Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 2, Episode 3 - Panama - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS,

AND I'M GONNA SEEK OUT SOME
OF THE MOST DARING CHALLENGES

IN THE MOST EXTREME LOCATIONS
ON EARTH,

WHERE HAVING
THE RIGHT SURVIVAL SKILLS

CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

WHOO!

NOW I'VE COME TO PANAMA,
CENTRAL AMERICA.

I'M GONNA BE DROPPED INTO SOME
OF THE MOST DANGEROUS JUNGLE

AND MANGROVE SWAMPS
IN THE WORLD,

TEEMING WITH DEADLY CREATURES
AND PLANTS,

TO SHOW YOU
HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE.



OH, GOD!

WHERE YOU'LL HAVE TO FACE DOWN
YOUR BIGGEST FEARS...

OH, BATS!

THESE CAN BITE.

...SWALLOW MORE
THAN YOUR PRIDE...

I'M GOING TO EAT HIM.

...PUSH YOURSELF TO THE LIMITS
OF ENDURANCE...

OH!

OH, MY HANDS ARE JUST GETTING
BURNT ON THIS!

...AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO SURVIVE.

I DON'T LIKE IT HERE AT ALL.

I JUST WANT TO GET OUT
OF THIS PLACE NOW.

I'M IN PANAMA, CENTRAL AMERICA.

I'M GONNA BE DROPPED ONTO THE
LEGENDARY CAMINO REAL TRAIL.



THIS 50-MILE-LONG ROUTE

SNAKES ITS WAY THROUGH PANAMA'S
TREACHEROUS JUNGLE.

THE SPANISH CONQUISTADORES
FORGED THIS HISTORIC ROUTE

TO MOVE UNTOLD TREASURES
OF GOLD AND JEWELS

FROM THE PACIFIC
TO THE CARIBBEAN.

THE TRAIL ITSELF
IS OVER 400 YEARS OLD,

AND IT'S FAST BECOMING
A MUST-SEE DESTINATION

FOR HARD-CORE TREKKERS.

BUT IF YOU GET LOST OUT HERE,

YOU'RE UNLIKELY TO MAKE IT BACK
IN ONE PIECE.

I'M GONNA PICK UP
THIS MYTHICAL TRAIL

TO FIND OUT
JUST HOW TOUGH IT IS

AND SHOW HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE.

I'VE GOT A FEW
BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS,

AND MY CAMERA CREW
ARE COMING WITH ME.

OKAY!
GO, BEAR!

NEXT TIME I SEE THE CHOPPER,

IT WILL BE ON THE CARIBBEAN
COAST AT THE END OF MY MISSION.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

IT'S RAINY SEASON IN PANAMA.

DOWNPOURS COME WITH NO WARNING,

TURNING THE FOREST FLOOR
INTO A BROWN SOUP.

AND THIS THUNDERSTORM ISN'T
MAKING ME FEEL ANY BETTER.

THIS LOOKS LIKE THE TRAIL,
BROKEN AND OVERGROWN,

NOTHING MORE THAN A MUDDY VEIN
WINDING THROUGH THE JUNGLE.

ANYONE TRYING TO FOLLOW
THIS PATH

IS GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT
ON THEIR HANDS.

WHEN THE SPANISH CONQUISTADORES
GOT LOST HERE,

THEY HAD TO TURN
TO THE JUNGLE'S PLANTS AND BUGS

TO KEEP THEM ALIVE.

IF YOU WERE LOST OUT HERE,
YOU'D HAVE TO DO THE SAME.

HEY, CHECK THIS GUY OUT.

WOW.
GOT HIM.

LET'S PULL HIM OFF HERE.

CHECK THIS OUT.
THIS IS A LONGHORN BEETLE.

AND IF I JUST HOLD HIM
DOWN AT THE BOTTOM THERE,

SEE HIM AROUND THIS WAY?

LOOK. WATCH HIM GRABBING
ON TO MY FINGERS THERE.

GET OFF, YOU BRUTE.

AND THESE ARE ACTUALLY EDIBLE,
THESE THINGS.

BUT LOOK AT THOSE PINCERS ON...

LOOK AT THOSE PINCERS ON THAT.

AND THESE ARE SO STRONG,

THESE CAN ACTUALLY STRIP BARK
OFF A TREE.

IF I PUT MY KNIFE IN THERE.
LOOK AT THAT.

HE JUST GRABS ON TO THAT.
AMAZING.

BUT I'M GONNA --
I'M GONNA EAT HIM.

I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE HEAD.

JUST CUT THAT OFF.

AND THEN THE REST OF THIS...

LEGS STILL GOING.
BUT THE REST OF THAT IS EDIBLE.

OH, GOD.

I'M GONNA TAKE HIS LEGS OFF.

OH, IT STILL BIT MY LIP.

GOSH, LIKE A BIG PRAWN

THAT'S BEEN SITTING AROUND
FOR WEEKS.

JUST ALL SHELL AND ROTTING GUT.

NOT PARTICULARLY APPETIZING,
BUT IT'S GOOD PROTEIN,

AND I'M GONNA NEED
ALL THE STRENGTH I CAN

TO TACKLE THIS HELLHOLE.

EVERYTHING ABOUT IT
IS OUT TO GET YOU.

[ GRUNTS ]

ALL RIGHT?

AND IN THE JUNGLE, EVEN
THE VEGETATION CAN BE A KILLER.

THIS IS ONE TREE -- YOU DON'T
WANT TO REACH FOR THIS ONE.

LOOK AT ALL THOSE SPIKES.
AND THIS IS CALLED A BLACK PALM.

