1
00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:04,833
{\an7}NARRATOR: THE ANDES.

2
00:00:04,933 --> 00:00:08,033
{\an7}THE WORLD'S LONGEST
MOUNTAIN RANGE...

3
00:00:12,433 --> 00:00:17,066
{\an1}STRETCHING 5,000 MILES
ALONG SOUTH AMERICA'S SPINE.

4
00:00:19,366 --> 00:00:21,700
{\an1}HIDDEN AWAY
IN THESE MOUNTAINS

5
00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:25,466
{\an1}ARE AN ASTONISHING NUMBER
OF DIFFERENT WORLDS--

6
00:00:30,266 --> 00:00:35,033
CLOUD FORESTS
LOCKED IN MIST,

7
00:00:35,133 --> 00:00:39,533
THE LARGEST
SALT FLATS ON EARTH,

8
00:00:39,633 --> 00:00:44,666
{\an1}ICE FIELDS 200 MILES ACROSS.

9
00:00:44,766 --> 00:00:48,333
{\an1}THE ANDES HAVE
A THOUSAND DIFFERENT FACES,

10
00:00:48,433 --> 00:00:51,366
{\an1}SO FOR THOSE WHO CALL
THESE MOUNTAINS HOME,

11
00:00:51,466 --> 00:00:54,800
{\an1}ADAPTATION IS EVERYTHING.

12
00:00:54,900 --> 00:00:58,500
{\an1}OPPORTUNISTS FIND RICHES
IN THE DESERT...

13
00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,533
[INSECTS BUZZING]

14
00:01:02,633 --> 00:01:04,833
WHILE BOLD
MOUNTAINEERS TRAVERSE

15
00:01:04,933 --> 00:01:07,200
{\an1}VERTICAL LANDSCAPES.

16
00:01:09,833 --> 00:01:13,866
BIG CATS HUNT
IN DESOLATE WILDERNESS...

17
00:01:16,066 --> 00:01:19,433
{\an1}AND BRAVE PARENTS DARE
TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES

18
00:01:19,533 --> 00:01:22,733
{\an1}DEEP IN AN ICE WORLD.

19
00:01:22,833 --> 00:01:25,300
{\an1}BUT EVEN WITH THESE SKILLS,

20
00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:28,800
{\an1}SURVIVAL IN THE ANDES
IS NO SURE THING.

21
00:01:32,700 --> 00:01:35,766
IT'S A BATTLE
FOR SURVIVAL THAT RAGES

22
00:01:35,866 --> 00:01:38,600
ACROSS THE WORLD
IN GREAT MOUNTAIN RANGES

23
00:01:38,700 --> 00:01:40,733
{\an1}THAT TOUCH THE SKIES.

24
00:01:42,766 --> 00:01:47,200
{\an1}HOSTILE, UNFORGIVING WORLDS

25
00:01:47,300 --> 00:01:51,000
THAT PUSH LIFE
TO ITS LIMITS,

26
00:01:51,100 --> 00:01:52,966
{\an1}WHERE AGAINST ALL ODDS,

27
00:01:53,066 --> 00:01:57,266
{\an1}A FEW EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS

28
00:01:57,366 --> 00:01:59,900
{\an1}AND REMARKABLE PEOPLE

29
00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:01,266
DARE TO LIVE

30
00:02:01,366 --> 00:02:04,133
IN THE HIGHEST
PLACES ON EARTH.

31
00:02:04,233 --> 00:02:14,266


32
00:02:17,500 --> 00:02:21,066
{\an1}NARRATOR: THE ANDES
SPAN SOUTH AMERICA

33
00:02:21,066 --> 00:02:24,800
{\an1}FROM BOTTOM TO TOP,
STRETCHING 3 TIMES

34
00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,733
{\an1}THE LENGTH OF THE HIMALAYA.

35
00:02:27,733 --> 00:02:29,800
{\an1}WITHIN THESE MOUNTAINS
LIE WORLDS

36
00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:33,433
{\an1}BOTH REMARKABLE AND UNIQUE,

37
00:02:33,433 --> 00:02:36,766
{\an1}AND ONE OF THEM LIES
ON THE EQUATOR,

38
00:02:36,766 --> 00:02:42,266
{\an1}WHERE THE ANDES CROSS
THROUGH ECUADOR.

39
00:02:42,266 --> 00:02:44,000
THE CLOUD FOREST.

40
00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,366
{\an1}[ANIMALS CHATTERING]

41
00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:56,266
{\an1}EVEN 6,500 FEET UP,

42
00:02:56,266 --> 00:03:01,966
IT'S 60 DEGREES,
WITH LOTS OF SUNSHINE...

43
00:03:01,966 --> 00:03:05,800
AND MORE RAIN
THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE ANDES,

44
00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:07,533
20 FEET A YEAR.

45
00:03:07,533 --> 00:03:10,500
[THUNDER]

46
00:03:10,500 --> 00:03:13,233
{\an1}IT'S THE PERFECT RECIPE
FOR LIFE.

47
00:03:17,433 --> 00:03:21,133
{\an1}TENS OF THOUSANDS
OF SPECIES VIE FOR SPACE...

48
00:03:26,866 --> 00:03:31,366
{\an1}NEARLY A THOUSAND TYPES OF BIRD,

49
00:03:31,366 --> 00:03:35,066
{\an1}1/6 OF ALL PLANT SPECIES.

50
00:03:35,066 --> 00:03:38,500
{\an1}BUT INTENSE COMPETITION MAKES
LIVING HERE TOUGH.

51
00:03:41,533 --> 00:03:45,900
{\an1}IT SEEMS EVERYTHING WANTS
TO EAT EVERYTHING ELSE.

52
00:03:47,933 --> 00:03:50,966
{\an1}THE WAY TO SURVIVE
IS TO ADAPT.

53
00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:56,100
{\an1}STICK INSECTS MIMIC
THORNY PLANTS.

54
00:03:58,833 --> 00:04:01,933
{\an1}GLASS FROGS
GO A STEP FURTHER.

55
00:04:04,833 --> 00:04:07,066
{\an1}WITH TRANSLUCENT SKIN...

56
00:04:08,933 --> 00:04:11,100
{\an1}TO SOFTEN THEIR SILHOUETTE...

57
00:04:13,966 --> 00:04:18,333
{\an1}BUT THERE'S ONE FROG HERE
THAT TAKES ADAPTATION

58
00:04:18,333 --> 00:04:20,200
{\an1}TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL...

59
00:04:25,466 --> 00:04:29,300
{\an1}A NEWLY DISCOVERED
RAIN FROG,

60
00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:31,400
{\an1}LESS THAN AN INCH LONG.

61
00:04:35,966 --> 00:04:41,400
{\an1}ON THE FACE OF IT,
HE LOOKS QUITE ORDINARY,

62
00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,366
{\an1}BUT HE HAS A TRICK
UP HIS SLEEVE

63
00:04:43,366 --> 00:04:46,100
{\an1}THAT BAFFLES BIOLOGISTS,

64
00:04:46,100 --> 00:04:50,233
{\an1}A TRICK THAT ALLOWS HIM
TO VANISH FROM HIS PREDATORS...

65
00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,533
{\an1}LIKE THIS EYELASH VIPER.

66
00:05:03,733 --> 00:05:06,933
LARGE EYES LOCK
ONTO THE PREY.

67
00:05:10,700 --> 00:05:12,433
{\an1}HE LEAPS FOR COVER...

68
00:05:16,966 --> 00:05:20,300
{\an1}AND NOW, HE PERFORMS
A BIT OF MAGIC.

69
00:05:32,100 --> 00:05:36,166
{\an1}HE GROWS 3-DIMENSIONAL
CAMOUFLAGE.

70
00:05:48,333 --> 00:05:51,866
{\an1}HIS NEW SHAPE, COLOR,
AND TEXTURE

71
00:05:51,866 --> 00:05:54,366
{\an1}BLEND SEAMLESSLY WITH THE MOSS.

