I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
WHOO!
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A SERIES OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACES YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
NOW I'M IN SUMATRA,
A LAND RAVAGED BY THE TSUNAMI,
TO BATTLE WITH VAST FETID SWAMPS...
FIGHTING THE ELEMENTS...
WHOA!
...AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TERRAIN....
[ GRUNTS ]
...DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FIND FOOD...
...AND USING EVERY OUNCE OF MY SURVIVAL KNOWLEDGE...
I'M NOT GONNA BE DOING THIS AGAIN IN A HURRY!
...TO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.
I'M OFF THE WESTERN COAST OF SUMATRA,
ONE OF THE MOST VOLCANIC REGIONS ON EARTH.
IT'S KNOWN SIMPLY AS THE RING OF FIRE.
FEARSOME BLACK PEAT SWAMPS
DOMINATE THIS INDONESIAN COASTLINE,
SPRAWLING A STAGGERING 31,000 SQUARE MILES.
THIS IS A PLACE WHERE LETHAL REPTILES RULE.
EVEN SUMATRANS FEAR THESE DEADLY SWAMPS,
AND FEW DARE TO VENTURE IN.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED OUT HERE,
MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS IS CRITICAL.
MAKE A BAD CALL AND YOU'RE DEAD.
THERE'S NO WAY THE PILOT CAN LAND HERE,
SO MY ONLY OPTION IS TO USE A TECHNIQUE
THAT IS BOTH FAST AND DANGEROUS.
FAST-ROPING LIKE THIS IS A TECHNIQUE
IN THE SPECIAL FORCES AS A WAY OF GETTING SOLDIERS DOWN
ON TO THE GROUND THE FAST WAY!
IT'S ABOUT A 50-FOOT DROP,
AND IT REQUIRES YOU HOLD YOUR NERVE.
AND YOU'VE GOT NO PROTECTION.
ALL YOU'VE GOT IS YOUR HANDS HOLDING ON!
ALL I'VE GOT WITH ME ARE A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS.
MY CAMERA CREW WILL BE COMING WITH ME.
SUDDENLY IT IS VERY, VERY QUIET HERE.
THIS WHOLE PLACE JUST LOOKS LIKE IT'S DEAD...
AND ROTTED.
AND IT SMELLS LIKE IT, TOO.
IN DECEMBER 2004,
THE MOST DEVASTATING TSUNAMI EVER RECORDED
SMASHED INTO THE WESTERN COAST OF SUMATRA.
3-METER-HIGH WAVE,
10-FOOT-HIGH WAVE WOULD HAVE RACED THROUGH THIS.
AND THIS IS WHY THIS PLACE IS ALL DEAD AND ROTTING.
A TOWER OF SEAWATER RUSHED INLAND FOR OVER A MILE,
DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME THAT EVERYTHING HERE IS ROTTING...
WATCH THAT.
UNDER MY FEET IS A TANGLE OF TWISTED LOGS AND BRANCHES.
MAKING PROGRESS IN THIS IS GONNA BE TORTUROUS.
THIS IS REAL LEG-BREAKER TERRAIN.
AND IF THAT HAPPENS OUT HERE, NO ONE WOULD HEAR YOU SCREAM.
MY CHALLENGE IS TO GET THROUGH THIS HELL
AND THEN HEAD EAST
AND INLAND TOWARDS HIGHER GROUND AND THE JUNGLE.
BUT THAT MEANS GOING DEEPER INTO THE SWAMP.
I'VE REACHED VEGETATION,
BUT NOW I'M HEMMED IN BY THIS PANDANUS REED.
IT'S TWICE THE HEIGHT OF ME,
PACKED TIGHT TOGETHER,
AND WITH LEAVES AS SHARP AS A BUTCHER'S KNIFE.
ALL OF THIS HERE IS JUST CALLED BLACK SWAMP.
AND YOU CAN SEE WHY IT'S CALLED THIS.
LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THE WATER. ABSOLUTELY BLACK.
AND THAT IS JUST FROM ALL THE VEGETATION THAT'S ROTTING.
GET A LOOK AT ALL THIS.
IT'S LIKE THE SEWER OF THE JUNGLE.
YOU KNOW, ALL THE DREGS ARE DRAINING THROUGH THIS PLACE.
IF YOU COVER JUST 300 FOOT IN AN HOUR
THROUGH THIS STINKING STUFF, YOU'RE DOING WELL.
THE SUCTION IS SOMETHING ELSE.
IT'S LIKE WADING THROUGH WET CEMENT.
AND THEN SUDDENLY I'M UP TO MY NECK IN FETID WATER.
TRYING TO GET MY FOOTING ON THIS STUFF.
IT SUDDENLY, LIKE, DROPS AWAY REALLY DEEP.
THE HUMIDITY MAKES IT EVEN TOUGHER.
IT'S A PUNISHING 90%.
YOU CAN LOSE 2 LITERS OF WATER IN AN HOUR,
AND NOT A DROP OF THIS DISEASE-RIDDEN STUFF
IS DRINKABLE.
