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1
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[crickets chirping]
2
00:00:15,016 --> 00:00:17,049
Kevin costner: Flashlight,
headlight, hatchet.
3
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[mumbling]
4
00:00:19,403 --> 00:00:20,636
Perfect.
5
00:00:20,688 --> 00:00:24,757
Ah, tent, tent.
6
00:00:27,561 --> 00:00:32,147
No, but I'm sure you're
gonna ask it anyway.
7
00:00:39,306 --> 00:00:40,556
Well, you ever
heard the expression
8
00:00:40,608 --> 00:00:45,844
That sometimes the truth
is stranger than fiction?
9
00:00:45,896 --> 00:00:49,281
I think this is one
of those stories.
10
00:00:49,333 --> 00:00:52,868
It's a story about a
confluence of tragic events,
11
00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,688
Separated by time and
space, intersecting
12
00:00:56,741 --> 00:01:02,911
At a seemingly impossible
manner, and somehow something--
13
00:01:02,963 --> 00:01:06,815
Something incredible
came out of all of it.
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00:01:06,867 --> 00:01:11,737
A young boy suffering
from severe asthma,
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A president's assassination,
a horrible accident
16
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In a wagon wheel factory.
17
00:01:17,628 --> 00:01:20,696
Unrelated events in most
people's minds, right?
18
00:01:20,748 --> 00:01:25,017
But they all needed to happen
for this story to unfold,
19
00:01:25,069 --> 00:01:27,653
For two men to come
together for three days
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00:01:27,705 --> 00:01:33,192
Out in the wild, three days that
would change america forever.
21
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That's a story worth
telling, don't you think?
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Now I'm gonna turn
these lights out
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Because I'm pretty
sure I forgot something
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And I'll get it in the morning.
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[theme music]
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Kevin costner (voiceover): Two
men embark on a camping trip.
27
00:02:06,410 --> 00:02:08,443
These two men have
never met before.
28
00:02:11,115 --> 00:02:16,385
They push through heavy
snow, get soaked with rain,
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And wash down stakes
with hot coffee.
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00:02:18,489 --> 00:02:21,073
[whimsical music]
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00:02:27,331 --> 00:02:29,615
They didn't set out
to change america.
32
00:02:33,521 --> 00:02:41,560
But what they dreamed
up around the campfire,
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Some might call it ingenious.
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Others might say cunning.
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But boy, did it work.
36
00:03:02,283 --> 00:03:05,734
[birds chirping]
37
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[uplifting music]
38
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Yosemite national park, 1,200
square miles of soaring cliffs,
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Cascading falls, and
endless groves of sequoias.
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The lush valleys are a
playground for the 400 species
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00:03:47,761 --> 00:03:50,662
That live here.
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The alien granite structures
are a playground for us.
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It's pristine and protected.
44
00:04:01,008 --> 00:04:05,010
Today, the national park service
employs more than 700 rangers
45
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To keep this land safe,
to keep it just the way
46
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It was when it was created.
47
00:04:11,118 --> 00:04:13,652
But that hasn't
always been the case.
48
00:04:13,704 --> 00:04:17,956
And if not for events that took
place more than a century ago,
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It'd probably look a
lot more like this.
50
00:04:25,132 --> 00:04:28,784
But let's go back to the
beginning of the story.
51
00:04:28,836 --> 00:04:31,687
Well, the modern part, at least.
52
00:04:31,739 --> 00:04:37,909
The year is 1872,
geologists and surveyor
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00:04:37,962 --> 00:04:43,282
Ferdinand hayden has just led a
team to the yellowstone region.
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He successfully lobbies
congress to protect
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The land for the benefit
and enjoyment of the people.
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[uplifting music]
57
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President ulysses s. Grant
signs the yellowstone
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National park act into law.
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For the first time
ever, the us government
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Vows to protect america's
natural wonders in perpetuity.
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00:05:14,014 --> 00:05:18,050
By the time our story
takes place in 1903,
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There are six national parks,
six areas that congress
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Has promised to protect.
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[uplifting music]
65
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But it's not working at all.
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Congress saw the national parks
as a zero cost initiative.
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Each park has a single unpaid
superintendent responsible
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For enforcing regulations.
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This is the system in
place to protect the lands.
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Poachers are decimating the
elk herds in yellowstone.
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Sequoia national park is
under relentless assault
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From loggers who
have no interest
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In letting go of a cash cow.
74
00:06:10,788 --> 00:06:13,505
And here in
yosemite, gold miners
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Have flooded into the
valley after a 75 pound
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Gold nugget is discovered here.
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Those who aren't tearing up
the rock in search of gold
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Are cleaving through the
forest with reckless abandon.
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You know, as a parent
myself, I can confidently
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Say that the rules I believe
don't really work if they're
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Only enforced some of the
time, and even less effective
82
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If the punishment for breaking
them isn't much of a punishment
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At all.
84
00:06:48,575 --> 00:06:52,644
And that's exactly what was
happening in the national parks.
85
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There was this poacher.
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His name was ed howell, and
he was caught red handed
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By the army soldiers cutting
off the heads of 10 bison
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That he had killed in
yellowstone national park.
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He admitted it on the
spot; that he'd sold them
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To a taxidermist for $125 each.
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00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:17,219
But despite getting
caught in the act,
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The only punishment allowed by
the law was to make him leave
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And telling him that he
should never come back.
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I guess that would be what we'd
call the proverbial wrist slap.
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10 bison with their heads
cut off in the national park
96
00:07:35,672 --> 00:07:40,025
And all they said was
you can't come back.
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00:07:40,077 --> 00:07:41,860
And that's exactly
what had been going
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On in the national park system.
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Kevin costner (voiceover):
But the gruesome image
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Is printed in newspapers
across the country.
101
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The public outcry is enormous.
102
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How could the government
claim to be protecting
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The national parks
when there's no policy
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In place to enforce the rules?
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00:08:04,918 --> 00:08:08,803
The public wants
congress to do something.
106
00:08:08,856 --> 00:08:13,041
But a few years later, after
the public outcry has died down,
107
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The plundering in our
national parks continues.
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What was once a herd
numbering in the millions
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Has dwindled to just 23 bison
remaining in yellowstone.
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[suspenseful music]
111
00:08:32,029 --> 00:08:35,397
And 1,300 miles
to the southwest,
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00:08:35,449 --> 00:08:52,731
Yosemite is still under
assault. The trees,
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The streams, the wildlife,
all of it is at risk.
114
00:09:01,225 --> 00:09:05,727
The dream of ferdinand hayden,
the concept of protecting
115
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America's wildest places, the
very idea of national parks
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Is hanging on by a thread.
117
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Something needs to happen
fast, but it doesn't.
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It's destined to
disappear forever.
119
00:09:25,382 --> 00:09:31,753
But then on may 15, 1903, two
men embark on a camping trip
120
00:09:31,805 --> 00:09:33,972
Just a few miles from
where I'm standing.
