Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 4, Episode 5 - Alaska - 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 ALASKA...

...TACKLING
TREACHEROUS GLACIERS...

WHOA!

IF THAT GOES ON US,

IT'S BASICALLY THE WEIGHT
OF A CAR.



...FIGHTING MY WAY
ACROSS WILD WATER POOLS...

SQUEEZE MY SPUDS,
THIS IS COLD.

...AND TAKING
TO THE HIGH SEAS...

WHALE!

...WITH SOME OF THE LARGEST
CREATURES ON THE PLANET.

NOW, THAT'S COMING FAST.

ALASKA IS THE LARGEST STATE
IN THE U.S.,

OVER HALF A MILLION
SQUARE MILES OF WILDERNESS.

IT'S MORE REMOTE
AND LESS POPULATED

THAN ANYWHERE IN THE STATES.

FOR ADVENTURERS LIKE ME,
IT'S TRULY THE LAST FRONTIER.

I'M BEING DROPPED
DEEP INTO THE WILDERNESS

BY THE ALASKA
AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

AND THESE GUYS ARE PART
OF ONE OF THE BUSIEST



SEARCH-AND-RESCUE OPERATIONS
IN THE U.S.

LAST YEAR ALONE,
THEY FLEW 68 VICTIMS

AND SAVED OVER 50 LIVES.

WITH 30,000 SQUARE MILES
OF PERMANENT ICE,

WINTER SNOWS OF UP TO 40 FOOT,

AND ONE OF THE LARGEST
POPULATIONS

OF BLACK AND GRIZZLY BEARS
IN THE WORLD,

ALASKA IS THE ULTIMATE
SURVIVAL CHALLENGE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GET LOST
OUT HERE,

BUT IF YOU DO,

THESE ARE THE GUYS WHO
WILL BE LOOKING TO GET YOU OUT.

BUT TODAY'S FLIGHT
IS NO RESCUE MISSION.

ITS PURPOSE -- TO DEPLOY ME
INTO HARSH GLACIER TERRAIN

HIGH UP
IN THE CHUGACH MOUNTAINS.

I PLAN TO RAPPEL.

AS A COMBAT CHOPPER,

THIS PAVE HAWK
IS THE IDEAL PLATFORM

FOR A RAPID INSERTION.

I'M 80 FOOT UP,
AND THE ONLY WAY IS DOWN.

I'M SAFELY ON THE DECK,

AND THE HELICOPTER
IS OUT OF HERE.

WE'RE QUITE HIGH UP
IN THE MOUNTAINS, LOOK.

AND THAT IS A PROPER
ALASKAN MOUNTAIN VIEW.

GOD, FIRST THING YOU NOTICE
IS JUST HOW COLD IT IS UP HERE.

YOU KNOW, WE LEFT THE BASE
AT SEA LEVEL.

BUT UP HERE, WE'RE ABOUT 4,000
OR 5,000 FEET.

IT'S A DIFFERENT BALL GAME.

EVERY 1,000 FOOT YOU DROP,

TEMPERATURES RISE
ABOUT FIVE DEGREES.

SO IT COULD BE 25 DEGREES
WARMER AT SEA LEVEL.

EVEN BETTER, MOST ALASKANS
LIVE NEAR THE COAST,

SO IF YOU GET STUCK OUT HERE,
YOUR BEST PLAN

IS TO HEAD FOR THE SEA.

BUT IN THIS HARSH PLACE,

GETTING THERE
IS NEVER GONNA BE EASY.

MY BEST ROUTE OFF THIS MOUNTAIN

IS TO HEAD
FOR THE VAST GLACIER BELOW,

BUT THAT MEANS CROSSING
A DANGEROUS SCREE SLOPE.

THE FROST-SHATTERED ROCK
IS HARD, SHARP,

AND TREACHEROUS UNDERFOOT.

GETTING ONTO THE GLACIER
WILL BE NO WALK IN THE PARK.

DON'T LIKE THE LOOK
OF THIS STUFF AT ALL.

THERE YOU SEE IT'S JUST ALL
FREE-FLOATING, BROKEN ICE.

KIND OF LIKE LOTS OF MINI,
LITTLE ICEBERGS HERE.

BUT THEY ARE GONNA BE
SUPER UNSTABLE.

IT'S ONLY ABOUT 100 METERS,
LOOK, ACROSS THE MAIN GLACIER.

MIGHT HAVE TO BE A CASE OF BEING
A BIT LIGHT-FOOTED ON IT.

OKAY.

HERE WE GO, TWINKLE TOES.

BECAUSE IT'S LESS DENSE
THAN WATER, ICE FLOATS.

THESE SMALL BERGS
SHOULD SUPPORT MY WEIGHT.

BUT THERE'S NO WAY OF TELLING
HOW STABLE THEY'RE GONNA BE.

WHOO! JUST!

OKAY, COME ON. GIVE ME YOUR HAND
THIS LAST BIT.

ONE, TWO, THREE.

GOOD. GOOD.
AND AGAIN.

NICE.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOT TO COMMIT
TO THESE THINGS.

OKAY, NEXT LITTLE BIT.

YOU SEE HOW UNDERCUT
ALL THIS STUFF IS.

YOU DON'T KNOW
WHETHER WHAT YOU'RE STANDING ON

IS JUST GONNA DROP YOU
STRAIGHT IN THE DRINK

OR IT'S GONNA BE SOLID.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO END UP

FREEZING COLD
IN THIS WATER UP HERE.

THIS WATER WILL REFREEZE
AT NIGHT,

AND BY DAY, IT WILL BE
ONLY JUST ABOVE ZERO.

IT'S LIKE
I'VE CROSSED A MINEFIELD

AND NOW I'M ONTO SOLID ICE.

ALASKA'S HOME TO MORE THAN HALF
THE WORLD'S GLACIERS --

OVER 100,000 OF THEM.

