1 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:14,260 I'm Bear Grylls. Whoo! 2 00:00:14,260 --> 00:00:17,140 I'm gonna show you what it takes to get out alive 3 00:00:17,140 --> 00:00:19,340 from some of the most dangerous places on Earth. 4 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:23,180 I've got to make it through a week of challenges 5 00:00:23,180 --> 00:00:27,080 in the sort of places you wouldn't last a day 6 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:29,020 without the right survival skills. 7 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:35,140 Now I'm in one of the least known, least populated regions of America... 8 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,300 ..locking horns with deep ravines and hidden chasms... 9 00:00:40,300 --> 00:00:42,180 Bad, bad place. 10 00:00:42,180 --> 00:00:45,260 ..on the northern frontier of the mighty Chihuahuan Desert, 11 00:00:45,260 --> 00:00:47,160 western Texas. 12 00:00:48,380 --> 00:00:50,200 They call this Big Country. 13 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:52,340 (RATTLES) There's nothing on this. 14 00:00:52,340 --> 00:00:55,040 And you take it on only if you dare. 15 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:03,480 (AEROPLANE ROARS) 16 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,180 Beneath me is the Chihuahuan Desert 17 00:01:16,180 --> 00:01:21,080 and it's one of the largest deserts in North America, just vast. 18 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,260 But it's also empty. 19 00:01:23,260 --> 00:01:25,480 There's hardly any habitation there at all. 20 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:31,220 It's known simply as El Despoblado, the land of no people. 21 00:01:33,220 --> 00:01:36,440 800 miles long and 250 miles wide, 22 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:41,020 it stretches from Arizona through Texas and deep into Mexico. 23 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:46,280 This is frontier country at its wildest. 24 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:48,320 And every year, people attempt to cross 25 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:52,080 that desert border between Mexico and the US, 26 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,120 but many don't make it. 27 00:01:56,300 --> 00:01:59,440 If you don't respect this place, it will kill you. 28 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,080 MAN: OK, Bear. We're coming up on 8,000 feet now. 29 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:05,480 You better get ready to jump. 30 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,100 Good luck down there. You're gonna need it. 31 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:11,480 Skydiving from a biplane is anything but straightforward. 32 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:16,040 The fastest and simplest way is for the pilot to invert the plane, 33 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,480 flip it upside down and drop me out. 34 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:22,040 It might be stomach-churning, but it's an effective deployment. 35 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:24,400 This is a first for me. 36 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,460 But if I catch the tail on exit, it's game over. 37 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:47,440 My mission is to show you how to stay alive long enough 38 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:49,440 to make it back to civilisation. 39 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:53,420 All I'm taking is a few basic survival tools 40 00:02:53,420 --> 00:02:55,280 and my crew's coming with me. 41 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:00,200 That's the plane out of here. 42 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:02,440 I don't know where the hell I'm gonna land. 43 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:06,340 This is one of the most scorched regions of North America. 44 00:03:06,340 --> 00:03:09,140 Temperatures soar into the hundreds for months on end. 45 00:03:10,140 --> 00:03:13,340 Already from here, I can feel the heat in the desert. 46 00:03:13,340 --> 00:03:18,080 This is just going to be a case of dodge the cacti. 47 00:03:24,420 --> 00:03:26,280 (THUMP) 48 00:03:33,460 --> 00:03:35,200 Whoo! 49 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:40,400 On the ground...but straight into one of these cactus. 50 00:03:45,220 --> 00:03:49,480 Let's get this parachute stowed and leave it here. 51 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:53,440 You know, most people who get lost do so with nothing. 52 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:55,280 OK. 53 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:57,140 Let's get moving. 54 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,240 The Chihuahuan Desert is brutally hot and bone dry. 55 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:06,040 Most areas get less than one inch of rain a month. 56 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:09,380 Out here, staying hydrated is going to be your biggest challenge. 57 00:04:13,380 --> 00:04:18,140 But it's absolutely vital and the key to survival in a place like this. 58 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:21,360 Bones everywhere. 59 00:04:23,020 --> 00:04:25,260 That's an old coyote. 60 00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:29,300 Harsh place. 61 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:35,160 Actually, it might be worth taking a couple of these with me. 62 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,180 Old coyote bones like these have a thousand uses 63 00:04:38,180 --> 00:04:39,460 and they're light to carry. 64 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,160 So I'll head for the high ground up there 65 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,100 and then get our bearings, 66 00:04:46,100 --> 00:04:48,300 get a bit of the lie of the land around here. 67 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:54,380 Getting to higher ground 68 00:04:54,380 --> 00:04:56,300 will give you an understanding of the landscape 69 00:04:56,300 --> 00:04:58,100 and show what you're up against. 70 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:04,020 You see on the horizon there? Those are the Sierra Rica mountains. 71 00:05:04,020 --> 00:05:06,280 And just short of that is the Rio Grande 72 00:05:06,280 --> 00:05:10,160 that separates Mexico from the US, 73 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,140 one of the most patrolled borders in the world. 