I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE
FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.
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 WILDS OF ALABAMA...
YOU'VE GOT TO COVER YOUR FACE.
YOU'VE GOT TO COVER IT NOW. THAT'S IT.
...WHERE I'LL BE TACKLING FREEZING WHITE WATERS...
THERE'S MORE RAPIDS OUT THERE.
...FACING OFF AGAINST A FEROCIOUS BEAST
IN THE FOREST...
[ SQUEALING ]
...AND HEADING INTO THE BOWELS
OF ONE OF THE LARGEST CAVE SYSTEMS IN THE U.S.
WELL, I'VE GOT DAYLIGHT.
THIS IS GONNA BE ONE OF MY TOUGHEST CHALLENGES YET.
ALABAMA IS OVERFLOWING WITH WATER.
IT'S HOME TO OVER 75,000 MILES OF RIVERS
FLOWING FROM THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
TO THE GULF OF MEXICO AND PLAYS WITNESS
TO SOME OF THE WILDEST WEATHER ON THE PLANET.
ALABAMA IS HIT BY MORE TORNADOES THAN ALMOST ANYWHERE
IN THE UNITED STATES -- UP TO 50 A YEAR.
ADD TO THAT 75 DAYS OF THUNDERSTORMS,
AND YOU'VE GOT ONE STORMY STATE!
EXTREME WEATHER DUMPS OVER 60 INCHES OF RAIN
ON THE STATE EVERY YEAR.
DEVASTATING FLOODS ARE COMMON.
FLASH FLOODS ARE THE NUMBER-ONE WEATHER-RELATED KILLER
IN THE U.S., CLAIMING OVER 140 LIVES A YEAR.
AND WHITE-WATER CANYONS LIKE THIS
ARE PRIME FLASH-FLOOD TERRITORY.
THERE'S NOWHERE FOR A DRY LANDING IN THE CANYON,
SO I'M HEADING FOR HIGHER GROUND.
OKAY, IT'S TIME TO GET IN THERE. GO.
THIS IS MY FIRST ADVENTURE
SINCE I BROKE MY SHOULDER IN ANTARCTICA TWO MONTHS AGO.
I FEEL FIT, BUT AM I UP TO THIS NEW CHALLENGE?
THERE'S NO LEVEL GROUND TO LAND ON,
AND I'M GONNA JUMP.
ANY MISTAKES, AND THIS WILL BE A BONE-BREAKER.
MAD PILOT! WHEW!
OKAY, LET'S GET GOING.
I'VE BEEN DROPPED HIGH UP-COUNTRY
AT THE TOP OF A MAJOR RIVER CANYON.
MY FIRST TASK -- ASSESS THE SITUATION AND WORK OUT A PLAN.
ALL OF THIS IS THE SOUTHERN FOOT OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS.
AND, MAN ALIVE, IT'S SPECTACULAR!
BUT IF YOU WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE,
YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO HEAD UPRIVER.
THAT'S NORTH TO HIGHER GROUND.
YOU'RE BETTER OFF ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE RIVER,
FOLLOWING IT SOUTH.
BUT GETTING DOWN IS NO EASY TASK.
MAN, IT MUST BE 200 FOOT STRAIGHT DOWN THIS,
AND THAT'S WHAT I CALL A DEATH DROP.
GETTING DOWN SOMETHING LIKE THIS,
ON A GOOD DAY, IS GONNA BE HARD,
LET ALONE TWO MONTHS AFTER I BROKE MY SHOULDER.
BUT UNTIL I TRY, I'M NOT GONNA KNOW.
COME ON.
THIS TREE MAY GIVE ME A WAY DOWN.
TALL AND STRAIGHT, IT GOES RIGHT TO THE FOOT OF THE CLIFF
BUT IT'S OVER 80 FOOT DOWN, AND THIS IS NO EASY OPTION.
WHOA!
[ GRUNTS ]
WELL, IT'S LIVING, AND IT'S STRONG.
IT'S REALLY -- IT'S GONNA BE LIKE
A GIANT FIREMAN'S POLE...
WHEW!
...BUT NOT A VERY COMFY FIREMAN'S POLE.
BUT I'M QUITE COMMITTED DOWN THIS NOW,
SO YOU CAN FOLLOW ME DOWN HERE.
GET YOUR FOOT ACROSS TO THAT BRANCH.
IT'LL WOBBLE, BUT DON'T WORRY.
THAT'S IT. NICE.
AND, REALLY, IT'S JUST A CASE OF GRIPPING LIKE A KOALA BEAR.
LOOK.
BUT HANGING ON LIKE THIS
PUTS SERIOUS PRESSURE ON MY UPPER ARMS.
LIKE EXTREME TREE-HUGGING.
BUT IT'S A NUTCRACKER.
NOW I'VE GOT TO GET DOWN BEFORE MY INJURED SHOULDER GIVES WAY.
YOU ALL RIGHT?
THAT'S PRETTY COOL.
A QUICK WAY DOWN BUT TOUGH ON THE LIMBS.
YOUR INNER THIGHS. LET'S GET GOING.
THE CANYON FLOOR LIES 600 FEET BELOW ME.
IT'S A STEEP DESCENT, THE ROCKS SLICK WITH LEAVES.
IT'S A BUMPY RIDE.
WELL, THIS IS THE RIVER.
BUT JUST LOOK AT THE FLOOD LINE HERE.
THIS IS ABOUT 10 OR 15 FOOT ABOVE WHERE THE RIVER IS NOW.
YEAH, BUT THESE SORT OF CANYONS ARE SO PRONE TO FLASH FLOODS.
