I'M BEAR GRYLLS,
AND I'M GONNA SEEK OUT SOME OF THE MOST DARING CHALLENGES
IN THE MOST EXTREME LOCATIONS ON EARTH,
WHERE HAVING THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS
CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
WHOO!
NOW I'VE COME TO PANAMA, CENTRAL AMERICA.
I'M GONNA BE DROPPED INTO SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
JUNGLE AND MANGROVE SWAMPS IN THE WORLD,
TEEMING WITH DEADLY CREATURES AND PLANTS
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE...
WHERE YOU'LL HAVE TO FACE DOWN YOUR BIGGEST FEARS...
OH, BATS!
THESE CAN BITE.
...SWALLOW MORE THAN YOUR PRIDE...
I'M GONNA EAT HIM.
...PUSH YOURSELF TO THE LIMITS OF ENDURANCE...
OH!
OH, MY HANDS -- THEY'RE JUST GETTING BURNT ON THIS!
...AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SURVIVE.
I DON'T LIKE IT HERE AT ALL.
I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS PLACE NOW.
I'M IN PANAMA, CENTRAL AMERICA.
I'M GONNA BE DROPPED ONTO THE LEGENDARY CAMINO REAL TRAIL.
THIS 50-MILE LONG ROUTE
SNAKES ITS WAY THROUGH PANAMA'S TREACHEROUS JUNGLE.
THE SPANISH CONQUISTADORES FORGED THIS HISTORIC ROUTE
TO MOVE UNTOLD TREASURES OF GOLD AND JEWELS
FROM THE PACIFIC TO THE CARIBBEAN.
THE TRAIL ITSELF IS OVER 400 YEARS OLD,
AND IT'S FAST BECOMING A MUST-SEE DESTINATION
FOR HARD-CORE TREKKERS.
BUT IF YOU GET LOST OUT HERE,
YOU'RE UNLIKELY TO MAKE IT BACK IN ONE PIECE.
I'M GONNA PICK UP THIS MYTHICAL TRAIL
TO FIND OUT JUST HOW TOUGH IT IS
AND SHOW HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE.
I'VE GOT A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS,
AND MY CAMERA CREW ARE COMING WITH ME.
OKAY! GO, BEAR!
NEXT TIME I SEE THE CHOPPER,
IT WILL BE ON THE CARIBBEAN COAST AT THE END OF MY MISSION.
[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]
IT'S RAINY SEASON IN PANAMA.
DOWNPOURS COME WITH NO WARNING,
TURNING THE FOREST FLOOR INTO A BROWN SOUP,
AND THIS THUNDERSTORM ISN'T MAKING ME FEEL ANY BETTER.
THIS LOOKS LIKE THE TRAIL, BROKEN AND OVERGROWN,
NOTHING MORE THAN A MUDDY VEIN WINDING THROUGH THE JUNGLE.
ANYONE TRYING TO FOLLOW THIS PATH
IS GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT ON THEIR HANDS.
WHEN THE SPANISH CONQUISTADORES GOT LOST HERE,
THEY HAD TO TURN TO THE JUNGLE'S PLANTS AND BUGS
TO KEEP THEM ALIVE.
IF YOU WERE LOST OUT HERE, YOU'D HAVE TO DO THE SAME.
HEY, CHECK THIS GUY OUT.
OH, GOT IT.
LET'S PULL HIM OFF HERE.
CHECK THIS OUT.
THIS IS A LONGHORN BEETLE,
AND IF I JUST HOLD HIM DOWN THE BOTTOM THERE --
SEE HIM 'ROUND THIS WAY.
GOD, WATCH HIM GRABBING ONTO MY FINGERS THERE.
GET OFF, YOU BRUTE.
AND THESE ARE ACTUALLY EDIBLE, THESE THINGS.
BUT LOOK AT THOSE PINCERS. LOOK AT THE PINCERS ON THAT.
AND THESE ARE SO STRONG,
THESE CAN ACTUALLY STRIP BARK OFF A TREE.
IF I PUT MY KNIFE IN THERE...
LOOK AT THAT. IT JUST GRABS ONTO THAT.
AMAZING.
BUT I'M GONNA EAT HIM.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE HEAD. LET'S CUT THAT OFF.
AND THEN THE REST OF THIS --
LEGS STILL GOING, BUT THE REST OF THAT IS EDIBLE.
OH, GOD.
I'M GONNA TAKE HIS LEGS OFF.
OH, HE STILL BIT MY LIP.
GOSH, LIKE A BIG PRAWN THAT'S BEEN SITTING AROUND FOR WEEKS,
THAT'S ALL SHELL AND ROTTING GUTS.
NOT PARTICULARLY APPETIZING, BUT IT'S GOOD PROTEIN,
AND I'M GONNA NEED ALL THE STRENGTH I CAN
TO TACKLE THIS HELLHOLE.
EVERYTHING ABOUT IT IS OUT TO GET YOU.
[ GRUNTS ]
ALL RIGHT?
AND IN THE JUNGLE, EVEN THE VEGETATION CAN BE A KILLER.
THIS IS ONE TREE THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO REACH FOR THIS ONE.
LOOK AT ALL THOSE SPIKES. AND THIS IS CALLED A BLACK PALM.
I'VE GOT ANOTHER NAME FOR IT -- IT'S A...TREE.
WATCH OUT FOR IT.
THESE SPIKES WILL SLASH YOUR HANDS,
AND THE WATER DRIPPING OFF THEM
IS A LETHAL COCKTAIL OF BACTERIA.
