Top 10 Man Vs. Wild Episodes on the Discovery Channel

The Discovery Channel is well known for their high quality shows, and Man vs. Wild is no exception.

Man vs. Wild has a simple premise. Your Discovery Channel host, Bear Grylls, is pitted against the wilderness time and time again. Fortunately, he's well qualified to handle it as both a long time adventurer and a veteran of military Special Forces.

Here is a rundown of the top 10 episodes of Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel, and why they made my list:

#10 Episode 6: Scotland (Season 2)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear takes us to the Cairnigorn National Park in Scotland, which is classified as arctic. We learn about killing rabbits for food, using deer skin for shelter, and checking slopes for signs of an avalanche. Best of all? Bear shows us how far he's willing to go to get water by squeezing it from sphagnum moss.

#9 Episode 8: European Alps (Season 1)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear takes us to the European Alps, Europe's greatest mountain range. We learn about eating maggots, young roots and fresh buds off pine trees (pine needle nibs). The best part in this episode is also the grossest: maggots for dinner isn't anyone's idea of a good time.

#8 Episode 5: Siberia (Season 4)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear parachutes into the Siberian Tundra, where he has to set up camp before sunset in one of the coldest places in the world. We learn how to build a snow shelter and how to escape if you fall in a frozen lake. The best part in this episode is the closing, which I won't spoil for you.

#7 Episode 2: The Deep South (Season 5)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear explores the swamps of the Mississippi Delta and shows us the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Best part? Him playing monkey bars on a wrecked fishing boat.

#6 Episode 7: Yukon (Season 5)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear explores the Yukon, the frozen wastelands of the Northern U.S. and Canada. We learn about the Yukon Gold Rush as he explores an abandoned mine.

#5 Episode 3: Mexico (Season 2)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear braves intense heat and dryness to teach us about local tribes that used to live in the area. We learn how to eat scorpions and how to fish from the river at the bottom of the canyon. Best part? Realizing that survival doesn't always mean finding a settlement.

#4 Episode 3: Ireland (Season 5)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear shows us that Ireland is not as peaceful as we think it is, as he tackles seemingly unending mountains. We learn about hypothermia, and the best moment is where Bear gets himself stuck in a peat bog and teaches us how to get out of it.

#3 Episode 9: Desert Island (Season 1)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear shatters the myth that being stranded on a tropical paradise might be fun. Upon landing, he teaches us how to find food and make shelter. Best part? He has to make a sea-worthy raft to get off the island.

#2 Episode 2: Iceland (Season 2)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear explores the most dangerous parts of Iceland. We learn how to use lava rock to filter water, how to eat reindeer moss, and local hunting techniques. Best part of this episode? The scenery.

#1 Episodes 1 and 2: Sahara and Desert Survivor (Season 3, in two parts)

In this episode of Man vs. Wild, Bear hikes through the hottest place on Earth, the Sahara desert. We learn how to skin and disembowel a camel. We also learn how to escape from quicksand. The best part? The amazing array of terrain.

Please tune into the Discovery Channel to catch Man vs. Wild, and if you like it enough, you can visit the Discovery Channel online store to pick up the series on DVD. Discovery Channel always fills up my DVR with wonderful programming.