In recent years the emphasis of many TV documentaries seems to be on presenters tackling dangerous animals or performing dangerous stunts, especially in caves. Bear Grylls is one such presenter.
A few years ago he was criticised for killing bats in China.
More recently there have been programmes in which he goes into caves, jumps into rivers etc, and never wears a helmet, has inadequate lighting and doesn't seem to take any safety precautions. Again I have posted this on my cave website.
The latest upset was after a programme was aired on British TV of him caving in Yorkshire. In "Britain's biggest adventures", [ITV , Part 2, 2015, shown Sept 2015. Nutopia and BTV] after abseiling at Malham Cove without a helmet, he goes into Long Churn Cave. We see him going through a section of cave alone, with a single torchlight and no helmet. Then he meets up with an experienced caver. As the cave begins to flood they have to go out.
It seems to be that Bear Grylls often does reckless things, presumably for the TV audience.
A few days after "Britain's biggest adventures" aired, the Yorkshire based Cave Rescue Organisation made a complaint about the programme. This was detailed on Grough, I will copy some of the article here -
Cave rescue team complains over 'horrifying' Bear Grylls TV programme
Bob Smith, Editor
Monday 28 September 2015
A rescue team has posted an official complaint to television bosses over scenes in a recent programme featuring a renowned adventurer.
The Clapham-based Cave Rescue Organisation said last week’s episode of ITV’s Britain’s Biggest Adventures with Bear Grylls showed a total disregard for safety in the outdoors.
The rescue team’s chair Heather Eastwood has written to the channel expressing horror at some of the activities the star of the programme undertook.
Ms Eastwood said: “As chair of the local rescue team both myself and many of my fellow team members were horrified to see Bear Grylls show a total disregard for safety in the outdoors especially in relation to water and caving.
“Bear Grylls is Chief Scout and is an inspirational figure to many young people but both ITV and Bear Grylls himself have shown a total lack of responsibility by portraying some of the activities in the light that you choose to do.”
The programme, second in a series being currently screened, was set in the Yorkshire Dales and showed Bear Grylls abseiling down the 80m crag of Malham Cove, to meet climber Steve McClure half way up.
But the two activities that concerned the CRO are when the adventurer tosses his rucksack into the water at Stainforth Force before performing a backflip into the water, and heading into the Long Churn cave system near Selside without basic equipment.
Before stepping into the cave system with no helmet or protective suit and with just a handtorch, Grylls says: “Water levels are rising. This adventure was about to put all our lives in danger.” The commentary said it had been raining non-stop for 24 hours.
The television star, his underground guide Phil Murphy and the film crew are seen to make a rushed exit from the cave. Bear Grylls says: “We’re in genuine danger of being swept away so, for safety, we have to switch the cameras off.
“All of us make it out just in time.”
The Cave Rescue Organisation chair said in her letter: “Climbing up waterfalls shows not only a total disregard for the environment but failed to mention the dangers of water in general let alone how that danger increases in waterfalls.
“For those of us who know the area in question we are well aware of the power and dangers of the water shown even in dry conditions and have had the misfortune of being involved in difficult rescues in those areas.
“As for your portrayal of caving and cave exploration I am struggling to express my horror.
See link above for full article.
---
Similar articles also appeared in The Guardian 1 Oct, and Mirror Online 1 Oct .
September 29, 2015
The Two Million Year Old Boy from South Africa
New : The Two Million Year Old Boy [Natgeotv 2011]
A 2 myo clavicle bone belonging to a pre-human boy from a previously unidentified species: Australopithecus sediba.
This was the discovery of the century, finding a new species.
On 15 Aug 2008 Lee Berger and his son were looking for fossils in the World Heritage site 25 miles from Johannesburg. It is known as Cradle of Humankind, because of the pre-human fossils. Many years ago the area was mined by gold prospectors and many caves and rocks were blown up. In a small depression in the Malapa Valley, Lee's son found a hominid clavicle in a rock, and later the lower jaw and a canine tooth. They were from a male child dated 2 myo.
6 myo humans and chimps shared a common ancestor. Australopithecus started walking on 2 legs. But it is not known when Homo appeared as there is a gap in the fossil record, between 2.5 - 1.8 mya. Very few bones of pre-humans have been found, only about 3000.
