Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 3, Episode 11 - Romania - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.

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 WEEK OF CHALLENGES

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

WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.

NOW I'M IN TRANSYLVANIA...

[ GRUNTS ]

...A WILDERNESS DOMINATED

BY THOUSANDS OF MILES
OF DENSE FOREST.

IT'S THE DOMAIN
OF FEROCIOUS WILD BEARS.



THAT'S A BROWN BEAR.

THE GOING
COULDN'T BE TOUGHER --

THROUGH TOWERING RAVINES
AND MASSIVE CAVE SYSTEMS.

JUST ONE OF THE MADDEST PLACES.

I'M GONNA USE EVERY OUNCE
OF MY KNOWLEDGE

TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
THIS VAST, RUGGED LANDSCAPE.

HEADING FOR THE CARPATHIAN
MOUNTAINS IN CENTRAL ROMANIA.

IT'S RECKONED TO BE THE LAST
GREAT WILDERNESS IN EUROPE!

BUT GETTING THERE
IS NOT GONNA BE EASY!

THE CLOUDS ARE MOVING IN!

AND THERE'S ONLY
A TINY WEATHER WINDOW!

THE PILOT SAYS
HE CAN'T LAND UP THERE!

SO IT MEANS --

IT MEANS I'VE GOT TO IMPROVISE!



THIS WHOLE LANDSCAPE
IS JUST WILD!

LOOK AT THESE HUGE, DEEP GORGES
AND THESE HIDDEN FOREST RAVINES!

THE ANCIENT FORESTS
OF TRANSYLVANIA

ARE ONE OF THE OLDEST
UNTOUCHED REGIONS IN EUROPE.

THE LEGEND OF COUNT DRACULA
WAS BORN HERE.

AND IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH,

THE WHOLE PLACE
IS JUST TEEMING WITH BEARS!

MY CREW HAS SPOTTED A CLEARING
IN THE FOREST CANOPY.

WE HAVE TO BE QUICK.

THE WEATHER CHANGES FAST HERE,

AND THE PILOT CAN'T RISK
SNAGGING THE ROPE IN THE TREES.

AS SOON AS I HIT THE GROUND...

CLEAR!

...THEY'RE CUTTING ME LOOSE.

GOOD LUCK, BEAR!

I'M KEEPING THIS ROPE.

IN THIS SORT OF TERRAIN,
IT COULD BE VITAL.

OKAY.
GET THIS ROPE STOWED.

AND THEN GET MOVING.

TRY AND GET SOME BLOOD
BACK INTO MY LEGS.

IF YOU'RE STRANDED
ON HIGH GROUND,

YOU'VE GOT TO GET DOWN FAST.

IF YOU CAN FIND RUNNING WATER,

YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL
INCREASE DRAMATICALLY.

OVER HALF
OF ALL HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

ARE SITUATED ON COASTS
AND RIVERBANKS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT A COMPASS,

THERE IS ACTUALLY A WAY
OF WORKING OUT YOUR DIRECTION,

YOUR NORTH, SOUTH,
EAST, AND WEST,

JUST USING YOUR WATCH
AND THE SUN.

AND ALL YOU DO
IS GET YOUR WATCH,

POINT THE HOUR HAND --
IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE --

POINT THE HOUR HAND
DIRECTLY AT THE SUN.

AND THEN HALFWAY BETWEEN THAT
AND THE 12:00 IS SOUTH.

SO SOUTH IS THAT WAY.

THE WAY I WANT TO GO IS EAST,
THAT WAY.

MOST OF ROMANIA'S RIVERS
FLOW INTO THE DANUBE DELTA,

ABOUT 400 MILES EAST OF HERE.

SO HEADING EAST

HAS GOT TO BE YOUR BEST CHANCE
OF FINDING A SETTLEMENT.

WHOA!

THANKS, MAN.

[ GRUNTS, EXHALES DEEPLY ]

Man:
YOU ALL RIGHT?

IT'S QUITE A LONG WAY.

OKAY. [ SIGHS ]

WE'RE REALLY GETTING
INTO THE FOREST PROPER HERE.

AND IT'S A PRETTY EXTRAORDINARY
PLACE TO BE.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE HAVING
A WINDOW BACK INTO TIME.

YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING HERE
FEELS JUST VERY, VERY OLD.

OKAY.
LET'S KEEP MOVING.

THE FORESTS
OF THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS

SUPPORT A HUGE AMOUNT
OF WILDLIFE,

INCLUDING WOLVES AND LYNX.

BUT WHAT I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT
ARE THE BEARS.

THIS MEANS THERE'S
DEFINITELY BEARS IN THE WOOD.

THIS IS THE SORT OF POO
THEY DO --

BIG PILE, ALL IN ONE.

AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE HERE
WHAT THEY'VE BEEN EATING.

LITTLE BITS,
THE REMAINS OF FRUIT AND APPLE.

AND YOU'VE GOT
VERY FAST DIGESTION.

THIS HAS GONE, BASICALLY, PRETTY
WELL STRAIGHT THROUGH THEM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAD
NOTHING ELSE TO EAT OUT HERE...

...IN THE EXTREME,
YOU COULD ACTUALLY EAT THIS.

YOU KNOW, ALL YOU NEED TO DO...

...GIVE IT A BIT OF A RINSE
WITH SOME WATER.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT GONNA BE
100%, 100%, 100%.

BUT IF YOU HAD NOTHING ELSE,
A BIT OF A RINSE DOWN...

AND THAT BASICALLY
IS GONNA BE OKAY TO EAT.

PRETTY SHARP.

A BIT LIKE SOMEBODY'S GOT YOU
AN APPLE CORE AND...

...SMEARED IT IN DOG POOP.

BUT IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

OKAY. IT MEANS
WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT HERE.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY BEARS --
OTHER "BEARS" -- IN THIS WOOD.

