Survivorman...Les Stroud

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Ranked #581 in Movies & TV, #14,257 overall

Survivorman

Les Stroud is a man who is willing to place himself in great discomfort for the benefit of creating unique teaching situations. Survivorman are the tales of Les being left by his lonesome self in remote locations with just a few items - like a match or ballpoint pens. He takes little or no food and his only shelter is the one he finds or makes.

Each episode finds Les scrambling for basic survival. You'll find him in the desert, the mountains, the sticky heat of the jungle and the bone numbing cold of the Canadian Arctic. Stroud helps the viewer take stock of his situation then shows his survival methods complete with fumbles, stumbles and grumbles. It might not be pretty, it likely won't taste good and is guaranteed to find Les uncomfortable.

The show usually airs on one of the Discovery Network channels - check the listings (for the U.S., in Canada please check OLN's daily listing). Curious? Watch the Science Channel's trailer for Survivorman.

This is my personal and unofficial fan page for Survivorman.



Les will be back for more adventure early this Spring? I think the Science Channel is unwittingly running the last season's promo. There is also this...

A Quick Biography 

Les was born in 1962 in Mimico, Ontario. After finishing high school in his hometown he attended music school at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. He was enrolled in the Music Industry Arts program. After finishing college Les worked in the Canadian music industry for a few years in a number of occupations. It was during the time spent in the Temagami area of Ontario that he considered, weighed and ultimately made another career change.

Les Stroud Gallery



In 1987 Stroud went to work guiding canoeists and other adventurers into the Northern Ontario wilderness for the Black Feather Wilderness Adventures company. Seven years later found him married and on a year-long honeymoon in the secluded Wabakimi area of Ontario. It was this adventure that became the basis for his first documentary Snowshoes and Solitude.

Upon leaving Wabakimi, Les and his wife settled in Huntsville, Ontario and started the media company Wilderness Spirit Productions along with Wilderness Voice - an outdoors instruction outfit. Stroud has never stopped learning from a growing group of wilderness and primitive living experts.

If you are interested in more details, view Les Stroud's Wiki biography here or another well written one at this fansite. Les continues to stay active musically. Click through to learn more about Les's musical career. He sometimes plays with The Northern Pikes who are linked to below. For those with an interest in the Zodiac, Les is a Libra.

Finding Survivorman 

Les Stroud on the Web

When Les is taping he is utterly alone, schlepping around about 50 lbs (22.7kg) of camera equipment. Check out the size of his backpack - it's huge. When you see him walking at a distance he set that shot up beforehand. Then maybe he doesn't like the take - and does it again. We can only imagine the kilometers Les tramps out while recording episodes.

Did you know Les keeps a blog? You can go and check out what he was doing during the latest episode taping. Don't forget to catch up in his archives. Les composed the show intro and bump. This is the bump from season one and two.

You can't download the bump or opening theme any longer. I will re-link to them if/when they return. Wallpaper is available here plus you can view a photo gallery. Any clickable image on this page will also take you there.

Les Stroud Gallery



Les has done several shows including: "Surviving Urban Disasters" along with two versions of "A week in the Wilderness." One during the Summer, the other taped in the Winter. When else?

If you've been clicking the links above you have found the two main places where you can visit Les on the web. First is Stroud's official website. The second is the Official Survivorman website. The Official Survivorman website has added a forum! Good manners and mutual respect will help keep this forum around for a nice long time. You can also find some Survivorman discussion here.

The Science/Discovery Channel also has a page about Les that includes a short Q&A. They have updated it with new content like Les's Top Tens and a jigsaw puzzle area. One of the nicest additions is a message board/forum. Like all DC forums it is heavily modded. As it should be I guess.

Les has a ton of great stuff available for you to purchase on his website. Be sure to check it out.

Best Story 

Les tells his best survival story.

Les Stroud -- Best Story Ever

Les Stroud, 'Survivorman', gives us his Best Story Ever about being stalked by a 1500 pound bull moose.

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Meet Les Stroud 

Survivorman in person

Meet Les Stroud



Les and the Northern Pikes have put together a new album. You can listen to a few of the tracks here.

Les has done a Survivorman style get together or endorsed an event at the Deerhurst Hotel (Muskola, ON) in the early spring the past couple of years. Hopefully this trend will continue.

You should check out and read Les's new survival book. Feel free to order it below from Amazon or on Les's website.

Survivorman on Squidoo 

Love the show? Didja meet Les? Just wanna say Hi? Leave a blurb whydon'tcha!

Great comment from Doc:

"Ran into Les in a coffee shop in Seward Alaska on July 12 (in '07). He was on his way to a boat and nearby glacier to film an episode. Talked for a few minutes about his show and got his autograph. His show is very real with only a satellite phone in an extreme emergency. Neat guy!"

