I'M BEAR GRYLLS,
AND 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 WHERE YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
I'M IN SOUTH DAKOTA,
HOME TO THREE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE WILDERNESS AREAS
IN THE U.S...
JUST BACK UP.
...THE BLACK HILLS, THE GREAT PLAINS,
AND THE BARREN, FORBIDDING BADLANDS.
THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PRECARIOUS RIDGES
I'VE EVER GONE DOWN.
THIS IS A PLACE WHERE THE WEATHER...
( THUNDER RUMBLING )
THAT IS VERY, VERY CLOSE.
...THE WILDLIFE...
GET INTO COVER.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THEM.
...AND THE TERRAIN CAN ALL BE KILLERS.
FLYING OVER THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
IT'S OVER 8,000 SQUARE MILES OF GRANITE MOUNTAINS,
FOREST CANYONS, AND MASSIVE CLIFFS.
THE LAKOTA NATIVE AMERICANS
GAVE THE BLACK HILLS THEIR NAME.
BUT FROM UP HERE,
IT'S A HUGE EXPANSE OF FOREST AND JAGGED PEAKS
AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.
IT'S REMOTE, AND IT'S WILD.
THIS PLACE SEES SOME OF THE MOST VOLATILE WEATHER ON EARTH
WITH MASSIVE TEMPERATURE CHANGES, FLASH FLOODS,
AND THESE VIOLENT ELECTRICAL STORMS.
THERE'S NO WAY THE CHOPPER'S GONNA BE ABLE TO LAND
AMONGST THOSE TREES.
THE ONLY PLACE THEY'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT ME DOWN
IS ON THE TOP OF ONE OF THESE PINNACLES.
IT'S NEVER EASY!
THE PILOT'S GONNA BRING ME IN ABOUT 50 FOOT ABOVE THE SUMMIT.
THEN IT'S DOWN TO ME.
I LANDED IN BRIGHT SUNSHINE.
BUT WITHIN MINUTES, I'M GETTING A TASTE
OF SOUTH DAKOTA'S VOLATILE WEATHER.
JUST A SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPE.
LOOK AT THAT.
QUITE AN INTIMIDATING PLACE TO BE.
IF YOU'RE GONNA FEEL SMALL ANYWHERE, IT'S OUT HERE.
WHAT WORRIES ME MORE AT THE MOMENT IS ALL OF THIS.
LOOK AT THAT BLUE SKY OVER THERE.
THAT HAS DEFINITELY MOVED ON.
AND HEADING THIS WAY IS ALL OF THAT STUFF,
THOSE DARK THUNDERCLOUDS.
AND THIS WHOLE AREA'S NOTORIOUS
FOR LIGHTNING AND ITS ELECTRICAL STORMS.
I'M RIGHT HERE ON THE TOP OF THIS PINNACLE,
PROBABLY THE WORST PLACE YOU CAN BE FOR LIGHTNING.
- ( THUNDER RUMBLING ) - THAT'S THE THUNDER.
MY PRIORITY'S GOT TO BE -- GET DOWN.
SOUTH DAKOTA IS IN TORNADO ALLEY.
10 MILES ABOVE,
CHANGES IN THE DIRECTION OF THE JET STREAM
CAN TURN THE WEATHER HERE FAST.
I'M AT THE HIGHEST POINT FOR MILES.
AND IF I DON'T GET OFF THIS ROCK,
I'LL BECOME A HUMAN LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR.
THIS ISN'T LOOKING VERY CLEVER, EITHER.
LET'S TRY THIS WAY.
THIS BLACK HILLS GRANITE
IS GREAT FOR CLIMBING WHEN IT'S DRY.
BUT ONCE A STORM HITS, IT BECOMES LETHAL.
THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY CHANGEABLE WEATHER.
WE GOT ALL OF THIS ROCK THAT WAS BONE-DRY EARLIER
NOW LIKE RUNNING WET.
I'M ONLY JUST ABOUT IN TIME.
LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF WATER COMING DOWN THIS NOW.
200 FOOT BELOW THE PINNACLE,
THE BLACK HILLS TERRAIN IS STILL TOUGH GOING,
STEEP AND SLIPPERY.
IN JUST A FEW HOURS,
THE BLACK HILLS COULD THROW FOUR SEASONS OF WEATHER AT YOU.
THE TEMPERATURE ONCE CHANGED 20 DEGREES IN JUST 2 MINUTES.
DRIVING RAIN QUICKLY GIVES WAY TO BLAZING SUN.
PERCHED HIGH ON THE HILLS ARE SOME ABANDONED BUILDINGS.
IF YOU'RE LOST OUT HERE,
YOU'D NEED TO TRY AND USE ANYTHING
THAT COULD HELP YOU SURVIVE.
DEFINITELY AN OLD MINE. IT LOOKS LONG SINCE ABANDONED.
LOOK AT THAT.
GOLD WAS DISCOVERED IN THE BLACK HILLS
IN THE 1870S.
MOST MINES CLOSED LONG AGO,
BUT IN A REMOTE SPOT LIKE THIS,
THERE'S A CHANCE SOMETHING'S BEEN LEFT BEHIND.
ANY KIND OF ROPE, SHEETING, OR TOOLS COULD BE A LIFESAVER.
NOW, THAT ICANUSE. AN OLD BIT OF CAR TIRE.
IF I BURN THIS STUFF,
IT'S GONNA MAKE BLACK SMOKE, GOOD FOR A SIGNAL FIRE.
CUT IT INTO STRIPS FOR CORDAGE, YOU CAN USE IT IN SPRING SNARES.
SO I'M GONNA TAKE THAT WITH ME.