THERE ARE AROUND 6,000 BEARS
IN ROMANIA,

THE BIGGEST POPULATION
IN EUROPE.

THE EUROPEAN BROWN BEAR
IS A HUGELY POWERFUL CREATURE.

THEY CAN WEIGH OVER 400 POUNDS

AND CHARGE
IN BURSTS OF 35 MILES AN HOUR.

THERE YOU SEE IT'S A PRETTY
OBVIOUS GAME TRAIL, THIS,

TO BE USED BY BEARS AS A WAY TO
GET DOWN TO THE RIVER TO DRINK.

A BROWN BEAR RECENTLY CAUSED
CARNAGE IN THIS FOREST,

LEAVING SIX SERIOUSLY INJURED
AND ONE MAN DEAD.

THE ANIMAL ATTACKED
AND MAULED THEM

WHILE THEY WERE OUT
PICKING MUSHROOMS.

IT EVEN ATTACKED THE AMBULANCE
THAT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE.

IN BEAR COUNTRY,

WHEN YOU EAT, LEAVE AS LITTLE
TRACE AS POSSIBLE.

SCAVENGE ON YOUR WAY

OR EAT FOOD
WELL AWAY FROM WHERE YOU CAMP.

LOOK. THIS IS JUST THE SORT
OF SURVIVOR FOOD THAT'S GOOD.

LITTLE SNAIL.

ACTUALLY NOT SO LITTLE.

BUT THIS IS GOOD BECAUSE
YOU CAN PICK LOADS OF THEM,

THEY'RE SMALL.

GONNA GIVE YOU A GOOD BIT
OF ENERGY AND PROTEIN.

AND IT'S OFTEN MUCH BETTER
GOING FOR THINGS LIKE THIS

THAN JUST A BIG GAME THAT'S
GONNA WASTE A LOT OF ENERGY

AND THAT'S GONNA BE
MUCH HARDER TO CATCH.

IT'S GOOD JUST TO BE EATING,

ALWAYS ON THE MOVE
WHENEVER YOU CAN.

LET'S GET THIS GUY OUT OF HERE.

MAN, THAT IS SLIMY.

COR!

THAT'S LIKE EATING A...
[SPITS]

...GIANT, STICKY,
SLIMY BOGEY...

[SPITS]

...THAT LEAVES
A VERY GOOEY TRAIL...

...DOWN YOUR THROAT.

[ SPITTING ]

THE LIGHT IS FADING.

IT WON'T BE LONG
BEFORE DARKNESS FALLS.

I NEED TO FIND A VANTAGE POINT

AND A GOOD, SAFE PLACE
TO MAKE CAMP.

SHH.

[ WHISPERING ]
DO YOU SEE UP THERE?

OKAY. COME DOWN.
COME DOWN.

THAT'S A BROWN BEAR.

OKAY. WE ARE VERY CLOSE HERE,
PROBABLY WITHIN ABOUT 50 METERS.

NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS AT ALL.

AND MY HEART IS THUMPING
AT THE MOMENT.

BUT HE HASN'T SPOTTED US,
I DON'T THINK.

UNBELIEVABLE TO SEE A BEAR
THIS CLOSE.

OKAY.
HE'S JUST SPOTTED US.

AND HE'S TURNING AWAY.

AND HE'S MOVED AWAY.

BUT YOU GET A BEAR THAT CLOSE,

ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENT
HE'S GONNA PICK UP.

AND REALLY,
IF THEY GO FOR YOU...

...YOU JUST GOT TO BACK AWAY
SLOWLY.

IF THEY COME AFTER YOU FAST,
YOU GOT TO RUN.

BEST THING TO DO -- DROP
SOMETHING OF YOURS, A RUCKSACK.

THEY'RE GONNA GO STRAIGHT
FOR THAT FIRST TO SMELL.

AND THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU
JUST A PRECIOUS FEW MINUTES

TO GET AWAY.

BUT IT MEANS WE'VE GOT TO BE
JUST SO CAREFUL...

...MOVING THROUGH THESE WOODS,

AND ESPECIALLY
IN A SHELTER TONIGHT.

IT'S GOT TO BE ROCK-SOLID SAFE.

WE CAN'T TAKE ANY CHANCE
WITH THESE GUYS.

GET ON THE WRONG END OF THAT --

YOU KNOW, THEY CAN KILL
WITH ONE SWIPE.

I NEED TO FIND HIGH GROUND
AND A PLACE I CAN GUARD EASILY.

MAKING AND MAINTAINING A FIRE
IS GONNA BE ESSENTIAL.

THAT'S TINDER FUNGUS.

LOOK -- THIS STUFF GROWING
ON THE SIDE.

AND THIS IS GREAT
FOR STARTING FIRES.

IT'LL GROW ON THE SIDE
OF BEECH TREES AND BIRCH TREES.

IF WE CAN GET A GOOD BIT
OF DEADWOOD LIKE THIS,

IT'S GONNA BE EVEN BETTER --
IT MEANS THIS IS DRIER.

SO WE'RE GONNA KEEP THIS.

WHEN MAKING CAMP, YOU MUST
ESTABLISH YOUR GREATEST THREAT.

OFTEN THAT'S THE WEATHER.

TONIGHT IT COULD BE THE BEARS.

I'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT
MY SHELTER.

ACTUALLY, HANG ON.
BACK UP THIS WAY.

THERE'S QUITE A NICE LEDGE HERE.

AND THIS, ACTUALLY, WOULDN'T BE
BAD PLACE FOR A SHELTER.

I'VE GOT A NICE PLATFORM
TO SLEEP ON.

I'VE GOT GOOD SECURITY BEHIND.

IF I'M TUCKED IN HERE,

I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY
ABOUT WHAT'S COMING FROM BEHIND.

