I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
WHOO! I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO SURVIVE
SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH A WEEK OF CHALLENGES
IN THE SORT OF PLACE YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY
WITHOUT THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS.
I'M IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,
IN THE HEART OF THE CARIBBEAN...
YOU DO NOT WANT THIS GOING UP YOUR TROUSER LEG.
...WHERE I'LL TAKE ON RAGING WATERFALLS...
WE'RE NEVER GONNA GET UP THERE!
...ENDURE TROPICAL STORMS... ( THUNDER RUMBLING )
...AND JUNGLES FULL OF AGGRESSIVE GIANT SPIDERS.
THIS ISLAND PARADISE WILL BE NO WALK IN THE PARK.
( HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING )
I'M FLYING TOWARDS AN ISLAND
OFF THE SOUTHERN SHORES OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
THIS IS A BREEDING GROUND
OF THE TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES
THAT BATTER THE COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.
WE'RE ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE STORMY SEASON HERE NOW,
AND ALREADY EXPERTS RECKON IT'S GONNA BE ONE OF THE WORST EVER!
I'M USING A TACTIC SPECIAL FORCES CALL
A RAPID MARITIME INSERTION, FLYING IN LOW AND FAST.
I'VE JUST SEEN A BIG SHARK!
AND WITH SHARKS IN THE AREA,
I WANT TO GET AS CLOSE TO LAND AS POSSIBLE.
I'M GONNA JUMP FROM 40 FOOT, AND AT THAT HEIGHT,
YOU'VE GOT TO GET IT RIGHT.
I DON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND LONG IN THIS WATER.
WANT TO HEAD STRAIGHT INTO THE NEAREST POINT OF LAND,
STRAIGHT IN THERE. WE NEED TO MOVE. LET'S GO.
CARIBBEAN WATERS ARE PATROLLED BY GREAT WHITE, HAMMERHEAD,
AND TIGER SHARKS.
IN 1987, A BOAT CARRYING 160 DOMINICAN REFUGEES CAPSIZED.
AS THEY CLUNG TO THE WRECKAGE,
THEY WERE ATTACKED BY OVER 40 SHARKS.
EVENTUALLY, THEY WERE RESCUED BY THE COAST GUARD,
BUT 100 OF THEM WERE MISSING, PRESUMED DEAD.
AAH, THIS IS RAZOR -- RAZOR-SHARP.
A 50-FOOT LIMESTONE CLIFF IS THE FIRST OBSTACLE
I'VE GOT TO CONTEND WITH.
LOOK AT THIS COASTLINE THERE.
IT'S LOOKING PRETTY IMPENETRABLE.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND A WAY UP THIS.
THESE LIMESTONE CLIFFS WERE FORCED OUT OF THE SEA
OVER 2 MILLION YEARS AGO.
AND THEY'VE LEFT ME WITH AN AWKWARD OVERHANG TO GET PAST.
THIS ROCK REALLY IS...
HARD AND SHARP,
WHICH MAKES IT GOOD FOR CLIMBING,
BUT PAINFUL FOR CLIMBING.
( GRUNTS )
HIGHLY ABRASIVE,
THE ROCK STRIPS THE SKIN OFF YOUR FINGERS.
THIS STUFF IS JUST RAZOR-SHARP.
OKAY, THAT'S AT THE TOP, UNDER THIS LIP.
LET'S SEE WHAT IS INLAND.
LET'S GET OUT THERE.
YOU CAN GO THREE WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD
BUT ONLY THREE DAYS WITHOUT WATER.
DEHYDRATION CAN BE A KILLER.
FINDING WATER IS AN ABSOLUTE PRIORITY.
IF IT LOOKS QUITE GREEN,
YOU THINK ACTUALLY THERE'S GONNA BE WATER IN ALL OF THIS STUFF.
BUT IT'S NOT. IT'S ALL BONE-DRY.
WATER'S JUST GONNA RUN STRAIGHT THROUGH THIS ROCK.
LAST YEAR,
TWO AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS GOT LOST ON THIS ISLAND.
AFTER GOING 'ROUND IN CIRCLES FOR THREE DAYS,
THEY CRAWLED OUT ONTO A BEACH, WHERE, NEARLY DEAD FROM THIRST,
THEY WERE RESCUED BY PASSING FISHERMEN.
THERE'S LIKE A NATURAL LINE OF ROCK THROUGH THIS BRUSH.
I'M GONNA FOLLOW THIS,
AND AS LONG AS I KEEP THE SUN ROUGHLY AT MY LEFT-HAND SIDE,
I KNOW I'M NOT GOING 'ROUND IN CIRCLES.
I'VE CROSSED THE ISLAND, AND AS I APPROACH THE NORTHERN SHORE,
THERE'S STILL NO SIGN OF FRESH WATER.
I'M RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS.
THERE'S A SHIP. SEE THAT?
I'M GOING TO CHECK THIS OUT. WATCH YOUR FOOTING.
WITHOUT A SOURCE OF FRESH WATER ON THIS BARREN ROCK,
SELF-RESCUE IS YOUR ONLY CHOICE.
AND THIS SHIPWRECK CAN HELP ME PLAN MY ESCAPE.
THE WRECK IS A GRIM REMINDER
OF HOW FEROCIOUS THESE WATERS CAN BE.
HEADING OUT TO SEA HERE CANNOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
IF I CAN GET UP INTO THE CROW'S NEST,
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A REALLY GOOD VIEW
OF EXACTLY WHERE I'VE GOT TO GO.
CLIMBING UP JUST 30 FOOT
EFFECTIVELY DOUBLES THE DISTANCE I CAN SEE.
IT'S A GREAT VIEW, BUT IT'S BAD NEWS.
THAT IS THE MAINLAND...
WHICH IS QUITE A DEPRESSING SIGHT.
I MEAN, THAT MUST BE ALMOST FIVE MILES OF WATER
BETWEEN HERE AND THERE.
