Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 2, Episode 10 - Jungle Swamp - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.

WHOO!

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT
IT TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE

FROM SOME OF THE MOST
DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.

I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH
A SERIES OF CHALLENGES

IN THE SORT OF PLACES
YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY

WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.

NOW I'M IN SUMATRA,

A LAND RAVAGED BY THE TSUNAMI,

TO BATTLE WITH VAST
FETID SWAMPS...

FIGHTING THE ELEMENTS...



WHOA!

...AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE
TERRAIN....

[ GRUNTS ]

...DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO FIND FOOD...

...AND USING EVERY OUNCE
OF MY SURVIVAL KNOWLEDGE...

I'M NOT GONNA BE DOING THIS
AGAIN IN A HURRY!

...TO SHOW YOU
HOW TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.

I'M OFF THE WESTERN COAST
OF SUMATRA,

ONE OF THE MOST VOLCANIC
REGIONS ON EARTH.

IT'S KNOWN SIMPLY
AS THE RING OF FIRE.

FEARSOME BLACK PEAT SWAMPS

DOMINATE THIS INDONESIAN
COASTLINE,

SPRAWLING A STAGGERING
31,000 SQUARE MILES.

THIS IS A PLACE
WHERE LETHAL REPTILES RULE.



EVEN SUMATRANS
FEAR THESE DEADLY SWAMPS,

AND FEW DARE TO VENTURE IN.

IF YOU WERE STRANDED OUT HERE,

MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS
IS CRITICAL.

MAKE A BAD CALL AND YOU'RE DEAD.

THERE'S NO WAY THE PILOT
CAN LAND HERE,

SO MY ONLY OPTION
IS TO USE A TECHNIQUE

THAT IS BOTH FAST
AND DANGEROUS.

FAST-ROPING LIKE THIS
IS A TECHNIQUE

IN THE SPECIAL FORCES AS A WAY
OF GETTING SOLDIERS DOWN

ON TO THE GROUND THE FAST WAY!

IT'S ABOUT A 50-FOOT DROP,

AND IT REQUIRES
YOU HOLD YOUR NERVE.

AND YOU'VE GOT NO PROTECTION.

ALL YOU'VE GOT
IS YOUR HANDS HOLDING ON!

ALL I'VE GOT WITH ME ARE
A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS.

MY CAMERA CREW
WILL BE COMING WITH ME.

SUDDENLY IT IS
VERY, VERY QUIET HERE.

THIS WHOLE PLACE JUST LOOKS
LIKE IT'S DEAD...

AND ROTTED.

AND IT SMELLS LIKE IT, TOO.

IN DECEMBER 2004,

THE MOST DEVASTATING TSUNAMI
EVER RECORDED

SMASHED INTO THE WESTERN COAST
OF SUMATRA.

3-METER-HIGH WAVE,

10-FOOT-HIGH WAVE WOULD HAVE
RACED THROUGH THIS.

AND THIS IS WHY THIS PLACE
IS ALL DEAD AND ROTTING.

A TOWER OF SEAWATER RUSHED
INLAND FOR OVER A MILE,

DESTROYING EVERYTHING
IN ITS PATH.

IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME THAT
EVERYTHING HERE IS ROTTING...

WATCH THAT.

UNDER MY FEET IS A TANGLE
OF TWISTED LOGS AND BRANCHES.

MAKING PROGRESS IN THIS
IS GONNA BE TORTUROUS.

THIS IS REAL
LEG-BREAKER TERRAIN.

AND IF THAT HAPPENS OUT HERE,
NO ONE WOULD HEAR YOU SCREAM.

MY CHALLENGE IS TO GET
THROUGH THIS HELL

AND THEN HEAD EAST

AND INLAND TOWARDS
HIGHER GROUND AND THE JUNGLE.

BUT THAT MEANS GOING DEEPER
INTO THE SWAMP.

I'VE REACHED VEGETATION,

BUT NOW I'M HEMMED IN
BY THIS PANDANUS REED.

IT'S TWICE THE HEIGHT OF ME,

PACKED TIGHT TOGETHER,

AND WITH LEAVES AS SHARP
AS A BUTCHER'S KNIFE.

ALL OF THIS HERE IS JUST
CALLED BLACK SWAMP.

AND YOU CAN SEE
WHY IT'S CALLED THIS.

LOOK AT THE COLOR OF THE WATER.
ABSOLUTELY BLACK.

AND THAT IS JUST FROM ALL
THE VEGETATION THAT'S ROTTING.

GET A LOOK AT ALL THIS.

IT'S LIKE THE SEWER
OF THE JUNGLE.

YOU KNOW, ALL THE DREGS ARE
DRAINING THROUGH THIS PLACE.

IF YOU COVER JUST 300 FOOT
IN AN HOUR

THROUGH THIS STINKING STUFF,
YOU'RE DOING WELL.

THE SUCTION IS SOMETHING ELSE.

IT'S LIKE WADING
THROUGH WET CEMENT.

AND THEN SUDDENLY I'M UP
TO MY NECK IN FETID WATER.

TRYING TO GET MY FOOTING
ON THIS STUFF.

