Expedition Africa on the History Channel

[Rick]

Last night was the first time I watched it. I missed it last Sunday. I have to echo some of the earlier posts. But here's a few questions I thought of.

1. Why did they choose the swamp to travel through and why are they using that goofy map instead of a topo? I guess it's the whole Stanley recreation thing but, honestly, it's Africa.

2. Where did the boats come from when they crossed the river full of crocodiles that all were performing fearsome things like lunging and splashing?

3. What must the Masai be wondering about these folks? Wouldn't you like to sit around the fire with just the Masai at night and listen to what they have to say? Is it possible the Masai are two guys from Boston? Just wondering? They have an accent and all. (joke)

4. If you have an entire river full of water why would you have to trek to a farm to find a well and what guarantee do you have the water in the well is any better quality than the river?

5. How much extra did they pay the cameraman to film the cobra spitting at the camera. Tyvek suit and full face shield, please. Thank you.

6. Has anyone told them yet that the edges of elephant grass are razor sharp? Should we just let them stomp right on through, send them bandages or change the channel?

On the dumb and dumber scale of 1 to 10 this rates a really high 9.5. Is there a producer out there that has the slightest idea of how to put together a survival show that really works AND is entertaining?

Just some questions I had.

[crashdive123]

So far, the most interesting thing for me is the interaction between the four. It's interesting to see how the personalities meld/clash. I'm curious to see how they grow and work together - or not. I guess Remy is rubbing off on me.

Rick - as to #4 on your post - they said the waterways were tidal (salt water).

[Rick]

Oh, yea. Missed that but thinking back on that excellent map I guess they were rather close to the big waters. Could they have dug a hole and used the water? Inquiring minds want to know.

[crashdive123]

I think their lack of preparation and planning is due to their desire (constraints placed on them by the production crew?) to recreate the historical trek as closely as possible. The trip of almost 1000 miles in 30 days seems unrealistic in the environment they are in. I'm guessing that many of their poor decisions have been and will be based on the time contraints that they are subjecting themselves to. For me, if it meant spending a day in one place to collect and purify enough water for survival, then it's a no brainer. For them it appears to be about the TV show so far.

[Sarge47]

Last night was the first time I watched it. I missed it last Sunday. I have to echo some of the earlier posts. But here's a few questions I thought of.

1. Why did they choose the swamp to travel through and why are they using that goofy map instead of a topo? I guess it's the whole Stanley recreation thing but, honestly, it's Africa.

2. Where did the boats come from when they crossed the river full of crocodiles that all were performing fearsome things like lunging and splashing?

3. What must the Masai be wondering about these folks? Wouldn't you like to sit around the fire with just the Masai at night and listen to what they have to say? Is it possible the Masai are two guys from Boston? Just wondering? They have an accent and all. (joke)

4. If you have an entire river full of water why would you have to trek to a farm to find a well and what guarantee do you have the water in the well is any better quality than the river?

5. How much extra did they pay the cameraman to film the cobra spitting at the camera. Tyvek suit and full face shield, please. Thank you.

6. Has anyone told them yet that the edges of elephant grass are razor sharp? Should we just let them stomp right on through, send them bandages or change the channel?

On the dumb and dumber scale of 1 to 10 this rates a really high 9.5. Is there a producer out there that has the slightest idea of how to put together a survival show that really works AND is entertaining?

Just some questions I had.

Answering your questions "by the numbers:
1.) Cuz' Stanley did it that way, you silly boy!

2. ) The boats came from"the good boat ferry"(a play on the word: "fairy") and the crocs are actually professional animal actors on loan from the Nairobi Zoo who couldn't pass up the chance to "mug it up" on camera.

3.) The Masai are thinking: "Stupid white folks...at least they pay good. We just lucky Bear Grylls isn't here or he have us looking for elephant turds to solve water problem."

4.) Obviously nobody's heard of a "solar still" for the sea water, and the water has been okay for the farmer(s) at the farm...just sayin'. Also there's obviously a helicopter watching over these guys as they're getting some great arial footage! The film crew has to be in constant contact with the chopper, couldn't they bring some water? After all, this is touted as an
expedition recreation, not a true Survival situation.

5.) They probably used a camera stuck on a very long pole: "Here snakey, snakey, snakey!"

6.) Don't ruin it for them!

9.5?! I gave it a 15! And to answer your last question....NO!!!!