I'VE GOT GOOD VISIBILITY
ALL THE WAY AROUND --

180 DEGREES --
OF THE APPROACHES.

SO YEAH, THIS WOULD BE GOOD.

IN FACT, WHAT I CAN ALSO DO HERE

IS RIG UP
LIKE AN EARLY-WARNING SYSTEM,

A BIT OF A TRIP WIRE
MADE FROM THAT TREE, AROUND,

AND USE A BIT OF ROPE FOR THAT.

I'M GONNA SET MY TRIP WIRE

AT A 20-FOOT PERIMETER
AROUND THE CAMP.

THIS EARLY-WARNING SYSTEM

COULD GIVE ME VITAL SECONDS
TO PREPARE.

POSITIONING MYSELF ON THE LEDGE

WITH GOOD LINE OF SIGHT
OF THE APPROACHES

GIVES ME THE BEST ODDS OF
SURVIVING ANY UNWANTED VISIT.

OKAY. THIS IS GONNA BE THE MAIN
TRIGGER FOR THE TRIP WIRE.

GONNA RUN UP HERE,
UP AND OVER THAT.

AND WHAT I WANT TO DO
IS GET MY CUP

AND JUST FILL THIS
WITH LOTS OF STONES.

ANYTHING THAT'S GONNA
MAKE NOISE.

[ RATTLING ]

AND THE IDEA IS THAT THIS SHOULD
NOT ONLY WAKE ME UP

AND GIVE ME A BIT
OF AN EARLY WARNING,

BUT IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH
TO STARTLE A BEAR.

GIVEN THE CHOICE, A BEAR WILL
NORMALLY AVOID CONFRONTATION.

BUT IF IT FEELS CORNERED,
IT'S MORE LIKELY TO ATTACK.

AND I'LL TIE THE REST
OF THE TRIP WIRE OUT FROM HERE.

AND RUN THAT
ALL THE WAY AROUND...

THE CAMP.

SO THAT WILL GO THAT WAY.

AND THEN, IF A BEAR COMES ALONG
AND KNOCKS AND TRIGGERS THIS

OR ANY OF THE LINE

THAT I'M GONNA RUN OUT FROM HERE
ALL THE WAY AROUND MY CAMP,

IT'S GONNA SET THIS OFF.

[ RATTLING ]

AND THAT NOISE
IS JUST GONNA GIVE ME

THAT PRECIOUS FEW SECONDS
TO REACT.

OKAY.
LET'S SET THIS AND GET IT READY.

THE TRIP WIRE MUST BE SET

AROUND ALL THE MAIN APPROACHES
TO THE CAMP.

OKAY.
THAT'S THE TRIP WIRE SET.

I FEEL A LITTLE BIT SAFER.

BUILDING A FIRE
IS MY NEXT LINE OF DEFENSE.

AND ONCE ALIGHT, YOU'LL WANT TO
KEEP IT GOING ALL NIGHT.

AND IT'S JUST THIS MIDDLE BIT
OF THE TINDER FUNGUS

THAT I WANT TO GET TO.

SOFT -- IT'S FIBROUS.

I'LL GET SOME SHAVINGS OF THAT

AND THEN, HOPEFULLY, PUT A SPARK
INTO IT AND MAKE IT AN EMBER.

AND THERE YOU GO.
LOOK.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S ALREADY
WORKING ITSELF INTO AN EMBER.

AND THEN GET THIS GRASS,
TIP IT IN...

...BUNDLE IT UP, AND BLOW.

OKAY.

AND THERE YOU GO.
YOU GOT FIRE.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT PEOPLE
HAVE BEEN DOING IN THESE FORESTS

FOR LITERALLY THOUSANDS
OF YEARS,

USING THIS TINDER FUNGUS
TO GIVE THEM FIRE.

THEY ACTUALLY RECENTLY FOUND THE
REMAINS OF A STONE AGE HUNTER.

HIS BODY HAD BEEN PRESERVED
IN THE ICE FOR OVER 4,000 YEARS.

AND NEXT TO HIM
WAS THIS LITTLE LEATHER POUCH.

IT WAS HIS FIRE-STARTING KIT.

AND INSIDE THAT

WAS SOME OF THIS TINDER FUNGUS
THAT HE WOULD HAVE USED.

I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO
KEEP BEARS AWAY FROM MY CAMP.

BUT WHEN IT COMES
TO WILD ANIMALS,

YOU CAN'T AFFORD
TO TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

PREPARE FOR THE WORST
AND HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS.

THE LAST THING I'M DOING BEFORE
SETTLING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT

IS MAKING A REALLY SIMPLE,
PRIMITIVE SPEAR.

AND IT JUST GIVES ME
A SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE

IF A BEAR DOES COME HERE.

BUT REALLY, IF YOU END UP
FIGHTING CLOSE-QUARTER

WITH A BEAR, THE BEST THING
YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO

IS GO FOR THE SENSITIVE PART
OF ITS BODY, ITS NOSE.

TRY AND GET THAT AND PUT IT OFF.

I HAVE TO REMEMBER
ATTACKS ARE RARE.

I JUST HOPE FIGHTING
CLOSE-QUARTERS WITH A BEAR

IS SOMETHING
I NEVER HAVE TO DO.

[ STICKS SNAPPING ]

OKAY. THAT TRIP WIRE DEFINITELY
HASN'T BEEN TRIGGERED.

BUT I DID HEAR SOMETHING.

IT'S AMAZING HOW KIND OF
THE NOISES OF THE FOREST

JUST PLAY TRICKS WITH YOUR...

TRICKS IN YOUR MIND.

GET BACK TO THE SHELTER.

JUST TRY AND...
TRY AND GET SOME SLEEP.

I SPENT A SLEEPLESS NIGHT
ON A LEDGE

IN THE DEPTHS
OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN FOREST.

WELL, IT HASN'T BEEN
A GREAT NIGHT,

BUT I THINK THE REALITY IS,

MOST OF THE FEARS
WERE PROBABLY IN MY HEAD.

