01x03 - The Long Trek Back

[bunniefuu]

[eagle screeching]

I have a lot of
respect for people that

know their limits
and can admit defeat.

I'm cold every night.

It's miserable.

Not gonna sit here and
freeze my a*s off every night.

I'm not gonna do this anymore.

I just cut my finger.

[Kaila speaking]

Hopefully it'll close up.

It's pretty bad.

Oh, man.

Jungle doesn't like me.

I'm feeling very
exhausted, very dehydrated.

I think I'm starting
to stop sweating.

That's a bad sign. That's
a sign of heatstroke.

[narrator] They've
tested themselves

in the most grueling
environments on earth.

We got fire!

[narrator] And proven
the value of teamwork

in overcoming
harrowing conditions.

Oh, my God. I'm so cold.

[narrator] Now eight of the
most battle-tested survivalists

will take on their
toughest challenge yet

as they attempt 21
days with no partner.

To each take on a
separate location.

Solo.

Yes! Badass b*tch right now.

That's a hawker.

This is no joke.

[woman] This is the most
naked and afraid I've ever felt.

Oh, why am I out here?

[man] You either
get it done or die.

[grunts]

Life's full of disappointments.

You just have to
bounce back from 'em.

[narrator] In the heart
of the African plains,

Cheeny scored a big
protein win on day three.

Yes.

[narrator] But
plummeting temperatures

and a medical
condition, Raynaud's,

which makes her
vulnerable to the cold.

I just don't want
to be cold anymore.

[narrator] Have threatened
her ability to continue.

I know as soon as
I put the robe on,

I'm going to hate myself.

I can't do that.

I've never walked away
from a challenge in my life.

Never quit.

And I don't want to start now

because this is a
privilege to be here.

Got to stay in the fight.

Let's boogie.

Once I finish the wall, I'm
gonna add more onto my roof.

I don't want to have
another cold night in Africa.

Leaf this sucker up.

I'm trying to stack
up my rock wall

so that I trap more heat.

For me movement, when I'm in
a bad place is key because you...

you stand still, you just
kind of wallow in that [bleep].

And that's not healthy.

You got a huge catfish
and you're not hungry yet.

And I'm like, the most
beautiful country in Africa.

I keep telling myself,

"Look at everything that
you've accomplished so far.

There's nothing
to complain about."

Next up, I got to put
a roof on this thing.

A roof is crucial.

The heat's just going
out and it's escaping.

I need to contain it
as best as possible.

Putting on an addition.

So I got branches.

And I'm stacking them.

Just layering them up.

That's going to help
trap a lot of the heat.

Perfect.

Overall, it's looking
a lot better than

what it was this morning.

So I think I'll have a...

think I'll have a
much warmer night.

Let's hope.

Oh, [bleep].

This is completely uphill.

[narrator] After
choosing to leave

behind the fire
starter on day one.

I came out here for a
challenge, so I'm good.

[narrator] Terra has been unable
to produce fire with a bow drill...

Damn it.

Leaving them vulnerable to
predators and swarming insects...

Go away.

[narrator] ...and
forcing a risky decision.

I'm going to try to use
some of the last energy I have

and collect that fire starter.

If I don't, I'm kind of screwed.

Weakness, fatigue, hunger.

I've got to get through all that,
and I've got to make it there.

I chugged water before I left, but I'm
pretty much at that point of dehydration.

I feel like my muscles are
about to just give up on me.

I get little dizzy spells, but I
know I've got to keep going

and keep trucking
'cause I got to get there.

I'm trying not to burn
myself out completely

because I still have to
come all the way back down.

Right now, my mind
is just focused on

not having my heart
beat out of my chest.

I'm feeling very
exhausted, very dehydrated.

This is a very, very, very
a lot to do with no food.

I think I'm starting
to stop sweating.

That's a bad sign. That's
a sign of heatstroke.

I got water, shelter,
fire on the first day.

But I would have
to see if I can find,

like, some mangoes
or some cactus

or just something that
I can put in my belly.

[narrator] In the first
week of the challenge,

Kaila has overcome doubts
about surviving without a partner.

