiculous.
Finally, mission accomplished.
Narrator: But successfully navigated his way to the finish line.
Alex: They're unloading me right away, which is good.
My load is in one piece, I'm pretty pleased it didn't shake apart.
Narrator: With the delivery, Alex bags his first load in Ontario for Team Polar.
Alex: The boys, they unloaded all the insulation, they unloaded the pipe by hand, so I'll be on my way shortly, going back for another load.
Narrator: While one Polar driver has safely delivered 100 miles to the southwest Todd: Piece of plywood with an arrow, that's all I needed to see.
Narrator: Todd Dewey's pioneering a new route.
Hang on, gonna get rough.
(Loud clang) Told ya, it's gonna get rough! Narrator: Blazing the trail to remote Muskrat Dam.
Todd: My goodness sakes.
(Loud clang) They did not do much work on this road.
Narrator: And he's fighting to keep his wheels on the ground (Loud clang) And his load on the trailer.
Oh my, it's a little bit rough.
As long as I know that, keep an eye on that lumber and make sure none of that falls off there, because I do not want to spend any time out reloading lumber to re-strap her down.
That is for damn sure.
(Loud clangs) Oh-ho-ho! (Loud clang) Holy shyster! (Warning beeps, air hisses) We just bottomed out really bad.
Something just fucking got knocked off the bottom of my truck.
I'm losing air fast, too.
It must have been a big rock.
(Screeches to a halt) I'm gonna stop right here, it's locking up.
The back tires are locking up.
Son of a bitch.
(Warning beeps) Definitely ripped off something.
I've got no air pressure, the engine light just came on.
Both valves are down in the red, I've gotta figure out what's going on.
Where's my fucking gloves at? (Warning beeps) - (Air hisses) - I can hear it, I just can't see it.
Fuck! Always something, always something, every time.
Okay, well, I can't hear any air back here, I can-- I could hear it in the front, not in the back.
(Air hisses) Ah fuck! There it is, right there.
I wonder if it if caught one of these rings, ripped the plug right out of the tank.
See these plugs? These are your air tank plugs.
It ripped the front one completely right out of the tank.
It's gone.
There's no plug in that, I can't hold any air in the tank.
It's just about air, though.
I didn't have much air left in to begin with.
Narrator: Without air pressure, the brakes will remain locked, and the rig won't move.
Todd: Well, if I had a new plug and I can put a plug in there, without that plug, I can't hold no air, I'm screwed.
I ain't goin' anywhere.
Narrator: Drivers are equipped with repair kits in case any situations spring up on the road.
There's a kit right here.
My fingers are freezing ass cold.
There's got to be a plug, I need a plug.
It's got air fittings for air lines, splicers for lines.
Hose connectors.
You're jokin' me, right? Is this some kind of sick joke? Why wouldn't they put a fucking kit in here that's got plugs in it? Fuck! You know what? I don't know what to do.
Right now I am just fucking flabbergasted.
I don't know what to say, I don't know what to fucking do.
But I will tell you this, my truck ain't fucking going anywhere until I get a fucking plug, because I can't build any fucking air pressure until I have a plug in the air tank.
So we possibly could be here all night.
(Truck door shuts) Narrator: 25 miles from the closest village Come on you son of a bitch, just go through, one call, please.
Narrator: The satellite phone is Todd's last lifeline.
You have no available service.
Real fucking good these stupid fucking things do ya, too.
Nothing to do, I can't, there's nothing I can do.
I'm just stuck here.
Narrator: With temperatures plummeting more each minute, and only three hours of fuel remaining, Todd's facing every trucker's nightmare.
We won't freeze to death until I run out of fuel.
Then we'll freeze to death.
- (Warning beeps) - Fuck! Narrator: On the distant trail to Muskrat Dam Todd: You know what the sad part about it is? I've been travelling for eight hours on this road and I haven't seen a truck run all day long.
Nothing.
Zilch.
Narrator: An air leak in the brake line has locked up Todd Dewey's wheels, and left him stranded in -30 degrees.
One stupid little brass plug is all I need.
So I could stay warm for a half a tank worth of fuel, then yeah we're gonna be in trouble.
