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.
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 HEADING FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF TURKEY,
WHERE I'LL BATTLE WITH TREACHEROUS RIVERS...
JUST GETTING BOUNCED FROM ROCK TO ROCK.
...DISCOVER ANCIENT CAVES...
( BAT SHRIEKING ) WHOA!
OH, MAN, IT JUST FLEW STRAIGHT UP MY JACKET SLEEVE.
...AND SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
IN A CONSTANT STRUGGLE WITH NATURE.
TURKEY IS THE GATEWAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST.
IT'S A TOUGH COUNTRY
IN A DANGEROUS PART OF THE WORLD.
IRAQ IS JUST ACROSS THE BORDER.
SYRIA AND IRAN ARE RIGHT NEXT DOOR.
BUT BENEATH ME IS THE ANATOLIAN PLATEAU.
IT'S A MIX OF DESERT AND THESE HUGE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
AND THE WHOLE REGION IS PRONE TO VIOLENT EARTHQUAKES.
THIS IS GONNA BE A TOUGH PLACE TO SURVIVE IN.
WE'RE NEARING MY DROP ZONE OF 15,000 FOOT.
THIS IS THE UPPER LIMIT THAT THE HELICOPTER CAN REACH,
AND IT'S ONE OF THE HIGHEST JUMPS I'VE EVER DONE.
BUT BENEATH ME IS THE MASSIVE 9,000-FOOT MOUNTAIN,
WHICH GIVES ME ONLY SECONDS TO JUMP
AND DEPLOY MY PARACHUTE BEFORE IMPACT.
I'M TAKING A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS,
AND MY FILM CREW WILL FOLLOW ME.
2,000 FOOT -- TIME TO DEPLOY.
MY INTENDED LANDING ZONE IS LOOKING IMPOSSIBLE.
IT'S JUST TOO STEEP AND TOO ROCKY.
I NEED AN ALTERNATIVE AND FAST.
TRYING TO FIND A LANDING SPOT
DOWN HERE IS GONNA BE A NIGHTMARE!
THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN IS JUST STREWN
WITH BOULDERS AND BIG ROCKS.
ALTHOUGH THERE IS A LAKE JUST DOWN BENEATH ME...
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA AIM FOR.
IT'S EITHER TAKING A DUNKING AND GETTING WET,
OR PROBABLY BREAKING AN ANKLE.
THE LAKE'S ONLY 50 FOOT ACROSS,
BUT FROM THIS HEIGHT, IT'S LIKE LANDING ON A PENNY.
THERE'S NO ROOM FOR ERROR.
THIS IS GONNA BE TIGHT.
MADE IT.
BUT AS THE CHUTE FILLS WITH WATER
IT WILL START TO SINK.
BUT MY FOOT'S TANGLED IN THE RIGGING LINES.
I NEED TO GET FREE BEFORE IT DRAGS ME UNDER.
( SPITS )
ACTUALLY QUITE HAIRY, THAT.
LOOK.
AND THAT IS ALWAYS A DANGER WITH WATER JUMPS.
YOU GOT ALL OF THIS WEIGHT PULLING YOU DOWN,
AND IF YOU GET RIGGING LINE TRAPPED,
IT CAN BE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT.
I'M QUITE RELIEVED TO BE AT THE BANK.
LET'S GET THIS OUT.
I CAN FEEL I'M REALLY STARTING TO SHIVER.
IT'S A SIGN I'M GETTING COLD.
SO I WANT TO GET MOVING.
IT'S COLD UP HERE, EVEN IN THE SUN.
AND WHEN NIGHT COMES, IT'LL GET EVEN COLDER.
YOUR BEST OPTION -- DESCEND TO THE TREE LINE.
THEN I'M OUT OF HERE.
THE FASTEST WAY OFF A MOUNTAIN IS TO LOOK FOR SIGNS OF WATER.
RIVERS ARE LIKE NATURE'S HIGHWAYS --
THEY FOLLOW THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I INTEND TO DO.
OKAY, THAT WAY.
WHERE THERE'S WATER, THERE'S USUALLY ANIMALS.
GOATS FEED ON THIS HIGH GROUND.
HERE WE GO.
THERE'S AN OLD GOAT CARCASS.
YEAH, LOOK.
MAN. UGH.
ABSOLUTELY STINKS.
IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING HAS BEEN FEEDING OFF THIS,
I CAN'T -- I CAN'T EAT THAT.
BUT THERE'S LOADS OF THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH ANIMAL SKIN.
IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE TOUGHEST MATERIALS OF NATURE.
THAT WILL BE USEFUL. KEEP THAT.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
FOLLOWING A STREAM DOWN TOWARDS THE TREE LINE
SHOULD EVENTUALLY LINK UP WITH A BIGGER RIVER.
ALMOST THERE.
WELL, THIS IS THE RIVER I'VE BEEN HEARING.
AND NOW I'VE FOUND THIS, I REALLY WANT TO STICK WITH IT
AND FOLLOW IT DOWNSTREAM.
I RECKON THE BEST THING I CAN DO IS ACTUALLY MAKE A RAFT
AND USE THAT TO FAST-TRACK ME OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS.
LET'S GET SOME MATERIALS.
THERE'S PLENTY OF BIRCH HERE --
NOT THE BEST MATERIAL, BUT IT'S FLEXIBLE AND BUOYANT.
IT'LL DO FOR MAKING THE FRAME.
AND WHAT I WANT IS LOADS OF LONG, STRAIGHT,
FLEXIBLE PIECES,
AND I'M GONNA BEND THEM AND SHAPE THEM INTO A RAFT.
ONCE YOU'VE GATHERED ENOUGH MATERIALS,
IT SHOULD TAKE YOU ABOUT FOUR HOURS TO MAKE A CORACLE RAFT.
