Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 7, Episode 5 - Land of the Maori - 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.
OKAY.
COME ON.
NOW I'M IN THE WILDS
OF NEW ZEALAND'S
VOLCANIC NORTH ISLAND...
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
...CROSSING
RAGING MOUNTAIN RIVERS...
THIS IS THE BIT
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN ON.
...AND BATTLING MY WAY THROUGH
DENSE, STEAMING FORESTS...
GOT TO REACH THE TREE!
...CARRYING WITH ME LITTLE MORE
THAN THE AVERAGE TOURIST...
AH! OW!
...I'LL TURN A BUSTED CELLPHONE
INTO A POTENTIAL LIFESAVER.
HERE WE GO.
I'M IN NEW ZEALAND'S
VOLCANIC NORTH ISLAND.
THE MAORI HAVE BEEN
IN THIS LAND FOR CENTURIES,
AND IT'S ONLY
WITH THEIR BLESSING
THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL
AND GATHER FOOD
IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY PLACE.
I JUST LOVE THIS COUNTRY!
AND I'M NOT ALONE.
EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
FLOCK TO NEW ZEALAND
FOR THE MOUNTAINS,
THE VOLCANOES, AND THE FORESTS.
BUT BE UNDER NO ILLUSION.
THIS PLACE IS STILL VERY WILD.
EVERY YEAR, TOURISTS END UP
GETTING LOST OR STRANDED,
REQUIRING ASSISTANCE FROM
NEW ZEALAND'S RESCUE SERVICES.
I'M GONNA PUT MYSELF IN
THE POSITION OF A LOST TOURIST
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
WHEN AN EVERYDAY ADVENTURE
GOES VERY WRONG.
THESE JET BOATS
ARE INCREDIBLE --
VERY SHALLOW DRAFT
AND POWERFUL ENGINES.
AND THAT'S HOW THEY NEGOTIATE
THESE NARROW RIVERS
AND BIG RAPIDS.
THEY'RE USED BY HUNTERS
IN NEW ZEALAND
TO PENETRATE DEEP
INTO THE FOREST INTERIOR.
OKAY.
BUT A 30-FOOT WATERFALL
IS A NATURAL BARRIER
THAT EVEN THESE AMAZING BOATS
CANNOT NAVIGATE.
THAT'S ABOUT AS FAR AS
THE JET BOAT'S GONNA TAKE US.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO BAIL.
OKAY.
I'M GOOD.
[ GRUNTS ]
THE POWERFUL CURRENT IS
PUSHING ME AWAY FROM THE ROCKS.
OKAY.
WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND!
A GOOD BET HERE IS TO KEEP
ON A NORTH-SOUTH BEARING.
IN THIS PART OF NEW ZEALAND,
THE LARGEST CONCENTRATIONS
OF PEOPLE
ARE IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND.
GET THERE, AND YOUR CHANCES
OF FINDING HABITATION
WILL INCREASE MASSIVELY.
THE SIMPLEST WAY
OF ESTABLISHING YOUR DIRECTION
IS TO USE THE SUN.
BUT THERE'S A METHOD
EVEN ON AN OVERCAST DAY.
LOOK. YOU JUST USE A KNIFE,
GET A TWIG.
AND THEN JUST...
TRY AND FIND THE SHADOW
OF THE TWIG ON THE KNIFE
AND WORK OUT WHERE THAT SHADOW
IS STRONGEST.
YOU CAN SEE
THAT IT'S QUITE WEAK THERE.
AS WE MOVE,
IT'S GETTING STRONGER,
AND THEN IT GETS WEAKER AGAIN.
THAT'S ABOUT
THE STRONGEST POINT,
WHICH MEANS THE SUN
IS DIRECTLY OVER THERE --
MIDDAY, SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE,
SUN'S IN THE NORTH.
THAT'S THE WAY YOU WANT TO GO.
YOUR SEARCH FOR FOOD
IS CONTINUOUS.
AND IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES,
GRAB IT.
THIS IS A MANUKA TREE.
YOU'LL OFTEN GET GRUBS IN THESE.
HERE'S ANOTHER ONE.
THERE YOU GO. LOOK.
SEE THESE HOLES?
THAT'S WHAT THE GRUBS WILL MAKE,
LET YOU KNOW IT'S A TREE WETA.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
LOOK AT THE SIZE
OF THAT ONE THERE.
TRY AND GET HIM OFF.
THING IS, THEY DO HAVE THESE
UNBELIEVABLY POWERFUL PINCERS
IN THEIR FRONT.
BE CAREFUL WITH THIS GUY.
LOOK. YOU CAN SEE HIM
HOLDING ON TO THAT.
BUT, GEE, THAT'S MEAN-LOOKING.
AND THESE GUYS ACTUALLY PREDATE
THE DINOSAURS,
AND YOU CAN SEE WHY.
BUT FINE TO EAT.
NOT QUITE SURE
WHERE TO BEGIN ON IT.
OW, OW, OW, OW!
HE GOT ME THERE.
AH! OW!
OH. LOOK.
OW.
WHAT A BRUTE.
IT'S ACTUALLY DRAWN BLOOD.
RIGHT. NOW IT'S WAR.
THE HEAD'S COMING OFF.
AND THE BODY...
IS FINE TO EAT.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
I'VE EATEN A LOT
OF BAD THINGS BEFORE.
HOO!
[ SPITS ]
IT'S GONNA BE ONE OF THOSE ONES
YOU WANT TO HOLD YOUR NOSE
AND JUST GET IT DOWN
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SMELL IT.
OH, IT'S RANCID.
GOD.
IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S BEEN ALIVE
SINCE BEFORE THE DINOSAURS.
SOME SORT OF BIG RIVER
PUMPING DOWN THERE.
YOU CAN HEAR IT.
LOOK. THIS JUST CAME OUT
OF NOTHING.
NO KNOWING HOW DEEP THAT IS,
EITHER.
NEED TO FIND SOME WAY
ACROSS THIS, GET DOWN.
ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A RIVER
THIS POWERFUL
SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
NEW ZEALAND LOSES OVER 100
PEOPLE EACH YEAR TO DROWNING
AND HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST
ANNUAL DROWNING TOLLS
IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD.
THAT'S GONNA BE ONE OPTION.
OF ALL THESE TRAGEDIES,
MOST OCCURRED IN RIVERS.
DISAPPEARS INTO A WHOLE WORLD
OF UGLINESS DOWN THERE.
THIS IS PROBABLY GONNA BE
OUR BEST BET.
WHY I'M ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT
NERVOUS OF FALLEN TREE TRUNKS --
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG
THEY'VE BEEN HERE.
YOU DON'T KNOW
HOW ROTTEN THEY ARE.
OKAY.
THIS TREE
HAS BEEN SWEPT DOWNSTREAM
WHEN THE RIVER
WAS IN FULL FLOOD
AND THEN RAMMED
ONTO THESE ROCKS.
IT'S A SOBERING REMINDER
OF JUST HOW POWERFUL
THESE RIVERS CAN BE.
SEEMS PRETTY SOLID, THIS.
YOU'RE JUST NOT HUMAN, THOUGH,
IF YOU DON'T ASSESS IT TWICE.
THE CONSEQUENCES
OF GETTING THIS WRONG ARE BIG.
IT'S THE BEST OPTION,
BUT PUT A FOOT WRONG
AND GO INTO THOSE RAPIDS,
YOU'RE NOT COMING OUT.
QUITE SLIPPY HERE.
PROBABLY WORTH SHINNING.
WHITE WATER IS TREACHEROUS.
THE CONSTANT CHURNING
MAKES THE WATER AERATED,
AND THE MILLIONS OF AIR BUBBLES
MEANS IT'S MUCH HARDER
TO STAY AFLOAT.
COMBINE THAT
WITH POWERFUL CURRENTS,
AND YOU'VE GOT A FIGHT
ON YOUR HANDS.
THIS IS THE BIT
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN ON.
YOU DON'T HANG AROUND ON THIS.
OKAY.
GET IT GOING, THEN.
COME ON.
COME TO ME.
LAST BIT.
YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO TAKE
ANY CHANCES
WHEN THERE'S
THAT MUCH WHITE WATER
BEING DRIVEN UNDER A LOG
LIKE THAT.
YOU KNOW,
YOU'LL ONLY GET IT WRONG ONCE.
OKAY. GOOD JOB.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
THE RIVER EDGE CAN BE
A RICH SOURCE OF FOOD.
COUPLE OF BIG CRAYFISH IN HERE.
GOOD-SIZED ONES, THOUGH.
OKAY. LET'S TRY
AND GET THESE GUYS OUT.
WE CAN EAT THEM LATER.
CRAYFISH LIKE THIS
ARE BEST KEPT ALIVE.
THAT WAY, YOU CAN ENSURE
THEY'RE FRESH
WHEN YOU COME TO COOK THEM.
THIS WILL DO --
JUST A BIT OF MOSS.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THEM OUT.
OKAY.
THERE WE GO.
AND THEN ALL I NEED TO DO...
WET THIS MOSS.
AND THEN I CAN STORE THEM
IN THAT, WRAP THEM UP.
TRY AND GET THE OTHER ONE FIRST.
HERE WE GO.
THAT'S GONNA BE
A GOOD LITTLE EAT ON THE WAY.
WRAP THEM UP IN THIS.
EATING RAW CRAYFISH
CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
THEY CAN CARRY A PARASITIC WORM
WHICH WORKS ITS WAY FROM
YOUR INTESTINES TO YOUR LUNGS,
CAUSING FEVER, CHEST PAINS,
AND EXTREME FATIGUE.
SO ALWAYS COOK THEM UP
BEFORE EATING.
WE'LL JUST KEEP AN EYE OUT
FOR ANY OTHER LITTLE POOLS
LIKE THIS WE FIND
AS WE WORK OUR WAY
ALONG THE RIVER.
OKAY. GOOD.
BEFORE MAORI HUNTERS COMMENCED
THEIR JOURNEYS INTO THE WILD,
THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE
THE GODS,
WHO THEY BELIEVED
WOULD LEAD THEM TO THEIR PREY.
UP AHEAD LIES A FORMIDABLE
VOLCANIC MOUNTAIN CHAIN
THAT MUST BE CROSSED
IF YOU'RE TO MAINTAIN
YOUR NORTH-SOUTH BEARING.
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
DISLODGE ONE THING,
AND THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN
STARTS TO SLIDE.
I'M IN THE WET WILDS
OF NEW ZEALAND,
TAKING ON DENSE FORESTS SLASHED
WITH FIERCE MOUNTAIN TORRENTS.
THIS IS THE BIT
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN ON.