IF YOU'RE GONNA SELF-RESCUE, THAT'S WHERE YOU NEED TO GO,
AND I KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO DO THIS.
OKAY, WE NEED TO GET DOWN.
THE ONLY WAY OFF THIS ISLAND IS BY SEA.
LOOK AT ALL THIS RUBBISH!
THE VICIOUS STORMS THAT TOSSED THE SHIPS ONTO THE SHORE
HAVE ALSO WASHED UP HUGE AMOUNTS OF DEBRIS.
I CAN USE IT TO MAKE A RAFT,
BUT IT'S GONNA HAVE TO BE A GOOD ONE.
THIS IS REALLY THE ULTIMATE IN RECYCLING.
LENGTHS OF BAMBOO DRIFTWOOD WILL MAKE THE FRAME
AND AN OUTRIGGER FOR STABILITY.
I CAN TIE THESE THREE TOGETHER TO MAKE ONE HULL
AND THEN DO EXACTLY THE SAME HERE TO MAKE THE SECOND ONE,
AND I'LL HAVE A MAKESHIFT CATAMARAN.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS WILL GIVE MY RAFT VITAL BUOYANCY.
THE PLAN'S GOOD, BUT THE ONLY THING IS,
MOST OF THESE BOTTLES DON'T HAVE TOPS ON THEM.
I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND ONES THAT MATCH HERE.
OH, COME ON. THERE WE GO.
I NEED ALL THE BUOYANCY I CAN GET,
AND WITH GREAT WHITES PATROLLING THE CHANNEL,
I WANT TO BE AS FAR OUT OF THE WATER AS I CAN GET.
I'M RIGHT ON THE HIGH-TIDE MARK AT THE MOMENT.
YOU SEE, AS IT TURNS, I WANT TO USE IT TO TAKE ME OUT.
THE EBBING TIDE WILL PULL ME OUT TOWARDS THE MAINLAND,
BUT THERE'S AN ONSHORE BREEZE WORKING AGAINST ME.
I'M JUST RELYING ON THE TIDE PULLING ME OUT
MORE THAN THE WIND'S BLOWING ME BACK.
IT'S OVER FOUR MILES TO THE MAINLAND.
EVEN WITH THE TIDE, IT CAN TAKE YOU SEVEN HOURS TO GET THERE.
WITH SHARKS AROUND, THAT'S SEVEN HOURS TOO MANY,
BUT STAYING PUT ON A BARREN, WATERLESS ISLAND
WOULD BE SURVIVAL SUICIDE.
IT'S ALWAYS SO HARD TO JUDGE DISTANCES AT SEA.
YOU KNOW, SOMETHING MIGHT LOOK QUITE CLOSE.
A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS WHATEVER YOU THINK IT IS,
DOUBLE IT AT SEA.
THE MAINLAND'S CLOSE NOW,
BUT IF THE WIND GETS ANY STRONGER,
I COULD BE BLOWN OUT TO SEA.
AS YOU SEE FROM THE TIP OF THAT PENINSULA,
DEFINITELY SLOWING DOWN A BIT.
JUST OFFSHORE LIE HUGE SANDBANKS AND BIG SURF.
MY RAFT IS BREAKING UP.
TIME TO ABANDON SHIP.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS LANDED ON THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
500 YEARS AGO
AND ESTABLISHED THE FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT
IN THE NEW WORLD.
I'M ON THE MAINLAND. BLECH.
THIS IS NOT WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR.
ALL OF THIS IS JUST MANGROVE.
I'VE BEEN IN THIS STUFF BEFORE, BUT REALLY THIS IS A WHOLE --
WHOLE NOTHER LEVEL.
THIS MANGROVE STRETCHES FOR 17 MILES ALONG THIS COAST.
YOU COULD WORK YOUR WAY ALONG TO FIND AN INLET
OR JUST PUSH ON THROUGH.
IT'S A TOUGH CHOICE,
BUT COASTAL MANGROVE IS USUALLY WIDER THAN IT IS DEEP,
BUT IT'S NEVER EASY.
IT TRULY IS A HELLHOLE IN THIS PLACE.
( GRUNTS )
AAH!
MANGROVE IS A BREEDING GROUND FOR THE MOSQUITOS
THAT SPREAD DEADLY MALARIA AND DENGUE FEVER.
BITE PREVENTION IS VITAL.
REACH DOWN AND USE SOME OF THIS MUD.
AND IT STINKS LIKE HELL,
BUT IF YOU RUB IT ON YOURSELF AND LET IT DRY...
( EXHALES )
...IT'S GONNA ACT LIKE A BARRIER.
I'M UP TO MY NECK IN STINKING MANGROVE,
AND MY CHALLENGE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
IS ONLY GONNA GET WORSE.
THERE YOU GO. LOOK AT THAT.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH IT.
I'M FIGHTING THROUGH THE MOSQUITO-INFESTED MANGROVE
ON THE SOUTHERN COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
IT TRULY IS A HELLHOLE IN THIS PLACE.
MANGROVES ARE A VITAL PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM
AND HAVE EVOLVED AERIAL ROOTS
THAT ENABLE THEM TO THRIVE IN SALT WATER.
I'M GONNA USE THEM TO GET THROUGH
THIS BLOODSUCKING SWAMP.
ACTUALLY, LOOK.
IT'S GONNA BE EASY TO ACTUALLY GET OUT OF THE WATER.
THERE YOU GO.
CLIMB ON TO THIS BIT AND THEN START USING -- USING THESE.
THAT'S GONNA HELP US MOVE MUCH FASTER.
THEY DON'T LOOK STRONG ENOUGH,
BUT THESE ROOTS ARE SO INTERTWINED
THEY EASILY TAKE MY WEIGHT.
EVEN THROUGH THE MUD THESE MOSQUITOES ARE GETTING --
( SNIFFS ) -- GETTING ME.
IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S ACTUALLY
BEGINNING TO OPEN UP A BIT OVER THERE.
