Expedition

Science and Nature Series / 1 Season

Head into the unknown with naturalist Steve Backshall as he journeys to the world’s last unexplored places and faces challenges around the globe, encountering extraordinary wildlife and meeting remarkable people along the way.

Get Cascade PBS Passport to watch

Kronotsky River First Descent

2m 14s

Steve and his team of fellow kayakers demonstrate how to make a first descent down the rapids of the unexplored Kronotsky river and prepare for what to do if they encounter one of the reserve's famed brown bears.

Preview

31s

Steve Backshall ventures deeper into the unknown, shining a light on unexplored corners of the planet. On a mission to discover fresh insights that could help to secure a future for the world's wildlife, Backshall and his hand-picked team of experts dive with sharks in Mexico's Eastern Pacific, search for apes in Africa's unexplored jungles, paddle into the heart of brown bear territory, and more.

Expedition Unpacked | Preview

31s

Expeditions to remote parts of the world are full of wonder and danger in equal measure; each one has its own set of challenges and each one has its crucial moments of decision. New unseen footage reveals a fresh perspective on these epic adventures into the unknown and behind-the-scenes content shows us just how these expeditions were filmed and brought to our screens.

How Expedition Did the Big Wall Haul | Digital Extra

3m 41s / TV-PG

How exactly do you haul hundreds of pieces of equipment up a mountain including food and water? Justin Hall explains how they relied on locals and animals to help with the load.

Steve’s Three-Day Climb

2m 49s / TV-PG

On day two, Steve joins Hazel and John as they inspect their climb, which is steeper than the group had initially expected. The climb to the top will take three days where they’ll meet Khalid al Hikmani, an Omani National Park Ranger, to see if his cameras have been triggered by any wildlife.

Dhofar Mountains

3m 52s / TV-PG

The deserts of southern Oman are home to one of the most elusive big cats on Earth, the Arabian leopard. Steve meets Khalid al Hikmani who has been working in the mountains for 12 years and has only seen the leopard three times.

Abseiling Into a Sinkhole

2m 21s / TV-PG

Steve’s journey in Oman begins with British climbers Hazel Findlay and John Arran. They abseil into a sinkhole where they’ll find their only source of water for the next several miles of their expedition.

Wildlife at Cliff Camp

2m 58s / TV-PG

Steve takes the opportunity to explore the cliff camp while Hazel and John continue to ascend the cliff face. He finds signs of wildlife, stumbling upon a set of ibex hoofprints and rock hyrax footprints. Both animals are built for the steep climbs along these mountain ranges.

Episode 10 Preview | Oman - Desert Fortress

30s / TV-PG

Visit the remote and impenetrable Dhofar Mountains in Oman, where Steve Backshall hopes to become the first to climb unexplored cliffs. Along the way, he encounters one of the rarest animals on Earth.

The Team's Brutal, Unexpected Jungle Trek | Digital Extra

4m 5s / TV-PG

The problem with heading into uncharted territory is that you never quite know what’s ahead of you. Getting the team's boats and all the film kit through the thick, twisted jungle adds an entirely new set of challenges.

Meeting Suriname's Jungle Inhabitants | Digital Extra

4m 14s / TV-PG

Suriname’s jungles are alive with the calls of animals. Home to nearly 200 species of mammals and 800 birds – this is one of the largest tracts of pristine jungle in the world – keeping it protected is crucial for the future health of our planet. Steve and team meet some of the wildlife -- and Steve pulls out some of his best animal call impressions.

The Jungle at Night

4m 32s / TV-PG

Hidden in the tangled web of forest, there are over 7,500 species of plants and animals, alongside countless numbers of insects and arachnids. Steve goes into the jungle at night to discover some of the species that come out when darkness hits.

Ghost River

54s / TV-PG

Jungle expert Michel Boeijen and Surinamese guide Ile Opodi join Steve on his latest journey through Suriname. As they map out their route, they brainstorm names for an unexplored river, settling on Ghost River.

Episode 9 Preview | Suriname - Ghost River

30s / TV-PG

Join Steve Backshall in a region of Suriname that’s so remote, it could conceal undiscovered natural wonders. He and his team travel deep into the jungle to kayak an unnamed river. The journey results in a surprise beyond their wildest dreams.

The Team Faces an Obstacle

2m / TV-PG

Everyone joins together to help navigate two boats packed with kit through rough waters. Too difficult to steer onboard and risking the possibility of boat damage, they must wade through the deep channel, pushing the boats by foot.

Glacier Melt

2m 59s / TV-PG

With current rates of warming, many of Greenland’s glaciers will melt altogether by the end of the century. As the team faces one of these glaciers through rising temperatures during the day, they experience a steep, slushy, and exhausting climb while also having to watch for dangerous drops created by crevasses.

Icy River Crossing

4m / TV-PG

The team has come to Greenland for an extraordinary challenge. Many of the peaks remain unclimbed and unexplored having no human foot set upon them. Steve leads the team of explorers to conquer one last frozen frontier but when you’re on an expedition, you can only climb the mountain that’s in front of you and in this case, that mountain is a river.

Supported by