IT SUDDENLY, LIKE, DROPS AWAY
REALLY DEEP.

THE HUMIDITY MAKES IT
EVEN TOUGHER.

IT'S A PUNISHING 90%.

YOU CAN LOSE 2 LITERS
OF WATER IN AN HOUR,

AND NOT A DROP OF THIS
DISEASE-RIDDEN STUFF

IS DRINKABLE.

I MEAN, IT IS PRETTY EASY
JUST TO PANIC

IN A PLACE LIKE THIS,

JUST BECAUSE IT IS
CLAUSTROPHOBIC.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE COMPLETELY
HEMMED IN BY ALL OF THIS STUFF.

BUT YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP CALM
AND TAKE YOUR TIME.

I'M WORKING BACKWARDS,

USING MY BODY WEIGHT
TO PUSH THROUGH THE REEDS.

THEY'RE CROWDED IN ON ME,

AND IT'S THE BEST WAY TO KEEP
TRACK OF WHERE YOU'RE HEADING.

WHAT'S HARD IN HERE

IS JUST TRYING TO MAINTAIN
YOUR DIRECTION

AND NOT GO 'ROUND AND 'ROUND
IN CIRCLES.

SO I'M JUST LOOK BACK ALWAYS

AND CHECKING THAT MY CHANNEL
THROUGH IS STRAIGHT.

THE SMALLEST CUT OUT HERE
COULD MEAN TROUBLE.

DISEASE THRIVES IN SWAMPS.

INFECTION WOULD QUICKLY SET IN,

AND TRAPPED OUT HERE ALONE,
THAT WOULD BE A DEATH SENTENCE.

THERE'S PRECIOUS LITTLE TO EAT,

SO GRAB ANY OPPORTUNITY
YOU CAN.

AND THEN LOOK AT THIS FELLOW.

THIS CENTIPEDE WON'T KEEP ME
GOING FOR LONG,

BUT OUNCE FOR OUNCE,

INSECTS ARE PACKED WITH MORE
PROTEIN THAN BEEF --

THE PERFECT SURVIVAL FOOD.

THESE SWAMPS CRAWL WITH DANGER.

THE MOST FEARSOME IS
THE ESTUARINE CROCODILE.

THERE ARE SAID TO BE
THOUSANDS AROUND HERE --

17-FOOT MONSTERS
WHICH LIE IN WAIT

WITH JUST THEIR EYES
ABOVE THE WATERLINE.

THEY ATTACK WITH DEVASTATING
SPEED AND POWER.

I WOULDN'T STAND A CHANCE.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT THIS

IS THAT IF I SEE ONE, I'M SO
SLOW JUST IN THIS DEEP MUD.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST SUCKING --
SUCKING AT MY LEGS.

CROCS MIGHT LIKE IT,
BUT I DO NOT.

I'D BE EASY PREY STUCK
IN THIS MUD.

CROCS CAN SWIM
AT 18 MILES AN HOUR

AND BITE WITH
AN AWESOME PRESSURE

OF ABOUT 3,000 POUNDS
PER SQUARE INCH.

ONLY LAST YEAR,
TWO PEOPLE WERE GRABBED

WHILE WASHING CLOTHES
BY THE RIVER.

ONE WAS NEVER FOUND.

THE OTHER WAS DISCOVERED

DECOMPOSING UNDER A LOG
A WEEK LATER.

CROCS LIKE TO LET FLESH ROT

BEFORE RETURNING
TO THE CARCASS.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST CROCS
I'M WORRIED ABOUT.

THIS SWAMP TEEMS WITH OVER
60 SPECIES OF REPTILES.

THE GUY I'M AFTER
HAS A VICIOUS BITE.

IT'S A LIZARD.

IF IT GETS HOLD OF ME,
IT WON'T LET GO.

I'VE GOT HIM.
THAT'S A MONITOR LIZARD.

LIZARDS HERE CAN BE BRUTES --

UP TO 9 FOOT LONG
AND WITH FEARSOME JAWS.

LOOK AT THESE CLAWS.
MAN, THOSE ARE SHARP.

IF I'VE GOT HIM BY THE TAIL
LIKE THIS,

HE CAN'T PULL BACK ON ME.

BUT HE CAN BITE AND HE CAN GIVE
A NASTY BITE.

I WANT TO DISPATCH HIM.

AND, YEAH, THAT'S HIM...DEAD.

JUST TO MAKE SURE.

WHEW!

AND THESE GUYS, THEY'RE EDIBLE.

PROBABLY PRETTY TOUGH,
BUT EDIBLE.

THAT'S A RESULT.

LOOKS LIKE GOOD HIGH GROUND
OVER THERE.

AND THAT MEANS I CAN GET OUT
OF THIS GODFORSAKEN SWAMP.

BUT THIS PLACE IS JUST
RIDDLED WITH DANGERS --

CROCS, SNAKES,
TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS,

AND SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE
JUNGLES ON EARTH.

THIS IS ALSO TIGER TERRITORY.

THEY'RE THE STEALTHIEST
OF KILLERS,

AND THEY'RE ALSO
NOCTURNAL HUNTERS.