72
00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,933
{\an1}IT'S THE PERFECT ADAPTATION
TO THE CLOUD FOREST.

73
00:06:18,700 --> 00:06:22,800
{\an1}THIS IS THE STORY
ALL THROUGH THE ANDES.

74
00:06:26,433 --> 00:06:29,266
{\an1}IT'S ADAPTATION THAT MAKES
THE DIFFERENT WORLDS

75
00:06:29,266 --> 00:06:31,800
{\an1}OF THIS MOUNTAIN RANGE
SURVIVABLE.

76
00:06:38,466 --> 00:06:41,366
{\an1}EACH WORLD DEMANDS
SPECIAL ABILITIES

77
00:06:41,366 --> 00:06:43,033
{\an1}FROM ITS INHABITANTS...

78
00:06:47,933 --> 00:06:50,800
AND NOWHERE IS
MORE CHALLENGING

79
00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:52,633
{\an1}THAN THE FAR SOUTH.

80
00:06:55,033 --> 00:06:58,866
{\an1}THE ANDES START
AT CHILE'S SOUTHERNMOST TIP,

81
00:06:58,866 --> 00:07:01,966
CAPE HORN.

82
00:07:01,966 --> 00:07:05,166
SOME CALL IT
THE END OF THE EARTH.

83
00:07:05,166 --> 00:07:07,333
[WIND BLOWING]

84
00:07:13,233 --> 00:07:18,933
{\an1}DOWN HERE, FEROCIOUS WINDS BLOW
AT OVER 100 MILES AN HOUR.

85
00:07:21,733 --> 00:07:24,000
{\an1}THE WEATHER CHANGES FASTER
THAN ANYWHERE

86
00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,500
IN SOUTH AMERICA.

87
00:07:26,500 --> 00:07:28,666
[THUNDER]

88
00:07:30,633 --> 00:07:33,566
ONE MOMENT,
A STORM'S BREWING...

89
00:07:33,566 --> 00:07:35,733
[THUNDER]

90
00:07:38,766 --> 00:07:40,500
THE NEXT...

91
00:07:42,833 --> 00:07:44,433
TOTAL CALM.

92
00:07:47,333 --> 00:07:50,800
{\an7}TO LIVE IN THE SOUTHERN ANDES,
ANIMALS MUST ADAPT

93
00:07:50,900 --> 00:07:53,966
{\an7}TO THE CONSTANTLY
CHANGING ENVIRONMENT.

94
00:07:55,533 --> 00:07:57,266
[GROWLS]

95
00:07:59,566 --> 00:08:00,900
A PUMA.

96
00:08:03,166 --> 00:08:06,733
THE BIGGEST CAT
IN THE ANDES.

97
00:08:06,733 --> 00:08:09,533
{\an1}[HIGH-PITCHED GROWLING]

98
00:08:11,366 --> 00:08:13,433
SHE HAS 3 CUBS

99
00:08:13,433 --> 00:08:15,566
{\an1}AND MUST RAISE THEM
ON HER OWN.

100
00:08:17,666 --> 00:08:22,500
{\an1}JUST 4 MONTHS OLD,
THEY'RE ALWAYS HUNGRY.

101
00:08:22,500 --> 00:08:24,500
[CUBS GROWLING]

102
00:08:27,333 --> 00:08:31,500
{\an1}SHE MUST MAKE A KILL
EVERY 4 DAYS,

103
00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:33,200
{\an1}WHATEVER THE WEATHER...

104
00:08:39,833 --> 00:08:43,533
{\an1}BUT TODAY, CLEAR SKIES
AND COLD WINDS

105
00:08:43,533 --> 00:08:46,733
HAVE BLANKETED
THE LANDSCAPE IN FROST.

106
00:08:52,700 --> 00:08:55,766
{\an1}THE PUMAS HAVE LOST
THEIR NATURAL CAMOUFLAGE

107
00:08:55,766 --> 00:08:59,033
{\an1}IN THIS WHITE WORLD.

108
00:08:59,033 --> 00:09:01,866
{\an1}HUNTING WILL HAVE TO WAIT.

109
00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:11,100
THE CUBS USE
THE TIME TO PLAY,

110
00:09:11,100 --> 00:09:14,133
{\an1}PRACTICE FOR WHEN THEY'LL
HAVE TO HUNT FOR REAL

111
00:09:14,133 --> 00:09:16,200
{\an1}IN JUST A FEW MONTHS' TIME.

112
00:09:33,533 --> 00:09:37,466
{\an1}BUT THE WINTER SUN
SOON BURNS OFF THE FROST...

113
00:09:40,066 --> 00:09:42,766
{\an1}AND THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

114
00:09:42,766 --> 00:09:44,933
[ANIMAL SNORTING]

115
00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:53,566
A GUANACO,
A RELATIVE OF THE LLAMA,

116
00:09:53,566 --> 00:09:58,733
{\an1}AND AT 6 FEET TALL,
THE ANDES' LARGEST ANIMAL.

117
00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:07,400
{\an1}NOW CAMOUFLAGED AGAIN,
THE PUMAS GO UNNOTICED,

118
00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:10,066
{\an1}AND THERE'S NO WIND
TO CARRY THEIR SCENT...

119
00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:19,666
{\an1}BUT WHEN IT'S THIS CALM,
THE SLIGHTEST RUSTLE

120
00:10:19,666 --> 00:10:21,400
{\an1}COULD GIVE HER AWAY.

121
00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:43,466
{\an1}THE PUMA'S WEAPON
IS STEALTH, NOT SPEED.

122
00:10:45,266 --> 00:10:49,400
{\an1}SHE MUST REMAIN UNDETECTED
AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

123
00:10:55,233 --> 00:10:58,200
{\an1}[GUANACO BLEATING]

124
00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:02,633
{\an1}ONCE A GUANACO GETS GOING,
THERE'S NO CATCHING IT.

125
00:11:05,866 --> 00:11:08,033
[WIND BLOWING]

126
00:11:13,666 --> 00:11:16,800
{\an1}A WIND FROM THE COAST
BRINGS YET ANOTHER CHANGE

127
00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:18,200
IN THE WEATHER.

128
00:11:22,933 --> 00:11:27,500
{\an1}FOG BLOWS IN AND IS TRAPPED
BY THE MOUNTAINS.

129
00:11:30,500 --> 00:11:34,533
VISIBILITY DROPS
TO A FEW FEET.

130
00:11:34,533 --> 00:11:39,733
{\an1}SOUND HAS BECOME MUFFLED.

131
00:11:39,733 --> 00:11:43,066
{\an1}FOR AN AMBUSH HUNTER
LIKE THE PUMA,

132
00:11:43,066 --> 00:11:45,733
IT'S PERFECT.

133
00:11:45,733 --> 00:11:48,500
{\an1}[PUMA SNARLS, GROWLS]

134
00:11:56,700 --> 00:12:00,766
{\an7}AND WHEN THE FOG LIFTS,
IT REVEALS MOTHER PUMA'S

135
00:12:00,766 --> 00:12:02,666
{\an8}SUCCESSFUL KILL.

136
00:12:07,966 --> 00:12:10,966
{\an1}THE FAMILY CAN EAT
30 POUNDS OF MEAT

137
00:12:10,966 --> 00:12:13,033
{\an1}IN A SINGLE SITTING.

138
00:12:18,233 --> 00:12:20,566
{\an1}THEIR LIVES DEPEND
ON MAKING THE MOST

139
00:12:20,566 --> 00:12:24,500
{\an1}OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT
COMES THEIR WAY...

140
00:12:27,966 --> 00:12:30,266
{\an8}AND THERE'S
ONE FINAL WEATHER CHANGE

141
00:12:30,266 --> 00:12:31,766
{\an8}FOR THE DAY.

142
00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:38,966
{\an1}A BURST OF MOUNTAIN SUNSHINE
IS A WELCOME WARMER

143
00:12:38,966 --> 00:12:40,933
{\an1}AND THE PERFECT EXCUSE

144
00:12:40,933 --> 00:12:42,900
{\an1}FOR ANOTHER PLAY SESSION.

