Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 3, Episode 1 - Baja Desert - full transcript

In Baja Bear tries his hand at snare hunting. But what will he do when he catches a skunk. The bees and rattlesnakes aren't too friendly either.

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.

WHOO!

AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU
WHAT IT TAKES

TO GET OUT ALIVE

FROM SOME OF THE MOST
DANGEROUS PLACES ON EARTH.

WHOO!

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 BAJA, MEXICO.

IT'S A LETHAL ENVIRONMENT



WITH MILE UPON MILE
OF BOULDER FIELD AND MOUNTAIN.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE THE BEES
ARE DANGEROUS...

GO AWAY.

...AND MY LIFE
IS PUT IN DANGER.

THE GLARE'S ACTUALLY
MAKING IT REALLY HARD

JUST TO SEE THROUGH
ALL OF THIS SWELLING.

IT GETS EVEN TOUGHER WHEN
CONFRONTED WITH A RATTLESNAKE.

WHOA, WHOA.

[ RATTLESNAKE RATTLING ]

I'M GONNA GET THIS RIGHT
THE FIRST TIME.

AND THE ARID HEAT
KILLS HUNDREDS EVERY YEAR.

NOTHING CAN LIVE IN THIS PLACE.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO DIG DEEP

TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
IN MY TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YET.



[ COUGHING ]

[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]

I'M FLYING
ABOVE NORTHERN MEXICO,

OVER SOME OF
THE WILDEST TERRAIN ON EARTH.

THIS IS THE BAJA PENINSULA,
A 1,000-MILE STRETCH OF LAND

THAT HANGS LIKE AN ARM
ALONGSIDE THE MEXICAN MAINLAND.

THIS IS A HARSH LANDSCAPE,

WHERE TEMPERATURES CAN RANGE
BETWEEN MINUS 10 DEGREES

HERE IN THE MOUNTAINS
AND 125 DEGREES

IN THE DESERT FLATLANDS.

THE MOUNTAIN TERRAIN BELOW ME
IS 5,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL

AND RUNS DOWN THE SPINE
OF THE PENINSULA.

I'M SKYDIVING STRAIGHT
INTO THESE MOUNTAINS,

BUT WHAT'S GONNA BE HARD
IS FINDING SOMEWHERE TO LAND.

LOOK AT IT.

[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]

MY LANDING SITE
IS 5,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL,

AND I'M AIMING
FOR A DRIED-UP RIVERBED.

[ SIGHS ]

AND HE JUST MADE IT IN...
TO THIS RIVERBED.

AND THE NICE THING IS, LOOK,

A NICE, SOFT LANDING
IN ALL OF THIS DEEP SAND.

GET THIS STOWED
AND THEN HAVE A LOOK AROUND.

[ BIRD CAWS ]

PRIORITIES FOR SURVIVAL

ARE ALWAYS PROTECTION,
RESCUE, WATER, AND THEN FOOD.

AND THE WAY I REMEMBER IT

IS WITH THE SAYING
"PLEASE REMEMBER WATCH FIRST."

P.R.W.F.

THE FIRST THING
I NOTICE OUT HERE

IS JUST HOW SCORCHING,
SCORCHING HOT IT IS.

YOU KNOW,
IT GETS TO OVER 120 DEGREES,

BUT THIS PLACE IS DECEPTIVE.

AND AT NIGHTTIME, THE
TEMPERATURE IS GONNA PLUMMET.

IT'S GONNA GO SUB-ZERO,
FREEZING.

LET'S KEEP MOVING.

IN THIS ARID ENVIRONMENT,

FINDING WATER
IS ALWAYS A STRUGGLE.

EVEN THOUGH THIS RIVERBED
LOOKS COMPLETELY DRY,

THERE IS OFTEN WATER
TO BE FOUND,

IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

PLACES LIKE THIS ARE GOOD.

YOU HAVE THE BASE
OF ROCKY OUTCROPS

WHERE WATER WILL COLLECT.

AND LOOK, YOU CAN SEE THE SAND'S
GETTING COLDER AND MORE MOIST.

BUT REALLY...
THERE'S NOT MUCH HERE.

THE PROBLEM IS, I'M QUITE HIGH
UP HERE, ABOUT 5,000 FEET.

AND ONCE I GET LOWER DOWN,

I'LL STAND MORE CHANCE
OF GETTING WATER.

SO, IF I WANT WATER,
I'VE GOT TO GO DOWN.

IF YOU FOLLOW
THIS DRY RIVERBED,

IT WILL TAKE YOU TOO FAR SOUTH.

YOUR BEST CHANCE IS
TO TRAVEL EAST, TO THE COAST,

'CAUSE THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE MOST
LIKELY TO FIND FOOD AND WATER.

BUT THAT MEANS I'M GONNA
HAVE TO SCALE THIS RIDGE.

SO, THAT'S THE WAY TO GO.

AND THEY SAY THAT
A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES

STARTS WITH A SINGLE STEP.

AND THAT'S NEVER MORE TRUE THAN
WITH MOUNTAINS AND SURVIVAL.

AHEAD OF ME IS A 500-FOOT
BROKEN GRANITE FACE,

BUT GETTING TO THE TOP
ISN'T STRAIGHTFORWARD.

[ GRUNTS ]

WHEN I REACH THE PEEK,

I SHOULD GET A CLEAR SENSE
OF WHAT LIES AHEAD.