100s of bone fragments were found in blasted rocks, from animals such as sabre tooth cats, hyena, antelope, mice, rabbits etc. More finds were made, a humerus, scapula and 2 teeth. These were from a second individual. This was an adult female about 30 years of age. Could this be a mother and child? They were 2 hominid pre-humans and named as Australopithecus sediba. They had a mix of modern and old features.
Before this discovery, less than 10 hominid skeletons had been found. The new bones were very different from anything found before. A scan of rocks revealed a skull inside on. This was from an entirely new species as it didn't match anything known.
A lab was set up to make casts of the bones which would be available to researchers all over the world.
Human evolution has not occurred in a straight line as there are many branches and Australopithecus sediba contains old and new features. This new species had an ankle like a human with an ape-like heel bone. It had modern hands with ape-like arms, so could walk upright but still climb trees if necessary. It had a very small brain but it was reshaped to look more human than ape.
It is not known if Australopithecus sediba is a direct ancestor to Homo sapiens.
There was a clue as to how these hominids died - bones from both individuals were unmarked by predators. There were no tooth or impact marks. The bones were well preserved in limestone. Many hominids died violent deaths e.g by animal attacks. So how did these ones die? The boy had 2 broken bones on the forearm so could he have fallen. Today the cave is just a hole in the ground, maybe it was deeper before. Maybe the hominids were searching for water and fell down. Animal bones were also found. There could have been a flash flood which buried all the bones together. But the site was disturbed by the gold miners centuries ago.
Excavation of the site began. The tibia of a 3rd individual was found, a 2nd adult. Then some from an infant about 18 months old. Possibly a family group.
---
Shown on UK Channel 4 TV in Sept 2015
See also the related programme, FIRST HUMANS: THE CAVE DISCOVERY , on the discovery of
Homo naledi from Rising Star Cave.
-----
A 2 myo clavicle bone belonging to a pre-human boy from a previously unidentified species: Australopithecus sediba.
This was the discovery of the century, finding a new species.
On 15 Aug 2008 Lee Berger and his son were looking for fossils in the World Heritage site 25 miles from Johannesburg. It is known as Cradle of Humankind, because of the pre-human fossils. Many years ago the area was mined by gold prospectors and many caves and rocks were blown up. In a small depression in the Malapa Valley, Lee's son found a hominid clavicle in a rock, and later the lower jaw and a canine tooth. They were from a male child dated 2 myo.
6 myo humans and chimps shared a common ancestor. Australopithecus started walking on 2 legs. But it is not known when Homo appeared as there is a gap in the fossil record, between 2.5 - 1.8 mya. Very few bones of pre-humans have been found, only about 3000.
100s of bone fragments were found in blasted rocks, from animals such as sabre tooth cats, hyena, antelope, mice, rabbits etc. More finds were made, a humerus, scapula and 2 teeth. These were from a second individual. This was an adult female about 30 years of age. Could this be a mother and child? They were 2 hominid pre-humans and named as Australopithecus sediba. They had a mix of modern and old features.
Before this discovery, less than 10 hominid skeletons had been found. The new bones were very different from anything found before. A scan of rocks revealed a skull inside on. This was from an entirely new species as it didn't match anything known.
A lab was set up to make casts of the bones which would be available to researchers all over the world.
Human evolution has not occurred in a straight line as there are many branches and Australopithecus sediba contains old and new features. This new species had an ankle like a human with an ape-like heel bone. It had modern hands with ape-like arms, so could walk upright but still climb trees if necessary. It had a very small brain but it was reshaped to look more human than ape.
It is not known if Australopithecus sediba is a direct ancestor to Homo sapiens.
There was a clue as to how these hominids died - bones from both individuals were unmarked by predators. There were no tooth or impact marks. The bones were well preserved in limestone. Many hominids died violent deaths e.g by animal attacks. So how did these ones die? The boy had 2 broken bones on the forearm so could he have fallen. Today the cave is just a hole in the ground, maybe it was deeper before. Maybe the hominids were searching for water and fell down. Animal bones were also found. There could have been a flash flood which buried all the bones together. But the site was disturbed by the gold miners centuries ago.
