1 00:00:12,300 --> 00:00:14,200 I'm Bear Grylls... Whoo! 2 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:17,080 ..and I'm gonna show you what it takes to get out alive 3 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:19,320 from some of the most dangerous places on earth. 4 00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:24,140 I've got to make it through a series of challenges 5 00:00:24,260 --> 00:00:26,420 in the sort of places where you wouldn't last long 6 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:29,000 without the right survival skills. 7 00:00:30,460 --> 00:00:33,120 Now I'm in the dense jungles of Borneo, 8 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,080 one of the most isolated parts of the world. 9 00:00:36,160 --> 00:00:37,440 I can't grip with my feet. 10 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,400 It's an environment full of hidden dangers. 11 00:00:41,220 --> 00:00:43,280 Ow! He just got me then. 12 00:00:43,420 --> 00:00:45,160 The terrain is unforgiving. 13 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:48,400 Whoa! That'll be the river, then. 14 00:00:49,100 --> 00:00:51,160 Even the weather can push you to the limit. 15 00:00:52,020 --> 00:00:54,040 It's just relentless, this. 16 00:00:54,180 --> 00:00:57,440 And for every step forward you can take two steps back. 17 00:00:58,040 --> 00:00:59,240 Ooh... 18 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:11,340 Borneo in South-East Asia is the third largest island in the world. 19 00:01:12,320 --> 00:01:15,100 It's nearly 300,000 square miles in area, 20 00:01:15,160 --> 00:01:17,080 about the same size as Texas. 21 00:01:19,220 --> 00:01:22,120 Scarred by rugged mountains and dense rainforest, 22 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,440 it boasts an incredibly rich and deadly biodiversity. 23 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,360 Almost half of the world's animal and plant species 24 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:32,400 can be found in these jungles 25 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,060 and there are literally thousands you're not gonna come across 26 00:01:36,100 --> 00:01:37,380 anywhere else on the planet. 27 00:01:38,020 --> 00:01:41,220 That means a whole new set of challenges for me. 28 00:01:42,100 --> 00:01:45,340 That combination of remote jungle and the range of wildlife 29 00:01:45,380 --> 00:01:47,360 is a big draw to adventurers. 30 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:49,380 But make no mistake - 31 00:01:50,100 --> 00:01:52,420 the very features that can make these places so appealing 32 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:54,320 can also be killers. 33 00:01:55,060 --> 00:01:59,060 A couple of years ago a German hiker got lost in the jungles of Borneo. 34 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:03,120 It took them months to find his body. He'd starved to death. 35 00:02:03,220 --> 00:02:05,140 I'm gonna show you not only how to 36 00:02:05,180 --> 00:02:07,480 survive here but how to escape alive. 37 00:02:09,180 --> 00:02:12,260 I'm heading for the most impenetrable part of the jungle. 38 00:02:13,340 --> 00:02:15,200 There's nowhere to land the chopper, 39 00:02:16,260 --> 00:02:18,220 so I'm gonna rappel down to the treetops 40 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:21,200 and then show you how to climb down to the ground. 41 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:25,140 Let's go for that one. We'll come around. 42 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:31,400 OK, Bear, we're approaching the location. 43 00:02:37,340 --> 00:02:40,300 When there's no suitable landing zone for a helicopter, 44 00:02:40,340 --> 00:02:42,140 troops will rappel down. 45 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:44,040 But it's not for the faint-hearted - 46 00:02:44,140 --> 00:02:47,060 it requires pinpoint accuracy from the pilot. 47 00:02:49,260 --> 00:02:52,420 Usually I'd let the rope run out below to stop me swinging, 48 00:02:53,260 --> 00:02:55,460 but it's too dangerous a manoeuvre here. 49 00:02:57,420 --> 00:03:01,140 If the rope gets snagged, then it could bring down the helicopter. 50 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:04,320 But with the rope in a bag on my hip 51 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:08,360 I risk swinging into the trees and being impaled on a branch. 52 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:22,220 Ooh. Whoo! 53 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:25,000 I've made it down to the canopy 54 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,280 but I'm still 100 feet above the ground. 55 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:35,340 That's the heli gone. 56 00:03:39,180 --> 00:03:43,320 It's very, very precarious up here. 57 00:03:45,260 --> 00:03:47,360 Way higher than I thought. 58 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:50,180 You can see why they used to 59 00:03:50,220 --> 00:03:53,120 give pilots who were flying over the jungle... 60 00:03:53,160 --> 00:03:55,260 ..they used to issue them extra rigging lines. 61 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:59,340 Just in case they had to bail out and got stuck in the jungle canopy, 62 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,420 they had a way to get down to the jungle floor. 63 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,200 We're gonna have to use Mother Nature a little bit more. 64 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,420 There are no branches lower down the tree that I've landed in 65 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:13,220 and the trunk is too thick to get a good grip around. 66 00:04:14,020 --> 00:04:16,220 But I could use that thick vine on the neighbouring tree - 67 00:04:16,380 --> 00:04:18,080 if I can just get to it. 68 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:23,060 Some smaller vines linking the two trees could be my route across. 69 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:25,480 The thing is these vines look precarious 70 00:04:26,020 --> 00:04:28,460 but actually they're very, very strong. 71 00:04:29,260 --> 00:04:32,440 I'll make it down this cluster to the bigger trunk. 72 00:04:33,380 --> 00:04:35,440 Spreading my weight over several smaller vines 73 00:04:36,020 --> 00:04:38,040 should reduce the risk of a sudden break. 74 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,160 These are holding. 75 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:44,460 Just as well - a fall from this height could be fatal. 76 00:04:50,340 --> 00:04:52,240 OK, onto this branch. 77 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:58,220 It's a little bit more reassuring than all of these. 78 00:04:59,460 --> 00:05:03,120 OK, look, you can see it's a nice big vine. 79 00:05:03,220 --> 00:05:05,000 OK, let's get onto that. 80 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:13,300 The vine is more of a fireman's pole than a rope 81 00:05:13,380 --> 00:05:16,280 and I have to clear off the moss to get a grip. 82 00:05:17,180 --> 00:05:20,200 It's taking all my strength just to control my descent. 83 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,400 What I do know is that if this was raining 84 00:05:25,340 --> 00:05:27,440 I'd never be able to do this. 85 00:05:29,060 --> 00:05:30,260 Just be too slippy. 