my money is on les. the original survivor man. huge fan of les and think he could out survive bear any day on any planet.

Hmmm...I don't know. Let's see. If there were a cliff in front of both of them, Les would probably walk around, so that would put him behind by a couple of hours at least. Bear would just jump over it if it were only 30 feet high or so, but if it were higher, he would just climb down the face of it like a monkey and be at the bottom drinking fetid jungle water while he waited for Les.

Then there's the problem with glaciers and snow. Les would build a shelter and hunt for food, whereas Bear would slide down a couple thousand feet in just a few minutes on his backside. If the end of the glacier was too steep, however, he would try to find a series of ice caves to crawl through. Barring some unfortunate cave-in, Bear would be cooling his feet at the bottom of the glacier in an ice pool as he showed us how manly he was by counting the number of toes that had succumbed to frostbite. He would be grinning like a schoolgirl when Les showed up three days later starving to death because he had subsisted on melted snow and a few berries he had found.

And let's not forget the sweating factor. Bear runs, frollicks and climbs himself way out in the lead on most difficult terrain, but Les says this will lead to hypothermia in extremely cold climates. I have yet to see ol' Bear succumb to the ravages of hypothermia, even though he has repeatedly thrown himself into icy ponds, scampered haphazardly about the Alps at breakneck speeds, and slept atop a backpack in a snow cave. So, Bear is either superhuman, or he is from another planet, wherein he would have the advantage either way over Les.

In conclusion, I don't see how Bear could lose to Les in any shape or fashion, unless he climbs down from atop his mountain-sized ego and played fair with Les. Because otherwise, Les doesn't stand a chance against Super-Bear in the fantasy world that is Man Vs. Wild. So unless Bear were limited in some way to only performing tasks that us real humans can do, then no, Les would be beaten on the second or third day of their competition.

Fortunately for us, I don't think Les would ever stoop so low as to compete against Bear. They have completely different survival styles, and I'm pretty sure Les would have no need of a hair spray flamethrower panther repellent. Les would welcome said panther into his deadfall trap and then skin the beast and cook up some nice panther jerky for the trail home!!

Les Stroud is a survivor; Bear Grylls is a menace to The Wild (hopefully he'll get canceled soon).

i like them both

Les Stroud is no help whatsoever for survival, he doesn't explain certain plants that can help you, he uses modern day item for survial instead of the wild. Absolutely pathetic. Bear Grylls on the other hand, does put himself in more real life situations, he shows what needs to be done and when and what can be used. Bear is awesome.

I agree with rjcgamer... Les is a disgrace to survival and to Bear. I am really upset and even in my heart about the change in shows. Survivorman is not good at all. Bear Grylls made the show Man Vs. Wild. All of my friends and I would always look foward to Fridays and if we were not together, we would constantly be calling each other during the breaks to talk about how amazing Bear Grylls is. I am so disappointed with this new show. It might as well be a reality tv series on Mtv for all I care, because I am not going to watch it. I miss you Bear.

hey everyone dont worry, bear is in the process of filming a new series. And you guys are right, Bear is great at what he does. I'm not a big fan of Les, but you have to see that Bear has respect for Les and its probably the same with Les. I like MvsW Because Bear is out there with nothing at all cept for a knife, water bottle and sometimes a flint. Les is out there with 50 POUNDS of stuff...I think anyone could survive on 50 lbs of supplies. I know I could, cuz I love the outdoors and grew up doing all the great stuff fishing, hunting, backpacking etc... So GO BEAR!

quote:

hey everyone dont worry, bear is in the process of filming a new series. And you guys are right, Bear is great at what he does. I'm not a big fan of Les, but you have to see that Bear has respect for Les and its probably the same with Les. I like MvsW Because Bear is out there with nothing at all cept for a knife, water bottle and sometimes a flint. Les is out there with 50 POUNDS of stuff...I think anyone could survive on 50 lbs of supplies. I know I could, cuz I love the outdoors and grew up doing all the great stuff fishing, hunting, backpacking etc... So GO BEAR!

LOL. I have to say something at this point. The 50 pounds of stuff he carries is camera gear. The other major difference between the two is that Les is out for a week ALONE whereas Bear has the accompaniment of a few camera crew who, according to Bear, have ample supplies. Les does plenty of explaining, you just have to listen - it requires thought.

