0:00:02 > 0:00:06This programme contains some strong language
0:00:06 > 0:00:08- How are you feeling?- Awful. Ah, hanging on for dear life.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Just think of the miles that we're covering at least.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Olympian James Cracknell and adventurer Ben Fogle
0:00:15 > 0:00:18are taking on the largest sand desert in the world...
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Wow, look at this!
0:00:20 > 0:00:22..the Empty Quarter.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27They're travelling in the footsteps of legendary British explorer
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Wilfred Thesiger.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Their goal - to rekindle a lost friendship.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37We're getting there, yeah.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Together, they've already rode across the Atlantic Ocean
0:00:42 > 0:00:44and raced to the South Pole.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49Now, in the most hostile desert on the planet,
0:00:49 > 0:00:51they'll face extreme heat and dehydration...
0:00:51 > 0:00:55I do feel like I'm almost hallucinating, I feel like I'm drunk.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57..violent sandstorms...
0:00:57 > 0:01:01The sand gets in your nose, eyes, mouth.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06- ..and unpredictable camels... - Argh, stop!
0:01:06 > 0:01:07Stop it, stop it.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Argh!
0:01:09 > 0:01:10I'm in so much pain.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13..and their troubled relationship will be
0:01:13 > 0:01:14pushed to breaking point.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16It's OK. Jamie, Jamie, calm down.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19You're lying, you're lying. You don't want to head out, rubbish.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Sometimes, James is an arse.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25If you go to bed with an argument, it gets bigger.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Can James and Ben find what they're looking for in the most
0:01:28 > 0:01:30remote place on Earth?
0:01:30 > 0:01:34I'm going to need you more than ever over the next two days.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37We've both been on umpteen expeditions and trips
0:01:37 > 0:01:39and this is WAY harder.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55- Do you know where you're going? - I am going...there.- Middle East?
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- Middle East. - Would you point it out on a map?
0:01:59 > 0:02:02It's a week before Ben and James set off for the Empty Quarter.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04It's bigger than the Sahara.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07James' wife Bev and their children Croyde, Kiki
0:02:07 > 0:02:09and Trixie are helping him get ready.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Cos it's so big,
0:02:10 > 0:02:16it's like the space between your ears - there's nothing in there.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18'This is an amazing place to get to go to.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20'Neither Ben or I are experts in this environment,'
0:02:20 > 0:02:23it's a case of, in any situation,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26knowing what your limitations are and planning around them.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- Who loves you?- Da-da. - Oh, he does. Oh, he does.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- He's going to miss you, isn't he? - Uh-huh.- Uh-huh. Where's Daddy going?
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- Is he going to see a camel? - Mm-hmm.- Wow.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40I'm, for once, not going to be the most grumpy person on camp
0:02:40 > 0:02:42cos there's some camels there as well.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- Check it out.- Ludo, can you guess what Daddy's going to make?
0:02:46 > 0:02:52'I've never properly tried to live and be self-sufficient in a desert.'
0:02:52 > 0:02:54It's more like a dinosaur.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58'For me, this is a really exciting opportunity to genuinely test'
0:02:58 > 0:03:03myself in what I think is probably one of the toughest terrains.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Can you make me enough to last me a month in the desert?
0:03:07 > 0:03:10The Empty Quarter expedition will be the longest that Ben has ever
0:03:10 > 0:03:13been away from Marina, Ludo and Iona.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16The funny thing is I'm genuinely reaching a stage now where
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I just want to be with my family and part of me thinks maybe I should
0:03:19 > 0:03:26just hang up my adventurer coat but I do love this whole adventure thing.
0:03:28 > 0:03:29Ooh, watch, a big wave.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34Ben and James first met in 2005 when Ben asked the Olympic rower
0:03:34 > 0:03:36to join him in a race across the Atlantic.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40The cabin is underwater.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Very scary and Ben's very shaken. As am I.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49They emerged from the gruelling 50-day voyage as firm friends.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Good job, man.- That was amazing.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Three years later,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59they teamed up again in a 500-mile race to the South Pole.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02We're not even halfway.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07The pressure of the race pushed their friendship to the limit.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I can't be a...a sponge, we've got to be a pushing-out.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14'My friendship with James is quite a complex one,
0:04:14 > 0:04:15'there's no doubt about it,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19'and we have been described and are often described as the odd couple.'
0:04:19 > 0:04:21We are, we're pretty different.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Whatever it is, James has to and wants to be the best at what he does.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Despite the tension of Antarctica,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32they always planned to do a third expedition together.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37But in July 2010, tragedy struck.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46During a cycle race across America, James was hit by a petrol tanker.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49He suffered a catastrophic head injury.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53He was wired up to all sorts of machines, pillow covered in blood.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55His brain had swung forward in his skull
0:04:55 > 0:04:57and all the damage was to the front of the brain.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00I was a day away from never seeing my family again.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05James' skull was split in two places with severe bleeding
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and swelling of his brain.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10It was a sort of waiting game of, well, is he going to live?
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Yes, brilliant.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Is he going to be OK? We don't know.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Hmmm, OK.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24We can't tell you how much of him is ever going to be back.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26The one thing they were categorical about,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30they said he will never regain some of these functions that he
0:05:30 > 0:05:34had before, he will always struggle with some of these things.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37That's really hard to hear.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41He spent three months on a neuro trauma recovery ward in America.
0:05:42 > 0:05:43Three years on,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46he's still coming to terms with the effects of the accident.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49'Not a day goes past when I wish it hadn't happened
0:05:49 > 0:05:52'and I wish it hadn't happened for Bev and the kids.'
0:05:52 > 0:05:55The reality is, with the frontal lobe injuries, the ability
0:05:55 > 0:06:01to plan, organise, motivate and empathise are massively reduced.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06He's found it very hard to maintain relationships which apparently
0:06:06 > 0:06:10is classic, textbook behaviour for someone who's had his injury.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15'I probably don't even really know where our friendship is
0:06:15 > 0:06:18'at this particular moment and in some ways,'
0:06:18 > 0:06:19actually, in many ways,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23that's why I'm embarking on this trip with him
0:06:23 > 0:06:25cos I see this as a chance to try
0:06:25 > 0:06:29and understand more about where we are now but also, I don't know,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I don't know whether James sees it that way as well,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34but I kind of feel like that we need to...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39We need to...refriend.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42With a brain injury, it's very difficult
0:06:42 > 0:06:45and people find it very hard to be honest
0:06:45 > 0:06:49and they've got their expectations of what the impact
0:06:49 > 0:06:51of the injury is and are you different or not that different?