YOU KNOW,
I WAS PRETTY SAFE HERE.

I WAS ON A LEDGE,
HAD A FIRE, SPEAR,

AND A GOOD TRIP-WIRE SYSTEM.

BUT YOUR NERVES
DO GET A BIT JANGLED

WHEN YOU'VE SEEN A BEAR
ONLY, YOU KNOW,

HOURS BEFORE YOU'VE SETTLED DOWN
FOR THE NIGHT.

TO COVER ANY DISTANCE IN THIS
MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TAKES TIME.

SO I'M MAKING AN EARLY START.

MAN, CHECK THIS OUT.

IT'S QUITE
A SERIOUS DROP-OFF HERE.

STEADY ON THE EDGE.

A LOT OF THIS
IS ACTUALLY UNDERCUT.

BUT THAT'S REALLY
WHERE I WANT TO BE HEADING.

BUT JUST LOOK AT ALL OF THIS.

IT'S LIKE SOMEONE TOOK
A MACHETE

AND SLICED IT
THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN.

300 FEET OF SHEER LOOSE ROCK
AND COMPACTED DIRT

STAND BETWEEN ME
AND THE FOREST FLOOR BELOW.

I'LL USE MY ROPE
TO GET ME SOME OF THE WAY DOWN,

TIE IT AROUND THE TREE,
BUT THAT'S NOT GONNA REACH FAR.

I'M GONNA NEED SOMETHING
THAT'S JUST GONNA HELP ME DOWN

THE REST OF IT.

OKAY.

WITH A SCREE SLOPE
LIKE THAT TO CONTEND WITH,

THERE'S NO WAY I'M GETTING DOWN
IT WITHOUT SOME SORT OF TOOL.

OKAY.
THIS WILL DO.

WHENEVER YOU CAN,
USE WHAT NATURE GIVES YOU.

AND LOOK -- YOU SEE THIS HAS GOT
A NICE, NATURAL CROOK

ALREADY IN THE BRANCH.

AND ALL I HAVE TO DO ON THIS --

IF YOU TAKE THE TOP OFF,
CUT IT HERE,

AND SHARPEN THAT UP,
IT'LL BE A GOOD, NATURAL ICE AX.

MY ROPE WILL GET ME
SOME OF THE WAY DOWN,

AND THIS ICE AX WILL GIVE ME
A LITTLE EXTRA TRACTION

IN THE DIRT.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN
AN AWFUL LOT OF TIMES

WHEN MY LIFE'S DEPENDED ON
AN ICE AX --

NOT ALWAYS ONE, MAYBE,
MADE OUT OF WOOD.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
IT'S JUST ABOUT IMPROVISING,

USING A TOOL THAT CAN HELP YOU

WHEN IT'S ALL
BASICALLY AGAINST YOU.

LIKE GOING DOWN
A SCREE SLOPE LIKE THAT.

OKAY.
THAT'S GONNA DO THE JOB.

LET'S GO AND DO BATTLE
WITH THIS SCREE SLOPE.

DOUBLING MY ROPE
AROUND AN ANCHOR POINT

WILL MAKE IT RETRIEVABLE.

ROPES CAN EASILY GET SNAGGED.

WHERE POSSIBLE, TAKE IT HIGH.

THE GREATER THE ANGLE
AS IT CROSSES THE EDGE,

THE MORE CHANCE
YOU'LL GET IT BACK.

IT'S DEFINITELY QUITE A...

HEART-THUMPING DROP-OFF, THIS.

ALL RIGHT.

AND A GOOD WAY
OF STASHING THIS ICE AX --

IN THE BACK
OF THE SHOULDER STRAP AND ACROSS

MEANS I CAN GET TO IT QUICKLY.

OKAY.
THAT'S THE MINICAM RUNNING.

AND THEN ALL I'M DOING HERE --

RATHER THAN RAPPELLING
WITH A HARNESS,

I'M JUST WRAPPING ONE ARM
AROUND THAT,

OTHER ARM AROUND HERE,
AND CREATING MY OWN FRICTION.

AND THEN OFF WE GO.

THIS TECHNIQUE IS KNOWN
AS THE CROSSARM RAPPEL.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT
A HARNESS TO LOWER YOURSELF ON,

THIS WILL WORK.

BUT IT'S DANGEROUS.

SLIP HERE AND I WON'T STOP
UNTIL I HIT THE BOTTOM.

AND THAT'S GONNA HURT.

TO DESCEND,

YOU JUST PULSE WITH YOUR HAND,
RELEASE, AND THEN GRIP.

AND LET THE FRICTION
COME ACROSS YOUR BACK.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP THE FRICTION
ON THE ROPE AT ALL TIMES.

LOSE YOUR GRIP, AND
WITH NO HARNESS TO HOLD YOU,

YOU'RE GONNA STRUGGLE
TO STAY ON THE ROPE.

OKAY. I'M GETTING PRETTY CLOSE
TO THE END OF THE ROPE HERE.

THE ROPE HAS GOT ME
HALFWAY DOWN.

BUT BELOW ME IS ANOTHER
150 FOOT OF STEEP, ROCKY SCREE.

AND THE GROUND
ISN'T WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR.

WE'LL CUT A BIT OF THE LEDGE,
OKAY?

AND WE'LL GET THIS ROPE BACK

AND JUST MAKE OUR WAY
GINGERLY DOWN THE REST OF THIS.

BUT IT'S STEEPER THAN YOU THINK
ONCE YOU'RE DOWN HERE.

AND ALL OF THIS -- I THOUGHT
THIS WAS GONNA BE NICE AND SOFT.

BUT IT'S ABSOLUTELY ROCK-HARD.

OKAY. THAT'S SOME SORT OF LEDGE.
GET A FOOT IN THERE.

