I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
WHOO!
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A WEEK OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACES YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
THIS TIME I'M IN THE WEST OF IRELAND...
...WHERE I'LL BE FIGHTING MY WAY
ALONG THE STORM-BATTERED SHORE...
THIS IS A FORBIDDING, FORBIDDING COASTLINE.
...TAKING ON THE TOUGH TERRAIN OF THE MOORS...
...AND GOING NECK-DEEP IN A BOG
IN SEARCH OF A SQUARE MEAL.
I'M OFF THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND.
TO MY RIGHT LIE TOWERING 2,000-FOOT SEA CLIFFS
AND TO MY LEFT THE VAST ATLANTIC OCEAN.
IT'S OPEN SEA ALL THE WAY
FROM HERE TO THE EASTERN SEABOARD OF THE UNITED STATES --
NEARLY 3,000 MILES.
AND ALL OF THIS AREA IS KNOWN AS THE WRECKING COAST.
AND LOOKING AT THESE CLIFFS, YOU CAN SEE WHY.
PREVAILING WINDS BLOW HUGE SWELLS OVER FROM THE CARIBBEAN.
THE WRECKS OF THOUSANDS OF SHIPS LITTER THESE SHORES.
AND THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING.
WHEN THE CAPTAIN GIVES ME THE GREEN LIGHT,
I'M OFF THIS BOAT.
AND THEN I'LL BE LIKE ANY SHIPWRECKED SAILOR
TRYING TO MAKE HIS WAY IN TO THE SHORE.
THE BIG CHALLENGE WILL BE TO MAKE IT THERE SAFELY.
IN THESE COLD ATLANTIC WATERS,
THIS ONSET OF HYPOTHERMIA IS NEVER FAR AWAY.
ALL I'M TAKING WITH ME ARE A FEW BASIC SURVIVOR TOOLS,
AND MY CAMERA CREW IS COMING WITH ME.
AT THIS SPEED, IF YOU JUMP BUT GET IT WRONG,
YOU'RE GONNA GET INJURED.
WHAT I'M GONNA DO, THOUGH, IS USE A TECHNIQUE
FROM THE SPECIAL FORCES CALLED A FAST-BOAT INSERTION.
AND IT EFFECTIVELY MAKES YOU LIKE A HUMAN BOUNCING BALL.
COMING UP TO DROP ZONE!
OKAY, GO!
I'VE BEEN DROPPED MORE THAN A KILOMETER OFFSHORE.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, I FEEL VERY ALONE.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
THAT TOOK THE WIND RIGHT OUT OF ME.
OKAY.
LET'S START THE SWIM IN.
THE FIRST THING THAT HITS YOU ABOUT THIS WATER
IS THAT IT'S COLD.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS NORTH ATLANTIC,
AND WE'VE JUST COME OUT OF A LONG, COLD WINTER.
SO I WANT TO GET INTO SHORE QUICK.
THIS WATER IS ONLY 11Â© CELSIUS --
COLD ENOUGH TO KILL YOU IN 2 HOURS.
SAFELY THROUGH THE OPEN WATER, I HIT MY NEXT CHALLENGE --
A SOLID WALL OF ROCK, AND I CAN SEE NO WAY UP.
I NEED TO FIND SOME PLACE
JUST TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT.
LET'S SEE.
THE SHEER ROCK FACES LOOK IMPOSSIBLE TO GET UP.
THEN AHEAD, I SEE A SMALL LEDGE AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE A WAY OUT.
WELL, THAT'S NICE TO GET OUT OF THAT COLD WATER.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK MY WAY
ALONG THE ROCKS HERE.
WHOA.
ALMOST BACK IN.
SLIPPY -- THESE ROCKS. JUST WATCH YOUR FOOTING.
I NEED TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE CLIFF.
ONLY THEN WILL I BE OUT OF HARM'S WAY.
A LOCAL MAN WAS RECENTLY HIT BY A FREAK WAVE
AND DRAGGED UNCONSCIOUS OFF THE ROCKS NEAR HERE.
HIS BODY WAS LATER RECOVERED FURTHER DOWN THE COAST.
THIS REALLY IS NO PLACE TO BE STUCK FOR TOO LONG.
JUST WAIT HERE A SEC. LET'S HAVE A LOOK UP HERE.
THE BEST THING TO DO IS KEEP MOVING
AND HOPE FOR A BREAK IN THE CLIFFS.
BUT NO BREAK COMES.
THE LEDGE RUNS OUT, AND I'M STOPPED IN MY TRACKS.
THAT'S A DEAD END.
KIND OF RUNNING OUT OF -- RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS HERE.
THERE'S JUST CLIFFS EVERYWHERE.
AND REALLY MY ONLY CHOICE, AS MUCH AS I HATE IT,
IS JUST TO GET BACK INTO THIS WATER
AND TRY FURTHER ON AROUND.
BUT YOU NEED TO BE A BIT CAREFUL OF DOING THESE HIGH JUMPS.
ANYTHING OVER 25 FOOT,
YOU CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE YOURSELF.
