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For a brief window during the coldest part of the winter, the only way to reach the remote communities and natural gas exploration sites of this region, which lies more than 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is by driving over an extraordinary ice road that winds along the Mackenzie River. Contending with Arctic storms that hit without a moment's notice, even the most seasoned truckers find themselves challenged by the extreme polar conditions, isolation and the lack of basic comforts. Temperatures during the winter months here can dip as low as -60.
Last season in Yellowknife, our truckers had narrow land bridges to escape to. This season it's ice all the way, no land, no sanctuary. Four familiar faces return to see if their ice road experience translates to this more imposing river and ocean ice road. Hugh Rowland, Rick Yemm, Drew Sherwood and Alex Debogorski are all on an even playing field and Hugh is no longer the boss of Rick and Drew. New truckers will be introduced throughout the season, including Erik Refrine, and field supervisor Jerry Dusdal, veterans of the Arctic ice road.
Ice Road Truckers focuses on six drivers and the history of this rarest of professions. Returning to Ice Road Truckers are:
Hugh Rowland - Hugh "Polar Bear" Rowland, an animal on the ice road, is one of the toughest and most experienced ice road truckers on the planet. This year he's on ice roads that he hasn't seen in over twenty years, in an Arctic environment far more desolate and isolated than the roads out of Yellowknife, but he's undeterred. Hugh is used to be being the boss, and now he has a new employer to contend with. He hasn't had to prove himself in years, and now he's a newbie to the Arctic ice roads.
Alex Debogorski - The legend of the Yellowknife ice road trucking community, he is entering his 27th year as a driver, but first on this ice road. Although he's the most capable of drivers, he is out of his comfort zone, which could make for an interesting season. He's just another rookie here and he has to learn a whole new set of skills for driving these dangerous ice roads.
Rick Yemm - Fired by Hugh last year, Rick is now an equal up in the Arctic working the same ice roads for a different company. This year, Rick is out to prove that he is a true ice road trucker. He is a tattooed, loudmouth, lively character and showed up this winter sporting a bright blue Mohawk.
Drew Sherwood - Last year, Drew Sherwood quit early during his rookie season on the Yellowknife ice roads. Drew is looking to show that last year was a fluke and that this experienced highway driver can make it through a full season on the ice road.
The newcomers include:
Erik DuFresne - A French Canadian and an Arctic enthusiast, he's driven the ice roads every year since the age of 19. Erik is one of the most safety-minded, collaborative, and environmentally conscious drivers on the ice roads. He loves to turn up the music and rock out in his cab, has a great sense of humor and loves to take in the natural beauty of his surroundings.
Jerry Dusdal - On the "oilpatch" of the Arctic ice roads, Jerry is the big dog. As field supervisor, or "truck push," of Mullen's Trucking, he's in charge of every truck that leaves "the lease" and the safety of his truckers. Jerry is instinctually masterful at this highly-demanding job. He misses driving the big rigs, but makes it his business to personally look after every machine and every trucker behind the wheel. Says Jerry, "I don't have any kids, but out here I have thirty of them."
The Ice Road Truckers minisite, www.history.com/iceroadtruckers, provides profiles on the people and places featured in the new season. The site will include full episodes, exclusive short-form videos, an interactive Ice Road Backdrop Builder that allows users to create and download custom wallpapers, a Cold Weather Survival Guide, in-depth information about the towns of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, trivia, exclusive interviews and more.
Photo Credit: The History Channel/ Ken Woroner