Bear is not the smartest person when it comes to many of the aforementioned survival techniques. Les teaches survival techniques based on if you were actually stranded and didn't know when help was arriving. Bear's techniques usually require above average physical strength which not everyone has (man or woman) and his techniques also involve the stereotypical male stupidity factor which most people seem to get a kick out of these days. Unless you too have above average physical strength and substandard intelligence, I would only watch Bear's shows for entertainment purposes only. I wouldn't take much of what Bear has to say too seriously unless you want to experience hypothermia or potentially break a few bones. If you want to learn actual survival techniques that will keep you alive in the wilderness, go with Les.

I truly hope that Discovery decides to air Survivorman instead of allowing their affiliate to air it this time. Crazy people actually think that Bear was making shows before Les.

Anyone that has normal intellect, knows the things in a car to help them signal for help or keep you warm. Now, I watch intently or watched intently both shows, and I recieved NO new knowledge from Les. But, it anyone that goes out and does that stuff is cool in my mind. All I'm saying is I have learned new things from bear, that I haven't learned from Les, or my dad for that matter, (who lived in NW Territories for a few years) An example I learned from bear is the demonstration of climbing ropes tied to a backpack with knots in it to keep you from falling off the edge of a glacier. Dont get me wrong, I think the things bear does are crazy, but remember, he was in the British Forces, Climbed Everst after breaking his back three months earlier, and crossed the Alantic. He has plenty of resources to do these things, and if he wants to Paraglide over Everst, then let him. There is only two people on this planet that should stop him from doing it, and thats Him, and his wife. They are both cool to me cuz I love survival stuff, so props to them both. I just like Bear more.

I like both the guys, however Les Strouds show is much more realistic then Bear's show in regards to what it's like to be alone in the woods, and what you should be thinking and doing in the woods. Not wasting energy, thinking about staying dry, finding shelter long before night sets in, and if you do find yourself at night, then trying to disipline your mind that it's no difference then working a graveyard shift. Kinda like the Ontario place where he said "I'm gonna have to pull an all nighter". That's what it's like, a job. I've done 8 solo trips over the last 10 years lasting 3-5 days out, and while most have been uneventfull, a couple have tested me, in trying to stay warm, dry, and calm by myself. And that's with me having proper gear, so hat's off to Les Stroud. Bear on the other hand, is a neat guy, who had trained his body and mind to do amazing things, however his tactics would get the average person killed in the woods. I realize that half the stuff he shows you is just an example of what a person is capable of doing and it should be noted, however his tactics should only be done if it's do or die, and I'd be willing to bet he wouldn't do those stunts, if was completly alone because he knows the risk would not be wise.

Les Stroud actually has to survive alone and actually carries and films the show.He has to walk back and forth up and down rocks to get good shots.Bear has a crew to carry the gear and doesnt have to walk around twice as far as Les.Les has barely any things to survive with except his multi tool and a few things his crew gives him.Also if he fails to survive he dies.If Bear gets in danger the crew would come to him like their his parents.And he gets flint.

I'll give Les credit for going it alone and carrying his own camera equipment. However, he's a bit whiny, and he never kills anything to eat without apologizing for it, which is completely weanie in my book. So, Bear wins.

I like Les much more myself, but they each have their strengths. I like Les more cause he does get into real life situations. I`ll take a stab in the dark and say not all of us para-drop NAVY seal style into the jungle or mountains. He takes real life scenarios where you COULD actually end up lost or stranded by mistake. Such as your kayak floating away in the Costa Rica episode. I like him cause he focuses more on basic stuff (like the different ways to make a fire) cause most of us novices don`t know the first thing about how to survive along with the fact that he is resourceful about how to use your available gear. Such as in the "lost at sea" episode where he used the box his raft came in along with some plastic wrap to capture evaporated water from ordinary seawater cause no fresh water was available on the tiny island he landed on or when he used a camera tripod that one might have when sight seeing to help make his shelter next to a river. So I`ve actually learned alot from him. And he DOES talk about different plants that are helpful. Like the one plant that he used to take a smoke bath in the desert episode that kills bacteria or the one he used to brush his teeth that had cleaning properties.

Bear has useful tips too, like sharpening your knife from crushed gravel on a wet smooth stick or the neat places you could find water in a desert, but I watch him for that and for the entertainment end of it too. But you gotta admit alot of the stuff he does an ordinary person couldn`t do. Les is a regular guy... Bear is not. But I love both shows. Just giving my opinions.

quote:

Originally posted by mikegarland:
Hmmm...I don't know. Let's see. If there were a cliff in front of both of them, Les would probably walk around, so that would put him behind by a couple of hours at least. Bear would just jump over it if it were only 30 feet high or so, but if it were higher, he would just climb down the face of it like a monkey and be at the bottom drinking fetid jungle water while he waited for Les.