THERE WAS A BRITISH GUY KILLED ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO.
HE JUMPED LIKE THIS, COULDN'T SEE THE BOTTOM.
BUT LOOK HOW YOU CAN SEE IT'S NICE CLEAR WATER DOWN THERE.
AS LONG AS I'M BEYOND THIS BEND.
OKAY. I'LL GO FIRST.
FROM ABOVE, THE WATER LOOKED AT LEAST 20 FOOT DEEP --
MORE THAN ENOUGH TO MAKE THE JUMP SAFE.
NOW THE CREW CAN FOLLOW ME IN.
GUYS, JUMP!
NICE ONE.
THESE LIMESTONE CLIFFS LOOK IMPENETRABLE,
BUT LIMESTONE OFTEN HAS LINES OF WEAKNESS,
WHICH YOU CAN USE TO GET OUT OF THE WATER AND ONTO DRY LAND.
I CAN SEE DAYLIGHT THROUGH THERE,
AND THAT MIGHT WELL LEAD ME THROUGH AND UP.
LET'S GIVE IT A LOOK.
YOU NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL IN THESE SORT OF PLACES.
YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE HIGH-TIDE MARK GOES THROUGH HERE,
AND WE DO NOT WANT TO GET TRAPPED UNDER THESE.
( SPITTING )
AND THEY'RE QUITE CLAUSTROPHOBIC --
THESE SEA TUNNELS.
WE'RE LITERALLY SWIMMING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE CLIFF.
I KNOW THIS IS GONNA BE A WAY -- A WAY OUT OF HERE.
IT'S GREAT TO BE ON SOLID GROUND.
NOW THE NEXT PART OF MY CHALLENGE CAN BEGIN.
THE BEST WAY TO FIND PEOPLE, SETTLEMENTS, AND FOOD
WILL BE TO HEAD ALONG THE COAST.
THE WAY NORTH IS BLOCKED BY THE BRUTAL TERRAIN,
SO THE BEST OPTION IS TO HEAD SOUTH.
YOU NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL
ON THE EDGE OF SOME OF THESE CLIFFS.
THERE'S QUITE A DROP DOWN HERE.
AND YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL
HOW YOU'RE MOVING AROUND THESE PLACES.
AND WATCH YOUR FOOTING.
EVENTUALLY, THE CLIFFS GIVE WAY TO MORE BROKEN TERRAIN.
NOW I CAN GET DOWN TO THE SHORELINE
AND START TO FORAGE FOR FOOD.
LOOK -- DEAD SEAL.
( IMITATES EXPLOSION )
PRETTY RANCID BY THE SMELL OF IT.
LOOK, SEE ALL THE --
SEE ALL THE MAGGOTS IN ITS EYE SOCKETS,
FROM ALL THAT ROTTING, ROTTING FLESH INSIDE.
THEIR GUTS FULL OF DECOMPOSING SEAL,
THESE MAGGOTS ARE TOO DANGEROUS TO EAT RAW.
( SQUISHES )
BUT WHAT ICANUSE...
IS SOME OF ITS BLUBBER.
UGH.
AND BLUBBER IS -- YOU KNOW, IT'S GREAT.
IT'S USED BY THE INNUIT
AS A REALLY GOOD SOURCE OF FOOD AND ALSO FUEL.
IT LOST ALL ITS BLUBBER,
AND THEN REALLY THAT'S THE END OF IT.
LIFE IS TOUGH HERE,
AND SURVIVAL IS ALL ABOUT GRABBING EVERY OPPORTUNITY...
...AND AVOIDING THE DANGERS OF THIS UNFORGIVING PLACE.
I'VE JUST FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH THE FREEZING ATLANTIC OCEAN
ONTO THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND.
NOW I'M ONTO DRY LAND,
A WHOLE NEW SET OF DANGERS AWAIT ME.
WHOA!
WATCH YOURSELF HERE.
( Laughing ) ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
I KNOW WHAT I'LL DO.
THIS WILL HELP.
WHIP A SOCK OFF.
STICK IT OVER THE END.
I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE ON GLACIERS --
USED IT WITH THE SNOW AND ICE, GIVES SOME TRACTION.
THERE'S NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULDN'T WORK ALSO
DOWN ON THE SEASHORE.
OKAY, LET'S SEE IF THIS IS GONNA WORK.
OH, LOOK AT THAT. THAT'S MUCH BETTER.
SOCKS INCREASE THE FRICTION ON YOUR FEET,
AND BECAUSE OF THE FIBERS,
THEY DON'T BECOME SLIPPY WHEN THEY'RE WET.
HIGHER UP, THE ROCKS ARE LESS SLIMY,
AND I CAN CONTINUE MY HUNT FOR FOOD.
AND IT'S NOT LONG BEFORE I'M IN LUCK.
YOU SEE THAT DOWN BY THE ROCK?
THERE'S MULLET JUST SWIMMING AROUND.
THAT'S SO CLOSE IN, THOUGH.