IN EARLY SUMMER, WHEN
THEY'RE MELTING AND MOVING,

THEN THEY'RE
AT THEIR MOST DANGEROUS.

IT'S NO PLACE TO HANG AROUND.

IT'S GETTING QUITE TRICKY,
THIS BIT.

ESPECIALLY WITHOUT...
PROPER CRAMPONS OR ICE AXES.

WHEN MOVING ICE SLOWS
AT THE EDGE OF GLACIERS,

IT TEARS AND RUPTURES,

FORMING CREVASSES WITH STEEP
SIDES AND DEADLY DEEP HOLLOWS.

FALL IN HERE,
AND YOU'RE NOT COMING OUT.

UGH!

OH, MAN, THIS ICE
IS JUST TREACHEROUS.

LET'S GET SAFE HERE
AND ASSESS WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.

SEE, THIS CREVASSE HERE NARROWS

AS IT GOES DOWN
INTO A CHOKE POINT.

I RECKON
IF I CAN RAPPEL DOWN TO THAT

AND THEN JUST EDGE MY WAY ALONG.

THERE, YOU SEE WHERE IT LEADS,

ALL THE WAY AROUND THE BOTTOM
TO THAT, LIKE, FUNNEL.

I NEED TO ANCHOR MY ROPE,

AND THE ANSWER
IS AN ICE BOLLARD.

BUT I NEED TO WORK FAST.

THE SUN IS HIGH, AND ALL
THE ICE AROUND HERE IS MELTING.

IN SUMMERTIME, A LOT
OF ALL THIS SURFACE ICE YOU SEE

IS REALLY LOOSE AND CRUMBLY.

IT'S BASICALLY JUST MELTING.

YOU NEED TO GET THROUGH THAT
TO MORE SOLID STUFF,

ESPECIALLY IF YOUR LIFE
IS DEPENDING ON IT.

I'VE HUNG ON
TO MY RAPPELLING ROPE

FOR JUST THIS KIND
OF SITUATION.

GOOD THING
ABOUT DOING IT LIKE THIS

IS THAT IT MEANS
THE ROPE IS RETRIEVABLE.

THE BOLLARD LOOKS SOLID, BUT
YOU ALWAYS HAVE THAT DOUBT --

WILL THE ICE HOLD?

ACTUALLY, WHAT WORRIES ME MORE
AT THE MOMENT

IS THIS BIG BLOCK HERE.

AND IF THAT GOES ON US,

IT'S BASICALLY THE WEIGHT
OF A CAR.

WE NEED TO GET MOVING
THROUGH HERE

AND NOT REALLY STOP.

SHARP, HURRIED MOVEMENTS
COULD DISLODGE THE BOLLARD.

SEEMS TO BE HOLDING
AT THE MOMENT.

BUT THE LONGER
IT'S FORCED TO TAKE MY WEIGHT,

THE GREATER THE CHANCE
IT WILL COLLAPSE.

AGH!

YOU SEE THESE BLOCKS
I'M STANDING ON.

THEY'RE ACTING AS, LIKE,
A LITTLE WALKWAY.

SO IF THESE GO,

WE'RE JUST GONNA GET
JAMMED DOWN THIS THING.

IF YOU GET TRAPPED DOWN HERE,

YOUR CHANCES OF GETTING OUT
ARE ALMOST ZERO.

OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING
DOWN THIS.

THE MOVEMENT OF MELTWATER

HAS FORMED
A LABYRINTH OF TUNNELS.

THESE COULD BE MY WAY OUT.

UGH!

NOT A GOOD PLACE TO BE IF YOU'RE
A LITTLE BIT CLAUSTROPHOBIC.

NOW, ALL OF THIS REALLY
IS JUST A SNOW BRIDGE

OVER A CREVASSE
THAT'S FILLED IN.

IT SHOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH.

THE FROZEN BODIES OF CLIMBERS

HAVE BEEN DISGORGED
FROM GLACIERS

DECADES AFTER THEY WERE CAUGHT
IN ICE VISES LIKE THIS.

SO I'M LOOKING FOR
THE QUICKEST ROUTE OUT OF HERE.

WE'RE GETTING TO DAYLIGHT HERE.

SEE IF WE CAN PUNCH
THROUGH SOME OF THIS.

THE WORLD BEYOND MY GLACIER
DUNGEON IS TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE,

BUT THERE'S AN ICE WALL
TO GET THROUGH.

IT'S TOO THICK TO PUNCH,
SO I'M GONNA USE MY FEET.

THE ICE HAS GIVEN WAY
JUST ENOUGH,

BUT THIS IS GONNA BE
A REALLY TIGHT SQUEEZE.

BUT I'M THROUGH,

AND NOW I CAN SEE
MY ROUTE OFF THE GLACIER.

WHEW! ALL RIGHT.

...THE END OF THE GLACIER.

AND THE GREEN OF THE ALASKAN
FOREST DOWN THERE JUST...

THAT'S WHERE
I WANT TO BE HEADING.

AND I CAN'T WAIT
TO GET OFF THE ICE.

I'M IN ALASKA,

WADING THROUGH THE MOST
NORTHERN FORESTS IN THE U.S. --

5,000 SQUARE MILES
OF SUBPOLAR RAINFOREST,

THE NARROW STRIP BETWEEN

THE ICY ALPINE ZONE
I'VE JUST LEFT BEHIND

AND THE OCEAN --
THAT'S WHERE I'M HEADING.

IT'S A LARGE AREA
OF WILDERNESS,

BUT IT SEEMS I'M NOT ALONE.

THERE'S BEAR POO.

AND THESE ALASKAN FORESTS ARE
JUST TEEMING WITH BLACK BEARS.

THESE GUYS CAN GROW
UP TO 7 FOOT TALL, 900 POUNDS.

