Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 4, Episode 1 - Arctic Circle - 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 THE FROZEN WASTES
OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE,

WHERE I'LL BE BATTLING

SOME OF THE MOST EXTREME
CONDITIONS ON THE PLANET...

THIS PLAN...
HAS NOT GONE TO PLAN.

GO! GO, GO, GO!



...PITTING MY WITS
AGAINST NATURE...

AND SHOWING YOU
HOW TO SURVIVE...

WHOO!

...IN A CONSTANT STRUGGLE
WITH THE ELEMENTS.

I'M OVER 200 MILES
INSIDE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE HERE,

AND THE TEMPERATURE
CAN REGULARLY DIP

BELOW MINUS-50 DEGREES.

THAT'S HOW COLD IT CAN GET.
THIS IS GONNA BE A MISSION.

THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
IS A SPARSELY POPULATED REGION

OF ICE, SNOW, AND FREEZING SEA,

COVERING
EIGHT MILLION SQUARE MILES

AROUND THE NORTH POLE.

PARACHUTING
INTO THIS BARREN LANDSCAPE

WILL BE ONE OF MY TOUGHEST
JUMPS I'VE EVER TAKEN ON.



ALL OF THIS TERRAIN
IS JUST COVERED IN STEEP,

ROCKY SLOPES AND BOULDERS.

I'VE BROKEN MY BACK BEFORE
IN A PARACHUTING ACCIDENT.

I DO NOT WANT THAT
TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

MY BEST BET IS TO AIM
FOR FROZEN WATER.

LOOKS LIKE A FROZEN LAKE.

WHAT I'M GONNA DO

IS THROW THIS SMOKE GRENADE
AS A MARKER ON THE LAKE.

AND AS LONG AS I LAND NEAR THIS,

I KNOW I'M NOT GONNA HIT
ANY BOULDERS.

THE ARMY USES SMOKE GRENADES
TO CHECK THE WIND

BEFORE DROPPING
INTO HOSTILE TERRAIN.

MY GRENADE HAS HIT THE LAKE.

THAT'S MY TARGET.
NOW TO POSITION THE CHOPPER.

Looks like we've got
a frozen lake. Do you see it?

I see it.
Yeah, got it?

Okay, that's looking good.
Bring us up a bit higher.

A little bit more.
What height are we at here?

10,000 feet.

Okay, okay, perfect.
Let's go for it.

I'M TAKING
A FEW BASIC SURVIVAL TOOLS,

AND MY FILM CREW
WILL FOLLOW ME.

TIME TO PULL THE CORD.

I'M 3,000 FEET
ABOVE THE GROUND.

NOW I NEED TO FIND
MY SMOKE MARKER.

THERE'S THE SMOKE.
I HAVE GOT TO HIT THAT POINT.

IF I MISS THE SMOKE

AND LAND AMONGST ALL
OF THOSE ROCKS AND MOUNTAINS,

IT WOULD BE SO EASY
JUST TO BREAK SOMETHING.

THIS IS ONE JUMP
I CANNOT AFFORD TO GO WRONG.

I'VE GOT TO KEEP
TO THE LEFT OF THE SMOKE.

TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT,
AND I'LL SMASH INTO THE ROCKS.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY,
VERY TIGHT HERE.

THE LAKE'S SURFACE
IS A FEATURELESS GLARE,

AND IT'S SO HARD
TO JUDGE THE IMPACT POINT.

WHOO!

MAN ALIVE!
THAT IS COLD!

MAN!

I LITERALLY CANNOT FEEL
MY FINGERS NOW.

THIS IS ONE WILD,
DESOLATE PLACE TO HAVE LANDED.

MY CHUTE COULD BE USEFUL.
I'M GONNA KEEP IT.

BUT I CAN'T WAIT AROUND LONG.

I'VE GOT TO GET OFF
THIS EXPOSED MOUNTAIN TOP

BEFORE FROSTBITE SETS IN.

GET THIS THING STOWED,
GET MOVING,

AND GET SOME BLOOD
PUMPING AGAIN.

LET'S GO.

WHEN IN HOSTILE TERRAIN,

ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR ANYTHING

TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE YOUR WAY
OUT OF TROUBLE.

ALL OF THIS IS SASTRUGI,

AND IT'S FORMED BY THE WIND,
KIND OF LIKE SAND DUNES.

AND YOU CAN SEE
ON THE WINDWARD SIDE,

IT BUILDS UP THIS STEEPER BANK.

AND THEN OVER THE TOP OF IT
ON THE LEEWARD SIDE,

YOU GET SOFT SNOW.

BUT IT'S A GOOD INDICATOR
OF THE MAIN WIND DIRECTION.

OUT HERE, THAT'S FROM THE SEA.

FOLLOW THE SASTRUGI,

AND YOU SHOULD GET
TO THE COAST.

GO THE WRONG WAY,
AND YOU'RE INTO SIBERIA.

LITTLE SURVIVES
A HARSH ARCTIC WINTER.

BUT LOOK CAREFULLY,

AND YOU WILL FIND
SIGNS OF LIFE.

THEY'RE ALL ROUND HERE --
CROWBERRIES.

SEE THESE?

THEY'RE THESE TINY,
LITTLE THINGS.

AND AT THIS TIME OF YEAR,

THIS IS REALLY
ABOUT ALL THAT GROWS UP HERE.

IT'S NOT MUCH,
BUT IT'S GONNA GIVE YOU

A LITTLE BIT OF ENERGY
AND VITAMIN C.

HANG ON.

THESE AREN'T CROWBERRIES
OVER HERE. LOOK.

ALL AWAY ALONG,
THESE ARE REINDEER DROPPINGS.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY --
LOOK, MASSES OF THEM.

AND THESE LOOK PRETTY FRESH.

THERE YOU GO -- LOOK.
THESE ARE REINDEER TRACKS.