74 00:05:12,140 --> 00:05:15,340 If you can reach that, you're going to find someone. 75 00:05:17,260 --> 00:05:19,060 But, yeah, between here and there 76 00:05:19,060 --> 00:05:22,440 is just terrain that says, "Take me on if you dare." 77 00:05:25,260 --> 00:05:28,180 In this environment, covering miles is punishing. 78 00:05:28,180 --> 00:05:30,200 But with the right mindset, 79 00:05:30,200 --> 00:05:32,400 it's possible to get over it quickly and easily. 80 00:05:34,260 --> 00:05:37,140 Parkour is a technique adopted by the French military. 81 00:05:38,140 --> 00:05:41,100 You need to be balanced and momented, 82 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:44,320 shifting the weight of your body and taking the most direct route. 83 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:52,160 Get this right and it's an effective way of covering rough terrain fast. 84 00:05:55,100 --> 00:05:57,220 As if the desert wasn't harsh enough, 85 00:05:57,220 --> 00:06:00,280 just beneath the surface lies a lethal reminder 86 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:03,040 of when all this was ranch land. 87 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:05,240 You see these stones just in a circle like this, 88 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:08,420 that's a very, very unnatural shape. 89 00:06:08,420 --> 00:06:12,300 It means, more than likely, this is a hunter's trap of some sort. 90 00:06:12,300 --> 00:06:14,320 Anyhow, I've worked with hunters all around the world 91 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:16,260 and this is very typical of what they do, 92 00:06:16,260 --> 00:06:19,020 leaving the shape not only so they can find it again 93 00:06:19,020 --> 00:06:23,280 but also as a warning to other people if they're passing this way. 94 00:06:23,280 --> 00:06:25,340 Actually, let's see if we can just trigger this. 95 00:06:28,180 --> 00:06:29,420 OK. Watch out. 96 00:06:31,140 --> 00:06:34,000 What happens, an animal comes along and treads in the middle of this. 97 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:39,300 Oh, God. That's quite a nasty, big trap as well. 98 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:43,440 The trap is tethered to a length of rope. 99 00:06:43,440 --> 00:06:46,120 Finding something like this could be a real lifesaver. 100 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,220 It's a little bit of weight to carry, 101 00:06:50,220 --> 00:06:54,340 but I've got threads of string from this. 102 00:06:54,340 --> 00:06:57,160 Good strong rope if we need it. 103 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:58,400 Good find. 104 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:03,360 Much of this area is mesa, 105 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:07,020 flat plateaus shaped over millions of years. 106 00:07:07,020 --> 00:07:09,280 They tower high above the desert floor. 107 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:14,340 To find water, you must head down, following the canyons. 108 00:07:14,340 --> 00:07:16,080 Let's try up here. 109 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:17,480 But this isn't easy terrain 110 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:20,460 and you're faced with a ticking-bomb scenario - 111 00:07:20,460 --> 00:07:24,240 covering enough ground before the need for water reaches critical. 112 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:29,260 It's never easy, is it? 113 00:07:29,260 --> 00:07:32,120 It must be a good 60 foot straight down, this. 114 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:37,100 But I do want some way of getting off this high ground. 115 00:07:37,100 --> 00:07:40,220 Faced with a situation like this, you've got two choices - 116 00:07:40,220 --> 00:07:42,140 go back or find a way across. 117 00:07:42,140 --> 00:07:44,020 OK. I've got an idea. 118 00:07:47,020 --> 00:07:50,020 What I have got is this rope... 119 00:07:51,100 --> 00:07:52,420 ..and this old trap. 120 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:57,320 But I know for sure I've not got enough rope 121 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:01,100 to reach 60-plus foot down there. 122 00:08:01,100 --> 00:08:03,160 But there is probably enough 123 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,200 to reach across to the... just the other side of this gully. 124 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,160 That's probably only about 30 foot. 125 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:14,420 I can improvise some sort of throwing device here, 126 00:08:14,420 --> 00:08:19,320 like a...like a grappling hook, out of this, and get it across to that. 127 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,060 That might work. 128 00:08:21,060 --> 00:08:24,040 Grappling hooks were first invented by the Romans. 129 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,260 Their sailors used them during ship-to-ship battles. 130 00:08:26,260 --> 00:08:28,180 Thrown into the enemy's rigging, 131 00:08:28,180 --> 00:08:30,220 they'd drag them closer before boarding. 132 00:08:30,220 --> 00:08:32,200 There we go. 133 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,320 Now I've got these two foot stirrups from the trap. 134 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,160 And then let's put these together. 135 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:40,400 And then... 136 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:46,360 ..splice them through that. 137 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,480 That will make like a pretty rough and ready, 138 00:08:50,480 --> 00:08:53,160 rudimentary grappling hook. 139 00:08:56,020 --> 00:08:59,180 You gotta splice them like this. Old naval technique. 140 00:08:59,180 --> 00:09:03,140 And the reason it's good is it's not only stronger, 141 00:09:03,140 --> 00:09:04,380 the knots, 142 00:09:04,380 --> 00:09:07,180 it also uses up less rope. 143 00:09:08,180 --> 00:09:11,280 Finally, follow the pattern of the rope back on itself. 144 00:09:11,280 --> 00:09:15,060 OK, let's see if we can get this thing across. 145 00:09:15,060 --> 00:09:18,340 But throwing a rope across a 30-foot canyon is never easy. 146 00:09:21,380 --> 00:09:25,040 Truly terrible, terrible throw. 147 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:26,460 That's the aimer. 