Man vs Wild

[Skippy]

Has anyone heard that tonights show on discovery will be in Little River Canyon at 8 PM tonight?

[McDowra]

Yep, we watched it, interesting kinda like wrestling.

[Skippy]

Bear Grylls-1........ Wild Hogs-0...... but for a minute or two I thought the Hog was gonna win

[Rigormortis]

Only got to see about half of this segment and enjoyed it.  Maybe it will come on as a re-run and I can watch it all.

[Nalgene Ninja]

What waterfall did he climb? I didn't see it but every episode he climbs up a waterfall, so I doubt he wasted the oppurtunity there.

[Skippy]

What waterfall did he climb? I didn't see it but every episode he climbs up a waterfall, so I doubt he wasted the oppurtunity there.

I'm not real sure of the falls name as I have only been to Little River Canyon 1 time, but he did jump off of one. He did have to climb out of a cave after his torch got wet.

[elbowman]

We live in Mississippi, and my wife and daughters are not backpackers or hikers. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to show them what the woods look like over in Alabama.

But this episode really disappointed me;

1. It was very staged, even more than usual.
2. The 3 to 4 minutes of naked Bear Grylls was way over the top. I understand it was cold and he did not want to get his clothes wet to cross the river and retrieve a large tarp that was conveniently left on the other side of the river. But the little blur spot was WAY to tiny on his privates. Watching naked push-ups with the kids forced a channel change. Very inappropriate for a prime time family show.

I even emailed discovery channel and logged my complaint.

Eric

[weathermansam]

Bear Grylls grinds my gears.  Didn't like him to start with, lost whatever interest/respect (if I had any) for him and his show when he made news about staying in 5 star hotels and dining at nice restaurants after filming.  This idiot they keep in syndication, but you can't find a copy of "Survivorman" practically anywhere?  Sure, the likelyhood I'll be stranded in northern Canada or the deserts of Africa is quite small, but at least Les Stroud tosses some helpful tips and concepts your way while he's busy eating bugs, weeds, etc. 

[Firedog]

Top 10 Man vs wild in Alabama tips:

1. If you're 'out of control' on a stretch of whitewater, always try to head for downed trees.

2. Cold water not only can effect the heart, it has an effect on external body parts.

3. It is better to tackle and stab a snared piggy than to just give it a good swift whack over the head.

4. Be sure to keep your pig fat torch out of the water.

5. It is better to chimney yourself up and out of a cave with an obvious entrance just 20 ft away.

6. Alligators and poisonous snakes are a real danger in January in North Alabama.

7. You need a stick to pull yourself out of the mud when all you have is parachute cord.

8. It is better to cover yourself in mud and run through a small fire than just avoid it.

9. Logging truck drivers are more than happy to slow down so you can jump on the cargo "hobo" style.

10. The best way into the canyon is to shimmy down a tree rather than using the well defined trails

It's bad that some stupid people might see this and try some of the stuff he does. He's going to get somebody killed. Really, dropping down into a cave blind. Following the sound of rushing water. Tackeling a wild pig. That pig shoul have eat his lunch. Not been his lunch. The turtle would have been a much easier catch and cooks up quite well.
Why would you eat rabbit droppings and cave crickets if you had 25 lbs of meat from a pig you just killed?

[Joshua Szulecki]

That Bear, always climbing or jumping from waterfalls.  Then again, everybody else jumps from Little River Falls, so whatever.

Not surprising that he chose Little River Canyon, since they don't allow camping in the canyon.

[Firedog]

Yea, what's up with that. I'd love to do anovernighter in the canyon. I've always wanted to start at the falls and hike to mouth park on an overnighter.

[weathermansam]

For those who missed it, including myself, here's when it comes on again:

Aug 26, 10:00 pm
   
Man vs. Wild
Alabama
TV-PG, CC

Bear Grylls is deep in the back-woods of Alabama where he tackles freezing white-waters, comes face to face with a vicious wild boar, braves a raging forest fire, and gets trapped without light deep in the heart of an enormous limestone cave.

[WolfVanZandt]

O.o

They started a raging forest fire?

Did they get the ranger's permission first?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Raging forest fire? Haven't they been doing controlled burns along the rim road for two or three years now? 

[weathermansam]

want some giggles? 

http://beargrylls.blogspo...n-vs-wild-up-running.html

[WolfVanZandt]

Aye, and, yes, that's exactly what I thought when I heard that.

Do they let that jack....uh, guy do that stuff for publicity? And when legitimate people want to use the area for legitimate reasons (such as camping in the canyon), they get anal retentive.