86 00:05:30,340 --> 00:05:32,420 I've actually got quite a good grip on this. 87 00:05:33,260 --> 00:05:37,240 The only things that are failing are my arm muscles. 88 00:05:38,220 --> 00:05:39,300 Come on. 89 00:05:40,220 --> 00:05:43,040 This close to the ground, I can risk a faster slide 90 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:45,180 before my arms give out completely. 91 00:05:51,140 --> 00:05:52,220 Whoo! 92 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:01,100 A long way down, that. Not an easy descent. 93 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:03,440 Shows how strong those vines are, though. 94 00:06:04,020 --> 00:06:06,160 OK, come on, we're heading downhill. Let's go. 95 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:10,240 In Borneo, the best route out of the jungle is usually downhill. 96 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:13,140 It's the quickest way to find a river or stream 97 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,040 and most settlements are in the valleys. 98 00:06:17,100 --> 00:06:18,160 Whoops. 99 00:06:18,240 --> 00:06:20,380 Look, that's why you've got to be mindful. 100 00:06:21,180 --> 00:06:24,220 Look at the spikes on this. 101 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:29,420 Go downhill, grab hold of that, it's just gonna shred your hand. 102 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:33,060 Also, they have a nasty habit, these sort of things, of just breaking off 103 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:35,220 getting embedded and then getting infected. 104 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:38,240 You kinda want to try and develop a sixth sense 105 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:41,080 of before you grab something, just taking a look 106 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:45,020 and make sure it's OK like that and not like that. 107 00:06:47,340 --> 00:06:50,300 Plants aren't the only jungle residents to be wary of. 108 00:06:51,160 --> 00:06:54,260 This place is full of creatures all out to get your blood. 109 00:06:56,020 --> 00:06:58,400 Look, here's a leech down there. See him? 110 00:06:58,440 --> 00:07:02,480 There are just millions and millions of these leeches in the jungle. 111 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,100 Look at the way he reaches up. 112 00:07:05,140 --> 00:07:07,380 He can smell me, and once he gets on, 113 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:12,060 he'll then inject an anticoagulant, stop my blood clotting 114 00:07:12,340 --> 00:07:16,200 and then the wound will just bleed and bleed. 115 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,060 I'm leaving this guy to it. 116 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:21,220 Borneo is infested with leeches 117 00:07:21,260 --> 00:07:24,260 and I'm in no hurry to let them feast on my precious blood. 118 00:07:31,060 --> 00:07:33,000 Whoa, look at the size of that cave. 119 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:35,340 That will have been formed by water. 120 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:38,080 Potentially I might be able to get down there 121 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,460 and actually follow that to a watercourse. 122 00:07:42,060 --> 00:07:44,240 There's quite a clear way down this as well - 123 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,260 big, thick couple of vines, all the way down to the bottom, 124 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:49,180 reaches the cave floor. 125 00:07:49,220 --> 00:07:51,240 We're gonna need light, though, if we're gonna go down there. 126 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:53,080 Hold on. 127 00:07:55,300 --> 00:07:57,420 Every good torch needs something to burn, 128 00:07:58,140 --> 00:08:01,040 and the jungle is full of potential fuel. 129 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:03,060 This is a dammar tree. 130 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:05,260 You can tell that from all this resin. 131 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:07,400 See all of this? Oozing out of it. 132 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,420 And this is what soldiers will call 'jungle hexi', 133 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,420 because it's like those military hexi blocks you get 134 00:08:14,460 --> 00:08:17,060 that you can light and they'll burn for ages. 135 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:19,180 But that's gonna be brilliant for a torch. 136 00:08:19,460 --> 00:08:21,240 The resin is a good start. 137 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:23,180 Together with this piece of bamboo 138 00:08:23,220 --> 00:08:25,420 I've got the makings of the ideal torch. 139 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:28,400 Just want to thin this bamboo down a little bit, 140 00:08:29,140 --> 00:08:32,220 and this is really to contain all of the sap in here, 141 00:08:33,100 --> 00:08:35,380 but I'm gonna need to burn a bit of the bamboo as well, 142 00:08:35,420 --> 00:08:37,320 otherwise it's gonna snuff it out. 143 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:41,100 And once you've got it thinned down 144 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:44,220 you can then just fill it up with all this jungle hexi, 145 00:08:45,020 --> 00:08:46,440 stuff it down there. 146 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:52,420 And that then is gonna keep burning for a long time in that cave. 147 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,420 I'll need also just some tinder to get the flame going initially, 148 00:08:56,460 --> 00:08:59,360 and I can use a bit of dead bamboo. 149 00:09:00,180 --> 00:09:01,340 Just scrape off the outer layer and 150 00:09:01,380 --> 00:09:03,440 use your knife to make some shavings. 151 00:09:05,260 --> 00:09:08,300 Collect all that up and that'll take a spark nicely. 152 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:10,240 OK, we're good to go. 153 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,060 Survival in the wild often comes down to planning ahead 154 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,200 and making the most of anything you find. 155 00:09:18,380 --> 00:09:21,080 Look, rattan vine. See this one? 156 00:09:22,140 --> 00:09:23,440 Definitely worth collecting that. 157 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:26,400 Amazing stuff, really flexible, really strong. 158 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:29,300 You can use it...use it as like rope. 159 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,300 There are nearly 150 types of rattan in Borneo. 160 00:09:34,060 --> 00:09:37,300 Locals use fresh lengths for cordage, rope and string. 161 00:09:38,420 --> 00:09:40,300 OK, that's probably enough of it. 162 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:44,000 And then just put it round a tree to soften it up a bit. 163 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,400 And this is just loosening up the fibres 164 00:09:47,180 --> 00:09:49,240 so it's more flexible, easier to coil. 165 00:09:49,460 --> 00:09:53,400 I've got a torch, tinder and a handy length of improvised rope, 166 00:09:54,060 --> 00:09:55,440 but I'm gonna need my wits about me 167 00:09:55,480 --> 00:09:58,300 if I'm gonna deal with all that Borneo can throw at me. 168 00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:01,220 I can't grip with my feet. 169 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,380 I'm deep in the jungles of Borneo. 