SO I NEED FIRE AND SHELTER
BEFORE IT GETS DARK.

WHEN YOU'RE IN THE JUNGLE,
PLAY BY ITS RULES.

SO, REALLY, THE KEY TO SURVIVING
IN THE JUNGLE

IS NOT FIGHTING THIS THING.

JUST TRY TO ADAPT TO IT
AND USE IT TO WORK FOR YOU.

'CAUSE IF YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE,

YOU CAN NOT ONLY SURVIVE
IN THE JUNGLE,

YOU CAN REALLY, LIKE,
YOU KNOW, THRIVE ON IT.

FOR ME, I REMEMBER THE FIRST
TIME EVER BEING IN THE JUNGLE,

JUST FEELING QUITE
CLAUSTROPHOBIC

'CAUSE THERE'S JUST SO MUCH
GOING ON HERE.

YOU'RE JUST HEMMED IN
ON ALL SIDES.

BUT THEN THE SOLDIER SAID,
HE SAID,

"TRY NOT TO CONCENTRATE ON
WHAT'S IMMEDIATELY AROUND YOU,

BUT TRY AND LOOK THROUGH
THE VEGETATION."

AND WHEN YOU DO THAT,

YOU BEGIN TO PICK OUT DIFFERENT
SHADES OF COLOR AND LIGHT,

AND YOU CAN THEN READ THE
CONTOURS OF THE LAND BETTER.

THE MONITOR LIZARD IS WAY
TOO TOUGH TO EAT RAW.

SO I'M GONNA FIND
SOMEWHERE THAT

I CAN MAKE FIRE AND COOK IT.

THIS RIVER CLEARING
IS PERFECT --

PLENTY OF FRESH WATER.

AND WHEN I'VE EATEN,
I CAN FOLLOW IT.

IT'S MY FASTEST AND SAFEST WAY
OUT OF HERE.

TRY AND FIND SOME FIREWOOD
AND START COOKING THIS LIZARD.

ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF GETTING
DRY TINDER IN THE JUNGLE

WHEN EVERYTHING IS SO WET IS
JUST USE A BIT OF DEAD BAMBOO.

AND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS REALLY
WET ON THE OUTSIDE,

ONCE I GET INTO IT...

...UNDERNEATH IS THEN ALL
THIS NICE DRY STUFF.

ALL FIRES NEED
THREE ELEMENTS --

TINDER, KINDLING, AND WOOD.

THIS TENDER TAKES A SPARK
REALLY NICELY.

WHAT'S GONNA BE THE HARD BIT,
I KNOW,

IS JUST GETTING ALL
OF THIS OTHER WOOD

JUST TO COAX INTO LIFE.

THIS JUNGLE
IS BANG ON THE EQUATOR,

AND THE HUMIDITY
IS DEBILITATING.

THE AIR IS LADEN WITH MOISTURE,

AND IT'S ALMOST
AT SATURATION POINT.

EVERYTHING HERE IS JUST
SO, SO WET AND DAMP.

YOU NEED TO ALLOW TIME
FOR A LITTLE BIT OF FLAME

DOWN THE BOTTOM TO DRY OUT
THE REST OF IT.

IT'S JUST THERE'S NOWHERE HARDER
TO DO THIS THAN IN THE JUNGLE.

A BIT OF AIR
AND A BIT OF GENTLE COAXING,

AND THIS FIRE
WILL SOON BE READY

FOR ME TO COOK THE LIZARD.

SEE HOW SKINNY IT IS
WHEN YOU LIE IT LIKE THAT.

IT'S JUST ALL INSIDES.

BUT THERE IS GOOD MEAT
HERE ON THE TAIL.

ONE TAIL ON THE FIRE.

AND THE SKIN WILL PROTECT
THE MEAT INSIDE.

PEOPLE OFTEN IGNORE THE GUTS

AND THE INSIDES
OF THESE ANIMALS.

BUT THE LIVER HERE IS GOOD.

I JUST TAKE HIM OUT.

AND YOU SEE THE BILE SACK THERE,
THIS GREEN BIT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT THAT.
TAKE THAT OFF.

BUT THE REST OF IT IS GOOD.

AND WHILE I'M WAITING
FOR THAT TAIL TO COOK,

THIS LIVER WILL COOK
REALLY FAST.

AND LIVER'S REALLY GOOD
SURVIVAL FOOD --

PACKED FULL OF IRON.

IT'S ALSO REALLY VITAMIN
AND NUTRIENT RICH.

AND I REALLY LOVE IT.

BUT YUM.

AND THIS IS LOOKING...

PRETTY WELL GOOD TO GO.

IT'S NICE.

YES, IT'S TOUGH, BUT, THEN
AGAIN, SO IS THIS LIZARD.

THE JUNGLE CAN BE PUNISHING
ON YOUR BODY,

SO USE REST TIME TO GIVE
YOURSELF A ONCE-OVER.

ONE OF THE THINGS
ABOUT JUNGLE LIVING

THAT YOU JUST HAVE
TO GET USED TO

IS HAVING PERMANENTLY WET BOOTS
AND FEET.

