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1
00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,000
Can you imagine what some beaches in
Hawaii would be like right now?
2
00:00:09,000 --> 00:00:11,936
Terrible, I'd have sand all over me.
3
00:00:11,938 --> 00:00:13,437
Pina coladas.
Ooh, that sounds good.
4
00:00:13,439 --> 00:00:14,438
Water.
5
00:00:14,440 --> 00:00:16,974
This may not be everyone's
6
00:00:16,976 --> 00:00:18,008
idea of a honeymoon.
7
00:00:18,010 --> 00:00:19,910
Almost went down.
8
00:00:19,912 --> 00:00:22,146
But it was ours.
9
00:00:22,148 --> 00:00:24,615
We wanted to fulfill a dream...
10
00:00:24,617 --> 00:00:25,716
to live for a year
11
00:00:25,718 --> 00:00:28,352
in the wildest place left
in the lower 48,
12
00:00:28,354 --> 00:00:31,455
the river of no return
wilderness.
13
00:00:31,457 --> 00:00:35,059
Our guides while we're here?
14
00:00:35,061 --> 00:00:38,162
The wolves I've studied
for 13 years.
15
00:00:38,164 --> 00:00:39,330
I've watched them right here
before, and I've never known
16
00:00:39,332 --> 00:00:40,398
where they go from here.
17
00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:41,799
That's the way it should be
out here.
18
00:00:41,801 --> 00:00:43,834
We're not the only ones
19
00:00:43,836 --> 00:00:46,570
trying to make our way
in this wilderness.
20
00:00:48,039 --> 00:00:53,244
All around us are creatures of
undaunted courage.
21
00:00:53,246 --> 00:00:56,213
Our own courage will be tested
by this journey.
22
00:00:56,215 --> 00:00:58,315
I don't know if either one of us
could quit now.
23
00:00:58,317 --> 00:01:00,851
And there's one thing
we know for certain...
24
00:01:00,853 --> 00:01:03,521
there's no coming back from
the river of no return
25
00:01:03,523 --> 00:01:05,890
unchanged.
26
00:01:32,818 --> 00:01:36,500
Nature is made possible
in part by... Canon.
27
00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:40,525
Take your inspiration
from nature,
28
00:01:40,525 --> 00:01:42,393
leave it untouched
by your presence.
29
00:01:42,461 --> 00:01:45,095
Capture its image
and preserve it forever.
30
00:01:45,163 --> 00:01:47,565
Canon...
living and working together
31
00:01:47,632 --> 00:01:50,534
to appreciate today
and care for tomorrow.
32
00:01:51,470 --> 00:01:53,771
Additional funding for Nature
33
00:01:53,773 --> 00:01:55,606
is provided by...
34
00:02:05,784 --> 00:02:09,153
The corporation for
public broadcasting.
35
00:02:09,155 --> 00:02:12,223
And by contributions
to your pbs station
36
00:02:12,225 --> 00:02:15,659
from viewers like you...
thank you.
37
00:02:25,570 --> 00:02:27,671
In the heart of Idaho,
38
00:02:27,673 --> 00:02:31,742
there's a perfect place
to lose yourself in the wild.
39
00:02:31,744 --> 00:02:34,812
It's a vast wilderness
40
00:02:34,814 --> 00:02:38,916
built around the backbone
of a rugged river.
41
00:02:38,918 --> 00:02:43,020
Lewis and Clark once attempted
to cross through here
42
00:02:43,022 --> 00:02:44,555
looking for a route westward.
43
00:02:44,557 --> 00:02:46,190
But they were
forced to turn back.
44
00:02:49,094 --> 00:02:51,695
They met this stretch of
the salmon river,
45
00:02:51,697 --> 00:02:55,900
known as
"the river of no return."
46
00:02:55,902 --> 00:02:57,601
Two centuries later,
47
00:02:57,603 --> 00:03:02,339
the untamed character of this
land remains largely unchanged.
48
00:03:02,341 --> 00:03:07,011
[ Howling ]
49
00:03:07,013 --> 00:03:09,880
It's part of the largest
roadless area left
50
00:03:09,882 --> 00:03:11,081
in the lower 48,
51
00:03:11,083 --> 00:03:14,084
the Frank church river of
no return wilderness.
52
00:03:16,855 --> 00:03:18,956
At some 2.5 million acres,
53
00:03:18,958 --> 00:03:21,992
it's larger than yellowstone.
54
00:03:21,994 --> 00:03:26,463
But it has no visitor's centers,
no gift shops,
55
00:03:26,465 --> 00:03:29,166
no convenience stores.
56
00:03:31,970 --> 00:03:34,905
Most people have never
even heard of it.
57
00:03:37,375 --> 00:03:42,680
I was drawn here because
this wilderness has wolves.
58
00:03:42,682 --> 00:03:46,917
My name is Isaac Babcock,
and for the past 13 years,
59
00:03:46,919 --> 00:03:51,155
I've worked as a biologist
for the Nez Perce tribe.
60
00:03:51,157 --> 00:03:53,090
When wolves returned to
central Idaho,
61
00:03:53,092 --> 00:03:55,259
it was the Nez Perce
who welcomed them home.
62
00:03:58,797 --> 00:04:00,431
We trapped them,
63
00:04:00,433 --> 00:04:04,201
collared them,
64
00:04:04,203 --> 00:04:07,471
and tracked them...
65
00:04:07,473 --> 00:04:10,174
following their lives...
66
00:04:10,176 --> 00:04:13,043
And even their deaths.
67
00:04:13,045 --> 00:04:14,545
She's bleeding internally.
68
00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:16,080
That's awfully indicative
of poisoning.
69
00:04:18,316 --> 00:04:22,119
Sorry, old girl.
70
00:04:22,121 --> 00:04:25,689
I owe these wolves a lot.
71
00:04:25,691 --> 00:04:29,393
They introduced me to
this place, to wilderness.
72
00:04:29,395 --> 00:04:34,131
And because of that, my life's
never going to be the same.
73
00:04:36,701 --> 00:04:42,539
I suppose you could say
I'm crazy about three things...
74
00:04:42,541 --> 00:04:44,708
wolves, wilderness,
75
00:04:44,710 --> 00:04:46,710
and my wife bjornen.
76
00:04:46,712 --> 00:04:49,380
Hello!
77
00:04:49,382 --> 00:04:54,351
Bjornen grew up back east
in Delaware.
78
00:04:54,353 --> 00:04:57,554
I'd like to share
this wilderness
79
00:04:57,556 --> 00:05:01,158
and the wolves with her.
80
00:05:01,160 --> 00:05:04,161
We're gonna try to keep up with
the wolves as best we can,
81
00:05:04,163 --> 00:05:08,465
not as biologists,
but as observers...
82
00:05:08,467 --> 00:05:10,968
If we can find them.
83
00:05:10,970 --> 00:05:15,039
I married a dreamer.
84
00:05:15,041 --> 00:05:20,277
Isaac follows wolves
into the mountains of Idaho,
85
00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:21,912
and now I'm following him.
86
00:05:21,914 --> 00:05:25,449
He's always had this dream
of living in the wilderness...
87
00:05:25,451 --> 00:05:28,719
a whole year in
the river of no return.
88
00:05:28,721 --> 00:05:32,723
It was his idea to make a film
about this place.