IT'S OUT OF THE FOREST.
A LOT OF MOUNTAINS AHEAD THERE.
OKAY.
LET'S KEEP MOVING.
THIS ARID VOLCANIC RANGE
DOMINATES
THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
AND HAS TO BE CROSSED
IF YOU'RE TO STAY
ON YOUR NORTHERLY HEADING.
NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND,
IS THE MOST
SOUTHWESTERLY QUADRANT
IN THE VAST
PACIFIC RING OF FIRE
THAT STRETCHES FROM INDONESIA
TO HAWAII.
IT'S RELATIVELY YOUNG
IN GEOLOGICAL TERMS,
ONLY BECOMING AN ISLAND
AROUND 90 MILLION YEARS AGO,
AND IS STILL ON THE MOVE TODAY,
CONSTANTLY RESHAPING.
IT'S DEFINITELY HARD WORK
AT ALTITUDE
AND ALSO VERY DEHYDRATING.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT ONLY
BREATHING HARD
AND THEREFORE LOSING
A LOT OF MOISTURE.
YOU'RE ALSO PEEING MORE
AS YOU'RE GETTING RID
OF THE EXTRA CO2 IN YOUR BODY.
IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING'S BATTLING
AGAINST YOU --
EXPIRATION, PERSPIRATION,
AND PEEING,
ALL GOING OUT
AND NOTHING GOING IN.
[ BREATHES DEEPLY ]
THE VOLCANOES HERE
ARE STILL ACTIVE.
IN 2007, MOUNT RUAPEHU'S
CRATER LAKE GAVE WAY,
CAUSING A GIANT MUDFLOW.
UP TO 1 1/2 MILLION TONS
OF MUD, ICE, AND SNOW
CASCADED DOWN
INTO THE VALLEY BELOW.
FINDING WATER IS GONNA BE
A HUGE PRIORITY
IN A PLACE LIKE THIS.
THERE'S A RIVER I CAN HEAR.
LOOK.
LET'S TRY AND FIND A WAY DOWN
TO IT.
EVEN A FEW HOURS OF EXERTION
AT THIS ALTITUDE
WILL LEAVE YOUR BODY
DANGEROUSLY LOW ON FLUIDS,
WHICH URGENTLY
NEED REPLENISHING.
VERY LOOSE.
JUST TAKE IT EASY DOWN THIS.
BUT GETTING DOWN TO THE RIVER
IS GONNA BE EASIER SAID
THAN DONE.
THE GROUND IS HARD
AND COMPACTED.
AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE.
IT'S COVERED IN LOOSE BOULDERS,
MAKING ANY PROGRESS
DOUBLY HARD.
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
DISLODGE ONE THING,
AND THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN
STARTS TO SLIDE.
THAT'S JUST GETTING
ALL FUNNELED DOWN,
LIKE AN ALLEY OF DEATH
DOWN THERE.
AND THAT IS NOT THE WAY
WE'RE GOING.
REALLY WATCH OUR FOOTING
ON THIS.
IT'S THE WHOLE STUFF --
IT'S CRUMBLING.
LET'S KEEP WORKING AROUND IT.
OKAY. YOU GOT TO STAY CLOSE
TO ME IN ALL OF THIS.
DON'T WANT TO BE DISLODGING
STUFF ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.
IT WAS MUCH EASIER TRYING TO
WORK OUR WAY DOWN THE SHOULDER
THAN ALL OF THAT LOOSE FACE.
YOU CAN SEE THERE.
THAT ALL JUST LEADS
TO THOSE CLIFFS.
ACTUALLY, YOU CAN SEE
THAT FUNNEL OF DEATH
I WAS TALKING ABOUT --
BOULDER ALLEY.
YEAH. THAT'S WHY
WE DIDN'T GO DOWN THERE.
LET'S TRY TO PICK A LINE
DOWN THIS.
IT'S ALL CLIFFS
STRAIGHT UNDER THIS.
TRYING TO WORK OUT A WAY
DOWN THE LAST BIT OF THE RIVER.
LET'S TRY THIS WAY.
IT'S A BIT OF A GULLY DOWN HERE.
OKAY, IT'S GOOD.
[ GRUNTS ]
OKAY. LET'S REFILL.
[ SNIFFS ]
I SMELL SULFUR, THOUGH.
[ SPITS ]
AW, VERY ACIDIC.
[ SPITS ]
MAKES THE LIPS AND TONGUE
REALLY TINGLE.
THAT'S THE VOLCANO
THAT'S DOING THAT TO THIS WATER.
IT JUST MEANS IT'S COMPLETELY
UNDRINKABLE FOR ME.
A LOT OF EFFORT
TO GET DOWN TO THIS.
BUT YOU'RE NOT GONNA WIN
THEM ALL.
THERE'S NO WAY
WE CAN DRINK THIS.
OKAY. WE NEED TO GET OUT
OF THE MOUNTAINS.
YOUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON HOW
YOU REACT TO DISAPPOINTMENTS.
HORRIBLE.
IT'S SO EASY
TO ALLOW YOUR SPIRITS
TO BECOME CRUSHED BY SETBACKS.
OKAY, LET'S GET MOVING
FASTER NOW.
EVERYTHING THEN BECOMES A
SERIES OF DIMINISHING RETURNS.
AND YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVING
WILL PLUMMET.
YOU HAVE TO REJOICE
IN THE SMALL VICTORIES
AND SHRUG OFF THE FAILURES.
LEAVING THE MOUNTAIN
DOESN'T MEAN
THAT YOUR CHALLENGE IS OVER.
AND IN THIS VOLCANIC LANDSCAPE,
DANGER IS NEVER FAR AWAY.
VERY STEADY HERE.
ALL OF THIS BANK IS CRUMBLING.
SEE THAT DOWN THERE?
THAT WATER'S COMING OUT
AT BOILING TEMPERATURE.
AND BOILING WATER
IS VERY UNFORGIVING.
ALL OF THIS IS SO SPONGY.
IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT'S SOLID
AND WHAT'S HOLES.
LIKE THAT.
LOOK.
SO CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD.
[ GRUNTS ]
OKAY.
WE NEED TO JUMP THIS BIT.
HOT SPRINGS ARE FORMED
WHEN RAINFALL PERMEATES
THROUGH POROUS VOLCANIC ROCK
TO AROUND 10,000 FEET DEEP.
WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT
WITH THE MAGMA,
IT BECOMES SUPERHEATED
TO WAY ABOVE BOILING POINT.
THIS WATER RETURNS
TO THE EARTH'S SURFACE
THROUGH A PROCESS
OF CONVECTION,
AND IT CAN BE CRAZY HOT.
THE CALCIUM-RICH WATER FORMS
A CRUST OF SINTER,
WHICH CAN CONCEAL
HIDDEN DANGERS.
TAKE THIS TO PROBE WITH.
[ THUDDING ]
YOU CAN HEAR THAT.
THAT SOUNDS HOLLOW.
GO THROUGH THERE,
IT'S JUST GONNA BE BOILING MUD
AND SLUDGE AND WATER.
WE'LL NOT TAKE ANY CHANCES
WITH THIS.
MAN, CHECK THIS BIT OUT.
ALL OF THIS IS BOILING.
YOU GO INTO THIS,
IT'S GONNA BE A VERY STICKY END.
ACTUALLY, ONLY A YEAR AGO,
SOMEBODY FELL INTO ONE OF THESE,
100% BURNS,
AND DIED AN AGONIZING DEATH.
EVEN IF JUST YOUR FOOT GOES
THROUGH THE CRUST AND THE MUD,
YOU END UP WITH BOILING BURNS
AND BLISTERS ON YOUR FEET.
IT'S GONNA INCAPACITATE YOU.
IN THE WILD, THAT COULD HAVE
MASSIVE CONSEQUENCES.
THE BOILING WATER IS AT LEAST
USEFUL FOR ONE THING.
I CAN USE IT TO COOK UP THOSE
CRAYFISH THAT I CAUGHT EARLIER.
YEAH. LOOK.
THAT MOSS
HAS PRESERVED THEM WELL.
NICE AND DAMP AND MOIST.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THESE GUYS COOKED UP.
SERIOUSLY HOT HERE.
WELL, THE EASIEST WAY, YOU KNOW,
IS JUST TO USE MY SOCK.
AND IN THE MILITARY,
YOU GET USED TO
BOIL-IN-THE-BAG FOOD --
NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THIS,
THOUGH.
LET'S GET THEM IN.
AT THIS TEMPERATURE,
THEY'LL ONLY NEED
A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
OKAY. I RECKON
THAT THESE SHOULD BE DONE.
LOOK AT THAT.
OUT THEY COME,
ALL NICE AND PINK AND COOKED.
AND ONE STERILIZED SOCK,
WHICH IS PROBABLY A GOOD THING.
AMAZING.
A SUBSTANTIAL MEAL LIKE THAT
WILL GIVE YOU VITAL ENERGY
AND ALLOW YOU TO COVER GROUND
FAST.
WHAT A SPOT!
BUT AT SOME POINT,
YOU'LL NEED TO TAKE A BREAK
AND FIND SHELTER.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW.
I'M GOING TOE-TO-TOE
IN NEW ZEALAND'S
RUGGED NORTH ISLAND.
I'VE TRAVERSED
ITS MIGHTY VOLCANIC RANGES...
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
...AND ENCOUNTERED
LETHAL GEOTHERMAL POOLS.
ALL OF THIS IS BOILING.
BUT IT'S NOT DONE WITH ME YET.
PARTS OF NEW ZEALAND SEE
UP TO 60 FEET OF RAIN A YEAR,
FEEDING HUNDREDS OF RIVERS.
YOU WON'T TRAVEL LONG HERE
BEFORE YOU FIND ONE.
THERE'S NO MISTAKING
THAT SOUND --
WHITE WATER AND A RIVER.
WHAT A SPOT!
LOOK. THAT WOULD MAKE
A PERFECT PLACE FOR A CAMP.
IF I CAN SURVIVE,
IT'S PARADISE HERE.
OKAY.
LET'S GET ACROSS THE RIVER.
AND THERE YOU SEE,
IT'S WAY DEEP ENOUGH.
SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH THAT WATER.
COSSACK, BACK SCRATCHER,
AND PIKE.
I'VE GOT TO SWIM HARD
TO GET ACROSS IT, THOUGH.
COLD RIVER.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
OKAY. LET'S GET THIS KIT OFF,
GET WARM AGAIN.
IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT PLACE
JUST TO MAKE CAMP.
YOU KNOW,
I'M CLOSE TO THE RIVER,
BUT UP HERE,
JUST ABOVE THE FLOOD LINE.