OKAY.
LET'S GET THIS ROPE BACK NOW.

OKAY.
WATCH ANY PEBBLES COMING DOWN.

[ ROCKS FALLING ]

KEEP IN.

NOW WE'VE GOT THE ROPE.
WE'RE COMMITTED TO THIS.

AND THE MISTAKE
PEOPLE OFTEN MAKE

IS THEY GET SCARED --
LIKE I AM A LITTLE BIT HERE --

AND THEN THEY START
TO RUSH THINGS.

IT'S WHEN YOU RUSH THINGS
YOU MAKE MISTAKES AND FALL.

OKAY.

STAY TOUGH.
STAY TOUGH.

BIG STEPS.

GET SAFE.

OKAY.
THAT'S A NICE ONE THERE.

JUST HUG IN TIGHT TO IT.

YOU KNOW,
USE ALL YOUR BODY AS FRICTION.

AND IF YOU NEED TO, DIG IN
WITH THE AX, AS WELL, LIKE THIS.

I'M GONNA SLOWLY MAKE MY WAY
DOWN THIS.

THE PROBLEM IS, THIS REALLY IS
JUST SO ROCK-HARD.

REALLY, IT'S ABOUT FEET.

AND YOUR HANDS
ARE JUST BALANCING YOU.

[ GRUNTING ]

PROBABLY ANOTHER 30 FOOT...
DOWN INTO THAT GULLY.

[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]

QUITE A FULL-ON ON THE MUSCLES.

LITTLE BREATHER.
DON'T NEED TO RUSH.

WHOA!

I NEED BOTH HANDS FREE NOW
TO GET DOWN THIS LAST STRETCH.

WHEW!

HARDER THAN I THOUGHT
THAT WAS GONNA BE.

OKAY.
I'M INTO THIS GULLY, THOUGH.

AND IT LOOKS
I MADE GOOD PROGRESS.

I'M MAKING GOOD PROGRESS,

BUT THE TERRAIN IS RIDDLED WITH
DEEP RAVINES AND HIDDEN GORGES.

THE LIMESTONE ROCK

HAS BEEN ERODED BY RAINWATER
OVER MILLENNIA.

ALL I KNOW IS THAT MOVING
THROUGH THIS TERRAIN

IS GONNA BE SLOWGOING
AND TREACHEROUS.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

PRETTY FULL-ON LANDSCAPE.

LOOK AT THE SIZE
OF THESE RAVINES.

IT'S 1,000 FOOT STRAIGHT UP.

GETTING OVER THOSE CLIFFS
WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

BUT I CAN SEE THE ENTRANCE
TO A CAVE UP AHEAD.

[ WATER FLOWING IN DISTANCE ]

THERE'S DEFINITELY A RIVER OF
SOME SORT RUNNING THROUGH THIS.

LET'S HAVE A LOOK.

THIS WHOLE LANDSCAPE
HAS BEEN SHAPED BY WATER.

OFTEN, A RIVER WILL FORCE
ITS WAY UNDER THE MOUNTAIN

RIGHT THROUGH
TO THE OTHER SIDE.

AND IT JUST SOUNDS
LIKE THIS RIVER'S RUNNING

STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN.

[ WATER FLOWING ]

BUT IF YOU COULD
SOMEHOW FOLLOW THAT,

YOU COULD CUT MILES
OFF A JOURNEY.

WE NEED SOME SORT OF LIGHT
DOWN THERE.

LET'S GO BACK OUT
AND MAKE A TORCH.

IT COULD TAKE HOURS
OF DIFFICULT TERRAIN

OFF YOUR JOURNEY.

BUT CUTTING UNDER A MOUNTAIN
DOESN'T COME WITHOUT RISKS.

HERE YOU GO.
YOU'VE GOT SOME PINE RESIN HERE.

SEE THIS KNOT ON THE WOOD THERE?

AND YOU GET THIS
WHERE THE TREE GETS SCARRED.

AND WHAT HAPPENS,
YOU KNOW, BRANCHES BREAK,

THE TREE WILL THEN FORM
THIS PINE RESIN OVER IT

TO TRY AND HEAL ITSELF.

BUT IT'S GONNA BE USEFUL FOR ME.

AND USE THIS TO HELP MY TORCH
BURN FOR LONGER.

THESE DEAD BRANCHES AND LICHEN

WILL MAKE IDEAL MATERIAL
FOR THE MAIN BODY OF THE TORCH.

LET'S BREAK OFF
SOME OF THIS LICHEN.

WE'LL PUT THAT IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE TORCH.

AS THE TORCH BURNS,

ALL OF THIS RESIN SLOWLY MELTS

AND THEN DRIPS ITS WAY
DOWN THROUGH THE TORCH.

AND IT'S GONNA HELP IT
TO BURN FOR LONGER.

AND THEN TO TIE ALL OF THAT UP,

WE'LL JUST USE
A BIT OF THE OLD ROPE.

AS YOU PULL IT,
IT'S JUST GONNA LOCK ON ITSELF.

IT WILL BE PITCH BLACK
DOWN THERE.

AND WITHOUT LIGHT,
YOU'LL NEVER FIND YOUR WAY.

AND JUST THIS LAST ONE
AROUND THERE.

AND THAT'S BASICALLY GONNA BE
GOOD TO GO.

GET IT LIT, DOWN INTO THE CAVE.

FOLLOWING ANY UNDERGROUND RIVER
IS A HUGE RISK.

BUT IN THIS CASE,

IT COULD BE THE FASTEST WAY
THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS.

LET THAT TAKE.

BUT "FASTEST"
CAN ALSO GET YOU INTO TROUBLE.

AND THEN, AS THE RESIN MELTS,

THAT'S GONNA KEEP IT
BURNING NICELY AS WELL.

OKAY.
ARE YOU UP FOR THIS?