YOU CAN REALLY SEE THE HOOF
MARKS ALL THE WAY ALONG.

THERE YOU GO -- DROPPINGS.
AND HERE.

OKAY, LET'S DEFINITELY
FOLLOW THIS.

THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO,

SAMI TRIBESPEOPLE MOVED
INTO THIS REMOTE WILDERNESS

TO HUNT WILD REINDEER.

SMALL GROUPS
STILL HUNT THESE LANDS,

BUT THE CHANCES OF SEEING THEM
IS CLOSE TO ZERO --

THEIR RANGE IS THE SIZE
OF NORTH CAROLINA.

COME DOWN, COME DOWN.

GET ON YOUR BELLY,
GET ON YOUR BELLY.

THERE ARE REINDEER OVER HERE.
A BIT CLOSER.

MUST BE ABOUT...

AT LEAST 50 THERE.

ACTUALLY, THOUGH,
THE SUN'S BEHIND US,

WHICH IS GONNA WORK
IN OUR FAVOR.

IT MEANS THEY'RE GONNA BE
BLINDED LOOKING THIS WAY.

BUT...WE'VE ALSO GOT THE WIND
AT OUR BACK, WHICH IS BAD.

IT'S BLOWING OUR SCENT
STRAIGHT ACROSS THE VALLEY.

BACK AWAY.

THE SAMI HAVE ALLOWED ME

TO KILL AN ANIMAL
FROM THIS WILD HERD.

I NEED TO DROP OUT OF SIGHT
BEFORE THEY SPOOK.

THEY'VE GOT
EVERY SURVIVAL ADVANTAGE.

WIDE HOOVES -- THEY'RE LIKE
SNOWSHOES MOVING ON THE SNOW --

AND VERY FAST.

BUT WHAT I'VE GOT
IS A BIGGER BRAIN THAN THEM,

AND THAT'S WHY
I'M GONNA TRY AND USE THAT

TO SET A BIT OF A SNARE HERE.

FINDING THEIR TRAIL
NARROWS THE ODDS.

THEY OFTEN USE THE SAME TRACKS,

AND THIS ONE
IS LIKE A REINDEER HIGHWAY.

AND THE IDEA IS,
ONCE A REINDEER COMES ALONG,

PUTS HIS FOOT IN THAT,
STEPS UP...

IT'S GONNA GET CAUGHT IN IT.

THE MORE TRAPS YOU SET,

THE BETTER YOUR CHANCE
OF CATCHING SOMETHING.

I'VE PRETTY WELL SCATTER-GUNNED
THE AREA WITH NOOSES

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

WHAT I NEED YOU TO DO
IS BACK DOWN THAT TRACK WE CAME,

GO UP ONTO THE HILLSIDE,

CAMOUFLAGE YOURSELF,
NO MOVEMENT, STAY LOW.

AND I AM GONNA GRAB THIS CAMERA.

GO AROUND, TRY AND SNEAK ALL
THE WAY AROUND THE BACK OF THEM.

OKAY, LET'S GO FOR IT.

THE CREW ARE OUT OF THE WAY
ON THE HILL,

AND I AM GOING IN ALONE
TO OUTFLANK THE HERD.

THESE DEER
HAVE HIGHLY TUNED EYESIGHT.

A STEALTHY APPROACH IS VITAL.

WHAT'S DIFFICULT IS
THESE REINDEER REALLY UP HERE

ARE ON A PRETTY FLAT PLATEAU.

ONCE YOU ARE OUT OF THE GULLY,

THERE'S NOT
A HUGE AMOUNT OF COVER.

I NEED TO STAY LOW

AND HOPE THAT THE HERD
DOESN'T SEE ME.

OKAY, THEY'VE STARTED TO MOVE.

WHETHER THAT'S ME

OR WHETHER SOMETHING ELSE
HAS SPOOKED THEM, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT AT THE MOMENT,
THEY'RE MOVING THE WRONG WAY.

THEY'RE AGITATED.
THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

THEY'RE LOOKING
FOR A WAY TO RUN.

HERE'S A CHANCE!
GO! GO, GO, GO!

I HAVE THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE,

BUT THE REINDEER CAN RUN
10 TIMES FASTER THAN ME.

MY ADVANTAGE WILL BE OVER
IN A FEW SHORT SECONDS.

THE HERD IS PANICKING.
THEY'RE SPLITTING UP.

WELL, HALF OF THEM
HAVE BROKEN OFF LEFT.

THE OTHER HALF
HAVE GONE DOWN TO THAT GULLY.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

LET'S GO AND FIND OUT WHETHER
I'VE HAD ANY LUCK WITH THAT.

MY TRAP FAILED, BUT THEY'VE
ALLOWED ME ONE ANIMAL

FROM THEIR WILD HERD

TO SHOW YOU
JUST WHAT A DIFFERENCE

THIS BEAST CAN MAKE
TO SURVIVAL UP HERE.

[ Grunting ] GET HIM IN.

HERE'S ONE THAT'S BEEN SECURED
RIGHT ON THE ANKLE.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO SECURE
THIS ANTLER,

ITS PRIMARY WEAPON.

AS LONG AS YOU CONTROL THE HEAD,
YOU CONTROL THE BEAST.

OKAY,
LET'S DISPATCH THIS QUICKLY.

A KNIFE STRAIGHT BETWEEN
THE EARS,

AND THE ANIMAL
IS INSTANTLY BRAIN-DEAD.

ANY MOVEMENT NOW
IS JUST REFLEX.

AND THAT BLOOD IS DRUNK
BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

IN THESE FREEZING TEMPERATURES,

IT DOESN'T GET
ANY BETTER THAN THIS.

IT'S WARM AND FULL OF PROTEIN.

AND SURVIVAL FOOD
IS RARELY PRETTY,

BUT THAT IS LIFE-GIVING.