Narrator: As each hour passes, Todd's situation becomes more dire.
Todd: I keep trying the sat phone.
I've had this problem before.
They don't always work up here.
The sat phones don't always come in.
I'm in the middle of a great big treed area on the side of the freaking road, about 2,000 miles up north, in the middle of nowhere.
It ain't givin' me any bars.
You know what? Here comes a truck.
Darrell: I'm pushing it right now.
Muskrat Dam.
I need to get in there and get this load off, get turned around and get out of there.
Oh, here's a truck in the road.
Got his flashers on.
(Truck honks) Oh, it's a Polar truck.
(Airbrakes hiss) Un-f'n-believable.
Darrell: The fuck you doin', Todd? Todd: What in the hell are you doin'? Truckin' up the road! Fuck, I haven't seen nobody on this road until I come across you.
I've been sittin' here all damn day.
I think I must have hit that great big toad, it busted an air fitting right out of my tank.
Tell me that you have some parts.
Well, let me get out of the way, I'll see what ya got.
(Truck engine roars) Just got myself ahead of a Polar truck.
Think I should keep on goin', or should I go back and help him? Nah, it's Todd.
The competition is Polar, it's Mark, it's not Todd.
Todd works for the company, but Todd and I are still friends.
I will not leave a fellow trucker in the bush.
It's the trucker's code, you got a fellow trucker that's broke down, you always stop and help them.
But there should be a plug in here.
There, is that the right one? Todd: Oh yeah.
That's the one, right there.
You need to come more prepared, Todd.
You need to talk to that boss of yours.
Todd: (Laughing) Darrell: And give him some shit about not being prepared out here.
Todd: I'll keep my mouth shut just because you're helping me right now.
I need to get rollin', see if I can't make it.
Todd: Yeah, we're not, we shouldn't be too far out of there right now.
Should be able to get in there.
Darrell: Yeah.
Well, I'm ahead of you.
Todd: I'm goin'! (Laughing) (Truck doors shut) Are ya rollin'? Fuck, Darrell, I'm rollin'.
Thanks, buddy.
All right.
If I get goin' too fast for ya, let me know.
My radio gets out of range pretty quick.
Oh! Shoot, bud, you know how I drive.
I'll be right with ya.
Darrell: Yeah, I figure you're gonna look like you're chained to my bumper.
Oh, sweet lord.
You miss me, don't ya, Todd.
I do, I do.
Narrator: As night sets in (Truck engine hums) Todd: Yeehaw! Muskrat Dam! Narrator: Todd - (Truck honks) - And Darrell.
Well, I'm gonna pull right up here.
Narrator: Finally arrive at Muskrat Dam, and both companies make their mark on the remote trail.
(Backing up beeps) I appreciate the help today anyway, buddy, once again.
Darrell: No problem, I'd help anybody, even you.
(Laughing) Well, obviously.
You know I've never been down this road before.
I didn't know what to expect, but I surely didn't expect to find Todd.
I had the part he needed, fixed him up, and got him here, too.
Both of us are here, both of us are gettin' unloaded.
Todd: At the end of the day, I still work for Polar, I'm still going to get every load I can fucking get.
We'll see who's on top at the end of the, end of the road.
Todd: Hey, may the best man win, buddy.
It turned out to be a long day for me.
Shit does happen, he knows that.
Out here in the bush, you don't leave somebody behind, you give them a hand when they need it, and Darrell came through today and got me back up and rolling.
You know, you've gotta have respect for a guy when he does that.
Darrell: - Well, I'm outta here.
Todd: - I appreciate it, Darrell.
Darrel: - You bet.
Todd: - Thanks.
Narrator: Next time - (Loud clang) - What the fuck! Narrator: on Ice Road Truckers Mike: This is fucking mission impossible.
Narrator: The bigger they come Mike: Come on, move! Holy shit! Narrator: the harder they fall.
Oh, this sucks! Lisa: They can't let us cross until it freezes up.
Narrator: And for one team Darrell: This is what kills the company.
I don't know what to do.
Narrator: it could be the end of the road.
Darrell: Basically, we're fucked.