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.
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 JUNGLES OF BELIZE...
WHERE I'LL BE TACKLING TERRIFYING TERRAIN...
AAH!
I ONLY JUST CAUGHT THAT LEDGE THEN.
...FIGHTING TO FIND FOOD...
BINGO. AND LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT.
...AND FACING OFF AGAINST SOME OF THE MOST MENACING WILDLIFE
ON THE PLANET.
AND THAT IS A BIG BOA CONSTRICTOR.
BELIZE IS A REMOTE COUNTRY
ON THE CARIBBEAN COAST OF CENTRAL AMERICA.
ONCE PART OF THE ANCIENT MAYAN EMPIRE,
IT HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST POPULATION DENSITIES
OF ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
HALF OF BELIZE IS JUST PRISTINE WILDERNESS.
IT'S THOUSANDS OF SQUARE MILES OF JUNGLE
WITH ALMOST NO HABITATION.
IF YOU GET LOST OUT HERE, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.
THE JUNGLES OF BELIZE BOAST OVER 5,000 SPECIES OF PLANTS
AND HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT ANIMALS --
CROCODILES, JAGUARS, AND EIGHT TYPES OF POISONOUS SNAKES.
THIS IS WHERE THE BRITISH ARMY DO THEIR JUNGLE-WARFARE TRAINING.
DOWN THERE IS SOME OF THE DENSEST, MOST DANGEROUS JUNGLE
IN THE WORLD.
IF YOU CAN SURVIVE HERE, YOU CAN SURVIVE ANYWHERE.
THIS WILL BE THE ULTIMATE JUNGLE CHALLENGE.
BUT IN THE LOW GROUND,
THE TREES ARE TOO THICK TO ATTEMPT AN ENTRY.
HIGHER UP, THE VEGETATION IS THINNER.
THAT'S MY WAY IN.
I'M GONNA RAPPEL.
IT'S A CLASSIC MILITARY ENTRY INTO HOSTILE TERRITORY
AND REQUIRES PINPOINT ACCURACY.
I'M 150 FOOT UP, WITH NOTHING BUT HARD ROCK BELOW.
ONCE I'M SAFELY ON THE GROUND AND I'VE CLEARED THE ROPES,
I CAN GIVE THE PILOT THE ALL-CLEAR.
THEN HE'S ON HIS WAY.
MY FIRST PRIORITY --
GET MY BEARINGS AND PLAN MY NEXT MOVE.
I'M PRETTY HIGH UP HERE -- PROBABLY ABOUT 2,000 FOOT.
AND THE REAL HEART OF THE JUNGLE IS DOWN THERE.
AND PROBABLY MY BEST WAY OF GETTING DOWN INTO THAT
IS JUST TO STICK WITH THIS WATER COURSE AND FOLLOW THAT DOWN.
BUT LOOK AT THIS FOR A VIEW.
DOWN THERE REALLY IS A WHOLE OTHER WORLD.
AND BEYOND THAT JUNGLE -- THE COAST,
WHERE MOST OF THE POPULATION LIVE,
SO THAT'S THE WAY TO BE HEADING.
BEFORE I START MY DESCENT,
I'M GONNA ARM MYSELF WITH SOMETHING
THAT WILL BE VITAL IN THE WET AND HUMID FOREST BELOW.
YEAH, THIS DEADFALL IS CARIBBEAN PINE.
AND THERE'S ACTUALLY LOADS OF THIS UP AT THIS ALTITUDE.
LOOK AT THESE PINE TREES.
AND I CAN USE THIS TO HELP ME
WHEN I GET DOWN INTO THE JUNGLE PROPER DOWN THERE.
IT'S GOOD. IT'S FULL OF RESIN.
AND IT'S GOOD FOR LIGHTING FIRES.
AND EVERYTHING DOWN THERE IS JUST GONNA BE SO WATERLOGGED.
THE ANCIENT MAYA USED CARIBBEAN PINE RESIN
AS INSECT REPELLENT
AND GLUE TO REPAIR DUGOUT CANOES.
OKAY, READY TO GET INTO THE JUNGLE PROPER.
AHEAD OF ME LIES A 700-FOOT DESCENT
DOWN A SERIES OF DANGEROUS WATERFALLS.
AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, IT RAINS MOST DAYS.
THE RIVER IS A RAGING TORRENT.
WORSE STILL, IN THESE SOAKING WET-CONDITIONS,
THE GROUND HAS TURNED TO MUD AND ROCKS INTO AN ICE RINK.
AAH!
( GASPING )
AH, HEY, HEY, HEY.
HYAH. HYAH.
(BLEEP)
FLIPPING NORA.
I ONLY JUST CAUGHT THAT LEDGE THEN.
GIVE ME A SECOND.
THAT WAS NOT A GOOD FEELING, THAT.
WE'VE GOT TO GO MUCH, MUCH SLOWER ON THIS STUFF.
FALL INTO THIS, AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA COME OUT OF IT.
THE POUNDING WHITE WATER IS FULL OF HUGE BOULDERS.
THESE RIVERS ARE KILLERS.
LOOK -- TRYING TO WORK MY WAY AROUND THOSE ROCKS
IS JUST NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S GONNA BE LIKE WALKING ON SHEET ICE THERE,
AND I'VE SLIPPED ONCE ALREADY.
BUT ACTUALLY, I RECKON I CAN GET A WAY ACROSS HERE
AND FIND MY WAY AROUND THERE.
IT'S JUST HOW TO GET ACROSS THIS THING.
I PLAN TO BRIDGE THE GAP WITH THIS LOG.
BUT GETTING IT OVER THE TREACHEROUS ROCKS
IS NO EASY TASK.
YOU REALLY GET A SENSE OF THE POWER
OF THE WATER NOW DOWN HERE.