IT'S MINUS-20 DEGREES
ON THIS EXPOSED PLAIN.

I NEED TO GET IT GUTTED
AND SKINNED

BEFORE IT FREEZES SOLID.

THE NICEST THING ABOUT THIS

IS JUST THE FEELING
OF WARMTH IN ITS BODY.

AHH!

AND THAT IS THE WARMEST THAT
MY FINGERS HAVE BEEN ALL DAY.

WHOO, THAT'S NICE.

YOU GET RIGHT INTO
ITS CHEST CAVITY

JUST TO GET THE HEART.

THERE YOU GO.

AND LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT
FOR A HEART. WHEW.

BUT ACTUALLY, THE ESKIMOS
WOULD OFTEN EAT RAW MEAT.

IT LITERALLY MEANS -- ESKIMO --
"EATER OF RAW MEAT."

AND THEY'LL EAT IT ON THE GO
AS A WAY OF KEEPING WARM.

THAT'S FINE TO EAT
JUST LIKE THAT.

AT LEAST IT'S WARM.

IN THIS ENVIRONMENT,
THE HIDE COULD BE A LIFESAVER.

THE HAIRS ARE HOLLOW,

AND THIS FUR
IS A PERFECT NATURAL INSULATOR

AGAINST THE COLD.

LOOK -- SEE, IF I PULL
A CLUMP OF THIS OUT,

YOU SEE JUST HOW THICK IT IS.

YOU KNOW, BUT THIS BEAST

HAS TO SURVIVE ARCTIC
TEMPERATURES IN THE WINTER

DOWN TO MINUS-50 DEGREES,
AND THAT'S HOW IT DOES IT.

THERE'S OVER 100,000 CALORIES
IN THIS MEAT --

ENOUGH TO KEEP YOU ALIVE
FOR TWO WEEKS,

AND I'M NOT LEAVING IT BEHIND.

AND THIS IS JUST GONNA BE
REALLY ROUGH-AND-READY,

A MAKESHIFT -- JUST A FRAME
TO CARRY THIS CARCASS ON.

THIS IS A TYPICAL
NORTH AMERICAN WAY

THEY USED TO CARRY THEIR TEPEES.

BIRCH BRANCHES LASHED TOGETHER
WITH THE CORD FROM MY TRAPS

FORM THE FRAME.

A SECTION OF FUR
WILL ACT AS A YOKE.

NO DOUBT THIS IS GONNA BE
QUITE HARD WORK.

BUT WHEN YOU'VE GOT
A KILL LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW,

YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE
MUCH OF IT BEHIND.

THE FRAME IS TAKING
THE WEIGHT OF THE CARCASS,

BUT DRAGGING IT
THROUGH THIS DEEP SNOW

IS A REAL EFFORT.

LIKE SO MUCH OF MOVING
THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS,

THIS IS ABOUT GOING STEADY.

YOU GOT TO PACE YOURSELF.

AS I REACH THE TREE LINE,
THE TERRAIN GETS STEEPER.

IT'S GETTING EVEN HARDER
FOR MY SLEDGE.

LET'S GO A BIT STEADY HERE.

THERE, YOU SEE --
HERE'S A BIG DROP OFF DOWN HERE.

THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA GET ME
AND THE SLEDGE...

DOWN THAT.

ACTUALLY, LOOK.
HANG ON.

YOU SEE THAT FROZEN WATERFALL
ON THE OTHER SIDE?

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO
WORK MY WAY DOWN THAT,

IF WE CAN GET AROUND.

YOU SEE, THIS IS THE RIVER

THAT'S FEEDING
THAT FROZEN WATERFALL.

IN SUMMERTIME,
THIS WOULD BE A GUSHING TORRENT,

BUT BECAUSE MOST OF IT'S FROZEN,

IT'S THAT THAT I'M GONNA USE
TO CLIMB DOWN.

HANG ON, THIS ISN'T...

THE REINDEER
IS A GUARANTEED SOURCE OF FOOD,

BUT DRAGGING IT THROUGH THIS
SORT OF TERRAIN IS NOT EASY.

[ GRUNTS ]

OKAY, GIVE US A HAND.

JUST KICK THAT A BIT FREE,
RIGHT?

IT'S LANDED
IN THE FREEZING RIVER

AND STUCK UNDER THE ICE.

WELL, WE'RE DOWN AT THE RIVER --
WHOA! PBHT!

IN THE RIVER.

[ SPITTING ]

THIS PLAN...
HAS NOT GONE TO PLAN.

THAT WAS A BAD MOVE.

SURVIVAL IN ICY WATER
IS MEASURED IN MINUTES.

I'M SOAKED AND FREEZING.

AND THAT WATER IS VERY,
VERY COLD.

OKAY, WE NEED TO
GET THIS SLEDGE OUT

AND GET MOVING, GET WARM.

BUT IT'S TRAPPED
UNDER THE LIP OF THE ICE FLOE.

WEDGED IN THERE.

AND IT'S NOT GONNA BUDGE.

I NEED A PLAN "B" FAST.

I'VE WORKED HARD FOR THIS MEAT,

AND THERE IS NO WAY
I'M LEAVING THAT.

SEE IF I CAN JUST GET AT LEAST
THE HINDQUARTERS OFF IT.

MY BODY
IS STARTING TO SHUT DOWN.

BUT BY GOING IN AGAIN,

I CAN AT LEAST SALVAGE
SOME OF MY KILL.

[ Breathing heavily ]
SURVIVAL TIME IN WATER LIKE THIS

IS NOT...LONG.

I CAN'T FEEL MY HANDS NOW.

MY BODY IS PULLING BLOOD AWAY
FROM MY FINGERS AND FEET

TO PROTECT MY VITAL ORGANS.

I KNOW MY BODY PRETTY WELL,

AND I KNOW WHEN I'M STARTING
TO GET REALLY COLD...