Yay! I got my fire all started.

Super excited.

[narrator] Relying on
her own experience

to maintain fire and shelter

against jungle downpours
and allowing her focus

to shift towards food.

Ooh, mangoes.

There's so many of them.

Oh, my gosh.

These mangoes are gonna
be a game changer for me.

Yeah.

This is exciting.

I'm very excited.

Having mangoes is definitely
gonna give me enough energy

to be able to walk around
and do some hunting,

and that way, I can
get some protein.

So this is huge.

It's so good.

Touch and go rain seems to be
the pattern of the weather right now.

My name is Shanika.

I am a spiritual coach.

I currently live in
Huatulco, Mexico.

I need to keep this
fire going to stay warm.

It is not fun being
wet and cold.

In my previous
challenge in Mexico,

the environment was cold and wet

and the mosquitoes,
they were horrible.

When I say these
bugs are relentless,

I mean, I'm out here
doing the shelter

and they're biting
me on my [bleep].

I'm from Jamaica.

Just put me where the
sun shines, and I'm okay.

But cold, a
feeling I don't like.

This rain is getting
on my nerves

because it's wintertime here,

and it's not supposed to
be really raining like this.

My fire is all I got.
I'm out here alone.

I'm out here with the
most dangerous animals

and I need to
get this fire going.

No more fire.

This weather is
very unpredictable.

It just comes and goes.

Right now, the sky is
blue, and it was raining.

It just doesn't make any sense.

South Africa is beautiful.

But it also can be
quite dangerous.

[narrator] This African
shrubland is full of constant threats

where 1,300-pound crocodiles
can remain stealthy for days

before ambushing their prey and daily
temperature swings of 50 degrees are common.

Wow.

What's that?

It looks pretty dry.

Hopefully this will
help get my fire going.

I am here to do
something amazing.

I'm here to know
more of who I am.

I'm here to push my boundaries.

I'm here to deepen my connection

with my ancestors now
that I'm here in Africa.

[narrator] Entering this challenge
with vast fishing experience

and strong mental fortitude,

Shanika begins her 21-day quest

with a solo survival
rating or SRR of 7.0.

Maybe we can start
something with this.

I don't expect any
journey to be easy.

The point is you're gonna
face some challenges

and find the strength
to overcome them.

Wow, look at that.

Fire, the feeling of
getting fire going, it's like,

I don't know, watching
your first child be born.

Here we go. It worked.

My ancestors are definitely
aiding and assisting me.

They want me to thrive.

I see a lot of dove.

I know how to make a live
trap that's great for birds.

There's opportunity
knocking right there.

I need to work on a trap.

I'm James, and I'm an architect

in Tallahassee, Florida.

My prior challenges
was 21 days in Nicaragua

and a 40-day XL
challenge in the Philippines.

[James speaking]

Unfortunately, my
challenge there didn't go

as I'd want it to go.

[woman speaking]

I did complete the 40 days,

but I started feeling like I was
riding the coattails of others.

James, would you like us to
help you with getting bags?

No, sir. Thank you, sir.

So I really do want to complete
this challenge on my own.

It would be
unbelievably meaningful.

I'm pretty sure there are
rhino tracks down there.

They're huge.

And yeah, you can see the...

the toes.

All those things
that trample you,

step on you, bite you, k*ll you.

Those are fresh,
fresh warthog tracks.

[narrator] At 1,500
feet above sea level,

this remote South African
grassland is occupied

by some of the planet's
most lethal animals.

Ferocious hippos are responsible
for more human fatalities

than any other
animal in the region.

And large packs of hyena
scavenge the plains for easy prey.

I just need a little
bit of cordage.

I know how to make a live
trap that's great for birds.

I could clip off some
of this grass seed,

make a little pile,
set it down there,

might be able to get a dove and
do nothing but sit and let it happen.

I'm dedicating this
challenge to my dad.

He just passed away,

and he's the one that
instilled that adventure.

He used to take me
out into the desert,

and we didn't care
what was out there.

He just said, "Come
on, son, let's go."

