Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 4, Episode 10 - Big Sky Country - full transcript

I'M BEAR GRYLLS.
WHOO!

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

FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
PLACES ON EARTH.

I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT
THROUGH A WEEK OF CHALLENGES...

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

WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.

NOW, I'M IN MONTANA,
KNOWN AS BIG SKY COUNTRY.

IT'S A VAST WILDERNESS
LARGELY UNTOUCHED BY MAN.

THIS IS WHERE THE FUN STARTS.

IN THIS UNFORGIVING TERRITORY,

I'LL DRAW
ON ALL MY SURVIVAL SKILLS



AS I FACE OFF
WITH STEEP GULLIES,

PERILOUS RAVINES,
AND TORRENTIAL WATERFALLS.

FROM ITS HUGE MOUNTAINS
TO THE VAST PLAINS,

CHALLENGES DON'T COME
ANY TOUGHER.

AAH!
[ TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS ]

I'M 9,500 FEET UP

ON WHAT'S KNOWN
AS THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA.

THIS IS MONTANA.

I'M ABOUT TO PARAGLIDE

INTO ONE OF THE HARSHEST AREAS
IN THE COUNTRY.

ALL OF THESE
ARE THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,

AND THEY RUN FOR 3,000 MILES
FROM CANADA

ALL THE WAY DOWN TO NEW MEXICO.

THIS LAND OF EXTREMES



IS ONE OF THE HARSHEST REGIONS
IN THE UNITED STATES.

IN THIS TYPE OF TERRAIN,
NOTHING IS EASY.

GOT STRONG WINDS -- PRETTY
BORDERLINE FOR PARAGLIDING.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS
GONNA BE AN EXCITING FLIGHT.

OKAY, LET'S GET IN THE AIR.

WHOO!

JUST AWESOME.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
MOUNTAIN RANGES IN THE WORLD.

BUT THERE'S NO TIME
TO ENJOY THE VIEW.

WHOO-HA!

I GOT TO CONCENTRATE.

I CAN FEEL
QUITE A LOT OF TURBULENCE

UNDER THE CANOPY.

BEFORE I EVEN HIT THE GROUND,

THE TERRAIN THROWS UP
ITS FIRST CHALLENGE.

THERE ARE
NO SAFE LANDING ZONES BELOW.

THERE'S JUST TREES, FORESTS,
AND ROCKY CLIFFS.

PROBABLY MY BEST BET

IS TO AIM FOR THAT --
AIM FOR THAT LAKE DOWN THERE.

I'M ALWAYS NERVOUS
DOING WATER LANDINGS.

LAST TIME I DID
A HIGH-ALTITUDE ONE,

ALMOST DROWNED,
WRAPPED IN THE LINES.

THIS TIME I'M GONNA DISCONNECT
FROM THE CHUTE BEFORE IMPACT.

BUT THE LAKE IS FLAT CALM,

AND THE REFLECTION ON THE WATER

IS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE
TO JUDGE MY ALTITUDE.

OKAY, GETTING CLOSE
TO MOMENT OF IMPACT.

ONLY JUST GOT
OUT OF THERE IN TIME.

GOT A MAD EFFECT ON THE WATER
WHEN THERE'S SO LITTLE WIND --

LOOKS LITERALLY
JUST LIKE MIRROR GLASS.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS
YOU CAN'T JUDGE ANY HEIGHT.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TELL

WHETHER YOU'RE 60 FOOT UP
OR JUST 6 FOOT.

MAN, THAT'S COLD, AS WELL.

WHOO.

I NEED TO GET MOVING.

THE BODY LOSES HEAT 25 TIMES
FASTER IN WATER THAN IN AIR.

BUT I WANT TO RETRIEVE
MY CHUTE.

IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION
LIKE THIS,

YOU CAN'T AFFORD
TO LEAVE ANYTHING BEHIND.

I'M ALREADY JUST FEELING

ALL MY MUSCLES TIGHTENING UP
FROM THE COLD WATER.

LET ME GET THIS OUT.

THE WATER WAS COLD,
BUT SO IS THE AIR.

EVEN IN EARLY FALL, IT CAN DROP
BELOW 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

BUT GET TO LOW GROUND,

AND THE TEMPERATURE RISES
SIGNIFICANTLY.

I NEED TO GATHER ANYTHING
OF USE FROM PARAGLIDING KIT

AND GET OFF THIS HIGH GROUND.

MY CLOTHES CAN DRY OUT AS I GO.

RIGHT, LET'S GO.

NOW TO FIND A ROUTE
OFF THE MOUNTAIN AND FAST.

AS I BREAK
OUT OF THE TREE LINE,

I'M CONFRONTED
WITH A HUGE SCREE SLOPE.

THIS MAY BE
A RISKY ROUTE TO TAKE,

BUT WITH THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE,
IT'S AT LEAST FAST.

SCREE-RUNNING COULD BE

ONE OF THE FASTEST WAYS
DOWN A MOUNTAIN.

YOU WANT TO KEEP A LOW CENTER
OF GRAVITY, SOFT KNEES,

ALLOW ALL OF THE MOMENTUM
OF THESE STONES

DO THE HARD WORK FOR YOU.

WE'RE AT THE BOTTOM,

HEART'S THUMPING.
AND DEFINITELY WARMER.

LET'S GET GOING.

YOU CAN WALK HERE FOR DAYS

AND SEE NO EVIDENCE
OF CIVILIZATION.