0:06:51 > 0:06:53And if they see you walking and talking,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55the assumption is you're OK.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00That's part of the excitement for me, to prove to...
0:07:00 > 0:07:04I think I've proved to myself, just to show whether it be to Bev,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07to family, to other people who've been through a tough time,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11that he's back, he's fine and let's crack on.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13My worry comes from the fact that I've been told that
0:07:13 > 0:07:17some of his...characteristics,
0:07:17 > 0:07:21some of his traits have been exaggerated through the accident
0:07:21 > 0:07:25and I say that with a smile on my face cos that does worry me
0:07:25 > 0:07:28a little bit because, by his own admission,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32he was always quite hard on himself and those around him,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34he was always pretty driven,
0:07:34 > 0:07:38he always had the potential to be a bit grumpy occasionally,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40and if those are exaggerated,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43I'm about to go away with a monster.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53Ben and James are travelling to Rub' al Khali, the Empty Quarter.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59Spanning over 250,000 square miles across the Arabian Peninsula,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02it's the largest expanse of sand in the world.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06They're following in the footsteps
0:08:06 > 0:08:08of British explorer Wilfred Thesiger,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12who criss-crossed this vast desert over half a century ago.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Aristocratic by birth, Thesiger shunned the trappings
0:08:16 > 0:08:21of privilege and wealth to travel in the company of local Bedouin.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24He shared their hardship and won their respect,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28earning the nickname Mubarak bin London.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Now, James and Ben
0:08:33 > 0:08:37are attempting to cross 600km of the Empty Quarter in Oman.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40They've promised their families they'll be away for just four
0:08:40 > 0:08:42weeks, so it's an ambitious goal.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50Local elder Musalem Al Mahari will be their mentor, teaching them the
0:08:50 > 0:08:54traditional Bedouin skills they'll need to survive in the desert.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Hi there, how are you? Very nice to meet you.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- So you're going to...help us with everything?- Yes, I'll do.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I'll try my best to help you.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Have you ridden a camel before? - No, no. Once.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Once, many, many years ago,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I was hopeless so we know nothing really about camels.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Horses?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- I've done a teeny bit but not really very much.- And you?
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Horses, no, I'm...
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- I used to have a cat. That's about it.- OK.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- Cos we know nothing. - Yeah, I mean, it's quite hard.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Ben and James are in Salalah, Oman's second city.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39When Thesiger was here in the 1940s, it was still a small town
0:09:39 > 0:09:43that had been built on the ancient trade of frankincense.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Thesiger knew he was witnessing the end of an era as oil wealth
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and a rush to modernity began to change Oman
0:09:49 > 0:09:52and the whole of Arabia for ever.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56I've kind of being fascinated by Thesiger since I was a young boy,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I remember finding that book, Arabian Sands.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00The more I read,
0:10:00 > 0:10:04the more captivated I became about this Empty Quarter, this vast,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07inland ocean and the fact that here was a man out here being
0:10:07 > 0:10:14traced by gun-toting Arabs, genuinely, his life in jeopardy.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Come, quickly.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Listen to me, listen to my advice.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24The traditional souk has changed little since Thesiger's day.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Ben and James want to travel as he did,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30so it's the perfect place for them to shop for authentic supplies.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33'On a modern expedition, you can be as hi-tech as you want.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37'Quick-wicking clothes, GPS, you can have water pumps to purify
0:10:37 > 0:10:41'the water, just about everything at your disposal, satellite phones.'
0:10:41 > 0:10:45But I think both James and I are fascinated to try and take it
0:10:45 > 0:10:49back to its grass roots level and I've never really done that before.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- Try this.- Look at this, you've got a smile on your face now.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's like a jock strap.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Hey, James, OK.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05Is it a bit over the top? Do you think...? Is this for look?
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- Is this for show...- Yeah. - ..or is this also...?- Both, both.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Where's Ben? OK.- Silver.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I mean, it's kind of... It's kind of like dressing up, isn't it?
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Now, try to eat a lot of fries to have big belly.- Oh, really?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Yeah, to have big belly.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- Like this, you don't look a rich man.- Really?
0:11:31 > 0:11:36- You've got the evening attire version.- Does it suit me?- Yeah.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38What do you think?
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Am I going with the campest desert companion in the world?
0:11:41 > 0:11:42In fact,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I was going with the campest desert companion in the world anyway,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49now, he's just made himself look like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Priscilla, I'm coming.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Come, come, come.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59The tribal unrest that Thesiger encountered over 60 years ago
0:11:59 > 0:12:02is long gone, but it's still Bedouin tradition to carry
0:12:02 > 0:12:05a dagger as a mark of masculinity
0:12:05 > 0:12:08and it's a crucial tool for survival in the desert.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- I think we need a short one and a big, strong one. Each.- Each?
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- You not think just...?- A small one and a big one each.- Yeah.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Well, why doesn't one of us get a small one and one of us
0:12:18 > 0:12:20gets a big one?
0:12:20 > 0:12:21OK, if a snake happens to be near you,
0:12:21 > 0:12:25are you going to have time to fold it out and chop its head off?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27No, I think you want to take one of each.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31I think it is better to have one of each than a gun.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35I think we definitely have some disagreements on how we want
0:12:35 > 0:12:39to approach this in terms of whether we're going for...whether
0:12:39 > 0:12:43we're going for practicality or authenticity.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46This knife, the blade runs right to the hilt, is going
0:12:46 > 0:12:51to behead a snake or a...camel or a Fogle.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55But...this knife...will go with his Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
0:12:55 > 0:12:59outfit he's got, so I imagine he'll end up with this.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01The budget will be three times as much.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Next on the Thesiger shopping list is food.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11They'll need enough supplies for three weeks but first,
0:13:11 > 0:13:14they must agree on how closely to follow Thesiger's meagre
0:13:14 > 0:13:18rations of rice, bread and eggs.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20We could take potatoes. I don't know how we'd cook them.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- No, you can't take... - Tomatoes, probably not.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26This is Uday Ali.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28We need this for bread.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- For this, 50?- 50, OK.- 50?