148 00:09:26,460 --> 00:09:28,220 Next time, I'll get it. 149 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:33,060 The danger here is throwing yourself over the edge along with the rope, 150 00:09:33,060 --> 00:09:35,080 so make sure you've got a strong footing 151 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:37,280 and keep your feet clear of the coil. 152 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:44,480 Bullseye. 153 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:47,040 Feels like it's caught. 154 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,340 Now, that's probably as good as I'm going to get. 155 00:09:50,340 --> 00:09:52,240 Bring this back. OK, watch out. 156 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:57,300 Facing terrain like this, a rope is too precious to leave behind. 157 00:09:57,300 --> 00:10:00,040 Once I get across, I want this back. 158 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:02,300 What I've still got, though, is a chain from the trap... 159 00:10:03,300 --> 00:10:06,120 ..and then this bit of bone as well. 160 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:07,480 Let's get this around here. 161 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:09,440 Threading the rope through the chain 162 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:12,360 should stop it snagging when I try to retrieve it. 163 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:14,200 Well, what I do is use this bone 164 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:18,260 to go straight through the splice of both strands. 165 00:10:19,380 --> 00:10:22,160 Yeah, this is the mindset you need to be in. 166 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:24,020 You gotta improvise. 167 00:10:25,020 --> 00:10:27,300 Now to make a cord from the leftover rope. 168 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:32,260 And that's going to be the retrievable trigger. 169 00:10:32,260 --> 00:10:35,340 And then once I'm across and paid all of this stuff out, 170 00:10:35,340 --> 00:10:40,340 once this pulls out, that's going to release and come through. 171 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:44,220 OK. Let's get this set and give it a go. 172 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:03,340 The Tyrolean traverse is a method used by climbers and mountain troops 173 00:11:03,340 --> 00:11:06,100 to get from one high point to another. 174 00:11:06,100 --> 00:11:09,180 With your torso above the rope, loop one leg over 175 00:11:09,180 --> 00:11:12,260 and allow the other to hang down and act as balance. 176 00:11:12,260 --> 00:11:17,040 The rope's holding...so far... 177 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:19,420 ..which is good. 178 00:11:20,420 --> 00:11:24,000 It's definitely quite a squeeze on the old meat and two veg. 179 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:29,320 But there's no doubt it's a long, long way down, this. 180 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,020 (GRUNTS) 181 00:11:38,460 --> 00:11:41,300 Actually, it's working quite nicely. 182 00:11:41,300 --> 00:11:43,060 But... (SNAP) 183 00:11:44,060 --> 00:11:45,340 Whoa! 184 00:11:46,460 --> 00:11:48,480 (GRUNTS) 185 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,160 Bad place for the anchor to slip. 186 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:56,160 Bad, bad place. 187 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:12,000 I'm in the high mountains of western Texas, 188 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:14,000 in the brutal Chihuahuan Desert. 189 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,260 I've thrown a rope across a 30-foot chasm, 190 00:12:16,260 --> 00:12:19,420 but my improvised grappling hook has slipped on the loose rock 191 00:12:19,420 --> 00:12:21,240 at just the wrong time. 192 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:23,980 (SNAP) Ahh! 193 00:12:27,060 --> 00:12:28,360 (GRUNTS) 194 00:12:30,220 --> 00:12:32,360 Bad place for the anchor to slip. 195 00:12:36,460 --> 00:12:38,400 Bad, bad place. 196 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,200 I want to get off this rope and fast. 197 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:54,280 (GRUNTS) 198 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:00,980 (PANTS) 199 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,320 The anchor has held, but only just. 200 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,300 Let's try and get this rope back. 201 00:13:15,300 --> 00:13:17,180 OK. 202 00:13:17,180 --> 00:13:21,060 I should be able to just pull the string and that bone should pop out. 203 00:13:25,340 --> 00:13:27,080 Cool. 204 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:29,260 Now, this rope, then, should be free. 205 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:36,240 Good job. 206 00:13:39,980 --> 00:13:41,440 Plan a route down from here. 207 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:43,440 It looks much more straightforward, actually. 208 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:50,980 Oh. God. 209 00:13:50,980 --> 00:13:54,220 Bloody, bloody, bloody cactus. 210 00:13:55,340 --> 00:14:00,200 Spend my life picking ruddy things out of my leg. 211 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,020 (GRUNTS) 212 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:07,120 Actually, this isn't a bad place to try and dig for a bit of water. 213 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:10,220 You know, often these riverbeds that look dry, 214 00:14:10,220 --> 00:14:15,340 once you get down under the surface a bit, you can often find moisture. 215 00:14:15,340 --> 00:14:17,240 Yeah, look. See that? 216 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,020 Just an inch or so down. 217 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:26,080 And that, look, that feels cooler and wetter already. 218 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:36,240 Cooler and wetter but not wet enough to drink. 219 00:14:38,100 --> 00:14:40,180 I mean, that's as good as I'm getting. 220 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,020 Out here, you need at least a gallon of water a day 221 00:14:46,020 --> 00:14:47,420 to stave off dehydration. 222 00:14:47,420 --> 00:14:50,320 Without it, you begin to feel disorientated, 223 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,080 suffering headaches and nausea. 224 00:14:57,020 --> 00:14:58,320 Straight towards us. 225 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:01,100 Vultures. You pick them out? 226 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:03,380 These birds are nature's true opportunists 227 00:15:03,380 --> 00:15:05,440 and they can be a real help to the survivor. 