Bear Attack: Q&A with Bear Grylls

'> i hate Bear Grylls.

<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7304617.stm">bear grylls is a fake.</a>

Triple posting? My apologies! It wasn't intentional.

I liked a few of his shows at first, finding them entertaining and informative. His show about joining the French Foreign Legion was quite good, but I always wondered about the advice being given in the survival situations and how it really applied to reality.

Well, then I saw the Montana episode. It happened to be located in a place I'm from and have to say that it was the most ludicrous advice I've ever seen. I guarantee that anyone from there would never try the stupid bullshit he did in that show. Maybe the producers made him do it, but the truth is that it destroyed his credibility utterly. Just watch it on YouTube....utterly idiotic actions that are more likely to get you killed than save you. Only a sellout would have done that, not someone who took his reputation seriously. Go look at Ray Mears if you want serious. Bear Grylls, you seriously jumped the shark on that one and destroyed your credibility. When I see his name on merchandise, it tells me that it's poor quality, and likely to fail. I would never guy gear with this guy's name on it, I'd hate to be associated with his idiotic advice. In particular on that show...there were three actions likely to get his ass killed. First...the railroad trestle. STUPID. Just follow it on the ground. It's a wide valley that comes to level within a mile. Second, the canoe...walk around the friggin lake rather than drown. Plus, Montanans are pretty big on DIY. I've never seen a canoe abandoned. Someone would have taken that home and fixed that little hole with fiberglass patches! Sail it across cold water? Brilliant! Canyon Ferry Dam and lake isn't that big--walk around it and live. Third....the deer antler on a rope.....beyond stupid. Walk around that SMALL canyon. God....

I liked a few of his shows at first, finding them entertaining and informative. His show about joining the French Foreign Legion was quite good, but I always wondered about the advice being given in the survival situations and how it really applied to reality.

Well, then I saw the Montana episode. It happened to be located in a place I'm from and have to say that it was the most ludicrous advice I've ever seen. I guarantee that anyone from there would never try the stupid bullshit he did in that show. Maybe the producers made him do it, but the truth is that it destroyed his credibility utterly. Just watch it on YouTube....utterly idiotic actions that are more likely to get you killed than save you. Only a sellout would have done that, not someone who took his reputation seriously. Go look at Ray Mears if you want serious. Bear Grylls, you seriously jumped the shark on that one and destroyed your credibility. When I see his name on merchandise, it tells me that it's poor quality, and likely to fail. I would never guy gear with this guy's name on it, I'd hate to be associated with his idiotic advice. In particular on that show...there were three actions likely to get his ass killed. First...the railroad trestle. STUPID. Just follow it on the ground. It's a wide valley that comes to level within a mile. Second, the canoe...walk around the friggin lake rather than drown. Plus, Montanans are pretty big on DIY. I've never seen a canoe abandoned. Someone would have taken that home and fixed that little hole with fiberglass patches! Sail it across cold water? Brilliant! Canyon Ferry Dam and lake isn't that big--walk around it and live. Third....the deer antler on a rope.....beyond stupid. Walk around that SMALL canyon. God....

I liked a few of his shows at first, finding them entertaining and informative. His show about joining the French Foreign Legion was quite good, but I always wondered about the advice being given in the survival situations and how it really applied to reality.

Well, then I saw the Montana episode. It happened to be located in a place I'm from and have to say that it was the most ludicrous advice I've ever seen. I guarantee that anyone from there would never try the stupid bullshit he did in that show. Maybe the producers made him do it, but the truth is that it destroyed his credibility utterly. Just watch it on YouTube....utterly idiotic actions that are more likely to get you killed than save you. Only a sellout would have done that, not someone who took his reputation seriously. Go look at Ray Mears if you want serious. Bear Grylls, you seriously jumped the shark on that one and destroyed your credibility. When I see his name on merchandise, it tells me that it's poor quality, and likely to fail. I would never guy gear with this guy's name on it, I'd hate to be associated with his idiotic advice. In particular on that show...there were three actions likely to get his ass killed. First...the railroad trestle. STUPID. Just follow it on the ground. It's a wide valley that comes to level within a mile. Second, the canoe...walk around the friggin lake rather than drown. Plus, Montanans are pretty big on DIY. I've never seen a canoe abandoned. Someone would have taken that home and fixed that little hole with fiberglass patches! Sail it across cold water? Brilliant! Canyon Ferry Dam and lake isn't that big--walk around it and live. Third....the deer antler on a rope.....beyond stupid. Walk around that SMALL canyon. God....

