ARCHIVES - Les Stroud's answers to your questions!

Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 1

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Q: Where did you learn about survival?

Les: I first started by taking college courses in survival from Gino Ferri, and from David Arama. Then I went on to practice practice practice (and eventually teach) - out in the bush on my own and with friends along with heading to various rendezvous and courses like - Prairie Wolf in Kansas with John and Geri McPherson. Eventually my wife Sue and I lived for an entire year in far northern Ontario as if it were five hundred years ago; no metal, no matches, no plastic - just nature - on its own terms.

Q: What multi tool do you use?

Les: My favourite multi tool is the Leatherman Wave - or any other Leatherman

Q: What was the toughest Survivorman location you?ve done yet?

Les: The arctic was the toughest... I asked my local Inuit guide - Sam Omik, when the toughest time to survive up there was and he said 'right now' It was too early for eggs or plant life and wildlife and too warm for good igloo making snow...I also had the psychological element of the presence of polar bears to deal with.

Q: How do you survive without eating for such a long time?

Les: In some ways you can say it's just like fasting for a week which many people do - however when you add in the extremely hard work of building shelters, climbing through thick bush and running cameras 16 hours a day, it goes well beyond a simple fast. Usually by the third day I become quite drained of energy and it takes an awful lot of inner convincing to get up and film the next element of survival.

Q: What is your back up emergency plan?

Les: I'm supposed to be able to pull the plug whenever I need to and so I carry an emergency satellite phone...however I have discovered as I do random testing that it has only been operational 50% of the time...which is quite discomforting as I lay in a rock cave in the thickest mountain lion territory, or sleep beside fresh polar bear tracks, or drift miles from anywhere in a raft on the ocean.

Q:Will there be a Season 2 Survivorman?

Les: More Survivorman shows? I would love to! I'm thinking Survivorman Outback! Survivorman Africa! We'll see

Q: Do you really run all the equipment yourself? Isn't there a crew with you?

Les: I have a crew come in with me for the first introduction day only - then they leave me alone to do my thing for the week. That's the way it has to be or I don't have a show. So I run all the cameras myself - set ups and tear downs...build my shelters and try to catch game...start my fires...all completely alone. Sometimes the crew knows where I am...sometimes they don't...and sometimes there has been no back up crew - I'm out there on my own until the end of the week.

Q: How do you deal with the psychological aspect of these challenges?

Les: I can't pretend to be going through actual survival psychology...I know I am going home after seven days...none the less by the third day of these things I am always ready to quit...to get out of there...to go home. I miss my family...I'm tired of sleeping on a rock, or the snow...and I'm hungry and lethargic. It's then that I always wonder; 'why the heck am I doing this'. Then I remember my passion for filming and creating compelling and inspirational art as well as my passion for the ancient primitive and also modern high tech survival skills I have the privilege of sharing.

Q: What camera gear do you use?

Les: I use a whole group of different cameras depending on the circumstance; a few small one chip miniDV's for various mounting positions and to get those night shots....a pair of Sony PD170's for the main work...underwater housings and a little water proof camera made by Clarion. Any new Survivorman episodes will be shot on HD.

Q: Do you have anything else in the works?

Les: Currently I am producing two brand new specials about living off the grid; solar power, rain harvesting, root cellars, composting toilets - combining both modern and pioneer methods. But this is not a back-to-the-land hippy thing. This is about doing it for real in this day and age as a regular family. Enough with the high hydro bills already! It will be titled; Stroud...Off The Grid.

Then I am working on a new series entitled Stroud's Legends about all of the worlds greatest explorers - more on that in the near future!

Q: I am a huge fan of the show. I couldn't help but watch Les drinking waterin the wilderness. Not so much the captured rain water but the water in streams and ponds. I realize under survival situations you need to be hydrated at whatever cost but Les does not seem impaired what-so- ever, even days after. Has Les ever been severely sick after an episode?

Les: At some point I picked up a parasite that lasted in my system for a year before I gave in, took the heavy drugs, and rid myself of it. It left many painful stringy lesions in the inside of my mouth.

Q: Here's a question from my son (9). He wanted to know if you take souvenirs ... shells , snake skins , antlers , stuff like that . He is an avid collector of animal extras Most of this came out of the swamp episode and the turtle shell ...he says that if you didn't want it he did.

Les: Yes I always do?.but never when it is illegal. We enjoy quite a big collection of bones and antlers and bee hives at our home. We have however stopped taking loads of sea shells from the beaches ? that takes away homes and shelters for an incredible amount of little creatures and can even upset the ecological balance of the sea shore and tidal areas.

Q: Hi Les....I love your survivorman shows! Any plan's to make instructional DVD?s on basic survival, for us backpackers? Maybe not something as extreme as not having anything but a leatherman, but perhaps something for people that might get caught out in the open unexpectedly? Something with basic survivor tips that work? For those of us that might go on a day hike with minimal equipment? Perhaps map and compass skills, basic shelter and fire starting, etc..... Thanks for taking the time to read this, Paul.