0:13:33 > 0:13:35- 55.- 55?
0:13:35 > 0:13:38We just said 50, I thought we had the deal at 50 cos it would have been 60.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42I'll do 25 kilos for 25 rials.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43No problem.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46I would shake your hand but it's probably quite sticky.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49Four of these.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Are you buying ginger, Ben? There isn't sushi.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Well, listen, I want to add a little bit of flavouring
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- so we've got some ginger. - You're not going to live off ginger.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03This is what Thesiger took out.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08- No, ginger is going to just add a little bit of...- No, what's this?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- Hmm?- What's that?- Shark.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Completely against my ethics. Thank you, sir.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- You've been living in Notting Hill too long.- What have you got?
0:14:15 > 0:14:17How much fish is there?
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- We've got...- We've got way more ginger, look at the...
0:14:21 > 0:14:23That's the ginger and fish.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28I know but the ginger is going to be...flavouring all of our...
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Think how heavy that is.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- It'll be fine.- You're going to a desert, what are you thinking?
0:14:36 > 0:14:42This is the first time James and I have spent a day together in years.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45It's funny cos it's almost like we're back to square one,
0:14:45 > 0:14:49it's almost like I'm with James the stranger again, you know,
0:14:49 > 0:14:53James who became such a good friend, who is still such a good friend.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57I'm still learning about who he is, how he works, and
0:14:57 > 0:15:03if I'm to be honest, I have had a bit of a shock...cos he's so different.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09It's such small nuances but they kind of...in my mind,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13they've escalated and that makes it a little bit hard because...
0:15:15 > 0:15:21..I don't know quite which James I'm dealing with here.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- Sugar?- Yeah.- Salt?- Yeah.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- Dates?- Yes.
0:15:28 > 0:15:29- Ginger?- No.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31THEY LAUGH
0:15:32 > 0:15:37In 1945, Wilfred Thesiger left Salalah on his mission to open
0:15:37 > 0:15:39up the Empty Quarter.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42He called it "the greatest prize of Arabian exploration."
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Ben and James are following his route north,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49heading to a Bedouin camp for their desert training.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54There's suddenly a lot of nothingness, isn't there?
0:15:55 > 0:15:56Look, it's beautiful, right?
0:15:56 > 0:16:01Not really, it's the same as it was about a minute ago and an hour ago.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02But here...
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It's stunning but I've seen it, I feel I've seen it all now.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Unlike Thesiger, Ben and James have decided to
0:16:13 > 0:16:17take on the Empty Quarter without local guides.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Morning. Salam.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23They've got just three days at Musalem's temporary camp to
0:16:23 > 0:16:27learn the necessary skills from his team of Bedouin tribesmen.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28You ready?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31First, it's time to meet their only team-mates -
0:16:31 > 0:16:35the camels that will carry them and their supplies.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36Oh, it works for the camel as well.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38They must learn quickly how to manage
0:16:38 > 0:16:42and ride these notoriously wilful and grumpy ships of the desert.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Pull this down and say...
0:16:44 > 0:16:45HE MAKES HISSING SOUND
0:16:45 > 0:16:49JAMES REPEATS SOUND
0:16:49 > 0:16:50Tch, tch, tch.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Ben, who's known for his love of animals, has a touchy-feely style.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56(Thank you.) Good boy.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01James goes for a firmer, no-nonsense approach.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06Your camel is quiet because your camel is afraid of you
0:17:06 > 0:17:10because the camel knows that you are stronger than him.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Ben's camel, he is thinking now,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16"How could I throw him somewhere in the desert?
0:17:16 > 0:17:21"How can I kill him? How can I defend myself?"
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It's the quiet ones you've got to watch for,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25that's what we say in England. I'm quite worried.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28He's very quiet now but it'll only take one second.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- Do your best when you are in the Empty Quarter.- Yeah.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33JAMES MAKES CLICKING SOUND
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Very good.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Always keep yourself in the centre.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- Am I not in the centre?- Yes, you are OK, always in the centre.
0:17:46 > 0:17:47- Shall I go up?- Yeah.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52Feels good being up.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55And we're off. Slowly, slowly.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58My one really wanted to join you, James.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59They're up with ease.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04But their mentor, Masalan, is having some difficulty.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Tch! Tch! Tch!
0:18:08 > 0:18:10JAMES SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Crazy camel! - GRUNTS
0:18:13 > 0:18:15How are you going, James?
0:18:22 > 0:18:23HE LAUGHS
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- You OK, Masalan? - Yeah, I fell down.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- Do you think we've got the best tutor, James?- No.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33HE LAUGHS
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Come on, teacher.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37SINGS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Which way are we going, Masalan? - Left.- Left.- Left.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- On this side.- That's right, then.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50They've taken to the riding well,
0:18:50 > 0:18:52but Ben and James will travel through the desert
0:18:52 > 0:18:55with four fully-loaded camels.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59They'll have to ride their own camels
0:18:59 > 0:19:03and manage the pack animals tethered behind at the same time -
0:19:03 > 0:19:05a much more difficult skill to master.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Where are we going?
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- This is the direction to Saudi Arabia. You see those canyons?- Yes.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- You see the hills?- Yes.- Straight on.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17This way. CLICKS TONGUE
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- Over the canyon. - OK. Come on. On you come.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22On you come. On you come.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25HE SHOUTS
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Whoa. Whoa.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Stop!
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- Are you OK, James?- All good.
0:19:44 > 0:19:50The camels, they...maybe they don't like James.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I don't know.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00James is the toughest person you're ever going to meet.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03He was hit by a truck at goodness-knows-what miles an hour.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I was in that hospital the day after, and all the nurses said
0:20:06 > 0:20:10that no normal human being would have survived that.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13James is made of, like, armour.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17Having said that, I think, like all of us, he has a lot of pride.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Partly both of us want to learn by our mistakes,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22but mistakes in the desert can kill,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25especially when you've had a head injury, and I'm always aware of that.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27IT BELLOWS
0:20:27 > 0:20:31I know, I know. I know. I'm sorry. It's on now.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37You obey me, all will be good. All will be good.