89
00:05:35,293 --> 00:05:38,595
I'm thinking it's
90
00:05:38,597 --> 00:05:41,598
a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
91
00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,201
He's calling it a honeymoon.
92
00:05:56,381 --> 00:05:59,183
The river of no return
is like a ribbon
93
00:05:59,185 --> 00:06:04,855
tying all this
wild country together.
94
00:06:04,857 --> 00:06:07,291
And for one little character,
95
00:06:07,293 --> 00:06:11,462
that narrow ribbon is all
the wilderness it needs...
96
00:06:15,166 --> 00:06:17,634
The dipper.
97
00:06:17,636 --> 00:06:21,105
Just a small gray bird
on big gray rocks.
98
00:06:21,107 --> 00:06:25,142
But unassuming as it looks,
99
00:06:25,144 --> 00:06:29,480
it seems to live
a pretty exciting life.
100
00:06:29,482 --> 00:06:32,449
Dippers thrive where
the river is roughest...
101
00:06:32,451 --> 00:06:36,353
flying straight into the rapids
to hunt for aquatic insects,
102
00:06:36,355 --> 00:06:39,757
never even getting wet.
103
00:06:53,538 --> 00:06:55,239
The great naturalist, John muir,
104
00:06:55,241 --> 00:06:56,974
wrote that the dipper's nest
105
00:06:56,976 --> 00:06:59,743
was "one of the most
extraordinary examples
106
00:06:59,745 --> 00:07:02,112
of bird architecture"
he'd ever seen.
107
00:07:05,350 --> 00:07:06,984
And he was right...
108
00:07:06,986 --> 00:07:10,921
a beautiful moss globe
perched out over the water.
109
00:07:16,094 --> 00:07:20,164
It seems a menacing place
to have your home,
110
00:07:20,166 --> 00:07:23,167
where your chicks' first steps
into this outside world
111
00:07:23,169 --> 00:07:26,537
become a frigid
sink-or-swim plunge.
112
00:07:26,539 --> 00:07:28,839
But somehow it works for them.
113
00:07:28,841 --> 00:07:32,242
They seem so perfectly at home
in the chaos.
114
00:07:38,917 --> 00:07:40,851
We're off to find a different
kind of nest...
115
00:07:40,853 --> 00:07:42,352
a hole in the ground,
116
00:07:42,354 --> 00:07:45,522
more appropriately
called a den.
117
00:07:45,524 --> 00:07:49,526
It smells good up here.
118
00:07:54,599 --> 00:07:57,000
What do you see?
Nothing yet.
119
00:07:57,002 --> 00:08:00,370
There's roughly nine wolf packs
that roam this wilderness.
120
00:08:00,372 --> 00:08:03,207
I know of a few of their
past den sites,
121
00:08:03,209 --> 00:08:04,474
so that's where we're starting.
122
00:08:04,476 --> 00:08:05,709
There's one,
123
00:08:05,711 --> 00:08:07,411
it's on the other side.
124
00:08:34,072 --> 00:08:36,506
Black puppies!
125
00:08:36,508 --> 00:08:37,708
Yeah!
126
00:08:41,379 --> 00:08:42,880
Well, this is a surprise.
127
00:08:42,882 --> 00:08:44,514
[ Pup coos ]
128
00:08:44,516 --> 00:08:47,117
They're denned
just right off the trail.
129
00:08:47,119 --> 00:08:48,285
It's not where
130
00:08:48,287 --> 00:08:50,220
I expected them to be.
131
00:08:50,222 --> 00:08:54,391
[ Pups playing ]
132
00:08:54,393 --> 00:09:00,097
I rarely get to see pups
so close and so young.
133
00:09:08,873 --> 00:09:11,508
The pups are all on their own
at the moment...
134
00:09:11,510 --> 00:09:13,877
the adults are
probably all out hunting.
135
00:09:13,879 --> 00:09:16,880
They have a lot of mouths
to feed...
136
00:09:16,882 --> 00:09:19,917
maybe they can't afford
a babysitter.
137
00:09:24,923 --> 00:09:27,624
They're pretty little now.
What's that?
138
00:09:27,626 --> 00:09:30,060
They're pretty little now.
139
00:09:33,431 --> 00:09:36,733
These guys can only be
about four or five weeks old.
140
00:09:36,735 --> 00:09:39,670
They're still too young
to know about people.
141
00:09:39,672 --> 00:09:42,306
But if the adults return
and find us here,
142
00:09:42,308 --> 00:09:44,141
they'll probably move the pups,
143
00:09:44,143 --> 00:09:47,811
so we'll move on
before that happens.
144
00:09:47,813 --> 00:09:50,814
That was pretty perfect.
145
00:09:54,319 --> 00:09:58,155
Believe it or not, this
place didn't used to be so wild.
146
00:09:58,157 --> 00:10:02,592
There used more people here,
mining and homesteading.
147
00:10:02,594 --> 00:10:07,764
But with the Idaho primitive act
of 1930,
148
00:10:07,766 --> 00:10:10,634
civilization began losing ground
to conservation.
149
00:10:10,636 --> 00:10:13,670
In 1980, it was officially
designated "wilderness"...
150
00:10:13,672 --> 00:10:16,373
a land to be governed by
the forces of nature.
151
00:10:16,375 --> 00:10:20,277
Forces like fire.
152
00:10:20,279 --> 00:10:22,312
You can hardly go
anywhere out here
153
00:10:22,314 --> 00:10:23,747
without seeing the remains
154
00:10:23,749 --> 00:10:25,482
of a burn.
155
00:10:25,484 --> 00:10:28,385
Sometimes thousands of
charred acres.
156
00:10:28,387 --> 00:10:30,287
It looks like destruction to us,
157
00:10:30,289 --> 00:10:33,890
but fire is essential to
how this place works.
158
00:10:36,694 --> 00:10:40,664
Take this ancient
whitebark pine.
159
00:10:40,666 --> 00:10:42,399
It could be 1,000 years old,
160
00:10:42,401 --> 00:10:47,037
standing dead on the Ridge,
presumably killed by fire.
161
00:10:50,274 --> 00:10:51,808
A tragedy?
162
00:10:54,245 --> 00:10:57,781
You couldn't tell
these bluebirds that.
163
00:10:57,783 --> 00:11:00,117
Nesting in an old
woodpecker hole,
164
00:11:00,119 --> 00:11:03,387
they've got a penthouse
with a million-dollar view.
165
00:11:09,193 --> 00:11:10,560
This little couple is all busy
166
00:11:10,562 --> 00:11:12,229
bringing insects
to their chicks,
167
00:11:12,231 --> 00:11:15,932
safely tucked into this
scarred old tree.
168
00:11:28,746 --> 00:11:31,314
When filming wolves,
the name of the game
169
00:11:31,316 --> 00:11:34,017
is for them to not know that
you're there...
170
00:11:34,019 --> 00:11:39,089
which means we basically
dress like, well, shrubbery.
171
00:11:39,091 --> 00:11:42,325
Success seems largely
a result of luck,
172
00:11:42,327 --> 00:11:44,528
and luck a result of patience.
173
00:11:48,032 --> 00:11:51,268
And so, we sit in a small blind
overlooking a steep valley
174
00:11:51,270 --> 00:11:56,940
day after day,
175
00:11:56,942 --> 00:11:58,642
after day.