BUT, REALLY, IF YOU'VE GOT BOOTS

THAT DON'T HAVE LITTLE HOLES
IN THEM LIKE JUNGLE BOOTS,

YOU WANT TO IMPROVISE.

AND IF YOU JUST GET A KNIFE,
STICK IT IN,

THAT WILL JUST LET THE WATER,
THEN, DRAIN OUT

THROUGH THERE.

AND THAT'S GONNA HELP STOP YOU
GETTING TRENCH FOOT.

AND IN THE JUNGLE,
IF YOUR FEET GO,

YOU'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.

IN THIS SWELTERING RAIN FOREST,

IT CAN TAKE JUST HOURS
FOR TRENCH FOOT TO SET IN.

BLISTERS AND OPEN SORES
BECOME GANGRENOUS.

THEN YOU'LL BE GOING NOWHERE.

FOLLOWING THIS RIVER
MIGHT BE A LIFESAVER.

IT'S THE FASTEST ROUTE OUT,

BUT IT'S RAINY SEASON,

WHEN AS MUCH AS 2 INCHES
CAN POUR DOWN IN AN HOUR.

THIS ISN'T LOOKING
TOO PROMISING.

WATER LEVELS CAN RISE
4 OR 5 FOOT

IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.

THIS RIVER NOW HAS
ONLY ONE WAY TO GO --

DOWN.

YOU SEE THE POWER
OF THE WATER IS

REALLY BUILDING UP NOW HERE.

THE STEEP SLOPES OF THIS CANYON
ARE SMOTHERED IN SLIMY MOSS

AND DENSE JUNGLE.

THE QUICKEST WAY OUT OF HERE
IS TO CLIMB DOWN.

MUST BE ABOUT A 40-FOOT DROP
STRAIGHT DOWN THIS.

YOU SEE THERE'S A HUGE AMOUNT
OF WATER GOING DOWN IT.

IF FACT, I KNOW WHAT I CAN DO.

I RECKON IF I FIND MYSELF
A DECENT LENGTH OF VINE,

I SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE
A REALLY SIMPLE

HARNESS AROUND MYSELF.

IT'S CALLED RATTAN VINE.

IT'S ONE OF THE STRONGEST
IN THE JUNGLE.

IT'S KNOWN AS THE CABLE
OF THE JUNGLE.

IT'S TOUGH AND CAN GROW
TO SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET

AS IT FIGHTS TO GET TO THE
LIGHT IN THE FOREST CANOPY.

FLIPPING NORA!

IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY
SUDDENLY TURNED THE SHOWER ON.

JUST MAD RAIN.

OKAY, GET ALL OF THIS.

AND THE BEST WAY
I CAN MAKE A HARNESS

IS JUST TO MAKE WHAT'S CALLED
A THOMPSON'S KNOT.

AND IF YOU FIND THE END,

WHAT YOU DO IS TAKE THE END,
STAND ON IT,

AND THEN MEASURE UP
TO ABOUT YOUR CHEST.

AND THEN YOU WANT
FOUR TIMES THAT.

AND THEN IN THAT JUST PUT
A REALLY SIMPLE OVERHAND KNOT.

AND WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH
IS TWO LOOPS EACH SIDE.

TWO -- TWO.

AND THEN YOU'RE WELL-SUPPORTED.

ONE CENTRAL POINT,
TWO LEG LOOPS,

AND TWO GOOD CHEST STRAPS HERE.

AND AS LONG AS THIS ONE HOLDS,
I'M GOOD TO GO.

THIS TRUNK MIGHT LOOK PUNY,

BUT JUNGLE TREES
HAVE DEEP, LONG ROOTS,

SO IT SHOULD TAKE MY WEIGHT.

IT'S A RISKY STRATEGY --
IT'S WET AND SLIPPERY AS ICE,

AND THE RIVER
IS THUNDERING DOWN.

ONE SLIP, AND THE FORCE OF
THE WATER WOULD SMASH YOU

AGAINST THE ROCKS.

OKAY.

LET'S GO.
HEAD DOWN.

I'M CREATING QUITE A LOT
OF FRICTION.

I RAN THE VINE AROUND THE TREE.

THAT MEANS I CAN LOWER MY BODY
WEIGHT QUITE COMFORTABLY.

IT'S JUST BLOOMING SLIPPY.

AND THIS THING'S YANKING
AT MY NECK.

BUT LET'S GET DOWN.

DEFINITELY NOT AS COMFORTABLE
AS A NORMAL CLIMBING HARNESS.

AAH!

I'M NOT GONNA BE DOING THIS
AGAIN IN A HURRY!

[ GRUNTS ]

[ VINE SNAPS ]

WHOA.

THIS LASTED 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN.

BUT EVENTUALLY
IT GAVE UP THE GHOST.

[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]

AND I'M ON MY WAY.

TO SURVIVE MEANS
YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISKS,

BUT THE JUNGLE CAN BE
A VERY UNFORGIVING PLACE.

IT'S RAINY SEASON,
AND IT IS RELENTLESS,

AND IT'S HARD
NOT TO LET IT GET YOU DOWN.

I THINK IT'S RAINING.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

GOD, I'M JUST
COMPLETELY DRENCHED.