EVEN THOUGH
THAT'S SMALLER THAN GRIZZLIES,

IN MANY WAYS,
THEY'RE LESS PREDICTABLE,

WHICH MAKES THEM
ALSO MORE DANGEROUS.

BLACK BEARS HAVE ALSO BEEN KNOWN
TO TRACK HUMANS,

SO IF YOU GET A RIVER LIKE THIS
AND YOU CAN'T GET ACROSS,

CRISSCROSSING'S GONNA HELP
TO BREAK YOUR SCENT TRAIL.

OKAY, LET'S GET DOWN THERE.

BLACK BEARS KILL MORE PEOPLE
IN THE U.S. THAN GRIZZLIES.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE
I'M NOT EASY PREY.

AND THESE FALLEN TREES ARE KEY.

GONNA ACTUALLY USE THIS ONE
TO GET ACROSS.

YOU CAN SEE WE'RE DEFINITELY
GETTING FURTHER DOWNSTREAM.

THERE'S A HUGE AMOUNT MORE WATER
GOING DOWN THIS. LOOK.

OKAY, LET'S EDGE OUT ONTO THIS.

I WANT TO TEST MY MAKESHIFT
BRIDGE BEFORE COMMITTING.

THE LOG SEEMS SOLID...

...BUT THEN DISASTER.

GOD, I HATE IT
WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

THAT WAS VERY, VERY CLOSE.

YOU KNOW, YOU THINK
SOMETHING'S SOLID,

AND THEN IT'S JUST ROTTEN.

YOU CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING
FOR GRANTED OUT HERE.

WHEW!

GO INTO THAT, WITH
THAT MUCH WATER COMING DOWN,

YOU'RE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.

WE NEED TO FIND A DIFFERENT WAY
ACROSS THIS.

BY CONTINUALLY CROSSING
THE RIVER,

I'LL BREAK MY SCENT TRAIL.

JUST DOWNSTREAM,
THERE'S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY.

WE CAN DEFINITELY USE THIS ONE
TO GET ACROSS.

THE THING IS
IT IS QUITE A THIN ONE

AND VERY SLIPPY IN THIS WET.

ACTUALLY, WE'LL MAKE THIS
MUCH SIMPLER.

HERE.

IMPROVISATION IS KEY
IN ANY SURVIVAL SITUATION.

I RECKON I CAN MAKE MY RUCKSACK
INTO A HARNESS

AND USE THE SUPERSLIPPERY TREE
AS A FORM OF ZIP LINE.

OKAY, LET'S GIVE THIS A GO.

WHOO!

WELL, THAT WORKED!
COME ACROSS.

NOW TO GET THE CREW ACROSS.

THAT'S IT. I GOT IT.

OKAY.

WHEN WE USED TO PLAN THINGS
IN THE SPECIAL FORCES,

PEOPLE OFTEN USED TO TALK ABOUT
THE LETTERS "KISS,"

WHICH STOOD FOR
"KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID."

AND THAT WAS SIMPLE,
BUT IT WORKED PERFECTLY.

OKAY, LET'S GET GOING.

IN THICK WOODLAND,
YOU MUST NEVER DROP YOUR GUARD.

BLACK BEARS ARE ACTIVE
AT THIS TIME OF YEAR,

FEEDING ON GREEN FOREST SHOOTS
EXPOSED BY THE SNOWMELT.

BUT THEY'RE
OPPORTUNISTIC HUNTERS

AND ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR TASTIER FARE.

SO I'M GONNA KEEP CROSSING THIS
RIVER AS I HEAD DOWNSTREAM.

GONNA USE ONE OF THESE DEADFALLS
JUST TO GET ACROSS IT.

THESE LARGE DEADFALL LOGS
HAVE BEEN BROUGHT DOWN

BY WINTER SNOWS
AND MELT-SEASON FLOODWATERS.

WE GOT A LOT OF PRESSURE
OF WATER DOWN THERE.

MAKE SURE YOU KEEP A HAND
TO YOURSELF.

IN THIS NARROW CHANNEL,
THE CURRENT IS VERY STRONG.

[ WATER RUSHING LOUDLY ]

WITH GREASY ROCK UNDERFOOT,

IT WOULD BE EASY
TO LOSE YOUR FOOTING

AND BE SWEPT OFF DOWNSTREAM.

BUT BY USING THIS DEADFALL
AS A CLIMBING ROPE,

I MAKE IT ACROSS.

NOW TO COVER SOME GROUND.

KIND OF HALF HOPING THIS RIVER

WOULD BE FULL OF SALMON
HEADING UPSTREAM TO SPAWN.

'CAUSE WHEN THEY'RE RUNNING,

THIS WHOLE RIVER
WOULD JUST BE TEEMING.

THEY'RE RACING UP
THROUGH THE WHITEWATER.

THE BEARS JUST PLUCK THEM UP.

BUT NOT TODAY,

WHICH MEANS I NEED ANOTHER WAY
OF FINDING SOMETHING TO EAT.

AND THERE MIGHT BE
OTHER FOOD SOURCES NEARBY.

THE TERRAIN
IS FLATTENING OUT HERE,

WHICH MEANS
I'M NEARING THE COAST.

WELL, THIS IS THE POINT
WHERE ALL THAT GLACIAL WATER

RUNS DOWN THE RIVER
AND THEN HITS THE COAST.

THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

AND, LOOK,
YOU SEE IT'S TIDAL HERE.

LOOK ACROSS IT,
YOU CAN SEE THE ACTUAL SEAWEED

ON THE HIGH-TIDE MARK
OVER THERE.

WHAT I WANT TO DO
IS NOW FOLLOW THIS COASTLINE

AND SEE WHERE I GET TO.

COME ON, THEN.

ALASKA HAS MORE SHORELINE

THAN ALL THE OTHER U.S. STATES
COMBINED,

AROUND 40,000 MILES OF IT,

SO THIS COULD BE A LONG WALK.