I RECKON I MIGHT WELL BE ABLE TO GET A ROCK AND GET AT THEM.
YEAH, BUT THEY'RE STILL THERE. DON'T MOVE. DON'T MOVE.
MULLET OFTEN FEED ON PLANKTON AND ALGAE NEAR THE SURFACE.
IF I CAN GET CLOSE TO THEM, I MAY BE ABLE TO STUN ONE.
USED BY NATIVE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD,
IT'S A VERY SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE METHOD.
BUT I'VE ONLY GOT ONE CHANCE.
OH!
JUST MISSED IT!
BUT NOT BY MUCH!
THE MULLET HAVE BEEN SPOOKED, SO NO FISH HERE.
BUT BURIED AT THE BACK OF THE BEACH IN TIDAL POOLS
IS A COLONY OF PURPLE SEA URCHINS.
THAT ORANGE GLOOP ARE ITS ROE -- THE EGGS.
AND THIS IS EDIBLE.
( SLURPS )
AND YOU GOT PEOPLE THAT PAY A LOT OF MONEY
IN A GOOD FRENCH RESTAURANT FOR THAT STUFF.
( SPITS ) GOD KNOWS WHY.
IT TASTES LIKE SALTY ORANGE EGG.
( SLURPS )
BUT LOTS OF GOOD ENERGY...
AND VITAMINS AND MINERALS.
IF WATER IS IN SHORT SUPPLY,
EATING LITTLE AND OFTEN IS THE BEST OPTION.
DIGESTING FOOD USES UP PRECIOUS FLUIDS.
HEY, LOOK. CHECK THIS OUT.
THERE'S A SHIPWRECK.
IT'S NO SURPRISE TO SEE A WRECK.
OVER 10,000 SHIPS HAVE SUNK HERE.
FROM THE GALLEONS OF THE SPANISH ARMADA IN 1588
TO THEPAIR CHARLES,
A TRAWLER WHICH WENT DOWN WITH ALL HANDS JUST LAST YEAR.
THIS IS THE OLD WHEELHOUSE.
BUT, LOOK, WE'RE QUITE A WAY UP THE SHORE.
YOU CAN IMAGINE THE POWER OF THE SEA
TO PICK THIS SOLID LUMP UP
AND DROP IT UP HERE.
YOU KNOW, BUT THIS PLACE SEES 40-FOOT WAVES SOMETIMES.
THAT'S WHY.
IT'S WORTH A LOOK AROUND,
AND MAYBE I CAN SALVAGE SOMETHING FROM IT.
A LOT OF SERIOUS POWER TO BEND STEEL LIKE THIS.
THERE'S NOT MUCH THAT I CAN USE IN THAT.
THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF ROPE.
A LOT OF THIS STUFF'S QUITE ROTTEN.
ACTUALLY, THIS DOESN'T LOOK...TOO BAD.
THE ROPE'S HEAVY, AND I DON'T WANT TO WEIGH MYSELF DOWN,
BUT IT'S DEFINITELY WORTH TAKING A SMALL SECTION.
THIS WRECK IS A HARSH REMINDER
OF JUST HOW VICIOUS THIS COASTLINE CAN BE.
BUT IT GOES TO SHOW THAT SHIPS AND PEOPLE WORK THESE WATERS,
SO YOU'RE NEVER FAR FROM CIVILIZATION.
AS I TRAVEL FURTHER SOUTH, THE CLIFFS START TO RISE AGAIN.
I WANT TO GET ON TOP OF THEM
BEFORE I GET TRAPPED BY THE TIDE.
THE BROKEN ROCK FACE GIVES ME PLENTY OF HANDHOLDS.
I WORK MY WAY UP OVER THE HEADLAND.
YOU WANT TO SEE A FRUSTRATING SIGHT?
LOOK AT THAT. YOU SEE THAT YACHT JUST ON THE HORIZON?
A BIT TOO FAR AWAY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SIGNAL.
AND YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE
HOW MANY SURVIVORS
HAVE HAD THAT FRUSTRATING THING OF
HAVING SAFETY SO CLOSE BUT SO FAR AWAY.
I BET THEY'RE --
I BET THEY GOT SOME NICE SANDWICHES ON BOARD, AS WELL.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
COME ON, THEN. LET'S KEEP GOING.
IN THIS PART OF IRELAND,
THE TERRAIN WILL ALWAYS TURN AGAINST YOU.
THE HUGE CLIFFS AND ROCK FACES
ARE NOW STOPPING ANY PROGRESS NORTH OR SOUTH.
HEAD DIRECTLY INLAND.
YOU SHOULD EVENTUALLY REACH A ROAD
THAT RUNS PARALLEL TO THE COAST.
BUT THAT MEANS CROSSING THE DESOLATE MOORS,
RIDDLED WITH DEEP BOGS
AND LIMESTONE FISSURES DEEP ENOUGH TO SWALLOW YOU WHOLE.
THIS IS THE TIME OF DAY THE MIDGES COME OUT, AS WELL.
( SPITS )
( GRUNTING )
RIGHT ON A LEDGE.
