Comments on: Ed Wardle gives us lessons in wilderness survival

By: Bob McClanahan

Bob McClanahan — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:29:14 +0000

If you have never spent the night in the “wilderness ” alone you cannot know the isolation that this man felt .
What happened to him was “reality ” and he was Man enough to publish it .
We all wanted to see him go the distance and shared in the disappointment of the early rescue.
His reaction was not a sign of weakness or failure.The experiment was a success.It revealed his humanity.
Good job Ed .I wish i was tough enough to try it .

By: char

char — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 22:45:46 +0000

Glad to see that there are some “real” men out there that are not afraid of seeing what total isolation and hunger can do. Ed has given me motivation to pursue alot of life-long dreams. Here I am, almost 50 and a mother of 4 sons. One of them in boot camp and intent on doing ranger training. Ed mentioned that he wanted to have a “fulfilling” life (Something like that). How do you do it in an armchair in front of the tube? What better way then to stretch your limits and face your fears? Well, I am on my way! I thank Ed for bringing me back to the survival dreams that I have had all my life, but have only lived through books. I hope to shake his hand someday. First things first….learn how to trap and shoot.

By: bob doucette

bob doucette — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:15:13 +0000

Great take, Carla. From what I’ve read, many people are quick to judge Ed and his mental toughness. But how many of us have really spent that long, alone, and having to fight to stay alive? Isolation plus stress can be huge. It was one heck of an experiment.

By: Carla Usery

Carla Usery — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:16:30 +0000

I sat through the whole series, at times terribly difficult to watch. It is a given that survival skills, knowledge of plants and animals, and experience hunting and fishing, would be fully considered prior to embarking. But for Ed, there was a deeper,more insidious obstacle lurking. What Ed’s experience ultimately did for me, was make me consider that the impact of the isolation would be very easy to underestimate, and harder still to prepare for.
I have to confess, that I was initially very bothered by his decreasing ability to deal with the isolation. I suppose I expected a mythic superhero who would triumph over all obstacles emerging with the head of the Gorgon. What emerged, was a very human account of the efforts of one man. Not a hero; an everyman. Perhaps ironically , I have given this MUCH more thought and consideration than a hero’s tale ever would have gotten.
Ed seems a very sensitive and social sort. I believe he would be an excellent companion on an adventure such as this. In fact, I think he and Bill should get together and try it again! I’d watch that!

By: bob doucette

bob doucette — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:15:20 +0000

Really good take. Definitely appreciate a well thought-out post on what I thought was a fascinating show and experiment.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:09:26 +0000

I agree that Ed seemed mentally unprepared for his journey. However, with that said he was extremely courageous to try what he did. I think I would have said 30 days up front and anything over that would be a plus. I think 90 days was a little ambitious. I also think that Canada should have given him an exemption on shooting something to eat. The show was a success because it showed what a regular outdoorsman could be expected to accoplish in that situation. I think Ed should try some other expeditions like Les Stroud. Good luck Ed. Well done.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:16:01 +0000

Hey I would give my eye teeth to have the chance to try what Ed did. Hiking, camping,hunting and this attempt at survival are vastly different.My hat is off to Ed.
Hey maybe I should go with you the next time Ed. We would either kill each other or make the time pass quicker playing cards.LOL

By: tony

tony — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:25:28 +0000

dont say “hallo” if you think bear is near in the bush. Looks stupid lol

By: tony

tony — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:20:51 +0000

i liked Ed and i was sad how it end. I want say something about fear from bears. I dont know if the gun he had, can kill a bear (it was shotgun i think so probably not), but he should take a gun with him then. A hunting rifle or big pistol. I think you can kill bear even with axe or big knife. And if you think bear is near, just make loud, sing for example. bear run away. It is dangerous only in bush where you can surprise him.

By: David

David — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:50:56 +0000

I am a 49yr old man that has over his life time went solo several times (1-2weeks). I have never came close to 50 days I have experienced the fears and my hats also off to Ed who has walked the walk. You guys that try to take away from what he did are a pitiful shame at what it means to be a man. I totally agree mentally he was not prepared but as others have stated there is so much more to it than just whats on the camera IMHO he did damn good. A couple of pocket guides to edibles may have also helped tremendously and if he could have shot any large game he would have had no problem surviving full term. You can’t underestimate the power of a full stomach or an empty one for that matter! I loved the episodes and know being out there is nothing like watching someone else being out there. It is clear to me who the men are here and who are the children. I would be confident having a partner such as Ed by my side in a survival situation no doubt! So whens the sequel?!!!