EVENTUALLY, THE MANGROVE STARTS TO THIN OUT.
NOW I CAN COVER SOME GROUND.
WE NEED TO KEEP GOING, PUSH THE PACE A BIT.
OH, GOD.
HANG ON.
IF YOU'RE STUCK IN QUICK MUD, DON'T PANIC.
KEEP MOVEMENT TO A MINIMUM.
USE THIS ROOT.
( GRUNTING )
THESE SORT OF BOGS, THEY'RE JUST NASTY
BECAUSE THE MORE YOU FIGHT THEM, THE MORE THEY SUCK YOU IN.
THAT'S ONE MANGROVE ROOT I'M QUITE GRATEFUL FOR.
( SPITTING )
THE MANGROVE EVENTUALLY GIVES WAY TO SALT MARSH,
BUT BETWEEN ME AND THE INTERIOR
LIE A SERIES OF SAVAGE ESCARPMENTS.
IN HURRICANE SEASON, YOU MUST LEAVE THE COAST AND GET INLAND,
TO HIGH GROUND.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I PLAN TO DO.
THIS ESCARPMENT'S REALLY THE FIRST BIT OF HIGH GROUND
I'VE COME ACROSS.
I KIND OF WANT TO TRY AND USE THAT,
SEE IF I CAN GET UP A BIT HIGHER AND GET AN IDEA OF MY BEARINGS.
THESE RIDGES HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND
BY SUCCESSIVE FALLS IN SEA LEVEL.
IF YOU'RE HEADING NORTH,
IN SEARCH OF FRESH WATER AND CIVILIZATION,
YOU'VE GOT TO GET OVER THEM.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET UP HERE.
THIS IS ALL THE DEVIL'S -- DEVIL'S-TEETH ROCK, THIS STUFF.
YOU CAN SEE WHY -- ALL JUST RAZOR-SHARP.
CAN RIP YOU TO SHREDS IF YOU FALL ON THIS.
IF THE ROCK DOESN'T GET YOU, AROUND HERE, THE CACTUS WILL.
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
WOW.
AND THAT'S JUST THE SORT OF VIEW THAT COLUMBUS WOULD HAVE SEEN
WHEN HE FIRST CAME ASHORE IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
THAT'S PRETTY SPECTACULAR.
( EXHALES HEAVILY )
YEAH, I JUST GOT CAUGHT, AS WELL.
LOOK. WATCH OUT ON THESE.
BET BY THE TIME COLUMBUS GOT TO THIS STAGE, THOUGH,
WITH ALL OF THESE CACTUS,
HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS.
OW.
( SPITTING )
AAH. RIGHT IN THE SHINS.
I NEED TO FIND SOMETHING TO HELP WITH THIS.
GONNA BE MAD OTHERWISE.
EVERYTHING HERE IS SHARP AND PRICKLY.
ANY CUTS WILL QUICKLY BECOME INFECTED.
BUT ONE PLANT HERE WILL OFFER ME SOME PROTECTION.
THIS IS GONNA WORK -- A TREAT.
A PIECE OF AGAVE, CUT AND PLACED UNDER THE TROUSERS,
MAKES A GREAT SHIN PAD.
THIS IS GONNA GIVE ME A BIT OF PROTECTION.
BUT OUT HERE IT'S NOT JUST THE PLANTS
THAT ARE SPIKY AND DANGEROUS.
OH, LOOK AT THIS! SEE THIS?
THE ANIMALS HAVE ADAPTED TO THIS ENVIRONMENT,
AND THEY CAN BE REALLY VICIOUS, TOO.
THAT'S A GIANT CENTIPEDE. THESE ARE BRUTES.
JUST STAND BACK A BIT.
THESE ARE MORE VICIOUS THAN THEY LOOK. WHOA!
GIANT CENTIPEDES ARE AGGRESSIVE PREDATORS,
DELIVERING PARALYZING VENOM THROUGH NEEDLE-SHARP PINCERS.
AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THESE GUYS.
YOU DO NOT WANT THIS GOING UP YOUR TROUSER LEG.
AND ACTUALLY, THESE ARE HIGHLY VENOMOUS.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN SEE HIS PINCERS IN THE FRONT.
THERE YOU GO. LOOK AT THAT.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MESS WITH IT.
HIGHLY VENOMOUS, BIG FRONT CLAWS THERE.
AND IF THAT BITES YOU,
IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY'S STICKING A RED-HOT POKER INTO YOU.
AND THESE GUYS HAVE EVEN BEEN KNOWN
TO GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH MAMMALS.
LET -- LET HIM DOWN HERE.
WE'RE GONNA GIVE HIM A VERY WIDE BERTH.
OKAY, HE'S GOING DOWN.
THESE THINGS HAVE SO MUCH TOXIN IN THEM
THAT THEY'RE NOT SAFE TO EAT.
GIANT CENTIPEDE IS OFF MY MENU.
TEMPERATURES SOAR UP TO 40 DEGREES IN THE ARID INTERIOR,
MAKING THIS ONE OF THE MOST INHOSPITABLE PLACES
IN THE CARIBBEAN.
THERE'S NO DRINKABLE WATER HERE,
AND DEHYDRATION CAN DECIMATE YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.
I FEEL LIKE A FLIPPING HUMAN PINCUSHION UP HERE.
WATCH.
CACTI HAVE ADAPTED TO STORE WHAT LITTLE MOISTURE THERE IS,
AND THAT CAN BE A LIFESAVER.
LOOK, ALL YOU NEED TO DO -- CUT THE SPINES ALL OFF,
AND YOU JUST GET IT, TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN,
AND SQUEEZE YOUR HAND.
AND IF THE SAP RUNS CLEAR, IT'S USUALLY GOOD TO DRINK.
AND YOU'RE GONNA GET MOISTURE OUT OF IT.