THIS AREA WASN'T EVEN MAPPED
UNTIL THE EARLY 20th CENTURY.

IN REMOTE REGIONS,

IT'S OFTEN A GOOD PLAN
TO FOLLOW STREAMS AND RIVERS,

AS THEY OFFER THE QUICKEST
ROUTE TO LOW GROUND.

BUT WATER ALWAYS FOLLOWS
THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

TRACKING THEIR PATH
CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

CAREFUL, STEADY, STEADY.

AH. THERE'S A LOT OF WATER
GOING DOWN THIS.

AND IT'S A LONG, LONG WAY DOWN.

HANG ON.

YEAH, PROBABLY ABOUT 70, 80 FOOT
AT LEAST.

IT'S ALSO DANGEROUSLY STEEP.

DESCENDING THE SHEER ROCK FACE
WOULD JUST BE SUICIDE.

I COULD CLIMB DOWN THE TREE
WHICH IS WEDGED INTO THE FALLS,

BUT IT WON'T GET ME
ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM.

I NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING TO GET
ME DOWN THE REST OF THE WAY.

LEARNING TO IMPROVISE IS A KEY
IN ANY SURVIVAL SITUATION.

I'M GONNA USE A CORD
FROM MY PARAGLIDER.

THE FOREST
WILL PROVIDE THE REST.

AND THAT'S PROBABLY GONNA BE
LONG ENOUGH.

ALL I'M DOING IS MAKING

LIKE AN IMPROVISED,
MAKESHIFT ROPE LADDER.

AND WE USED TO USE
THESE SORT OF THINGS

LOADS IN THE SPECIAL FORCES --

JUST LIGHTWEIGHT,
THIN WIRE-ROPE LADDERS

FOR GETTING
UP DIFFICULT, AWKWARD PLACES.

TO MAKE THE RUNGS,
USE GREEN AND BENDY BRANCHES.

DRY WOOD IS TOO BRITTLE
AND WILL SNAP UNDER MY WEIGHT.

AND I'LL JUST PUT A CLOVE HITCH
IN THE END,

VERY SIMPLY, LIKE THAT.

STICK IT THROUGH,
AND IT'S GONNA BITE ON ITSELF.

AND YEAH, IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE
PRETTIEST LADDER IN THE WORLD,

BUT IT'S GONNA GET ME DOWN
THAT LAST BIT OF THE WATERFALL.

OKAY.

BEFORE I CAN USE MY LADDER,

I NEED TO GET
DOWN THE TREE TRUNK --

EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

I ALSO JUST HATE THIS FIRST BIT,
GOING OVER THE EDGE.

KIND OF JUST WANT
TO GET INTO IT.

OKAY.

OFTEN IT'S ONLY
ONCE YOU BEGIN A CLIMB

THAT THE TRUE NATURE
OF THE CHALLENGE BECOMES CLEAR.

HOPING THIS LOG'S
GONNA STAY WEDGED IN THERE.

IT'S TOUGH TRYING TO DOWNCLIMB
IN THIS AMOUNT OF WATER.

THE LOG'S SUPPORTING
QUITE A WEIGHT.

AS I DESCEND THE LOG,
IT BECOMES MORE UNSTABLE,

AND THE FORCE OF THE WATER'S
GETTING STRONGER ALL THE TIME.

YOU CAN BECOME EXHAUSTED.

GET ONTO THIS LITTLE LEDGE.
FOLLOW ME.

THE TREE TRUNK
HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE.

NOW TO GET MY LADDER OUT.

THE LOG IS TOO UNSTABLE
TO SECURE MY LADDER TO.

I NEED TO FIND
ANOTHER ANCHOR POINT.

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO SECURE
THE LADDER AROUND THIS.

JUST WRAP IT WITH A LITTLE BIT
OF THIS KEVLAR LINE.

IF I CAN WEDGE THIS
BETWEEN TWO ROCKS,

IT SHOULD MAKE
A SOLID ANCHOR POINT.

COME ON.

FINGERS ARE SO COLD.

IT'S LIKE I'M THRASHING IN THE
WATER, TOO, WITH MY EYES CLOSED.

I'M ABLE TO FEEL MY FINGERS
NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

THE KNOT TIED, NOW TO JAM
THE ROCK INTO THE CREVICE.

OKAY, LOOK.

THAT'S STRONG IN THERE.

OKAY.
TIME TO GET ON IT.

THE END IS IN SIGHT, BUT THIS
ORDEAL IS FAR FROM OVER.

WELL, I'M OUT OF RUNGS.

I'M STILL 15 FOOT UP.

THE FORCE OF THE WATER
AND THE COLD

ARE STARTING TO TAKE
THEIR TOLL.

I CAN'T HANG AROUND.

I'M IN THE ROCKIES,

HANGING OFF A ROPE LADDER
IN A FREEZING WATERFALL,

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO GO.

I'VE STILL GOT A BIT OF DISTANCE
TO THE BOTTOM.

PROBLEM IS I DON'T KNOW
HOW DEEP THAT WATER IS.

I'LL HAVE TO DO LIKE
A BELLY FLOP BUT ON MY BACK,

AND THAT WAY
I DON'T GO TOO DEEP.

IT'S NEVER MUCH FUN.

THAT'S WHY.

LANDING FLAT
IS PAINFUL BUT EFFECTIVE.

THIS WATER
IS BARELY WAIST-DEEP.

WELL, WE'RE DOWN SAFELY.

BUT VERY, VERY COLD.

I NEED TO GET WARM.