A GOOD VISUAL ROUTE

CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

AND NOW I CAN SEE
WHAT I'M UP AGAINST.

THE BAJA DESERT
IS A LETHAL PLACE,

EVEN FOR THE WELL-PREPARED.

IN 1996, AN ARMY TRAINING
COURSE WENT DISASTROUSLY WRONG

WHEN 15 SOLDIERS DIED
OF HEAT EXHAUSTION.

AND THAT INCLUDED TWO
OF THE RESCUE PARTY.

THIS IS THE CHALLENGE
AHEAD OF ME.

BUT MY IMMEDIATE PROBLEM

IS GETTING DOWN THIS MOUNTAIN
TO THE DESERT FLOOR.

I'M MAKING GOOD PROGRESS
THROUGH THE BOULDERS.

BUT WITH THE HUGE ROCKS
AND SUDDEN DROPS,

YOU CAN QUICKLY FIND YOURSELF
IN REAL TROUBLE.

THIS DESCENT ISN'T QUITE
AS CLEVER...AS I THOUGHT.

HAVE A LOOK AT...
HAVE A LOOK AT THAT.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

I COULD MAYBE TRY AND GET ON ONE
OF THESE LEDGES DOWN HERE.

BUT I WANT TO BE CAREFUL.
IT IS A BIG DROP.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

SEE IF I CAN LOWER MYSELF
OVER THIS --

OVER THIS LIP
AND DOWN TO THAT LEDGE.

THE WEATHERED ROCK
IS SMOOTH AND FLAKY,

AND IT'S HARD
TO GET A GOOD GRIP.

[ GRUNTING ]

I'VE MADE IT
ONTO THIS LEDGE, JUST...

I WOULDN'T WANT TO
HANG AROUND HERE.

SO I'M OUT OF HERE.

ONE SLIP, AND THERE'S
A 140-FOOT SHEER DROP

ONTO THE ROCKS BELOW.

IF I CAN GET ACROSS THIS LEDGE,
I CAN SEE AN EASIER ROUTE DOWN.

I'VE DESCENDED
A COUPLE OF HUNDRED FEET,

AND THE VALLEY FLOOR
IS ALMOST WITHIN REACH.

WHOA, WHOA.

JUST WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.
THAT'S A RATTLESNAKE.

JUST DOWN THERE. GOD.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

OKAY, JUST WATCH OUT.

I'M IN QUITE
A DANGEROUS POSITION HERE.

RIGHT AT SNAKE LEVEL.

AND THESE GUYS' STRIKE
IS SUPER-FAST.

SOMETHING LIKE EIGHT FOOT
A SECOND.

LET'S GET DOWN THIS TREE
AND GET OUT OF HERE.

WHOA.

NOW THAT
I'M OFF THE CLIFF FACE,

THERE'S MORE SHADE
AND VEGETATION,

WHICH GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY
TO FIND SOME FOOD.

A BIG, ROTTING LOG.

AND THAT, FOR ME,
MEANS ONE THING...

FOOD.

AND YOU'LL OFTEN GET,
INSIDE OF ALL THIS ROTTING WOOD,

THESE LARVA THAT ARE FEEDING OFF
ALL OF THIS STUFF.

WELL, HERE WE GO.

HERE, COME UP
AND LOOK AT THIS IN HERE.

COME ON.

LOOK AT THAT.
THAT'S QUITE A MONSTER.

LARVA. MAYBE LIKE
A MOTH LARVA OR SOMETHING.

HANG ON. DON'T MOVE.
DON'T MOVE. DON'T MOVE.

LOOK.

OOH, OOH.

AND A BEETLE, AS WELL.

AND THIS IS CALLED INSECT LUNCH.

[ CRUNCHING ]

GOD.

[ SPITTING ]

I EAT AN AWFUL LOT
OF BEETLES AND STUFF.

BUT IF YOU GET A REALLY SHARP,
STINGING TASTE,

THAT'S PROBABLY A SIGN
IT IS NOT VERY GOOD.

I'M GONNA GET ALL THE GUTS
OUT OF THIS ONE.

'CAUSE IF IT'S GONNA
CONTAIN ANY PARASITES,

IT'S GONNA BE IN THERE.

BUT THE REST OF THIS
SHOULD BE FINE.

GOD, THAT BEETLE WAS TERRIBLE.

[ CRUNCHING ]

HAVING SAID THAT...
SO IS THIS LARVA.

[ GROANS ]

[ SIGHS ]

INSECTS ARE VERY HIGH
IN PROTEIN.

BUT TO SURVIVE
ANY LENGTH OF TIME OUT HERE,

YOU NEED SOMETHING
MORE SUBSTANTIAL.

I'VE GOT A SKUNK. LOOK.

LITERALLY SMELLS LIKE A HUNDRED
BURNING TIRES ALL AT ONCE.

I'VE PARACHUTED
INTO THE PARCHED WILDERNESS

OF THE MEXICAN CANYONS.

TO SURVIVE OUT HERE,

YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE
IS FINDING FRESH WATER.

THERE, YOU SEE THE ROCK FACE
IS QUITE DAMP HERE.

AND THIS IS A GOOD SIGN
FOR GETTING WATER.

MY BOTTLE'S ALMOST EMPTY NOW.