I'VE NEVER MADE ONE OF THESE BEFORE,
SO I'M NOT 100% SURE IT'S GONNA WORK.
BUT I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY IT WON'T.
LET'S TIE IT ALL.
THE WHIPPY BRANCHES BEND INTO A CIRCULAR SHAPE
TO FORM THE HULL.
OKAY, AND THAT'S THEN THE BASIC SHAPE...
OF THE RAFT.
A COUPLE OF SUPPORT BEAMS
AND IT'S READY TO PUT THE PARACHUTE SKIN ON.
ONE THING THAT'S ALWAYS HARD IS TYING MATERIAL LIKE THIS,
AND A GOOD LITTLE TRICK I ALWAYS USE --
GET A STONE, STICK THAT IN IT,
AND THEN YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING THERE
TO GIVE YOU SOME TENSION.
THE GOATSKIN I COLLECTED ON THE MOUNTAIN
WILL MAKE A STRONG PADDLE.
ON A FAST-FLOWING RIVER,
YOU CAN COVER TWICE THE DISTANCE
THAT YOU COULD ON FOOT, IF YOU CAN STAY AFLOAT.
YOU JAM THIS IN HERE.
OKAY, THAT'S SET.
WELL, THIS IS FLOATING ALL RIGHT,
PRETTY LOW IN THE WATER,
BUT IT'S TAKING ME DOWNSTREAM MUCH FASTER THAN I CAN WALK.
IF YOU CAN STEER YOUR RAFT, AIM FOR DEEP WATER.
THE FLOW HERE IS MUCH SLOWER.
BUT THIS THING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL.
THE CURRENT IS DRAGGING ME INTO THE SHALLOWS,
AND IT'S THE LAST PLACE I WANT TO BE.
IT'S THE SHALLOW STUFF THAT CAN OFTEN BE MORE DANGEROUS,
JUST 'CAUSE THE WATER FLOWS FASTER.
OW. OHH.
NAVIGATING UNKNOWN WATERS IS A DANGEROUS GAME.
YOU MUST STAY ALERT AND RELY ON ALL YOUR SENSES.
CHANGES IN THE SOUND OF THE RIVER WARN OF IMPENDING DANGER.
HANG ON.
BIG NOISE OF WHITE WATER AHEAD,
AND THAT PROBABLY MEANS RAPIDS.
BUT IT'S WORSE THAN RAPIDS.
GETTING DOWN A 120-FOOT WATERFALL IS NOT GONNA BE EASY.
IT'S A VERY PRECARIOUS LEDGE I'M ON.
I'M IN THE TURKISH MOUNTAINS
HEADING DOWN A WHITE-WATER RIVER
IN MY PARACHUTE RAFT.
BUT I'VE BEEN STOPPED IN MY TRACKS
BY A 120-FOOT WATERFALL.
LET'S GET THIS IN HERE.
THAT IS NOT LOOKING PROMISING.
JUST WATCH ON THE EDGE.
THAT IS A PROPER DROP OFF.
THAT MUST BE 120 FOOT STRAIGHT DOWN TO THE POOL BELOW.
IF I WENT OVER THIS IN A RAFT, I'D KNOW ALL ABOUT IT.
THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO CLIMB DOWN THERE
HOLDING THIS RAFT.
SACK IT. I'M JUST GONNA SEND IT OVER AND FIND A WAY DOWN.
OKAY, SHE'S GOING. THERE SHE GOES.
OKAY, LOOK, SHE'S GETTING PUSHED OUT TO THE EDDY.
NOW I'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY DOWN.
LET'S TRY DOWN THIS BIT.
AH, MAN, LOOK.
THERE'S THE RAFT
TAKING A POUNDING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WATERFALL.
BUT IT'S TOO SLIPPY.
THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO CLIMB THAT.
AND I'VE GOT AN IDEA.
ONE THING ICANDO
IS JUST IMPROVISE A REALLY SIMPLE CAVING LADDER.
I'VE GOT SOME OF THIS PARACORD STILL FROM THE PARACHUTE.
HERE WE GO.
TIE IT OFF, AND THEN I CAN MAKE IT FROM HERE, THEN MOVE IT.
IT'S GIVEN ME TWO STRANDS FOR EITHER SIDE OF IT.
JUST NEED TO GET SOME WOOD.
IT'S GONNA TAKE A LOT OF MY PARACHUTE CORD,
BUT USING BRANCHES AS STEPS,
YOU CAN KNOCK ONE OF THESE UP PRETTY QUICKLY.
OKAY.
I'M GONNA DO A TAUT-LINE HITCH.
SO, TWO UNDER AND THEN ONE ON TOP.
AND THAT IS GONNA SECURE THAT NICELY.
THIS TOWERING VERTICAL ROCK FACE
LIES BETWEEN ME AND MY RAFT.
DOUBLING UP THE PARACHUTE CORD SHOULD MAKE IT STRONG ENOUGH,
BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT.
WELL, IT'S HOLDING.
HOLDING INITIALLY.
I WANT TO GET DOWN THIS AND OFF AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
THE SPRAY FROM THE WATERFALL
IS MAKING THE LADDER WET AND SLIPPERY.
THE LADDER IS NOT GONNA REACH ALL OF THE WAY DOWN,
BUT I'VE GOT A SMALL TOEHOLD,
SO I CAN REST AND WORK OUT MY NEXT MOVE.
THIS IS A VERY, VERY PRECARIOUS LEDGE I'M ON.
I'VE GOT ABOUT 3 INCHES OF FOOT SPACE -- LOOK AT THIS.
AND I'M ALSO OUT OF LADDER.
