WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.667 --> 00:00:02.402 Hunters have always been the first 2 00:00:02.402 --> 00:00:04.237 to venture into the wilderness. 3 00:00:04.237 --> 00:00:07.340 Whether driven by necessity or a thirst for adventure, 4 00:00:07.340 --> 00:00:10.710 it is hunters who dare to go where most others won't. 5 00:00:10.710 --> 00:00:12.645 Brothers Chris and Casey Keefer represent 6 00:00:12.645 --> 00:00:14.147 the modern day hunter. 7 00:00:14.147 --> 00:00:15.348 For most of their lives, 8 00:00:15.348 --> 00:00:17.650 the Keefer brothers have tested their skills 9 00:00:17.650 --> 00:00:19.719 as survivors in some of the world's most 10 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:21.955 dangerous and unpredictable landscapes. 11 00:00:21.955 --> 00:00:24.958 Dropped with only a side arm for protection, 12 00:00:24.958 --> 00:00:26.226 and the clothes on their backs, 13 00:00:26.226 --> 00:00:28.395 together, they will spend the next months 14 00:00:28.395 --> 00:00:29.929 scratching and clawing their way 15 00:00:29.929 --> 00:00:31.398 over 100 river miles 16 00:00:31.398 --> 00:00:33.566 through a land ruled by predators. 17 00:00:33.566 --> 00:00:35.835 In a race against time, 18 00:00:35.835 --> 00:00:37.804 supply yielding caches will be placed 19 00:00:37.804 --> 00:00:39.639 by the producers throughout their journey. 20 00:00:39.639 --> 00:00:40.907 To acquire them, 21 00:00:40.907 --> 00:00:42.575 the brothers must beat the clock. 22 00:00:42.575 --> 00:00:44.844 As Mother Nature threatens to choke the north 23 00:00:44.844 --> 00:00:45.912 with ice and snow, 24 00:00:45.912 --> 00:00:47.180 for the first time, 25 00:00:47.180 --> 00:00:49.416 the Keefer brothers will find out what it's like 26 00:00:49.416 --> 00:00:53.153 to be cast into the wild with virtually nothing. 27 00:00:53.153 --> 00:00:54.487 This is Dropped. 28 00:00:59.893 --> 00:01:01.628 The promise of sunlight dwindles 29 00:01:01.628 --> 00:01:04.064 as winter descends upon the brooks range. 30 00:01:04.064 --> 00:01:06.633 It's inhabitants adapted to these harsh conditions 31 00:01:06.633 --> 00:01:08.301 in numerous ways. 32 00:01:08.301 --> 00:01:10.303 The eyes of many animals shift dramatically, 33 00:01:10.303 --> 00:01:13.740 increasing retinal surface, pupil dilation, 34 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:16.042 and even utilizing a reflective membrane 35 00:01:16.042 --> 00:01:17.544 known as the tapetum. 36 00:01:17.544 --> 00:01:19.612 Commonly referred to as eye shine, 37 00:01:19.612 --> 00:01:22.115 this membrane collects and re-emits light 38 00:01:22.115 --> 00:01:23.983 back to the retina a second time, 39 00:01:23.983 --> 00:01:26.553 maximizing the little light available to them. 40 00:01:26.553 --> 00:01:28.922 Combined with powerful noses and hearing, 41 00:01:28.922 --> 00:01:30.623 the animals of the arctic are at home 42 00:01:30.623 --> 00:01:33.193 in the black void of winter. 43 00:01:33.193 --> 00:01:34.427 Chris and Casey's survival 44 00:01:34.427 --> 00:01:35.862 hinges on their ability to see, 45 00:01:35.862 --> 00:01:38.031 which is limited to the light of their fire 46 00:01:38.031 --> 00:01:40.800 as darkness slips over the range. 47 00:01:41.734 --> 00:01:44.337 (dramatic tone) 48 00:01:46.005 --> 00:01:47.941 A close encounter with an adult male grizzly 49 00:01:47.941 --> 00:01:50.343 has left the brothers on a razor's edge. 50 00:01:50.343 --> 00:01:52.212 (mumbling) 51 00:01:52.212 --> 00:01:53.446 - We still gotta sleep here. 52 00:01:53.446 --> 00:01:54.948 - [Narrator] Clouds cover the sky 53 00:01:54.948 --> 00:01:56.316 as night descends, blocking the moonlight, 54 00:01:56.316 --> 00:01:59.252 and blanketing Chris and Casey in darkness. 55 00:01:59.252 --> 00:02:01.254 The brothers must take every precaution 56 00:02:01.254 --> 00:02:03.623 with a hungry bear lurking in the area 57 00:02:03.623 --> 00:02:06.392 so they take turns keeping watch throughout the night. 58 00:02:06.392 --> 00:02:09.395 - I just got a pan in the fire here. 59 00:02:10.864 --> 00:02:14.434 I think I can hear something out there in the cache. 60 00:02:14.434 --> 00:02:17.003 I think that grizzly bear's back. 61 00:02:17.003 --> 00:02:19.639 Sounded like there was rocks rolling around. 62 00:02:19.639 --> 00:02:21.641 - [Narrator] The brothers are at a distinct 63 00:02:21.641 --> 00:02:22.942 disadvantage in the dark. 64 00:02:22.942 --> 00:02:24.911 Limited to the light of their fire and headlamp. 65 00:02:24.911 --> 00:02:27.680 - We're only, probably, I don't know, 66 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:30.350 75, 80 yards from that cache. 