121
00:09:36,693 --> 00:09:40,178
[instrumental music]
122
00:09:51,108 --> 00:09:52,841
They didn't set out
to change america,
123
00:09:52,893 --> 00:09:57,095
But that's what
ended up happening.
124
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This is where it all started.
125
00:10:12,245 --> 00:10:15,196
[whimsical music]
126
00:10:18,635 --> 00:10:22,954
Kevin costner (voiceover): These
two men have never met before,
127
00:10:23,006 --> 00:10:26,207
But through a series of letters,
they agreed to spend three days
128
00:10:26,259 --> 00:10:30,178
Camping in yosemite together.
129
00:10:30,230 --> 00:10:33,898
They entered the region
from the south in an area
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00:10:33,950 --> 00:10:37,836
Called mariposa grove.
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00:10:37,888 --> 00:10:40,989
[whimsical music]
132
00:10:41,041 --> 00:10:44,376
Before they disappear
into the vast wilderness,
133
00:10:44,428 --> 00:10:48,380
The two men and the entourage
that came to see them off
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00:10:48,432 --> 00:10:50,982
Posed for a photograph in
front of a giant sequoia.
135
00:10:55,572 --> 00:11:02,260
This is teddy roosevelt, the
president of the united states.
136
00:11:02,312 --> 00:11:08,350
And this is his tour guide,
renowned naturalist john muir.
137
00:11:08,402 --> 00:11:11,903
And naturally, that tour
starts among the giants.
138
00:11:14,574 --> 00:11:17,492
Then, as now, the
groves of giant sequoias
139
00:11:17,544 --> 00:11:20,428
Are synonymous with yosemite.
140
00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:23,264
And their timber is what many
of the poachers in the park
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00:11:23,316 --> 00:11:24,115
Were after.
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00:11:28,438 --> 00:11:35,927
The sequoias are a sight to
behold, towering into the sky.
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00:11:35,979 --> 00:11:37,912
They're the largest
species of tree
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00:11:37,964 --> 00:11:45,303
On earth, reaching
heights up to 325 feet.
145
00:11:45,355 --> 00:11:47,605
They're as tall as
a 30 story building.
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00:11:47,657 --> 00:11:50,608
[uplifting music]
147
00:12:02,089 --> 00:12:04,706
But each of these
behemoths starts like this.
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00:12:04,758 --> 00:12:07,592
[whimsical music]
149
00:12:16,737 --> 00:12:20,288
A seed no larger than a
single flake of oatmeal.
150
00:12:23,894 --> 00:12:27,762
They grow the same way
we do, little by little.
151
00:12:30,817 --> 00:12:34,702
After a year, they're
about 9 inches tall.
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00:12:34,755 --> 00:12:39,140
After three years,
they're about 3 feet tall.
153
00:12:39,192 --> 00:12:44,262
The key to their immense
size is longevity.
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00:12:44,314 --> 00:12:46,981
Living up to 3,000
years, they have
155
00:12:47,033 --> 00:12:50,702
One of the longest lifespans of
any organism on planet earth.
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00:12:50,754 --> 00:12:53,571
[whimsical music]
157
00:13:05,502 --> 00:13:07,685
This is the oldest
tree in yosemite.
158
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Meet the grizzly giant.
159
00:13:16,062 --> 00:13:20,665
She germinated around 1,000 bc.
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00:13:20,717 --> 00:13:27,288
In the 3,000 years since,
she's endured wind and snow.
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00:13:27,340 --> 00:13:33,578
She's endured drought and fire.
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00:13:33,630 --> 00:13:37,949
The burn scars around the
base are called cat faces,
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00:13:37,951 --> 00:13:42,036
And they're worn like
a badge of honor.
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00:13:42,088 --> 00:13:44,572
A lesser tree may have
been felled by the fire
165
00:13:44,624 --> 00:13:47,442
That this once survived.
166
00:13:47,494 --> 00:13:50,862
And yet, fire is a
necessary part of the cycle
167
00:13:50,914 --> 00:13:52,547
Of the mighty sequoia.
168
00:13:52,599 --> 00:13:55,517
[fire crackling]
169
00:13:58,388 --> 00:14:01,890
The sequoias cones are
just a few inches long,
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00:14:01,942 --> 00:14:06,611
And they hang on for dear life,
often staying sealed on the tree
171
00:14:06,663 --> 00:14:09,897
For 20 years or more.
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00:14:09,900 --> 00:14:13,468
It takes an extremely
dry period or a fire
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00:14:13,520 --> 00:14:16,187
For the tree to release the
cone down to the ground.
174
00:14:19,142 --> 00:14:21,976
Then the heat of a fire
on the forest floor
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00:14:22,028 --> 00:14:25,597
Causes the cone to open and
release the seeds to the soil
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00:14:25,615 --> 00:14:26,414
Below.
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00:14:30,103 --> 00:14:32,837
Only one out of every
million will ever take root.
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00:14:32,889 --> 00:14:35,707
[uplifting music]
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The grizzly giant has
produced around 900
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00:14:42,315 --> 00:14:44,382
Million seeds in her lifetime.
181
00:14:48,021 --> 00:14:51,122
So it's likely that many of
the trees that stand nearby
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Are her offspring.
183
00:14:53,660 --> 00:14:56,861
Standing at the base
of the mother tree,
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00:14:56,913 --> 00:15:01,049
It's easy to see that she
appears to be ready to fall.
185
00:15:01,117 --> 00:15:03,501
With a weight of over
two million pounds,
186
00:15:03,553 --> 00:15:09,440
She leans heavily to the south,
nearly five degrees in angle.
187
00:15:09,492 --> 00:15:12,744
The force of gravity
does what it does,
188
00:15:12,796 --> 00:15:17,632
But there's a reason
the giant doesn't fall.
189
00:15:17,684 --> 00:15:20,551
It's because each of
the 500 mature sequoias
190
00:15:20,604 --> 00:15:24,005
In mariposa grove are
giving a little help
191
00:15:24,057 --> 00:15:25,340
To their friends and family.
192
00:15:29,079 --> 00:15:32,280
Giant sequoia roots don't tap
straight down into the ground
193
00:15:32,332 --> 00:15:33,348
Like most trees.
194
00:15:36,086 --> 00:15:39,954
Instead, the shallow root
system spreads out to the side
195
00:15:39,973 --> 00:15:42,790
And interlaces with the roots
of other trees around them.
196
00:15:46,930 --> 00:15:49,964
In this case, the
oldest tree in yosemite
197
00:15:50,016 --> 00:15:53,434
And one of the oldest
living things on earth
198
00:15:53,486 --> 00:15:56,087
Is held steady by
the trees around her.
199
00:16:00,293 --> 00:16:03,061
And it's right here on the
edge of the majestic grove
200
00:16:03,113 --> 00:16:06,764
Of sequoias that this
part of our story unfolds.
201
00:16:13,189 --> 00:16:15,757
When roosevelt showed
up at the wawona hotel
202
00:16:15,809 --> 00:16:19,877
On the outskirts of yosemite,
a massive reception in four
203
00:16:19,929 --> 00:16:22,196
Days of events were planned.
