Vote of Confidence in Bear Grylls
- Thread starter cap n chris
- Start date
Pete K
Well-known member
richardg said:
A discussion was had at a meeting of the Association of Caving Instructors at Hidden Earth a short while after this show aired. We do not believe it was a member of our organisation and those who have worked with or near Bear in the past have commented that he generally brings his own in-house team. I agree however that any professional who was involved might need to reflect and learn from this but, I repeat, we do not know who advised this. I don't think it makes a difference who is commenting about this matter.
If someone could direct Bear to a good film about caving that also manages to get over the seriousness of the undertaking that might help him in future endeavours. Something like Sid Perou's excellent film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYaCfYSp-9k
glyders
Member
If it is anything like other of his things I've seen, the risks are actually very minimal, just hyped and filmed to look greater. I'd be very surprised if he was actually exposed to much risk. That makes it worse in my opinion.
However, I haven't seen this footage so can't comment on it specifically.
However, I haven't seen this footage so can't comment on it specifically.
Simon Beck
Member
Just imagine what he could do with the correct gear on? Probably leave most of you for dust!..
Although I don't agree with his reckless portrayal of caving either - I'm sure that, not unlike myself, Bear is more concerned about being himself than giving two shits what the general caving population think of him..
Although I don't agree with his reckless portrayal of caving either - I'm sure that, not unlike myself, Bear is more concerned about being himself than giving two shits what the general caving population think of him..
Ship-badger
Member
Pete K said:
The filming was overseen by two CICs, and if you look back through some of the posts you might be able to work out who at least one of them was. It was I suspect one of those situations where they employed professional people and then completely ignored their advice. Of course the CICs could have walked away from the job, but then they might not have got paid. So you can either be professional or you can be paid
I guess, like a fair portion of the caving population, I don't give two shits about what other people are capable of with or without the correct gear...Simon Beck said:
Bear probably doesn't give two shits about anyone but himself and his brand that will earn him huge sums of money. And money he will earn, because a whole bunch of sad bastards want to buy and be seen with "celebrity" endorsed crap.
RobinGriffiths
Well-known member
Myself, I am eagerly awaiting for hostilities to commence between Bear Grylls Island and Carla Lane Island. Wonder where they do their shopping? Not seen any of them at the Pwllheli Asda...
richardg
Active member
Ship-badger said:
In light of this....... CIC knowing the cave is a killer in flood and these were such conditions were by their very presence sanctioning entry into the cave..
Can we have in light of the letter sent to the programme producers by the cave rescue organisation....a official and open investigation by the Association of cave instructors into their involvement with the programme also.
Pete K
Well-known member
If someone wishes to pass the names of any ACI members involved via email to the ACI Secretary then this matter can be looked into.
http://www.caveinstructor.org.uk/
If they are not ACI members then it is the BCA who you should contact.
http://www.caveinstructor.org.uk/
If they are not ACI members then it is the BCA who you should contact.
Peter Burgess
New member
Not content with sticking two fingers up at the caving community, he's now started on the mine explorers as well. http://www.aditnow.co.uk/Community/viewtopic.aspx?p=160729#msg160729
cap n chris
Well-known member
richardg said:
ACI were not involved with this programme.
bagpuss
Member
Bit late to the party, and apologies if it's already been said, but I watched the series and was shocked by the contrast between the lack of safety in the caving footage, and the ice climbing in Scotland where they were properly equipped and safety was discussed. Outdoor footage can still be interesting and exciting without all the bravado. On a side note whilst the Snowdonia episode was being filmed they stayed in dorms on a Scout site where my daughters group was camping. It would have made the kids day to have a visit from Bear, but he didn't bother to visit them.
I don't expect they could afford his fees:
http://www.nmplive.co.uk/bear-grylls
Mike
(he seems to be charging 10 times what Ray Mears does for corporate events)
http://www.nmplive.co.uk/bear-grylls
Mike
(he seems to be charging 10 times what Ray Mears does for corporate events)
Anyway, it's all a bit of a storm in a Handbasin/buttertub/(milk)churn!
Even though he appeared to enter the cave by himself he was soon met by their geologist & obvious safety team. The cameras would have been turned off so they could get out of the cave quicker, as the crew cannot hold on or move around easily whilst filming.
The sequence is more likely to put people off trying caving than encourage them to go in alone, as they made it clear that they had got into trouble & made caving look really dangerous. Although, how many members of this forum first got interested in the underground by exploring with a handtorch in entrances they had found themselves?
If you try caving without a helmet you actually hit your head less as the extra inch of height means you are more likely to misjudge where the ceiling is when wearing one (not that I recommend this as many caves are not as solid above you as Long Churn). Similarly on the mountain bike he was riding along a flat track, not doing a downhill route.
He has raised the profile of caving in the media (& the complaints have kept it there), which long term is likely to mean more people give it a go than would have without the programme & most will try to find an "expert" to go with (the ice climbing sequence is more likely to get someone into trouble as they made it look easier).
Mike
Even though he appeared to enter the cave by himself he was soon met by their geologist & obvious safety team. The cameras would have been turned off so they could get out of the cave quicker, as the crew cannot hold on or move around easily whilst filming.
The sequence is more likely to put people off trying caving than encourage them to go in alone, as they made it clear that they had got into trouble & made caving look really dangerous. Although, how many members of this forum first got interested in the underground by exploring with a handtorch in entrances they had found themselves?
If you try caving without a helmet you actually hit your head less as the extra inch of height means you are more likely to misjudge where the ceiling is when wearing one (not that I recommend this as many caves are not as solid above you as Long Churn). Similarly on the mountain bike he was riding along a flat track, not doing a downhill route.
He has raised the profile of caving in the media (& the complaints have kept it there), which long term is likely to mean more people give it a go than would have without the programme & most will try to find an "expert" to go with (the ice climbing sequence is more likely to get someone into trouble as they made it look easier).
Mike
cavegirl99
Member
bagpuss said:
Bagpuss - I beg to differ - he climbed Ben Nevis in winter conditions without a helmet (even though the climber with him did have a helmet), I don't know anyone who climbs in winter without a helmet. He then sat on the top and told the story of how his father had a near miss on the mountain when a falling rock just missed his head.