IT'S FINE. I'M FINE. I'M FINE.
JUST GIVE ME A HAND OVER HERE. ONE, TWO, THREE.
LOOK WHAT I WENT INTO.
SEE THAT?
( BREATHING DEEPLY )
NOW I'M GONNA TRY AND FIND SOMEWHERE TO SET UP CAMP
BEFORE IT GETS TOO DARK.
IF YOU GO DOWN A DEEPER ONE OF THESE AT NIGHTTIME,
YOU'RE NEVER GONNA COME OUT OF THEM.
ALL RIGHT. TAKE A BIG STEP OVER THIS.
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
I'LL BE TACKLING THE NOTORIOUS PEAT BOGS...
I'M ON THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND
BATTLING WITH THE RUGGED TERRAIN.
THE COUNTRY'S ONLY 180 MILES WIDE,
BUT GETTING ACROSS THE DESOLATE MOORLAND IS TOUGH GOING.
THE THING ABOUT IRELAND IS YOU'RE NEVER REALLY GONNA BE
A LIFETIME AWAY FROM PEOPLE OR ROADS.
BUT RIGHT NOW, HERE ON THESE BARREN MOORS,
IT DOES FEEL LIKE A MILLION MILES FROM ANYWHERE.
AND THERE IS NOT ANOTHER LIVING SOUL WITHIN SIGHT.
THESE MOORS CLAIM MANY VICTIMS.
LAST YEAR, MOUNTAIN RESCUE WERE CALLED OUT OVER 350 TIMES.
AND IN THE LAST 4 YEARS,
OVER 40 CLIMBERS AND HIKERS HAVE DIED.
I'M LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO SHELTER OVERNIGHT.
THIS COAST GETS OVER 100 INCHES OF RAINFALL A YEAR,
BUT THERE ARE ONLY BOULDERS FOR SHELTER.
NOT MUCH CHANCE OF A DRY NIGHT IF THE HEAVENS OPEN.
I'M JUST TRYING TO LOOK IN SOME OF THESE LITTLE ROCKY OUTCROPS
TO FIND MAYBE AN OVERHANGING ROCK I CAN SHELTER UNDER.
SOMETHING LIKE -- SOMETHING LIKE THAT, ONLY BIGGER.
KEEP LOOKING.
ACTUALLY, THIS WOULD BE BRILLIANT. LOOK AT THIS.
AND THIS IS IDEAL.
NOW I'VE GOT NATURAL COVERAGE FROM THIS ROCK.
AND LOOK HOW DEEP IN IT GOES.
NOW I'VE SECURED SHELTER, I CAN SEARCH THE AREA FOR FOOD,
AND I DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR.
JUST BELOW ME IS A LAKE.
IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO FIND FROGS OR EVEN BIRDS' NESTS,
BUT I NEED TO BE CAREFUL -- THE LAKE IS SURROUNDED BY BOG.
HERE, LOOK. THIS ANIMAL'S BEEN CAUGHT OUT IN THIS BOG.
SHEEP SKULL. AND THIS IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
THEY'LL COME DOWN. ANIMALS COME DOWN TO THE WATER'S EDGE TO DRINK
AND THEN GET STUCK IN ALL OF THIS.
LOOK AT MY FOOT --
JUST DISAPPEARS STRAIGHT IN ALL OF THIS,
AND THEN IT'S QUITE HARD TO GET OUT.
BUT YOU CAN TELL IT'S BOG FROM ALL OF THIS,
ALL OF THIS BOG COTTON.
IT ONLY REALLY GROWS WHERE IT'S REALLY DAMP LIKE THIS.
BUT IT'S GETTING PRETTY BOGGY HERE. LET'S JUST BACK AROUND A BIT.
WATCH YOUR FOOTING.
IT'S NO SURPRISE TO FIND BONES HERE.
THOUSANDS OF SHEEP ROAM THESE MOORS,
AND IN THIS HARSH ENVIRONMENT, MANY DIE.
THIS ONE'S BEEN LEFT BY THE FARMER,
BUT IF YOU COULD GET IT OUT, IT COULD BE PUT TO GOOD USE.
HANG ON. HANG ON.
HARDLY GET MY LEG OUT OF THERE.
BY THE LOOK OF IT -- LET ME SEE --
ITS EYEBALLS ARE STILL IN, SO THE CROWS HAVEN'T HAD THAT.
AND THERE'S PROBABLY QUITE A LOT I COULD USE OFF THIS.
THE THING IS, IF I'M GONNA GET HIM OUT,
I DO NOT WANT TO END UP GETTING ALL OF MY CLOTHES SOAKING-WET.
I'LL JUST TAKE OFF MY OUTER SHELL,
SHIRT AND TROUSERS, GET IN, GET THAT THING OUT.
THAT WILL BE WORTH IT.
OKAY, JUST WAIT THERE.
AS SOON AS I BREAK THROUGH THE SURFACE VEGETATION,
THE MUD STARTS TO STICK LIKE GLUE.