LET'S SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN FIND HERE.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE OLD DRILL MARK
STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE ROCK.
AND THIS LOOKS LIKE THE ENTRANCE THAT'S BEEN FILLED IN.
LET'S HAVE A LOOK.
AND, ACTUALLY, THERE MIGHT WELL BE SOMETHING
THAT CAN HELP ME DOWN THERE.
BUT ACTUALLY I CAN SEE A BIT OF LIGHT, AS WELL.
CAN YOU SEE THAT?
WHICH MEANS AT LEAST IT'S GONNA BE WELL VENTILATED.
BUT FIRST OF ALL, I'M GONNA NEED SOME SORT OF TORCH.
I WANT TO BREAK A STICK OFF A LIVING BRANCH.
THE GREEN WOOD WON'T BURN.
I'M SPLITTING IT AT ONE END
AND FOLDING STRIPS OF BARK INTO THE GAP.
IT SHOULD GIVE ME ABOUT THREE MINUTES OF LIGHT,
ENOUGH FOR A QUICK LOOK AROUND.
I CAN JUST JAM ALL OF THIS BIRCH BARK INTO THIS "V."
THE BIRCH BARK'S GONNA BURN REALLY WELL.
THERE'S SO MUCH OIL IN IT.
OKAY. I NEED TO WORK FAST NOW.
HERE, PASS THAT LITTLE CAMERA.
THIS MINE WORKING COULD BE UNSTABLE.
IT'S AN IDEAL SPOT FOR BATS, RATTLESNAKES,
EVEN MOUNTAIN LIONS.
YOU NEED TO BE SO CAREFUL EXPLORING PLACES LIKE THIS.
SUCH AN AMAZING PLACE.
OKAY.
TRY AND WORK FAST. HAVE A LOOK ON THE GROUND.
SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND.
OLD NAIL. TAKE THAT.
THERE'S SOMETHING QUITE EERIE
ABOUT BEING DEEP UNDERGROUND UNDER A MOUNTAIN.
IT'S NOT A PLACE YOU WANT TO HANG AROUND LONG IN HERE.
THERE'S ANOTHER NAIL.
I CAN USE THESE AS DIGGING STICKS OR TO SPLIT WOOD.
THIS IS BEGINNING TO DIE NOW,
SO I'M GONNA START TO WORK MY WAY OUT.
OH, NO. IT'S GONE OUT.
BUT YOU SEE THE SHAFT OF LIGHT STRAIGHT UP THERE.
SO I SEE WHERE I'VE GOT TO GO. LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
I KEEP SLIDING BACKWARDS.
( GRUNTING )
FORAGING IN THE MINE WORKINGS WAS WORTH THE RISK.
BUT NOW I NEED TO GET DOWN FROM THE BLACK HILLS,
AND THAT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY.
( GRUNTING )
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT CLOSER THAN I LIKE.
I'M IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA.
THE WEATHER HAS CHANGED AGAIN,
AND I WANT TO GET DOWN INTO THE VALLEY.
THIS RAIN IS MAKING THE GRANITE SLIPPERY AND TREACHEROUS,
AND I'M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ROUTE.
AHEAD IS A PINE TREE. IT MIGHT JUST BE THE ANSWER.
WATCH YOURSELF HERE.
LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER BIG DROP-OFF.
TAKE MY RUCKSACK OFF.
IT'S GOT LOADS OF LOOPS AND WEBBINGS ALL OVER IT.
AND I'VE HAD IT BEFORE
WHERE I'VE ACTUALLY GOTTEN CAUGHT UP IN A TREE,
SUSPENDED BY MY RUCKSACK.
YOU FEEL A BIT DAFT.
SO IF I PUT IT UNDER MY JACKET, IT'S GONNA KEEP ME PROTECTED.
IT'S A LEAP TO REACH A BRANCH, WHICH BENDS BUT HOLDS.
( GRUNTING )
GOOD OLD PINE TREE --
LOTS OF RESIN -- THAT MEANS BENDY BRANCHES.
BUT I'VE GOT A PROBLEM.
ALL THE STRONG LIVING BRANCHES ARE AT THE TOP OF THE TREE.
AND NOW IT'S RAINING HARDER MAKING EVERYTHING EVEN SLIPPIER.
OK PROB IS I'M SLIGHTLY RUNNING OUT OF BRANCHES,RUNNING OUT OF BRANCHES.
GET A BIT CLOSER.
THE LAST 15, 20 FOOT DOWN.
I'LL SEE IF I CAN JUST WEDGE MYSELF.
WHEN THERE'S NO MORE BRANCHES,
ALL I CAN DO IS CHIMNEY MY WAY DOWN USING THE ROCK.
OKAY.
EVEN WHEN IT'S COLD AND WET, YOU CAN BECOME DEHYDRATED.
IN THIS TERRAIN,
YOU CAN EASILY LOSE A LITER OF FLUID EVERY TWO HOURS.
WATER IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY.
EVEN THOUGH I'VE GOT THIS NICE STREAM HERE,
REALLY I WANT TO BE BOILING WATER BEFORE I DRINK IT.
AND WHAT I'M MAKING HERE IS WHAT'S CALLED A FOUR-STICK FIRE.
AND IT'S JUST A REALLY GOOD WAY OF CONTAINING A FIRE
THAT'S GONNA BURN REALLY STRONG AND HOT
AND WILL BOIL WATER FAST.
ALL I NEED NOW, THOUGH,
IS SOME STICKS AND A BIT OF TINDER.
OH, BIRCH TREE.
AND THIS STUFF IS GREAT.