WOUNDS OUT HERE TURN SEPTIC IN HOURS.
BUT NOT EVERYTHING IS YOUR ENEMY.
THIS PLANT HERE CAN ACTUALLY REALLY HELP ME.
IT'S CALLED THE HOMBRE GRANDE,
WHICH MEANS "THE BIG MAN" OR "THE STRONG MAN."
AND THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT THE INDIGENOUS TRIBES WILL USE,
AND WHAT THEY DO
IS BREAK OFF THIS VERY DISTINCT BIT OF THE LEAF --
THIS NARROW LEAF ALONG THE STEM --
AND BREAK IT OFF.
AND THEY CHEW IT, AND WHAT IT DOES --
IT ACTUALLY ALLEVIATES THE LACTIC ACID BUILDUP
THAT YOU GET IN YOUR MUSCLES,
SO IT MEANS YOU GO FURTHER AND YOU GO FASTER.
IT'S JUST WHAT I NEED AT THE MOMENT.
LOCALS BELIEVE IT CAN CURE DIARRHEA AND MALARIA,
BOTH BIG PROBLEMS OUT HERE.
UGH. TASTES REALLY BITTER, THOUGH.
BUT ALL THE PLANTS IN THE WORLD WON'T HELP YOU
IF YOU LOSE YOUR WAY.
THE TRAIL CAN FALL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING,
LEAVING YOU LOST AND STRANDED WITH NO WAY OUT.
SEE, THIS IS WHY -- LOOK.
THIS IS WHY THIS PLACE IS SO HARD TO NAVIGATE.
IT'S JUST ENDLESS TWISTING MAZE
OF PATHS SHOOTING OFF AT DIFFERENT ANGLES.
AND REALLY, WHICH WAY TO GO IS A BIT OF A LOTTERY.
SO HARD TO JUST KEEP FOLLOWING THE TRAIL, YOU KNOW?
IT'S SO OVERGROWN.
THE JUNGLE HAS RECLAIMED ITS RIGHTFUL TERRITORY.
NO, THIS IS DOUBLING BACK. BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK.
IT'S LIKE A MAZE OF BROKEN TRACKS.
IT'S SO EASY TO JUST DISAPPEAR AND BE LOST FOREVER.
HERE WE GO -- HERE IT IS AGAIN.
AND IT'S SO HARD TO KEEP GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE.
IT GIVES YOU A PERSPECTIVE
OF JUST HOW HARD A JOB THOSE EARLY SPANISH EXPLORERS HAD
TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS.
IF THE TRAIL VANISHES, THE WORST THING TO DO IS PANIC.
JUST COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN.
JUST WAIT THERE.
COME HAVE A LOOK AT THIS.
RIVERS CAN BE THE KEY TO SURVIVAL.
THE SPANISH MULE TRAINS OFTEN FOLLOWED THEM
UNTIL THE JUNGLE BECAME MORE PASSABLE.
I'M GONNA TRY AND DO THE SAME.
PRETTY SERIOUS DROP DOWN THERE. LET'S KEEP MOVING ON.
I NEED TO FIND SOME WAY OF GETTING DOWN THERE.
WHOA, CHECK THESE OUT!
I RECKON THESE ARE SOME OF THE OLD SPANISH VIPER PITS.
HERE, SEE IF YOU CAN GET A LOOK DOWN THIS.
SEE ALL THE WAY DOWN?
THIS COULD BE MY WAY BACK TO THE TRAIL,
BUT IT WON'T BE EASY.
THIS IS BECOMING A LITTLE BIT HAIRY FOR US.
I'M IN THE PANAMANIAN JUNGLE
ON THE ANCIENT CAMINO REAL TRAIL
WHERE I'VE COME FACE-TO-FACE
WITH ONE OF THE LEGENDARY VIPER PITS.
AWESOME.
OVER MILLENNIA, RAINWATER HAS GOUGED MASSIVE CAVERNS
OUT OF THE LIMESTONE ROCK,
WASHING THE PATH AWAY LIKE IT WAS NEVER THERE.
PANAMANIAN INDIANS FEARED THE VIPER PITS,
BELIEVING THAT SERPENTS AND MYTHICAL CREATURES
LURKED AT THE BOTTOM.
HERE'S ANOTHER ONE STRAIGHT DOWN THERE.
SEE THAT?
AND LOOK --
IT'S LIKE A GIANT SKYLIGHT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ROCK,
AND THEN DOWN, THERE'S A LEDGE THERE,
AND THEN DOWN THE RIVER.
LET'S JUST SEE HOW FAR THAT IS.
MANY UNLUCKY TREASURE HUNTERS
PLUNGED TO THEIR DEATH IN THESE.
[ SPLASH ] WHOA.
THAT'S MUCH FURTHER THAN I THOUGHT, ACTUALLY.
THAT MUST BE 50 -- AT LEAST 50 FOOT.
BUT I RECKON, MAYBE IF I FIND A VINE FROM AROUND HERE,
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET DOWN TO THAT LEDGE
AND THEN DOWN TO THE RIVER, AS WELL.
OKAY, LET'S CHECK IT OUT.
ANYONE LOST ON THE TRAIL
COULD EASILY FALL PREY TO THE VIPER PITS,
BUT IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
THEY COULD BE A SHORTCUT TO GET DOWN TO THE RIVER
AND TO REJOIN THE TRAIL.
ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS JUNGLE
IS THAT IT'S RIDDLED WITH VINES.
I'M GONNA FIND ONE STRONG ENOUGH
AND USE IT TO CLIMB DOWN.
THIS IS A GOOD ONE.
IT'S LONG, IT'S THIN,
BUT, ALSO, IT'S WOOD VINE -- REALLY STRONG.
I'LL PROBABLY JUST TIE THIS... 'ROUND THIS TREE.
ACTUALLY, THAT'LL BE EVEN NICER.
LOOK, THERE'S A SLIGHT GAP.
DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE THAT BEHIND THESE ROCKS,
AND I CAN THREAD THIS VINE BEHIND IT.
CHECK THERE ARE NO SNAKES.
NOPE.
OKAY, GIVE IT A TEST.
THAT'S NICE AND STRONG.
OKAY.
I'M JUST GONNA DROP THIS SECOND VINE DOWN ONTO THAT LEDGE
IN CASE I NEED THAT.
AND THEN...
...WORK MY WAY DOWN THERE.
IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
I'VE GOT TO GIVE IT A GO.
OH!
THE VINE IS SO SLIPPERY,
AND I'M STRUGGLING TO KEEP MY GRIP.
ONE WRONG MOVE HERE, AND IT COULD BE GAME OVER.
AS I DISAPPEAR INTO THE GLOOM,
MY FEET ARE SCRABBLING FOR THE SHELF.
OKAY, I'M DOWN TO THE SHELF,
AND I CAN SEE THE DISTANCE NOW IS QUITE A DROP DOWN.
JUST SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE YOUR WAY,
BUT BE REALLY CAREFUL, 'CAUSE IT'S SLIPPY.
[ RATTLING ]
NICE WORK GETTING DOWN THAT.
AND YOU REALLY SEE WHERE WE'RE HERE NOW.
SEE THE SHELF AND JUST SEE HOW MUCH OF A DROP-OFF THAT IS.
HERE, WATCH THIS.
AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GONNA GO DOWN.
BUT LOOK AT ALL THESE ROCK FORMATIONS.
AMAZING. LOOK STRAIGHT UP THERE.
SEE ALL THOSE LITTLE SPOTS OF GREEN?
THOSE LOOK LIKE COPPER-SALT DEPOSITS.
AND WE CAN SEE HERE, IT'S ACTUALLY MADE A PILLAR,
AND IT'S SOMETHING I'M GONNA TIE THE VINE TO.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS --
ALL OF THESE MINERALS SEEP THROUGH THE ROCK AND FORM THIS.
I RECKON WHAT I'LL DO IS GET THIS VINE
AND THEN THREAD IT THROUGH BEHIND THE PILLAR,
AND THAT SHOULD BE PRETTY SOLID.
CHUNKS OF FLAKY LIMESTONE ARE EVERYWHERE,
AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE
THE WHOLE PLACE IS CRUMBLING AROUND ME.
I'M NOT REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEXT BIT.
ONCE I'M ON THE VINE, THERE'S NO GOING BACK.
ONE FALSE MOVE,
AND IT'S A BONE-SMASHING FALL INTO THE ABYSS.
IF I KNEW HOW DEEP THAT WATER WAS,
YOU KNOW, I COULD POSSIBLY JUMP IN IT,
BUT THAT MIGHT WELL BE ONLY LIKE A FOOT OR TWO DEEP.
THERE'S NO WAY OF KNOWING.
THIS IS BECOMING A LITTLE BIT HAIRY FOR US.
HERE, LET'S GET DOWN THIS VINE.
[ GRUNTS ]
STILL TRYING TO GET OVER THIS OVERHANG A BIT.
MY SHOULDERS AND ARMS FEEL LIKE THEY'RE SCREAMING,
AND THIS IS ALL ABOUT UPPER-BODY STRENGTH.
I'M TRYING TO GRIP WITH MY FEET, AS WELL.
AND WHAT YOU DO --
LIFT YOUR FOOT UP WHERE THE VINE GOES.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS GRIP WITH MY FEET, AS WELL.
AND THE TECHNIQUE IS, YOU LIFT YOUR FOOT UNDER THE VINE
AND YOUR OTHER FOOT GOES ON TOP OF IT,
AND IT GIVES YOU A LITTLE BIT OF TRACTION.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
BUT THAT'S REALLY DESIGNED FOR A ROPE,
NOT A GREAT 2-INCH THICK VINE.
LET'S GO, COME ON.
[ CREAKING, SNAPPING ]
WHOA, DID YOU HEAR THAT?
THAT'S NOT GOOD. WE NEED TO GET DOWN THIS.
OH, MY HANDS -- THEY'RE JUST GETTING BURNT ON THIS!
OW! [ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
THERE BETTER NOT BE ANY VIPERS IN THIS WATER.
WHOO!
AHH.
I REALLY THOUGHT THAT VINE WAS GONNA GIVE WAY
A COUPLE OF TIMES.
BUT, MAN, LOOK AT THIS PLACE.
I'M INTO THE PIT, BUT IT'S NOT OVER.
THIS CAVE IS MASSIVE,
CARVED THROUGH THE ANCIENT ROCKS
BY MILLIONS OF TONS OF WATER.
I'M GONNA MAKE THE MOST OF THE DAYLIGHT AND HEAD DOWNSTREAM,
BUT I'M NOT OUT OF DANGER YET.
THERE YOU CAN SEE THE LEVEL
THAT THE WATER WOULD RISE TO WHEN IT RAINS A LOT.