GETTING OUT OF THIS COULD BE A NIGHTMARE,
BUT IF YOU CAN GET THE SHEEP BACK TO SOLID GROUND,
IT WILL HAVE BEEN WORTH THE RISK --
PLENTY TO EAT AND A WAY TO STAY WARM TONIGHT.
( GRUNTING )
I'M LITERALLY STUCK LIKE...
IN CEMENT!
THE THING IS, THE SHEEP'S ON THE SURFACE.
THIS IS A BUOYANT THING.
I NEED TO TRY AND USE THIS TO GET MYSELF OUT.
BUT IT'S MY FEET AND LOWER LEGS.
THEY'RE STUCK!
EVERY MOVEMENT I MAKE CREATES SUCTION,
WHICH JUST PULLS ME DOWN DEEPER.
IF YOU GOT A STICK OR A RUCKSACK,
LAY IT IN FRONT OF YOU AND USE IT,
JUST LIKE I'M USING THIS SHEEP TO CREATE MORE SURFACE AREA.
PUT YOUR WEIGHT ON IT, AND TRY AND WRIGGLE YOUR CHEST OUT.
THIS IS WHY I'VE JUST GOT TO TRY AND GET MY LEG
UP TO THE SURFACE.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
I'M OUT OF THE BOG AND BACK ON SOLID GROUND.
I'VE JUST DRAGGED A DEAD SHEEP OUT OF AN IRISH BOG.
I WANT TO BOX-SKIN IT.
THE WHOLE FLEECE WILL COME OFF LIKE A TUBE,
AND THEN I CAN USE IT TO SLEEP INSIDE.
AND I'M GONNA START RIGHT BACK HERE AT ITS BACKSIDE --
OR ITS GRINNER,
AND THEN THAT IS GONNA BE MY SLEEPING BAG.
THAT'S THE BIT I'M GONNA KEEP.
FREEING IT FROM THE BOG WAS TOUGH WORK,
BUT THE SHEEP MEANS I'LL EAT WELL AND STAY WARM TONIGHT.
I WANT TO KEEP MY BODY OFF THE WET GROUND
SO I DON'T LOSE TOO MUCH BODY HEAT.
THERE'S PLENTY OF BRACKEN AROUND,
BUT IT'LL BE FULL OF TICKS.
THEY ARE LEAST LIKELY TO LIVE IN SHORT GRASS AND HEATHER.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE A NICE SPONGY MATTRESS.
A PARCEL.
NOW TO PREPARE THE FLEECE.
AND THEN I JUST NEED TO GET MY LEGS INSIDE THIS.
AND THE EXTREMITIES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART TO PROTECT.
IT'S WHERE YOU LOSE MOST OF YOUR HEAT,
'CAUSE THE BLOOD VESSELS ARE CLOSE TO THE SURFACE.
YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR HEAD, YOUR HANDS, AND YOUR FEET.
BUT THIS SHOULD BE NICE AND SNUG,
EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS PRETTY DISGUSTING.
IT'S A SHEEPING BAG. THAT'S WHAT IT IS.
EVEN WITH MY FLEECE, THE NIGHT GETS FREEZING-COLD,
AND IF I'M NOT CAREFUL,
IT'S GONNA BE DARK BEFORE I CAN FIND FUEL FOR MY FIRE.
THE PROBLEM IS UP ON THESE MOORS IS THAT THERE'S HARDLY ANY WOOD,
SO WHAT I'M DOING IS JUST CUTTING SOME OF THIS DRIED PEAT.
AND THIS STUFF BURNS REALLY WELL.
AND THE BEST PLACE TO COLLECT IT FROM
IS ON THE OVERHANGING BITS WHERE THE SUN'S DRIED IT OUT.
ONCE YOU GET TOO DEEP INTO IT --
LOOK, IT ALL GETS A BIT DAMP AGAIN.
BUT THIS STUFF IS GREAT.
PEAT NEEDS A STRONG FLAME TO CATCH.
I'M GETTING THE KINDLING BURNING REALLY WELL,
SO THE PEAT DOESN'T PUT THE FIRE OUT.
AND ALL OF THIS DRY HEATHER BURNS BRILLIANTLY.
MAN, THAT MAKES A CHANGE.
AND THEN I'VE GOT SOME OF THIS DRIED-OUT PEAT.
AND THE IRISH HAVE USED PEAT AS FUEL
FOR HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
AND IT'S GOOD BECAUSE "A," THERE'S MASSES OF IT,
BUT IT ALSO BURNS REALLY HOT,
BUT PRETTY SMOKELESSLY AND WITHOUT MUCH OF A FLAME.
IT'S GONNA PUMP OUT A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF HEAT.
I'VE GOT A COOL WAY TO COOK MY SHEEP LOIN
WITHOUT CHARRING IT.
AND ALL I'M GONNA DO IS COOK THE MEAT
IN BETWEEN THESE BITS OF DAMP MOSS.
AND WHAT THAT'S GONNA DO IS STOP THE MEAT BURNING
AND KEEP THE MEAT NICE AND MOIST.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE A NATURAL STEAMER.
