♪♪ Colin: Welcome to Survivalists, the first ever extreme family adventure competition show.

I'm your host, Colin O'Brady.

And I'm an explorer who loves to prove the impossible-- Summit!

is possible.

From becoming the first person to cross Antarctica solo, unsupported, and fully human-powered, to climbing Mt.

Everest.

Top of the world!!

I've set ten world records, and I'm a New York Times best-selling author.

I have learned that if you push yourself, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Now, my wife and I work to inspire kids and their communities to achieve their biggest dreams.

Woohoo!

I know firsthand the value of pushing yourself in the wild, and now each week, I'll be challenging two families, each here for deeply personal reasons, to push themselves further than they've ever been pushed before.

They will head out on a three-day adventure of a lifetime that will test them physically, mentally, and emotionally.

- We've always done everything together.

- I know, but you have to do this.

Colin: They will learn to see loved ones in a new light, rebuild relationships, and find strength as a family.

Boy: For anybody who's ever doubted me, you don't need to doubt me anymore.

Colin: But in the end, only one family can come out on top and take home the $10,000 cash prize.

- Woo!

[laughs] This week, the Thompson family from Atlanta, Georgia.

Boy 2: I see that we are much more capable than I thought.

Colin: Will compete against the Laudenslagers from Riverdale, California.

Woman: This is gonna be something new for us.

Colin: Who will be the first to raise their family's flag... - Let's go!

- Yeehaw!

[cheering] Colin: And be this week's Survivalists.

[birds calling] Thompsons: We're the Thompsons and we're from Atlanta, Georgia.

- Woo!

Girl: If I had to describe our family in three words, competitive, crazy, and creative.

The three Cs, that's us.

Laudenslagers: We're from Riverside, California, and we're the Laudenslager family.

Woman: We're definitely not a family that shies away from a challenge.

We're tough by ourselves, but we are way stronger together.

- Yeah.

[all cheering] Colin: Welcome to Survivalists!

[applause and cheering] Laudenslagers, how are you guys feeling?

- Hot!

It's hot right now, but other than that, we're excited.

- Have you as a family done anything like this?

- Nothing like this.

This is gonna be completely new to us.

- I'm like, "Oh, yeah, let's go, come on, I wanna win this!"

Colin: Yeah!

Chris: Thatta kid!

Colin: Juleen, when you look down at your younger siblings, any nervousness, any fear?

- I feel really confident in their energy.

I'm probably gonna whoop 'em into shape if they're slacking.

But it's all out of love, just tough love.

[laughter] Colin: And Evelyn, what is the larger objective for you and your family?

- To disconnect from what we're used to everyday.

- We're a family of podcasters.

Aiden's got his podcast, my wife and I have a podcast together, I do one with my daughter, and that's just, that's our life, that's every day.

It'll be nice to turn it off and walk away, and walk up a steep hill.

- Juleen, can you remember a time when it was just your family, no phones, no Internet?

- No?

[laughter] - I am so excited to just take a little break from that, and be able to just focus on my family.

We're the number one trend in my life.

- Aww.

- That was cute.

- [laughs] - Hashtag corny.

- Chris, tell me what your family flag stands for?

- Our mascot's kind of like a monkey, 'cause we're the funner family, man.

We just get up there, and we have a good time, and we're crazy.

Colin: All right.

- That's what we bring!

We bring fun.

- Thompson family, welcome to Survivalists!

What's it mean for you to have your whole family out here competing in this?

- It's awesome, 'cause we don't do adventures like this together.

- My son Al just said, "I can't believe how beautiful it is out here, and how nice everybody is."

Colin: Laudenslagers, are you gonna keep up that niceness, or is there gonna be some sharp edges?

Evelyn: Oh, sure, we'll try!

Leigh-Ann: Right, oh, I can see that coming.

- Ginny, for you, what's the dynamic between you and your siblings?

- I mean, sometimes they say I can be a little bossy.

Colin: Lilly, how is it between the two of you?

- Um, well, we kind of, [awkward noise], we aren't sick of each other yet.

It might be, like, one person talking and another person talking, and it kinda just comes and clash.

- Sometimes we're just not on the same page and we end up arguing over small things that we shouldn't be arguing over.

Colin: What is the overall objective for you having your family out here?

- I think bringing everybody together, they may find a different part of their siblings by spending time with each other.

- Maybe it'll teach us that we can be closer.

- It's tough to see my kids argue and have discord, 'cause I'm the youngest of four girls in my family, and so for me, knowing what I went through and the communication, or lack thereof that I had with my own sisters, I'd like to be able to all three of them get along and have a great adult life together.

Colin: Leigh-Ann, tell me about your family flag.

Leigh-Ann: The owl eyes are perfect for us, 'cause we're night owls, and the blue circle is the river of journey, and the paths crossing, it's the final destination.

- All right, I love it.

Well, this is a competition.

You'll be going on a formidable, 3-day, 16-mile expedition through one of the most remote parts of the country.

Day one, you'll travel over six miles on both foot and horseback to your first camp for the night.

Day two, you'll gain 2,000 feet in elevation before reaching an alpine lake.

Day three will take you up and over a 10,500-foot mountain pass before racing down to the finish line, where the first family to raise their flag will be declared the winner.

Do you guys wanna know what you're playing for?

All: [shouts of affirmation] Colin: Okay, well, let's check these out, open 'em up.

[all saying, "What?!"]

Colin: Inside of those backpacks are $10,000 cash.

- It's goin' down!

[laughs] - We'd better win it.

- [laughs] - As you know, you are gonna be setting off on a multi-day expedition, but before doing that, I'm gonna give you the opportunity to visit the General Store, where you can grab all the essential items to survive our three-day extreme expedition.

But you only have 90 seconds inside to find everything you need.

To gain even more time, I've set up three challenges for you to play.

Each challenge you win, you'll earn an additional 30 seconds to your clock.

This very first challenge is setting up a shelter.

♪♪ All right, first challenge, it's the shelter challenge.

Here are your two-person tents.

The first family that sets up their tent, gets it fully secured, and get inside of the tent, wins that 30 seconds in the General Store.

Each team's competitors, stand on up, come on out.

[cheering] Chris: Come on, all right.

Aiden: Oh, gosh, this is gonna be kind of hard, but we'll get through it!

- Yeah, we'll do good.

Colin: Three, two, one, go!

[cheering] Evelyn: Come on, come on!

Chris: We're gonna feed it through, go in that corner.

Colin: Chris is our first one putting a tent pole inside of a tent.

Aiden: All right, all right, all right, dad.

[Evelyn making distressed noises] Colin: They've both got one tent pole in.

- You can!

We got this!