67 00:02:30.350 --> 00:02:32.085 There it is again. 68 00:02:32.085 --> 00:02:33.753 Hey, Chris. 69 00:02:33.753 --> 00:02:34.587 Hey. 70 00:02:36.222 --> 00:02:38.525 There's something at that cache. 71 00:02:38.525 --> 00:02:41.194 There's something at that cache. 72 00:02:45.398 --> 00:02:46.733 Can you hear it? 73 00:02:49.202 --> 00:02:51.704 - What do you wanna do? 74 00:02:51.704 --> 00:02:54.207 - [Chris] I don't want him getting into that meat. 75 00:02:54.207 --> 00:02:55.608 - Let's just walk up the edge 76 00:02:55.608 --> 00:02:58.278 and see if we can scare him off. 77 00:02:58.278 --> 00:03:01.114 (rustling) 78 00:03:01.114 --> 00:03:02.982 - [Narrator] Knowing full well the temptation of meat 79 00:03:02.982 --> 00:03:04.417 to Alaska's predators, 80 00:03:04.417 --> 00:03:05.985 the brothers have set their campsite 81 00:03:05.985 --> 00:03:08.221 over 70 yards from the meat cache 82 00:03:08.221 --> 00:03:09.989 in a dense patch of timber. 83 00:03:09.989 --> 00:03:11.858 Traversing the terrain and confronting 84 00:03:11.858 --> 00:03:14.093 a male grizzly on a pitch black night 85 00:03:14.093 --> 00:03:15.361 will be dangerous, 86 00:03:15.361 --> 00:03:17.230 but they can't allow the bear to ravage 87 00:03:17.230 --> 00:03:18.932 their only supply of food. 88 00:03:18.932 --> 00:03:21.668 (dramatic music) 89 00:03:29.409 --> 00:03:32.312 - [Chris] (Whispering) You see him? 90 00:03:32.312 --> 00:03:33.713 We can't see him. 91 00:03:35.615 --> 00:03:37.116 Go down the rocks. 92 00:03:44.390 --> 00:03:46.392 - [Casey] Hey, hey, hey bear! 93 00:03:46.392 --> 00:03:47.760 Hey, hey! 94 00:03:47.760 --> 00:03:49.662 Hey, get out of here. 95 00:03:49.662 --> 00:03:50.496 Hey! 96 00:03:51.531 --> 00:03:52.865 Get! 97 00:03:52.865 --> 00:03:54.033 Get out! 98 00:03:54.033 --> 00:03:54.767 - [Chris] He's coming right at us. 99 00:03:54.767 --> 00:03:55.935 - [Casey] Get! 100 00:04:01.274 --> 00:04:03.109 - I just saw him run. 101 00:04:03.109 --> 00:04:05.511 All I can see is him run right there, 102 00:04:05.511 --> 00:04:06.379 just a shadow. 103 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:07.981 Are you kidding me? 104 00:04:09.015 --> 00:04:11.084 That's just what we need. 105 00:04:12.318 --> 00:04:14.988 I knew that bear was coming back, man. 106 00:04:14.988 --> 00:04:16.656 Our camp is right there. 107 00:04:16.656 --> 00:04:19.292 And the cache is right there in front of us. 108 00:04:19.292 --> 00:04:23.463 He went back into that timber he came out of today. 109 00:04:24.631 --> 00:04:28.401 Oh, that's gonna make for a longer night, huh? 110 00:04:29.535 --> 00:04:33.406 I'm up now, let's build a fire, stay bright. 111 00:04:33.406 --> 00:04:34.240 Stay loud. 112 00:04:35.708 --> 00:04:38.278 I say as soon as daybreak comes, we should move on. 113 00:04:38.278 --> 00:04:41.581 You know he's gonna come back. 114 00:04:41.581 --> 00:04:42.348 Brutal. 115 00:04:43.783 --> 00:04:45.418 - [Narrator] As light enters the eye, 116 00:04:45.418 --> 00:04:48.554 it's focused by the cornea into the pupil 117 00:04:48.554 --> 00:04:50.423 which expands or contracts to control 118 00:04:50.423 --> 00:04:51.924 the amount of light entering the eye. 119 00:04:51.924 --> 00:04:54.427 Light is then perceived by two types of cells, 120 00:04:54.427 --> 00:04:56.162 cones and rods. 121 00:04:56.162 --> 00:04:58.931 Cone cells can detect color and bright light 122 00:04:58.931 --> 00:05:01.834 while rod cells detect black and white images 123 00:05:01.834 --> 00:05:03.670 and work best in low light. 124 00:05:03.670 --> 00:05:07.206 Humans have around 150,000 rods per square millimeter, 125 00:05:07.206 --> 00:05:10.209 but a bear has more than 10 times that amount. 126 00:05:10.209 --> 00:05:12.612 And it's pupil opens almost twice as wide. 127 00:05:12.612 --> 00:05:14.681 When combined with the tepetum membrane 128 00:05:14.681 --> 00:05:16.916 which allows light to hit the rods a second time, 129 00:05:16.916 --> 00:05:19.686 a bear's ability to perceive the world at night 130 00:05:19.686 --> 00:05:22.055 is far superior to a human's, 131 00:05:22.055 --> 00:05:24.857 putting the Keefer brothers at a distinct disadvantage. 132 00:05:24.857 --> 00:05:27.527 (bear growling) 133 00:05:30.229 --> 00:05:34.000 - [Casey] Hold on, let me get up here. 134 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:36.736 Whoa. (groaning) 135 00:05:38.971 --> 00:05:42.008 - [Narrator] Shifting rocks have thrown Casey off balance, 136 00:05:42.008 --> 00:05:46.112 slamming his knee into the stump of a fallen tree. 137 00:05:53.319 --> 00:05:55.755 (groaning) 138 00:05:55.755 --> 00:05:56.889 - [Chris] You all right? 