AND ACTUALLY, THERE WERE SOME STUDENTS
A FEW YEARS AGO ON A JUNGLE FIELD TRIP
OUT HERE IN BELIZE, AND THEY CAME ACROSS A WATERFALL JUST LIKE THIS.
AND ONE OF THEM WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE,
SLIPPY ROCK, WENT STRAIGHT IN.
A FRIEND TRIED TO GRAB HIM, WENT IN AS WELL,
AND THEY WERE BOTH KILLED IN IT.
YOU KNOW, DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE
JUST HOW LETHAL THESE SORT OF THINGS ARE.
IN SOME WAYS, THIS IS ALMOST JUMPABLE.
THE THING IS, THAT ROCK IS GONNA BE SLIPPY,
AND IF I GO ON THAT,
IT'S A ONE-WAY TICKET
STRAIGHT DOWN THERE.
TWO WATERFALLS MEET HERE,
CREATING A MAELSTROM OF DEADLY WHITE WATER
AND A DEATH SLIDE BEYOND.
I'VE GOT TO CHOOSE MY SPOT CAREFULLY.
IF THE LOG SLIDES ON THE GREASY ROCK,
I'LL BE STRAIGHT IN THAT WHITE WATER.
OKAY, LOOK, IT'S GOOD AND SECURE THAT SIDE,
WEDGED IN THERE AGAINST THAT.
BUT THIS SIDE IS A BIT PRECARIOUS. LOOK.
FOUR INCHES OF WOOD IS ALL THAT SEPARATES ME
FROM THE RAGING TORRENT.
REALLY, I NEED TO TRY AND KEEP MY FEET OUT OF THE WATER,
'CAUSE WITH THE AMOUNT OF WHITE WATER COMING DOWN HERE,
IF MY FEET GO IN, IT'S GONNA TAKE ME.
THE FORCE OF THIS WATER WOULD SPIN ME OFF THE LOG
AND DOWN THAT WATERFALL.
OKAY, THAT'S ME ACROSS. LET'S GET YOU.
NOW TO GET THE CREW ACROSS.
OKAY, JUST REALLY TAKE YOUR TIME ON THIS.
IT'S OFTEN THESE SHORT CROSSINGS ON SLIPPY, OLD LOGS
THAT ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS ONES.
THAT'S IT, NICE. WELL DONE, MAN.
AHEAD OF ME LIES MILES OF DENSE JUNGLE.
WITH IT COMES A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES
AND A NEW SET OF DANGERS.
I'M IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA...
AAH!
...BATTLING MY WAY DOWN A SERIES OF TREACHEROUS WATERFALLS
TO THE JUNGLE.
I'VE DESCENDED 500 FOOT, BUT I'M NOT DOWN YET.
WHOA.
WATCH IT HERE. LOOK, THAT'S A BAD PLACE TO FALL.
TRYING TO SEE IF I CAN WORK MY WAY AROUND
DOWN TO THIS LEDGE HERE.
THIS IS A TIGHT SPOT,
BUT IT'S THE QUICKEST WAY DOWN TO THE JUNGLE FLOOR.
THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.
SEE, THE PROBLEM WITH CLIMBING IN THE JUNGLE --
EVERYTHING IS MUD OR ROTTEN.
( SPITS )
ON A STEEP, ROCKY WALL,
THERE'S LITTLE TOPSOIL FOR THE TREES TO CLING ONTO,
SO I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY WEIGHT ON ANY OF THESE,
JUST IN CASE.
MOSS AND LICHEN GROW ALL AROUND THE WATERFALLS,
MAKING THE ROCK SLIMY AND SLIPPERY UNDERFOOT.
BUT AT LEAST THE LANDING IS SOFT.
OKAY, JUST WAIT HERE.
I'LL TRY AND GET ACROSS THIS.
THERE'S A TURBULENT WHIRLPOOL BENEATH THIS WATERFALL.
I COULD GET TRAPPED AND DRAGGED UNDER,
SO I'M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER ROUTE ACROSS.
WHOO.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET BEHIND THE WATERFALL HERE.
GONNA WORK MY WAY AROUND.
THE TREMENDOUS POWER OF THE WATER
HAS ERODED THE ROCK,
BUT THERE'S A LEDGE BEHIND THE WATERFALL,
WHICH I CAN USE TO CROSS.
WHAT A MAD PLACE TO BE.
IF I WASN'T IN A STINKING JUNGLE RIVER
FULL OF CREEPY-CRAWLIES,
THIS COULD BE QUITE A ROMANTIC PLACE.
TIME TO PUSH ON TO THE OTHER SIDE.
WITH THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF WATER THUNDERING OVERHEAD,
THIS IS NO PLACE TO HANG AROUND.
THE FOREST FLOOR IS NOW TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE.
BUT BETWEEN ME AND IT LIES ONE FINAL OBSTACLE --
ANOTHER WATERFALL --
AND IT'S A BIG DROP.
IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT A 30-FOOT DROP DOWN TO THE NEXT POOL.
THERE'S NO EASY WAY TO CLIMB AROUND THIS.
BUT ACTUALLY THIS IS A HEIGHT THAT'S PROBABLY JUMPABLE.
BUT YOU NEED TO BE SO CAREFUL IN JUNGLE RIVERS
JUST WITH THE DEPTH,
SO I'M GONNA NEED SOME WAY OF JUST CHECKING --
CHECKING HOW DEEP THAT IS.
THIS JUNGLE VINE ATTACHED TO A ROCK
MAKES A SIMPLE DEPTH GAUGE.
OKAY, I FEEL THAT ON THE BOTTOM THERE.
ALL I THEN NEED TO DO IS MEASURE
UNTIL I SEE IT OUT OF THE WATER.