I think the human race is losing it's collective mind.......

Swamps of Alabama? Are there swamps in the Little River Canyon?........oh, yes, I forgot the Great Little River Canyon Swamp Basin....silly me....

[weathermansam]

Two other links....I've got to get my kicks somehow tonight, maybe I'll watch those promo clips:

http://www.backpacker.com...;f=692107219;t=9991125964

http://blog.al.com/breaki...s_and_his_show_man_v.html


The descriptions of where he actually was are better in the comments section.

[weathermansam]

Want videos?  I got you covered! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/qWs0JaxTS8E&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/qWs0JaxTS8E&rel=0</a>   ...wow.....

This enrages me like nothing else:  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZwRO54B8AFs&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ZwRO54B8AFs&rel=0</a>

I cut it off when this [choose your word] pulled a knife on a pig that was TIED DOWN!  ooooh....



<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/b8yfiYjkXKw&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/b8yfiYjkXKw&rel=0</a>



<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/4iTUPdFrRYQ&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/4iTUPdFrRYQ&rel=0</a>

-------------

These clips were uploaded by the Discovery Network, so there's no infringement going on here.  I tried to just post these as links, but it seems intent on embedding the videos.

[weathermansam]

Aye, and, yes, that's exactly what I thought when I heard that.

Swamps of Alabama? Are there swamps in the Little River Canyon?........oh, yes, I forgot the Great Little River Canyon Swamp Basin....silly me....

From what I read, these were alligator infested swamps in Ft. Payne.....it's frightening because those non existent gators are always incredibly active in winter.  He could have been lunch.  Better luck next time.

[Nalgene Ninja]

"free to run and jump like majestic retard"?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Well... Not to defend the... While there aren't any gators, there are "swamps" in that area. There is one down a ways on the rim parkway and one in the area harbors pitcher plants, if you'll recall from a previous post by, I think, Jay.

[weathermansam]

Not the swamps I'm doubting, it's the gator part.  Maybe he should consider subtitling his show "with 'great' adventure comes great 'Big Fish' "

[southmark]

Wake up and smell the roses. I have been in advertising and marketing for 42 years and Man vs Wild is just a business. The news, reality tv, national geo, etc. are all  just part of the entertainment business. All of you here are not the target audience for the Man vs Wild show. It is simply entertainment for money and so is Survivor Man, just probably different audiences.

[weathermansam]

Aside from the japanese beetles dining on them, my roses smell fine.  I don't watch tv news, or the 'reality' tv crap.  I have no problem with the entertainment business.  I have problems with shows such as this presented as a survival guide.  I have problems with the gross misinformation Man vs. Wild provides on a consistent basis.  I'm not saying Les Stroud is the king of survivalists, or that his word is gospel.  Sure, there's money involved.  But there are at least general concepts and tips you can gather from Survivor Man.  As far as Bear is concerned, it seems perfectly rational to leap off a waterfall or ramble down into a cave while surviving just for the hell of it.  Oh, and make sure you get wet, regardless of season.  I also don't find knifing a pig tied to a tree the least bit entertaining.  Of course, I also don't care for UFC either. 

[WolfVanZandt]

@.@

Grph! Well, at least he's entertaining.

I'd like to see Doug Phillips' reaction to all this.

[weathermansam]

Perhaps I'm coming off a little harsh here.  If you read the forums on the Discovery Channel's website, it's obvious people are looking to Bear as a leader of sorts of what to do in survival situations, and it strikes a nerve with me.  I'm not the only 'local' he's inflamed by his antics.  There's a decent write-up in the Birmingham News about it.  Google it if you want.  I'm going to stay away from this thread.  I'm not looking to start a war.  I voiced my opinion.  I'll be quiet now. 

[Joshua Szulecki]

Sam,

I hope my commentary wasn't read as criticism of you. I was trying, subtly, to point out that if they were in a swamp in that area it was probably a pretty sensitive area. As in, if you ask where it is, most people won't tell you.

[jaybird]

Wake up and smell the roses. I have been in advertising and marketing for 42 years and Man vs Wild is just a business. The news, reality tv, national geo, etc. are all  just part of the entertainment business. All of you here are not the target audience for the Man vs Wild show. It is simply entertainment for money and so is Survivor Man, just probably different audiences.

Thanks Southmark for that condescending view.  We have all been schooled in your marketing "expertise."  You remind me all too much of someone else on this forum that you always defend.  Very fitting.