0:20:37 > 0:20:43You may not think I'm the boss, but between you and me...I am.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47The camels will carry the water
0:20:47 > 0:20:51that will keep the entire team alive between wells.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55The Bedouin claim goat skins are still the best way
0:20:55 > 0:20:58to look after this precious resource.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59- What will we put in there? - You put water.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- No!- You put water.- Yeah.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04So the water just goes in the top here, does it?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- Yes, the water in the top.- Yup.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09They've actually got the udders still on them.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11So they're female goat skins mainly?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- I think they're the testicles, Ben. - Really?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15JAMES LAUGHS
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Wow. What are you doing? Testing that it's...?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20And they guarantee they won't leak?
0:21:20 > 0:21:23No. I mean, at the beginning, they leak a little bit.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27It smells a bit like rotten shoes.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30What does the water taste of, then? When it comes out of here.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33The first week, it will taste not good.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Smells not good, taste not good.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Excellent.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- But it will change. After a while, you will like it.- Will we?
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Maybe at the beginning,
0:21:42 > 0:21:45you will have, the first or the second day, diarrhoea.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- Oh, good.- Maybe. Maybe. And then after, it will change.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59It's the last day of training.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03With the reality of what they're taking on beginning to dawn,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06the mood in camp is tense.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Ben and James have set themselves an ambitious target.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12From the village of Al-Hashman,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14they'll enter the Empty Quarter,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17crossing over 600km of harsh desert
0:22:17 > 0:22:19terrain and huge sand dunes.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Their chosen target
0:22:21 > 0:22:23is the vast and fabled quicksands,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25known as Umm as Samim,
0:22:25 > 0:22:26"mother of poison",
0:22:26 > 0:22:28made famous by Wilfred Thesiger,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32the first western explorer ever to reach them.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35But unlike Thesiger, they're determined to make the crossing
0:22:35 > 0:22:37without Bedouin guides,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39using only a map and compass to navigate.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44So, Masalan - maps, routes, navigation.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46This is key, isn't it?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48It's the thing I'm the most nervous about,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52so feel free to group me in that nervous...area.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Because it may look empty, but we have to go the right way.- Yep.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Your direction is this way, north-east.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02Sand dunes like this.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Sand dune here, sand dune here, sand dune here, sand dune here,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07sand dune here - no canyon.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10So, all through here, how far do those big dunes go?
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- This goes down to here.- OK.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- About 40km.- 40km of dunes.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20After 40km, you will come to sand dunes, canyon. Go north.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- And then head north? Yep. - That's Saudi Arabia on the other side.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26- Saudi Arabia. Don't come close to Saudi Arabia.- No.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- There's the quicksands.- Yep.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33And this whole distance from here to there, roughly?
0:23:33 > 0:23:37- 650km.- Wow.- 650km.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44For James, the pressure to navigate successfully
0:23:44 > 0:23:47between water wells is very real.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50His head injury means heat and dehydration
0:23:50 > 0:23:53could bring on an epileptic fit.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56In terms of being ready for the Empty Quarter,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58the bits that I'm worried about now
0:23:58 > 0:24:01is not necessarily the riding the camels and securing the camels,
0:24:01 > 0:24:02the feeding the camels,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05the packing the camels - it's finding the water,
0:24:05 > 0:24:10and finding our way directly to the next well.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15A seizure in the desert would mean the end of the expedition.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18More importantly, it could threaten his life.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24It's vital they have the means to find and carry water.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30The navigation seemed quite specific for the first 20km
0:24:30 > 0:24:33and then, very random for the next 480.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37So...I think we're going to need every drop of water.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41How long these will hold up for, I don't know.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46It will take two days to reach the first well.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51They'll need at least 70 litres for them and their camels.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57I'm worried. I'm really worried.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58Especially as these...
0:25:00 > 0:25:03..don't look like they'll hold for more than a few hours.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11Leaking goat skins are a serious threat to Ben and James.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Wilfred Thesiger fought a constant battle with thirst.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17At times, he went between wells
0:25:17 > 0:25:19surviving on just a single cup of water a day.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Temperatures in the Empty Quarter can reach over 50 degrees.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28To keep cool, he dressed like a Bedouin.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Ben and James will also wear traditional Bedouin clothing.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37We have to stop being western men now.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Right. Goodbye, shirt.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44I'll miss you. My favourite purple ones.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48Big pants.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52How do you do this, Ben?
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Can I say, it's actually very comfortable. It's quite breezy.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Are you free-balling?- Yes. Well, with the big pants.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02But there's nothing to hold me in place.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Our boots give us away.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Yeah, I think there's plenty more than the dishdashas
0:26:08 > 0:26:11going to give us away, but this is the fun part.
0:26:11 > 0:26:17The serious part comes when we get the camels loaded and we set off.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19How are you feeling about that?
0:26:19 > 0:26:23I have pretty much...
0:26:23 > 0:26:26zero confidence in...
0:26:26 > 0:26:28..our navigation, if I'm honest.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31I'm not confident in our water holding up,
0:26:31 > 0:26:33because it's leaking so much.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42With just a few hours before nightfall,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45they must address their concerns with Masalan now
0:26:45 > 0:26:48if they are to have any chance of leaving tomorrow.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- Did you fill these, James? - They were full. They were all full.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- They are leaking. - I filled them all up.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01Look. These were full. Look at it. These are just empty.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03All they've been doing is sitting in a truck,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06not bouncing on a camel, and it's...
0:27:06 > 0:27:07So much has gone out.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10You see, when you hang it like this -
0:27:10 > 0:27:13when you hang the goat skin like this, it will not leak.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16This is not my environment, Masalan. I'm not going to go.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18I have a wife and children.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20I'm not going in there not knowing where to go,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22and with bags that leak.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25It's just not a responsible thing for any parent to do,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27or any individual to do.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33You need to be, you know,
0:27:33 > 0:27:39confident and comfortable with what we have with us, so if we...
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Look, Masalan's coming.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48James, I'm the first to agree water is life out there
0:27:48 > 0:27:51and there's no point, so I agree. Let's take them full.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56So, Masalan, we've decided, as a team, this is our plan.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00- We're going to take these two.- Yes. - But we want to take them full.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04We will fill the water now.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- So we take that and two goat skins, you think?- No goat skin?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16IT BELLOWS
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Hey, beautiful. How you doing?
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- WOMAN'S VOICE:- 'All right.'