YOU USE UP A LOT OF FLUIDS
CLIMBING UP THERE.

AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN,
IT WILL RAIN HIGHER UP,

AND THEN THE WATER
WILL WORK ITS WAY DOWN

THESE ROCKS AND GULLIES.

BUT IT'S HARDLY ENOUGH TO --

THERE'S NO KIND OF
REAL DRIPPING GOING ON.

YOU MIGHT GET A BIT FROM...

[ SLURPING ]

...SUCKING IT
STRAIGHT OFF THE ROCK.

[ SLURPING ]

BUT ONE GOOD WAY
OF MANAGING TO GET WATER

WHEN THERE'S NOT
VERY MUCH COMING DOWN

IS JUST TO USE YOUR SHOELACE.

AND, LOOK, YOU WHIP THIS OFF.

LET'S PUT A LITTLE KNOT
IN THE END OF THIS,

AND THEN JUST TWIST THE LACE.

AND WHAT I WANT TO DO IS JUST
POSITION THIS IN THE CREVICE.

AND HOPEFULLY, AS THIS
GRADUALLY GETS WATERLOGGED,

IT WILL RUN DOWN THE LACE
AND DRIP INTO...

...THE WATER BOTTLE.

BUT IT MIGHT TAKE
A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

MAYBE IN A HALF AN HOUR OR SO.

AND THAT WILL GIVE ME TIME
TO HAVE A LOOK AROUND HERE.

OVER THE YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE
TRIED WORKING THIS BARREN LAND,

ONLY TO ABANDON EVERYTHING,

BEATEN BY THIS HARSH
AND UNFORGIVING ENVIRONMENT.

HEY, LOOK. LOOK AT THAT.
THERE'S AN OLD CAR.

AND WHATEVER HUMANS LEAVE
BEHIND, NATURE SIMPLY RECLAIMS.

[ GRUNTS ]

OH, WE'LL DEFINITELY
BE ABLE TO GET THIS GOING.

COME AND HAVE A LOOK.

COUPLE OF SPARK PLUGS.
SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO.

OR NOT.

AT FIRST SIGHT, THERE ISN'T
MUCH TO SALVAGE FROM THE WRECK,

BUT ANYTHING I CAN SCAVENGE
CAN BE PUT TO GOOD USE.

THIS WIRE IS IDEAL
FOR MAKING TRAPS.

THE OLD SEAT COVERS.

THIS WILL BE GOOD INSULATION
OUT HERE AT NIGHTTIME,

WHEN IT GETS FREEZING.

HUH.

COOL TO FIND, THOUGH.

YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO GRAB
EVERY OPPORTUNITY YOU CAN

TO GET FOOD AND USE
WHATEVER YOU CAN TO CATCH IT.

HEY, LOOK.

SEE THIS?

SEE THAT LITTLE TRACK THERE?

THAT IS PROBABLY --
PROBABLY A SKUNK.

YOU SEE THE FOUR LITTLE IMPRINTS
WHERE THE CLAWS WOULD BE,

LITTLE BIT OF THE PAD,
AND THEN THE HEEL.

YOU KNOW, IF THIS WAS A CAT,
YOU WOULDN'T SEE THOSE CLAWS.

YOU'D JUST SEE THE PADS.

THIS IS DEFINITELY
NOT CAT OR HARE.

IT COULD BE A COYOTE.

BUT, AGAIN, THEY'VE GOT CLAWS

THAT WOULD BE MUCH BIGGER
THAN THAT.

BUT SKUNKS ARE GOOD FOR TRAPPING
AND GOOD FOR EATING.

AND THIS MIGHT NOT BE
A BAD PLACE TO SET UP CAMP

AND SET SOME SNARES.

LOOK, THERE'S ALSO
LOTS OF WILLOW AROUND,

AND THIS STUFF IS GOOD
FOR MAKING SPRING SNARES.

YOU GET LOTS OF STRENGTH,
AND THEY'RE WHIPPY AND BENDY.

SKUNKS HAVE A TERRITORY
OF 30 TO 40 ACRES.

IF I WANT TO CATCH ONE,
I NEED TO FIND

A NATURAL BOTTLENECK NEARBY,
WHERE I CAN SET A TRAP.

HEY, LOOK, THIS COULD DO.

THIS WOULD BE QUITE NICE HERE.
IT'S A NICE, NATURAL CHANNEL.

ANY GAME PASSING THROUGH

IS GONNA GET FUNNELED
THROUGH THIS BIT.

AND THE ANIMALS ARE ESSENTIALLY
VERY EFFICIENT MOVERS.

THEY'LL ALWAYS TAKE THE PATH
OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

THEY'RE NOT GONNA WANT TO CLIMB
UP OVER THESE ROCKS, OVER THIS.

THEY'RE GONNA MOVE BETWEEN HERE,

SO THAT IS THE PLACE
TO SET THE SNARE.

I'M USING A WILLOW BRANCH

TO IMPROVISE A SPRING
FOR THE TRAP.

AND THIS IS JUST
THE OLD ELECTRICAL CABLE

FROM THAT CAR WRECK.

AND JUST GO ONCE...
TWICE AROUND IT.

[ GRUNTS ]

THE NOOSE IS ATTACHED
TO THE WILLOW SPRING

AND THEN ANCHORED TO THE FLOOR.