AND THE TIP OF ONE FINGER TO THE TIP ON THE OTHER
IS ABOUT YOUR HEIGHT, SO THAT'S 6 FOOT...
12 FOOT,
18 -- SHOULD BE FINE TO JUMP.
LEGS TOGETHER TO PROTECT MYSELF,
ARMS SPREAD SO I DON'T GO TOO DEEP.
WHOO!
FINALLY I'VE REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE WATERFALLS.
THE NEXT BIG CHALLENGE IS THE JUNGLE.
DOWN HERE, THE VEGETATION IS DENSER,
AND IT'S HARD GOING.
ONE OF THE REASONS THIS PLACE IS SO TOUGH
IS A LOT OF THE BELIZE JUNGLE
IS SECONDARY, OR WHAT'S KNOWN AS DIRTY JUNGLE,
AND THAT'S THE REALLY DENSE, GNARLY STUFF.
AND BASICALLY WHAT'S HAPPENED
IS THAT WHERE THE JUNGLE HAS BEEN CLEARED,
SUDDENLY THE SUN CAN REACH THROUGH THE CANOPY,
AND IT ALL GROWS BACK TWICE AS THICK
AND TWICE AS NASTY.
IT'S WET AND SLIPPERY UNDERFOOT,
AND IT'S TEMPTING TO GRAB THE NEAREST TREE FOR SUPPORT,
BUT BEWARE.
OH, YOU WANT TO WATCH OUT FOR THIS GUY.
CHECK THIS TREE OUT.
AND THIS IS WHAT BRITISH SOLDIERS,
WHEN THEY ARE TRAINING IN THE JUNGLES OF BELIZE,
CALL THE (BLEEP) TREE.
YOU CAN SEE WHY. LOOK, IF YOU REACH OUT
AND TRY AND GRAB HOLD OF THAT,
YOU'RE GONNA KNOW ALL ABOUT IT.
BUT IT'S ALSO KNOWN, THIS TREE, AS THE GIVE-AND-TAKE TREE.
AND LIKE SO MUCH IN THE JUNGLE, IT HAS A BAD SIDE,
WHICH IS ALL OF THESE SPIKES AND THORNS,
BUT IT ALSO HAS A GOOD SIDE.
THE INNER BARK OF THE TREE
CONTAINS AN EFFECTIVE PAINKILLER.
SO, IF YOU DID REACH OUT AND GRAB THAT,
YOU CAN CHEW A BIT OF IT AND THEN PUT THAT STRAIGHT ON
TO WHERE YOU'VE BEEN PRICKED BY THIS STUFF.
AND IT'S LIKE SO MUCH IN THE JUNGLE --
YOU MIGHT LOOK AT IT
AND THINK EVERYTHING HERE IS JUST OUT TO GET YOU.
BUT IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING,
YOU CAN USE IT ALSO TO HELP YOU.
SO, YES, IT'S A (BLEEP) TREE,
BUT IT'S ALSO PRETTY COOL.
MOVING THROUGH SECONDARY JUNGLE IS HARD AND HELLISH.
ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.
AND KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SEE THAT. STRAIGHT THROUGH THERE,
IT LOOKS LIKE SOME SORT OF CAVE
OR SOMETHING. LET'S GET DOWN THERE AND HAVE A LOOK.
BELIZE IS RIDDLED WITH MILES
OF SUBTERRANEAN LIMESTONE TUNNELS.
THESE MIGHT BE EASIER TO NAVIGATE THAN THE DENSE JUNGLE.
THIS IS WORTH INVESTIGATING.
LOOK AT THAT FOR A DROP-OFF.
PULL THAT OFF. ( GRUNTS )
( CRASH )
THAT'S WHAT I CALL A DEATH DROP.
AND REALLY, ANYTHING OVER 30 FOOT,
ESPECIALLY ONTO ROCKS LIKE THIS,
YOU'RE JUST NOT GONNA WALK AWAY FROM.
AND THIS MUST BE AT LEAST 60, 70 FOOT DOWN HERE.
AND IT'S GOT A CAVE JUST RUNNING STRAIGHT --
LOOK, STRAIGHT UNDER, UNDER THE HILL.
THERE'S ALSO A RIVER RUNNING THROUGH IT.
AND RIVERS ARE OFTEN YOUR BEST WAY TO GET OUT OF A JUNGLE.
IT'S JUST GETTING DOWN.
ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE CHASM, THERE LOOKS TO BE A WAY DOWN.
AND THIS VINE COULD BE MY ROUTE ACROSS.
AND REALLY, THIS SORT OF VINE JUST GROWS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
AND REALLY, IT'S LIKE --
IT'S LIKE THE CABLE OF THE JUNGLE.
IT'S SUPER STRONG. THAT'S WHY TARZAN USED IT.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU PICK THE LIVING STUFF.
IF YOU DON'T AND PUT SOME WEIGHT ON IT,
IT'S JUST GONNA POP.
A STRONG VINE SHOULD SUPPORT A MAN'S WEIGHT,
BUT WITH A DROP LIKE THIS AT STAKE,
IT MUST ALWAYS BE TESTED.
( GRUNTS )
THAT'S ALL MY WEIGHT ON IT, AND IT'S HOLDING.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE THIS A FIELD TEST.
JEEPERS.
( GRUNTS )
THE FORCE OF THE SWING
SLAMS ME INTO THE ROCK FACE ON THE OTHER SIDE.
I ONLY JUST GRAB HOLD OF ANOTHER VINE
TO STOP MYSELF FALLING DOWN INTO THE ABYSS.
WHEW.
WELL, I'M ACROSS, BUT I STILL GOT TO GET DOWN.
THIS CLIFF FACE IS COVERED WITH VINES.
