Hiking Judd Trail with Naked and Afraid star Dan Link

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Welcome to another episode of KHON2.com’s Unfit Adventurer. On Wednesday, July 24, hiked with Dan Link, a reality TV star from Naked and Afraid , Naked and Afraid XL , and Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing .

For this hike, we went back out to the Judd Trail. It’s close to home for Link and it’s a favorite of ours.

Link is known for his incredible survival skills and resilience. So, we thought it would be fun to go on an Oahu hike and learn how a survivialist sees the forest around us.

Let’s dive into his world and learn some survival techniques straight from the expert.

Link was pumped and ready to show us the ins and outs of surviving in the wild. He explained how important it is to be aware of your surroundings and prepared for anything.

When you’re out in the forest, it’s crucial to know where you can find food and water.

When you’re out in the forest, it’s crucial to know where you can find food and water.

“Any sort of water source is often a good bet for finding food, especially here in Hawaiʻi,” Link explained.

He told us about the prawns in the streams, which were introduced in the 1950s for aquaculture.

“You can make a simple shrimp trap using sticks and vines, creating a funnel that lures the curious prawns inside,” said Link. “Interestingly enough, you don’t even need bait most of the time; they’re really curious and will just find their way in.”

But shrimp arent’ the only items on the menu.

“The Asiatic freshwater clam is an invasive species in Hawaiʻi, but it can be a good food source if you collect enough of them and boil them,” Link explained. “They’re small, but if you get a whole bunch and throw them into a pot, you can get a lot of nutrients.”

Essential survival techniques

Water purification

One of the main concerns in survival situations is finding safe water.\

Link advised that “running water is better than still water because it discourages the growth of bacteria and parasites.” However, he still recommended boiling water to ensure it’s safe to drink.

“Boiling is always the best bet,” he explained. “Most parasites and bacteria will die at around 100 degrees Celsius. If you boil water until it starts bubbling, it should be safe to drink, but boiling it for a few minutes is even better.”

If you don’t have the means to boil water, Link suggested digging a “seep well” near the water source.

“The seep well is basically a hole you dig into the ground, usually at least 5 to 8 feet away from the water source. The water naturally filters through the ground into the pit, making it safer to drink,” he explained.

Link said that if you dig down into the ground through the sediment below the water table and it builds up.

All of that water is naturally being filtered through the ground before it gets into that pit, said Link. “That is something that I actually trust as a reliable water source.”

Link also mentioned using natural materials for filtering water.

“If you have some sphagnum moss, you can use it to filter water because it contains iodine, which helps purify the water,” he said. “You can also add charcoal from your fire to improve the filtration.”

But out in the wild, how do you boil without a pot? Well, Link explained.

“If you have some sort of basin or make some sort of basin, it could be a log you carve out or a natural depression in a rock,” said Link. “I’ve seen people do it. I’ve done it myself with large pieces of bamboo.”

He explained that all you need to do is cut the bamboo and make some basins for the water.

“You use hot rocks to boil the water. If you can start a fire with a whole bunch of rocks in it, be careful, don’t use river rocks but throw a bunch of rocks in it, heat the rocks up, and put the rocks into the water,” Link said. “You do that in a proper way and they get hot enough to boil the water. It’s difficult. You need a lot of rocks, but it can be done.”

Shelter building

Shelter is another critical aspect of survival. Link said that on his challenges, the creation of a safe, comfortable shelter is his main priority. He spends the most time building this.

Finding the right location is essential. According to Link, “You want to know that there’s material and firewood around you to be able to sustain you. In that way, you want to know that you’re close to a water source.”

In Hawaiʻi, bamboo is an excellent resource due to its strength and availability. “We have a lot of materials, a lot of bamboo around us that I can make walls, make structure, and lash leaves on top,” he adds.

Comfort is another key consideration. If you’re not comfortable, it can make the entire survival experience much more difficult.

“If I’m not comfortable, I’m uneasy through the whole experience,” Link revealed. “So, I make these big bougie beds out of moss or whatever’s around me, sometimes like a big nice raised bed.”

He once found piles of a particular leaf and used them to create a thick, cushioned bed.

“I would just lay down on top of this whole thing,” he recalled. Ensuring a good night’s sleep can help maintain energy levels and mental clarity.

