Long before superhighways spanned North America, westbound settlers lumbered across a dangerous continent by covered wagon or on foot in search of a new life. Renowned English adventurer and wilderness expert Ray Mears retraces the steps of the 19th-century travelers and discovers how the awe-inspiring landscape and rugged terrain shaped the story of the Wild West.

Mears takes viewers across the seemingly impassable mountain ranges, sprawling grasslands, and arid deserts that confronted those who dared to make the journey. Along the way, he pans for gold, rides the range, and snacks on bear meat with locals who preserve the ways of life forged by one of history's largest human migrations. From the densely forested Appalachians to the windswept peaks of the Sierra Nevada, Mears ventures into parts of America that remain untamed to this day. 8 episodes, 4 hrs, 2 DVDs, SDH.