THEY REACH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE CAVERN FLOOR
SOME 60 FOOT BELOW ME.
THIS VINE IS SLIPPY.
( GRUNTS )
THAT WAS MORE LUCK THAN GOOD JUDGMENT
THAT I HIT THAT LEDGE.
NOW TO CHECK OUT THIS CAVE.
COMING UP, I'M FACE-TO-FACE
WITH THE BIGGEST SNAKE IN THE JUNGLE.
AND THAT IS A BIG BOA CONSTRICTOR.
AND HE IS A FORMIDABLE PREDATOR.
I'M IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA.
TO ESCAPE THE DENSE JUNGLE ABOVEGROUND,
I'M FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF A SUBTERRANEAN RIVER.
Grylls: THIS WHOLE CAVE SYSTEM JUST RUNS
STRAIGHT THROUGH THESE LIMESTONE CLIFFS.
YOU KNOW, THESE THINGS CAN GO ON FOR MILES AND MILES.
BELIZE IS HOME TO THE LONGEST CAVE SYSTEM IN SOUTH AMERICA.
THE LIMESTONE LANDSCAPE HAS BEEN ERODED INTO A LABYRINTH
OF NARROW PASSAGES AND DARK TUNNELS.
THERE'S ACTUALLY QUITE A GOOD FLOW OF WATER
PUSHING ME ALONG THROUGH HERE.
BUT ALL OF THIS STUFF IS RAZOR-SHARP.
AND ESPECIALLY AROUND MY LEGS,
IT'S LIKE LOADS OF JAGGED ROCKS TO STUMBLE OVER.
PROLONGED IMMERSION IN WATER MAKES SKIN SWELL.
IT BECOMES SOFTER AND EASIER TO CUT.
IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, SMALL CUTS SOON BECOME INFECTED.
ONE OF THE BIG DANGERS OF PLACES LIKE THIS
IS JUST RISING WATER LEVELS.
AND IT'S RIGHT BANG IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAINY SEASON
AT THE MOMENT,
AND WATER CAN RISE LITERALLY A FEW FEET IN A MATTER OF HOURS
IN A PLACE LIKE THIS.
THAT'S A FEW FEET THAT I DON'T REALLY HAVE.
I'M BEING FUNNELED BY THE FLOW OF THE SWOLLEN RIVER
INTO NARROWER TUNNELS
WHERE THE WATER LEVEL LEAVES ME NO ROOM FOR MANEUVER.
IT'S STARTING TO GET VERY, VERY TIGHT HERE.
HANG ON. HANG ON.
LOOK, THERE IS STILL LIGHT THROUGH THERE.
THAT SUNLIGHT MEANS
THERE MUST BE AN EXIT NOT FAR AWAY.
I'VE JUST GOT TO GO FOR IT.
OKAY, JUST FOLLOW ME IN.
OKAY, GO.
THE RAINS HAVE FILLED THIS CAVE TO THE ROOF,
AND THERE'S NOWHERE TO SURFACE FOR AIR.
BUT THERE'S LIGHT DEAD AHEAD.
THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT TO AIM FOR.
( SPITS ) NICE ONE.
WELL, THAT'S US OUT OF THAT CAVE
AND ON OUR WAY.
WHEW.
HEADING UNDERGROUND IS ALWAYS A RISKY STRATEGY,
BUT THIS TIME IT'S WORKED.
I'VE MADE GOOD PROGRESS.
THE JUNGLE IS THINNER HERE.
IT'S TEMPTING TO GO FAST AND COVER GROUND WHILE I CAN,
BUT RUSHING THROUGH THIS PLACE IS A DANGEROUS GAME.
AND THESE JUNGLES IN BELIZE
HAVE SOMETHING LIKE EIGHT DIFFERENT TYPES
OF POTENTIALLY LETHAL SNAKES,
INCLUDING THE FER-DE-LANCE, WHICH GROW UP TO 8 FOOT LONG.
AND THEY ARE PARTICULARLY AGGRESSIVE SNAKES.
AND IF THAT'S NOT BAD ENOUGH, THIS PLACE ALSO HAS
ONE OF THE HIGHEST POPULATION OF JAGUARS
OF ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
SO YOU DON'T WANT TO RUSH STUFF.
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND KEEP YOUR SENSES AWARE.
BUT KNOWING YOUR ENVIRONMENT
ALWAYS IMPROVES YOUR SURVIVAL CHANCES.
AND THE JUNGLE IS NO EXCEPTION.
CHECK THIS TREE OUT.
THIS IS A BULLHORN ACACIA.
AND, LOOK, IT NOT ONLY HAS ALL OF THESE SPIKES ON IT,
BUT IT ALSO -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE --
HAS ALL OF THESE ANTS THAT LIVE INSIDE OF THE SPIKES.
AND IF YOU MESS WITH THE TREE,
ALL OF THESE ANTS WILL COME OUT TO TRY TO PROTECT IT,
AND THEY WILL START BITING YOU.
THE ANTS ARE A STRONG DETERRENT,
BUT THEY'RE NOT GONNA STOP ME GETTING TO THIS BARK.
WHAT THE BARK HAS IS SOME PROPERTIES IN IT
THAT IS GONNA SLOW YOUR HEART RATE.
AAH, AND THESE ANTS DO BITE.
SO IF YOU GET BITTEN BY A SNAKE,
IT'S GONNA SLOW THE SPEED THAT THE VENOM GOES AROUND YOUR BODY.
TAKE A COUPLE MORE STRIPS OF THIS
JUST IN CASE I COME A CROPPER WITH A SNAKE.
JUNGLE REMEDIES CAN BE USEFUL,
BUT IT'S BEST TO AVOID GETTING BITTEN IN THE FIRST PLACE,
SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT.