Alfred: I'm thinking, "I'm going to instruct her, have her follow my lead, " but I haven't built a two-man tent in thirty years.

How's it fit in there?

Lilly: It's right here.

Alfred: Yeah, there it is.

And she pretty much took the lead.

Lilly: Oh wait, this is the base.

I am pulling the sticks out, clipping them, I'm focused.

Chris: Go get a rock for the stakes, go get a rock for the stakes.

Aiden: Okay.

Chris: We need more stakes.

Lilly: Come on!!

Alfred: I don't know how this is gonna work.

Chris: Aiden, I need that rock.

Aiden: Here you go, here you go!

Colin: From the outside, it looks like the Thompsons have the advantage here, but it's pretty close.

Lilly: Get in, get in, dad, hurry!!

[screams in frustration] Colin: All right, let me test this here.

Thompsons, I have to tell you, you guys are missing a piece.

- What are we missing?!

Alfred: Lilly, see if there's any clips missing.

Aiden: Come on, come on, dad, come on, we got this, come on!

Colin: The Laudenslagers still might have a chance to pull this off!

- Keep going, keep going!

- Dad, says, "Oh!"

Alfred: We got that last clip!

Lilly: Dad finds it and clips it.

Alfred: Lilly, get back in!

Lily: Why?

♪♪ - Thompsons are the winners!

[cheering and applause] Lilly: I am ready for anything now, I feel prepared!

Colin: The Thompsons have taken the early advantage with 30 additional seconds in the General Store.

- We'll get 'em next time.

- Yeah.

- All right.

- Next up is the food challenge.

[cheering] ♪♪ Chris: What the... Whoa, what is that?

Child: Ew, there's snails!

What is this?

Child 2: Blueberries!

Colin: Welcome to the food challenge!

You're gonna need two participants from each family.

One family member will choose from this beautiful lunch buffet that we have and bring back a plate of food to your partner.

Some of the foods up there are edible, while others are poisonous.

Alfred: Poisonous.

- You want to pick the edible one.

[laughter] To give up to your family member.

If it is edible, they will have to eat it.

You then swap, so you're then serving up to the other family member.

If you pick a poisonous food, you will lose the challenge.

Laudenslagers, who's it gonna be?

- My mom and me.

- How about Thompsons?

- Al and me.

Colin: All right.

Evelyn: So it's super important that we get a win here, because, you know, we're down thirty seconds right now going into the General Store.

If we can get two minutes in there... - Yeah, that... yeah.

- We're gonna feel confident.

Colin: On my go, three, two, one, go!

Whoa!

Wow, wow, wow!

All right!

[laughter and applause] - I am... baffled.

- I think we will start with the Laudenslagers.

What do you think your daughter selected for you?

- I think she loves me more than I realized.

[laughter] Uh, blueberries!

- Those are indeed blueberries.

Bon appetit!

Juleen: Yay, they're edible!

Colin: Al, I can't say your mom was quite as kind to you in the first round.

[laughter] Do you think what she picked for you is edible?

- Yes.

Colin: And what do you think it is that she picked for you?

- A snake.

Colin: That is indeed a rattlesnake.

Al: Oh, my... Colin: And it is edible!

[applause] Eat up!

Eat up to make it to the next round.

- What part can I eat?

- I don't know, take a nice, big bite of that.

Swallow it, chew it, finish it down.

[all shouting] Cassandra: A rattlesnake?

How can you eat it?!

[all cheering] Al: I get a big chunk of bone, and it's disgusting.

- Tastes like chicken?

- No.

[laughter] Colin: All right, time to switch out family members for round two.

Three, two, one, go!

Al: No.

Colin: All right, looked like they might have both been going for that one.

Al: Ah, yikes.

Okay.

Colin: What's he picking for mom?

Okay.

Cassandra, what do you think you've got in front of you there?

- Ginger.

Colin: That is indeed ginger, well done.

Take a nice big bite of that to continue into round three.

[cheering] Juleen: Come on, Cassie!

Colin: How's that taste?

- Ew.

[laughter] Colin: Leigh- Ann.

What do you think Al picked for you?

Leigh-Ann: It's a beautiful blue hydrangea.

Colin: All right, well, why don't you pick it up?

♪♪ Stop.

That is a hydrangea, and it is poisonous.

And that means the Laudenslagers have won this challenge!

[cheering] Cassandra: This is how I'm feeling after we won that challenge in a dance move.

- Ay, ay!

[laughs] - The final challenge of the day is knots.

[cheering] ♪♪ - Welcome to the knot challenge.

[faint cheers] - Over here I have six specific knots that you have to tie.

You will need to tie those knots through each one of the items and clip it to the carabiner so the object is suspended in the air.

Each team will be given seven minutes.

Whoever has the most knots wins.

Looks like it's gonna be Juleen for the Laudenslagers and Ginny for the Thompsons.

Alfred: Ginny knows her knots inside and out.

Colin: Go!

Leigh-Ann: Go, Ginny!

Colin: Ginny's going for the clove hitch first.

Alfred: I know she can tie this, I've seen her do it in a second.

[cheering] ♪♪ [clipping sound] Colin: You need it a little bit tighter, but it's very close.

- My heart was beating pretty fast, 'cause I was really nervous.

Colin: Oh, she's giving up on the clove hitch and she's moving on.

Next up we've got the trucker's hitch.

That looks like the right knot to me, clipping it in... [clipping sound] There it is, you've got one knot.

Leigh-Ann: Go, go, go!

Colin: She's coming back to the clove hitch because she knows it.

All right, ties it tight.

- Do it around the top loop of the backpack.

Colin: Oh, she's quick on it this time.

[clipping sound] No problem with that one, she's got two knots, there you go.

She looks very confident going on to the bowline.

Got five seconds to go, four, three, two, one, time's up!

You missed it by one second.

Ginny: I feel like I did a little worse than I expected I would do, which was kind of disappointing.

Colin: Juleen, come on up.

Juleen: I'm pretty good at knots, and so going into this, I feel super good.

- Go!

Chris: All right, let's go, JuJu, you got this, girl!

Colin: All right, looks like she's starting with the bowline.

Evelyn: There you go, babe, there you go.

Cassandra: Tighten it!

Good job.

Evelyn: All right, all right, all right.

Colin: I'm sorry, but that is unfortunately not a bowline knot.

Juleen: The fact that I'm struggling this much is not okay.

Evelyn: Okay, move on.

Colin: She's abandoned the bowline, she's moved on to the taut line.

[cheering] Colin: Oh, yeah, that's the right knot.

Well done.

Aiden: Come on, come on, come on!

Colin: And she's gonna go for the trucker's hitch next.

Can she draw even by getting another knot tied?

Evelyn: Get it nice and tight, get it nice and tight!