Protection from the elements and avoiding hazards are also critical. Link advised that making sure your shelter is not directly under a tree animals might disturb you is vital.

In the Amazon, he used palm leaves to create a dark interior, deterring insects. “I made my shelter with palm leaves to make it very dark in the back, so the insects don’t fly in the dark. So you could sit there on a little raised platform and have a little bit of solace,” he noted.

By focusing on these elements—location, materials, comfort, protection, and hazard avoidance—you can build a shelter that not only keeps you safe but also makes the survival experience more manageable, according to Link.

As Link’s experiences show, a well-thought-out shelter is a cornerstone of effective survival strategy.

Food sources

When it comes to food, Link suggested not worrying too much in the first few days.

“In my experience, you can last much longer than you think without food,” he said.

However, finding edible plants and small animals can provide much-needed nutrition. For example, the Asiatic freshwater clam, an invasive species in Hawaiʻi, can be a good food source if you collect enough of them and boil them.

Hunting in the wild presents its own set of challenges, especially in areas where animals have evolved to be highly aware of human presence. Dan Link, a seasoned survivalist from Naked and Afraid , shares his insights on the difficulties of hunting, particularly in places like Africa. He explains, “In Africa, it’s still in harmony and these animals evolved with humans. So they are very sensitive to us. They have evolved to us and to stay away from us. So it makes hunting very difficult as well.” This sensitivity makes animals more elusive and challenging to hunt, requiring greater skill and strategy.

Link is particularly amazed by how many animals sense human presence without being seen.

“What amazes me the most is how many animals are out there that are sensing me that I have no idea are there and stay away from me,” he said.

This heightened awareness is especially pronounced in regions like South Africa, known as the cradle of human civilization.

“Humans evolved right in that area. You know, the oldest human fossils are right there,” explained Link. “They were Homo sapiens, and all of the animals evolved with the humans.”

This evolutionary history means that animals in these regions have developed a keen ability to detect and avoid humans, making hunting a significant challenge for even the most experienced survivalists.

Dealing with anxiety and stress

Surviving in the wild isn’t just about physical endurance; it’s also about mental strength. Link talks about the anxiety he feels during challenges.

“I have anxiety about what I’m gonna eat, where I’m gonna sleep and if I’m gonna be comfortable,” he admitted.

However, this anxiety drives him to push forward and find solutions. He stressed the importance of prioritizing sleep and making yourself as comfortable as possible to maintain energy and focus.

“The anxiety fuels me out there to push forward and figure it out and make myself comfortable,” explained Link.” “The mental exhaustion is often overwhelming at the start, compounded by physical exhaustion from setting up shelter and searching for food.”

Handling extreme conditions

Link describes some of the extreme conditions he’s faced, such as dealing with swarms of bugs in the Amazon.

“The mosquitoes were bad, and we even had little flea things crawling all over us,” he recalled.

To keep bugs away, he suggested using natural methods like smoke from a fire. In the Amazon, he found that darkness helped keep the bugs at bay.

Bonding with fellow survivors

Despite the hardships, Link has formed strong bonds with other survivalists.

“You end up bonding with people that might be totally different from you,” he said.

These connections are crucial for emotional support during and after the challenges. He even keeps in touch with many of his fellow contestants through group chats, providing a support network as they reintegrate into normal life.

Surviving in the wild is no easy feat, but with the right skills and mindset, it’s possible to overcome the toughest challenges.

Link said that he finds reintegrating into life after survival challenges to be challenging in and of itself.

“I honestly have a bit of generalized anxiety when I come back,” he revealed.

He craves normalcy and explained, “I want all the pillows, all the food, and just to sink into a giant bed without any bugs on me.”

Despite the adjustment period, he emphasized his deep appreciation for the comforts of home and the people around him that have supported him through all these wild and crazy adventures on the reality TV show.

Link’s experiences on Naked and Afraid teach us valuable lessons about resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of preparation. Whether you’re an aspiring survivalist or just curious about the wild, Link’s insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of survival.

As we wrapped up our hike, Link left us with a piece of advice: “Always be prepared and never underestimate the power of teamwork and mental strength.”

With these tips in mind, we’re ready to tackle our own adventures, no matter how unfit we may feel.