I liked a few of his shows at first, finding them entertaining and informative. His show about joining the French Foreign Legion was quite good, but I always wondered about the advice being given in the survival situations and how it really applied to reality.

Well, then I saw the Montana episode. It happened to be located in a place I'm from and have to say that it was the most ludicrous advice I've ever seen. I guarantee that anyone from there would never try the stupid bullshit he did in that show. Maybe the producers made him do it, but the truth is that it destroyed his credibility utterly. Just watch it on YouTube....utterly idiotic actions that are more likely to get you killed than save you. Only a sellout would have done that, not someone who took his reputation seriously. Go look at Ray Mears if you want serious. Bear Grylls, you seriously jumped the shark on that one and destroyed your credibility. When I see his name on merchandise, it tells me that it's poor quality, and likely to fail. I would never guy gear with this guy's name on it, I'd hate to be associated with his idiotic advice. In particular on that show...there were three actions likely to get his ass killed. First...the railroad trestle. STUPID. Just follow it on the ground. It's a wide valley that comes to level within a mile. Second, the canoe...walk around the friggin lake rather than drown. Plus, Montanans are pretty big on DIY. I've never seen a canoe abandoned. Someone would have taken that home and fixed that little hole with fiberglass patches! Sail it across cold water? Brilliant! Canyon Ferry Dam and lake isn't that big--walk around it and live. Third....the deer antler on a rope.....beyond stupid. Walk around that SMALL canyon. God....

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I was disappointed with the headline. Thought he would talk about something worthwile instead of himself.

I bought some of his stretch pants and they were absolute rubbish...they fell apart at the seams after day 1.

He has sold out....and im sick of all these ex-sas wanka's.......

Bear and swan lake,too real.

He's my idol because BG's very brave

Give me Les Stroud any day over this charlatan.

I'm a big fan of ray mears, maybe not as 'exciting' as bear grylls but a good teacher. There are good understandings in man v wild, as are there in dual survival. There are great teachers all over the world, some of my best knowledge has come from local people with local knowledge.! With everything in life, 'Absorb what's useful and discard the rest'..!!
I've trekked in remote places in countries worldwide and when it comes to 'survival' or life threatening situations I only have one thing to say....... 'Never give up'.....!!!!!!!

I respect and like Mr. Grylls, his skills and abilities but am concerned that people may try to emulate him. Grappling hooks and crossing unknown water over deadfall and/or strainers is for special forces in life and death last resort situations and not for his target audience. I have faith the youngsters know better.

I do not trust in this guy, I think he is a bluff.

Bottom line: Bear is getting paid to do what he loves. I respect him for that if nothing else. You don't like it? Don't watch the show, or start your own.

All you Negative Neds out there already breed cynicism in your bones. Spite is the opposite of what Grylls stands for. You already lost your point. Good job! Plus you should already know your own physical limits of which separate you from Grylls. You don't have to be a Lemmings and follow everything. How about YOU make a show? Food for thought, mateys.

Thank you Backpacker, Bear is a wise man who has taught me so much. I would even go as far as his show may have saved my life once or twice. I recommend his books also, they are a great read, and its a good way to pick up some new survival knowledge.

I wondered how long it would be before Backpacker teamed up with another Marketing Maggot like themselves in the likes if Bear Instead of the more common sense approach provided by Les Stroud, Dual Survival and Man-Woemen Wild people.

I am a former Marine Corps Sgt. aka Grunt, with 30,000 backpacking miles made up of mostly cross country miles under me boots whose "standard training" in the Corps invovled many of the same features all these Special Op's Units do now. The forerunner of the Navy Seals for example was Marine Corp Recon, the Seals were just Under Water Demolition Teams or Navy Divers. Marine Recon and regular Grunts taught all the original SEAL team Classes in the begining.