♪♪ Colin: Clip it in.

[clipping noise] Looks like she's got it!

And she's gonna go for the sheet bend knot.

Is she gonna be able to get it?

This is for the win.

Five, four, three... Evelyn: Hoist it, now hoist it!

Colin: two... [clipping noise] That's not the right knot.

Time has expired.

- I'm kind of disappointed in myself, because I know that I knew all of those knots.

Colin: We have to break this tie.

Each one of you are gonna pick a knot that you didn't previously successfully tie.

Whoever can tie their knot first wins the challenge.

On my go, three, two, one, go!

[cheering] Colin: Juleen is going for the clove hitch, Ginny's going for the bowline.

Ginny: I knew I was close on that last knot, so I knew I could do it faster this time.

[cheering] Colin: Looks like Ginny's got the bowline tied, [clipping sound] and she's got it!

She wins!

[cheering] Colin: Congratulations, Ginny!

Well, that officially concludes the survival challenges.

Let's go to the General Store.

[chatter] [techno music] [sliding click] [doors creak open] Welcome to the General Store!

[cheering] Colin: Each family is gonna get 90 seconds to shop for what they need, and as you know, you've earned some extra time.

Thompson family, you have an additional 60 seconds from winning two challenges, and the Laudenslagers you get an additional 30 seconds.

Evelyn: We will use it.

Colin: Everything you bring with you has to be brought the entire 72 hours in the backcountry.

Alfred: What?

Colin: I've made a list here of essential items.

On this list is: flint, water bottle for each member of the family, water filtration, a knife, first aid kit, and a GPS.

For each item you miss, you will get a thirty minute time penalty to begin tomorrow.

Additionally, if it's not in the circle when I call time, it is not coming with you.

All right, Thompsons, you're on my first go.

Three, two, one, go!

Leigh-Ann: All right, go, go, go, go, go, go, go!

Colin: There they go, and they're off!

Alfred: I'm thinkin', "No problem, "we'll pick out what we need.

I'll make sure I'll go down the list."

- Got it, got it, got it!

- I didn't have time to do any of that.

I can't remember what I was supposed to get.

Colin: None of the essential items yet.

Okay, here we go, three, two, one, go!

All right, both families are in there!

Evelyn: The strategy is divide and conquer.

- Where are the water tablets?

- Thompsons look like they're filling up their circle, it's a fine line, you don't want too much, but you certainly don't want too little.

- I'm getting two of-- - Stop, stop, stop, stop.

No, that's too much.

Al: What else is there?

Chris: You need help with the food.

Cassandra: What do we need?

Leigh-Ann: Okay, get the water bottles.

Cassandra: Did we get a GPS?

Yes.

Alfred: Where's the burner?

Colin: Five seconds to go, if it's not in the circle, four, three, two, one, stop, time, time!

Whoa!

- Immediately, I'm thinkin', "Fingers crossed everybody's got what they need."

- I see a firestarter there.

I also see the knife, five water bottles, water filtration, first aid kit right here, and the GPS.

Alfred: Yes.

Way to go, guys.

- Thompson family has all of their essential items.

My assessment is, you guys are gonna be heavier than the Laudenslagers, Alfred: Oh yeah.

Colin: But there's no time penalty, so we shall see.

Let's come over to you guys!

Chris: Okay.

Evelyn: All right!

Cassandra: Okay.

Evelyn: Let's go.

- You guys obviously have chose to go a bit lighter.

- I gotta tell you, we got everything exactly the way we wanted it.

Chris: Lean and mean.

Evelyn: Everything on our list, and that was it.

Colin: You guys also have every single essential item on the list.

There will be no time penalty for either family.

- Awesome.

Colin: It'll be a head-to-head battle tomorrow morning.

My advice right now is pack up your gear, go get a really good night's sleep, and I'm gonna meet you at the trailhead, and that's where this expedition truly begins.

See you at sunrise!

[all bidding farewell] ♪♪ [crickets] ♪♪ [bird calls] Colin: Everyone comes out here for a different reason.

Whether it's the Laudenslagers, a family of podcasters who are looking to connect in person away from their devices, or the Thompsons, whose parents hope their kids can grow closer together in order to create lifelong bonds.

The path is here, and their journey awaits.

All right!

Welcome to the start line of your outdoor adventure!

This is day one.

Today, the Thompsons and the Laudenslagers will journey over 6 of their 16-mile journey.

They'll ride horses, navigating through the rugged terrain, before finishing their long trek to camp over 8,000 feet.

How you guys feeling, now that you see these mountains here?

Alfred: It's daunting, that's for sure.

- Leigh-Ann, as a mother, how important is it for you to have your family out here, to see them working together for these next three days?

- It's incredible, I hope that only great things come out of this.

Learning how to just work well with each other and nature is, is a good thing.

- Laudenslagers, how're you guys feeling?

- Good.

- We're good.

The scary part, it's very hilly!

There's lots of mountains, and so we know we're really gonna be pushing ourselves.

- Yeah.

- For the next three days, you're gonna have to survive with just what you have on your backs.

Inside these canisters is the coordinates for your GPS, and they'll give you directions to the next checkpoint.

When you arrive at the checkpoint, there'll be another canister.

So the race is on from this point onward.

Three... Alfred: Get ready.

Colin: two, one, go!

Chris: 'Kay, okay.

"Welcome to Survivalist, find a four-legged friend and giddy-up."

Alfred: "And giddy-up."

Do you think it's a horse?

Chris: Let's go, let's go, you got it?

Leigh-Ann: Yup, let's go.

Colin: See you guys at the finish line, off you go!

[cheering] Colin: Good luck!

To get to the first checkpoint, the families need to navigate a safe route across a deep ravine and then climb up for a half mile.

Alfred: Let Ginny call, she's got to tell us which direction to go.

Ginny: Got it.

Chris: We can go this way, guys.

Cassandra: We're splitting up.

This is so exciting!

Aiden: Bye, other family!

Chris: Just be careful.

- The Thompsons' family and our family, we kinda went separate ways.

I'm hoping that our way will get us there quicker.

- There's a creek down here or something.

Leigh-Ann: 'Kay, Ginny, this is where it's gonna get tricky.

Ginny: Okay, look and see if there's an easier way to get down.

Alfred: Lilly, see if there's a way to go across.

Path of least resistance, guys!

Leigh-Ann: Lilly's our honey badger, she gets out front, almost like a scout, pointin' out the right direction, but Ginny is checkin' us out with the GPS and makin' sure we're goin' the right way.

Lilly: Guys, there's a path!

Leigh-Ann: Do we wanna try here?

Al: Guys, I can see a little easy jump right there.

Leigh-Ann: We can handle that.

Keep your feet as dry as possible.

