View Full Version : Alaska Experiment-Out of the Wild
g8trh8tr
04-15-2009, 19:51
Did anyone watch the 1st episode of this last night(Tuesday) on Discovery Channel? I know several folks on WB submitted applications to be on the show. IMO, after watching the show last night I see why nobody on here that applied got accepted. The people on that show are completely CLUELESS and I do not think that is by accident. They made 1 stupid decision after another and 1 person has already dropped out. Just wanted to get other people's opinion to see if I am off base or ya'll got the same impression.
YoungMoose
04-15-2009, 19:54
the shows are cool. I watch them too but you gotta admit that most of its staged
I saw it also. The lady that left is probably the one that needed to stay. I liked the show much better last year. I guess they have to change things up to keep them interesting. I agree that they picked people with zero outside experience. I guess that also leeds to a better show.
PS- Go NOLES!!!!!!! Class of '97
YoungMoose
04-15-2009, 19:57
it defnietly leads to a better show becuase they people make dumb mistakes and it makes drama. and people like drama for some reason
Mrs Baggins
04-15-2009, 20:02
Saw the previews and while I would have watched the shows (on too late - in bed by 9 pm) I was thinking "oh come on! you can't be that stupid!" We also are addicted to "Survivor" and "Amazing Race" but when the contestants start with the "I want to make friends here" etc we just about throw up. We were with a group of 11 in South America on a trek trip. During the trek ONE member decided that the guide was somehow misusing the common funds (he wasn't) and demanded we vote on it. HE wanted control of the money. We had our Survivor moment right then -- and we told him to go to the hot place down south. And we simply didn't care about the rest of them.
Mrs Baggins
04-15-2009, 20:02
Whatever happened to "Eco Challenge"??? Now that was a great show!
I felt soooooo much better about not making it into the final cut group last August after seeing that group fiasco last night. I do think they could have put one or two people into the group that had some idea of what wilderness treking is. Since it became a relatively short 60 jaunt, I wonder what happened to the original plan of 200 to 210 miles.
Cabin Fever
04-15-2009, 20:55
There is a casting website (cannot remember name right now) that you can use to get votes for a show on. My brother did it for this show and won! He was way overqualified. He would have mopped the floor with those boneheads.
4eyedbuzzard
04-15-2009, 21:13
It seems stupid in a lot of ways, but I guess that's the point...
1) They aren't actually going that far-only 60 miles or so total.
2) The contestants don't show any signs of knowing how to forage for edible plants, berries, worms, insects, etc. never mind fishing or hunting.
3) I'm no Bear Gryllis, but these people are clueless--fording the river in their boots, not being able to start a fire, not looking for edible plants, etc.
Skidsteer
04-15-2009, 22:06
It seems stupid in a lot of ways, but I guess that's the point...
1) They aren't actually going that far-only 60 miles or so total.
2) The contestants don't show any signs of knowing how to forage for edible plants, berries, worms, insects, etc. never mind fishing or hunting.
3) I'm no Bear Gryllis, but these people are clueless--fording the river in their boots, not being able to start a fire, not looking for edible plants, etc.
Why would survival skills be mandatory for sixty miles??? Take a compass reading and start walking fast for cryin' out loud.
Two days and the show is over and you can eat. :D
generoll
04-15-2009, 22:14
I do wonder why they even bothered going to a backpacking website. Clearly they had no interest in getting anyone with even the most basic outdoor skills. Perhaps that wss the idea. How to detect and eliminate anyone knowledgeable of outdoor living.
4eyedbuzzard
04-15-2009, 22:17
Why would survival skills be mandatory for sixty miles??? Take a compass reading and start walking fast for cryin' out loud.
Two days and the show is over and you can eat. :D
'zactly. Just seems silly. If I were really lost in Alaska I'd probably be following that river downstream. Maybe I'd climb a ridge to see what was about on the other side, but I wouldn't go off too far away from a river if I were trying to find my way back to civilization, not knowing where I was, etc. even with a partial map. River = water, food, and eventual civilization. I'd try to follow it and at worst get to shore and start a signal fire.