I'VE GOT SHELTER FROM THE TREES
AND LOTS OF RESOURCES
TO MAKE A CAMP WITH AS WELL.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THIS ON...
AND GET INTO IT.
[ SNIFFS ]
WOW.
SMELL THAT CARCASS.
JUST STINKING.
LOOK AT ALL THE FLIES
ALL OVER IT.
THE REMAINS OF A RABBIT --
JUST LEFT ALL THE SKIN AND GUTS.
YEAH.
NOTHING ON THERE FOR ME.
AFTER JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS,
UNREFRIGERATED MEAT
WILL START TO GROW BACTERIA
THAT WILL MAKE YOU SICK AND CAN
LEAVE YOU INCAPACITATED.
OUT HERE ON YOUR OWN,
THAT CAN SPELL DISASTER.
IF YOU'RE IN ANY DOUBT,
LEAVE IT.
WHEN MAKING CAMP,
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR A HELPING HAND FROM NATURE.
THIS IS A LANCEWOOD TREE.
ACTUALLY, WE MIGHT BE ABLE
TO USE THIS.
MAKE A BIT OF A FRAME...
LIKE A TENT.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THESE
TREES -- REALLY LONG FIBERS,
WHICH MAKES IT ONE OF THE MOST
FLEXIBLE TREES ON THE PLANET.
JUST NEED SOMETHING, THEN,
TO PEG THAT WITH.
AND THAT WOULD WORK.
THE SIMPLEST METHOD
IS TO USE THE CROOK OF A BRANCH
IN THIS DEADWOOD.
[ GRUNTING ]
PIN THIS IN, AND THIS IS JUST --
IT'S CALLED
"DEAD MAN'S FINGERS,"
A "V" TO HOLD THAT IN
LIKE A TENT PEG.
OKAY.
YEAH.
THIS IS ALL FLAX.
AND THIS IS A MAORI'S
PRIME RESOURCE OF ROPE.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO
IS SPLIT THEM,
GET LENGTHS LIKE THIS,
AND YOU CAN JUST
TIE THOSE TOGETHER.
IT'S GONNA BE STRONG.
A SIMPLE TWO-WAY BINDING KNOT
IS ENOUGH TO SECURE THE FRAME.
ALWAYS CONSIDER THE PRIMARY
PURPOSE OF YOUR SHELTER,
EVEN IF YOU DON'T PLAN
TO STAY LONG.
BUILD TO YOUR NEEDS,
WHETHER IT'S TO KEEP RAIN OUT,
FOR WARMTH,
OR TO KEEP YOU OFF THE GROUND.
THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.
AND THEN IT JUST NEEDS SOMETHING
TO HOLD THE WHOLE THING UP
AND OUT.
WHAT YOU NEED NOW
IS SOME ROOFING MATERIAL.
OH, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT SHELTER
WHEN THIS IS FINISHED.
I LOVE A MANUKA BUSH.
AND THESE ARE JUST IDEAL
FOR ROOFING.
GETTING HOT.
LET'S GET SOME MORE
OF THIS THATCH.
AND THEN THE LAST LOT,
JUST LAY THE OTHER WAY.
THE THICKER IT IS,
THE WARMER IT'LL BE,
AND THE MORE WATERPROOF
IT WILL BE.
THE LAST THING YOU'LL NEED
IS A DEEP UNDERLAYER.
TAKE LOADS OF THIS DRY MOSS.
YOU LOSE MOST OF YOUR BODY HEAT
TO THE GROUND.
THIS WILL HELP INSULATE YOU.
JUST PEEL IT OFF.
IT'S LIKE NATURE'S CUSHION.
AND THEN LOOK AT THIS --
ALL OLD-MAN'S-BEARD.
BONE DRY AND PERFECT FOR TINDER.
SPREAD THIS OUT A BIT.
THE IMPORTANT BIT
THAT I WANT TO KEEP WARM --
ALL MY CORE,
THE CENTRAL BIT HERE.
NICE.
SHELTER BUILT,
NOW TO FOCUS ON FOOD.
THERE WE GO. THERE WAS ONE
COMING IN OVER THERE.
AND IN THE DEPTHS
OF NEW ZEALAND'S RIVERS
LURK SOME TRULY HUGE MONSTERS.
THERE HE IS.
HE'S RIGHT UNDER US.
I'M IN THE HEART
OF NEW ZEALAND'S
MOUNTAINOUS NORTH ISLAND.
HEADING DOWN.
NOW I'VE MADE CAMP,
I'M GONNA HUNT FOR FOOD,
USING AN ANCIENT MAORI
FISHING TECHNIQUE.
OKAY. LET'S GET THIS
DOWN TO THE RIVER.
AND THAT ROTTING CARCASS
I FOUND EARLIER
WILL COME IN HANDY.
ONE THING THESE RIVERS
ARE PRETTY FULL OF IS EELS.
AND A MAORI WAY OF CATCHING EELS
IS JUST USING THIS FLAX.
FOLD IT IN TWO,
YOU TAKE THIS MIDDLE BIT...
AND JUST RUB IT.
AND YOU WANT TO STRIP IT DOWN
TO THE FIBERS.
AND THESE ARE SORT OF STRANDS
YOU WANT, LIKE THIS.
WHEN THE EEL BITES DOWN
ON THOSE --
BECAUSE THEIR TEETH
FACE BACKWARDS --
THEY GET THEIR TEETH
STUCK IN THESE STRANDS.
TO MAKE IT STRONGER, I'M GONNA
USE A THREE-STRAND PLAIT.
AND, THEN, THE END OF IT,
YOU WANT TO SMEAR
WITH ALL OF THESE STINKING GUTS.
AND EELS HUNT ON SMELL.
AND JUST THAT
IS ENOUGH TO LURE THEM IN.
OKAY.
IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE
MAORI, IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
SEE IF THIS WORKS.
IT'S GONNA BE
A PRETTY GOOD SPOT HERE.
A LOT OF AERATED WATER
RUNNING INTO A DEEP LAGOON
AND THE NICE SHALLOWS
AND OVERHANGS
THAT THE EEL'S
ALWAYS GONNA LIKE.
JUST TRYING TO ENTICE
ONE OF THEM IN.
THERE ARE WORSE PLACES
I COULD BE SITTING RIGHT NOW
DOING A LITTLE BIT OF FISHING.
EELS TEND TO HUNT AT NIGHT,
BUT THEY CAN BE LURED OUT
IN EARLY EVENING.
THERE WE GO. LOOK. THERE'S ONE
COMING IN OVER THERE.
THEY HAVE LARGE NAVAL CAVITIES
AND AN INCREDIBLY ADAPTED
ABILITY TO SMELL.
GOT A GOOD-SIZED ONE.
RIGHT UNDER US.
THERE HE IS.
SEE THAT?
THEY'RE ABLE TO SENSE FOOD
FROM HUNDREDS OF YARDS AWAY.
TRY AND JUST ENTICE HIM
ONTO THE END OF THIS.
BUT HE CAN SMELL THAT.
COME ON. THERE WE GO.
THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO.
HE'S CAUTIOUS ENOUGH NOT TO
WANT TO BITE STRAIGHTAWAY.
GO ON.
GET IT IN YOUR MOUTH.
IT'S BACKING OFF AGAIN.
BUT HE'S DEFINITELY INQUISITIVE.
AND IF YOU'RE PATIENT,
HE WILL COME BACK.
OKAY.
HERE HE COMES AGAIN.
SEE HIM?
OKAY. THIS IS THE CLOSEST
HE'S BEEN NOW.
COME ON.
THERE YOU GO.
THERE YOU GO.
GO ON. TAKE IT.
TAKE IT.
JUST NIBBLING AT THE END.
LOOK.
COME ON.
GET IT IN.
HAVE A NIBBLE.
I JUST WANT TO HOLD IT THERE,
LETTING IT GET
REALLY WELL ATTACHED.
OKAY. HE'S ON.
HE'S ON.
WE NEED TO HIM OUT HERE.
NOW HE'S CAUGHT,
YOU'VE GOT TO ACT FAST.
SOAKED!
I'LL TELLING YOU,
HE JUST GRABBED THAT AGAIN.
OKAY.
GET HIM INTO THE SHALLOWS.
HERE WE GO.
HE'S GOT VERY SHARP TEETH.
YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL
YOU DON'T GET BIT.
THEY'RE ALSO VERY SLIPPY.
GRAB A BIT OF SAND --
STRAIGHT ON THEIR BACK.
YOU CAN SEE THE POWER IN THAT.
HE'S TRYING TO WRIGGLE FREE.
HE'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE
TO HOLD ON TO.
THE MAORI TRADITION IS,
BEFORE YOU KILL YOUR PREY...
OH!
...FEEL IT.
IT'S JUST A SIGN OF RESPECT
FOR IT.
IT GIVES YOU SOME CONNECTION
TO ITS ENERGY.
THE EEL'S TAIL CONTAINS NERVES
THAT CONTROL MOVEMENT.
A QUICK BLOW WILL
TEMPORARILY STUN THE ANIMAL.
IT'S STILL
TRYING TO WRIGGLE OUT.
OKAY.
THAT'S GONNA STUN HIM.
AND THEN HE GOES LIMP.
AND THEN I CAN FINISH HIM OFF.
AND THERE WE GO.
TOP PICNIC.
WHEW!
THIS EEL IS A GREAT CATCH,
BUT YOU'RE GONNA NEED TO
COOK IT.
AND MAKING FIRE IS ONE OF
THE ELEMENTAL TASKS
A SURVIVOR HAS TO MASTER.
GET THE BATTERY OUT OF IT.
BUT EVEN WITH A BUSTED
EVERYDAY CELLPHONE,
IT IS POSSIBLE.
AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW.
HERE WE GO.
I'M IN THE RUGGED WILDERNESS
OF NEW ZEALAND.
OW. HE GOT ME THERE.
AH! OW!
I'VE MADE A SHELTER
AND CAUGHT FOOD.
AND THERE WE GO.
NOW TO COOK IT.
AND FOR THAT, I NEED FIRE.
OKAY. FIRE.
MOST PEOPLE
WHO GET LOST IN THE WILD
DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY
OF HAVING A FIRE STEEL.
YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE
ROUTINELY CARRY WHAT?
CELLPHONE, WALLET, KEYS.
BUT THE CELLPHONE --
EVEN THOUGH IT'S BROKEN
AND WATERLOGGED --
IS ACTUALLY ENOUGH
TO START A FIRE.
GET THE BATTERY OUT OF IT.
IF YOUR CELLPHONE'S
STILL WORKING, KEEP IT
FOR IF AND WHEN YOU COME
INTO RANGE OF A SIGNAL.