Excavation of the site began. The tibia of a 3rd individual was found, a 2nd adult. Then some from an infant about 18 months old. Possibly a family group.
---
Shown on UK Channel 4 TV in Sept 2015
See also the related programme, FIRST HUMANS: THE CAVE DISCOVERY , on the discovery of
Homo naledi from Rising Star Cave.
-----
Homo naledi, a new species of human ancestor from South Africa
Homo naledi, a new species of human ancestor, found in South Africa.
Documentary by Quickfire Media 2015
FIRST HUMANS: THE CAVE DISCOVERY
In Autumn 2013, 2 cavers Rick and Steve found a new previously unentered chamber deep in Rising Star Cave near Johananesburg in South Africa. Lee Berger, a professor of palaentology at Witwatersrand University lead the research which revealed the bones were from early hominids.
There was a gap between known specimens of Australopithecus and Homo erectus, 2-3 million years ago. Australopithecus was an upright ape, with a smaller body and brain than Homo erectus which was more human like.
Lee Berger called for skinny scientists who could negotiate the narrow passages to the new chamber. Cams were set up throughout the cave, using more than 2 km of cable. The position of the bones was mapped by laser scanning.
In 2008 Lee Berger had investigated the nearby Malapa Valley. On 1 Aug 2008 his son had found a hominid clavicle in a rock at a small cave/hole in the ground. It was well preserved in the limestone layers and dated to 1.97 myo. It turned out to be a new species, Australopithecus sediba. This discovery ended the gap between Australopithecus and Homo erectus. The bones were found to be from a female and a child. A complete skeleton was made by scanning and 3d printing. Tartar found on the teeth was tested and showed microscopic remains of many different plants such as grasses, wood bark and fruits. This indicates a diet similar to today's chimpanzees. It suggests that ape-like forest dwellers evolved into humans.
Back at Rising Star, the hip bones showed an upright but primitive gait. The jaws are more Homo-like. A piece of skull was definitely Homo and of a new species. Careful collection of the bones resulted in more than 2000 fragments from 12 individuals. This is the first new species between Australopithecus and Homo erectus to be found in abundance. The bones showed human-like feet, hands and teeth, which means they interacted with the environment. But the trunk and brain was more primitive, with chimp-like arms, long legs and a small brow. The tiny brain was only one third the size of a human bone. The legs and hands are part of our genus. But they are still close to Australopithecus.
There were no other animal remains in the cave. This is unheard of. Normally all 'human' finds are mixed with bones of animals. So how did these Hominid bones get into this deep, inaccessible chamber in Rising Star? It seemed to be a cemetery population. There were no signs of predation, no flow of material into the chamber, so were the bones put there? The brain is only slightly larger than that of a chimp, so could they have purposefully disposed of their dead? This would suggest highly advanced social behaviour.
This species could be an evolutionary experiment, as evolution went down many branches. It all adds to the story of our origins and fills in the gap at the start of our genus.
---
Shown on UK Channel 4 , Sept 2015 .
---
See my 2013 blog on the Rising Star expedition
---
And see more Australopithecus sediba on Wikipedia.
___
Documentary by Quickfire Media 2015
FIRST HUMANS: THE CAVE DISCOVERY
In Autumn 2013, 2 cavers Rick and Steve found a new previously unentered chamber deep in Rising Star Cave near Johananesburg in South Africa. Lee Berger, a professor of palaentology at Witwatersrand University lead the research which revealed the bones were from early hominids.
There was a gap between known specimens of Australopithecus and Homo erectus, 2-3 million years ago. Australopithecus was an upright ape, with a smaller body and brain than Homo erectus which was more human like.
Lee Berger called for skinny scientists who could negotiate the narrow passages to the new chamber. Cams were set up throughout the cave, using more than 2 km of cable. The position of the bones was mapped by laser scanning.
In 2008 Lee Berger had investigated the nearby Malapa Valley. On 1 Aug 2008 his son had found a hominid clavicle in a rock at a small cave/hole in the ground. It was well preserved in the limestone layers and dated to 1.97 myo. It turned out to be a new species, Australopithecus sediba. This discovery ended the gap between Australopithecus and Homo erectus. The bones were found to be from a female and a child. A complete skeleton was made by scanning and 3d printing. Tartar found on the teeth was tested and showed microscopic remains of many different plants such as grasses, wood bark and fruits. This indicates a diet similar to today's chimpanzees. It suggests that ape-like forest dwellers evolved into humans.