THESE LOINS WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO COOK.
ALL I CAN DO IS SIT BACK AND WAIT.
LET'S TRY THIS. YEAH, LOOK, IT'S STEAMING --
STEAMING NICELY.
PRETTY FATTY,
BUT THAT'S A GOOD THING. LOADS OF CALORIES IN THIS.
THAT IS ALSO DEFINITELY BETTER THAN BUGS,
AND THERE'S MASSES OF IT.
AS THE DAY COMES TO A CLOSE,
THE WEATHER STARTS TO TURN FOR THE WORSE.
IT'S ALMOST SUNSET NOW,
AND IT'S JUST STARTED TO RAIN.
BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MY FAMILY ARE FROM THIS PLACE.
I WAS ACTUALLY BROUGHT UP IN IRELAND UNTIL I WAS ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD.
AND, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, COMING BACK HERE,
IT'S SPECIAL, REALLY SPECIAL.
AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S RAINING
AND IT'S BEGINNING TO GET A BIT COLD,
I JUST LOVE IT HERE -- REALLY LOVE IT.
AND LOOK AT THAT FOR A VIEW.
BUT BAD WEATHER ALWAYS HAS A WAY
OF BRINGING YOU BACK TO REALITY FAST.
IT'S BEEN RAINING REALLY HARD NOW FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.
AND THIS CAVE THAT I THOUGHT WAS QUITE WATERTIGHT
IS ACTUALLY LEAKING LIKE A SIEVE.
YOU KNOW, AND I'M LYING IN BASICALLY QUITE A LOT OF WATER.
WHICH IS NOT MUCH FUN.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S IRELAND FOR YOU.
THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE.
SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP YOUR CHIN UP
AND PRAY FOR MORNING.
( SNIFFLES )
I'VE SPENT THE NIGHT SHELTERING UNDER ROCKS ON THE IRISH MOORS.
YESTERDAY, AS DARKNESS FELL, THE WEATHER CLOSED IN,
AND EVERYTHING CHANGED.
WET, WILD, AND FREEZING-COLD,
IT SUDDENLY FELT LIKE A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS PLACE.
AND THE WORDS "ROOF REPAIR" SPRING TO MIND.
BUT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE OFTEN THINK ABOUT IRELAND,
THAT IT'S NOT AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT,
AND THEY COME ILL-PREPARED.
AND, ACTUALLY, THAT'S WHY IT CAN BE SO DANGEROUS HERE.
AND IT'S THAT NASTY COMBINATION OF WET, WIND, AND COLD.
AND THAT'S REALLY WHY PEOPLE GET HYPOTHERMIC.
BUT WOOL IS A GOOD INSULATOR EVEN WHEN IT'S WET.
AND THIS FLEECE HAS DONE ITS JOB WELL.
OKAY. ON MY WAY.
HEADING AWAY FROM THE SEA TAKES YOU EAST.
SOMEWHERE INLAND ARE ROADS, TOWNS, AND PEOPLE.
BUT BETWEEN ME AND THEM LIES SOME TOUGH TERRAIN.
JUST WATCH.
WAIT THERE A SEC.
MAN, THAT IS QUITE A DROP-OFF DOWN THIS TO THE STREAM.
THE THING IS, LOOKING UP HERE,
YOU SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREAM --
QUITE NICE, COMES GENTLY DOWN.
BUT THIS SIDE -- LOADS OF THESE CLIFFS.
AND I COULD PROBABLY FIND A WAY IF I KEPT GOING UP THE TOP,
FIND A WAY AROUND...
BUT I'VE GOT THIS ROPE, AND REALLY...
YEAH, THERE'S NO REASON WHY I SHOULDN'T USE THAT.
LET'S TRY IT.
THE ROPE I RECOVERED EARLIER FROM THE SHIPWRECK
ISN'T LONG ENOUGH TO GET ME TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS VALLEY.
I'M GONNA TRY AND LENGTHEN MY ROPE
BY UNRAVELING AND KNOTTING THE STRANDS TOGETHER.
BUT I MAY NEED IT AGAIN, SO WHEN I FINISH THE CLIMB,
I WANT THIS ROPE BACK.
AND I KNOW JUST THE KNOT.
IT'S CALLED A KAMIKAZE KNOT 'CAUSE IT IS A DANGEROUS ONE.
IT INVOLVES CUTTING THE ROPE, AND YOU NEED TO GET IT RIGHT.
AND WHAT YOU DO IS -- IF YOU HOLD THAT END.
HOLD THAT TIGHT.
YOU MAKE THREE LOOPS.
ONE...
TWO, THREE.
TAKE A TURN ON THIS ONE. ANOTHER TURN THIS SIDE.
PUT THAT LOOP THROUGH IT AND PULL THAT TIGHT.
THE TENSION IS IN THOSE TWO,
AND THIS ONE CAN GO SLACK.
AND BEFORE YOU GO, YOU CUT IT.
AND THEN ONCE YOU'VE CUT IT,
AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THE TENSION ON IT, YOU CAN RAPPEL OFF THAT.