145
00:12:51,633 --> 00:12:56,266
{\an1}THIS CALM SPELL MIGHT ONLY
LAST A MATTER OF MINUTES.

146
00:12:59,366 --> 00:13:05,800
{\an1}IN THE SOUTHERN ANDES,
CHANGE IS THE ONLY CERTAINTY,

147
00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:08,466
BUT WHATEVER
THE CONDITIONS,

148
00:13:08,466 --> 00:13:10,566
{\an1}THEY WILL BE READY.

149
00:13:23,733 --> 00:13:28,466
{\an1}THIS LANDSCAPE STRETCHES
FOR OVER A THOUSAND MILES

150
00:13:28,466 --> 00:13:32,100
UP THROUGH CHILE
AND ARGENTINA.

151
00:13:32,100 --> 00:13:35,666
{\an1}BUT FURTHER NORTH
ARE DIFFERENT MOUNTAIN WORLDS,

152
00:13:35,666 --> 00:13:38,400
{\an1}EACH WITH ITS OWN CHALLENGES.

153
00:13:41,066 --> 00:13:44,966
{\an1}AND AT THE VERY TOP
OF CHILE IS THE STRANGEST PLACE

154
00:13:44,966 --> 00:13:47,733
{\an1}IN THE ENTIRE ANDES.

155
00:13:51,733 --> 00:13:55,666
{\an1}SURROUNDED BY A WALL
OF HIGH MOUNTAINS,

156
00:13:55,666 --> 00:14:01,800
{\an1}RAIN CLOUDS CAN'T REACH
THE ATACAMA DESERT.

157
00:14:01,800 --> 00:14:05,866
{\an1}40,000 SQUARE MILES,

158
00:14:05,866 --> 00:14:10,266
{\an1}THE DRIEST PLACE ON EARTH.

159
00:14:10,266 --> 00:14:13,366
{\an1}SOME WEATHER STATIONS HERE
HAVE NEVER RECORDED

160
00:14:13,366 --> 00:14:17,266
{\an1}A SINGLE DROP OF RAIN,

161
00:14:17,266 --> 00:14:20,166
{\an1}YET ONE REMARKABLE
CREATURE IS SO WELL SUITED

162
00:14:20,166 --> 00:14:23,100
TO LIFE HERE,
IT'S FOUND NOWHERE ELSE

163
00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:24,966
ON THE PLANET.

164
00:14:31,333 --> 00:14:33,433
{\an1}THE SALT FLAT LIZARD.

165
00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:40,366
{\an1}HIS WHOLE LIFE REVOLVES
AROUND WATER

166
00:14:40,366 --> 00:14:42,333
{\an1}AND TRYING TO FIND IT.

167
00:14:45,866 --> 00:14:48,400
{\an1}IN THIS SUN-WARPED WORLD,

168
00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:54,833
{\an1}LAKES SEEM TO APPEAR
OUT OF THIN AIR

169
00:14:54,833 --> 00:14:57,433
{\an1}AND VANISH JUST AS QUICKLY.

170
00:15:05,366 --> 00:15:06,866
[SPLASH]

171
00:15:06,866 --> 00:15:10,566
{\an1}BUT THIS TIME, THE WATER
IS FOR REAL.

172
00:15:10,566 --> 00:15:12,600
[SQUAWKING]

173
00:15:12,600 --> 00:15:16,433
{\an1}MELT WATER FROM DISTANT
MOUNTAINTOPS FLOWS UNDERGROUND

174
00:15:16,433 --> 00:15:18,566
{\an1}UNTIL IT WELLS UP HERE.

175
00:15:23,533 --> 00:15:26,866
{\an1}IT SEEMS LIKE AN OASIS,

176
00:15:26,866 --> 00:15:29,766
BUT APPEARANCES
CAN BE DECEIVING.

177
00:15:31,833 --> 00:15:35,700
{\an1}THIS WATER IS SATURATED
WITH SALT,

178
00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:38,000
{\an1}LEACHED FROM THE ROCKS.

179
00:15:44,133 --> 00:15:47,566
{\an1}BUT THERE'S A SECRET
TO SURVIVING IN THIS WORLD.

180
00:15:51,033 --> 00:15:54,433
[INSECT BUZZING]

181
00:15:54,433 --> 00:15:56,933
AND IT'S RIGHT
IN FRONT OF HIM.

182
00:15:56,933 --> 00:16:01,133
[BUZZING]

183
00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:02,866
BRINE FLIES.

184
00:16:02,866 --> 00:16:06,400
SALT SPECIALISTS.

185
00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:10,400
{\an1}THE FLIES DRINK THE WATER,
THEN FILTER OUT THE SALT...

186
00:16:11,733 --> 00:16:15,033
{\an1}LEAVING THEM SWEET
AND JUICY AND FILLED

187
00:16:15,033 --> 00:16:16,633
WITH FRESH WATER.

188
00:16:19,466 --> 00:16:21,466
{\an1}ALL THE LIZARD NEEDS TO DO...

189
00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:24,266
IS CATCH THEM.

190
00:16:41,866 --> 00:16:45,433
{\an1}TO GET THE EQUIVALENT
OF A TEASPOON OF FRESH WATER,

191
00:16:45,433 --> 00:16:49,266
{\an1}HE HAS TO EAT 400 FLIES.

192
00:17:06,700 --> 00:17:11,333
{\an1}THIS FLY-RIDDEN SHORELINE
IS A PARADISE...

193
00:17:13,766 --> 00:17:15,833
{\an1}AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

194
00:17:24,733 --> 00:17:28,566
{\an1}THERE'S A NEW GUY IN TOWN,

195
00:17:28,566 --> 00:17:31,333
{\an1}AND THIS TERRITORY
ISN'T BIG ENOUGH

196
00:17:31,333 --> 00:17:33,433
{\an1}FOR THE BOTH OF THEM.

197
00:17:46,366 --> 00:17:50,366
THE DEFENDER
PUFFS HIMSELF UP.

198
00:17:50,366 --> 00:17:52,900
{\an1}MAYBE THE INTRUDER
WILL BACK DOWN.

199
00:18:29,566 --> 00:18:32,666
OWNING A STAKE
IN THIS SHORELINE

200
00:18:32,766 --> 00:18:38,233
{\an7}CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

201
00:18:38,333 --> 00:18:42,400
{\an7}BAD NEWS FOR THE INTRUDER.

202
00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:45,133
{\an1}THE VICTOR HAS HELD
HIS GROUND,

203
00:18:45,133 --> 00:18:48,866
{\an1}SO THE FLIES ARE ALL HIS

204
00:18:48,866 --> 00:18:52,900
{\an1}AT THE ONLY SPRING
IN HUNDREDS OF SQUARE MILES

205
00:18:52,900 --> 00:18:55,033
OF ANDES DESERT.

206
00:18:57,100 --> 00:19:00,100
{\an1}200 MILES TO THE NORTH,

207
00:19:00,100 --> 00:19:03,466
{\an1}THE REMNANT OF A VAST
PREHISTORIC LAKE

208
00:19:03,466 --> 00:19:06,033
{\an1}SCARS THE BARREN LANDSCAPE.

209
00:19:07,500 --> 00:19:12,200
{\an1}TRAPPED BY THE ANDES,
THE LAKE SLOWLY EVAPORATED,

210
00:19:12,200 --> 00:19:15,966
LEAVING BEHIND
AN EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY.

211
00:19:20,466 --> 00:19:22,800
{\an1}INCREDIBLY, THE WORLD'S
FLATTEST PLACE LIES HIDDEN

212
00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:28,900
AT 12,000 FEET
AMONGST THE PEAKS

213
00:19:28,900 --> 00:19:31,133
{\an1}OF THE BOLIVIAN ANDES.

214
00:19:33,666 --> 00:19:37,566
{\an1}THE SALAR DE UYUNI,

215
00:19:37,566 --> 00:19:40,233
{\an1}THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SALT FLAT...