'CAUSE I ASK MY BODY
TO DO STUFF,

AND IT DOESN'T DO IT SO WELL.

THAT'S WHY GETTING OUT OF COLD
WATER IS SO MUCH HARDER WORK --

EVERYTHING SLOWS DOWN.

OKAY, I GOT THE MEAT,

BUT THAT IS WELL AND TRULY
A GONER.

THIS IS THE TOP
OF THE WATERFALL,

AND THAT'S THE WAY
WE'RE GONNA BE GOING DOWN.

MAN, AM I COLD NOW.

THE DANGER OF BEING WET AND COLD

IS LOSING THE SENSATION
IN YOUR HANDS AND IN YOUR FEET.

AND WHEN YOU CAN'T USE THEM,
YOU'RE IN REAL TROUBLE.

SO I NEED TO WRING
THESE GLOVES OUT.

I NEED TO GET DOWN THIS

BEFORE MY FINGERS
STOP WORKING ALTOGETHER.

I'M LOOKING
FOR THE FASTEST WAY.

ALL THIS STUFF IS BRITTLE.

AND, ACTUALLY, LOOK --

YOU SEE THE WATERFALL RUNNING
BEHIND THE ICE THERE.

[ RUMBLING ]

OH, MAN, DO YOU HEAR THAT?

ALL OF THE ICE JUST WENT...
[ GRUNTS ]

HANG ON, LOOK. I CAN GET
MY WHOLE HAND THROUGH THIS.

BY LOOPING THE PARACORD
THROUGH THIS ICE HOLE,

I CAN SLIDE DOWN MY CHUTE
LIKE A FIREMAN'S POLE.

IT'S A QUICK WAY DOWN,
BUT IT'S RISKY.

I HAVE TO HOPE
THAT THE ICE HOLDS MY WEIGHT.

THERE'S A BIG DROP BELOW ME.

IT IS PRETTY SHEER ON THIS BIT.

[ SPITS ]

THERE'S A LEDGE OF SORTS.

I WANT TO TAKE THE PARACHUTE
WITH ME,

SO WHEN I RELEASE THE END,

THE REST
WILL JUST PULL THROUGH.

PUT IT THROUGH.
HERE WE GO.

FREEZING-COLD HANDS.

BUT I'M DOWN THAT WATERFALL,

AND...I'VE GOT THE MEAT,
AS WELL.

WITH THE REINDEER MEAT
AND MY PARACHUTE PACKED AWAY,

I HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE TREES
WHERE I CAN MAKE A FIRE.

AND THIS DEEP SNOW
IS A SERIOUS WORKOUT!

THERE'S ALL THIS
BLOWING STRAIGHT OFF

THE HIGH MOUNTAINS UP THERE.

WITH ALL THIS EXERCISE,

THE BLOOD IS PUMPING
AND I CAN FEEL MY HANDS AGAIN.

BUT THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

IN THESE WET CLOTHES,
MY BODY IS LOSING HEAT FAST.

SEE THAT?
DOWN THE BOTTOM OF THE VALLEY.

SO, LET'S GET DOWN THERE.

IT'S SOME KIND
OF OLD HUNTING LODGE,

BUT IT LOOKS ABANDONED.

IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ANYONE'S
BEEN HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

GET DOWN, HAVE A LOOK IN.

HAVE TO CLEAR
SOME OF THIS SNOW OUT.

I CAN'T EVEN OPEN THE DOOR.

OKAY, COME ON.

GOOD FIREWOOD, AT LEAST.

HANG ON.

A REALLY VERY, VERY ANCIENT SKI.

AND THESE DON'T LOOK
LIKE THEY'VE BEEN USED

IN A VERY LONG TIME.

OKAY, FIRST THING,
I NEED TO GET A FIRE,

NEED TO GET WARM AGAIN.

PEOPLE USED TO HUNT WOLVERINE
IN THIS AREA.

NOW THEY ARE PROTECTED
AND THESE LODGES ARE REDUNDANT.

BUT IT'S A WELCOME PLACE
TO TAKE STOCK

BEFORE I GET ON MY WAY.

THIS REINDEER MEAT
IS ABSOLUTELY FROZEN SOLID

BUT I CAN GET
SOME SHAVINGS OFF THIS

OF THE FAT AND THE MEAT...

AND PUT THAT
INTO THIS BOILING WATER

AND MAKE A NICE NUTRITIOUS,
WARMING STEW.

IN SUCH EXTREME TEMPERATURES,

YOUR BODY NEEDS DOUBLE
THE AMOUNT OF DAILY CALORIES.

FOR A MAN, THAT'S 6,000 A DAY.

OH, MAN, THAT'S BETTER.

OFTEN, ALL IT TAKES
IS A WARM FIRE TO DRY YOU OUT,

RAISE YOUR SPIRITS,
AND GET YOU BACK ON TRACK.

MOST OF IT'S
KIND OF RUBBISH, REALLY.

BUT ONE MAN'S RUBBISH
IS ANOTHER MAN'S SURVIVAL.

LOOK --
THERE'S A BIT OF OLD WIRE.

THEY OBVIOUSLY USED THAT
TO HOLD THE WINDOW OPEN.

KEEP THAT.
THAT'S GONNA BE USEFUL.

WELL, THEY ARE PRETTY KNACKERED,
THESE OLD SKIS,

YOU KNOW, PROBABLY
HAVEN'T BEEN USED FOR 50 YEARS,

BUT THIS OLD CURTAIN MATERIAL
IN HERE,

I MIGHT WELL
BE ABLE TO IMPROVISE

SOME SORT OF BINDINGS.

SKIS HAVE BEEN FOUND
IN ARCTIC RUSSIA

THAT ARE 4,000 YEARS OLD.

I'VE GOT
SOME IMPROVISED SKI POLES

JUST FROM A STRAIGHT BIT
OF WILLOW

AND A COUPLE OF TWIGS
PRESSED IN THE END.