WHEN IT RAINS, ALL THAT WATER GETS FUNNELED DOWN HERE,
AND THE LEVEL RISES VERY FAST.
OKAY, LET'S KEEP FOLLOWING THIS ALONG.
FLOODING IS THE MOST FREQUENT NATURAL DISASTER IN ALABAMA,
TAKING MORE LIVES AND CAUSING MORE DAMAGE
THAN HURRICANES AND TORNADOES COMBINED.
ALL OF THIS IS FROM A FLASH FLOOD.
AND THIS IS WHY THEY'RE SO DANGEROUS.
JUST TONS AND TONS OF DEBRIS LIKE THIS,
HUGE TREE TRUNKS POUNDING DOWNSTREAM.
FLASH FLOODS LEAVE A TRAIL OF DESTRUCTION IN THEIR PATH.
LOOK, A LOT OF TRASH.
AND, ACTUALLY, I CAN USE THIS SORT OF THING
TO TRY AND BUILD A RAFT.
AND THAT'S GONNA TAKE ME DOWNRIVER MUCH QUICKER
THAN TRYING DO BATTLE OVER ALL OF THESE ROCKS.
I MEAN, JUST LOOK AT ALL OF THIS.
IF I CAN FIND THE RIGHT MATERIALS,
A RAFT WOULD SAVE ME TIME AND ENERGY.
YOU SEE UNDER THAT TRUNK.
A BIG BIT OF PLASTIC SHEETING WEDGED THERE.
THAT WOULD BE SO USEFUL FOR MAKING A RAFT.
THE THING IS, THIS WATER IS...ICY COLD.
IN FACT, LOOK, YOU SEE ACROSS THERE?
THERE'S ICE EVEN ON THAT BRANCH. YOU SEE THAT?
THAT SHEETING IS JUST WHAT I NEED.
THE TARPAULIN GENERATES IMMENSE DRAG.
IT'S SLOWING ME AND PULLING ME DOWNSTREAM.
...NEVER TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BEING COLD,
AND IN THE MILITARY,
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU EVER SAID, "I'M A BIT COLD,"
THEY'D GO "SIR, WE HAVE A VERY EASY SOLUTION --
200 PRESS-UPS."
AND IT ALWAYS WORKED.
TIME TO GET THIS RAFT BUILT.
WHAT I WANT TO DO HERE IS JUST MAKE THE FRAMEWORK
AROUND WHICH I'M GONNA WEAVE ALL OF THE LITTLE BRANCHES
TO MAKE LIKE A DOUGHNUT RAFT.
I'M USING DEAD WOOD -- LESS PLIABLE BUT MORE BUOYANT.
THEN USE ALL OF THIS POLYSTYRENE AS THE NEXT LAYER,
AND THEN USE THE TARPAULIN TO WRAP AROUND IT
AND TRY TO MAKE IT AS WATERTIGHT AS POSSIBLE.
AND THEN I SIT IN THE MIDDLE.
AND I'M GONNA TIE IT ALL TOGETHER WITH PARACHUTE CORD.
NOW, FOR TYING THIS TARP,
A GOOD LITTLE TRICK IS TO GET ANYTHING THAT'S STONE,
EVEN, LOOK, ONE OF THESE HICKORY NUTS,
GRAB ONE OF THOSE AND PUT IT INSIDE THE TARP.
TWIST. CLOVE HITCH. TIE IT DOWN.
JOB'S A GOOD ONE.
OKAY, LET'S GET THIS THING IN THE WATER.
NOW FOR A FIELD TEST.
OKAY, THAT'S SET.
IT FLOATS, AND IT'S KEEPING ME WELL OUT OF THE FREEZING WATER.
OKAY, WE'RE OUT OF HERE!
THERE'S A SHORT STRETCH OF RAPIDS
BEFORE I REACH CALMER WATER.
THIS WILL BE A GOOD TEST FOR MY RAFT.
WELL, IT'S HELD UP PRETTY WELL IN THAT RAPID,
AND IT'S ACTUALLY MORE STABLE THAN I THOUGHT, WHICH IS GOOD.
BUT THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GO SERIOUSLY DOWNHILL.
STORMY WATERS ARE AHEAD.
I'M IN AN ALABAMA CANYON SHOOTING WHITE-WATER RAPIDS
ON A RAFT MADE OUT OF FLOOD DEBRIS.
Grylls: SO MUCH OF RAFTING
IS ACTUALLY JUST ABOUT TRYING TO ANTICIPATE WHAT'S AHEAD.
THERE'S BIG WATER JUST AROUND THE BEND.
NOW TO HEAD FOR THE DEEP CHANNEL
WHERE THE CURRENT RUNS SLOWER,
THEN FEND OFF ANY ROCKS IN MY PATH.
WELL, WE'RE DOWN THAT OF SORTS,
BUT THERE'S MORE RAPIDS OUT THERE.
BUT THIS THING IS RIGHT LOW IN THE WATER NOW,
BUT AT LEAST IT'S KEEPING MY BACKSIDE
OFF ALL OF THE ROCKS IN THE RAPIDS.
IF I CAN JUST KEEP HOLD OF IT AND HANG ONTO THIS THING,
IT SHOULD TAKE ME DOWNSTREAM.
BUT IT WAS HOLDING UP QUITE WELL IN THOSE FIRST FEW.
BUT THIS IS LOOKING LESS -- THIS IS LOOKING LESS HEALTHY.
MY RAFT IS SINKING.
IT'S BECOMING IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER,
AND I'M HEADING FOR SOME SERIOUS RAPIDS.
WHOO!