228 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,160 They can lead you to a fresh kill. 229 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:10,460 So often, the most efficient way of surviving 230 00:15:10,460 --> 00:15:12,440 is just to become a scavenger yourself. 231 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:14,400 Let's go down there. 232 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:28,360 Look at them all circling above. 233 00:15:29,420 --> 00:15:31,380 And this is what they're after. 234 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:36,080 This stinking, rotten deer carcass. 235 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:37,980 Man, that honks. 236 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:44,040 But, look, this is just way gone. 237 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:50,100 And really, you know, there's nothing on this for me to eat. 238 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:54,440 Vultures have a higher stomach-acid content than humans 239 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:57,060 and can tolerate far more bacteria, 240 00:15:57,060 --> 00:16:00,100 so what's good for them is definitely not good for me. 241 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:05,300 These arid lands are harsh and unforgiving, 242 00:16:05,300 --> 00:16:07,300 nature at its most brutal. 243 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:10,120 But with the right knowledge, you can find water here. 244 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,100 Here, look, strawberry pitaya. 245 00:16:12,100 --> 00:16:16,100 See, these very distinct red tops to them. 246 00:16:16,100 --> 00:16:19,420 If you get past the spikes and the spines, 247 00:16:19,420 --> 00:16:22,260 they're good to keep hydrated. 248 00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:28,980 What you got inside is all of this...nice fruit. 249 00:16:34,180 --> 00:16:36,340 And that's truly gorgeous. 250 00:16:36,340 --> 00:16:38,080 (SLURPS) 251 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:41,980 Cool. Worth keeping an eye out for more of those if you see them. 252 00:16:41,980 --> 00:16:44,980 Ahead of me lies my deadliest challenge. 253 00:16:44,980 --> 00:16:48,280 I come face to face with one of America's most lethal snakes. 254 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:51,220 There's no way I can just stick a hand in there. 255 00:16:51,220 --> 00:16:53,460 You know, one bite from that can kill a man. 256 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:03,380 Whoo! 257 00:17:03,380 --> 00:17:07,440 I'm battling the deep ravines and canyons of western Texas. 258 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:09,400 To the south lies the mighty Rio Grande, 259 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,000 one of the most monitored frontiers on Earth, 260 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:15,120 and that's your best chance of reaching safety. 261 00:17:17,140 --> 00:17:19,140 (RATTLING NOISE) 262 00:17:19,140 --> 00:17:20,380 Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. 263 00:17:20,380 --> 00:17:22,300 (RATTLE) You hear that? 264 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:25,140 That's a rattlesnake. 265 00:17:25,140 --> 00:17:26,420 Just follow me. Follow me. 266 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,020 Yeah, look. Under here. 267 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,020 Straight under that rock there. 268 00:17:35,100 --> 00:17:36,400 Yeah, but these guys, really, 269 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:40,360 they can be real killers if you stumble across these without knowing. 270 00:17:40,360 --> 00:17:45,180 And that's just the sort of place rattlesnakes would like, 271 00:17:45,180 --> 00:17:48,400 tucked under the rock, out of this heat of the sun. 272 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:53,020 People often think that snakes like the sun but they don't. 273 00:17:54,020 --> 00:17:56,020 If he comes out in the heat of the day, 274 00:17:56,020 --> 00:17:57,440 they can die in just a couple of hours. 275 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:01,200 But if I can get him out, that will make a good meal. 276 00:18:02,420 --> 00:18:05,040 There's no way I can just stick a hand in there. 277 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:10,120 Just try and just keep him in there, 278 00:18:10,120 --> 00:18:13,020 and we can go and make some sort of stick to get him out. 279 00:18:25,060 --> 00:18:26,300 OK. 280 00:18:26,300 --> 00:18:28,040 He should be quite happy with that 281 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:30,160 and just stay there for a few minutes. 282 00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,360 OK. Come with me, I know exactly what we need for this. 283 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:38,440 OK, let's make this quick. 284 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:41,060 I just need a hook... 285 00:18:42,320 --> 00:18:44,300 ..and then something to tie it all together with. 286 00:18:47,140 --> 00:18:49,260 I'll just use this yucca, 287 00:18:49,260 --> 00:18:54,220 gives you a nice long strand of material you can use to bind with. 288 00:18:54,220 --> 00:18:55,960 OK. 289 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,980 I first learnt this technique living with the San Bushmen of Namibia. 290 00:19:05,980 --> 00:19:09,060 Now, it's going to be pretty makeshift... 291 00:19:09,060 --> 00:19:11,020 ..but I haven't got long. 292 00:19:11,020 --> 00:19:12,260 OK. This'll do. 293 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:16,340 Little bit of a hook on that. 294 00:19:16,340 --> 00:19:19,240 Enough length to keep me at distance from the snake. 295 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:21,040 OK. 296 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,360 Soon as he comes out, he is going to be ----, alright? 297 00:19:24,360 --> 00:19:28,020 So, light on your feet and just watch for them. 298 00:19:30,260 --> 00:19:32,220 Let's get the rucksack out of the way first. 299 00:19:32,220 --> 00:19:33,960 (RATTLES) 300 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:36,200 That sound tells me the rattler's still in there. 301 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:39,180 It also says that it's ready to defend itself. 