D'Artagnan
04-16-2009, 00:19
I thought it was funny that 8 or 9 people shared one measly little field mouse and the lady who ended up leaving got miffed 'cause they didn't leave her any. At the end (I didn't catch the first part of the show) when I heard they were covering 56 miles, I thought "Huh? That's like three days..."
Alaskanhkr23
04-16-2009, 01:06
that shows a hoot,they have no idea what there doing,i mean alaska isn't that hard to understand,specially if you have a survival guiode like they do (in background) me and my cousin lived for two weeks in Danali state park,with just what we could carry IE-rifle and a tent and a gas stove,water.they just have probs with the water issue i guess,Yes there's a denali state park,right on the border of danali national park,which is funny the state park is bigger than the national
skinewmexico
04-16-2009, 01:48
They supposedly went to survival school too. Hard to believe.
I think it was Dances With Mice who posted his friend's experience with "reality" shows...they are anything but.
Imagine how boring of a show it would be if anyone on it had some outdoors knowledge? Sixty miles, even in Alaska, is not that far really. Six days of food (at the most!), take a compass bearing and a good topo. Someone like Colter (http://www.bucktrack.com/Alaska_Brooks_Range_Traverse.html)would not only do it well, he'd make a great narrative of it!
But experienced outdoors people having a great time on a relatively short journey..well, it makes for boring TV.
"Reality" television thrives on contrived conflict and drama.
I am not surprised they picked people with limited outdoors skills and/or colorful personalities.
Alaskanhkr23
04-16-2009, 03:13
60 miles depnding where you are in alaska, isnt very much,alaska sucks thats all i can say,if u want big animals and big guns go there otherwise its boring as hell,maybe some women that can kick your butt ,but otherwise ##ck alaska,i've lost two toe's and gotten hypothermia multi times one of them almost dying,**** -50 to 70 isnt fun specially when u gotta walk 3 miles in it ,bundled or not its cold,plus no wind chill
Homer&Marje
04-16-2009, 06:47
I watch the show to find out what NOT to do if I ever make it to Alaska. Seriously...that net they set up to catch fish was the most useless thing I have ever seen.
They thought they would catch a fish....going....downstream?
Someone said the lady that left was the one that needed to stay. Your probably right, she probably knew that, but wasn't going to let 8 morons kill her in Alaska... not worth it
I would imagine the camera crews and retakes would slow you down some.:rolleyes:
60 miles depnding where you are in alaska, isnt very much,alaska sucks thats all i can say,if u want big animals and big guns go there otherwise its boring as hell,maybe some women that can kick your butt ,but otherwise ##ck alaska,i've lost two toe's and gotten hypothermia multi times one of them almost dying,**** -50 to 70 isnt fun specially when u gotta walk 3 miles in it ,bundled or not its cold,plus no wind chillI've done -30 not too far away and it gets interesting, but -50 to -70 just scares the crap out of me. 0F and windy on the open sea with everything icing up is rather scary thought also. Can't see doing something like that twice. I've done the hypothermia thing a few times but no frostbite yet knock on wood.
generoll
04-16-2009, 09:11
this didn't look like minus anything. more like the rainy season in the Appalachians.
Two Tents
04-16-2009, 09:33
I agree with that ECO- challenge needs to run again. Mark Burnett where are you?
Did they at least shoot it during bug season?
Funny story...
http://www.worldhum.com/travel-blog/item/out_of_the_wild_alaskan_town_considers_removing_mc candless_bus_20071018/
Homer&Marje
04-16-2009, 10:35
It clearly states in their disclaimer that if in a real emergency the producers and safety crew are on hand to give assistance. No one on that show is not within a few minutes of help.
Not to say that something couldn't go wrong....but there are legality issues with these types of things.
Just for reference I'm sure they have been given vitamin and protein supplements and or some sort of nutrition besides the "half bite" of mouse that they all took. Just watching the show for the scenery.:D
I agree with that ECO- challenge needs to run again. Mark Burnett where are you?
Hanging out with Trump and the Celeb. B list!!!!
randyg45
04-16-2009, 20:22
I agree with that ECO- challenge needs to run again. Mark Burnett where are you?