Then there's the problem with glaciers and snow. Les would build a shelter and hunt for food, whereas Bear would slide down a couple thousand feet in just a few minutes on his backside. If the end of the glacier was too steep, however, he would try to find a series of ice caves to crawl through. Barring some unfortunate cave-in, Bear would be cooling his feet at the bottom of the glacier in an ice pool as he showed us how manly he was by counting the number of toes that had succumbed to frostbite. He would be grinning like a schoolgirl when Les showed up three days later starving to death because he had subsisted on melted snow and a few berries he had found.

And let's not forget the sweating factor. Bear runs, frollicks and climbs himself way out in the lead on most difficult terrain, but Les says this will lead to hypothermia in extremely cold climates. I have yet to see ol' Bear succumb to the ravages of hypothermia, even though he has repeatedly thrown himself into icy ponds, scampered haphazardly about the Alps at breakneck speeds, and slept atop a backpack in a snow cave. So, Bear is either superhuman, or he is from another planet, wherein he would have the advantage either way over Les.

In conclusion, I don't see how Bear could lose to Les in any shape or fashion, unless he climbs down from atop his mountain-sized ego and played fair with Les. Because otherwise, Les doesn't stand a chance against Super-Bear in the fantasy world that is Man Vs. Wild. So unless Bear were limited in some way to only performing tasks that us real humans can do, then no, Les would be beaten on the second or third day of their competition.

Fortunately for us, I don't think Les would ever stoop so low as to compete against Bear. They have completely different survival styles, and I'm pretty sure Les would have no need of a hair spray flamethrower panther repellent. Les would welcome said panther into his deadfall trap and then skin the beast and cook up some nice panther jerky for the trail home!!

Les Stroud is a survivor; Bear Grylls is a menace to The Wild (hopefully he'll get canceled soon).

You hit the nail RIGHT on the head. Bear IS a menace to the wild and to anyone watching thinking that they are learning anything.

quote:

I like MvsW Because Bear is out there with nothing at all cept for a knife, water bottle and sometimes a flint.

Sure.....are you delusional? Have you even watched the show? He has a camara crew with him and if you think THEY are going to go hungry and thirsty, you're off your rocker.
I totally agree with mikegarland and waynewars. This guy will get people KILLED.
This is what I posted on the Dirty Jobs MB.

quote:

Bear Grylls is a FRAUD.
Think about it:
Les doesn't have a camara crew, he does all the filming himself.
Bear DOES have a camara crew. You think THEY are going to go hungry and thirsty? NOPE. Who knows what goes on behind the scenes of this fake out show.
Les's survival instruction is spot on.
Bear's survial instruction is for shock value only.
Les spends 7 days ALONE.
Bear spends a "few" days with his camara crew filming cool stunts and sleeping in a hotel or at least a cushy camper.
---
I know this is OT for this MB, but I just can't help myself. I've always been one to want to educate people to see the error of their ways.
Don't fall for this fake dude. Most all of his "survival instruction" will get you killed if you're truly lost.
I know, I'm a "back country" girl. When I go on vacation, I pack up the tent, some food stuffs, the fishing poles and, of course, the .22 and head for the most remote fishin' hole I can find. No running water or electricity, no other "happy campers" to disturb my solitude, no paved road on the other side of the hill.
Totally Primitive Camping.
Ahhhhh......come on Memorial Day!

This Bear dude makes me sick. I honestly tried to watch his show, but after only a couple of them, I just couldn't stomach it anymore.
I have a 6 year old son and he LOVES watching Survivorman and he misses Les. I thought that "Man vs. his short p*e*n*i*s syndrome" would keep him happy until they get Les back on, but I couldn't let my son watch that idiot.
HURRY BACK LES!!! And Discovery, get this idiot out of my face and off of my TV!!!!!

I like both Les and Bear but I watch MVW for entertainment purposes as there is no way in hell I'd try half the stunts he does, My body would be destroyed physically if I tried them Remember when you get lost or stranded use your brain not your brawn like Les does. Yeah, I'd rather walk for 3 days to get to the bottom safely as opposed to possibly breaking many bones sliding down freefall style because if you happen to break your leg and no ones there to help you, you will die. Remember in a situation like this I'd rather have Les help me survive as opposed to Bear who could possibly get me killed because I am not in the same shape as him.

Les is out doing this stuff by himself, Bear on the other hand has a crew following him all over the place. Of course Bear is going to do things Les wouldn’t, because he knows if he f**ks up, he’s got the crew right next to him. Les would actually be stuck waiting for the rescue crews. Also, Bear does some dangerous stuff, that any person who knows anything about actual survival situations would never do. I also think some of Bear’s stuff if faked. That episode of him climbing down the waterfall on a vine, it looked like he was wearing a harness. Not to mention the time floating down the river, with his shirt so puffed out, he had to have a life jacket underneath.