KIND OF MEANS IT'S TIME TO...JUMP,
BUT THIS IS PROBABLY ABOUT 25, 30 FOOT, AT LEAST,
AND I DON'T KNOW THE DEPTH OF THIS.
I NEED TO AIM FOR THE MIDDLE OF IT,
WHERE MOST OF THE WATER'S GOING.
I'VE GOT TO LAUNCH MYSELF OFF THIS TINY LEDGE
AND THROW MYSELF FORWARD AT LEAST 15 FOOT,
OR RISK LANDING IN THE ROCKY SHALLOWS.
AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO JUMP, YOU JUST GOT TO GO FOR IT.
OKAY, IT'S TIME TO DO THIS.
HERE WE GO.
OKAY, IT'S GOOD! COME ON DOWN!
THE RAFT IS STUCK IN AN EDDY
AND HAS TAKEN A POUNDING UNDER THE WATERFALL.
GET THIS THING INTO THE SHALLOWS.
GET IT SORTED OUT,
AND THEN WE'LL CARRY ON DOWNSTREAM.
IT'S IN BAD SHAPE,
AND I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS THING WILL STILL FLOAT.
( SPITS )
MAN, THIS IS NOT IDEAL.
THIS IS JUST --
AW, MAN, I'M JUST TOO HEAVY FOR THIS.
WELL, AT LEAST IT'S TAKING ME DOWNSTREAM,
BUT NOT QUITE THE WAY I ENVISAGED!
THE RAFT IS SWAMPED,
BUT I'M NOT READY TO ABANDON IT YET.
IT'S PROVIDING ME WITH GOOD PROTECTION FROM THE ROCKS.
BUT THE WATER'S GETTING ROUGHER,
AND IT'S TOO MUCH NOW FOR MY FLIMSY RAFT.
IT'S PITCHED OVER, AND I'M BACK IN THE WATER.
WELL, THE RAFT'S FLIPPED.
I'VE LOST THE PADDLE.
BUT I'M STILL ON THIS THING.
THE RIVER'S FULL OF SUBMERGED ROCKS,
AND AT THIS SPEED, A DIRECT HIT COULD CATAPULT YOU OUT.
WHOA!
JUST GETTING BOUNCED FROM ROCK TO ROCK.
IF YOU LOSE YOUR BALANCE,
YOU COULD END UP TRAPPED UNDERNEATH.
BUT IF YOU CAN HANG ON, WHITE WATER IS FAST WATER.
WELL, I'M SHOOTING ALONG NOW.
OKAY, THIS RAFT'S PRETTY WELL GRINDED TO A HALT.
IT'S JUST GETTING SO SHALLOW.
IT'S GOT ME THROUGH THE RAPIDS,
BUT ME AND MY RAFT HAVE BOTH TAKEN A BATTERING.
IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN PRETTY,
BUT I'VE MADE SOME GOOD DISTANCE DOWNRIVER.
BUT, REALLY, I'M GONNA MAKE BETTER PROGRESS NOW ON FOOT.
SO LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
THE RAPIDS HAVE TAKEN UP A LOT OF MY ENERGY.
I WANT TO FIND SOME FOOD.
THERE YOU GO, LOOK.
SEE THIS GUY?
IT'S REALLY JUST LIKE A SNAIL BUT WITHOUT A SHELL.
SLUGS ARE EDIBLE,
BUT THEY'RE ONLY SAFE TO EAT IF THEY'RE COOKED.
GET THAT ON THERE.
GET THESE SLUGS.
THERE YOU GO -- I GOT ONE.
AND THE CREW HAS MANAGED TO FIND ANOTHER COUPLE TO ADD TO THIS.
I DON'T HAVE MANY SLUGS,
BUT THEY WILL PROVIDE A SMALL ENERGY BOOST
UNTIL I CAN STOP AND FIND MORE FOOD.
SQUEEZE THE GUTS OUT -- LOOK.
SEE ALL OF THAT STUFF THERE.
THAT'S THE BIT THAT'S PROBABLY GONNA CONTAIN THE PARASITES
IF IT'S BEEN FEEDING ON SOMETHING NASTY.
BUT THE MEAT OF THEM IS GONNA HAVE LOTS OF GOOD PROTEIN.
AND, ACTUALLY, I HEARD OF AN AUSTRALIAN GUY
WHO ATE A SLUG AT A PARTY FOR A DARE,
AND HE ATE IT RAW,
AND HE ACTUALLY GOT MENINGITIS FROM A PARASITE INSIDE IT
AND WAS IN A COMA FOR AGES AND AGES.
SO, YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO RISK IT.
BUT THOSE LOOK WELL-BOILED UP NOW.
AND IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY APPETIZING --
SLUG STEW.
IT'S GONNA GIVE ME A BIT OF ENERGY.
IT'S NOT MUCH OF A MEAL, BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING.
VERY GOOEY, VERY SLIMY,
BUT GOOD BIT OF ENERGY AND GOOD BIT OF PROTEIN.
EVEN IF IT TASTES (SPITS)
HORRIBLE.
THE RIVER GORGE HAS TAKEN A LOT OUT OF ME,
BUT I'M GONNA NEED ALL MY STRENGTH
IF I'M GONNA GET OUT OF THIS CANYON.
I'VE BEEN MOVING DOWNRIVER ON AN IMPROVISED PARACHUTE RAFT
IN THE MOUNTAINS OF TURKEY.
JUST GETTING BOUNCED FROM ROCK TO ROCK.
I'VE FOUGHT MY WAY THROUGH WHITE-WATER RAPIDS,
BUT IT'S TAKEN ITS TOLL ON MY BODY.
TOOK QUITE A HAMMERING IN THOSE RAPIDS.
I'VE GOT QUITE A FEW NICKS AND CUTS DOWN HERE.