Les: Definitely in the plans.

Q: Why do you carry a multitool and not a sheath knife?

Les: Normally I carry both ? but for the show I decided I needed the little saw blade for a number of possibilities.

Q: Hello, are you planning on doing another Arctic episode Les?

Les: Yes, in the summer.

Q: What happens when you are "rescued"?

Les: It?s fairly anticlimactic, the crew gets me back to civilization, and I shower, pack and fly home.

Q: Do you bring your family with you when you travel to your next survivorman challenge?

Les: I will be for the next season.

Q: Some years ago I enjoyed the ECO challenge type expedition racing. As time passed it seemed it became more a battan death march than a challenge. What are your feelings about this kind of event? Oh by the way sounds like you play a mean mouth harp

Les: I?m a big fan of Adventure Racing (it?s true title ?Adventure Racing? ? Eco Challenge was just Mark Burnett?s version of the race put on TV) In fact I am racing in the Canadian championships at the end of May and then again in September in BC. What carries on in the actual racing that takes place now is far more respectable than what was created for TV.

Q: My son Survivorboy is obsessed with making fire with a bow drill. He is reading all he can find on the subject. In addition he is experimenting with differing woods for the spindle and base but still no luck. Do you have any words of advice?

Les: Everyone has their preferences ? but mine are: Soft wood for both spindle and fire board ? I like basswood as spindle and cedar as the fire board. I have also had good luck with poplar on poplar. Remember to breath ? and when you see the smoke ? that is your signal to KEEP ON GOING ? don?t stop until you just can?t spin it anymore ? then ? get up very slowly and carefully.

Q: Is there anyway on the show that could indicate how long it takes to do a task? An example would be a little timer for how long it takes to make fire with the bow method.

Les: Good idea.

Q: Any chance we'll get to see more signalling methods- ways to summon help for those that do choose to stay put.

Les: Yes, for sure.

Q: Have you ever seen Foxfire?

Les: Yes.

Q: A Swiss survival system to identify whether food is edible involves a 24 hour process of boiling it then rubbing it against the inside of your arm and waiting an hour. Then rubbing it again without boiling it and waiting an hour. Then boiling it and putting it in your mouth and spitting it out and waiting an hour and then chewing on it and spitting it out and waiting an hour. Then swallowing it (all boiled) in a small quantity and waiting until the next morning. Then it's safe to eat. Is all that really necessary or even advisable if you are starving already?

Les: Yes- you can die from eating the wrong plant.

Q: Some friends of mine told me that you can filter most things out of water by pouring it through a shirt. That seems totally wrong to me. But I read somewhere something about filtering water by this 3 tiered system of 3 shirts with leaves on top, charcoal from wood scrapings from a fire in a pile on the second tier and sand on the bottom tier. Does that work?

Les: It does work pretty well for a number of things ? but not necessarily for certain bacteria such as Guardia

Q: Is there ever a safe way to identify mushrooms that can be eaten other than experience?

Les: Absolutely not ? and in fact many varieties of mushrooms are constantly morphing into slightly different appearances- albeit over a very long time. Learning from an experience person is still the best method.

Q: In the lost at sea episode Les said that his biggest problem was fresh water since there was none then used a solar still to get 1 oz of water from sea water. Later he boiled some sea snails in a container but did not use the still set up to take advantage of the steam that would become fresh water and I can't understand why. By taking the plastic and putting it over the pot it would have collected the steam and he could have then angled the plastic down so the condensed water would flow into a container. It would have made it where he could have changed several litres of sea water into fresh water in a very short time. I wonder if he has ever thought of that or if it was one of those things he just didn't think of when the time came. I know it is easy to think of things like this when you don't need it but never remember it when it is useful. Just a thought and question.

Les: There are in fact soooo many things I could show at each given location. But there is just not enough time to show it all. I do the still method in a new show I am doing called Surviving Urban Disasters. I simply can?t show all the possibilities in every episode of survivorman- it?s only and hour show and I would be off the air after the first one is done. Taken as a collective-I hope the series will cover most of the bases of survival available to the viewer.

Q: Have a couple questions, first will season 2 be the wonderful hour-long episodes, or the painful to watch because of the wonderful stuff cut from them half hour long episodes?

Les: Yes ? hour long episodes.

Q: Les I think you mention in Stranded about putting your contacts in with dirty fingers how do you deal with that?

Les: Yes ? and I?ve filmed it for Survivorman as well but it just hadn't made the cut yet. I use daily throw away lenses so I don?t have to worry about cleaning them ? fresh ones every day. It?s still pretty hard to get even my finger tips clean to put in the new ones and I find some of the nights unnerving without being about to see properly.

