Rutas mortales

Take a look at the men who undertake one of the most dangerous jobs on earth--ice road truckers. In the thick of winter truckers in giant eighteen wheelers carry equipment and supplies to miners in the Canadian tundra.

Jay hauls a 17-ton water tank over 31 inches of ice all the way to the De Beers Diamond mine. The rivalry heats up between Hugh and Rick as they compete for the highest load count.

An arctic storm forces a road closure. Alex hauls a 44,000 pound diamond ore crusher across 350-miles of ice to the BHP mine. And brutal -40 degree temperatures start to take their toll on the truckers.

It's the 18th day of the ice road season and truckers have delivered more than 3000 loads to the diamond mines. The temperatures are dropping, the loads are getting heavier and the ice is just three feet thick.

It's half way through the grueling ice road season. Six hundred truckers have ferried more than 4,000 loads to the northern mines. They still have 6,000 left to go.

Truckers have hauled more than 100,000 tons of supplies in temperatures of forty degrees below zero, but accidents and strict safety regulations have sent many drivers packing.

It's just over a month into the new ice road season and more than 800 truckers are on the ice, working around the clock. There are still 4,000 loads that need to make it to the mines.

It's day 37 of the ice road season and there almost 3,000 more loads to go. Drivers are washing out and the road is beaten up.

It's day 53 of the ice road season and only the toughest truckers remain on a road that's sent many people packing. Alex is part of a last great push to get some critical loads up the ice before it's too late.

Spring brings a rush of warm weather and the big melt begins. The road is nearly empty as only the toughest or craziest truckers remain. There's a race to the finish between Alex, Hugh, Jay and T.J.

From its geological history going back millions of years, to the origins of the indigenous Eskimos that have inhabited the land for hundreds of years, this one hour special will examine in depth the changes that have taken place in Yellowknife.

The truckers look back at their experiences during the last ice road season and explain what they do now that they're off the ice. Tensions are sure to be high as both Rick and Drew have not spoken to Hugh since leaving the ice roads prematurely.

The truckers continue their look back at their experiences during the last ice road season and explain what they do now that they're off the ice. We'll also take a look at the town of Yellowknife--and the mining industry--and see what life is like.