170 00:10:14,060 --> 00:10:16,280 I've successfully descended from the canopy. 171 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:17,460 Ooh. 172 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:19,340 Now I'm hoping this cave will offer me 173 00:10:19,380 --> 00:10:22,040 a quick route down to find a waterway. 174 00:10:23,120 --> 00:10:24,400 Moment of truth. 175 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:35,040 This vine looks strong enough to take my weight, 176 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,980 but it's gonna be hard work for my arms. 177 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,200 Oh, look, I can stand on this bit there. 178 00:10:45,060 --> 00:10:46,380 Give my arms a rest. 179 00:10:47,140 --> 00:10:49,320 Definitely a good forearm work-out. 180 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:55,200 What's difficult is that I can't grip with my feet. 181 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,180 Almost down. 182 00:10:59,420 --> 00:11:01,300 Last few feet. 183 00:11:03,220 --> 00:11:04,460 Phew! 184 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:09,000 My arms have held out, but I can't relax just yet. 185 00:11:09,380 --> 00:11:12,140 Check this guy I almost landed on. 186 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:16,140 And, to be honest, I have no idea what that is. 187 00:11:16,220 --> 00:11:18,100 It's something I've never seen before, 188 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:20,280 but that's Borneo for you. 189 00:11:20,380 --> 00:11:23,040 What I do know is that he's brightly coloured, 190 00:11:23,340 --> 00:11:25,360 and if he survives down here, 191 00:11:25,460 --> 00:11:28,220 he survives by packing a punch of something. 192 00:11:28,420 --> 00:11:32,080 It's a good rule of thumb to avoid anything like this guy. 193 00:11:32,180 --> 00:11:35,440 That bright exterior is a warning sign shouting, "Stay away!" 194 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:39,180 OK, try and get a bit lower down into this. 195 00:11:41,140 --> 00:11:44,080 I can't see any handy vines to help me down the next stage, 196 00:11:44,260 --> 00:11:46,240 so it's time for my jungle rattan rope. 197 00:11:47,100 --> 00:11:50,060 Maybe use this big block here. 198 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:53,320 Throw all of this end down... 199 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:58,980 ..and then just loop this straight over, 200 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,460 jam it in, and that's gonna be absolutely solid. 201 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:04,240 And then just do a South African rappel. 202 00:12:04,300 --> 00:12:07,320 Grab the two ends, round the waist 203 00:12:08,420 --> 00:12:11,120 and then step over... 204 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:14,080 ..step over them 205 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:16,460 and you just hold the ends in your hand 206 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,260 and the rest of it's running down there. 207 00:12:22,180 --> 00:12:25,280 Rappelling like this is a good way of taking the weight off your arms 208 00:12:25,380 --> 00:12:27,340 and controlling your own descent. 209 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:30,300 But it needs a leap of faith 210 00:12:30,380 --> 00:12:33,060 to commit yourself to a thin line of vegetation. 211 00:12:33,100 --> 00:12:35,060 (GRUNTS) 212 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,100 Another 20 foot, I'm down. 213 00:12:46,260 --> 00:12:47,440 Down! 214 00:12:48,180 --> 00:12:51,320 On the cave floor. That reached, only just. 215 00:12:52,980 --> 00:12:54,220 Get a torch going on. 216 00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,440 The bamboo shavings are excellent for taking the spark from a striker. 217 00:12:59,220 --> 00:13:00,400 Once you've got your tinder going 218 00:13:00,460 --> 00:13:03,240 it's just a case of heating the resin until it catches. 219 00:13:04,340 --> 00:13:06,200 OK, that's the torch going. 220 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:09,460 Just a crazy place down here. 221 00:13:10,980 --> 00:13:14,020 Here, hold this. Let's get this rattan coiled. 222 00:13:14,300 --> 00:13:18,320 Oh, look, that smell. That's all bat guano. 223 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,400 You can see it, look, on the ground here. 224 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:22,220 Stink! 225 00:13:23,020 --> 00:13:25,460 You can also find flesh-eating cockroaches, 226 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,040 and they'll live off bat guano, 227 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,080 but also any birds or bats that fall to the ground, 228 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:36,060 cockroaches will then just strip them of their flesh and eat them. 229 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:40,160 OK, let's get this stowed and try and find a way through this cave. 230 00:13:42,980 --> 00:13:44,300 (SOFTLY) It's eerily quiet suddenly. 231 00:13:44,360 --> 00:13:46,980 There's always so much noise when you're actually in the jungle, 232 00:13:47,020 --> 00:13:51,300 but down here it all goes strangely still. 233 00:13:58,460 --> 00:14:01,360 Check these out. Little nests. 234 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:06,460 The caves of Borneo are famous for their birds' nests. 235 00:14:07,180 --> 00:14:09,400 Some are actually made out of birds' saliva. 236 00:14:10,140 --> 00:14:13,020 And what they do is use those and make it into soup. 237 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:15,240 Bird's nest soup is a delicacy. 238 00:14:15,300 --> 00:14:18,980 The right nests can fetch over $900 a pound. 239 00:14:19,100 --> 00:14:21,060 These ones aren't financially valuable 240 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:25,020 but they could provide a simple meal, and that's worth a lot. 241 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:27,140 Those are cave swift eggs. 242 00:14:32,380 --> 00:14:35,340 Actually, that's not rotten. They're OK to eat, those. 243 00:14:38,420 --> 00:14:40,320 Oh! Not that one, though. 244 00:14:40,980 --> 00:14:43,240 Fresh eggs are a good source of protein and fluid. 245 00:14:46,100 --> 00:14:50,020 My meal wasn't large to begin with. It's even smaller now. 246 00:14:51,340 --> 00:14:53,100 OK, let's keep moving. Come on. 247 00:14:56,100 --> 00:14:59,140 Borneo is famous for its enormous cave systems. 248 00:15:00,260 --> 00:15:03,040 Dead end that way. Try round here. 249 00:15:03,420 --> 00:15:08,200 One cave network in Borneo extends for over 180 miles underground 250 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:10,440 and new parts of it are still being explored. 251 00:15:14,380 --> 00:15:16,140 Goes down again. 252 00:15:16,420 --> 00:15:19,000 This cave doesn't appear too big. 253 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:22,200 By sticking to a downhill route I'm hoping to find a stream. 254 00:15:23,140 --> 00:15:27,160 If I don't, a direct climb back will allow me to retrace my steps. 255 00:15:29,020 --> 00:15:30,320 Oh! 256 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:34,120 That'd be the wet and slippy mud. 257 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:39,320 As I enter a new cave system I can hear the faint noise of water. 