Crossing the world's most terrifying terrain... in a giant red bus: Eight intrepid explorers become first people to DRIVE from Russia to Canada across the North Pole

A group of intrepid explorers have made history by driving from Russia to Canada across the North Pole.

The group of eight Russians travelled more than 2,485 miles (4,000km) in 70 days in specially created buses across one of the most forbidding parts of the planet.

The Polar Ring team used vehicles with overinflated tyres that allow for travel over the snowdrifts and dangerous ice.

Big red bus: A group of intrepid explorers have made history by driving from Russia to Canada across the North Pole

Brave: The group of eight traveled more than 2,485 miles (4,000 kilometres) in 70 days in buses across in one of the most forbidding parts of the planet - nearly half of it sea ice

Team members: Sergey Isaev, Vladimir Obikhod and Nikolay Kozlov (l-r) are pictured together on Facebook

The mission began at the Russian archipelago Severnaya Zemlya and ended at Resolute Bay in the Canadian far north.

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The buses, which can float, move at the 'speed of a (farm) tractor' or about 10kph (6.2mph), reports AFP.

The mission was not easy - at the North Pole, the sun did not rise until March 19 and the average temperature is -34C.

Mission: The team began the mission at the Russian archipelago Severnaya Zemlya (or Earth North), after being dropped off by a Russian icebreaker, to the pole and then to Resolute Bay in Canada's far north

Recycled: Their two bright red vehicles were built around two-litre Toyota diesel engines and using old parts from prototypes that some of the team had used back in 2009 to drive from Russia to the North Pole and double back

Biting conditions: The team members consume warm drinks to help them keep up their body temperatures

THE BRIGHT RED BUSES WHICH CARRIED THEM THROUGH MISSION

The two bright red buses, which can float, move at the 'speed of a (farm) tractor' or about 10kph (6.2mph)

They carried three tonnes of donated diesel fuel and supplies.

The vehicles were built around two-litre Toyota diesel engines and using old parts from prototypes that some of the team had used back in 2009 to drive from Russia to the North Pole and double back.

When he arrives in Moscow, Mr Ielaguine said he is meeting with investors interested in manufacturing them.

Source: AFP

Winds and current move the thick ice causing huge ridges when blocks clash together and leaving wide stretches of open water when they move apart.

Although the vehicles can float, the group were not too keen on getting the big red buses wet.

Expedition leader Vassili Ielaguine told AFP: 'We don't like falling in the water, because you have to clean the suspension, which gets completely covered in ice.'

His team also included members Sergey Isaev, Vladimir Obikhod and Nikolay Kozlov.

If the team were required to carry it out, a rope was tied between the vehicles allowing one van to drag the other out of danger.

Walking on ice was not an option -  if the trekkers had fallen through into the freezing water of the Arctic Ocean they would have died.

On their arrival at Resolute Bay, the team stored the vehicles in a garage.

Next February they will be retrieved and then driven West across the Bering Straight and back to Russia.

Other drive-the-sea-ice expeditions have used vehicles that are heavy and tank-like - a 2009 group drove modified U.S. military Humvees between the Nunavut communities of Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay, reported MSN.

Team member Mikhail Glan said the said one of the main reasons for the trip is to get people interested in Arctic exploration.

This mission was just one part of a multi-year project to retrace the steps of early explorers.

Walking on ice was not an option -  if the trekkers had fallen through into the freezing water of the Arctic Ocean they would have died

Aim: This mission was just one part of a multi-year project to retrace the steps of early explorers

Mission: The vehicles are to be retrieved next February and driven West across the Bering Straight and back to Russia

Future: Dubbed 'Iemelia' after a lazy character in a Russian fable who travels on a magic stove the vehicles could eventually see commercial success

Mission: The team set off from the the Russian archipelago Severnaya Zemlya and ended at Resolute Bay in the Canadian far north, some 2,485 miles away