ALL WE'VE GOT TO DO IS CUT INTO A BIT AND PEEL IT OFF.
THAT'S THE TINDER. NEXT, I NEED SOME FUEL.
AVOID LIVING WOOD
OR ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN LYING ON THE GROUND GETTING WET.
SMALL, DRY TWIGS LIKE THESE ARE PERFECT.
AND WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS BUILD THIS UP
INTO A TOWER REALLY OF TWIGS AND BIRCH BARK.
AND YOU JUST CRISSCROSS IT.
FOUR UPRIGHTS HOLD EVERYTHING IN PLACE.
AND BECAUSE THEY'RE GREEN WOOD, THEY DON'T BURN.
AND THAT'S A MATCH GOING.
AND I CAN STICK THAT UNDER THERE.
AND THIS THING'S GONNA GO UP.
THE CUP ON TOP.
AND LET IT DO ITS BUSINESS.
A HANDFUL OF SPRUCE NEEDLES
WILL ADD VITAMIN "C" AND BIT OF FLAVOR.
HERE YOU GO. USE A BIT OF THIS MOSS.
MOSS MITTS.
LET'S GIVE THIS A TRY.
MMM.
SPRUCY.
BUT HEADING FURTHER DOWNRIVER IS GONNA BE TOUGH GOING.
QUITE A DROP-OFF.
THE RIVER'S IN PRETTY WELL FULL FLOOD.
DO YOU SEE ALL THAT BROWN WATER?
THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO JUDGE HOW DEEP THIS IS.
JUMPING INTO UNKNOWN WATER
IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS YOU CAN DO
AND SHOULD ONLY EVER BE A LAST RESORT.
IF YOU HAD TO JUMP THIS, YOUR BEST BET IS TO GO WHERE THE MAIN FORCE OF
THE WATER IS POUNDING IN. THAT'S WHERE IT'S MOST LIKELY TO BE DEEPER.
THE PROBLEM IS THOUGH ALL OF THAT
WHITE STUFF HAS GOT MASSES OF AIR IN IT
AND IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU ANY BUOYANCY WHEN YOU JUMP IN.
SO YOU PROBABLY WANT TO AIM JUST BEYOND IT.
BY WRAPPING EVERYTHING TIGHTLY IN MY JACKET
THEN PUTTING IT IN MY RUCKSACK,
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP IT DRY FOR A MINUTE OR SO, AT LEAST.
OKAY, MOMENT OF TRUTH.
THE WATER'S SO COLD IT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY.
I'VE GOT TO GET TO THE SHORE FAST.
MY GEAR WON'T STAY DRY FOR LONG. AND I WANT TO BE ON MY WAY QUICKLY.
AND, ACTUALLY, LOOK --
THAT'S WORKED GREAT.
I'VE MADE IT DOWN IN ONE PIECE,
AND I'M READY FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE.
( BIRDS CHIRPING )
I'M NEARLY OUT OF THE BLACK HILLS NOW
AND LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO MAKE CAMP FOR THE NIGHT.
I HAVEN'T FOUND A SITE YET,
BUT I HAVE FOUND SOMETHING THAT WILL REALLY HELP ME WHEN I DO.
ALL OF THESE HERE ARE CATTAILS.
AND THEY'RE CALLED CATTAILS -- LOOK.
SEE? THEY LOOK A BIT LIKE THE TAIL OF A CAT --
WELL, QUITE AN OLD CAT.
BUT THESE ARE GREAT FOR TINDER.
THEY'LL TAKE A SPARK REALLY NICELY.
BUT ALSO FOR INSULATION -- STUFF THEM DOWN THE SHIRT,
THEY'LL KEEP YOU WARM IN THE NIGHTTIME.
IT'S GONNA GET COLD OUT HERE.
SO I'M GOING TO TAKE A LOAD OF THIS
AND USE IT FOR THAT, AND FOR MY FIRE.
ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, THIS WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE
TO THINK ABOUT MAKING CAMP.
ONCE I'M AT THE GREAT PLAINS, IT'S JUST GONNA BE BARREN,
AND THERE'S GONNA BE NO MATERIALS.
BUT HERE, LOOK.
I'M AMONGST THE TREES, GOT LOADS OF MATERIALS.
GOT WATER.
THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT.
MAYBE AROUND HERE,
AND WHAT I'M GOING TO TRY AND DO IS MAKE MYSELF
A TRADITIONAL, NATIVE AMERICAN, WAR CAMP.
THE LAKOTA SURVIVED IN THIS ENVIRONMENT
FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
WARRIORS WOULD MAKE THESE SHELTERS
WHEN THEY'RE ON A SCOUTING EXPEDITION
BECAUSE THEY COULD BE CONSTRUCTED QUICKLY AND QUIETLY
USING THE MOST ABUNDANT MATERIAL --
DEAD BRANCHES.
AND THEN WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH THESE
IS WEAVE SOME CORD AROUND THEM TO HOLD THOSE STRANDS TOGETHER.
WHAT I CAN USE JUST TO IMPROVISE THAT IS MY BELT.
AND THEN WHAT THE NATIVE AMERICANS USED TO DO
IS JUST WEAVE IT TOGETHER.
AND IF YOU TAKE THE MIDDLE ONE AND LIFT IT OVER THE TOP,
IT WILL TOURNIQUET ON ITSELF AND TIGHTEN UP.
AND THEN THAT'S READY TO MAKE THE TRIPOD.
ALL I HAVE TO DO NOW IS LAYER THE SHELTER WITH MORE BRANCHES.
IT WILL GIVE PROTECTION
FROM THE SUN, THE WIND, AND ANY LIGHT RAIN.