COME IN. COME CLOSE.
NICE, STEADY, NICE AND STEADY. WE'VE GOT A SERIOUS,
PROPER-SIZE SNAKE HERE.
THERE. NO CLOSER, NO CLOSER.
SEE HIM?
AND THAT IS A BIG BOA CONSTRICTOR.
HE'S NOT LIKING ME BEING THIS CLOSE.
AND THIS GUY IS GONNA...
FEED OFF SMALL MAMMALS --
RATS, RODENTS, MONKEYS.
AND HE IS A FORMIDABLE PREDATOR.
A CONSTRICTOR -- IF HE GETS 'ROUND YOU,
HE'S GONNA TRY AND WRAP AROUND
AND JUST SQUEEZE THE LIFE OUT OF WHAT HE'S AFTER.
I'M GOING TO AVOID THE HEAD
AND TRY TO GET HOLD OF IT BY THE TAIL.
THERE WE GO.
WELL, THEY ALWAYS SAY
THAT SNAKES DON'T BRUSH THEIR TEETH.
AND YOU CAN NOT ONLY SMELL IT FROM HERE,
BUT IF IT GOT HOLD OF YOU,
EVEN IF THE BITE DIDN'T KILL YOU,
IT'S GONNA GET INFECTED.
AND THAT'S HOW YOU END UP IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF MEAT ON THIS SNAKE.
I'M GONNA TAKE THE RISK.
AND THIS IS ONE SHOT YOU WANT TO GET RIGHT.
AND THAT IS A GOOD LENGTH OF SNAKE,
AND IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD DINNER,
BUT, MAN, MY HEART IS THUMPING.
OKAY, LET'S GET MOVING.
THIS IS WHERE YOU DON'T WANT TO BUMP INTO ITS BIG BROTHER.
IT'S 4:00. I'VE GOT TWO HOURS' DAYLIGHT LEFT.
IT'S TIME TO CALL IT A DAY AND SET UP CAMP.
ACTUALLY, THIS WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE JUST TO SET UP CAMP,
AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO LEAVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME
WHEN YOU'RE IN THE JUNGLE.
ONCE THAT LIGHT GOES, IT GETS DARK SO FAST.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE HERE WITH NO SHELTER
WHEN IT'S NIGHTTIME.
AND LOOK, I'VE GOT SOME GOOD UPRIGHT TREES HERE.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO MAKE SURE
YOU BUILD YOUR SHELTER UP OFF THE JUNGLE FLOOR.
AND THIS IS WHERE ALL THE LIFE OF THE JUNGLE IS,
WITH ANTS, SNAKES, YOU NAME IT.
SO I RECKON I CAN BUILD A BIT OF A PLATFORM HERE.
LIGHT BUT STRONG,
THESE COHUNE PALMS MAKE A GREAT FRAME FOR THE SHELTER.
JUST CLEAR ALL OF THESE LEAVES OFF IT.
COHUNE PALM GROWS ALL OVER BELIZE.
IN THE PAST,
IT WAS A FAVORITE BUILDING MATERIAL OF THE MAYA.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE ABOUT THE RIGHT HEIGHT
FOR THE BED PLATFORM.
THEN JUST USE THIS MOHO BARK.
MOHO BARK IS ALSO PLENTIFUL HERE --
LONG, SUPPLE, AND VERY STRONG.
IT JUST HELPS IF YOU TWIST THIS BARK AS YOU WRAP IT.
IT JUST ADDS STRENGTH TO IT.
IT'S ALREADY GETTING A BIT DARKER, YOU SEE.
TRYING TO DO ANYTHING IN THE NIGHTTIME IN THE JUNGLE
IS JUST IMPOSSIBLE.
IT'S BLACK AS A WITCH'S CALDRON.
THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE,
SO I'M USING MORE MOHO BARK TO WEAVE MY BED.
WANT TO MAKE SURE THE WEAVE OF THIS IS CLOSE TOGETHER
SO YOUR WEIGHT DOESN'T RIP THIS THING,
WHICH IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT.
MY BED IS STRONG.
NOW TO MAKE IT COMFORTABLE
BY SPLITTING THESE PALM LEAVES FOR BEDDING.
AND JUST LAY THEM ONE ONE WAY
AND THEN THE OTHER THE OPPOSITE WAY.
AND AS IT'S THE RAINY SEASON, I'M GONNA NEED A ROOF.
OKAY, THAT'S GONNA BE THE CROSS STRAP FOR THE ROOFING.
I JUST NEED TO FIND SOME BAY LEAF PALM TO GO ON THERE.
THIS IS ALSO ACTUALLY CALLED THATCHING PALM,
AND THE REASON IS
IT WORKS PERFECTLY AS THATCHING FOR A SHELTER.
IT'S WHAT THE MAYANS WOULD HAVE TRADITIONALLY USED
TO THATCH THEIR BUILDINGS WITH.
THERE'S NO TIME TO WEAVE THESE LEAVES TOGETHER,
BUT THIS SHOULD BE OKAY FOR THE NIGHT.
JUST CHECK THIS WORKS ALL RIGHT.
AND YEAH, THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.
JUST FINISH OFF THE THATCHING AND THEN GET A FIRE GOING.
FIRE IS CRUCIAL.
I CAN COOK, DRY CLOTHES,
AND IT WILL KEEP PREDATORS AWAY.
SOME OF THIS DEAD INNER STEM FROM THE COHUNE PALM
SHOULD TAKE A SPARK.
THERE WE GO.
EVERYTHING'S DAMP HERE,
SO THIS FIRE REQUIRES SPECIAL ATTENTION.
GOOD FIRE MAKING IS ALL ABOUT
LOOKING AFTER THE FIRE WHEN IT'S LITTLE.