302 00:19:39,180 --> 00:19:42,020 But his best defence is to stay in the crevice. 303 00:19:42,020 --> 00:19:47,400 And this is why these snakes like these sort of places. 304 00:19:49,060 --> 00:19:51,120 Because they're very hard to get at. 305 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:55,020 If you start putting your hand into it, you're just going to get bit. 306 00:19:56,020 --> 00:19:57,260 OK, look, here we go. Whoa. 307 00:19:58,280 --> 00:20:01,260 And that very distinct diamond head. 308 00:20:02,420 --> 00:20:08,380 And that tells you you're dealing with a killer of a snake. 309 00:20:10,220 --> 00:20:12,320 He gets those fangs into you 310 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,200 and inject you with his haemotoxic venom, 311 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:19,340 and basically what it does is stop your blood coagulating 312 00:20:19,340 --> 00:20:23,180 and you end up just vomiting and pooing blood. 313 00:20:23,180 --> 00:20:27,100 That's the nastiest sort of death you can imagine. 314 00:20:27,100 --> 00:20:30,180 Alright, let's pull him out and try and get him. 315 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:38,960 Even with a stick, I've got to remain focused on where I'm standing. 316 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:42,000 You can't take your eyes off these snakes for a moment. 317 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,260 They can strike up to two thirds of their own body length. 318 00:20:46,140 --> 00:20:49,140 Pinning it down immobilises the snake just enough 319 00:20:49,140 --> 00:20:51,060 for me to risk getting in close. 320 00:20:51,060 --> 00:20:52,980 OK. 321 00:20:52,980 --> 00:20:58,000 And the only way to be really sure is to have his head off. 322 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:01,980 Even though I know I've decapitated it, I always double-check. 323 00:21:01,980 --> 00:21:04,060 OK. 324 00:21:04,060 --> 00:21:08,220 And even after he's dead, you've gotta be careful - 325 00:21:08,220 --> 00:21:10,200 the head can still inject you. 326 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:15,000 And that's what you do not want going into your bloodstream. 327 00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:17,180 It doesn't matter how many times you deal with snakes, 328 00:21:17,180 --> 00:21:20,300 you wouldn't be human if your heart wasn't racing 329 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:24,300 when you're dealing with one that's as lethal as this. 330 00:21:28,100 --> 00:21:32,040 It's good practice to bury the head of a venomous snake before you leave. 331 00:21:37,340 --> 00:21:41,100 On high ground like this, aiming for a distant landmark, 332 00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:43,100 it's pretty straightforward to stay on course 333 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:45,180 because you got line of sight to follow. 334 00:21:45,180 --> 00:21:49,220 When you start to then dip into this sort of lower ground, 335 00:21:49,220 --> 00:21:52,200 it's much harder to maintain your direction. 336 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:55,020 And a good technique is just to look at the shadow. 337 00:21:55,020 --> 00:21:57,280 Look at the angle your shadow's causing on your body 338 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,360 and then just maintain that and follow it. 339 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:06,280 But bear in mind, that's only really good over short distances, 340 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:10,400 because obviously your shadow's going to move about 15 degrees every hour. 341 00:22:19,980 --> 00:22:21,980 This desert is unrelenting. 342 00:22:21,980 --> 00:22:25,280 Dry, dusty terrain as far as the eye can see. 343 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:29,040 But even the harshest places can throw up a welcome surprise. 344 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:30,340 Man, just check this out. 345 00:22:30,340 --> 00:22:33,320 Look, completely hidden in the desert. 346 00:22:38,140 --> 00:22:39,400 Yeah, look at this. 347 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:42,280 About the most welcome sight you can imagine. 348 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:46,060 And all of this lush and green is like that 349 00:22:46,060 --> 00:22:47,300 because there's water down there. 350 00:22:50,140 --> 00:22:51,440 That's a good thing to find. 351 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:56,280 I found water, but the going doesn't get any easier. 352 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:23,260 I'm deep in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, western Texas, 353 00:23:23,260 --> 00:23:25,000 and I've reached an arroyo... 354 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:26,000 Look at this. 355 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:27,360 ..a slash of green vegetation 356 00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:31,160 fed from spring water emerging straight out of the volcanic rock. 357 00:23:34,120 --> 00:23:38,100 It's unbelievable to find water like this in the middle of the desert, 358 00:23:38,100 --> 00:23:41,000 somewhere so hot and so dry. 359 00:23:42,140 --> 00:23:44,300 First thing I'm going to do is just have a dunk. 360 00:23:48,100 --> 00:23:49,360 Ohh. 361 00:23:51,100 --> 00:23:52,420 That is... 362 00:23:54,340 --> 00:23:56,080 ..heaven. 363 00:23:57,140 --> 00:24:00,360 And all of this is just volcanic spring water, 364 00:24:00,360 --> 00:24:02,320 which means it's drinkable. 365 00:24:02,320 --> 00:24:04,260 And it's said that a lot of this water 366 00:24:04,260 --> 00:24:08,000 actually takes up to a thousand years to seep through all the rock 367 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,380 and come out of this. 368 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,320 I'm going to get my bottle to fill up. 369 00:24:13,380 --> 00:24:17,280 If you find something like this, man, you got to make use of it. 370 00:24:31,060 --> 00:24:33,240 Kind of a pretty imposing place, eh? 371 00:24:40,300 --> 00:24:43,060 Logs and debris are left piled high, 372 00:24:43,060 --> 00:24:46,220 evidence of the power of storms that hit this region. 373 00:24:46,220 --> 00:24:49,140 It makes progress down this arroyo slow work. 374 00:24:49,140 --> 00:24:50,400 Man! 375 00:24:50,400 --> 00:24:53,380 See, all of this is the remains of flash floods. 