I'VE GOT ANOTHER NAME FOR IT.
IT'S A...TREE.

WATCH OUT FOR IT.

THESE SPIKES
WILL SLASH YOUR HANDS,

AND THE WATER DRIPPING OFF THEM

IS A LETHAL COCKTAIL
OF BACTERIA.

WOUNDS OUT HERE TURN SEPTIC
IN HOURS.

BUT NOT EVERYTHING
IS YOUR ENEMY.

THIS PLANT HERE
CAN ACTUALLY REALLY HELP ME.

IT'S CALLED THE HOMBRE GRANDE,

WHICH MEANS "THE BIG MAN"
OR "THE STRONG MAN."

AND THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT
THE INDIGENOUS TRIBES WILL USE.

WHAT THEY DO IS BREAK OFF THIS
VERY DISTINCT BIT OF THE LEAF --

THIS NARROW LEAF
ALONG THE STEM --

AND BREAK IT OFF.

AND THEY CHEW IT,
AND WHAT IT DOES --

IT ACTUALLY ALLEVIATES
THE LACTIC ACID BUILDUP

THAT YOU GET IN YOUR MUSCLES,

SO IT MEANS YOU GO FURTHER
AND YOU GO FASTER.

IT'S JUST WHAT I NEED
AT THE MOMENT.

LOCALS BELIEVE IT CAN CURE
DIARRHEA AND MALARIA,

BOTH BIG PROBLEMS OUT HERE.

UGH.
TASTES REALLY BITTER, THOUGH.

BUT ALL THE PLANTS IN THE WORLD
WON'T HELP YOU

IF YOU LOSE YOUR WAY.

THE TRAIL CAN FALL AWAY
WITHOUT WARNING,

LEAVING YOU LOST AND STRANDED
WITH NO WAY OUT.

SEE, THIS IS WHY.
LOOK.

THIS IS WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HARD TO NAVIGATE.

IT'S JUST ENDLESS TWISTING MAZE

OF PATHS SHOOTING OFF
AT DIFFERENT ANGLES.

AND REALLY, WHICH WAY TO GO
IS A BIT OF A LOTTERY.

SO HARD TO JUST KEEP FOLLOWING
THE TRAIL, YOU KNOW?

IT'S SO OVERGROWN.

THE JUNGLE HAS RECLAIMED
ITS RIGHTFUL TERRITORY.

NO, THIS IS DOUBLING BACK.
BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK, BACK.

IT'S LIKE A MAZE
OF BROKEN TRACKS.

IT'S SO EASY TO JUST DISAPPEAR
AND BE LOST FOREVER.

HERE WE GO.
HERE IT IS AGAIN.

AND IT'S SO HARD TO KEEP GOING
IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

GIVES YOU A PERSPECTIVE

OF JUST HOW HARD A JOB THOSE
EARLY SPANISH EXPLORERS HAD

TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY
THROUGH THIS.

IF THE TRAIL VANISHES,
THE WORST THING TO DO IS PANIC.

JUST COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN.

JUST WAIT THERE.

COME HAVE A LOOK AT THIS.

RIVERS CAN BE THE KEY
TO SURVIVAL.

THE SPANISH MULE TRAINS
OFTEN FOLLOWED THEM

UNTIL THE JUNGLE BECAME
MORE PASSABLE.

I'M GONNA TRY AND DO THE SAME.

PRETTY SERIOUS DROP DOWN THERE.
LET'S KEEP MOVING ON.

I NEED TO FIND SOME WAY
OF GETTING DOWN THERE.

WHOA!
CHECK THESE OUT!

I RECKON THESE ARE SOME
OF THE OLD SPANISH VIPER PITS.

HERE. SEE IF YOU CAN GET
A LOOK DOWN THIS.

SEE ALL THE WAY DOWN?

THIS COULD BE MY WAY
BACK TO THE TRAIL.

BUT IT WON'T BE EASY.

AWESOME.

OVER MILLENNIA, RAINWATER
HAS GOUGED MASSIVE CAVERNS

OUT OF THE LIMESTONE ROCK,

WASHING THE PATH AWAY
LIKE IT WAS NEVER THERE.

PANAMANIAN INDIANS
FEARED THE VIPER PITS,

BELIEVING THAT SERPENTS
AND MYTHICAL CREATURES

LURKED AT THE BOTTOM.

HERE'S ANOTHER ONE
STRAIGHT DOWN THERE.

SEE THAT?

AND LOOK --

IT'S LIKE A GIANT SKYLIGHT
ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ROCK.

AND THEN DOWN --

THERE'S A LEDGE THERE,
AND THEN DOWN TO THE RIVER.

LET'S JUST SEE HOW FAR THAT IS.

MANY UNLUCKY TREASURE HUNTERS

PLUNGED TO THEIR DEATH
IN THESE.

-[ WATER SPLASHES ]
-WHOA.

THAT'S MUCH FURTHER
THAN I THOUGHT, ACTUALLY.

THAT MUST BE 50 --
AT LEAST 50 FOOT.

BUT I RECKON, MAYBE IF I FIND
A VINE FROM AROUND HERE,

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET DOWN
TO THAT LEDGE

AND THEN DOWN TO THE RIVER
AS WELL.

OKAY.
LET'S CHECK IT OUT.

ANYONE LOST ON THE TRAIL

COULD EASILY FALL PREY
TO THE VIPER PITS.

BUT IF YOU KNOW
WHAT YOU'RE DOING,

THEY COULD BE A SHORTCUT
TO GET DOWN TO THE RIVER

AND TO REJOIN THE TRAIL.