As a tribute to my dad,

I need to do my best
throughout the entire challenge,

not just get to the end.

This is a live trap.

Catch small game
birds up to rabbits.

You start with the larger
length on the bottom

and it's like a pyramid

that comes up to a peak.

And the reason that
actual shape is necessary

is so that when you
put a piece of cordage

across the top
and you tighten it,

it wants to squeeze
everything down.

[narrator] Having finished both
of his two previous challenges,

James' expertise
in primitive survival

and knowledge in
multiple environments

has him beginning
with an SSR of 7.6.

All right.

That's definitely
a good size for...

for dove.

Gonna focus on getting
some fish today, some food.

I can already taste the fish.

So I just got to catch it.

I could foresee hard situations

that will try to wear
away at my energy.

But I can't let that get to me.

This might take a little while,

so I'll leave it overnight,

hopefully have some
success in the morning.

Actually came apart.

Well, I'm not 100%
sure on this one this time.

I think it was the wind
'cause it was over to the side

as opposed to
just straight down.

[Shanika] Day five,
I haven't eaten yet.

I'm feeling all low
energy, tired, a little foggy.

[Shanika speaking]

[James] Bird trap, come on now.

You got to catch something.

I've caught nice
big rabbits with you,

and you can't even come out here

where there's a thousand
birds and catch a bird.

I think I've checked my
fishing line about five times.

Nothing yet.

I am crazy thirsty.

It's getting to me.

But all I'm focusing on,

getting to that fire
starter and getting back.

I see my fire starter.

It's up there on the rock.

Oh, man.

Now I know that I can
make a fire at any time

just by collecting a little bit
of material and sparking it.

So I got to keep
reminding myself

that this isn't a fail.

This is just something I had
to do if I wanted to continue

in this challenge.

I still have come all
the way back down.

Going up is bad, Coming
down his bad regardless.

Oh, God.

I could feel my heart racing.

Oh, man.

And I can feel dizzy
spells coming on.

I stopped sweating
a little while ago.

These are all symptoms
of heat exhaustion.

And if that's the case, then I
need to get down this mountain.

Or I could be in some
actual real trouble.

Oh, God. I don't
know if I can do this.

Never been so thankful for
just the sight of my shelter.

I am beat down.

I am sunburnt.

I am crazy thirsty.

I am still thirsty, even
with the water in me.

I'm feeling a little bit
dizzy, a little bit nauseous.

But all in all, I'm alive.

This is not going
to be a giant fire.

It's not going to be a bonfire.

It's just going to be
a little cooking fire.

I just wish the critters
would leave me alone.

I can't believe
they're all around me.

This place is stupid.

If I can get smoke and ash

all around at least
my debris shelter,

then I can stop having so
many bugs on me all the time

and I can actually
get something done.

I just need the fire.

Look at that.

It's pretty cool.

It feels great
having actual fire

within just a couple of scrapes

of the magnesium, a
couple of hits on the plant,

I was able to
get a fire started.

There's a lot of stress
that's been relieved

by going and getting
that damn thing.

With fire, I can cook.

It'll take down the bugs a lot.

I can put snares out and hopefully
catch something in the forest.

I got a lot of sleep last night.

Shelter worked a
lot better last night.

I made the rock
ring a little bit taller.

That helped block the
wind and keeping the heat in.

Day 21 feels like it's going
to get here a lot faster now

that I can sleep.

That was the k*ller.

My mood today is a complete 180

from what it's been
the last couple of days.

Like I was waking up
all sorts of pissed off,

and I can't think
of a single thing

to be mad about right now.

So, where there's
water, there's life.

So, I know my best bet
for food is along the river.

I was able to finally
fix the cold problem.

But now I need to get out
and find another food source.

I ate cru-zilla.

Yes!

Ha-ha.

Cru-zilla is no more.

I see there are paw prints.

I'm guessing that the Jackal.

I hear him at night howling.

And this is more of like
a raccoon shaped paw,

which I'm assuming
is a porcupine.

So maybe, hopefully I
can find one that's in a den

'cause they're around here.