Back at Rising Star, the hip bones showed an upright but primitive gait. The jaws are more Homo-like. A piece of skull was definitely Homo and of a new species. Careful collection of the bones resulted in more than 2000 fragments from 12 individuals. This is the first new species between Australopithecus and Homo erectus to be found in abundance. The bones showed human-like feet, hands and teeth, which means they interacted with the environment. But the trunk and brain was more primitive, with chimp-like arms, long legs and a small brow. The tiny brain was only one third the size of a human bone. The legs and hands are part of our genus. But they are still close to Australopithecus.
There were no other animal remains in the cave. This is unheard of. Normally all 'human' finds are mixed with bones of animals. So how did these Hominid bones get into this deep, inaccessible chamber in Rising Star? It seemed to be a cemetery population. There were no signs of predation, no flow of material into the chamber, so were the bones put there? The brain is only slightly larger than that of a chimp, so could they have purposefully disposed of their dead? This would suggest highly advanced social behaviour.
This species could be an evolutionary experiment, as evolution went down many branches. It all adds to the story of our origins and fills in the gap at the start of our genus.
---
Shown on UK Channel 4 , Sept 2015 .
---
See my 2013 blog on the Rising Star expedition
---
And see more Australopithecus sediba on Wikipedia.
___
September 27, 2015
Vinales Valley, Cuba, world heritage site
The Vinales Valley in Cuba is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Vinales Valley is located in the Sierra de los Organos at the western end of Cuba.
It is a stunning karst landscape, a valley encircled by mountains and dotted with mogotes that rise up to 300 m. Mogotes are tall rounded hills that rise abruptly from the plain.
Vinales is inscribed in 1999 as a cultural site. The valley is used for traditional methods of agriculture and tobacco. The indigenous architecture of the farms and villages shows the multi-ethnic society of the area, which was colonised in the early 19th century.
There are many caves in the hills although I wasn't able to visit any. Many were inhabited for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish colonists. Escaped slaves in particular lived in the caves.
Vinales is in Pinar del Rio province, the capital is also called Pinar del Rio.
Morning mist in the valley -
It is a stunning karst landscape, a valley encircled by mountains and dotted with mogotes that rise up to 300 m. Mogotes are tall rounded hills that rise abruptly from the plain.
Vinales is inscribed in 1999 as a cultural site. The valley is used for traditional methods of agriculture and tobacco. The indigenous architecture of the farms and villages shows the multi-ethnic society of the area, which was colonised in the early 19th century.
There are many caves in the hills although I wasn't able to visit any. Many were inhabited for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish colonists. Escaped slaves in particular lived in the caves.
Vinales is in Pinar del Rio province, the capital is also called Pinar del Rio.
Morning mist in the valley -
September 24, 2015
Cuba cenote
I spent some time in Cuba in Sept 2015, but unfortunately was unable to visit any caves. However I did see my first cenote.
Cenotes are sinkholes that contain groundwater and usually connect to underground water bodies. The name is commonly used in the Mexico and Caribbean areas.
La Cueva de los Peces is on the southern coast of central Cuba, at the Bay of Pigs.
It is 17 km south of Playa Larga, in Matanzas province, La Cueva de los Peces is a 61-meter-deep sinkhole. There are lots of fish.
Interesting 'fossils' in the floor -
This is the coast where the cenote water presumably comes out -
The sea is crystal clear
Cenotes are sinkholes that contain groundwater and usually connect to underground water bodies. The name is commonly used in the Mexico and Caribbean areas.
La Cueva de los Peces is on the southern coast of central Cuba, at the Bay of Pigs.
It is 17 km south of Playa Larga, in Matanzas province, La Cueva de los Peces is a 61-meter-deep sinkhole. There are lots of fish.
Interesting 'fossils' in the floor -
This is the coast where the cenote water presumably comes out -
The sea is crystal clear
July 19, 2015
Gouffre de Friouato, Morocco used for BBC Prized Apart game show
BBC game show Prized Apart used Gouffre de Friouato in one of the episodes. Friouato is in the Middle Atlas mountains in Morocco. I went to this enormous cave in 1976 and again in 1981 on the Cerberus Spel. Soc expeditions.