AND, YOU KNOW,
THIS IS ALL PRETTY MAKESHIFT,

AND I AM NOT EXPECTING
SKI OLYMPICS,

BUT IT'S GONNA HELP ME
MAKE BETTER PROGRESS

THROUGH THIS DEEP SNOW
THAN IF I WAS ON FOOT.

THESE OLD CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
ARE GOOD ON THE FLAT,

BUT NOT IDEAL FOR DOWNHILL.

STEERING THEM
THROUGH THIS DEEP SNOW

IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

IMPOSSIBLE.

AND IN MANY WAYS,
I CAN DO MORE DAMAGE THAN GOOD.

DOING THIS
CAN BE QUITE DANGEROUS --

SKIING AMONGST TREES

WHEN YOU'VE GOT NO CONTROL
ON SKIS LIKE THIS.

AND ON THESE STEEP SLOPES,

THINGS ARE GOING FROM BAD
TO WORSE.

STEADY HERE.

IT MUST BE 50,
60 FOOT DOWN THAT.

THERE'S NO WAY
I AM SKIING OFF THAT.

HANG ON, THAT'S A BIRCH TREE
OVER THERE.

I'VE GOT AN IDEA.

THE SKIS ARE TAKING
THE QUICK WAY DOWN,

AND I'M HOPING
A FLEXIBLE BIRCH TREE

WILL GET ME DOWN JUST AS FAST.

THE PLAN IS TENUOUS --
GRAB THE TOP OF THE TREE

AND USE MY WEIGHT
TO BEND IT OVER.

SO FAR, SO GOOD...

[ WOOD CRACKS ]

PBHT!

PBHT!

...SORT OF.

WHEW!

[ PANTING ]

BIRCH TREES
ARE MEANT TO BE BENDY!

BUT I'M ALL RIGHT.
THE SNOW TOOK MOST OF THAT.

WHEW!

I'M BACK ON MY SKIS AGAIN,

BUT GETTING THROUGH THIS
UNDULATING TERRAIN IS TOUGH,

AND I'M GOING NOWHERE FAST.

THIS ISN'T WORKING.

THESE ARE GOOD ON THE FLAT,
BUT THEY ARE NO GOOD UPHILL.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIS
USUALLY HAVE A SPECIAL KICK WAX

APPLIED TO THEIR BASE.

IT'S ROUGH AND GRIPS THE SNOW.

I DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT,
BUT I DO HAVE AN IDEA.

THE BEST WAY I CAN THINK OF

OF IMPROVISING SOME GRIP
ON THE BOTTOM OF THESE SKIS

IS JUST ACTUALLY TO PEE ON IT.

AND WHAT I'M HOPING
IS WHEN THAT PEE THEN FREEZES,

SNOW WILL STICK TO THAT ICE
AND GIVE ME A BIT OF TRACTION.

I'VE NEVER TRIED THIS BEFORE,

BUT SURVIVAL REQUIRES
THAT YOU THINK ON YOUR FEET...

OR ON YOUR KNEES.

OKAY, I'LL TURN THIS OVER,

AND IT SHOULD START TO FREEZE
AND STICK PRETTY QUICKLY.

AND LOOK,
THIS SHOULD HAVE SNOW --

YEAH, THERE YOU GO --
STUCK TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

OKAY, LET'S GET GOING.

ACTUALLY, LOOK --
THESE ARE CLIMBING QUITE NICELY.

URINE SKINS --
THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE.

I'M ALWAYS INSPIRED
BY THE LEGEND

OF A POLISH
SECOND WORLD WAR PRISONER

WHO ESCAPED A RUSSIAN GULAG
DEEP IN THE ARCTIC.

IT'S SAID HE HIKED FOR 3 YEARS
ACROSS TERRAIN LIKE THIS

BEFORE FINDING RESCUE.

THERE'S A BIG LAKE AHEAD.

MAN, JUST LOOK AT THIS PLACE --

ABSOLUTELY VAST
AND PRETTY FEATURELESS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE WAY
I WANT TO BE HEADING.

BUT REALLY, I DON'T WANT TO
HANG AROUND LONG

ON A LAKE AS BIG AS THIS.

THE LAKE IS 5 MILES ACROSS,

BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE HOUR
OF DAYLIGHT LEFT.

I'LL NEVER CROSS IT
BEFORE DARK.

WITH NO SHELTER,
THIS EXPOSED STRETCH OF ICE

IS NO PLACE TO GET STUCK
FOR THE NIGHT.

ACTUALLY, THE WIND'S PICKED UP
NOW QUITE A LOT,

AND I RECKON I CAN ACTUALLY USE
MY RESERVE PARACHUTE

AS LIKE A KITE,
TO PULL ME ACROSS THE ICE HERE,

AND THAT WILL GET ME ACROSS
MUCH QUICKER.

IF I CAN GET THIS THING
INFLATED,

THE WIND SHOULD DO THE REST.

RIGHT. HERE...WE GO.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT BEING
ON AN OPEN LAKE LIKE THIS

IS THE WIND IS NICE
AND STEADY AND CONSTANT.

THIS IS MUCH EASIER
AT THE MOMENT

THAN TRYING TO
DRAG MYSELF ACROSS THIS

JUST WALKING ON SKIS.

I'M DEEP INSIDE
THE ARCTIC CIRCLE,

HALFWAY ACROSS A FROZEN LAKE.

SOON THE SUN WILL DROP,
AND WITH IT, THE TEMPERATURE.

I'M USING MY PARACHUTE
LIKE A KITE TO PULL ME ALONG.

IT WAS A LONG SHOT,
BUT IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

GOOD SURVIVAL IS ACTUALLY ABOUT
THINKING SMART, BEING INGENIOUS,

COMING UP WITH CLEVER WAYS
TO USE NATURE AND NOT FIGHT IT.