376 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:57,420 When it rains here in this valley, in this gully, 377 00:24:57,420 --> 00:25:01,020 all that water just gets rammed through here. 378 00:25:08,020 --> 00:25:11,040 And all too soon, there's another obstacle in my path. 379 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:13,300 Just take it easy on this step. 380 00:25:22,060 --> 00:25:23,360 I don't know what this is. 381 00:25:23,360 --> 00:25:25,960 Completely overhanging. 382 00:25:25,960 --> 00:25:28,240 Let's try and find another way, another way around. 383 00:25:34,020 --> 00:25:35,260 (ROCK CLATTERS) 384 00:25:36,380 --> 00:25:39,000 See if we can somehow reach this tree. 385 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,960 Hang on. Actually, we can use the grappling hook again. 386 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:51,360 See if I can run a hook over to one of those top branches there. 387 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:57,240 OK. That's going to be good. 388 00:25:58,360 --> 00:26:01,000 Let's give this a quick check. 389 00:26:05,940 --> 00:26:07,220 OK. That's caught. 390 00:26:08,220 --> 00:26:11,400 Yeah. Been a good friend to me, this grappling hook. 391 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:16,100 Let's use it one last time to get us down to the water. 392 00:26:16,100 --> 00:26:17,380 OK. 393 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:23,240 I guess let's try and get down to this lower bit. 394 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,000 (GRUNTS) 395 00:26:25,000 --> 00:26:26,240 Let's kick these off. 396 00:26:27,420 --> 00:26:29,180 OK. 397 00:26:29,180 --> 00:26:32,220 There's only one way to find out if this is gonna work, 398 00:26:32,220 --> 00:26:33,980 and that's to try it. 399 00:26:38,100 --> 00:26:39,340 Ohh! 400 00:26:41,300 --> 00:26:43,040 Got it! 401 00:26:43,040 --> 00:26:44,140 Trunk. 402 00:26:44,140 --> 00:26:46,180 OK, I'll try and get this across to you. 403 00:26:47,180 --> 00:26:49,160 Oh, God. Hang on. 404 00:26:52,260 --> 00:26:55,080 Not quite as strong as I hoped, these branches. 405 00:26:57,280 --> 00:26:59,120 OK, you ready to catch? 406 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:02,340 One, two, three. 407 00:27:03,340 --> 00:27:05,960 Nice. OK. 408 00:27:05,960 --> 00:27:07,200 Go for it. 409 00:27:09,220 --> 00:27:11,140 (GRUNTS) Alright? 410 00:27:11,140 --> 00:27:12,380 Get your foot on here. 411 00:27:13,960 --> 00:27:15,340 (GRUNTS) That's it. 412 00:27:15,340 --> 00:27:17,260 Against the tree. 413 00:27:18,300 --> 00:27:20,220 OK. Let's get down this thing. 414 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:29,200 (GRUNTS) 415 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:35,380 The thing is, all of these branches are...are just giving way like that. 416 00:27:35,380 --> 00:27:39,240 You gotta grip right around this trunk like a koala bear. 417 00:27:43,360 --> 00:27:45,360 (BRANCHES SNAP) 418 00:27:45,360 --> 00:27:47,100 Oh, ----. 419 00:27:51,940 --> 00:27:55,240 Try and grip and just have a quick breather. 420 00:27:57,100 --> 00:27:58,360 Definitely works the inner thighs. 421 00:28:01,260 --> 00:28:03,000 (GRUNTS) 422 00:28:06,120 --> 00:28:10,080 So often these things turn into much more of a mission 423 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:12,060 than you reckon when you start. 424 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:16,320 It's vital to keep moving, 425 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:19,280 but it means leaving this desert oasis behind. 426 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:22,040 It's not long before the river's dried up 427 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:24,380 and it's back into the furnace heat of the desert again. 428 00:28:25,940 --> 00:28:28,180 Look. It's all just parched dry. 429 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:44,240 Desert survival guides dictate 430 00:28:44,240 --> 00:28:48,960 that the best way to avoid heat and dehydration is to travel by night. 431 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:52,380 But this rough terrain is scarred by deep, unpredictable chasms. 432 00:28:52,380 --> 00:28:54,940 It's not a risk I'm willing to take. 433 00:28:54,940 --> 00:28:56,940 I'm going to find somewhere to make camp. 434 00:28:56,940 --> 00:28:58,260 Look, there's a whole cave up here. 435 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:01,940 Check this out. 436 00:29:02,940 --> 00:29:05,120 This sort of place is going to be perfect. 437 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:07,140 Still a few bones around. 438 00:29:08,140 --> 00:29:10,300 But by the look of these, 439 00:29:10,300 --> 00:29:12,320 yeah, these are brittle and way old. 440 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:14,320 This hasn't been used for a long time. 441 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:18,040 The only place I'm vulnerable from is the front. 442 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:20,260 Actually might be worth trying to... 443 00:29:20,260 --> 00:29:22,200 ..trying to build some sort of defence here. 444 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:28,180 This part of Texas is home to a large and very active cougar population, 445 00:29:28,180 --> 00:29:30,960 known locally as mountain lion. 446 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:34,320 Not a predator you'd want to bump into at night-time. 447 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:38,200 Now, this stuff is going to act as a kick-ass barricade. 448 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:40,260 Look at this. It's called devil's walking stick. 449 00:29:40,260 --> 00:29:42,160 See the spines along that? 450 00:29:42,160 --> 00:29:45,160 It's going to go straight through your fingers. 451 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,940 But if you look down at the bottom of it, there are no spines down here, 452 00:29:48,940 --> 00:29:51,160 which means I can make my defence out of loads of these. 453 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:52,400 OK. 454 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:56,960 I'm going to collect a few of these to place across the cave entrance. 455 00:29:59,980 --> 00:30:02,040 OK. That will do for this bit. 456 00:30:02,040 --> 00:30:04,180 Now, if I make a fire in this corner, 457 00:30:04,180 --> 00:30:06,040 that's going to protect me here as well. 458 00:30:07,360 --> 00:30:09,160 My plan is to make a fire 459 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:13,080 using a method that's been around for as long as man has been making fire, 460 00:30:13,080 --> 00:30:14,320 the hand drill. 