ONE GOOD THING
ABOUT THIS JUNGLE

IS THAT IT'S RIDDLED
WITH VINES.

I'M GONNA FIND ONE
STRONG ENOUGH

AND USE IT TO CLIMB DOWN.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE.

IT'S LONG.
IT'S THIN.

BUT ALSO IT'S WOOD VINE.
IT'S REALLY STRONG.

PROBABLY JUST TIE THIS...

...'ROUND THIS TREE.

ACTUALLY, THAT'LL BE EVEN NICER.

LOOK.
THERE'S A SLIGHT GAP.

DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE THAT
BEHIND THESE ROCKS.

AND I CAN THREAD THIS VINE
BEHIND IT.

CHECK THERE ARE NO SNAKES.

NOPE.

OKAY.

GIVE IT A TEST.

THAT'S NICE AND STRONG.

OKAY.

I'M JUST GONNA DROP THIS
SECOND VINE DOWN ONTO THAT LEDGE

IN CASE I NEED THAT.

[ CLATTERS ]

AND THEN...

...WORK MY WAY DOWN THERE.

IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.

I'VE GOT TO GIVE IT A GO.

OH!

THE VINE IS SO SLIPPERY,

AND I'M STRUGGLING
TO KEEP MY GRIP.

ONE WRONG MOVE HERE,
AND IT COULD BE GAME OVER.

[ WATER SPLASHES ]

AS I DISAPPEAR INTO THE GLOOM,

MY FEET ARE SCRABBLING
FOR THE SHELF.

OKAY.
I'M DOWN TO THE SHELF.

AND I CAN SEE THE DISTANCE NOW
IS QUITE A DROP DOWN.

JUST SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE
YOUR WAY, BUT BE REALLY CAREFUL.

IT'S SLIPPY.

[ ROCKS CLATTERING ]

NICE ONE GETTING DOWN THAT.

AND YOU REALLY SEE
WHERE WE'RE HERE NOW.

SEE THE SHELF AND JUST SEE
HOW MUCH OF A DROP-OFF THAT IS.

HERE.
WATCH THIS.

AND THAT'S WHERE
WE'VE GOT TO GO DOWN.

BUT LOOK AT
ALL THESE ROCK FORMATIONS.

AMAZING.
LOOK STRAIGHT UP THERE.

SEE ALL THOSE LITTLE SPOTS
OF GREEN?

THAT'S ALL LIKE
COPPER-SALT DEPOSITS.

AND WE CAN SEE HERE,
IT'S ACTUALLY MADE A PILLAR.

AND IT'S THIS THAT
I'M GONNA TIE THE VINE TO.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS --

ALL OF THESE MINERALS SEEP
THROUGH THE ROCK AND FORM THIS.

I RECKON WHAT I CAN DO
IS GET THIS VINE

AND THEN THREAD IT THROUGH
BEHIND THE PILLAR.

AND THAT SHOULD BE PRETTY SOLID.

CHUNKS OF FLAKY LIMESTONE
ARE EVERYWHERE,

AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE

THE WHOLE PLACE
IS CRUMBLING AROUND ME.

I'M NOT REALLY LOOKING FORWARD
TO THIS NEXT BIT.

ONCE I'M ON THE VINE,
THERE'S NO GOING BACK.

ONE FALSE MOVE,

AND IT'S A BONE-SMASHING FALL
INTO THE ABYSS.

IF I KNEW HOW DEEP
THAT WATER WAS,

YOU KNOW, WE COULD POSSIBLY
JUMP IN IT.

BUT THAT MIGHT WELL BE
ONLY LIKE A FOOT OR TWO DEEP.

THERE'S NO WAY OF KNOWING.

THIS IS BECOMING
A LITTLE BIT HAIRY FOR US.

HERE.
LET'S GET DOWN THIS VINE.

[ GRUNTS ]

JUST TRYING TO GET OVER
THIS OVERHANGING BIT.

MY SHOULDERS AND ARMS
FEEL LIKE THEY'RE SCREAMING,

AND THIS IS ALL ABOUT
UPPER-BODY STRENGTH.

I'M TRYING TO GRIP WITH MY FEET
AS WELL.

AND WHAT YOU DO --

LIFT YOUR FOOT UP
WHERE THE VINE GOES.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS GRIP
WITH MY FEET AS WELL.

AND THE TECHNIQUE IS YOU LIFT
YOUR FOOT UNDER THE VINE

AND YOUR OTHER FOOT
GOES ON TOP OF IT,

AND IT GIVES YOU
A LITTLE BIT OF TRACTION.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

BUT THAT'S REALLY DESIGNED
FOR A ROPE,

NOT A GREAT 2-INCH-THICK VINE.

LET'S GO.
COME ON.

[ CREAKING ]

[ SNAPS ]

WHOA. THIS...

DID YOU HEAR THAT?
THAT'S NOT GOOD.

WE NEED TO GET DOWN THIS.

OH, MY HANDS ARE JUST GETTING
BURNT ON THIS!

OW!
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

THERE BETTER NOT BE ANY VIPERS
IN THIS WATER.

WHOO!

AHH.

I REALLY THOUGHT
THAT VINE WAS GONNA GIVE WAY

A COUPLE OF TIMES.

BUT, MAN, LOOK AT THIS PLACE.

I'M INTO THE PIT,
BUT IT'S NOT OVER.

THIS CAVE IS MASSIVE,

CARVED THROUGH
THE ANCIENT ROCKS

BY MILLIONS OF TONS OF WATER.

