Ep 11. Sonoran Desert

In Survivorman season 1 episode 11, titled "Sonoran Desert," Les Stroud travels to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, one of the hottest and driest deserts in North America. As always, Les ventures into the wilderness alone, with no food, water or equipment, and is only equipped with a camera, a knife, and the clothes on his back.

As he explores the vast desert landscape, Les faces a number of challenges, including high temperatures, limited water sources, and dangerous wildlife such as rattlesnakes and scorpions. In order to survive, he must find shelter, water, and food in the unforgiving terrain.

Les begins his journey by hiking deep into the desert, searching for water. As he treks through the barren landscape, he encounters some of the local wildlife, including a desert tortoise, which he considers as a potential food source. However, Les decides against killing the tortoise, recognizing it as a protected species.

After walking for several miles, Les finally finds a water source in the form of a dried-up riverbed. He spends hours digging into the sand to create a makeshift well, eventually uncovering a small puddle of water. Les collects the water in his canteen, careful not to disturb the fragile ecosystem of the desert.

With water secured, Les sets out to find food. He uses his knife to catch a number of insects and reptiles, including ants, lizards and scorpions. Les also attempts to catch a rattlesnake, but the wily creature proves too quick for him. He manages to find some edible plants, including cactus fruit and yucca plant.

As the day wears on, the sun grows hotter, and Les begins to feel the full force of the desert's harsh climate. He seeks shelter under a rocky overhang, using his knife to create a sunshade and digging a shallow trench in the sand to stay cool.

Over the course of the episode, Les demonstrates a number of survival skills, including making a fire using a simple spark, building a makeshift shelter using nothing but his knife and natural materials, and locating water sources in the desert.

At night, Les makes camp under the stars, using the heat of the fire to keep warm in the chilly desert air. As he reflects on his journey, he talks about the importance of respecting the wilderness and leaving little impact on the environment.

As always, Survivorman season 1 episode 11 is a gripping and intense adventure, showcasing Les Stroud's incredible survival skills and his deep knowledge of the natural world. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in outdoor survival or the beauty and challenges of the world's most unforgiving landscapes.