AND THEN, I'M JUST USING THIS
LITTLE BIT OF DEADWOOD HERE

TO ACT AS A TRIGGER.

AND THIS IS ALWAYS
QUITE SENSITIVE TO SET,

BUT YOU WANT IT LIKE THAT.

AND THEN, I WANT TO
MAKE A LITTLE RAMP

FOR THE ANIMAL TO GO UP
AND OVER, TO TRIGGER IT.

AND THEN, JUST LAY THE NOOSE
FLAT ON TOP OF THAT RAMP.

SPRINKLE A FEW LEAVES OVER
THE TOP OF IT TO DISGUISE IT.

AND WHATEVER COMES ACROSS,
WALKS ACROSS THIS, TRIGGERS IT,

IS GONNA GET PULLED UP,
SUSPENDED, READY FOR DINNER.

AT NIGHT, TEMPERATURES
CAN DROP TO MINUS 10,

AND THE QUICKEST SHELTER I CAN
BUILD IS A SIMPLE LEAN-TO.

ONE CROSSED PALM...
FOR MY LEAN-TO SHELTER.

AND, LOOK, YOU SEE WITH THIS,

I'VE GOT A NICE ROCK HERE
TO ACT AS A FIRE REFLECTOR.

AND A LOT OF THE BRANCHES HERE
I CAN LEAVE ON.

THIS CAN BE MY ROOFING.

THE BASIS OF A GOOD SHELTER
IS TO KEEP YOU DRY AND WARM.

SO KEEP THE SHELTER SMALL
AND SIMPLE.

AND A LEAN-TO IS
AS BASIC AS YOU CAN GET.

I CAN USE THIS OLD CAR-SEAT
COVER AS INSULATION TO LIE ON.

I'VE GOT THE FRAMEWORK,
AND THEN ALL I NEED

IS A LOAD OF DESERT SCRUB
TO PUT OVER THIS

TO INSULATE ME
AND TO WATERPROOF IT.

AND YOU DON'T NEED
A HUGE SHELTER.

YOU KNOW, IF IT'S SMALL,
IT'S GONNA STAY WARMER.

OKAY, THAT'S THE SHELTER DONE.
COME HAVE A LOOK IN HERE.

QUITE SNUG.

AND ALL I NOW NEED IS SOME
FIREWOOD AND TO CHECK MY TRAPS.

I'M MORE THAN 200 YARDS
FROM THE TRAP,

BUT I CAN ALREADY SMELL THE
OVERPOWERING STENCH OF A SKUNK.

GOD, MAN, I CAN SMELL IT.

BUT THERE HE GOES.
HE'S CAUGHT IN THE NOOSE.

[ GROANS ]

ABSOLUTELY STINKS.

BUT IT MEANS
I'VE GOT DINNER TONIGHT.

BUT I DON'T
WANT TO GET TOO CLOSE.

SKUNKS MAY LOOK CUTE,

BUT THEY CARRY RABIES,
A FATAL VIRUS.

AND WHEN THEY'RE THREATENED,

THEY SPRAY FOUL-SMELLING LIQUID
UP TO 10 FOOT AWAY.

GOD, CAN YOU SMELL THAT?

LITERALLY SMELLS LIKE A HUNDRED
BURNING TIRES ALL AT ONCE.

ABSOLUTELY REEKS.

THEIR DEFENSE MECHANISM

IS TO SQUIRT OUT
OF THEIR BACKSIDE THIS LIQUID.

AND IF YOU GET THAT IN YOUR EYE,
IT'LL TEMPORARILY BLIND YOU.

SO, I NEED TO COME UP WITH SOME
WAY OF GETTING HIM OFF MY NOOSE.

WHAT I NEED TO DO IS MAKE,
LIKE, A ZULU SHIELD.

OKAY, LET'S SEE IF THIS
WILL WORK. COME ON.

JUST WATCH OUT FOR YOUR EYES.
DON'T GET ANY CLOSER NOW.

I WANT TO GET IT OFF THE SNARE
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,

BUT I'VE GOT TO AVOID
GETTING COVERED

IN ITS HORRENDOUS SCENT.

I NEED TO GO IN SLOWLY.

[ SKUNK WARBLING ]

[ GAGGING, SPITTING ]

YOU SMELL THAT?

THAT...IS TRULY...

[ COUGHING ]

...TERRIBLE.

GOD.

THE STENCH IS SO BAD,
I CAN BARELY BREATHE.

THAT IS HIS HEAD.

I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE IT
ANY UNNECESSARY SUFFERING,

SO I WANT TO DISPATCH IT
CLEANLY AND QUICKLY.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

AND THERE'S HIS BODY.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

AND THERE'S HIS HEAD.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

[ BEES BUZZING ]

BUT IN THE WILD, THE DANGER CAN
COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.

GO AWAY. GO AWAY.

SUCH A SMALL, LITTLE FLY THING.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO
DELIVER A PUNCH.

I'M IN NORTHERN MEXICO,
AND I'VE TRAPPED A SKUNK.

MY ONLY PROBLEM NOW IS DEALING
WITH ITS TERRIBLE SMELL.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

I'M GONNA DUMP THIS SKUNK HERE.

I DO NOT WANT TO BE
TAKING THAT INTO CAMP YET.

I'LL LET YOU HAVE
A GOOD LOOK AT HIM NOW.