GOING DOWN INTO ANY CAVE

IS LIKE GOING DOWN
INTO THE UNKNOWN.

AND IT'S NOT
FOR THE FAINTHEARTED.

[ WATER FLOWING ]

JUST ONE OF THE MADDEST PLACES
I'VE EVER BEEN IN.

HUGE, HUGE CAVERNS.

AND ALL OF THIS LIMESTONE
JUST FORGED BY WATER.

HEADING UNDERGROUND IS FRAUGHT
WITH ITS OWN DANGERS.

BUT THE TERRAIN ABOVE MY HEAD
IS JUST TOO HARD,

TOO TREACHEROUS, AND WOULD TAKE
DAYS FOR YOU TO TRAVERSE.

THE DISTANCE YOU CAN COVER
QUICKLY UNDERGROUND

MEANS THAT IT COULD BE
WORTH THE RISK.

THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY STORIES

OF PEOPLE WHO NEARLY MADE IT
TO SAFETY,

BUT FELL SHORT
AT THE FINAL HURDLE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE
ONE OF THEM.

THE TERRAIN IS CHANGING NOW,
INDICATING A NEW CAVE SYSTEM.

THE PASSAGES BECOME
MUCH NARROWER

AND ALMOST SEEM TO BE
CLOSING IN ON ME NOW.

IT'S QUITE A CLAUSTROPHOBIC
PLACE TO BE IN HERE.

IT'S LIKE THE WEIGHT OF THE
ENTIRE MOUNTAIN ON TOP OF US.

[ WATER SPLASHING ]

BUT IT'S ALSO EASIER
THAN GOING OVER THE TOP.

LET'S KEEP MOVING.

IT'S EASY TO LET PANICKY
THOUGHTS CROWD INTO YOUR HEAD.

BUT THEY'RE MOSTLY IRRATIONAL,

AND YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP A LID
ON YOUR FEARS.

I'M GONNA NEED TO GET
THIS OTHER TORCH LIT.

IF YOU WERE DOWN HERE ALONE
WITH NO TORCH,

THERE'S NOT
THE SMALLEST LIGHT SOURCE

FOR YOUR EYES TO ADJUST TO.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE BLIND.

OKAY.
LET'S KEEP GOING.

[ WATER SPLASHING ]

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE
IN THIS PLACE

WHEN A FLASH FLOOD
IS RACING THROUGH IT.

JUST TWO YEARS AGO,
A TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL CAVERS

WERE ON AN EXPEDITION
IN THESE MOUNTAINS

WHEN A FLASH FLOOD
CAUGHT THEM UNAWARES.

IN JUST 20 MINUTES,

THE WATER LEVEL ROSE,
PINNING THE MEN ON A LEDGE.

THEY WERE STRANDED
FOR THREE DAYS.

ALL THAT RESCUERS COULD DO

WAS FLOAT FOOD PARCELS
DOWN TO THEM ON ROPES.

WITHOUT THEIR EFFORTS,

THE STRANDED CAVERS
MAY NOT HAVE SURVIVED.

FEELING QUITE TIGHT
IN THERE NOW.

THE RISKS ARE HIGH,

BUT WHEN YOU'VE REACHED
THE POINT OF NO RETURN,

YOU'VE JUST GOT TO PRESS ON.

OKAY, FOLLOW ME IN.

THE ROOF OF THE CAVE
IS GETTING LOWER,

AND THE RIVER SEEMS TO BE
FLOWING UNDERNEATH THE ROCK.

SEE IF I CAN REACH DOWN...

YEAH, THIS DEFINITELY --

THIS TUNNEL EXTENDS ON.

TO FOLLOW THE TUNNEL,

I'M GONNA HAVE TO SWIM
UNDER THIS NEAR-FREEZING WATER.

OKAY. JUST BACK UP.

I'M GOING FIRST TO CHECK IT OUT
BEFORE THE CREW FOLLOWS.

I'M GONNA GET YOU GUYS
JUST TO STAY HERE.

GET THIS ROPE, GET THIS PICK.

I'M GONNA GO A LITTLE BIT
OF THE WAY INTO THERE.

AND IF IT'S NO GOOD, I CAN PULL
MYSELF BACK ALONG THIS, OKAY?

BUT JUST WAIT FOR ME.

THIS ROPE'S GONNA BE
MY LIFELINE.

IT'S ALSO JUST FREEZING COLD
DOWN IN THIS CAVE.

LET'S JAM THAT IN.

DIVING IN THIS NEAR-FREEZING
WATER IS HEAD-NUMBINGLY COLD.

IT CAN MAKE YOU HYPERVENTILATE,

AND THAT MAKES HOLDING YOUR
BREATH INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.

OKAY.

[ GRUNTS ]
HERE WE GO.

I'VE GOT ABOUT 20 SECONDS
TO GET IN AND GET OUT AGAIN.

...2...

[ GASPS ]
WHOO!

THERE'S A GOOD-SIZE AIR POCKET
DOWN THERE.

[ SPITS ]

OKAY. WE'RE GONNA TRY
AND MAKE IT THERE, ALL RIGHT?

WHEN YOU GO,
YOU KEEP HOLD OF THAT ROPE.

BUT YOU DON'T LET GO OF IT.
DO NOT LET GO OF IT.

OKAY.
JUST FOLLOW ME IN.

1, 2, 3.
HERE WE GO.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

THIS IS DEFINITELY
AN AIR POCKET.

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW LONG
THE OXYGEN'S GONNA LAST IN HERE.

BUT WE DON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND
IN THIS.

I THINK I CAN SEE --

LET'S SEE HOW MUCH FURTHER
WE CAN GO.

[ INHALES DEEPLY ]

[ GASPS ]
WHOO!

YOU ALL RIGHT?

THERE'S DAYLIGHT.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE
IT'S A WAY OUT AS WELL.

