Survival Shows

Grab your bear can or camp chair, kick your feet up and chew the fat about anything Sierra Nevada related that doesn't quite fit in any of the other forums. Within reason, (and the HST rules and guidelines) this is also an anything goes forum. Tell stories, discuss wilderness issues, music, or whatever else the High Sierra stirs up in your mind.
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maverick
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Survival Shows

Post by maverick »

There are shows that offer pure entertainment (reality show), but they could also
be considered dangerous to those who may believe what they see.
Has any of these below listed survival shows given you any creative ideas in dealing
with situation in the Sierra? Have you ever used something you have learned
in a real life situation from watching any of these shows on Discovery, if yes, what?
Which of these are your favorite based on information you gained from watching it?
http://www.dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/survivorman" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.dsc.discovery.com/tv/out-of- ... -wild.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.dsc.discovery.com/tv/out-of- ... venezuela/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.dsc.discovery.com/survival/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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balzaccom
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by balzaccom »

They have certainly given me some ideas on what NOT to do. And who I DON'T want in my hiking group!
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
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rlown
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by rlown »

I like Les Stroud.. I don't appreciate Bear Grylls..
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by Jimr »

Les Stroud is the only one I really respect and feel that there is any real learning to be had for the normal Joe. The only thing I've ever done is use pine needles to flavor hot water when I ran out of coffee and tea.

I think Bear Grylls is worthless for any real info. If one had the training necessary for his antics, you wouldn't need his advice.

I guess I've learned another from Les. If the calorie expenditure is worthwhile, always do whatever you can to improve your situation. Last year, while my son and I were awaiting rescue, we made a checker board in the sand with pine needles and rocks. When the needles kept blowing away, my son wanted to give up on the game. I suggested we make it better. We had nothing but time, so I gathered up some sticks and replaced the pine needles to outline the board. We played many games of checkers that helped pass the time.
If you don't know where you're going, then any path will get you there.
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by copeg »

Les Stoud/Survivorman is the only one of the bunch I enjoy. Both from an entertainment perspective, survival perspective, and a film-making perspective (under the circumstances he always seems to film in a realistic and artistic manner IMO - which is extremely difficult to do). Can't say that I've ever used anything I've seen in the show. I don't care at all for the other 'survival' shows I've seen (Bear Grylls, Dual Survival)
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by Fly Guy Dave »

I can't speak with any authority on the matter, but a friend of mine who teaches survival skills classes and sometimes goes off by himself for two weeks at a time into the wild and eats mice (and whatever else he can get his hands on), swears by Les Stroud and says his advice is solid, while Bear is full of it and should be completely ignored.
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by Rockchucker »

I can't stand Bear Grills.Man vs wild is good way to learn how to make a bad situation worse. Les seems much more real, I have learned about primitive fire starting and practiced in real life. Amazing how friction fires work. Skills we have lost in our society.
I'm no suture for my future.
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by Maddog61 »

I'm reading Cody Lundin's book "98.6" it seems solid so far as far as basic survival when backcountry trips go bad. I didn't pay too much attention to the TV show. Any opinions on the book, or Cody Lundin in general?

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Last edited by Maddog61 on Sun Feb 24, 2013 8:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by sparky »

Image
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Re: Survival Shows

Post by dave54 »

They should all be listed as comedies.

For real survival information you are better off watching Gilligan's Island reruns.
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