DO THAT, AND IT WILL THEN LOOK AFTER YOU WHEN IT GROWS BIG.
I'M USING THE RESINOUS CARIBBEAN PINE THAT I COLLECTED
BEFORE COMING DOWN INTO THE JUNGLE.
AND IT'S FINALLY WORKING.
LET'S GET THIS SNAKE COOKED UP.
I'M GONNA ROAST THE BOA MEAT
SKEWERED ON GREEN STICKS SO THEY DON'T BURN.
I ONCE HEARD A STORY ABOUT A GUY
WHO FEEL ASLEEP IN HIS JUNGLE SHELTER,
AND HE HAD HIS ARM HANGING DOWN FROM THE BED PLATFORM.
AND HE WOKE UP IN THE MORNING WITH A REALLY NUMB ARM,
AND HE LOOKED DOWN. AND A BOA CONSTRICTOR,
DURING THE NIGHT, HAD ACTUALLY SWALLOWED
ALL OF HIS ARM ALL THE WAY UP TO THE SHOULDER.
AND WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY KILLED THE SNAKE AND PEELED IT OFF HIM,
THE STOMACH JUICES HAD ACTUALLY STARTED
TO DIGEST THE MAN'S FINGERS.
AND I ALWAYS USED TO THINK THAT WAS A BIT OF A JUNGLE MYTH,
BIT OF A STORY,
BUT WHEN YOU COME ACROSS A BOA CONSTRICTOR
AS BIG AS I HAVE TODAY,
YOU DO START TO WONDER.
IT'S BEEN COOKING FOR 35 MINUTES.
THE FLESH HAS TURNED WHITE. IT'S READY TO EAT.
ACTUALLY, WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE SKELETON,
IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE BONY --
A BIT LIKE JUNGLE --
JUNGLE SPARE RIBS.
AS DARKNESS FALLS, THE FOREST TAKES ON A NEW FACE.
NOW THE PREDATORS BECOME ACTIVE.
IT'S NOT JUST THE SNAKES
YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT OUT HERE.
ONE OF THE BIG DANGERS ACTUALLY IS VAMPIRE BATS,
AND THEY CAN SUCK YOUR BLOOD FROM YOU AS YOU SLEEP
WITHOUT YOU EVEN KNOWING ABOUT IT.
AND THE BIT THEY'RE MOST LIKELY TO GO FOR
IS JUST THE TIPS OF YOUR FINGERS.
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE, THE RAINS ARE BACK,
AND THIS JUNGLE IS TESTING ME TO THE LIMIT.
MAN, MY FOREARMS ARE BURNING ON THAT.
I'M IN THE JUNGLES OF BELIZE,
HEADING TOWARDS THE COAST, AND THE RAINS ARE BACK.
WHEW.
THE RAINY SEASON IN BELIZE,
AND, MAN, DOES IT RAIN.
YOU CAN OFTEN GET UP TO SIX INCHES OF RAIN IN AN HOUR --
WATCH OUT FOR THAT NASTY TREE.
YOU KNOW, I SOMETIMES TRY TO EXPLAIN TO MY KIDS
WHAT IT'S LIKE IN THE JUNGLE WHEN IT POURS.
AND THIS IS IT.
IT'S LIKE BEING IN A HUGE, OPEN SHOWER,
AND YOU CAN HARDLY HEAR YOURSELF THINK.
BUT IT'S A GOOD RELIEF FROM THE HUMIDITY.
WHOO!
AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THE JUNGLE,
YOU JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT
YOU'RE GONNA BE WET, WET, WET.
TRUDGING THROUGH THIS SODDEN, GREEN MAZE IS DISORIENTATING.
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE FAR AHEAD
AND SO EASY TO GET LOST.
TO GET YOUR BEARINGS, LOOK OUT FOR HIGH GROUND.
THERE YOU GO. YOU SEE THROUGH THE TREES THERE?
THERE'S LIKE A RIDGE AND A ROCK FACE LEADING UP TO IT.
BUT ACTUALLY I CAN USE THAT. LET'S TRY AND GET A BIT CLOSER.
YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THIS CLIFF HERE IS LIMESTONE.
BUT I RECKON IF I CAN GET UP TO THE TOP OF IT,
I MIGHT WELL BE ABLE TO GET A VIEW UP OVER THE JUNGLE CANOPY
AND GET AN IDEA OF MY BEARINGS.
IT'S 100 FOOT STRAIGHT UP VERTICAL VINES.
DRENCHED BY TORRENTIAL RAIN,
THEY'RE GREASY AND VERY SLIPPY.
THIS IS A DANGEROUS ASCENT.
( GRUNTS )
YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE STICKING YOUR HAND
IN A LOT OF THESE
NOOKS AND CRANNIES. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THEM.
THERE COULD BE SNAKES, POISONOUS SPIDERS, OR EVEN BATS
HIDING IN THIS ROCK FACE.
SO, I'M JUST TRYING TO FIND A WAY UP THE NEXT BIT.
THIS IS RUNNING STRAIGHT INTO THE ROCK FACE.
TRY AND GET ACROSS.
BUT THE RAIN IS GETTING HEAVIER BY THE MINUTE.
PROBLEM IS ALL OF THIS LIMESTONE IS SO SLIPPY.
I'M 100 FOOT UP,
I'VE BEEN CLIMBING FOR 10 MINUTES,
AND I'M EXHAUSTED.
LAST BIT. MAN, MY FOREARMS ARE BURNING ON THAT.
AND YOU JUST FEEL EVERYTHING IS SO PRECARIOUS.
WHETHER YOU PICK A LIVING ONE OR A DEAD VINE
IS REALLY A BIT OF A -- BIT OF A LOTTERY.