Q: Les: Just wondering which area of your survival skills, in your opinion, could use the most improvement (i.e. fire starting, edible plant identification, etc.)? Thanks; love the show

Les: Hmmmm-good one- personally- I think I would love to be more efficient at more complicated spring traps, deadfalls and snares.

Q: Les what video camera would you recommend for someone who doesn't want to spend a whole lot of money but still wants good quality out in the bush

Les: Really depends on your budget-Sony PD170 or any of the new HDV Cam cameras, stick with minidv tape for now- don?t go to the cards just yet.

Q: I just saw the Arizona desert episode and I?m wondering about the ending since it didn?t show you getting rescued. Did you make it back in time or have to spend another night outside?

Les: Made it out okay and then undertook the long drive across stream beds and down rock slopes to get back to civilization.

Q: I know that when people get stuck into a survival situation, they are not really expecting it. As the day goes before you head out, is it a spontaneous, "OK lets go", or do you have time, know when you're departure time is, and when the boat leaves so to speak.

Les: Yep, pretty much know when I am leaving.

Q: If you could take only one fixed-blade knife into the bush with you, which would it be? (I have grown to love my 'Cold Steel SRK', and literally trust it with my life). Thanks, Les.

Les: I do still love my Buck knife-but I grind down the tip to make it less pointy. But I have been given a lot of knives over the while and enjoy them all.

Q: What kind of artifacts (arrowheads, primitive tools, etc) have you found while filming or hiking?

Les: Flint knapping, hammer stones, deadfall rocks and fishing weights so far.

Q: Hi les LOVE your show keep up the good work I was just wondering how you pick locations for your show do you just throw a dart at the map of the world?

Les: I think about the various eco systems-what I could teach and where-balance that with logistical reality and where I personally would really like to go.

Q: In two (I think) of your episodes you use a Swiss Army Knife, and in the other episodes you use various multi-tools. Any reason why? Or do you just like to try different things.

Les: Yes-was just trying different things-but I still love the Leatherman.

Q: Also (two part question, sorry) will you use the Swiss Army Knife again in future episodes or stick to the multi-tool?

Les: Multi-tool.

Q: Les, if you get sick from being malnourished or in the heat or whatever the case may be, is that something you edit out?

Les: Absolutely not.

Q: With no sun screen as in the Belize experience, does he get sunburned?

Les: Yes- and sometimes very badly as I did in Belize.

Q: Also, and this is gross, but when les is in the Baltic artic circle= and has to o to the bathroom i.e. to take a dump, what does he go and what does he do? When its 40 degrees below 0, its has to be tough. I love the show.

Les: I most places I prescribe to the ?cat hole? technique ? dig down in a little and burry it.

Q: Ok this may be strange but I have been searching for the hat the Les wore on the lost at sea episode. You know, the straw one, with the side that is flipped upwards. He wore it on the beach... what is it called? If you know the name please tell me, I want a hat like that.

Les: Hmmmm-I can?t remember-was a buck or two in Belize at some side shop.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 2

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Q: I am a huge fan of the show. I couldn't help but watch Les drinking water in the wilderness. Not so much the captured rain water but the water in streams and ponds. I realize under survival situations you need to be hydrated at whatever cost but Les does not seem impaired what-so- ever, even days after. Has Les ever been severely sick after an episode?

Les: At some point I picked up a parasite that lasted in my system for a year before I gave in, took the heavy drugs, and rid myself of it. It left many painful stringy lesions in the inside of my mouth.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 3

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Q: How long to recoup

Les: I try to plan about 5 weeks in between each shoot to give my baody a chance to get strong again.

Q: What clothing

Les: Obviously I need tough clothing that can handle the punishment I put it through. I usually wear some high tech wicking material close to my skin to help keep the sweat off ? but I like tough cotton for my middle/outer layers. I used to always where wool for my heavy layers ? and I still say it?s the toughest and best ? but I admit I now usually where fleece. On the outside some kind of gortex shell for rain and wind ? but the big issue there, is fire ? it?s not a good material to wear around fire. Of course I have the good high tech gear ? and I love it for lightness and protection ? but truth be told ? there is still nothing better for real down and dirty survival than wool and tough cotton for the outside and warm layers ? if a coal lands on the wool ? you just flick it off ? it doesn?t melt!

Q: Why audio is so good

Les: When you make a film ? any film ? good sound is vital. You can ruin a good film and therefore a good story by having lousy audio. I use good quality lav mics ? wireless. I try to keep them hidden on my clothing as they ruin the look of being out there and surviving.

Q: Will I do courses

Les: When all settles down form shooting more Survivorman shows I will definitely make myself available to run survival and outdoor adventure courses.

Q: Who chooses locations

Les: I usually research into various ecosystems and think about what I can teach or learn in each location. How different is it from the last location and can I logistically pull it off. Then after careful consideration ? I simply think about where I would really like to go. I also talk over a lot of locations with people who have been there before. In the end though ? the choice is mine.