THAT FREEZING WATER
TOOK ITS TOLL.

THE HUMAN BODY TEMPERATURE IS
NORMALLY AROUND 98.6 DEGREES.

IF IT FALLS
JUST TWO DEGREES BELOW THAT,

YOU FIND YOURSELF
IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.

JUST STOP -- STOP --
STOP THE CAMERA AND GET WARM.

I NEED TO BUILD A FIRE
AND QUICKLY.

IT'S JUST A MIX
OF DRIED GRASSES,

OLD MAN'S BEARD, AND THEN LOTS
OF THIS THISTLE FLUFF.

LET'S USE THIS FIRE STRIKER
TO GET THIS GOING.

IT WAS COLD IN THAT RIVER --

PROPER COLD.

LEARNED IN MY LIFE TO DREAD IT.

VERY NICE.

FREEZING COLD AND WET,

YOUR BODY BURNS
UP TO TWICE AS MANY CALORIES.

ONCE DRY, IT'S TIME TO GO
ON THE HUNT FOR FOOD.

THIS AREA IS TEEMING
WITH GRASSHOPPERS.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN NEED
OF A QUICK ENERGY BOOST,

THESE CAN BE A WELCOME SIGHT.

YOU CAN EAT THESE
JUST LIKE THIS.

GRAB THE HEAD,
TWIST IT, AND PULL,

AND THE GUTS COME OUT LIKE THAT
WITH THE HEAD.

AND THEN
TAKE THE LEGS OFF AS WELL.

AND THE REST OF IT'S
FINE TO EAT.

TO GET A DECENT MEAL,

YOU'D NEED TO EAT
AROUND 30 OF THESE,

BUT THREE IS BETTER
THAN NOTHING.

THERE'S A LOT
OF PINE RESIN IN HERE.

NATIVE AMERICANS
WOULD USE THIS,

MIX IT WITH CHARCOAL --
MAKES GLUE --

PUT IT ON WOUNDS TO SEAL THEM,

EVEN USE IT AS AN ACCELERANT
FOR THE FIRE.

MIX IT IN WITH THEIR TINDER,

IT WILL BURN
REALLY, REALLY HOT.

THAT'S GONNA BE USEFUL FOR ME.

AS I DESCEND
THROUGH THE FOREST,

I'M SOON CONFRONTED
WITH ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

JUST A MASSIVE LAKE.

BUT ALSO A MASSIVE OBSTACLE.

OKAY, LET'S GO THIS WAY.

A VITAL KEY TO SURVIVAL

IS ADAPTING THINGS YOU FIND

AND USING THEM
TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

AN OLD CANOE HAS BEEN SUNK
IN THE LAKE AND LEFT.

SEE IF I CAN GET THIS THING OUT.

[ GRUNTS ]

COMPLETELY WEDGED
IN THE MUD, THOUGH.

I'M THINKING
ABOUT GETTING THIS OUT...

AND PATCH UP WHATEVER SORT
OF NICK IS IN.

IT'S GONNA BE
A MUCH MORE EFFICIENT WAY

OF TRYING TO CROSS THIS LAKE.

USING THE CORD AND THE
CARABINERS FROM MY PARAGLIDER,

I MAKE A THREE-TO-ONE HOIST,
WHICH SHOULD HELP ME

TO GET THE CANOE
ONTO THE SHORE.

SO, THEN, THIS IS GOING
FROM THE BOAT TO THE SHORE,

BACK TO THE BOAT,

AND THEN AROUND ME.

AND THAT IS THREE TIMES
THE PULLING POWER.

I'M HARDLY ACTUALLY PUTTING
ANY STRAIN ON THIS.

ALL RIGHT, JUST THROW OUT
ALL THIS...MUD AND GUNK.

ACTUALLY, LOOK. YOU SEE
WHERE IT'S LEAKING OUT HERE?

YEAH, IT'S GOT A HOLE THERE.

LET'S TURN THIS OVER.

BUT ACTUALLY, I'LL PROBABLY USE

SOME OF THE PARACHUTE CANOPY
TO PLUG THAT.

I'VE GOT A QUICK AND EASY FIX
TO SEAL THIS HOLE.

AND THEN I'LL
JUST JAM THIS UNDER HERE,

AND THE WEIGHT OF THAT IS
GONNA ACT AS LIKE A PLUG.

IF I SIT ON THE METAL BAR,

IT SHOULD PRESS DOWN
ON THE MATERIAL,

CREATING A REASONABLE SEAL.

WELL, THAT'S THE PLAN.

YEAH, THAT'S GONNA BE GOOD.

IN FACT, DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

THE REMAINS OF THIS PARAGLIDER

AND A BIT OF BREEZE
THAT THERE IS OUT IN THE LAKE,

THERE'S NO REASON
WHY I SHOULDN'T MAKE SOMETHING

MUCH COOLER TO CROSS THIS WITH.

YEAH, HANG ON.
LET'S GET THIS GOING.

I'M GONNA TRY AND MAKE A KITE.

FIRST JOB IS TO MODIFY
THE SHAPE OF THE CHUTE

AND ATTACH THE CONTROL LINES.

LEAVES STUFFED INTO EACH CORNER

CREATE A SOLID POINT
TO SECURE THEM.

AT THE END OF THIS,
JUST PUT A CLOVE HITCH IN IT --

ONE TURN, TWO TURN, AND THEN
IN FRONT OF THEMSELVES.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS
IS IT'LL TIGHTEN ON ITSELF,

AND THAT
THEN CAN'T COME UNDONE.