I'VE BEEN THROWN OUT OF MY RAFT
BUT I'VE MANAGED TO CLING ONTO IT.
IT'LL KEEP ME AFLOAT
AND PROTECT ME FROM SMACKING INTO LARGE BOULDERS.
DOWNSTREAM, THERE'S A WATERFALL.
I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS WATER FAST.
THERE'S A FALLEN TREE AHEAD. IT'S MY ONLY CHANCE.
IT'S A STRUGGLE TO HANG ON,
AND THE RAFT HAS GONE DOWN THE WATERFALL.
THAT WAS DEFINITELY HAIRIER THAN IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
YOU SEE THE RAFT HAS GONE STRAIGHT OFF THIS WATERFALL,
BUT IT'S IN THAT EDDY THERE.
WHAT I WANT IS THE PARACORD OFF THAT.
THAT'S GONNA BE USEFUL TO ME.
SEE IF THIS IS JUMPABLE.
IT LOOKS PRETTY CLEAR. I CAN SEE DEEP WATER DOWN THERE.
AS LONG AS I CLEAR THAT ROCK SHELF,
GIVE IT A GOOD RUN, I'LL MAKE THIS.
OKAY.
UNDER THE FALL,
THE WATER'S DEEP AND FULL OF AIR BUBBLES.
I'M SOAKING WET AND FIGHTING TO STAY AFLOAT.
OKAY, I'VE GOT THE RAFT.
GET THIS PARACORD, AND THEN I'M OUT OF HERE.
I'M FINALLY OUT OF THE CANYON.
NOW FURTHER SOUTH, I ENTER DEEP WOODLAND.
IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO FIND FOOD AND SHELTER.
THIS IS WHY IT'S ALWAYS WORTH JUST CHECKING OUT DRY RIVERBEDS.
LOOK, ANIMAL TRACKS. SEE THESE?
THAT'S WHERE HE SCURRIED ACROSS THE SOFT GROUND,
LEFT AN IMPRINT, AND THEN GONE OFF AGAIN INTO THE LEAVES.
LOOK, THIS IS A REALLY CLEAR ONE HERE.
AND THAT'S MORE LIKELY GONNA BE DEER.
YOU CAN SEE THAT HEART SHAPE TO IT?
AND AROUND HERE, THAT PROBABLY MEANS WHITETAIL.
IF THERE ARE MORE TRACKS AROUND HERE,
IT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO SET A TRAP.
REALLY OBVIOUS GAME TRAIL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE WATER.
SEE THAT?
YOU DON'T, IDEALLY, WANT TO SET A TRAP WHERE THEY'RE DRINKING.
THAT'S WHERE THE ANIMALS ARE OFTEN MOST AWARE.
YOU WANT TO CATCH THEM EN ROUTE THERE.
OKAY, THIS IS WHERE I'M GONNA SET THE TRIP WIRE.
I'M GONNA MAKE A SIMPLE SNARE USING PARACORD...
SOME WOOD...
AND A RING FROM MY BACKPACK.
OKAY. THAT IS IT SET.
AND THE IDEA IS AN ANIMAL COMES ALONG,
KNOCKS THIS TRIP WIRE.
THAT RELEASES THIS RING.
THAT LITTLE BIT OF WOOD TRIGGERS, FLIPS UP,
AND THIS BIT OF WOOD ATTACHED TO THE DEADFALL WEIGHT
SHOOTS UP, PULLING THIS NOOSE TIGHT
HOPEFULLY AROUND THE ANIMAL'S HOOF
AND UP OFF THE GROUND.
THAT'S THE THEORY ANYWAY. LET'S GIVE IT A TEST.
ANIMAL COMES ALONG, FOOT IN THERE,
TRIGGERS THE TRIP WIRE...
AND IS CAUGHT AROUND THIS.
MY TRAP IS SET. NOW TO HEAD DOWNWIND AND WAIT.
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE...
AND IT'S A WILD BOAR.
...I'M DOING BATTLE WITH A FEISTY FOE.
[ SQUEALS ]
I'M DEEP IN THE BACKWOODS OF ALABAMA.
WITH A SNARE SET,
I'M LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO MAKE CAMP.
THE PROBLEM OF MAKING CAMP IN A WOOD LIKE THIS
IS THAT SO MANY OF THE BRANCHES ARE DEAD AND ROTTEN.
THAT JUST MEANS WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE IMAGINATIVE
ABOUT HOW WE MAKE A SHELTER.
LOOK. THIS COULD WORK.
THERE ARE LOADS OF THESE VINES HERE.
IN FACT, ACTUALLY...
...THIS LOOKS A LITTLE BIT LIKE THE DOME OF AN EXPEDITION TENT.
AND PROBABLY, WITH A BIT OF TWEAKING,
YOU COULD MOULD THESE INTO THE FRAME OF A TENT.
I DON'T KNOW. YEAH, THAT COULD WORK.
THESE VINES ARE LIVING AND SUPPLE,
PERFECT BUILDING MATERIALS.
VINES LIKE THIS ARE NATURALLY SO STRONG.
IT'S JUST ABOUT USING AND SHAPING THEIR STRENGTH
TO WORK FOR YOU.
ALL RIGHT. IT'S KIND OF GETTING THERE NOW.
BY WEAVING THEM TOGETHER, I CAN CONSTRUCT A DOME
THAT WILL BE SELF-SUPPORTING
AND OFFER PROTECTION AGAINST LOCAL WILDLIFE LIKE FERAL PIGS.
WELL, IT'S A GOOD SIZE,
WHICH MEANS I CAN JUST ABOUT CURL UP IN A BALL,
WHICH IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP WARM.