BUT IF WE GET ANOTHER THUNDERSTORM,
I'LL BE IN TROUBLE.
BUILDING A WATERTIGHT SHELTER HERE WILL TAKE A LONG TIME.
AND I WANT TO USE THE REST OF THE DAYLIGHT
TO FORAGE FOR SOME FOOD.
IT'S DEFINITELY ACTUALLY MUCH COOLER IN HERE.
AND IT MIGHT NOT BE MUCH, BUT FOR TONIGHT IT'S HOME.
AND I THINK SO MUCH OF SURVIVAL
ACTUALLY IS ABOUT THE MENTAL BATTLE,
TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR SITUATION.
AND THIS DEFINITELY GIVES A LITTLE SENSE OF SECURITY,
AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING.
BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT.
I WANT TO GO HUNTING, BUT FIRST I NEED A WEAPON.
A DEER ANTLER -- PROBABLY A WHITETAIL.
TELL THAT FROM THE WAY
THEIR ANTLERS TEND TO CURVE AND FACE FORWARD.
BUT ACTUALLY I KNOW WHAT I CAN USE THIS FOR.
CATAPULT.
I MADE LOADS OF THESE AS A KID, BUT NEVER OUT OF ANTLER.
I JUST NEED SOME WAY OF GETTING SOME ELASTIC.
I CAN USE THE STRETCHY CORD FROM MY RUCKSACK
AND TIE LOOPS IN IT
USING A KNOT THAT WILL TIGHTEN ON ITSELF.
WITH A LITTLE PRACTICE,
A CATAPULT IS A VERY EFFECTIVE WEAPON.
IT'S COMPACT, QUIET,
AND ACCURATE UP TO A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 20 METERS.
AND THEN ALL I NEED IS SOME OF THAT OLD TIRE
TO USE AS THE ACTUAL SLING.
AND THAT THEN NOW IS READY.
ALL I NEED IS A BIT OF AMMUNITION.
BUT LATER ON,
GETTING A MEAL IS GONNA BE THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES.
THERE YOU GO. THERE'S THE LIGHTNING.
REALLY, I'M NOT IN A GOOD PLACE INSIDE THIS TEPEE.
JUST BACK UP.
I'M IN THE BLACK HILLS,
HUNTING WITH AN IMPROVISED CATAPULT.
THESE HILLS ARE HOME
TO COTTONTAILS, JACKRABBITS, AND RACCOONS.
I DON'T THINK I'LL BE ABLE TO KILL AN ANIMAL OUTRIGHT,
BUT WITH A GOOD SHOT,
I MIGHT BE ABLE TO STUN IT LONG ENOUGH TO GRAB IT.
SEE THAT LITTLE CHIPMUNK?
I'M GONNA HAVE TO BE QUIET AND STEALTHY
SO I DON'T SPOOK MY PREY.
( CATAPULT SNAPS )
CLOSE.
I MOVE IN TO SEE IF I CAN GET ANOTHER SHOT.
BUT AS I DO, THE CAMERAMAN SPOTS A DANGEROUS PREDATOR.
( RATTLING )
ANOTHER STEP AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY BITTEN.
- MAN: BEAR. - YEAH?
- THERE'S A SNAKE DOWN HERE. - WHAT?
- SNAKE. - IS THERE?
OKAY.
IT'S A RATTLESNAKE.
( RATTLING )
AND IT'S A BIG ONE.
( RATTLING )
THAT'S HIS RATTLE GOING.
HE'LL MAKE A GREAT MEAL, BUT IT'S A DANGEROUS TARGET.
SNAKES BITE AROUND 8,000 PEOPLE A YEAR IN THE U.S.
AND WITHOUT TREATMENT, THIS COULD BE FATAL.
OKAY, STAND BACK. STAND BACK.
HE'S PISSED OFF NOW.
STAND BACK.
( THUMPS )
( RATTLING STOPS )
OKAY.
COOL. WELL I WENT OUT
TRYING TO GET A BUNNY, MISSED THE CHIPMUNK,
FAILED WITH THE CATAPULT,
BUT WON WITH A STICK. THAT'S ONE RATTLESNAKE.
MY HEART IS THUMPING
AND I'M SO PLEASED TO HAVE GOT THAT.
WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO HERE
IS DIG WHAT'S CALLED A DAKOTA FIRE PIT.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING I FIRST LEARNED
AS PART OF COMBAT SURVIVAL,
WHERE THE AIM IS REALLY TO STAY CONCEALED
AND TO HIDE YOUR FIRE.
THE PIT WILL PROTECT THE FIRE FROM THE WIND,
AS WELL AS INSULATING AND CONTAINING IT.
AND THEN IF I DIG ANOTHER PIT OF THE SAME,
PROBABLY ABOUT HERE.
THIS SECOND SLOPING PIT WILL FEED AIR TO THE FIRE.
AND THEN PUSH THROUGH SO WE JOIN THE TWO HOLES UP.
OKAY, WE'RE THROUGH.
BUT THE WEATHER'S TURNING UGLY...AGAIN.
I'M JUST USING THIS JUNIPER BARK
TO FLUFF UP
TO MAKE INTO A BIRD'S NEST OF TINDER.
THOSE CATTAILS I GATHERED ARE GOOD TINDER.
THEY'LL TAKE THE SPARK AND LIGHT THE JUNIPER.
ONE STRIKE OF MY STEEL AND IT'S ALIGHT.
AND YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE
IS ALL OF THE AIR IS BEING DRAWN THROUGH THIS HOLE
AND THEN FUNNELED THROUGH THE FIRE.
AND THAT'S WHY THESE DAKOTA FIRES BURN SO HOT AND SO NICELY.
FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER I KILLED IT, MY DINNER IS STILL TRYING TO ESCAPE.
BY WEAVING SOME GREEN STICKS TOGETHER
I CAN MAKE A GRIDDLE TO COOK IT ON.
AND TO GUT THIS, ALL YOU DO...
IS GRAB ITS SKIN AND GENTLY PEEL IT BACK.
AND THEN THIS, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THAT?
IT'S GOOD MEAT.
AND PUT IT OVER THE COALS AND JUST LET THAT COOK.
THE ONLY THING I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS IF IT REALLY POURS OF RAIN,
I'VE DEFINITELY MADE THE WRONG SHELTER.
DON'T RAIN.
( THUNDER CRASHES )
LOOKS LIKE THOSE PRAYERS HAVEN'T BEEN ANSWERED.
RECKON I'VE PROBABLY GOT ABOUT 10 MINUTES
BEFORE THE HEAVENS OPEN.
IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.
APART FROM MORE DEADWOOD,
THE ONLY AVAILABLE MATERIAL IS SAGE,
WHICH I CAN TRY AND USE AS A THATCH.
I CAN ALREADY FEEL IT SPITTING.
AND I'M TRYING TO PILE THIS AMOUNT OF SAGE ON.
I CAN TELL YOU ALREADY, IS A LOSING BATTLE.
THE BEST THING I CAN DO IS GET MY COAT ON AND HUDDLE IN.
OKAY, GUYS, IT'S GONNA BE A WET ONE.
SNAKE, YOU'RE ON HOLD.
( THUNDER RUMBLES )
AND, REALLY, IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER,
YOU'RE IN A DANGER ZONE.
AND THAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE THUNDER AND THE LIGHTNING,
IF IT'S LESS THAN 30 SECONDS,
THAT LIGHTNING IS CAPABLE OF KILLING YOU.
SO YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
THERE YOU GO. THERE'S THE LIGHTNING.
REALLY I'M NOT IN A GOOD PLACE INSIDE THIS TEPEE.
JUST BACK UP.
YOU WANT TO KEEP AWAY FROM MOUNTAINTOPS, TREES, CAVES.
YOUR BEST PLACE, ACTUALLY, IN A LIGHTNING STORM,
IS OUT IN THE OPEN.
YOU WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE
AND JUST CROUCH ON YOUR FEET AND MAKE YOURSELF LIKE A BALL.
( THUNDER RUMBLES )
THERE YOU GO. THERE'S LIGHTNING.
1, 2, 3...
4, 5, 6.
( THUNDER RUMBLES )
AND THERE'S THE THUNDER.
SIX SECONDS MEANS ONLY JUST OVER A MILE AWAY.
THAT IS VERY, VERY CLOSE.
EVEN IF THAT GAP IS GETTING BIGGER,
YOU'RE NOT SAFE.
LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE 10 MILES BEYOND THE EDGE OF A STORM.
ALL I CAN DO IS SIT TIGHT
AND WAIT UNTIL THE WORST OF THE STORM PASSES.
( THUNDER CRASHES )
THERE'S STILL THUNDER AROUND, BUT THE RAIN'S EASED.
I'M GONNA TAKE MY CHANCE AND TRY A BIT OF THIS SNAKE.
( CRUNCHES )
MMM.
NICE AND WARMING AFTER THAT SOAKING.
BEFORE I SETTLE DOWN FOR THE NIGHT,
I'M ALSO JUST GONNA STUFF MY JACKET
WITH ALL OF THESE CATTAILS.
AND THE IDEA OF THIS IS
IT THEN BECOMES LIKE A BIG DOWN JACKET
AND TRAPS THE AIR AND INSULATES THE HEAT IN.
WELL, IT'S STOPPED RAINING, WHICH IS GOOD.
AND THESE CATTAILS STUFFED DOWN MY JACKET
ARE ACTUALLY KEEPING ME --
I CAN FEEL THEY'RE KEEPING ME QUITE INSULATED.
BUT THERE'S NO GETTING AWAY FROM IT --
I AM DAMP, AND I AM WET.
AND I'M JUST TRYING TO THINK OF THE MORNING, YOU KNOW.
AND EVERYTHING ALWAYS FEELS MUCH BETTER IN THE MORNING
WHEN THE SUN COMES UP.
REALLY JUST WARM YOUR BONES.
I'VE SPENT THE NIGHT IN MY WAR CAMP
AT THE BASE OF THE BLACK HILLS.
THE STORM EASED OFF OVERNIGHT, BUT I WAS ALREADY SOAKING.
AS MUCH AS IT PAINS ME,
I'M KIND OF FINISHED WITH THIS CAMP NOW.
AND I WANT TO GET MY BELT BACK.
BEFORE I HEAD INTO THE PLAINS, I'M LOOKING FOR SOME FOOD.
IN AMONGST THE GRASS ARE BUFFALO GRAPES --
BITTER, BUT PACKED WITH VITAMIN "C."
HERE YOU GO. THAT'S PRAIRIE TURNIP.
YOU SEE THAT?
AND THIS IS WHAT THE NATIVE AMERICANS
USED TO COLLECT AND DRY AS FOOD.
AND YOU CAN PROBABLY TURN IT TO SEE THOSE LEAVES.
THEY'RE LIKE A STAR,
POINTED IN LOADS OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
WHAT I WANT IS THE ROOT.
GIVE THEM A PULL.
YOU CAN SEE THIS WHITE PROTECTED BULB INSIDE.
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT.
LET'S TIE IT TO THE RUCKSACK AND LET IT DRY OUT.
OKAY.