I'M GONNA MAKE THE MOST OF THE
DAYLIGHT AND HEAD DOWNSTREAM.

BUT I'M NOT OUT OF DANGER YET.

YOU CAN SEE THE LEVEL

THAT THE WATER WOULD RISE TO
WHEN IT RAINS A LOT.

LOOK AT ALL THAT FLUTING
ALL THE WAY DOWN.

AND THEN HIGHER UP, IT'S STILL
REALLY ROUGH AND JAGGEDY.

YOU JUST IMAGINE THIS PLACE

WITH ANOTHER 15, 20 FOOT
OF WATER HERE.

IT'D BE LIKE A KILLER TORRENT.

A FLASH FLOOD HERE WOULD
WASH YOU AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

YOU'D BE SMASHED AGAINST
THESE WALLS LIKE A PEBBLE.

NO ONE COULD SURVIVE
ONE OF THOSE.

IT'S LIKE A MINI TSUNAMI

THAT CAN RISE FROM 6 INCHES TO
20 FEET IN JUST HALF AN HOUR.

IT'S STARTING TO GET
PRETTY BLACK NOW.

TAKE IT REALLY STEADY
THROUGH THIS BIT.

EVERY STEP IS TAKING ME
FURTHER INTO THE DARKNESS.

THE RIVERBED IS RIDDLED
WITH BOULDERS AND POTHOLES,

ANKLE-DEEP ONE MINUTE,
THEN UP TO MY CHEST THE NEXT.

THIS IS JUST A NIGHTMARE.

PUT THE NIGHT VISION ON.
PUT IT ON.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

[ FLAPPING ]

WEIRD NOISES
ARE COMING FROM UP AHEAD,

AND I CAN FEEL SOMETHING
BRUSHING PAST MY FACE.

BUT IN THE DARKNESS, I'M BLIND.

I DON'T LIKE THIS ONE BIT.

HEY, LET'S HAVE A LOOK.
COME HERE. LET'S SEE.

SEE WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

OH, BATS!

THAT'S WHAT THAT SOUND IS.

I HATE BATS.

THESE CAVES ARE HOME
TO VAMPIRE BATS.

THEY CARRY
THE KILLER RABIES VIRUS.

THIS COULD MEAN BIG TROUBLE.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

JUST KEEP YOUR HEAD COVERED FROM
THESE BATS AND SQUINT YOUR EYES.

THESE CAN BITE.

VAMPIRE BATS LIVE
BY DRINKING BLOOD.

BUT WORSE,
THESE GUYS CARRY RABIES,

THE KILLER VIRUS THAT LEADS
TO AN AGONIZING DEATH.

BUT DEEP IN THE CHASM,
BATS AREN'T THE ONLY DANGER.

AND THERE'S OBVIOUSLY
A WATERFALL AHEAD AS WELL.

[ WATER RUSHING ]

LET'S GET THROUGH THIS
AND GET OUT.

OH!

SO HERE'S THAT WATERFALL

COMING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ROCK
FROM THE JUNGLE ABOVE.

WATER IS GUSHING THROUGH
EVERY CRACK.

IN A MATTER OF MINUTES,

THIS WHOLE CAVE COULD FILL UP
AND DROWN YOU.

I'VE GOT TO KEEP MOVING.

OKAY. LET'S JUST GET THROUGH.
I HATE BATS.

YOU CAN'T SEE BEYOND YOUR NOSE
OR WHAT'S UNDERFOOT.

ALL OF THESE BOULDERS
UNDER THE WATER

MEAN YOU'RE ENDLESSLY
JUST STUMBLING.

[ GRUNTING ]

THE FORCE OF THE WATER COULD
WASH MY LEGS FROM UNDER ME,

BUT FOLLOWING THE CURRENT
IS ALL I'VE GOT TO GUIDE ME.

FINALLY, I CAN FEEL THE WATER
IS GETTING SHALLOWER,

AND THERE'S DAYLIGHT AHEAD.

OH, IT'S GOOD TO BE OUT OF THERE
AND BE ABLE TO SEE AGAIN.

JUST GONNA CHECK MY HEAD,
ACTUALLY, FOR BITES,

'CAUSE MORE THAN LIKELY
THOSE WERE VAMPIRE BATS.

AND WHAT THEY DO IS BITE YOU
AND INJECT THIS ANTICOAGULANT.

AND IT MEANS
YOU JUST KEEP BLEEDING.

AND I ACTUALLY KNOW A GUY
IN PANAMA

WHO WAS OUT SLEEPING
IN THE JUNGLE,

AND WHEN HE WOKE UP
IN THE MORNING

HIS HEAD WAS JUST STREAMING
WITH BLOOD.

HE'D BEEN BITTEN
DURING THE NIGHT,

BUT DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT.

IT'S SUCH A RELIEF TO BE OUT OF
THAT DARK AND FORBIDDING PLACE.

NOW I KNOW WHY THE VIPER PITS

ARE THE STUFF OF LEGEND
AND SUCH TERROR.

IT'S VITAL FOR ME
TO GET BACK ON THE TRAIL

AND HEAD TOWARDS
THE CARIBBEAN COAST.

THE RIVER IS A GOOD PLACE
FOR ME TO FORAGE FOR FOOD

AND REST UP BEFORE MOVING ON.

I THINK SO OFTEN
WHEN YOU THINK OF WILDERNESS,

YOU THINK OF TRANQUIL, PEACEFUL,
QUIET PLACES.

BUT REALLY THE JUNGLE
IS JUST THE OPPOSITE.