THE LINES ARE IN PLACE.

NEXT I FASHION
A MAKESHIFT CONTROL BAR

TO HELP MANEUVER THE KITE.

AND WITH THE KITE
POSITIONED DOWNWIND

JUST OFF THE SHORELINE,

IT'S TIME TO GET IT AIRBORNE.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN TRY

AND GET THIS THING
LAUNCHED FROM THE WATER.

THE WIND IS UP,
AND THE LINE'S TIGHT.

GIVE IT A GOOD PULL.

BUT THE FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS
DON'T WORK.

ON MY THIRD TRY,
I CATCH IT JUST RIGHT.

SUCCESS.

THERE WE GO. UP IT GOES.

WHOA.

WHOA.

THAT WAS MORE LUCK
THAN ANYTHING.

AND THIS IS A MUCH MORE
EFFICIENT WAY TO CROSS A LAKE

THAN TRYING TO PADDLE
FOR MILES.

I KIND OF GOT TO SIT
RIGHT OUT IN FRONT HERE

SO I CAN JAM MY FEET IN
TO BRACE MYSELF,

AND IT DOESN'T FEEL

LIKE I'M MOVING VERY FAST
THROUGH THE WATER,

BUT THE WIND MUST BE
AT LEAST 10 MILES AN HOUR

TO KEEP THIS KITE FLYING,

AND THAT'S MUCH FASTER
THAN I'D BE ABLE TO PADDLE.

WHOO-HA!

COME ON, WIND, KEEP GOING.
DON'T DIE ON ME.

THE WIND'S DROPPING,
BUT THAT'S NOT MY ONLY PROBLEM.

THIS CANOE IS DEFINITELY
STARTING TO FILL UP WITH WATER.

IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT HALF FULL
AT THE MOMENT,

BUT I'M HOPING
IT'S GONNA HANG OUT

UNTIL I REACH
THE SHORE OVER THERE.

IT'S ALSO BECOMING
MUCH LESS STABLE IN THE WATER.

I'M FIGHTING A BATTLE
ON EACH FRONT HERE

TRYING TO KEEP THE KITE UP

AND THE BOAT --
AND THE BOAT LEVEL.

[ GRUNTING ]

WE WERE SO CLOSE
TO THE SHORELINE, AS WELL.

I'VE CAPSIZED MY CANOE
IN A GIANT FREEZING LAKE.

NOW I'VE GOT
TO SWIM FOR THE SHORE.

IF IT WASN'T FOR THE CAPSIZE,

THIS WOULD'VE BEEN
A PERFECT PLAN.

WELL, THAT WOULD'VE SAVED YOU,
I RECKON,

PROBABLY ABOUT 20 MILES

TRYING TO WALK
AROUND ALL OF THAT SHORELINE.

THE DOWNSIDE IS THAT I'M COLD

AND THE SUN'S GETTING LOW
IN THE SKY.

NOW I NEED TO GET MOVING
AND GET WARM.

OKAY.

MONTANA IS KNOWN
AS BIG SKY COUNTRY,

AND ONCE YOU'RE
OUT IN THE OPEN,

IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY.

THE SUN'S GETTING LOW,

AND THE TEMPERATURE'S STARTING
TO DROP FAST.

TIME TO LEAVE
THIS EXPOSED PLAIN

AND HEAD INTO THE TREES
TO FIND SHELTER.

WITH LIGHT FADING,

I CATCH A GLIMPSE
OF HUMAN HABITATION.

AN OLD DESERTED BUILDING
OF SOME SORT --

MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE

JUST TO TRY TO GET SHELTER
AND GET WARM AND DRY.

IT'S REALLY QUITE EERIE
IN THERE.

OLD HOMESTEADS LIKE THIS
LITTER THE LANDSCAPE.

MANY WERE ABANDONED
IN THE 19th CENTURY

AS PEOPLE MIGRATED WEST.

OH, COME ON.
OH, THERE WE GO NICELY.

MY FIRST PRIORITY IS FIRE.

ONCE WARM, I CAN EXPLORE
THE BUILDING.

OKAY, FEEL A BIT MORE HUMAN
WITH THAT.

AND IT'S GOT DARK FAST,

AND THIS PART OF THE ROCKIES

SEES MASSIVE
TEMPERATURE CHANGES.

NOW, THIS IS VERY WELCOME.

WELL, YOU KNOW,
IF I MAKE SOME SORT OF TORCH,

AND THIS DERELICT BUILDING
WORKS OUT,

NO REASON WHY I CAN'T MAKE
SHELTER IN THERE.

A LIVE ASPEN BRANCH IS
PERFECT FOR MY TORCH,

AS THE GREEN WOOD WON'T BURN.

NOW ALL I NEED DO IS SPLIT
THE TOP OF THIS ONE WAY

AND THEN THE OTHER.

AND THEN YOU GET
FOUR PRONGS LIKE THAT.

AND JUST STUFF IT
WITH LOADS OF DEAD TWIGS.

JAM A BIT OF THIS PINE RESIN
IN AS WELL.

IT'S GONNA HELP IT BURN.

OKAY. LET'S GO AND HAVE A LOOK
IN THIS PLACE.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

AS I START THE SEARCH, I HEAR
THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER.

THERE'S A STORM ON THE WAY.

MAN, LOOK AT THAT WIND
SUDDENLY COMING IN.

BUT THE STORM
IS NOT MY ONLY PROBLEM.