MY NEXT CHALLENGE LIES IN THE GREAT PLAINS,
A MILLION SQUARE MILES OF GRASSLAND
STRETCHING ACROSS 10 STATES,
AN EPIC LANDSCAPE EVERY BIT AS TOUGH AS THE BLACK HILLS.
IT'S JUST DECEPTIVE HOW HUGE THIS WHOLE AREA IS.
AND IT'S JUST MILE AFTER MILE OF THESE ROLLING HILLS.
IT KIND OF FEELS LIKE YOU'RE ADRIFT JUST IN A SEA OF GRASS.
BUT IT IS -- YOU KNOW, IT'S TIRING.
BEFORE WHITE SETTLERS ARRIVED,
THE GREAT PLAINS WERE HOME
TO DOZENS OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.
IN PLACES, YOU CAN STILL FIND STONE CIRCLES LIKE THESE.
THEY'RE TEPEE RINGS,
USED TO WEIGH DOWN THE BOTTOM OF THEIR TENTS.
SOME FARMED, BUT MANY WERE NOMADIC,
FOLLOWING THEIR RICHEST FOOD SOURCE.
NOW, THOSE BISON ARE COMING STRAIGHT THIS WAY.
OKAY, GET INTO COVER.
THESE GUYS ARE FAST, YOU KNOW?
THEY'LL RUN UP TO 30 MILES AN HOUR,
2,000 POUNDS IN WEIGHT.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THEM.
JUST KEEP THIS SIDE.
IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK,
BISON HAVE KILLED OR INJURED
FOUR TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE AS BEARS.
A HERD LIKE THIS IS AN AWESOME SIGHT,
BUT IT'S NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT I COULD HAVE SEEN HERE
200 YEARS AGO.
THEN, 60 MILLION BISON ROAMED THE GREAT PLAINS,
AND HERDS STRETCHED FOR 20 MILES OR MORE.
BUT BY THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY,
THEY'D BEEN HUNTED TO THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION.
OKAY, NICE AND STEADY.
ONCE THE STAMPEDE HAS SUBSIDED, I CAN GET A LITTLE CLOSER.
BUT THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD NEVER ATTEMPT.
AND YOU SEE THEY HERD QUITE WELL.
THEY WILL MOVE AWAY FROM US.
BISON ARE UNPREDICTABLE.
EVEN IF THEY APPEAR INDIFFERENT,
THEY CAN TURN ON YOU IN A SECOND.
THEY'VE GOT A CHOICE OF WEAPONS.
AS WELL AS THEIR HORNS,
THEY CAN USE THEIR HUGE SKULLS AS BATTERING RAMS.
AND THIS IS DEFINITELY THE RIGHT SIDE TO BE ON THEM.
ONCE THEY'VE GONE PAST YOU, THEN YOU CAN RELAX A BIT.
BUT THE WILDLIFE ISN'T THE ONLY DANGER ON THE GREAT PLAINS.
DEHYDRATION IS A CONSTANT THREAT.
WITH VERY FEW RIVERS OR STREAMS,
FINDING WATER OUT HERE CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE.
SEE ALL OF THAT REALLY LUSH VEGETATION AROUND THERE?
THAT'S A GOOD INDICATOR OF WATER.
YOU CAN SEE ESPECIALLY ALL REALLY CONCENTRATED
AROUND THAT AREA.
AND THAT MEANS IT'S GONNA BE A NATURAL SPRING.
OKAY.
WHAT YOU'RE GONNA DO IS DIG DOWN INTO THIS.
IN A MOMENT, ALL OF THIS -- LOOK.
PRETTY GUNKY AND HORRIBLE.
BUT ONCE IT FILLS UP, IF I LET ALL THAT SEDIMENT SINK,
I SHOULD BE LEFT THEN WITH NICE, CLEAN WATER AT THE END OF IT.
AND THERE YOU. YOU SEE IT'S FILLING UP.
LOOK HOW FAST THAT'S FILLING UP.
AND WHAT I CAN DO IS JUST SCOOP OUT ALL OF THIS FIRST,
BIT OF THE WATER.
AND NOT REALLY DRINKABLE.
AND THEN LET THAT FILL UP AGAIN.
AND THIS IS LOOKING MUCH, MUCH CLEARER NOW.
I'LL FILL THIS UP. YOU'LL SEE WHAT I MEAN.
LOOK AT THAT.
AND THAT REALLY IS GOOD TO DRINK,
STRAIGHT FROM THIS LITTLE WELL.
IT'S A DEAD BISON.
BISON ARE FOUND ON VAST RANCHES,
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES WITHOUT A HUMAN BEING IN SIGHT.
LOOKS LIKE THIS ONE'S BEEN SHOT AND LEFT HERE BY A RANCHER.
MAN, LOOK AT ALL THE FLIES ALL OVER THIS.
AND THIS HAS BEEN DEAD
PROBABLY THREE, FOUR DAYS.
AND THE NATIVE AMERICANS USED TO USE EVERY BIT OF THEM --
HIDE AS SKINS FOR THEIR TEPEES,
ALL OF THE MEAT AND FAT FOR FOOD,
EVEN THE BONES FOR TOOLS.
- BUT... - ( SNIFFING )
...BY THE SMELL OF THIS,
THIS IS GONNA BE PRETTY FAR GONE, I THINK.
BUT THERE IS STILL PARTS OF THIS THAT I CAN USE.
( GAS HISSING )
MAN.
I GOT A DOUBLE NOSTRIL FULL OF THAT STENCH.
BUT LOOK. YOU SEE ALL OF THIS.
THIS IS W-- AW, MAN!
WELL ROTTING.