THAT'S HOW PEOPLE
REALLY SURVIVE.

MAINTAIN THIS SPEED,

AND I'LL BE ACROSS
IN 20 MINUTES

AND REACH THE OTHER SIDE
BEFORE IT GOES DARK.

OKAY, GETTING QUITE CLOSE
TOWARDS THE SHORELINE NOW.

AND THAT HAS WORKED MUCH NICER
THAN I EVER IMAGINED IT WOULD,

YOU KNOW,
REALLY NICE, STEADY BREEZE.

BUT THERE'S NO BRAKE
ON THIS THING.

THE ONLY WAY TO STOP
IS TO TAKE A DIVE.

WHOA!

OKAY, IT'S GETTING...DARKER NOW.

THIS WOULDN'T BE A BAD PLACE
TO MAKE A BIT OF CAMP.

I'M AMONGST THE TREES,
SO I'VE GOT FIREWOOD.

I'M ALSO I'M A LITTLE BIT HIGHER
THAN THE ACTUAL LAKE,

WHERE ALL THE COLD AIR
IS GONNA SINK DOWN TO.

GET THIS DOWN.
OKAY, TIME TO START DIGGING.

WHAT I WANT TO DO
IS JUST DIG A SNOW TRENCH.

IT'S REALLY MORE LIKE A COFFIN.

WHEN THE SUN DROPS,

TEMPERATURES CAN PLUMMET,
AND DRAMATICALLY.

BRANCHES AND SNOW ON TOP

WILL INSULATE YOU
AGAINST THE WORST OF THAT

AND HELP YOU SURVIVE THE NIGHT.

THE LAST THING I'LL NEED --
YOU SEE THIS?

IT'S LIKE A GUTTER
WHERE ALL THE COLD AIR

IN THE SHELTER
WILL RUN DOWN HERE.

IT ACTUALLY MAKES
A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE.

OKAY.

ESKIMOS SUPPLEMENT THEIR DIET
WITH FISH.

I'M GONNA TRY MY LUCK
IN THIS LAKE,

IF I CAN GET TO IT.

MOST OF THE ICE ON THIS LAKE
IS GONNA BE SUPER-THICK --

YOU KNOW, AT LEAST A METER,
BUT I'M QUITE NEAR THIS OUTFLOW.

THE ICE IS GONNA BE THINNER.
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH.

FISH CONTAIN OMEGA-3 OILS.

THESE THIN THE BLOOD,

WHICH IMPROVES YOUR CIRCULATION
AND KEEPS YOU WARMER.

IT'S GONNA BE PRETTY DARK
TO SEE THIS,

BUT WHAT I'VE GOT
IS JUST A BIT OF STICK

WITH SOME LINE ON THE END
FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PARACORD,

AND ON THE END OF THAT,

I'VE GOT THIS LITTLE BIT OF WIRE
FROM THE CABIN.

AND THEN ONTO THE END OF THAT,
I NEED TO MAKE A THROAT GORGE

AND JUST BREAK OFF
A BIT OF TWIG.

THE FISH TAKES THE BAIT

AND THEN THIS BIT OF STICK
GETS STUCK IN ITS THROAT.

AND JUST PUT A LITTLE BIT
OF THE REINDEER MEAT ONTO THAT

AND THAT, THEN, IS GOOD
TO DROP INTO THE HOLE.

THEN KICK SNOW OVER THE HOLE
TO INSULATE IT FROM THE WIND

AND STOP IT REFREEZING.

ONE LAST THING --
I WAS GONNA MAKE A TORCH.

FISH ARE MOST ACTIVE AT NIGHT,
AND IT'S AN OLD INUIT TRICK

TO MAKE SMALL FIRES
AROUND THE HOLE

TO ATTRACT THEM TO THE LINE.

I'VE JUST GOT THESE TWO
BRANCHES, AND THEN IN BETWEEN

JUST WEDGE
LOTS OF THIS BIRCH BARK.

IT SHOULD ATTRACT,
HOPEFULLY, SOME FISH.

IT'S THE SAME PRINCIPLE

AS LANTERN-FISHING
IN THE FAR EAST.

HOPEFULLY,
THE FISH WILL SEE THE GLOW

THROUGH THE CLEARED ICE

AND COME TO THE BAIT
WHILE I TRY AND GET SOME SLEEP.

WELL, THIS REINDEER FUR

IS GIVING ME
A BIT OF INSULATION BELOW.

BUT THERE'S NO GETTING
AWAY FROM IT --

IT IS STILL COLD.

LESS COLD THAN IF I DIDN'T HAVE
THIS SHELTER, BUT STILL COLD.

I'M ACTUALLY JUST GOING TO SET
THAT OTHER TORCH BURNING,

SEE HOW THE FISHING'S GOING.

IT'LL GIVE ME A CHANCE
TO GET MY FEET MOVING AGAIN.

[ SNIFFS ]
OKAY. COME ON.

BUT I'LL NEED TO BE QUICK.
IT'S MIDNIGHT.

AND RIGHT NOW THE TEMPERATURE
IS MINUS-30 DEGREES.

AT LEAST I'VE GOT
SOME BLOOD MOVING AGAIN.

BACK INTO THE SNOW COFFIN.

IT'S BEEN A LONG, COLD NIGHT.

IT'S SUCH A RELIEF
WHEN THE SUN RISES

AND WITH IT, THE TEMPERATURE.

IT WAS FREEZING COLD LAST NIGHT.

I ENDED UP WRAPPING MYSELF
IN ALL THIS PARACHUTE,

TRYING TO KEEP ME WARM.

ANYWAY, GET DOWN
AND CHECK THIS ICE-FISHING HOLE.

LOOK -- THE SNOW STOPPED
THE HOLE FROM FREEZING,

LET'S SEE
IF WE GOT ANYTHING ON HERE.

YEAH, WELL,
THAT'S A "NO" ISN'T IT?