204
00:16:22,248 --> 00:16:25,583
Governors and politicians had
gathered to meet with him.
205
00:16:25,635 --> 00:16:28,069
Agendas at the ready.
206
00:16:28,121 --> 00:16:32,173
But the president, well, he
had an agenda of his own.
207
00:16:32,225 --> 00:16:35,076
[classical music]
208
00:16:49,793 --> 00:16:51,876
Imagine that happening now.
209
00:16:51,928 --> 00:16:53,761
The president of
the united states
210
00:16:53,813 --> 00:16:56,197
Shows up to a campaign
event and then suddenly
211
00:16:56,249 --> 00:16:57,849
Vanishes into the wilderness.
212
00:17:01,388 --> 00:17:03,304
It'd be a national panic.
213
00:17:03,356 --> 00:17:05,723
There'd be military
search parties called in,
214
00:17:05,775 --> 00:17:08,826
Helicopters and drones
flying around the clock.
215
00:17:08,878 --> 00:17:10,995
But those who knew
teddy roosevelt
216
00:17:11,047 --> 00:17:14,465
Knew that it was best to
not send anyone after him,
217
00:17:14,517 --> 00:17:17,535
Especially if they wanted
to keep their jobs.
218
00:17:17,587 --> 00:17:23,141
Roosevelt was a different kind
of guy, and so was his guide.
219
00:17:23,193 --> 00:17:26,127
[classical music]
220
00:17:43,496 --> 00:17:44,929
Kevin costner (voiceover):
John muir arrives
221
00:17:44,964 --> 00:17:51,519
In the yosemite region in 1868.
222
00:17:51,571 --> 00:17:56,207
He instantly falls in love with
the place and decides to stay.
223
00:17:56,259 --> 00:17:59,177
He uses his status as
a well-respected author
224
00:17:59,245 --> 00:18:01,312
To draw up the
proposed boundaries
225
00:18:01,347 --> 00:18:05,133
And write magazine articles that
lead to yosemite being crowned
226
00:18:05,185 --> 00:18:07,001
America's third national park.
227
00:18:11,291 --> 00:18:15,343
And in 1903, when he receives
roosevelt's letter asking him
228
00:18:15,395 --> 00:18:20,681
To guide him through yosemite,
he doesn't accept the invitation
229
00:18:20,733 --> 00:18:23,734
Because he's starstruck.
230
00:18:23,787 --> 00:18:26,971
He accepts because he
has an agenda of his own.
231
00:18:29,709 --> 00:18:33,044
In a letter he sends to
a colleague, muir writes,
232
00:18:33,096 --> 00:18:36,380
"an influential man from
washington wants to make a trip
233
00:18:36,432 --> 00:18:38,983
Into the sierra with
me, and I might be
234
00:18:39,035 --> 00:18:41,002
Able to do some
force good and freely
235
00:18:41,054 --> 00:18:45,173
Talking around the campfire."
236
00:18:45,225 --> 00:18:47,875
He's labored tirelessly
to stop the destruction
237
00:18:47,927 --> 00:18:51,028
Of america's natural
places, and yet it's
238
00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:53,815
Still happening in yosemite.
239
00:18:53,867 --> 00:18:57,752
By the early 20th century, one
third of the original sequoia
240
00:18:57,804 --> 00:19:02,273
Groves have been clear cut,
and the one man who can do
241
00:19:02,325 --> 00:19:04,242
Something about it
is about to give
242
00:19:04,294 --> 00:19:07,495
Muir a very intimate audience.
243
00:19:07,547 --> 00:19:11,432
If he can show the president
the magic of this place,
244
00:19:11,484 --> 00:19:14,152
Maybe he can convince
him to use every shred
245
00:19:14,204 --> 00:19:15,753
Of his power to protect it.
246
00:19:20,393 --> 00:19:23,260
And so after a quick
photo opportunity in front
247
00:19:23,279 --> 00:19:25,897
Of the yosemite's
oldest resident,
248
00:19:25,949 --> 00:19:29,734
The president and the naturalist
head into the wilderness.
249
00:19:36,809 --> 00:19:39,076
Yeah, I actually do
remember the first time
250
00:19:39,128 --> 00:19:40,728
Coming to yosemite.
251
00:19:40,780 --> 00:19:42,647
And there was something
about yosemite
252
00:19:42,699 --> 00:19:46,551
That when you first arrived
to it, I came through a tunnel
253
00:19:46,603 --> 00:19:50,371
And saw maybe the most beautiful
place I've ever seen in my life,
254
00:19:50,423 --> 00:19:56,894
This valley of stone surrounding
it, protecting it, this rush
255
00:19:56,946 --> 00:20:01,265
Of water that looked like
it was just hurling out
256
00:20:01,317 --> 00:20:02,300
Of the mountain.
257
00:20:02,352 --> 00:20:05,019
I'd never seen
anything so beautiful.
258
00:20:08,508 --> 00:20:09,624
I was lucky.
259
00:20:09,676 --> 00:20:10,424
Do you realize that?
260
00:20:10,476 --> 00:20:13,995
I was lucky that someone
had made a decision
261
00:20:14,047 --> 00:20:16,297
Along the way to protect this.
262
00:20:16,349 --> 00:20:18,399
Otherwise it had been gone.
263
00:20:22,388 --> 00:20:24,889
And my whole essence of
how I've lived my life
264
00:20:24,941 --> 00:20:28,259
Was formed from being
in these wild places,
265
00:20:28,311 --> 00:20:32,096
And these wild places
needed protection.
266
00:20:32,148 --> 00:20:34,365
Someone had to speak for it.
267
00:20:34,417 --> 00:20:38,236
John muir had to speak for it.
268
00:20:38,288 --> 00:20:42,089
Part of what muir understood
so clearly if he could just
269
00:20:42,141 --> 00:20:46,127
Get teddy there, if he could
just get him to this spot,
270
00:20:46,179 --> 00:20:48,329
That it would change
the trajectory
271
00:20:48,381 --> 00:20:49,814
Of the national park system.
272
00:20:49,866 --> 00:20:52,700
[uplifting music]
273
00:20:57,273 --> 00:20:58,906
Kevin costner (voiceover):
As muir guides roosevelt
274
00:20:58,958 --> 00:21:02,710
In the yosemite
valley on horseback,
275
00:21:02,762 --> 00:21:05,513
They're surrounded by more
than just breathtaking views.
276
00:21:08,568 --> 00:21:12,870
Wildlife abounds in the spring.
277
00:21:12,922 --> 00:21:18,643
One of muir's favorite resident
creatures is the black bear.
278
00:21:18,695 --> 00:21:21,128
"bears are made of
the same dust as we
279
00:21:21,180 --> 00:21:24,498
And breath the same winds
and drink the same waters,"
280
00:21:24,550 --> 00:21:26,851
Muir wrote.
281
00:21:26,903 --> 00:21:29,553
It's early may when he
and roosevelt embark
282
00:21:29,605 --> 00:21:32,473
On their journey,
the same time of year
283
00:21:32,525 --> 00:21:34,759
That mothers and cubs emerge
from their hibernation.