139 00:05:56.889 --> 00:05:58.124 - Yeah. 140 00:05:58.124 --> 00:05:58.658 - [Chris] You hit it on the rocks? 141 00:05:58.658 --> 00:05:59.492 - Yeah. 142 00:05:59.492 --> 00:06:01.494 I slid down these rocks 143 00:06:01.494 --> 00:06:03.996 and I got caught in that tree. 144 00:06:06.499 --> 00:06:08.768 Grizzly bear in camp, 145 00:06:08.768 --> 00:06:10.436 what a time to blow a wheel. 146 00:06:10.436 --> 00:06:11.938 - [Narrator] Sustaining even a small injury 147 00:06:11.938 --> 00:06:15.241 could prove fatal when surviving in a primal situation. 148 00:06:15.241 --> 00:06:17.977 Fortunately, Casey's knee can still support his weight, 149 00:06:17.977 --> 00:06:21.214 allowing him to maneuver about, albeit painfully. 150 00:06:21.214 --> 00:06:23.082 - [Casey] Let's get that fire going. 151 00:06:23.082 --> 00:06:26.953 I believe that was enough noise to scare him off. 152 00:06:26.953 --> 00:06:29.389 - [Chris] I could hear him go oof, oof, 153 00:06:29.389 --> 00:06:30.223 you know what I mean? 154 00:06:30.223 --> 00:06:31.491 - Yeah. 155 00:06:31.491 --> 00:06:32.458 - [Chris] It sounded like he was huffing. 156 00:06:32.458 --> 00:06:33.292 - Yeah. 157 00:06:37.430 --> 00:06:39.599 - Well, that's it for now. 158 00:06:41.501 --> 00:06:44.137 (dramatic tone) 159 00:06:44.137 --> 00:06:45.638 As day breaks, Chris and Casey Keefer 160 00:06:45.638 --> 00:06:47.507 are grateful for the sun's return. 161 00:06:47.507 --> 00:06:49.142 A visit from an adult grizzly 162 00:06:49.142 --> 00:06:51.010 in the middle of the night ensured the brothers 163 00:06:51.010 --> 00:06:52.311 received little rest. 164 00:06:52.311 --> 00:06:53.312 - I'm so tired. 165 00:06:53.312 --> 00:06:54.847 I'm just a miserable dude. 166 00:06:54.847 --> 00:06:56.115 - [Narrator] Still unsure of the bear's whereabouts, 167 00:06:56.115 --> 00:06:58.251 they waste no time packing camp, 168 00:06:58.251 --> 00:07:00.753 just in case he remains in the immediate area. 169 00:07:00.753 --> 00:07:03.322 - This can be back at the boat. 170 00:07:06.125 --> 00:07:07.593 - [Narrator] Sleep deprivation reduces 171 00:07:07.593 --> 00:07:09.028 the body's blood flow, 172 00:07:09.028 --> 00:07:10.396 impairing cognitive functions 173 00:07:10.396 --> 00:07:12.198 and slowing gross motor skills. 174 00:07:12.198 --> 00:07:14.133 The brothers can't allow these side effects 175 00:07:14.133 --> 00:07:15.902 to hinder their progress. 176 00:07:15.902 --> 00:07:18.871 Dull senses in the wild can lead to injury or death. 177 00:07:18.871 --> 00:07:21.340 - [Chris] Try and hit this river, 178 00:07:21.340 --> 00:07:24.577 make up as much ground as we can today. 179 00:07:33.319 --> 00:07:35.955 - Right there, see, right here. 180 00:07:35.955 --> 00:07:37.723 (chuckling) 181 00:07:37.723 --> 00:07:41.160 - [Chris] Yeah, your hand doesn't even compare. 182 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:43.996 - That dude would jack you up man. 183 00:07:43.996 --> 00:07:45.264 - Especially when you're standing between 184 00:07:45.264 --> 00:07:47.099 him and his next meal. 185 00:07:48.501 --> 00:07:50.303 He's not gonna lighten up on you. 186 00:07:50.303 --> 00:07:51.971 - Give you a hard time for sure. 187 00:07:51.971 --> 00:07:53.906 When he came out of these willows right here, 188 00:07:53.906 --> 00:07:55.641 he came down nose to the ground, 189 00:07:55.641 --> 00:07:57.109 just (sniffing). 190 00:07:57.109 --> 00:07:58.311 - Yeah, had caribou on his mind. 191 00:07:58.311 --> 00:07:59.779 - [Narrator] The close encounter has left 192 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:01.414 a distinct impression on Chris and Casey. 193 00:08:01.414 --> 00:08:03.583 - We need to think about pushing out. 194 00:08:03.583 --> 00:08:05.585 Gosh it's cold man. 195 00:08:05.585 --> 00:08:07.453 That's even more reason to hit the river 196 00:08:07.453 --> 00:08:08.955 sooner than later. 197 00:08:11.023 --> 00:08:13.025 - [Narrator] With no desire to stick around 198 00:08:13.025 --> 00:08:14.527 for another encounter, 199 00:08:14.527 --> 00:08:16.829 the brothers pack camp and leave the bear's territory. 200 00:08:16.829 --> 00:08:19.265 As winter draws closer, days grow shorter, 201 00:08:19.265 --> 00:08:21.167 meaning less daylight that can be spent 202 00:08:21.167 --> 00:08:22.401 traveling on the river. 203 00:08:22.401 --> 00:08:25.037 With only four days to cover seven river miles, 204 00:08:25.037 --> 00:08:28.140 Chris and Casey must cover large chunks of ground quickly, 205 00:08:28.140 --> 00:08:32.845 if they hope to validate their fourth supply cache. 