AND THAT MEANS THE MEAT FROM THAT IS GONNA BE NO GOOD.
BUT THERE IS STILL PART OF THIS THAT PROBABLY STILL IS EDIBLE.
AND THIS IS IT -- THE FAT IN THE HUMP HERE.
AND THE FAT IS ALWAYS GONNA TAKE LONGER TO DECOMPOSE.
OH, MAN. ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THAT --
ALL OF THAT HAS STARTED TO GO, MAN.
THAT'S NO GOOD.
AND I'VE MADE THE MISTAKE BEFORE OF EATING STUFF THAT'S BAD.
AND YOU PAY THE CONSEQUENCES, AND THAT ISN'T ANY GOOD.
I COULD USE THE HIDE AND BONES TO MAKE A SHELTER.
BUT I'M ON THE MOVE,
AND THE EXTRA WEIGHT WOULD JUST SLOW ME UP.
MY NEXT CHALLENGE TAKES ME OFF THE PLAINS
AND INTO THE BADLANDS.
( GRUNTING )
THIS HAS TO BE ONE
OF THE MOST PRECARIOUS RIDGES
I'VE EVER GONE DOWN.
I'M HEADING TO THE PLACE
WHERE THE SOUTH DAKOTA PRAIRIE STOPS DEAD
AND THE BADLANDS BEGIN.
MAN, LOOK AT THIS PLACE.
IT'S LITERALLY LIKE THE GREAT PLAINS
JUST DROP OFF AND DISAPPEAR INTO THIS.
AND THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL THE BADLANDS.
I KNOW ONE PERSON DESCRIBED THIS
AS AN IMAGE OF HELL ONCE THE FIRES HAVE BURNED OUT.
AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT HE MEANS.
WHAT I KNOW IS THERE'S A ROAD
THAT RUNS FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH,
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BADLANDS.
AND THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO HEAD.
BUT TO BE HONEST, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GONNA BE DOWN HERE.
OHH!
JUST TAKE IT REALLY EASY ON THIS STUFF.
IT IS LOOSE. LOOK.
REALLY, I THINK MY BEST BET TO GET DOWN
IS FOLLOWING THESE RIDGES.
AS I HEAD DOWN INTO THE BADLANDS,
I'M HEADING BACK IN TIME.
EACH DIFFERENT-COLORED LAYER
REPRESENTS TINY GRAINS OF SAND AND CLAY
LAID DOWN OVER 75 MILLION YEARS.
IT'S LITERALLY LIKE SITTING ON TOP OF A CAKE THAT IS CRUMBLING.
LOOK. THIS IS WHAT I MEAN.
MUCH OF THIS ISN'T REALLY ROCK AT ALL.
IT'S FOSSILIZED SOIL,
AND IT'S CHANGING EVERY DAY
AS WIND AND WATER EROSION BITE INTO IT.
IT'S TERRIFYING BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TRUST IT.
THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PRECARIOUS RIDGES
I'VE EVER GONE DOWN.
OHH!
BUT, LOOK, THIS IT'S JUST -- REACHED A DROP DOWN HERE.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO TRY AND TAKE MY CHANCES IN THE GULLIES.
LET'S TRY THIS ONE.
OH!
OW.
OKAY, WELL, WE'RE DOWN IN THIS GULLY.
THE TRUTH IS,
I WON'T BE ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF THIS NOW...
IF I WANTED TO.
WELL, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE BOTTOM OF THE CANYON IN THE BADLANDS.
YOU CAN SEE, THOUGH,
JUST HOW HARD IT'S GONNA BE TO NAVIGATE IN THIS,
ALL THESE TWISTING, MAZELIKE CANYONS.
TRYING TO GO UP AND OVER THESE GULLIES
IS JUST GONNA BE IMPOSSIBLE.
TRYING TO HEAD IN A STRAIGHT LINE
IS NOT AN OPTION IN THIS GODFORSAKEN TERRAIN.
YOU SHOULD PRESERVE YOUR ENERGY AND AVOID GETTING TOO FATIGUED.
I'M GONNA FOLLOW THIS RIVERBED
AND KEEP LOOKING FOR AN EASIER PATH CROSS-COUNTRY.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BADLANDS,
TEMPERATURES CAN REACH 120 DEGREES.
THERE'S NO WIND,
AND THE SUN'S RAYS JUST BOUNCE OFF THE ROCK.
TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE,
ALL THE WATER DOWN HERE IS UNDRINKABLE.
IT'S LOADED WITH CLAY PARTICLES,
AND YOU CAN'T PURIFY IT.
I SEE WHY NATIVE AMERICANS AND WILD-WEST OUTLAWS
USED TO COME TO THE BADLANDS FOR A PLACE TO HIDE AWAY.
YOU KNOW, IT REALLY IS JUST SO REMOTE, SO BARREN, SO HOT,
BUT ALSO SO CONFUSING.
NOPE.
IT'S A REAL TEST OF ENDURANCE AND STAMINA.
TIME TO REFUEL.
GOOD TIME JUST TO HAVE A COUPLE OF THESE PRAIRIE TURNIPS.
I'LL LEAVE THAT ONE.
AND WHAT THE NATIVE AMERICANS USED TO DO --
THEY WOULD OFTEN DRY THESE OUT.
AND THEN WHEN THEY WANTED TO EAT THEM,
THEY'D RESOAK THEM, BOIL THEM UP, AND EAT THEM.
BUT THESE REALLY ARE FINE JUST TO EAT RAW.
HARD...
BUT IT WILL GIVE ME SOMETHING TO CHEW ON
AND GOOD CARBOHYDRATE.