176
00:12:07,085 --> 00:12:09,453
And just when we're about to
throw in the towel,
177
00:12:09,455 --> 00:12:12,456
we get our break.
178
00:12:20,398 --> 00:12:25,102
They seem to be
searching for something,
179
00:12:25,104 --> 00:12:27,871
or at least
investigating some scent.
180
00:12:33,978 --> 00:12:38,081
Something's not right.
181
00:12:38,083 --> 00:12:39,649
Do they know we're here?
182
00:12:39,651 --> 00:12:41,384
All day long, the wolves
have been really on edge.
183
00:12:41,386 --> 00:12:42,786
We thought it was because of us.
184
00:12:45,123 --> 00:12:49,659
[ Wolves howling ]
185
00:12:49,661 --> 00:12:52,662
But it's not us...
186
00:12:52,664 --> 00:12:55,632
It's other wolves.
187
00:13:01,405 --> 00:13:04,074
Two young males...
not hostile,
188
00:13:04,076 --> 00:13:05,609
but wagging tails,
189
00:13:05,611 --> 00:13:08,612
practically wearing smiles.
190
00:13:11,282 --> 00:13:13,717
Is this a social call?
191
00:13:13,719 --> 00:13:16,019
Are they trying to
join the pack?
192
00:13:28,599 --> 00:13:32,269
It starts out well...
193
00:13:32,271 --> 00:13:34,471
And then they're
turned down flat.
194
00:13:45,449 --> 00:13:48,218
As the pack heads down
to the meadow,
195
00:13:48,220 --> 00:13:51,454
it all starts to make sense.
196
00:13:51,456 --> 00:13:54,758
[ Pups crying ]
197
00:13:57,962 --> 00:14:01,131
They have too much at stake
to take a chance with outsiders.
198
00:14:01,133 --> 00:14:06,269
For wolves,
it's all about the pack...
199
00:14:06,271 --> 00:14:10,006
a family of brothers,
sisters, aunts, and uncles,
200
00:14:10,008 --> 00:14:14,110
generations working together
to all help raise the pups.
201
00:14:22,820 --> 00:14:25,222
Even after 13 years
of wolf work,
202
00:14:25,224 --> 00:14:27,991
a moment like this still
feels so wild,
203
00:14:27,993 --> 00:14:29,759
so raw, so real to me,
204
00:14:29,761 --> 00:14:33,897
I sometimes forget to breathe.
205
00:14:33,899 --> 00:14:35,865
My hands get shaky.
206
00:14:44,141 --> 00:14:46,776
The wolves' home
has been discovered,
207
00:14:46,778 --> 00:14:50,447
and they make the decision
to leave the valley.
208
00:14:50,449 --> 00:14:53,250
I feel for the female.
209
00:14:53,252 --> 00:14:54,751
The pups are too young
210
00:14:54,753 --> 00:14:58,188
to negotiate this terrain
on their own,
211
00:14:58,190 --> 00:15:00,790
and they're getting
too big to be carried.
212
00:15:04,095 --> 00:15:06,229
I wonder how she communicates
to the pack
213
00:15:06,231 --> 00:15:08,231
that it's time to go?
214
00:15:11,235 --> 00:15:12,535
I've watched them
right here before,
215
00:15:12,537 --> 00:15:14,104
and I've never known
where they go from here.
216
00:15:14,106 --> 00:15:16,840
But, uh...
That's okay.
217
00:15:16,842 --> 00:15:18,908
That's the way
it should be out here.
218
00:15:18,910 --> 00:15:20,644
It's kind of nice
to see a pack of wolves,
219
00:15:20,646 --> 00:15:23,546
be able to watch them a bit,
220
00:15:23,548 --> 00:15:26,216
and have no radio collars on,
221
00:15:26,218 --> 00:15:27,417
no means of tracking them,
222
00:15:27,419 --> 00:15:29,319
no knowing where they're
going to go next.
223
00:15:42,667 --> 00:15:44,801
The wolves go straight up
over the Mountain
224
00:15:44,803 --> 00:15:48,238
and leave us behind.
225
00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:52,142
It's time for us
to strike out on our own.
226
00:15:57,982 --> 00:15:59,816
Heading South and west,
227
00:15:59,818 --> 00:16:04,020
we decide to
make for the river.
228
00:16:04,022 --> 00:16:06,589
We have a fourth of July
date there...
229
00:16:06,591 --> 00:16:09,659
something I've heard about
but I've never seen.
230
00:16:09,661 --> 00:16:13,229
And the river is a natural
magnet for wildlife.
231
00:16:20,771 --> 00:16:23,239
I've always said
if I get to be reincarnated,
232
00:16:23,241 --> 00:16:25,141
I'd like to come back
as an otter.
233
00:16:28,979 --> 00:16:31,047
They just seem to get the most
234
00:16:31,049 --> 00:16:34,818
out of every moment... the most
affection, the most fun.
235
00:16:39,390 --> 00:16:43,193
They're in cool water
when it's hot,
236
00:16:43,195 --> 00:16:45,729
in warm coats when it's cold.
237
00:16:48,299 --> 00:16:52,235
We're trudging along with
backpacks full of gadgets
238
00:16:52,237 --> 00:16:54,838
all to make
our lives "easier."
239
00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:58,174
While otters come perfectly
equipped for anything.
240
00:17:02,380 --> 00:17:04,247
Hungry?
No problem.
241
00:17:04,249 --> 00:17:05,749
With some flipper feet
242
00:17:05,751 --> 00:17:09,486
and sharp teeth, it's easy
to dine on Sushi.
243
00:17:21,031 --> 00:17:24,567
While the pup is trying to
figure out what a fish is for,
244
00:17:24,569 --> 00:17:28,671
a dipper fledgling
is throwing a tantrum,
245
00:17:28,673 --> 00:17:30,673
demanding to be fed.
246
00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,648
And it works like a charm.
247
00:17:38,650 --> 00:17:42,419
In fact, this chick
is so well fed,
248
00:17:42,421 --> 00:17:45,588
it appears to be
bigger than its parent.
249
00:17:48,759 --> 00:17:52,262
But soon enough it will have to
fend for itself
250
00:17:52,264 --> 00:17:55,899
and face the world...
a wild river all on its own.
251
00:18:08,145 --> 00:18:11,514
The river really begins to roar
at dagger falls.
252
00:18:14,819 --> 00:18:16,319
It's a daunting place...
253
00:18:16,321 --> 00:18:20,990
Even for the dipper.
254
00:18:24,728 --> 00:18:28,231
But we've come here hoping to
meet a different creature,
255
00:18:28,233 --> 00:18:31,868
one that's traveled a thousand
Miles to take on these falls.
256
00:18:39,076 --> 00:18:40,977
Chinook salmon...
257
00:18:40,979 --> 00:18:42,846
all the way
from the pacific ocean,
258
00:18:42,848 --> 00:18:46,483
up to three and a half feet
and 30 pounds of power,
259
00:18:46,485 --> 00:18:49,919
fighting upstream
to return home.
260
00:18:57,261 --> 00:19:00,330
There is greatness
in these salmon.
261
00:19:00,332 --> 00:19:02,165
I'm always amazed that
in such epic terrain,
262
00:19:02,167 --> 00:19:05,335
it's not wolves but fish
263
00:19:05,337 --> 00:19:07,136
that really go the distance.