206 00:08:32.845 --> 00:08:35.915 - Another day on the river right now. 207 00:08:38.251 --> 00:08:40.453 Jesus, almost went right in. 208 00:08:40.453 --> 00:08:42.855 Oh, we just got hung up again 209 00:08:44.190 --> 00:08:45.491 in a little rapid section 210 00:08:45.491 --> 00:08:47.493 so we're not in the clear yet. 211 00:08:47.493 --> 00:08:50.162 I mean, this water's not very deep, 212 00:08:50.162 --> 00:08:52.765 maybe ankle deep, but, 213 00:08:52.765 --> 00:08:56.335 we're gonna have to do some dragging, so. 214 00:08:56.335 --> 00:08:59.338 More dragging, boat dragging Alaska. 215 00:09:00.573 --> 00:09:02.074 - [Narrator] The added weight of the caribou 216 00:09:02.074 --> 00:09:05.077 will make dragging the raft much more difficult. 217 00:09:05.077 --> 00:09:07.713 Exhaustion, fatigue, and the mind numbing cold 218 00:09:07.713 --> 00:09:10.750 is sapping the brother's energy and spirits. 219 00:09:10.750 --> 00:09:13.519 (heavy breathing) 220 00:09:15.321 --> 00:09:17.890 - We're on a stone, you gotta go that way. 221 00:09:17.890 --> 00:09:18.724 - [Casey] Huh? 222 00:09:18.724 --> 00:09:19.892 - You gotta go that way. 223 00:09:19.892 --> 00:09:21.460 - [Casey] We can go through here. 224 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:25.197 - [Chris] Boat draggin', what it's all about. 225 00:09:28.167 --> 00:09:31.370 - [Narrator] An exhaustively long stretch of shallow river 226 00:09:31.370 --> 00:09:33.072 has eaten into much of the brother's day. 227 00:09:33.072 --> 00:09:35.107 Finally finding knee deep water is a welcome 228 00:09:35.107 --> 00:09:38.945 reprieve as they try to make up for lost time. 229 00:09:41.247 --> 00:09:42.782 - It's good to be back on the river. 230 00:09:42.782 --> 00:09:45.051 I think this morning, getting out of there, 231 00:09:45.051 --> 00:09:47.253 no sense in sticking around with a bear at camp, 232 00:09:47.253 --> 00:09:48.621 coming into the cache, 233 00:09:48.621 --> 00:09:49.989 keeping the moose out of there. 234 00:09:49.989 --> 00:09:51.257 Kind of changes the plan, 235 00:09:51.257 --> 00:09:52.491 so we're adjusting on the fly. 236 00:09:52.491 --> 00:09:55.061 We gotta keep moving right now. 237 00:09:59.432 --> 00:10:01.601 - [Narrator] Moving water picks up soil and debris, 238 00:10:01.601 --> 00:10:03.202 carrying it down river. 239 00:10:03.202 --> 00:10:05.705 This process is known as erosion 240 00:10:05.705 --> 00:10:07.640 and over time it will cut steep banks 241 00:10:07.640 --> 00:10:09.342 into rock and earth alike. 242 00:10:09.342 --> 00:10:11.577 As snow and rain run off from the land, 243 00:10:11.577 --> 00:10:13.879 they enter the water table and join rivers, 244 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:15.448 increasing the rate of erosion. 245 00:10:15.448 --> 00:10:17.950 Flowing water has tremendous power. 246 00:10:17.950 --> 00:10:20.620 It can move boulders and carve out canyons. 247 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:22.755 While traversing the Alaskan wilderness, 248 00:10:22.755 --> 00:10:25.191 Chris and Casey must always be on the lookout 249 00:10:25.191 --> 00:10:26.559 for a proper campsite. 250 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:27.927 But as they travel downstream, 251 00:10:27.927 --> 00:10:29.929 the river bank becomes steeper, 252 00:10:29.929 --> 00:10:34.100 which makes finding a location more and more difficult. 253 00:10:35.301 --> 00:10:37.370 - Coming down into some of this canyon country, 254 00:10:37.370 --> 00:10:38.838 as we get lower and lower in this river, 255 00:10:38.838 --> 00:10:40.906 we start to get some of these high banks and stuff. 256 00:10:40.906 --> 00:10:42.174 These sweepers. 257 00:10:43.275 --> 00:10:45.444 Like that one that just went over my head. 258 00:10:45.444 --> 00:10:47.213 So a little more debris in the water 259 00:10:47.213 --> 00:10:48.381 but not too bad. 260 00:10:48.381 --> 00:10:50.449 You just gotta watch it, you know, 261 00:10:50.449 --> 00:10:52.652 what happens when you hit the side of the sweepers, 262 00:10:52.652 --> 00:10:54.120 if there's sweepers in the water, 263 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:55.855 when you hit the side of those things, 264 00:10:55.855 --> 00:10:58.057 the boat will actually hit and then 265 00:10:58.057 --> 00:11:00.359 the current forces you and you'll start to lisp, 266 00:11:00.359 --> 00:11:01.861 the boat will start to lisp 267 00:11:01.861 --> 00:11:03.729 and you can end up sinking one way or the other, 268 00:11:03.729 --> 00:11:05.564 but this area's awesome man. 269 00:11:05.564 --> 00:11:08.000 We got tons of big, tall trees in here. 270 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:09.869 It's what I love about Alaska is 271 00:11:09.869 --> 00:11:11.671 you go around the bend and every single bend 272 00:11:11.671 --> 00:11:13.973 you go around, something's different. 