OH, MAN, THAT SMELL.

SO OVERPOWERING, YOU SEE.

LOOK, YOU CAN JUST SEE
THE REALLY NASTY

BUSINESS END OF THE SKUNK.

LOOK AT HIS BACKSIDE THERE,

AND THAT'S WHERE HE SQUIRTS OUT
THE FOUL-SMELLING LIQUID FROM.

OKAY, TIME TO
BRING THAT SKUNK IN,

BURN THAT STINKING FUR OFF IT.

THERE'S NO ROOM FOR SENTIMENT
WHEN YOU HAVE TO SURVIVE.

YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME
YOUR PREJUDICES

ABOUT KILLING
AND COOKING ANIMALS.

IT'S STILL PRETTY STINKY,

BUT THERE IS MEAT ON HERE
THAT'S GONNA BE OKAY TO USE.

WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS ACTUALLY
CUT OFF ALL OF HIS ITS BACK END.

AND THAT'S WHERE
THE SCENT GLANDS ARE.

AND THAT, THEN,
IS READY FOR THE BARBECUE.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT
I COOK THIS MEAT REALLY WELL

SO THERE'S NO RISK
OF ME GETTING RABIES.

COOKING IT THOROUGHLY
AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

DESTROYS THE RABIES VIRUS,

WHICH LODGES IN ITS BRAIN
AND THE SPINAL COLUMN.

LET'S SEE HOW THIS IS LOOKING.

OH, BLIMEY.

IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY'S
GOT YOUR STEAK...

RUBBED IT IN DOG FECES, AND THEN
POPPED IT IN TO YOUR MOUTH.

THE SKUNK MEAT
MAY TASTE DISGUSTING,

BUT AT LEAST
IT'S A GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEIN

THAT WILL GIVE YOU
THE ENERGY TO KEEP GOING.

THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO
BEFORE I BED DOWN

IS JUST STRETCH THIS FIRE OUT

ALL THE WAY ALONG
WHERE I'M GONNA BE SLEEPING.

WELL, HOPEFULLY, THIS FIRE WILL
KEEP ME WARM DURING THE NIGHT.

IT GETS BELOW FREEZING OUT HERE,

BUT THE HEAT
WILL REFLECT NICELY,

AND THE SHELTER WILL
KEEP ME INSULATED, AS WELL.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

[ SNIFFS ]

THIS FIRE'S DOING AN OKAY JOB,

BUT AT LEAST STOPPING ME
FROM GETTING TOO COLD.

BUT THERE'S ONE THING KEEPING ME
AWAKE AT THE MOMENT,

AND THAT'S JUST THE STENCH
OF THAT SKUNK.

YOU KNOW, THAT STENCH
IS JUST EVERYWHERE.

I REALLY NEED
A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.

[ BIRD CHIRPING ]

HEY. IT JUST STARTED TO
WARM UP A BIT NOW.

AND I DID ACTUALLY MANAGE
TO GET SOME SLEEP IN THE END.

THE FUNNY THING IS,

YOU BECOME KIND OF USED TO
THAT SMELL OF SKUNK.

AND I STILL GET IT IN WAVES.

BUT AT LEAST I MANAGED
TO GET SOME KIP.

I'M GOING TO BE HEADING
DEEPER INTO THE DESERT,

WHERE WATER IS REALLY SCARCE.

I NEED TO GET GOING BEFORE
THE HEAT GETS UNBEARABLE

AND HYDRATE WHENEVER I CAN.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN
SEEING LOADS OF THESE.

SEE THESE BUSH GRASSES?

AND THESE ARE HOLLOW.

IF I CAN FIND SOMEWHERE
TO DIG FOR WATER,

I CAN USE THESE...
AS A STRAW TO SUCK IT OUT.

A NATURAL STRAW IS IDEAL FOR
GETTING WATER FROM THE GROUND.

ALL YOU NEED IS TO FIND
THE RIGHT PLACE TO DIG.

SEE, THIS MIGHT NOT BE
A BAD PLACE --

BASE OF A CLIFF,
BIT OF AN OUTSIDE BEND.

I'M NOW NEAR SEA LEVEL,

WHERE'S THERE'S A GREATER
CHANCE OF FINDING WATER.

THIS IS GETTING REALLY COLD
AND DAMP DOWN HERE,

WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN
THAT I'M GETTING CLOSE TO WATER.

AND, YEAH.
LOOK, HERE WE GO.

LOOK AT THAT.

AND ABSOLUTELY MASSES OF IT.

I CAN USE A BIT
OF CHARCOAL FROM MY FIRE

TO MAKE A BASIC WATER FILTER.

WHAT IT WILL DO IS MAKE
ANY TOXINS OR CHEMICALS

BIND TO THE CHARCOAL.

AND THEN,
BY PUTTING GRASS IN THE END,

THAT'S GONNA TAKE OUT ANY BIGGER
STUFF LIKE SAND OR GRIT.

AND THEN, JUST OVER THE TOP
OF IT, PUT A BIT OF MY T-SHIRT.

OKAY, LET'S GIVE IT A TRY.

WELL, IT TASTES CLEAN.

MAYBE A BIT SWEATY
FROM MY T-SHIRT,

BUT GOOD TO DRINK AND SAFE.

