Backpacking Discussions

So I've been watching Survivorman and they don't state that Les Stroud is assisted like how Man vs Wild says Bear is always assisted on his outings. What do you think? Is Survivorman assisted on his adventures?

Several times Les has mentionned that he has a satellite phone with him in episodes where he really could get into trouble, when survival really becomes survival rather than coping with the inconvenience of being cold and hungry for a couple days... Sometimes, a team is on stand-by as well, usually not too far from his location but not close enough to spoil the survival experience. Bear Grylls is a bit younger and obviously likes to show off a lot, but I can understand some people enjoy his show as well. He is for the people who don't experience the outdoors, while Les is the show for real outdoor people. It feels much more authentic when the guy is filming it all himself, along with his filming experience, it makes it enjoyable to watch.

All in all, I like Survivorman and I think he's pretty cool.

Les is more upfront about everything in his shows - he shows humor and the ability to laugh at himself: the time he set his camp on fire, the time his hammock collapsed after he set it up onscreen, the time he thought he had a dangerous snake cornered under a hollow log but after a number of probes with a long stick, found there was nothing there.

It's nothing more than entertainment on both shows, but it's easier to stay atuned to that on Les's show. Bear Grylls' overly serious attitude turns his show into a parody of himself at times. I guess that's why there are literally hundreds of parody videos about Bear at Youtube.

Last time I saw the Bear Grills show he was saying how dangerously cold it was, yet he was not wearing his hat. That show is a joke as far as information goes. I find it worth watching because it shows good scenery of places I'll probably never see otherwise.

I think he's always unassisted. He seems so real, unlike Bear with his accent. I guess there is a chance that a crew is standing right behind the camera all the time, but with him doing his own filming, I bet he is alone. Just like Colton mentioned, he has said that he has a satelite phone if he gets into trouble.

Two episodes come to mind. One Les is dog sledding in the canadian north when the ice starts melting so he has to call for help and needs air lifted out. Then the other was in the Kalihari desert. Les became to dehydrated and walked to the nearby base camp of his crew. However, he was upfront about doing both in the show.

hahahaha Man vs Wild...... come on.

-they brought in the horse via truck and trailer then set it out in a field for Bear to try and ride like a wild horse he "stumpled" upon.
-Witnessed to stay in hotels
-Has a crew with him and receives who knows how much help
-Rips raw meat from animals with teeth. Hey why not use your knife? Why not cook it?
-Supposedly drinks his urine directly
-runs down mountainsides risking serious injury
-claims the so called lava voids were dangerous yet some dude recorded himself on the same ones jumping with ease, which all happened to be right near a main road. (It's on youtube)

I could go on and on. First time I saw one of Bear's episodes he was climbing an old rope or vine up from a canyon. He was being all dramatic saying "I'm not sure I can make it out, this is very hard and dangerous!"
Well one of the camera angles was from the top of the canyon. Apparently the camera guy made it out!
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But back to the question at hand, I had to go with Usually Unassisted.
Bear Grylls is pretty ridiculous. I hope he doesn't get anybody watching his show killed some day.

Last time I saw the Bear Grills show he was saying how dangerously cold it was, yet he was not wearing his hat.

That show is a joke as far as information goes. I find it worth watching because it shows good scenery of places I'll probably never see otherwise.