THIS PLACE IS SO BUSY.

EVERYTHING'S MOVING
AND GROWING.

YOU KNOW, MASSIVE ANTS
EVERYWHERE ON THE GROUND,

MONKEYS IN THE TREES.

AND ALL OF IT IS JUST
THIS BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL.

I THINK IF YOU'RE OUT HERE,
LOST,

WITH NO KNOWLEDGE
OF THE JUNGLE,

THIS COULD BE A VERY
INTIMIDATING PLACE TO BE.

AFTER THE ADRENALINE TRIP
THROUGH THE VIPER PITS,

I NEED TO REPLACE
SOME LOST ENERGY.

BUT AVOID EATING ANYTHING
FROM STILL WATER.

IT'S LIKELY TO BE CONTAMINATED.

HERE YOU GO.

COUPLE OF SNAILS.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY VERY MUCH.

BUT THESE ARE CLEAN,
AND THEY'RE GOOD TO EAT.

AND ACTUALLY HAWKS WILL HUNT
FOR THESE AND EAT THEM.

THEY'RE BASICALLY JUST A MUSCLE
AND ALL EDIBLE.

AND YOU JUST WANT TO GET
TO THE ACTUAL...

PULL HIM OUT.

GAH.

IT'S LIKE A GIANT, COLD BOGEY.

PBHT!

AFTER A PRETTY NOVEL
MAIN COURSE,

IT'S TIME FOR JUNGLE DESSERT.

AH, YEAH. LOOK.
THIS IS...

THIS IS CANAIGRE.

AND WHEN YOU'RE LIVING
AND EATING IN THE JUNGLE,

THIS IS A REALLY USEFUL PLANT.

THE TRIBES AROUND HERE
WILL USE THIS.

AND YOU JUST STRIP IT OFF,
ALL THE HAIRY OUTER BIT.

AND IT LOOKS A LITTLE BIT
LIKE RHUBARB.

BUT WHAT IT DOES
WHEN YOU EAT THIS,

IT ACTUALLY HELPS CLEANSE
YOUR INSIDES OF ANY PARASITES.

AND IT TASTES LIKE, YOU KNOW,
JUST CLEAN AND FRESH.

A LITTLE BIT ZINGY.

BUT REALLY GOOD
FOR YOUR INSIDES.

AFTER THE CREATURES
I'VE EATEN HERE,

THIS IS JUST WHAT I NEED.

IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR BLOOD
AND CLEANSES YOUR LIVER.

PANAMA IS LIKE A MAZE OF RIVERS
AND IMPENETRABLE RAINFOREST.

FOLLOWING THE COURSE
OF THE STREAM

MEANS I DON'T HAVE TO WRESTLE
WITH THE JUNGLE.

BUT SOONER OR LATER,

YOU'RE GONNA BE STOPPED DEAD
IN YOUR TRACKS BY ONE OF THESE.

THIS IS NOT GONNA BE EASY
TO GET DOWN THIS.

ALL OF THESE BANKS ARE JUST,
LIKE, SHEER ON BOTH SIDES.

AND ALSO ALL OF THIS ROCK.

REALLY, REALLY SLIPPERY.

COVERED IN MOSS.
REALLY GREASY.

THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OUT.

PROBABLY MY BEST BET
IS TO USE SOME OF THESE VINES.

YOU CAN SEE THEM GROWING
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BANK

AND HERE AS WELL.

AND THESE THEN RUN ALONG
AND DOWN THE WATERFALL.

THEY'RE REACHING OUT
FOR THE WATER.

GIVE ME A CLIMB UP ANY DAY.
I LOVE THEM.

BUT DOWNCLIMBING
IS MUCH RISKIER.

THIS VINE REACHES ALL THE WAY
DOWN THROUGH THE WHITE WATER.

AND THIS SHOULD BE
STRONG ENOUGH.

OKAY.
LET'S GIVE THIS A GO.

I'VE GOT TO TAKE IT
VERY CAREFULLY,

AND FIRST STEPS ARE CRUCIAL.

ONE SLIP, AND YOU'D BE
WASHED OFF THE FLIMSY VINE

ONTO THE ROCKS BELOW.

THE WATERFALL IS SWOLLEN WITH
RAINWATER FROM THE MOUNTAINS.

IT'S A GNARLY DESCENT.

AND NOW I'M COMMITTED,
THERE'S NO WAY BACK.

JUST THE FORCE OF THE WATER...

IS MUCH STRONGER THAN I THOUGHT.

THE TORRENT IS TRYING
TO POUND ME OFF THE VINE.

IT'S LIKE BEING BATTERED
BY A HUGE WATER CANNON.

OH, IT'S EXHAUSTING.

MY MUSCLES ARE STARTING
TO CRAMP UP,

BUT I'VE GOT NO CHOICE.

I'VE JUST GOT TO CLING ON
FOR DEAR LIFE.

IF YOU LOSE IT HERE,

YOU'LL BOUNCE DOWN THE ROCKS
LIKE A RAG DOLL.

I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME
AND RUNNING OUT OF VINE.

OH, GOD!

OH!

THE VINE --

YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE VINE'S
COMING TO AN END!

JUST DOWN HERE!

I WAS HOPING IT WOULD REACH
ALL THE WAY.

IF I CAN JUST SWING OFF
THE VINE AND ONTO THE LEDGE,

I CAN WORK MY WAY 'ROUND
TO THE POOL.

BUT THESE WET ROCKS
ARE LIKE AN ICE RINK,

AND I'VE NO IDEA HOW DEEP
THAT POOL IS AT THE BOTTOM.