Les Stroud Gallery

Lensmaster

jansen wrote

in reply to Jimi I agree get the dogs back out there

Reply Posted April 17, 2009

Lensmaster

Jansen wrote

I love your show, your awesome

Reply Posted April 14, 2009

Lensmaster

Greg wrote

Never met Les myself,But his show is amazing for any nature lover's. Im a free climberand hicker by blood, studying nature shrubs,plants,animals land scape. Even love to follow animal mader tracks or paths. But still with all my history of the wild i am no longer amazed at the fact the I always learn something new that i have used many times for Les's show. Heis a smart brillant man. One of my heros

Reply Posted March 26, 2009

klinsley wrote...

I met Les at REI in Seattle he was there to talk about his book. he is a very nice guy. signed my book and poster. and got a picture of him with me he is a great guy.

ReplyPosted March 02, 2009

EverythingMouse wrote...

I really enjoy the Survivorman show and I was glad to see that it is back for a 3rd series soon.

ReplyPosted October 18, 2008

 
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Survivorman Season Three Favorite Episodes 

Pick your favorite episode(s) from season three and vote for them! Just like in the previous seasons Les carries a satellite phone or walkie-talkie. with him. In case of an immediately life threatening situation he can contact his pick-up(emergency) crew. Even so, they may be hours away from being able to help - it's different every episode.

When a sweet pic of Les from season 3 lands in my mailbox I'll post it for everyone to enjoy.

Sierra Nevada

First episode. Les participates in a search and rescue operation.2 points

Colorado Rockies

Second episode. Les hauls his carcass up into the Rockies on a couple of horses. At least the horses don't go hungry.2 points

Arctic Tundra

Third episode. Les takes a foldable canoe up to Baffin Island. As usual Les is given a little something by the indigenous people to tide him over while he's out there. The birds wont touch it but you can watch Les scarf a few pieces.2 points

Temagami Hunting (Deep Woods)

Fourth episode. Les and pal Bob Wilson head deep into the woods. Probably the easiest week in the woods he's ever had. Bob seems to be a pretty good shot and they eat accordingly.2 points

Australian Outback

Fifth Episode. Les flies an ultralight out into the Outback.2 points

Papua New Guinea

Sixth episode. Les is in PNG where he is set loose in the jungle. He attempts to stave off hunger using a method the locals taught him. I guess it worked but it didn't go quite as planned.2 points

Survivorman Season Two Favorite Episodes 

Rank your favorite season two episodes of Survivorman!

Les Stroud Gallery

The Amazon

Second episode. Les travels to the Waorani tribe's stomping grounds. Learn not to sleep on the forest floor while avoiding scorpions, vampire bats, poisonous frogs and spiders. It's the jaguars that really have Les worried though...9 points

Kalahari Desert

First episode. Les spends a week in the desert where temperatures reach 149F/69C! Then down to 44F/9C at night. He's got 20 liters of water - about 4 days worth. Just like in the Arctic, the locals gave him something to eat. Oh yeah, Les has a head cold too!4 points

South Pacific

Sixth episode. Les is in his scuba gear when he lands on the island. Previously his crew dropped off a boat. It makes a nice shelter after some modifications. Nonetheless, hypothermia may raise its ugly head. Fresh water might be a problem for various reasons. Don't forget the rats, even if they aren't on the menu.4 points

Labrador

Third episode. It's winter in an unforgiving environment. Les is on a dog sled and the canines test his mettle. Watch him battle his own sweaty body to survive. Includes a Survivorman first!3 points

African Plains

Fourth episode. If it weren't for the lions, buffalo and black mamba snakes you'd think Les was on vacation! He reaches nowhere via hot air balloon this time(very cool). What would an adventure be without scorpions, hornets and tasty ants?3 points

Alaska

Fifth episode. We find Les in a kayak this time and he paddles off to nowhere. Of interest this episode Les does something he's never done before and it isn't good. I find it very disappointing that there is so much garbage (or if you want to be generous, litter) in such a remote location. Pristine areas on this rock keep getting harder to come by.2 points

Behind the Scenes

Seventh episode. Outtakes from each episode make up this offering. Meet some of the folks on the safety crew and those who make Survivorman possible in post production.1 point

Survivorman Season One Favorite Episodes 

Rank your favorite Survivorman episodes from the first season. Interestingly, some of the websites list the episodes in different orders. Here's a map the Science Channel put up of all the destinations in the first season. You have to click continue once there.