YOU DON'T WANT A SHELTER TOO BIG TO LOSE HEAT.
THIS WILL BE ABOUT RIGHT.
AND WITH SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES COMMON HERE AT NIGHT,
I WANT INSULATION TO KEEP THAT HEAT IN.
AND JUST USE A BIG PILE OF LEAVES
AND BUILD IT UP FROM THE BOTTOM UPWARDS.
AND I WANT THIS TO BE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF THAT THICK,
AND THIS IS GONNA INSULATE ME.
THE IDEA IS, EVENTUALLY,
IT LOOKS LIKE A GIANT, UPSIDE-DOWN BIRD'S NEST.
THESE OAK LEAVES ARE PLENTIFUL.
AND SINCE IT'S STILL COLD, THEY'RE BUG-FREE.
GONNA PUT A LOAD OF LEAVES INSIDE, AS WELL,
TO ACT AS MY BEDDING, AND THEN THIS LOOKS PRETTY SET.
LET'S JUST GIVE IT A TRY.
IT'S A TIGHT SQUEEZE BUT JUST BIG ENOUGH.
ACTUALLY, THIS IS REALLY, REALLY SNUG.
OKAY, GO AND CHECK THIS TRAP NOW.
IT'S BEEN SEVERAL HOURS SINCE I SET A SNARE
IN THE HOPE OF TRAPPING A DEER.
NOW TO SEE IF IT'S WORKED.
THIS IS WHERE IT WAS.
BUT THE TRAP IS BROKEN.
IT'S LYING IN PIECES ON THE GROUND.
LOOK. YOU CAN SEE THERE.
I'VE CAUGHT NO DEER THIS TIME,
BUT THE AREA IS FULL OF OTHER LARGE ANIMALS,
LIKE WILD PIGS.
COME ON, THEN.
CONSIDERED PESTS ACROSS THE U.S.A.,
THEY'RE TRAPPED AND SHOT BY LOCAL FARMERS.
HANG ON. HEAR WE GO. YOU CAN HEAR IT. LISTEN.
[ SQUEALING ]
IT'S BEEN LEFT FOR ME TO DISPATCH
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO TACKLE ONE OF THESE
IF IT GOT CAUGHT IN YOUR SNARE.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO BE SO CAREFUL.
COME 'ROUND THE BACK. COME 'ROUND THE BACK.
A WILD PIG -- ESPECIALLY ONE THAT'S TRAPPED --
IS SO DANGEROUS.
STEADY. STAY THERE.
IT'S A GOOD SIZE, PROBABLY 50 OR 60 POUNDS.
WELL, YOU CAN SEE HE'S CAUGHT AROUND THE BACK LEG HERE.
A RELATIVE OF THE RUSSIAN BLACK BOAR,
THIS IS A SOLID MASS OF PURE, NAKED AGGRESSION.
STAY BACK. DON'T GET THAT CLOSE.
YOU GOT TO STAY AT THE LIMIT OF ITS ROPE.
WILD PIGS DO UNTOLD DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURAL CROPS.
TO CONTROL THEIR NUMBERS, FARMERS HUNT THEM
WITH PACKS OF DOGS, OFTEN IN BODY ARMOR.
THESE ARE POWERHOUSES.
THEY'RE LIKE MINI -- JUST LIKE MINI TANKS, REALLY.
WILD PIGS HAVE TUSKS AND SHARP TEETH,
BOTH CAPABLE OF INFLICTING SERIOUS INJURY.
I'M BREATHING HARD JUST KEEPING AWAY FROM HIM.
THIS IS A FEROCIOUS ANIMAL, ESPECIALLY WHEN CORNERED.
I'VE GOT TO KEEP AWAY FROM THOSE TUSKS AND TEETH
AND GRAB IT BY THE BACK LEGS.
MY PLAN IS NOT WORKING. I'VE GOT TO IMPROVISE.
[ SQUEALING ]
I CAN USE THE PIG'S MUSCLE SINEW FOR CORDAGE,
ITS FAT FOR FUEL, AND THE HIDE FOR CLOTHING.
BUT MY FIRST PRIORITY IS A SQUARE MEAL.
I WANT TO GET IT BACK TO CAMP
AND COOKED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
FIRST TO GET A FIRE GOING,
AND I'VE FOUND THE PERFECT FIRE STARTER.
A GOOD WAY OF GETTING TINDER
IS JUST TO SPLIT THESE BULRUSHES DOWN THE MIDDLE.
AND THEN YOU GET THIS DRY CORE OF IT INSIDE,
AND THAT TAKES A SPARK REALLY NICE AND EASILY.
FIRE IS ESSENTIAL HERE.
NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES DROP WELL BELOW FREEZING,
AND I'VE GOT SOME SERIOUS COOKING TO DO.
NIGHT IS COMING ON FAST,
BUT THERE'S TIME TO REFLECT ON THE BATTLES OF THE DAY.
THIS [BLEEP] VERY NEARLY HAD THE BETTER OF ME THIS AFTERNOON.
I WAS DEFINITELY SCARED AT THAT POINT.
I KIND OF HAD TO IMPROVISE
AND JUST DIVE ON TOP OF THIS THING,
GO A BIT OLD-SCHOOL WITH IT.
BUT IT WORKED.
AND, LOOK, I'VE GOT [BLEEP] FOR DINNER.
MMM. DEFINITELY WORTH THE BATTLE.
IN MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
I'M IN A TIGHT SPOT WITH ONLY ONE WAY OUT.
I'VE SPENT THE NIGHT OUT IN THE ALABAMA WOODS.