284
00:21:34,811 --> 00:21:37,595
[whimsical music]
285
00:21:40,750 --> 00:21:43,634
These cubs were born four
months ago during the coldest
286
00:21:43,686 --> 00:21:44,518
Part of winter.
287
00:21:47,307 --> 00:21:50,374
After months of hibernation
and nursing her cubs,
288
00:21:50,426 --> 00:21:55,396
The sow was in a dazed
state called torpor.
289
00:21:55,448 --> 00:21:57,598
Even a bite or two
of insect larvae
290
00:21:57,650 --> 00:21:59,467
Are welcome calories for mom.
291
00:22:02,572 --> 00:22:06,140
Her walking around weight
is usually 200 pounds,
292
00:22:06,192 --> 00:22:09,894
But during the winter she's
dropped 60 of those pounds,
293
00:22:09,946 --> 00:22:13,014
Losing about a third of her body
weight during the long rest.
294
00:22:16,502 --> 00:22:20,654
For the 5 pound cubs, this
is their first taste of food
295
00:22:20,690 --> 00:22:24,325
Other than mother's milk.
296
00:22:24,377 --> 00:22:27,411
She'll continue to supplement
their diet for a few more weeks.
297
00:22:30,283 --> 00:22:33,584
But by early summer, they'll
be eating their meals
298
00:22:33,636 --> 00:22:34,919
The same way she does.
299
00:22:34,971 --> 00:22:37,838
[whimsical music]
300
00:22:42,295 --> 00:22:44,462
In may, the black
bear in yosemite
301
00:22:44,514 --> 00:22:47,531
Will feed mostly on low
nutrient meadow grasses
302
00:22:47,583 --> 00:22:50,251
While they wait for berries
and other high calorie foods
303
00:22:50,303 --> 00:22:51,435
To become available.
304
00:22:54,724 --> 00:22:57,792
Over the next eight months,
these cubs will double in size
305
00:22:57,844 --> 00:23:01,645
Every two weeks, reaching
a weight of 80 pounds
306
00:23:01,697 --> 00:23:02,763
By their first birthday.
307
00:23:08,738 --> 00:23:10,921
Roosevelt said that
he was once afraid
308
00:23:10,973 --> 00:23:12,556
Of things like the mighty bear.
309
00:23:15,995 --> 00:23:19,380
But by pretending not to
be, his fear went away
310
00:23:19,432 --> 00:23:21,215
And he was able to
enjoy the sights
311
00:23:21,267 --> 00:23:22,483
And sounds of the outdoors.
312
00:23:22,535 --> 00:23:25,219
[classical music]
313
00:23:32,845 --> 00:23:35,178
It was no coincidence
that he requested
314
00:23:35,180 --> 00:23:38,582
The famed naturalist john
muir to be his personal guide
315
00:23:38,634 --> 00:23:39,617
Through yosemite.
316
00:23:42,338 --> 00:23:45,372
But roosevelt's road to
becoming an outdoorsman
317
00:23:45,374 --> 00:23:49,076
Was just a small part of a
seemingly impossible confluence
318
00:23:49,128 --> 00:23:53,280
Of events that leads to
this camping trip, which
319
00:23:53,332 --> 00:23:55,883
Will change america forever.
320
00:24:04,227 --> 00:24:09,079
It's well known that
roosevelt was severely asthmatic
321
00:24:09,132 --> 00:24:15,202
And suffered as a young boy
growing up in manhattan.
322
00:24:15,254 --> 00:24:17,071
His parents took him
to all kinds of doctors
323
00:24:17,123 --> 00:24:19,723
To try to help him.
324
00:24:19,775 --> 00:24:21,792
The first doctor they
took him to told them to--
325
00:24:21,844 --> 00:24:26,030
And this isn't a joke--
but told them to give
326
00:24:26,082 --> 00:24:28,933
The boy a shot of whiskey.
327
00:24:28,985 --> 00:24:31,185
Another suggested that
they have their son
328
00:24:31,237 --> 00:24:36,807
Light up a big-- a big fat
cigar once or twice a day.
329
00:24:36,859 --> 00:24:41,011
Well, they tried and found that
no amount of booze or tobacco
330
00:24:41,063 --> 00:24:42,046
Helped his asthma.
331
00:24:42,098 --> 00:24:45,382
Finally, one doctor suggested
that young teddy spend
332
00:24:45,434 --> 00:24:49,386
As much time as he could outside
in nature, breathing fresh,
333
00:24:49,438 --> 00:24:51,472
Clean air.
334
00:24:51,524 --> 00:24:54,375
And finally, something worked.
335
00:24:58,714 --> 00:25:02,666
And from that day forward, teddy
roosevelt would forever equate
336
00:25:02,718 --> 00:25:06,403
The outdoors with health,
and his infatuation
337
00:25:06,455 --> 00:25:11,425
With the wild places
of the world begins.
338
00:25:11,444 --> 00:25:12,927
Kevin costner (voiceover):
He draws everything
339
00:25:12,979 --> 00:25:15,479
He sees, and memorizes
the latin names
340
00:25:15,531 --> 00:25:19,099
Of each species he identifies.
341
00:25:19,151 --> 00:25:21,835
Then, when he's 12,
his father becomes
342
00:25:21,888 --> 00:25:25,539
The founder of the american
museum of natural history.
343
00:25:25,591 --> 00:25:27,691
Teddy loves it so
much, that he decides
344
00:25:27,743 --> 00:25:31,245
To start a competing museum,
calling it the roosevelt
345
00:25:31,297 --> 00:25:33,881
Museum of natural history.
346
00:25:33,900 --> 00:25:36,634
It's in his bedroom.
347
00:25:36,686 --> 00:25:40,170
When he's 14, the family
takes a trip across africa
348
00:25:40,223 --> 00:25:41,572
And the middle east.
349
00:25:41,624 --> 00:25:44,658
Teddy collects animal specimens.
350
00:25:44,710 --> 00:25:49,129
And when he turns 18, he ships
off for harvard university.
351
00:25:51,767 --> 00:25:54,318
Roosevelt spent three
of his college summers
352
00:25:54,387 --> 00:25:56,570
In the adirondack
mountains, researching
353
00:25:56,622 --> 00:26:00,908
His first book, "the summer--
354
00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:03,160
The summer birds of
the adirondacks."
355
00:26:06,832 --> 00:26:07,631
Four pages.
356
00:26:10,353 --> 00:26:13,404
"bluebird, common near malone.
357
00:26:13,456 --> 00:26:16,590
Golden crowned
wren, quite common.
358
00:26:16,642 --> 00:26:20,261
Often heard singing in June.
359
00:26:20,313 --> 00:26:25,299
Chickadee, rather
scarce in June."
360
00:26:25,351 --> 00:26:31,171
It's just a-- it's just
a list of birds he saw.
361
00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:34,708
Maybe for roosevelt, writing
his first book while attending
362
00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,744
Harvard was more of
a summer vacation
363
00:26:36,796 --> 00:26:40,914
Than a real attempt
at literary genius.