Q: Have I run into people

Les: Only once. In the middle of the Sonora desert in Arizona ? I came across a lone hunter. He was obviously very desert-wise.

Q: Favourite place

Les: I would have to say it?s a tie between the high arctic and Costa Rica ? although I found the beauty of the Utah canyonlnads absolutely incredible.

Q: Peeing for bears ? does it work.

Les: I've never really known for sure if urinating around the perimeter of your own campsite will deter bears. But at least the logic is sound.

Q: Side effects

Les: I never seem to suffer any physical side effects from not eating for the seven days. In fact I often feel quite ?lean and mean? as they say.

Q: What is best shelter

Les: At the risk of sounding vague ? ANY shelter that keeps you out of the elements with the least amount of effort is the best one. The A-frame shelter is a great one to learn because you can make it just about anywhere with little effort. But of course finding a natural shelter ready made is a god-send.

Q: Do I worry about drinking from a stream

Les: I must admit ? I am often a little too casual about where I drink from. Especially since it could kill me! I try to research ahead of time for the safety of water in the area ? and then trust the person giving me the info. If I truly don?t know ? then I wouldn?t drink without a good filter. But I haven?t run into that problem yet. Maybe when I am down in South America for the next season?s shows.

Q: Do I ever leave cameras and tapes behind to pick up later

Les: I pretty much need my cameras through the entire shoot. So I am always doing my elaborate camera set ups and then heading back for the gear right then and there to caryy on surviving and filming.

Q: How does my family feel about it all

Les: My wife and kids are very supportive of what I do as Survivorman. Sue trusts that I take all the right precaution as she knows that I am not willing to lose life or limb for a TV show. My kids hope I keep doing it so they must think it's cool. They have their own little survival kits.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 4

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Q: hey les,
well you probally heard this a million of times so i'll make it a million and one, your show frickin rocks and can't wait for season 2. here is my question. will you release your eairler stuff like snowshoes and solitude, stranded, how to survive urban disasters and your new special off the grid on dvd? i've only seen the how to survive urban disasters and of course survivorman shows. would love to see your other work on dvd. thanks for your time and lookin foward to season 2.

Les: Yes - Both Snowshoes & Solitude and Stranded are coming out on DVD soon.

Q: Les, Do you feal that your forums will ever get back up? Also, what Area are you most looking forward to/ dreading in season two. Thanks

Les: Was worried most about Africa - but have survived that one!

Q: Les, Are you as concerned as most of your viewers about some of the locations?

Les: Probably not - I do a ton of research including into safety matters to make sure I can pull these off.

Q: How do you know how the temperature of your location, like in the plane crash episode where it says the temperature on the screen sometimes.

Les: Sometimes I take a little thermometer but now I have a Tissot watch that shows the temperature.

Q: What do you do before you started making the show/between series to pay the bills?

Les: Right now it's just the show paying the bills - which can be tough - before that it was other film and editing work and playing gigs as a musician.

Q: Where did you get all your training from?

Les: Various courses around North America and a heck of a lot of personal practice with buddies(in the US check out John and Geri McPherson - good friends of mine and excellent instructors)

Q: Have you ever thought about opening your own school/class about survival?

Les: Will do when the TV schedule permits.

Q: Is there are story behind the logo?

Les: Just a lot of creative head scratching - but - you know - the man - the compass like background - the roughness of it - and of course the name...

Q: Will there be a full size poster avaible?

Les: Almost done - along with a whole new line of merchandise - T-shirts, hats, DVDs, and posters.

Q: How long do you aclimate before going in to the survival location. This will be more of a question for the second season I think although it would have pertained to several first season locations.

Les: About a week.

Q: As a follow up - Is allowing your body to aclimate prior to going into the survival location giving you an unfair advantage?

Les: Not really - a week isn't enough.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 5

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Q: Les have you ever had talked to, met, or even know about Ray Mears?

Les: I certainly have heard of his work and it sounds great, but unfortunately I have not been able to view it myself yet.

Q: How does man vs. wild affect how you have to do things if any?

Les: It doesn't.

Q: Will you ever do a survivorman where you tell the views what kinds of items they SHOULD bring to that location even if you don't have them? (Example: at the end of the episode at the studio or main building you show what kinds of items you would recommend)

Les: Just did.

Q: What would be the easiest place to survive given your experience and skills?

Les: Warm oceanside.

Q: Have you ever been out filming survivorman and had moments of regrets, for equipment included, general location of the episode, anything else? If so how did you get over it?

Les: Hmmmm - that's a tough one. I've made mistakes - but no regrets really. Though there are some episodes I wish were edited differently - but that's another story.

Q: Did you have a black eye in the arctic episode. I seems to look that way.

Les: No - I had just gotten over a bad bout of laryngitis.....was still feeling sick.