WHAT I'VE NOTICED IN THIS VALLEY
IS THAT THERE'S LOADS OF ALL OF THIS WILLOW
GROWING EVERYWHERE.
AND YOU CAN USE THIS STUFF TO HELP YOU.
TAKE OFF SOME OF THESE LEAVES,
AND IF YOU CHEW THEM, WHAT THEY DO
IS RELEASE AN ANALGESIC, SHOULD HELP WITH THE PAIN,
AND ALSO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, HELP WITH THE SWELLING.
IT'S AN ANCIENT REMEDY THAT STILL WORKS TODAY.
NOW I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO REST AND TAKE STOCK.
YOU SEE ALL OF THIS RIVER RUNS STRAIGHT THROUGH
THIS VERY STEEP-SIDED GORGE.
IF YOU LOOK UP THERE -- SEE THOSE LITTLE CAVE ENTRANCES.
AND IT'S THIS PLACE THAT THE CHRISTIANS
ALMOST 2,000 YEARS AGO USED TO HIDE
WHEN THEY WERE BEING PERSECUTED BY THE ROMANS.
UNBELIEVABLE!
DEFINITELY WORTH CHECKING THESE OUT.
THE TURKISH INTERIOR CONTAINS THOUSANDS
OF ABANDONED MAN-MADE CAVES CARVED INTO THE SOFT SANDSTONE.
THEY'RE SCATTERED ACROSS AN AREA THE SIZE OF VERMONT.
AGAINST ALL THE ODDS,
PEOPLE MANAGED TO SURVIVE OUT HERE.
IT MUST HAVE TAKEN SO MUCH COURAGE AND DETERMINATION.
JUST INCREDIBLE.
YOU CAN LEARN A LOT FROM THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE.
IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD PLACE JUST TO HAVE A BIT OF A BASE
AND GET MY KIT SORTED AND DRIED.
I'M GONNA GET DOWN TO THE RIVER AND GET SOME FOOD.
THIS GREEN STRETCH OF RIVER IN BETWEEN THE STEEP CLIFFS
IS A PERFECT HUNTING GROUND.
THERE YOU GO. THERE'S ONE CRAB.
OH!
THAT'S A BIGGER ONE.
AND THESE ARE FRESHWATER CRABS.
COOK THEM UP. THEY'RE GONNA BE GOOD TO EAT.
RIVERS LIKE THIS ARE USUALLY TEEMING WITH FOOD.
YOU JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.
THERE'S A FROG. SEE HIM IN THERE?
JUST UNDER THE WEED.
THERE WE GO. GOT HIM.
AND THAT'S JUST A COMMON FROG
AND IS GONNA BE GOOD TO EAT.
LOAD OF CRABS, BIT OF FROG,
JOB'S A GOOD 'UN.
A FEW MORE CRABS AND I'VE GOT A MEAL.
OH, NO, NO, NO, NO!
THE SLIPPERY LITTLE...
THE FROG'S JUST HOPPED OUT.
THAT IS THAT FROG'S LUCKY DAY.
WELL, I'M A FROG DOWN.
I'M DEFINITELY GONNA MAKE SOMETHING TO CARRY THESE WITH.
NETTLE STEMS MAKE GOOD CORDAGE
IF YOU CAN GET PAST THE STINGERS.
THEN TO GET THE STINGING BITS OFF,
YOU REACH FOR THE END,
AND THEN JUST DRIVE YOUR FINGER ALL THE WAY DOWN IT.
AND YOU DON'T GET STUNG
BECAUSE THE FIRST FEW LEAVES ARE TAKING THE BRUNT
OF THE STINGING NETTLES,
AND IT LEAVES YOU JUST WITH THAT.
BASH THE STALKS TO BREAK UP THE FIBERS INSIDE.
THEN I TIE THE CRABS...
...TO THIS.
THE BACTERIA THAT FEED ON DEAD SHELLFISH
CAN GIVE YOU GASTRIC POISONING.
SO WHERE POSSIBLE, KEEP SHELLFISH ALIVE
UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.
MY CLOTHES ARE DRY NOW.
I'VE GOT SOME FIREWOOD,
GOT MY CRABS,
GONNA HAVE A LITTLE EXPLORE
AND SEE IF I CAN FIND SOMEWHERE GOOD TO COOK THESE UP.
THE CAVES GO DEEP INTO THE CANYON WALL.
THESE UPPER LEVELS WERE ONCE THE LIVING AREAS.
THERE YOU GO.
LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY'S, ONE TIME, DUG A PIT IN HERE.
BUT, ACTUALLY, I CAN USE THAT TO BOIL MY WATER IN.
YOU SEE THE WAY THE SMOKE IS GOING STRAIGHT UP THE STAIRWELL,
LIKE A NATURAL FUNNEL IN A CHIMNEY.
AND THESE GUYS -- THEY THOUGHT IT ALL OUT.
ONCE HEATED IN THE FIRE,
THESE STONES WILL BOIL THE RIVER WATER,
TO COOK THE CRABS.
I'M GONNA KEEP JUST PUTTING THESE ROCKS IN,
AND WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR HEAT, TAKE THEM OUT,
AND HEAT THEM UP AGAIN IN THE FIRE.
AND THIS IS NOW ALMOST BOILING.
GET THE CRABS IN.
SHELLFISH ARE OFTEN FULL OF PARASITES,
SO I'M GONNA COOK THEM FOR 20 MINUTES TO BE SAFE.
THESE CRABS ARE GONNA BE READY NOW.
AND THE CLAWS OF IT -- FINE TO EAT JUST LIKE THEY ARE.
( CRUNCHING )
MAN, THAT'S A WELCOME CHANGE. THAT'S ACTUALLY DELICIOUS.
I HAVEN'T FINISHED EXPLORING THESE CAVES YET.