MAYBE THEY JUST WEREN'T BITING.
ANYWAY, YOU CAN'T WIN THEM ALL.

GET ON MY WAY.

I'M IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
BATTLING THROUGH DEEP FOREST.

THE TEMPERATURE'S CURRENTLY
A BITING MINUS-26.

AND IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH,
THERE'S NOW A RIVER IN MY PATH.

YOU KNOW, I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH

JUST HOW CAREFUL YOU'VE
GOT TO BE WITH WATER THIS COLD.

YOU KNOW,
IT CAN BE SUCH A KILLER.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE PREPARED
FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

I'M ACTUALLY
GONNA GET SOME MATERIALS

FOR MAKING A FIRE THIS SIDE
AND TAKE IT ACROSS WITH ME.

'CAUSE ONCE I'M
IN THAT COLD WATER AND OUT,

WE'RE TALKING MINUTES BEFORE
EVERYTHING STARTS TO SHUT DOWN.

SO LET'S GET SOME TINDER
UP HERE.

BIRCH BARK
IS FULL OF FLAMMABLE SAP.

IT WILL HELP ME START A FIRE
AS SOON AS I'M OUT.

OKAY.

GOOD PREPARATION
IS RARELY WASTED.

IF YOU GET YOUR CLOTHES WET,

THEY'LL FREEZE ON YOU
AND BE USELESS FOR INSULATION,

SO THEY'RE GOING IN MY PACK
WITH MY PORTABLE FIRE.

IT'S FUNNY -- AS SOON AS YOU
START TO GET IN THIS STAGE,

YOU JUST FEEL YOUR HEART RATE
ALREADY INCREASE,

AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT
IS ACTUALLY JUST FEAR.

BUT YOU WANT TO USE THAT,
MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU.

I KNOW AS SOON
AS THAT ADRENALINE IS GOING,

IT GIVES ME, LIKE, WHAT I CALL
THE GOLDEN 10 MINUTES,

WHICH IS ADRENALINE
FOR 10 MINUTES

TO GET ME IN, GET ME ACROSS,
AND GET A FIRE BUILT.

[ GRUNTS ]

WHOA, SNOW DOWN THE BACK!

OKAY, LET'S GET INTO THIS.

THIS KIND OF SURVIVAL
IS MEASURED IN SECONDS.

IT'S AGONY ON MY BARE SKIN,
AND EVEN THE CAMERA HAS FROZEN.

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP FOCUSED.

I AM GONNA USE THIS ICE BLOCK

TO TRY AND FLOAT
MY RUCKSACK ACROSS.

IT PROBABLY STANDS A BETTER
CHANCE OF STAYING DRY THEN.

THE ICE BLOCK IS STILL FLOATING
WITH ALL MY GEAR,

AND IT'S HELPING ME STRUGGLE
ACROSS THE ROCKY BOTTOM.

SO FAR, IT'S LOOKING...
LOOKING OKAY.

OH, HANG ON.
OH. OKAY, WE'RE IN.

THE SHOCK
OF HITTING THE FREEZING WATER

CAN CAUSE CARDIAC ARREST

AS THE VEINS IN YOUR BODY
CONSTRICT.

SO STAY CALM, KEEP YOUR WITS.

IF YOU BLACK OUT HERE,
YOU'RE DEAD.

THAT'S OVER -- THE DEEP BIT.
LET'S GET ASHORE.

[ SPITS ]

[ GRUNTS ]

I'M OUT OF THE RIVER,
BUT NOT OUT OF DANGER --

A CORE-TEMPERATURE DROP
OF JUST 3 DEGREES

IS ENOUGH TO SEND THE BODY
INTO HYPOTHERMIC SHUTDOWN.

I HAVE TO GET WARM AND FAST.

BLOODY NORAH!

OKAY, I'M GONNA USE
THIS PARACHUTE JUST TO SIT ON,

INSULATE ME A BIT FROM THE SNOW,
GONNA WRAP MYSELF A LITTLE BIT.

THE TINDER I PACKED IN MY BAG
LOOKS LIKE IT STAYED DRY.

BUT UNTIL THAT FLAME GOES,
YOU NEVER KNOW.

OKAY, LET THAT CATCH,
AND JUST GET A LAYER ON.

BUT THIS IS WHY BEING PREPARED
IS SO IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW, IT JUST ALLOWED ME
TO HAVE THIS FIRE LIT

LITERALLY WITHIN A MINUTE,
A MINUTE AND A HALF

OF BEING OUT OF THAT WATER.

AND THAT'S
WHY I'M ABLE TO DO THIS.

OKAY.

[ EXHALES SHARPLY ]

AHH, MAN, THAT IS NICE.

SOMETIMES MY BOYS WATCH
THESE SORT OF PROGRAMS,

AND THEY GO,
"WAS IT REALLY THAT COLD?"

WHEN YOU CAN SHOW THEM
A SHOELACE OUT HORIZONTAL,

THEN YOU KNOW IT'S COLD.

I'M DEEP IN THE ARCTIC NORTH...

A SERIOUS WORKOUT!

...HEADING ACROSS MOUNTAINS...

FROZEN WATERFALLS...

THICK FORESTS...

AND NOW I'M AT THE COAST.

A PRETTY BIG, FORBIDDING
ARCTIC LANDSCAPE, THAT.

LOOK -- YOU CAN SEE THE SEA MIST
ROLLING IN, AS WELL.

OKAY, LET'S GET DOWN THERE.

THE COAST IS YOUR BEST CHANCE

OF FINDING SIGNS
OF CIVILIZATION.

AND HERE, THERE'S NO SHORTAGE.

YOU SEE QUITE A LOT
OF ALL OF THIS SORT OF STUFF,

AND REALLY IT'S FROM
ALL THE FISHING VESSELS

THAT USE THESE VERY NORTHERLY
SHIPPING LANES OUT THERE.