AND, YEAH, EVEN IN A PLACE AS DRY AND BARREN
AND HARSH AS THIS, IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK,
YOU CAN ACTUALLY STILL SURVIVE AND STILL FIND MOISTURE.
( SLURPS )
OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING.
WITH LITTLE TO SUPPORT LIFE,
YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO STAY HERE TOO LONG.
YOUR BEST BET IS TO KEEP HEADING NORTH INTO THE HILLS,
TO FIND WATER AND CIVILIZATION.
DEFINITELY MUCH LESS ROCK AND CACTUS,
A BIT MORE EARTH UNDERFOOT, AND ALL THE MUCH GREENER, AS WELL.
BUT IT DOES BRING WITH IT TWO THINGS THAT I HATE,
AND THAT'S JUST THIS HUMIDITY
AND ALSO THESE RELENTLESS MOSQUITOES.
THE CHANGING TERRAIN AND VEGETATION
IS A GOOD INDICATOR THE STREAMS AND RIVERS COULD BE NEARBY.
FINALLY, SOME RUNNING WATER.
THAT'S SO NICE.
AND THIS IS JUST GONNA BE COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS.
SURVIVAL MANUALS ADVISE YOU FOLLOW RIVERS DOWNHILL
TO FIND CIVILIZATION,
BUT THAT WOULD TAKE ME BACK TO THE DRY DESERT
AND THE SALTY MANGROVES ON THE SOUTH COAST --
THE LAST PLACE I WANT TO BE.
WELL, I ACTUALLY RECKON IF I CAN FOLLOW THIS STREAM,
IT'S GONNA BE MUCH EASIER GOING
THAN TRYING TO PLOW THROUGH ALL OF THIS JUNGLE.
AND WHAT I'M HOPING --
IT'S GONNA TAKE ME UP THE MOUNTAIN
AND CARVE A WAY THROUGH THE JUNGLE.
SO, LET'S COMMIT TO THIS AND GO.
EVERY SURVIVAL SITUATION CREATES HIS OWN RULES.
YOU'VE GOT TO ADAPT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS
AND REACT TO THE SITUATION IN FRONT OF YOU.
I'M GONNA USE THE STREAM TO TAKE ME UPHILL,
HOPEFULLY TO SAFETY.
ACTUALLY, THERE'S SHRIMP IN HERE!
THERE YOU GO.
SEE THAT ONE?
STRAIGHT UNDER MY FINGER, STRAIGHT DOWN THERE.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM OUT.
GOT HIM.
AND THESE ARE JUST FINE TO EAT ABSOLUTELY RAW.
NOW, IF I JUST GRAB THE TAIL OF THIS,
GIVE IT A TWIST ONE WAY, TWIST THE OTHER WAY,
YOU SHOULD THEN JUST BE ABLE TO...
PULL OUT ITS GUTS.
THAT'S THE STUFF I DON'T WANT TO EAT.
BUT THEN THE REST OF THIS IS FINE TO EAT.
NOT THE HEAD, BUT THE BODY'S NICE.
BETTER COOKED, BUT NICE RAW.
BUT FINDING THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR ME.
IT MEANS THAT A LOT OF THIS WATER IS GONNA BE CLEAN
AND GOOD TO DRINK.
SHRIMP'S A REALLY GOOD INDICATOR OF CLEAN WATER --
VERY INTOLERANT OF ANY SORT OF CONTAMINANTS
AND OFTEN THE FIRST THING YOU'LL LOSE IN A DIRTY RIVER.
BUT FOLLOWING A STREAM UPHILL IS A RISKY STRATEGY
IN THE CARIBBEAN IN HURRICANE SEASON.
YOU CAN JUST SEE THE POWER OF WHAT THE WATER CAN DO
IN GULLIES LIKE THIS.
SEE ALL OF THAT DEADFALL?
ALL OF THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT DOWN
BY THIS IN FULL FLOOD WAY ABOVE ME,
UNDERCUTTING ALL THE BANKS AND BRINGING THE TREES DOWN.
IN HURRICANE SEASON,
A STREAM LIKE THIS COULD BECOME A FLASH FLOOD IN MINUTES.
RAIN FALLING IN THE HILLS MILES AWAY
HAS TURNED THE STREAM INTO A CHURNING RIVER.
AND AS THE WATER LEVEL RISES,
MY PROGRESS UPSTREAM GETS HARDER.
THIS IS TURNING INTO QUITE A TORRENT NOW.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET RAIN HIGHER UP.
ALL OF THESE STREAMS JUST BECOME WHITE WATER.
BUT IT CAN'T -- IT CAN'T GO ON FOREVER LIKE THIS.
I'VE GOT TO WATCH MY STEP HERE.
I'M RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS AND NEED ANOTHER PLAN.
AT THE MOMENT, THIS IS LOOKING LIKE A DEAD END FOR ME.
I'M USING A TROPICAL RIVER TO NAVIGATE UPHILL,
THROUGH THE HUMID JUNGLE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
BUT RAINFALL IN THE HILLS
IS MAKING THIS RIVER MUCH MORE DANGEROUS.
THIS IS TURNING INTO QUITE A TORRENT NOW.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET RAIN HIGHER UP.
ALL OF THESE STREAMS JUST BECOME WHITE WATER.
IN 2008, HURRICANE HANNA HIT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
FIERCE WINDS LASHED THE ISLAND,
SENDING 18-FOOT STORM SURGES ON SHORE.
THOUSANDS WERE EVACUATED,
AND IN NEIGHBORING HAITI, 600 LOST THEIR LIVES.
THIS NARROW CANYON IS FUNNELING THE WATER,
INCREASING ITS SPEED AND DEPTH.
THE WALLS ARE VERTICAL, SO I CAN'T GET OUT.
MY ONLY OPTIONS --
KEEP HEADING UPSTREAM OR GO BACK THE WAY I CAME.
THIS CANYON IS REALLY NARROWING A LOT.
THIS ACTUALLY FEELS QUITE CLAUSTROPHOBIC IN HERE.
