News

Most people visit foreign lands for the sights, the culture and the experience. Les Stroud seeks out the hellholes.

No stranger to danger, Stroud returns in Survivorman, (OLN, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m.), which takes the indomitable Canadian adventure enthusiast farther afield and drops him into some of the most unforgiving locales on the planet.

How did he get his start? The pride of Mimico, Ont., Stroud toiled in the eighties as a music-video producer at MuchMusic, and as a musician with the band New Regime, before switching careers to become a canoe guide and wilderness instructor.

After forming his own film-production company, Stroud met his photographer wife, Sue Jamison, on a survival course. The couple married in 1994 and spent a year-long honeymoon in Northern Ontario's remote boreal forest, with only a stone axe and their wits; they didn't even have matches or a tent. The resulting documentary, Snowshoes and Solitude, was nominated for a Gemini.

In a similar vein, last year's documentary special Off the Grid with Les Stroud detailed the filmmaker-survivalist's efforts to resituate his wife and their two young children into an old farmhouse as it was converted to solar and wind power. Compared with Survivorman, it was a cakewalk.

Stroud's innate ability to adapt and improvise in harsh conditions saw him through the first season of Survivorman, which took him to the frigid climes of the Arctic Circle and into the Costa Rican jungle, among other stops. Stranded in swamps and other areas not normally inhabited by people, Stroud has eaten roasted leech and road kill, among other delicacies. He once constructed a makeshift shelter out of garbage.

The sequel edition of Survivorman finds the format unchanged: In each outing, Stroud, 44, is dropped into an unpleasant location with the barest of provisions - in most cases, just the clothes on his back and his trusty "multi-tool"- and 50 pounds of camera gear. And for seven days, Survivorman, well, survives.

Right away in the first new outing, you're in the Amazon rain forest, surrounded by deadly spiders and poisonous snakes. Are there times when you genuinely fear for your life?

I approach it from two angles: First, what are the inherent dangers with each particular adventure? I accept those risks, because in the end, I'm an adventurer, it's what I do. I love to get out there in the wilderness and do these sorts of things anyway. Regardless of Survivorman, I'd go to the Ecuadorean jungle in a heartbeat. At the same time, I try to have safety measures in place to protect me. I'm not willing to risk life and limb for a TV show.

You must have racked up more air miles this season, with trips to Ecuador, Alaska, Africa and the South Pacific.

The entire idea behind the second season was to make the show bigger and better, and go to more exotic locations. We wanted to take it beyond the borders of North America and get right out there, into the real wilderness. It was very cool.

Which destination impressed you most?

For sure it was the Amazon jungle. I've always been a passionate fan of jungles, so to go there and actually spend time with the Waorani tribe - who were basically still living a Stone Age existence until 40 years ago and killing each other with spears - and to learn their hunting techniques was a huge thrill for me. It was a very profound experience.

Your friends must be so envious of your job.

I'm sure some of them are envious because my job allows me to visit some pretty cool places. It's great to travel, but the novelty of taking planes wears off early.

What's changed most in your life since Survivorman became a hit in Canada and the U.S.?

The show has gone from cult to mainstream status in both countries, so there's a higher recognition factor wherever I go.

It's almost impossible for me to go into places like Bass Pro Shops or Canadian Tire any more. It's tough for me to just buy something quick in there and leave, because guys who shop at those stores are the biggest part of my demographic.

Any regrets about not sticking it out in the music industry?

I have many regrets about not staying in the music industry. I love performing and playing. When I was in the music business, I was not of the right maturity and understanding to know how I really could have pulled things off.

However, I'm back in it: I just released a new CD with the Northern Pikes. We've joined forces - it's now called Les Stroud and the Pikes. We're kicking out some great music, and we have a blast. I'm loving every second of it.

Have you ever been dropped into a location and immediately regretted going there?

I never regret anything. There may be times when I've realized a particular location will be more challenging than I thought it might be, but that usually makes it more interesting.

So, if Survivorman and family took a dream vacation, wouldn't you want to spend it at a luxury resort?

Nope, our perfect holiday would be pretty much the same thing: A big, full-on adventure, or maybe a jungle expedition. Canada has some of the best nature areas in the world, so maybe we'd take a river-rafting trip somewhere. The only luxury is that I would get to eat, and sleep in a sleeping bag.

And your best tip for those travelling to perilous locations?

Be as self-reliant as possible. I always say to people, "Trust your guide, but don't rely on them. Rely on yourself."