Q: What kind of recording equipment is Les taking with him into the bush? I know that he has to pack it all himself so I was wondering what was working and what was not.

Les: What I use changes all the time - but right now I am using Sony Z1u HDVCAM cameras - 2 of them - plus 2 HC3's plus one HC96 - plus a fantastic little camera called Viosport - and I am going to try out an Action Cam.....for Audio I use a Sanken lav mic with Senheiser transmitter - and that's it!!

Q: Hey Les, Keep up the great work, my question is do you have a specific date for when the second season of survivorman will air in Canada.

Les: Nope - never know really - up to networks - but looks like August 2007.

Q: How did you manage to land the show and get on TV?

Les: I made a cold call and pitched it to the networks - Discovery Canada was first.

Q: Have you apeared on TV before survivorman first aired?

Les: For the pilot versions of course (called "Stranded")- but before that - yes, in my film "Snowshoes and Solitude".

Q: What is your absolute favorite thing about your job being a survival expert/film maker?

Les: Creating something that I hope inspires and is compelling and beautiful. And then: adventuring for a living.

Q: Which location did you enjoy doing most and which location did you least enjoy (This dosen't have to mean it was the hardest or simplest, just in general)

Les: The most: It's a 3-way tie between the Amazon, Arctic, and Utah.
The least: .....Hmmmm - I don't have one I didn't like.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 6

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Q: Les how did you learn about the prison match?

Les: One of my survival consultants Mike Kiraly - brought that one to my
attention - it's a good trick - prisoners would often find themselves
out of fuel - yet still had the spark of course....necessity is the
mother of invention.

Q: What courses did you (specifically) take? What were they called? (The one in Ontario with David Arama I think). Thanks Les!

Les: Originally it was a 'Survival in the Bush' course - run by Gino Ferri
but taught by Dave Arama - who has since gone on to form his own
company....I have also been taught by John and Geri McPherson out of
Randolf Kansas - superb instructors all of them.

Q: Are you really going to make survivalman shirts. I would totally buy one. and Thank you for your heard work. you stay safe you hear.

Les: All done and will be on the web site for sale soon.

Q: Question for Les, when the second season of Survivorman is finished, will you make a box set. Thanks Les.

Les: You bet.

Q: In the arctic episode he reports that it's 24 below and 32 below in the month of May. Being a amateur meteorologist I questioned this low of a temp. in May, even in the Arctic. I checked and the record low for that Canadian Island(Baffin I believe) is 20 below in Pond Inlet. Was there a mistake in labeling it Fahrenheit when it was really Celsius? 32 below is quite cold for the time of year where it's daylight most of the 24 hours. Any comments?

Les: I'll have to check the cut - but the labeling may be off - although it
was april - not may - but i am quite certain it hit at least minus 20 -
i would question the record low of minus 20˚C - heck - it gets much
colder than that where I live in Northern Ontario.

Q: In your first season in the Georgian swamp, do you recall standing next the the water side blind folded waiting for the sound of the motor boat to go away. and during that time, did the thought of a alligator coming up to snatch you ever cross your mind? haha, i thought it was rather odd how that whole thing was set up.

Les: It was just a funky way to start the show - no real reason - a bit of
fun and makes the experience a little more freaky.

Q: How did you compose the Intro for survivorman? Was it done Live or was there some Computer generation done? CHeers Les

Les: I recorded it live in my in home studio - the program was Logic on a
Mac - used a sample or two - and played all the instruments myself -
including the chanting - that's me.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 7

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Q: Have you seen and ecological and environmental changes since you have been out in the wilderness, esp. in the Canadian North?

Les: What I get is constant comments from locals about how things are
changing rapidly - usually warming or drying up.

Q: what is your favorite fire starting technique love the show

Les: Flint striker using spark only with whatever natural tinder I can find.

Q- What would you put in a survival kit for every day carry? What would you put in a PSK?

Max, I will send you a copy of the article I did on survival kits.

Q: What is your favorite location for season two and why? Cheers Les

Les: The Amazon....it was a profoundly moving experience to be involved with the Waorani people.

Q: In the season two episodes you were always carrying a sheath knife. What made you want to bring it along with your multi-tool?

Les: To simply allow a few different skills.

Q: Did you get chiggers really bad when you used Spanish moss for bedding in the Georgian Swamps?

Les: Didn't get them at all luckily.

Q: Would you prefer to be taught by a local expert or a native tribesman?

Les: I would prefer to be taught by someone who loves and lives the skills, regardless of race, creed or colour.

Q: Which swiss army knife did you use on the Georgian Swamp episode? (For example: Hunter, swiss champ, explorer, etc). Thanks Les.

Les: Probably a standard swiss.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 8

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Q: Hey Les, what is in your tattoo? I think it is a seal, but I'm not 100% sure. Thanks.

Les: A pair of wolves representing my kids.