364
00:26:40,967 --> 00:26:44,818
But he'd-- he'd
grow as a writer.
365
00:26:44,870 --> 00:26:48,822
Something was burning inside
this young man, and he was--
366
00:26:48,874 --> 00:26:50,224
He was destined to.
367
00:26:52,661 --> 00:26:53,827
Kevin costner
(voiceover): Roosevelt
368
00:26:53,846 --> 00:27:01,302
Would go on to write 35 books
and 155,000 published letters.
369
00:27:01,354 --> 00:27:02,970
Some are about war.
370
00:27:06,959 --> 00:27:08,225
Some about politics.
371
00:27:11,180 --> 00:27:14,064
And the rest, well,
most of them are
372
00:27:14,116 --> 00:27:18,268
About his true love, the
great outdoors and the animals
373
00:27:18,321 --> 00:27:19,119
That live there.
374
00:27:25,494 --> 00:27:28,078
Roosevelt's first
foray into wildlife
375
00:27:28,130 --> 00:27:31,382
May have started with the
birds of the adirondacks.
376
00:27:31,434 --> 00:27:33,884
But by the time he
visits yosemite,
377
00:27:33,936 --> 00:27:37,037
He's become infatuated
with america's big cats--
378
00:27:40,726 --> 00:27:43,977
So much so, that just a
few months before his trip,
379
00:27:44,030 --> 00:27:46,163
He'd been gifted a
live mountain lion
380
00:27:46,215 --> 00:27:49,900
By a prominent
political supporter.
381
00:27:49,952 --> 00:27:54,421
Don't worry, he never brought
it to the white house.
382
00:27:54,473 --> 00:27:56,223
Roosevelt may have
hoped to catch
383
00:27:56,275 --> 00:27:57,925
A glimpse of a
wild mountain lion
384
00:27:57,977 --> 00:28:00,144
During his time in yosemite.
385
00:28:00,196 --> 00:28:05,232
But you could live here an
entire life and never see one.
386
00:28:05,284 --> 00:28:09,920
It's estimated there may only be
18 of them living in the park.
387
00:28:09,972 --> 00:28:13,173
That translates to one
every 65 square miles.
388
00:28:17,763 --> 00:28:20,230
But those who do exist
in the sierra region
389
00:28:20,282 --> 00:28:23,083
Earn their place at the top
of the mountainous food chain.
390
00:28:25,738 --> 00:28:29,056
A mountain lion on the hunt
can travel 12 miles a day
391
00:28:29,108 --> 00:28:34,878
In search of a meal,
traversing many terrains,
392
00:28:34,930 --> 00:28:38,098
Including the highest heights
for the rarest of prey.
393
00:28:42,405 --> 00:28:45,606
The sierra bighorn sheep
ranks highest among the animal
394
00:28:45,658 --> 00:28:48,792
Mountaineers of yosemite.
395
00:28:48,844 --> 00:28:52,362
"possessed of keen sight
and scent and strong limbs,
396
00:28:52,415 --> 00:28:55,749
He dwells secure among
the loftiest summits.
397
00:28:55,801 --> 00:28:59,503
Leaping unscathed from
crag to crag, up and down
398
00:28:59,555 --> 00:29:02,423
The fronts of giddy precipices.
399
00:29:02,475 --> 00:29:06,610
Crossing foamy torrents of
slopes of frozen snow exposed
400
00:29:06,662 --> 00:29:09,830
To the wildest storms,
yet maintaining a brave,
401
00:29:09,882 --> 00:29:12,433
Warm life and developing
from generation
402
00:29:12,485 --> 00:29:16,303
To generation in perfect
strength and beauty."
403
00:29:16,355 --> 00:29:21,692
John muir, 1894.
404
00:29:21,744 --> 00:29:26,213
With more than 300,000
years of adaptation,
405
00:29:26,265 --> 00:29:29,600
That's three ice ages of
survival in the sierra nevada.
406
00:29:33,589 --> 00:29:39,009
The bighorn sheep has acclimated
to the most severe terrains.
407
00:29:39,061 --> 00:29:44,598
And the habitat they call
home is their primary defense
408
00:29:44,650 --> 00:29:45,716
Against predators.
409
00:29:51,290 --> 00:29:54,925
And it generally works
against all but one--
410
00:29:58,247 --> 00:29:59,196
This lioness.
411
00:30:02,117 --> 00:30:06,053
The elusive big cat is collared
and monitored by park rangers
412
00:30:06,105 --> 00:30:09,273
To help ensure they remain
viable in the ecosystem.
413
00:30:14,663 --> 00:30:17,881
This feast could last for a
week, if she's dining alone.
414
00:30:22,738 --> 00:30:27,491
But this mother has her
babies' mouths to feed.
415
00:30:27,543 --> 00:30:31,728
Mom trains them between
her hunts every few days.
416
00:30:31,780 --> 00:30:34,998
And when she goes
back on the hunt,
417
00:30:35,050 --> 00:30:37,551
Leaving them in
their hidden den,
418
00:30:37,603 --> 00:30:39,336
The cubs sharpen their skills.
419
00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:47,311
These mountain lion cubs were
only born a couple months
420
00:30:47,363 --> 00:30:49,563
Ago at the tail end of winter.
421
00:30:52,151 --> 00:30:56,420
And despite their
instincts, the road
422
00:30:56,472 --> 00:31:00,224
Seems long over the next year
to making it on their own
423
00:31:00,276 --> 00:31:01,658
As an apex predator.
424
00:31:05,981 --> 00:31:10,050
By the looks of it, it's going
to be a very long summer.
425
00:31:22,047 --> 00:31:24,915
Whether teddy roosevelt and
john muir were lucky enough
426
00:31:24,967 --> 00:31:29,803
To catch a glimpse of a big cat
during their trip in yosemite,
427
00:31:29,855 --> 00:31:32,322
We'll never know.
428
00:31:32,358 --> 00:31:35,409
Everything we do know is
pulled from a journal here,
429
00:31:35,461 --> 00:31:41,715
A letter there, or short passage
in roosevelt's autobiography.
430
00:31:41,767 --> 00:31:44,067
Small fragments for
us to piece together
431
00:31:44,119 --> 00:31:45,886
The rest with our imaginations.
432
00:31:50,893 --> 00:31:54,011
One thing we do know is that
after their first day and night
433
00:31:54,063 --> 00:31:57,614
Camping underneath
the towering sequoias,
434
00:31:57,666 --> 00:32:00,083
Roosevelt and muir
spent much of day two
435
00:32:00,135 --> 00:32:01,868
Following along
the merced river.
436
00:32:05,807 --> 00:32:10,210
It is truly the
lifeblood of yosemite.
437
00:32:10,262 --> 00:32:15,849
For the animals who live here, a
constant source of fresh water.
438
00:32:15,901 --> 00:32:19,219
For the 3.5 million people
who visit each year,
439
00:32:19,271 --> 00:32:21,622
It's a source of
entertainment and sport.