I see their prints everywhere.

Okay, there we go.

There's plenty of
tracks going in and out.

I just hope there's
a porcupine in there.

It could be in there sleeping.

I think porcupines
move at night.

There's one way to find out.

So, I'm gonna start making some
smoke to spook whatever's in there out.

[narrator] Cape Porcupines
are the largest rodent in Africa.

And the largest
porcupine in the world.

They are nearly three feet long

and can weigh over 50 pounds.

[Cheeny] All right,
the moment of truth.

Oh I didn't even
have to push it.

Hopefully it's a
little porcupine

that'll come lumbering out.

I'll get some of this green on
there get it to smoke a little bit more.

You do this all the time
when we signal aircraft,

we build a fire and then we
put green vegetation on top.

That creates a
lot of nasty smoke.

I don't think there's
anything in there.

That's out.

So, a lot of work for nothing.

Nothing in there.

[sighs]

[Kaila] All right.

So, I worked on the
shelter a bit more.

Grabbed more firewood.

I've been eating some mangoes,
but need like some protein.

So, what I'm doing now, um,

is I'm making a figure
for a trap of mine.

This...

I'm gonna carve this,
so I can seat it here.

Then I'll have my bait stick.

So now all I have to do is
just cut in all the notches

so that it fits together.

And then the animal will come in

and it'll chew on the bait.

And then...

And then I'll have dinner.

All right. Back to work.

Day six is when I left in Peru.

I'm doing great
here on day eight.

I'm feeling good,
feeling confident.

But I'm definitely
getting hungry.

I tried to gain as much
weight as possible beforehand.

This is the proper way that
you eat a pint of ice cream.

So, no spoons necessary.

Cheers.

Yeah, babe.

Bailey, my daughter,
she's 15 years old.

She's like my best friend.

I spend every
single day with her.

I love you.

She helps to put me in a
great mindset and headspace.

So, it's definitely difficult
being away from her.

Hmm.

I just cut my finger.

And it's a good one, too.

It just slipped like I was going
nice and slow and it just slipped, so.

Yeah.

The jungle doesn't like me.

[Kaila speaking]

[Jonathan speaking]

[Kaila speaking]

[Jonathan speaking]

Seriously so
disappointed in myself.

Hopefully it'll close up.

I don't know. Pretty bad.

Oh, man.

[Jonathan speaking]

[Kaila speaking]

[Jonathan speaking]

[Kaila speaking]

[Kaila] I ended up
cutting my finger.

And I am so disappointed in myself
because that's like one of the things

that I'm always
so careful about.

And of course, I cut myself.

So, it was... it's a
pretty deep cut, too.

[woman speaking]

[Kaila speaking]

[Jonathan speaking]

[Kaila speaking]

[Kaila] It's just me
out here, obviously.

I don't have that
extra set of hands,

so it's definitely a lot
more work all on my own.

So, an infection could take
me out of this challenge.

I'm seriously so
disappointed in myself.

[Cheeny sighs]

Start looking for
more food elsewhere.

Time for plan B.

I'm not sure what
plan B is yet, but...

some of these rocks
I can flip over and see

if there's any
scorpions underneath.

I don't know, scorpions,
but [bleep] ton of termites.

And termites with lava.

[bleep] I just dropped it.

That's okay. There's more.

Mmm.

I can see why
monkeys like these.

Ow.

[bleep] bit me good.

These ones with the
blackheads, they bite.

Termites bite hard.

But I bite harder.

Oh, yeah. There's a little one.

Big pinchers, small tail.

Which means he's
not super venomous.

I just want to stab
him right in the head.

Wanna get that stinger off.

Cut it off at the first segment.

The lobster of Africa.

He's small, but he's
gonna be good, roasted.

No, nothing there.

Ooh, baby.

Another scorpion.

Ah, he's dead, but
his little stinger thing

will keep searching for
me, so I'll get rid of that.

Another one bites the dust.

We got a scorpion on a stick.

A little pincher
claw right there.

Kinda tastes like popcorn.