Do you remember the episode of the Playboy Bunny team in the guano cave?
I have been so exhausted as to be struck dumb by it, so I really empathised with the woman who got "stuck" on the ledge. Couldn't figure out how to work a carabiner. I was impressed not only with the raw determination of those women but also the patience of the Captain (if I remember right) with them.
Alaskanhkr23
04-16-2009, 23:59
Alaska is nothing to play with though,they have camera people and guns and medics with them most of the time,when i hiked in eagle river alaska,i camped below a mountains about 50 feet from a salmon run,the grizzlies were just eating,i sat on a rock with a few people eating only 10 15 feet from the bears,they dont care unless the run's arent good that season,of course we had handguns,but you get the point
Alaskanhkr23
04-17-2009, 00:00
i have pics of negative -40 through - 70 ,i had to walk from my cabin to the gas station three miles away in that cold its unpleasent.
Alaskanhkr23
04-17-2009, 00:02
wanna see my cabin pics check my photos
Homer&Marje
04-17-2009, 07:25
wanna see my cabin pics check my photos
That's my dream house:D Good size property?
Alaskanhkr23
04-17-2009, 18:42
my backyard borders denali national park
JaxHiker
04-20-2009, 11:52
At least they have the survival ukulele. I wonder which one of them is carrying the 45# tent.
splash1986
04-20-2009, 13:00
At least they have the survival ukulele. I wonder which one of them is carrying the 45# tent.
Yeah that was pretty ridiculous. How could you not be smart enough to leave some of that junk behind? :-?
JaxHiker
04-20-2009, 14:34
If you haven't seen it here's the gear list.
Yukon Pack Contents:
Sleeping bag
Bed roll
Dry bag (incl. three pairs of socks)
1 extra pair of shoes
Gloves
Hat
1 extra jacket
Whistle
1 can of bear spray
Compass
Leather “needle”
Rope for Yukon Pack
Shoulder straps
1 personal item (participant’s choice)
GPS locator
In addition to the essential items above, the participants were allowed to take with them anything they wanted from a large pile of items found at their drop-off location. Spoiler Alert: They chose to take everything, including the ukulele!
Items at Drop-Off Location:
Large wash tub/basin
4 small animal pelts
Trapper tent (weighing 45 lbs)
Rusted machete
Large iron kettle
Rusted axe head
Basic first aid kit
Large swede saw
1 pair of crampons
2 classic survival manuals
Old trapper coffee pot
Small canister coffee
Large sack of flour
Old used snowshoes
Binoculars (1 lens broken)
Condoms
Tin types
Large ammo cases
1 bear keg
1 ukulele
1 roll of plastic-wrapped toilet paper
25’ of hemp rope
Hatchet
Men’s watch
Snow shovel
1 gallon plastic bag
Gun (.22 rifle)
Water purifiers
Small camping knife
Wind-up lantern
2 unlabeled cans of food
Doughnut
04-20-2009, 14:40
Tim Tebow would not survive, he'd THRIVE and have all of Alaska worshiping him.
(Just for you g8trh8tr)
Lot of crap for 60 miles...
A compass AND a gps? Hmm...:-?
I like the idea of blitzing it as suggested earlier.
Would make for some boring TV, though. :)
Gray Blazer
04-20-2009, 14:47
Do you remember the episode of the Playboy Bunny team in the guano cave?
No, but I ran into the Swedish Bikini Backpacking Team on Tray Mountain one time.
BTW, don't be a hater, gator.:D Ya'll will win the championship again one day.
Doughnut
04-20-2009, 14:57
No, but I ran into the Swedish Bikini Backpacking Team on Tray Mountain one time.
BTW, don't be a hater, gator.:D Ya'll will win the championship again one day.
Yeah, but who wants to watch synchronized swimming?
Lot of crap for 60 miles...
A compass AND a gps? Hmm...:-?
I like the idea of blitzing it as suggested earlier.
Would make for some boring TV, though. :)
The GPS is a "spot" locator becon. When they give up and want to go home, they activate thier "spot" and then they are picked up.
The GPS is a "spot" locator becon. When they give up and want to go home, they activate thier "spot" and then they are picked up.