Canadian Boreal forest









Arizona desert










Costa Rican jungle






Lost at Sea

Ninth episode. It starts with his survival raft being a tad leaky and taking in water. Then it starts losing air...Things do go bump in the night even on the ocean.6 points

Arizona Desert

Second episode. Armed with his trusty multitool, half a gallon of water, a snack bar and the bike he rode to nowhere on. Which he breaks on purpose.5 points

Canadian Arctic

Fifth episode. Les brings a knife, uncooked seal liver, a bit of blubber (the snacks supplied by locals), three matches and a seal hook.3 points

Canyonlands

Seventh episode. A magnesium flint stick, his multi-tool, old energy bar and the mountain bike he pedaled to nowhere - which he tears apart upon arrival.3 points

Behind the Scenes

Tenth episode. Clips and outtakes from the previous episodes. Find out what you don't get to see!3 points

Canadian Boreal Forest

In the first episode Les takes a match, a multi-tool, some cashews and jerky. Just for kicks he dumps his canoe in an ice cold stream.2 points

Costa Rica

Third episode. Les takes three ball-point pens, swimming goggles and the multi-tool. Leeches?2 points

Georgian Swamp

Fourth episode. Trusty multi-tool to the rescue. Time to dodge 'gators, snakes and snapping turtles while learning the futility of building a raft in the swamp.2 points

Mountain

Sixth episode. Les is in the Canadian Rockies with a broken camcorder and tripod. The Grizzlies are always hungry.2 points

10

Plane Crash

Eighth episode. It's winter in Northern Ontario and Les has a blankie, his trusty multi-tool and an axe. Of course he tears apart the crashed plane for supplies.2 points

Survivorman on Youtube 

Catch Les showing a group how to start a fire with a stick and bow, a season one preview , an outtake reel and as a guest on a talkshow. I've also included a couple of parodies from Youtube. Go to The Discovery Channel for several more. Once there click on You Spoof Discovery, then click Survivorman.

The Hour: Survivorman

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Les Stroud making fire

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Survivorman Parody

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Survivorman DC Spoof

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More Les on Youtube 

Enjoy

These videos seem to crop up from time to time and usually get squashed in the end. If you haven't seen the series, do watch! I have no idea how long this material will be posted.

vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid

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vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid part 2

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vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid part 3

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vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid part 4

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vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid part 5

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vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid part 6

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vandwelleruk les stroud off the grid part 7

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Interviews with Les Stroud 

Take a gander

I am attempting to aggregate some of Les's interviews here. His chats are by no means limited to survival.
Survivorman Shark Week Interview
The TV Tattler gets an interview with Les where they discuss shark week on Discovery and touch on the Bear Grylls "controversy" among other topics. Includes a few photos of Les muggin' for the camera.
USA Today - Pop Candy
Whitney Matheson snags Les for an interview. Les mentions an upcoming project: Stroud's Legends!!!!
Solar panels, wind turbines, renewable energy, water - life off-grid
People, places or buildings with renewable power and their own water supply. How to leave a lighter footprint on the planet. Find and learn the tools to set you free.
Field & Stream
F & S interview with Les Stroud.
Outside Online interviews Les Stroud
A very short interview asking the questions that come to mind first.
Radio Interview with Les Stroud on KCRW
Les is the second person interviewed on this program. There is an intro you can move the slider to the end to bypass. When you get to the interview, move the slide ball on the player about one length in. This will get you to Les.
Wild Survive - Interview with Survivorman
Another short interview with bonus questions if you sign up on the board.
Survivorman a catch for the Northern Pikes - Parry Sound
A short article about Les and the Northern Pikes collaborating.
Paddler Magazine Online : Survivorman Les Stroud
A short interview with Les.
Les Stroud on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC
Watch Les Stroud - Adventures unlike any other with Survivorman. On The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos.

Les Stroud on Amazon 

You can purchase both seasons of Survivorman on DVD as well as Les's recent book. Get it for when you crave those moments of schadenfreude. Also available on the Official Les Stroud website!

Survivorman

Here is the first season of Survivorman. Les did just about everything associated with the making of this series.

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Survivorman Season 2 (4 DVD Set)

Here is the second season of Survivorman. Les had quite a bit more help this time around.

Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1 to 2 days

Survive!: Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You Out of Anywhere - Alive

Les spells it out for the reader in this must have for fans and survivalists alike.

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Survivorman: Season Three

The Final season of Survivorman. After this Les takes up reality tv.

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/10/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Survivorman DVD's on eBay 

At least that's what they say in the description. Below are some items from eBay that are tagged Survivorman. It should be the dvd, but it might be something he used during the course of an episode. No silly goose, it isn't the actual item Les used!

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Leatherman Multitool 

Everyone who spends time Outdoors should have one

Les takes a Leatherman multitool (the Wave is his favorite) with him on each and every episode. It's permanently attached to his person! Actually it isn't - but it is like a teenager and a cell phone - you'd be shocked to see one without the other.

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