Alfred: Is it... can we not get wet doing this?

Mom, do you wanna hand me your pack?

Leigh-Ann: Nope.

'Kay, I'm goin' first.

Lilly: Okay.

Leigh-Ann: Yeah, I'm not worried.

'Kay, go.

Alfred: Give me your hand.

'Kay, let's not get our feet wet.

Leigh-Ann: Best you can stay dry.

Lilly: Guys, there's a trail up here.

Ginny: 'Kay, now go this way.

Leigh-Ann: 'Kay, go.

Hit that trail.

- Okay, now the old man.

- Oh!

I got wet.

Juleen: So we're gonna have to cut through this brush.

Chris: That we are.

Juleen: This looks pretty clear except we'd have to go in the water and then through these branches.

Aiden: Yeah, just jump through.

Come on.

Chris: Aw, yeah.

Juleen: Yeah, it's totally fine.

Evelyn: Okay, hold on.

Juleen: Okay, you guys go first.

Go Cass.

Evelyn: Jump up!

There you go!

Chris: Jump!

- 'Kay, hold on.

Lilly: I see a trail.

Ginny: Lilly.

Wait for Mom and Dad.

Leigh-Ann: Go.

Hold on, I'm burnin'.

[breathing heavily] - They're up there.

Alfred: I think the altitude has gotten to us.

This isn't Georgia.

This is... we're up here.

Evelyn: [grunts] Cassandra: Up here!

Come on, guys!

Aiden: Where's the other competitors?

- [retching] - Dad, are you okay?

Chris: [retching] Evelyn: Oh, babe.

Take it easy, honey.

Aiden: Just take deep breaths.

Chris: [retching] Evelyn: Okay, relax.

Chris: Sorry.

Evelyn: It's okay, don't be sorry.

Juleen: I'm a little worried.

I wasn't expecting him to feel so sick.

- I need to get some water.

Cassandra: There's a good breeze up here, Dad.

Aiden: You okay, Dad?

Chris: Yeah.

I just got a little drained.

Just got a little hot.

I lost it a little bit, but I'm doin' better now.

- I think those steep hills, we went the wrong way, for sure.

We definitely took the, uh, path of most resistance.

It's the Laudenslager way.

We'll be stronger because of it.

- I think the checkpoint's over this hill.

Yahoo!

Lilly: There's so many horsies!

Giddyup!

Alfred: These are horses!

Yeah.

Ginny: I don't know where we're gonna go, but it looks exciting.

Leigh-Ann: Find the waypoint, come on.

- Okay, everybody look, it's a silver pouch.

Start looking.

Al: Waypoint.

Ginny: I'm looking at the GPS, and it says that the coordinates are right here under our feet.

Lilly: Ginny, can I see it?

Ginny: It's, literally it's not showing you anywhere.

We're right on top of it.

- We lost five minute lead, we lost it.

Let's go, let's go!

Alfred: Gosh, I got it.

We're lookin' down, and it's up on the bush!

Ginny: Okay, open it.

Leigh-Ann: Open it, open it, open it.

Al: There is a long ride ahead, so save your feet and lead your steed.

Leigh-Ann: 'Kay.

Go, run, run, run!

- We finally find the waypoint, which means we get to get on horses.

- I've never ridden a horse before.

This is a first time for me.

Leigh-Ann: Come on, let's go, Lilly!

Ginny: Go.

Juleen: Look at the horses!

Children: Oh my gosh!

Cassandra: Look at the horses!

Juleen: It was like the clue said!

Colin: The families will face the next two and half miles on horseback through undulating hills towards the next checkpoint.

Alfred: Yeah, this is all new to us.

Leigh-Ann: Take a minute, look up.

Alfred: Good job, guys.

Leigh-Ann: Y'all, look around.

Alfred: Yeah, look around, look at where we are.

Al: Whoa.

Alfred: This is amazing.

Al: Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Lilly: They know when to stop, Al.

Alfred: Good girl.

Come on.

Good girl.

Al: Giddyup.

[laughing] Lilly: I'm just looking around, and it is so beautiful.

The mountains, everything, it's just amazing.

Leigh-Ann: Giddyup, girl!

Hoo hoo, let's go!

Yeehaw!

Lilly: Yeehaw!

[galloping hooves] [bird call] Evelyn: Oh, geez.

So we're about to ride horses and I am so excited.

I haven't rode a horse since I was four, I think.

I think there's a picture of me.

Man: Grab that horn.

Swing that leg up there.

Aiden: I'm riding a horse.

- My kids have never ever gotten on a horse.

Cassandra: I'm used to merry-go-rounds more.

[laughter] Evelyn: This is gonna be something new for us, we're either gonna love it or we're not gonna love it, we'll see.

Chris: This is way easier than carryin' a backpack.

Evelyn: Come on, Cassie!

Chris: Let's go, Cassie!

Cassandra: Come on, Happy, let's go.

Juleen: Oh, you're such a good little horse!

Evelyn: Keep following Daddy.

Keep following Daddy, baby.

Cassandra: This is much easier than having to trek.

Juleen: Come on.

Chris: This is awesome.

Why couldn't we start with the horses?

Evelyn: Being on this horse is probably my new favorite thing.

I would like to ride horses everywhere I go.

I will ride a horse to work, if I can now, and seeing the joy in my son's eyes I think we might have found his little thing, like, maybe he's a jockey, I don't know!

Aiden: I shoulda brought a cowboy hat!

Alfred: We haven't lost anyone, have we?

Leigh-Ann: No, go.

Ginny: Come on, let's go, let's pick up the pace.

Alfred: Ginny, where's the waypoint?

Ginny: It looks like it's up that hill.

Alfred: The waypoint's up here, guys!

Leigh-Ann: Let's pick up some time, so let's leave the horses and go!

♪♪ Al: Guys, I got it!

Alfred: Let's go!

Leigh-Ann: [indistinct] Evelyn: I can see the other horses!

Juleen: Is that it?

Are we close?

Chris: It's up there.

When the horses came it was great, because I actually got to like relax a little bit, enjoy the scenery, but we're back on our feet now, so we gotta get goin'.

Juleen: Okay.

Chris: All right, let's go.

Evelyn: Let's go get it.

Colin: Leaving the horses behind, the families will now have to travel by foot the next three and a half miles of rocky trails to camp.

Alfred: Okay, you wanna stop?

Leigh-Ann: Yeah.

Alfred: You want some water?

- No.

It's just my lungs.

Mentally, I'm havin' a struggle 'cause I-- I think I can do this, I feel like I can do it, but my body's not lettin' me do it.

I'm sorry, guys.

Lilly: It's okay, Mom, take your time.

Leigh-Ann: Just give me one minute.