So Bear being SAS is nothing special. He takes a lot of unnecessary risks and often I believe he chooses the entirely wrong path that does quite well at putting him in precarious situations that I surely would teach others to avoid and not try and conquer. And then some are a bit contrived..Like finding a Bear Trap with a Mooring Line attached out in the Mojave Desert. I had a good laugh at that one.

Dual Survival and Man-Woemen Wild are more sensible since they not only teach sensible unrisky Survial Techniques but how to "get along together" when in a nasty situation and how important team work is to survive that you do not get on the TV Show Survival.

Les Stroud is an all around winner, again, just a guy not trying to show off is bravado and doesn't risk putting people at risk because they saw him do it on his show..And besides the equipment I hear Bear is Marketing is NOT maintaining a good reputation for durabilty from people I talked to..I was shown his Knife which had the handle broke off and his folding knife which had a broken blade.

But this is the type of stuff Backpacker is now known for. Being one of the original subscribers so many years ago when that little card fell out of my Organic Gardening magazine I yearn for the recincarnation of Mr.Rodale every time I see a current issue to come back and take over again, he is missed. Sigh!

I find great amusement in all these people stating that Bear is a fraud, fake, he sleeps in a motel and so on. the main point of the show is SURVIVAL...now anyone who has watched his show must come to realize that he teaches us all that....you see tons of videos on youtube that explain survival and such...majority of them the person is just sitting there talking, or they're in their backyard. They aren't doing all the action and such. The point I'm getting at is its the knowledge you gain from it..yes physically seeing it helps, but YOU have to practice it to perfect it and adapt it to your skills. Even IF he did sleep in a motel, or he was only 1-2 miles from a road/highway, He still gives you that knowledge to actually find your way to rescue...and what to do between the moment you have to start to survive and are home safe. I don't think all you naysayers/haters think into it that deep, because if you did, you wouldn't have much to say...yes he entertains, and yes he does have a crew with him, yes some may be scripted, but Bear is doing it, and he has many other accomplishments. He is a great man, with a great mind and spirit and I will ALWAYS look up to him for what he is. Thank you Bear for being ALIVE!

I am sure that if you had all the accolades he did and had spent time in the special forces you would take the comfy way out as well. There is no reason for him to have to spend the night outside when not filming it is a show and he has done that enough in his life. When you climb everest, or make it into the top level of special forces I will take your opinion into account.

As for those that say he does stupid and risky things it is a show and those things are not stupid or risky at his level of talent and expertise. I have never failed to hear him say that "you" need to do the appropriate action for your skill level and what you feel comfortable with in balance with your risk. Just because he is in an elite caliber and does some things that might creat undue risk for the rest of us to make the show more interesting does not make it silly, or stupid.

I think that it was excellent of Backpacker to do an interview with him and any membership lost because of it is just getting rid of useless dead weight. I dare any one of the critiques to go spend a couple of days with him out in the wilderness. I assume most of them never leave the couch!

If BG is so awesome to all of you wannabees, then why does he spend nights in a motel??? Faking an overnight in the wild does nothing for my sense of respect. I value quality of character, even on TV. Sad, very sad

Thank god for Bear and Les! What else am I supposed to watch if I'm not into sports, vampires or Jersey Shore? At least they are doing something interesting and providing decent entertainment for guys who don't wear skinny jeans.

If one person walks away with one skill that helps them down the road, Bear has done what he set out to do. As Rick said, "Be Prepared", that way when trouble does show up, you can look it in hte face a say, "I been waiting for you". One of my greatest teachers was an examrmy sniper who tought me and my scout troop more about wildernes survial than I ever thought I would learn. Alot of what we were shown is in line with what Bear teaches. Do I think i will ever be in an extreme situation like Bear get into? No, but I would rather be over prepared that get my butt handed to me when things go bad.

Bear Grylls is a great entertainer. I'm sure he's also an amazing survival expert. The reason so many people lost respect for him was the fact that originally his show Man vs. Wild was shown as though he was actually encountering and dealing with each situation spontaneously. When in reality the "show" was exactly that, a "show", it was produced, scripted, re-shot when necessary and scenes were setup to look much more dangerous and suspenseful than they actually were. When youtube videos started coming out (like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpSlpvb1is">this</a> one), the public lost trust in him and his show. Discovery Channel had to start putting disclaimers before his shows. None of this actually proves one way or the other that he is a "fraud", and I would say anyone who has accomplished half of what he has in a survival setting would be considered an expert, but once trust is lost, it's hard to get back.