I MEAN, IT IS PRETTY EASY JUST TO PANIC
IN A PLACE LIKE THIS,
JUST BECAUSE IT IS CLAUSTROPHOBIC.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE COMPLETELY HEMMED IN BY ALL OF THIS STUFF.
BUT YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP CALM AND TAKE YOUR TIME.
I'M WORKING BACKWARDS,
USING MY BODY WEIGHT TO PUSH THROUGH THE REEDS.
THEY'RE CROWDED IN ON ME,
AND IT'S THE BEST WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHERE YOU'RE HEADING.
WHAT'S HARD IN HERE
IS JUST TRYING TO MAINTAIN YOUR DIRECTION
AND NOT GO 'ROUND AND 'ROUND IN CIRCLES.
SO I'M JUST LOOK BACK ALWAYS
AND CHECKING THAT MY CHANNEL THROUGH IS STRAIGHT.
THE SMALLEST CUT OUT HERE COULD MEAN TROUBLE.
DISEASE THRIVES IN SWAMPS.
INFECTION WOULD QUICKLY SET IN,
AND TRAPPED OUT HERE ALONE, THAT WOULD BE A DEATH SENTENCE.
THERE'S PRECIOUS LITTLE TO EAT,
SO GRAB ANY OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN.
AND THEN LOOK AT THIS FELLOW.
THIS CENTIPEDE WON'T KEEP ME GOING FOR LONG,
BUT OUNCE FOR OUNCE,
INSECTS ARE PACKED WITH MORE PROTEIN THAN BEEF --
THE PERFECT SURVIVAL FOOD.
THESE SWAMPS CRAWL WITH DANGER.
THE MOST FEARSOME IS THE ESTUARINE CROCODILE.
THERE ARE SAID TO BE THOUSANDS AROUND HERE --
17-FOOT MONSTERS WHICH LIE IN WAIT
WITH JUST THEIR EYES ABOVE THE WATERLINE.
THEY ATTACK WITH DEVASTATING SPEED AND POWER.
I WOULDN'T STAND A CHANCE.
WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS
IS THAT IF I SEE ONE, I'M SO SLOW JUST IN THIS DEEP MUD.
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST SUCKING -- SUCKING AT MY LEGS.
CROCS MIGHT LIKE IT, BUT I DO NOT.
I'D BE EASY PREY STUCK IN THIS MUD.
CROCS CAN SWIM AT 18 MILES AN HOUR
AND BITE WITH AN AWESOME PRESSURE
OF ABOUT 3,000 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH.
ONLY LAST YEAR, TWO PEOPLE WERE GRABBED
WHILE WASHING CLOTHES BY THE RIVER.
ONE WAS NEVER FOUND.
THE OTHER WAS DISCOVERED
DECOMPOSING UNDER A LOG A WEEK LATER.
CROCS LIKE TO LET FLESH ROT
BEFORE RETURNING TO THE CARCASS.
BUT IT'S NOT JUST CROCS I'M WORRIED ABOUT.
THIS SWAMP TEEMS WITH OVER 60 SPECIES OF REPTILES.
THE GUY I'M AFTER HAS A VICIOUS BITE.
IT'S A LIZARD.
IF IT GETS HOLD OF ME, IT WON'T LET GO.
THEY GIVE A NASTY BITE.
I'M TRYING TO CATCH MYSELF SOME FOOD
DEEP IN THE VAST BLACK PEAT SWAMPS OF SUMATRA.
IT'S A LIZARD.
AND WHAT I'M AFTER IS PUTTING UP A HELL OF A FIGHT.
I'VE GOT HIM. THAT'S A MONITOR LIZARD.
LIZARDS HERE CAN BE BRUTES --
UP TO 9 FOOT LONG AND WITH FEARSOME JAWS.
LOOK AT THESE CLAWS. MAN, THOSE ARE SHARP.
IF I'VE GOT HIM BY THE TAIL LIKE THIS,
HE CAN'T PULL BACK ON ME.
BUT HE CAN BITE AND HE CAN GIVE A NASTY BITE.
WHEW!
AND THESE GUYS, THEY'RE EDIBLE.
PROBABLY PRETTY TOUGH, BUT EDIBLE.
THAT'S THE RESULT.
LOOKS LIKE GOOD HIGH GROUND OVER THERE.
AND THAT MEANS I CAN GET OUT OF THIS GODFORSAKEN SWAMP.
BUT THIS PLACE IS JUST RIDDLED WITH DANGERS --
CROCS, SNAKES, TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS,
AND SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE JUNGLES ON EARTH.
THIS IS ALSO TIGER TERRITORY.
THEY'RE THE STEALTHIEST OF KILLERS,
AND THEY'RE ALSO NOCTURNAL HUNTERS.
SO I NEED FIRE AND SHELTER BEFORE IT GETS DARK.
WHEN YOU'RE IN THE JUNGLE, PLAY BY ITS RULES.