Alfred: You know what, let's let Lilly take the, uh, pack for a minute.

Leigh-Ann: No, she can't, honey, it's heavy.

Alfred: You can, you can... Lilly: Mom.

Alfred: ...let her try.

Lilly: It's okay.

Alfred: You need to let her try.

Lilly: I'll accept the challenge.

Leigh-Ann: Even if we're at each other's throat bickering or whatever, I think if there's a need, the kids are gonna jump in and help.

It's just that caring spirit, that's in each of them.

Ginny: Okay, hold it up.

- The backpack was a little bit too small.

Ginny is helping me a lot with that.

Ginny: Where are your hips?

Point to them.

Lilly: Uh... right here.

Ginny: They're all the way up there?

Lilly: [laughs] She was making sure it was comfortable for me.

She was being really caring and sweet about it, so I'm really thankful I had her there.

Ginny: Is that okay, Lilly?

Is it resting on your hips?

Lilly: Yep.

Ginny: Okay.

Alfred: She's gone.

Leigh-Ann: Let's do this.

It's amazing.

I couldn't be prouder of how they're handlin' this and takin' my weight.

Alfred: You good?

Ginny: You okay, Mom?

- Yeah.

Al: Let's go.

- You need some more rest?

You okay?

Leigh-Ann: I'm just dizzy.

- I know.

[footsteps] Evelyn: Okay, hold on.

Give me a minute, I'm sorry.

[breathing heavily] Chris: Take a break?

Mom is hurtin'.

Evelyn: I'm sorry.

Chris: Set it down for a sec and let Mom take a break.

Evelyn: This is, like, the hardest thing ever.

Chris: It's been a while since we've done a half-marathon.

- I know, I know.

Juleen: We are definitely not quitters.

Um, we're gonna push through this.

Chris: All right, guys, we should probably get goin'.

Evelyn: Yeah.

Alfred: We're gettin' closer.

♪♪ Alfred: Is it in this area?

Ginny: A little over these hills, I think.

Alfred: It's different out here.

We're from Georgia.

We don't have all these rocks, they're pokin' the bottom of your foot, and you don't wanna twist an ankle.

It's difficult.

Lilly: I see it!

I see our flag.

Leigh-Ann: Woo, WOO!

Al: Right here, guys!

Ginny: Hurry up!

Leigh-Ann: Woo!

Alfred: I'm tryin'.

Ginny: Lilly, you can grab it.

We made it.

Leigh-Ann: Had to be one more hill!

Lilly: If you are the first family to arrive, you have your choice of campsite.

All: Yeah!

Leigh-Ann: Hoo!

Let's go!

Day one, we made it to the finish line.

Woo!

[laughs] We're exhausted for sure, and day two, we've gotta push, and I think wake up with a fire in our bellies.

Evelyn: Are you on the right place?

- It says we're right on it.

[groans] Come on guys, I see it!

Chris: 'Kay!

That's good!

Cassandra: Okay.

Congratulations.

Chris: If you are the first family to arrive, you have your choice of campsite.

Nope, we're not.

Juleen: Okay, well, we're not.

Chris: We're the last.

All: [laughing] Chris: Aw, cow.

Juleen: Proud of you guys.

Colin: Both families had a long day, traveling 6 of their 16 miles.

Alfred: Y'all startin' the fire?

- Yep.

- Oh there's a little stream right here!

It's really pretty here.

Colin: They each did an amazing job helping their struggling family members reach camp.

Alfred: You've got it roaring now, Mom.

- Woo!

Perfect for marshmallows in about 30 minutes.

Colin: But the Thompsons ended up the day with a 12 minute lead over the Laudenslager family.

- Hey!

Got our campfire goin'.

Got our tents set up.

Evelyn: You know, we got back to camp, and I think when we sat down, it was one of those, okay, we just did that.

Juleen: Do you guys think you're gonna wanna tap out?

Evelyn: No.

- Oh.

Me neither.

[laughs] Evelyn: Are you sore?

- Yes.

I'm kind of an indoorsy guy.

I'm always on electronics, so it's kinda good that I'm getting away from them for a little.

- Almost as nice as having a kitchen sink.

Cassandra: This is called a kitchen in the forest.

Oh, that one's really filled.

Aiden: Wow.

Cassandra: It felt nice to interact with my brother.

Aiden, can you hold this real quick?

He's usually in his room watching the Internet or something.

All: [laugh] - Day one in the books.

We are tired, we're gonna eat and go to bed.

Peace!

Leigh-Ann: Proud mom moments.

Lots of 'em today watchin' y'all.

Alfred: Yeah, y'all did great.

Leigh-Ann: How do y'all feel about supportin' each other and takin' each other's packs and... pickin' up the slack for me?

[laughs] Lilly: It was different, but... Leigh-Ann: Yeah?

Is it better, is it a better adventure together, or do you like doing your adventures on your own?

Lilly: Mmm.

So much better together.

Ginny: It'd be very hard by yourself.

- When y'all are older and we're not involved, do you think y'all would do things together and have adventures together?

Ginny: I'm sure.

Lilly: We're definitely gonna stay close.

- Growin' up, you know, with your aunts, and... as the youngest of four, I don't know that my sisters would have ever done this for me, so... it's pretty incredible.

I love that I'm seein' you guys work together and make something big, really big happen.

Al: I'm glad we could be here.

Leigh-Ann: Yeah, me too.

Cassandra: We're sleeping in a tent.

Juleen: How was today for you?

Cassandra: Dramamatic.

- Dramamatic.

[bugs chirping] ♪♪ - Day two.

We're worried a little bit, [Evelyn laughs] but I think we'll do all right.

Aiden, you can say hi.

- [tired] Hiiii.

Chris: We have to take our time, we hafta pace ourselves, we gotta do our [indistinct].

Evelyn: Yeah, what's the plan?

Chris: Okay?

I'm gonna braid my hair.

Evelyn: Um, yeah, I'm gonna try to.

[laughs] Colin: While the Laudenslagers are rested and in good spirits for the big day ahead, the Thompsons, who will have a 12 minute head start, are feeling the pain from day one.

Leigh-Ann: What about down here?

Alfred: Yeah, I... Leigh-Ann: So, the Thompsons' first night in camp was rough.

Alfred struggled a lot, my husband, with some cramping.

Alfred: Yeah, it's right there, that inside part of it.

Leigh-Ann: Here?

Alfred: Yes!

Leigh-Ann: Oh, sorry.

Alfred: [grunts] My calves are still a little cramped, and I'm afraid once I get that pack on and we start walkin', if they cramp up, I'm gonna be done.

Colin: This is day two.

Today the families will take a high altitude climb, gaining 2,000 feet of elevation over the next six miles.