Wouldn't be mad if I ate
this the rest of the challenge.

All right. I finished
up my figure four trap.

All the sticks are notched
out and good to go.

My finger doesn't hurt.

Hopefully it stays like that.

So last night, I definitely
could hear some small animals

walking around my camp.

And so, I went out
back and was scouting,

and I found a really
good game trail.

So, I think I'm gonna
set my figure four trap out

back there and hopefully
I'll catch something tomorrow

because I need to eat some food.

Maybe I'll put a trap upon this

this is definitely a game trail.

I made a figure four
trap that was big enough

that it could catch like
a raccoon or a possum.

But in order to do that,

you need to have a rock
that's like three times the weight

of whatever animal
you're trying to catch.

I used a piece
of mango for bait.

Get this in there,
nice and secure.

Hopefully I can balance it.

This is where having a partner
actually would come in handy

because it's hard
to balance the sticks

without them collapsing.

It's such a hair
trigger that, like,

you're like just the slightest thing
is gonna make it fall, which is good.

That's what you want.

But when you're trying
to balance a massive rock

on top of it, it's
definitely hard.

Please stay.

Okay.

So hopefully an
animal will come in here

and nibble on the bait.

And once he does,
it'll trigger the stick here

and the whole
thing will collapse

and the rock will
fall on top of it.

Definitely want to try
to get some protein

while I'm here, so we'll see.

Hopefully it works.

You know, carefully walk away.

[Shanika] Day eight...

And, um, I am hungry, tired.

I need some food today.

Well, I needed food
like, three days ago,

but today it would be awesome.

I came down to check my lines.

It's been about a day
since I checked the bait.

I don't know how many more days

I can continue without food,

so hopefully I get
some success today.

Ancestors, I'm asking you
to help me get some fish.

Oh.

And I got everything I
need to go catch some fish.

My rod, my tackle, my
enthusiasm and my hunger.

You know, throwing
that line out a few times

and haven't been successful yet.

I don't know how many more days

I can continue without food,

so hopefully I get
some success today.

Oh.

Ha.

[laughs]

I got a little fish.

Thank you, ancestors.

I was really doubtful because
I'm on day six of not eating.

I've never gone that
long without food.

It wasn't looking so good.

So, I'm really glad I
got this little guy here.

I can use this for
some more bait.

It'll give me some energy and
some hope to last another day.

Oh, yeah. I got a fish.

I got a fish. It's
my fish dance.

Oh, no piece of this
fish will go to waste.

I'll definitely eat
as much as I can,

and then the rest
will be used for bait.

Six days, cast multiple lines.

Finally hit the jackpot.

All right I think it's ready.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for this little fish.

Oh.

Fish never tasted so good.

The fire roasted flavor
of the fish, it hits the spot.

Nothing but bones.

End of day eight, I'm feeling
energetic from that fish win.

It lets me know that there
are more fish out there.

And they are...
they're gonna bite.

Get a little water
to wash it down.

Every day I feel like I'm
earning my right to be here.

[James] Well,
the trap is still up.

So, nothing got
in it last night.

I'm feeling tired
like it's day 20.

Having not slept
much, not eating.

I need to start bringing
in some protein.

That's frustrating.

Well, I've taken
my first attempt

and got absolutely
no food, no nothing.

So now I'm coming up with a...

a new game plan
of maybe a fish trap.

Got to get
something in my belly.

I think the birds
are laughing at me.

Oh, it's a little
fish out there.

I could see him when
I walk out to get water.

But there's a few big ones.

I'm hoping to get
the fish trap set up.

I've made a few fish baskets
before using different materials.

The one that I'm
comfortable building

and had some success
with is basically a big funnel.

And it has an odd number
of main st*lks that come up.

And then I would weave the
reed up until you had a cone.

So that'll be the
framework for the basket.

Big bird of prey coming in.

Looks like a fish eagle.

Cool.

Like so many things out here.

Unique and beautiful.

Yes. There's fish in the pond.

You may have some.

Dang there's some
big fish in there.

I've been focused on
getting that trap done.

That may be the only
way to get those fish.