FLIP THE TERMINAL END OFF.
BUT IF IT'S BUSTED,
IT COULD STILL HELP YOU.
BUT THIS SHOULD ONLY BE USED
AS A LAST RESORT.
TOUCHING THE BLADE OF YOUR
KNIFE ACROSS THE TERMINALS
SHORT-CIRCUITS THE BATTERY,
CREATING SPARKS AND HEAT.
I FEEL THAT GETTING HOT.
AS SOON AS I CUT INTO
THE BATTERY,
IT'S GONNA EXPOSE THE LITHIUM
TO THE OXYGEN.
AND THAT MAKES THE SPARK,
HEAT, AND OXYGEN
THAT'S GONNA CREATE FIRE.
I HAVE THE TINDER READY.
OKAY.
WATCH OUT.
HERE WE GO.
[ HISSING ]
WELL, THAT'S GOING!
IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES.
IF YOU'VE GOT A CELLPHONE
THAT'S WATERLOGGED
AND NOT WORKING
AND YOU'RE FREEZING COLD,
USE THAT BATTERY TO MAKE FIRE
AND SAVE YOUR LIFE.
WHEW!
EEL WOULD HAVE FORMED
A HUGE PART OF THE MAORI DIET.
LOTS OF MEAT ON THIS
AND LOTS OF ENERGY.
SIMPLY CUT THE EEL INTO STRIPS
ALONG ITS FLANK.
I RECKON EEL WILL BE DONE
IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.
THERE'S TOO MUCH TO EAT
AT ONE GO,
SO I'M GONNA COOK SOME NOW
AND SMOKE THE REST ON THE FIRE
TO EAT LATER.
VERY SIMPLE HOT-SMOKER.
BE CAREFUL
NOT TO PLACE THE MEAT
DIRECTLY OVER THE FLAMES.
PLACE IT LIKE THAT.
AND THAT'S GONNA STEADILY
DRY IT OUT.
THAT'S GONNA LAST MUCH LONGER,
BUT ALL THE GOOD FATS AND
THE NUTRIENTS ARE STILL IN IT.
OKAY.
THIS ONE SHOULD BE READY.
MMM!
NICE.
WARMING, NUTRITIOUS,
PACKED FULL OF ENERGY.
A GREAT CATCH.
BUT DEFINITELY QUITE TOUGH.
WARMING UP BY THE FIRE IS A
GOOD TIME TO MAINTAIN YOUR KIT.
THAT WAY, WHEN YOU MOVE ON,
YOU'RE PREPARED
FOR WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY.
GOOD DISCIPLINE BEFORE
YOU LEAVE A CAMP, NORMALLY,
IS TO REALLY
PUT YOUR FIRE OUT WELL.
BUT IF YOUR LIFE'S ON THE LINE,
STOKE IT UP.
YOU WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF
AS VISIBLE AS POSSIBLE
AND GIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE THE
GREATEST CHANCE OF FINDING YOU.
THE CLEARER THAT FOOTPRINT
OF WHERE YOU'VE BEEN,
THE GREATER CHANCE THEY HAVE
OF TRACKING YOU DOWN.
NEVER LEAVE A FIRE BURNING
UNLESS YOUR LIFE
IS IN REAL DANGER.
ON AVERAGE,
THERE ARE 80,000 WILDFIRES
IN THE U.S. EACH YEAR,
DESTROYING
UP TO 2,000 BUILDINGS.
AND ALSO, I'M JUST
GONNA LEAVE A CLEAR ARROW
IN THE DIRECTION
THAT I'M GONNA BE TRAVELING.
LEAVE A CLEAR DIRECTION MARKER
FOR ANYONE
WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR YOU.
OKAY. TIME TO PUT SOME MILES
UNDER THE BELT.
LET'S GO.
BUT MAKING HEADWAY
THROUGH THIS ENVIRONMENT
IS NEVER GONNA BE EASY.
IT THROWS OBSTACLES
IN YOUR PATH AT EVERY TURN.
MY NEXT CHALLENGE --
A TOWERING WATERFALL.
GOT TO REACH THE TREE!
I'M IN NEW ZEALAND'S
NORTH ISLAND,
FIGHTING MY WAY THROUGH
ITS DENSE, FORESTED HEARTLAND.
THERE'S WAY MORE LIGHT COMING
THROUGH THE TREES THAT WAY...
THAN BEHIND US.
THAT PROBABLY INDICATES
A CLEARING THIS WAY.
COME ON.
LOOK.
CHECK THIS OUT.
IT'S ALL PUMICE STONE.
REALLY BUOYANT ROCK.
IT'S NOT OFTEN
YOU SEE ROCKS FLOAT. LOOK.
PRETTY COOL STUFF.
PUMICE IS FORMED
WHEN SUPERHEATED VOLCANIC ASH
SPEWS OUT DURING AN ERUPTION
AND THEN SOLIDIFIES
WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT
WITH COLD AIR.
WHOA!
SOME CLEARING!
MAN.
ACTUALLY, LOOK.
THAT LOOKS LIKE A TRACK,
THE OTHER SIDE THE LAKE THERE,
LIKE A FORESTRY TRACK
OR SOMETHING.
GONNA TRY AND GET ACROSS
THIS LAKE AND REACH THAT.
THING IS, THIS IS A HIGH ONE.
THAT MUST BE 150 FEET
DOWN THERE.
A JUMP HERE IS NO OPTION.
FROM THIS HEIGHT, THAT WATER
MIGHT AS WELL BE CONCRETE.
MAYBE USE SOME OF THOSE VINES.
USE THOSE TO WORK MY WAY DOWN
TO THE BUSHES.
SEE, LIKE 30, 40 FEET DOWN.
AND THEN CLIMB DOWN
THROUGH THOSE.
THE LONGER, FLEXIBLE FIBERS
OF THESE VINES
MAKE THEM INCREDIBLY STRONG.
AND EASILY CAPABLE
OF HOLDING MY WEIGHT.
LET'S GET THIS BACK.
I'VE GOT ENOUGH OF THEM,
AND THEY'RE LONG ENOUGH.
IT'S JUST YOU CAN'T REALLY
WRAP THESE AROUND A TREE.
AS SOON AS YOU START TO
BEND THEM TOO MUCH,
THEY LOSE ALL THEIR STRENGTH.
USING FLAX, I'M GONNA MAKE
A CONSTRICTOR KNOT.
TWIST IT UP A BIT.
IT'S SIMPLE, VERY STRONG,
AND ONCE TIGHTENED,
VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO UNTIE.
AND THAT WON'T BUDGE AN INCH.
I ALWAYS WORK
ON THE PRINCIPLE --
IF YOUR LIFE'S ON THE LINE,
DOUBLE UP.
YOU'RE ONLY GONNA
GET IT WRONG ONCE,
AND YOU'RE BETTER SAFE
THAN SORRY.
BUT THREE IS EASILY GONNA BE
STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE MY WEIGHT.
NO DOUBT -- IT IS QUITE
A LONG WAY DOWN HERE.
JUST GOT TO COMMIT TO
THE SYSTEMS YOU'VE PUT IN PLACE
AND THEN TRUST THEM.
IF YOU'VE DONE IT RIGHT,
IT SHOULDN'T MATTER HOW FAR DOWN
IT IS -- IT'S GONNA WORK.
OF COURSE,
THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
OKAY. COME ON.
GET A NICE, GOOD GRIP
ON THESE VINES.
REALLY WRAP THE LEGS,
GIVE YOU THAT FRICTION AND HOLD.
THE LINE
THAT THE VINES ARE TAKING
IS DRAGGING ME
TOWARDS THE WATERFALL,
WHERE THE ROCKS,
CONSTANTLY SOAKED,
ARE SLIPPERY AS ICE.
GOT TO KEEP OUT OF THAT WATER...
BECAUSE IT MAKES THESE VINES
SO SLIPPY.
TRYING TO REDIRECT THIS
DOWN THIS LINE.
I NEED TO BUILD ENOUGH MOMENTUM
TO PENDULUM
ACROSS TO THE TREES.
GOT TO REACH THE TREE!
GOT A PRECARIOUS LITTLE PERCH.
THIS, ON THIS ROOT.
PROBLEM IS,
THESES VINES ARE RUNNING OUT,
AND THE NEXT BIT IS CUT IN.
IT'S OVERHANGING. LOOK.
SEE THAT?
LET'S TRY AND WORK OUR WAY DOWN
TO THAT MAIN CLUSTER OF ROOTS
OVER THERE.
LET ME GET MY LEG UP THERE.
WORK OUT A WAY DOWN FROM HERE.
WE'RE OUT OF THAT VINE.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT ROOT
CLINGS ALL THE WAY
THROUGH THAT CRACK.
FOLLOW THAT DOWN
TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
THIS LEDGE IS ABOUT AS FAR
AS I CAN DOWNCLIMB.
IT'S GONNA BE A JUMP FROM HERE.
OKAY.
TIME FOR A BIT OF SWIMMING
TO GET ACROSS.
LOOKS PRETTY DARN SMALL
FROM HERE, DOESN'T IT?
THAT WATERFALL.
DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT
AT THE TOP OF IT.
GUYS, GET ACROSS.
GET ONTO THIS TRACK.
IT'S THAT POINT WHERE YOU SPOT
WHAT YOU HOPE'S GONNA BE THE END
AND YOU JUST GET 100%
MISSION FOCUSED ON FINISHING IT.
OKAY. LET'S GET OUT
AND UP THIS TRACK.
THERE ARE SOME TRACKS.
THIS LOOKS LIKE A BIG TRUCK
OF SOME SORT
WITH A "V" THAT'S POINTING
THAT WAY,
WHICH MEANS THAT THE DIRECTION
OF TRAVEL IS ACTUALLY THAT WAY.
SO LET'S FOLLOW THEM.
FRESH TIRE MARKS ON A TRACK
WILL LEAD YOU OUT OF THE WILD
TO ROADS AND CIVILIZATION.
NEW ZEALAND IS ONE OF THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH,
BUT YOU SHOULD NEVER DISCOUNT
THAT MANY PARTS
OF THIS MAJESTIC COUNTRY
ARE STILL WILDERNESS
AND SHOULD BE TREATED
WITH GREAT RESPECT.
BUT A LITTLE KNOW-HOW WILL
HELP YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS
TO GET YOURSELF BACK HOME.
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.
OKAY.
COME ON.
NOW I'M IN THE WILDS
OF NEW ZEALAND'S
VOLCANIC NORTH ISLAND...
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
...CROSSING
RAGING MOUNTAIN RIVERS...
THIS IS THE BIT
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN ON.