[Rick]

The Masai are thinking: "Stupid white folks...at least they pay good. We just lucky Bear Grylls isn't here or he have us looking for elephant turds to solve water problem."

ROTFLMAO - Apparently, the Masai sound a lot like Tonto on the Lone Ranger.....Too funny!!!!!!!

[Sarge47]

ROTFLMAO - Apparently, the Masai sound a lot like Tonto on the Lone Ranger.....Too funny!!!!!!!

Better than a Brooklyn accent...maybe! However if they ever start calling any of the four "Bwana" or "Kemo Sabe", look out!

[SARKY]

It comes down to this, and most of you guys/gals who have been in a leadership role know this.....Your respect has to be earned! As the leader know the talents/skills of your group and use them to the best ability. Leave your ego in the cat hole! Don't talk down to the group. Don't be afraid that you will lose face if you give in the better ideas of another team member.
Quite frankly the navigator isn't much of one with as much trouble he was having trying to stay on course. I have been in the woods and was able to stay on course without a using a compass simply by using the sun and shadow. It's called situational awareness and being intune with your enviroment

[dj022]

How do these people get paid for just getting from one point to the next? I am Down! sign me up for whatever survival show you got.

[Ken]

How do these people get paid for just getting from one point to the next? I am Down! sign me up for whatever survival show you got.

How about reaching the point of our Introductions Section? Tell us a bit about yourself! http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14

[Sarge47]

The 1st Survival gig we got is called the "intro section". Ya gotta survive that 1st. Nobody's going to pay any attention to an unknown, okay?

[doren]

It looks like they panicked to fill the spot when Les Stroud quit. It's ok, I'll watch most of it, but they lost me when they decided carrying water the first day was a bad idea.

[SARKY]

It looks like they panicked to fill the spot when Les Stroud quit. It's ok, I'll watch most of it, but they lost me when they decided carrying water the first day was a bad idea.

Not to mention the inefficient way they want to carry the water. Camelbak makes a 26 liter dedicated hydration pack called the squad pack. A couple of guys with those on their backs could still carry other gear.

[Rick]

Tonight is the night for anyone still watching. 10 p.m. Eastern on The History channel.

[SARKY]

So far, the most interesting thing for me is the interaction between the four. It's interesting to see how the personalities meld/clash. I'm curious to see how they grow and work together - or not. I guess Remy is rubbing off on me.

Rick - as to #4 on your post - they said the waterways were tidal (salt water).

I think Remy can be arrested for that

[SARKY]

Well episode 2 is over I am still ready to feed the navigator (Pasquale) to the crocs however (Kevin) the journalist had 1 shining moment then became the raging neo-liberial that his higher education turned him into and I want to stake him to an ant hill. The Naturalist and the survivalist are still OK in my book and the Massi I am just liking more and more.

[crashdive123]

Well episode 2 is over I am still ready to feed the navigator (Pasquale) to the crocs however (Kevin) the journalist had 1 shining moment then became the raging neo-liberial that his higher education turned him into and I want to stake him to an ant hill. The Naturalist and the survivalist are still OK in my book and the Massi I am just liking more and more.

I agree.......

[Rick]

"The expedition is No.1!" I wonder if he would have touted that if he had broken a leg and they had all walked past him. Cold. The man is just cold.

[crashdive123]

I was thinking that they would let him continue at the pace he was going and just let him wander away without them.

[Pict]

I just watched episode #2 and couldn't believe that the survivalist guy couldn't get a fire going in those conditions. My daughter could have had a fire going in those circumstances using some very basic rainy season techniques. I also think he should have been more forceful with the water issue on day one. He hasn't impressed me yet.

The navigator seems like he's having ego problems and feels he needs to justify his position in the group. I have no doubt he can get where he's going but his people skills are not good. That swamp would have been a pain to navigate but it was open enough that he could have kept a straight line without too much trouble. I seriously doubt that antique looking map is what they are actually using to navigate this trip. It looks good on camera but I would never agree to lead a trip in that time frame with that map alone.

It will be interesting to see how the Journalist changes as things progress. He needs to rely more on the head porter rather than do his job for him. His medical knowledge was a good thing and he jumped right in with it when necessary, that was in his favor. Running a crew of men doing hard labor is no place for a den mother.

ETA - The Massai are great, they should do a show just following them around. No matter what happens they always look clean, and have this air about them that they could say an awful lot but choose not to out of respect for getting paid.

Mac