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).
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Yes Man vs Wild is sooooo much more realistic, cause people stranded in the wild have camera crews following them and the always present parachute. This as opposed to Les who has to canbalize his bike to use for survival. HUMMM lets think about this for a second.
I am appalled by the bad advice that Bear is giving viewers and that some of the viewers actually prefer Bear over Les, when Les is the one giving real survival lessons. Bear is going to get some idiot killed - not himself, because his camera crew will save him.
Obviously, these survival shows aren't meant to be field guides, at least, not standalone field guides, but I can't emphasize how much more I respect Les than Bear.
Bear is not only telling people the opposite of what they should do, but he appears to be dishonest about it, and that is what concerns me the most:
1. When he's floating down the river with his backpack as his lifejacket, he doesn't mention that he has one that is hidden beneath his sweatshirt. You can see it in the water when he first gets to shore, then the mysterious square bulge is gone when he's standing on shore.
2.When he catches fish with his bare hands, I'm suspicious by the size of the fish in such a little pond, and that they don't actually show him catching it, but taking his hand out of the water with the fish in his hand.
3.When he climbs out of an ice hole, he doesn't mention the hand holds that have been especially cut for him, albeight discretely. When he moves his pack from a potential wild animal, he doesn't mention that his camera crew is pretty good protection.
Having studied and watched many survival stories and books, as well as being an outdoors person ... I am just appalled:
1. He tries to convince viewers to use water almost whenever he can. He doesn't warm them that if it's winter or if they are wearing all cotton or IF THEY DON'T HAVE HIS CAMERA CREW standing around, or if they can't make a fire, they have a strong chance of hypothermia.
2. He actually tells people to keep moving at all costs, almost advises them not to THINK first. Do you know how many people have died because rescuers couldn't find them because they kept moving out of the search zone? Moving is sometimes wise, but it very much depends on the situation.
Bear has some good advice and does know a thing or two but he mixes it with a bunch of bunk without warning viewers that he is using aids. It's a fun show, but one that needs to be watched with a big 'ole caution sign that says "do not try this at home unless you have a rescue crew on hand, like him."
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).
When it comes down to it, both guys seem to know their stuff. Nothing against Bear, but in my opinion, I like Les better. He is truly alone, and to me, that makes all the difference in the world. Albeit, Les does bring along a trusty satelite phone, but nevertheless, he has no crew for company.
My primary concern with Les is the same as others...he is compelled to express compassion for the critters in which he devours. It can clearly be seen that he is a naturalist of the truest sort, but when it comes down to the cold truth, the protein is needed. Simply eat it and enjoy.
What I would like to see different, is what flora is not edible as well as those which are. For example, if you are stranded and are near water and there is ample vegetation, I think it would be a good idea to know what not to eat.
Let's see if anyone here has any clue at all what they are both trying to show us. Les is a master survivalist. He goes it alone and films the show himself. How many of you know that the man actually left civilization to live and survive in the wilderness with his wife for a year, not just seven days. I'd say that makes him about as close to an expert as anybody. He will show YOU good survival techniques, face the truth, most of you are probably not really all that active in survival.
Now Bear, He too is an expert! Come on everyone, what do you think the Special Forces teaches all these guys to do. Yes he is undoubtely in much better physical condition than most but he survives because of the training he recieved. I am pretty certain that if you put Les and Bear in a real survival situation together that the last thing either one of them would do is argue with one another about what the best way would have been to get down the cliff they were standing on earlier. Number one they would not leave each other alone. Even though Bear might be inclined to climb down the cliff he wouldn't do it because he knows that Les wouldn't be willing to try it. Bear would end up carrying half of Les' gear so each was carrying an equal load and they would walk out of the situation together.
Both shows give a different perspective of survival. All any of you have to do is pay attention to them both and ask yourselves which approach would I use in that situation.
Be thankful for what you have, two guys willing to show you something you probably didn't know anything about to start with.
My opinion is neither one is better than the other.
I think les is more of a "technique" person were Bear is really more of a physical type.They both have an equal ability to survive, but Bear is a monster,hes incredibly strong and not everyone is as agile as him,and can't hop out of a crevice using paracord or rocklimb,but Les uses techniques that most people can do if they get lost.Therefore I think Les is more helpful.