WHOO!

IN SITUATIONS LIKE THAT,
THE BODY GOES INTO OVERDRIVE,

AND OVERDRIVE EXPENDS ENERGY.

WHENEVER YOU COME ACROSS
BITS OF DEAD WOOD,

THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE
TO RUMMAGE AROUND

FOR GRUBS AND STUFF
THAT ARE TUCKING INTO IT.

THIS SORT OF ROTTING VEGETATION
IS HOME TO THE FER-DE-LANCE,

PANAMA'S DEADLIEST SNAKE.

ONE BITE WILL ROT YOUR FLESH
LIKE A CORPSE,

AND IT'S RESPONSIBLE
FOR MORE DEATHS

THAN ANY OTHER
AMERICAN REPTILE.

BUT WHAT I'M AFTER
ARE THESE BEETLE GRUBS.

AND THEY'RE ALL JUST FEEDING OFF
THAT DECOMPOSING WOOD.

UGH.

PBHT!

THAT WAS A HORRIBLE ONE.

MUST HAVE CAUGHT BAD ONES TODAY.

EVEN THOUGH
THEY TASTE TERRIBLE,

THEY'RE GIVING ME
SOME MUCH-NEEDED ENERGY.

THAT COULD WELL BE THE TRAIL.

THIS IS THE WIDEST
I'VE SEEN THE TRAIL SO FAR,

A WELCOME BREAK FROM THE MAZE
OF TRACKS AND DEAD ENDS

BACK UPRIVER.

IT'S A GOOD SIGN THAT THE END
OF THE TREASURE TRAIL

OF THE CAMINO REAL IS NEAR.

I'VE ARRIVED AT THE RUINED PORT
OF PORTOBELO

ON THE CARIBBEAN SEA.

[ SIGHS ]

JUST BEAUTIFUL.

AND WHAT'S INCREDIBLE TO THINK

IS THAT 70% OF ALL OF THE GOLD
THAT LEFT SOUTH AMERICA

DID SO THROUGH THIS PORT.

BUT ONCE IT LEFT THESE SHORES
BOUND FOR SPAIN,

IT WAS THEN OFTEN AT THE MERCY

OF THE INFAMOUS PIRATES
OF THE CARIBBEAN.

I'M SAFE, AND I'M READY
FOR MY NEXT CHALLENGE.

I'VE JUST SURVIVED
THE CAMINO REAL TRAIL,

AND NOW MY NEXT CHALLENGE
LIES ON THE PACIFIC COAST,

IN THE NOTORIOUS
MANGROVE SWAMPS

WHICH SPRAWL
ALONG THE SHORELINE.

IT'S A TOUGH, CRUEL PLACE

THAT HAS DEFEATED SOME OF
AMERICA'S ELITE SPECIAL FORCES.

JUST LOOK AT THIS PLACE!

IT'S JUST MILE AFTER MILE
OF TANGLED LIMBS

GROWING OUT OF THE WATER.

THIS MUST BE ONE OF THE MOST
INHOSPITABLE PLACES ON EARTH.

THE MANGROVE DEVOURS
OVER 600 SQUARE MILES OF LAND.

IT'S MORE OF A HOME
TO CROCODILES THAN TO PEOPLE.

IT'S THE LAST PLACE
YOU'D WANT TO BE TRAPPED IN.

BUT I'M GONNA SHOW
HOW TO GET OUT ALIVE.

THERE'S NO WAY THE HELICOPTER
CAN LAND IN THERE.

IT'S JUST TOO DENSE.

SO THE PILOT'S
GONNA DROP ME OUT TO SEA,

AND I'LL SWIM IN FROM THERE.

CROCODILES LURK
ALL AROUND THE COAST,

AND MAN-EATING GREAT WHITE
SHARKS CRUISE THESE WATERS.

I'M FACING A 50-FOOT DROP
INTO THE SEA.

AT THIS HEIGHT,

HITTING THE WATER
IS LIKE JUMPING ONTO CONCRETE.

I'VE GOT TO KEEP AS STRAIGHT
AS AN ARROW.

IF I DON'T,
THE FORCE OF THE DROP

WILL SNAP MY BONES
LIKE DRY TWIGS.

READY!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

I DON'T WANT TO HANG ABOUT
IN HERE AND BECOME SHARK BAIT.

I NEED TO GET TO SHORE FAST.

I JUST WANT TO HEAD IN NOW
TOWARDS THE SHORE.

HOW THE HELL AM I GONNA
GET THROUGH THAT STUFF?

LOOK AT IT.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

IT'S JUST A COMPLETE MESS
OF ROOTS.

TAKE YOUR LAST BREATH
OF CLEAR AIR.

THAT IS GONNA BE HORRIBLE.

THIS PLACE JUST STINKS.

THE PUTRID STENCH OF ROTTING
VEGETATION IN THE SALTWATER

IS JUST LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.

GETTING THROUGH HERE
IS GONNA BE A MISSION.

WATCH YOUR HANDS ON THIS STUFF.

ALL OF THIS IS RAZOR-SHARP.

AND LOOK.

THERE'S ACTUALLY ALL THE
BARNACLES ON ALL OF THESE LIMBS.

SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE
HOW HIGH THE TIDE COMES.

JUST WATCH YOUR HANDS.

THE TIDE HERE RACES IN,

RISING UP TO 20 FEET
IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.

I'VE GOT TO GET INSHORE
TO SAFETY AND QUICKLY.