...AND BATTLING MY WAY THROUGH
DENSE, STEAMING FORESTS...
GOT TO REACH THE TREE!
...CARRYING WITH ME LITTLE MORE
THAN THE AVERAGE TOURIST...
AH! OW!
...I'LL TURN A BUSTED CELLPHONE
INTO A POTENTIAL LIFESAVER.
HERE WE GO.
I'M IN NEW ZEALAND'S
VOLCANIC NORTH ISLAND.
THE MAORI HAVE BEEN
IN THIS LAND FOR CENTURIES,
AND IT'S ONLY
WITH THEIR BLESSING
THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL
AND GATHER FOOD
IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY PLACE.
I JUST LOVE THIS COUNTRY!
AND I'M NOT ALONE.
EVERY YEAR, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
FLOCK TO NEW ZEALAND
FOR THE MOUNTAINS,
THE VOLCANOES, AND THE FORESTS.
BUT BE UNDER NO ILLUSION.
THIS PLACE IS STILL VERY WILD.
EVERY YEAR, TOURISTS END UP
GETTING LOST OR STRANDED,
REQUIRING ASSISTANCE FROM
NEW ZEALAND'S RESCUE SERVICES.
I'M GONNA PUT MYSELF IN
THE POSITION OF A LOST TOURIST
TO SHOW YOU HOW TO SURVIVE
WHEN AN EVERYDAY ADVENTURE
GOES VERY WRONG.
THESE JET BOATS
ARE INCREDIBLE --
VERY SHALLOW DRAFT
AND POWERFUL ENGINES.
AND THAT'S HOW THEY NEGOTIATE
THESE NARROW RIVERS
AND BIG RAPIDS.
THEY'RE USED BY HUNTERS
IN NEW ZEALAND
TO PENETRATE DEEP
INTO THE FOREST INTERIOR.
OKAY.
BUT A 30-FOOT WATERFALL
IS A NATURAL BARRIER
THAT EVEN THESE AMAZING BOATS
CANNOT NAVIGATE.
THAT'S ABOUT AS FAR AS
THE JET BOAT'S GONNA TAKE US.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO BAIL.
OKAY.
I'M GOOD.
[ GRUNTS ]
THE POWERFUL CURRENT IS
PUSHING ME AWAY FROM THE ROCKS.
OKAY.
WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND!
A GOOD BET HERE IS TO KEEP
ON A NORTH-SOUTH BEARING.
IN THIS PART OF NEW ZEALAND,
THE LARGEST CONCENTRATIONS
OF PEOPLE
ARE IN THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND.
GET THERE, AND YOUR CHANCES
OF FINDING HABITATION
WILL INCREASE MASSIVELY.
THE SIMPLEST WAY
OF ESTABLISHING YOUR DIRECTION
IS TO USE THE SUN.
BUT THERE'S A METHOD
EVEN ON AN OVERCAST DAY.
LOOK. YOU JUST USE A KNIFE,
GET A TWIG.
AND THEN JUST...
TRY AND FIND THE SHADOW
OF THE TWIG ON THE KNIFE
AND WORK OUT WHERE THAT SHADOW
IS STRONGEST.
YOU CAN SEE
THAT IT'S QUITE WEAK THERE.
AS WE MOVE,
IT'S GETTING STRONGER,
AND THEN IT GETS WEAKER AGAIN.
THAT'S ABOUT
THE STRONGEST POINT,
WHICH MEANS THE SUN
IS DIRECTLY OVER THERE --
MIDDAY, SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE,
SUN'S IN THE NORTH.
THAT'S THE WAY YOU WANT TO GO.
YOUR SEARCH FOR FOOD
IS CONTINUOUS.
AND IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES,
GRAB IT.
THIS IS A MANUKA TREE.
YOU'LL OFTEN GET GRUBS IN THESE.
HERE'S ANOTHER ONE.
THERE YOU GO. LOOK.
SEE THESE HOLES?
THAT'S WHAT THE GRUBS WILL MAKE,
LET YOU KNOW IT'S A TREE WETA.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
LOOK AT THE SIZE
OF THAT ONE THERE.
TRY AND GET HIM OFF.
THING IS, THEY DO HAVE THESE
UNBELIEVABLY POWERFUL PINCERS
IN THEIR FRONT.
BE CAREFUL WITH THIS GUY.
LOOK. YOU CAN SEE HIM
HOLDING ON TO THAT.
BUT, GEE, THAT'S MEAN-LOOKING.
AND THESE GUYS ACTUALLY PREDATE
THE DINOSAURS,
AND YOU CAN SEE WHY.
BUT FINE TO EAT.
NOT QUITE SURE
WHERE TO BEGIN ON IT.
OW, OW, OW, OW!
HE GOT ME THERE.
AH! OW!
OH. LOOK.
OW.
WHAT A BRUTE.
IT'S ACTUALLY DRAWN BLOOD.
RIGHT. NOW IT'S WAR.
THE HEAD'S COMING OFF.
AND THE BODY...
IS FINE TO EAT.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
I'VE EATEN A LOT
OF BAD THINGS BEFORE.
HOO!
[ SPITS ]
IT'S GONNA BE ONE OF THOSE ONES
YOU WANT TO HOLD YOUR NOSE
AND JUST GET IT DOWN
SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SMELL IT.
OH, IT'S RANCID.
GOD.
IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S BEEN ALIVE
SINCE BEFORE THE DINOSAURS.
SOME SORT OF BIG RIVER
PUMPING DOWN THERE.
YOU CAN HEAR IT.
LOOK. THIS JUST CAME OUT
OF NOTHING.
NO KNOWING HOW DEEP THAT IS,
EITHER.
NEED TO FIND SOME WAY
ACROSS THIS, GET DOWN.
ATTEMPTING TO CROSS A RIVER
THIS POWERFUL
SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
NEW ZEALAND LOSES OVER 100
PEOPLE EACH YEAR TO DROWNING
AND HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST
ANNUAL DROWNING TOLLS
IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD.
THAT'S GONNA BE ONE OPTION.
OF ALL THESE TRAGEDIES,
MOST OCCURRED IN RIVERS.
DISAPPEARS INTO A WHOLE WORLD
OF UGLINESS DOWN THERE.
THIS IS PROBABLY GONNA BE
OUR BEST BET.
WHY I'M ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT
NERVOUS OF FALLEN TREE TRUNKS --
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG
THEY'VE BEEN HERE.
YOU DON'T KNOW
HOW ROTTEN THEY ARE.
OKAY.
THIS TREE
HAS BEEN SWEPT DOWNSTREAM
WHEN THE RIVER
WAS IN FULL FLOOD
AND THEN RAMMED
ONTO THESE ROCKS.
IT'S A SOBERING REMINDER
OF JUST HOW POWERFUL
THESE RIVERS CAN BE.
SEEMS PRETTY SOLID, THIS.
YOU'RE JUST NOT HUMAN, THOUGH,
IF YOU DON'T ASSESS IT TWICE.
THE CONSEQUENCES
OF GETTING THIS WRONG ARE BIG.
IT'S THE BEST OPTION,
BUT PUT A FOOT WRONG
AND GO INTO THOSE RAPIDS,
YOU'RE NOT COMING OUT.
QUITE SLIPPY HERE.
PROBABLY WORTH SHINNING.
WHITE WATER IS TREACHEROUS.
THE CONSTANT CHURNING
MAKES THE WATER AERATED,
AND THE MILLIONS OF AIR BUBBLES
MEANS IT'S MUCH HARDER
TO STAY AFLOAT.
COMBINE THAT
WITH POWERFUL CURRENTS,
AND YOU'VE GOT A FIGHT
ON YOUR HANDS.
THIS IS THE BIT
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN ON.
YOU DON'T HANG AROUND ON THIS.
OKAY.
GET IT GOING, THEN.
COME ON.
COME TO ME.
LAST BIT.
YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO TAKE
ANY CHANCES
WHEN THERE'S
THAT MUCH WHITE WATER
BEING DRIVEN UNDER A LOG
LIKE THAT.
YOU KNOW,
YOU'LL ONLY GET IT WRONG ONCE.
OKAY. GOOD JOB.
LET'S KEEP GOING.
THE RIVER EDGE CAN BE
A RICH SOURCE OF FOOD.
COUPLE OF BIG CRAYFISH IN HERE.
GOOD-SIZED ONES, THOUGH.
OKAY. LET'S TRY
AND GET THESE GUYS OUT.
WE CAN EAT THEM LATER.
CRAYFISH LIKE THIS
ARE BEST KEPT ALIVE.
THAT WAY, YOU CAN ENSURE
THEY'RE FRESH
WHEN YOU COME TO COOK THEM.
THIS WILL DO --
JUST A BIT OF MOSS.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THEM OUT.
OKAY.
THERE WE GO.
AND THEN ALL I NEED TO DO...
WET THIS MOSS.
AND THEN I CAN STORE THEM
IN THAT, WRAP THEM UP.
TRY AND GET THE OTHER ONE FIRST.
HERE WE GO.
THAT'S GONNA BE
A GOOD LITTLE EAT ON THE WAY.
WRAP THEM UP IN THIS.
EATING RAW CRAYFISH
CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
THEY CAN CARRY A PARASITIC WORM
WHICH WORKS ITS WAY FROM
YOUR INTESTINES TO YOUR LUNGS,
CAUSING FEVER, CHEST PAINS,
AND EXTREME FATIGUE.
SO ALWAYS COOK THEM UP
BEFORE EATING.
WE'LL JUST KEEP AN EYE OUT
FOR ANY OTHER LITTLE POOLS
LIKE THIS WE FIND
AS WE WORK OUR WAY
ALONG THE RIVER.
OKAY. GOOD.
BEFORE MAORI HUNTERS COMMENCED
THEIR JOURNEYS INTO THE WILD,
THEY WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE
THE GODS,
WHO THEY BELIEVED
WOULD LEAD THEM TO THEIR PREY.
UP AHEAD LIES A FORMIDABLE
VOLCANIC MOUNTAIN CHAIN
THAT MUST BE CROSSED
IF YOU'RE TO MAINTAIN
YOUR NORTH-SOUTH BEARING.
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
DISLODGE ONE THING,
AND THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN
STARTS TO SLIDE.
I'M IN THE WET WILDS
OF NEW ZEALAND,
TAKING ON DENSE FORESTS SLASHED
WITH FIERCE MOUNTAIN TORRENTS.
THIS IS THE BIT
YOU DON'T WANT TO GO IN ON.
IT'S OUT OF THE FOREST.
A LOT OF MOUNTAINS AHEAD THERE.
OKAY.