264
00:19:12,810 --> 00:19:14,310
I think of the millions
265
00:19:14,312 --> 00:19:17,947
that once made this run,
266
00:19:17,949 --> 00:19:21,050
and they seem to me like
wilderness itself...
267
00:19:21,052 --> 00:19:24,487
a fraction of what it once was,
268
00:19:24,489 --> 00:19:28,858
embattled but not bowed.
269
00:19:39,236 --> 00:19:43,006
It's been nearly a month since
we've seen any sign of wolves.
270
00:19:43,008 --> 00:19:46,075
Leaving the dipper
in charge of the river,
271
00:19:46,077 --> 00:19:49,345
we head for a place
called Chamberlain basin.
272
00:19:49,347 --> 00:19:51,648
It looks like it
may have spun a little bit.
273
00:19:51,650 --> 00:19:55,318
If it hasn't spun,
I think we want to go that way;
274
00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:56,786
if it has spun,
then we're gonna go that way
275
00:19:56,788 --> 00:19:58,154
and it's gonna be wrong.
276
00:20:01,892 --> 00:20:04,460
Every summer, trail crews
with hand saws and axes
277
00:20:04,462 --> 00:20:06,829
clear nearly
800 Miles of trail.
278
00:20:06,831 --> 00:20:10,967
But the wilderness
just takes it all back again.
279
00:20:10,969 --> 00:20:12,702
I almost went down.
280
00:20:12,704 --> 00:20:17,206
It's like someone took Lincoln
logs and just scattered them.
281
00:20:17,208 --> 00:20:20,276
It takes us hours
to go a single mile.
282
00:20:20,278 --> 00:20:21,778
At this rate,
283
00:20:21,780 --> 00:20:23,947
Chamberlain is weeks away.
284
00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,654
A wolf would just
eat up this distance.
285
00:20:31,656 --> 00:20:33,222
They're built for this.
286
00:20:33,224 --> 00:20:36,392
They move like quicksilver
through these mountains,
287
00:20:36,394 --> 00:20:39,195
going after grouse in
the thickest of timber.
288
00:20:53,711 --> 00:20:55,478
Thinking about
how easily they travel
289
00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:58,181
makes us feel twice as awkward.
290
00:21:02,252 --> 00:21:03,753
You all right?
291
00:21:03,755 --> 00:21:05,989
Uh-huh,
I can't get up.
292
00:21:05,991 --> 00:21:07,256
I said just keep it rolling!
293
00:21:07,258 --> 00:21:08,891
[ Laughs ]
294
00:21:08,893 --> 00:21:10,493
Are you ok?
Yes.
295
00:21:10,495 --> 00:21:11,494
Okay.
296
00:21:23,607 --> 00:21:25,241
We haven't gone far at all
297
00:21:25,243 --> 00:21:28,911
when we find out that we aren't
the only ones struggling.
298
00:21:28,913 --> 00:21:31,581
A baby bluebird
is out of the nest,
299
00:21:31,583 --> 00:21:34,117
but it doesn't seem
ready to fly.
300
00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,753
Maybe it wasn't ready to fledge.
301
00:21:36,755 --> 00:21:39,889
Maybe it was injured
in the fall.
302
00:21:54,038 --> 00:21:57,440
The parents have put so much
effort into this chick.
303
00:21:57,442 --> 00:22:00,276
And they aren't going to
give up on it now.
304
00:22:07,484 --> 00:22:09,519
They're feeding it all they can.
305
00:22:09,521 --> 00:22:11,020
It's the only help
they can give,
306
00:22:11,022 --> 00:22:14,223
and who knows...
with some time,
307
00:22:14,225 --> 00:22:16,559
this guy might be good to go.
308
00:22:16,561 --> 00:22:18,261
But he's sure off to
a rough start.
309
00:22:33,410 --> 00:22:35,311
[ Grunts ]
310
00:22:35,313 --> 00:22:39,215
Sometimes it's just easier
to be a dog.
311
00:22:39,217 --> 00:22:43,352
[ Bjornen laughs ]
312
00:22:43,354 --> 00:22:45,321
Good work!
Thank you.
313
00:22:45,323 --> 00:22:46,689
Onward!
314
00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:51,794
The trail,
or what's left of it,
315
00:22:51,796 --> 00:22:53,663
goes straight across
a high, long Ridge.
316
00:22:53,665 --> 00:22:57,567
And it comes with fair warning.
317
00:22:57,569 --> 00:22:58,868
There's lots of mosquitos.
318
00:22:58,870 --> 00:23:01,003
This is bad!
This is bad.
319
00:23:01,005 --> 00:23:03,740
I'm putting on something.
320
00:23:03,742 --> 00:23:05,241
Say "wilderness,"
321
00:23:05,243 --> 00:23:07,844
and people think of
Mountain lions,
322
00:23:07,846 --> 00:23:10,713
wolves, bears...
323
00:23:10,715 --> 00:23:13,316
But it's always mosquitoes
that draw first blood.
324
00:23:13,318 --> 00:23:14,478
Go for it.
I got it, I got it.
325
00:23:20,357 --> 00:23:22,792
Oh, can you imagine what
some beach in Hawaii
326
00:23:22,794 --> 00:23:24,260
would be like right now?
327
00:23:24,262 --> 00:23:26,295
Hot, terrible, I'd be sunburnt!
328
00:23:26,297 --> 00:23:28,131
Oh, it'd be so lovely.
329
00:23:28,133 --> 00:23:29,599
I'd have sand all over me.
330
00:23:29,601 --> 00:23:31,734
Pina coladas.
Ooh, that sounds good.
331
00:23:31,736 --> 00:23:33,770
Water.
332
00:23:33,772 --> 00:23:34,871
Ow!
333
00:23:34,873 --> 00:23:37,306
Just when we need it most,
334
00:23:37,308 --> 00:23:40,209
a river comes to our rescue.
335
00:23:40,211 --> 00:23:42,011
We're not going to need
anything for this.
336
00:23:42,013 --> 00:23:44,180
Yeah!
Just lay down.
337
00:23:49,453 --> 00:23:51,554
It looks so lovely
and tranquil.
338
00:23:51,556 --> 00:23:53,289
Oh! Oh!
339
00:23:53,291 --> 00:23:55,057
In the flowers.
340
00:23:57,094 --> 00:23:58,861
Ha! Ooh-hoo!
341
00:23:58,863 --> 00:24:00,997
Now, how's it feel?
342
00:24:00,999 --> 00:24:03,466
Oh, I like doing
the chicken dance!
343
00:24:03,468 --> 00:24:05,568
But look! I don't have
any mosquitoes on me!
344
00:24:05,570 --> 00:24:09,405
Okay, go, go, go, go.
345
00:24:09,407 --> 00:24:13,609
Zip, zip, zip, zip, zip, zip!
346
00:24:13,611 --> 00:24:17,113
Wow, look at them
all over my shoes!
347
00:24:17,115 --> 00:24:19,448
That is just...
348
00:24:22,519 --> 00:24:24,220
Horrible.
349
00:24:24,222 --> 00:24:28,291
I mean, there's just something
very wrong with them.
350
00:24:30,694 --> 00:24:32,628
[ Thunder crashes ]
351
00:24:39,069 --> 00:24:42,171
[ Playing harmonica ]
352
00:25:00,457 --> 00:25:01,724
What?