AS I REACH THE SUMMIT, I FIND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR,
THE PERFECT VANTAGE POINT.
I CAN SEE FOR MILES.
YOU CAN GET A GOOD VIEW UP HERE ABOVE THE JUNGLE CANOPY.
IT'S PRETTY SPECTACULAR.
BUT IT IS JUST JUNGLE, JUNGLE, AND MORE JUNGLE.
WHAT I KNOW IN BELIZE IS THE PREVAILING WIND
COMES FROM THE EAST, AND EAST IS THE DIRECTION OF THE COAST.
I CAN FEEL THAT WIND HERE.
SO THAT'S THE WAY I WANT TO KEEP GOING.
( SIGHS )
OKAY.
AFTER THE BRIEF REST,
IT'S BACK DOWN INTO THE DARK AND DAMP JUNGLE FLOOR.
THERE'S A CAVE. LET'S HAVE A LOOK.
HAVE A LOOK IN.
CAVES ARE ACTUALLY GOOD PLACES TO LOOK FOR --
TO LOOK FOR FOOD.
YOU'LL OFTEN GET THINGS LIKE RODENTS LIVING IN THEM.
LET'S GET SOME SORT OF -- SOME SORT OF TORCH.
AND WHEN IT'S RAINING,
IT MAKES TORCH BUILDING AND TORCH LIGHTING ALL MUCH HARDER.
BUT I'VE GOT SOME CARIBBEAN PINE LEFT --
HIGH IN RESIN --
THAT SHOULD BE FLAMMABLE EVEN IN THE WET.
AND THEN JUST USE THE MOHO
TO TIE THAT TOGETHER.
AND THAT'S GONNA GIVE ME A REALLY ROUGH-AND-READY TORCH
THAT'S GONNA BURN FOR A WHILE.
THIS CARIBBEAN PINE IS SO RESINOUS,
IT'S GONNA KEEP A FLAME GOING.
AND THESE PINE SHAVINGS ONLY NEED A SPARK
TO GET THEM ALIGHT.
THERE YOU GO. WE'VE GOT FIRE.
THESE DARK CHASMS ARE HOME TO ALL SORTS OF CREATURES.
AND IT'S NOT LONG BEFORE I COME FACE-TO-FACE
WITH THE CREEPIEST OF CRAWLIES.
BINGO. AND LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT.
I'M IN THE JUNGLES OF BELIZE,
HEADING INTO A CAVE IN SEARCH OF FOOD.
THE ANCIENT MAYA BELIEVED THESE DARK CATACOMBS
WERE THE GATEWAY TO THE UNDERWORLD.
IT WAS HERE THAT THEY CARRIED OUT
MANY OF THEIR RITUALS, INCLUDING HUMAN SACRIFICE.
YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE WATER HERE
COMING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ROCK.
IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO FILL A WATER BOTTLE.
AND THIS IS GONNA BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAN, FILTERED,
FILTERED BY THE ROCK.
AND ACTUALLY THE MAYA USED TO BELIEVE
THEIR RAIN GOD LIVED IN THE CAVES.
AND THE REASON FOR THIS -- THEY THOUGHT,
WHEN THEY SAW WATER COMING OUT LIKE THIS,
IT WAS ACTUALLY BORN FROM THE ROCK.
THEY WEREN'T A MILLION MILES WRONG.
IT IS PURE.
IT'S NOT BORN OF THE ROCK, BUT IT IS PURE AND GOOD TO DRINK.
LET'S KEEP MOVING THROUGH THIS.
THE SEEPING WATER HAS FLOODED MOST OF THIS CAVE,
BUT FURTHER IN, I FIND HIGHER GROUND.
SO, IT'S DRY HERE.
AND UP OUT OF THE WATER IS JUST THE SORT OF PLACE
THAT RODENTS WILL MOVE TO WITH THE RISING WATER LEVEL.
IT'S A GOOD SPOT TO CONTINUE MY HUNT.
COME OVER HERE. LOOK.
LIKE A GIANT RAT.
SEE THAT? SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM.
THIS AGOUTI IS A FAVORITE PREY OF BIG CATS LIKE JAGUARS.
IT'S LEAN AND TASTY, BUT FAST.
AH, MISSED HIM. HEY!
HEY, WHERE'S HE GOING?
HE SHOT UP THAT LITTLE TUNNEL.
GOT HIM BY THE BACK LEGS, AS WELL.
NO, HE'S NOT COMING OUT OF THAT.
BUT NO LUCK THIS TIME.
THAT WOULD HAVE MADE A GOOD, GOOD MEAL AS WELL.
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO EAT HERE,
BUT THEY'RE MUCH LESS APPETIZING.
FLIPPING NORA.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT.
YOU SEE, THAT'S A WHIP SCORPION.
IT'S LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN A SCORPION AND A SPIDER.
LET'S SEE IF I -- LET'S SEE IF I CAN GET HIM. HOLD ON.
WHIP SCORPIONS ARE FOUND IN CAVES AND ROCK CREVICES.
THEY'RE WEIRD-LOOKING, BUT THEY'RE NOT VENOMOUS.
I'VE EATEN SCORPIONS BEFORE, BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS.
OHH!
BINGO. AND LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT.
UGH.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE YOU BEGIN TO EAT IT.
PROBABLY THE BACK END IS WHAT BIT I GOT.
UGH.
AND THAT'S A BIG MEAL.
THAT WASN'T WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR,
BUT ANY FOOD IS GOOD FOOD
WHEN YOU'VE GOT DIFFICULT TERRAIN AHEAD.
THE JUNGLE FLOOR IS GETTING WETTER.
THIS COULD BE THE OVERSPILL FROM A RIVER.
I HEAD INTO THE DEEPER WATER TO SEE WHAT I CAN FIND.
