Ep 5. Canadian Arctic

Les Stroud, better known as Survivorman, has been dropped off in the Canadian Arctic for this episode. As usual, he has no food, water, shelter, or professional crew to help him. This is pure survival, with nothing but his experience, knowledge and determination to help him survive.

At an altitude of over 8,000 feet above sea level, the Canadian Arctic provides some of the harshest conditions on earth. In winter, temperatures can drop to negative 50 degrees celsius, while in summer, the sun never sets. The harsh winds, freezing temperatures, and lack of food and water make this a true test of Les Stroud's survival skills.

Les starts his journey by finding a good location to set up his base camp. He needs a shelter that can protect him from the harsh winds and snow. He finds a shallow cave in the side of a hill and decides to make this his temporary home. He clears the entrance of snow and ice to prevent any blockage in case of an emergency exit. He sets up his gear and firewood and starts his survival journey.

Food is a primary concern for Les Stroud, as there are no plants or wildlife to be found in this region. He has to improvise and use his experience to find something to eat. With such a harsh climate, one would think it is next to impossible to find food. However, Les is not your average person. He uses his knowledge and skills to create traps, find snowshoe hares, ptarmigans, and even sea kelp to sustain himself. He creates a snare trap using some wire he brought with him, but it is no easy feat to catch a hare. These animals move very quickly, and they are very difficult to catch. Les uses his instincts and experience to observe the surroundings, find clues, and set the trap in the right place. After a lot of waiting, he finally catches a hare, which he uses to make a stew.

Water is another problem in the Arctic since most of it is frozen. Les uses his skills to find a running stream by melting the snow. Additionally, he finds a large block of ice and heats it up on his fire, allowing him to have drinking water as he navigates through the harsh conditions of the Canadian Arctic.

The constant threat of hypothermia looms large in the Arctic. Les has to keep himself warm all the time to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. He has to maintain a fire throughout the night and day to keep his shelter warm. On day three, he finds a seal that has washed up onto the shore. The seal has a lot of fat, which he uses to create a lamp. The light will come in handy when he has to start his day early in the morning. It also provides warmth, and it helps to keep the shelter above freezing.

During his stay, Les takes time to show us the beauty of the Arctic. We see breathtaking landscapes and wild animals in their natural habitat. He shows us how to navigate through the snow, which is up to four feet deep in some places. He explains how to light a fire in the Arctic, which is not an easy task given the high winds and snow.

Overall, Les Stroud's journey in the Canadian Arctic is a testament to human endurance and the power of nature. As Les says himself, "Nature always wins in the end." He manages to survive the harsh conditions of the Arctic on his own, with nothing but his survival skills and determination. The show is a great way to learn about survival skills and how to adapt to any situation. Les Stroud's journey in the Canadian Arctic will leave you in awe of his accomplishments and will inspire you to test your survival skills.