258 00:15:40,140 --> 00:15:41,360 There's light ahead there. 259 00:15:41,980 --> 00:15:43,140 Come on. 260 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:48,000 Scrabbling around underground can feel so claustrophobic. 261 00:15:48,180 --> 00:15:51,280 It's always a relief for me to see daylight ahead. 262 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,140 Let's get to the mouth, come on. 263 00:15:57,220 --> 00:15:59,460 What an incredible view! 264 00:16:01,460 --> 00:16:04,400 And that's what I love about the jungle. 265 00:16:04,980 --> 00:16:06,180 You know, sometimes you'll find yourself 266 00:16:06,220 --> 00:16:07,400 in a little place like this, 267 00:16:08,140 --> 00:16:12,300 where the likelihood is no other human will ever have been. 268 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:14,340 And that's just a privilege. 269 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,160 Look at it! 270 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:20,000 And look, we've got a watercourse as well down there, 271 00:16:21,220 --> 00:16:22,260 which is good. 272 00:16:22,980 --> 00:16:25,360 We can use that and follow it. 273 00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:26,460 It's gonna lead us to a river 274 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,220 and that's gonna be your best chance of finding people. 275 00:16:31,260 --> 00:16:34,220 Just take a minute, a minute to enjoy this. 276 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,040 It's time to get moving. 277 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:43,360 Watch out, it's slippery on this bit. 278 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,300 The cave has given me a break, 279 00:16:46,000 --> 00:16:48,100 but heading back into the jungle will expose me 280 00:16:48,140 --> 00:16:50,060 to all sorts of hidden dangers. 281 00:16:51,160 --> 00:16:54,460 That's what we want to be careful of - deadfall! 282 00:17:04,240 --> 00:17:08,120 I'm in Borneo, tackling one of the toughest jungles in the world. 283 00:17:09,100 --> 00:17:11,340 Descending through a cave has brought me to a stream, 284 00:17:12,020 --> 00:17:16,120 but, flanked by cliffs, this 40ft waterfall blocks my route. 285 00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:18,340 Look, we've also got the clouds moving in. 286 00:17:19,420 --> 00:17:21,380 We need to work out some way down here. 287 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:23,320 If it starts raining 288 00:17:23,420 --> 00:17:26,420 any kind of descent is gonna be ten times more difficult. 289 00:17:27,260 --> 00:17:29,060 Let's try that way. 290 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:32,320 Steady. 291 00:17:35,020 --> 00:17:39,100 It's actually the root system, this, of an upside-down tree. 292 00:17:40,220 --> 00:17:43,080 And look, that goes all the way down to the bottom, look. 293 00:17:45,120 --> 00:17:47,280 These trees could be my way down. 294 00:17:49,380 --> 00:17:52,180 I'm gonna work my way through this root system first. 295 00:17:55,440 --> 00:17:57,420 They've been toppled by a recent landslide. 296 00:17:58,140 --> 00:18:02,320 It's the kind of thing that makes jungles so dynamic and so dangerous. 297 00:18:07,360 --> 00:18:09,240 Quite a good little alcove in here. 298 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:11,960 Little bit precarious, though. 299 00:18:12,180 --> 00:18:14,280 But look, straight down this tree trunk. 300 00:18:17,300 --> 00:18:19,120 And that's what I'm trying to shin down. 301 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:21,340 Let me just come around to you. 302 00:18:23,260 --> 00:18:27,080 They've only recently fallen, so the trunks should still be strong. 303 00:18:29,140 --> 00:18:32,260 You always need to be wary of trees that have been down for a while. 304 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:36,040 Chances are they'll be rotten and could give way without warning. 305 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:45,160 OK, I need strong inner thighs to wrap around this tree trunk. 306 00:18:45,260 --> 00:18:47,140 The waterfall's deafeningly loud 307 00:18:47,220 --> 00:18:50,140 and the spray is making this trunk really slippery. 308 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:52,000 (GROANS) 309 00:18:52,100 --> 00:18:56,320 A nodule in the tree went right over my...nuts. 310 00:18:58,980 --> 00:19:03,300 I'm on the bottom of what once was the top of the tree. 311 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,100 Last few limbs. Worked quite well. 312 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:15,960 Try and cut across behind the waterfall, 313 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:17,420 get to the bank on the other side. 314 00:19:18,120 --> 00:19:19,360 It'll be easier going there. 315 00:19:20,120 --> 00:19:22,300 The route on the other bank might be easier, 316 00:19:22,380 --> 00:19:24,180 but getting there will be risky. 317 00:19:24,260 --> 00:19:27,000 (CRASH!) 318 00:19:27,120 --> 00:19:30,400 That's what we want to be careful of - deadfall! 319 00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:33,400 One of the most dangerous things in jungle rivers, 320 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,060 lots of dead wood just pounding down. 321 00:19:36,220 --> 00:19:39,040 We need to tuck in really close to the rock face. 322 00:19:41,360 --> 00:19:45,200 This close to the waterfall, speech is all but inaudible. 323 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:48,440 It's easier just to use a gesture. 324 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:56,340 Whew! Lot of power in that. 325 00:19:57,160 --> 00:20:00,140 OK. At least I've had a wash. 326 00:20:00,260 --> 00:20:02,000 Whew. 327 00:20:03,020 --> 00:20:04,280 OK, let's keep heading down. 328 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:07,240 The river is strewn with huge wet boulders, 329 00:20:07,380 --> 00:20:10,100 so the jungle offers an easier route. 330 00:20:11,280 --> 00:20:13,380 But it's important to stay close to the riverbank, 331 00:20:14,020 --> 00:20:16,360 even if that means flitting from one side to the other. 332 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:20,360 It'll be worth the effort - the river is your escape route. 333 00:20:22,120 --> 00:20:23,420 Come on, stay with me. 334 00:20:27,060 --> 00:20:30,140 Man, if there's ever a place that's gonna make you feel small, 335 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:32,180 it's somewhere like this - 336 00:20:32,220 --> 00:20:34,260 you know, stuck in the middle of the jungle, 337 00:20:34,380 --> 00:20:37,320 just surrounded by pounding waterfalls, 338 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:42,140 massive cliffs and trees like skyscrapers. 339 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:50,280 The thick cloud cover adds to the sense of vulnerability. 340 00:20:51,100 --> 00:20:54,080 Combined with the heavy rain and the dense coverage of the canopy, 341 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:57,120 light levels in the jungle can fall dramatically. 342 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:00,220 We need to stay close now. 343 00:21:00,260 --> 00:21:02,020 It's getting that dangerous combination 344 00:21:02,220 --> 00:21:04,380 of low light and this torrential rain. 345 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:07,140 It means it's not only difficult to see your buddy, 346 00:21:07,220 --> 00:21:10,400 it's also difficult to be heard, just 'cause this rain is so loud. 347 00:21:11,360 --> 00:21:15,000 I need you to stay close now, OK? Keep me in your sight. 