In a world first, an exploration team has proved that it's possible to drive from Russia to Canada.

" Russian explorers headed home Thursday after proving it is possible to drive from Russia to Canada across the North Pole, in buses with bloated tires over drifting ice, using a pickaxe to clear the way. "

To achieve this feat, the team from Russia used modified buses with huge tires to carry them across the frozen wastes. In a trip that took them over two-and-a-half months, the explorers traveled over 4,000km at an average of 10km per hour. The journey began at the Russian archipelago Severnaya Zemlya and ended at Resolute Bay in the Canadian far north.During the trip the team encountered dangerous situations including a large chasm in the ice which initially seemed impossible to cross. As they pondered what to do however the ice suddenly shifted, temporarily bridging the gap. Quickly the men revved the engines and charged across not a moment too soon, as only two minutes later the ice shifted for a second time, re-opening the chasm they had only just crossed.Despite the dangers however the team did eventually make it safely to Canada where they received a warm reception at Resolute Bay. The vehicles are now being stored in a garage until next February when a new expedition will see them driven back across the Bering Strait to Russia.