THAT'S PROBABLY WHY THEY CALL IT
A RAIN FOREST.

AHH.

ONE THING YOU LEARN VERY EARLY
ON WITH JUNGLE LIVING

IS JUST TO ACCEPT THE RAIN.

BUT DURING THE DAY,
YOU'RE JUST GONNA GET SOAKED.

YOU JUST NEED TO GO WITH IT,

'CAUSE TRYING TO FIGHT
THIS SORT OF RAIN,

REALLY, IN THE JUNGLE,
IS A LOSING BATTLE.

BUT RAIN MEANS FRESH WATER,

AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY
IN THE HOLLOW OF THIS BAMBOO.

IN THE SWELTERING HUMIDITY
OF THE JUNGLE,

YOU CAN SHED AROUND 4 PINTS OF
FLUID AND MINERALS EVERY HOUR.

IF YOU DON'T TOP UP,
YOU'LL GET DEHYDRATED.

AND IF YOU'RE DEHYDRATED,

YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING OUT
ALIVE PLUMMET.

AND THAT'S BEAUTIFUL WATER
TO DRINK...

FILTERED OUT
THROUGH THE GROUND...

[ SLURPS ]

...INTO THE BAMBOO.

AND LISTEN TO THE DIFFERENCE
NOW BETWEEN THAT...

[ TAPPING ]

...FOR THE WATER...

[ HOLLOW KNOCKING ]

...AND THAT EMPTY.

WHEW.

IT'S GETTING DARK.

ON THE EQUATOR, NIGHT FALLS
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE,

AND I'VE GOT ABOUT AN HOUR
BEFORE IT'S PITCH BLACK.

I NEED TO SET UP CAMP,
AND WHAT THE ORANGUTANS DO

IS BUILD THEIR NESTS HIGH UP
IN THE TREES,

WELL OUT OF THE WAY
OF PREDATORS LIKE TIGERS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA DO.

JUST LOOK AT THIS TREE.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS.

AND THESE FIG TREES JUST GROW
ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE.

BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN ONE
THIS BIG.

AND, ACTUALLY, WHAT
THE ORANGUTANS WILL DO --

THEY'LL OFTEN BUILD THEIR NESTS

HIGH UP IN THE BRANCHES
AND THE LIMBS.

BUT THEN, YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S
LIKE A HUGE BIT OF DEADFALL

THAT'S GOT LODGED IN BETWEEN.

I JUST WONDER, ACTUALLY...

...WHETHER THAT MIGHT NOT BE
A BAD PLACE TO SPEND THE NIGHT.

AND THE BEST THING YOU'LL OFTEN
DO WITH A SHELTER,

INSTEAD OF SPENDING HOURS
BUILDING IT,

IS JUST TO USE
WHATEVER NATURE'S GIVEN YOU.

AND THIS, I THINK, MIGHT WORK.

BUT I'M GONNA NEED SOME SORT
OF COVERING ABOVE ME.

OTHERWISE IT'S GONNA BE LIKE
SLEEPING IN A SWIMMING POOL.

WHEN MAKING JUST A REALLY QUICK
EMERGENCY SHELTER,

YOU'RE NOT GONNA DO MUCH BETTER
THAN USING THESE BANANA LEAVES.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THEM.
ABSOLUTELY HUGE.

YOU ONLY NEED A COUPLE OF THOSE
AND YOU'RE GONNA BE COVERED.

HERE IT COMES.

ACTUALLY, THERE'S BANANAS
UP THAT ONE.

SEE IF WE CAN GET AT THEM.

[ KNIFE SCRAPING ]

THESE WILD BANANAS ARE KNOWN
AS FAMINE FOOD.

LET'S GIVE THEM A TRY,
SEE WHAT'S INSIDE.

OH.

MM. NOT KIND OF LIKE
YOU IMAGINE BANANAS.

PRETTY BITTER.

BUT LOADS OF THEM,
AND THAT MEANS LOADS OF ENERGY.

IT'S WHAT I NEED
WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS --

RAINING, HARD WORK,

AND A SHELTER TO BUILD
BEFORE IT'S NIGHTTIME.

A FEW MORE OF THESE.

THESE LIANA VINES ARE PERFECT

FOR HAULING UP MATERIALS
FOR MY SHELTER.

AND THERE'S NO SHORTAGE
OF THEM.

THEY MAKE UP ALMOST HALF
THE ENTIRE JUNGLE CANOPY.

KIND OF RUNNING
OUT OF LIGHT HERE.

I JUST WANT TO GET THIS FINISHED
BEFORE IT'S COMPLETELY DARK.

I'M READY NOW.

I'M QUITE WELL-PROTECTED
FROM THE RAIN.

A FEW MORE AND I'LL BE DONE.

I'M ACTUALLY QUITE NICELY
COCOONED IN HERE.

THESE BANANA LEAVES ARE KEEPING
THE RAIN OFF ME,

AND I'M BEGINNING TO WARM UP.

IF I CAN JUST GET
THIS LITTLE FIRE GOING,

THAT WOULD ROUND IT OFF.