THE CARBS ARE A GOOD ENERGY BOOST.
BUT THE SHADOWS ARE GETTING LONGER,
AND I'M NO CLOSER TO GETTING OUT OF HERE.
FURTHER DOWN THE RIVERBED,
THE LANDSCAPE OPENS UP A BIT
AND THE PEAKS LOOK A LITTLE LESS FORBIDDING.
NOW I CAN START TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS.
AND WITH A LITTLE HELP,
I RECKON I CAN BEAT THE BADLANDS.
LOOK. I CAN ACTUALLY USE A BIT OF THIS DEAD JUNIPER BUSH
TO MAKE MYSELF A BIT OF AN ICE AX.
JUNIPER IS A TOUGH HARDWOOD
AND ONE OF THE FEW PLANTS
THAT GROWS TO ANY SIZE DOWN HERE.
AND THAT THEN IS GONNA DO AS AN AX.
JUST PUT IN AND PULL ON.
OKAY, ONE MORE OF THOSE
AND THEY'LL HELP ME GET OUT OF THIS PLACE.
ALL RIGHT, THIS IS WORKING QUITE NICELY.
AND THE WAY YOU WANT TO USE THESE
IS JUST LIKE AN ICE AX.
1, 2, THEN MOVE YOUR FEET.
IMPROVISING.
THAT'S WHAT SURVIVING THIS PLACE IS ALL ABOUT.
AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE THE PRETTIEST ICE AXES IN THE WORLD,
BUT AT THE MOMENT THEY'RE DOING THEIR JOB.
THIS SLOPE'S DECEPTIVE,
MUCH STEEPER THAN IT LOOKED FROM BELOW.
I'M HALFWAY UP, AND IT'S NEARLY VERTICAL.
THIS FOSSILIZED SOIL IS GIVING WAY WITH EVERY STEP.
WHOA!
( PANTING )
SORRY.
NOT QUITE AS FOOLPROOF AS I HOPED.
I WAS QUITE NEARLY THERE.
ONE MORE GO. COME ON.
A BAD FALL HERE MIGHT NOT KILL YOU STRAIGHTAWAY,
BUT GET SERIOUSLY INJURED
AND GETTING OUT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
GETTING UP THAT SCREE TURNED INTO A REAL MISSION.
BUT EVEN WORSE IS THE VIEW FROM THE TOP.
( PANTING )
MILE AFTER MILE OF MORE BADLANDS.
WHOA!
I'VE STRUGGLED UP A NEAR-VERTICAL SCREE
IN THE SOUTH DAKOTA BADLANDS,
AND THE VIEW FROM THE TOP IS WORSE THAN THE CLIMB.
( PANTING )
( SIGHS )
AND THAT IS NOT WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR.
I REALLY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE
A BIT OF A PLATEAU OR SOMETHING UP HERE.
BUT INSTEAD IT'S JUST MILE AFTER MILE
OF ALL OF THESE GULLIES AND RAVINES.
PBHT!
THE ONLY CONSOLATION IS THAT GETTING DOWN
IS GONNA BE EASIER THAN GOING UP.
THAT'S A FAST WAY.
NAVIGATING THE BADLANDS IS HARD, DEHYDRATING WORK.
ANY WATER IS UNDRINKABLE,
BUT THERE ARE SOME SOURCES OF FLUID.
HOLD YOUR HORSES.
COME BY HERE. LOOK.
PRICKLY PEARS.
SEE THOSE?
THIS IS QUITE A GODSEND.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET WATER AND ENERGY OUT OF THESE...
ALWAYS A BIT CAREFUL CUTTING THESE THOUGH.
HAVE A LOOK AT THIS.
IT'S NOT ONLY THOSE BIG SPIKES,
BUT IT'S THE TINY, LITTLE HAIRS, MICROSCOPIC HAIRS.
AND IF THOSE GET IN YOU,
THEY REALLY, REALLY IRRITATE THE SKIN.
IF YOU EAT IT, YOU'RE REALLY GONNA KNOW ABOUT IT.
AND ONCE YOU THINK YOU'VE GOT ALL THE SKIN OFF,
JUST RECHECK IT.
YOU DO NOT WANT THESE LITTLE HAIRS IN YOUR MOUTH.
AND THE REASON THESE ARE GOOD IS THAT 80% OF IT IS WATER,
AND THE REST IS SUCROSE.
SO YOU'RE GONNA GET ENERGY, AS WELL.
OKAY, THAT LOOKS CLEAR.
AND IT TASTES A BIT LIKE WARM CUCUMBER.
IT'S LATE AFTERNOON,
AND THE SUN HAS ALL BUT DISAPPEARED.
THERE'S PRECIOUS FEW MATERIALS TO MAKE SHELTER OR FIRE WITH.
I'D RATHER JUST KEEP GOING.
THE INTENSE HEAT HAS EASED NOW,
AND I CAN'T BE FAR FROM THAT ROAD.
IT'S A GOOD, BRIGHT NIGHT,
AND THE GOING'S DEFINITELY EASIER NOW.
THAT ROAD HAS GOT TO BE CLOSE.
IN THE DARKNESS, I CAN SEE HEADLIGHTS,
WHICH MEANS THE ROAD IS DEFINITELY NEARBY.
THE BLACK HILLS WERE STUNNING,
THE VAST PRAIRIE AWE-INSPIRING,
BUT THE BADLANDS SHOWED
JUST HOW TOUGH IT IS TO SURVIVE OUT HERE.
IT'S THE END OF MY ADVENTURE, AND I'VE EXPERIENCED
THREE OF THE WILDEST PLACES TO SURVIVE IN
RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE USA.