The programme was shown on BBC TV in England in July 2015. It was episode 3 that has the caving segment. From the BBC www:
When we were there is was hot as it was summer.
"Better to make a challenge at the top of a cave than the bottom
The leap of faith challenge in Episode 3 required our adventurers to jump from the top of the cave and grab hold of a trapeze, holding on for as long as possible. This meant bringing a huge amount of equipment down hundreds of narrow stairs in the dark. We had to bring down a weighted jib (a type of crane that you can attach a camera to), five cameras, a wooden beam, power tools, six rolls of camo netting and drapes, a gallery of six monitors and cabling, a lot of safety equipment - along with over 30 people. But was it worth it to capture the amazing footage of our adventurers as they dropped to the bottom? Absolutely!" [BBC www]
You can see the video here, the caving part starts approximately at 26 minutes.
The programme was shown on BBC TV in England in July 2015. It was episode 3 that has the caving segment. From the BBC www:
Gouffre de Friouato
Up into the mountains to the north east of Fes lies the immense Friouato cave system, which includes North Africa’s largest cave.
By the time the adventurers reached the cave for the third Survival Challenge it was mid-February, and the entrance to the cave was covered in snow, which fell steadily from the cave roof down into the 150 foot chasm below. The adventurers had to descend hundreds of steep steps to make their leap into the darkness...
When we were there is was hot as it was summer.
"Better to make a challenge at the top of a cave than the bottom
The leap of faith challenge in Episode 3 required our adventurers to jump from the top of the cave and grab hold of a trapeze, holding on for as long as possible. This meant bringing a huge amount of equipment down hundreds of narrow stairs in the dark. We had to bring down a weighted jib (a type of crane that you can attach a camera to), five cameras, a wooden beam, power tools, six rolls of camo netting and drapes, a gallery of six monitors and cabling, a lot of safety equipment - along with over 30 people. But was it worth it to capture the amazing footage of our adventurers as they dropped to the bottom? Absolutely!" [BBC www]
You can see the video here, the caving part starts approximately at 26 minutes.
June 22, 2015
Bear Grylls - Breaking Point episode 5
On my earlier blog I wrote about Episode 1, where Bear Grylls took 2 participants into a river cave in Mexico.
Episode 5 - Claustrophobia.
Bear Grylls meets two men who spend their lives avoiding confined spaces – and takes them deep into the most frightening caves he can find. Mark almost died when he was buried alive by sand as a teenager. Meanwhile, Mike was accidentally imprisoned in a fairground ride dangling almost 20 metres off the ground. He now fears being trapped so much that he can’t even hug his wife.
Bear has a plan to help them face, and hopefully overcome, their worst fears. He’s heading out to one of the First World War’s most treacherous front lines, where the landscape is still punctured with trenches, caves and tunnels. But Bear will need to win Mike and Mark’s trust as he takes them deep underground.
You can see some videos on Discovery Breaking Point.
Inside Tunnel -
Bear brings Mike and Mark to a pitch black tunnel deep underground. They must navigate their way through the dark and overcome their fear of enclosed spaces.
At least Mike and Mark are wearing helmets, but not Bear.
There are 2 more videos with cave related scenes -
Claustrophobia Intro -
Mike and Mark both suffer from claustrophobia - the fear of enclosed spaces. Bear brings them to Northern Italy, filled with caves and man made trenches to put the fear to the test.
Cave Passage -
Mike and Mark must get to reach their camp site for the night. First they must pass through an extremely tight passage that would be a challenge for anyone with claustrophobia.
-
Episode 5 - Claustrophobia.
Bear Grylls meets two men who spend their lives avoiding confined spaces – and takes them deep into the most frightening caves he can find. Mark almost died when he was buried alive by sand as a teenager. Meanwhile, Mike was accidentally imprisoned in a fairground ride dangling almost 20 metres off the ground. He now fears being trapped so much that he can’t even hug his wife.