BUT THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY
OF OPPORTUNITIES

TO FIND SOME SEAFOOD.

THERE ARE LOADS
OF THESE LIMPETS HERE.

SEE THESE GUYS?

LITTLE SHELLS STUCK TO THE ROCK.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY EAT THESE RAW.

ALL YOU'VE GOT TO DO
IS KNOCK THEM OFF.

AND WHAT THEY DO, THEY STICK
TO THE ROCK AT LOW TIDE,

AND WHEN THE TIDE'S IN,

THEY MOVE AROUND AND THEY GRAZE
OFF ALL THE ALGAE.

LIMPETS CLAMP DOWN ONTO
THE ROCK USING A MUSCULAR FOOT,

WHICH IS THE MAIN EDIBLE PART
OF THIS GASTROPOD.

YOU'RE LEFT WITH JUST THAT.

AND THAT'S FINE TO EAT RAW.

TASTES A BIT LIKE...

VERY SALTY, CHEWY RUBBER.

IT'S A GOOD SNACK,
AND EVERY LITTLE HELPS,

BUT I HEAD FOR SOMETHING

THAT COULD HELP ME CATCH
MUCH BIGGER GAME.

THERE'S A FISHING NET.

NO SURPRISE IN ALASKA, THOUGH.

[ GRUNTS ]

ONE OF THE BIGGEST FISHING
COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD.

THEY GOT THIS SORT OF THING
BLOWING UP WITH STORM SURGES.

BY THE LOOK OF IT --
YES, IT'S NYLON, AS WELL.

GONNA BE GOOD.
IT MEANS IT DOESN'T PERISH.

SO IT'S GONNA BE STRONG.
DEFINITELY WORTH TAKING.

NYLON FISHING NETS
DON'T DEGRADE IN SALTWATER.

IT MAKES THEM
AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD.

BUT FOR ME, THAT DURABILITY
IS AN ADVANTAGE.

IT'S A GOOD FIND, THAT.

BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME
FOR FISHING.

TOWARDS THE END OF THE DAY,

BEARS COME TO THE SHORELINE
TO FEED.

OKAY, LET'S KEEP MOVING.

BETTER TO GO HUNGRY
THAN END UP AS A BEAR SNACK.

I'M HEADING FOR HIGHER GROUND

AND A PLACE TO MAKE CAMP
BEFORE IT GETS TOO LATE.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES OF HAVING
22 HOURS OF DAYLIGHT EVERY DAY

IS JUST YOUR BODY CLOCK
GETS COMPLETELY THROWN OFF.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW
WHEN TO STOP AND TAKE A BREAK.

ONE OF THE GOLDEN RULES
OF SURVIVAL

IS YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE YOURSELF
TIME TO REST AND TO RECOVER.

AND REALLY THEN
IT JUST BECOMES A DISCIPLINE

TO MAKE YOURSELF STOP.

IT'S TIME FOR ME
TO TAKE A BREAK...

...AND THIS LOOKS LIKE
A GOOD PLACE TO REST UP.

ACTUALLY, THIS MIGHT WORK.

YOU KNOW, MY NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY
IS PROTECTION FROM BEARS.

AND WHEN YOU GET A GOOD
OVERHANGING FACE LIKE THIS,

A FEW TREES LEANING AGAINST IT,

AND YOU'VE ALSO GOT
A FISHING NET,

I CAN MAKE MYSELF SOME WAY
OF SLEEPING OFF THE GROUND.

I'VE ALSO STILL GOT MY ROPE,

WHICH WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL PART
IN MY PLAN.

THERE, YOU SEE THIS?

AND THAT [GRUNTS] IS PROBABLY
ABOUT THE WEIGHT OF ONE MAN.

IF WE GET THIS ROPE AROUND IT,

PUT IT THEN UP
OVER ONE OF THOSE TREES

AND DOWN OVER THERE,

IT COULD ACT AS A COUNTERWEIGHT

TO LIFT ME OFF THE GROUND
TO SLEEP.

STANDARD TREE PLATFORM
IS NOT A GOOD OPTION HERE --

BLACK BEARS
ARE EXCELLENT CLIMBERS.

BY USING THIS DESIGN, THERE'LL
BE NO WAY FOR THEM TO CLIMB UP.

ONE ROPE TO SUSPEND
MY FISHNET HAMMOCK

AND A TRIGGER LINE
TO MY ROCK COUNTERWEIGHT.

OKAY, THAT'S ALL PRIMED
AT THIS END,

AND THEN ALL I GOT TO DO
IS MAKE A HAMMOCK

OUT OF ALL OF THIS FISHING NET.

NETS LIKE THIS ARE USED
TO CATCH TONS OF FISH,

SO THIS SHOULD EASILY
TAKE MY WEIGHT.

AND SEAT MYSELF...

IN HERE.

I'M ACTUALLY GONNA PULL THIS BIT
UP THROUGH MY LEGS AS WELL

SO I CAN'T FALL OUT OF THIS
AT A CRITICAL MOMENT.

RIGHT.

MOMENT OF TRUTH.

ONE, TWO, THREE.

WHOA.

WELL, I'M OFF THE GROUND,

BUT THE ROCK'S GOT CAUGHT
ON THAT LEDGE.

LET ME SEE
IF I CAN DISLODGE IT AGAIN.

HANG ON.

COME ON, YOU --

THERE WE GO.

WHOA! WHOO!

[ CHUCKLES ]

COOL.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

WELL, I'M OFF THE GROUND
AND SAFE FROM THE BEARS.

NOW TO SEE
IF I CAN GET SOME SLEEP.

JUST 'CAUSE IT'S LIGHT
AT NIGHTTIME IN ALASKA

DOES NOT MEAN IT'S WARM.