348 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:21,060 I expected a drenching here - it can rain up to 280 days a year. 349 00:21:21,340 --> 00:21:24,260 But rain like this is so dispiriting. 350 00:21:26,180 --> 00:21:28,140 It's just relentless, this. 351 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:33,180 I think out of all the environments, 352 00:21:34,060 --> 00:21:37,160 the jungle can be the most physically and mentally draining. 353 00:21:37,380 --> 00:21:39,960 It feels like everything is out to get you. 354 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:43,400 I always have a really simple thing I do whenever times get tough, 355 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:47,400 and it sounds silly, but I just say to myself over and over again, 356 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:49,400 "I can, I can, I can." 357 00:21:50,120 --> 00:21:53,420 It's just my way of taking the fight back to the jungle. 358 00:21:54,180 --> 00:21:57,440 But there's no doubt this sort of rain is demoralising. 359 00:22:01,060 --> 00:22:03,200 With rain falling in such huge volume 360 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:04,980 rivers can be transformed into 361 00:22:05,020 --> 00:22:07,180 raging torrents in a matter of hours. 362 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:12,440 That's why jungle rivers are so dangerous. 363 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:18,220 This stream has just turned into like a freight train. 364 00:22:18,260 --> 00:22:22,200 That's because of all the rain pounding down, driving that. 365 00:22:22,380 --> 00:22:25,160 No way you'd get across this now. 366 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:27,960 And if that bit of deadfall goes, 367 00:22:28,340 --> 00:22:31,080 it's just gonna take out everything in its path. 368 00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:36,080 Keep going down this side. 369 00:22:56,180 --> 00:22:59,000 I'm fighting my way through the jungles of Borneo. 370 00:22:59,180 --> 00:23:01,200 I've wrestled down a fallen tree 371 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:04,040 and wrung myself out after torrential rain. 372 00:23:05,940 --> 00:23:08,100 But the jungle's not finished with me yet. 373 00:23:09,340 --> 00:23:11,120 Whoa! 374 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:13,060 (SPLASH!) 375 00:23:20,020 --> 00:23:21,380 That'll be the river, then. 376 00:23:22,260 --> 00:23:25,140 Argh, I landed flat on my back. 377 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:26,940 Whew. 378 00:23:26,980 --> 00:23:28,380 Don't come this way, go down here. 379 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:32,220 After any accident, it's worth catching your breath 380 00:23:32,320 --> 00:23:35,000 and making sure you're fit to continue. 381 00:23:37,060 --> 00:23:42,040 Definitely took a hammering on that. I did a back flop. 382 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:47,200 No serious injuries, but I do have a passenger - a leech. 383 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:51,360 Best thing to do is grab them by the head and then twist them off. 384 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:56,320 If you give them a squeeze... 385 00:23:58,420 --> 00:24:00,020 ..that's all the blood. 386 00:24:00,060 --> 00:24:02,220 He's just started to latch on. I got him in time. 387 00:24:03,360 --> 00:24:05,300 You see even that - the wound, look. 388 00:24:05,980 --> 00:24:08,240 And what they do is inject an anticoagulant 389 00:24:08,280 --> 00:24:11,200 so they stop your blood clotting and you just bleed and bleed, 390 00:24:11,340 --> 00:24:14,120 and in the jungle it can bleed for at least a day. 391 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:17,220 Look, all of those are just bloodstains on my shirt. 392 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:20,340 There's a good little plant, actually, if we can find one. 393 00:24:21,060 --> 00:24:23,420 Will help the blood to clot. Let's have a look on the banks. 394 00:24:24,080 --> 00:24:26,360 The plant I want is a melastoma. 395 00:24:27,360 --> 00:24:30,100 It's got long thin leaves, a red stalk 396 00:24:30,140 --> 00:24:32,420 and flourishes on sunlit riverbanks. 397 00:24:33,420 --> 00:24:37,280 All you do is grab some of the top young leaves... 398 00:24:39,180 --> 00:24:43,080 ..chew 'em up, make it into a pulp... 399 00:24:45,120 --> 00:24:49,340 ..and then take that and put it straight onto the wound. 400 00:24:49,940 --> 00:24:52,200 And that will help the blood coagulate 401 00:24:53,300 --> 00:24:55,980 and the leech bite to heal itself. 402 00:24:56,180 --> 00:24:57,940 OK, let's get going. 403 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:01,400 Following the river makes navigation easier, 404 00:25:01,980 --> 00:25:05,400 but that doesn't guarantee that you can move any faster. 405 00:25:06,200 --> 00:25:08,040 These wet rocks, covered in slime, 406 00:25:08,140 --> 00:25:11,340 mean there's a constant risk of a twisted ankle or worse. 407 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:15,040 The secret is to set yourself small goals, 408 00:25:15,120 --> 00:25:17,300 keep moving and keep ticking them off. 409 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:21,100 I know this is slow, but it is quicker 410 00:25:21,140 --> 00:25:24,020 than trying to hack through the actual jungle itself. 411 00:25:26,320 --> 00:25:29,420 I remember actually hearing of a plane that crashed in these jungles 412 00:25:30,140 --> 00:25:33,080 and the government assumed that everyone had died in the crash, 413 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:36,100 but, actually, one man survived and he did the right thing. 414 00:25:36,140 --> 00:25:39,960 He found a river like this and then just stuck with it, followed it, 415 00:25:40,180 --> 00:25:43,040 and eventually, after five days, he was rescued. 416 00:25:43,160 --> 00:25:46,320 But in five days, the total distance he managed to travel? 417 00:25:47,060 --> 00:25:48,220 Three miles. 418 00:25:48,980 --> 00:25:50,100 That's how hard it is 419 00:25:50,140 --> 00:25:53,000 to make any sort of speedy progress through jungle. 420 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:56,400 OK, let's get to the next river bend. Come on. 421 00:25:56,940 --> 00:26:00,380 Here on the equator it gets dark around 20 minutes after sunset, 422 00:26:01,140 --> 00:26:03,060 so it's important to leave plenty of time 423 00:26:03,120 --> 00:26:05,140 to think about food and shelter for the night. 424 00:26:06,180 --> 00:26:08,020 I've spotted fish in the river, 425 00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:10,180 so I'm gonna build a trap called a tambon. 426 00:26:11,180 --> 00:26:13,100 There's some bamboo up here. 427 00:26:17,340 --> 00:26:21,960 The indigenous people of Borneo will use this fish trap I'm gonna make 428 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:27,060 as a quick and effective way of catching fish without needing bait, 429 00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:30,120 and that makes it perfect for survival. 