80% OF THE WORLD'S WHITEFISH
COMES FROM ARCTIC WATERS.

IT'S THE SUPERHIGHWAY
OF FISHING

IF YOU CAN GET OUT TO IT.

THERE'S PROBABLY ENOUGH
OF ALL THIS SORT OF THING

TO IMPROVISE SOME SORT OF RAFT.

I COULD MAKE ONE
THAT'S GONNA FLOAT

AND CAN THEN GET OUT
TO SOME OF THESE OUTER ISLANDS,

MAKE A SIGNAL FIRE.

THAT'S PROBABLY YOUR BEST CHANCE
OF BEING SPOTTED

FROM THE SHIPPING LANES.

ALL THIS HAS BEEN DUMPED
OFF SHIPS OUT AT SEA.

IT'S BUOYANT AND TOUGH.

YOU KNOW, EVEN SOMETHING
AS SIMPLE AS...JUST THIS

LASHED TO THE TOPS
OF THE RAFT...

AND THEN ATTACHED TO THESE BALLS
IS GONNA GIVE US SOME STABILITY.

THE SEA UP IN THE ARCTIC
IS FREEZING.

I DO NOT WANT TO BE GETTING WET
IF I CAN AVOID IT.

I ONLY HAVE AN HOUR
BEFORE THE TIDE TURNS,

WHICH WOULD PULL ME
BACK TO SHORE.

WELL, I'M AFLOAT.

BUT THE PROBLEM
IS THIS END BARREL.

IT'S GOT A CRACK
OR SOMETHING IN IT,

'CAUSE THAT'S NOW FILLED UP
WITH WATER.

IT MEANS THIS WHOLE RAFT IS
LEANING AT QUITE A DODGY ANGLE.

AND IT'S ALSO A BIT ROUGHER
OUT HERE,

WHICH ISN'T KIND OF HELPING ME.

THE CURRENT'S DOING
A LOT OF THE WORK.

THE TIDE'S TAKING ME
THROUGH THESE INNER ISLANDS

TO WHERE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO
SEE THE SHIPPING LANES.

SALT WATER WON'T FREEZE
UNTIL IT'S MINUS-2 DEGREES.

I'M WET, AND I CAN'T FEEL
MY FINGERS NOW,

BUT I AM MAKING GOOD PROGRESS
WITH THE OUTGOING TIDE.

A DEAD SEAL
IN THE WATER OVER THERE.

LET'S SEE
IF I CAN PADDLE OVER A BIT.

HANG ON. STAY ON THERE.

THERE ARE LARGE
GRAY-SEAL COLONIES

ON THE MORE REMOTE ISLANDS.

THEY USED TO BE HUNTED
FOR THEIR FAT

TO FUEL OIL LAMPS.

I'VE GOT AN IDEA.

I'VE GOT THIS THING.

PRETTY STINKY.

WHAT I WANT
IS A BIT OF THIS BLUBBER,

AND THAT WILL HELP ME KEEP

THE SIGNAL FIRE BURNING
A BIT LONGER.

MAN, LOOK HOW MUCH FAT
IT'S GOT ON IT.

THAT'S HOW THIS GUY KEEPS WARM
IN THESE ICY, ICY WATERS.

THE SEA'S GETTING ROUGHER NOW,

WHICH COULD BE A SIGN
THAT THE TIDE'S CHANGING.

THEN ONSHORE CURRENTS WOULD
DRAG ME BACK TO THE MAINLAND,

BUT I'M ALMOST THERE.

WELL, THESE ARE
THE OUTER ISLANDS HERE,

JUST ABOUT IN TIME, AS WELL.

THIS RAFT
IS ON ITS LAST LEGS NOW.

THE RAFT'S HAD IT,
BUT I'VE MADE IT TO THE ISLAND.

NOW I NEED TO FIND A GOOD PLACE
FOR A SIGNAL FIRE.

GET UP TO HIGH GROUND.

AND THIS IS THE TIP
OF THE OUTER ISLANDS,

AND OUT THERE ARE ALL
THE NORTHERLY SHIPPING LANES.

THIS IS THE PLACE TO MAKE
A SIGNAL FIRE -- RIGHT UP HERE.

A DANISH FISHERMAN
SURVIVED 15 DAYS

ON AN ISLAND LIKE THIS
OFF GREENLAND.

THERE WAS NO FOOD,
AND HE ATE ONLY SNOW.

HE WAS FINALLY RESCUED
45 POUNDS LIGHTER

WITH EXTREME FROSTBITE.

WHEN A SHIP COMES NEAR YOU,

YOU NEED TO BE READY
WITH YOUR FIRE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN, OR IF,
YOU'LL GET ANOTHER CHANCE.

WHAT I WANT IS SOME SEAWEED --
IT'S GONNA MAKE IT SMOKE --

SOME POLYSTYRENE I FOUND
OFF THE BEACH SHORE, AS WELL.

THAT'S GONNA MAKE SMOKE.

OKAY, A BIT MORE TINDER.

THERE YOU GO --
THERE'S A FISHING VESSEL.

OKAY, I'VE GOT TO MOVE.

THE SHIP IS AT LEAST
TWO MILES OFFSHORE.

IF YOU WANT TO BE SEEN,
YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE FAST.

BLUBBER ON.

AND A SIMPLE SIGNAL FIRE
LIKE THIS,

IT LIGHTS FIRST TIME
AND WHEN YOU NEED IT.

IT SAVED SO MANY LIVES
OVER THE YEARS.

OKAY.

THERE ARE PLACES IN THE WORLD
UNTOUCHED AND UNCHANGED

BY THE MARCH OF TIME
AND TECHNOLOGY,

BUT BASIC SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES
ARE TIMELESS.

AND BY MAKING NATURE WORK
FOR YOU,

YOU CAN MAKE IT OUT ALIVE.