273 00:11:13.973 --> 00:11:16.409 Something's different between this one and the next one. 274 00:11:16.409 --> 00:11:18.644 Always looking at something new, man, 275 00:11:18.644 --> 00:11:19.812 it's gorgeous. 276 00:11:21.681 --> 00:11:24.884 (dramatic tone) 277 00:11:24.884 --> 00:11:26.252 - [Narrator] Seeing the only viable location 278 00:11:26.252 --> 00:11:27.386 for several miles, 279 00:11:27.386 --> 00:11:29.622 the brothers decide to set camp. 280 00:11:29.622 --> 00:11:31.991 The dangers of traversing a river at night 281 00:11:31.991 --> 00:11:34.326 outweigh their desire to push toward 282 00:11:34.326 --> 00:11:35.695 their final supply cache. 283 00:11:35.695 --> 00:11:38.064 With only a few hours of daylight left, 284 00:11:38.064 --> 00:11:40.433 they set to work building a proper meat cache. 285 00:11:40.433 --> 00:11:41.867 - We've got this meat down here, 286 00:11:41.867 --> 00:11:43.269 what we're gonna do is we're gonna use 287 00:11:43.269 --> 00:11:45.004 this little dried up creek bed right here 288 00:11:45.004 --> 00:11:46.539 in front of us. 289 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:48.374 We're gonna basically stack dead lumber and dead willows 290 00:11:48.374 --> 00:11:50.109 across that creek bed. 291 00:11:50.109 --> 00:11:51.811 We gotta get moving on this thing. 292 00:11:51.811 --> 00:11:53.112 We gotta get it done, 293 00:11:53.112 --> 00:11:54.380 we're running out of daylight fast. 294 00:11:54.380 --> 00:11:55.748 - [Narrator] When fallen trees 295 00:11:55.748 --> 00:11:57.416 or other natural barriers are unavailable, 296 00:11:57.416 --> 00:12:00.252 Chris and Casey must take the time to build one. 297 00:12:00.252 --> 00:12:02.855 A dead grove of willow lines the river bank 298 00:12:02.855 --> 00:12:04.790 and will make for a perfect supply of wood 299 00:12:04.790 --> 00:12:07.059 to build the cache's foundation. 300 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:08.661 - The reason we're using these willows 301 00:12:08.661 --> 00:12:11.530 is because we can just bring it up 302 00:12:11.530 --> 00:12:13.866 off the ground a little bit. 303 00:12:15.067 --> 00:12:17.770 - All right, you wanna go cross ways on this? 304 00:12:17.770 --> 00:12:20.706 - Yeah, I was trying to make a good bed down first. 305 00:12:20.706 --> 00:12:24.577 And then we get some good ones and go across it. 306 00:12:24.577 --> 00:12:26.378 If I put these ones down where you're standing, 307 00:12:26.378 --> 00:12:29.949 we'd have a good bed then go across that. 308 00:12:29.949 --> 00:12:31.851 - I was gonna go across first 309 00:12:31.851 --> 00:12:33.486 'cause that'll leave it open underneath 310 00:12:33.486 --> 00:12:34.987 for that air to flow through it. 311 00:12:34.987 --> 00:12:35.988 - [Chris] Okay. 312 00:12:35.988 --> 00:12:36.989 - [Casey] Don't you think? 313 00:12:36.989 --> 00:12:38.424 - Yeah. 314 00:12:38.424 --> 00:12:40.659 (rustling) 315 00:12:44.864 --> 00:12:46.165 - That might be good. 316 00:12:46.165 --> 00:12:47.933 I'll get a couple more if you wanna start meat. 317 00:12:47.933 --> 00:12:50.736 The meat cure bags are pretty amazing. 318 00:12:50.736 --> 00:12:53.205 It wicks away all the moisture 319 00:12:53.205 --> 00:12:55.074 from the meat so what we don't want 320 00:12:55.074 --> 00:12:57.176 is we got some of these that are gobbled up, 321 00:12:57.176 --> 00:12:58.644 two hind quarters in the back end. 322 00:12:58.644 --> 00:13:00.312 Then you get two hind quarters touching 323 00:13:00.312 --> 00:13:01.580 each other like that, 324 00:13:01.580 --> 00:13:03.015 we don't want meat to meat contact 325 00:13:03.015 --> 00:13:04.817 'cause that's where you'll get some spoilage. 326 00:13:04.817 --> 00:13:06.485 The ones that are double we're gonna pull out 327 00:13:06.485 --> 00:13:08.254 and make sure that they're kind of 328 00:13:08.254 --> 00:13:09.488 out in the air. 329 00:13:09.488 --> 00:13:10.923 - [Narrator] There are three objectives to 330 00:13:10.923 --> 00:13:13.259 keep in mind when trying to prevent meat spoilage 331 00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:15.127 without the aid of modern convenience. 332 00:13:15.127 --> 00:13:17.496 Clean, cool, and dry. 333 00:13:17.496 --> 00:13:20.065 The willow branches keep the meat elevated off the ground 334 00:13:20.065 --> 00:13:22.501 away from dirt and water as well as 335 00:13:22.501 --> 00:13:24.870 allowing air to travel underneath, 336 00:13:24.870 --> 00:13:26.172 which helps keep the meat cool 337 00:13:26.172 --> 00:13:28.374 in warmer conditions. 