IT'S ACTUALLY FREEZING-COLD
AT THE MOMENT.

AND IT'S ALSO COLD

[Grunting] JUST 'CAUSE
I CAN'T MOVE IN THIS NET.

I'M NORMALLY QUITE A WRIGGLER
IN THE NIGHTTIME,

BUT THERE'S NO WRIGGLING
GOING ON AT THE MOMENT.

FEEL LIKE A BIT OF MEAT
HUNG UP AT THE BUTCHER SHOP.

[ SNIFFS ]

IT'S A GRAY MORNING
ON THE ALASKAN COAST,

WHERE IT CAN RAIN
FOR OVER 200 DAYS A YEAR.

I'M WET, COLD, AND I'M TRYING
TO FIND SOME FOOD.

GOOD PLACE JUST TO TRY AND DIG
FOR CLAMS.

JUST THE SORT OF MUD AND GUNK
THEY LOVE AND THEY'LL LIVE IN.

[ THUNDER RUMBLES ]

CLAMS ARE MARINE MOLLUSKS,

SHELLFISH FROM THE SAME FAMILY
AS OYSTERS.

JUST RAKE YOUR FINGERS
THROUGH ALL THE MUD.

YOU'LL THEN QUITE OFTEN
JUST FEEL IT.

THAT'S ONE.

GET A FEW MORE OF THOSE,
AND THAT'LL BE GOOD TO EAT.

YOU NEED TO COOK THESE.

THEY'RE FILTER FEEDERS.

FILTER THE FOOD
THROUGH THE WATER,

SO YOU GET A BUILDUP OF TOXINS,

WHICH MEANS YOU DON'T WANT TO
EAT THEM RAW.

BUT COOK THEM UP,
AND THEY'RE FINE.

CLAMS ARE AN EXCELLENT SOURCE
OF IRON

AND THE ENERGY-BOOSTING
VITAMIN B12.

KEEP DOING THIS,
GET A FEW MORE OF THEM,

AND THEN GO COOK THEM UP.

OKAY.
GET OUT OF HERE.

THE WEATHER HAS TAKEN A TURN
FOR THE WORSE.

[ WAVES CRASHING ]
...SORT OF COLDNESS.

SORT OF WET AND WINDY.

I WANT TO COLLECT
SOME DRIFTWOOD,

MAKE A FIRE,
AND GET COOKING QUICKLY.

BUT I'M GONNA NEED
SOME SHELTER.

THERE'S A BIT OF A CAVE IN HERE.

GONNA GET OUT OF THE WEATHER
A BIT.

JUST TUCK IN UNDER THIS A BIT.

WHEW!

TIME TO GET THIS FIRE GOING.

I'M USING MY FIRE STEEL
AND SOME DRY KINDLING

TO GET THIS DAMP DRIFTWOOD LIT.

IN THESE CONDITIONS,
IT'S EASY TO GET DESPONDENT,

BUT A FIRE
ALWAYS LIFTS THE SPIRITS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S
A PROMISE OF FOOD.

AS THEY GET HOT,
THESE SHOULD OPEN UP.

AS LONG AS THEY'RE OPEN,
THEY'RE GOOD TO EAT.

IF THEY STAY CLOSED,
WHICH MEANS THEY'RE DEAD,

YOU REALLY
JUST WANT TO CHUCK THOSE.

BUT IT'S VERY NICE TO...
JUST WARM MY HANDS A BIT AGAIN.

WHEN THE COOKED CLAM DIES,

ITS MUSCLES RELAX,
AND THE SHELL OPENS UP.

THESE ARE PRETTY WELL DONE.

TRY AND TAKE
THE ACTUAL SHELL OFF.

YOU'RE LEFT WITH JUST THAT.

MMM.

ABOVE ALL, IT'S WARMING.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOOD, YEAH.

NOT A HUGE MEAL,

BUT I'M FEELING WARMER
AND READY TO MOVE ON,

AND NOT A MINUTE TOO SOON.

THE TIDE'S COMING IN QUITE FAST,
ACTUALLY.

IT'S RIGHT...

YEAH, DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S COMING IN QUITE FAST.
WE NEED TO GET GOING.

LET'S GET MOVING,
TRY AND WORK OUR WAY AROUND.

THE TIDES HERE MOVE FAST, AND
WITH A RANGE OF UP TO 30 FOOT,

THERE'S A REAL DANGER
OF GETTING CUT OFF.

JUST TAKE IT STEADY 'ROUND HERE.

WE CAN'T GET AROUND THAT.

THE TIDE'S CUT US OFF THAT WAY,
AS WELL.

IT'S NOT ACTUALLY
A VERY CLEVER POSITION

TO FIND OURSELVES IN HERE.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO CLIMB OUT.

THAT'S ALL OVERHANGING.
SO IS THIS STUFF.

THIS TIDE IS COMING UP FAST,
GUYS.

FAST.

JUST BACK UP AND SEE
WHAT THAT FISSURE'S LIKE.

ACTUALLY, THIS MAY BE POSSIBLE,
THIS BIT.

AND MOST CLIFF FACES WILL HAVE
SOME SORT OF LINEAR WEAKNESS

IF YOU LOOK HARD ENOUGH.

THIS IS PROBABLY OUR BEST WAY UP
OUT OF THIS COVE.

AND I WANT TO MOVE FAST
UP THIS EXPOSED ROCK FACE.

THE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS
IS THAT THE WIND

AND THE WAVES HAVE SMASHED OFF
ALL OF THE LOOSE ROCK,

SO EVERYWHERE'S BASICALLY...
PRETTY GOOD AS A WHOLE.

I'M USING A CLIMBING TECHNIQUE
CALLED FOOT AND BACK

THAT RELIES ON OPPOSING FORCES
TO KEEP YOU ON THE CLIFF FACE.

OKAY.
QUITE NICELY WEDGED NOW.