353
00:25:01,726 --> 00:25:03,025
What is that look for?
354
00:25:03,027 --> 00:25:04,160
I was wondering
what you're playing?
355
00:25:04,162 --> 00:25:06,128
Oh, you know that song.
356
00:25:06,130 --> 00:25:08,731
I don't.
You don't know the song?
357
00:25:08,733 --> 00:25:10,600
I don't think so.
358
00:25:10,602 --> 00:25:13,236
What are you singing?
What are you blowing?
359
00:25:13,238 --> 00:25:16,205
You should know that song!
I'm not going to tell you.
360
00:25:16,207 --> 00:25:20,476
Oh, come on! I think we
need to mail out for a book.
361
00:25:20,478 --> 00:25:26,048
[ Playing ]
362
00:25:26,050 --> 00:25:28,618
Oh!
"This land is your land"!
363
00:25:28,620 --> 00:25:31,554
Oh, man!
Is it that bad?
364
00:25:31,556 --> 00:25:33,422
No.
365
00:25:33,424 --> 00:25:35,691
[ Both playing ]
366
00:25:51,375 --> 00:25:54,143
[ Playing off-key ]
367
00:25:54,145 --> 00:25:56,846
[ Bjornen laughs ]
368
00:26:19,303 --> 00:26:20,970
It's turning August
369
00:26:20,972 --> 00:26:24,674
when we meet
the chinook salmon again.
370
00:26:26,410 --> 00:26:29,879
They've made it all the way up
to these small, clear streams,
371
00:26:29,881 --> 00:26:33,249
where they find the gravel beds
they need to lay their eggs.
372
00:26:40,123 --> 00:26:42,959
They're flushing
dark breeding colors now.
373
00:26:42,961 --> 00:26:45,227
Their bodies began to change
374
00:26:45,229 --> 00:26:49,999
the moment they left
the saltwater.
375
00:26:50,001 --> 00:26:52,335
After three to four
years at sea,
376
00:26:52,337 --> 00:26:55,037
and a tough climb
up a Mountain stream,
377
00:26:55,039 --> 00:26:58,274
they're ready for
their final act...
378
00:27:00,243 --> 00:27:02,411
They spawn.
379
00:27:08,285 --> 00:27:11,954
It's hard to see
the salmon all in tatters.
380
00:27:11,956 --> 00:27:13,756
Last time we saw them,
381
00:27:13,758 --> 00:27:16,859
leaping dagger falls,
they seemed invincible.
382
00:27:16,861 --> 00:27:19,895
They're approaching
the end of their lives,
383
00:27:19,897 --> 00:27:22,665
but they've succeeded.
384
00:27:22,667 --> 00:27:26,035
It must be a great thing
to reach your ultimate goal,
385
00:27:26,037 --> 00:27:29,071
to fulfill your life
exactly as you're meant to.
386
00:27:37,547 --> 00:27:39,115
There are times now
387
00:27:39,117 --> 00:27:41,851
when I feel like I'm struggling
upstream myself.
388
00:27:43,954 --> 00:27:46,889
Just before we set out
on this adventure,
389
00:27:46,891 --> 00:27:49,825
I was diagnosed with
rheumatoid arthritis.
390
00:27:52,029 --> 00:27:54,230
My immune system
has gone haywire
391
00:27:54,232 --> 00:27:56,832
and is attacking my joints.
392
00:27:56,834 --> 00:28:00,369
It's been moving around
393
00:28:00,371 --> 00:28:04,073
from shoulder to hip,
to knees, to feet,
394
00:28:04,075 --> 00:28:07,143
raising hell on some days.
395
00:28:07,145 --> 00:28:08,644
How's that feel?
396
00:28:08,646 --> 00:28:11,080
Cold.
Cold?
397
00:28:11,082 --> 00:28:12,748
Doesn't even feel good, huh?
398
00:28:12,750 --> 00:28:15,084
No, it does feel good.
399
00:28:15,086 --> 00:28:17,153
Did you see the wolf tracks?
400
00:28:17,155 --> 00:28:18,821
Yeah.
They looked fresh.
401
00:28:18,823 --> 00:28:20,189
Biggies, huh?
Yeah.
402
00:28:22,159 --> 00:28:25,661
It's not something
I like to talk about,
403
00:28:25,663 --> 00:28:28,597
even with Isaac.
404
00:28:30,801 --> 00:28:33,202
Are you gonna sit there?
Done soaking?
405
00:28:33,204 --> 00:28:34,437
Yeah, for now.
406
00:28:34,439 --> 00:28:38,240
When it really flares up,
407
00:28:38,242 --> 00:28:40,042
we have to stop.
408
00:28:40,044 --> 00:28:43,412
And I know my pain
is just as hard on him.
409
00:28:48,318 --> 00:28:51,153
But I was not going to
miss this journey.
410
00:28:51,155 --> 00:28:53,989
You make your choices
and take your chances...
411
00:28:53,991 --> 00:28:55,858
life comes with no guarantees.
412
00:28:55,860 --> 00:29:00,296
I'd choose an adventure
with hardship
413
00:29:00,298 --> 00:29:03,132
over no adventure at all,
every time.
414
00:29:14,411 --> 00:29:17,413
We reach
Chamberlain basin at last,
415
00:29:17,415 --> 00:29:20,749
a primeval meadow
in beautiful evening light.
416
00:29:26,156 --> 00:29:28,824
We come across
white-tailed deer...
417
00:29:28,826 --> 00:29:32,795
And our first glimpse of wolves
in almost two months.
418
00:29:46,343 --> 00:29:51,347
The wolves and deer
pay no attention to us.
419
00:29:51,349 --> 00:29:54,383
They're already intent
on an ancient game.
420
00:30:20,177 --> 00:30:22,978
This evening
we see something amazing.
421
00:30:26,816 --> 00:30:29,652
One of the wolves we're watching
turns our way
422
00:30:29,654 --> 00:30:32,454
and crosses the meadow
towards us.
423
00:30:35,192 --> 00:30:40,729
She looks like a yearling...
her approach is all curiosity.
424
00:30:43,133 --> 00:30:44,633
She comes within 30 feet
425
00:30:44,635 --> 00:30:46,969
before circling and passing by.
426
00:30:46,971 --> 00:30:49,572
We stare at each other
all the while.
427
00:30:53,276 --> 00:30:56,111
We've taken the wildness
out of our lives
428
00:30:56,113 --> 00:30:58,480
and mostly out of
our country, too.
429
00:30:58,482 --> 00:31:01,917
But in the river of no return,
430
00:31:01,919 --> 00:31:04,486
it's like we can reach back
to a place where we can still
431
00:31:04,488 --> 00:31:08,157
see, hear,
and feel a little wild.
432
00:31:16,666 --> 00:31:19,068
With the year turning,
433
00:31:19,070 --> 00:31:21,370
it's time to make plans
for the winter.
434
00:31:24,174 --> 00:31:26,308
We head east to a river
called big creek,
435
00:31:26,310 --> 00:31:28,711
where we've been asked
to fill in as caretakers
436
00:31:28,713 --> 00:31:30,713
at a university of Idaho
field station.
437
00:31:34,918 --> 00:31:36,418
Spending the winter in a cabin
438
00:31:36,420 --> 00:31:40,823
isn't something we planned on
when dreaming up this journey.