Ah...that's a bit different from a real GPS.
Hopefully SPOT will work better for them than it did for Karl "Speed Goat". :)
(Not disparaging Karl's hike..I'd love to meet him sometime and shoot the breeze with him just like any other outdoors dude. The SPOT device had some issues though...)
puddingboy
04-20-2009, 19:21
I didnt watch the show but hiking 60 miles without food or shelter and without a trail could difficult.
I've watched both episodes. The people have no sense. The guy tripping in the river and spraying himself with bear spray took the cake though. I enjoy it for the scenery if nothing else.
generoll
04-23-2009, 09:13
looked as if the only people with outdoor sense got tired of carrying the morons.
Two Tents
05-27-2009, 21:17
Lots of killing last night! Could have been a bad idea to leave the bear gun. Next week someone will probably drop out. It is still kind of interesting though.
YoungMoose
05-27-2009, 21:23
looked as if the only people with outdoor sense got tired of carrying the morons. i 100% agree with that. that woman got no food when everyone else got food. i would be so po'ed
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-27-2009, 21:34
Sorry but those people are clueless!!!! The biggest thing that gets me is they stay in the shelters for so long, I am sorry but we always have a limited amount of food, hence the reason we don't homeguard one spot for 4 days lol. Not to mention look at their packs ***, firtst break and I am unloading 90 percent of that crap they have lol
Sorry but those people are clueless!!!! The biggest thing that gets me is they stay in the shelters for so long, I am sorry but we always have a limited amount of food, hence the reason we don't homeguard one spot for 4 days lol. Not to mention look at their packs ***, firtst break and I am unloading 90 percent of that crap they have lol
The producers have an itinerary for these people. Most of us would have hiked down out of the mountains and followed the rivers when we were still fresh and strong, not after growing weak and starting to starve.
The producers have an itinerary for these people. Most of us would have hiked down out of the mountains and followed the rivers when we were still fresh and strong, not after growing weak and starting to starve.
Plus this is so-called "reality TV". Who knows how the film was edited, what the contestants were told they could/could not do, etc.
As Dances With Mice said in a previous post (I'm too lazy to look it up), the spin on these shows is quite bad. IIRC, his friend was on it and she couldn't believe the spin they put on her bio.
Don't think of this as a survival/outdoor show. Think of it as a game show. There are rules to play by. The show is rigged for "viewability" and the rules may change as ratings dictate.
Grab some popcorn and enjoy the entertainment! :)
Two Tents
05-27-2009, 21:59
Grab some popcorn and enjoy the entertainment! :)[/quote]
That's what I say too. No biggie even if they seem cluless.
Just a Hiker
05-27-2009, 22:04
It's been fun to watch thus far......lastnight's episode was entertaining! That girl from New Jersey went on a killing spree! I would have kept the large caliber rifle though.
That's what I say too. No biggie even if they seem cluless.
I honestly think any of us on there would look clueless (myself included). Why? Because through the magic of editing, any quote can be taken out of context PLUS (I suspect) the rules are made so you can't just follow the drainage to civilization. That would be boring TV. ;)
Then again, if you talk to my ex-girlfriends, they'll say you don't need any kind of editing to make me sound clueless. I tend to agree at times. :D
Wise Old Owl
05-27-2009, 22:25
Why would survival skills be mandatory for sixty miles??? Take a compass reading and start walking fast for cryin' out loud.
Two days and the show is over and you can eat. :D
You didn't see the mule sized packs.....
Alaskanhkr23
05-27-2009, 23:05
That show make's me lauph. I lived in talkeetna,ak for a few months,and i've rode atv's in the talkeetna wilderness,its not the touphest alaska has to offer,it's not even denali state or national.
Alaskanhkr23
05-27-2009, 23:10
Im surprised they haven't ran into someone house yet,the talkeetna wilderness iis riddled with cabins.
Phoenixdadeadhead
05-27-2009, 23:53
Never hiked that area my first Hikes were in Alaska but they were all in Kodiak, I am sure they have rediculous rules they have to follow, but I am still amazed every time I watch one of the survival reality shows.