Bear has a plan to help them face, and hopefully overcome, their worst fears. He’s heading out to one of the First World War’s most treacherous front lines, where the landscape is still punctured with trenches, caves and tunnels. But Bear will need to win Mike and Mark’s trust as he takes them deep underground.
You can see some videos on Discovery Breaking Point.
Inside Tunnel -
Bear brings Mike and Mark to a pitch black tunnel deep underground. They must navigate their way through the dark and overcome their fear of enclosed spaces.
At least Mike and Mark are wearing helmets, but not Bear.
There are 2 more videos with cave related scenes -
Claustrophobia Intro -
Mike and Mark both suffer from claustrophobia - the fear of enclosed spaces. Bear brings them to Northern Italy, filled with caves and man made trenches to put the fear to the test.
Cave Passage -
Mike and Mark must get to reach their camp site for the night. First they must pass through an extremely tight passage that would be a challenge for anyone with claustrophobia.
-
May 29, 2015
Bear Grylls: Breaking Point
Bear Grylls: Breaking Point
Episode 1 - Water
Discovery Channel
New Yorker Ray and Ugur from Holland are both terrified of water after suffering major trauma in their lives. Bear takes them to face their fears on a journey through fast-flowing jungle waterways in Southern Mexico.
Ray, 60, lost his son, Marc, in a tragic accident in a swimming pool. It had been Marc’s dream to join the Navy Seals, but he drowned aged just 17, leaving Ray haunted by images of his son dying underwater.
Ugur, 37, was in Thailand when the Asian tsunami hit – and he’s avoided water ever since.
Can Bear take these two proud men and force them to overcome their fears by taking on some of the world’s deepest canyons and highest waterfalls? It’s going to be an emotional journey.
-----
On part of the journey, Bear Grylls took them into a river cave. Bear tells us about the fast moving water and that it's a 2km long underground river. The 3 of them go into the cave just using a head torch, no helmets. Bear tells them one rule - never let go of the rope. He gets in the water saying he doesn't know how keep it is. He swims for 30m saying the river goes a long way. Ray has to follow using the rope, then Ugur. Next Ugur is given a test, to swim the length of the 30m rope alone without a light (or helmet). Bear is holding the end of the rope.
I wonder what cavers think about this 'lack' of safety, no helmets etc. There are bats in the cave. I wonder if any thought was given to histoplasmosis, as this disease is prevalent in some Mexico caves. See more on histoplasmosis.
Bear Grylls has been criticised in the news in the past when he supposedly killed bats
See video on DailyMotion Bear Grylls' Breaking Point S01E01
[shown on Malaysian TV 26 May 2015]
February 3, 2015
Morocco 1981 Cerberus SS Expedition
The Cerberus Spelaeological Society had a second expedition to Morocco in 1981, the first one was in 1976. On both expeditions we drove from England to Morocco where we were based in the Middle Atlas mountains near Taza. Taza is located near the top right of this map.
Here are a few photos from the 1981 expedition. This was our transport -
Oleanders on the track to Kef Chara -
An awkwad bend before Kef Chara camp site -
This was the walk to Kef Roadi -
and looking down into the cave, note person on right -
Another cave, Kef Oudjil -
A view of the Chikker Basin from Kef Friouato -
Friouato entrance shaft -
and Chikker entrance -
Gouffre Friouato is one of the largest cave systems in northern Africa. It is open to the public as a 'basic' show cave. The entrance shaft has steps and is 100 m deep. Below are large passages that end in a sump.
Gouffre Chikker entrance is surrounded by a dam. It drains the Chikker basin.
See more on The Friouato Caves on the Morocco tourism site.
Here are a few photos from the 1981 expedition. This was our transport -
The next few are of the gorge to Bab Bou Idir -
Oleanders on the track to Kef Chara -
We finally get underground in Kef Chara,. The divers getting ready-
This was the walk to Kef Chara -
This was the walk to Kef Roadi -
A view of the Chikker Basin from Kef Friouato -
and Chikker entrance -
Gouffre Friouato is one of the largest cave systems in northern Africa. It is open to the public as a 'basic' show cave. The entrance shaft has steps and is 100 m deep. Below are large passages that end in a sump.
Gouffre Chikker entrance is surrounded by a dam. It drains the Chikker basin.
See more on The Friouato Caves on the Morocco tourism site.
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