AND THEN WHEN YOU GET TO THE BOTTOM,
YOU CAN RELEASE IT, GIVE IT A FLICK,
AND IT'S GONNA COME AWAY.
THAT BIT STAYS AT THE TOP,
AND THE REST OF THE ROPE COMES WITH ME.
MY ROPE SECURED, I'M READY TO GO.
NOW TO CUT MY LIFELINE.
AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY, IT'S AGAINST EVERY INSTINCT
IN A CLIMBER'S BODY TO CUT A ROPE.
AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE NEVER USED THIS KNOT BEFORE.
AND IF I'M HONEST, I'M NERVOUS ABOUT THIS.
BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS, IS TENSION STAYS ON THAT NOW.
OKAY.
THIS CLASSIC RAPPEL TECHNIQUE,
WHERE THE ROPE COMES THROUGH THE LEGS,
'ROUND THE BODY, AND DOWN THE BACK,
SHOULD GET ME DOWN, BUT IT'S RISKY.
IF YOU FALL THIS DISTANCE, IT'S CERTAIN DEATH.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE VAST MAJORITY OF CLIMBING ACCIDENTS HAPPEN
WHEN PEOPLE ARE RAPPELLING.
AND THAT'S WITHOUT A KAMIKAZE KNOT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS ROTTEN OLD ROPE
WILL TAKE MY WEIGHT,
AND THE LINE'S GOT TO STAY TAUT,
OR THE KAMIKAZE WILL RELEASE.
I'VE GOT TO KEEP MOVING,
BUT THE ROPE'S STARTING TO CUT INTO ME, AND IT'S AGONY.
I'VE GOT NO CHOICE, AND I'VE GOT TO TAKE A BREAK.
JUST GOT TO GET MY FOOT ON THIS LITTLE LEDGE...
WHOO!
...JUST TO TAKE THE PRESSURE
OFF MY GROIN FOR A SECOND.
( COUGHS )
OKAY, WE'RE ALMOST DOWN ANYWAY. LOOK -- LAST BIT.
SOLID GROUND IS TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE.
I JUST NEED THE ROPE AND THE KNOT TO HOLD
FOR THE LAST LITTLE BIT.
WELL, THE KNOT HELD.
LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET IT AWAY NOW.
( SPITS )
BRILLIANT!
WELL, THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE USED THAT, BUT IT WORKED!
RETRIEVING MY ROPE IS A REAL BONUS.
ALWAYS TRY AND KEEP HOLD OF YOUR KIT IF YOU CAN.
IF YOU'RE STUCK ON HIGH MOORLAND,
WHERE THERE'S LITTLE TO EAT,
FOLLOWING A STREAM IS A GOOD PLAN.
IT'S JUST THE PLACE TO FIND SMALL TROUT,
AND THERE'S PLENTY OF WATER ON TAP.
BUT JUST BECAUSE IT'S FAST-FLOWING
AND CRYSTAL-CLEAR DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SAFE TO DRINK.
LOOK -- THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH THESE STREAMS.
YOU SEE THAT?
DEAD SHEEP.
AND OFTEN YOU CAN BE LOWER DOWN IN THESE THINGS --
THINK "LOVELY, CLEAN MOUNTAIN WATER."
BUT YOU'D BE WRONG.
YOU'VE GOT THIS SORT OF THING HIGHER UP --
IT'S GONNA CONTAMINATE A LOT OF THIS.
AND YOU'LL EASILY GET, LIKE, E. COLI OR STREPTOCOCCI,
BOTH OF WHICH CAN GIVE YOU NASTY DIARRHEA AND VOMITING.
AND IF YOU'RE IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION, THAT CAN KILL YOU.
SO MAKE SURE YOU BOIL THE WATER.
I WON'T BE DRINKING FROM THIS,
BUT I WILL BE FOLLOWING THE STREAM
TO GET DOWN TO LOWER GROUND.
AS I DESCEND, I LEAVE THE MOORS BEHIND AND ENTER GRASSLAND
AND HEAD TOWARDS A LARGE LOCH.
ON THE FAR SIDE, THERE'S WOODLAND,
WHICH MEANS FOOD AND SHELTER.
BUT THE HUGE EXPANSE OF WATER IS IN MY WAY.
AND MY NEXT CHALLENGE IS GONNA BE A CHILLING EXPERIENCE.
THIS WATER REALLY IS BITINGLY COLD.
I'VE COME TO THE EDGE OF A VAST IRISH LOCH.
ON THE OTHER SIDE, THERE'S A VERY WELCOME SIGHT.
YOU CAN SEE TREES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE,
AND, REALLY, THAT'S MY FIRST SIGHT OF WOODLAND
SINCE I'VE BEEN IN IRELAND.
YOU KNOW, THIS PLACE IS SO, JUST SO EXPOSED,
BUT TREES MEAN FOOD AND SHELTER,
AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE I WANT TO BE HEADING.
SOME IRISH LOCHS CAN BE 20 MILES LONG.