WELL, THAT --
THOSE ARE BEAR-CLAW MARKS.

AND YOU CAN SEE IT'S JUST BEEN
RIPPING DOWN THERE --

PROBABLY BEARS THAT HAVE BEEN
TRASHING ALL OF THIS.

THIS REGION HAS A LARGE
POPULATION OF GRIZZLIES,

WHO ARE CONSIDERED
BY SOME EXPERTS

TO BE THE MOST AGGRESSIVE
SPECIES OF BEAR.

WELL, AT LEAST WE GET SOME
PROTECTION FROM BEARS UP HERE.

DOESN'T FEEL VERY STABLE,
THOUGH.

IT'S DRY UP HERE IN THE ATTIC,
BUT IT'S FAR FROM COZY.

AND THIS WILLOW IS GREAT
FOR SLEEPING ON.

IT'S REALLY GOOD AND SPRINGY.

IT'S LIKE NATURE'S MATTRESS.

REACHING UP
ON THEIR HIND LEGS,

A GRIZZLY
COULD GET ME FROM HERE.

WHAT I NEED IS
AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM.

I'M GONNA USE PARACORD
TO MAKE A TRIP WIRE

WHICH WILL RUN RIGHT ACROSS
THE DOORS AND WINDOWS.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'LL DO.

I'VE TIED AN OLD PITCHFORK
TO THE WIRE

AND PUT A SECTION OF STOVEPIPE
ON THE GROUND.

THIS IS JUST GONNA ACT
AS LIKE -- LIKE A TRIP WIRE,

SO IF ANYTHING COMES IN THROUGH
THE WINDOWS OR THE DOORS,

IT'S GONNA TRIGGER THIS...

AND KNOCK ALL OF THAT TIN,

AND THEN I'LL KNOW
ALL ABOUT IT.

SEE, THE WEATHER'S DEFINITELY
WORSENING OUTSIDE, ANYWAY,

WHICH MEANS
IT'S EVEN MORE LIKELY

THAT ANIMALS ARE GONNA BE
SEEKING A BIT OF REFUGE IN HERE.

GET BACK UP INTO THAT LOFT.

WITH BEARS IN NEIGHBORHOOD,
COOKING IN CAMP IS RISKY.

THEIR SENSE OF SMELL

IS SEVEN TIMES STRONGER
THAN A BLOODHOUND,

AND THEY CAN FOLLOW THE SCENT
OF A ROTTING CARCASS

FOR MORE THAN TWO MILES.

[ CLATTERING ]

OKAY.

I CAN HEAR A NOISE BELOW.

IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS,

YOU CAN'T AFFORD
TO TAKE ANY CHANCES.

I NEED TO CHECK THIS OUT.

SOMETHING JUST CAME THROUGH
THE WINDOW DOWNSTAIRS.

ALL OF THOSE TIN CANS
HAVE GONE.

THERE, THERE, LOOK.
THERE, LOOK, IN THE CORNER.

WHAT IS THAT?

IT'S ONLY A RACCOON.

THE NOISE AND THE TORCH
DRIVE HIM BACK OUT,

BUT HE'S TRIGGERED
MY WARNING SYSTEM.

I NEED TO GET DOWN THERE
TO RESET IT.

HANG ON,
THAT'S ON FIRE DOWN THERE.

WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED,

I RESET THE TRIP WIRE AND GET
BACK UP INTO THE RAFTERS.

HERE, LET ME PASS YOU THAT.

YOU GOT IT?

YOU CAN HAND ME THAT.

FIRE AND A RACCOON.

I JUST WANT TO GET BACK...
TO SLEEP AGAIN.

EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

I'M IN AN OLD,
DESERTED HOMESTEAD

IN THE SHADOW
OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

MORNING IN THE ROCKIES
AFTER A THUNDERSTORM

IS ABOUT THE MOST SPECTACULAR
PLACE YOU'LL EVER SEE.

JUST BEAUTIFUL.

AND A NICE TIME JUST TO WARM UP
BEFORE GETTING GOING,

AND ALSO TRY
AND FRESHEN UP A BIT.

OUT IN THE WILD,
WASHING AND PERSONAL ADMIN

ARE NOT ONLY IMPORTANT
FOR YOUR HYGIENE,

BUT THEY SERVE
AS A MORALE BOOSTER

AND HELP TO LIFT THE SPIRITS.

I'VE GOT SOME
OF THIS ALDER BRANCH.

IT'S LIKE NATURE'S TOOTHBRUSH.

YOU CAN RECOGNIZE IT BECAUSE
IT'S THE ONLY DECIDUOUS TREE.

IT'S GOT THESE LITTLE CONES
ON IT HERE.

ALL YOU GOT TO DO --

CHEW THE END...
TO ROUGH IT UP A BIT, LIKE THAT,

THEN USE THAT
TO REALLY GET IN YOUR TEETH

AND GIVE THEM A CLEAN.

AND THEN I GOT A BIT
OF THIS MULLEIN.

THAT'S ALSO KNOWN
AS COWBOY LOO PAPER.

REALLY VELVETY, SOFT LEAVES --
PERFECT.

BUT YOU ARE NOT GETTING A DEMO
OF THAT ONE.

IN THE LIGHT OF DAY,

THIS HOMESTEAD SEEMS
A LOT MORE INVITING.

BUT IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON.