216
00:19:42,833 --> 00:19:47,166
{\an1}4,000 SQUARE MILES OF NOTHING...

217
00:19:50,166 --> 00:19:55,633
{\an1}EXCEPT FOR 50 BILLION TONS
OF SALT.

218
00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:03,066
{\an1}THE SALT FLAT IS
THE MOST HOSTILE ANDEAN WORLD.

219
00:20:03,066 --> 00:20:04,700
{\an1}NOTHING GROWS HERE.

220
00:20:11,133 --> 00:20:14,500
{\an1}THE SALT IS 16 FEET THICK,

221
00:20:14,500 --> 00:20:20,766
{\an1}STUDDED WITH COUNTLESS POLYGONS,
FORMED AS THE SALAR DRIED OUT.

222
00:20:26,633 --> 00:20:31,533
{\an1}THE SCENERY SEEMS UNCHANGING,

223
00:20:31,533 --> 00:20:34,266
{\an1}BUT SOMETIMES IN LATE SUMMER,

224
00:20:34,266 --> 00:20:37,333
{\an1}A MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATION
TAKES PLACE.

225
00:20:37,333 --> 00:20:39,500
[THUNDER]

226
00:21:02,633 --> 00:21:08,166
{\an1}SUDDEN RAINS LEAVE
A LAYER OF DEAD-CALM WATER

227
00:21:08,166 --> 00:21:10,133
{\an1}JUST AN INCH DEEP...

228
00:21:20,633 --> 00:21:24,866
{\an1}TURNING THE SALT FLAT
INTO A NATURAL WONDER...

229
00:21:27,333 --> 00:21:31,333
{\an1}THE WORLD'S LARGEST MIRROR,

230
00:21:31,333 --> 00:21:33,833
80 MILES ACROSS.

231
00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:52,933
{\an1}AT NIGHT, THE LANDSCAPE
IS TRANSFORMED AGAIN...

232
00:21:55,866 --> 00:22:00,166
{\an1}INTO A 360-DEGREE STARSCAPE.

233
00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:12,033
{\an1}THIS DAZZLING SHOW
IS ONLY POSSIBLE

234
00:22:12,033 --> 00:22:18,566
{\an1}BECAUSE THE SALAR DE UYUNI
IS PERFECTLY FLAT.

235
00:22:18,566 --> 00:22:21,900
{\an1}YET ONLY 200 MILES
TO THE NORTH,

236
00:22:21,900 --> 00:22:25,600
THE ANDES ARE
STAGGERINGLY VERTICAL.

237
00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:32,366
{\an1}HERE, 160 PEAKS RISE
TO OVER 18,000 FEET.

238
00:22:35,866 --> 00:22:41,733
{\an1}THIS IS THE CENTRAL ANDES,
A SERIES OF RUGGED WORLDS...

239
00:22:44,333 --> 00:22:47,633
{\an1}AND ONCE THE HEART
OF THE LARGEST CIVILIZATION

240
00:22:47,633 --> 00:22:52,533
{\an1}THE ANDES HAS EVER KNOWN...

241
00:22:52,533 --> 00:22:54,600
THE INCA EMPIRE.

242
00:22:58,900 --> 00:23:04,566
{\an1}ONLY 500 YEARS AGO, IT WAS
THE GREATEST EMPIRE ON EARTH...

243
00:23:13,200 --> 00:23:17,633
{\an1}AND MACHU PICCHU WAS
ITS FINEST ROYAL ESTATE.

244
00:23:21,300 --> 00:23:24,200
THE INCAS RULED
10 MILLION PEOPLE

245
00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:27,033
{\an1}SCATTERED ACROSS THE ANDES.

246
00:23:30,100 --> 00:23:32,800
THEY WERE MASTERS
OF ENGINEERING.

247
00:23:37,266 --> 00:23:41,166
{\an1}THEIR GRANITE BLOCKS
FIT TOGETHER PERFECTLY.

248
00:23:41,166 --> 00:23:44,266
{\an1}SOME WEIGH 14 TONS,

249
00:23:44,266 --> 00:23:48,733
EACH HEWN BY HAND
AND HAULED INTO POSITION.

250
00:23:55,666 --> 00:24:01,666
{\an1}TODAY, THE INCA EMPIRE
IS LONG GONE,

251
00:24:01,666 --> 00:24:09,366
{\an1}BUT ITS CHALLENGING,
RUGGED WORLD REMAINS.

252
00:24:09,366 --> 00:24:13,066
{\an1}THE APURIMAC RIVER CARVES
A 600-FOOT GORGE

253
00:24:13,066 --> 00:24:17,200
{\an1}THROUGH THE PERUVIAN HIGHLANDS.

254
00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:21,666
{\an1}AT QUEHUE, IT SPLITS
COMMUNITIES IN HALF.

255
00:24:25,766 --> 00:24:29,666
{\an1}BUT THE LOCALS ARE
DIRECT DESCENDANTS OF THE INCAS.

256
00:24:29,666 --> 00:24:32,200
{\an1}THEY'VE INHERITED
THE SAME LANGUAGE,

257
00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:37,666
{\an1}THE SAME AMAZING
ENGINEERING SKILLS.

258
00:24:37,666 --> 00:24:41,666
{\an1}IN JUNE EVERY YEAR,
THEY COME TOGETHER TO HARVEST

259
00:24:41,666 --> 00:24:43,933
{\an1}A HARDY MOUNTAIN PLANT...

260
00:24:46,133 --> 00:24:49,566
COYAICHU GRASS.

261
00:24:49,566 --> 00:24:51,966
{\an1}IT'S STRONG AND FLEXIBLE

262
00:24:51,966 --> 00:24:55,133
{\an1}TO COPE WITH THE HARSH
MOUNTAIN WINDS.

263
00:24:55,133 --> 00:24:58,366
PERFECT TO MAKE
A SPECIAL ROPE.

264
00:25:04,266 --> 00:25:08,166
{\an1}AQUILINA RUIZ IS 77.

265
00:25:08,166 --> 00:25:10,333
{\an7}[RUIZ SPEAKING QUECHUA]

266
00:25:20,133 --> 00:25:22,900
RIGHT NOW,
EVERY LOCAL HOUSEHOLD

267
00:25:22,900 --> 00:25:27,633
IS BUSY MAKING
200 FEET OF ROPE.

268
00:25:27,633 --> 00:25:29,366
{\an1}IT'S A REAL COMMUNITY EFFORT.

269
00:25:29,366 --> 00:25:31,533
[LAUGHTER]

270
00:25:33,166 --> 00:25:36,766
{\an1}SOON, ENTIRE VILLAGES
WILL GATHER

271
00:25:36,766 --> 00:25:41,633
{\an1}ON BOTH SIDES OF THE GORGE.

272
00:25:41,633 --> 00:25:44,833
{\an1}THEIR GRASS IS ABOUT
TO PLAY CENTER STAGE

273
00:25:44,833 --> 00:25:48,966
{\an1}IN A MOUNTAIN RITUAL
PASSED DOWN SINCE INCA TIMES.

274
00:25:55,366 --> 00:25:58,366
{\an1}[MAN SHOUTING IN QUECHUA]

275
00:25:58,366 --> 00:26:00,600
{\an1}[CHATTERING IN QUECHUA]

276
00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,366
ALL THIS WORK
HAS ONE PURPOSE.

277
00:26:12,766 --> 00:26:16,100
{\an1}A BRIDGE HAS STOOD HERE
SINCE INCA TIMES,

278
00:26:16,100 --> 00:26:18,966
{\an1}A LINK BETWEEN COMMUNITIES.

279
00:26:18,966 --> 00:26:21,700
BUT THIS IS
NO ORDINARY BRIDGE.

280
00:26:24,333 --> 00:26:27,900
{\an1}IT'S MADE OF HUNDREDS
OF THESE HANDMADE ROPES,

281
00:26:27,900 --> 00:26:30,600
{\an1}WOVEN OUT OF TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF FEET

282
00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:32,566
{\an1}OF COYAICHU GRASS.