Must have patience.

I'm spending hours
and hours weaving.

Partner, please take over now.

Oh, wait.

I'm alone.

There's several hundred
loops to make that basket.

All right.

The top part of the basket
allows the fish to come in

and discourages
them from coming out.

Bait it and set it.

I'm putting it in the
middle of the watering hole

where I see all
the big fish moving.

[laughs]

They're going crazy over here.

Water's not deep there, but
that's where the fish were, so.

I can leave that trap
there as long as I want.

Right now, I'm thinking
for the rest of the night,

and hopefully they'll
be there in the morning.

[rustling]

[Kaila speaking]

Something's crashing
around here like hell.

They got really,
really close with it

and back on my shoulder here.

I can hear 'em still
beating around here.

I don't know if it's like a
Jaguar or something else.

Just staying aware.

Just keeping my fire going.

[Kaila speaking]

Hey.

Get out of here.

Get out of here.

[Cheeny] So, I feel like I need
to have a best friend out here

to help keep me
company at night.

Wow.

It's an oryx skull.

That's cool.

What an amazing find.

Named him AJ.

AJ is my buddy.

My number one.

I want to put him somewhere
where I can see him.

These nights won't
be so lonely now.

I have someone to talk to.

Yeah, what's up AJ?

I know, dude. It sucks.

It's cold.

At least we got each
other right, buddy?

[Kaila] Last night there was a
really big animal in my camp,

so I just want to scope
out the area really quick

and see if I see any
signs of anything.

That's definitely like
right up in through here.

I don't know.

Whatever it was, got
pretty close to the camp too.

I could hear it
right up in here.

Like it was big enough that
like it was moving the trees.

Being out here alone
with the animals and stuff,

it's a little concerning.

I want to get out
and explore and stuff,

but I just want to
be really cautious

because there's so many
predators in the area.

[James] I'm going to
go check the fish trap.

I do feel somewhat like
an expert building a trap.

You set it out there to see if I can
catch some of the bigger catfish.

Nothing.

Well, now what do I do?

I decide to go to my Plan
B, which is using the basket

as almost like a net and trolling
with it as I walk through the water.

So, I'm dragging it right
along the bottom of the mud.

And in this dark, muddy water,

the fish don't always
know where they're going.

And maybe they'll
just swim right in.

Oh, wow. First catch.

Not a lot, but it's a start.

And these look
like a type of bream

that they're just not very tall.

Yeah.

So, this will be the first food

I've actually had since
I've been out here.

It definitely lifts the spirits.

I'm gonna go try these out.

I've got five smalls.

Oh, they're not
super, teeny tiny.

But it's protein.

Taste like fish. Grilled fish.

Which actually grilled
fish are pretty good.

Not exactly a full size meal,
but it's infinitely more than

I had yesterday
and the day before.

I feel a little better now.

I have an ability to survive
and complete a challenge.

I feel proud about this win.

There's no telling what's
right around the corner.

[Terra] All right.

So, now that I have the
fire, from here on out,

it has to be smart survival.

No more overexertion.

Just basic needs until I can
get something in my belly,

something to give
me energy back.

So, I've got to play it smart.

Otherwise I'm
never gonna make it.

It's amazing how sparse
this place is for food.

I can't believe there's
not one damn fruit tree

or cactus around.

My biggest regret about
my previous challenge

was not being able to
showcase most of the skills

that I actually do have.

And I don't want to
crawl to the finish line.

I want to get to
extraction strong

and I want to be
able to complete

even more of the challenge
if it was brought to me.

[Terra] This is exactly
what I needed right now.

More stuff to go wrong.

Just kind of praying that
something good happens today.

Hey.

There is a snake right there.

Good. [bleep].

We saw a snake up in this tree.

I could really, really
use this meat right now.

I'm pretty much
willing to try anything

I can to get this snake down.

[grunting]

It's moving.

[grunting]

[Terra] My best option is to
just keep throwing stuff at it

and [bleep] hit it and
get it out of the tree.

[grunting]

[Tera] Damn it.

[rumbling]

Holy crap.