LET'S KEEP MOVING.
THIS ARID VOLCANIC RANGE
DOMINATES
THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
AND HAS TO BE CROSSED
IF YOU'RE TO STAY
ON YOUR NORTHERLY HEADING.
NORTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND,
IS THE MOST
SOUTHWESTERLY QUADRANT
IN THE VAST
PACIFIC RING OF FIRE
THAT STRETCHES FROM INDONESIA
TO HAWAII.
IT'S RELATIVELY YOUNG
IN GEOLOGICAL TERMS,
ONLY BECOMING AN ISLAND
AROUND 90 MILLION YEARS AGO,
AND IS STILL ON THE MOVE TODAY,
CONSTANTLY RESHAPING.
IT'S DEFINITELY HARD WORK
AT ALTITUDE
AND ALSO VERY DEHYDRATING.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT ONLY
BREATHING HARD
AND THEREFORE LOSING
A LOT OF MOISTURE.
YOU'RE ALSO PEEING MORE
AS YOU'RE GETTING RID
OF THE EXTRA CO2 IN YOUR BODY.
IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING'S BATTLING
AGAINST YOU --
EXPIRATION, PERSPIRATION,
AND PEEING,
ALL GOING OUT
AND NOTHING GOING IN.
[ BREATHES DEEPLY ]
THE VOLCANOES HERE
ARE STILL ACTIVE.
IN 2007, MOUNT RUAPEHU'S
CRATER LAKE GAVE WAY,
CAUSING A GIANT MUDFLOW.
UP TO 1 1/2 MILLION TONS
OF MUD, ICE, AND SNOW
CASCADED DOWN
INTO THE VALLEY BELOW.
FINDING WATER IS GONNA BE
A HUGE PRIORITY
IN A PLACE LIKE THIS.
THERE'S A RIVER I CAN HEAR.
LOOK.
LET'S TRY AND FIND A WAY DOWN
TO IT.
EVEN A FEW HOURS OF EXERTION
AT THIS ALTITUDE
WILL LEAVE YOUR BODY
DANGEROUSLY LOW ON FLUIDS,
WHICH URGENTLY
NEED REPLENISHING.
VERY LOOSE.
JUST TAKE IT EASY DOWN THIS.
BUT GETTING DOWN TO THE RIVER
IS GONNA BE EASIER SAID
THAN DONE.
THE GROUND IS HARD
AND COMPACTED.
AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE.
IT'S COVERED IN LOOSE BOULDERS,
MAKING ANY PROGRESS
DOUBLY HARD.
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
DISLODGE ONE THING,
AND THE WHOLE MOUNTAIN
STARTS TO SLIDE.
THAT'S JUST GETTING
ALL FUNNELED DOWN,
LIKE AN ALLEY OF DEATH
DOWN THERE.
AND THAT IS NOT THE WAY
WE'RE GOING.
REALLY WATCH OUR FOOTING
ON THIS.
IT'S THE WHOLE STUFF --
IT'S CRUMBLING.
LET'S KEEP WORKING AROUND IT.
OKAY. YOU GOT TO STAY CLOSE
TO ME IN ALL OF THIS.
DON'T WANT TO BE DISLODGING
STUFF ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.
IT WAS MUCH EASIER TRYING TO
WORK OUR WAY DOWN THE SHOULDER
THAN ALL OF THAT LOOSE FACE.
YOU CAN SEE THERE.
THAT ALL JUST LEADS
TO THOSE CLIFFS.
ACTUALLY, YOU CAN SEE
THAT FUNNEL OF DEATH
I WAS TALKING ABOUT --
BOULDER ALLEY.
YEAH. THAT'S WHY
WE DIDN'T GO DOWN THERE.
LET'S TRY TO PICK A LINE
DOWN THIS.
IT'S ALL CLIFFS
STRAIGHT UNDER THIS.
TRYING TO WORK OUT A WAY
DOWN THE LAST BIT OF THE RIVER.
LET'S TRY THIS WAY.
IT'S A BIT OF A GULLY DOWN HERE.
OKAY, IT'S GOOD.
[ GRUNTS ]
OKAY. LET'S REFILL.
[ SNIFFS ]
I SMELL SULFUR, THOUGH.
[ SPITS ]
AW, VERY ACIDIC.
[ SPITS ]
MAKES THE LIPS AND TONGUE
REALLY TINGLE.
THAT'S THE VOLCANO
THAT'S DOING THAT TO THIS WATER.
IT JUST MEANS IT'S COMPLETELY
UNDRINKABLE FOR ME.
A LOT OF EFFORT
TO GET DOWN TO THIS.
BUT YOU'RE NOT GONNA WIN
THEM ALL.
THERE'S NO WAY
WE CAN DRINK THIS.
OKAY. WE NEED TO GET OUT
OF THE MOUNTAINS.
YOUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON HOW
YOU REACT TO DISAPPOINTMENTS.
HORRIBLE.
IT'S SO EASY
TO ALLOW YOUR SPIRITS
TO BECOME CRUSHED BY SETBACKS.
OKAY, LET'S GET MOVING
FASTER NOW.
EVERYTHING THEN BECOMES A
SERIES OF DIMINISHING RETURNS.
AND YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVING
WILL PLUMMET.
YOU HAVE TO REJOICE
IN THE SMALL VICTORIES
AND SHRUG OFF THE FAILURES.
LEAVING THE MOUNTAIN
DOESN'T MEAN
THAT YOUR CHALLENGE IS OVER.
AND IN THIS VOLCANIC LANDSCAPE,
DANGER IS NEVER FAR AWAY.
VERY STEADY HERE.
ALL OF THIS BANK IS CRUMBLING.
SEE THAT DOWN THERE?
THAT WATER'S COMING OUT
AT BOILING TEMPERATURE.
AND BOILING WATER
IS VERY UNFORGIVING.
ALL OF THIS IS SO SPONGY.
IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT'S SOLID
AND WHAT'S HOLES.
LIKE THAT.
LOOK.
SO CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD.
[ GRUNTS ]
OKAY.
WE NEED TO JUMP THIS BIT.
HOT SPRINGS ARE FORMED
WHEN RAINFALL PERMEATES
THROUGH POROUS VOLCANIC ROCK
TO AROUND 10,000 FEET DEEP.
WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT
WITH THE MAGMA,
IT BECOMES SUPERHEATED
TO WAY ABOVE BOILING POINT.
THIS WATER RETURNS
TO THE EARTH'S SURFACE
THROUGH A PROCESS
OF CONVECTION,
AND IT CAN BE CRAZY HOT.
THE CALCIUM-RICH WATER FORMS
A CRUST OF SINTER,
WHICH CAN CONCEAL
HIDDEN DANGERS.
TAKE THIS TO PROBE WITH.
[ THUDDING ]
YOU CAN HEAR THAT.
THAT SOUNDS HOLLOW.
GO THROUGH THERE,
IT'S JUST GONNA BE BOILING MUD
AND SLUDGE AND WATER.
WE'LL NOT TAKE ANY CHANCES
WITH THIS.
MAN, CHECK THIS BIT OUT.
ALL OF THIS IS BOILING.
YOU GO INTO THIS,
IT'S GONNA BE A VERY STICKY END.
ACTUALLY, ONLY A YEAR AGO,
SOMEBODY FELL INTO ONE OF THESE,
100% BURNS,
AND DIED AN AGONIZING DEATH.
EVEN IF JUST YOUR FOOT GOES
THROUGH THE CRUST AND THE MUD,
YOU END UP WITH BOILING BURNS
AND BLISTERS ON YOUR FEET.
IT'S GONNA INCAPACITATE YOU.
IN THE WILD, THAT COULD HAVE
MASSIVE CONSEQUENCES.
THE BOILING WATER IS AT LEAST
USEFUL FOR ONE THING.
I CAN USE IT TO COOK UP THOSE
CRAYFISH THAT I CAUGHT EARLIER.
YEAH. LOOK.
THAT MOSS
HAS PRESERVED THEM WELL.
NICE AND DAMP AND MOIST.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THESE GUYS COOKED UP.
SERIOUSLY HOT HERE.
WELL, THE EASIEST WAY, YOU KNOW,
IS JUST TO USE MY SOCK.
AND IN THE MILITARY,
YOU GET USED TO
BOIL-IN-THE-BAG FOOD --
NOT NECESSARILY LIKE THIS,
THOUGH.
LET'S GET THEM IN.
AT THIS TEMPERATURE,
THEY'LL ONLY NEED
A COUPLE OF MINUTES.
OKAY. I RECKON
THAT THESE SHOULD BE DONE.
LOOK AT THAT.
OUT THEY COME,
ALL NICE AND PINK AND COOKED.
AND ONE STERILIZED SOCK,
WHICH IS PROBABLY A GOOD THING.
AMAZING.
A SUBSTANTIAL MEAL LIKE THAT
WILL GIVE YOU VITAL ENERGY
AND ALLOW YOU TO COVER GROUND
FAST.
WHAT A SPOT!
BUT AT SOME POINT,
YOU'LL NEED TO TAKE A BREAK
AND FIND SHELTER.
I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW.
I'M GOING TOE-TO-TOE
IN NEW ZEALAND'S
RUGGED NORTH ISLAND.
I'VE TRAVERSED
ITS MIGHTY VOLCANIC RANGES...
MAN, THAT'S WHY THIS PLACE
IS SO HORRIBLE. LOOK.
...AND ENCOUNTERED
LETHAL GEOTHERMAL POOLS.
ALL OF THIS IS BOILING.
BUT IT'S NOT DONE WITH ME YET.
PARTS OF NEW ZEALAND SEE
UP TO 60 FEET OF RAIN A YEAR,
FEEDING HUNDREDS OF RIVERS.
YOU WON'T TRAVEL LONG HERE
BEFORE YOU FIND ONE.
THERE'S NO MISTAKING
THAT SOUND --
WHITE WATER AND A RIVER.
WHAT A SPOT!
LOOK. THAT WOULD MAKE
A PERFECT PLACE FOR A CAMP.
IF I CAN SURVIVE,
IT'S PARADISE HERE.
OKAY.
LET'S GET ACROSS THE RIVER.
AND THERE YOU SEE,
IT'S WAY DEEP ENOUGH.
SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH THAT WATER.
COSSACK, BACK SCRATCHER,
AND PIKE.
I'VE GOT TO SWIM HARD
TO GET ACROSS IT, THOUGH.
COLD RIVER.
[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]
OKAY. LET'S GET THIS KIT OFF,
GET WARM AGAIN.
IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT PLACE
JUST TO MAKE CAMP.
YOU KNOW,
I'M CLOSE TO THE RIVER,
BUT UP HERE,
JUST ABOVE THE FLOOD LINE.