I'M GONNA TRY AND FIND A SHORTCUT OUT OF THIS VALLEY.
WHAT I'M GONNA TRY AND DO IS SEE HOW HIGH I CAN WORK MY WAY UP
THROUGH THESE CAVE SYSTEMS
AND SEE IF I CAN CLIMB MY WAY OUT OF THE VALLEY.
BUT TO DO THAT IN THESE CAVES WHICH ARE SO DINGY,
I'M GONNA NEED SOME SORT OF TORCH.
AND WHAT I'VE STILL GOT IS ALL OF THIS GOAT FAT.
IF YOU MELT ANIMAL FAT AND POUR OFF THE IMPURITIES,
YOU GET FLAMMABLE OIL.
SOAKING STRIPS FROM MY T-SHIRT IN THIS HOT OIL
WILL CREATE WICKS FOR A TORCH.
IT'S A TECHNOLOGY OLDER THAN THESE CAVES.
I'M GONNA GET DEEP INTO THE LABYRINTH
TO TRY AND FIND A WAY OUT OF HERE.
JUST EXTRAORDINARY PLACE.
MAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO STUMBLE DOWN,
STUMBLE DOWN THAT IN THE DARK.
BACK UP, FIND ANOTHER WAY.
YOU CAN JUST SEE BATS ALL ALONG THE WALL HERE.
( BAT SHRIEKING ) WHOA!
OH, MAN, IT JUST FLEW STRAIGHT UP MY JACKET SLEEVE.
OW.
WITH SO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS,
IT'S EASY TO GET LOST IN A CAVE SYSTEM LIKE THIS.
WHEN TROOPS INVADED AFGHANISTAN,
THEY RECKONED BIN LADEN WAS HIDING OUT
IN CAVE SYSTEMS JUST LIKE THIS.
YOU CAN SEE WHY IT'S BEEN SO HARD TO FIND HIM.
YOU JUST DISAPPEAR IN THESE SORT OF PLACES.
OKAY, I WANT TO GET UP AND OUT OF HERE.
IT'S MAKING ME FEEL QUITE UNCOMFORTABLE, THIS.
IN A NATURAL CAVE,
YOU'D BE ABLE TO FOLLOW SIGNS OF WATER OR WIND
TO FIND THE ENTRANCE,
BUT WITH MAN-MADE STRUCTURES,
THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE SAME LOGIC.
THAT'S WHY THEY CAN BE CONFUSING.
THIS TORCH IS GOING OUT.
WANT TO BE FINDING A WAY UP AND OUT PRETTY SOON.
SWEATING HALF WITH THE HEAT, BUT HALF WITH NERVES IN HERE.
THERE'S A BIT OF A WINDOW UP AHEAD.
DEFINITELY MAKING PROGRESS.
HERE WE GO. IT'S A LEDGE.
JUST TAKE IT EASY.
I'M STILL ONLY HALFWAY UP THE CANYON.
I NEED ANOTHER PLAN.
MAYBE I CAN CLIMB UP THE LAST BIT OUTSIDE.
BUT THE CANYON IS JUST THE START OF MY PROBLEMS.
FROM NOW ON, I'M GONNA BE PUSHED TO THE LIMIT.
A KILLER PLACE TO HAVE TO SURVIVE IN.
HERE WE GO.
I'M IN A CANYON IN TURKEY,
TRYING TO GET OUT OF AN ANCIENT CAVE SYSTEM,
BUT THERE'S A 50-FOOT VERTICAL CLIMB, STILL,
TO GET ME OUT OF THE VALLEY.
MAYBE WE CAN CLIMB UP THE LAST BIT OUTSIDE HERE.
IT'S QUITE HARD TO SEE.
JUST HOLD YOUR HAND FOR ME NOW.
YEAH, THIS IS GONNA BE DIFFICULT BUT DOABLE.
PROBLEM IS, ALL OF THIS SANDSTONE IS SO CRUMBLY.
LOOK AT IT JUST FLAKING OFF.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE THIS A GO.
THIS ROCK IS TREACHEROUS,
AND THERE'S A 150-FOOT SHEER DROP BELOW.
THIS ROCK IS JUST SO CRUMBLY.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THESE GUYS
CARVING CAVES OUT OF ROCK,
BUT FOR CLIMBING ON, DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL THAT SAFE.
TAKE IT STEADY.
IT'S LIKE CLIMBING ON PLASTER.
THE ROCK FACE IS JUST COMING OFF IN MY HANDS.
LOOK, WE'RE UP HERE...
AND OVER THE TOP.
NOW I'VE ENTERED A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT.
I'M HEADING INTO DESOLATE, ARID STEPPE.
MAN, CHECK THESE OUT.
THE 60-FOOT STONE CHIMNEYS HAVE BEEN CARVED OUT
BY WINDS OVER MILLIONS OF YEARS.
IT'S UNFORGIVING TERRAIN.
MAN, A KILLER PLACE TO HAVE TO SURVIVE IN.
BEATING SUN,
MINIMAL WATER AND MINIMAL LIFE,
AND, REALLY, I CAN FEEL THIS PLACE JUST, MINUTE BY MINUTE,
SAPPING ME, AS WELL.
THE HEAT IS PUNISHING MY ALREADY-EXHAUSTED BODY.
THIS PLACE IS JUST UNBELIEVABLY HOT, AS WELL.
JUST THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN OFF ALL OF THIS SAND AND...
MUST HAVE BEEN A HELLISH PLACE TO LIVE.
WHEN YOU'RE EATING WILD FOOD
AND COVERING LARGE DISTANCES ON FOOT,
YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS UNDER ENORMOUS PRESSURE.
AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, I'VE GOT FOOD POISONING.