283
00:26:35,600 --> 00:26:40,533
{\an1}AQUILINA HAS BEEN USING IT
SINCE CHILDHOOD.

284
00:26:40,533 --> 00:26:43,566
{\an1}BUT IN THE MOUNTAINS,
THE BRIDGE WEARS OUT FAST

285
00:26:43,566 --> 00:26:46,200
{\an1}AND MUST BE REPLACED
EVERY YEAR.

286
00:26:58,900 --> 00:27:02,500
{\an1}AND NOW, THIS BRIDGE'S TIME
HAS COME.

287
00:27:02,500 --> 00:27:04,666
[MEN SHOUTING]

288
00:27:08,233 --> 00:27:10,966
{\an1}BUT IN ORDER TO CREATE
A NEW CROSSING,

289
00:27:10,966 --> 00:27:14,133
{\an1}THEY MUST FIRST SEVER
THEIR PRECIOUS CONNECTION.

290
00:27:19,666 --> 00:27:23,500
{\an1}PRIESTS MAKE OFFERINGS
TO THE MOUNTAIN SPIRITS

291
00:27:23,500 --> 00:27:25,766
JUST AS THEIR
ANCESTORS DID.

292
00:27:29,133 --> 00:27:32,800
ONLY NOW CAN
A NEW BRIDGE TAKE SHAPE.

293
00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:34,966
[MEN SHOUTING]

294
00:28:02,133 --> 00:28:04,400
[CHEERING]

295
00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:11,900
{\an1}AFTER 3 DAYS OF HAULING
AND WEAVING, IT'S READY,

296
00:28:11,900 --> 00:28:15,433
{\an1}THE COMBINED WORK
OF 4 ENTIRE VILLAGES.

297
00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:22,866
{\an1}NOW AQUILINA CAN VISIT
THE OTHER SIDE IN SAFETY...

298
00:28:24,200 --> 00:28:28,466
{\an1}ALL THANKS TO A BRIDGE MADE
OF SIMPLE MOUNTAIN GRASS...

299
00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:34,766
AND ORIGINAL
INCA INGENUITY.

300
00:28:43,533 --> 00:28:49,633
{\an1}THE CENTRAL ANDES AREN'T
JUST AN OBSTACLE FOR PEOPLE.

301
00:28:49,633 --> 00:28:53,666
{\an1}700 MILES TO THE NORTH
IN WESTERN PERU,

302
00:28:53,666 --> 00:28:56,600
{\an1}THE MOUNTAINS ARE SO LARGE,
THEY LITERALLY

303
00:28:56,600 --> 00:28:58,866
STOP THE CLOUDS.

304
00:29:08,533 --> 00:29:12,033
{\an1}CREATING A SCORCHED
WORLD OF DRY FOREST...

305
00:29:12,033 --> 00:29:14,366
{\an1}WHERE RAIN RARELY FALLS.

306
00:29:17,033 --> 00:29:20,233
{\an1}IT'S OVER 100 DEGREES,

307
00:29:20,233 --> 00:29:22,000
{\an1}EVEN IN THE SHADE.

308
00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:30,233
{\an1}THIS PARCHED LANDSCAPE
IS HOME TO THE ANDES'

309
00:29:30,233 --> 00:29:32,500
{\an1}MOST ELUSIVE ANIMAL...

310
00:29:40,033 --> 00:29:42,600
{\an1}THE SPECTACLED BEAR.

311
00:29:47,066 --> 00:29:50,900
{\an1}HE CAN GO 5 MONTHS
WITHOUT A REAL DRINK,

312
00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:53,833
{\an1}JUST SURVIVING
ON SUCCULENT PLANTS.

313
00:30:01,866 --> 00:30:05,400
STRONG, LONG LEGS
AND CURVED CLAWS

314
00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:07,400
{\an1}ARE PERFECT FOR CLIMBING.

315
00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:17,366
{\an1}HE KNOWS THE SECRET
TO MASTERING THIS DESERT.

316
00:30:17,366 --> 00:30:19,600
{\an1}HE KNOWS THE SIGNS.

317
00:30:23,700 --> 00:30:27,633
{\an1}ON A FAR HILLSIDE,
HE SPOTS IT,

318
00:30:27,633 --> 00:30:30,100
{\an1}A SINGLE FIG TREE,

319
00:30:30,100 --> 00:30:31,900
{\an1}AND THAT MEANS WATER.

320
00:30:31,900 --> 00:30:34,000
[WATER BUBBLING]

321
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:37,000
[BIRDS CHIRPING]

322
00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,133
{\an1}A SPRING WELLS UP HERE.

323
00:30:41,866 --> 00:30:44,000
{\an1}IT'S CREATED A REFUGE
WHERE MOUNTAIN ANIMALS

324
00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:45,700
FIND SHADE...

325
00:30:47,700 --> 00:30:49,733
{\an1}AND LIFE-SAVING WATER.

326
00:30:49,733 --> 00:30:51,900
[BEAR GROWLING]

327
00:30:57,800 --> 00:31:03,200
BUT LITTLE BEARS,
LIKE THIS ONE, HAVE TO BE WARY.

328
00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:06,466
THIS SANCTUARY IS
A MAGNET FOR OTHER BEARS.

329
00:31:06,466 --> 00:31:08,633
{\an1}[DIFFERENT BEAR GROWLING]

330
00:31:18,300 --> 00:31:22,533
{\an1}BEST TO NOT RISK A FIGHT
WITH A BIG MALE LIKE THIS ONE.

331
00:31:22,533 --> 00:31:24,700
[BEAR HUFFING]

332
00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:32,900
YOUNG BEARS MOVE
BETWEEN OASES,

333
00:31:32,900 --> 00:31:35,266
{\an1}SEEKING A PLACE
TO CALL THEIR OWN.

334
00:31:47,866 --> 00:31:52,966
{\an1}THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL
OF SPRINGS IN 200 SQUARE MILES

335
00:31:52,966 --> 00:31:55,366
{\an1}OF HIGH-ALTITUDE DESERT.

336
00:31:57,866 --> 00:32:00,500
{\an1}IN TIME, BEARS MAKE
A MENTAL MAP

337
00:32:00,500 --> 00:32:03,300
{\an1}OF EVERY SPRING
IN THEIR TERRITORY.

338
00:32:04,633 --> 00:32:06,800
[BIRD CHATTERING]

339
00:32:10,500 --> 00:32:14,500
{\an1}SOME ARE NOTHING MORE
THAN A COOLING MUD SLIDE.

340
00:32:20,500 --> 00:32:24,733
{\an1}OTHERS HAVE MAGNIFICENT
BATHING FACILITIES.

341
00:32:24,733 --> 00:32:26,900
[BEAR GROWLING]

342
00:32:37,133 --> 00:32:42,033
{\an1}THANKS TO HIS AMAZING MEMORY,
THIS BEAR CAN EVEN ENJOY

343
00:32:42,033 --> 00:32:44,500
{\an1}A SWIM IN A DESERT.

344
00:32:59,633 --> 00:33:02,600
{\an1}THE REMOTE WORLDS
OF THE SPECTACLED BEAR

345
00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:05,466
{\an1}MAY NOT BE ISOLATED
FOR MUCH LONGER.

346
00:33:10,700 --> 00:33:14,733
{\an1}ROADS ARE GRADUALLY
CONNECTING THE CENTRAL ANDES...

347
00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:22,400
{\an1}BUT THESE ROADS ARE LIKE
NO OTHERS IN THE WORLD.

348
00:33:24,533 --> 00:33:27,300
{\an1}NORTHERN PERU
IS A DANGEROUS MAZE

349
00:33:27,300 --> 00:33:30,066
OF STEEP SLOPES,

350
00:33:30,066 --> 00:33:32,000
DEEP CANYONS...

351
00:33:33,900 --> 00:33:36,133
AND ROUGH ROADS.

352
00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:46,133
THEY'RE ONLY
FOR THE BOLD.