I'VE GOT SHELTER FROM THE TREES
AND LOTS OF RESOURCES
TO MAKE A CAMP WITH AS WELL.
OKAY.
LET'S GET THIS ON...
AND GET INTO IT.
[ SNIFFS ]
WOW.
SMELL THAT CARCASS.
JUST STINKING.
LOOK AT ALL THE FLIES
ALL OVER IT.
THE REMAINS OF A RABBIT --
JUST LEFT ALL THE SKIN AND GUTS.
YEAH.
NOTHING ON THERE FOR ME.
AFTER JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS,
UNREFRIGERATED MEAT
WILL START TO GROW BACTERIA
THAT WILL MAKE YOU SICK AND CAN
LEAVE YOU INCAPACITATED.
OUT HERE ON YOUR OWN,
THAT CAN SPELL DISASTER.
IF YOU'RE IN ANY DOUBT,
LEAVE IT.
WHEN MAKING CAMP,
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
FOR A HELPING HAND FROM NATURE.
THIS IS A LANCEWOOD TREE.
ACTUALLY, WE MIGHT BE ABLE
TO USE THIS.
MAKE A BIT OF A FRAME...
LIKE A TENT.
THE GOOD THING ABOUT THESE
TREES -- REALLY LONG FIBERS,
WHICH MAKES IT ONE OF THE MOST
FLEXIBLE TREES ON THE PLANET.
JUST NEED SOMETHING, THEN,
TO PEG THAT WITH.
AND THAT WOULD WORK.
THE SIMPLEST METHOD
IS TO USE THE CROOK OF A BRANCH
IN THIS DEADWOOD.
[ GRUNTING ]
PIN THIS IN, AND THIS IS JUST --
IT'S CALLED
"DEAD MAN'S FINGERS,"
A "V" TO HOLD THAT IN
LIKE A TENT PEG.
OKAY.
YEAH.
THIS IS ALL FLAX.
AND THIS IS A MAORI'S
PRIME RESOURCE OF ROPE.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO
IS SPLIT THEM,
GET LENGTHS LIKE THIS,
AND YOU CAN JUST
TIE THOSE TOGETHER.
IT'S GONNA BE STRONG.
A SIMPLE TWO-WAY BINDING KNOT
IS ENOUGH TO SECURE THE FRAME.
ALWAYS CONSIDER THE PRIMARY
PURPOSE OF YOUR SHELTER,
EVEN IF YOU DON'T PLAN
TO STAY LONG.
BUILD TO YOUR NEEDS,
WHETHER IT'S TO KEEP RAIN OUT,
FOR WARMTH,
OR TO KEEP YOU OFF THE GROUND.
THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.
AND THEN IT JUST NEEDS SOMETHING
TO HOLD THE WHOLE THING UP
AND OUT.
WHAT YOU NEED NOW
IS SOME ROOFING MATERIAL.
OH, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT SHELTER
WHEN THIS IS FINISHED.
I LOVE A MANUKA BUSH.
AND THESE ARE JUST IDEAL
FOR ROOFING.
GETTING HOT.
LET'S GET SOME MORE
OF THIS THATCH.
AND THEN THE LAST LOT,
JUST LAY THE OTHER WAY.
THE THICKER IT IS,
THE WARMER IT'LL BE,
AND THE MORE WATERPROOF
IT WILL BE.
THE LAST THING YOU'LL NEED
IS A DEEP UNDERLAYER.
TAKE LOADS OF THIS DRY MOSS.
YOU LOSE MOST OF YOUR BODY HEAT
TO THE GROUND.
THIS WILL HELP INSULATE YOU.
JUST PEEL IT OFF.
IT'S LIKE NATURE'S CUSHION.
AND THEN LOOK AT THIS --
ALL OLD-MAN'S-BEARD.
BONE DRY AND PERFECT FOR TINDER.
SPREAD THIS OUT A BIT.
THE IMPORTANT BIT
THAT I WANT TO KEEP WARM --
ALL MY CORE,
THE CENTRAL BIT HERE.
NICE.
SHELTER BUILT,
NOW TO FOCUS ON FOOD.
THERE WE GO. THERE WAS ONE
COMING IN OVER THERE.
AND IN THE DEPTHS
OF NEW ZEALAND'S RIVERS
LURK SOME TRULY HUGE MONSTERS.
THERE HE IS.
HE'S RIGHT UNDER US.
I'M IN THE HEART
OF NEW ZEALAND'S
MOUNTAINOUS NORTH ISLAND.
HEADING DOWN.
NOW I'VE MADE CAMP,
I'M GONNA HUNT FOR FOOD,
USING AN ANCIENT MAORI
FISHING TECHNIQUE.
OKAY. LET'S GET THIS
DOWN TO THE RIVER.
AND THAT ROTTING CARCASS
I FOUND EARLIER
WILL COME IN HANDY.
ONE THING THESE RIVERS
ARE PRETTY FULL OF IS EELS.
AND A MAORI WAY OF CATCHING EELS
IS JUST USING THIS FLAX.
FOLD IT IN TWO,
YOU TAKE THIS MIDDLE BIT...
AND JUST RUB IT.
AND YOU WANT TO STRIP IT DOWN
TO THE FIBERS.
AND THESE ARE SORT OF STRANDS
YOU WANT, LIKE THIS.
WHEN THE EEL BITES DOWN
ON THOSE --
BECAUSE THEIR TEETH
FACE BACKWARDS --
THEY GET THEIR TEETH
STUCK IN THESE STRANDS.
TO MAKE IT STRONGER, I'M GONNA
USE A THREE-STRAND PLAIT.
AND, THEN, THE END OF IT,
YOU WANT TO SMEAR
WITH ALL OF THESE STINKING GUTS.
AND EELS HUNT ON SMELL.
AND JUST THAT
IS ENOUGH TO LURE THEM IN.
OKAY.
IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE
MAORI, IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
SEE IF THIS WORKS.
IT'S GONNA BE
A PRETTY GOOD SPOT HERE.
A LOT OF AERATED WATER
RUNNING INTO A DEEP LAGOON
AND THE NICE SHALLOWS
AND OVERHANGS
THAT THE EEL'S
ALWAYS GONNA LIKE.
JUST TRYING TO ENTICE
ONE OF THEM IN.
THERE ARE WORSE PLACES
I COULD BE SITTING RIGHT NOW
DOING A LITTLE BIT OF FISHING.
EELS TEND TO HUNT AT NIGHT,
BUT THEY CAN BE LURED OUT
IN EARLY EVENING.
THERE WE GO. LOOK. THERE'S ONE
COMING IN OVER THERE.
THEY HAVE LARGE NAVAL CAVITIES
AND AN INCREDIBLY ADAPTED
ABILITY TO SMELL.
GOT A GOOD-SIZED ONE.
RIGHT UNDER US.
THERE HE IS.
SEE THAT?
THEY'RE ABLE TO SENSE FOOD
FROM HUNDREDS OF YARDS AWAY.
TRY AND JUST ENTICE HIM
ONTO THE END OF THIS.
BUT HE CAN SMELL THAT.
COME ON. THERE WE GO.
THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO.
HE'S CAUTIOUS ENOUGH NOT TO
WANT TO BITE STRAIGHTAWAY.
GO ON.
GET IT IN YOUR MOUTH.
IT'S BACKING OFF AGAIN.
BUT HE'S DEFINITELY INQUISITIVE.
AND IF YOU'RE PATIENT,
HE WILL COME BACK.
OKAY.
HERE HE COMES AGAIN.
SEE HIM?
OKAY. THIS IS THE CLOSEST
HE'S BEEN NOW.
COME ON.
THERE YOU GO.
THERE YOU GO.
GO ON. TAKE IT.
TAKE IT.
JUST NIBBLING AT THE END.
LOOK.
COME ON.
GET IT IN.
HAVE A NIBBLE.
I JUST WANT TO HOLD IT THERE,
LETTING IT GET
REALLY WELL ATTACHED.
OKAY. HE'S ON.
HE'S ON.
WE NEED TO HIM OUT HERE.
NOW HE'S CAUGHT,
YOU'VE GOT TO ACT FAST.
SOAKED!
I'LL TELLING YOU,
HE JUST GRABBED THAT AGAIN.
OKAY.
GET HIM INTO THE SHALLOWS.
HERE WE GO.
HE'S GOT VERY SHARP TEETH.
YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL
YOU DON'T GET BIT.
THEY'RE ALSO VERY SLIPPY.
GRAB A BIT OF SAND --
STRAIGHT ON THEIR BACK.
YOU CAN SEE THE POWER IN THAT.
HE'S TRYING TO WRIGGLE FREE.
HE'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE
TO HOLD ON TO.
THE MAORI TRADITION IS,
BEFORE YOU KILL YOUR PREY...
OH!
...FEEL IT.
IT'S JUST A SIGN OF RESPECT
FOR IT.
IT GIVES YOU SOME CONNECTION
TO ITS ENERGY.
THE EEL'S TAIL CONTAINS NERVES
THAT CONTROL MOVEMENT.
A QUICK BLOW WILL
TEMPORARILY STUN THE ANIMAL.
IT'S STILL
TRYING TO WRIGGLE OUT.
OKAY.
THAT'S GONNA STUN HIM.
AND THEN HE GOES LIMP.
AND THEN I CAN FINISH HIM OFF.
AND THERE WE GO.
TOP PICNIC.
WHEW!
THIS EEL IS A GREAT CATCH,
BUT YOU'RE GONNA NEED TO
COOK IT.
AND MAKING FIRE IS ONE OF
THE ELEMENTAL TASKS
A SURVIVOR HAS TO MASTER.
GET THE BATTERY OUT OF IT.
BUT EVEN WITH A BUSTED
EVERYDAY CELLPHONE,
IT IS POSSIBLE.
AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW.
HERE WE GO.
I'M IN THE RUGGED WILDERNESS
OF NEW ZEALAND.
OW. HE GOT ME THERE.
AH! OW!
I'VE MADE A SHELTER
AND CAUGHT FOOD.
AND THERE WE GO.
NOW TO COOK IT.
AND FOR THAT, I NEED FIRE.
OKAY. FIRE.
MOST PEOPLE
WHO GET LOST IN THE WILD
DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY
OF HAVING A FIRE STEEL.
YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE
ROUTINELY CARRY WHAT?
CELLPHONE, WALLET, KEYS.
BUT THE CELLPHONE --
EVEN THOUGH IT'S BROKEN
AND WATERLOGGED --
IS ACTUALLY ENOUGH
TO START A FIRE.
GET THE BATTERY OUT OF IT.