Personally I think it was silly for Backpacker to do an interview with Mr. Grylls, only because I do see him more as an entertainer than anything else, but that's just my opinion. I would love to see a feature article with Les Stroud (Survivorman). He is another amazing survival expert (and great musician) who has a pretty awesome documentary called "Off the Grid" about building his "green" home that is completely off the power grid.

Anyone who jetskiied around the british isles and climbed mt everast is good enough to learn from.

Bear obviously isn't the greatest survival teacher and man vs. wild is definetely more for entertainment than survival but the bit about panic is useful and you can take away the fact he's ex special forces and is a hardass.

Haters gonna hate!

Some of you people are morons. Bear Grylls a false expert? What show have you been watching? Bear is not "reckless", he teaches the most extreme aspects of survival in the most extreme ways possible. He shows you how to survive the worst of the worst situations. Situations that 90% of people will probably never encounter. But for the very few who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in such a predicament, hopefully they're lucky enough to have learned something from that show. It's obviously not the only source of survival information, but it's damn near one of the best I've seen. The stuff he teaches isn't just his own personal opinions. A lot of what he demonstrates and teaches comes directly from regional experts who work hand in hand with the film crew to ensure that the correct message is being conveyed. The purpose of the show is not to prove that bear is actually surviving the wild, but rather to best demonstrate to the public on how to do so to give people their best chance of getting home safely. Although he receives a lot of help for the show, the man does put himself in life or death situations just so he can teach others how to survive them. Bear might do things fast paced for the ratings, but his survival skills are second to none and the show has already proven to save countless lives around the world. Just look it up. Let's not forget that his most important message to the public is attitude. The guy is a stone cold optimist in the most deathly situations. If you're gonna take anything away from the show, it's that you can't give up and you gotta think positive. Your best tool is your mind. It just might give you what you need get you out alive.

his name is bear who cares

Your subscribers are incrementally dropping and cancelling, because you promote irresponsible and wreck less infomercial junk advice from a proven false expert.

Bear Grylls articles are the fastest way for your loyal readers to cancel their subscription.

What's next? Justin Bieber survival advice?

Backpacker magazine has gone lame very fast.

We are all lucky enough to know and understand the joy of being outside. Unfortunately there are so many others in our communities who do not value, and or understand the outdoor world. Even more are the hundreds of thousands obese and overweight children sitting at home, playing video games. BG is inspirational, maybe not to many of us who already understand the value. Look at what he promotes, self reliability, planning ahead, keeping cool, and "being nice, kind, and calm." That is a message our sedentary nation needs to hear. And then maybe some off the wall stunts... Who wants to see me jump in this freezing water? !?! Either way BG is inspirational, and for 95% of the general pop the closest look people get a what being a responsible outdoormen is about. If your gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.

Pipe down Alan. Read his autobiography then make a decision. Dude could own you in anything wilderness/ military related. British SAS, Everest climb (at 18 years old), French Foreign Legion, just to name a few of his accomplishments. To add to these, he is the Head Scout of the Boy Scouts. Lets see all the haters resumes and we will compare them with Mr. Grylls.

He does things that are stupid for entertainments sake. SAS or wherever risking a injury because you jumped off a waterfall in a survival situation might be a death sentence.

Bear Grylls is a fraud. If you don't have the sense to see it, I pity you. That's not 'hate', it's truth.

Bear is on a TV for entertainment purposes. Most of what he dos on his TV show is for entertainment do not try to imitate him it will likely get you killed. I carry his Knife with me in the woods to remind my self if I am ever in danger to do the exact opposite thing Bear would do. Don’t hate on a man for making some thing of him self.

Most of us ... wish we were Bear Grylls .. who else swims under ice, who else climbs down a raging waterfall, who else can climb ropeless up those chimneys , who else can put their life on the line, Bear is amazing .. a true athlete , he pushes his body to the brink , he takes the tough road to teach survival. Not sit around and wait for hypothermia to settle in .. Nobody tops Bear ... Nobody ... He is Superman !

