After the interview, Lin Yu'an received a formal invitation and detailed training camp arrangements from the Alone in the Wild production team. The email listed the camp's time and location, required personal items, and warned that the Colorado Rocky Mountains camp would include high‑intensity physical trials, survival skills assessments, and comprehensive psychological evaluations. Only the ten participants with the best overall performance would qualify for the season proper.
"Colorado's Rocky Mountains…" Lin Yu'an read and then searched the region online. High altitude, volatile weather, and large day‑night temperature swings would demand superior survival skills. For him it was both a daunting challenge and an opportunity to prove himself.
The next two weeks were a blur of preparation. First and foremost, he made sure Arya would be cared for while he was away. He planned her daily meals, scheduled prenatal appointments, and prepared contingency plans for emergencies. He stocked the refrigerator with the Asian ingredients Arya liked, and bought the vitamins and supplements she needed for pregnancy.
"You don't have to worry so much," Arya said, watching him bustle about. "I'm pregnant, not helpless." Still, she was touched and anxious.
"I know," Lin Yu'an said, pausing to hold her. "I just want you to be comfortable and safe while I'm gone."
He also prepared himself. He studied the Rocky Mountains' climate, terrain, common plants, and local wildlife. Although he had lived outdoors since childhood and had survival experience from his previous life in the Yukon, the Rockies were a different ecosystem. He reviewed his submitted skills demo again and again, analyzing strengths and weaknesses. His highlights included the A‑frame windproof shelter, the Dakota smokeless stove, and knowledge of medicinal plants from southern China. He believed the producers valued not only technical skill but also adaptability, creativity, and his unique background.
Departure day arrived. Lin Yu'an rose early and cooked a hearty breakfast for Arya. They ate in silence, the mood heavy with reluctant parting. Arya kept repeating instructions. "Promise me you'll be careful. If it's too dangerous, come back. Don't be a hero."
He nodded and reassured her. She took off a small cross pendant her mother had given her and placed it on his chest. The pendant was cool at first, then warmed against his skin. He hugged her tightly. "I'll be back with the prize and a surprise," he whispered.
A taxi waited downstairs. Lin Yu'an picked up his simple bag, stole a last glance at their apartment, and left. Arya watched until the taxi disappeared, then finally let the tears fall.
The flight to Denver arrived early the next morning. A shuttle sent by production collected him and three other candidates waiting outside the airport. The other contestants were quiet, nervous, and observant; an unspoken competitive tension hung in the vehicle.
They drove west into the mountains. Urban sprawl gave way to rolling foothills and dense coniferous forest. After roughly an hour they reached a valley training base. The site was modest: a handful of rough tents, an open training ground, and a ring of towering cedars and firs that lent a solemn, primitive atmosphere. A cold mountain breeze hit Lin Yu'an, and he felt invigorated by the pine‑scented air and the clear sense of challenge.
About twenty candidates had already gathered. They represented the United States, Canada, and Europe. Most wore professional outdoor gear; many looked like seasoned outdoorspeople, each radiating focus and toughness.
A burly, bearded middle‑aged man in camouflage strode toward the group, eyes sharp and assessing. He introduced himself with authority. "Welcome to the tryout camp for Season 8 of Alone in the Wild."
Lin Yu'an straightened his shoulders and joined the ranks, ready to prove himself.