SO, REALLY, THE KEY TO SURVIVING IN THE JUNGLE
IS NOT FIGHTING THIS THING.
JUST TRY TO ADAPT TO IT AND USE IT TO WORK FOR YOU.
'CAUSE IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE,
YOU CAN NOT ONLY SURVIVE IN THE JUNGLE,
YOU CAN REALLY, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THRIVE ON IT.
FOR ME, I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME EVER BEING IN THE JUNGLE,
JUST FEELING QUITE CLAUSTROPHOBIC
'CAUSE THERE'S JUST SO MUCH GOING ON HERE.
YOU'RE JUST HEMMED IN ON ALL SIDES.
BUT THEN THE SOLDIER SAID, HE SAID,
"TRY NOT TO CONCENTRATE ON WHAT'S IMMEDIATELY AROUND YOU,
BUT TRY AND LOOK THROUGH THE VEGETATION."
AND WHEN YOU DO THAT,
YOU BEGIN TO PICK OUT DIFFERENT SHADES OF COLOR AND LIGHT,
AND YOU CAN THEN READ THE CONTOURS OF THE LAND BETTER.
THE MONITOR LIZARD IS WAY TOO TOUGH TO EAT RAW.
SO I'M GONNA FIND SOMEWHERE THAT
I CAN MAKE FIRE AND COOK IT.
THIS RIVER CLEARING IS PERFECT --
PLENTY OF FRESH WATER.
AND WHEN I'VE EATEN, I CAN FOLLOW IT.
IT'S MY FASTEST AND SAFEST WAY OUT OF HERE.
TRY AND FIND SOME FIREWOOD TO START COOKING THIS LIZARD.
ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF GETTING DRY TINDER IN THE JUNGLE
WHEN EVERYTHING IS SO WET IS JUST USE A BIT OF DEAD BAMBOO.
AND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS REALLY WET ON THE OUTSIDE,
ONCE I GET INTO IT...
...UNDERNEATH IS THEN ALL THIS NICE DRY STUFF.
ALL FIRES NEED THREE ELEMENTS --
TINDER, KINDLING, AND WOOD.
THIS TENDER TAKES A SPARK REALLY NICELY.
WHAT'S GONNA BE THE HARD BIT, I KNOW,
IS JUST GETTING ALL OF THIS OTHER WOOD
JUST TO COAX INTO LIFE.
THIS JUNGLE IS BANG ON THE EQUATOR,
AND THE HUMIDITY IS DEBILITATING.
THE AIR IS LADEN WITH MOISTURE,
AND IT'S ALMOST AT SATURATION POINT.
EVERYTHING HERE IS JUST SO, SO WET AND DAMP.
YOU NEED TO ALLOW TIME FOR A LITTLE BIT OF FLAME
DOWN THE BOTTOM TO DRY OUT THE REST OF IT.
IT'S JUST THERE'S NOWHERE HARDER TO DO THIS THAN IN THE JUNGLE.
A BIT OF AIR AND A BIT OF GENTLE COAXING,
AND THIS FIRE WILL SOON BE READY
FOR ME TO COOK THE LIZARD.
SEE HOW SKINNY IT IS WHEN YOU LIE IT LIKE THAT.
IT'S JUST ALL INSIDES.
BUT THERE IS GOOD MEAT HERE ON THE TAIL.
AND LIVER'S REALLY GOOD SURVIVAL FOOD --
PACKED FULL OF IRON.
IT'S ALSO REALLY VITAMIN AND NUTRIENT RICH.
AND I REALLY LOVE IT.
BUT YUM.
AND THIS IS LOOKING...
PRETTY WELL GOOD TO GO.
IT'S NICE.
YES, IT'S TOUGH, BUT, THEN AGAIN, SO IS THIS LIZARD.
THE JUNGLE CAN BE PUNISHING ON YOUR BODY,
SO USE REST TIME TO GIVE YOURSELF A ONCE-OVER.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT JUNGLE LIVING
THAT YOU JUST HAVE TO GET USED TO
IS HAVING PERMANENTLY WET BOOTS AND FEET.
BUT, REALLY, IF YOU'VE GOT BOOTS
THAT DON'T HAVE LITTLE HOLES IN THEM LIKE JUNGLE BOOTS,
YOU WANT TO IMPROVISE.
AND IF YOU JUST GET A KNIFE, STICK IT IN,
THAT WILL JUST LET THE WATER, THEN, DRAIN OUT
THROUGH THERE.
AND THAT'S GONNA HELP STOP YOU GETTING TRENCH FOOT.
AND IN THE JUNGLE, IF YOUR FEET GO,
YOU'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.
IN THIS SWELTERING RAIN FOREST,
IT CAN TAKE JUST HOURS FOR TRENCH FOOT TO SET IN.
BLISTERS AND OPEN SORES BECOME GANGRENOUS.
THEN YOU'LL BE GOING NOWHERE.