WHAT I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT, THOUGH,
IS JUST THE WATER LEVELS.
YOU SEE HOW HIGH THE WATER GOES TO
WHEN THIS RIVER'S IN FLOOD, RIGHT UP THERE.
THIS IS GONNA FILL UP VERY FAST.
I DON'T FEEL THAT GREAT ABOUT BEING HERE.
WE'LL TRY AND PUSH AROUND THIS CORNER.
THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF WATER ARE POUNDING THROUGH THE GORGE.
THE CURRENT IS NOW TOO STRONG TO SWIM AGAINST.
TRY AND MAKE YOUR WAY ALONG THIS WALL HERE.
THERE YOU GO. COME ON, THEN.
COME ON. THAT'S IT.
OKAY. GET SAFE THERE. GET SAFE.
OKAY, WE'RE DOING THE NEXT BIT, ALL RIGHT? HOLD IT.
LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET A BIT CLOSER,
DIVE ACROSS THAT WATERFALL, AND EDGE OUR WAY UP IT.
OKAY, STICK WITH ME, THOUGH.
OTHERWISE YOU'LL JUST GET TAKEN STRAIGHT BACK.
BUT THE FORCE OF THE WATER IS JUST BECOMING TOO STRONG.
I LOSE MY GRIP, AND I'M CAUGHT IN A WHIRLPOOL.
( GROANS )
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH POWER IN THAT!
IT PINNED ME DOWN THERE!
THIS IS FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE AT THE MOMENT WITH THIS!
GIVE IT ONE MORE GO!
THE WATER IS THUNDERING DOWN THIS CANYON,
AND WHIRLPOOLS BENEATH THE SURFACE
ARE THREATENING TO SUCK ME UNDER.
WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE NEVER GONNA GET UP THERE!
WE NEED TO BACKTRACK AND FIND ANOTHER WAY!
GOD, MAN.
I MUST HAVE SWALLOWED HALF OF THE RIVER.
THAT WAS JUST ONE I WAS NEVER GONNA WIN.
WE NEED TO FIND A WAY UP, OUT OF THIS CANYON.
THIS FLOODED RIVER IS NO PLACE TO BE
WITH WATER LEVELS RISING SO QUICKLY.
I NEED TO GET OUT OF THIS CANYON AND FAST.
THE JUNGLE VINES COULD BE AN ESCAPE ROUTE,
BUT IT WILL TAKE GUTS TO GET UP THERE.
VERY NICE IF YOU HAD TO USE -- IF WE HAD TO USE THESE CREEPERS.
SEE THERE?
SHE RUN ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CANYON ROOF.
( SPITS )@@@@
I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW STRONG THEY'RE GONNA BE, THOUGH.
LET'S TRY THIS ONE. LET'S GET A BIG ONE.
I'M OUT OF THE WATER,
BUT THERE'S NO WAY OF TELLING WHERE THESE CREEPERS END
OR WHAT THEY'RE ATTACHED TO.
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
JUST A BIT WORRIED WHETHER THESE ARE GONNA KEEP HOLDING ME.
BUT IT'S GETTING THINNER AS I GET HIGHER.
( EXHALES HEAVILY )
I CAN'T SEE BEYOND THE OVERHANG,
SO THERE'S NO WAY TO TELL HOW MUCH FURTHER I'VE GOT TO GO.
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
THIS IS KILLING -- KILLING ON THE ARMS.
HANGING LIKE THIS FOR SO LONG
IS PUTTING INCREDIBLE STRAIN ON MY UPPER BODY.
MY ARMS ARE ABSOLUTELY SCREAMING.
( BREATHING HEAVILY )
STILL ABOUT TWO METERS SHORT
OF WHERE I CAN GET A GOOD...
FOOTHOLD FOR MY FEET, AND THEN I CAN REST MY FOREARMS.
THIS IS HARD, HARD WORK.
I'M DANGLING 90 FOOT ABOVE THE GROUND ON A THIN VINE,
AND I'M NOT EVEN HALFWAY UP.
I'VE NEVER LOOKED AT SOMETHING AND JUST FELT SO FAR AWAY.
TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF THIS WILL TAKE EVERYTHING I'VE GOT.
I'M HANGING FROM A CREEPER
90 FOOT ABOVE A RAGING TROPICAL RIVER
IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.
STILL ABOUT TWO METERS SHORT
OF WHERE I CAN GET A FOOTHOLD FOR MY FEET,
AND THEN I CAN REST MY FOREARMS.
THIS IS HARD, HARD WORK.
CLIMBING LIKE THIS
MEANS MY ARMS ARE CONSTANTLY ABOVE MY HEAD.
THE BLOOD DRAINS FROM WHERE I NEED IT MOST --
IN MY ARM MUSCLES.
AND I'M GETTING WEAKER BY THE MINUTE.
WELL, THEY ARE JUST ON PROPER FIRE.
( PANTING )
I'M PROBABLY ABOUT HALFWAY UP THIS NOW.
AND I'VE NEVER LOOKED AT SOMETHING
AND JUST FELT SO FAR AWAY.
FROM THE BOTTOM, THIS CLIMB LOOKED QUITE STRAIGHTFORWARD,
BUT NOW THAT I'M HALFWAY UP IT,
I REALIZE I'VE TAKEN ON A BIT OF A MONSTER.
THE ONLY SOLUTION -- BREAK IT DOWN INTO SMALL SECTIONS,
THEN MAKE YOUR WAY UP SLOWLY, BIT BY BIT.
OKAY, THAT'S THE NEXT SIX-FOOT SECTION DONE.
AND THE ARMS AREN'T ANY BETTER.
FINALLY, I REACH A PLACE TO CATCH MY BREATH
AND REST MY ARMS.
I'M A LONG WAY UP, BUT AT LAST, I CAN SEE THE WAY AHEAD.
THIS IS A BIT OF A PRECARIOUS REST PLACE.