THIS IS GONNA HELP ME.
I'VE ACTUALLY HAD DIARRHEA FOR MOST OF THE DAY,
AND THIS LITTLE PLANT IS ACTUALLY GONNA BE GOOD
FOR WIPING MY BACKSIDE WITH.
THE REASON IT'S GOOD -- LOOK -- IT'S REALLY SOFT.
AND THE REASON IT'S LIKE THAT,
IT'S GOT THESE TINY LITTLE HAIRS ALL OVER IT.
IT MEANS IT WILL LOSE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MOISTURE.
BUT WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN IS WHAT IT CAN DO FOR ME
WHEN I NEED TO GO,
WHICH I HAVE A FEELING IS IMMINENT AGAIN.
JUST GONNA TAKE ALL OF THESE.
DIARRHEA IS YOUR BODY'S WAY OF FLUSHING OUT GERMS,
BUT IT USES UP PRECIOUS FLUIDS.
IF YOU CAN'T REPLACE THEM, YOU'LL DEHYDRATE.
YOU'VE GOT TO FIND WATER.
ACTUALLY, THIS WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE TO TRY AND DIG FOR WATER.
YOU CAN SEE THAT ANY RAIN COMING DOWN THESE GULLIES
IS GONNA GET FUNNELED DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS DRY RIVERBED.
HAVE A DIG HERE.
AS A RULE OF THUMB,
THEY RECKON YOU CAN SURVIVE THREE WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD,
BUT ONLY THREE DAYS WITHOUT WATER.
SO IT'S GOT TO BE YOUR PRIORITY IN A PLACE LIKE THIS
TO FIND IT.
THE BEST CHANCE OF FINDING WATER IS IN THE OUTSIDE BEND
OF A DRIED-UP STREAM.
LET'S TRY THIS BIT.
OH, NO, THIS IS NO GOOD. ACTUALLY, THIS IS BONE-DRY.
AND SOMETIMES YOU GOT TO ALSO KNOW WHEN TO STOP.
AND IN MANY WAYS, IT'S GONNA BURN UP
MORE MOISTURE, SWEAT, AND ENERGY
DIGGING A BOTTOMLESS HOLE FOR NOTHING
THAN MOVING ON AND TRYING ANOTHER PLAN.
IN A WEAKENED STATE,
FINDING FOOD IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.
HIDDEN UNDER ROCKS, SCORPIONS ARE EASY TO FIND,
BUT THEY ARE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ADVERSARY.
HERE'S A SCORPION. SEE THIS GUY?
AND, ACTUALLY, THIS IS A DEATH STALKER SCORPION.
THESE ARE NASTY ONES,
AND, ACTUALLY, THESE CAN BE LETHAL.
AND, ACTUALLY, JUST ACROSS THE BORDER, IN IRAN,
THERE WERE SOME SOLDIERS OUT ON PATROL,
AND THEY WOKE UP IN THE MORNING AND LOOKED UNDER THEIR TENT,
AND THERE WERE 17 SCORPIONS THERE.
THEY HAD ENOUGH VENOM BETWEEN THEM TO KILL A COW.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH THESE GUYS.
LET'S JUST TAKE HIS STINGER OFF.
AND, LOOK, THERE YOU GO. YOU CAN SEE HIM STRIKING ME.
AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
GRAB YOU WITH ITS PINCERS AND -- WHAM -- IN.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE NOT FEELING 100%,
YOU'VE GOT TO STILL KEEP THE ENERGY GOING IN,
AND THIS IS ENERGY.
90% PROTEIN IN THIS, AND THIS IS FINE TO EAT.
HE TASTES JUST LIKE HE LOOKS -- NASTY.
OKAY, ON.
AS IT GETS DARK, I'M GONNA KEEP MOVING.
I WANT TO USE THE COOL OF THE NIGHT
TO CONSERVE MY ENERGY.
AND THIS WAY, YOU'LL SWEAT LESS.
ALMOST LOST ALL OF THE LIGHT NOW.
JUST GONNA SWITCH THIS OVER TO NIGHT-VISION.
( BEEP ) IT'S WORKING.
AND I RECKON I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO MAKE MUCH BETTER PROGRESS
MOVING IN THE COOL OF THE NIGHT,
THAN TRYING TO DO BATTLE WITH THE SUN
IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY.
IT'S JUST COMPLETELY SAPPING, SAPPING MY ENERGY.
SEE IF WE CAN MAKE UP A BIT OF DISTANCE NOW.
BUT THIS IS HOW SO MANY OF THE SILK-ROUTE CAMEL TRAINS
USED TO MOVE -- BY NIGHT AND NAVIGATING BY THE STARS.
OKAY, LET'S GET GOING.
TRAVELING AT NIGHT CARRIES RISKS.
SNAKES AND WOLVES BECOME ACTIVE.
AND WITH LIMITED VISIBILITY,
YOU COULD EASILY FALL AND INJURE YOURSELF.
BUT YOU CAN COVER A LOT OF GROUND.
I'M EXHAUSTED, BUT BEFORE I FIND SHELTER,
I'M GONNA SET SOME TRAPS FOR RODENTS OR SMALL REPTILES.
THIS ACTUALLY WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE TO SET A TRAP.
A LITTLE BIT OF FLAT GROUND, FIND A GOOD ROCK.
IT'S PITCH BLACK NOW.
THE INFRARED CAMERA CAN SEE ME, BUT I MIGHT AS WELL BE BLIND.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE A DEADFALL TRAP --
A HEAVY ROCK, PROPPED UP WITH THREE STICKS,
BAITED WITH A BERRY.
WHOA.
IN THE DARKNESS, IT'S A BATTLE.
THIS ISN'T THE EASIEST THING TO DO JUST BY FEEL.