IT MAY BE ONLY TWO MILES
TO SHORE,

BUT THAT FEELS LIKE
A LIFETIME AWAY.

ALL OF THIS IS JUST, LIKE,
SINKING MUD UNDERFOOT.

IT PULLS YOU IN WITH EACH STEP.

EVERY STEP IN THE MANGROVE
IS A GAMBLE.

CROCODILES LOVE
THIS DEEP TIDAL WATER,

AND THEY USE IT TO AMBUSH
THEIR UNSUSPECTING PREY.

WHAT I'M MOST WORRIED ABOUT
IN THIS WATER IS CROCODILES.

AND THESE MANGROVES ARE HOME TO
AMERICAN SALTWATER CROCODILES,

AND THOSE CAN GROW
UP TO 20-ODD FEET.

THE SALTWATER CROC BITES
WITH A FORCE OF 2,000 POUNDS.

THAT'S LIKE A PICKUP TRUCK
LANDING ON YOUR CHEST.

AND IF IT DRAGS YOU UNDER,
YOU'RE AS GOOD AS DEAD.

ONLY THIS YEAR,

THERE WERE THREE FISHERMEN
ON THE EDGE OF THESE MANGROVES,

AND A CROCODILE ATTACKED,
TOOK ONE OF THEM UNDER,

AND HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

FIGHTING A RISING TIDE,
THE THREAT OF CROCS,

AND THIS SOLID WALL
OF MANGROVE ROOTS

GIVES ME THE FEAR.

SURVIVING OUT HERE

IS A REAL TEST OF PHYSICAL
AND MENTAL STRENGTH.

AND THEY SAY,

IF YOU COVER A KILOMETER
IN 12 HOURS IN HERE,

YOU'RE DOING WELL,

THAT IS HOW SLOW IT IS
MOVING THROUGH ALL OF THIS.

[ GRUNTS ]

GET OUT!

THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY
ARE ALMOST UNBEARABLE,

AND MY LUNGS ARE FILLING
WITH THE SMELL OF DECAY.

AND THIS PLACE
IS CLAUSTROPHOBIC.

THE MANGROVE LITERALLY
TAKES YOU PRISONER.

JUST SO HARD TO SEE
VERY FAR IN HERE.

YOU KNOW, VISIBILITY IS
PROBABLY ONLY ABOUT 20 FEET.

IF YOU LOOK IN THAT DIRECTION,
20 FEET.

AND THEN IT JUST ALL MINGLES
INTO JUST DARKNESS.

BUT IT'S EXHAUSTING WORK

FIGHTING MY WAY
THROUGH THIS TANGLE OF ROOTS.

IN 1989, A GROUP OF ELITE
U.S. NAVY SEALS BECAME TRAPPED

WHEN THEY LANDED
IN THE MANGROVE

DURING THE INVASION OF PANAMA.

THE ONLY WAY THEY GOT OUT

WAS BEING HAULED TO SAFETY
BY THE LOCALS.

IT'S HORRIBLE.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

YOU ALL RIGHT?

JUST WATCH YOUR FOOTING
WITH THIS.

ALL THESE LIMBS ARE JUST
TWISTING UNDER THE WATER.

IT'S SO EASY TO GET YOUR ANKLE
TRAPPED IN THIS STUFF.

[ GRUNTS ]

EVEN THOUGH I'M SURROUNDED
BY WATER,

DRINKING THIS WOULD BE FATAL.

JUST ONE PINT IS INFESTED
WITH 10,000 DIFFERENT PARASITES.

I JUST WANT TO GET OUT
OF THIS PLACE NOW.

I DON'T LIKE IT HERE AT ALL.

THESE MANGROVES ARE MAKING ME
FEEL RATTLED.

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT,
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.

I DON'T LIKE THIS.

LET'S GET GOING AND GET OUT.

20-FOOT CROCS INFEST THIS AREA,

AND I'VE GOT TO SCRAMBLE
INSHORE TO SAFETY.

IT'S JUST TWO MILES OR SO,

BUT IT'S THE TOUGHEST
I'VE EVER FACED.

OKAY.
WE'RE GONNA CLIMB UP.

THE TIDE CAN RISE 20 FEET
IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS,

SO YOU NEED TO GET AS HIGH
AS YOU CAN AS FAST AS YOU CAN.

BUT THERE'S NO EASY WAY.

[ GRUNTING ]

JUST MAKE SURE
WHEN YOU'RE ON THESE LIMBS

YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TWO HOLDS,
'CAUSE, LOOK --

YOU STAND ON SOMETHING
LIKE THIS...

AND IT GIVES WAY, YOU'LL FALL.

IT'S A BATTLE THAT SAPS
EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH.

MY CLOTHES ARE SOAKED.

IT'S HOT, HUMID,
AND IT STINKS LIKE HELL.

OKAY. WE NEED TO PICK UP
THE PACE A BIT.

LOOK, YOU CAN REALLY SEE
THESE WAVES COMING IN NOW.

I'VE GOT TO MOVE FASTER.

IF I DON'T,
THE TIDE WILL ENGULF ME.

[ GRUNTS ]

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP A COOL HEAD.

DON'T PANIC.
JUST KEEP BATTLING ON.

[ GRUNTING ]

I CAN SEE ABOVE
ALL OF THIS MANGROVE.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
I FEEL BETTER NOW.

AND I SEE WHICH WAY IS INLAND
AS WELL.

OKAY.
MOVE ON.

AT LEAST UP HERE I'M OUT
OF THE REACH OF THE CROCS.

BUT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY
OUT OF THE WATER FOR LONG.

