First Man Out: Location Guide

Population: 69.04 million
Area:  513,120 km² 
Highest elevation: 2,565 m
Average temperature: 31°C
Rainfall: 1,500 mm per year
Competitor: EJ

Northern Thailand is a region of green mountains, misty jungles, fertile valleys, as well as mountain peaks. Steep cliffs, fast flowing rivers and dense jungle will present a host of obstacles for Ed and his competitor EJ. As well as battling the elements and intense humidity, they'll also need to be wary of Thailand's dangerous wildlife, from scorpions to King Cobras as well as the infamous tigers...

Population: 21,729
Area: 458.4 km² 
Highest elevation: 242 m
Average temperature: 28°C
Rainfall: 208.3 mm per year
Competitor: Cat Bigney

The limestone khast floating islands of Palau are stunningly beautiful, but will be deceivingly challenging for Ed and his competitor Cat Bigney. Beyond the perfect white beaches, Palau is surrounded by a barrier reef of razor sharp coral rock, which is prone to wild currents and frequent storms. Crossing these waters, they will have to be careful of the island's shark population as well as snakes. Saltwater crocodiles can be found in the many mangroves and rock islands, growing up to 4.5 meters or 15 feet. Overhead is unforgiving jungle, home to scorpions and biting centipedes.

Who will triumph? Cat or Ed?

Population: 18.59 million
Area: 743,330 km² 
Highest elevation: 4,095 m
Average temperature: 27°C
Rainfall: 4,000 mm per year
Competitor: Aldo Kane

Ed challenges ex-marine Aldo Kane in Borneo. The forests of Borneo are largely made up of mangroves and typified by salt water, swamps and all but impenetrable root systems they are notoriously difficult to navigate. The mangroves are also teeming with wildlife and the two survivalists will have to contend with small critters such as crabs, frogs, cockles, snakes and large snails, as well as the more dangerous beasts - the deadly apex predator, AKA the salt water crocodile...

How will they fare?

Population: 3.076 million
Area: 1.564 million km²
Highest elevation: 4,374 m
Average temperature: 33°C
Rainfall: 400 mm per year
Competitor: Matt Graham

The landscapes of Mongolia are varied and challenging. Dropped into fertile forest of Mongolia, Ed and his opponent Matt Graham will descend out of the hills into evermore foreboding environments. They will have to cross a large section of grassy, stony Mongolian steppe where they will need to hunt marmot before taking on the vast dunescape of the Gobi desert, which is the largest desert region in Asia at 50,000m².

How will they both get on?

Population: 18.04 million
Area: 2,724,900 km² 
Highest elevation: 6995 m
Average temperature: 24°C
Rainfall: 320 mm per year
Competitor: Ken Rhee

Altyn-Emel National Park in Kazakhstan, where Ed takes on Ken Rhee, is akin to a giant maze full of dead-ends and false leads. It is easy to get dangerously lost within its 3,000 m² territory. The only way out is to climb high to get an overview and navigate using the sun. The main danger facing the two competitors is being stranded in the canyons without a way out if the rains come - the notorious flash floods are life threatening and not uncommon.

Who will come out on top, Ken or Ed?

Population: 1.339 billion
Area: 3.287 million km² 
Highest elevation: 8,586 m
Average temperature: °C
Rainfall: 650 mm per year
Competitor: John Hudson

Ed and expert John Hudson go head-to-head in the mountain ranges of the
Himalayas in India. Peaking at an elevation of 8,848m, they must master high altitudes and scarce resources as they search out a remote mountain outpost. On top of heights, landslides, falls and the dangers of mountaineering, the whole area
is full of black bears and the hills are infiltrated with some of the
world’s remaining leopards.

Will Ed or John be the first Man Out?