It’s not about who would win, the shows are about surviving in the wild, and when it comes to teaching the right way to do things, Les is the better of the two

Bear Grylls is NOT a fraud, and Survivor Man if that even is a suitable name for this hour long blunder is the biggest insult to the discovery channel, I would rather watch a documentary on Paris Hilton. So what if he has a camera crew with him it does not mean they interfere, also what is the true point of the show anyways; to explain how to survive, right? Well I don't remember when the last time I went on vacation with a multi-tool unless you count my deployment to Iraq. Plus you never see what is in his knapsack anyways you can't say it is camera equipment! With technology today they make cameras the size of dimes. So when I'm stranded with nothing but a pocket of lint I would look back and see what I learned from the Army or MvsW. Not Les Stroud the man who pumped himself up full of coconuts in Costa Rica and doesn't bother to tell you coconut is a laxative (It was probably 50 pounds of T.P. in his knapsack). I believe someone also said they would never perform the stunts that Bear does... Well Necessity is the mother of invention and maybe you may not value your life enough to slide down a glacier or drink from elephant feces but if I had to you bet I am coming home to my family and would do what is necessary , just ask the hiker (Aaron Ralston) who cut off his own arm when a boulder pinned him down while hiking at Utah's Blue John Canyon. Les Stroud doesn't even mention how to find out which way your traveling, more or less he rubs strange leaves on himself to see which ones would give him a rash. Not Very Smart. Bear explains how to find you whereabouts, instead of wondering in some jungle and saying "that was a big mistake" like Les did..in the Costa Rica episode none the less. Bear explains plant life and animals that are useful for survival, unlike stuffing your face with coconuts which you can learn from watching an episode of Gilligan's Island. How can anyone say Bear is Not a normal guy or super-human since when is normal out of shape and ignorant to your surroundings. If you consider yourself normal like Les then maybe you should pick up a book or get a membership to a gym because I have seen better survival techniques from my couch potato friends. When I finish watching an episode of Man vs Wild I actually learn new things unlike an episode Survivor Man where I had better hope for the people in the movie Alive! For the people "intelligent" enough to listen to what Les has to say you would have a better chance at survival being stranded on an island with cannibals than with Les! Man vs. Wild RULES!!!!

One thing you have to know about bear is that he has an entire film crew with him so he can do extreme stuff like jump off a cliff or anything else that could hurt him self, so if he does hurt him self he has a film crew that could call a helicopter to pick him. And have you noticed that a lot of the time when he is starting a fire he just suddenly has a fire or if it does show him make a fire its always with a flint stick never two sticks like Les and anther thing Les has to film him self and survive. In my book Les is a million times than bear.

I personally like Les Better because he is REAL. If you are lost or stranded you are supposed to stay where you are...not go rampaging through the jungle or the snow. This is common knowledge, or at least I thought it was until now. Les shows you how to survive while waiting to be rescued. Taking off and leaving your last known location is a bad mistake. Bear is doing what most special forces do and what he was trained to do....study your terrain, get dropped in, get out. But, too many people these days are blinded by the drama and superguy stunts and they don't want to pay attention to truth. Many people want to be like Bear because they actually think its cool to put yourself into a situatiuon like that. It not cool, its not glamorous. Bear is a highly trained professional ex-special forces soldier people...wake up! His show is good entertainment and educational but not practical.

The reality is, most people are overweight and rely on electronics and processed food too much to be anywhere near the physical shape it takes to be like Bear. The reality is, most people would be just like Les, waiting it out and trying to survive on what you have and what junk you can find to help you. Bear appeals heavily to those with the "no fear" attitude. Those who have a distorted sense of who they really are and prefer to think of themselves as some kind of tough guy....those peole have been playing too much SoCom Navy SEALs on their gaming systems.

Here's the bottom line: When they fall into cold water and have to take off their clothes to warm up, I want to see Bear, I don't want to see Les. Bear is a hottie, Les...is not.

Hmm. Why the choice of one over the other?

This reminds me of "my dad can beat up your dad" in kindergarten.

I happen to enjoy both shows. I think Les' show is a little more useful, but Bear is fun to watch, too. I think a lot of people make the mistake of thinking that Bear is telling people "you should do everything I do". In my mind it's more like he's saying "if you *have* to do this because there is no other good alternative, then here's how to do it and survive".

But most of all, people need to take themselves --and these shows-- a little less seriously!

Just my 2 cents...

-Andrew