I'M JUST CHIMNEYING MY BACK
AGAINST THIS WALL,

MY HANDS AND LEGS HERE.

BUT THERE'S NO TIME TO REST.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS IS THE SORT OF THING
YOU DO IN YOUR HEAD

WHEN IT'S NICE SUMMER'S DAY
SOMEWHERE,

BUT WHEN YOUR HANDS ARE SO COLD
YOU CAN HARDLY FEEL THEM,

THE WIND'S BLOWING,
THE RAIN'S COMING IN,

EVERYTHING BECOMES HARDER.

AND THE HIGHER I GET,

THE MORE DIFFICULT
THE CLIMB BECOMES.

THE NIGHTMARE UP HERE IS THAT
WE'RE ABOVE THE WAVE MARK,

AND THEREFORE,
IT'S MUCH MORE LOOSE ROCK.

ALL OF THIS MOSS, AS WELL --

WHAT THE SEA DOESN'T ALLOW
TO GROW LOWER DOWN.

THIS IS REALLY THE CRUX
OF THE CLIMB NOW.

IT'S A BIT...

MY LIMBS ARE COLD
AND GETTING TIRED.

BUT THERE'S AN END IN SIGHT.

WHEW!

SEE, I'M NOT A MILLION MILES NOW

FROM AN EXIT POINT
UP BY THAT FALLEN TREE.

THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO REACH.

GOT A LONG WAY DOWN THERE.

NICE LITTLE PUSH.

OH, GOD.

GRAB THIS TREE ROOT.

AND THEN I'M OUT OF HERE.

FULL CONCENTRATION
FOR THE FINAL FEW FEET.

THIS IS THE LAST PLACE
TO MAKE A MISTAKE.

BUT I'VE MADE IT.

AND THESE CLIFF TOPS
PROVIDE A GREAT VANTAGE POINT.

YOU GET A GOOD IDEA
OF THE COASTLINE FROM HERE.

SEE THERE'S LOTS
OF LITTLE INLETS AND ISLANDS.

I WANT TO GET MYSELF
TO A POSITION

WHERE IT'S GONNA BE EASIER
TO BE SPOTTED.

[ SNIFFS ]

OKAY,
LET'S KEEP GOING THIS WAY.

WITH PLENTY OF TRICKY CLIMBS

AND DESCENTS
ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN

BACK DOWN TO SEA LEVEL.

LOADS OF RUSTY,
RUSTY BUILDINGS DOWN THERE.

THROUGH THE TREES.
SEE IT?

GET DOWN THERE.
COME ON.

LIKE AN OLD FACTORY
OF SOME SORT.

WOW!

PROBABLY THE STORAGE TANK
FOR SOMETHING, MAYBE FUEL.

WHATEVER IT WAS,
A BIG OPERATION HERE.

SEE WHAT ELSE I CAN FIND.

MAN, LOOK --
MASSES OF THESE OLD NETS.

AND THESE PROBABLY
HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH FISH,

MAYBE AN OLD CANNING STATION.

BUT WHAT A WILD,
REMOTE PLACE TO WORK!

WHOO!

FISH CANNERIES LIKE THIS
WERE OFTEN LOCATED

IN REMOTE AREAS
NEAR LARGE FISHING GROUNDS.

HERE THE CATCH WAS GUTTED,
COOKED, AND TINNED

BEFORE BEING SHIPPED FOR SALE.

BUT NOT ANYMORE.

JUST BEEN COMPLETELY TRASHED.
LOOK AT IT.

YOU KNOW,
THE HARSH WINTERS HERE --

UP TO 40 FOOT OF SNOW --
IS GONNA CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE.

BUT ALSO IN THE '60s, THEY HAD
ONE OF THE BIGGEST EARTHQUAKES

OF ALL TIMES
OFF THE COAST OF ALASKA.

'CAUSED A MASSIVE TSUNAMI,

RIPPED THROUGH ALL
OF THESE SOUNDS AND INLETS,

DESTROYED MASSES
OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES,

AND MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD HAVE
CAUSED A LOT OF THE DAMAGE HERE.

THE 1964 GOOD FRIDAY EARTHQUAKE

MEASURED 9.2
ON THE RICHTER SCALE

AND TOOK OVER 130 LIVES.

THE DEATH TOLL
WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HIGHER

BUT FOR THE EXTREME REMOTENESS
OF THE LOCATION.

YOU SEE ALL THE TERRAIN
ALONG THE COASTLINE THERE.

IT'S TOUGH-GOING.

BUT I RECKON WITH ALL OF THESE
SORT OF RESOURCES AROUND HERE,

BETTER OFF
MAKING SOME SORT OF RAFT

AND THEN GETTING OUT
ONTO THE WATER ITSELF.

OKAY.

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE
TO COVER MORE DISTANCE

AND HAVE A BETTER CHANCE
OF BEING SPOTTED ON THE SEA.

BUT OUT THERE,
YOU'LL NEED A STURDY RAFT.

OLD BEDS.

ACTUALLY, THAT'LL BE QUITE GOOD
TO LIE ON FOR A RAFT.

ALL SORTS OF THESE OLD BARRELS.
LOOK.

AND THESE ARE SO BUOYANT,
THESE THINGS.

YOU WANT TO CHECK THEY'VE GOT
BOTH THE BUNGS IN

AND ALSO THAT
THEY'VE NOT GOT ANY HOLES.

OTHERWISE, LOOK...
LIKE THAT FELLA.

AN AIRTIGHT OIL DRUM
WILL EASILY SUPPORT MY WEIGHT.

AND WITH A FEW,

I HAVE THE BEGINNINGS
OF A SUBSTANTIAL RAFT.

IT'S ALL THIS WORK
MAKING SURE YOU BUILD A RAFT

CLOSE ENOUGH
TO WHERE YOU'RE GONNA LAUNCH IT.

THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO
IS BUILD A THING,

ESPECIALLY
WHEN IT'S OUT OF METAL,

AND THEN NOT BE ABLE
TO DRAG IT DOWN THERE.

SEE THE TIDE'S COMING IN HERE,
SO IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT RIGHT.

I WANT TO GET THIS RAFT
BUILT QUICKLY

SO I'M READY TO LAUNCH
WHEN THE TIDE TURNS.

WHAT I WANT TO DO
IS USE THE BARRELS

TO GIVE ME ALL THE BUOYANCY

TO THEN KEEP THIS...
UP OUT OF THE WATER.

COUPLE OF BITS OF WOOD
ACROSS HERE.

AND LASH THAT ALL DOWN.

AND TO TIE OFF,
I'M USING A SLEDGE KNOT.

AND YOU WON'T FIND
HOW TO TIE A SLEDGE KNOT

IN ANY BOOK OR MANUAL,

BUT IT'S USED BY DOGSLEDDERS

AS A REALLY EFFICIENT
SELF-TIGHTENING KNOT

THAT'LL NEVER COME UNDONE.

TAKE A BITE AROUND THE ROPE.

THEN YOU GO AROUND ITSELF
ONCE, TWICE, THREE TIMES.

GO THROUGH THE LAST TWO LOOPS...

...OVER THE FIRST,
AND BACK DOWN THE HOLE,

AND THEN TIGHTEN IT UP.

THE TIDE'S COMING IN FAST,
BUT THERE'S STILL WORK TO DO.

NEED TO GET A WIGGLE
ON WITH THIS.

WE'LL JUST USE THESE,
ONE EACH SIDE,

TO ACT AS THE LONGITUDINAL
STRENGTH TO THIS,

AND THAT'LL STOP IT WOBBLING.

AND FINALLY THIS LENGTH
OF CORRUGATED IRON.

PUT THIS ACROSS THE BACK --
SOMETHING TO SIT ON.

WE USED TO HAVE A SERGEANT
IN THE ARMY WHO USED TO SAY

"NO PRIZES
FOR BEING UNCOMFORTABLE."

IF YOU GOT IT,
YOU MIGHT AS WELL USE IT.

JUST BREAK THIS END OFF,

ATTACH IT
TO MAKE A BIT OF A PADDLE.

PEOPLE OFTEN THINK
THAT SURVIVAL'S ABOUT

KNOWING THE RIGHT KNOTS
OR READING THE RIGHT BOOKS,

BUT ACTUALLY,
MY VIEW OF SURVIVAL IS --

GOOD SURVIVAL -- IS ABOUT A
DETERMINATION NEVER TO GIVE UP

AND THEN AN ABILITY
TO IMPROVISE,

TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GONNA GET
OUT OF SOMEWHERE IN ONE PIECE.

TIME AND TIDE WAIT
FOR NO MAN.

I NEED TO MOVE FAST.

TIDE'S ALMOST COMPLETELY LIFTING
THIS OFF NOW.

SO IT'S A GOOD TIME
TO BE FINISHING.

BUT IT'S PRETTY WELL READY.

QUICK FINAL CHECK
OF THESE KNOTS.

I'VE GOT
A VERY SIMPLE PRINCIPLE

WHEN IT COMES TO RAFTS --

HOWEVER MUCH LASHING
YOU THINK YOU NEED,

DOUBLE IT.

'CAUSE IT MIGHT BE NICE
AND CALM IN HERE,

BUT IF I'VE LEARNED ANYTHING,

IT'S THAT THE SEA STATE
CAN CHANGE VERY FAST.

OKAY, LET'S GET THIS THING OUT.

[ GRUNTS ]

SQUEEZE MY SPUDS,
THIS IS COLD.

OKAY, IT'S PRETTY STABLE.

LET'S GET YOU ON.

GOOD.

OKAY?

TIME TO GET GOING.

I'VE LAUNCHED
AT THE HEIGHT OF THE TIDE,

AND WHAT I'M HOPING
IS THAT AS THE TIDE TURNS,

IT'LL TAKE ME OUT TOWARDS
THE SHIPPING LANES MORE.

WITH DIFFICULT INLAND TERRAIN,

MUCH OF ALASKA TRAFFIC
MOVES BY WATER,

SO THERE'S A CHANCE
OF FINDING A BOAT.

BUT I SPOTTED SOMETHING ELSE.

JUST BEHIND THE ISLAND THERE,
A WHALE.

SEE?

SEE IF HE'LL COME AROUND
THIS SIDE.

THERE HE GOES! SEE HIM?!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

IT'S A HUMPBACK.

JUST EXTRAORDINARY TO SEE
THIS CLOSE.

THESE GUYS CAN GROW
UP TO 50 FOOT LONG,

35 TONS OF WEIGHT.

JUST EFFORTLESSLY MOVING
THROUGH THE WATERS.

HUMPBACKS CRUISE
JUST BELOW THE WATER SURFACE,

COMING UP EVERY FEW MINUTES.

BUT THEY OFTEN BREACH,

LAUNCHING THEIR BODIES
OUT OF THE WATER

BEFORE SPLASHING DOWN
ON THEIR BACKS.

LET'S HOPE HE DOESN'T TRY
AND SURFACE UNDER THIS.

I'VE LEFT THE COAST BEHIND,

AND NOW I'M HEADING OUT
INTO OPEN WATER.

BUT STAYING ON COURSE
IS BECOMING A MAJOR CHALLENGE.

WELL, IT'S DIFFICULT
WITH JUST ONE PADDLE,

AND THIS RAFT
IS ACTUALLY CONTROLLING

YOUR DIRECTION AND WHERE YOU GO.

KIND OF PRETTY AT THE MERCY

OF THE WIND AND THE WAVES
AND THE TIDE.