353
00:33:49,700 --> 00:33:54,666
{\an1}IN HUANCABAMBA,
VILLAGERS RELY ON ONE MAN.

354
00:33:57,766 --> 00:34:00,600
SOME HERE
CALL HIM A HERO.

355
00:34:04,433 --> 00:34:08,100
{\an1}GLORIOSO ALBANEIDA
HAS ONE OF THE WORLD'S

356
00:34:08,100 --> 00:34:10,500
{\an1}MOST DANGEROUS JOBS.

357
00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:17,366
{\an1}HE'S THE BUS DRIVER,

358
00:34:17,366 --> 00:34:22,566
{\an1}AND THIS IS
THE 12:58 TO LIMA.

359
00:34:36,133 --> 00:34:38,400
GLORIOSO HAS BEEN
BEHIND THE WHEEL

360
00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:41,400
{\an1}FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

361
00:34:41,400 --> 00:34:43,633
{\an1}HE STARTED AT AGE 14,

362
00:34:43,633 --> 00:34:46,500
{\an8}DRIVING TRUCKS
ACROSS THE ANDES.

363
00:34:46,500 --> 00:34:48,666
{\an7}[SPEAKING SPANISH]

364
00:35:01,966 --> 00:35:04,766
{\an1}IT STARTS OFF EASY ENOUGH,

365
00:35:04,766 --> 00:35:08,800
{\an1}DROPPING OVER 3,000 FEET
ON A SERIES OF SWITCHBACKS

366
00:35:08,800 --> 00:35:10,966
{\an1}CALLED "THE HORSE KILLER."

367
00:35:14,733 --> 00:35:16,300
{\an8}EVERY YEAR,
OVER A THOUSAND LIVES

368
00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:20,566
{\an7}ARE LOST ON PERU'S
MOUNTAIN ROADS.

369
00:35:34,233 --> 00:35:37,800
FOR GLORIOSO,
IT'S JUST A NORMAL DAY.

370
00:35:40,566 --> 00:35:44,000
{\an1}HE'S BEEN DRIVING
THIS ROUTE FOR 12 YEARS.

371
00:35:48,033 --> 00:35:50,600
{\an1}THE MOUNTAIN ROADS
ARE SO ROUGH,

372
00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:53,500
{\an1}HIS TIRES ONLY LAST 10 WEEKS.

373
00:36:11,033 --> 00:36:16,766
{\an1}BUT THE HARD PART IS
FURTHER DOWN THE VALLEY.

374
00:36:16,766 --> 00:36:20,766
{\an1}THE ROAD IS BARELY
A FOOT WIDER THAN THE BUS...

375
00:36:22,433 --> 00:36:27,666
{\an1}SANDWICHED BETWEEN
A 100-FOOT DROP ON ONE SIDE

376
00:36:27,666 --> 00:36:29,666
{\an1}AND A TOWERING CLIFF
ON THE OTHER.

377
00:36:32,300 --> 00:36:36,533
{\an1}NOT A PLACE TO MEET
ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

378
00:36:36,533 --> 00:36:38,300
[HONKS HORN]

379
00:36:42,266 --> 00:36:46,600
{\an1}FOR THE PASSENGERS,
IT'S JUST THE USUAL COMMUTE.

380
00:36:49,466 --> 00:36:51,633
{\an1}NOBODY'S IN A RUSH.

381
00:36:59,900 --> 00:37:03,666
{\an1}AS THE LOCAL SAYING GOES,
IT'S BETTER TO ARRIVE

382
00:37:03,666 --> 00:37:05,600
{\an1}A LITTLE LATE IN THIS WORLD...

383
00:37:05,600 --> 00:37:06,900
[HORN HONKING]

384
00:37:06,900 --> 00:37:08,866
{\an1}THAN EARLY IN THE NEXT.

385
00:37:35,100 --> 00:37:38,400
{\an1}AND THAT'S THE SECRET
TO A LONG CAREER

386
00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:40,466
{\an1}AS A PERUVIAN BUS DRIVER,

387
00:37:40,466 --> 00:37:43,666
{\an1}TAKING THE MOUNTAINS
AT THEIR OWN PACE.

388
00:37:51,066 --> 00:37:52,900
ROADS LIKE THIS
WIND THEIR WAY

389
00:37:52,900 --> 00:37:57,033
{\an1}THROUGH THE REMOTEST CORNERS
OF THE CENTRAL ANDES,

390
00:37:57,033 --> 00:38:01,533
{\an1}BUT SOME PEAKS
WILL ALWAYS BE OFF-LIMITS.

391
00:38:07,366 --> 00:38:11,033
{\an1}AT 40 MILLION YEARS OLD,
THE ANDES ARE THE YOUNGEST

392
00:38:11,033 --> 00:38:13,233
{\an1}OF THE GREAT MOUNTAIN RANGES.

393
00:38:17,433 --> 00:38:20,366
EVEN NOW,
DEEP UNDERGROUND,

394
00:38:20,366 --> 00:38:24,566
{\an1}TWO COLOSSAL TECTONIC PLATES
ARE COLLIDING.

395
00:38:26,266 --> 00:38:29,400
{\an1}AS THE LAND BUCKLES,
THE ANDES CONTINUE

396
00:38:29,400 --> 00:38:30,933
TO BE FORMED.

397
00:38:33,333 --> 00:38:38,600
{\an1}MUD BOILS WHERE IT OVERLIES
VAST UNDERGROUND MAGMA CHAMBERS.

398
00:38:45,233 --> 00:38:49,833
{\an1}AS THE CHAMBERS SWELL,
THE LAND ABOVE RISES FURTHER.

399
00:38:55,533 --> 00:38:59,866
IN SOME PLACES,
BY OVER 6 FEET A DECADE.

400
00:39:04,733 --> 00:39:07,766
{\an1}SOMETIMES, MAGMA
PUSHES ALL THE WAY

401
00:39:07,766 --> 00:39:09,366
TO THE SURFACE.

402
00:39:19,566 --> 00:39:23,100
{\an1}THERE ARE OVER 200
ACTIVE VOLCANOES

403
00:39:23,100 --> 00:39:25,233
{\an1}SPREAD ACROSS THE ANDES,

404
00:39:25,233 --> 00:39:28,300
MORE THAN
ANYWHERE ELSE ON EARTH.

405
00:39:31,433 --> 00:39:35,166
{\an1}AN ERUPTION CAN BLAST
A BILLION TONS OF ASH

406
00:39:35,166 --> 00:39:38,266
{\an1}13 MILES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

407
00:39:51,000 --> 00:39:54,566
{\an1}TECTONIC ACTIVITY HAS
LEFT A REMARKABLE LEGACY

408
00:39:54,566 --> 00:39:56,900
{\an1}ACROSS THE CENTRAL ANDES.

409
00:40:02,233 --> 00:40:06,266
{\an1}THE SOLIDIFIED REMAINS
OF ONE ANCIENT MAGMA CHAMBER

410
00:40:06,266 --> 00:40:09,000
{\an1}DOMINATES PERU'S PARON VALLEY.

411
00:40:11,766 --> 00:40:15,400
A GRANITE TOWER
IS A RARITY IN THE ANDES.

412
00:40:19,466 --> 00:40:22,300
IT DRAWS PILGRIMS
FROM ALL OVER.

413
00:40:24,733 --> 00:40:26,266
MAN: WHEN I CAME
TO THE MOUNTAIN,

414
00:40:26,266 --> 00:40:31,166
{\an1}IT'S LIKE WHEN OTHER PEOPLE
GO TO THE CHURCH AND PRAY.

415
00:40:31,166 --> 00:40:36,966
{\an1}I FEEL THE SAME
CONNECTION WITH GOD.

416
00:40:36,966 --> 00:40:39,933
{\an1}NARRATOR: ALL HIS LIFE,
IVAN CALDERON'S PASSION

417
00:40:39,933 --> 00:40:42,833
{\an1}HAS BEEN FOR CLIMBING
IN THE ANDES...