GETTING A FIRE GOING IN A
SOAKING-WET JUNGLE IS NOT EASY,

BUT IT'S WORTH PERSEVERING,

AND IT CAN BE A HUGE
MORALE BOOST.

THERE'S A FIRE GOING.
THAT'S NICE.

[ SNIFFS ]

IT'S SO NICE JUST TO BE ABLE
TO GET OUT OF THAT RAIN

AND BEGIN TO DRY OUT OF IT,
ESPECIALLY MY FEET.

ONE OF THE REAL PLEASURES
OF THE JUNGLE

IS TAKING YOUR BOOTS OFF
AT THE END OF THE DAY,

WRINGING YOUR SOCKS OUT,
AND YOUR FEET.

AND THESE PROBABLY
DON'T LOOK VERY PRETTY,

ALL WRINKLY LIKE PRUNES,

BUT AT LEAST I CAN NOW
DRY THEM OUT

AND DRY THESE SOCKS OUT,
AS WELL.

IF I HAD TO SUM JUNGLE LIVING UP
IN ONE ACTION,

IT WOULD BE THAT --
WRINGING YOUR SOCKS OUT.

[ SIGHS ]

AND I KNOW THAT UP THIS TREE

I'M OUT OF DANGER OF ANY
OF THE BIGGER ANIMALS.

ALTHOUGH I SEEM TO BE SHARING IT

WITH QUITE A FEW
CREEPY-CRAWLIES.

BUT APART FROM THOSE,
I FEEL QUITE GOOD UP HERE.

AND, HOPEFULLY,
I'LL GET SOME REST.

THIS TREE'S HOLLOW TRUNK
HASN'T JUST SHELTERED ME --

IT'S HOME TO A WHOLE HOST
OF BEASTIES.

SEE THAT?

LITTLE BEETLE LARVA.
IN FACT, NOT VERY LITTLE.

QUITE A BIG BEETLE LARVA.
BUT THIS ONE IS EDIBLE.

AND THAT'S MY BREAKFAST.

[ SNIFFS ]

HOLD HIM BY THE HEAD.

[ CRUNCHING ]

AND IT HAS THAT TEXTURE

OF COLD CUSTARD...

...AND AS IF SOMEONE'S PUT
SOME ROTTING FISH IN IT...

[ SPITS ]

...AND THEN LEFT IT OVERNIGHT.

HERE WE GO.
LOOK AT THIS MILLIPEDE I FOUND.

THAT'S QUITE A MONSTER OF ONE.

BUT YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY
EAT THIS GUY.

IF YOU SMELL HIM, IT HAS
THAT SMELL OF ALMONDS,

WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN THAT IT'S
ONE OF THESE MILLIPEDES THAT,

WHEN IT'S THREATENED,
IT SECRETES THIS SUBSTANCE --

IT HAS A BIT OF CYANIDE IN IT.

SO YOU WOULDN'T WANT
TO EAT THIS.

SO, PUT HIM BACK.

WELL, THIS BANANA-LEAF ROOF
DID AN ALL RIGHT JOB.

KEPT MOST OF THE RAIN OFF ME.

BUT IT WAS PRETTY TORRENTIAL
AT TIMES.

BUT I'M GONNA GET A LAST BIT
OF WARMTH OUT OF THIS FIRE,

HAVE A GOOD LOOK AROUND
ABOVE THE JUNGLE CANOPY,

ENJOY THE BLUE SKY
BEFORE I'M BACK DOWN THERE

INTO THE JUNGLE AGAIN FOR TODAY.

THE RAIN HAS LET UP FOR NOW,

BUT IT WON'T BE LONG
BEFORE IT LASHES DOWN AGAIN.

IN JUST TWO MONTHS,

SUMATRA GETS THE SAME
AMOUNT OF RAIN

AS THE UNITED STATES GETS
IN A YEAR.

AND THE JUNGLE HERE HARBORS
SOME NASTY SURPRISES.

JUST WAIT THERE.

LOOK AT THIS GUY.

IT'S A MANGROVE SNAKE.

AND THESE ARE DANGEROUS SNAKES.

SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM OUT
OF THE TREE.

[ HISSING ]

HE'S PERFECTLY CAMOUFLAGED,

BUT ONE BITE FROM THIS SNAKE
COULD SPELL DISASTER.

WHEN YOU'RE HANDLING A SNAKE,

YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO WATCH
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ITS HEAD,

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S POISONOUS.

OKAY, LET'S HAVE HIM OFF.
COME ON, THEN.

COME ON, THEN.
OFF YOU COME.

WHOA!

OKAY.

AND PIN HIS HEAD DOWN.

OKAY, I'VE GOT HIM.

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL SNAKE,

BUT PRETTY POISONOUS
IF YOU GET IT WRONG.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY
A MANGROVE SNAKE.

BUT WHAT THIS'LL DO,
IF IT BITES YOU,

IT'LL INJECT THIS, LIKE,
CYTOTOXIC VENOM

STRAIGHT INTO YOU -- LIKE, NUMB,

PARALYZE YOUR ARM
FOR A FEW DAYS.

BUT YOU CAN EAT THIS.

I JUST NEED TO TAKE
HIS HEAD OFF.