430 00:26:30,200 --> 00:26:33,400 It's quick and easy and everything you need is here. 431 00:26:36,340 --> 00:26:40,000 Oh, look, there's some nice bamboo here, got water in it. 432 00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:42,160 Bamboo, unlike the river, 433 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:45,260 is an excellent source of fresh, parasite-free water. 434 00:26:46,420 --> 00:26:50,140 So humid here, and if you get the chance to rehydrate on the move 435 00:26:50,180 --> 00:26:51,420 you want to do it. 436 00:26:54,940 --> 00:26:56,980 A length of thin vine makes the ideal 437 00:26:57,020 --> 00:26:58,940 twine to hold the trap together. 438 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:02,980 First job is to split one of the lengths of bamboo 439 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:05,100 so I can hollow it out to make it into a pipe. 440 00:27:08,200 --> 00:27:11,960 And then what you're left with is a hollow drainpipe, 441 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,060 and that's gonna be what the water gets sucked down 442 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:16,980 and, hopefully, the fish. 443 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:21,400 A series of splits in the second piece turns it into a simple net. 444 00:27:23,080 --> 00:27:26,980 Then that straight on that... 445 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:32,020 ..and just ties into place to stop it coming off in the water flow. 446 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:36,220 All I need to do is place it and then weight that down, 447 00:27:36,260 --> 00:27:38,420 and all of this water's getting funnelled 448 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:42,220 and then creates a suction along the length of the pipe 449 00:27:43,060 --> 00:27:46,940 and any fish coming downstream in this whole vicinity 450 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:52,940 come down this and get caught in this funnel with nowhere to go. 451 00:27:53,020 --> 00:27:55,000 And when they teach survival in the military 452 00:27:55,320 --> 00:27:57,180 they talk about fish first - 453 00:27:57,320 --> 00:28:00,960 easiest form of food to catch, easiest form of meat. 454 00:28:01,060 --> 00:28:03,420 I can set this, taken me 15, 20 minutes, 455 00:28:04,020 --> 00:28:05,360 leave it, it's gonna work all night 456 00:28:06,160 --> 00:28:08,260 and, hopefully, give me some breakfast. 457 00:28:11,120 --> 00:28:13,420 Next, to sort out somewhere to sleep. 458 00:28:14,160 --> 00:28:17,200 At night the jungle floor is alive with animals and bugs, 459 00:28:17,260 --> 00:28:20,020 so a shelter off the ground is a priority. 460 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:24,080 I plan to imitate Borneo's famous orangutans 461 00:28:24,220 --> 00:28:26,280 and build a nest up in the trees. 462 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:28,400 Look, this might work. 463 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:31,360 See this? 464 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:33,360 A couple of trees linking together, 465 00:28:34,140 --> 00:28:36,000 limbs that aren't too high up the tree. 466 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:38,340 I might be able to use this for some sort of overnight shelter. 467 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:40,980 And look, loads of vines nearby as well. 468 00:28:42,100 --> 00:28:45,280 The local name for these translates as 'rope vine'. 469 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:47,420 Make a nick in this. 470 00:28:48,040 --> 00:28:49,340 Once you've got it, you can peel it. 471 00:28:50,320 --> 00:28:51,980 Stripping off lengths of bark 472 00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:54,400 can give you some very effective pieces of cordage. 473 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:57,360 Look how strong this is. 474 00:28:58,000 --> 00:28:59,140 Twist that... 475 00:29:01,220 --> 00:29:03,100 ..you're never gonna break it. 476 00:29:03,240 --> 00:29:05,300 Get lots of that and then tie it all together. 477 00:29:07,300 --> 00:29:08,420 Oh, slippy. 478 00:29:09,960 --> 00:29:12,280 My plan is to lash some of these branches together 479 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:14,120 using the rope vine. 480 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:17,260 OK, good height off the ground here. 481 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:20,220 And look, I've got these two nice limbs, 482 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:24,080 kind of shaped a bit like a big hammock. 483 00:29:24,180 --> 00:29:26,080 Tying these two branches together 484 00:29:26,120 --> 00:29:28,960 and then supporting them from a position higher up the trunk 485 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:32,140 creates the simple equivalent of a climber's portaledge. 486 00:29:33,940 --> 00:29:36,360 More rope vine can be used to create the floor of the shelter. 487 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:41,420 Just keep weaving it back, forward, across, 488 00:29:42,320 --> 00:29:43,940 between these limbs. 489 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:48,360 And then pull some of these existing branches across... 490 00:29:50,020 --> 00:29:54,000 ..and use them to finish off this weave. 491 00:29:54,080 --> 00:29:56,040 And this is what the orangutans would do - 492 00:29:56,080 --> 00:29:59,260 they use the branches interweaved to create a nest. 493 00:29:59,940 --> 00:30:02,040 With a healthy amount of greenery woven in, 494 00:30:02,160 --> 00:30:05,160 the result is a strong, comfy sleeping platform. 495 00:30:08,220 --> 00:30:11,180 Good, that works. 496 00:30:14,140 --> 00:30:15,360 OK, let's find something to eat. 497 00:30:16,220 --> 00:30:19,060 Just before dusk is a good time to forage for food. 498 00:30:19,940 --> 00:30:22,360 Many of the jungle's predators are beginning to stir 499 00:30:22,980 --> 00:30:25,120 and they could provide you with a welcome meal. 500 00:30:25,300 --> 00:30:28,240 Tree racer. Oh, just got him. 501 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:30,260 I'll pull him back. 502 00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:33,380 Where's his head? 503 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:38,960 Ow! He just got me then. 504 00:30:39,420 --> 00:30:41,940 Luckily he's non-venomous, though. 505 00:30:42,060 --> 00:30:44,060 You've always got to be careful. 506 00:30:44,100 --> 00:30:46,320 They say snakes don't brush their teeth. 507 00:30:47,020 --> 00:30:49,020 Look, you can see his jaw's gone round himself. 508 00:30:49,060 --> 00:30:50,260 That's where he had me. 509 00:30:50,340 --> 00:30:53,980 And this guy will normally live up in the trees 510 00:30:54,320 --> 00:30:57,960 and feed off squirrels, birds, eggs, 511 00:30:58,940 --> 00:31:00,300 but he's gonna be my dinner. 512 00:31:00,960 --> 00:31:02,260 Got him properly by the head now. 513 00:31:02,940 --> 00:31:04,120 Phew! 514 00:31:04,160 --> 00:31:07,980 Well, that's supper at least. 515 00:31:08,100 --> 00:31:10,420 Only I want to give that bite a good wash. 516 00:31:12,040 --> 00:31:14,140 You're not human if your hand doesn't shake a bit 517 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:16,140 after getting bitten by a snake. 518 00:31:17,980 --> 00:31:19,140 Look, this will do. 519 00:31:19,180 --> 00:31:21,220 Wild yam, see this? 520 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:23,180 Break it off... 521 00:31:26,340 --> 00:31:28,320 ..and rub that sap onto a wound 522 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:33,240 and that's gonna act like a mild antiseptic to a snakebite. 