Their trip will take them to the frigid alpine lake, where they will take a polar plunge before doubling back and ending at camp.

Leigh-Ann: Thompsons on the move!

Alfred: Good pace today, guys.

- Where rivers merge and trails split, you will find your answer.

Leigh-Ann: Awesome.

Woo!

Alfred: Let's do this!

♪♪ Colin: To reach the first checkpoint of the day, the families will travel over three miles, navigating through the thick forest and gaining 1,500 feet in elevation.

♪♪ - There it is.

Chris: It's the beginning of day two.

I'm looking forward to it, yet a little intimidated.

Juleen: Come on, guys, let's walk.

Evelyn: Okay, we're following you, Juleen.

Lead us like you did yesterday, baby girl.

Chris: Slow and steady.

Juleen: I will try and lead us as best I can.

Evelyn: You're fine.

You did great yesterday.

Chris: You're doing great.

Alfred: [exhales] Hey, guys, remember my pace might be a little bit slower this morning.

Al: Yeah.

Alfred: This is a long day.

- Captain Safety, or my dad, he's barkin' out stuff.

Alfred: AL!

Al: Yes?

Alfred: Take your time.

- Don't do this, or I mean, you gotta stay safe on this.

- I'm just tryin' to play it smart today.

Tryin' to think things through.

- Alfred has had a terrible fear our whole married life of them getting hurt.

I think they're way stronger than he gives them credit for.

Alfred: Y'all get a little sip of water when we stop, okay guys?

- Sometimes I wish my dad would trust us.

Alfred: Hey, stop, Ginny.

When we're goin' up elevations like this, it's hard on your mom and I. Al: Keep it at a good pace, guys.

No going ahead.

That rushes people.

- I do hope that our teamwork continues today.

Ginny: Okay, Lilly, be looking for sticks for Mom and Dad.

Al: Hey guys, find a stick.

A perfect stick.

Leigh-Ann: That would be helpful.

Alfred: Thank you, Ginny.

Leigh-Ann: Thank you, babe.

Ginny: I expected there to be a lot more arguments than there have been.

Alfred: Hey guys.

[whistles] I'm outta water.

Anything that's not full, we're gonna fill because we're goin' uphill.

Ginny: But, um, there still has been a couple disagreements.

Don't throw it at me!

Leigh-Ann: I think the kids still need to work out how to work well with each other.

Maybe by the end of today?

[laughs] [rushing water] Chris: All right, guys.

Thanks for, uh, helpin' me out yesterday, guys.

Cassandra: You're welcome.

Evelyn: You need a break?

Juleen: My legs are just hurting, and my ponytail.

Aiden: Okay, a break?

Chris: Wanna take a break?

Evelyn: Take a break.

I think the only thing on my mind right now is take a break when we need to take a break.

We're stopping down when we need to stop down.

- I'm not feelin' great.

- Okay.

- I'm, I'm not.

Evelyn: Okay.

- 'Kay?

Evelyn: We should go slower.

All that matters is we're feelin' good while we're doin' this, okay?

We believe in you.

- Thanks, babe.

Evelyn: We need to keep up with ourselves and make sure we're still having a fun time.

That's what it's about!

We came out here for an adventure and to love each other, and to bond, and I think today, we're gonna have fun.

And that is what it's gonna be about.

Chris: Oh.

Humor solves everything in our family.

[laughter] Evelyn: The levity will get us through.

[birds chirping] [water rushing] Leigh-Ann: Look at the ice on the, on the mountain.

Children: [agreeing] Leigh- Ann: Can y'all see it?

Lilly, look straight ahead!

Al: I see it.

Ginny: It said arriving.

Alfred: There it is, it's over here on the rock, let's go!

Down here!

Leigh-Ann: Everybody together, everybody together!

Al: On this incline, there is no need for weight.

Drop your pack, you will be back.

- 'Kay, packs, packs, packs, packs, guys.

Leigh-Ann: Should we drop 'em?

'Kay, go!

Okay.

Alfred: Go!

Wooo!

We did this!

Colin: The families now have the luxury of dropping their packs, but to reach the next checkpoint, they'll make a steep, mile-long climb to the remote lake cradled in the mountains at 10,000 feet.

♪♪ [birds chirping] - You just said-- - We have like half a mile.

Chris: I love you guys.

Evelyn: I love you.

Chris: Doin' great, guys.

Cassandra: 'Kay.

Chris: You're doin' good, Mom.

Evelyn: Okay.

Chris: Do you wanna take a break?

Evelyn: In a little.

Juleen: Oh, over here!

Evelyn: There it is, good job!

Chris: On this incline, there is no need for weight.

Drop your pack.

Evelyn: Drop our packs.

Chris: Take your packs off.

Evelyn: Let's take our packs off.

Incline, incline.

Juleen: Up the hill.

Chris: Okay.

Evelyn: Let's go.

Juleen: Let's go this way.

Evelyn: Come on, guys.

♪♪ - We're followin' our navigator, Ginny.

Alfred: We're super high up, where it's 9,000 feet.

Look at that.

Lilly: Our strategy is the kids get up ahead a little bit, and then once we find shade we can sit down, and we wait for the parents to catch up.

- We have a quarter mile to the checkpoint, Mom.

Lilly: I have this motivation to keep going, but I know that everybody needs their rest, so I'm trying to take that into consideration.

- Let's wait up here, Al.

Alfred: Once we get close, kids, y'all go ahead, and, uh, see if you can find the next checkpoint, okay?

Ginny: Okay.

Leigh-Ann: For me, keepin' me goin' is about just the support of my family.

Knowin' the kids turn around and they look, and they say, come on, Mom, and I know that they are rootin' for me.

Ginny: You could go up right there.

Al: Me?

Ginny: Do you want to?

Or do you wanna go up this way?

Al: I'll go up this way.

Leigh-Ann: Each day that we watch 'em, in particular today where I would think that there'd be some kinda nippin' at each other's heels, they've seemed to still be comin' together.

It's cool to see 'em slowly work through their own issues of pain and tiredness and whatever it is they're feeling, but they still just keep pushin' forward, and it's just really cool.

Al: Oh my gosh.

Ginny: What the heck.

Leigh-Ann: Look at Al!

[laughs] Ginny: Where are we?

Alfred: What is up here?

Look at that!

That is so awesome.

Leigh-Ann: Wow.

Holy cow.

Look at that, guys.

Alfred: Very cool.

It is a lake.

Leigh-Ann: Unbelievable.

♪♪ Ginny: It has to be here-- Leigh-Ann: Where do we go?

- I see it, in the water.

Leigh-Ann: What?

Ginny: Someone has to jump in.

Leigh-Ann: Oh my gosh.