338 00:13:28.374 --> 00:13:30.910 - Chris and I always try to leave the bone in 339 00:13:30.910 --> 00:13:32.978 the actual meat anywhere and everywhere 340 00:13:32.978 --> 00:13:34.580 where it's plausible. 341 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.815 And it makes sense, you know, 342 00:13:35.815 --> 00:13:37.082 out here we got a raft that we can use 343 00:13:37.082 --> 00:13:38.651 to help us float the meat. 344 00:13:38.651 --> 00:13:40.386 We're not relying on carrying it on our backs 345 00:13:40.386 --> 00:13:41.887 the whole time so it's gonna be 346 00:13:41.887 --> 00:13:44.323 a little bit easier to pack with the raft, 347 00:13:44.323 --> 00:13:45.825 with the bone in, what that does, 348 00:13:45.825 --> 00:13:49.829 is that actually exposes less surface area of the meat 349 00:13:49.829 --> 00:13:51.330 to the outside environment, 350 00:13:51.330 --> 00:13:53.265 which at the end of day is gonna cause 351 00:13:53.265 --> 00:13:55.301 way less spoilage than you might get 352 00:13:55.301 --> 00:13:58.137 if you go ahead and take the meat right off 353 00:13:58.137 --> 00:14:00.372 of the bone so that's a good tip. 354 00:14:00.372 --> 00:14:02.308 It also helps keep it a lot cooler. 355 00:14:02.308 --> 00:14:04.677 And just cleaner overall 356 00:14:04.677 --> 00:14:06.545 so we always like to leave the bone in. 357 00:14:06.545 --> 00:14:09.882 It always helps when you're packing out. 358 00:14:12.117 --> 00:14:13.853 You know, it always seems like you're 359 00:14:13.853 --> 00:14:15.054 against the gun up here. 360 00:14:15.054 --> 00:14:15.855 Just when you think something's not 361 00:14:15.855 --> 00:14:17.056 gonna take that long, 362 00:14:17.056 --> 00:14:18.891 I mean, whether you're against the clock 363 00:14:18.891 --> 00:14:21.193 with weather or meat spoilage 364 00:14:21.193 --> 00:14:22.394 or darkness, whatever, 365 00:14:22.394 --> 00:14:23.996 you just gotta keep rolling, 366 00:14:23.996 --> 00:14:26.365 you gotta keep pushing. 367 00:14:26.365 --> 00:14:28.067 - [Narrator] While Casey inspects the gear, 368 00:14:28.067 --> 00:14:30.369 Chris sets to work building a fire. 369 00:14:30.369 --> 00:14:32.738 Hard earth can zap the brother's body heat 370 00:14:32.738 --> 00:14:34.206 while they sleep. 371 00:14:34.206 --> 00:14:36.675 Knowing this, Chris searches for anything he can use 372 00:14:36.675 --> 00:14:38.544 to act as a barrier and hopefully 373 00:14:38.544 --> 00:14:40.613 provide some added comfort. 374 00:14:40.613 --> 00:14:43.616 (suspenseful music) 375 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:50.623 (whispering) 376 00:14:51.690 --> 00:14:52.925 (grunting) 377 00:14:52.925 --> 00:14:56.161 - This moss is like having a bed out here. 378 00:14:57.596 --> 00:15:01.233 If you can find it and peel it away perfectly square, 379 00:15:02.735 --> 00:15:04.169 which is great. 380 00:15:04.169 --> 00:15:05.604 Then you can lay on this stuff 381 00:15:05.604 --> 00:15:08.173 and it's pretty dry back in here, 382 00:15:08.173 --> 00:15:09.475 underneath all this pine, 383 00:15:09.475 --> 00:15:12.111 which is great because it keeps you 384 00:15:12.111 --> 00:15:13.913 up off the ground a little bit. 385 00:15:13.913 --> 00:15:16.649 That rock gets really cold at night, 386 00:15:16.649 --> 00:15:19.318 where if you have this, peel it. 387 00:15:22.755 --> 00:15:25.758 The heat retention's so much better. 388 00:15:27.359 --> 00:15:29.161 It'll dry out if you just lay it next 389 00:15:29.161 --> 00:15:30.496 to the fire. 390 00:15:30.496 --> 00:15:32.498 Come and align the entire back side section 391 00:15:32.498 --> 00:15:34.533 where we're sleeping with this stuff 392 00:15:34.533 --> 00:15:38.437 just to give us a little bit of cushion. 393 00:15:38.437 --> 00:15:39.605 - [Narrator] Moss is able to absorb 394 00:15:39.605 --> 00:15:40.839 huge amounts of water, 395 00:15:40.839 --> 00:15:42.274 and the brother's basic clothing 396 00:15:42.274 --> 00:15:44.209 can only protect them so much. 397 00:15:44.209 --> 00:15:46.545 So Chris must dry it out next to the fire 398 00:15:46.545 --> 00:15:47.846 before sleeping on it. 399 00:15:47.846 --> 00:15:49.915 Small comforts like a moss bed 400 00:15:49.915 --> 00:15:51.583 help lift the brother's spirits before 401 00:15:51.583 --> 00:15:55.087 facing another brutally cold night. 402 00:15:55.087 --> 00:15:56.288 - I'm just going through and sharpening 403 00:15:56.288 --> 00:15:57.356 out a willow. 