YOU STILL NEED TO BE
PRETTY CAREFUL WITH THIS,

EVEN AFTER THE HEAD'S OFF.

AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE
ITS MOUTH TRYING TO CLOSE.

AMAZING -- EVEN THOUGH
IT'S BEEN DECAPITATED.

BUT IT'S ALWAYS GOOD PRACTICE
JUST TO BURY A HEAD LIKE THIS.

THE VENOM IN THAT CAN STAY
ACTIVE FOR SOME TIME.

BUT HE'S STILL WRIGGLING AROUND,

BUT, YOU KNOW,
A SNAKE LIKE THIS,

YOU CAN EAT STRAIGHT LIKE THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
FOR RAW MEAT, NOT BAD.

WITHIN MINUTES, IT'S RAINING,

AND I'M DRENCHED
TO THE SKIN AGAIN.

[ SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ]

BUT THIS IMPENETRABLE JUNGLE

SUDDENLY HAS SOMETHING
TO LIFT MY SPIRITS.

LOOK AT THE COLOR OF IT --
JUST INCREDIBLE.

THIS IS WORTH EXPLORING.

SUMATRA'S JUNGLE IS SCARRED
WITH DEEP POOLS LIKE THIS,

TOPPED UP
BY THE TORRENTIAL RAIN.

THE WATER IS RICH IN MINERALS,

WHICH MAKES IT
THIS BRIGHTEST OF BLUE.

THAT MEANS FISH,
AND FISH MEANS FOOD.

WHEW.

THIS PLACE REALLY
IS JUST AMAZING.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE PROBABLY
AN OLD VOLCANIC VENT

THAT CAME UP HERE.

PROBABLY WHAT ALL THE WHITE IS
ON THE BOTTOM,

THE OLD CALCIUM DEPOSITS.

BUT THERE'S ALSO LOADS
OF FISH DOWN HERE.

GONNA SEE IF I CAN GET MYSELF
SOME OF THOSE.

FIRST, I NEED A GOOD
LENGTH OF VINE.

PEOPLE OFTEN THINK, YOU KNOW,

YOU CATCH FISH
USING A ROD AND LINE,

BUT THERE ARE LOADS
OF OTHER WAYS OF DOING IT.

AND WHAT I CAN DO WITH THESE
IS USE MY TROUSERS.

TIE A BIG OLD KNOT ON EACH END,

AND THEN I NEED A WAY OF KEEPING
THE TOP OF THE WAIST OPEN,

AND THAT'S WHERE
THIS RATTAN VINE COMES IN.

AND FISH REALLY ARE ONE
OF THE JUNGLE GODSENDS.

LOADS OF ENERGY.
LOADS OF VITAMINS AS WELL.

I'M HOPING, WITH JUST
MY PAIR OF TROUSERS,

IT'S GONNA CATCH SOME FOR ME.

THIS IS A TECHNIQUE I LEARNED

FROM A FRIEND
IN THE SPECIAL FORCES.

GET SOME OF THE SAND I'VE PUT
IN THE POCKET.

BUT LIKE ALL FISHING,

IT DEPENDS ON A BIT OF LUCK
AND A LOT OF PATIENCE.

WHAT I CAN DO IS JUST SPRINKLE
SOME OF THE GRIT

AND SOME OF THE SAND
AND DROP THAT IN.

AND, HOPEFULLY, THE FISH ARE
GONNA BE INQUISITIVE ENOUGH

TO COME AND TRY
AND HAVE A NIBBLE.

AND THEN THE IDEA IS

I CAN JUST SNAG HIM.

THE THING IS, I CAN TELL --

I CAN JUST TELL ALREADY,
NOW THIS RAIN'S PICKED UP,

IT'S MAKING THIS JOB OF FISHING

A BIT OF A LOSING BATTLE,
TO BE HONEST.

WHAT'S HAPPENING,
WITH ALL THE RAIN,

THE FISH ARE GONNA BE
HEADING DEEP.

ALL THE FISH HAVE JUST GONE.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
SOMETIMES THAT'S JUST LIFE,

AND YOU GOT TO JUST SMILE BACK.

THIS WEATHER JUST FEELS LIKE

IT'S PERMANENTLY AGAINST ME
AT THE MOMENT.

THIS TORRENTIAL RAIN
HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR AGES,

AND IT'S JUST MAKING EVERYTHING
A NIGHTMARE.

AND I'M STRUGGLING
TO CATCH ANY FOOD.

I'M PERMANENTLY WET AND COLD.

FIRE LIGHTING'S A NIGHTMARE.

BUT, MAN, YOU KNOW,
THAT'S JUNGLE LIVING FOR YOU.

AND IF IT WAS EASY,

EVERYONE WOULD JUST LIVE
IN THIS RUDDY PLACE.

BUT, AT THE MOMENT,
IT JUST FEELS LIKE --

FEELS LIKE A BIT OF A STRUGGLE.

I'M SOAKED TO THE SKIN,
HUNGRY, AND EXHAUSTED.

NOW I'M HEADING EAST
FOR HIGHER GROUND.

THAT'S GONNA BE MY BEST CHANCE

OF FINDING ANY SIGNS
OF CIVILIZATION.