Q: Les, have you ever thought of doing a third season? Cheers Les

Les: working on signing for it right now.

Q: Have you grown to like coconuts over the course of doing survivorman?

Les: Only when i eat it raw from the nut itself - still hate it shaved.

Q: In the behind the scenes episode you mentioned Felicous Peabody (SP?) is that a message to someone on your old forum?

Les: Nope - she was the balloon operator in Africa.

Q: Love your shelter's I am new to building them what kind of shelter do you recommend for a beginner

Les: Start with a lean-to then close in the open side to advance to an a-frame.

Q: Where did you get your hat that you wore in the Boreal forest? Thanks Les

Les: MEC, I think.

Q: What is something you would recomend someone to always carry with them when they go hiking/backpacking/camping etc?

Les: 3 differrent ways to get a fire going: butane windproof lighter, matches, flint striker.

Q: Do you remember what kind of Multi-tool you used in Utah Canyons? From what I saw it didn't look like a Leatherman wave

Les: Yes - it was.

Q: Will you do another Labrador episode

Les: Not sure yet - loved it up there.

Q: Do you still have your caribou skins the outfit?

Les: For sure.

Q: Being 'Survivorman', and living in the north, do you go ... camping, anymore?

Les: Haha - i wish i had more time too!!!! - too busy doing survivorman.

Q: When you have a limited number of matches (Ecuador is a perfect example, where you had 1 match), why not show how to split it lengthwise to effectively double the number of matches you have?

Les: Was planning to do so.

Q: What type of power source do you use for your time lapse photography while filming "Survivorman?"

Les: Just the camera battery - lithium - but it does suck them dry that's for sure.

Q - Hey Les, in the Kalahari episode, the 4x4 you had looked pretty good in over all condition.
I was just woundering, when you cut up the seat & take fuel line off & oil filter who repairs this ?
Who pays for it ? ........ is it a deal struck by the locals that have the vehicle. Cheers Les

Les: Yes - it is.

Q:In season 2 I haven't heard you say how you don't like to kill anything, is it getting easier or is it still hard to do.

Les: It will always be hard to do - but i am not against responsible hunting - and would rather eat wild meat over cow or pig anyday - feel free to save me a roast of moose!!

Q: What kind of Tissot watch do you use?

Les: Their 'T' Touch - very good watch.

Q: Les, im really thinking about going to north bay for college at canador college next year because they have a program im interested in. It's an ecotourism class. basically it teaches you about the skills that will prepare you for a career in ecotourism with alot of hands on learning. it sounds like it would be a great time but im worried that there would not be alot of full time work avalable after i graduate. Id like you to anwser because i imagine that you have a ton of experence relating to the ecotourism field. So basically, if i were to take this program, would i likly be able to find a stable job in ontario in this field, or would i be more likle to have to work seasonal or move somewhere else? thanks.

Les: Actually Ontario is one of the best places for work in this field - but don't let wondering if there will be employment stop you from going after what you want to do in life - if you come (and go) from a good place all the success you need will follow....what are you waiting for??

Q: Les, what did you do to first get you interested in survival? What hobbies did you have when you were younger?

Les: I grew up on Tarzan movies and Jacques Cousteau documentaries - that fostered an early love for wildlife and the wilderness and subsequently survivali used to fish alot, build shelters behind the cottage - but also i was into music.

Q: In the georgian swamps what sources did you rely on for water other than the water vine?

Les: That was it - but it gave me a lot more than we ended up keeping in the final edit of the show.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 9

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Q: Does surviving in different areas around the world with all its different weather and animals challenge your survival skills?

Les: Absolutely.....you can even become a bit complacent once you feel you have mastered your particular region....all these places i have survived around the world have their own set of challenges and things to learn.

Q: Les, I find that my sleep cycle changes dramatically when I am out in the wilderness over two days. How does your sleep cycle change in your seven day event, and how long does it take to get back to normal?

Les: Haha - i have no cycle!!!...if i get 2 hours sleep a night - it's a good night!!....believe me though - i sure catch up on it when i get back.

Q: It is obvious that you have to maintain such a high multi focal plan by doing the actual filming, the survival skills, and keep a high level of situational awareness, do you have a mental check list to keep your survival priorities in mind? Especially when things may get a little fuzzy from lack of food and water?

Les: Not really - i try to rely on my instincts when it comes to survival which i hope have been honed by a lot of experience...i definitely cant afford to get lax though.

Q: What is it about survival do you enjoy most?

Les: The connection to the earth.

Q: What was in the little bag you were holding when you used the fire piston in Alaska?

Les: The bag the piston came in.

Q: We've all seen the news stories where a family gets lost or stranded and somebody ends up going for help. Usually they don't make it out. Have you ever thought of doing a show about what to do if you are lost with your family? You could do it with your own family.

Les: Yes - but it's tough to get networks to agree to changing anything within the show itself.