AND NEARBY, WE'VE COME ACROSS SOMETHING INTERESTING.
FOUND A CAVE JUST A FEW HUNDRED METERS AWAY HERE.
GONNA TRY AND SEE IF I CAN MAKE SOME SORT OF TORCH
AND GO AND HAVE A LOOK IN IT.
WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS CUT A BIT FROM MY T-SHIRT,
GET ALL THE WAY AROUND,
AND USE THIS AS A WICK.
YEAH, THAT'LL DO.
AND THEN, LOOK, I'VE MELTED DOWN
SOME OF THE [BLEEP] FAT OFF THE CARCASS.
[ SIZZLING ]
AND ALL I'VE GOT TO DO IS DIP THIS IN IT
AND WRAP IT AROUND A STICK.
AND THIS SHOULD BURN NICELY NOW.
[BLEEP] FAT BURNS WITH A BRIGHT FLAME,
PERFECT FOR EXPLORING DARK CAVES.
OKAY, THAT'S ALIGHT.
ALABAMA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS OF CAVES
IN THE WORLD.
AND CAVES ARE OFTEN GOOD PLACES TO FIND FRESHWATER AND FOOD.
HERE YOU GO. LOOK, CAN SEE WHERE I'M GOING?
HOLD THAT.
OKAY.
THESE CAVE SYSTEMS CAN RUN FOR MILES,
SO IT'S VITAL TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS
BEFORE GETTING IN TOO DEEP.
IT'S SO EASY JUST TO GET INTO THESE SORT OF CAVES,
GET EXCITED, KEEP MOVING, AND THEN FIND YOURSELF LOST.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT ALWAYS TO BE ABLE TO KNOW YOUR WAY OUT,
MARK IT IN ANY WAY YOU CAN,
WHETHER IT'S BIG SCRAPES ON THE FLOOR,
BIG BOULDERS PLACED,
LITTLE ROCKS PLACED IN YOUR WALKWAY.
SO YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING TO FOLLOW TO LEAD YOU OUT.
JUST ONE QUARTER OF ALABAMA'S CAVE SYSTEMS
HAVE BEEN FULLY EXPLORED.
THEY'RE HOME TO BATS, RODENTS,
SALAMANDERS, AND NUMEROUS INSECTS.
OH, HANG ON, LOOK. A CRICKET. SEE HIM?
THERE YOU GO. YOU CAN SEE HIM THERE.
EVERYTHING IN THIS CAVE IS HERE FOR A REASON.
AND THIS IS JUST THE SORT OF PLACE THAT CRICKETS WILL LIKE --
DAMP, DARK.
AND HE'LL BE FEEDING OFF LITTLE INSECTS.
AND LOOK AT HIM.
IF YOU WERE AN INSECT, THAT WOULD BE A FORMIDABLE PREDATOR.
BUT NOW IT'S MY TURN.
NOT MUCH OF A MEAL.
I NEED TO HEAD IN DEEPER.
THERE'S SOME SORT OF SHAFT.
IT'S RUNNING STRAIGHT DOWN INTO THE ROCK.
YOU SEE THAT? GONNA SEE WHAT'S DOWN THERE.
[ SPLASH, THUD ]
THAT'S WATER.
THIS COULD BE AN UNDERGROUND RIVER WITH FRESHWATER
AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FINDING EDIBLE CAVE FISH.
TRY AND GET DOWN THIS.
BUT TO SAY IT IS NARROW
WOULD BE THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR.
I'M GOING IN FEET FIRST, WHICH WILL BE SAFER IF I FALL.
THE DOWNSIDE IS I CAN'T SEE WHERE I'M GOING.
WELL, WHEN YOU'RE GOING INTO NARROW PLACES LIKE THIS,
IT'S SO IMPORTANT NOT TO PANIC
BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS YOUR CHEST CAVITY THEN EXPANDS,
AND IT ACTUALLY BECOMES HARDER.
YOU WANT TO TRY AND RELAX AND SLOW YOUR HEART RATE DOWN
AND SLOW YOUR BREATHING DOWN.
ALMOST TO LIKE THAT POINT BEFORE YOU GO TO ASLEEP,
WHERE YOU'RE REALLY RELAXED.
AND THEN EVERYTHING CONTRACTS,
AND YOUR BLOOD VESSELS ACTUALLY SHRINK.
IT'S JUST TRYING TO GET INTO THAT STATE
IS NOT ALWAYS VERY EASY.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN U.S. CAVES.
THEY GET TRAPPED AND DIE FROM HYPOTHERMIA
OR DROWN IN RISING FLOOD WATERS.
[ GRUNTS ]
THERE'S A WHOLE... CHASM DOWN HERE.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
CAN'T QUITE SEE HOW FAR IT IS DOWN TO THE WATER.
BUT ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN.
I CANNOT GET BACK UP THAT EASILY.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OUT OF HERE,
AND THAT'S DOWN.
ONE, TWO, THREE.
[ WATER SPLASHES ]
[ GRUNTING ]
[ BLOWING AIR ]
MY TORCH HAS GONE IN THE WATER.
IT'S OUT, AND IT'S TOO WET TO RELIGHT.
JUST GONNA TRY AND KEEP CALM AND THINK LOGICALLY.
OKAY, WHAT I'VE GOT IS JUST A KNIFE AND THIS FLINT STRIKER.
GONNA SEE IF WE CAN USE THIS -- THERE YOU GO --
USE THIS TO GIVE US A BIT OF A LIGHT SOURCE.
BUT REALLY, WITHOUT A PROPER LIGHT,
WE'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.