LOOK AT ALL THAT FLUTING ALL THE WAY DOWN.
AND THEN HIGHER UP, IT'S STILL REALLY ROUGH AND JAGGEDY.
YOU JUST IMAGINE THIS PLACE
WITH ANOTHER 15, 20 FOOT OF WATER HERE.
IT'D BE LIKE A KILLER TORRENT.
A FLASH FLOOD HERE WOULD WASH YOU AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
YOU'D BE SMASHED AGAINST THESE WALLS LIKE A PEBBLE.
NO ONE COULD SURVIVE ONE OF THOSE.
IT'S LIKE A MINI-TSUNAMI
THAT CAN RISE FROM 6 INCHES TO 20 FEET IN JUST HALF AN HOUR.
IT'S STARTING TO GET PRETTY BLACK NOW.
SO TAKE IT REALLY STEADY THROUGH THIS BIT.
EVERY STEP IS TAKING ME FURTHER INTO THE DARKNESS.
THE RIVERBED IS RIDDLED WITH BOULDERS AND POTHOLES,
ANKLE-DEEP ONE MINUTE, THEN UP TO MY CHEST THE NEXT.
THIS IS JUST A NIGHTMARE.
PUT THE NIGHT VISION ON. PUT IT ON.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
[ FLAPPING ]
WEIRD NOISES ARE COMING FROM UP AHEAD,
AND I CAN FEEL SOMETHING BRUSHING PAST MY FACE,
BUT IN THE DARKNESS, I'M BLIND.
I DON'T LIKE THIS ONE BIT.
HEY, LET'S HAVE A LOOK. COME HERE, LET'S SEE.
SEE WHAT YOU'LL SEE.
OH, BATS!
THAT'S WHAT THAT SOUND IS.
I HATE BATS.
THESE CAVES ARE HOME TO VAMPIRE BATS.
THEY CARRY THE KILLER RABIES VIRUS.
THIS COULD MEAN BIG TROUBLE.
I'M IN PANAMA, DEEP UNDERGROUND IN A PITCH-BLACK CAVE.
I'M TRYING TO GET BACK ONTO THE CAMINO REAL TRAIL
TO LEAD ME TO THE CARIBBEAN,
BUT I'M UP AGAINST SOMETHING I JUST HATE -- BATS.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
JUST KEEP YOUR HEAD COVERED FROM THESE BATS AND SQUINT YOUR EYES.
THESE CAN BITE.
VAMPIRE BATS LIVE BY DRINKING BLOOD,
BUT WORSE, THESE GUYS CARRY RABIES,
THE KILLER VIRUS THAT LEADS TO AN AGONIZING DEATH.
BUT DEEP IN THE CHASM, BATS AREN'T THE ONLY DANGER.
AND THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A WATERFALL AHEAD, AS WELL.
[ WATER RUSHING ]
LET'S GET THROUGH THIS AND GET OUT.
SO, HERE'S THAT WATERFALL
COMING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ROCK FROM THE JUNGLE ABOVE.
WATER IS GUSHING THROUGH EVERY CRACK.
IN A MATTER OF MINUTES,
THIS WHOLE CAVE COULD FILL UP AND DROWN YOU.
I'VE GOT TO KEEP MOVING.
OKAY, LET'S JUST GET THROUGH. I HATE BATS.
YOU CAN'T SEE BEYOND YOUR NOSE OR WHAT'S UNDERFOOT.
ALL OF THESE BOULDERS UNDER THE WATER
MEAN YOU'RE ENDLESSLY JUST STUMBLING.
[ GRUNTING ]
THE FORCE OF THE WATER COULD WASH MY LEGS FROM UNDER ME,
BUT FOLLOWING THE CURRENT IS ALL I'VE GOT TO GUIDE ME.
FINALLY, I CAN FEEL THE WATER'S GETTING SHALLOWER,
AND THERE'S DAYLIGHT AHEAD.
OH, IT'S GOOD TO BE OUT OF THERE AND BE ABLE TO SEE AGAIN.
JUST GONNA CHECK MY HEAD ACTUALLY FOR BITES,
'CAUSE, MORE THAN LIKELY, THOSE WERE VAMPIRE BATS,
AND WHAT THEY DO IS BITE YOU AND INJECT THIS ANTICOAGULANT.
THAT MEANS YOU JUST KEEP BLEEDING.
AND I ACTUALLY KNOW A GUY IN PANAMA
WHO WAS OUT SLEEPING IN THE JUNGLE,
AND WHEN HE WOKE UP IN THE MORNING,
HIS HEAD WAS JUST STREAMING WITH BLOOD.
HE'D BEEN BITTEN DURING THE NIGHT,
BUT DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT.
IT'S SUCH A RELIEF TO BE OUT OF THAT DARK AND FORBIDDING PLACE.
NOW I KNOW WHY THE VIPER PITS
ARE THE STUFF OF LEGEND AND SUCH TERROR.
IT'S VITAL FOR ME TO GET BACK ON THE TRAIL
AND HEAD TOWARDS THE CARIBBEAN COAST.
THE RIVER IS A GOOD PLACE FOR ME TO FORAGE FOR FOOD
AND REST UP BEFORE MOVING ON.
I THINK SO OFTEN WHEN YOU THINK OF WILDERNESS,
YOU THINK OF TRANQUIL, PEACEFUL, QUIET PLACES
BUT REALLY THE JUNGLE IS JUST THE OPPOSITE.