Q: After the crew films the opening scenes, how long does it take for reality to set in? How many minutes pass before you start thinking, "Holy magnesium/flint stick, I'm alone now." What goes through your mind when you see them leaving?

Les: It tends to be instantly....because the drone of the plane or boat or just the people leaves and it becomes so incredibly quiet...so it strikes me right away. i put myself in survival mode and think - ok...first - how do i make sure i am in a safe situation.

Q: What boots did you wear in all the cold-weather episodes? They must be pretty good, because it appears you wear them often.

Les: Sorrels.

Q: What is your favorite thing about shooting a Survivorman episode?

Les: My creative approach to film making.

Q: What is your favorite shelter you made on Survivorman? Mine was the Rockies down by the river. 3 cheers!

Les: Yep - me too...that was the warmest shelter i have ever made.

Q: Would you ever consider doin an episode in Wyoming, like the Yellowstone area?

Les: Of course - I love Yellowstone.

Q: Will you do another urban survival show?

Les: Not sure yet.

Q: How many seasons do you plan on doing Survivorman?

Les: Not sure.

Q: What type of Owl is that you are holding in the picture on your website?

Les: I never found out and the anthropologist I was with didnt know.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 10

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So Les how is everything? How did another season treat ya? Any wild experiences?

Les: Ahhhhhh - You will have to watch!!!!

Q: Love your CDs, when are you coming out with a new solo one? just wondering.

Les: Should be by spring 2009.

Q: What's it like when people recognize you in public? Do you like the attention? Just curious...

Les: I never mind - people are always genuine and gracious.

Q: Do you have any other t.v. shows in the works other then Survivorman?

Les: You bet I do - keep watching!!

Q: What are some of your favorite wild foods you eat on Survivorman? Pond lily tuber, anybody? hehe...

Les: Snake, witchety grub, scorpions, squirrel, and of course fish.

Q: Everybody gets frustrated sometimes. Does it ever get to the point, climbing up and down mountains, that you want to throw down your 50 pound pack and kick it down the mountain? Or does your filmmaker's resolve keep you from doing irrational things like that?

Les: Well, the answer to both is yes .

Q: What is one of your favorite ways to explore the outdoors? Canoeing, hiking, biking, etc...

Les: Canoeing - especially with white water involved.

Q: What is the one thing you never leave home without when you head outdoors....the one thing you always carry with you when you go places?

Les: A butane lighter.

Q: How long have you played guitar and harmonica?

Les: Off and on for thirty years.

Q: Are you willing to make Off the Grid Part 2?

Les: Very likely will.

Q: What was your favorite animal that you have seen in the wild.

Les: Lynx and wolf - had a lynx sniff my leg once as I stood very still.

Q: Who were your musical influences?

Les: Almost everything you can think of - I always liked music of all sorts......but of course I as a child of the 70's so....

Q: What are your 2 favorite Beers? Cheers.

Les: Stella and Muskoka Cream Ale.

Q: How do you keep reporter's away and from flying over you while filming an episode?

Les: They can't find me!

Q: Did you make that green pull-over you wore in the plan crash episode and Labrador, and that tail thingy, so you can sit were you want and not have to put your little gloves on a log?

Les: I made the 'seat' and my ma made the cloak out of a wool blanket.

Q: In the Kalahari, how long did it take for the pop can to ignite the tinder?

Les: Hmmmmm - I think it was about an hour but I can't really remember.

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Les Stroud's Answers to Questions 11

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Q: I heard you might make a show about explorers, great idea. Who is your favorite explorer, mine is Shakelton.

Les: Douglas Mawson

Q: So when can everyone expect the next Les Stroud " Solo " CD?

Les: Hopefully by fall or summer '09.

Q: On page 152 of your " Survive " Book there is a picture of you i would think when you were much younger, & there is another guy with you, who is that? ... your both standing by a Birchbark shelter.

Les: My old survival buddy and teacher Doug Getgood.

Q: Sorry to hear this is the last season of Survivorman, but I understand. What was your favorite location for this final season? (or just sum up your feelings on each one) Thanks, Les.

Les: By far Papua New Guinea because of the beautiful people I met there.

Q: With all this good info around I want to practice my survival stuff but there seems like there is a lot I want to try, were should I start and how do you like organize what you want to try. Hope this makes sense. Sorry to hear this is the last season but I understand. Thanks. Kim

Les: Start with edible wild plants. move on to shelters and then firestarting - or - just go for it all as you feel most inspired!

Q: What kind of camping do you enjoy I like sleeping out under the stars. no tent. thanks

Les: Same here - whenever i can i go outside the tent.

Q: When you were out doing one of your survival week episodes. What did you do to help ease the hunger pangs when you have been without food for a day or more?

Les: I try to drink water - once every hour or half hour to keep my stomach feeling like there something in it.