418
00:40:46,233 --> 00:40:49,433
{\an1}BUT TODAY, IT'S HIS
FIRST ATTEMPT AT SCALING

419
00:40:49,433 --> 00:40:51,933
THIS TOWER...

420
00:40:51,933 --> 00:40:57,133
LA ESFINGE,
OVER 3,000 FEET TALL,

421
00:40:57,133 --> 00:41:00,166
NEARLY VERTICAL.

422
00:41:00,166 --> 00:41:03,366
{\an1}WHEN THIS ROUTE WAS FIRST
CLIMBED 30 YEARS AGO,

423
00:41:03,366 --> 00:41:05,733
IT TOOK 10 DAYS.

424
00:41:16,766 --> 00:41:22,433
{\an1}IVAN AND HIS PARTNER FUCO
ARE ATTEMPTING IT IN JUST ONE.

425
00:41:24,833 --> 00:41:29,033
{\an1}THIS IS BIG WALL CLIMBING
IN THE EXTREME.

426
00:41:32,966 --> 00:41:35,633
{\an1}FALLING FROM THE TOP,
IT WOULD TAKE

427
00:41:35,633 --> 00:41:39,600
{\an1}22 LONG SECONDS
TO HIT THE GROUND.

428
00:41:43,366 --> 00:41:45,600
{\an1}BECAUSE THIS GRANITE
SOLIDIFIED SO SLOWLY

429
00:41:45,600 --> 00:41:48,833
{\an1}OVER TENS OF THOUSANDS
OF YEARS,

430
00:41:48,833 --> 00:41:53,100
IT'S PACKED
WITH LARGE QUARTZ CRYSTALS,

431
00:41:53,100 --> 00:41:56,233
{\an1}AND THAT'S THE KEY TO
THE CLIMBERS' SUCCESS.

432
00:41:58,733 --> 00:42:03,766
{\an1}AS COARSE AS SANDPAPER,
QUARTZ IS GOOD FOR GRIP

433
00:42:03,766 --> 00:42:05,566
{\an1}BUT HARD ON THE SKIN.

434
00:42:11,600 --> 00:42:15,633
3 HOURS IN
AND 15,000 FEET UP,

435
00:42:15,633 --> 00:42:18,966
{\an1}THERE'S ONLY HALF THE OXYGEN
AS AT SEA LEVEL.

436
00:42:22,700 --> 00:42:25,666
IVAN'S MUSCLES
ARE SCREAMING.

437
00:42:29,733 --> 00:42:31,733
[IVAN GRUNTING]

438
00:42:34,266 --> 00:42:38,066
AND NOW, HE FACES
THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE CLIMB.

439
00:42:38,066 --> 00:42:40,233
{\an1}[IVAN BREATHING HEAVILY]

440
00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:20,266
{\an1}NEXT, A SHEER FACE...

441
00:43:20,266 --> 00:43:22,100
[IVAN GROANS]

442
00:43:22,100 --> 00:43:24,833
POLISHED SMOOTH
BY ICE AND WIND.

443
00:43:30,733 --> 00:43:32,900
[IVAN GROANING]

444
00:43:51,600 --> 00:43:53,366
I'M EXHAUSTED.

445
00:43:56,800 --> 00:44:00,933
{\an1}THE AIR IS SO THIN,
AND IT'S HARD TO BREATHE

446
00:44:00,933 --> 00:44:02,800
AT THIS ALTITUDE.

447
00:44:14,566 --> 00:44:19,300
{\an1}NARRATOR: 6 RELENTLESS
HOURS INTO THE CLIMB,

448
00:44:19,300 --> 00:44:21,833
{\an1}FUCO TAKES HIS TURN
IN FRONT.

449
00:44:38,700 --> 00:44:42,566
{\an1}AFTER 10 HOURS, THE SUMMIT.

450
00:44:46,866 --> 00:44:51,400
HEH HEH HEH.
HEH HEH HEH!

451
00:44:51,400 --> 00:44:52,633
YEAH.

452
00:44:55,966 --> 00:44:59,866
{\an1}IVAN: ALL DAY FOR--
IT'S JUST FOR THIS MOMENT.

453
00:44:59,866 --> 00:45:02,933
YOU KNOW, JUST TO
ENJOY THIS VIEW.

454
00:45:02,933 --> 00:45:05,033
WOW!

455
00:45:05,033 --> 00:45:06,766
AMAZING.

456
00:45:09,700 --> 00:45:11,833
{\an1}NARRATOR: IVAN AND FUCO
HAVE CLIMBED

457
00:45:11,833 --> 00:45:17,033
ABOVE THE CLOUDS
TO 17,400 FEET.

458
00:45:20,466 --> 00:45:23,033
{\an1}BEYOND THEM STRETCHES
A WHOLE NEW WORLD

459
00:45:23,033 --> 00:45:25,366
{\an1}OF EXTREME HIGH ALTITUDE...

460
00:45:31,233 --> 00:45:36,400
{\an1}PERU'S CORDILLERA BLANCA,
THE "WHITE RANGE."

461
00:45:44,033 --> 00:45:47,500
{\an1}CLOUDS BLOW IN
FROM THE AMAZON BASIN

462
00:45:47,500 --> 00:45:50,133
{\an1}200 MILES TO THE EAST.

463
00:45:58,833 --> 00:46:02,700
{\an1}BECAUSE THEY ARE SO LADEN
WITH RAIN-FOREST MOISTURE,

464
00:46:02,700 --> 00:46:05,933
THEY GENERATE
WET, DENSE SNOW,

465
00:46:05,933 --> 00:46:11,166
{\an1}CREATING AN ICE WORLD FULL
OF HUGE SNOW SCULPTURES...

466
00:46:22,966 --> 00:46:25,966
CORNICES MADE
BY SNOW BLOWN

467
00:46:25,966 --> 00:46:28,333
{\an1}OVER MOUNTAIN CRESTS,

468
00:46:28,333 --> 00:46:32,233
{\an1}THOUSANDS OF TONS, TEETERING
ON THE RIDGELINE.

469
00:46:43,433 --> 00:46:47,433
THE SNOW CLINGS
TO NEAR VERTICAL CLIFFS.

470
00:46:51,233 --> 00:46:53,333
FLUTINGS FORM
WHERE AVALANCHES

471
00:46:53,333 --> 00:46:55,866
{\an1}HAVE GOUGED CHANNELS.

472
00:47:04,166 --> 00:47:09,866
{\an1}AND MOST MYSTERIOUS
OF ALL, PENITENTES,

473
00:47:09,866 --> 00:47:15,200
BLADES OF ICE,
EACH UP TO 20 FEET TALL,

474
00:47:15,200 --> 00:47:18,666
{\an1}FORMED BY THE SUN CARVING
TROUGHS IN THE SNOW.

475
00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:32,266
{\an1}ONE OF THE GREAT NATURAL WONDERS
OF OUR PLANET,

476
00:47:32,266 --> 00:47:36,333
4 MILES UP
AND ALMOST NEVER SEEN.

477
00:47:41,800 --> 00:47:45,100
{\an7}ONE CREATURE, THOUGH,
MAKES A HOME

478
00:47:45,200 --> 00:47:48,266
{\an7}IN THE CENTRAL ANDES'
ULTIMATE ICE WORLD.

479
00:47:48,366 --> 00:47:50,366


480
00:47:50,366 --> 00:47:55,133
{\an1}PERU'S QUELCCAYA GLACIER
COVERS 15 SQUARE MILES.

481
00:47:58,900 --> 00:48:02,733
{\an1}IT'S THE LARGEST EXPANSE
OF ICE IN THE TROPICS.

482
00:48:07,133 --> 00:48:09,466
ENORMOUS TONGUES
OF ICE FLOW DOWN

483
00:48:09,466 --> 00:48:12,766
{\an1}FROM QUELCCAYA'S SUMMIT
UNTIL THEY BREAK UP

484
00:48:12,766 --> 00:48:15,233
{\an1}AT ITS LOWERMOST REACHES.