523 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:39,080 I do not want an infection in the jungle. 524 00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:41,120 OK. Let's get back, cook this up. 525 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:48,040 Skinned and gutted, snake is good barbecued over a simple fire. 526 00:31:53,060 --> 00:31:54,360 Its tail's still moving. 527 00:31:55,060 --> 00:31:56,400 Here, don't come undone. 528 00:31:57,340 --> 00:31:59,180 Get out of this clove hitch. 529 00:32:01,100 --> 00:32:02,960 Even though it's been decapitated, 530 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:05,980 involuntary reflexes keep the snake's tail twitching 531 00:32:06,020 --> 00:32:08,220 until it's cooked through. 532 00:32:08,300 --> 00:32:10,280 That should be done now. 533 00:32:20,120 --> 00:32:22,180 They always say snake tastes like chicken. 534 00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:24,260 Tell you what, it doesn't. 535 00:32:24,400 --> 00:32:27,300 It's tougher and bonier. 536 00:32:29,220 --> 00:32:32,140 But good nourishment, 537 00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:36,080 and in the jungle you need plenty of that. 538 00:32:40,120 --> 00:32:44,380 Dusk has fallen, so it's time to retreat to my orangutan nest. 539 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:47,320 I quite like the fact that 'orangutan' in Malay 540 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:50,220 actually translates as 'man of the forest'. 541 00:32:50,940 --> 00:32:52,420 And they've definitely been an inspiration 542 00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:55,980 for making this shelter up here. 543 00:32:56,020 --> 00:32:59,300 But the edge that I have over the orangutans is I can make fire, 544 00:32:59,380 --> 00:33:02,220 and I can burn some of this ananasi bark 545 00:33:02,940 --> 00:33:06,300 on this little...fire here. 546 00:33:08,200 --> 00:33:10,360 And that's gonna burn and smell like incense 547 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:13,020 and that's gonna keep the mosquitoes away, 548 00:33:13,300 --> 00:33:16,300 and keeping the mosquitoes away in the jungle, I've learnt, 549 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:18,980 is everything. 550 00:33:20,420 --> 00:33:22,380 OK, let's try and get some sleep. 551 00:33:23,420 --> 00:33:25,400 I'm gonna need all the rest I can get, 552 00:33:25,940 --> 00:33:29,140 because there's nothing like the jungle for sapping your strength. 553 00:33:29,240 --> 00:33:30,360 Oh, my God. 554 00:33:40,060 --> 00:33:42,160 I've spent the night in the jungles of Borneo, 555 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:45,120 one of the toughest environments known to man. 556 00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:47,380 Yesterday I put a fish trap out 557 00:33:47,920 --> 00:33:50,000 and it's time to see what's for breakfast. 558 00:34:00,280 --> 00:34:02,020 Looks like I'm out of luck. 559 00:34:02,940 --> 00:34:04,100 Do you know what? 560 00:34:04,140 --> 00:34:06,180 I really thought we'd get something there. 561 00:34:10,100 --> 00:34:11,320 Kinda disappointing. 562 00:34:13,080 --> 00:34:15,380 Breakfast is looking decidedly... 563 00:34:18,040 --> 00:34:19,240 ..non-existent. 564 00:34:19,380 --> 00:34:21,360 Could have set more of those, you know. 565 00:34:22,920 --> 00:34:26,060 Anyway, let's get going for the day. 566 00:34:28,020 --> 00:34:30,260 It's important not to dwell on disappointments 567 00:34:30,380 --> 00:34:33,300 but get going and build your spirits back up. 568 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:38,340 Heading downstream should eventually lead to a bigger river 569 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:40,280 and then to civilisation. 570 00:34:40,920 --> 00:34:43,060 That's what you need to focus on. 571 00:34:43,940 --> 00:34:46,980 The jungle will always put more obstacles, like this waterfall, 572 00:34:47,020 --> 00:34:48,160 in your way. 573 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:52,400 One of these ones it's tempting just to shoot down this, 574 00:34:52,940 --> 00:34:56,180 but no idea how deep that is at the bottom of it. 575 00:34:56,220 --> 00:34:58,060 If it's anything like what we've come down 576 00:34:58,260 --> 00:35:00,220 it's gonna be full of boulders. 577 00:35:00,940 --> 00:35:02,940 Silly way to break an ankle. 578 00:35:03,140 --> 00:35:05,400 Let's use this rattan just to slide down this. 579 00:35:07,120 --> 00:35:09,340 If I'm to use the rattan to arrest my slide 580 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:11,200 I'll need a good anchor point. 581 00:35:11,940 --> 00:35:13,120 There aren't any suitable trees, 582 00:35:13,260 --> 00:35:15,980 so I'm hoping to use some of the rocks in the pool. 583 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:19,340 All I need do is put a couple of simple overhand knots into this. 584 00:35:20,240 --> 00:35:24,220 Then it will act as a climbing nut, jammed behind this rock. 585 00:35:25,160 --> 00:35:27,100 Test that. 586 00:35:29,220 --> 00:35:30,280 Yeah, that's good. 587 00:35:32,160 --> 00:35:34,260 OK, nice and controlled down here. 588 00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:53,060 Yeah, come on. 589 00:35:55,180 --> 00:35:56,340 Righto. 590 00:35:56,940 --> 00:35:58,920 Sticking to the river has been a good plan, 591 00:35:59,060 --> 00:36:01,160 but with it funnelling through a fast-flowing gully 592 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:04,140 it's time to think of a safe exit route. 593 00:36:04,360 --> 00:36:06,220 We're not gonna be able to climb up that. 594 00:36:06,260 --> 00:36:09,120 It's just sheer and slippy. 595 00:36:10,260 --> 00:36:13,020 Let's try and climb over this and drop down over the other side. 596 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:17,220 Even in the tropics a prolonged soaking can increase heat loss, 597 00:36:17,300 --> 00:36:19,980 leaving you cold and tired. 598 00:36:20,120 --> 00:36:23,920 Cutting back onto dry land is a good way to avoid complete exhaustion. 599 00:36:24,300 --> 00:36:26,060 OK, it's good. Come on. 600 00:36:27,240 --> 00:36:30,060 But you don't have to leave the river behind completely. 601 00:36:30,340 --> 00:36:33,320 By tracking alongside it and keeping the river in earshot 602 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:36,160 you can still follow its path to a bigger river. 603 00:36:39,940 --> 00:36:44,080 Well, that's the big flowing jungle river I've been looking for. 604 00:36:46,100 --> 00:36:48,240 It looks like it's in full flood as well. 605 00:36:50,040 --> 00:36:52,360 You can build yourself a raft and follow it downstream, 606 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:55,960 more than likely gonna lead you to people or a village 607 00:36:56,120 --> 00:36:58,920 or even, eventually, the coast. 608 00:36:59,320 --> 00:37:02,100 That's what you want to follow. 609 00:37:02,360 --> 00:37:04,180 OK, let's get down to it. 610 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:10,160 And look, you see? 611 00:37:10,240 --> 00:37:15,320 There's a jungle boatyard, a huge clump of bamboo. See that? 612 00:37:16,140 --> 00:37:19,400 And that's what we'll make a raft out of. 613 00:37:20,260 --> 00:37:22,080 OK, let's get across to it. 614 00:37:23,980 --> 00:37:25,120 Whoa. 615 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:29,220 The rapid rise and fall of jungle rivers 616 00:37:29,260 --> 00:37:32,120 means that mud banks like this are everywhere. 