IF YOUR CELLPHONE'S
STILL WORKING, KEEP IT
FOR IF AND WHEN YOU COME
INTO RANGE OF A SIGNAL.
FLIP THE TERMINAL END OFF.
BUT IF IT'S BUSTED,
IT COULD STILL HELP YOU.
BUT THIS SHOULD ONLY BE USED
AS A LAST RESORT.
TOUCHING THE BLADE OF YOUR
KNIFE ACROSS THE TERMINALS
SHORT-CIRCUITS THE BATTERY,
CREATING SPARKS AND HEAT.
I FEEL THAT GETTING HOT.
AS SOON AS I CUT INTO
THE BATTERY,
IT'S GONNA EXPOSE THE LITHIUM
TO THE OXYGEN.
AND THAT MAKES THE SPARK,
HEAT, AND OXYGEN
THAT'S GONNA CREATE FIRE.
I HAVE THE TINDER READY.
OKAY.
WATCH OUT.
HERE WE GO.
[ HISSING ]
WELL, THAT'S GOING!
IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIORITIES.
IF YOU'VE GOT A CELLPHONE
THAT'S WATERLOGGED
AND NOT WORKING
AND YOU'RE FREEZING COLD,
USE THAT BATTERY TO MAKE FIRE
AND SAVE YOUR LIFE.
WHEW!
EEL WOULD HAVE FORMED
A HUGE PART OF THE MAORI DIET.
LOTS OF MEAT ON THIS
AND LOTS OF ENERGY.
SIMPLY CUT THE EEL INTO STRIPS
ALONG ITS FLANK.
I RECKON EEL WILL BE DONE
IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.
THERE'S TOO MUCH TO EAT
AT ONE GO,
SO I'M GONNA COOK SOME NOW
AND SMOKE THE REST ON THE FIRE
TO EAT LATER.
VERY SIMPLE HOT-SMOKER.
BE CAREFUL
NOT TO PLACE THE MEAT
DIRECTLY OVER THE FLAMES.
PLACE IT LIKE THAT.
AND THAT'S GONNA STEADILY
DRY IT OUT.
THAT'S GONNA LAST MUCH LONGER,
BUT ALL THE GOOD FATS AND
THE NUTRIENTS ARE STILL IN IT.
OKAY.
THIS ONE SHOULD BE READY.
MMM!
NICE.
WARMING, NUTRITIOUS,
PACKED FULL OF ENERGY.
A GREAT CATCH.
BUT DEFINITELY QUITE TOUGH.
WARMING UP BY THE FIRE IS A
GOOD TIME TO MAINTAIN YOUR KIT.
THAT WAY, WHEN YOU MOVE ON,
YOU'RE PREPARED
FOR WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY.
GOOD DISCIPLINE BEFORE
YOU LEAVE A CAMP, NORMALLY,
IS TO REALLY
PUT YOUR FIRE OUT WELL.
BUT IF YOUR LIFE'S ON THE LINE,
STOKE IT UP.
YOU WANT TO MAKE YOURSELF
AS VISIBLE AS POSSIBLE
AND GIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE THE
GREATEST CHANCE OF FINDING YOU.
THE CLEARER THAT FOOTPRINT
OF WHERE YOU'VE BEEN,
THE GREATER CHANCE THEY HAVE
OF TRACKING YOU DOWN.
NEVER LEAVE A FIRE BURNING
UNLESS YOUR LIFE
IS IN REAL DANGER.
ON AVERAGE,
THERE ARE 80,000 WILDFIRES
IN THE U.S. EACH YEAR,
DESTROYING
UP TO 2,000 BUILDINGS.
AND ALSO, I'M JUST
GONNA LEAVE A CLEAR ARROW
IN THE DIRECTION
THAT I'M GONNA BE TRAVELING.
LEAVE A CLEAR DIRECTION MARKER
FOR ANYONE
WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR YOU.
OKAY. TIME TO PUT SOME MILES
UNDER THE BELT.
LET'S GO.
BUT MAKING HEADWAY
THROUGH THIS ENVIRONMENT
IS NEVER GONNA BE EASY.
IT THROWS OBSTACLES
IN YOUR PATH AT EVERY TURN.
MY NEXT CHALLENGE --
A TOWERING WATERFALL.
GOT TO REACH THE TREE!
I'M IN NEW ZEALAND'S
NORTH ISLAND,
FIGHTING MY WAY THROUGH
ITS DENSE, FORESTED HEARTLAND.
THERE'S WAY MORE LIGHT COMING
THROUGH THE TREES THAT WAY...
THAN BEHIND US.
THAT PROBABLY INDICATES
A CLEARING THIS WAY.
COME ON.
LOOK.
CHECK THIS OUT.
IT'S ALL PUMICE STONE.
REALLY BUOYANT ROCK.
IT'S NOT OFTEN
YOU SEE ROCKS FLOAT. LOOK.
PRETTY COOL STUFF.
PUMICE IS FORMED
WHEN SUPERHEATED VOLCANIC ASH
SPEWS OUT DURING AN ERUPTION
AND THEN SOLIDIFIES
WHEN IT COMES INTO CONTACT
WITH COLD AIR.
WHOA!
SOME CLEARING!
MAN.
ACTUALLY, LOOK.
THAT LOOKS LIKE A TRACK,
THE OTHER SIDE THE LAKE THERE,
LIKE A FORESTRY TRACK
OR SOMETHING.
GONNA TRY AND GET ACROSS
THIS LAKE AND REACH THAT.
THING IS, THIS IS A HIGH ONE.
THAT MUST BE 150 FEET
DOWN THERE.
A JUMP HERE IS NO OPTION.
FROM THIS HEIGHT, THAT WATER
MIGHT AS WELL BE CONCRETE.
MAYBE USE SOME OF THOSE VINES.
USE THOSE TO WORK MY WAY DOWN
TO THE BUSHES.
SEE, LIKE 30, 40 FEET DOWN.
AND THEN CLIMB DOWN
THROUGH THOSE.
THE LONGER, FLEXIBLE FIBERS
OF THESE VINES
MAKE THEM INCREDIBLY STRONG.
AND EASILY CAPABLE
OF HOLDING MY WEIGHT.
LET'S GET THIS BACK.
I'VE GOT ENOUGH OF THEM,
AND THEY'RE LONG ENOUGH.
IT'S JUST YOU CAN'T REALLY
WRAP THESE AROUND A TREE.
AS SOON AS YOU START TO
BEND THEM TOO MUCH,
THEY LOSE ALL THEIR STRENGTH.
USING FLAX, I'M GONNA MAKE
A CONSTRICTOR KNOT.
TWIST IT UP A BIT.
IT'S SIMPLE, VERY STRONG,
AND ONCE TIGHTENED,
VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO UNTIE.
AND THAT WON'T BUDGE AN INCH.
I ALWAYS WORK
ON THE PRINCIPLE --
IF YOUR LIFE'S ON THE LINE,
DOUBLE UP.
YOU'RE ONLY GONNA
GET IT WRONG ONCE,
AND YOU'RE BETTER SAFE
THAN SORRY.
BUT THREE IS EASILY GONNA BE
STRONG ENOUGH TO TAKE MY WEIGHT.
NO DOUBT -- IT IS QUITE
A LONG WAY DOWN HERE.
JUST GOT TO COMMIT TO
THE SYSTEMS YOU'VE PUT IN PLACE
AND THEN TRUST THEM.
IF YOU'VE DONE IT RIGHT,
IT SHOULDN'T MATTER HOW FAR DOWN
IT IS -- IT'S GONNA WORK.
OF COURSE,
THAT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE.
OKAY. COME ON.
GET A NICE, GOOD GRIP
ON THESE VINES.
REALLY WRAP THE LEGS,
GIVE YOU THAT FRICTION AND HOLD.
THE LINE
THAT THE VINES ARE TAKING
IS DRAGGING ME
TOWARDS THE WATERFALL,
WHERE THE ROCKS,
CONSTANTLY SOAKED,
ARE SLIPPERY AS ICE.
GOT TO KEEP OUT OF THAT WATER...
BECAUSE IT MAKES THESE VINES
SO SLIPPY.
TRYING TO REDIRECT THIS
DOWN THIS LINE.
I NEED TO BUILD ENOUGH MOMENTUM
TO PENDULUM
ACROSS TO THE TREES.
GOT TO REACH THE TREE!
GOT A PRECARIOUS LITTLE PERCH.
THIS, ON THIS ROOT.
PROBLEM IS,
THESES VINES ARE RUNNING OUT,
AND THE NEXT BIT IS CUT IN.
IT'S OVERHANGING. LOOK.
SEE THAT?
LET'S TRY AND WORK OUR WAY DOWN
TO THAT MAIN CLUSTER OF ROOTS
OVER THERE.
LET ME GET MY LEG UP THERE.
WORK OUT A WAY DOWN FROM HERE.
WE'RE OUT OF THAT VINE.
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT ROOT
CLINGS ALL THE WAY
THROUGH THAT CRACK.
FOLLOW THAT DOWN
TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
THIS LEDGE IS ABOUT AS FAR
AS I CAN DOWNCLIMB.
IT'S GONNA BE A JUMP FROM HERE.
OKAY.
TIME FOR A BIT OF SWIMMING
TO GET ACROSS.
LOOKS PRETTY DARN SMALL
FROM HERE, DOESN'T IT?
THAT WATERFALL.
DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THAT
AT THE TOP OF IT.
GUYS, GET ACROSS.
GET ONTO THIS TRACK.
IT'S THAT POINT WHERE YOU SPOT
WHAT YOU HOPE'S GONNA BE THE END
AND YOU JUST GET 100%
MISSION FOCUSED ON FINISHING IT.
OKAY. LET'S GET OUT
AND UP THIS TRACK.
THERE ARE SOME TRACKS.
THIS LOOKS LIKE A BIG TRUCK
OF SOME SORT
WITH A "V" THAT'S POINTING
THAT WAY,
WHICH MEANS THAT THE DIRECTION
OF TRAVEL IS ACTUALLY THAT WAY.
SO LET'S FOLLOW THEM.
FRESH TIRE MARKS ON A TRACK
WILL LEAD YOU OUT OF THE WILD
TO ROADS AND CIVILIZATION.
NEW ZEALAND IS ONE OF THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH,
BUT YOU SHOULD NEVER DISCOUNT
THAT MANY PARTS
OF THIS MAJESTIC COUNTRY
ARE STILL WILDERNESS
AND SHOULD BE TREATED
WITH GREAT RESPECT.
BUT A LITTLE KNOW-HOW WILL
HELP YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS
TO GET YOURSELF BACK HOME.