485
00:48:19,266 --> 00:48:24,533
{\an1}AMAZINGLY, THE WHITE WINGED
DIUCA FINCHES THRIVE HERE,

486
00:48:24,533 --> 00:48:26,633
18,000 FEET UP.

487
00:48:26,633 --> 00:48:28,800
[CHIRPING]

488
00:48:32,466 --> 00:48:36,300
{\an1}ALSO KNOWN AS GLACIER BIRDS,
THEY COME TO QUELCCAYA

489
00:48:36,300 --> 00:48:38,233
{\an1}TO AVOID PREDATORS...

490
00:48:42,166 --> 00:48:44,466
{\an1}AND THEY'VE DISCOVERED
THE PERFECT PLACE

491
00:48:44,466 --> 00:48:46,233
{\an1}TO RAISE A FAMILY...

492
00:48:51,166 --> 00:48:54,200
{\an1}THE GLACIER ITSELF.

493
00:48:57,233 --> 00:49:00,333
[CHIRPING]

494
00:49:00,333 --> 00:49:05,500
{\an1}TWO CHICKS ARE HIDDEN
SAFELY INSIDE,

495
00:49:05,500 --> 00:49:08,633
{\an1}THE WORLD'S ONLY
GLACIER-NESTING BIRDS.

496
00:49:11,233 --> 00:49:14,433
THIS IS ONE
OF THE ULTIMATE ADAPTATIONS

497
00:49:14,433 --> 00:49:17,033
FOUND ANYWHERE
IN THE ANDES.

498
00:49:24,300 --> 00:49:27,300
AT NIGHT,
THE TEMPERATURE DROPS

499
00:49:27,300 --> 00:49:29,833
TO 14 DEGREES...

500
00:49:29,833 --> 00:49:32,000
[WIND BLOWING]

501
00:49:34,800 --> 00:49:38,200
{\an1}BUT INSULATED IN THEIR NEST,
IT'S NOT THE COLD

502
00:49:38,200 --> 00:49:40,266
THAT THREATENS
THEM UP HERE.

503
00:49:46,200 --> 00:49:48,266
IT'S THE SUN.

504
00:49:53,966 --> 00:49:56,600
{\an1}THE CHICKS DON'T HAVE LONG.

505
00:49:56,600 --> 00:49:59,800
{\an1}IN LESS THAN A MONTH,
THEIR HOME WILL MELT

506
00:49:59,800 --> 00:50:02,433
{\an1}OUT OF THE ICE CLIFF.

507
00:50:02,433 --> 00:50:04,700
IT'S A RACE
AGAINST TIME.

508
00:50:09,633 --> 00:50:12,233
{\an1}IN PLACES, QUELCCAYA
IS RECEDING

509
00:50:12,233 --> 00:50:15,000
{\an1}OVER 30 FEET A YEAR.

510
00:50:20,000 --> 00:50:22,366
OTHER NESTS HAVE
ALREADY FALLEN.

511
00:50:36,400 --> 00:50:39,733
{\an1}FINALLY, ONE CHICK IS
BOLD ENOUGH TO FOLLOW

512
00:50:39,733 --> 00:50:42,733
ITS PARENTS
INTO THE OUTSIDE WORLD...

513
00:50:45,200 --> 00:50:48,100
{\an1}LEAVING ITS SIBLING ALL ALONE.

514
00:50:51,166 --> 00:50:54,833
{\an1}NOW, THE NEST IS
BEGINNING TO COLLAPSE.

515
00:50:54,833 --> 00:50:58,600
[CHIRPING]

516
00:50:58,600 --> 00:51:01,633
AS A LAST RESORT,
THE PARENTS

517
00:51:01,633 --> 00:51:04,633
{\an1}CUT BACK ON FEEDING.

518
00:51:04,633 --> 00:51:08,400
{\an1}PERHAPS A MORE HUNGRY CHICK
CAN BE COAXED OUT.

519
00:51:21,600 --> 00:51:24,166
SAFE AT LAST.

520
00:51:28,600 --> 00:51:32,333
{\an1}BUT THE FUTURE FOR ITS
SPECIES IS LESS CERTAIN.

521
00:51:35,200 --> 00:51:38,233
{\an1}THE AIR TEMPERATURE
UP HERE IS RISING,

522
00:51:38,233 --> 00:51:41,733
{\an1}AND QUELCCAYA'S RETREAT
IS ACCELERATING.

523
00:51:44,033 --> 00:51:47,266
{\an1}AT CURRENT RATES,
QUELCCAYA WILL BE 30% SMALLER

524
00:51:47,266 --> 00:51:50,366
IN JUST 20 YEARS.

525
00:51:53,300 --> 00:51:55,566
THE HOME
OF THE GLACIER BIRD

526
00:51:55,566 --> 00:51:58,300
{\an1}IS SLOWLY DISAPPEARING.

527
00:52:03,433 --> 00:52:08,133
{\an1}ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE ANDES,
EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS

528
00:52:08,133 --> 00:52:11,433
{\an1}HAVE MADE REMARKABLE
ADAPTATIONS,

529
00:52:11,433 --> 00:52:17,466
EACH TO THEIR OWN
UNIQUE WORLDS,

530
00:52:17,466 --> 00:52:20,300
BUT THESE WORLDS
ARE CHANGING NOW

531
00:52:20,300 --> 00:52:24,066
MORE THAN EVER.

532
00:52:24,066 --> 00:52:26,766
CORNERS THAT WERE
ONCE ISOLATED

533
00:52:26,766 --> 00:52:28,800
{\an1}ARE NOW WITHIN REACH.

534
00:52:33,366 --> 00:52:39,433
{\an1}OLD TRADITIONS ARE
UNDER NEW PRESSURES,

535
00:52:39,433 --> 00:52:44,633
{\an1}AND AS THE CLIMATE CHANGES,
ANCIENT WORLDS MAY DISAPPEAR.

536
00:52:50,100 --> 00:52:52,266
[FINCH CHIRPING]

537
00:52:53,400 --> 00:52:57,466
FOR THE ANIMALS
AND PEOPLE OF THE ANDES,

538
00:52:57,466 --> 00:53:01,866
{\an1}THE GREATEST CHALLENGE
IS YET TO COME.

539
00:53:09,633 --> 00:53:11,833
{\an7}- [NARRATOR] NEXT TIME
ON KINGDOMS OF THE SKY,

540
00:53:11,933 --> 00:53:14,033
{\an1}NORTH AMERICA'S
GREATEST MOUNTAIN RANGE

541
00:53:14,133 --> 00:53:16,466
{\an1}EXTENDS FAR AND WIDE.

542
00:53:16,566 --> 00:53:19,766
{\an1}CROSSING TERRAIN BOTH
BEAUTIFUL AND CRUEL.

543
00:53:21,366 --> 00:53:22,766
{\an1}IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE,

544
00:53:22,866 --> 00:53:27,833
{\an1}SEASONS CAN CHANGE AND BEST
LAID PLANS ARE SOON DISCARDED.

545
00:53:29,333 --> 00:53:33,233
{\an1}DEMANDING A UNIQUE EXPERTISE
OF ALL WHO ATTEMPT TO ENDURE.

546
00:53:34,900 --> 00:53:37,533
{\an7}THE SPECTACULAR
UNCERTAINTY OF THE ROCKIES.

547
00:53:37,633 --> 00:53:42,466


548
00:53:43,266 --> 00:53:45,633
{\an8}"KINGDOMS OF THE SKY"

549
00:53:45,733 --> 00:53:47,833
{\an8}IS AVAILABLE ON
BLU-RAY AND DVD.

550
00:53:47,933 --> 00:53:50,433
{\an8}TO ORDER VISIT
SHOP.PBS.ORG

551
00:53:50,533 --> 00:53:52,900
{\an8}OR CALL
1-800-PLAY-PBS

552
00:53:53,000 --> 00:53:55,433
{\an8}THIS SERIES IS
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR
DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES.

553
00:53:55,533 --> 00:53:59,533