YOU KNOW, THIS PLACE IS SO BUSY.
EVERYTHING'S MOVING AND GROWING.
YOU KNOW, MASSIVE ANTS EVERYWHERE ON THE GROUND,
MONKEYS IN THE TREES,
AND ALL OF IT IS JUST THIS BATTLE -- BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL.
I THINK IF YOU'RE OUT HERE LOST,
YOU HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE JUNGLE,
THIS COULD BE A VERY INTIMIDATING PLACE TO BE.
AFTER THE ADRENALINE TRIP, THROUGH THE VIPER PITS
I NEED TO REPLACE SOME LOST ENERGY.
BUT AVOID EATING ANYTHING FROM STILL WATER --
IT'S LIKELY TO BE CONTAMINATED.
HERE YOU GO. COUPLE OF SNAILS.
IT'S NOT EXACTLY VERY MUCH,
BUT THESE ARE CLEAN, AND THEY'RE GOOD TO EAT.
AND ACTUALLY, HAWKS WILL HUNT FOR THESE AND EAT THEM.
THEY'RE BASICALLY JUST A MUSCLE AND ALL EDIBLE.
YOU JUST WANT TO GET TO THE ACTUAL...
PULL HIM OUT.
UGH.
IT'S LIKE A GIANT, COLD BOGEY.
PBHT!
AFTER A PRETTY NOVEL MAIN COURSE,
IT'S TIME FOR JUNGLE DESSERT.
AH, YEAH, LOOK. THIS IS...
THIS IS CANAIGRE,
AND WHEN YOU'RE LIVING AND EATING IN THE JUNGLE,
THIS IS A REALLY USEFUL PLANT.
THE TRIBES AROUND HERE WILL USE THIS,
AND WHAT YOU DO --
YOU JUST STRIP IT OFF, ALL THE HAIRY OUTER BIT.
AND IT LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE A RHUBARB, BUT WHAT IT DOES --
WHEN YOU EAT THIS,
IT ACTUALLY HELPS CLEANSE YOUR INSIDES OF ANY PARASITES.
AND IT TASTES LIKE, YOU KNOW,
JUST CLEAN AND FRESH, A LITTLE BIT ZINGY.
BUT REALLY GOOD FOR YOUR INSIDES.
AFTER THE CREATURES I'VE EATEN HERE,
THIS IS JUST WHAT I NEED.
IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR BLOOD AND CLEANSES YOUR LIVER.
PANAMA IS LIKE A MAZE OF RIVERS AND IMPENETRABLE RAINFOREST.
FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF THE STREAM
MEANS I DON'T HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH THE JUNGLE,
BUT SOONER OR LATER,
YOU'RE GONNA BE STOPPED DEAD IN YOUR TRACKS BY ONE OF THESE.
THIS IS NOT GONNA BE EASY TO GET DOWN THIS.
ALL OF THESE BANKS ARE JUST, LIKE, SHEER ON BOTH SIDES,
AND ALSO, ALL OF THIS ROCK...
...IS REALLY, REALLY SLIPPERY, COVERED IN MOSS, REALLY GREASY.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OUT.
I'M IN PANAMA
ON THE HUNT FOR THE LEGENDARY EL CAMINO REAL TRAIL,
BUT I'VE COME UP AGAINST AN 80-FOOT WATERFALL,
AND MY ONLY WAY OUT IS DOWN.
PROBABLY MY BEST BET IS TO USE SOME OF THESE VINES.
LOOK, YOU CAN SEE THEY'RE GROWING
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BANK AND HERE, AS WELL.
AND THESE THEN RUN ALONG AND DOWN THE WATERFALL.
THEY'RE REACHING OUT FOR THE WATER.
GIVE ME A CLIMB UP ANY DAY -- I LOVE THEM --
BUT DOWNCLIMBING IS MUCH RISKIER.
THIS VINE REACHES ALL THE WAY DOWN THROUGH THE WHITE WATER.
AND THIS SHOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE THIS A GO.
I'VE GOT TO TAKE IT VERY CAREFULLY,
AND FIRST STEPS ARE CRUCIAL.
ONE SLIP, AND YOU'D BE WASHED OFF THE FLIMSY VINE
ONTO THE ROCKS BELOW.
THE WATERFALL IS SWOLLEN WITH RAINWATER FROM THE MOUNTAINS.
IT'S A GNARLY DESCENT, AND NOW I'M COMMITTED.
THERE'S NO WAY BACK.
JUST THE FORCE OF THE WATER...
IS MUCH STRONGER THAN I THOUGHT.
THE TORRENT IS TRYING TO POUND ME OFF THE VINE.
IT'S LIKE BEING BATTERED BY A HUGE WATER CANNON.
OH, IS THIS ALL?
MY MUSCLES ARE STARTING TO CRAMP UP,
BUT I'VE GOT NO CHOICE.
I'VE JUST GOT TO CLING ON FOR DEAR LIFE.
IF YOU LOSE IT HERE,
YOU'LL BOUNCE DOWN THE ROCKS LIKE A RAG DOLL.
I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND RUNNING OUT OF VINE.
OH, GOD!
OH!
THE VINE --
YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE VINE'S COMING TO AN END!
JUST DOWN HERE!
I WAS HOPING IT WOULD REACH ALL THE WAY.
IF I CAN JUST SWING OFF THE VINE
AND ONTO THE LEDGE,
I CAN WORK MY WAY 'ROUND TO THE POOL.