440
00:32:29,064 --> 00:32:34,167
But this river is actually what
formed the entire landscape--
441
00:32:34,219 --> 00:32:36,453
50 million years in the making.
442
00:32:40,859 --> 00:32:46,880
Humans-- we operate
in years, decades.
443
00:32:49,902 --> 00:32:52,719
Even a century can be a
daunting frame of reference
444
00:32:52,771 --> 00:32:53,987
To wrap our heads around.
445
00:32:58,927 --> 00:33:02,129
Trying to conceptualize
50 million years in time
446
00:33:02,181 --> 00:33:05,899
Is, well, maybe it's a
bit like trying to teach
447
00:33:05,951 --> 00:33:07,617
Calculus to a bumblebee.
448
00:33:11,473 --> 00:33:16,209
But 50 million years ago,
the river was slow-moving,
449
00:33:16,261 --> 00:33:17,661
Even still at times.
450
00:33:22,501 --> 00:33:25,902
Yosemite looked like this--
451
00:33:25,954 --> 00:33:32,325
No mountains, no granite
cliffs, just grasslands
452
00:33:32,378 --> 00:33:33,777
And gently rolling hills.
453
00:33:36,915 --> 00:33:40,701
Then a 10 million-year-long
period of tectonic activity
454
00:33:40,753 --> 00:33:43,637
Deep below the surface threw
everything into upheaval.
455
00:33:50,012 --> 00:33:52,562
As the pacific plate
slid underneath the north
456
00:33:52,614 --> 00:33:55,749
American plate, it
melted into magma
457
00:33:55,801 --> 00:33:57,117
Under the immense pressure.
458
00:34:05,527 --> 00:34:08,628
As that magma rose to
the surface and cooled,
459
00:34:08,680 --> 00:34:10,747
It turned into
the massive blocks
460
00:34:10,799 --> 00:34:13,600
Of granite that eventually
punched through the surface.
461
00:34:20,993 --> 00:34:23,276
These granite blocks
that were once sediment
462
00:34:23,328 --> 00:34:26,763
Under the pacific
ocean now give yosemite
463
00:34:26,815 --> 00:34:30,333
Its signature peaks and domes.
464
00:34:30,385 --> 00:34:32,969
And over the course
of millions of years,
465
00:34:33,021 --> 00:34:38,041
The entirety of yosemite tilted
dramatically to the west.
466
00:34:38,093 --> 00:34:44,498
As it did, the merced river
now had gravity on its side,
467
00:34:44,550 --> 00:34:49,870
And the force of the water grew
and grew as it moved from higher
468
00:34:49,922 --> 00:34:53,190
To lower elevations.
469
00:34:53,242 --> 00:34:56,810
Now the merced was a
force to be reckoned with.
470
00:35:00,365 --> 00:35:03,567
And it would spend the next
three million years carving
471
00:35:03,619 --> 00:35:07,671
Through the newly
formed mountains,
472
00:35:07,723 --> 00:35:14,795
Burrowing 3,000 feet into
the rock and creating
473
00:35:14,847 --> 00:35:16,630
A canyon seven miles long.
474
00:35:21,270 --> 00:35:25,455
Then, 250,000 years ago,
glaciers moved through
475
00:35:25,507 --> 00:35:27,858
The canyon, widening
and deepening
476
00:35:27,910 --> 00:35:30,477
The trail that the merced
river had already blazed.
477
00:35:43,108 --> 00:35:46,977
You know, there's
not exactly a map with
478
00:35:47,029 --> 00:35:48,578
An "x marks the spot on it."
479
00:35:48,630 --> 00:35:51,748
But what we-- what we do
know about that camping
480
00:35:51,800 --> 00:35:54,885
Trip between roosevelt and
muir was that everything
481
00:35:54,937 --> 00:35:56,336
We could piece
together either came
482
00:35:56,388 --> 00:36:00,724
From articles from the newspaper
or quotes from roosevelt
483
00:36:00,776 --> 00:36:02,659
Himself.
484
00:36:02,694 --> 00:36:04,744
You know, they didn't
have a bunch of guys
485
00:36:04,796 --> 00:36:07,631
With cameras following around.
486
00:36:07,683 --> 00:36:09,633
But the one yosemite
ranger who did
487
00:36:09,685 --> 00:36:14,171
Decide to accompany them,
well, he wrote a few pages
488
00:36:14,223 --> 00:36:16,556
Of his recollection.
489
00:36:16,608 --> 00:36:21,711
Said they made camp
just past the falls,
490
00:36:21,763 --> 00:36:24,781
Somewhere not far off
the banks of the merced.
491
00:36:24,833 --> 00:36:28,735
So I'd say--
492
00:36:28,787 --> 00:36:32,689
I say, yeah, I think we're
somewhere in the ballpark.
493
00:36:32,741 --> 00:36:34,658
Kevin costner (voiceover): He
also said that the night they
494
00:36:34,710 --> 00:36:37,494
Camped here,
roosevelt said to him,
495
00:36:37,546 --> 00:36:39,529
"charlie, I'm hungry as hell.
496
00:36:39,581 --> 00:36:41,681
Cook any damn thing you wish.
497
00:36:41,733 --> 00:36:44,050
How long will it take?"
498
00:36:44,102 --> 00:36:46,519
When charlie tells
him a half hour,
499
00:36:46,572 --> 00:36:48,872
Roosevelt lies
down on a blanket,
500
00:36:48,924 --> 00:36:52,626
Falls asleep, and starts snoring
so loudly that you can hear him
501
00:36:52,678 --> 00:36:55,629
Over the crackling of the fire.
502
00:36:55,681 --> 00:36:58,865
The next day, roosevelt
wakes up a new man.
503
00:36:58,917 --> 00:37:02,202
Says he's never felt
better in his life.
504
00:37:02,254 --> 00:37:07,524
The crisp mountain air gives the
president a new lease on life.
505
00:37:07,576 --> 00:37:10,894
He later speaks rapturously
to anyone who will listen
506
00:37:10,946 --> 00:37:14,064
About the wonder
of yosemite, saying
507
00:37:14,116 --> 00:37:16,466
He had no idea of
the sublime scenery
508
00:37:16,518 --> 00:37:19,953
And the magnitude
of the force before.
509
00:37:20,005 --> 00:37:24,374
And that no tale of the west,
however marvelous it might be,
510
00:37:24,426 --> 00:37:26,059
Can now astonish him.
511
00:37:31,049 --> 00:37:33,400
You know, I think--
512
00:37:33,452 --> 00:37:36,002
I think I'm going to take
a walk before that sun gets
513
00:37:36,054 --> 00:37:36,803
Over the mountain.
514
00:37:36,855 --> 00:37:41,391
You guys are welcome to come,
but you might want a coat.
515
00:37:46,498 --> 00:37:47,881
Kevin costner (voiceover):
Roosevelt's trip
516
00:37:47,933 --> 00:37:51,084
Through yosemite couldn't
have come at a better time.