It's a floating clue in the water, so panic ensues.

[laughs] Alfred: Oh, no!

Leigh-Ann: [groans] Alfred: Look at that.

Al: You're kidding.

Leigh-Ann: The only way to get it is to jump off a cliff.

Ginny: Wait for me up there, Lilly.

Alfred: 'Kay, good luck, guys.

Al: I'm feeling like it's gonna be miserable because I, I'm not good with cold.

Leigh-Ann: Are you ready for this?

Al: Not really.

But everyone is really steppin' up, and I think this is my time to do somethin' during this trek.

Alfred: Dive, go!

Leigh-Ann and Al: [squeal] Ginny: Oh my!

Leigh-Ann: [yells] Alfred: Get it Al, behind you!

Al: I jumped in a freezing cold lake.

Alfred: Over here, bud, over here!

Over here.

Get the towel ready.

You freezin'?

Ginny: Come 'ere, come 'ere.

Alfred: All right.

Lilly: Nice, mom.

Alfred: Good job, good job.

Get Mom, get Mom.

Ginny: You may be cold, but you can make fire and rest up at your next stop.

Alfred: Okay, good.

- Okay, that means we're going back to camp, okay.

Colin: After completing the polar plunge, the families need to quickly retrace their steps back down to camp two.

Juleen: Oh my gosh, this is steep.

Chris: Oh my gosh, that's awesome.

- How you feelin'?

Cassandra: Tired.

Aiden: Terrible.

Juleen: Do you wanna stop?

Aiden: Yeah, I wanna stop forever.

I wanna go home.

Evelyn: I still believe in you, buddy.

- Seeing Aiden break down really had me worried.

You're doin' great, 'kay?

We're almost there to the top, maybe it's a five-star hotel.

Juleen: Oh, yeah.

Evelyn: Or a jet.

Chris: Watching him break down really had me thinking about how they've helped me be strong, I can help them be strong.

Evelyn: This is hard.

Aiden: Okay.

Chris: It's been hard for everybody as you can tell.

Evelyn: Yeah, for all of us.

Chris: We are a really strong family unit, we're always together, so if one of us is down, we're all down.

Evelyn: We can't do this without you, bud.

Chris: You just keep a pace right with Mom, 'kay?

Aiden: 'Kay.

Evelyn: When I started to see my son getting a little upset, I realized too, I need to stay positive for him and help him realize how strong he is.

Come on baby, get up there.

Juleen: Look at the trees and the rocks.

Evelyn: Oh my, look at that.

♪♪ Chris: Whoa.

Evelyn: Wow.

We get to the ridge, we see this giant pool of water.

Chris: Holy cow!

Evelyn: Oh my goodness.

Chris: That's a lake.

Juleen: Oh wow.

Evelyn: It was like we walked into a postcard.

Juleen: We've made it to, um, our highest point.

I'll show you what it looks like.

This is not your typical hike.

- Oh, no.

Evelyn: Where, where, where?

Juleen: What?

What is it?

Chris: It's floating in the water.

I guess we're gonna jump in, right?

- Yep.

- Don't fall, please.

[laughter] ♪♪ Evelyn: Be, be very careful, okay?

- You guys are nuts!

I can't believe you're doing it, the water is freezing!

Evelyn: Be careful, please be careful!

Cassandra: Woo!

Aiden: Oh my gosh!

Juleen: You guys are crazy!

You're good, you're good.

Evelyn: You did great!

You're doing great!

Watch your feet.

Watch your feet.

Watch your feet.

Okay.

Keep going.

Juleen: Come on, come on.

Come all the way up.

You're freezing.

Evelyn: Here baby, here baby.

♪♪ Leigh-Ann: Look at this, now this is a picture right here.

Alfred: This is the Sound of Music.

Leigh-Ann: Y'all sing it with me.

[indistinct] Ginny: These aren't really hills.

Leigh-Ann: I know but it looks like it.

Lilly: I was worried about my dad this morning, but he's doing a lot better now.

Alfred: I guess we were way over here guys to the-- Leigh-Ann: Yeah, 'cause look at the slope of the ice.

- So, happy about that.

What, I got it.

Ginny: We've go to go down that way.

Alfred: 'Kay, be careful, be careful.

Leigh-Ann: Al, what on earth, son?

Alfred: See anything, Al?

Al: We're so close, I see our flag.

Leigh-Ann: Woo!

Let's do it!

Last push!

Get in there.

Al: Congratulations, you have survived day two.

Alfred and Leigh-Ann: Yeah!

Alfred: Yes, [indistinct].

Yes.

Leigh-Ann: Yeah, woo!

[flag flapping] Chris: Cold shorts.

Evelyn: Oh my, you guys are nuts!

Juleen: Uh, you guys want to go down this way?

- Like corn nuts.

Juleen: There it is guys!

- Woo!

Evelyn: What's keeping me motivated is these kids.

They're doing so awesome.

- Congratulations, you've survived two-- All: day two.

- I'm so proud of you, mom.

- Aww, thank you, babe.

[kiss] You guys are pushing me.

[cheering] Chris: Group hug!

♪♪ Colin: The Thompson's kid's shared experience is beginning to bring them closer together, giving their parents hope they can continue to put their differences aside and build lasting relationships.

The Laudenslagers pushed through a challenging day, but remain positive and encouraging to one another.

But they end the day 17 minutes behind.

- What's up?

It's the boy in here.

Um, today was rough.

Up there was a nightmare, we had to like walk all the way up there and I just started crying so my family calmed me down and stuff and so I'm feeling a lot better now.

It was just crazy, man, so that's basically the day in a nutshell.

Thank you.

Chris: I'd have to say guys that earlier today, I wasn't feeling great, but after seeing Mom struggle a little bit-- - And seeing me struggle.

Chris: Aiden having a little bit of a problem.

I feel like you guys really helped me today, so, thank you.

- That's what family's for.

Chris: I hope so.

Lilly: Okay, we're all getting ready for bed, all the girls are in one tent, all the boys are in the other.

Oh!

[giggles] Ginny: Today was pretty fun.

Lilly: I'm having kinda fun time here.

Ginny: Kind of.

Alfred: They're such good kids.

They've done such a good job out here.

I'm so proud of 'em.

An experience like this is the type of thing that's going to bring the family closer together.

Leigh-Ann: I mean they're having a good time now in the tent.

[Ginny and Lilly giggling] laughing and getting along.

As hard as these last two days were, I just, I want 'em to keep that and understand that they have each other's back and go forward from here in life with that.

Alfred: Coming into it, I was hoping it would have them realize how special each one of them are, instead of nit-picking at each other.

I think they're doing pretty, pretty well.

Leigh-Ann: I love you.

Alfred: Love you.