REACHING THIS CLEAR CANYON
IS ABOUT THE FIRST TIME

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE SUN
AND THE SKY.

THE REST OF THE TIME
IT WAS JUST HIDDEN

UNDER ALL OF THIS JUNGLE CANOPY.

BUT IT'S LATE AFTERNOON NOW.

THE SUN'S HEADING THAT WAY,
WHICH MEANS WEST OVER THERE --

EAST, STILL THIS WAY.

BY SCRAMBLING UP TO THIS RIDGE,

I'LL GET A BETTER VANTAGE POINT

AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO SEE
WHERE TO HEAD NEXT.

I'M ALMOST AT THE TOP
OF THIS RIDGE.

LET'S JUST GET THERE.

BUT THERE'S YET MORE THICK
AND IMPENETRABLE JUNGLE.

IT'S HARD TO FEEL
AND SEE MY WAY THROUGH,

AND THE GROUND IS EVERY BIT
AS TREACHEROUS.

ONE LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION
COULD SPELL DISASTER.

WHOA!

BACK, BACK.

[ ROCKS TUMBLING ]

MAN, LOOK DOWN THAT.

LOOK THROUGH THERE.
PADDY FIELDS.

AND PEOPLE AS WELL.

MAN, THAT IS
A PROPER-SIZED DROP.

WHEW!

THERE ARE A LOAD OF ROOTS

RUNNING OUT OF THIS TREE
DOWN THE FACE.

JUST GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT
OF THE WAYS,

SEE HOW FAR THESE RUN.

MIGHT WELL BE ABLE
TO GET DOWN HERE.

HOLD ON.

IT'S A 120-FOOT DROP,

BUT I CAN USE THE ROOTS
TO WORK MY WAY DOWN.

IT'S AMAZING, THIS LATTICEWORK
COMING STRAIGHT OUT OF THE FACE.

THE KEY WITH THIS STUFF IS JUST
TRY NOT TO LOOK DOWN TOO MUCH.

JUST LOOK AT THE VINES
THAT I'M HOLDING

AND MAKE SURE THAT I'M PICKING
GOOD, STRONG LIVING ONES.

BUT AT THE MOMENT,
THESE ARE RUNNING NICE.

THIS SANDSTONE FACE
IS COMPLETELY SMOOTH.

THERE'S NO CHANCE
OF ANY FOOTHOLD.

MY ONLY HOPE IS
THAT THE VINES WILL HOLD.

KIND OF COMMITTED NOW
TO THIS VINE.

[ GRUNTS ]

I'D ACTUALLY LIKE TO WEDGE
MY LEFT LEG

BETWEEN THE VINE AND THE WALL.

THAT'S GIVING ME MY FRICTION,

SO I'M NOT TAKING ALL
ON MY HANDS.

YEAH, LOOK, IT'S RUNNING.

IT'S RUNNING ALL THE WAY DOWN
TO THAT LITTLE LEDGE.

NOT QUITE SURE WHAT I'M GONNA DO
WHEN I GET THERE,

BUT I JUST NEED TO GET DOWN
TO THAT POINT.

WHEW!

IF I TRY AND KEEP MY HANDS

JUST AT THE SHOULDER HEIGHT
OR BELOW,

IT MEANS THE BLOOD
DOESN'T DRAIN OUT OF THEM

AND I'LL HAVE A BETTER
MUSCLE ENDURANCE.

IF I START LETTING
MY HANDS GO UP HERE,

IT GETS MUCH MORE TIRING.

DON'T LOOK DOWN.
DON'T THINK BACK.

JUST KEEP IN THE MOMENT.

[ GRUNTING ]

MAN.

THEY'RE BURNING.

I'M ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY DOWN
ON THIS LITTLE LEDGE.

YOU SEE HOW CRUMBLY
THIS ALL IS.

BUT THAT'S THE END OF THIS VINE.

TRY AND FIND ANOTHER ONE
TO GET THE LAST BIT DOWN.

IF I CAN JUST REACH ACROSS
TO THIS ONE...

I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO FOR IT.

OKAY, ONE...

JUST GRAB IT.

[ GRUNTS ]

I DON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND
ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS NOT AS THICK.

WHOA!

AW, MAN.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

I'M SERIOUSLY
RUNNING OUT OF --

RUNNING OUT OF STRENGTH, THEN.

HAVE A LOOK UP AT THAT.
WHEW!

OKAY, I'VE GOT TO CROSS --
CROSS THIS RIVER.

AND THOSE GUYS IN THE PADDY
FIELDS -- THEY'VE SEEN ME NOW.

THEY THINK I'M A COMPLETELY
BONKERS ENGLISHMAN.

OKAY, LET'S GO DOWN THERE.

THE BLACK SWAMPS AND JUNGLES
OF SUMATRA

HAVE STRETCHED ME TO THE LIMITS

OF MY PHYSICAL
AND MENTAL ENDURANCE.

BUT IT'S A CHALLENGE
I'LL NEVER FORGET.

REACHING THESE PADDY FIELDS
MEANS ONE THING FOR ME --

I CAN FINALLY HEAD HOME
TO MY FAMILY.