AND COMBAT PILOTS
WILL ACTUALLY OFTEN BE ISSUED

A LITTLE STRAW LIKE THIS
AS PART OF THEIR SURVIVAL KIT,

SO THEY CAN ALWAYS DRINK
IF THEY'RE SHOT DOWN.

AND THIS IS MUCH THE SAME THING,
BUT JUST IMPROVISED.

I'M NOW WELL-HYDRATED, BUT AS
I GET DEEPER INTO THE DESERT,

AN ATTEMPT TO FILL UP ON HONEY
GOES DISASTROUSLY WRONG.

[ GROANS ]

THE GLARE'S ACTUALLY
MAKING IT REALLY HARD

JUST TO SEE THROUGH
ALL OF THIS SWELLING.

I'M IN NORTHERN MEXICO,
ON THE EDGE OF THE DESERT.

I'VE NOTICED
A LOT OF BEES IN THE AREA,

SO I'M HEADING
THROUGH THE SCRUB

TO GET TO THE HIVE
AND FIND SOME HONEY.

IT'S NEVER EASY, IS IT?

JUST WAIT THERE.

YELLOW BEES.

JUST SEEN THEM BUZZING
OUT OF THIS LITTLE CAVE.

AND BEES, FOR ME,
MEANS ONE THING -- HONEY.

AND, LOOK, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE.
HAVE A LOOK IN THERE.

SEE THE WHITE HONEYCOMBS?

ABOUT FIVE FINGERS OF THEM
JUST COVERED, COVERED IN BEES.

WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE BIT
CAREFUL OF THESE GUYS,

ESPECIALLY
IF THEY'RE AFRICAN BEES.

AND THERE'S NO WAY OF TELLING
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM.

BUT IF THEY'RE AFRICAN ONES,
THEY'RE THE REALLY NASTY ONES --

AGGRESSIVE, SWARMING.

IF THEY GO FOR YOU,
THEY'RE JUST GONNA COVER YOU,

STING YOU, AND THEY'VE
BEEN KNOWN TO KILL PEOPLE.

WHAT I WANT TO TRY AND DO
IS GET TO WHAT THEY'RE MAKING,

WHICH IS THE HONEY.

[ BEES BUZZING ]

THE DANGER IS,
AS SOON AS I START

TRYING TO PROBE IN THERE
A BIT FURTHER,

THESE GUYS
ARE GONNA COME POURING OUT.

WELL, THERE'S A LOAD OF THEM
IN THERE, AREN'T THERE?

MAKE SURE I'M REALLY WELL
BUTTONED UP HERE.

I DO NOT WANT A SHIRT

FULL OF ANGRY BEES
PROTECTING THEIR HONEY.

BUT, LOOK,
THEN I JUST USE A T-SHIRT.

ALSO, I TUCK MY SHIRT IN.

DON'T WANT THEM
DOWN MY PANTS, EITHER.

OKAY, LET'S GET THIS FIRE GOING.

[ BEES BUZZING ]

[ GRUNTING ]

THEY'RE DIVE-BOMBING ME
AT THE MOMENT.

AND AS SOON AS I GET THIS GOING
AND GET IT SMOKING,

THE SMOKE SHOULD SEDATE THEM
A BIT AND SLOW THEM DOWN.

[ GROANS ]

I WANT TO BE
A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL,

'CAUSE I DON'T
WANT TO BURN THEM.

THAT'S JUST GONNA ANNOY THEM,

AND THEN I'M GONNA END UP
IN MUCH WORSE TROUBLE.

HEY, GUYS,
IF ANY BEES GO ON YOU,

DON'T BRUSH THEM OFF
OR SWAT THEM.

JUST LEAVE THEM.

YOU TRY AND SWAT THEM,
THAT'S WHEN THEY STING YOU.

BY PUTTING FRESH VEGETATION
ON THE FIRE,

YOU CAN PRODUCE MORE SMOKE.

YOU CAN HEAR THEM
BEGINNING TO GET A BIT MAD NOW.

OKAY, LET'S GET IT.

[ GRUNTING ]

SEE, THAT'S WHAT I'M AFTER.

GET GOING, BEES.

YOU GOT TO FIGHT THAT TEMPTATION
TO SWAT AT THEM

WHEN THEY'RE ON YOUR HAND.

LOOK, HE'S ON MY FOREHEAD.

FOREHEAD. GO AWAY.
GO AWAY.

LEAVING MY FOREHEAD EXPOSED
WAS A REAL OVERSIGHT.

HE'S GOT ONE STINGER IN.

THAT ONE HAS GOT ME
JUST UP HERE.

HERE, CAN YOU SEE?
CAN YOU PULL IT OFF FOR ME?

TRY AND GET THE LITTLE STINGER.

[ COUGHS ]

AND THAT'S
WHAT YOU WANT TO PULL OUT.

YOU GUYS SEE THAT?

AND THAT'S
WHERE THEY DELIVER IT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, ONE STING FOR A
LOAD OF HONEYCOMB ISN'T TOO BAD.

LOOK, YOU SEE THERE'S STILL
ONE LITTLE FELLA IN THERE.

LET'S LET HIM OUT.

LET'S SEE
WHAT WE'VE GOT IN HERE.

MMM.
NICE AND SWEET, ANYWAY.

FOR SUCH A SMALL,
LITTLE FLY THING,

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO
DELIVER A PUNCH.

