The weeklong training camp ended with tension and ruthless sorting. The original twenty‑plus candidates had been whittled down to ten standing on the Rocky Mountain training ground. Lin Yu'an was among them.
When instructor Rick Hawke announced the final ten in his booming voice, Lin Yu'an heard his name with calm rather than overt joy. A quiet confidence shone in his eyes.
After the shortlist, the production team gathered the ten finalists and revealed the season's official filming location. Executive producer Mark Johnson stood before a large map of North America and placed his finger on a remote region in northwestern Canada. His voice carried real excitement.
"Welcome to Season 8's battleground: Chilko Lake, British Columbia, Canada."
A short film rolled, showing a vast lake fed by glacial melt, ringed by snow‑capped peaks and dense, primeval coniferous forests. Occasional shots cut to wildlife: white‑tailed deer, wolverines, and massive grizzly bears. The narrator explained that Canadian grizzlies can weigh up to 900 pounds and stand nearly three meters when upright, underscoring their dominance in the wilderness.
"At Chilko Lake, you will have to share the land with grizzly bears," Mark said. "This season might as well be called Alone in the Wild: Grizzly Mountain."
Even veteran hunters in the tent went solemn. Grizzlies were not merely prey; they were a lethal threat. Lin Yu'an felt his stomach tighten. He recalled old John on the frontier farm teaching how to avoid provoking large predators, but surviving months alone in a grizzly‑dense area would be daunting.
Mark offered encouragement. "We believe the ten of you are top survivalists. You will find ways to coexist with nature and overcome the challenges."
Next, the contestants had four hours to choose ten pieces of survival equipment, selecting from the production team's equipment list, to take into the Chilko Lake wilderness. The choice would be crucial to survival and longevity in the field.
Lin Yu'an reviewed the basic gear supplied by production:
A pair of high‑leg hunting boots, water shoes, a belt, two t-shirts, two wool shirts, a wool sweater, three pairs of wool socks, two hats, two pairs of gloves, two pairs of underwear, a outdoor jacket and rain jacket, a pair of rain pants, a set of thermal underwear, a pair of leggings, a toothbrush, a pair of glasses(with prescription), a personal photo, a large tarpaulin, a multi-season sleeping bag, a fixed-blade knife, a double-sided whetstone, bear spray, a kettle, and finally, a waterproof hiking backpack.
He then weighed his ten personal choices against the environmental and animal threats at Chilko Lake: frigid nights, large day‑night temperature swings, wet conditions, and high grizzly presence. Warmth, food security, and bear safety were priorities. After rapid evaluation, he finalized his list.
Ten chosen items:
Multi‑purpose high‑carbon steel knife. Essential for cutting, chopping, skinning, and general utility. Sharp, durable, and easy to maintain.
Medium felling axe. Useful for chopping firewood and building shelters. Balanced weight and a sturdy handle.
Goose‑down sleeping bag rated to −30 °C with a waterproof outer shell. Life‑saving insulation in cold, wet conditions.
Heavy‑duty waterproof tarpaulin in army green. Versatile as shelter roofing, groundsheet, or windscreen and better for concealment.
Large magnesium flint and striker. Reliable fire starting even when wet.
Single‑handled stainless steel pot with lid. For boiling, cooking, and melting snow. Durable and easy to clean.
Fishing kit with assorted lines, hooks, and a few sinkers. Chilko Lake offered rich fish resources, an important protein source.
High‑strength paracord. Versatile for shelter building, traps, cordage, and repairs.
A packet of salt. Important for preventing hyponatremia, preserving food, and seasoning to boost morale.
An American hunting bow with a quiver of arrows, including two heavy‑tipped bear hunting arrows. High skill requirement, but silent and effective for both small and larger game.
He double‑checked the list. The sleeping bag and tarpaulin were geared for the cold, and the bow offered a silent hunting option. Convinced, he submitted the choices.
The production team surprised everyone. They arranged flights for contestants to return home to gather the selected personal gear, say farewells, and then immediately commence filming. Lin Yu'an flew back to Austin with a small bag. Arya was waiting at the door, relief and joy lighting her face. She rushed to him but he gently steadied her. "Slow down. You are my priority now," he teased, then hugged her.
She peppered him with questions. He answered briefly and reassured her. When she learned he made the official cast, her worry and pride mixed. "A week?" she asked. "We will only have seven days?"
He promised to stay close and prepare thoroughly. Over the next days he tended to Arya, prepared nutritious meals, accompanied her on walks, and bought all essential supplies. He stocked high‑calorie compressed rations, gel energy bars used by special forces, concentrated chicken stock, mixed spices, and other morale boosters. He bought extra fishing hooks, high‑strength fishing line, and several rolls of steel wire. Beyond the program's first‑aid kit he packed stronger anti‑inflammatory drugs and painkillers to treat injuries if needed. He also acquired a large‑caliber bear hunting pistol, which could not pass production inspection if carried openly. Lin Yu'an secured it in his personal space as an emergency last resort. He vowed not to use it unless survival truly demanded it, preferring to rely on his skills.
Preparations and the tender time with Arya slipped by quickly. On their final night together, she was affectionate and restless, their intimacy tinged with sadness. Later they lay together on the couch, her head on his shoulder. She pleaded softly, "Please take care. Promise you will come back. The babies and I will wait and pray for you."
"I promise," he said, kissing her deeply.
His life of solitary wilderness challenge was about to begin.