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Getting on pretty well with the camels,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36although the camel threw me off yesterday, which was...
0:28:36 > 0:28:38'Oh, dear.'
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Lucky it was on sand, so that was OK.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Don't you worry. We will be very safe.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- BOY'S VOICE:- 'Hi, Daddy!' - Hey, little man.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- How are you doing? - 'I'm good.'
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Hello, Mr Ludo.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53So the camel is actually saying hello.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56I can send the camel back and I can stay in the desert.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Would you rather have me or a camel?
0:29:00 > 0:29:01- WOMAN'S VOICE:- 'It's a tough one.'
0:29:01 > 0:29:03HE LAUGHS
0:29:05 > 0:29:07Hate those last phone calls.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12I'm nervous about it.
0:29:12 > 0:29:13I'm really nervous,
0:29:13 > 0:29:20because I'm going to be doing something I've never done before
0:29:20 > 0:29:24and doing it with someone who's never done this before,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26and we're going to have to work together,
0:29:26 > 0:29:28and this is really a test of not only
0:29:28 > 0:29:31how I can adapt to the situation anyway,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35but also proving to everyone
0:29:35 > 0:29:38that I am back to who I used to be,
0:29:38 > 0:29:39and that's really important.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Should I be doing this? Do I still want to do this?
0:29:44 > 0:29:47I'm nervous about heading out there, but I'm excited as well.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01Ben and James are leaving their Bedouin mentors behind
0:30:01 > 0:30:04to begin their journey across the Empty Quarter.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Sorry, big fella. It's that time of day.
0:30:10 > 0:30:11They've still no idea
0:30:11 > 0:30:14if their navigation skills are up to the task,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18or if they can cover enough distance in two days to reach the first well
0:30:18 > 0:30:2060km away.
0:30:22 > 0:30:28I'm still dubious as to whether we have enough water.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30I mean... Whoa! Whoa!
0:30:34 > 0:30:37I feel let down by Masalan in terms
0:30:37 > 0:30:42of getting the goatskin bags.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45They just...they leak so much.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47As much as he's saying,
0:30:47 > 0:30:49"Well, they won't leak when they're on the camel,"
0:30:49 > 0:30:52it's not something I believe, really.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58He's still really worried about water and navigation.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00And let's be honest, that's kind of
0:31:00 > 0:31:02what makes the Empty Quarter the Empty Quarter -
0:31:02 > 0:31:04water and navigation.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06And heat.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10I always knew this was going to be tough.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12We haven't even started yet, and psychologically,
0:31:12 > 0:31:14it's kind of eating us up.
0:31:14 > 0:31:15James does drag me down.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17There's no way I would have been
0:31:17 > 0:31:19as stressed as that yesterday with someone else.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20I don't think.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22I still have a lot on my mind,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25but I think he does pull me down a little bit,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27and it's my job to try and pull both of us back up.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29I have to work double-time.
0:31:29 > 0:31:35And in that sense, I do feel I'm treading on eggshells.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42IT BELLOWS
0:31:44 > 0:31:46That's OK? Come on.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49- All right, guys.- Four camels.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- Four camels.- Food. - And us. That's us.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- It's going to be fun, yeah? That's the thing.- It is going to be fun!
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- Hey, Masalan.- Good morning. James and Ben, how are you?
0:32:01 > 0:32:08- Yeah, yeah, good. I think we are finally ready.- That's good.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- I'm happy that you have learned a lot in a few days.- We'll see.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18And I wish you a good trip. I hope to see you in the next five years.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- So, take care.- I hope it will be quicker than five years.- OK.
0:32:22 > 0:32:23Brilliant.
0:32:23 > 0:32:28- Thank you very much, Masalan. - Bye-bye.- Thank you. Camels are good.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33We're off, James. We are off to the Empty Quarter.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I feel like I'm going to the best fancy dress party ever.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- I'm going to win the best costume. - Say goodbye to civilisation.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43Bye, guys. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everyone.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46Come. Just...
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Wow, look at this.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11Now, that...is an unbelievable sight.
0:33:15 > 0:33:16It's certainly empty.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21What's more worrying is that every sand dune
0:33:21 > 0:33:22looks pretty much the same to me.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Hey, fellas. Don't you back away from the Empty Quarter.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- I'm relying on you. - They're genuinely all looking around going, "Oh, no."
0:33:28 > 0:33:30"We're going in with these two idiots."
0:33:30 > 0:33:32That's what they're saying.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34I don't speak camel yet, but I'm learning.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37God, though, it's beautiful.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45I don't think I've ever seen a desert quite as vast.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50You'll be bored of that view in about an hour.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09Here's my gang.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14Captain Barnacles, Janet behind,
0:34:14 > 0:34:21and just in front, over there, is James.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24James, what's your load camel called?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- Otto.- Oh, no, carrying the cargo.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29I don't really know.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Otto Two is kind of what I've been referring to him as.
0:34:37 > 0:34:38For the next 18 days,
0:34:38 > 0:34:42it will be just Ben, James and their four camels.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Without Bedouin guides,
0:34:44 > 0:34:48navigation through the sand dunes is no easy task.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53So, Masalan said to us, "Go across the valley,
0:34:53 > 0:35:00"go to behind that dune, and take the gully to the north-east."
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- So right to north-east.- Yep.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06They not only need the right bearing,
0:35:06 > 0:35:08they must also know their average hourly pace
0:35:08 > 0:35:11to map their route to the first well.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15- So what do we think our walking pace is now?- Over three, easily.
0:35:15 > 0:35:16Three kilometres an hour.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25After just two hours, they're struggling.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Well, I'm confused, then.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31This could be this one, this could be this one.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33I think we need to go that way.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35OK. You think we need to go east of this one,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38and then to the north of the one behind,
0:35:38 > 0:35:41and then that will bring us back out onto the sand and gravel.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44It's almost like we just have to have a pant, and if we're wrong,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46we have to come back and take the other route.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- We've got to get it right.- Listen, I know we've got to get it right.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50This is the hardest bit.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53And it's so easy to get the dunes muddled
0:35:53 > 0:35:55because there's so many of them.
0:35:58 > 0:35:59To keep to their bearing,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02they decide to go straight over a big sand dune.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Have you seen your camel goes up on its knees?