I'M DRIFTING
INTO COLDER WATERS.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE,

THERE'S A PROBLEM
WITH THE RAFT.

THAT BARREL'S LOOKING
QUITE LOW IN THE WATER.

NOW, JUST STEADILY BEEN GETTING
LOWER AND LOWER.

THERE WASN'T A HOLE IN IT.

I'M PRETTY SURE.

IT'S NOTICEABLY COLDER HERE.

THE CURRENT IS TAKING ME
TOWARDS A LOT OF THIS ICE,

THESE SORT OF THINGS,
WHICH ISN'T IDEAL.

I DON'T WANT TO GET MESSED UP
IN THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT SEA ICE.

SUMMERTIME, THAT'S COME
FROM MARITIME GLACIER.

NOT WHERE I WANT TO BE HEADING.

I WANT TO STICK OUT IN THE OPEN,
OPEN SEA.

OTHER VESSELS ARE UNLIKELY
TO BRAVE THESE WATERS,

WHERE THEY RISK BEING HULLED
BY AN ICEBERG.

THERE'S A BETTER CHANCE
OF BEING SPOTTED

OUT IN OPEN WATER.

BUT I'M FIGHTING
A LOSING BATTLE.

THERE'S MORE AND MORE ICE
IN THE WATER NOW.

I MUST BE GETTING CLOSE
TO ITS SOURCE.

AHEAD OF THE FIELD,
SEE THAT GLACIER?

THIS TIME OF YEAR,

THERE'S BIG CHUNKS OF ICE
JUST CARVING OFF THAT.

I DON'T LIKE BEING FUNNELED
BACKWARDS TOWARDS ONE OF THEM.

MARITIME GLACIERS
ARE DANGEROUS,

WITH CARVING ICEBERGS
THAT COULD CAUSE HUGE WAVES.

YOU DON'T WANT TO
HANG AROUND HERE.

THE BEST OPTION --

TO GET OUT TO THE SHIPPING
LANES AND FIND A VESSEL.

THERE'S A BOAT.

THERE'S A BOAT THROUGH THE ICE
TO THE RIGHT.

SEE THE TOP OF THE MAST.

HEY!

LOOK AT THE ICE TO THE RIGHT.

HE-E-E-Y!

HE-E-Y!

THERE'S A FISHING TRAWLER
ABOUT A MILE AWAY.

HEY!

TOO FAR TO SEE US.

WE NEED TO MAKE OUR WAY
TO THAT ICE FLOE, BIGGER ONE.

TRY AND MAKE
A BIT OF A SIGNAL FIRE THERE.

AND GET SPOTTED LIKE THAT.

MY PLAN -- GET TO THE ICEBERG
QUICKLY AND SIGNAL FROM THERE.

IT'S ABOUT THE BIGGEST ONE
AROUND HERE.

OKAY, YOU READY TO JUMP
FOR THIS?

I'M GONNA JUMP ONTO THE BERG

AND HOPE THAT THE ICE
DOESN'T GIVE WAY.

BUT AS I LEAP OFF,
THE RAFT IS UNBALANCED,

AND MY CREW PLUNGE
INTO THE ICY WATERS.

I GOT YOU. I GOT YOU.

COME ON. THAT'S IT.

WE NEED TO WORK FAST
IF HE'S GONNA SPOT US.

IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS,

THE BOAT COULD BE OUT OF RANGE
IN MINUTES.

SO ANY SIGNAL FIRE
NEEDS TO BE A QUICK BUILD.

BUILD THIS BABY UP.

MY EMERGENCY FIRE-MAKING
MATERIALS ARE QUICK TO IGNITE,

BUT THERE'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH
SMOKE FOR MY SIGNAL FIRE.

IT'S GIVING OFF SOME SMOKE,
BUT IT'S ONLY WHITE SMOKE.

IT'S NEVER GONNA SHOW
AGAINST ALL THIS ICE.

WHAT WE NEED TO NOW DO
IS USE JUST SOME RUBBER

OFF THE BOTTOM OF MY BOOT.

BURNING RUBBER PRODUCES THICK,
BLACK SMOKE

WHICH WILL SHOW UP CLEARLY
AGAINST THE WHITE OF THE ICE.

SEE IF THEY SEE THIS.

HE-E-E-E-Y!

WITH THE BLACK SMOKE
AND MY BRIGHT-RED JACKET,

I'VE GIVEN MYSELF
THE BEST CHANCE OF BEING SEEN.

HOLD YOUR ARMS UP
IN THIS BIG "Y" SHAPE.

IT'S THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRESS
SIGN FOR "YES, I NEED HELP!"

HEY! HELP!

THE TRAWLER HAS SLOWED
AND IS ALTERING COURSE.

THERE COULD BE NO BETTER SIGHT
IN THE WORLD FOR THE SURVIVOR

THAN SEEING THEIR RESCUE SHIP
TURN TOWARDS THEM.

THE BOAT IS COMING TO GET ME.
HELP!

HE WON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND
IN THESE ICY WATERS,

SO THIS IS GONNA BE
A ONE-SHOT DEAL.

MAN, THAT IS COMING FAST
AND STRAIGHT TOWARDS US.

WE NEED TO MOVE TO MAKE THIS.

THE BOAT IS GONNA COME
ALONGSIDE THE ICEBERG,

AND I'M GONNA MAKE A LEAP
FOR IT.

I'VE GOT TO BE 100% CONFIDENT
OF MAKING THIS JUMP.

I DO NOT WANT TO END UP CRUSHED
BETWEEN THIS AND THE ICE.

BUT SHE'S COMING IN TOO HOT
AND TOO CLOSE.

AND AT THE LAST MOMENT,
IT CRASHES INTO THE ICE.

A CLOSE SHAVE,
BUT I'VE MADE IT.

WHOO!

JUST!

AND I'M HEADING HOME.