OKAY.
[ WATER RUSHING ]
I CAN HEAR A WATERFALL UP AHEAD,
AND I'M GONNA FOLLOW THE SOUND.
BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS GOING WITH SLIPPERY ROCK,
AND I'M CLIMBING BLIND.
JUST TRY AND IMPRINT IN YOUR MIND
WHAT YOU'RE SEEING WHEN IT SPARKS
AND THEN MOVE TO IT.
THE WATER IS POURING DOWN FROM THE SURFACE,
AND I'M GONNA TRY TO FOLLOW IT UP AND OUT OF HERE.
THERE'S LIGHT AHEAD!
LOOK, YOU SEE THAT? LOOK. LOOK OVER THERE. SEE IT?
THERE'S LIGHT COMING FROM SOMEWHERE.
SEE IF I CAN GET UP THERE.
I WANT TO CLIMB UP TOWARDS THE DAYLIGHT,
BUT THIS WATERFALL IS TREACHEROUS,
AND THE ROCK IS RAZOR SHARP.
PASS UP THE THING.
COME, THEN.
THERE YOU GO. YOU GOT IT?
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]
WELL, WE'VE GOT DAYLIGHT,
BUT WE ARE NO MEANS OUT OF THIS PLACE YET.
LET'S KEEP MOVING THROUGH.
I FACE A TOUGH CLIMB
AND EVEN MORE TESTING CHALLENGES AHEAD ---
AN ALLIGATOR SWAMP AND A FLAMING FOREST FIRE.
I'VE EMERGED FROM AN UNDERGROUND ALABAMA LABYRINTH.
IT IS QUITE TIGHT IN HERE.
NOW I'M TRAPPED IN A NARROW ROCK FISSURE.
[ SPITS ]
SEE, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS HAS PROBABLY JUST BEEN FORMED
BY AN EARTHQUAKE.
HERE YOU CAN SEE IT'S AS IF, LITERALLY, TWO BITS OF ROCK
HAVE SPLIT IN TWO DOWN THE MIDDLE.
BUT IT'S NARROW,
AND ALL OF THESE WALLS ARE JUST SO SMOOTH.
AND AT THE MOMENT, THERE'S NO WAY OUT OF THIS.
JUST KEEP MOVING ON A BIT.
IT'S 40 FOOT TO THE TOP.
BUT WITH NO HAND- OR FOOTHOLDS, I CAN'T SEE ANY WAY UP.
ACTUALLY, LOOK, IT'S WIDENING OUT A BIT HERE.
THE WALLS ARE STILL SMOOTH,
BUT THE GAP BETWEEN THEM IS WIDER HERE.
THIS COULD BE DOABLE.
SEE IF I CAN MAKE MY WAY UP HERE.
COME LOOK.
ALL RIGHT. ALL SO GREASY HERE, THIS STUFF.
YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU'VE GOT YOUR FEET IN GOOD PLACES
BEFORE YOU MOVE.
HERE, I GOT A NICE LEDGE HERE.
IT'S JUST WIDE ENOUGH FOR ME TO USE A CLIMBING METHOD
CALLED BACK AND FOOT,
WHICH ALLOWS ME TO CLIMB WITH MINIMAL HOLDS.
YEP. WHEW.
OKAY.
OKAY, I'M QUITE NICELY WEDGED IN HERE.
AND ACTUALLY, SO MUCH ABOUT CLIMBING
IS CLIMBING EFFICIENTLY,
NOT USING UP ENERGY WHEN YOU DON'T NEED TO.
AND LOOK, JUST REST MY ARMS,
AND OPPOSING FORCES -- LEGS AND BACK -- KEEP ME UP.
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHIMNEY UP THIS. OKAY.
THE LONGER THIS CLIMB GOES ON,
THE MORE PRESSURE I'M PUTTING ON MY INJURED SHOULDER.
[ BLOWS AIR ]
ONLY FEET TO GO NOW,
BUT THIS IS NO TIME TO LOSE CONCENTRATION.
OKAY, COME ON UP.
LAST BIT, YOU'VE GOT A GOOD GRIP THERE.
YOU GOT IT? THAT WAS GOOD.
I LOVE CLIMBS LIKE THIS.
YOU LOOK AT IT AT THE START,
AND YOU THINK THIS IS GONNA BE QUITE A MISSION TO GET UP.
BUT ACTUALLY IF YOU BREAK IT DOWN INTO LITTLE CHUNKS,
IT'S DOABLE, AND I'M QUITE PLEASED.
NOT BAD FOR A BROKEN SHOULDER TWO MONTHS AGO.
A GOOD DROP DOWN THERE.
OKAY, LET'S GET MOVING.
I'M FURTHER SOUTH NOW, ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FOOD.
IT'S EARLY IN THE YEAR. THERE'S LITTLE IN SEASON.
BUT IF YOU'VE GOT A STRONG STOMACH,
YOU CAN USUALLY FIND SOMETHING TO EAT.
HANG ON, BACK UP.
THERE'S SOME DEER DROPPINGS. YOU SEE THESE?
AND, ACTUALLY, YOU CAN EAT THESE.
BECAUSE THE DEER HAVE VERY FAST DIGESTION,
THEY DON'T ACTUALLY ABSORB ALL OF THE NUTRIENTS OUT OF IT.
BUT YOU ONLY WANT TO EAT IT, REALLY, IF IT'S FROM A GRAZER,
ANIMALS LIVING OFF GRASSES, BERRIES.
OUT HERE IN THE OLDEN DAYS,
THEY ACTUALLY USED TO CONSIDER THESE LIKE LITTLE MULTIVITAMINS.