461 00:30:14,320 --> 00:30:17,340 No matches, no flints, just two bits of wood. 462 00:30:17,340 --> 00:30:20,960 Even smoother, once you got the bigger bits off... 463 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:25,060 ..is just to use some of this gravel... 464 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:28,060 ..put it in your shirt... 465 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:31,280 ..lay this in it... 466 00:30:33,060 --> 00:30:35,000 ..and it works like sandpaper. 467 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:42,320 OK. That's then the spindle made nice and smooth. 468 00:30:43,380 --> 00:30:48,120 And then for the base, I'll just use the end of this. 469 00:30:54,260 --> 00:30:57,260 Make a small well in the base, called the hearth, 470 00:30:57,260 --> 00:31:00,940 then carve a notch in the side to allow the embers to fall out. 471 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:06,280 I'm just going to use this bit of bone as well 472 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:11,080 as an ember pan to put underneath this hearth. 473 00:31:12,220 --> 00:31:15,360 And so much of fire is about just good preparation. 474 00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:17,100 Plan it well... 475 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:20,300 ..and, hopefully, it'll work first time. 476 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:30,300 OK. That's the rough shape of it. 477 00:31:30,300 --> 00:31:33,920 Then what you want is just a tiny, little pinch of sand. 478 00:31:35,100 --> 00:31:37,260 And that's going to add a little bit more friction... 479 00:31:38,260 --> 00:31:40,120 ..when you're spinning this spindle. 480 00:31:54,100 --> 00:31:56,920 The key with this is not tiring yourself out too quickly. 481 00:31:56,920 --> 00:31:59,100 Slowly build up that heat 482 00:31:59,100 --> 00:32:01,320 and then as the smoke starts to appear, 483 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:04,160 you can start to speed it all up a bit. 484 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:12,080 And the smoke is such an enticing sight, 485 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:15,040 and you know you're near to fire. 486 00:32:20,980 --> 00:32:24,960 You've also got to watch out you don't drip sweat off your nose 487 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:27,340 into your ember pan. 488 00:32:27,340 --> 00:32:30,920 Especially important if you've got a big nose like mine. 489 00:32:39,180 --> 00:32:40,920 (GRUNTS) 490 00:32:44,960 --> 00:32:46,260 And what you want 491 00:32:46,260 --> 00:32:51,180 is a continuous plume of smoke... coming from the ember pan, 492 00:32:51,180 --> 00:32:56,220 and then you know you've got the potential to make fire. 493 00:33:01,020 --> 00:33:02,260 Yeah. 494 00:33:02,260 --> 00:33:04,280 Come on. 495 00:33:06,160 --> 00:33:11,340 OK. And then super gently with this, just tip that in. 496 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:18,020 And what you want to do is tip it like this so it stays as one ember. 497 00:33:18,020 --> 00:33:20,360 This old bird's nest makes perfect tinder. 498 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:22,160 And then protect it. 499 00:33:29,100 --> 00:33:31,060 And sort of imagine you're trying to... 500 00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:34,280 ..hold a butterfly. 501 00:33:36,400 --> 00:33:38,980 Not too tightly or you're going to smother it. 502 00:33:40,360 --> 00:33:43,160 But not too loose that it's going to get away. 503 00:33:54,060 --> 00:33:55,380 OK. Here we go. 504 00:33:59,240 --> 00:34:01,160 Whoa. 505 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:05,100 Fire. Whoo-hoo. 506 00:34:06,100 --> 00:34:08,200 And that's such a good feeling... 507 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:13,220 ..getting fire going just from a hand drill... 508 00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:17,340 ..with no matches or anything. 509 00:34:18,940 --> 00:34:23,380 And, you know, the answer to so much of survival is all around us. 510 00:34:23,380 --> 00:34:27,380 People have been doing this sort of thing for thousands of years 511 00:34:27,380 --> 00:34:30,980 and we survive if we listen to them. 512 00:34:35,120 --> 00:34:38,400 With my fire going, I can skin this snake and get it cooked. 513 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:49,120 Take the rattle off. Give that as a present to my little boy. 514 00:34:50,160 --> 00:34:53,960 And then the meat of this I'll just roast on... 515 00:34:57,000 --> 00:35:00,100 ..a bit of this devil's walking stick. 516 00:35:00,100 --> 00:35:02,240 Good thing about this, because all the spikes... 517 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:06,360 ..it's gonna grip to it really nicely, 518 00:35:06,360 --> 00:35:09,920 and then the green wood won't burn, 519 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:11,160 the snake will cook. 520 00:35:11,160 --> 00:35:12,400 That's supper. 521 00:35:14,320 --> 00:35:18,160 There's still light to collect some creosote bush for a mattress. 522 00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:20,240 They say that in survival terms, 523 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:23,040 a good night's sleep is as good as a meal. 524 00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:24,320 Now I've got both. 525 00:35:26,220 --> 00:35:31,040 Now, this is good stuff to sleep on, not only because the bugs hate it - 526 00:35:31,040 --> 00:35:32,280 it keeps them away from me - 527 00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:34,220 but also, it masks my smell, 528 00:35:34,220 --> 00:35:38,340 which is going to help me keep the mountain lions away from this cave. 529 00:35:42,940 --> 00:35:44,180 Oww. 530 00:35:44,180 --> 00:35:46,960 Why is it that everything around here 531 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:51,000 is either spiky, sharp or out to kill you? 532 00:35:54,120 --> 00:35:55,940 OK. 533 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:07,280 People often say that snakes taste like chicken. 534 00:36:08,340 --> 00:36:10,080 But you know what? 535 00:36:10,080 --> 00:36:11,360 They just don't. 536 00:36:12,360 --> 00:36:18,160 It's more like...flame-grilled sinewy bone and skin. 537 00:36:23,940 --> 00:36:26,920 Oh, it's a beautiful, still night. 538 00:36:26,920 --> 00:36:28,940 It's amazing, the silence out here. 539 00:36:30,220 --> 00:36:31,980 But I do need to pee. 540 00:36:31,980 --> 00:36:36,360 I think I might try and aim it through the devil's walking stick. 