FOLLOWING THIS RIVER MIGHT BE A LIFESAVER,
BUT IT COULD BE A DEATH TRAP.
I'M FOLLOWING A JUNGLE RIVER IN SUMATRA,
FACING A WEEK OF CHALLENGES
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE
FROM ONE OF THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST RAIN FORESTS.
IT'S THE FASTEST ROUTE OUT, BUT IT'S RAINY SEASON,
WHEN AS MUCH AS 2 INCHES CAN POUR DOWN IN AN HOUR.
THIS ISN'T LOOKING TOO PROMISING.
WATER LEVELS CAN RISE 4 OR 5 FOOT
IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.
THIS RIVER NOW HAS ONLY ONE WAY TO GO --
DOWN.
DO YOU SEE THE POWER OF THE WATER'S
REALLY BUILDING UP NOW HERE?
THE STEEP SLOPES OF THIS CANYON ARE SMOTHERED IN SLIMY MOSS
AND DENSE JUNGLE.
THE QUICKEST WAY OUT OF HERE IS TO CLIMB DOWN.
MUST BE ABOUT A 40-FOOT DROP STRAIGHT DOWN THIS.
YOU SEE THERE'S A HUGE AMOUNT OF WATER GOING DOWN IT.
IF FACT, I KNOW WHAT I CAN DO.
RIGHT HERE, IF I FIND MYSELF A DECENT LENGTH OF VINE,
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A REALLY SIMPLE
SUPPLY HARNESS AROUND MYSELF.
IT'S CALLED RATI VINE.
IT'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST IN THE JUNGLE.
IT'S KNOWN AS THE CABLE OF THE JUNGLE.
IT'S TOUGH AND CAN GROW TO SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET
AS IT FIGHTS TO GET TO THE LIGHT IN THE FOREST CANOPY.
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY TURNED THE SHOWER ON.
JUST MAD RAIN.
OKAY, GET ALL OF THIS.
AND THE BEST WAY I CAN MAKE A HARNESS
IS JUST TO MAKE WHAT'S CALLED A THOMPSON'S KNOT.
AND IF YOU FIND THE END,
WHAT YOU DO IS TAKE THE END, STAND ON IT,
AND THEN MEASURE UP TO ABOUT YOUR CHEST.
AND THEN YOU WANT FOUR TIMES THAT.
AND THEN IN THAT JUST PUT A REALLY SIMPLE OVERHAND KNOT.
AND WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH IS TWO LOOPS EACH SIDE.
TWO -- TWO.
AND THEN YOU'RE WELL-SUPPORTED.
ONE CENTRAL POINT, TWO LEG LOOPS,
AND TWO GOOD CHEST STRAPS HERE.
AND AS LONG AS THIS ONE HOLDS, I'M GOOD TO GO.
THIS TRUNK MIGHT LOOK PUNY,
BUT JUNGLE TREES HAVE DEEP, LONG ROOTS,
SO IT SHOULD TAKE MY WEIGHT.
IT'S A RISKY STRATEGY -- IT'S WET AND SLIPPERY AS ICE,
AND THE RIVER IS THUNDERING DOWN.
ONE SLIP AND THE FORCE OF THE WATER WOULD SMASH YOU
AGAINST THE ROCKS.
OKAY.
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
I'M CREATING QUITE A LOT OF FRICTION.
I RAN THE VINE AROUND THE TREE.
THAT MEANS I CAN LOWER MY BODY WEIGHT QUITE COMFORTABLY.
IT'S JUST BLOODY SLIPPERY.
AND THIS THING'S YANKING AT MY NECK.
BUT LET'S GO DOWN.
DEFINITELY NOT AS COMFORTABLE AS A NORMAL CLIMBING HARNESS.
AAH!
I'M NOT GONNA BE DOING THIS AGAIN IN A HURRY!
[ GRUNTS ]
WHOA.
THIS LASTED 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN.
BUT EVENTUALLY IT GAVE OUT.
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
AND I'M ON MY WAY.
TO SURVIVE MEANS YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISKS,
BUT THE JUNGLE CAN BE A VERY UNFORGIVING PLACE.
FOR THERE ARE PLENTY OF CHALLENGES STILL AHEAD,
AND I'M GONNA MAKE A SHELTER UP THIS TREE.
I'VE JUST FOUGHT MY WAY DOWN A WATERFALL DEEP IN SUMATRA
IN ONE OF THE MOST UNCHARTED RAIN FORESTS IN THE WORLD.
NOW MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE RAIN.
IT'S RAINY SEASON, AND IT IS RELENTLESS,
AND IT'S HARD NOT TO LET IT GET YOU DOWN.
I THINK IT'S RAINING.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
GOD, I'M JUST COMPLETELY DRENCHED.
THAT'S PROBABLY WHY THEY CALL IT A RAIN FOREST.
AHH.
ONE THING YOU LEARN VERY EARLY ON WITH JUNGLE LIVING
IS JUST TO ACCEPT THE RAIN.