POW.

NOW I'M ON THE DESERT FLOOR,

AND THE TEMPERATURE'S
CREEPING UP OVER 125 DEGREES.

BUT WORSE, ONLY TWO HOURS
AFTER MY ENCOUNTER IN THE HIVE,

THE BIGGEST THREAT
TO MY SURVIVAL

HAS COME FROM A TINY BEESTING.

IT'S QUITE A BRUTE OF A BEESTING

THAT'S MADE ALL OF
THIS PART OF ME SWELL UP.

I FEEL A BIT
LIKE THE ELEPHANT MAN.

YOU KNOW, MY EYE AND NOSE,
FOREHEAD SWELLING UP.

ALLERGIC REACTION
TO BEESTINGS CAN BE FATAL.

I'M WORRIED
ABOUT ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK,

THE FIRST SIGNS
ARE SWELLING AROUND THE EYES,

FOLLOWED
BY DIFFICULTY BREATHING

AND LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

IT CAUSES 1,000 DEATHS A YEAR
IN THE U.S.

FEELS LIKE A KIND OF BIG PRICE
TO PAY FOR A BIT OF HONEY.

BUT IF YOU RISK NOTHING,
YOU GAIN NOTHING.

IT'S JUST THIS TIME,
IT HASN'T QUITE WORKED OUT.

HALF-BLINDED,
WITH MY EYES SWOLLEN SHUT,

THE STAKES
ARE SUDDENLY MUCH HIGHER.

[ RATTLESNAKE HISSING ]

THAT'S A DIAMONDBACK
RATTLESNAKE,

AND THESE GUYS ARE LETHAL.

I'M IN NORTHERN MEXICO,
AND AFTER MY BEESTING,

I'M STILL WORRIED ABOUT GOING
INTO ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK.

MY EYES ARE SWOLLEN SHUT,

AND THE HEAT IS MAKING IT
10 TIMES WORSE.

THE GLARE'S ACTUALLY
MAKING IT REALLY HARD

JUST TO SEE THROUGH
ALL OF THIS SWELLING.

I'M JUST A BIT WORRIED
IF THIS GETS ANY WORSE.

AND THE IRONY IS,
OUT OF ALL OF THE MASSIVE,

LETHAL, AGGRESSIVE, MAN-EATING
CROCS AND SNAKES AND ALLIGATORS

I'VE DEALT WITH OVER THE YEARS,

THE ONE THAT GETS ME
IS A RUDDY BEE.

IT'S NO WONDER THIS PLACE
HAS TAKEN SO MANY LIVES.

EVERYTHING ABOUT IT
IS HOSTILE --

THE HEAT,
THE NEEDLE-SHARP CACTUS,

AND THE EVER-PRESENT THREAT

OF COMING FACE-TO-FACE
WITH A RATTLESNAKE.

WAIT, WAIT, THAT'S
A DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE,

AND THESE GUYS ARE LETHAL.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THAT
SNAKE IS CAPABLE OF KILLING YOU.

[ RATTLESNAKE RATTLING ]

AND THE REASON THESE GUYS
ARE ESPECIALLY NASTY

IS THEY DON'T BACK AWAY
FROM CONFRONTATION.

AND THEY'VE BEEN KNOWN,
ACTUALLY,

TO PURSUE HUMANS
WHEN THEY'RE AGGRAVATED.

WITH BOTH EYES SWOLLEN, MY
EYESIGHT IS SEVERELY IMPAIRED,

MAKING A CONFRONTATION WITH
THIS SNAKE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS.

OKAY, I NEED TO
GET THIS RIGHT FIRST TIME.

OKAY.

AND THAT'S HIM.

THAT'S HIM DEAD.
NOW MY HEART IS RACING.

I DO NOT LIKE MESSING
WITH SNAKES,

WHERE ONE BITE
IS CAPABLE OF KILLING YOU.

AND I HAVE ANOTHER RULE
WITH SNAKES, AS WELL.

EVEN AFTER I'VE KILLED IT,
I WILL DOUBLE-CHECK EVERY TIME.

SEE, THIS GUY'S
STILL WRIGGLING AROUND.

ALL THE NERVES STILL WORKING,
BUT LOOK AT THE HEAD HERE.

AND YOU'VE GOT TO BE PRETTY
CAREFUL HANDLING THE HEAD,

EVEN AFTER IT'S OFF.

AND THERE YOU GO. LOOK.

YOU CAN SEE ITS FANG,

AND THAT'S WHAT DELIVERS
THAT LETHAL CONCOCTION OF VENOM.

THE HEMOTOXIC VENOM
REMAINS LETHAL FOR HOURS,

EVEN AFTER THE SNAKE IS DEAD.

AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD, WITH
SNAKES THAT ARE THIS DEADLY,

TO MAKE SURE YOU BURY THE HEAD.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO ACCIDENTALLY
END UP TREADING ON THAT THING.

OKAY, WHILE THAT'S BUILDING UP,
I CAN GUT THIS SNAKE.

AND WHEN THEY'RE
FRESHLY KILLED LIKE THIS,

THEY'RE MUCH EASIER
TO GUT AND SKIN.

AND IT'S A BIT LIKE
I'M PEELING A SAUSAGE.

THERE YOU GO.

YOU SEE ALL THE GUTS COMING OUT
THERE, WHICH I DON'T WANT.