THE CLOSER I GET TO LAND,
THE MUDDIER IT GETS,

AND IT'S PULLING ME DOWN.

OH, GOD.

IT'S UP TO MY WAIST IN ALL
OF THIS STINKING MUD IN HERE.

LOOK.
IT'S ALL LIKE -- PBHT!

ALL LIKE THIS.

THAT JUST MEANS EVERY TIME
I TRY AND TAKE A STEP...

...IT JUST PULLS YOU INTO IT.

EVERY STEP FEELS LIKE YOU'RE
TRAPPED IN SETTING CEMENT.

BUT BY TWISTING INSTEAD
OF PULLING MY FOOT OUT,

IT STOPS THE MUD
SUCKING ME BACK IN.

EACH STEP IS HARD WORK,
ISN'T IT?

THE OTHER THING IN HERE
IS JUST THE SAND FLIES.

AND WHAT I CAN DO
IS USE SOME OF THIS MUD,

IF I REACH DOWN FOR IT...

AND USE THIS, AND JUST, LIKE,
PUT IT EVERYWHERE.

AND IT SHOULD, HOPEFULLY...

STOP THE SAND FLIES...

...BITING.

SAND FLIES CAN GIVE YOU
LEISHMANIASIS,

A GRUESOME
FLESH-EATING DISEASE.

AND IT'S AGONY.

IT EATS AWAY AT THE SOFT TISSUE
OF YOUR NOSE, MOUTH, AND LIMBS.

BUT THE TREATMENT
IS JUST AS BAD.

I KNOW ONE GUY
WHO GOT THIS DISEASE,

AND IT STARTED EATING AWAY
AT HIS FLESH.

AND TO GET CURED,

HE HAD TO HAVE UP TO 50
REALLY PAINFUL INJECTIONS.

AND HE SAID BY THE TIME
HE WAS ON THE 40th,

HE JUST FELT LIKE
KILLING HIMSELF.

I DO NOT WANT TO GET
THIS DISEASE.

[ GRUNTING ]

IT'S GREAT
JUST TO GET OUT OF THE WATER.

JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES' BREAK

IS A REAL MORALE BOOSTER
IN THIS HELLHOLE.

IT'S SO NICE TO BE
OUT OF ALL OF THAT GUNK

AND GLOOP AND WATER.

I'M GONNA TRY
AND WRING MY CLOTHES OUT.

THERE WAS PLANE
THAT CRASHED NEAR HERE

IN THESE MANGROVES
IN THE LATE '60s.

AND WHAT THE PILOT DID
WAS CRAWL OUT,

DROP DOWN TO THE WATER,

BUT HE THEN GOT STUCK
IN ALL OF THIS MUD.

AND THE PASSENGERS ON THE PLANE

WATCHED AND LISTENED
FOR THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS

TO HIS SCREAMS.

BUT HE EVENTUALLY DIED IN THERE.

BUT THE PASSENGERS DID THE RIGHT
THING -- THEY STAYED PUT.

BUT THIS MUD IS A REALLY
HORRIBLE PLACE TO BE.

OKAY.
LET'S KEEP MOVING ON.

BACK INTO THE CESSPIT.

IT'S BEGINNING TO OPEN UP
A BIT NOW,

AND I CAN SEE MORE THAN
A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF ME.

LET'S GET OUT OF THIS PLACE.

AFTER HOURS AND HOURS
OF CONSTANT STRUGGLE,

HITTING THIS BEACH IS HEAVEN.

THAT WAS HARD IN THERE.
HARD.

LET'S TRY AND GET THIS GUY.

THAT'S A LAND CRAB.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT CLAW.

PUT HIM OUT OF HIS MISERY
AND KILL IT.

AND THAT IS STRAIGHT THROUGH --
STRAIGHT THROUGH THE BRAIN.

HE'S STILL WIGGLING,
BUT HE'S NOT ALIVE.

HE'S DEFINITELY NOT ALIVE.

AND THESE ARE MEANT TO BE A BIT
OF A DELICACY IN PANAMA.

LET'S SEE WHAT THEY'RE LIKE.

EATING ANY RAW FLESH
IN THIS PLACE

IS DANCING WITH THE DEVIL.

THE MANGROVES ARE ALIVE
WITH BUGS AND PARASITES,

WHICH MEANS
YOU CAN GET ANYTHING

FROM DYSENTERY
TO LIVER FAILURE.

[ SPITS ]

MAN, THAT TASTES AWFUL.

UGH.

IT'S, LIKE, FOUL.

I SUPPOSE IT'S FEEDING
OFF ALL OF THIS STUFF IN HERE.

PROBABLY NO SURPRISE.

TELL YOU WHAT.

THEY CAN KEEP THEIR DELICACIES
THIS TIME.

GETTING THROUGH THE MANGROVE
MEANS SAFETY CAN'T BE FAR AWAY.

IF YOU KEEP HEADING INLAND,

YOU'LL EVENTUALLY FIND
THE PAN-AMERICAN HIGHWAY

THAT RUNS THE WHOLE LENGTH
OF PANAMA.

HEAD NORTH AWAY FROM THE SHORE,
AND YOU CAN'T MISS IT.

TRYING TO FOLLOW
THE CAMINO REAL TRAIL

AND STRUGGLING
THROUGH THOSE MANGROVES

HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST
JOURNEYS I'VE EVER UNDERTAKEN.

THIS TRULY IS NOT A PLACE
TO GET LOST IN.

AND WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS,

I RECKON YOUR CHANCES OF
GETTING OUT ALIVE ARE SLIM.