FEELS KIND OF WEIRD
LEAVING THIS OLD HOMESTEAD.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOMETHING...
HOMELY ABOUT IT

THAT KIND OF HALF SUGGESTS

THAT THERE
SHOULD BE PEOPLE NEARBY,

EVEN THOUGH
IT'S REALLY DILAPIDATED.

ON THE OUTSKIRTS
OF THE HOMESTEAD,

I FIND AN OLD TELEGRAPH POLE.

THIS WOULD USUALLY OFFER
THE SURVIVOR A GLIMMER OF HOPE,

BUT OUT HERE, SIGNS
OF CIVILIZATION MEAN NOTHING.

NORMALLY, THIS WOULDN'T BE
A BAD THING TO FOLLOW.

BEING OUT HERE, LOOK,
JUST DOESN'T LEAD ANYWHERE --

JUST GOES STRAIGHT BACK
INTO THE GROUND.

THERE'S BOUND TO BE
SOME DIFFICULT TERRAIN AHEAD,

AND THIS STUFF IS TOO GOOD
TO LEAVE BEHIND.

NOT AS GOOD AS ROPE,
A LOT OF THIS WIRE,

BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING.

SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS DOWN.

JUST WATCH YOURSELF, THERE.

SO ROTTEN, LOOK.
OKAY, WATCH OUT.

I'M COLLECTING
50 FOOT OF CABLE.

IT'S STRONG
AND REMARKABLY LIGHT.

NOW TO GET OUT OF THE TREES
AND BACK ONTO OPEN GROUND.

I NEED TO GET MY BEARINGS
AND HEAD TOWARDS THE PLAINS.

YOU CAN SEE A VERY CLEAR
ANIMAL TRACK AROUND HERE.

AND IT'S PROBABLY USED BY DEER,
ELK, MAYBE EVEN BEAR, AS WELL.

ALSO, GENERALLY
THEY'RE GONNA FOLLOW

THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE.

SO, TRYING TO WORK YOUR WAY
THROUGH DIFFICULT TERRAIN,

IT'S A GOOD THING TO FOLLOW.

LET'S PICK UP THE PACE
A BIT HERE.

AN OLD DEER ANTLER --
ALWAYS WORTH TAKING.

THE TRAIL IS TAKING ME
BACK INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

I NEED TO LEAVE IT BEHIND,

BUT THAT MEANS
CROSSING TOUGH GROUND.

I ARRIVE AT A GULLY. AT FIRST
IT'S A SIMPLE SCRAMBLE.

BUT SOON THE SLOPE GETS STEEPER

AND THE DESCENT
MUCH MORE OF A CHALLENGE.

BUT I WANT TO GET DOWN.

IN THE VALLEY BOTTOM
IS AN OPENING.

IT'S A MINE SHAFT.
I WANT TO CHECK IT OUT.

LOWER DOWN, THE SLOPE
IS COVERED WITH LOOSE SCREE.

STOP. HEY!

WHEW.

YIPE, THAT'S A BIT FASTER
THAN I INTENDED.

CHECK THIS OUT, THOUGH.

LOOKING AT THE STATE OF IT,

IT'S OBVIOUS THIS MINE
HASN'T BEEN USED FOR YEARS.

I'VE STILL GOT SOME PINE RESIN
AND A HALF-BURNT TORCH.

IT'S WORTH
TAKING A LOOK INSIDE.

THERE COULD BE
VALUABLE RESOURCES IN THERE.

NOW, YOU GOT TO BE SO CAREFUL
WITH OLD MINE SHAFTS LIKE THIS.

AND THEY CAN BE SUPER UNSTABLE
AND DANGEROUS.

OKAY, LET'S GO.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO KNOCK THIS.

GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW MUCH OF
THE MOUNTAIN THAT'S HOLDING UP.

THERE IS DEBRIS EVERYWHERE.

THIS MINE IS MORE DANGEROUS
THAN I FIRST THOUGHT.

THAT'S JUST CRAZY.

YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE
OF THE ROOF

HAS JUST COLLAPSED
ON TOP OF ALL THOSE BEAMS.

WOULDN'T WANT TO BE
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT.

LET'S HAVE A QUICK JUST GOING
AROUND AND GET OUT OF HERE.

I FIND SOME RUSTY CHAIN
ON SOME FREESTANDING TIMBER.

I CHECK ABOVE
TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT ATTACHED

TO THE SUPPORTING ROOF BEAMS.

THAT'S PROBABLY WORTH TAKING.

SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS OFF.

HEY, WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT,
WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT.

AND I'VE GOT IT.

AH.

THAT WAS CLOSE,
BUT THIS COULD COME IN HANDY.

[ COUGHING ]

DAYLIGHT.

SOON THE ADRENALINE
STOPS PUMPING.

GOD, I DIDN'T NOTICE HOW --

QUITE HOW MUCH
THIS FINGER WAS BLEEDING

WHEN I CAUGHT IT
GOING INTO THE MINE.

TRYING TO USE A BIT
OF THIS PINE RESIN

JUST TO PUT OVER THE CUT
AND SEAL IT.

THE LAST THING I WANT IS FOR
THAT TO GET INFECTED OUT HERE.

THAT'S GONNA HELP COVER IT,
SEAL IT FROM ANY NASTIES.

OKAY. LET'S KEEP GOING.

AS I TRAVEL
TOWARDS THE VALLEY BOTTOM,

I'M REMINDED OF HOW EXTREME
THIS PLACE CAN BE.

THERE'S A DEEP RAVINE AHEAD.

AT 150 FOOT DEEP,
IT'S A FORMIDABLE OBSTACLE.

THE ROCK ON THE CLIFF

LOOKS FAR TOO UNSTABLE
TO ATTEMPT A DOWNCLIMB.

BUT I'VE GOT A PLAN.

IF I CAN SOMEHOW MAKE,
LIKE, A GRAPPLING HOOK,

THROW THAT INTO THE TREE,
AND GET THE WIRE ACROSS,

AND MAKE LIKE A ZIP LINE
FROM HERE TO THERE

AND THEN JUST CLIMB DOWN THAT.

OH, BOY,
THIS IS WHERE THE FUN STARTS.

I'M IN MONTANA,
FACED WITH A DEEP RAVINE,

AND I NEED
TO FIND A WAY ACROSS.

I PLAN TO USE MY CABLE
TO CREATE A ZIP LINE

FROM THE CLIFF TO A TREE
THAT I CAN THEN CLIMB DOWN.

BUT FIRST I'VE GOT TO GET
THE CABLE OVER THERE.

AND THIS ANTLER'S
GONNA BE GOOD TO USE

JUST BECAUSE IT'S LIGHT.

IT'S GOT TO BE THROWN
FOR ABOUT 50 FOOT TO THAT TREE.

IT'S STRONG. IT'S GOT
THESE NATURAL HOOKS ON IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA USE
AS THE GRAPPLING BIT OF IT.

IT'S ACTUALLY VERY STRONG, THIS.

BUT IT'S GONNA NEED TO BE.

THE CABLE'S TOO HEAVY
TO THROW STRAIGHT ACROSS.

INSTEAD, I'M GONNA THROW
THE GRAPPLING HOOK FIRST

WITH JUST A LOOP
OF PARACORD ATTACHED.

THEN I CAN PULL THE CABLE
INTO PLACE.

HERE WE GO.

BULL'S EYE.

WHOO-HOO.

GOT TO BE CAUGHT
AROUND THAT BRANCH.

THE GRAPPLE'S IN PLACE.
NOW TO PULL THE CABLE THROUGH.

HECK, YEAH,
THAT'S WORKING NICELY.

ALMOST BACK. YEP.

BUMPER.

THE CABLE'S LOCKED IN PLACE,
AND I'VE GOT MY ZIP LINE.

BUT THE ANGLE OF THE LINE
IS VERY STEEP.

AND WITH A DROP OF 150 FOOT,

I WANT TO MAKE SURE
I NOT ONLY STAY ON THE LINE

BUT THAT I ALSO CONTROL
MY DESCENT.

FIRST TAKE A TURN
AROUND THE TREE HERE.

AND THEN I CAN JUST PAY THAT OUT
BEHIND ME.

THEN AN IMPROVISED HARNESS

TO KEEP ME ATTACHED
TO THE CABLE

EVEN IF I LOSE MY BALANCE.

SO YOU GOT
ONE LONG LOOP LIKE THIS,

AND THEN ALL YOU DO --

PUT IT AROUND YOURSELF...

JUST LIKE THAT.

HOLD IT THERE.

REACH BETWEEN YOUR LEGS,
THEN PULL IT UP.

AND THAT THEN LOCKS
AT THREE POINTS.

USE ONE OF THE PARAGLIDER
CARABINERS THROUGH THERE.

I'VE GOT A REALLY GOOD
IMPROVISED HARNESS THERE.

AND NEXT, GONNA PUT
THE RUCKSACK ON MY FRONT

TO PROTECT MY CHEST
FROM THE WIRE.

HANG ON --

I'M ALSO GONNA PUT MY JACKET

AROUND THAT
WHICH I VALUE MOST.

THAT'S GONNA GIVE ME
SOME PROTECTION THERE.

[ SIGHS ]

KNOW HOW YOU GET THAT FEELING

IN THE PIT OF YOUR STOMACH
OF JUST NERVES?

I'M NEVER QUITE SURE

WHETHER I LOVE THAT FEELING
OR WHETHER I HATE IT.

OKAY.

THIS TRAVERSE IS
ALL ABOUT TWO THINGS,

BALANCE AND NERVE.

AND WHEN YOU'RE NERVOUS,
IT'S HARD TO BALANCE.

I'LL JUST TAKE MY TIME

AND KEEP MY BALANCE ON THIS
QUITE NICELY.

GOT MY FOOT --
I CAN JUST MOVE IT

TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT
TO KEEP THAT BALANCE.

AND THEN JUST TRY
NOT TO LOOK DOWN,

JUST FOCUS ON THE BALANCE,
AND TAKE MY TIME.

AND THAT KEVLAR'S GONE
ABSOLUTELY DRUM TIGHT,

THESE LINES.

BUT THEY'RE HOLDING.

OH, WATCH.

WHOA.

AND I'M STILL
IN A SAFE POSITION HERE.

BUT IF YOU DID
GET OFF THE WIRE LIKE THIS,

THE WAY TO GET BACK ON --

AN OLD COMMANDO TECHNIQUE
CALLED A REGAIN.

YOU GET YOUR SHOULDER OVER,

SWING YOUR LEG UP,
AND THEN DOWN.

[ GRUNTS ]

AND THAT...BRINGS YOU...
BACK ONTO THE TOP.

[ GASPS ]

LET'S NOT HAVE THAT
HAPPEN AGAIN.

BETTER STOP LOOKING DOWN.

WHOO!

THOUGHT MY HEART

WAS GONNA ACTUALLY BURST
OUT OF MY MOUTH...

ALTHOUGH STILL A LONG WAY UP.

I'M 100 FOOT UP, AT THE TOP OF
A PINE TREE IN A DEEP RAVINE.

IT SHOULD BE
AN EASY CLIMB DOWN,

BUT AS IS OFTEN THE CASE,

THINGS AREN'T AS SIMPLE
AS THEY FIRST SEEM.

JUST HAVING A MONKEY GRIP
AROUND THE LAST BIT OF THIS.

[ GRUNTS ]

THAT TURNED
INTO A BIT OF AN EPIC.

WE JUST HAVE TO GET MOVING
DOWN THERE.

WITH THE RAVINE BEHIND ME,
I CAN COVER SOME GROUND.

BUT FIRST, FOOD.

OH, THAT IS A WHOPPER.

WHOO. JEEPERS.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
WORMS ARE GREAT SURVIVAL FOOD.

ALL YOU NEED TO DO
IS SQUEEZE THEM

SO YOU GET ALL OF THE GUNK
OUT OF THEM.

AND SAME FROM THE OTHER END.
THERE YOU GO.

AND THEN THEY'RE
KIND OF GOOD TO EAT.

ON THIS KIND OF THING,

IS IT BETTER TO JUST SWALLOW IT
WHOLE OR CHEW IT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IS IT STILL GONNA WRIGGLE AROUND
INSIDE YOU?

I BETTER JUST SHUT UP
AND EAT IT.

I'M THINK I'M GONNA GO
FOR A SWALLOW WHOLE.

[ SPITS ]

GOOD CALORIES --
ENERGY TO GO.

AS I DROP OUT OF THE TREE LINE
ONTO OPEN GROUND,

I SPOT A BRIDGE.

IT'S A WELCOME SIGHT
BUT NO GUARANTEE OF SALVATION.

IT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD, OLD
RAILWAY BRIDGE OF SOME SORT.

MAN, THAT MUST BE
200 FOOT HIGH AT LEAST.

IN MONTANA,
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF MILES

OF DERELICT TRACK

LEADING TO ABANDONED MINES
AND GHOST TOWNS.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE CONCRETE'S
FALLING APART UP THERE.

MY BEST BET REALLY IS TO TRY
AND GET ON IT AND STICK WITH IT,

SEE WHERE IT GOES.

[ GRUNTS ]

TRY AND PUMP SOME BLOOD

BACK INTO YOUR HANDS
AND THE ARMS.

YOU JUST GOT TO BE 100%
ON EACH HANDHOLD AND FOOTHOLD

WHEN YOU START
GETTING THIS HIGH.

YOU'RE JUST NOT HUMAN
IF YOU DON'T FEEL AFLUTTER.

AFTER AN EPIC CLIMB AND ONLY
15 FOOT SHORT OF THE TOP,

I'M FACED WITH A PROBLEM.

HOW ON EARTH
AM I GONNA GET OVER THIS LIP?

THE CONCRETE LIP IS OVERHANGING
AND OUT OF REACH.

BUT IF I CAN GET MY CHAIN
OVER THE TOP AND SECURE IT,

I MIGHT BE ABLE TO SWING OUT
AND CLIMB UP.

OKAY, I NEED THIS KNOT

TO BE BIG ENOUGH
TO SWING OUT AND OVER THERE

AND TO GET SNAGGED AND HOOKED
ON THAT RAILING.

BUT MY ARMS ARE JUST RUINED
AFTER THE CLIMB.

AAH!

UGH.

I ALMOST CAUGHT THIS ONE.

I'M BALANCED ON ONE FOOT,
HOLDING ON WITH ONE HAND...

HEY!

...AND TRYING TO SWING
A 30-POUND CHAIN ABOVE MY HEAD.

JUST NEEDS
A BIT MORE LENGTH THERE.

AAH!

IT'S CAUGHT.
IT IS CAUGHT.

OKAY.

IT'S OFFICIALLY TIME
FOR A COURAGE PILL.

I'M UP.

I CAN STILL SEE
MY HANDS SHAKING.

THESE TRACKS ARE SHINY.

THAT MEANS
THEY'RE STILL IN USE.

I'M GONNA FOLLOW THEM,
BUT BEWARE.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THEM FOR DAYS
WITH NO SIGN OF LIFE.

THROUGH --
STRAIGHT THROUGH THIS TUNNEL.

IT'LL BE QUICKER AND EASIER
THAN GOING OVER IT, AS WELL.

LET'S GET THROUGH.

BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A RISK

WALKING INTO A RAILWAY TUNNEL
THIS NARROW.

HANG ON. STOP. STOP.

THE TRACKS ARE VIBRATING.
THERE'S A TRAIN COMING.

[ TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING ]

WE NEED TO MOVE.
COME ON. COME ON.

GO, GO, GO, GO, GO, GO.

KEEP UP WITH ME! RUN!

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO JUDGE
THE SPEED OF AN ONCOMING TRAIN.

ALL YOU CAN DO IS RUN.

ALMOST THERE. KEEP GOING.
KEEP GOING. KEEP GOING.

AAH!

WE CAN MAKE IT!

THE WILDERNESS IN MONTANA

HAS PROVED
TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

FROM THE MOUNTAIN PEAKS
TO THE DESOLATE PLAINS,

IT'S A PLACE THAT TESTS
THE MIND AND BODY

IN EQUAL MEASURE.

AND MY BODY AND MIND
HAVE SURVIVED.

I'M OUT OF HERE.