LET'S GET THIS ROPE BACK.
[ SPITS ]

OKAY.

DID WELL IN THERE.

FULL ON.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

SOMETIMES THE GAIN
IS WORTH THE RISK.

AND TAKING MILES OFF YOUR
JOURNEY COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

I'M JUST GLAD TO BE ABLE
TO SEE DAYLIGHT AGAIN

AND TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.

ACTUALLY, THIS LITTLE BROOK,

IT WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE
TO TRY AND DO A BIT OF FISHING.

IT'S NARROW ENOUGH
AND SHALLOW ENOUGH

THAT I CAN MOVE THROUGH IT.

AND ALSO,
THERE'S ENOUGH FLOW OF WATER,

GOOD OXYGENATED WATER,
COMING DOWN.

THE FISH ARE JUST GONNA
LOVE THIS.

I'M GONNA EMPLOY ONE OF THE
OLDEST WAYS OF CATCHING FISH

KNOWN TO MAN.

THERE ARE AS MANY METHODS
FOR TICKLING TROUT

AS THERE ARE TROUT
IN THE STREAM.

BUT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
I'VE BEEN SHOWN

WAS BY A FOREST RANGER.

HE SAID YOU WANT TO LOOK
FOR THE BITS --

LIKE, THERE'S A LOG
IN THE RIVER THERE.

OR A ROCK OVER HERE.

AND WHAT YOU GET BEHIND IT
IS A BIT OF STILL WATER

THAT THE TROUT WILL LIKE
TO SHADE FROM THE SUN IN

AND ALSO GET OUT
OF THE FAST FLOW OF THE WATER.

AND HE SAID JUST GET YOUR HANDS,
KEEP YOUR FINGERS ON THE FLOOR,

COME IN FROM WIDE, AND CLOSE IN.

AND IF YOU FEEL THEM,
JUST KEEP CALM.

THE REACTION NORMALLY IS JUST
TO, LIKE, PANIC AND GO, "OOH!"

BUT KEEP CALM AND JUST SLOWLY
PRESS THEM AGAINST THE WALL.

AND THEN PULL THEM OUT.

BUT IT TAKES TIME AND
HOURS OF PRACTICE TO PERFECT.

TROUT TICKLING IS ONE
OF THOSE ALMOST MYTHICAL THINGS

YOU OFTEN HEAR PEOPLE
TALK ABOUT.

I'VE BEEN SHOWN
LOADS OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO IT

OVER THE YEARS.

BUT IN MY EXPERIENCE, THOSE
PEOPLE ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE

OF WHY IT'S NOT WORKING
THAT DAY.

SOMEONE ONCE SAID TO ME,

"IT'S LIKE TRYING TO WOO
THE GIRL OF YOUR DREAMS.

IT REQUIRES A GENTLE HAND
AND A LOT OF PATIENCE."

WELL, IT WORKED FOR ME.

HERE YOU GO.
COME IN. COME IN.

THERE'S ONE RIGHT UNDER THIS.

OKAY.
I'VE GOT HIS TUMMY.

I CAN FEEL IT.

JUST PRESS HIM
UP AGAINST THE ROOF OF THIS.

OKAY. I'VE GOT HIM.
DON'T GET OUT OF MY HAND.

THERE WE GO.

AND HE'S NOT A WHOPPER...

...BUT HE WILL DO,
AND IT'S FOOD.

STRAIGHT OUT OF THE STREAM,
YOU CAN EAT HIM...

OOH!

...FRESH LIKE THIS.

JUST TAKE HIS HEAD OFF.

[ CRUNCHING ]

[ SPITS ]

AND THEN GET THE GUTS OUT.

AND IF THERE
ARE GONNA BE PARASITES,

THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THOSE
WILL BE.

GIVE IT A RINSE.

[ WATER SPLASHING ]

AND THEN REALLY,
THE REST OF THAT IS GOOD TO EAT.

IT'S CHEWY...

...SUSHI AND DELICIOUS.

I'M IN THE HEART
OF THE CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS

IN TRANSYLVANIA.

OUT HERE, HEADING EAST
TOWARD THE DANUBE DELTA

OFFERS THE BEST CHANCE
OF FINDING CIVILIZATION.

THE LANDSCAPE IS A MINEFIELD

OF HIDDEN RAVINES
AND SUDDEN DROPS.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA.

BACK UP.

THAT IS QUITE A MAJOR,
MAJOR DROP-OFF HERE.

AND THAT'S LOOKING PRETTY SHEER.

BUT WHAT'S DIFFICULT
IS A LOT OF IT'S OVERHANGING.

SO YOU CAN'T QUITE SEE
HOW FAR THAT IS.

HANG ON. LET'S THROW THIS
AND COUNT THE SECONDS.

1, 2...
[ THUDS ]

...3.
ALMOST THREE SECONDS.

AND I GENERALLY WORK IT
ABOUT ONE SECOND FOR 50 FOOT.

SO THAT IS WELL OVER 100 FOOT.

LET'S SEE HOW MUCH ROPE
WE'VE GOT.

I'M GONNA RAPPEL OVER THE EDGE.

BUT I'M DOUBTFUL
WHETHER MY ROPE'S LONG ENOUGH

TO ACTUALLY REACH THE BOTTOM.

AND A GOOD WAY OF MEASURING
LENGTH OF ROPE

IS YOU DO FINGERTIP
TO FINGERTIP,

WHICH IS GENERALLY
ABOUT THE HEIGHT YOU ARE.

SO, FOR ME, IT'S ABOUT 6'6".

OKAY.
THAT IS ABOUT JUST OVER 90 FOOT.

BUT REALLY I THINK THIS IS GONNA
BE A LITTLE BIT TOUCH AND GO.

LET'S FIND A GOOD TREE.

THIS TREE IS A STRONG ANCHOR
POINT FOR MY RAPPEL LINE.