[Lesley]

I'm going to try really, really  hard to find some silver lining here....

* There's one less wild pig.
* People who are gullible might stay out of the wild (let's face it we're, I mean they, they're easy prey).
* Alabama is getting more free advertising as a "wild" area.
* More awareness on the "dangers" of Little River area could beef up rescue personnel/gear because of copy cats.

[Disclaimer: next bit is my opinion only, if you like MvW good for it.]

I'm not a fan of this show. Mostly it's the slaying of local animals for ratings that annoys me. If he were doing it to truly survive I'd have no problem with it, but he's only doing it because it's creepy/gross and he gets paid lots of money to freak out the public. [End rant]

[weathermansam]

Josh-- Didn't take it as criticism.  I was in a rip roarin' mood last night.  I'd learned they're leveling an indian mound in Oxford, AL to build a Sam's Club. I'd just finished emailing the city council and mayor my views on that when I logged on here and and saw the Man vs. Wild thread.   Between hashing it out here, on facebook and livejournal about Bear Grylls, I woke up this morning and thought maybe I was coming off a bit harsh and out of line. 

Lesley-- From what I've read, these 'wild' animals he 'catches' are raised for consumption on nearby farms and planted in these situations...lik e the reindeer he 'snared' a few weeks back.  Also, reading his message forum is scary.  People thank him for his educational program and for sharing his expertise.  I agree on beefing up personnel or monitoring....I do think there needs to be at least a hiker sign in board at the trails along the scenic drive there.  It's remote enough you could get in trouble real fast if you didn't watch what you were doing. 


....once the batteries are charged, I plan to spend the afternoon in Sipsey exploring Turkey foot and wherever else I can wander down into before I run short of daylight.  Taking a GPS unit....new territory for me.  If you happen to be around the sipsey picnic grounds say about 2:30ish, see a red ford taurus, give me a shout out.  I may even let you take me on a snipe hunt

[Joshua Szulecki]

Enjoy the hike! I got stuck doing housework, so no hiking for me today despite the awesome weather up here. It is in the mid-70's, and is even more wonderful than yesterday. Getting close to fall now, eh?

[weathermansam]

Oh it's gorgeous out!  I spent the morning playing frisbee golf and helping rescue a baby deer.  It'd been abandoned at Monte Sano State Park,  and the ranger suggested to me and my buddy we let 'nature take it's course', meaning leave it there to die.  The ranger said they were aware of it, that it'd wandered through the campground several days earlier.  It actually greeted my buddy and me....and skin and bones, could barely walk, part of it's umbilical cord still attached as well. We called the North Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitators group, put the deer in his SUV and met them elsewhere.  They have a woman who specifically deals with deer and baby deer.   I can't seem to find an email address to send those folks a thank you note, though.  

[WolfVanZandt]

As many wild animal rescue site there are in Alabama, I don't see any reason to put any reasonably healthy wild animal down or "let nature take it's course." That's one beef I have with the animal shelter here in Alabama. When they find wild animals on private land (like in puppy mills) they take all the domesticated animals and kill all the wild ones.

[Skippy]

Sorry folks, didn't mean to open up a can of worms about the show. That show has always made me laugh because its so stupid. Firedog, your top 10 was hillarious and I gotta go with Southmark on the show just being entertainment.
Its just something to watch on TV when nothing else is on

[elbowman]

Hello All,

I sent a e-mail to the discovery channel and complained about Bear being a little bit too bare in his last episode. Thought you might be interested in their reply:

"Dear Viewer:

Thank you for contacting Discovery Channel.  We appreciate your
correspondence and for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns
with us about MAN VS. WILD.

As a survival how-to show, MAN VS. WILD provides important information that
can be used in life-threatening situations -- if faced with danger,
starvation or dehydration.  In each episode, Bear Grylls puts himself
through intense challenges in often extreme climates to show viewers
strategies that may mean the difference between life and death.  Bear feels
strongly when placed in an extreme circumstance, one must put his or her
preferences aside and focus on the flora and fauna around them as potential
resources for food and water.  MAN VS. WILD imparts survival information
with the goal of empowering viewers through knowledge.  Discovery Channel
takes great pride in the many lives that have been saved as a result of
learnings from the show.


In an effort to ensure the highest quality programming, comments such as
these are taken very seriously.  Each and every comment is forwarded on to
our programming executives for review and consideration.  Maintaining the
integrity of all of our networks is our primary goal.  It is these types of
comments that contribute to creating change and improving our programming.

Again, thank you for contacting Discovery Channel.

Sincerely,

Viewer Relations
Discovery Channel

Anyone hear about the "many lives" that this show has helped save?

Eric

[Magic City Matt]

Alright I split this topic to let the debate over society continue in the debate section.
GO here to see it:
http://www.alatrails.com/...dex.php/topic,1756.0.html


I am going to leave the topic open for opinions so people can express themselves about the show itself.


My personal thoughts are that this guy is a tool and really not much more than a failed actor doing the only thing he can find work doing. His "show" is the kind of thing that creates fear of the outdoors and promotes people stay in and watch the TV which is exactly what broadcasters want.

M

[Lesley]

@ elbowman: I call bull___ on the response letter. How dumb do they think we are? Besides, I would personally love to go head to head with this guy in a "survivor" challenge. But I'm afraid he wouldn't like acutally sleeping on something below a 400 thread count all for the sake of authenticity. Oh, and I would have the challenge last a couple of weeks instead of overnight. Bear is really a pansy in my book. I want documentation of actual people who have been "saved" by his techniques. Not actors, real, civilian people.

[highlife]

well his show saved these boys  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4170377

in my opinion pansies also don't climb everest

His show is better than most other stuff on TV. Unless you like The bachelor..or who wants to marry a fat woman...or whatever the name of the stupid show is.

[Lesley]

No, not a fan of the Fatchelor.  But I do like my reality entertainment to be real.  Bear's wiki stats are quite impressive, no doubt about that. What disturbs me about his show is he puts himself in serious harms way with seemingly no regard to logic. Why take all your clothes off to swim in a river, to obtain materials for a raft that clearly won't keep you dry, put clothes back on and float down the same river you swam across, abandon raft in the rapids and then go baby cliff diving off the falls?   

The show probably does have good advice for someone with common sense, but my concern is people will follow the ideas verbatim. Maybe if they formatted the show differently with episodes that were congruent: Crossing Raging Rivers and Ravines, How to Eat When There's Nothing to Eat, How Not to Die from Exposure....I maintain that as far as the show is concerned. He's still a wuss. Here is my supporting evidence.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=3412744&page=1

http://www.survivormanfans.com/i-know-man-vs-wild-is-fake/    ( i don't watch survivorman either)

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/discovery-re-edits-fake-man-vs-wild-segments-adds-disclaimer-5824.php

I'm glad that the show did help those kids out, but I learned the same stuff watching PBS' Nova, and National Geographic. In the end, sadly, I'm just a really big geek with a hippie botany crazed science teacher for a mom, and I'm probably subconsciously jealous. I wish that naturalism/survival-ism had been cool when I was a kid.

[Lesley]

That is the funniest, uh..stuff, I've seen in a while. Kudos to you!

[Becka]

Alligators? In north Alabama. It was funny how he was scanning the water for them.
I was thinking "he should be more concerned about the snakes."
I did like the boat until it started taking on water. 
But compared to the pigs I see here, that little fellow was a baby.

[weathermansam]

Gators exist near here [madison/huntsville] at the Wheeler refuge south of town, but in the Piedmont area where he was filming it's too cold for them.  

[MobileBackpacker]

@ elbowman: I call bull___ on the response letter. How dumb do they think we are? Besides, I would personally love to go head to head with this guy in a "survivor" challenge. But I'm afraid he wouldn't like acutally sleeping on something below a 400 thread count all for the sake of authenticity. Oh, and I would have the challenge last a couple of weeks instead of overnight. Bear is really a pansy in my book. I want documentation of actual people who have been "saved" by his techniques. Not actors, real, civilian people.

seems like a standard response from the PR dept. I dont see the BS in it.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Gators exist near here [madison/huntsville] at the Wheeler refuge south of town, but in the Piedmont area where he was filming it's too cold for them.  

I had forgotten about this:
"Are there alligators at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge?

Although seldom seen, American alligators do inhabit the Refuge. In the 1970’s, the alligator population had been reduced drastically, so 50 alligators were released here in an effort to help restore the species which at that time was federally listed as threatened. An estimated 40-50 alligators currently inhabit Wheeler NWR and at least one active nest was located during the summer of 2001."
http://www.visitalabamaon...e.com/article_wheeler.htm

[McDowra]

I can show you a gator south of Decatur on TVA property. They are all around this area just most people don't look for them.

[weathermansam]

I know Blackwell Swamp has some, and some canoe enthusiats at work have seen some large fellows as well.  I'm not sure they've been back since.  I'd love to have a photo, though.