HUN Chapter 7: Heading to the Rocky Mountains

After the interview ended, Lin Yu'an received a formal invitation letter and detailed boot camp arrangements from the "Alone" production team in his email.

The email detailed the boot camp's schedule, location, and personal items that participants needed to prepare themselves.

The boot camp was scheduled for one week later at a training base in the Rocky Mountains outside Denver, Colorado.

The email also particularly emphasized that during the boot camp there would be high-intensity physical tests, survival skills assessments, and comprehensive psychological evaluations. Only the 10 participants with the best overall performance would ultimately qualify to compete at the official filming location for Season 8.

"The Rocky Mountains of Colorado..."

Lin Yu'an looked at the location name in the email. After searching on Google, he learned that the area had high altitude, changeable climate, and large temperature differences between day and night. The requirements for survival skills would only be higher there. For him, this was both a challenge and an opportunity to prove himself.

Over the next two weeks, Lin Yu'an's life became extraordinarily busy.

The first thing to do was still ensuring that Aliya would receive the most proper care during his absence.

He used these few days to meticulously plan Aliya's daily meal plans after his departure, prenatal checkup arrangements, and contingency plans for various possible emergency situations.

He also made a special trip to an Asian supermarket, purchasing many ingredients that Aliya liked to eat but weren't commonly found in regular American supermarkets, filling up the refrigerator. He also went to the pharmacy to stock up on various vitamins and nutritional supplements that Aliya needed during pregnancy.

"Darling, you don't need to be so nervous. I'm just newly pregnant and can take perfectly good care of myself," Aliya said, watching Lin Yu'an busying himself with every detail. She felt both heartache and amusement.

Lin Yu'an stopped what he was doing and gently pulled her into his arms.

"I know, but I always want to do more for you. I want to ensure that even when I'm not by your side, you can live comfortably."

Besides arranging Aliya's life, Lin Yu'an also didn't forget to prepare for his upcoming boot camp.

He continued to extensively research materials about the climate, geographical environment, and common flora and fauna of the Colorado Rocky Mountains region. Although he had lived in wilderness environments since childhood and had lived in the Yukon region in his previous life, giving him considerable insight into survival knowledge.

But those were different environments after all. The ecosystem of the Rocky Mountains was still relatively unfamiliar to him. He needed to understand as much information about the target area as possible to be fully prepared.

While preparing these materials, Lin Yu'an also constantly reviewed in his mind the skills demonstration video he had submitted to the production team.

Although he had shown some unique techniques in the video, in terms of pure wilderness survival experience, he might not match those candidates who had spent years in the wilderness. Therefore, thorough theoretical preparation was crucial.

He repeatedly reviewed his submitted skills demonstration video, analyzing his strengths and weaknesses.

That A-frame shelter's windproof door curtain, that Dakota smokeless fire pit, and that introduction to medicinal herbs from southern China... these were all "highlights" that distinguished him from other contestants.

He believed that what the production team valued was not just skills, but also the learning ability, innovative thinking, and unique cultural background he displayed.

Time flew by, and the day came to depart for the boot camp.

Lin Yu'an got up early in the morning and prepared a hearty breakfast for Aliya. The two ate in silence, the atmosphere somewhat heavy, with the reluctance of impending separation permeating the air.

Aliya put down her utensils, her eyes slightly red-rimmed, holding back tears as she repeatedly reminded him.

"Darling, when you get there, you must pay attention to safety and don't be reckless! Remember what we agreed on, if it's too dangerous, withdraw immediately!"

Lin Yu'an held her hand. "I know, darling. I've remembered everything. You also need to take good care of yourself."

Aliya took off the small cross pendant from her neck and gently placed it around Lin Yu'an's neck. "This was from my mother. I hope it will keep you safe."

Lin Yu'an felt the pendant on his chest, cold yet carrying Aliya's body warmth, and his heart warmed as he pulled her tightly into his arms.

He whispered in her ear, "I'll be back soon, with the championship and prize money, to give you both a surprise!"

The taxi was already waiting downstairs.

Lin Yu'an picked up his simple luggage bag, took one last deep look at Aliya and their cozy little apartment, then resolutely turned around.

Aliya stood by the window, watching the taxi slowly drive away, tears finally unable to hold back as they slid down her cheeks.

And Lin Yu'an, sitting in the taxi looking at the fleeting street scenes outside the window, felt a mix of emotions in his heart.

The flight to Denver landed in the early morning. Lin Yu'an, carrying his simple luggage bag, stepped onto Colorado soil.

The shuttle vehicle sent by the production team was already waiting outside the airport, accompanied by three other candidates who similarly showed various expressions, carrying hints of nervousness and anticipation.

They simply nodded to each other in acknowledgment, then the car fell into a subtle silence. Everyone was secretly sizing each other up, and an invisible competitive atmosphere permeated the air.

The vehicle headed west, gradually entering the mountains. The scenery outside the window changed from the city's skyscrapers to rolling hills and dense coniferous forests.

After about an hour, they arrived at a training base hidden in a mountain valley.

The base looked quite rudimentary, with only a few roughly constructed tents and an open training ground, surrounded by towering cedars and firs, filled with a primitive and austere atmosphere.

As soon as they got out of the car, a cold mountain wind hit them head-on, making Lin Yu'an feel invigorated!

The air and environment here were completely different from the tranquility of the Montana farm, filled with the special scent of pine trees mixed with water vapor, and a challenging atmosphere that hit you in the face.

When Lin Yu'an arrived at the training ground, about twenty or so candidates had already gathered.

They came from all over the United States, and there were even several from Canada and Europe. Everyone wore professional outdoor gear, their eyes gleaming with shrewdness and toughness, clearly all determined to win this opportunity.

A burly, dark-complexioned middle-aged man with a full beard, wearing camouflage fatigues, strode to the front of the group.

His sharp eyes swept over each candidate, as if trying to see right through them.

He was Rick Hawk, the chief survival instructor for the "Alone" production team, a former Marine special reconnaissance soldier.

"Welcome to the 'Alone' Season 8 selection boot camp!"

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