Man vs. Wild

[WhistlingBadger]

I know this is an old show, but I just thought I'd share an opinion. I'm sure Bear Grylls is a nice guy and all, but his show is a bit silly. And most of his "survival techniques" would get you killed very quickly (but quite adventurously!) in the real world. The Badgerling and I like to watch the show and critique it, discuss why this is a good idea and that isn't, and laugh at some of the silly things he does.

But I have to admit, finding a freshly killed elk right off the bat WOULD come in handy.

 

[Circus]

When I was younger, I thought that show was the coolest thing ever. Then I grew up a bit and realized it was a bit off, and to not really trust the advice. Still fun to watch occasionally.

 

[itiwhetu]

It had real potential but lost it's way

 

[OnlyGenusCaps]

I know it was far less flashy, but I always preferred "Survivorman".

 

[Gypsum]

What? You're saying peeing on the bottom of skis so you can skin uphill (in the absence of skins, obviously) doesn't work?

Or you shouldn't try taming a 'wild' horse by tying some grass in the vague shape of a halter/headcollar, and then body-slam said horse in an attempt to vault onto its back? I can't see how that could possibly go wrong.

And you don't need to carry a full rack of cams and place them while climbing on a top rope? Really? And who needs a belayer anyway when you are ostensibly 'leading' anyway?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

My favorite is when he is lost somewhere in northern Europe (Scotland, I think?) and he wrestles down a sheep and cuddles with it to stay warm.

Poor sheep was in counseling for years after that...

 

[Gypsum]

That's a good one. Haven't seen that gem. Traditionally, you don't just 'cuddle' the sheep.

The skis really took the biscuit for me. We couldn't stop laughing. Skins are expensive, man. Why spend £150 on fancy kit when you can just pee on your skis?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

My husband and I's favorite episode was when Bear grabbed a live fish out of a stream, bit into it and said "That's the freshest fish I've ever tasted!". We've never laughed so hard. Every time we bite into a piece of fish now we quote Bear.

This was many years ago and I can't remember what he did to render this (relatively?) painless for the fish but he may have whacked it on the head first or something before he bit into it. But there was no cleaning the fish, no cooking, just bit right into it. Mmmmmm..... FRESH.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Wilderness sushi.

The sheep episode was in the "You vs. Wild" incarnation of the show, where you have to choose between two equally preposterous solutions to a (usually simple or avoidable) problem. We got really into that one for a while because we figured out it's fun to always make him choose the dumbest and/or grossest option.

In tonight's episode, in Siberia, he was complaining about how bitterly cold it was, with his hood down. Then he intentionally wet his knife blade and stuck it to his hand. Then he peed on it to get it off. Other than the obvious gross factor, this left his hand soaking wet, which is always a great idea when it's -20F.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Whenever we're out skiing or hunting and it's really cold, somebody will mention, "Better start looking for a sheep to hug..."

 

[Gypsum]

Is peeing on things Bear's go-to solution for most problems you'll have in the wilderness?

 

[FFGuest6357]

I know it was far less flashy, but I always preferred "Survivorman".

His name is Les Stroud, and he actually survives the situations he put himself into.

I know it was less flashy, but not only did he survive his situations, he also did all of his own filming, which meant he would hike a distance, setup up his camera gear, hike back to his original position so he could get footage of himself walking towards the camera. Surviving TWICE.

He also distilled his own pee without drinking it directly. AND, AND, I saw him* make a fire with a piece of chocolate and a pop can... survivorman all the way

*edit=autocorrect typo

 

[FFGuest6357]

Or how about that time he simulated a plane crash survival, and made charcoal using the panels from the plane. So that on his hike out to safety he could use a spark to start a fire, in the snow.

 

[itiwhetu]

Or how about that time he simulated a plane crash survival, and made charcoal using the panels from the plane. So that on his hike out to safety he could use a spark to start a fire, in the snow.

Really. and that worked.

 

[FFGuest6357]

Or the time in the Arctic where they told him he had to take a rifle, because of the danger of polar bears. Normally he doesn’t bring any weapons, especially firearms.