BUT DURING THE DAY, YOU'RE JUST GONNA GET SOAKED.
YOU JUST NEED TO GO WITH IT,
'CAUSE TRYING TO FIGHT THIS SORT OF RAIN,
REALLY, IN THE JUNGLE, IS A LOSING BATTLE.
BUT RAIN MEANS FRESH WATER,
AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY IN THE HOLLOW OF THIS BAMBOO.
IN THE SWELTERING HUMIDITY OF THE JUNGLE,
YOU CAN SHED AROUND 4 PINTS OF FLUID AND MINERALS EVERY HOUR.
IF YOU DON'T TOP UP, YOU'LL GET DEHYDRATED.
AND IF YOU'RE DEHYDRATED,
YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING OUT ALIVE PLUMMET.
AND THAT'S BEAUTIFUL WATER TO DRINK...
FILTERED OUT THROUGH THE GROUND...
[ SLURPS ]
...INTO THE BAMBOO.
AND LISTEN TO THE DIFFERENCE NOW BETWEEN THAT...
[ TAPPING ]
...FOR THE WATER...
[ HOLLOW KNOCKING ]
...AND THAT EMPTY.
WHEW.
IT'S GETTING DARK.
ON THE EQUATOR, NIGHT FALLS IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE,
AND I'VE GOT ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE IT'S PITCH BLACK.
I NEED TO SET UP CAMP, AND WHAT THE ORANGUTANS DO
IS BUILD THEIR NESTS HIGH UP IN THE TREES,
WELL OUT OF THE WAY OF PREDATORS LIKE TIGERS.
THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
JUST LOOK AT THIS TREE.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS.
AND THESE FIG TREES JUST GROW ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE.
BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE THIS BIG.
AND, ACTUALLY, WHAT THE ORANGUTANS WILL DO --
THEY'LL OFTEN BUILD THEIR NESTS
HIGH UP IN THE BRANCHES AND THE LIMBS.
BUT THEN, YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S LIKE A HUGE BIT OF DEADFALL
THAT'S GOT LODGED IN BETWEEN.
I JUST WONDER, ACTUALLY...
...WHETHER THAT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD PLACE TO SPEND THE NIGHT.
AND THE BEST THING YOU'LL OFTEN DO WITH A SHELTER,
INSTEAD OF SPENDING HOURS BUILDING IT,
IS JUST TO USE WHATEVER NATURE'S GIVEN YOU.
AND THIS, I THINK, MIGHT WORK.
BUT I'M GONNA NEED SOME SORT OF COVERING ABOVE ME.
OTHERWISE IT'S GONNA BE LIKE SLEEPING IN A SWIMMING POOL.
WHEN MAKING JUST A REALLY QUICK EMERGENCY SHELTER,
YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO MUCH BETTER THAN USING THESE BANANA LEAVES.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THEM. ABSOLUTELY HUGE.
YOU ONLY NEED A COUPLE OF THOSE AND YOU'RE GONNA BE COVERED.
HERE IT COMES.
ACTUALLY, THERE'S BANANAS UP THAT ONE.
SEE IF WE CAN GET AT THEM.
[ KNIFE SCRAPING ]
THESE WILD BANANAS ARE KNOWN AS FAMINE FOOD.
LET'S GIVE THEM A TRY, SEE WHAT'S INSIDE.
OH.
MMM. NOT KIND OF LIKE YOUR MERCHANT BANANAS.
PRETTY BITTER, BUT LOADS OF THEM,
AND THAT MEANS LOADS OF ENERGY.
IT'S WHAT I NEED WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS --
RAINING, HARD WORK,
AND A SHELTER TO BUILD BEFORE IT'S NIGHTTIME.
A FEW MORE OF THESE.
THESE LIANA VINES ARE PERFECT
FOR HAULING UP MATERIALS FOR MY SHELTER.
AND THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF THEM.
THEY MAKE UP ALMOST HALF THE ENTIRE JUNGLE CANOPY.
SORT OF RUNNING OUT OF LIGHT HERE.
I JUST WANT TO GET THIS FINISHED BEFORE IT'S COMPLETELY DARK.
I'M READY NOW.
I'M QUITE WELL-PROTECTED FROM THE RAIN.
A FEW MORE AND I'LL BE DONE.
I'M ACTUALLY QUITE NICELY COCOONED IN HERE.
THESE BANANA LEAVES ARE KEEPING THE RAIN OFF ME,
AND I'M BEGINNING TO WARM UP.
IF I CAN JUST GET THIS LITTLE FIRE GOING,
THAT WOULD ROUND IT OFF.
GETTING A FIRE GOING IN A SOAKING-WET JUNGLE IS NOT EASY,
BUT IT'S WORTH PERSEVERING,
AND IT CAN BE A HUGE MORALE BOOST.
THERE'S A FIRE GOING. THAT'S NICE.
