Logging in the north-western United States is a skilful occupation in which the men depend on each other for safety. The History Channel shows just how risky this work can be on steep terrain in high winds and fogs.

In Season Two we follow several teams of loggers as they compete to see which can pull out most loads. They include one that uses helicopters and another that specializes in the salvage of water-soaked and sunken logs. There are many chances for conflict when rookies are trained and they commit the basic errors.

There’s a wide range of equipment on view from chainsaws upwards and many insights as to how the machinery is used – or shouldn’t be used. Bad handling of the tools and machinery breakdowns add to the tensions.

A lot of the men belong to families who have been in logging for generations and accept that snapped cables, runaway logs and treacherous weather are all just part of a normal day’s work.