BUT AT LEAST I'M LEANING AGAINST THESE VINES
TO GET SOME BLOOD BACK INTO THE FOREARMS.
PROBABLY ANOTHER 30 FOOT, I'M OVER THE TOP.
IT'S ME OVER THE LIP OF THIS THING --
ONE VERY TIRED BEAR.
( EXHALES SHARPLY )
I'VE MADE IT OUT OF THE WATER JUST IN TIME FOR THE RAIN.
THIS IS WHERE I THOUGHT I'D GET A CHANCE TO GET DRY.
THIS TROPICAL STORM'S MOVED IN.
( THUNDER CRASHES )
BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUNGLE LIVING, EH?
NIGHT FALLS QUICKLY IN THE TROPICS.
I WANT TO MAKE CAMP WHILE THERE'S STILL SOME LIGHT.
WELL, IF WE TUCK IN UNDER THIS,
I'M OUT OF THE RAIN HERE.
ACTUALLY, LOOK, THIS CAN ACT AS A BIT OF A BOLLARD.
AND ALSO AROUND HERE.
SEE IF I MAKE A JUNGLE HAMMOCK OUT OF SOME VINES.
IT'S GETTING DARKER BY THE MINUTE.
I NEED TO QUICKLY SLING A HAMMOCK
TO KEEP ME OFF THE JUNGLE FLOOR.
THIS ONE LOOKS LIKE CLEMATIS VINE, WHICH IS GREAT.
LOOK AT ALL THIS BARK ON THIS.
IT'S REALLY NICE, TENDER.
YOU CAN FLUFF IT UP.
I'LL GET THIS ONE OUT. STEP BACK A BIT.
CREEPERS LIKE THIS GROW HIGH INTO THE JUNGLE CANOPY.
WHEN YOU'RE PULLING THEM DOWN,
WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES AND DEADFALL.
OKAY, THAT'S GONNA DO THE JOB NICELY.
LET'S GET THIS BACK TO CAMP.!!!!
A SIMPLE REEF KNOT TIES MY CREEPER TO THE ROCK.
@AROUND THE BACK...
#OH, GOD.
...WITHOUT CLOBBERING YOURSELF IN THE FACE.
#OKAY, THAT'S THE OUTER FRAME OF IT.
AND THEN YOU WANT TO START WEAVING CRISSCROSS
ALL THE WAY DOWN THIS.
#AND THAT RAIN HAS REALLY SET IN NOW.
I'M QUITE GLAD TO BE UNDER THIS OVERHANG.
!!HAVE A LOOK AT THAT.
#OKAY, BINGO, THAT'S WORKING.
GONNA GO AND GET A FIRE GOING.
FIND SOME FIREWOOD.
OH, LOOK, IT'S ALL KOPI FRUIT.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I'M GONNA USE THAT FOR LATER.
STARTING A FIRE IN THIS TORRENTIAL RAIN
IS GONNA BE A CHALLENGE.
BUT THERE'S A SUPPLY OF DRY OF TINDER UNDER THE OVERHANG,
OUT OF THE RAIN.
AND LOOK, I'VE GOT ALL OF THIS. IT'S NICE AND DRY.
DEAD WOOD ALREADY UNDER THE LEDGE.
I USE THIS AS TINDER.
OKAY, I'VE GOT A FIRE GOING.
( THUNDER CRASHES )
MAN, THE HEAVENS HAVE JUST OPENED.
AND I'M JUST GONNA PUT SOME OF THESE KOPI FRUIT
ON TOP OF THE FIRE.
AND THIS IS WHAT THE TAINO PEOPLE USED TO BURN
AS A WAY OF KEEPING THE MOSQUITOES AWAY.
AND I'LL TELL YOU, I WILL TRY ANYTHING.
I'VE GOT A HAMMOCK.
I'VE GOT FIRE.
BUT I AM ABSOLUTELY DRENCHED THROUGH,
AND THIS TROPICAL STORM DOES NOT LOOK
LIKE IT'S GONNA PASS IN A HURRY.
WELL, THE RAIN'S EASED OFF A BIT.
IT'S DEFINITELY SORT OF DRIZZLING,
AND I'M DEFINITELY STILL PRETTY SODDEN.
AND IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE COLD UP HERE.
YOU'RE IN THE HUMID FOREST QUITE HIGH UP.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAS THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN
IN THE WHOLE OF THE CARIBBEAN.
AND WITH THE ALTITUDE COMES THE COLD.
WHEN YOU'RE WET, THAT'S MADE WORSE.
AND TO BE HONEST, I'M QUITE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MORNING.
BUT THE HAMMOCK'S HOLDING UP, WHICH IS GOOD.
SO AT LEAST I'M OFF THE JUNGLE FLOOR.
BUT TRY AND GET SOME SLEEP.
THE IMPROVISED SHELTER SERVED ITS PURPOSE.
WELL-RESTED, I'M READY TO FACE ANOTHER DAY IN THE JUNGLE.
I MANAGED TO DRY OUT A BIT NOW.
STOPPED RAINING,
BUT I WAS PRETTY GLAD I WAS OFF THE JUNGLE FLOOR LAST NIGHT.
LOOK, HE'S BEEN WANDERING AROUND MY WOODPILE THIS MORNING.
BUT HE SEEMS QUITE HAPPY THERE.
BUT ACTUALLY, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM OUT TO SHOW YOU.
NATIVE TO THE CARIBBEAN,
THE GIANT BIRD-EATING TARANTULA HAS TWO-CENTIMETER-LONG FANGS,
WHICH CAN PIERCE THE SKIN AND INJECT PARALYZING VENOM,
WHICH LIQUIFIES BODY TISSUE.
THERE WE GO. LOOK, YOU CAN SEE HIM THERE.
NOT AGGRESSIVE IF HANDLED CORRECTLY,
BUT WHEN THREATENED, TARANTULAS RISE ON THEIR BACK LEGS
AND SHOW THEIR FANGS BEFORE STRIKING.