541 00:36:45,380 --> 00:36:47,140 OK. 542 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:50,980 (URINATES) 543 00:36:57,000 --> 00:36:58,280 That's better. 544 00:37:00,180 --> 00:37:03,020 I mean, we say survival isn't pretty. 545 00:37:04,300 --> 00:37:06,140 I guess I know what they mean. 546 00:37:07,140 --> 00:37:10,160 Oh, I'll just try and get some sleep. 547 00:37:24,100 --> 00:37:26,000 BEAR: I spent the night in a cave 548 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:28,300 deep in the Chihuahuan Desert, western Texas. 549 00:37:29,300 --> 00:37:32,360 With little or no rainfall for months on end, 550 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:36,120 staying hydrated is the most critical element to survival 551 00:37:36,120 --> 00:37:38,260 in this parched region in North America. 552 00:37:43,140 --> 00:37:45,040 A lizard resting on the rocks 553 00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:48,980 will provide a quick burst of protein, if you can catch it. 554 00:37:58,980 --> 00:38:00,220 Whoo. 555 00:38:00,220 --> 00:38:02,060 Fast little fella. 556 00:38:03,100 --> 00:38:05,100 But, actually, if you just take the head off that... 557 00:38:06,100 --> 00:38:08,340 ..and then squeeze the guts out, 558 00:38:08,340 --> 00:38:12,120 that's going to be a good little munch on the way. 559 00:38:35,260 --> 00:38:37,000 There's a river. 560 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:43,240 See that? 561 00:38:43,240 --> 00:38:46,320 The Rio Grande and the border with Mexico. 562 00:38:47,320 --> 00:38:50,380 And the border control guys are going to be all over this. 563 00:38:50,380 --> 00:38:53,960 You know, they have cameras and unmanned balloons, 564 00:38:53,960 --> 00:38:56,080 patrols going up and down the river. 565 00:38:56,080 --> 00:38:59,040 If you reach that, you're going to get found. 566 00:39:00,160 --> 00:39:02,280 The river is several hundred feet below, 567 00:39:02,280 --> 00:39:05,180 but by pushing my back and feet against either side, 568 00:39:05,180 --> 00:39:09,000 I can use these narrow fissures to chimney-climb my way down. 569 00:39:11,320 --> 00:39:15,000 My feet are wedged on about one toe's worth 570 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,220 of this loose, crumbly, horrible stuff. 571 00:39:19,240 --> 00:39:22,980 I don't like this feeling very much. 572 00:39:22,980 --> 00:39:25,260 "Bear, stop complaining, get down it." 573 00:39:27,300 --> 00:39:31,040 It's vital to keep your movements nice and slow 574 00:39:31,040 --> 00:39:33,260 and always keep body pressure against the rockface. 575 00:39:34,300 --> 00:39:37,140 What I don't like is that I just can't see 576 00:39:37,140 --> 00:39:39,240 how big a drop it is under me, 577 00:39:39,240 --> 00:39:44,000 whether it's 20 foot or 200 foot down that shaft. 578 00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:47,120 It's definitely beginning to widen out, though. 579 00:39:48,300 --> 00:39:50,360 Oh, man. That's bad. That's bad. 580 00:39:50,360 --> 00:39:54,120 That's just a...sheer overhang drop down there. 581 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:57,920 And that is not climbable. 582 00:39:59,040 --> 00:40:03,300 We got to use this rope somehow and work out some way of attaching this. 583 00:40:05,000 --> 00:40:06,360 (GRUNTS) Yeah. 584 00:40:07,920 --> 00:40:13,320 I need to try and improvise some way of making like a nut, 585 00:40:13,320 --> 00:40:16,200 which is a climbing tool that jams into a rock 586 00:40:16,200 --> 00:40:18,120 and you can attach a rope to. 587 00:40:19,120 --> 00:40:23,080 The number of times I've found myself in a sticky jam, 588 00:40:23,080 --> 00:40:27,080 and you just feel your mind racing and loads of mad ideas come into it. 589 00:40:28,080 --> 00:40:30,000 And eventually, one of them, you think, 590 00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:32,920 "Hang on, with a little bit of a tweak, 591 00:40:32,920 --> 00:40:35,220 "something along those lines could work." 592 00:40:35,220 --> 00:40:37,040 OK. Look. 593 00:40:37,040 --> 00:40:39,940 That's going to be the actual climbing nut itself 594 00:40:39,940 --> 00:40:43,120 and all of that should take my weight. 595 00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:48,940 (ROCKS TUMBLE) 596 00:40:48,940 --> 00:40:53,300 Bit of a precarious position, this one. 597 00:40:53,300 --> 00:40:57,020 I'm trying to get this nut into this crack. 598 00:41:00,100 --> 00:41:04,360 OK, that's...relatively solid. 599 00:41:04,360 --> 00:41:08,260 And then all I gotta do is thread the rope through this, 600 00:41:08,260 --> 00:41:10,960 climb down on the rope and retrieve it. 601 00:41:10,960 --> 00:41:12,320 Alright, let's get that rucksack. 602 00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:18,340 OK, thread that through. 603 00:41:18,340 --> 00:41:21,940 What at first seems like an easy scramble down 604 00:41:21,940 --> 00:41:26,220 could quickly turn into something much bigger and much more dangerous. 605 00:41:26,220 --> 00:41:28,340 You always need a way back up, 606 00:41:28,340 --> 00:41:32,060 otherwise you get rimrocked - trapped with no way up or down - 607 00:41:32,060 --> 00:41:35,200 and you're literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. 608 00:41:44,000 --> 00:41:45,360 Shhh... (PANTS) 609 00:41:47,380 --> 00:41:50,240 Alright. Try and get this back. 610 00:41:55,080 --> 00:41:56,900 Whoa! 611 00:41:56,900 --> 00:41:59,040 Oh, man. Alive. 612 00:42:00,040 --> 00:42:02,160 Get this stowed and get moving. 613 00:42:06,040 --> 00:42:08,260 Down the shaft of doom. 614 00:42:09,280 --> 00:42:11,020 Look at that. 615 00:42:12,340 --> 00:42:14,120 OK. 616 00:42:24,980 --> 00:42:28,000 This is going to be just heaven. 617 00:42:37,060 --> 00:42:38,140 Whoo! 618 00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:43,380 I'm going to work my way along the river. 619 00:42:43,380 --> 00:42:47,000 You may not know it, but you're almost certainly being monitored. 620 00:42:47,000 --> 00:42:49,120 You have to hope that you trigger the system 621 00:42:49,120 --> 00:42:51,140 and the border patrol come to investigate. 622 00:43:06,360 --> 00:43:08,140 (SIREN WAILS) 623 00:43:08,140 --> 00:43:10,180 That's the sound of a sheriff's patrol car, 624 00:43:10,180 --> 00:43:12,120 which means my way out of here. 625 00:43:13,260 --> 00:43:17,280 This desert has sucked me in, chewed me up and spat me out. 626 00:43:17,280 --> 00:43:22,140 And if I've learned one thing, it's this - don't mess with Texas.