THE REASON IS THEY'LL ABSORB MOST OF THE NUTRIENTS
BUT LEAVE LIKE A CONCENTRATED AMOUNT IN THERE.
NOT GONNA WIN ANY PRIZES.
RABBITS WILL EAT THEIR OWN DROPPINGS AT LEAST ONCE
TO ENSURE THEY'RE FULLY DIGESTED.
YOU WON'T CATCH ME DOING THIS TWICE.
THE LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING RAPIDLY NOW.
ALABAMA CONTAINS LARGE NATURAL SWAMPS
BUT ALSO HUGE AREAS OF FLOODED WOODLAND,
HOME TO A NUMBER OF NASTIES.
IT'S ALL MUCH WETTER AND MUCH BOGGIER HERE.
THAT JUST MEANS WE NEED TO KEEP A BIT OF A ROVING EYE OUT
FOR THINGS LIKE ALLIGATORS, BUT ALSO FOR POISONOUS SNAKES,
THINGS LIKE WATER MOCCASINS, COPPERHEADS.
WE JUST NEED TO TUNE IN, MAYBE SLOW DOWN A BIT HERE.
THERE ARE SIX TYPES OF VENOMOUS SNAKE NATIVE TO ALABAMA,
AND ALLIGATORS UP TO 15 FEET LONG
HAVE BEEN FOUND IN ITS SWAMPS.
OH!
SEE THAT? HANG ON. STAY THERE.
THERE YOU GO. LOOK, A SNAPPING TURTLE.
WHAT YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL OF --
SNAP DOWN ON THAT,
AND THAT WOULD TEAR YOUR FINGER JUST CLEAN OFF.
CLOSE LIKE SCISSORS.
AND IT'S ACTUALLY GOT, POUND FOR POUND,
AS MUCH STRENGTH IN THOSE JAWS, IF NOT MORE,
THAN AN ALLIGATOR.
SNAPPING TURTLES CAN WEIGH UP TO 70 POUNDS
AND KILL EACH OTHER BY DECAPITATION.
BETTER OFF HOLDING HIM BY THE TAIL, ACTUALLY.
OH!
WHERE IS HE?
I DON'T WANT TO LOSE A FINGER DELVING AROUND IN HERE.
LET'S NOT MESS AROUND WITH HIM TOO MUCH.
LET'S LEAVE HIM.
BUT SNAPPING TURTLES
AREN'T THE MAIN CAUSE OF CONCERN AROUND HERE,
ESPECIALLY IN WIDE STRETCHES OF WATER LIKE THIS.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CROSS THIS.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE ALLIGATORS ABOUT.
BUT IT'S COLD, IT'S EARLY IN THE YEAR,
THIS WATER'S COLD,
AND THEY ARE GONNA BE MUCH LESS ACTIVE AROUND NOW.
AND ACTUALLY, LOOK, IT DOESN'T LOOK VERY DEEP.
IT LOOKS MORE MUDDY.
IT LOOKS MORE MUDDY THAN ANYTHING.
LET'S GET A STICK.
A STRONG STICK WILL HELP ME TEST FOR DEPTH
BUT ALSO FOR ANYTHING LYING IN WAIT BENEATH THE SURFACE.
OKAY, STICK QUITE CLOSE TO ME ON THIS.
HANG ON. JUST HOLD IT A SEC. LET'S HAVE A LITTLE LOOK FIRST.
THE COAST LOOKS CLEAR. TIME TO GO.
OKAY.
IT STINKS OF SWAMP MUD.
ALLIGATORS LOVE SHALLOW, MUDDY WATERS.
THEY LIE SUBMERGED, READY TO AMBUSH,
WITH ONLY THEIR EYES VISIBLE ABOVE THE WATERLINE.
OKAY, JUST GET ACROSS NOW.
I'M ALMOST HOME AND DRY.
THEN, JUST YARDS FROM THE BANK, I STEP INTO SINKING MUD.
OH. BACK UP A BIT. BACK UP.
[ SPITTING ]
MAN, THE MUD'S JUST GONE FROM BEING KNEE-DEEP
TO OVER WAIST-DEEP.
HANG ON. DON'T GET STUCK IN THIS STUFF.
THIS IS HORRIBLE.
ACTUALLY, THERE'S QUITE A LOT OF PULL ON THIS STUFF.
YOU CAN SEE HOW THICK AND STICKY...THAT IS.
IT'S QUITE HARD 'CAUSE, NORMALLY, YOU CAN JUST --
IF THE MUD'S UP TO THE SURFACE,
YOU USE A STICK TO PUT YOUR WEIGHT ON.
THE PROBLEM IS, THE MUD IS A FOOT UNDER THE WATER HERE.
THIS CALLS FOR A NEW PLAN AND FAST.
ALLIGATORS DETECT THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENTS IN WATER,
AND STUCK LIKE THIS, I'M A SITTING DUCK.
IT'S ALWAYS TEMPTING JUST TO KEEP FIGHTING IT AND WRIGGLING.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE MUD WILL ALWAYS WIN.
I CAN USE MY WATER BOTTLE AND PARACORD
TO GET A LINE TO SHORE TO HELP PULL MYSELF OUT.
WHAT I'M GONNA TRY AND DO IS TRY TO TIE THIS OFF
AND THEN THROW IT OVER ONE OF THOSE BRANCHES OVER THERE.
SEE IF THAT SNAGS ON A BRANCH.
GOT IT. BUT THIS CORD IS TOO THIN TO PULL ON.
AH, IT'S JUST BURNING MY HANDS. HANG ON. LET'S USE THIS.