BUT THESE WET ROCKS ARE LIKE AN ICE RINK,
AND I'VE NO IDEA HOW DEEP THAT POOL IS AT THE BOTTOM.
WHOO!
IN SITUATIONS LIKE THAT,
THE BODY GOES INTO OVERDRIVE,
AND OVERDRIVE EXPENDS ENERGY.
WHENEVER YOU COME ACROSS BITS OF DEAD WOOD,
THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO RUMMAGE AROUND
FOR GRUBS AND STUFF THAT ARE TUCKING INTO IT.
THIS SORT OF ROTTING VEGETATION IS HOME TO THE FER-DE-LANCE,
PANAMA'S DEADLIEST SNAKE.
ONE BITE WILL ROT YOUR FLESH LIKE A CORPSE,
AND IT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE DEATHS
THAN ANY OTHER AMERICAN REPTILE.
BUT WHAT I'M AFTER ARE THESE BEETLE GRUBS.
AND THEY'RE ALL JUST FEEDING OFF THAT DECOMPOSING WOOD.
UGH. PBHT!
THAT WAS A HORRIBLE ONE.
MUST HAVE CAUGHT BAD ONES TODAY.
EVEN THOUGH THEY TASTE TERRIBLE,
THEY'RE GIVING ME SOME MUCH-NEEDED ENERGY.
THAT COULD WELL BE THE TRAIL.
THIS IS THE WIDEST I'VE SEEN THE TRAIL SO FAR,
A WELCOME BREAK FROM THE MAZE OF TRACKS AND DEAD ENDS
BACK UPRIVER.
IT'S A GOOD SIGN THAT THE END
OF THE TREASURE TRAIL OF THE CAMINO REAL IS NEAR.
I'VE ARRIVED AT THE RUINED PORT OF PORTOBELO
ON THE CARIBBEAN SEA.
[ SIGHS ]
JUST BEAUTIFUL.
AND WHAT'S INCREDIBLE TO THINK
IS THAT 70% OF ALL OF THE GOLD THAT LEFT SOUTH AMERICA
DID SO THROUGH THIS FORT.
BUT ONCE IT LEFT THESE SHORES BOUND FOR SPAIN,
IT WAS THEN OFTEN AT THE MERCY
OF THE INFAMOUS PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.
I'M SAFE, AND I'M READY FOR MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
PANAMA'S NOTORIOUS MANGROVE SWAMPS,
WHERE DANGER LURKS JUST UNDER THE SURFACE.
WHAT I'M MOST WORRIED ABOUT IN THIS WATER IS CROCODILES.
BACK INTO THE CESSPIT.
I'M IN PANAMA, CENTRAL AMERICA.
I'VE JUST SURVIVED THE CAMINO REAL TRAIL,
AND NOW MY NEXT CHALLENGE LIES ON THE PACIFIC COAST,
IN THE NOTORIOUS MANGROVE SWAMPS
WHICH SPRAWL ALONG THE SHORELINE.
IT'S A TOUGH, CRUEL PLACE
THAT HAS DEFEATED SOME OF AMERICA'S ELITE SPECIAL FORCES.
JUST LOOK AT THIS PLACE!
IT'S JUST MILE AFTER MILE OF TANGLED LIMBS
GROWING OUT OF THE WATER.
THIS MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST INHOSPITABLE PLACES ON EARTH.
THE MANGROVE DEVOURS OVER 600 SQUARE MILES OF LAND.
IT'S MORE OF A HOME TO CROCODILES THAN TO PEOPLE.
IT'S THE LAST PLACE YOU'D WANT TO BE TRAPPED IN.
BUT I'M GONNA SHOW HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE.
THERE'S NO WAY THE HELICOPTER CAN LAND IN THERE --
IT'S JUST TOO DENSE.
SO THE PILOT'S GONNA DROP ME OUT TO SEA,
AND I'LL SWIM IN FROM THERE.
CROCODILES LURK ALL AROUND THE COAST,
AND MAN-EATING GREAT WHITE SHARKS CRUISE THESE WATERS.
I'M FACING A 50-FOOT DROP INTO THE SEA.
AT THIS HEIGHT,
HITTING THE WATER IS LIKE JUMPING ONTO CONCRETE.
I'VE GOT TO KEEP AS STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW.
IF I DON'T, THE FORCE OF THE DROP
WILL SNAP MY BONES LIKE DRY TWIGS.
READY!
5, 4, 3, 2, 1!
I DON'T WANT TO HANG ABOUT IN HERE AND BECOME SHARK BAIT.
I NEED TO GET TO SHORE FAST.
I JUST WANT TO HEAD IN NOW TOWARDS THE SHORE.
HOW THE HELL AM I GONNA GET THROUGH THAT STUFF?
LOOK AT IT.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
IT'S JUST A COMPLETE MESS OF ROOTS.
TAKE YOUR LAST BREATH OF CLEAR AIR.
THAT IS GONNA BE HORRIBLE.
THIS PLACE JUST STINKS.
THE PUTRID STENCH OF ROTTING VEGETATION IN THE SALTWATER
IS JUST LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.
GETTING THROUGH HERE IS GONNA BE A MISSION.
WATCH YOUR HANDS ON THIS STUFF.
ALL OF THIS IS RAZOR-SHARP.
AND LOOK, THERE'S ACTUALLY ALL THE BARNACLES
ON ALL OF THESE LIMBS.
SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE HOW HIGH THE TIDE COMES.
JUST WATCH YOU HANDS.
THE TIDE HERE RACES IN,
RISING UP TO 20 FEET IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.
I'VE GOT TO GET INSHORE TO SAFETY AND QUICKLY.
IT MAY BE ONLY TWO MILES TO SHORE,
BUT THAT FEELS LIKE A LIFETIME AWAY.
ALL OF THIS IS JUST, LIKE, SINKING MUD UNDERFOOT.
IT PULLS YOU IN WITH EACH STEP.
EVERY STEP IN THE MANGROVE IS A GAMBLE.
CROCODILES LOVE THIS DEEP TIDAL WATER,
AND THEY USE IT TO AMBUSH THEIR UNSUSPECTING PREY.
WHAT I'M MOST WORRIED ABOUT IN THIS WATER IS CROCODILES.
AND THESE MANGROVES ARE HOME TO AMERICAN SALTWATER CROCODILES,
AND THOSE CAN GROW UP TO 20-ODD FEET.
THE SALTWATER CROC BITES WITH A FORCE OF 2,000 POUNDS.
THAT'S LIKE A PICKUP TRUCK LANDING ON YOUR CHEST.
AND IF IT DRAGS YOU UNDER, YOU'RE AS GOOD AS DEAD.
ONLY THIS YEAR,
THERE WERE THREE FISHERMEN ON THE EDGE OF THESE MANGROVES,
AND A CROCODILE ATTACKED, TOOK ONE OF THEM UNDER,
AND HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
FIGHTING A RISING TIDE, THE THREAT OF CROCS,
AND THIS SOLID WALL OF MANGROVE ROOTS
GIVES ME THE FEAR.
SURVIVING OUT HERE
IS A REAL TEST OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STRENGTH.
AND THEY SAY,
IF YOU COVER A KILOMETER IN 12 HOURS IN HERE,
YOU'RE DOING WELL,
THAT IS HOW SLOW IT IS MOVING THROUGH ALL OF THIS.
AAH, GET OUT!
THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY ARE ALMOST UNBEARABLE,
AND MY LUNGS ARE FILLING WITH THE SMELL OF DECAY.
AND THIS PLACE IS CLAUSTROPHOBIC.
THE MANGROVE LITERALLY TAKES YOU PRISONER.
JUST SO HARD TO SEE VERY FAR IN HERE.
YOU KNOW, VISIBILITY'S PROBABLY ONLY ABOUT 20 FEET.
IF YOU LOOK IN THAT DIRECTION 20 FEET,
AND THEN IT JUST ALL MINGLES INTO...JUST DARKNESS.
BUT IT'S EXHAUSTING WORK
FIGHTING MY WAY THROUGH THIS TANGLE OF ROOTS.
IN 1989, A GROUP OF ELITE U.S. NAVY SEALS BECAME TRAPPED
WHEN THEY LANDED IN MANGROVE DURING THE INVASION OF PANAMA.
THE ONLY WAY THEY GOT OUT
WAS BEING HAULED TO SAFETY BY THE LOCALS.
IT'S HORRIBLE.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
JUST WATCH YOUR FOOTING WITH THIS.
ALL THESE LIMBS ARE JUST TWISTING UNDER THE WATER.
IT'S SO EASY TO GET YOUR ANKLE TRAPPED IN THIS STUFF.
[ GRUNTS ]
EVEN THOUGH I'M SURROUNDED BY WATER,
DRINKING THIS WOULD BE FATAL.
JUST ONE PINT IS INFESTED WITH 10,000 DIFFERENT PARASITES.
I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS PLACE NOW.
I DON'T LIKE IT HERE AT ALL.
THESE MANGROVES ARE MAKING ME FEEL RATTLED.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
I DON'T LIKE THIS.
LET'S GET GOING AND GET OUT.
I'M IN THE PANAMANIAN MANGROVE SWAMPS,
WHERE I'M BATTLING AGAINST THE INCOMING TIDE
AND IMPENETRABLE ROOTS.
20-FOOT CROCS INFEST THIS AREA,
AND I'VE GOT TO SCRAMBLE INSHORE TO SAFETY.
IT'S JUST TWO MILES OR SO,
BUT IT'S THE TOUGHEST I'VE EVER FACED.
OKAY, WE'RE GONNA CLIMB UP.
THE TIDE CAN RISE 20 FEET IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS,
SO YOU NEED TO GET AS HIGH AS YOU CAN AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
BUT THERE'S NO EASY WAY.
[ GRUNTING ]
JUST MAKE SURE WHEN YOU'RE ON THESE LIMBS
YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TWO HOLDS, 'CAUSE, LOOK --
YOU STAND ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS...
AND IT GIVES WAY, YOU'LL FALL.
IT'S A BATTLE THAT SAPS EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH.
MY CLOTHES ARE SOAKED.
IT'S HOT, HUMID, AND IT STINKS LIKE HELL.
OKAY, WE NEED TO PICK UP THE PACE A BIT.
LOOK, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THESE WAVES COMING IN NOW.
I'VE GOT TO MOVE FASTER.
IF I DON'T, THE TIDE WILL ENGULF ME.
[ GRUNTS ]
YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP A COOL HEAD.
DON'T PANIC. JUST KEEP BATTLING ON.
[ GRUNTING ]
I CAN SEE ABOVE ALL THIS MANGROVE.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ] I FEEL BETTER NOW.
AND I SEE WHICH WAY IS INLAND, AS WELL.
OKAY, MOVE ON.