517
00:37:51,136 --> 00:37:57,991
He was exhausted,
depleted, on the tail end
518
00:37:58,043 --> 00:37:59,826
Of an epic whistle-stop tour.
519
00:38:09,321 --> 00:38:17,877
The tour spanned nine weeks, 25
states, and over 14,000 miles.
520
00:38:17,929 --> 00:38:21,298
And it was all part of the
sequence of events that brought
521
00:38:21,350 --> 00:38:23,867
Roosevelt and muir together--
522
00:38:23,919 --> 00:38:30,190
The right people at the right
place at the right time.
523
00:38:30,242 --> 00:38:32,525
Tr will soon be up
for re-election,
524
00:38:32,577 --> 00:38:35,395
And he's drumming up support
for the republican party
525
00:38:35,447 --> 00:38:37,797
All across the united states.
526
00:38:37,849 --> 00:38:41,067
Roosevelt is the incumbent,
but he's never been
527
00:38:41,119 --> 00:38:45,372
Elected by the american people.
528
00:38:45,424 --> 00:38:49,259
Roosevelt had only taken office
after president william mckinley
529
00:38:49,311 --> 00:38:53,313
Was assassinated by a
lunatic in buffalo, new york,
530
00:38:53,365 --> 00:38:55,682
Just six months into
his second term.
531
00:38:59,154 --> 00:39:02,756
At just 42 years old,
roosevelt becomes the youngest
532
00:39:02,808 --> 00:39:04,424
President in american history.
533
00:39:08,330 --> 00:39:11,431
So with an election
right around the corner,
534
00:39:11,483 --> 00:39:16,519
Why from a campaign trail to
disappear into the wilderness?
535
00:39:19,474 --> 00:39:21,541
What kind of
politician would risk
536
00:39:21,593 --> 00:39:24,911
Losing an election in exchange
for sleeping on a blanket
537
00:39:24,963 --> 00:39:25,945
Underneath the stars?
538
00:39:30,185 --> 00:39:35,188
Well, teddy roosevelt is
no ordinary politician.
539
00:39:35,240 --> 00:39:37,540
He was forged in a
very different fire.
540
00:39:40,612 --> 00:39:43,246
Born into a wealthy family
that's part of the new york's
541
00:39:43,298 --> 00:39:48,484
Long-standing dutch aristocracy,
he's just 23 years old
542
00:39:48,487 --> 00:39:51,071
When he starts his
political career as a state
543
00:39:51,123 --> 00:39:54,023
Legislator in new york.
544
00:39:54,076 --> 00:39:55,909
It was during this
time that he makes
545
00:39:55,961 --> 00:39:58,311
His first trip to the
dakota territories
546
00:39:58,363 --> 00:40:01,648
For a two-week bison hunt.
547
00:40:01,700 --> 00:40:04,150
By the end of his trip,
he's fallen in love.
548
00:40:06,922 --> 00:40:10,123
He immediately invests in
a ranch and buys 1,000 head
549
00:40:10,175 --> 00:40:13,543
Of cattle, and builds a
small cabin along the banks
550
00:40:13,595 --> 00:40:14,861
Of the little mississippi.
551
00:40:17,766 --> 00:40:20,717
After his mother and his
wife both tragically die
552
00:40:20,769 --> 00:40:27,357
On the same day in the
same house in 1884,
553
00:40:27,409 --> 00:40:31,111
A distraught roosevelt
abandons politics and retreats
554
00:40:31,163 --> 00:40:33,563
Back to the dakotas.
555
00:40:33,615 --> 00:40:35,715
He becomes a local
sheriff, and spends
556
00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:37,350
His day tending to his herd.
557
00:40:40,489 --> 00:40:44,224
He says that the romance
of his life began here,
558
00:40:44,276 --> 00:40:46,826
And that the rugged
integrity of the terrain
559
00:40:46,878 --> 00:40:50,079
And the people in the dakotas
took the snob out of him.
560
00:40:56,771 --> 00:40:59,706
There is no room for snobs
during the notorious winter
561
00:40:59,758 --> 00:41:01,841
Of 1886.
562
00:41:01,893 --> 00:41:06,129
A raging November storm brings
daily temperatures of -40
563
00:41:06,181 --> 00:41:10,967
Degrees fahrenheit,
windchill not included,
564
00:41:11,019 --> 00:41:13,069
And the winter never relents.
565
00:41:13,121 --> 00:41:15,221
It snows so much
that animals had
566
00:41:15,273 --> 00:41:17,423
To climb the drifts to graze.
567
00:41:17,476 --> 00:41:20,910
Their frozen carcasses were
found hanging from high limbs
568
00:41:20,996 --> 00:41:24,664
Like ornaments on a
macabre christmas tree.
569
00:41:24,716 --> 00:41:30,053
70% of all cattle in the dakotas
and montana die that winter.
570
00:41:30,105 --> 00:41:33,940
Roosevelt toughs it out
in his little cabin,
571
00:41:33,992 --> 00:41:38,294
Doing whatever he can
try to save his herd.
572
00:41:38,346 --> 00:41:42,365
But in the end, fighting
the force of mother nature
573
00:41:42,417 --> 00:41:44,133
Is a losing battle.
574
00:41:44,186 --> 00:41:47,937
His herd is decimated and
his investment in the dakotas
575
00:41:47,989 --> 00:41:49,722
Is lost.
576
00:41:49,774 --> 00:41:53,443
But still, just 28
years old, roosevelt
577
00:41:53,495 --> 00:41:55,628
Emerges a hardened man.
578
00:41:55,680 --> 00:42:00,984
Neither the elements nor
tragedy can faze him any longer.
579
00:42:12,297 --> 00:42:20,353
Winter in yosemite can rival
the dreaded storms of 1886.
580
00:42:20,405 --> 00:42:24,691
In 2023, new records
were set, with 40
581
00:42:24,743 --> 00:42:30,797
Inches of snow in a single day
and accumulations up to 15 feet.
582
00:42:33,435 --> 00:42:36,703
And a new record low
temperature of -22
583
00:42:36,755 --> 00:42:39,188
Caused the famous
falls to freeze solid.
584
00:42:42,627 --> 00:42:44,677
On the second day of
roosevelt and muir's
585
00:42:44,729 --> 00:42:48,948
Camping trip through yosemite,
this is exactly what happened.
586
00:42:51,636 --> 00:42:54,353
After several weeks
of pristine weather,
587
00:42:54,355 --> 00:42:56,889
A blinding snowstorm
hits yosemite.
588
00:43:00,011 --> 00:43:02,395
By this time, the
entirety of america
589
00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:05,881
Has become fascinated with the
story of their rogue president
590
00:43:05,883 --> 00:43:10,803
Disappearing into
the wilderness,
591
00:43:10,855 --> 00:43:13,640
And news of the snowy
conditions quickly spreads.
592
00:43:17,262 --> 00:43:24,834
A wire report comes out
early that afternoon,
593
00:43:24,886 --> 00:43:28,137
And the general public becomes
concerned about their leader.