[ SNIFFS ]
IT'S SO NICE JUST TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THAT RAIN
AND BEGIN TO DRY OUT OF IT, ESPECIALLY MY FEET.
ONE OF THE REAL PLEASURES OF THE JUNGLE
IS TAKING YOUR BOOTS OFF AT THE END OF THE DAY,
WRINGING YOUR SOCKS OUT, AND YOUR FEET.
AND THESE PROBABLY DON'T LOOK VERY PRETTY,
ALL WRINKLY LIKE PRUNES,
BUT AT LEAST I CAN NOW DRY THEM OUT
AND DRY THESE SOCKS OUT, AS WELL.
IF I HAD TO SUM JUNGLE LIVING UP IN ONE ACTION,
IT WOULD BE THAT -- WRINGING YOUR SOCKS OUT.
[ SIGHS ]
AND I KNOW THAT UP THIS TREE
I'M OUT OF DANGER OF ANY OF THE BIGGER ANIMALS.
ALTHOUGH I SEEM TO BE SHARING IT
WITH QUITE A FEW CREEPY-CRAWLIES.
BUT APART FROM THOSE, I FEEL QUITE GOOD UP HERE.
AND, HOPEFULLY, I'LL GET SOME REST,
BECAUSE TOMORROW I'M GONNA NEED IT.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
IT'S A MANGROVE SNAKE. AND THESE ARE DANGEROUS SNAKES.
I'VE JUST SPENT THE NIGHT
40 FOOT UP IN A GIANT STRANGLER FIG TREE,
SAFE FROM PREDATORS THAT PROWL THE FOREST FLOOR
OF THE SUMATRAN JUNGLE.
I'M HAVING TO USE ALL MY SKILLS
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.
BUT FIRST -- BREAKFAST.
THIS TREE'S HOLLOW TRUNK HASN'T JUST SHELTERED ME,
IT'S HOME TO A WHOLE HOST OF BEASTIES.
SEE THAT?
LITTLE BEETLE LARVA. IN FACT, NOT VERY LITTLE.
QUITE A BIG BEETLE LARVA. BUT THIS ONE IS EDIBLE.
AND THAT'S MY BREAKFAST.
[ SNIFFS ]
HOLD HIM BY THE HEAD.
[ CRUNCHING ]
AND IT HAS THAT TEXTURE
OF COLD CUSTARD...
...AS IF SOMEONE'S PUT SOME ROTTING FISH IN IT...
[ SPITS ]
...AND THEN LEFT IT OVERNIGHT.
HERE WE GO. LOOK AT THIS MILLIPEDE I FOUND.
THAT'S QUITE A MONSTER OF ONE.
BUT YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY EAT THIS GUY.
IF YOU SMELL HIM, IT HAS THAT SMELL OF ALMONDS,
WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN THAT IT'S ONE OF THESE MILLIPEDES THAT,
WHEN IT'S THREATENED, IT SECRETES THIS SUBSTANCE --
IT HAS A BIT OF CYANIDE IN IT.
SO YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO EAT THIS.
SO, PUT HIM BACK.
WELL, THIS BANANA-LEAF ROOF DID AN ALL RIGHT JOB.
KEPT MOST OF THE RAIN OFF ME.
BUT IT WAS PRETTY TORRENTIAL AT TIMES.
BUT I'M GONNA GET A LAST BIT OF WARMTH OUT OF THIS FIRE,
HAVE A GOOD LOOK AROUND ABOVE THE JUNGLE CANOPY,
ENJOY THE BLUE SKY BEFORE I'M BACK DOWN THERE
INTO THE JUNGLE AGAIN FOR TODAY.
THE RAIN HAS LET UP FOR NOW,
BUT IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE IT LASHES DOWN AGAIN.
IN JUST TWO MONTHS,
SUMATRA GETS THE SAME AMOUNT OF RAIN
AS THE UNITED STATES GETS IN A YEAR.
AND THE JUNGLE HERE HARBORS SOME NASTY SURPRISES.
JUST WAIT THERE.
LOOK AT THIS GUY.
IT'S A MANGROVE SNAKE.
AND THESE ARE DANGEROUS SNAKES.
SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM OUT OF THE TREE.
[ HISSING ]
HE'S PERFECTLY CAMOUFLAGED,
BUT ONE BITE FROM THIS SNAKE COULD SPELL DISASTER.
WHEN YOU'RE HANDLING A SNAKE,
YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO WATCH WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ITS HEAD,
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S POISONOUS.
OKAY, LET'S HAVE HIM OFF. COME ON, THEN.
OFF YOU COME.
WHOA!
OKAY.
AND PIN HIS HEAD DOWN.
OKAY, I'VE GOT HIM.
THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL SNAKE,
BUT PRETTY POISONOUS IF YOU GET IT WRONG.
BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A MANGROVE SNAKE.
BUT WHAT THIS'LL DO, IF IT BITES YOU,
IT'LL INJECT THIS, LIKE, CYTOTOXIC VENOM
STRAIGHT INTO YOU -- LIKE, NUMB,
PARALYZE YOUR ARM FOR A FEW DAYS.