0:36:05 > 0:36:09- It's quite steep, mate. - Yeah, yeah.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10It's not a good idea.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13The pack animals, Janet and Otto Two,
0:36:13 > 0:36:17are weighed down by 75kg of supplies each.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Steady, steady.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25- You OK, James?- Yeah, hang on. Let me, um...
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Just pull her, and this momentum will drag her up.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31Just need to grab...
0:36:33 > 0:36:36James, I think it's too much weight. I think we've got to get this off.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46No... For fuck's sake.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Whoa!
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Arghh!
0:36:52 > 0:36:56If the camels escape, they'll lose all their food and water,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58which would mean the end of the expedition.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00Well done.
0:37:03 > 0:37:04- Come on.- Just going to get mine.
0:37:06 > 0:37:07Hey!
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Slowly, slowly.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17We've discovered not to take them over big dunes.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Big dunes and camels don't work very well.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28They need to cover at least 30km today.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31I think we might need to just check navigation, Ben.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36But they are still struggling with their route,
0:37:36 > 0:37:37and the camels.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Come on. Stop it. Stop it.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Whoo! Got a boot to the leg, there.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- You all right?- Yeah. - Don't you get any ideas.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53After so many wrong turns, the pressure is taking its toll.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Oh.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Fucking idiot.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04I fucking don't give a shit any more. This is bullshit.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09As soon as we get there, the sooner we can fucking go home. Come on.
0:38:09 > 0:38:10- CAMEL GROANS - Yeah, fuck you!
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Ups and downs.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20I think, um, I think James is getting frustrated.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24He's just got off and he's starting to swear.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Um, listen, it's... It is frustrating.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32We've had to stop and redo them. Navigation's hard, so...
0:38:32 > 0:38:36It's...you know? It's not easy.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38We all go up and down.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42I'm feeling...I'm actually feeling really good.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45But I don't want...but this is my, you know?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48I've got to temper that a bit, I'm aware of that.
0:38:53 > 0:38:58After a frustrating nine hours on the move, they decide to make camp.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03I have absolutely no idea where we are.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08It looks very much the same as when we started out this morning.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10It's full of sand dunes.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15And as our navigation briefing was five minutes,
0:39:15 > 0:39:21and our map involved a pencil line drawn near to 600km away,
0:39:21 > 0:39:28it was very much a case of the blind leading the blind, which,
0:39:28 > 0:39:30when you're going somewhere for the first time,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32it's not a particularly good way of finding anything.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38I'm hoping navigation becomes easier.
0:39:40 > 0:39:45Walking is one thing. Walking in the wrong direction is another thing.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58This is kind of cooking fesija style.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02It's literally just water, salt and flour.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04No yeast or anything.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07It's pretty stodgy and heavy, so it really fills you up.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13I've never baked bread out on an expedition like this.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15It's the opposite of what you would normally do.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20You'd normally have rehydrated meals, boil some water, eat, go.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Instead, I'm about to spend a couple of hours cooking it.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25And you'll see, it's quite laborious.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- What do you think of the bread? - I think it's damn good.
0:40:32 > 0:40:37Anyway, we've got bread for breakfast and we've got lunch as well.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39Marvellous.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45We need to be just a bit careful of scorpions around here.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- Just do a little check, especially boots in the morning.- Mm.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- What time is it?- 6.30.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- Fucking hell! How long have you been awake?- I just woke up.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Oh, man!
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Ben and James have overslept.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23They're already an hour and a half behind schedule.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26These camels hawked all night.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29After yesterday's navigation problems,
0:41:29 > 0:41:33they'll have to keep moving all day in the right direction
0:41:33 > 0:41:36to stand a chance of reaching the well by nightfall.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Look at the dune in front of you.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Very nice. I hope we don't have to go over it.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- Were you cold last night? - A little bit chilly.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Your tea water is ready.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Oh, perfect.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Is there any dates?- Yeah, dates...
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Where's the sugar?
0:42:01 > 0:42:04HE SLURPS
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Are you ready, fellows?
0:42:07 > 0:42:10There is no biting allowed!
0:42:10 > 0:42:13That's us.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16- Right, so, James?- Yeah, Captain?
0:42:16 > 0:42:19We head towards that big flat escarpment on that dune
0:42:19 > 0:42:22and then bear to the left.
0:42:22 > 0:42:24They've missed the coolest part of the day,
0:42:24 > 0:42:28but a good night's sleep seems to have lifted James' spirits.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32Talk me through your adaptations.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34You look like you've been blinging it up.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39Well, I've got a sort of slit in my dishdasha there.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41- Eh, that's because... - Are you trying to show me leg?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Well, I would be showing you leg, although I did actually
0:42:44 > 0:42:50- fashion a pair of gaiters out of my undergarments.- Yeah.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53So that there's less sand going down my shoes.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Because we spent so much time walking yesterday.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59So, um...what's the mood in camp today,
0:42:59 > 0:43:03given the mood can only be you and I? What mood have we created?
0:43:05 > 0:43:08- All in all, in the black rather than the red at the moment.- Good.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11I'm feeling really optimistic today.
0:43:11 > 0:43:17I think, um, yeah, slowly, slowly we're getting used to life out here.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20- Go over this way.- So, straight on? - Yeah.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25I think things are a bit more relaxed today.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28We left a bit later than we wanted, you know.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30But you can't have everything.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33It's like something has to always give here.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36- It's looking good. - Oh, that's a big flat plain.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39That's a good sight already.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42You see that kind of different coloured one there?
0:43:42 > 0:43:46Down to the right, yeah. So, you see the little shrub on the top?
0:43:46 > 0:43:49Yeah, exactly. We're not going to go over that or over that.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52So I'm pretty certain it's down there.
0:43:52 > 0:43:57- We're getting there, yeah. - Slowly.- Slowly, slowly.- Slowly.
0:44:00 > 0:44:04Well done, Otto. Good pace. Good pace.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09Have you noticed how the packing
0:44:09 > 0:44:12- seems to be much better today?- Yeah.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19James and Ben have been on the go now for nine hours
0:44:19 > 0:44:22and covered 27km.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25They're back on track to make it to the well.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29There's a lot of camels on the horizon.
0:44:29 > 0:44:33Are there lots of people with them as well?
0:44:34 > 0:44:36Is funny, isn't it?
0:44:36 > 0:44:39Cos actually, one of them looks like a man on a motorbike.