The size of your pack is relative to the size of your fear - Bear don't got no stinking pack - I carry a big one - I admire anyone that takes on wilderness the way he has, but I am not him, I just learn from him. This bit about the family photo is great and I will do that also, the reason to survive is as important as the tools to survive.

Wow some people need to take a chill pill. Bear is a survival expert and a good one. He was good enough to be a survival expert in the special forces (which im pretty sure 99% of the people who hate him couldn't do) for crying out loud! Some people on here just dont like him because he has a TV show, or spends the night in a hotel while their NOT filming (which if we being honest a lot of us would do) which are dumb reasons to not like him. If you want to refute his information I doubt you will get far, and I would put money on him over many of the negative people on here. Its amazing to see so many snobby people on here. It actually makes me laugh to think about how stuck up you are! Like you know better than him, or your information is more right then his. Sure there are different ways to do things, and even I might do things different then Bear in some cases, but that is no reason to call someone a fraud. I think some people hate him just because someone else that they know hates him. His gear is decant and his information is good. Bear Grylls is a great person and a great survival expert. This article made me glad I subscribed to this magazine. You people need to just get over yourselves, or don't and keep making me laugh :)

Your awesome Bear but you take way to many risks. Yikes, I cringe sometimes at the stuff I see you do. When in those types of situations one of the best ways to survive is to not injure yourself. Stay safe.

Also, for those real backpackers who think Bear isn't the real deal-ask the British SAS, he was elite enough for them. He taught survival. So you must be more elite than some of the world's best special operations forces if you know so much better. Television is about entertainment as well as information. Read hisbooks and read up on the man before you criticize him and his real life know how.

Going into the real wilderness without skills or a backup plan sounds foolish to me. You can have GPS or a sat phone incase you need them but only use them in emergency situations. In my opinion, going anywhere properly equipped is smart. To criticize seems like macho bull to me. "Hey, lets go out with no map, compass, GPS, etc just to see if I make it!" Lots of folks have perished for that foolishness. Like the scouts say, "Be Prepared" You stand a much better chance of living to see your next expedition.

Bear Grylls gives bad advice that puts his audience in trouble. It is reckless of Backpacker magazine to promote this guy. This isn't just infomercial hype, this has crossed over to legal liability - as well as loss of credibility for Backpacker magazine.

I am always most impressed by folks who venture into the wild without modern gadgetry like GPS units and satellite phones. I "cheat" by taking a map and compass, which I find acceptable only because I find them the equivalent of what early European explorers of, say, the American West used (where maps did not exist they often received the equivalent in the form of info from folks they met along the way.)I often go out without map and compass if I stay within a couple of miles of a road. A true test of an individual's ability to survive in the wilds would be a situation where that person were simply placed in a wild location without any maps, compass, gps, phone, etc., perhaps something the equivalent of the "plane crash in the mountains on an unscheduled solo flight" or the "Robinson Crusoe" scenarios. Any "man vs. nature" situation that does not come close to those scenarios, or at least the scenario of getting your vehicle stuck in a blizzard on a remote road that will not get plowed, with no food, no phone, and no clothing besides what's on your back, is, in my mind, pretty hokey.

Some folks love to criticize others because they don't live up to "their standards". I feel they are just as guilty of sensationalism as the people they accuse. Take a chill pill and just relax and enjoy the entertainment factor. Most sane people can differentiate between fact & fiction and still enjoy things and maybe wish they were with Bear Grylls in an exotic location just for the fun of being there. I am a loyal subscriber to Backpacker magazine and enjoy the variety of outdoor articles they present no matter what angle they come from - keep up the good work!PS our scoutmaster gave each one of us fellow adult leaders a small Bear Grylls multi-tool for Christmas which I found cool and useful and it has become part of a day pack I use for scouting day hikes - thanks again Jason!

I will not use this opportunity to belittle anyone's opinion. As with anything, investigate for yourself and take away what you want to. Whether its Bear, Les, Cody, or Dave, these people have inspired others with their passion. Please keep up the good work.