YOU CAN EAT SNAKE RAW,

BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A RISK
OF DANGEROUS PARASITES,

LIKE TAPEWORMS.

SO, IF YOU'VE GOT TIME, ALWAYS
MAKE A FIRE AND COOK THE MEAT.

AND A GOOD WAY OF JUDGING IF THE
HEAT IS TOO HOT TO COOK OVER --

YOU CAN HOLD YOUR HAND THERE
FOR FIVE SECONDS.

3, 4, 5.
[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

THAT'S ABOUT THE RIGHT HEAT.

HALF AN HOUR IN THE SHADE
GIVES ME TIME

TO REST MY EYES
AND COOK THE SNAKE THOROUGHLY.

THIS LOOKS PRETTY WELL...
PRETTY WELL-DONE.

HAVE A LITTLE LOOK.

AND IF YOU CAN SEE
THE FIBERS OF THE MEAT,

IT'S A GOOD SIGN
THAT IT'S COOKED.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT BAD.

IT'S LIKE A MIX
BETWEEN CHICKEN AND FISH.

I'VE MADE IT THROUGH THE CACTUS
FIELDS TO THE SAND DUNES,

WHERE I HAVE TO SWALLOW MY
PRIDE IN THE NAME OF SURVIVAL.

[ COUGHING ]

I'M IN NORTHERN MEXICO,
AND I'M TRAVELING EAST

FROM THE MOUNTAINS ON MY WAY
TO THE SEA AND CIVILIZATION.

I'M NOW ON THE SAND DUNES,

ON THE EDGE OF
THE LAGUNA SALADA SALT PANS.

IT'S LIKE CLIMBING IN HOT,
HOT TRICOLETTES.

AND THIS IS LOOKING
LIKE THE END OF THE DESERT.

BUT I WANT TO STILL KEEP
ON MY EASTERLY COURSE,

KEEP HEADING THAT WAY AND KEEP
THAT WESTERLY WIND AT MY BACK.

BUT THE BATTLE DOWN THERE
IS STILL GONNA BE DEHYDRATION.

AND I'M WELL-HYDRATED
AT THE MOMENT.

I NEED TO PEE,
AND I DON'T WANT TO WASTE THAT.

SO, WHAT I'M GONNA DO
IS USE THE SNAKESKIN.

JUST TIE A KNOT AT THIS END.

NEVER DRINK YOUR OWN URINE

UNLESS IT REALLY IS
A LAST RESORT.

IT CONTAINS SALT AND TOXINS.

BUT AS A LAST,
DESPERATE MEASURE,

IT WILL ACT AS AN ADDITIONAL
SOURCE OF FLUIDS.

NOT SO EASY TO HOLD AND AIM.

[ URINE TRICKLING ]

AND THEN THAT'S READY TO GO.

LET'S GET INTO THE SALT PAN.

THE SALT PANS OF LAGUNA SALADA
COVER 500 SQUARE MILES.

THEY FORM AN ALMOST
IMPOSSIBLE BARRIER

BETWEEN THE DESERT AND THE SEA.

THE TEMPERATURE
CAN REACH 130 DEGREES,

AND NOTHING BUT FLIES
CAN SURVIVE HERE.

THERE, YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN?

NOTHING...
CAN LIVE IN THIS PLACE.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

LET'S KEEP MOVING.

IN THE INTENSE HEAT,

YOU CAN LOSE 1 1/2 LITERS
OF WATER AN HOUR.

IT'S VITAL TO REPLACE FLUIDS
TO AVOID HEAT EXHAUSTION.

YOU MIGHT JUST HAVE TO DO
THE UNTHINKABLE.

MY WATER BOTTLE'S EMPTY,

BUT I DO STILL HAVE THIS
SNAKESKIN THAT'S FULL OF PEE.

AND I'VE BEEN KIND OF
TRYING TO DELAY THIS MOMENT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE IN
A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION,

DRINKING YOUR OWN PEE
COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

AND I'M NOT EXPECTING THIS
TO BE PARTICULARLY APPETIZING.

[ GASPS ]

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

I'M ALL FOR COCKTAILS,

BUT SNAKE INNARDS AND PEE
IS NOT HIGH ON MY LIST.

GOD.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

[ COUGHING ]

[ SPITS ]

STILL A BIT LEFT.

HOPEFULLY, THAT WILL HELP...

HELP ME GO A BIT FURTHER.

[ SPITS ]

THE SALT PANS
GIVE WAY TO SCRUBLAND,

WHERE THERE ARE
TELLTALE SIGNS OF HUMAN LIFE.

THERE'S RUBBISH.

THAT MEANS PEOPLE
SOMEWHERE NEARBY.

I'VE MADE IT TO THE COAST.

AND I KNOW SOMEWHERE ALONG
THE BEACH, I'LL FIND PEOPLE.

AND THAT, SEE,
IS A VERY WELCOME SIGHT.

AND I REMIND YOU, THOUGH,
OF THIS PLACE,

IS THAT NATURE IS ESSENTIALLY
NEITHER FOR US NOR AGAINST US.

AND WHAT DETERMINES WHETHER
WE SURVIVE OR NOT IS OUR SKILL,

OUR COMMON SENSE,

AND ULTIMATELY OUR DETERMINATION
TO MAKE IT HOME IN ONE PIECE.