THEY CAN ALSO SHOOT HAIR DARTS AS A DEFENSE MECHANISM.
WHAT CAN BE NASTY ABOUT THESE TARANTULAS
IS JUST THESE LITTLE HAIRS ON THEIR LEGS.
THEY'RE CALLED URTICATING HAIRS.
AND IF THEY'RE THREATENED, THEY SHED THOSE HAIRS,
AND THEY IRRITATE, GET INTO THE LUNGS, A PREDATOR'S THROAT.
GENERALLY, IT WILL LEAVE THEM ALONE THEN.
I ALWAYS REMEMBER URTICATING HAIRS
'CAUSE THEY "URT" ( Hurt ).
WHAT HAS HE GOT. LET'S BRING HIM DOWN OFF HERE.
AND WHEN THEY BITE, THEY HAVE THESE PINCERS IN ITS FRONT --
LIKE THAT, TWO FANGS.
HE'LL STRIKE. WATCH OUT.
AND BITE YOU.
WHOA, GOSH, YOU WANT SOME OF ME THEN.
I DON'T WANT HIM TO GET AWAY.
HE, FOR ME, IS GONNA BE BREAKFAST.
I'M IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,
SHOWING YOU HOW TO SURVIVE THE JUNGLE
IN THE HEART OF THE HURRICANE SEASON.
I'VE KILLED A BIRD-EATING TARANTULA.
NOW I'M COOKING IT FOR BREAKFAST.
IT'S NOT QUITE...DANISH PASTRIES AND CROISSANT,
BUT...OUT HERE...
IT'S A PRETTY GOOD BREAKFAST.
THE FLAMES REMOVE THE IRRITATING HAIRS
AND COOK THE FLESH.
AND, YEAH, ALL THOSE HAIRS OFF.
NOW LET'S TRY A BIT OF THIS.
AND JUST LOOK -- YOU CAN SEE THE MEAT...
INSIDE IT THERE.
( CRUNCHING )
AND, ACTUALLY, IT'S GOT QUITE A LOT OF MEAT ON IT.
NOT BAD-TASTING...
FOR A SPIDER.
THIS CAMP HAS SERVED ME WELL,
BUT IT'S TIME TO FACE THE JUNGLE AGAIN.
THE GROUND IS STEEP HERE,
BUT I KNOW TO THE NORTH THERE'S A LARGE PLATEAU.
WITH MILES OF FERTILE LAND,
IT'S SCATTERED WITH SMALL FARMS.
GET LOST HERE, AND THIS COULD BE YOUR BEST CHANCE
OF FINDING CIVILIZATION.
OH, IT'S A PRINGAMOSA.
BRUSH UP AGAINST THIS ALONG YOUR FACE --
GONNA BRING YOU ON A NASTY BLISTER.
YOU RECOGNIZE IT --
GOT THESE LITTLE HORNS ALL OVER THE LEAVES.
AND IF YOU COME OUT UNDERNEATH IT,
YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THESE SPIKES THE WHOLE WAY DOWN THE STEM.
THAT'S WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO BE TOUCHING.
LET'S GIVE THAT ONE A WIDE BERTH.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANY MORE AROUND HERE.
THEY'LL OFTEN GROW TOGETHER.
THE PRINGAMOSA IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT WORSE STILL,
THE THICK VEGETATION'S HOME TO VENOMOUS SCORPIONS AND SNAKES.
AAH!
BUT AHEAD IS A CLEARING.
IT'S A DRY RIVERBED.
FORMED BY FLASH FLOODS,
IT'S LIKE NATURE'S HIGHWAY THROUGH THE JUNGLE.
AND THIS, IN A FLOOD, WOULD BE UP ABOVE MY HEAD.
AND THAT'S WHY THESE RAGING TORRENTS ARE SUCH KILLERS.
BUT IT'S A PLACE TO WALK IN TO GET UP THE MOUNTAINS.
IT'S GREAT.
YOU'LL OFTEN FIND UNDERGROUND WATER IN DRY RIVERBEDS,
BUT DIGGING TAKES TIME AND EFFORT.
HERE IN THE JUNGLE,
THERE'S A FAR EASIER WAY TO GET A DRINK.
THAT'S A WATER VINE, THIS ONE.
RECOGNIZABLE BY THEIR OAKLIKE BARK,
WATER VINES CAN BE LIFESAVERS.
WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS CUT IT AT THE BOTTOM END...
AND LIKE THAT -- LOOK.
AND YOU WON'T SEE ANY WATER COME OUT UNTIL --
IT'S LIKE HAVING YOUR FINGER OVER A STRAW --
UNTIL I CUT UP HERE AND LET SOME AIR INTO THOSE CAPILLARIES.
YOU'LL SEE THAT RUNNING OUT.
AS LONG AS THE SAP'S CLEAR...
IT'S GOOD TO DRINK.
FOLLOWING THE DRY RIVER TAKES ME NORTH.
THE DESTRUCTION LEFT BY RECENT STORMS IS CLEAR TO SEE.
THE FOREST FLOOR'S LITTERED WITH HEAVY BOULDERS
AND HUGE TREE TRUNKS.
THIS RIVERBED IS JUST RUNNING INTO A BIT OF A DEAD END.
LOOKS LIKE PROBABLY A LANDSLIDE.
ALL THE FLOODING WATER COMES DOWN, UNDERCUTS IT --
YOU GET HUGE BOULDERS COLLAPSING.
ACTUALLY, IT'S ONE JUST HUGE TREE ROOT.
SEE THE TREE UP THERE RUNNING DOWN THE OUTSIDE,
CLINGING TO ALL OF THIS ROCK?
I SEE IT'S QUITE STRONG.
BUT SLIPPY.
TREE ROOTS AND VINES VARY IN STRENGTH,
SO TEST THEM BEFORE YOU PUT ALL OF YOUR WEIGHT ON THEM.
COME ON.