Read Les Stroud's Bio. He has 10x's the amount of survival training that faker Bear Grylls does or EVER will. Geesh......... Hey all, head over to my new forum!!! You can bearbash all day with little to NO restrictions! Dicovery Castaways
I think they both have some skill that can be of value to the general public. As one of the posters mentioned Bear will tell you about certain kinds of plants that can be useful, and to his credit he has actually used them on film. Les shows people how to use anything thats handy to survive in the wild. They both have merrit. What you may not learn from one you can learn from the other. And I dont really care about Bears camera crew. They arent the ones on the film.
I think both shows are great,but does anyone think for one min that Les cannott call in a rescue if need be?Please.It seems to me a better match would say special forces vetreran vs couch potato.Having been through Air force survival School I can say that these shows should be viewed for their entertainment value only.Les does whine alot.Bear shows of alot.Both shows are very entertaining to watch and I hope they both are on for many years as I will watch everyone.One last questions how does a camera crew stay in a hotel or a camper in a swamp?????I don't believe that Bear's camera crew has it that easy.
people... I think it's funny that a man's sense of adventure makes him crazy. I'm referring to B. Grylls. I read about 4 times that Bear is "superhuman" and not the average guy. Bear comments that he's not in that great shape when he does certain things as he's not in the sas anymore. I do hiking tours and one thing I notice at times...some people who hike sometimes are in bad shape and flip out when a hike is longer than they thought. What are you doing in the middle of nowhere in so-so shape? Bear represents the minimal fitness of anyone who should be out there in the middle of nowhere. If not, you should stick with easy guided tours and giudes(I did one in Nicaragua last year and it was fun actually). The camera issue: Les's show is boring. he moves these cameras around and it's a wonder he gets anywhere. Bear is a survialist and an ex combat soldier, he's going to be proactive and get out of the bad situation he's in. Les is cool with sitting and not expending any energy. Unfortunately, saying your a soldier these days is a bad thing and the conotation of "crazy" comes about. he lives life hard but doesn't preach recklessness."does bear really have to do these things?...no, but you might have to"
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
Is anyone familure with the regions that Bear has done shows in? I live and grew up in the are he filmed the Sierra Nevada show in, and let me tell you, it was fake. First off, there are no wild horses in these mountains, NONE. He either hired a packer or was trying to steel someones animal (they used to hang people for that back in the day). Also, along his route he crossed a few main, paved roads, countless logging routes, came near a few major resorts, and at least half a dozen busy campgrounds. From most of those mountains you can see at least one man-made lake that would at all times be manned. One of my friends is a now retired search and rescue officer and a life long mountaineer, and he and his former colleges view Bear's show as a comedy. Frankly, Bear does it for show and does not come close to exhibiting the best technique for survival, but rather blows past opertunaties for rescue that his college would have instructed you to look for. Besides, glisading without a self-arrest device or waling over an active lava flow (that is close enough to the surface to cause the bottom of your boot ignite) is simply stupid. Bear is entertaining, however like many have said, if you follow his actions and replicate his horrifically unnecessary risks, your rather likely to get yourself killed instead of rescued.
Bear is more entertaining, therefor I watch him. I learn more from watching his show, therefor I watch him. It all comes down to preferences. But I do think the people that called him a menace to the wild were being a little harsh.. I mean come on.. He's good at what he does. But one should remember that the techniques he teaches, are from the French Foreign Legion and the British SAS, and if they don't know how to survive stranded in the wild, I don't know who will. Bear rules.
If youre fit and smart, you will be able to do everything Bear does. If you aren't fit or you are dumb, then you probably cant do what Bear does, and you should probably change a few things about yourself. Bear puts himself into situations to show you how to deal with them, he lets you know when something he does shouldnt be done under any circumstances or unless its a life or death situation. Because he has a crew, he can show more then Les. Because he has a crew, he doesnt waste time and energy. Les is cool, but I learn MUCH more from Grylls, and I feel positive after a show of his instead of negative after one of Les's shows. Keep healthy, fit, and know/practice your survival techniques, keep a positive mind and never give up. Way to go Les and Bear!!!!