404 00:15:58.457 --> 00:16:00.893 We can use to cook the meat on. 405 00:16:00.893 --> 00:16:03.095 Make for good skewers 'cause it's green. 406 00:16:03.095 --> 00:16:05.097 If you use a dead branch, 407 00:16:05.097 --> 00:16:08.767 your meat most likely will end up in a fire. 408 00:16:12.204 --> 00:16:14.039 Got a fire going. 409 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:16.342 Got beds laid down. 410 00:16:16.342 --> 00:16:18.711 I got two little treats just about ready to eat. 411 00:16:18.711 --> 00:16:19.979 - [Casey] Oh, is that meat on a stick? 412 00:16:19.979 --> 00:16:21.146 - [Chris] Oh, that's meat on a stick. 413 00:16:21.146 --> 00:16:23.349 (sighing) 414 00:16:23.349 --> 00:16:26.051 - That right there is frozen meat on a stick. 415 00:16:26.051 --> 00:16:27.920 - Well, the river's cold. 416 00:16:27.920 --> 00:16:30.122 - And I need to get a way get those hands 417 00:16:30.122 --> 00:16:31.490 warmed by the fire. 418 00:16:31.490 --> 00:16:33.792 And you got all this right here. 419 00:16:33.792 --> 00:16:35.094 - Yeah, I got all that moss. 420 00:16:35.094 --> 00:16:36.495 - Oh yeah buddy. 421 00:16:36.495 --> 00:16:39.598 - There's more so this is softer. 422 00:16:39.598 --> 00:16:41.800 I've tried drying some of it off. 423 00:16:41.800 --> 00:16:43.002 - Yeah, that's gonna be good. 424 00:16:43.002 --> 00:16:44.069 It's definitely better than sleeping 425 00:16:44.069 --> 00:16:45.637 on the hard ground. 426 00:16:47.072 --> 00:16:50.109 Man, if these fingers will thaw out. 427 00:16:50.109 --> 00:16:51.110 Is that almost ready? 428 00:16:51.110 --> 00:16:52.111 It looks pretty close. 429 00:16:52.111 --> 00:16:53.479 - It's pretty done. 430 00:16:53.479 --> 00:16:55.681 Oh, careful, it's hot. 431 00:16:55.681 --> 00:16:56.648 - Oh yeah. 432 00:16:56.648 --> 00:16:59.051 I literally can't even feel it. 433 00:16:59.051 --> 00:17:02.021 - That's how you know your fingers are cold. 434 00:17:02.021 --> 00:17:03.455 Because it's hot. 435 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.694 How is it? 436 00:17:09.695 --> 00:17:11.063 As good as it smells? 437 00:17:11.063 --> 00:17:13.565 - Best thing I've had all day. 438 00:17:15.968 --> 00:17:17.836 - Oh my gosh. 439 00:17:17.836 --> 00:17:19.705 You know your stomach's empty 440 00:17:19.705 --> 00:17:21.540 when you eat it that fast. 441 00:17:22.508 --> 00:17:25.644 (dramatic tone) 442 00:17:25.644 --> 00:17:27.212 As another cold night settles in 443 00:17:27.212 --> 00:17:28.380 over the Brooks range, 444 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:30.749 Chris and Casey Keefer on on the hunt. 445 00:17:30.749 --> 00:17:32.651 Adding a moose to their meat supply 446 00:17:32.651 --> 00:17:34.219 is now their main priority 447 00:17:34.219 --> 00:17:37.756 and fresh sign proves that moose actively use this area. 448 00:17:37.756 --> 00:17:40.626 Their campsite is set near a dried up portion of river 449 00:17:40.626 --> 00:17:43.996 which is an ideal location for moose to gather. 450 00:17:43.996 --> 00:17:46.932 (moose call) 451 00:17:46.932 --> 00:17:48.700 - This is obviously a place to be. 452 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.436 It was this little oxbow runs back behind 453 00:17:50.436 --> 00:17:52.604 where we're camped at. 454 00:17:52.604 --> 00:17:54.239 It runs all the way back like this. 455 00:17:54.239 --> 00:17:56.175 From what I can tell, it looks like 456 00:17:56.175 --> 00:17:57.409 it probably wraps around 457 00:17:57.409 --> 00:17:58.610 and goes right back to the river. 458 00:17:58.610 --> 00:18:00.679 So this is an awesome spot. 459 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:02.247 It's boat friendly. 460 00:18:03.449 --> 00:18:05.417 I really wanna explore this some more 461 00:18:05.417 --> 00:18:09.988 but we said no more than a half hour basically. 462 00:18:09.988 --> 00:18:12.558 We have to head back. 463 00:18:12.558 --> 00:18:15.160 I like this spot, I like it a lot. 464 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.662 - [Narrator] As Casey patrols the area, 465 00:18:16.662 --> 00:18:18.864 he must have heightened senses. 466 00:18:18.864 --> 00:18:21.100 Thick timber can mask animal movement 467 00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:25.404 as proven with yesterday's bear encounter. 468 00:18:25.404 --> 00:18:26.939 A meandering river will have many curves 469 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:28.107 in its water course, 470 00:18:28.107 --> 00:18:30.375 creating a snaking pattern across the land. 471 00:18:30.375 --> 00:18:32.811 Soil is pulled away from the river bed 472 00:18:32.811 --> 00:18:34.012 and surrounding bank, 473 00:18:34.012 --> 00:18:36.081 adding width and depth to the river. 