YOU WANT TO BE PRETTY CERTAIN OF EACH HOLD
AND ALSO WHERE YOU PUT YOUR HANDS.
ALL OF THESE TINY LITTLE POCKETS --
SOME OF THOSE NOOKS AND CRANNIES,
YOU GET THE BLACK WIDOWS AND THE TARANTULAS.
WATCH OUT FOR THAT.
OKAY, IT'S GOOD TO CLIMB UP THERE STRAIGHT UP.
THIS RUGGED LANDSCAPE IS THROWING EVERYTHING AT ME,
AND IT HASN'T FINISHED YET.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. THAT IS MUCH BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT.
THAT MUST BE 70 OR 80 FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN.
I'M IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC,
HEADING NORTH THROUGH THE JUNGLE.
SOMEWHERE AHEAD, THERE'S A LARGE PLATEAU.
IT'S SCATTERED WITH SMALL HABITATIONS.
THIS MAY BE YOUR BEST CHANCE OF FINDING PEOPLE AND A WAY OUT.
HERE YOU GO. LOOK, LOOK.
THERE YOU GO. THERE YOU GO.
THAT'S A WILD FOWL, SEE, GOING UP THAT LOG.
IT'S NO SURPRISE TO FIND WILD FOWL HERE.
BANISHED SETTLERS BROUGHT EUROPEAN LIVESTOCK HERE
500 YEARS AGO.
GOATS, BOAR, AND CHICKENS HAVE ALL MADE THE ISLAND THEIR HOME.
YOU MUST ALWAYS GAIN MORE ENERGY FROM A KILL
THAN YOU LOSE HUNTING IT.
FOWL ARE NOTORIOUSLY HARD TO CATCH,
BUT THERE'S PLENTY OF MEAT, SO IT'S WORTH A GO.
( CRACK, CLUCKING ) WHOA!
THEY'RE CRAFTY.
LET HIM CALM DOWN A BIT.
IT'S TEMPTING TO TRY AND RUN THEM DOWN,
BUT THE FOWL ARE TOO FAST AND TOO NIMBLE.
( CLUCKING )
A SLOW, STEALTHY APPROACH IS BEST.
JUST GET AT THE TOP OF THIS, AND LOOK.
NOW IT'S DOWN THERE.
( SQUAWKS )
THIS MEAT CONTAINS BACTERIA AND PARASITES.
IT'S VITAL YOU COOK THEM THOROUGHLY.
IF THERE'S STILL PINK IN THE MIDDLE,
GET IT BACK ON THE FIRE.
IT'S GOOD, LEAN MEAT, GOOD PROTEIN --
DEFINITELY WORTH THE HUNT.
AS I RISE HIGHER, I ENTER A NEW LANDSCAPE.
HERE RAZOR-SHARP LIMESTONE DOMINATES THE TERRAIN.
HAVE TO REALLY WATCH WHERE YOU'RE PUTTING YOUR FEET.
ALL OF THIS LIMESTONE IS SO ERODED
THAT YOU WANT TO STICK ON THE ROCKS.
ALL OF THIS IS JUST MULCH COVERING BIG HOLES.
LOOK AT THAT ONE THERE.
BRUTAL.
Man: (BLEEP) (BLEEP)
YOU ALL RIGHT?
YEAH.
YOU CUT IT.
JUST REALLY, REALLY STEADY ON THAT STEP.
AHEAD, I CAN SEE A BRIGHT AREA THROUGH THE TREES.
IT COULD BE A CLEARING.
BUT THE LAND IS STARTING TO FALL AWAY.
IT'S SLIPPERY AND STEEP -- TOO STEEP.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.
THAT IS MUCH BIGGER THAN I THOUGHT.
LOOK AT THAT. YOU SEE DOWN THERE?
THAT MUST BE 70 OR 80 FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN.
LONG ROOTS ARE DANGLING DOWN THE FACE.
IT LOOKS LIKE THEY REACH ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM.
THAT COULD BE A WAY OFF HERE.
AND THIS ONE'S A NICE -- LOOK. THIS ONE'S A NICE BIG ONE.
THEY'RE LIKE A NATURAL FIREMAN'S POLE.
SEE THAT?
OKAY, I'M GONNA GO FOR THIS.
I CAN...
YOU CAN SEE DOWN IT -- DOWN THERE.
THE ROOT IS COVERED IN ROUGH BARK.
IT'S NO EASY DESCENT.
WAH.
QUITE SORE ON THE... FAMILY JEWELS.
OOH.
AY.
AS I HEAD LOWER, THE ROOT GETS THINNER AND THINNER.
I CAN'T HANG AROUND TOO LONG, BUT I NEED A BREAK.
WRAP YOUR LEGS AROUND, ONE FOOT UNDER THE OTHER,
AND THEN SQUEEZE, AND THAT JUST...LOCKS ME.
TRY AND GET SOME BLOOD BACK INTO ME ARMS AGAIN.
ALSO, MY FINGERS ARE REALLY PRETTY RUBBED RAW
FROM THOSE VINES YESTERDAY.
NOW FOR THE FINAL PUSH.
I JUST HAVE TO HOPE THIS CREEPER HOLDS MY WEIGHT.
( GRUNTS )
OKAY, DOWN OFF THAT CREEPER.
AND IT IS LOOKING -- LOOKING CLEAR HERE.
THIS IS GOOD.
THE JUNGLE FLOOR IS SLOPING AWAY
AND THE TREES STARTING TO THIN OUT.
OH, THIS IS CLEARING.
AS THE LIGHT LEADS ME OUT OFF THE HILLSIDE,
OPEN FARMLAND AHEAD
TELLS ME I'M GETTING CLOSER TO CIVILIZATION.
THIS IS DEFINITELY ALL FARMLAND HERE.
AND THIS PATH'S GONNA LEAD ME -- LEAD ME OUT OF HERE.
AND THERE'S EVEN AN AVOCADO.
THAT'S MORE LIKE CARIBBEAN PARADISE.