617 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:34,400 Really clingy, this stuff. 618 00:37:39,280 --> 00:37:43,240 OK, let me get somewhere vaguely solid and get you out. 619 00:37:51,280 --> 00:37:54,360 That basically sums up the jungle. 620 00:38:00,380 --> 00:38:04,100 Just need to kick in steps, sort of like with snow and ice, 621 00:38:05,220 --> 00:38:07,240 but this time just with mud. 622 00:38:07,300 --> 00:38:09,320 In the heat and humidity of the jungle, 623 00:38:09,380 --> 00:38:13,220 climbs like this can so quickly become exhausting. 624 00:38:14,140 --> 00:38:16,980 The only way to do it is to take it step by step. 625 00:38:17,280 --> 00:38:20,360 But it'll be worth it to get to that bamboo. 626 00:38:21,060 --> 00:38:25,140 OK, we're up. Let's cut ourselves some bamboo. 627 00:38:26,280 --> 00:38:28,080 The bamboo is a good find, 628 00:38:28,120 --> 00:38:30,400 but taking to the river doesn't mean I'm out of the woods. 629 00:38:32,080 --> 00:38:34,360 This raft is not that stable. 630 00:38:44,260 --> 00:38:49,100 After a series of strength-sapping challenges in the jungles of Borneo 631 00:38:49,220 --> 00:38:51,900 I've reached a river big enough to take a raft. 632 00:38:52,300 --> 00:38:56,200 If I can build one from bamboo, this could be the route to civilisation. 633 00:38:58,080 --> 00:39:00,220 Serious-sized bamboo, this. 634 00:39:01,980 --> 00:39:03,360 Could build a ship. 635 00:39:04,360 --> 00:39:08,020 Bamboo is great for raft building - 636 00:39:08,140 --> 00:39:12,040 so buoyant because all of the air in all of these chambers. 637 00:39:13,200 --> 00:39:15,380 OK, there's also a lot of weight to it, though. 638 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:16,900 You want to try and pick one 639 00:39:16,940 --> 00:39:21,160 that when it goes it falls down, over there, by the river. 640 00:39:21,940 --> 00:39:24,060 And then what I can do is pick the very top bits, 641 00:39:24,100 --> 00:39:25,200 that's green and thinner, 642 00:39:25,300 --> 00:39:29,380 cut that into sections and then make a raft out of that. 643 00:39:32,320 --> 00:39:35,960 You want to start cutting on the side where you want it to fall. 644 00:39:36,280 --> 00:39:38,220 This side isn't under tension, 645 00:39:38,260 --> 00:39:41,080 so you can safely make a big notch in the stem. 646 00:39:42,080 --> 00:39:44,220 If you tried this on the tensioned side first, 647 00:39:44,340 --> 00:39:48,300 the bamboo could splinter with possible fatal consequences. 648 00:39:51,060 --> 00:39:52,900 It might seem like a lot of effort, 649 00:39:53,060 --> 00:39:55,040 but cutting down a fresh length will ensure 650 00:39:55,080 --> 00:39:57,160 you aren't working with something that's rotten. 651 00:40:04,160 --> 00:40:05,320 There you go. 652 00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:08,920 With the bamboo down it's a straightforward job 653 00:40:08,960 --> 00:40:10,940 to cut it into a number of equal lengths. 654 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:13,960 First bit coming down. 655 00:40:16,140 --> 00:40:17,920 Let's build it down there. 656 00:40:18,300 --> 00:40:21,120 These cut sections might be full of air pockets 657 00:40:21,160 --> 00:40:23,300 but they're still pretty substantial. 658 00:40:26,060 --> 00:40:27,900 Just lay this out down here. 659 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:30,900 And once these poles are lashed 660 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:32,980 together with sticks and rattan twine 661 00:40:33,120 --> 00:40:35,260 the raft will be difficult to move on the land. 662 00:40:36,960 --> 00:40:39,260 OK, that is good and strong, 663 00:40:40,040 --> 00:40:44,240 and we'll do the same...about here. 664 00:40:45,360 --> 00:40:46,980 OK. 665 00:40:47,160 --> 00:40:50,100 To ensure your raft is buoyant enough to keep you out of the water 666 00:40:50,180 --> 00:40:53,100 it's often worth building a second platform. 667 00:40:55,360 --> 00:40:58,320 OK, so put this on top of that one. 668 00:40:59,180 --> 00:41:01,060 Then lash them together. 669 00:41:01,160 --> 00:41:04,380 Making the raft long and thin will help you in fast-moving water. 670 00:41:04,960 --> 00:41:06,260 If you build something too wide, 671 00:41:06,380 --> 00:41:10,100 you're more likely to get turned broadside, and then flipped. 672 00:41:10,300 --> 00:41:13,180 You want something like a canoe, long and sleek, 673 00:41:13,220 --> 00:41:16,140 and you can pick a line through any rapids. 674 00:41:19,960 --> 00:41:21,080 OK. 675 00:41:21,180 --> 00:41:24,360 Not sure what my Royal Navy buddies would think of it, but I'm happy. 676 00:41:24,900 --> 00:41:26,260 It's finished. I just need a paddle. 677 00:41:27,920 --> 00:41:30,040 Splitting a length of bamboo and shaping it 678 00:41:30,080 --> 00:41:32,320 gives me a simple paddle. 679 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:36,260 Not gonna win any races, but it's gonna work. 680 00:41:38,240 --> 00:41:40,260 OK, let's get this thing launched. 681 00:41:46,220 --> 00:41:48,160 OK, moment of truth. 682 00:41:50,040 --> 00:41:52,360 That's good. Well, at least I'm up out of the water. 683 00:41:56,320 --> 00:41:59,180 The current's strong and it whips me downstream. 684 00:41:59,280 --> 00:42:01,360 I need the paddle more for controlling the raft 685 00:42:01,900 --> 00:42:03,240 than to drive it forward. 686 00:42:07,120 --> 00:42:11,100 That's why you can never relax for a second on a jungle river. 687 00:42:13,020 --> 00:42:16,160 Any jungle river needs to be treated with extreme caution. 688 00:42:16,340 --> 00:42:19,160 The brown water can conceal all sorts of debris 689 00:42:19,200 --> 00:42:22,360 and small rapids usually indicate hidden hazards under the surface. 690 00:42:23,180 --> 00:42:24,340 You need to stay alert 691 00:42:24,380 --> 00:42:28,140 and try and pick a line through all of these little mini rapids, 692 00:42:28,940 --> 00:42:31,080 because this raft is not that stable. 693 00:42:33,060 --> 00:42:34,160 I'm through the rapids 694 00:42:34,240 --> 00:42:37,060 but in this strong current I can't relax for an instant. 695 00:42:41,040 --> 00:42:44,340 Even the banks of jungle rivers need to be treated with caution. 696 00:42:45,180 --> 00:42:46,380 They're often unstable 697 00:42:46,920 --> 00:42:49,160 and there's more deadfall here than in the forest itself. 698 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:52,920 Wow, look at that. 699 00:42:54,260 --> 00:42:57,180 You wouldn't want to have been here when that was all coming down. 700 00:43:00,100 --> 00:43:02,180 I'm wet and I'm tired. 701 00:43:03,020 --> 00:43:05,900 My hand's still kind of throbbing from that snakebite. 702 00:43:06,140 --> 00:43:09,300 But after several hours on the river I see what I'm looking for - 703 00:43:10,100 --> 00:43:12,060 civilisation at last. 704 00:43:12,260 --> 00:43:14,200 That's gonna be our way out. 705 00:43:16,020 --> 00:43:17,320 Hi! 706 00:43:18,940 --> 00:43:20,240 My raft has done its job. 707 00:43:20,280 --> 00:43:23,120 Sticking to the river has brought meivilisation. 708 00:43:23,940 --> 00:43:26,060 Let's get out here by the boats. 709 00:43:26,340 --> 00:43:29,080 And after the extremes of the Borneo jungle, 710 00:43:29,140 --> 00:43:31,380 man, I can't wait to get home! 711 00:43:36,160 --> 00:43:37,900 For more information go to: