I'm addicted to the survivor shows

[pokerfan]

Not THAT survivor show. The ones on Discovery channel (in the U.S.).

Survivorman and Man v. Wild.

Doesn't matter how many times I've seen an episode, I sit there transfixed.

It appeals to my inner cub/boy/eagle scout plus my years in the mountaineers. I love the Macgyver stuff. That one's mind can survive nature.

Just watched one where the guy makes a raft ala Tom Hanks only he didn't have a porta potty for a sail. He made his sail from palm fronds. Don't know how well it worked as a sail but it provided shade at least.

I don't know how much is staged. Did they have to throw chum in the water to attract the Tiger sharks or were they just curious? Did he really signal the boat from four miles away using the glint of his knife or did they just call it up on the radio? Don't know, but more or less the knowledge is good.

I do know the story about the father and son staying alive in a raft for 100 days after a whale sunk their yacht is true. I remember reading about it somewhere. The boat sank in minutes and they were lucky to even make into the raft.

[seemunkee]

1. I know what you mean

I like Les Stroud's crankiness. I can imagine feeling hasseled at having to go over the same ground to take those shots.
Bear seems like an interesting guy. I just read his book about climbing Everest and have another one of his sitting on the nightstand. He taught survival in the British army.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

2. Bear Grylls had more credibility in my mind........

he has had much more survival training and extreme experience: climbing Everest, SAS, crossed the N. Atlantic in an inflatable. But... he rolls with a camera crew, so how much trouble can he really get into? However, Survivorman's Les Stroud rolls by himself and if his situation shits the bed, he's on his own.

[Lost4words]

3. All I can say is Thats very sad