AT LEAST UP HERE I'M OUT OF THE REACH OF THE CROCS.
BUT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER FOR LONG.
THE CLOSER I GET TO LAND, THE MUDDIER IT GETS,
AND IT'S PULLING ME DOWN.
OH, GOD.
IT'S UP TO MY WAIST IN ALL OF THIS STINKING MUD IN HERE.
LOOK, IT'S ALL LIKE -- PBHT!
ALL LIKE THIS.
THAT JUST MEANS EVERY TIME I TRY AND TAKE A STEP...
[ Straining ] ...IT JUST PULLS ME INTO IT.
EVERY STEP FEELS LIKE YOU'RE TRAPPED IN SETTING CEMENT.
BUT BY TWISTING INSTEAD OF PULLING MY FOOT OUT,
IT STOPS THE MUD SUCKING ME BACK IN.
EACH STEP IS HARD WORK, ISN'T IT?
THE OTHER THING IN HERE IS JUST THE SAND FLIES.
AND WHAT I CAN DO IS USE SOME OF THIS MUD,
IF I REACH DOWN FOR IT...
AND USE THIS, AND JUST, LIKE, PUT IT EVERYWHERE...
AND IT SHOULD HOPEFULLY...
STOP THE SAND FLIES FROM BITING.
SAND FLIES CAN GIVE YOU LEISHMANIASIS,
A GRUESOME FLESH-EATING DISEASE,
AND IT'S AGONY.
IT EATS AWAY AT THE SOFT TISSUE OF YOUR NOSE, MOUTH, AND LIMBS,
BUT THE TREATMENT IS JUST AS BAD.
I KNOW ONE GUY WHO GOT THIS DISEASE,
AND IT STARTED EATING AWAY AT HIS FLESH.
AND TO GET CURED,
HE HAD TO HAVE UP TO 50 REALLY PAINFUL INJECTIONS.
AND HE SAID BY THE TIME HE WAS ON THE 40th,
HE JUST FELT LIKE KILLING HIMSELF.
I DO NOT WANT TO GET THIS DISEASE.
[ GRUNTING ]
IT'S GREAT JUST TO GET OUT OF THE WATER.
JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES BREAK
IS A REAL MORALE BOOSTER IN THIS HELLHOLE.
IT'S SO NICE TO BE OUT
OF ALL OF THAT GUNK AND GLOOP AND WATER.
I'M GONNA TRY AND WRING MY CLOTHES OUT.
THERE'S WAS PLANE THAT CRASHED NEAR HERE
I N THESE MANGROVES IN THE LATE '60s,
AND WHAT THE PILOT DID WAS CRAWL OUT,
DROP DOWN TO THE WATER,
BUT HE THEN GOT STUCK IN ALL OF THIS MUD.
AND THE PASSENGERS ON THE PLANE
WATCHED AND LISTENED FOR THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS
TO HIS SCREAMS.
BUT HE EVENTUALLY DIED IN THERE.
BUT THE PASSENGERS DID THE RIGHT THING -- THEY STAYED PUT.
BUT THIS MUD IS A REALLY HORRIBLE PLACE TO BE.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING ON.
BACK INTO THE CESSPIT.
IT'S BEGINNING TO OPEN UP A BIT NOW,
AND I CAN SEE MORE THAN A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF ME.
LET'S GET OUT OF THIS PLACE.
AFTER HOURS AND HOURS OF CONSTANT STRUGGLE,
HITTING THIS BEACH IS HEAVEN.
THAT WAS HARD IN THERE. HARD.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
LET'S TRY AND GET THIS GUY.
IT'S A LAND CRAB. LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT CLAW.
LET'S PUT HIM OUT OF HIS MISERY
THAT'LL KILL IT.
AND THAT'S STRAIGHT THROUGH THE BRAIN.
HE'S STILL WIGGLING, BUT HE'S NOT ALIVE.
HE'S DEFINITELY NOT ALIVE.
AND THESE ARE MEANT TO BE A BIT OF A DELICACY IN PANAMA.
LET'S SEE WHAT THEY'RE LIKE.
EATING ANY RAW FLESH IN THIS PLACE
IS DANCING WITH THE DEVIL.
THE MANGROVES ARE ALIVE WITH BUGS AND PARASITES,
WHICH MEANS YOU CAN GET ANYTHING
FROM DYSENTERY TO LIVER FAILURE.
PBHT!
MAN, THAT TASTES AWFUL.
PBHT!
UGH!
IT'S, LIKE, FOUL.
I SUPPOSE IT'S FEEDING OFF ALL OF THIS STUFF IN HERE --
PROBABLY NO SURPRISE.
TELL YOU WHAT -- THEY CAN KEEP THEIR DELICACIES THIS TIME.
GETTING THROUGH THE MANGROVE MEANS SAFETY CAN'T BE FAR AWAY.
IF YOU KEEP HEADING INLAND,
YOU'LL EVENTUALLY FIND THE PAN-AMERICAN HIGHWAY
THAT RUNS THE WHOLE LENGTH OF PANAMA.
HEAD NORTH AWAY FROM THE SHORE, AND YOU CAN'T MISS IT.
TRYING TO FOLLOW THE CAMINO REAL TRAIL,
AND STRUGGLING THROUGH THOSE MANGROVES
HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOURNEYS I'VE EVER UNDERTAKEN.
THIS TRULY IS NOT A PLACE TO GET LOST IN,
AND WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS
I RECKON YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING OUT ALIVE ARE SLIM.