BUT YOU CAN EAT THIS.
I JUST NEED TO TAKE HIS HEAD OFF.
BUT HE'S STILL WRIGGLING AROUND,
BUT, YOU KNOW, A SNAKE LIKE THIS,
YOU CAN EAT STRAIGHT LIKE THAT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, FOR RAW MEAT, NOT BAD.
WITHIN MINUTES, IT'S RAINING,
AND I'M DRENCHED TO THE SKIN AGAIN.
[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]
BUT THIS IMPENETRABLE JUNGLE
SUDDENLY HAS SOMETHING TO LIFT MY SPIRITS.
LOOK AT THE COLOR OF IT -- JUST INCREDIBLE.
THIS IS WORTH EXPLORING.
SUMATRA'S JUNGLE IS SCARRED WITH DEEP POOLS LIKE THIS,
TOPPED UP BY THE TORRENTIAL RAIN.
THE WATER IS RICH IN MINERALS,
WHICH MAKES IT THIS BRIGHTEST OF BLUE.
THAT MEANS FISH, AND FISH MEANS FOOD.
WHEW.
THIS PLACE REALLY IS JUST AMAZING.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE PROBABLY AN OLD VOLCANIC VENT
THAT CAME UP HERE.
PROBABLY WHAT ALL THE WHITE IS ON THE BOTTOM,
THE OLD CALCIUM DEPOSITS.
BUT THERE'S ALSO LOADS OF FISH DOWN HERE.
GONNA SEE IF I CAN GET MYSELF SOME OF THOSE.
FIRST, I NEED A GOOD LENGTH OF VINE.
PEOPLE OFTEN THINK, YOU KNOW,
YOU CATCH FISH USING A ROD AND LINE,
BUT THERE ARE LOADS OF OTHER WAYS OF DOING IT.
SO WHAT I CAN DO WITH THESE IS USE MY TROUSERS.
TIE A BIG OLD KNOT ON EACH END,
AND THEN I NEED A WAY OF KEEPING THE TOP OF THE WAIST OPEN,
AND THAT'S WHERE THIS RATI VINE COMES IN.
AND FISH REALLY ARE ONE OF THE JUNGLE GODSENDS.
LOADS OF ENERGY. LOADS OF VITAMINS, AS WELL.
I'M HOPING, WITH JUST MY PAIR OF TROUSERS,
IT'S GONNA CATCH SOME FOR ME.
THIS IS A TECHNIQUE I LEARNED
FROM A FRIEND IN THE SPECIAL FORCES.
GET SOME OF THE SAND I'VE PUT IN THE POCKET.
BUT LIKE ALL FISHING,
IT DEPENDS ON A BIT OF LUCK AND A LOT OF PATIENCE.
WHAT I CAN DO IS JUST SPRINKLE SOME OF THE GRIT
AND SOME OF THE SAND AND DROP THAT IN.
AND, HOPEFULLY, THE FISH ARE GONNA BE INQUISITIVE ENOUGH
TO COME AND TRY AND HAVE A NIBBLE.
AND THEN THE IDEA IS
I CAN JUST SNAG HIM.
THE THING IS, I CAN TELL --
I CAN JUST TELL ALREADY, NOW THIS RAIN'S PICKED UP,
IT'S MAKING THIS JOB OF FISHING
A BIT OF A LOSING BATTLE, TO BE HONEST.
WHAT'S HAPPENING, WITH ALL THE RAIN,
THE FISH ARE GONNA BE HEADING DEEP.
ALL THE FISH HAVE JUST GONE.
BUT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THAT'S JUST LIFE,
AND YOU GOT TO JUST SMILE BACK.
THIS WEATHER JUST FEELS LIKE
IT'S PERMANENTLY AGAINST ME AT THE MOMENT.
THIS TORRENTIAL RAIN HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR AGES,
AND IT'S JUST MAKING EVERYTHING A NIGHTMARE.
AND I'M STRUGGLING TO CATCH ANY FOOD.
I'M PERMANENTLY WET AND COLD.
FIRE LIGHTING'S A NIGHTMARE.
BUT, MAN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUNGLE LIVING FOR YOU.
AND IF IT WAS EASY,
EVERYONE WOULD JUST LIVE IN THIS RUDDY PLACE.
BUT, AT THE MOMENT, IT JUST FEELS LIKE --
FEELS LIKE A BIT OF A STRUGGLE.
I'M SOAKED TO THE SKIN, HUNGRY, AND EXHAUSTED,
AND THE GROUND UNDER MY FEET IS EVERY BIT AS LETHAL
AS THE JUNGLE AROUND ME.
WHOA!
I'M IN WESTERN SUMATRA,
BATTLING WITH ONE OF THE MOST DENSE
AND REMOTE JUNGLES ON EARTH.
NOW I'M HEADING EAST FOR HIGHER GROUND.