594
00:43:40,535 --> 00:43:45,104
You know, the thought of the
president of the united states
595
00:43:45,156 --> 00:43:48,524
Riding a horse through
14-feet of snow, I mean,
596
00:43:48,576 --> 00:43:51,093
It's just hard to
imagine how americans
597
00:43:51,095 --> 00:43:53,246
Would react to that today.
598
00:43:53,298 --> 00:43:56,249
And it'd be even harder to hear
the next wire report that got
599
00:43:56,301 --> 00:43:58,735
The people really
worried, telling them
600
00:43:58,787 --> 00:44:02,605
That president roosevelt has
not been heard from today.
601
00:44:02,657 --> 00:44:05,158
I mean, think about that.
602
00:44:05,210 --> 00:44:07,860
Try and picture it.
603
00:44:07,912 --> 00:44:12,231
Now, it's-- it's possible
that this disappearing act was
604
00:44:12,283 --> 00:44:15,168
Actually a brilliant
publicity stunt orchestrated
605
00:44:15,220 --> 00:44:16,986
By president roosevelt himself.
606
00:44:17,038 --> 00:44:20,340
I mean, we'll
probably never know,
607
00:44:20,392 --> 00:44:22,992
But I don't think so myself.
608
00:44:23,044 --> 00:44:27,363
But the american public,
they ate it right up.
609
00:44:27,415 --> 00:44:33,336
It was pure teddy roosevelt.
610
00:44:33,388 --> 00:44:35,371
Kevin costner (voiceover): It's
known that roosevelt and muir
611
00:44:35,423 --> 00:44:39,092
Are headed for glacier point.
612
00:44:39,144 --> 00:44:43,296
At an elevation of
7,200-feet, the whiteout
613
00:44:43,348 --> 00:44:46,115
Conditions would stop
most rational men from
614
00:44:46,167 --> 00:44:48,134
Continuing up the mountain.
615
00:44:48,203 --> 00:44:51,003
But one journalist at "the
san francisco chronicle"
616
00:44:51,056 --> 00:44:56,092
Has a solid grip on the man the
president truly is, writing,
617
00:44:56,144 --> 00:44:58,461
"some in his party
say that this is just
618
00:44:58,513 --> 00:45:01,197
The kind of trip he'll enjoy.
619
00:45:01,266 --> 00:45:03,466
Severe weather
cannot frighten him."
620
00:45:07,455 --> 00:45:10,406
After a full day of
riding through deep snow,
621
00:45:10,458 --> 00:45:13,025
Stopping now and then to
let their tired horses
622
00:45:13,078 --> 00:45:18,081
Rest before plunging
through another drift,
623
00:45:18,133 --> 00:45:20,299
Roosevelt and muir
reached their campsite.
624
00:45:26,124 --> 00:45:27,757
"a snowstorm came on.
625
00:45:27,809 --> 00:45:30,510
And at night we camped
on the edge of yosemite,
626
00:45:30,562 --> 00:45:33,780
Under the branches of a
magnificent silver fir.
627
00:45:33,832 --> 00:45:39,352
And very warm and comfortable
we were," roosevelt later wrote.
628
00:45:39,404 --> 00:45:42,905
They had covered 35
miles of rugged terrain,
629
00:45:42,957 --> 00:45:44,791
And it was time for
roosevelt and muir
630
00:45:44,843 --> 00:45:46,275
To finally get down to business.
631
00:45:49,130 --> 00:45:52,615
Huddled by the fire
that night, as five more
632
00:45:52,667 --> 00:45:58,020
Inches of snow fall, they spent
hours in spirited conversation.
633
00:46:01,059 --> 00:46:04,160
They talked a great deal about
the conservation of forests
634
00:46:04,212 --> 00:46:07,513
In general, and
particularly in yosemite.
635
00:46:07,565 --> 00:46:11,067
But they also talked about the
setting aside of wild areas
636
00:46:11,119 --> 00:46:12,034
In the united states.
637
00:46:18,960 --> 00:46:23,379
Roosevelt is impassioned by
their time in the wilderness.
638
00:46:23,431 --> 00:46:25,898
Maybe their exhilarating
day in the snowdrifts
639
00:46:25,950 --> 00:46:29,836
Reminds him of his younger years
spent in the dakota territories.
640
00:46:33,107 --> 00:46:35,641
But something about the
conversation with muir
641
00:46:35,693 --> 00:46:38,795
On that snowy night
injects a ferocious energy
642
00:46:38,847 --> 00:46:42,148
Into the president.
643
00:46:42,200 --> 00:46:45,935
The ranger who guided them later
reports that the only difficulty
644
00:46:45,987 --> 00:46:49,722
With the conversation was that
the energy was so frenetic,
645
00:46:49,774 --> 00:46:52,341
That both men were
so excited that they
646
00:46:52,393 --> 00:46:54,410
Simply couldn't
help but talk over
647
00:46:54,462 --> 00:46:55,945
Each other the entire night.
648
00:47:07,509 --> 00:47:11,210
When roosevelt finally returns
to his eagerly awaiting party,
649
00:47:11,262 --> 00:47:14,463
He announces, "this
is one day of my life,
650
00:47:14,516 --> 00:47:19,302
And one I will always
remember with pleasure.
651
00:47:19,354 --> 00:47:22,488
Just think of where
I was last night.
652
00:47:22,557 --> 00:47:25,825
Up there amid the pines and
silver firs in the sierra,
653
00:47:25,877 --> 00:47:28,194
In solitude.
654
00:47:28,246 --> 00:47:29,879
In a snowstorm, too.
655
00:47:29,931 --> 00:47:33,349
And without a tent, I
passed one of the most
656
00:47:33,401 --> 00:47:35,001
Pleasant nights of my life."
657
00:47:38,756 --> 00:47:41,941
I've never known how to
make sense of this story.
658
00:47:41,993 --> 00:47:44,977
But I know one thing-- that's
the good part of the story.
659
00:47:45,029 --> 00:47:49,298
There's another part of the
story that ended tragically,
660
00:47:49,350 --> 00:47:53,853
And I'm not afraid to tell it.
661
00:47:53,905 --> 00:47:58,124
In the coming episodes,
roosevelt and muir
662
00:47:58,176 --> 00:48:00,042
Hatch a cunning plan.
663
00:48:00,094 --> 00:48:02,261
It gave the president
himself enormous power
664
00:48:02,313 --> 00:48:05,031
To deem an area of land
protected by federal law
665
00:48:05,083 --> 00:48:08,901
Without it needing to pass
through congress or the senate.
666
00:48:08,953 --> 00:48:11,003
Kevin costner (voiceover): And
we go back to the very beginning
667
00:48:11,055 --> 00:48:15,358
Of the yosemite story, when the
sounds of bloody battle cries
668
00:48:15,410 --> 00:48:20,129
And gunfire echo from
the canyon walls.
669
00:48:20,181 --> 00:48:22,415
It was a piece of paper
that said, "wipe them
670
00:48:22,467 --> 00:48:24,233
Out if they get in your way."
671
00:48:24,285 --> 00:48:27,637
[music playing]
54854
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