439
00:31:40,825 --> 00:31:42,524
In truth, we're torn.
440
00:31:42,526 --> 00:31:46,795
We're still after
a wilderness experience.
441
00:31:46,797 --> 00:31:49,465
But now,
as we weigh our options,
442
00:31:49,467 --> 00:31:51,934
a cabin doesn't sound half bad.
443
00:31:54,938 --> 00:31:57,006
Taylor ranch is one of a number
444
00:31:57,008 --> 00:31:59,608
of private in-holdings
and airstrips
445
00:31:59,610 --> 00:32:02,311
that existed in
the river of no return
446
00:32:02,313 --> 00:32:04,847
before it was
designated wilderness.
447
00:32:08,285 --> 00:32:13,989
Once an old homestead,
it's now a research facility,
448
00:32:13,991 --> 00:32:19,395
but it still runs largely on
wilderness principles.
449
00:32:19,397 --> 00:32:22,231
A mule team cuts hay
450
00:32:22,233 --> 00:32:24,533
and skids logs for firewood.
451
00:32:27,370 --> 00:32:29,138
Supplies arrive once a week,
452
00:32:29,140 --> 00:32:30,372
weather permitting,
453
00:32:30,374 --> 00:32:32,875
on the U.S. postal service
mail route...
454
00:32:32,877 --> 00:32:36,145
one of the last remaining
airmail routes in the country.
455
00:32:47,257 --> 00:32:51,193
On the steep slopes
above Taylor ranch,
456
00:32:51,195 --> 00:32:54,229
bighorn sheep are spilling down
from the high country.
457
00:32:56,866 --> 00:32:58,634
This is prime winter range,
458
00:32:58,636 --> 00:33:01,136
and the sheep will find
grazing here,
459
00:33:01,138 --> 00:33:04,206
sheltered from the worst of
the weather to come.
460
00:33:07,877 --> 00:33:10,612
Elk drift in
from their summer pastures.
461
00:33:10,614 --> 00:33:14,650
Everywhere, animals are
on the move.
462
00:33:18,154 --> 00:33:20,089
The elk rut is already over,
463
00:33:20,091 --> 00:33:23,559
but the rutting season is
full on for the bighorns.
464
00:33:29,199 --> 00:33:31,467
Usually, bighorns
are so skittish,
465
00:33:31,469 --> 00:33:33,869
you can't get anywhere
close to them.
466
00:33:33,871 --> 00:33:37,339
But during the rut, they're so
focused and distracted,
467
00:33:37,341 --> 00:33:39,875
you can practically sit in
right among them.
468
00:33:44,881 --> 00:33:49,251
The ewes and rams spend
most of the year separated.
469
00:33:49,253 --> 00:33:51,520
But now they all come together
470
00:33:51,522 --> 00:33:53,489
for a real social
free-for-all.
471
00:34:05,835 --> 00:34:08,537
The rams have already spent
a lot of energy
472
00:34:08,539 --> 00:34:11,840
sorting out who is stronger
before the rut even begins.
473
00:34:11,842 --> 00:34:15,210
But a ewe will test them
all again anyways.
474
00:34:19,916 --> 00:34:22,384
Until she finds one
she'll accept.
475
00:34:47,811 --> 00:34:49,745
With all the chasing
and head butting,
476
00:34:49,747 --> 00:34:51,346
the rams really take a beating.
477
00:34:59,756 --> 00:35:02,391
There's no help
for an injury out here.
478
00:35:02,393 --> 00:35:06,929
To survive,
it's good to be strong...
479
00:35:09,766 --> 00:35:12,201
It's even better to be lucky.
480
00:35:43,900 --> 00:35:46,835
We've been watching the elk
with some anticipation,
481
00:35:46,837 --> 00:35:49,505
figuring the wolves
shouldn't be too far behind.
482
00:35:49,507 --> 00:35:52,508
[ Howling in distance ]
483
00:36:03,353 --> 00:36:04,853
Good wintering grounds for elk
484
00:36:04,855 --> 00:36:07,890
make good wintering grounds
for wolves.
485
00:36:24,007 --> 00:36:27,042
And for an injured elk,
that doesn't bode well.
486
00:36:31,814 --> 00:36:34,483
It's hard not to pity
an elk in this condition.
487
00:36:34,485 --> 00:36:37,386
The wolves will be quick
to single her out.
488
00:36:57,206 --> 00:37:01,777
By dusk, the pack has isolated
the injured elk up on the Ridge.
489
00:37:01,779 --> 00:37:04,346
And I'm secretly
rooting for her,
490
00:37:04,348 --> 00:37:07,316
even though I know the wolves
are probably doing her a favor.
491
00:37:16,225 --> 00:37:19,695
Then, something
remarkable happens.
492
00:37:23,833 --> 00:37:25,500
A companion appears
493
00:37:25,502 --> 00:37:28,036
and puts herself between
the wolves and the injured elk.
494
00:37:33,076 --> 00:37:36,044
All my textbook biology
fails me.
495
00:37:36,046 --> 00:37:39,181
When it's survival
of the fittest,
496
00:37:39,183 --> 00:37:42,618
where is there room for
this compassion?
497
00:37:51,461 --> 00:37:54,930
In the fading light,
I think I'm seeing things.
498
00:37:54,932 --> 00:37:59,301
But I can just make out
the wolves, the injured elk,
499
00:37:59,303 --> 00:38:01,903
and this unexplained companion
500
00:38:01,905 --> 00:38:04,940
risking her own life
to defend her.
501
00:38:25,628 --> 00:38:28,597
In the morning
I'm completely astonished.
502
00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:34,436
The injured elk and her
companion are still together,
503
00:38:34,438 --> 00:38:36,638
somehow having
survived the night.
504
00:38:39,108 --> 00:38:42,144
The wolves
are nowhere in sight.
505
00:38:50,053 --> 00:38:53,221
Our caretaking term
at Taylor ranch is over,
506
00:38:53,223 --> 00:38:56,992
and we set up a winter camp
just above the river.
507
00:38:56,994 --> 00:38:58,694
Back out in the cold,
508
00:38:58,696 --> 00:39:00,462
we're hoping this homemade tent
will hold up,
509
00:39:00,464 --> 00:39:03,165
and this titanium wood stove
is going to kick out
510
00:39:03,167 --> 00:39:04,766
enough heat.
511
00:39:21,250 --> 00:39:24,119
It started.
Thanks to that little...
512
00:39:30,126 --> 00:39:33,361
We're pretty soft these days.
513
00:39:33,363 --> 00:39:36,531
Much tougher people
lived in these mountains
514
00:39:36,533 --> 00:39:39,901
for thousands of years.
515
00:39:39,903 --> 00:39:42,804
They were sheep eaters,
the tukudeka,
516
00:39:42,806 --> 00:39:44,439
a peaceful,
Mountain-dwelling tribe.
517
00:39:46,743 --> 00:39:48,243
Sheep with a long tail.
518
00:39:48,245 --> 00:39:51,246
Yeah.
519
00:39:51,248 --> 00:39:53,515
Some kind.
520
00:39:53,517 --> 00:39:56,251
They had no word
for "wilderness."
521
00:39:56,253 --> 00:39:58,687
They probably
never imagined nature
522
00:39:58,689 --> 00:40:02,691
as something separate
from themselves.