TRYING TO SET THIS JUST BY TOUCH.
COME ON, WHERE ARE YOU?
OKAY, THAT'S SET.
SO, HOPEFULLY, THAT MIGHT WELL GET SOMETHING.
THE MORE TRAPS YOU SET,
THE MORE CHANCE YOU STAND OF CATCHING SOMETHING.
BUT I'VE HAD IT.
I NEED TO GET INTO A SHELTER AND GET SOME REST.
THIS IS LOOKING QUITE PROMISING.
THERE'S A HOLE UNDER THIS ROCK.
THIS IS JUST THE SORT OF PLACE SNAKES AND SCORPIONS WOULD LIKE.
ACTUALLY, BRING THE CAMERA. LET'S HAVE A PROPER LOOK.
ANY SNAKES OR SCORPIONS WOULD SHOW UP
IN THE CAMERA'S NIGHTSCOPE.
AND THIS IS GOOD, BECAUSE, REALLY,
NATURE'S DONE A LOT OF THE WORK FOR ME.
I'VE GOT GOOD COVERAGE.
I'VE ONLY GOT THESE TWO ENTRANCES.
I'LL PROBABLY BLOCK THOSE UP TO MAKE SURE I'M 100% SAFE.
WOLF PACKS ROAM THESE LANDS BY NIGHT.
I WANT TO CREATE A BARRIER BETWEEN ME
AND ANYTHING WITH TEETH.
JUST GET MYSELF IN HERE
AND BRICK THIS LAST BIT UP FROM INSIDE.
I'M STILL FEELING TERRIBLE,
BUT THIS IS A SAFE, SECURE PLACE TO TRY AND RECOVER.
PASS US THE CAMERA.
THAT'S IT.
THAT'S PRETTY WELL BRICKED UP NOW.
IT FEELS A LITTLE BIT LIKE A TOMB.
AS LONG AS THIS BIG BOULDER DOESN'T COLLAPSE,
I'M GONNA BE SAFE IN HERE.
BUT TO BE HONEST, I'M SO TIRED,
I JUST WANT TO CURL UP AND SLEEP.
LONG DAY.
I NEED TO REST.
TOMORROW I MUST TAKE ON THIS DESOLATE PLACE ONCE AGAIN.
I'VE SPENT THE NIGHT UNDER A ROCK
ON THE BARREN STEPPE OF THE ANATOLIAN PLATEAU.
YESTERDAY MY BODY WAS BATTERED BY FOOD POISONING
AND THE INTENSE HEAT.
MAN, I WENT OUT LIKE A LIGHT LAST NIGHT.
APART FROM BANGING MY HEAD WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING,
I ACTUALLY FEEL MUCH BETTER NOW.
AND I FELT SAFE IN THERE, AS WELL.
OKAY, GO AND CHECK THESE TRAPS.
OH, MAN, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.
IT'S TAKEN THE BAIT, BUT IT HASN'T SPRUNG THE TRAP.
CHECK THE OTHER.
THERE WE GO. THIS HAS GOT SOMETHING.
DON'T WANT TO LIFT THIS UP AND LET HIM GET AWAY.
LOOK, HE'S STILL ALIVE, LITTLE LIZARD.
LET'S TAKE HIM, AND THAT'S BREAKFAST.
REPTILE MEAT IS RICH IN PROTEIN,
JUST WHAT YOU NEED TO RECOVER YOUR STRENGTH.
THAT'S A PROPER TURKISH KEBAB.
LET'S SEE IF HE'S READY.
MM. MAN, HE'S TOUGH.
IT'S LIKE EATING OLD SHOES.
BUT THIS FOOD IS ALL WELL AND GOOD,
BUT, REALLY, TO DIGEST IT, YOUR BODY NEEDS WATER.
AND OUT HERE, IF YOU CAN'T FIND WATER,
YOU'RE IN BAD SHAPE -- THAT'S WHY PEOPLE DIE.
SEVERE DEHYDRATION STARVES YOUR BRAIN OF BLOOD.
YOU GO INTO A COMA AND WILL EVENTUALLY DIE.
WITHOUT WATER, YOU NEED TO FIND A WAY OUT
WHILE YOU STILL HAVE THE STRENGTH.
JUST TRYING TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS MOONSCAPE IS HARD.
EVERYTHING JUST LOOKS THE SAME HERE.
IT'S JUST CHIMNEY AFTER CHIMNEY.
BUT I RECKON IF I CAN TRY AND GET A BIT OF HEIGHT...
SEE IF I CAN GET MAYBE UP TO THE TOP OF ONE OF THESE,
I'LL BE ABLE TO GET A GOOD IDEA OF THE LIE OF THE LAND.
OH, NO, THIS IS LOOSE.
ACTUALLY, PASS THAT HAND CAM.
THIS CHIMNEY IS 60 FOOT OF CRUMBLING ROCK.
IT'S TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE CREW,
SO I'M TAKING OVER FOR THIS ONE.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
YOU SEE HOW LOOSE ALL OF THIS IS.
I'M CHIMNEYING MY WAY UP,
WEDGING MY BACK AND MY FEET AGAINST THE NARROW CREVICE.
SO I BRIDGE ACROSS THIS.
I CAN'T GET A DECENT GRIP, THOUGH, ON THE ROCK.
IT'S LIKE CLIMBING A HUGE TOWER OF CRUMBLING SAND.
LOSE YOUR FOOTING ON A CHIMNEY CLIMB, AND YOU'RE DEAD.
( SPITS )
GOT A MOUTHFUL OF DUST, ANYWAY.
WHEW!
NOW THAT'S A VIEW!
OKAY, I GOT A GOOD LIE OF THE LAND UP HERE.
( PANTING )
I CAN ACTUALLY SEE A WAY THROUGH ALL OF THIS MAZE --
THAT WAY.