I CAN USE MY STICK TO GET SOME PURCHASE ON THE ROPE.
AND ONCE YOU'VE GOT A TURN AROUND THE STICK,
YOU CAN THEN JUST TWIST IT, AND IT WILL LOCK ON ITSELF.
I CAN USE THAT, THEN, TO TRY AND PULL MYSELF OUT.
[ GRUNTING ]
GET OUT OF HERE NOW.
JUST THE LAST FEW STEPS TO THE SAFETY OF DRY LAND.
LET'S GET OUT OF THIS HORRIBLE PLACE,
GET MOVING,
AND GET THE BLOOD PUMPING, GET WARM AGAIN.
BUT IT'S A CASE OF OUT OF THE FRYING PAN
AND INTO THE FIRE.
OKAY, YOU'VE GOT TO COVER YOUR FACE.
YOU'VE GOT TO COVER IT NOW. THAT'S IT.
I'M IN THE ALABAMA WOODS, AND THERE'S TROUBLE DEAD AHEAD.
THERE'S A FOREST FIRE. STICK WITH ME.
THERE'S A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THIS.
LOOK, YOU CAN SEE THE FLAMES -- JUST THE EDGE OF IT HERE.
BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A CONTROLLED FIRE.
YOU SEE, IT'S ONE LONG LINE.
WE NEED TO BE ULTRA-CAREFUL HERE.
OKAY, COME WITH ME TO THE SIDE. COME THIS WAY.
FIRES LIKE THIS ARE SET DELIBERATELY
TO MANAGE FOREST AREAS.
BUT IF THE WIND PICKS UP,
THEY CAN BE JUST AS DANGEROUS AS WILD FIRES.
IT'S STARTING TO GET REALLY, REALLY HOT NOW.
NEED A LITTLE BIT. TRY AND USE SOME OF THIS WATER.
AND IF YOU'RE CAUGHT IN A FOREST FIRE,
THERE'S SOME REALLY SIMPLE, BASIC THINGS YOU CAN DO
JUST TO PROTECT YOURSELF.
THE FIRST THING IS JUST GET RID OF ALL OF THIS SORT OF CLOTHING,
SYNTHETIC STUFF.
PLASTIC IS JUST GONNA STICK TO YOUR SKIN.
ALSO ANY FLEECES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
WHAT YOU WANT IS NATURAL FIBERS.
THIS IS COTTON. THIS IS GONNA BE GOOD.
AND MUD WILL PROVIDE FURTHER FIRE PROTECTION.
YOU JUST WANT TO USE THIS MUD TO PASTE ALL OVER YOU
AND PROTECT YOUR SKIN FROM THE FLAMES.
IT MIGHT NOT LOOK VERY PRETTY,
BUT THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO SURVIVE VERY HOT FLAMES.
OKAY, LET'S JUST GET IN THIS STUFF.
OKAY. TRY AND JUST GET THROUGH IT AND GET TO THE OTHER SIDE.
STICK WITH ME. RIGHT? OKAY, LET'S GO. COME ON.
I NEED TO MOVE QUICKLY BUT CAREFULLY.
THIS IS NO PLACE TO TRIP UP.
OKAY, YOU'VE GOT TO COVER YOUR FACE.
YOU'VE GOT TO COVER IT NOW. THAT'S IT.
GET IT RIGHT OVER YOUR NOSE.
AND, ACTUALLY, SMOKE INHALATION
IS A BIGGER KILLER THAN THE FLAMES.
YOU READY? OKAY.
I RECENTLY LOST A GOOD FRIEND IN A WILD FIRE,
SO I KNOW HOW DEADLY THEY CAN BE.
NEED TO TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS BIT.
GET TO A BURNED-OUT BIT
WHERE THE FIRE HAS BURNED ITSELF OUT ALREADY.
NO FUEL AT THAT POINT. OKAY, KEEP WITH ME.
THE WIND HAS PICKED UP.
NOW THE FIRE'S STARTING TO SPREAD FAST.
IF CONDITIONS GET WORSE,
THE FLAMES WILL BE MOVING QUICKER THAN I CAN RUN.
I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.
JUST REGROUP OVER HERE.
THAT WAS DEFINITELY QUITE FULL-ON IN THERE.
AND HOT.
JUST CHECK YOU'RE OUT. CHECK YOU'RE OUT.
BUT, YOU SEE, ALL OF THIS AREA HERE
IS WELL BURNT THROUGH.
AND THAT'S NOT GONNA REIGNITE AGAIN.
OKAY, GOOD.
A CONTROLLED FIRE LIKE THIS IS A GOOD INDICATION
THAT PEOPLE AND CIVILIZATION AREN'T FAR AWAY.
I'M KEEPING MY EYES PEELED AND MY EARS OPEN
FOR ANY OTHER SIGNS.
[ HORN HONKS ]
THAT'S A ROAD.
I'VE HEARD A VEHICLE UP AHEAD, AND IT'S COMING THIS WAY.
THAT'S MY WAY OUT OF HERE! COME ON!
THERE'S A LOGGING TRUCK MOVING FAST.
I'M GONNA TRY AND CUT HIM OFF.
I CAN MAKE THIS!
NO TIME TO STICK OUT MY THUMB. THIS IS A ONE-SHOT DEAL.
BUT I'VE MADE IT, AND I'M SAFE ON BOARD.
I SURVIVED THE CHALLENGES OF THE ALABAMA BACKWOOD,
MY INJURED SHOULDER HAS HELD UP WELL,
BUT NOW IT'S TIME TO HEAD HOME.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS