Ep 6. Extreme Desert

Man vs. Wild season 5 episode 6 is titled "Extreme Desert", where the adventurer Bear Grylls is put to the ultimate test in one of the harshest environments in the world. Grylls takes on the barren deserts of southern Utah where temperatures run high and water is scarce.

In this episode, Grylls begins with an introduction to the region's unforgiving climate and geology. He emphasizes the importance of hydration in such circumstances where the body can easily dehydrate. Then, he proceeds to demonstrate ways of extracting water from the limited sources available in the desert, such as succulent vegetation, cacti, and insects.

In the midst of his journey, Grylls comes across a maze of slot canyons that prove to be treacherous and potentially life-threatening. With his survivalist instincts, he navigates through narrow passes while using techniques like bridging, stemming, and chimneying to avoid falling to his death.

As the day wears on, Grylls finds a shortcut through a canyon, but his journey is far from over. It is not long before he runs into a steep and rocky terrain that challenges his rock-climbing skills. He uses traditional tools like pitons, carabiners, and ropes to climb the challenging rock face and escalate his journey to safety.

By nightfall, Grylls sets up a shelter built from natural resources, including dead branches and other debris scattered around. He also shows viewers how to start a fire without a lighter or matches, using basic tools like flint and steel and focusing the sun's rays with a makeshift magnifying glass.

The following day, Grylls sets out on the final leg of his adventure, where he must traverse a parched landscape with blistering temperatures. He demonstrates how to survive in such conditions by utilizing bits of clothing to create shade, and even demonstrates "gatoring" the clothes to cool off and prevent over-heating.

Grylls's journey ends in a stunning and dramatic way, demonstrating his incredible survival instincts and knowledge of the desert. Overall, this episode of Man vs. Wild is an intense look at the daunting and challenging life of a desert survivalist.