I was thinking of maybe trying out backpacker again, then I saw this crap. Bear grills is an insult to me, and allowing him to speak without criticism and be endorsed in this way betrays low integrety in this publication. I understand that some times difference of opinion could be to blame but you could at least address this controversy. Publishing the bit about the supposed high value and production of bear grills branded products further betrays an obvious bias to money making at the expense of wise wilderness practice. Backpacker you should be ashamed of your selves. What poor journalism you had a chance to address a central controversy among your readers and you didn't even have the guts to go near it. Instead endorsing some one who is seen as a criminal of outdoorsmanship and helping him promote his weird tour and hock his crap products. You should be ashamed.

If it weren't for Bear Grylls, there are people like me who never would have made the decision to get up off the couch and go find adventure. Sure he may not do something the same way that your favorite guy does them, and it may not even be the best way, but to suggest that he is a negative to backpacking or survival is a bit ridiculous. Grow up and stop Harding they guy just because he's successful. Were it not for his success I wouldn't be a subscriber to this magazine, I wouldn't have great outdoor adventures planned, and I wouldn't have lost 60 pounds by getting off my butt and getting out there so that I could experience some of the things that I've seen Bear experience.

I'm not a fan of how commercialized Bear has become, but can you really blame him? People who bring more visibility to the outdoors are also indirectly protecting them, so I support his efforts 100%... not saying I'm going to go out and buy his gear though. That stuff is a little tacky.

Bear shares his passion and I like his style. Bear haters think they have some moral or professional high ground that doesn't exist. Strong whiff of jealousy if you ask me. Bear got the break and made a name for himself; you didn't - GET OVER IT. He has learnt lessons from the past, moved on and improved. Go Bear, you (not exclusively) inspire people like me.

Sadly after watching the first couple of shows Bear has turned into a Marketing Maggot..I find a lot of the things he does very unsafe for the average person to do or too follow or to use in a survival situation.. I would not advise allowing children under 22 years of age to watch the show.

I also find that he always "takes the hard way" and goes too quickly as in running blindly across the landscape for the average person especially in Desert Areas and Bushwhacking.

Personally with my 45 years of hiking and brushwhacking I would not want him as a hiking or survial companion.

And some of the shows have become two contrived like the one where he finds a 2 in thick hawser (type of rope to keep very large boats attached to the Wharf) attached to a animal trap. I've been trapping for 40 years and know better than that, the animal or any animal would knaw through that rope in no time at all, even in the 1700's they used wire of some type or deadfalls or loops.

But the show does have good survival points you should learn, just do not try to imitate Bear in everything he does when reality shows up at your door.. The "Dual duo" their show is more to my liking because they actually create situations that could happen and they use their heads instead of just blindly running amok into the wilds at 20 mph.

If it weren't for Bear Grylls, there are people like me who never would have made the decision to get up off the couch and go find adventure. Sure he may not do something the same way that your favorite guy does them, and it may not even be the best way, but to suggest that he is a negative to backpacking or survival is a bit ridiculous. Grow up and stop Harding they guy just because he's successful. Were it not for his success I wouldn't be a subscriber to this magazine, I wouldn't have great outdoor adventures planned, and I wouldn't have lost 60 pounds by getting off my butt and getting out there so that I could experience some of the things that I've seen Bear experience.

For real survival information that is sensible as well as valuable, try Peter Kummerfeldt, the real deal.

Seriously Backpacker, stop deleting the posts against B G and listen to your readers. we dont what him here or promoted! its bad enough he is teaching people how to worsen their situation in a real time of need. you guys dont need to be promoting stupidity. Backpacker you have a great site, dont taint it with jokes like this. unless your gona put a title heading like: Heres what not to do when in the wild. ... that what his show should be called anyway.

You see, some of you guys out there... some of you thrashing, destructive, self-proclaimed bad-asses of the wild who think bigger and louder is better? Bear prefers the kind, nice guys on his crew. The thoughtful thinkers. And that it's not really about the biggest, baddest knife, you meatheads. It's about ingenuity, in other words, your brain!

The best ideas to gain from this interview. Please use them.