0:44:39 > 0:44:44And actually, one of them looks like a bloke pulling a sledge.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46I think my mind is already playing tricks on me.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54But I'm hoping where there's camels, there's going to be a herder,
0:44:54 > 0:44:59a nomad of some sort, and I would imagine they would keep them not far from a source of water.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07Look - camels, greenery and water!
0:45:09 > 0:45:13It's not the romantic oasis of legend. But it's water.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15Oh, look at that, guys!
0:45:15 > 0:45:19And finding it marks a huge success for James and Ben,
0:45:19 > 0:45:22and excellent news for their camels.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26How satisfying is that?
0:45:26 > 0:45:29Wow!
0:45:29 > 0:45:33Ooh! Is that good, Janet? What do you think, Otto?
0:45:33 > 0:45:37It's the relief of seeing these guys filling themselves up.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40It actually looks quite clean, this water, as well.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43Mm.
0:45:43 > 0:45:44Sulphurous!
0:45:48 > 0:45:51Pretty satisfying to see them drinking, isn't it?
0:45:51 > 0:45:54There's plenty more gas in the tank, is what I get from that.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59After today's effort, they've earned an early finish.
0:46:03 > 0:46:07It was a huge relief to get to the well, you know, because,
0:46:07 > 0:46:12not only just to get to the well, but for the well to be where we thought it would be.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14And that is a huge relief.
0:46:14 > 0:46:20We are in better shape for a good day tomorrow than we were yesterday.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22Mentally.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26It's been a really good day.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30We're going to try and, eh...
0:46:30 > 0:46:32up the ante a little bit tomorrow.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37We're on an unstoppable train now.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46Here we go. I think that's OK.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53How many tea bags would you like in the tea, sir?
0:46:53 > 0:46:57- Oh, just one, thank you.- One?!
0:47:01 > 0:47:04It's so quiet here, isn't it?
0:47:04 > 0:47:06Yeah. Ish!
0:47:06 > 0:47:09All except for the grumbling camel.
0:47:09 > 0:47:14What were you hoping to get out of...out of coming here?
0:47:14 > 0:47:19I think the bigger attraction for this trip was to go with you,
0:47:19 > 0:47:23than just to come here to the desert.
0:47:23 > 0:47:27It's something I've always wanted to do, if I'm to be really honest.
0:47:27 > 0:47:34- Well, likewise.- I mean, we haven't really seen each other for a while.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38You've kind of...you've been having
0:47:38 > 0:47:43your own things to deal with,
0:47:43 > 0:47:46and, you know, we've both got families and both disappeared off.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50So throwing that question back to you about why you're here.
0:47:50 > 0:47:58I spent a lot of the last three years hiding away a little bit,
0:47:58 > 0:48:02from...cos people don't really know, or didn't, you know, how to...
0:48:06 > 0:48:09..talk to me or have a perception of what
0:48:09 > 0:48:13I would be like after having had a big old smack on the head.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16Do you think there's a stigma in people?
0:48:16 > 0:48:19I think there is not necessarily a stigma, I think...
0:48:19 > 0:48:24It is often called the hidden illness, a brain injury,
0:48:24 > 0:48:29because you don't really know what people are capable of.
0:48:30 > 0:48:35It's not like a heart attack or cancer. There is a kind of...
0:48:35 > 0:48:37or a broken leg.
0:48:37 > 0:48:42There is a timescale or a perceived recovery. We all know someone...
0:48:42 > 0:48:44It's very different, so people...
0:48:44 > 0:48:49- Mates talk to me like I'm a foreigner.- Does that annoy you?- Yes.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Cos I don't want to be judged on a different scale. I never have.
0:48:52 > 0:48:57CAMEL BLEATS
0:49:01 > 0:49:04All right.
0:49:04 > 0:49:09Oh... I was just feeding...
0:49:09 > 0:49:12Ooh. Just feeding my camel.
0:49:12 > 0:49:13HE GROANS
0:49:13 > 0:49:16And he has bitten me quite badly, actually.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18Ooh.
0:49:19 > 0:49:23That is very, very painful.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25It is very deep.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27Ooh, God, that is sore.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31Better try and... So, James, do you mind just coming and give me
0:49:31 > 0:49:33a little hand just cleaning my hand?
0:49:33 > 0:49:35Just heard you shout.
0:49:35 > 0:49:39- So you were feeding it and it...? - Yeah, just bit into me.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42It's very deep. He literally...
0:49:44 > 0:49:47..took my hand for a date, quite literally.
0:49:47 > 0:49:52And his big old tooth went straight in.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55Now, you know what's coming?
0:49:55 > 0:49:57- Yeah, iodine. That's fine.- Yeah?
0:49:57 > 0:50:01You have got to do it because the camel is not good. Aargh!
0:50:01 > 0:50:04I'm feeling your pain, man, I'm feeling your pain.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07Right. Put that on top of it.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14- Right. Let's carry on so we don't lose any time.- Yes.
0:50:16 > 0:50:18Ben's camel has bitten his hand to the bone.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24It's not the greatest place to have a big open wound
0:50:24 > 0:50:28because keeping anything clean out here is hard enough.
0:50:31 > 0:50:34His injury means another delayed morning.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39So we have got another handicap.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44Again, that makes the quicksands less and less likely.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47It's a real shame, because we had just started to get into the life.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50We woke up at the time we should today,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53and we were packing up well and then...
0:50:53 > 0:50:55The reality is that was the first time we have fed
0:50:55 > 0:50:56the camels in the dark
0:50:56 > 0:51:02and it mistook one of his fingers, or his thumb, for a date.
0:51:05 > 0:51:06Which is not a good thing.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15That section there, but maybe to the left.
0:51:15 > 0:51:19This desert expedition was never meant to be competitive.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23But James is quickly falling back into the role of Olympic taskmaster,
0:51:23 > 0:51:27pushing himself and Ben to achieve the goal they set.
0:51:30 > 0:51:35I can see it developing into a race now, which I had not before.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39Because there is a target at the end of it to reach the quicksands
0:51:39 > 0:51:42that Thesiger was the first European to see.
0:51:42 > 0:51:49And in order to do that, we are going to have to be pretty
0:51:49 > 0:51:54regimented and ruthless about getting up, getting on it
0:51:54 > 0:51:59and keeping the camels on it and now walking on it.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02And that may be...