THAT'S GONNA BE MY BEST CHANCE
OF FINDING ANY SIGNS OF CIVILIZATION.
REACHING THIS CLEAR CANYON IS ABOUT THE FIRST TIME
I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE SUN AND THE SKY.
THE REST OF THE TIME IT WAS JUST HIDDEN
UNDER ALL OF THIS JUNGLE CANOPY.
BUT IT'S LATE AFTERNOON NOW.
THE SUN'S HEADING THAT WAY, WHICH MEANS WEST OVER THERE --
EAST, STILL THIS WAY.
BY SCRAMBLING UP TO THIS RIDGE,
I'LL GET A BETTER VANTAGE POINT
AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE TO HEAD NEXT.
I'M ALMOST TO THE TOP OF THIS RIDGE.
LET'S JUST GET THERE.
BUT THERE'S YET MORE THICK AND IMPENETRABLE JUNGLE.
IT'S HARD TO FEEL AND SEE MY WAY THROUGH,
AND THE GROUND IS EVERY BIT AS TREACHEROUS.
ONE LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION COULD SPELL DISASTER.
WHOA!
BACK, BACK.
[ ROCKS TUMBLING ]
MAN, LOOK DOWN THAT.
LOOK THROUGH THERE. PADDY FIELDS.
AND PEOPLE, AS WELL.
MAN, THAT IS A PROMINENT-SIZED DROP.
WHEW!
THERE ARE A LOT OF ROOTS RUNNING OUT OF THIS TREE DOWN THE FACE.
JUST GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT OF THE WAYS,
SEE HOW FAR THESE RUN.
MIGHT WELL BE ABLE TO GET DOWN HERE.
HOLD ON.
IT'S A 120-FOOT DROP,
BUT I CAN USE THE ROOTS TO WORK MY WAY DOWN.
IT'S AMAZING, THIS LATTICE WORK COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE FACE.
THE KEY WITH THIS STUFF IS JUST TRY NOT TO LOOK DOWN TOO MUCH.
JUST LOOK AT THE VINES THAT I'M HOLDING
AND MAKE SURE THAT I'M PICKING GOOD, STRONG LIVING ONES.
BUT AT THE MOMENT, THESE ARE RUNNING NICE.
THIS SANDSTONE FACE IS COMPLETELY SMOOTH.
THERE'S NO CHANCE OF ANY FOOTHOLD.
MY ONLY HOPE IS THAT THE VINES WILL HOLD.
KIND OF COMMITTED NOW TO THIS VINE.
[ GRUNTS ]
I'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO WEDGE MY LEFT LEG
BETWEEN THE VINE AND THE WALL.
THAT'S GIVING ME MY FRICTION,
SO I'M NOT TAKING ALL ON MY HANDS.
YEAH, LOOK, IT'S RUNNING.
IT'S RUNNING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THAT LITTLE LEDGE.
NOT QUITE SURE WHAT I'M GONNA DO WHEN I GET THERE,
BUT I JUST NEED TO GET DOWN TO THAT POINT.
WHEW!
IF I TRY AND KEEP MY HANDS
JUST AT THE SHOULDER HEIGHT OR BELOW,
IT MEANS THE BLOOD DOESN'T DRAIN OUT OF THEM
AND I'LL HAVE A BETTER MUSCLE ENDURANCE.
IF I START LETTING MY HANDS GO UP HERE,
IT GETS MUCH MORE TIRING.
DON'T LOOK DOWN. DON'T THINK BACK.
JUST KEEP IN THE MOMENT.
[ GRUNTING ]
MAN.
THEY'RE BURNING.
I'M ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN ON THIS LITTLE LEDGE.
YOU SEE HOW CRUMBLY THIS WALL IS.
BUT THAT'S THE END OF THIS VINE.
GOT TO FIND ANOTHER ONE TO GET THE LAST BIT DOWN.
IF I CAN JUST REACH ACROSS TO THIS ONE...
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO FOR IT.
JUST GRAB IT.
[ GRUNTS ]
I DON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND ON THIS ONE.
THIS IS NOT AS THICK.
WHOA!
AW, MAN.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
I'M SERIOUSLY RUNNING OUT OF --
RUNNING OUT OF STRENGTH, THEN.
HAVE A LOOK UP AT THAT. WHEW!
OKAY, I'VE GOT TO CROSS -- CROSS THIS RIVER.
AND THOSE GUYS IN THE PADDY FIELDS -- THEY'VE SEEN ME NOW.
THEY THINK I'M A COMPLETELY BONKERS ENGLISHMAN.
OKAY, LET'S GO DOWN THERE.
THE BLACK SWAMPS AND JUNGLES OF SUMATRA
HAVE STRETCHED ME TO THE LIMITS
OF MY PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ENDURANCE.
BUT IT'S A CHALLENGE I'LL NEVER FORGET.
REACHING THESE PADDY FIELDS MEANS ONE THING FOR ME --
I CAN FINALLY HEAD HOME TO MY FAMILY.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
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