I think Bear has basic knowledge and his show is some what informative. It makes the readers know his name like a household item. Yes there are others out like Les Stroud and Ray Mears with a wealth of knowledge but lack the showmanship that Bear has. So please keep watching and listen to him because he is an entertainer that boast about himself at times, but as with all things investigate for yourself and read and experience things for yourself.

Wow, all of you negative people need to find a new hobby. Bear's the real deal, but yes he does require ratings to stay on the air. It's easy to be safe and boring (and hence off the air). You must be the people sitting behind me at a Jason Bourne movie saying "no way he could do that, it's so fake!" It's called entertainment. If you don't like it, turn the channel. Also, why are nearly all of the comments here written by illiterates?

This guy nauseates me to the point I would unsubscribe if you continue to look to him for "responsible" information. Your magazine itself has recommended that you not drink your own urine! Are you this desperate? I'd have had a lot more respect if Les Stroud were featured. I don't know everything, but I know a lot of what Boor Grylls does would put people in severe jeopardy were they to try it in the wild. Please keep the integrity of the magazine intact.

Maybe Les Stroud's show was more realistic, but that's the key word- was.... All that sleeping in the rain and starving for days took it's toll. Les stopped making Survivorman because it was so hard on his body. Bear continues to put out a unique, valuable product that people enjoy and gives them info that may save their lives someday.
I love them both. I say keep up the great work, Bear!

bear i'm your fan.i like your programmes it specially man vs wild and wrost case scenario

HAI! IAM from india ,i herr that you are died by snake biting ,is it true

It just amazes me how uneducated people are. Bear has been thru it all & just showing some of us who go off the path. The only country in the world that the most reality shows, USA. So BackPacker keep up the good work, Bear Grylls keep up the survival teaching cause in this country they have the Coast Guard, Park Rangers,Rescue dogs & GPS that's why half of them will never appreciate what this country has to offer, they rather criticize and bring people down.

Bear...my idol.

Most these tent and 12 pack carrying campground folks, dont realize that this guy ( Bear ) with SAS training and advanced fighting skills , could rip out their throats .. before they knew what hit them. all his SAS missions are top secret and blacked out . I would not get this Bear angry !

I think Bear is the biggest badass on the Tele , his physical strength and agility leave the viewers in shock , and his fearless attitude every episode of mind over matter, has made me chew a few fingernails over the years . His show is informative and very real . Recenty he slipped of rock and plunged at least 40 ft down and almost died when the log gave way under his feet .. Nobody can do the physical output required to do this show , but Bear .. otherwise we would have a lot of know it alls stranded .. waiting for rescue that is not going to arrive. Bear is the REAL DEAL !

Let's try interviewing Les Stroud instead!

Anyone can obviously see that going around a waterfall is safer than going down it. His purpose is to show how to get down a waterfall if there is no other alternative. The same goes for many other scenarios, like when he gets out of the chopper and eats slugs and bugs within the first 10 minutes. He can't be that hungry already to make it worth his while. But he is just showing how to do things, without always sticking to the best options available. I think he has also motivated many people to get out into the bush by giving them some basic knowledge and showing them it can be fun. He does alot more good than bad and that's how it should be seen. I cannot believe people are calling him a joke because does not actually sleep in the rain on the ledge. That's stupid, he is making a show showing you how to survive. That does not mean he actually has to put himself in a survival situation to get the message through. Wake up and stop being so high and mighty.

I think there have been some silly comments here denigrating Bear's basic outdoor skills. He has those. What he hasn't done is exhibit those in a realistic way...or support and teach needed conservation. I'm thinking of the episode in which he started killing bats with abandon...not because they were threatening him or bothering him...but because he could. Creatures that in some areas face very real challenges to their survival and that offer real benefits to the ecosystem and to us. Dump Bear? Perhaps a better move would be for Bear to dump his 'handlers' and show what he stands for on his own.

You know, when I read interviews with Bear, I like what he has to say. I don't care if he goes to a hotel and pretends to be sleeping in a tent - it's an entertaining show. What I hate is that he gives bad and dangerous advice on his show. He says he tests all this gear so we can trust it? I wish he put as much care into throwing out "survival skills."