474 00:18:36.081 --> 00:18:37.616 After a long period of time, 475 00:18:37.616 --> 00:18:39.585 the meander becomes curved. 476 00:18:39.585 --> 00:18:41.520 Eventually, the neck of the meander 477 00:18:41.520 --> 00:18:43.055 becomes narrower and the river 478 00:18:43.055 --> 00:18:45.357 cuts through the neck during a flood, 479 00:18:45.357 --> 00:18:46.658 cutting off the meander, 480 00:18:46.658 --> 00:18:48.193 and forming an oxbow. 481 00:18:48.193 --> 00:18:50.462 Moose frequently use these dried up sections of river 482 00:18:50.462 --> 00:18:53.465 as a travel corridor to get out of the dense timber, 483 00:18:53.465 --> 00:18:54.933 and open their field of view. 484 00:18:54.933 --> 00:18:59.071 Something the Keefer brothers hope to take advantage of. 485 00:19:04.710 --> 00:19:06.411 - Did you see that little oxbow 486 00:19:06.411 --> 00:19:08.614 that wraps back there, it's awesome man. 487 00:19:08.614 --> 00:19:09.915 I think it wraps all the way around 488 00:19:09.915 --> 00:19:11.717 and comes back to the river over here. 489 00:19:11.717 --> 00:19:14.219 It's pretty sweet, there's sign all over the place, 490 00:19:14.219 --> 00:19:16.155 fresh rakes, everything, so, 491 00:19:16.155 --> 00:19:17.422 it's a good spot. 492 00:19:17.422 --> 00:19:18.657 - That's good, I think we, 493 00:19:18.657 --> 00:19:19.925 I went down to the river, 494 00:19:19.925 --> 00:19:21.727 and you can see where there's this little 495 00:19:21.727 --> 00:19:23.362 meadow that comes in, 496 00:19:23.362 --> 00:19:25.731 you can see where it kind of comes out on the one side. 497 00:19:25.731 --> 00:19:27.733 This is really the only section of river 498 00:19:27.733 --> 00:19:29.535 back and forth right here that allows us 499 00:19:29.535 --> 00:19:31.370 to really see as far as we can see. 500 00:19:31.370 --> 00:19:33.672 So there's definitely a moose hanging around, 501 00:19:33.672 --> 00:19:37.176 it's just a matter of whether the moose are here. 502 00:19:37.176 --> 00:19:39.444 I got enough wood right here that we just 503 00:19:39.444 --> 00:19:43.015 try to stay warm, keep the fire rolling, 504 00:19:43.015 --> 00:19:45.684 get after him again tomorrow. 505 00:19:45.684 --> 00:19:47.686 Let's get some shut eye. 506 00:19:50.255 --> 00:19:51.456 - All in all, doing good. 507 00:19:51.456 --> 00:19:53.992 Got in, found a great spot for camp. 508 00:19:53.992 --> 00:19:55.861 The access that it gives us both 509 00:19:55.861 --> 00:19:57.229 to and from the river. 510 00:19:57.229 --> 00:19:58.564 - I'm really excited for the spot 511 00:19:58.564 --> 00:19:59.965 that we're in right now. 512 00:19:59.965 --> 00:20:01.500 You know, just doing a little bit of looking around, 513 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:03.835 we can tell there's a lot of moose sign around here. 514 00:20:03.835 --> 00:20:05.804 - [Chris] I'd love to see a big moose hit the ground 515 00:20:05.804 --> 00:20:07.773 because that meat will provide 516 00:20:07.773 --> 00:20:09.975 for my family for a long time. 517 00:20:09.975 --> 00:20:11.276 - [Casey] The shelter that we built, 518 00:20:11.276 --> 00:20:12.811 it's not a lot, you just need something 519 00:20:12.811 --> 00:20:14.479 that's gonna keep the weather off you 520 00:20:14.479 --> 00:20:15.781 and keep you warm. 521 00:20:15.781 --> 00:20:17.082 - [Chris] You sleep for a half an hour, 522 00:20:17.082 --> 00:20:18.383 you wake up, you gotta roll to the other side 523 00:20:18.383 --> 00:20:19.651 because everything's hurting and aching. 524 00:20:19.651 --> 00:20:21.520 So it's a lot of back and forth at night. 525 00:20:21.520 --> 00:20:22.588 But it is what it is. 526 00:20:22.588 --> 00:20:23.822 - You just stick around the camp, 527 00:20:23.822 --> 00:20:25.824 continue to call, I really like this area, 528 00:20:25.824 --> 00:20:27.092 I like what it provides, 529 00:20:27.092 --> 00:20:28.427 I like the ability to be able to see 530 00:20:28.427 --> 00:20:29.661 for a long distance. 531 00:20:29.661 --> 00:20:30.929 - You gotta give yourself some time 532 00:20:30.929 --> 00:20:32.231 and never really be in a hurry 533 00:20:32.231 --> 00:20:34.066 to get anything done. 534 00:20:34.066 --> 00:20:35.500 So when you find yourself in a hurry 535 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.002 is when you can get in trouble 536 00:20:37.002 --> 00:20:39.504 and that's when you can get in trouble pretty quickly so. 537 00:20:39.504 --> 00:20:41.106 - There's a cache right around here. 538 00:20:41.106 --> 00:20:42.541 - [Chris] We don't have time, dude.