Also, alot of his (Bears) stuff is so you know what to do in a life or death situation. When you have no choice but to do something scarry, it would be nice to see a pro do it and explain it first. So dont have the "Hes being rediculously dangerous for no reason" outlook, instead have the "Oh, if I ever HAVE to do that, I now know how" outlook. Bear glisades without a self-arrest device and goes over an active lava flow (that is close enough to the surface to cause the bottom of his boot ignite) simply TO SHOW YOU HOW TO DO IT IF YOU HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its good to have that knowledge. If you get stuck in a situation where the only way to survive is to do something crazy, and you dont know the way to do it correctly, you cant adapt, then youre good as dead.
The only thing Bear grylls does is make the average Joe overestimate his chances of survival in a crucial decision to climb down waterfalls...or cross mangroves or jump into glacial river. Errors in calculating your chances to survive a task like this can lead to swift DEATH...not a bad grade...not getting fired...DEATH.....DO NOT EVER climb trees 70 ft high to "get your bearings" you'll get them alright as you plummet to the jungle floor after breaking 6 ribs and your shoulder.
Les is the best survival show discovery has to offer. Bear is a freak show and another steve irwin in the making all for our "entertainment"
Again, Grylls shows how to do things so you know how to do them if you have no other choice. What if you HAD to climb down a waterfall, or cross a mangrove area or jump into glacial water? What should you know about these things just incase you have to do one of them some day? What if you had to climb a 70 ft high tree for some crazy reason? How would you do it? I dont see why you guys cant get this into your heads, haha. Bear is not a freak show, Steve Irwin died doing what he loved, everything has its risks, accidents do happen. Lots of people end up in these situations where they have no choice but to do the unthinkable, dont you think it would be wise for those people to have some knowledge about those things before hand? I do.
Bear Grylls is SO much cooler than Les Stroud. First off, what the hell kind of name is "Les Stroud"? Sorry, but I had to get that out there. The reason Bear does things Les doesnt is because while Bear has a camera crew and Les doesnt, Bear has to find his way out of whatever situation he is in while Les can just sit around until 7 days is up! I dont know about everyone else but I think that finding a way out of a situation is a much more useful skill than just sitting there hoping someone rescues you. Les's skills would only help you for a few days, while the things that Bear teaches you will not only let you survive long term, but enable you to return home safely. GO BEAR GRYLLS!!!
Are you just trolling, or are you serious?? Have you even WATCHED Les?
Les NEVER just "sits around until 7 days are up". EVER. He always finds his way out, ON HIS OWN. In a REAL survival situation, not a contrived one like Bear uses- see the above post by line58 for details on how Bear's routes take him through populated areas, with campgrounds, etc. Survival situation. RI-I-I-IGHT. Sure.
Les is dropped into an area he knows next to nothing about, has NO ONE with him, and has to survive AND find his way out. Most people who know will tell you that more people die in these situations because they immediately start moving, without a plan, when they should stay put, either to wait for rescue (if someone knows where they are and when they're expected back) or to make a shelter. That is what Les does- he makes a shelter, catches or collects enough food to give him energy, then FINDS HIS OWN WAY OUT. On his own.
Bear has intimate knowledge of the areas he is in, and has a camera crew to talk to- a camera crew that WILL step in if his life is in danger. Les does not, except for the one episode where he was adrift on the open ocean and had a way to signal his support boat.
I happen to like both shows, but they are very different. Bear shows you skills one after the other "in case you need to do this". Les survives on his own, showing you skills and techniques on his own.
I admire Les' approach more, because it is closer to what I believe I could do. Bear is more entertaining. But if I had to choose between them as partners in a survival situation, I'd choose Les- because I've seen him survive, alone, week after week, with next to nothing with him. I haven't seen Bear do that, although I'm sure he could.
And what's up with this ignorant comment: "what the hell kind of name is "Les Stroud"? " It's Les' name! His REAL name! Not a silly nickname like "Bear". Should Les make up a silly nickname to please you?
Grrrrr....
This message has been edited. Last edited by: andycushen,
Word. Well said. Bear was in the SAS, so im positive he could stay out in the wild for how ever long needed, even with opfor looking for him, I bet he would do very well, and imagine how hard real SERE would be. Him being SAS, he would have had to go through something similar to SERE-C. Just the fact that he was in the SAS should be enough proof that he could hoof it really well. Also, where in the vast Sierra Nevadas was Bears episode filmed? I want to find it on google earth for fun, lol. Also, who cares if Bear crosses camps and people, we know he could do without them. He still shows techniques that could come in handy. So why not be entertained very well AND learn ALOT of cool things that could come in handy? I like both shows.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: gc_4845,
wow, first of all you people who say you have to be in SUPER PHYSICAL CONDITION to do the things that bear does are idiots. out of shape. all you have to do is get your fat nerdy self off the computer and go outside and exercise or something. its not that hard to get in shape. Secondly, since when does anyone carry around a multitool and 50 pounds of camera equipment?? bear has a camera crew so he doesn't have to carry around a camera at all times. no one's going to be stuck out in the wild and have to carry a camera everywhere. les is a baby. all he does is whine. and he has a limited time to get out.. where as bear has no limited time. and obviously his techniques are far better considering he finds his way out in a couple days every time. and perhaps the reason why bear has a crew with him is so he doesn't die because he has a family he loves and actually wants to return to. it's just a show people. he's not going to kill himself so fat nerds like you can be entertained. besides, he has survived in reality.. he's climbed everest. let's see les stroud do anything bear grylls does. BEAR HAS BALLS thats the difference between bear and les.
There's no reason to bash either one of these two men, considering both are great at what they do.
So with that aside, I think you have to focus on certain points and strengths of each person to deside who is really better.
If they were to "out survive" each other, I think it would be a draw. They both know what they are doing and would do what they do best, survive.
In order to learn, say if you were going on a trip, neither one would serve as a sufficient guide to surviving the wilderness, because Bear takes way too many risks that not your average person can do, and Les just isn't really a teacher, so that's another draw.
Now I don't watch survivorman because it's not available where I live or with the cable plan I have but doesn't Les have to survive for 7 days, and Bear has to make it to a village (in early episodes in a deadline, and later on without a deadline) in as little time as possible? So they too different to decide from the shows.
If they were to fight Bear would win because he was in the SAS and that makes him better at that if that's how you want to decide on who is better, but considering they are both going to survive in the wild it's a draw.
I think if Bear was in a real survival situation, he wouldnt do 3/4ths of all the dangerous things he does. He does them just to show us how to do them if we ever need to, and just because he can, so he can show more stuff on his show, and so he doesnt waste time doing nothing. Plus, Bear isnt stopping on his Tour de Survie, he keeps going to new places and doing more episodes, so hes got to be getting better and better, hes getting a ton of experience doing what hes doing. Id like to see him do an episode in southern Patagonia, that would be so amazing! Perhaps he will? lol
This message has been edited. Last edited by: gc_4845,
Bear is entertaining to watch kinda like watchin a circus geek.My money is on Les for learning real true to life survival tactics.I can't believe The Discovery Channel would take liability for the goof ball antics of Bear Grylls.He is going to get someone hurt or killed by taking his half wit survival advise.
I've just watched Man V Wild (Canadian Rockies) and have concluded that Bear Grylls is a fraud. Supposedly he bobbed 12 miles down a frezzing river (which should have killed him) bouyed only by his rucksack and a black bin-liner. Come off it! I could see the inflatable life-jacket under his hoody. In fact he even tried to hide it from the camera while hanging on a rock. When we see him next out of the water he is hardly dripping wet and we don't see him light the roaring fire.
As for those idiots in the cabin; one of them said something like 'That river seems to be flowing at 40'000 litres a second'. How could he tell that from looking at his rigged lap-top.
And as for telling anyone to run through the rockies in the dead of night is just dangerously silly.
I haven't seen Les Stroud but I can tell you that Ray Mears would make mincemeat out of Grylls a moron who wears jeans while out trekking.
The programme was so poor I got up and joined this thread after googling - bear grylls fraud.
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. 
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.