I think some of you should be the ones getting a grip. His show is about action and adventure, not a documentary about survival. He reminds my of a good friend of mine, always full of energy and action. I watch the show with my kids, they know BG show is not a "how to" becouse I have taught them better. I admire his spirit. It reminds me of my younger days. Parts of the show maybe staged, doesn't matter to me, its the adventurous spirit of the show that I admire.

Backpacker Magazine.
PLEASE DO NOT reference this guy in the future.
I think that including him does the magazine and it's readers more harm than good.

Can't believe you care what a well supported, well managed, rehearsed, and made up scenario TV show star thinks about ANYTHING. The guy is a joke. He's always got a crew behind him and they rehearse and add things that are exciting, but dangerous. He's a phoney and I'll take MY chances with the real thing when I go out in the wild, based on my experience and better teachers.

I agree with the previous comments. I've seen Bear G say "to get back to civilization, we need to follow this river". Normally decent advice if you're off the trail and totally lost. What's the first thing he does? Get in the river up to his chest. If you're lost, the last thing you want to do is purposely get wet. Then, he comes to a waterfall. Does he go around it? No, he climbs down the waterfall, pulling loose every loose rock and shrub on the way down.

This guy poisons minds by showing budding outdoorsman the Wrong thing to do in most situations. He's a showboater who puts himself in dangerous situations to increase ratings.

Backpacker, get rid of this guy. Even better: debunk every episode and show how real people behave in the outdoors.

Wow...I added a negative comment about Bear and that Backpacker actually spoke with him. He give bad info to kids who don't know any better. Looks like Backpacker deleted it when I said I was disappointed in Backpacker. Even more so now.

he's a joke do much of what he does to "survive" and youll die just a faker with a show!

i'l drink some urine then pop into my cosy bed till i film some more "real' survival stuff.

OK sure, I've criticized his tactics on several occasions while I watch his show. But, truthfully, I've thought many times, "I wish that was me...He's got the best job in the world!" (Except for his choice in 'energy drinks'. I'll pass on that one).

Why so much negativity? Im not saying he's the coolest guy on the planet, but he was in the SAS and climbed everest, I think that gives him more credit that individuals complaing about him on the internet. Maybe it's the jealousy that he is following his dreams, instead of worrying about details on a tv show, get a life......

Bear Grylls is a total stud. Aside from being super likeable, he's basically a super hero.

Lost some respect for Backpacker by listening to this guy. He has lied and been caught many times about his "alone in the wilderness" trips. He's a joke and if kids did what he did, they'd die.

I love the show, he may be a screwball but its just entertainment. The stupid anonymous people who go unprepared into the wilderness do it at their own risk. What he does is great, he brings is imagination to homes and gets people interested in the outdoors.

Damn guys, nobody is perfect. Survival is all about trial and error; some things work some things don't. And I think any viewer with half a brain knows not to just blindly follow his example without weighing the pros and cons for themselves and/or taking their own specific circumstances into consideration. Give him credit for putting himself out there in the first place.

Eurownpee Sak??!! Hillarious! Hahahahah!!! 5 stars, anonymous dude! I'm with you all the way!

Eurownpee Sak??!! Hillarious! Hahahahah!!! 5 stars, anonymous dude! I'm with you all the way!

Coming soon from the BEAR Grills Tool Shed: A New type of hydration bladder! It straps around your waist, hangs in your pants and has an extra long drinking tube: Its the Ultimate Survival Eurownpee Sak. The Eurownpee Sak will make catching, storing, and drinking your own pee that much easier. Heck you wont just use this thing in a survival situation, take it to a soccer game, a foot ball game, I guarantee you'll be center of conversation! I bet you'll love it so much you'll throw out the kitchen sink, who needs fresh water when you can DRINK YOUR OWN PEE!

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Seriously Backpacker, keep it real. Gerber is just using him as publisity. please dont support a guy who is making a fake show about doing crazy stupid shit in the wilderness and leading people to think that is the proper way to interact and behave in the back country. truthfully his show is irresponsible, he is just showing people the fastest way to get themselves killed in situations that could actually be life threatening.

Great a brand from the screwball who made a vest out of a seal hide. Stupidest thing I've ever seen.