LOOKS LIKE OPEN WATER AHEAD -- LOOK.
YEAH, I CAN SEE IT FLOWING.
THERE YOU GO.
AND THAT'S GONNA BE THE START OF A WATER COURSE,
AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO FOLLOW.
THAT WATER IS DEEP ENOUGH
TO HIDE BIG PREDATORS LIKE CROCODILES.
BUT A RAFT SHOULD KEEP ME OUT OF HARM'S WAY.
AND THERE'S PLENTY OF WOOD HERE TO BUILD ONE.
GET A LOAD OF THESE STRAIGHT ONES.
ACTUALLY, LOOK.
THIS IS GUV APPLE TREE,
AND YOU RECOGNIZE THAT
FROM THESE LIMBS THAT ALL SEEM TO JOIN TOGETHER.
STILL, IF I FIND A DEAD ONE OF THOSE, THAT WILL HELP ME.
JUST LIKE BALSA, GUV APPLE WOOD CAN BE INCREDIBLY USEFUL.
THIS IS SO BUOYANT.
LOOKS HEAVY, SUPER LIGHT.
PUSH IT DOWN, AND IT JUST RISES,
SITS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE WATER.
BUT IT ONLY WORKS, REALLY, BASICALLY, ONCE THEY'RE DEAD.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE CORK.
AND GET A LOAD OF THOSE.
THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA MAKE THIS RAFT OUT OF.
FIRST JOB IS THE FRAME.
USING LONG, STRAIGHT BRANCHES TIED TOGETHER WITH MOHO BARK,
IT'S QUICK TO BUILD.
AND IT SHOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE MY WEIGHT.
AND THEN IT'S JUST A QUESTION
OF PUTTING THESE GUV APPLES UNDER THE FRAME.
LOOK HOW BUOYANT THAT IS.
ALREADY THAT'S LIFTING THE FRAME
RIGHT UP OUT OF THE WATER.
BUOYANCY IS USUALLY THE BIGGEST PROBLEM
WHEN BUILDING A RAFT, BUT NOT THIS TIME.
THIS IS LIFTING IT RIGHT UP,
AND LOOK HOW THAT KEEPS ME OUT OF THE WATER.
OKAY, I'LL PUT A FEW MORE IN AND THEN LASH THEM DOWN,
AND THAT'S GOOD TO GO.
LET'S SEE IF THIS RAFT HOLDS ME OKAY.
NEXT, IT'S NIGHTTIME ON MY RAFT,
AND I'M IN DEEP TROUBLE.
I CAN HARDLY EVEN SEE WHAT'S AHEAD NOW,
AND THAT'S NOT A NICE -- NOT A NICE FEELING.
I'M ON A JUNGLE RIVER IN BELIZE,
HEADING SLOWLY TOWARDS THE COAST,
WHERE I'M HOPING TO GET PICKED UP.
Grylls: THIS RIVER IS REALLY WIDENING OUT NOW.
BUT IT'S ALSO BEGINNING TO GET DARK,
AND THIS IS NOT A GREAT PLACE TO BE AT NIGHTTIME.
THERE'S CROCS IN THIS RIVER AND ALSO BULL SHARKS.
BULL SHARKS SWIM UP THESE RIVERS FROM THE OCEAN
LOOKING FOR EASY PREY.
SO I'M KEEPING MY BODY WELL OUT OF THE WATER
AND MY EYES PEELED.
BUT THIS IS GONNA TAKE ME --
JUST TAKE ME DOWNSTREAM TO THE COAST.
IT'S JUST TRYING TO WORK OUT
QUITE HOW FAR THAT'S GONNA BE.
NIGHT IS APPROACHING FAST,
AND THERE'S NO OBVIOUS PLACE TO PUT ASHORE.
I MEAN, LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF.
IT'S PRETTY IMPENETRABLE.
AND THE MOON'S OUT, AS WELL.
THE TRUTH IS I'M PRETTY COMMITTED TO THIS RIVER NOW.
BUT ONE THING'S WORKING IN MY FAVOR.
THE FLOW IS DEFINITELY PICKING UP.
I'M MOVING FASTER NOW,
WHICH MEANS I'M GETTING NEAR TO THE COAST.
THE COAST IS WHERE MOST PEOPLE LIVE,
SO IT'S THE MOST LIKELY PLACE TO GET PICKED UP.
BUT IN THE DARK, THERE'S MUCH LESS CHANCE OF BEING SEEN.
I NEED TO PUT THIS ONTO NIGHT VISION.
OKAY.
LET'S GET PADDLING.
THE BIG CONCERN ON THIS RIVER
IS THAT YOU COULD MISS THE MOUTH
AND DRIFT STRAIGHT OUT INTO THE DARK OCEAN.
THE THING IS I CAN HARDLY EVEN SEE WHAT'S AHEAD NOW,
AND THAT'S NOT A NICE -- NOT A NICE FEELING.
I'VE BEEN ON THE RIVER FOR THREE HOURS NOW,
AND IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD, BUT THEN I ROUND A BEND.
THIS IS THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER HERE,
AND THERE'S A PINPRICK OF LIGHT STRAIGHT OUT.
THAT'S THE SEARCHLIGHT.
STAND UP AND MAKE SURE I'M SEEN.
HEY!
AT LEAST IF THEY CAN'T SEE ME,
I'LL MAKE SURE THEY CAN HEAR ME.
THEY'RE DEFINITELY TURNING THIS WAY.
LOOK, YOU CAN SEE THE PORT AND STARBOARD LIGHTS.
HEY!
THEY'VE SEEN ME. HELP IS ON ITS WAY.
THIS IS THE END OF MY BELIZE JUNGLE ADVENTURE,
AND IT'S TIME TO GO HOME.
HEY.