523
00:40:02,693 --> 00:40:05,193
But we do.
524
00:40:05,195 --> 00:40:08,230
And now, when the natural world
is slipping away,
525
00:40:08,232 --> 00:40:11,399
we've had to create a place
to call "wilderness"...
526
00:40:11,401 --> 00:40:14,336
a place managed to be wild.
527
00:41:00,883 --> 00:41:03,385
Winter has settled in,
528
00:41:03,387 --> 00:41:06,121
distilling the world
into black and white.
529
00:41:08,457 --> 00:41:12,260
The river of no return
has all gone quiet.
530
00:41:12,262 --> 00:41:16,064
But then again,
that's just an illusion.
531
00:41:16,066 --> 00:41:19,935
Sitting in the silence
and the snow,
532
00:41:19,937 --> 00:41:22,704
you really begin to hear.
533
00:41:22,706 --> 00:41:26,508
[ Birds calling,
otters grunting ]
534
00:41:26,510 --> 00:41:29,277
The river, of course,
is as lively as ever.
535
00:41:30,780 --> 00:41:32,647
[ Otters grunting ]
536
00:41:47,396 --> 00:41:51,399
Animals live so completely
in the present,
537
00:41:51,401 --> 00:41:54,870
in hunting, gathering,
538
00:41:54,872 --> 00:41:58,240
running, diving,
sneaking, playing...
539
00:41:58,242 --> 00:42:02,310
In all the arts
of physical survival,
540
00:42:02,312 --> 00:42:05,814
in everything they're
designed to be.
541
00:42:05,816 --> 00:42:09,217
I love watching them
use their bodies.
542
00:42:09,219 --> 00:42:12,220
And right now, when I feel like
my own body is failing me,
543
00:42:12,222 --> 00:42:15,991
it really means a lot.
544
00:42:22,198 --> 00:42:25,100
The dipper doesn't bother
with such thoughts.
545
00:42:25,102 --> 00:42:27,736
It simply goes
straight to work.
546
00:42:30,106 --> 00:42:32,607
Dipping and diving,
547
00:42:32,609 --> 00:42:34,409
and singing its bright song.
548
00:43:10,079 --> 00:43:11,379
What did you say?
549
00:43:11,381 --> 00:43:13,515
I just stopped because I heard
all these noises,
550
00:43:13,517 --> 00:43:15,183
and then I saw that.
551
00:43:15,185 --> 00:43:16,418
What is that?
552
00:43:16,420 --> 00:43:17,686
I don't know,
I didn't go look yet.
553
00:43:17,688 --> 00:43:19,187
I figured you could do that.
554
00:43:19,189 --> 00:43:20,255
A lot of blood, though.
555
00:43:24,193 --> 00:43:26,728
The wolves have made
a kill out on the ice...
556
00:43:26,730 --> 00:43:28,830
but there's nothing left
557
00:43:28,832 --> 00:43:32,867
except the bright stain
of blood.
558
00:43:32,869 --> 00:43:34,736
There's not even
a bone to pick.
559
00:43:34,738 --> 00:43:39,107
Just some hair and tracks.
560
00:43:39,109 --> 00:43:40,208
That happened right there,
561
00:43:40,210 --> 00:43:41,843
we could have been
sitting right the.
562
00:43:41,845 --> 00:43:44,379
Yeah, you couldn't know!
563
00:43:44,381 --> 00:43:45,413
Be realistic.
564
00:43:45,415 --> 00:43:46,548
You gotta know!
565
00:43:46,550 --> 00:43:47,849
Be realistic!
566
00:43:47,851 --> 00:43:49,651
You find them
after they happen.
567
00:43:49,653 --> 00:43:53,388
I'm cranky because
I've been trying in vain
568
00:43:53,390 --> 00:43:55,357
to film the wolves hunting.
569
00:43:59,161 --> 00:44:03,198
But I'm never in the right place
at the right time.
570
00:44:03,200 --> 00:44:04,799
I'm not sure how I'd feel
571
00:44:04,801 --> 00:44:06,601
if I actually did see them
make a kill,
572
00:44:06,603 --> 00:44:09,738
but it's how they make a living,
573
00:44:09,740 --> 00:44:14,142
it's what makes them
who they are,
574
00:44:14,144 --> 00:44:16,811
and I want to complete
the picture of their lives.
575
00:44:44,140 --> 00:44:47,108
Death is easy to find
in the winter.
576
00:44:47,110 --> 00:44:49,911
Whether it was the rut,
or sickness,
577
00:44:49,913 --> 00:44:51,679
that weakened this ram,
578
00:44:51,681 --> 00:44:54,716
it was coyotes that dealt
the final blow.
579
00:45:02,658 --> 00:45:06,694
Magpies, too,
are glad for the windfall.
580
00:45:15,137 --> 00:45:17,405
The river is so close
to freezing,
581
00:45:17,407 --> 00:45:20,642
the coyotes can't stay on
the carcass for long.
582
00:45:26,682 --> 00:45:29,250
Winter and the river
work together,
583
00:45:29,252 --> 00:45:32,253
and what they kill
keeps many others alive.
584
00:45:44,266 --> 00:45:47,202
Mule deer browse in the willows
along the water
585
00:45:47,204 --> 00:45:49,070
until something startles them.
586
00:45:59,615 --> 00:46:02,383
Wolves.
587
00:46:02,385 --> 00:46:04,486
They're headed down the slope,
588
00:46:04,488 --> 00:46:06,221
and I'm thinking this might be
589
00:46:06,223 --> 00:46:08,656
that rare chance
to film a hunt.
590
00:46:17,433 --> 00:46:21,469
The deer make for the river.
591
00:46:21,471 --> 00:46:22,737
In times of danger,
592
00:46:22,739 --> 00:46:25,440
they'll often use water
as a defensive barrier,
593
00:46:25,442 --> 00:46:28,376
hoping it's deep enough
to keep the wolves at bay.
594
00:46:34,049 --> 00:46:37,886
But in winter, the river can be
as deadly as the wolves.
595
00:46:45,427 --> 00:46:49,063
The cold water must be sapping
all the deer's strength.
596
00:46:53,669 --> 00:46:56,037
And there's no escape.
597
00:47:10,719 --> 00:47:14,255
On the platform of ice,
the wolves wait it out.
598
00:47:19,161 --> 00:47:22,030
Oh, look at that deer go.
599
00:47:22,032 --> 00:47:23,698
It can't go anywhere.
600
00:47:23,700 --> 00:47:26,801
It's just gonna get cold
and wear out.
601
00:47:26,803 --> 00:47:30,238
And where the channel narrows,
602
00:47:30,240 --> 00:47:32,307
I see a wolf make his move.
603
00:47:39,481 --> 00:47:42,350
From my vantage point
on the Ridge above,
604
00:47:42,352 --> 00:47:44,352
I watch the pack close in.
605
00:47:44,354 --> 00:47:48,856
And then the action shifts
out of view.
606
00:47:48,858 --> 00:47:51,559
I've gotta get
down to the river.
607
00:48:15,284 --> 00:48:19,153
When we catch up to the scene,
I'm expecting the carnage...
608
00:48:19,155 --> 00:48:21,089
that's the nature of the wild.
609
00:48:21,091 --> 00:48:24,092
Boy, look at them
tearing that thing up.
610
00:48:24,094 --> 00:48:27,862
But I also see simple hunger...
611
00:48:27,864 --> 00:48:29,697
a family of hunters
612
00:48:29,699 --> 00:48:31,666
sharing a meal.
613
00:48:38,674 --> 00:48:41,376
The fact that
life depends on death
614
00:48:41,378 --> 00:48:45,079
is hard for us take.
615
00:48:45,081 --> 00:48:47,081
And this is why wolves
need wilderness...
616
00:48:47,083 --> 00:48:50,418
they need a place
to live by their rules,
617
00:48:50,420 --> 00:48:52,854
not ours.
618
00:49:08,704 --> 00:49:12,040
We knew our journey into
the river of no return
619
00:49:12,042 --> 00:49:14,909
would test us in every way.
620
00:49:14,911 --> 00:49:18,146
Test our hearts,
621
00:49:18,148 --> 00:49:19,881
our skills,
622
00:49:19,883 --> 00:49:22,650
our teamwork.
623
00:49:22,652 --> 00:49:25,353
But now, 10 months in,
624
00:49:25,355 --> 00:49:30,258
it's taking a turn
that I cannot bear.
625
00:49:30,260 --> 00:49:34,295
I'd say on a good day
for bjornen,
626
00:49:34,297 --> 00:49:38,833
her feet hurt like hell,
walking's tough.
627
00:49:38,835 --> 00:49:42,603
And you say, "well, I'll carry
your backpack,"
628
00:49:42,605 --> 00:49:46,140
and she says "no."
629
00:49:46,142 --> 00:49:48,543
I think that's what gets me is,
630
00:49:48,545 --> 00:49:52,347
I don't know if either one
of us could quit now.
631
00:49:52,349 --> 00:49:54,816
How's the feets?
632
00:49:54,818 --> 00:49:56,050
Ooh, they're bad.
633
00:49:56,052 --> 00:49:57,518
I'm afraid to take off
my boots.
634
00:49:57,520 --> 00:50:00,722
I think they'll just explode.
635
00:50:00,724 --> 00:50:02,457
And on a bad day,
636
00:50:02,459 --> 00:50:06,027
she can't move,
she can't sleep, and, uh...
637
00:50:09,231 --> 00:50:11,032
Yeah, and then it will
flair up in a hip,
638
00:50:11,034 --> 00:50:13,134
and, you know,
her fingers swell up,
639
00:50:13,136 --> 00:50:15,937
she can't get her shoes on.
640
00:50:15,939 --> 00:50:18,806
Those are the bad days,
641
00:50:18,808 --> 00:50:22,610
and I ask myself,
what the hell are we doing?
642
00:50:30,819 --> 00:50:34,422
It was Isaac's dream
to live in the wilderness,
643
00:50:34,424 --> 00:50:37,759
to be as much a part of
this place as we could.
644
00:50:37,761 --> 00:50:40,261
Now, I'm the one
who's so reluctant to leave.
645
00:50:43,298 --> 00:50:46,868
I've found something
I didn't even know was lost...
646
00:50:46,870 --> 00:50:50,638
a way of life so simple
and so complete.
647
00:50:55,711 --> 00:50:58,112
It's called
the river of no return,
648
00:50:58,114 --> 00:51:00,214
and I now know what that means.
649
00:51:03,485 --> 00:51:05,853
We're not the same as
when we set out
650
00:51:05,855 --> 00:51:07,655
almost a year ago.
651
00:51:07,657 --> 00:51:10,391
We've been both humbled
and made stronger
652
00:51:10,393 --> 00:51:11,893
by our journey.
653
00:51:17,566 --> 00:51:21,035
Maybe I see my own struggle
reflected in the kindred spirits
654
00:51:21,037 --> 00:51:22,570
we've met along the way...
655
00:51:22,572 --> 00:51:26,007
in a baby bird
that couldn't fly...
656
00:51:28,544 --> 00:51:31,379
In a brave but beaten ram,
657
00:51:31,381 --> 00:51:36,384
in an injured elk
with a faithful friend.
658
00:51:41,490 --> 00:51:44,158
Yet, hard as it is
to survive here,
659
00:51:44,160 --> 00:51:46,994
I would choose it to be
no other way.
660
00:52:18,427 --> 00:52:21,496
We catch the mail plane
back to our world
661
00:52:21,498 --> 00:52:26,801
as the river of no return
sweeps by below.
662
00:52:26,803 --> 00:52:31,973
And though we will no longer
be able to call it our home,
663
00:52:31,975 --> 00:52:35,476
we will always be richer for
having lived for a moment
664
00:52:35,478 --> 00:52:38,412
in this wild place.
665
00:53:02,471 --> 00:53:06,307
Now, a window into
a world without humans.
666
00:53:08,043 --> 00:53:11,178
That's run wild.
667
00:53:12,514 --> 00:53:14,248
Journey into
a forbidden landscape
668
00:53:14,250 --> 00:53:17,151
and witness the legacy
one of mankind's
669
00:53:17,153 --> 00:53:20,354
greatest disasters
left for its wildlife.
670
00:53:20,356 --> 00:53:22,256
[ Pups whimpering ]
671
00:53:23,892 --> 00:53:25,826
[ Geiger counter clicking ]
672
00:53:29,031 --> 00:53:31,432
Now you can watch Nature
online.
673
00:53:31,434 --> 00:53:34,302
Go to pbs.org to screen
complete episodes
674
00:53:34,304 --> 00:53:37,004
from this season
and seasons past.
675
00:53:37,006 --> 00:53:39,340
Visit Nature online
for production updates
676
00:53:39,342 --> 00:53:40,708
from the field.
677
00:53:40,710 --> 00:53:42,610
Well, here we are
on the Alaska coast.
678
00:53:42,612 --> 00:53:44,679
Go behind the scenes
with our filmmakers.
679
00:53:44,681 --> 00:53:46,247
We also used a borescope lens,
680
00:53:46,249 --> 00:53:49,116
and that allowed us to put
the lens right into a flower.
681
00:53:49,118 --> 00:53:52,386
And get connected with
Nature's online community.
682
00:53:52,388 --> 00:53:55,756
All at pbs.org.
683
00:53:57,926 --> 00:54:01,500
Nature is made possible
in part by... Canon.
684
00:54:01,500 --> 00:54:04,500
Take your inspiration
from nature.
685
00:54:04,500 --> 00:54:07,500
Leave it untouched
by your presence.
686
00:54:07,569 --> 00:54:10,204
Capture its image
and preserve it forever.
687
00:54:10,272 --> 00:54:12,673
Canon...
living and working together
688
00:54:12,741 --> 00:54:15,643
to appreciate today
and care for tomorrow.
689
00:54:16,578 --> 00:54:18,879
Additional funding for Nature
690
00:54:18,881 --> 00:54:20,715
is provided by...
691
00:54:30,892 --> 00:54:34,261
The corporation for
public broadcasting.
692
00:54:34,263 --> 00:54:37,331
And by contributions
to your pbs station
693
00:54:37,333 --> 00:54:40,768
from viewers like you...
thank you.
694
00:54:47,009 --> 00:54:52,813
To order,
call 1-800-336-1917.
695
00:55:25,614 --> 00:55:29,250
To learn more about what you've
seen on this nature program,
696
00:55:29,252 --> 00:55:31,318
visit pbs.org.
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