Q: What all would you say are the benefits of having someone with you in a survival situation, like Bob and you in your Deep Woods episode? You went over the negatives well but just touched on the positives.

Les: In three words: sharing the workload.

Q: Do you think that at some point you will become known more for your music or some other endeavor, or will you always be known first and foremost as Survivorman?

Les: By all means - i have never been a one trick pony - Survivorman is just the gate crasher - just the start - but i am proud of it just the same.....keep watching!

Q: What qualities do you look for in a good bushcraft knife?

Les: Ability to hold an edge....feels good in the hand......can take some abuse during use......easy to pull from the sheath.

Q: What do you do with all the things you make in episodes of Survivorman? IE the spear in Africa and the prongs from the Kalahari and Arizona and others things. do you have a special room or something.

Les: Yes - i have been considering selling them on eBay for charity though.

Q: When I was young I was told if your lost in the Mountains follow the stream or river downstream and you can find civilization does that work.
loved the episode with Bob.

Les: In the US - yeah - pretty much it works - but not always!

Q: I know personally I start to get lonely after 3 days alone. What point do you get really lonely, and is it different each time you do the show?

Les: Same day - day 3 through 5 are always very lonely.

Q: Now that Survivorman is done, what have you been doing with your time?

Les: Hahaha - what time?!!! i am still involved in the post technical work for the show....then xmas - then meetings with networks and designing the next series and my music and film concert series.

Q: When you're on a commercial airline flight, what do you wish you had in your carry-on that you aren't allowed to take through security?

Les: A bottle of water!

Q: Are you glad Survivorman is over or do you have mixed feelings about it?

Les: Well my staff have been asking me to do a blog to give my heartfelt perspective on the Survivorman series so here goes....NO I DIDNT QUIT! like the 200 headlines read.....i NEVER quit......that said I have slept on rocks and snow and in the mud 25 times without food 7 days X 25 times and i am feeling the results of it all....i dearly love what i created....Survivorman!!....but i am not a one trick pony...i love variety....and i love thinking outside the box...after all that is how Survivorman was created....i saw a void.....of course i am not quitting!! but i AM morphing...growing...developing new and even more powerful work.....Survivorman was just the beginning.....and hey - look at it this way....I am changing and morphing and progressing everything i do including Survivorman well beyond itself and into something new without ever 'jumping the shark!'.....if you love or even like my work...if you have caught the moments with the wink in my eye...if you have gasped when i was up against it....if you have felt vicariously the struggles i have faced....then catch your breath....and get ready....there's more to come....through seven years of producing this show you - the viewers - have constantly bolstered me up - and challenged me to do better and for that i am eternally grateful.....the doors are open all over the place for me folks.....think: more world adventures filmed with whatever has become my 'style'...more large scale music and film concert presentations....more books and articles.....thank you all so very much for inspiring ME.....i have been down at times during the making of this series and it has always been a perfectly timed viewer fan mail that lifted me up and kept me going.....thank you.....now get ready....for what comes next!

Les Stroud aka Survivorman

Q: Do you ever get over to the "Survivorman" Forum on Discovery Channel boards?
I ask because some fans have left you nice messages and "Letters" to you.
Thought you would enjoy reading them.
THANK YOU Les for all you've done to teach Me and others ~Lara

Les: I have yes - but it has been a long time - i should go back on again soon and check them out - thank you.

Q-What type of canteen did you have in the Australian episode?

Les: Nothing special - just one i picked up at a local gas station before i went in.

Q: This might be a stupid question but does the act of your body trying to warm up, is that what makes people so tired and fatigued.

Les: Well i guess the answer would be that your body - while working to keep you warm will use up energy - so yes - it can tire you.

Q: Hey Les, I have a question about the Kalahari Desert episode. When you were getting overheated that night and kept having to wipe down with a wet bandana to stave off heatstroke, why didn't you get outside the truck? Or was it still hot outside? It is my understanding that as soon as the sun goes down, it cools off rapidly outside. The truck would tend to hold the day's heat in. Your thoughts?

Les: It was intensely windy and the sand was whipping everywhere and in my face - and yes it was still a hot wind.

Q: With all the "FaceBook" and "MySpace" accounts out there that claim to be You or "Survivorman" . Are there any that you are affiliated with or have a friend run it for you ?

Les: I will let my production manager Andrew answer that.

Q: How long were you dazed and confused on the nut in the new guinea jungle.

Les: About an hour and a half.

Q: Do you think Bob learned any Survival stuff out there with you? Thanks.

Les: Of course!!

Q: I read your a Hockey fan who is your favorite team I assume it's the Toronto Maple Leafs, I root for the Connucks because Washington State does n't have a pro Hockey team I love hockey too. Reading your book and loving it thanks. Kim

Les: Yep - i am a die-hard member of the Toronto Maple Leaf cult! - comes from growing up in Toronto in the 70's.

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