0:52:02 > 0:52:04falling into the competitive arena
0:52:04 > 0:52:08and I may be more driven to achieve those goals than Ben.
0:52:11 > 0:52:16With James, I always feel this pressure to keep up with him
0:52:16 > 0:52:19or to match what he is doing.
0:52:20 > 0:52:26It hasn't been the happy...happiest trip yet.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29It has become dominated by stress, which is strange,
0:52:29 > 0:52:33cos I thought, as soon as we took out the racing aspects,
0:52:33 > 0:52:34that it would just be chilled.
0:52:35 > 0:52:39By midday, they have covered 16km.
0:52:39 > 0:52:43James wants to push on through the hottest time of the day.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46But Ben is becoming increasingly worried about his camel Janet,
0:52:46 > 0:52:48who is refusing to eat.
0:52:48 > 0:52:53I was going to let them just grab a few bits of green as we go.
0:52:53 > 0:52:57It's how important is it to reach the quicksand, because every time
0:52:57 > 0:53:00we stop, it is going to affect our overall destination.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03We have set ourselves a challenge.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06But I think two minutes to give them this...
0:53:06 > 0:53:10We are already up to three or four minutes.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Captain, we are off!
0:53:12 > 0:53:14HE CLICKS HIS TONGUE
0:53:23 > 0:53:26Just a kilometre later, Ben stops again.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30He has spotted some good food for Janet on top of a dune.
0:53:30 > 0:53:34I feel terrible, because there is no food for her
0:53:34 > 0:53:38and she is starving, absolutely starving.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42She has been groaning and trying to eat the saddle,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45trying to eat my stick, eating bags, absolutely anything.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48Because she just won't eat the dates.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54If she is turning down dates, then she is not hungry.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58They had food last night, they had dates and Ben's thumb this morning.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01I have got mine some leaves, as you can see,
0:54:01 > 0:54:05there are just the sticks left. It is like feeding your kids, isn't it?
0:54:07 > 0:54:10When a parent brings round their kids, and they say,
0:54:10 > 0:54:14"They don't eat crusts off pizza, they don't eat crust off bread."
0:54:14 > 0:54:18That's because you don't let them eat crusts off pizza, you...
0:54:18 > 0:54:20If you are hungry, you will eat it.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24They are carrying all our water and load. They have got to eat.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26I know the importance of those camels out here.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29Without them, we are screwed.
0:54:29 > 0:54:35To be honest, I don't think James really does always get it.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37It is time to have a pee or get off the potty
0:54:37 > 0:54:42and that is what we have got to do now. We either stop or carry on.
0:54:42 > 0:54:47And worrying about little things...
0:54:47 > 0:54:51"Oh, the camel doesn't appear to like dates." It's like, well...
0:54:51 > 0:54:54If it is hungry, it will eat dates.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56If she doesn't eat this...
0:54:56 > 0:54:59I don't know. I don't know what else I can do.
0:55:02 > 0:55:03There you go.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07Ben!
0:55:09 > 0:55:12- She has eaten.- That's good.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16- Mine have had a snack as well.- Good.
0:55:18 > 0:55:19Right, we need to make a decision.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23- It's time to have a pee or get off the potty.- Have a what?
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Have a pee or get off the potty.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28Have a pee or get off the potty. Oh, right.
0:55:28 > 0:55:33- Well, my... That way is an option. - Yeah.- That way is an option.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37- Coming through there is an option. I think, go the middle way.- Yeah.
0:55:37 > 0:55:40And right now, we are doing none of the camels any favours
0:55:40 > 0:55:41by standing here.
0:55:43 > 0:55:46Perfect. Let's move on.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49And you have had enough to eat. Don't you start whingeing.
0:55:50 > 0:55:52We are off.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59The quicksands are still more than 500km away.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06If they are going to reach their target in time, they need to
0:56:06 > 0:56:10agree on how best to cover the distance and motivate their camels.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13I don't think we should ride the camels at all.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17I think they should purely be...pack animals.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20We have given ourselves a set time to make the distance
0:56:20 > 0:56:25and the reality is, we're not going to get there.
0:56:25 > 0:56:29You could whack them to bits with a stick to make them go fast.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32It is not my style, I'm not... It is not a race.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35The reality is that to make the quicksand, we are
0:56:35 > 0:56:39going to have to up our pace by 50%.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44At least we found water.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48After just three days, James and Ben's dream
0:56:48 > 0:56:52of crossing the Empty Quarter is in serious doubt.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56Mmm! Camel snot.
0:56:56 > 0:56:58Are we going to stay here or do you want to move on?
0:56:58 > 0:57:01- Well, it's a bigger question than that, isn't it?- Yes.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06What are you thinking right now?
0:57:06 > 0:57:08What is the point of the trip is what I'm thinking.
0:57:12 > 0:57:16'There are a lot of complexities to life out here.
0:57:18 > 0:57:20'The complexities of doing it with James.'
0:57:21 > 0:57:25We just seem to be failing at everything we try to do.
0:57:25 > 0:57:30Maybe we are just rubbish at this. Maybe we really can't do this.
0:57:31 > 0:57:35But, you know, we have both been on umpteen expeditions and trips
0:57:35 > 0:57:40and this is WAY harder, a different level, as far as I'm concerned.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42Look at the greys.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45I only had a few before this.
0:57:45 > 0:57:46It's actually ageing me.
0:57:49 > 0:57:52I think what I'm trying to say now is that we are trying.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56We are really trying.
0:58:00 > 0:58:01Good boy.
0:58:01 > 0:58:05Next time, with their expedition falling apart,
0:58:05 > 0:58:09James and Ben make a last-ditch attempt to pick up the pace.
0:58:09 > 0:58:11We are covering some good distance at this speed, at least.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14But their camels become increasingly difficult.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16Coming off, coming off!
0:58:16 > 0:58:17Stop!
0:58:17 > 0:58:18Fucker!
0:58:18 > 0:58:21CAMEL GROWLS Wait. Wait.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24Their fragile relationship is pushed to breaking point.
0:58:24 > 0:58:26Aargh!
0:58:26 > 0:58:30And their dream of reaching the Empty Quarter's famous quicksands
0:58:30 > 0:58:32is put in jeopardy once and for all.