I FOUND A WAY OUT OF THIS TANGLED MESS,
BUT MY ROUTE TAKES ME STRAIGHT ONTO A SALT PAN --
ONE OF THE MOST INHOSPITABLE LANDSCAPES ON EARTH.
THERE'S NOTHING ON THAT I CAN USE.
I'M MAKING MY WAY
ACROSS THE ANATOLIAN PLATEAU IN TURKEY.
I'VE REACHED THE EDGE OF THE ARID MOONSCAPE,
AND NATURE HAS FINALLY GIVEN ME A BREAK.
THE RAINS HAVE COME.
ACTUALLY, THIS RAIN IS SO NICE.
IT'S SUCH A RELIEF FROM THE BAKING HEAT OF THE SUN.
THE VEGETATION, LIKE THE ENVIRONMENT,
IS CHANGING DRAMATICALLY.
THIS IS ALL SAMPHIRE.
YOU SEE THAT?
AND YOU NORMALLY GET THIS GROWING AROUND COASTAL AREAS.
THE REASON IS, IT LOVES GOOD SALTY SALINE CONDITIONS.
BUT THERE HASN'T BEEN COAST HERE
FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
THIS IS A SALT PAN,
CUT OFF INLAND SEA THAT IS SLOWLY DYING.
WEIRD BEING ON A SALT PAN IN THE RAIN!
BUT THAT MAKES A CHANGE!
IN THE HARSH EXTREMES OF ARID STEPPE,
A FREAK RAINSTORM IS WELCOME RELIEF.
TEMPERATURES PLUMMET.
NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO COOL OFF AND REHYDRATE.
THE SURFACE OF THIS SALT PAN OFFERS AN IDEAL WAY
TO COLLECT THE FRESH RAIN WATER.
ACTUALLY, EVERYTHING I'M WALKING ON HERE
IS JUST THIS CRUST OF SALT,
AND LOOK -- IF I KICK THROUGH IT...
YOU CAN SEE WHAT I MEAN.
AND ALL OF THAT THAT'S FILLING UP FROM UNDERNEATH...
( SLURPS, SPITS )
...SALT WATER, BUT REALLY SALTY.
WHAT I CAN DO, THOUGH, IS USE THIS RAIN
AND MAKE A BIT OF A DEPRESSION IN THE SALT HERE.
GET MY COAT OUT...
...AND USE THAT.
AND LET THE RAIN FILL THAT UP AND MAKE A BIT OF A PUDDLE.
BUT A PUDDLE OF DRINKABLE WATER, NOT SALT WATER.
NEVER DRINK SALT WATER. IT CAUSES KIDNEY FAILURE.
TO BE SAFE, COLLECT THE RAIN
BEFORE IT'S POLLUTED BY THE SALTY CRUST.
THAT'S PRETTY WELL FILLED UP NOW.
IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT HALF A LITER OF WATER IN THAT.
( SLURPING )
AND IT'S FRESH.
( SLURPING )
AND THIS IS ABOUT THE ONLY WAY
YOU'RE GONNA GET DRINKABLE WATER OUT HERE
ON THIS HELLHOLE OF A SALT PAN.
( SLURPING )
IMPROVISED, BUT IT WORKS.
AND THIS TIME, NATURE'S BEEN WORKING ON MY SIDE.
OKAY, LET'S GET MOVING.
THERE'S MORE CHANCE OF FINDING LIFE
ON THE MARGINS OF A SALT PAN THAN IN THE MIDDLE,
SO I'M GONNA SKIRT THE EDGES.
IN SURVIVAL, IT'S SO IMPORTANT JUST TO NEVER GIVE UP,
BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THAT BREAK'S GONNA COME.
YOU JUST GOT TO KEEP MOVING.
KEEP WAITING FOR IT. IT WILL COME.
THERE'S A CARCASS OR SOMETHING.
ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CLUES
THAT COULD MEAN CIVILIZATION IS NEAR.
THAT'S A DEAD DOG,
AND THAT'S BEEN DEAD A LONG TIME.
THERE'S NOTHING ON THAT I CAN USE.
BUT IT DOES SHOW IT'S A HARSH PLACE
TO TRY AND SURVIVE IN.
THESE ARE THE REMAINS OF AN ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG,
BUT IT'S BEEN DEAD FOR MONTHS,
AND THE SHEPHERDS MAY BE LONG GONE.
IT'S LOOKING BRIGHTER AHEAD.
RAINS EASING NOW, WHICH IS GOOD FOR ME.
SELF-RESCUE IS ALWAYS ABOUT NEVER GIVING UP.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING.
THERE ARE VINES GROWING AMONGST THE WILD BUSHES.
THEY'RE ESCAPED SEEDS FROM VINEYARDS,
CARRIED HERE BY BIRDS,
BUT IT MEANS SETTLEMENTS MUST BE CLOSE.
THE WORLD'S FIRST CIVILIZATIONS
EMERGED FROM THESE MIDDLE-EASTERN DESERTS,
AND IF YOU CAN KEEP GOING LONG ENOUGH,
YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE.
THAT'S WHERE I'M HEADING,
AND IT'S A WAY OUT OF HERE.
COME ON. LET'S GO.
I'M NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE STRUGGLED IN THESE DESERTS,
AND I SURE WON'T BE THE LAST.
BUT IF YOU FOLLOW THE ANCIENTS' LEAD
AND USE NATURE, YOU DO STAND A CHANCE.
THIS PLACE REALLY HAS REQUIRED ME TO DIG DEEP.
BUT I'M NOT ALONE IN THAT, I BET, OUT HERE.
OKAY, LET'S GET DOWN THERE.
( EXOTIC MUSIC PLAYING )