AND IF I NEED TO GET BACK UP
THE ROPE,

I'M GONNA USE
WHAT'S CALLED AN AUTOBLOCK.

AND WHAT THIS IS GONNA
ALLOW ME TO DO IS,

IF ONCE I'VE GONE OVER THERE,
IF THERE'S NO WAY DOWN,

IT MEANS I CAN COME BACK UP.

'CAUSE LOOK.
IT'S GONNA LOCK ON ITSELF.

I CAN THEN SLIDE IT UP
AND PULL DOWN.

SO IT JUST GIVES ME A WAY OUT
IF I GET IN TROUBLE.

NEXT, I'M GOING TO IMPROVISE
A HARNESS

FROM A SHORT SECTION
OF THE ROPE.

PULL THOSE TOGETHER,
AND THAT'S ABSOLUTE BOMBERS.

IT'S NOT GONNA COME UNDONE.

AND YOU'VE EFFECTIVELY GOT
A BIG STROP.

PUT A TWIST IN IT,
AND YOU'VE GOT TWO LEG LOOPS.

BUT THIS IS NOT GONNA BE COMFY.

SO WHAT YOU CAN THEN DO
IS USE A RUCKSACK.

THIS IS GONNA GIVE YOU
A BIT OF PADDING.

OKAY. GOOD TO GO.
HANG ON.

ONE LAST THING I'M GONNA DO

IS TIE A KNOT
IN THE END OF THE ROPE.

YOU KNOW,
SO MANY FATALITIES HAPPEN

FROM PEOPLE ABSEILING
OFF THE END OF A ROPE.

PUT A NICE, BIG FIGURE OF EIGHT
IN THAT, AND THAT'S GOOD.

I CAN'T SEE
BEYOND THE OVERHANG,

SO I DON'T KNOW HOW FAR MY ROPE
IS GOING TO ACTUALLY REACH.

A FEW YEARS AGO, A YOUNG WOMAN

MISJUDGED THE LENGTH OF HER
ROPE HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS.

SHE RAPPELLED OFF THE END
AND FELL 800 FOOT TO HER DEATH.

QUITE GRATEFUL FOR THIS RUCKSACK
UNDER MY BACKSIDE.

I'VE HAD SO MANY TIMES

WHERE JUST THE ROPE
IS LIKE CHEESE WIRE.

SO THIS, SO FAR,
IS WORKING GOOD.

AND THIS BIT LOOKS
QUITE PROMISING.

LET'S GET DOWN.

[ GROANS ]

HANG ON. HANG ON.
DON'T COME ANY LOWER.

[ GRUNTING ]

YOU CAN SEE THE END OF THAT

IS STILL ABOUT 30 FOOT
OFF THE BOTTOM.

AND IT'S AN UNHEALTHY-SIZED DROP
THAT I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE.

THE RAPPEL LINE
IS JUST TOO SHORT.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE --
WHAT'S THAT LOOKING LIKE?

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE IT
ACROSS TO THAT.

I'VE LOCKED OFF ON THE ROPE.

TO MY RIGHT,
THE CREW IS HARNESSED IN

ON A NARROW LEDGE
20 FOOT ABOVE ME.

MY BEST BET IS TO TRY
AND REACH THEM AND THAT LEDGE.

I'M GONNA PENDULUM
ACROSS THE FACE OF THE CLIFF,

BUT I NEED TO BUILD UP
SOME MOMENTUM FIRST.

OKAY. SEE IF I --
SEE IF I CAN GET THIS.

[ GRUNTS ]

BUT REACHING IT
ISN'T GONNA BE EASY.

WHOA!

GOT ALMOST THERE.

HUP! HUP! HUP!

[ GRUNTS, SPUTTERS ]

[ BRANCH SNAPS ]
WHOA!

WHOO!

WRONG BRANCH TO GRAB.

OKAY. WE'LL GET IT THIS TIME.
HERE WE GO.

HUP! HUP! HUP!

COME ON.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

HILLSIDE'S SOLID.

WHEW.

WELL, THAT WAS INTERESTING.

OKAY.
LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT THIS BIT.

I'VE REACHED THE LEDGE,
BUT THE TENSION OF THE ROPE

IS DRAGGING ME OFF
IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

NOT THE COMFIEST
OF POSITIONS HERE.

BUT I GOT A GRIP.
I NEED TO GET OFF THIS ROPE NOW.

I DON'T LIKE DOING THIS, BUT
SOMETIMES THERE'S NO CHOICE.

[ CRASHING ]
[ GRUNTS ]

[ GROANS ]

[ SPITTING ]

I CAN FEEL MY LEGS SHAKING.

THAT MEANS IT'S CLOSER
THAN I NORMALLY LIKE.

OKAY.
GOT MY GOOD LITTLE LEDGE HERE.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE OVER THIS WAY
I CAN GET OFF.

I'VE LOST MY ROPE,
BUT IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY.

I'VE MADE IT NOW INTO THE LOWER
REACHES OF THE MOUNTAIN.

YOU CAN HEAR RUNNING WATER.

HEARING THE SOUND OF A RIVER
AGAIN CAN ONLY BE GOOD NEWS.

AND THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT.

AND THAT LAKE'S GONNA BE
ALL NATURALLY FED FROM A SPRING

COMING STRAIGHT OUT
FROM THE MOUNTAIN.

THAT'S GONNA BE
THE START OF A RIVER.

AND YOU CAN HEAR IT RUNNING
FURTHER DOWN.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO FOLLOW.

[ GUNSHOTS ]
HEAR THAT?

THE SOUND OF GUNSHOTS
MEANS HUNTERS ARE UP AHEAD.

AND WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE,

THERE ARE GONNA BE HOUSES
AND ROADS.

AND THAT'S A WAY OUT OF HERE.

AND I KNOW THE QUICKEST WAY
DOWN TO THE VALLEY.