YOU MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO SWIM ACROSS,
BUT THEY CAN CATCH YOU OUT BIG-TIME.
YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT NOT LOOK VERY FAR,
BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE,
IT'S OFTEN MUCH FURTHER THAN YOU RECKON.
AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU'VE GOT TO DO
IS MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT ENOUGH FLOTATION --
JUST SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP YOU
IF YOU GET HALFWAY AND YOU'RE REALLY HAVING A BATTLE.
I'VE GOT THIS RUCKSACK FOR FLOTATION,
BUT I CAN MAKE THAT MUCH BIGGER
BY USING THIS SHEEPSKIN, AS WELL.
THE SKIN IS WATERPROOF.
IF I SEAL THE FLEECE WITH THE WOOL ON THE INSIDE,
IT SHOULD STAY DRY AND HELP KEEP ME AFLOAT.
I'M ALSO PACKING IT WITH GRASS AND BRACKEN.
THIS CREATES AIR SPACES,
WHICH GIVES THE FLEECE EVEN MORE BUOYANCY.
USING THE SALVAGED ROPE,
I CAN SEAL THE HOLES WHERE THE SHEEP'S LEGS USED TO BE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME, THOUGH,
IS TO MAKE SURE I'VE GOT DRY CLOTHES
TO PUT ON THE END OF IT, ESPECIALLY IN THIS WIND.
WITH MY WORLDLY BELONGINGS SAFELY INSIDE THE SHEEP,
I CAN SEAL UP THE HOLE IN THE NECK.
AND NOW I'M READY TO GO.
AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS TRY AND PUT SOME AIR IN THIS
AND BLOW THROUGH IT -- LEG HOLE.
EVERY BIT OF BUOYANCY IS GONNA COUNT.
NOW, THAT LOOKS PRETTY...
READY TO GO.
MAN, THIS IS GONNA BE CHILLY PERKINS!
THE WATER IS ONLY A FEW DEGREES ABOVE FREEZING --
COLD ENOUGH FOR HYPOTHERMIA TO SET IN
IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR.
AND THE WINDCHILL MAKES IT FEEL EVEN COLDER.
THIS WATER REALLY IS BITINGLY COLD.
AND THE WIND'S REALLY, REALLY BLOWING ME, AS WELL.
BUT AT LEAST THIS IS GIVING ME SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO.
RECENTLY, A GROUP WENT BOATING ON AN IRISH LOCH.
THE WEATHER TURNED, AND THEY CAPSIZED IN SIX-FOOT SWELLS.
MOST REACHED THE SHORE, BUT ONE TEENAGER WENT MISSING.
HELICOPTERS SCOURED THE AREA,
AND HE WAS FINALLY FOUND, BUT TOO LATE.
NOW I'M OVER HALFWAY,
AND I RECKON NOW THE WIND'S LESS HERE,
IN THE LEE OF THE MOUNTAIN.
IT'S MAKING IT A BIT EASIER.
I'M KIND OF USING SHEEP JUST TO SHIELD ME A BIT.
BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO GET INTO THE GROOVE
AND KEEP GOING.
NOW I'M OUT OF THE WIND, IT'S GETTING EASIER TO SWIM.
THE PACE PICKS UP, AND SOON MY FEET HIT SOLID GROUND.
( BREATHING DEEPLY )
COLD -- I'M REALLY SHIVERING, SHIVERING NOW.
TRY TO GET MY FINGERS WORKING ON THAT.
( BREATHING DEEPLY )
I PRAY THESE ARE STILL DRY.
AND, YEAH, THEY...
I NEED TO GET WARM QUICKLY.
MY SHEEP FLOATERS WORKED, AND MY CLOTHES ARE DRY.
IT WAS WORTH THE EFFORT.
I NEED TO GET DRESSED AND THEN GET MOVING.
AND I KNOW AS SOON AS I START...THAT,
THEN I'M GONNA BE WARM AGAIN.
OKAY.
I'M ON MY WAY.
WOODLAND IS AN IDEAL ENVIRONMENT
FOR ANYONE HAVING TO LIVE OFF THE LAND.
UNLIKE THE MOORS,
THERE'S PLENTY OF FIREWOOD AND LOTS TO EAT.
BUT, FOR NOW, I'M GONNA KEEP MOVING.
I WANT TO GET THE BLOOD PUMPING AND WARM UP A LITTLE.
ONCE I GOT INLAND,
I ALWAYS KNEW THAT CIVILIZATION WOULDN'T BE FAR AWAY.
HEY, LOOK.
AND I'VE JUST FOUND IT.
A TRACK -- AND THAT MEANS ONE THING --
I'M OUT OF HERE.
IRELAND HAS BEEN A SPECTACULAR LAND OF CONTRASTS.
IT'S EASY TO LOSE ALL SIGNS OF THE MODERN WORLD.
STEP OFF THE BEATEN TRACK,
AND THIS PLACE CAN TURN VERY WILD AND VERY THREATENING.
BUT IT'S A PLACE I STILL LOVE.