Original version

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two

Knowledge, drama, comedy and the arts for a broad adult audience.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

BBC Two HD

How the Wild West Was Won with Ray Mears

BBC Four

BBC Four HD

BBC Two Scotland

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

To allow the historical schedules to be captured and assist in analytics and associating audience data with rights stakeholders

BBC History Channel

Ray Mears

Sian Jones

Andrea Cornes

How the Wild West Was Won with Ray Mears: Episode 1: Mountains

Documentaries

Mountains

Episode 1

Episode 1: Mountains

BBC Four - How the Wild West Was Won with Ray Mears, Mountains

How America's three great mountain ranges challenged the westward push of the pioneers.

How the landscapes of America's three great mountain ranges - the Appalachians, the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada - challenged the westward push of the early pioneers.

Ray Mears looks at how the landscapes of America's three great mountain ranges - the Appalachians, the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada - challenged the westward push of the early pioneers.

As Ray travels through each landscape he discovers how their awe-inspiring geography, extreme weather, wild animals and ecology presented both great opportunities and great challenges for the native Indians, mountain men, fur traders, wagon trains and gold miners of the Wild West. 

Ray begins his westward journey in the Appalachians where he explores how their timbered slopes fuelled the lumber industry and provided the fuel and building material for the emerging nation. Native Appalachian Barbara Woodall and lumberjack Joe Currie share their family history with him, and he gets to grips with the rare 'hellbender' salamander. 

Further west, in the high jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Ray goes mule trekking with modern-day mountain man Stu Sorenson and he has close encounters with beaver, elk and black bear.  

Finally, in the desert mountains of the Sierra Nevada, he explores the tragic story of the Donner Party wagon train whose members allegedly turned to cannibalism to survive. His journey ends as he pans for gold with modern day gold prospector John Gurney, and explores the boom and bust story of ghost town, Bodie.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Factual: History

Factual: Travel

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Ray Mears explores how the wilderness of North America shaped the story of the Wild West.

Series in which Ray Mears explores how the awesome wilderness of the North American continent shaped the story of the Wild West.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

How the Wild West Was Won with Ray Mears

Episode 1: Mountains

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Two HD

About BBC Two