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The DAILY DIRT - The nitty and the gritty of outdoor news

Survivorman Calls It Quits

Les stroud plans to end successful Discovery Channel show after forthcoming third season

Somewhere, perhaps in a four-star hotel while eating chocolate cherries and sipping champagne, Bear Grylls is breathing a sigh of relief: His primary media rival, Les Stroud of the Discovery Channel's popular Survivorman series, has announced he plans to hang up his cameras and end the show after the upcoming third season.

"It takes a lot out of me as I really do what I do for real, with no camera crew, no nights in hotels like others do, and it takes a toll on my body," Stroud told Reuters.

"You can only do seven days surviving without food a certain number of times a year. I'm pleased with what I have done, I've been copied around the world, but 25 times I've not eaten anything for a week while sleeping on rocks. I need to move on."

Sad news for TV survival junkies, to be sure, but all is not lost: Stroud plans to return with a series where he follows in the footsteps of famous explorers. 

Ever wonder how Grylls' and Stroud's techniques really work in the wild? Our man gave them a shot in "I Will Survive."

—Ted Alvarez Living in the wild takes toll on TV's "Survivorman" (Reuters)

Via Hiker Hell

READERS COMMENTS

Les will be missed greatly. Survivorman was a wonderful show that taught millions not only survival techniques but also brought us to amazing places most may never see first hand. Good luck, Les. You will be missed.
Posted: Dec 27, 2008 Lance Rogers, AR

Les has inspired me to look beyond the concrete jungle. Most humans take for granted their survival, it's not even survival really, it's merely an existence. Humans have forgotten survival by way of modern conveniences. Put down the hotpocket, get off the couch, and leave the comfort of the city behind. Smell the fresh air and stand in awe of God's creation.
Posted: Dec 19, 2008 backpacking joey

Les i really was shocked that your quitting i would watch your show every friday night i liked you alot better than man vs wild even though im only 11 years old i loved YOUR show please come back.
Posted: Dec 19, 2008 Austin carsen/GF North Dakota

Les i really was shocked that your quitting i would watch your show every friday night i liked you alot better than man vs wild even though im only 11 years old i loved that show please come back.
Posted: Dec 19, 2008 Austin carsen/Gf North Dakota

OMG!!! I just found out that Les is calling it quits with Survivorman.....I am truly upset. When I watch Les and his show, it reminds me of a very personal lost....you see, my father and I both started watching Survivorman from the first episodes, and we loved to talk about what Les was going to do next. My dad passed away in January of this year, but I can still remember things that we said, times we laughed, and times we just were in awe of Les' skills and strong stomach. Since dad died, I watch Survivorman and still feel dad watching it too....I realize this show was a tough job to do, but I will miss Les' sappy harmonica solos...LOL. Good Luck, Mr. Stroud and may God continue to watch over you.
Posted: Dec 14, 2008 Dee Francis

Can't Believe hes actually leaving.I guess you got to do what you got to do unfortunetley in this case.This is almost putting tears in my eyes. *Sigh*.Well thanks Les for all the tips ans tricks I sure have learned alot in these past 4 years of watching you.
Posted: Nov 22, 2008 Amari

What Stroud was doing was crazy. 7 days without any real food is definitely going to take it's toll on you, he can at least properly prepare better, but he wants to make it as real as it gets, and that is EXTREMELY dangerous. I'm surprised Les Stroud is alive from what he's been through. There is nothing wrong with adding extra food in his backpack or carrying a firearm so he can hunt better.
Posted: Nov 13, 2008 Minter

im gonna miss les stroud (survivor man) i really learned alot from him since his show is alot more realistic than the others.
Posted: Nov 12, 2008 davo el jibaro

I am really going to miss Survivorman! I love that show. I have learned quite a lot of tricks from Les.

http://www.myoutdoorprofile.com/
Posted: Nov 11, 2008 Yellowstone Shane

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