[mwah] Leigh-Ann: Let's go put some babies to bed.

[exhale] [wind blowing smoothly] [birds calling] Evelyn: Here is our view.

Al: Day 600 of being stranded out in the wilderness.

Running out of food.

- We have bug bites everywhere.

That's fun.

It's gorgeous out though.

Al: So bright, why is it so bright?

Wouldn't the mountains block the sun?

[disgusted sigh] Leigh-Ann: Al, come mix yours.

Al: I gotta go mix my food.

- Ready for day three?

Well, this morning we woke up, everybody seemed to be feeling pretty good, except for Cassy.

How you feeling right now?

Cassandra: Not a hundred.

Evelyn: Cassy uh, she got sick, but she's still ready to conquer today and get done.

She's definitely our toughest member of our family.

Colin: With Cassandra feeling the effects of fatigue and the altitude, the Laudenslagers will have to dig deep to make up their 17 minute deficit.

The Thompsons, who have become increasingly closer as a family unit, recognize the journey in front of them will not be easy and know that they will have to work together if they want to reach the end.

Alfred: Okay, you guys do the um, tent.

I'm going to go get water.

We're all chipping in and helping out, we just keep getting higher up, so it's still tough.

And we're going to a higher elevation, so we need to keep drinking.

Start of day three!

All: Yeah!

Alfred: Third day, guys.

Day three.

- This is no time to be tired, for you must make it to the top of the pass.

Leigh-Ann: All right, let's do this.

Go, go, go, go.

Alfred: The pass is that way, guys.

Leigh-Ann: All right.

Lead the way, Ginny.

Colin: This is day three.

Today the familys will travel the final four miles climbing a demanding 40% slope to the over 10,500-foot mountain pass, and then they'll make the rocky 2,700-foot descent over slate-lined trails to the finish line.

Alfred: It's a long way up.

Say goodbye to the valley.

Ginny: We're going up this really big pass that's very steep.

Leigh-Ann: Navigate the way.

Al: It's easy-peasy right here.

- I'm a little excited because I know it's the last day, but I know it's gonna be pretty hard.

[birds calling] Lilly: Guys, look.

We've gone so far and I don't see the other family.

Leigh-Ann: Oh wow.

Lilly: We must be doing pretty good.

Leigh-Ann: I think we're movin'.

Lilly: Yeah.

All: Let's keep going.

Leigh-Ann: All right.

Al: We've got this, guys.

Alfred: I don't even see where our base camp was.

Colin: As the Thompsons continue higher, back at base camp, the Laudenslagers are facing their own difficulty.

- How's it going team?

Chris: Cassy's not feeling great.

Evelyn: She got sick early this morning.

Medic: Were you able to hold down any water this morning?

Evelyn: No, she threw it up.

Cassy: A little.

Evelyn: As a mom it's kinda frustrating.

I don't know what to do.

We're on the side of a hill.

Medic: You guys have been amazing, you pushed through that second day, now we're looking at the third day which is actually the biggest day of all, and so I think the medical call is to actually evac.

You could decide if one or two wanted to continue on.

Chris: We're a family so, we're going to stay together.

Evelyn: In together, out together.

Yeah?

Okay.

Chris: She's my 9 year old little baby, so I'm not gonna leave her behind.

Uh, if one of us is down, we're all down.

We don't split up, we stay together as a family.

Evelyn: I'm bummed.

I'm bummed.

[sigh] We made a deal though.

Chris: Yeah.

- That's, that's too hard.

That's too much to push any of us.

Chris: Not her, not her for sure, she's sick.

Evelyn: If I'm worrying about her, she's our toughest teammate.

I'm bummed, I'm really feeling kinda sad.

We wanted to try to conquer that hill today, but we made a deal one family member down, all of us down.

I don't, I don't care about winning, I just I wanted us to finish, you know, together.

But if we're not going to finish together, it's not worth it.

Juleen: It's not worth it.

Evelyn: That's why we're going out together, because it doesn't make sense to leave anyone behind.

That's not how this family works.

Chris: Nobody left behind.

Evelyn: That's right.

Colin: The Laudenslager family had to drop out of the race, but a thousand feet above the Thompson's push on.

Al: We're above the lake, you know.

Leigh-Ann: Where we were yesterday?

Al: Yes.

Alfred: Wow.

- Yeah, I'm looking up at the top of the summit, to where we need to be, I just didn't know if I could do it or not.

Think about all the things I've done in my life and that I thought were hard, those were not hard.

This is.

Woo.

Al: I feel like it's great that we're all pushing ourselves.

It's letting us go further than what we think we can actually do.

Alfred: Wow, how proud of yourselves are you guys?

They were like mountain goats.

They could have left us in the dust if they wanted to and they stayed in front, they were encouraging us.

Al: It's a little steep right here, but you guys can do it.

Ginny: You got this, come on.

Leigh-Ann: Final push.

I gotta get up there.

Ginny: Come on, Mom, we're almost there.

Alfred: The kids did great.

Mom finished strong.

♪♪ Alfred: We made it.

Leigh-Ann: Woo!

We made it to the top.

Alfred: Look at this!

Wow!

Look at where we are!

Leigh-Ann: Holy cow, we can see Mount [indistinct]?

Al: I did not expect my two sisters and I to be able to do this, but now that we've done it, I see that we are much more capable than I thought.

Leigh-Ann: Look at that view, guys.

Oh wow.

It looks like a painting.

Al: Uh-huh.

I feel like after these three days, I got to grow closer with family.

I get to remember this moment for my life.

Alfred: All right, guys, let's go down.

The views are beautiful, but you still need to watch where you're stepping.

Children: Thank you, Captain Safety.

Alfred: You're welcome.

Colin: From the top of the mountain pass, it's a windy and tricky three-mile descent, dropping almost 3,000 feet to the finish.

Alfred: Everybody good?

Leigh-Ann: Yep.

Looking back to see if the Laudenslagers are on our trail.

Ginny: We can't see anyone.

Alfred: Keep moving.

Gotta stay ahead.

Colin: While the Thompsons navigate down the mountain, I want to sit with the Laudenslagers and see how they're feeling after having to drop out of the competition.

Evelyn: Hi.

Chris: Hello.

Colin: How are you guys?

Chris: Doing okay, how are you?

Colin: Good, good.

I'm happy to see you guys all here.

Chris: Yeah.

Colin: How are you feeling right now, Cassandra?

Cassandra: I'm feeling better than earlier this morning, for sure, but I am disappointed um, but I'm also-- Chris: Proud of yourself.

Cassandra: Yeah.

Chris: We all pushed ourselves the last couple days, did some really cool things as a family.

A couple lessons I learned was that my kids are pretty resilient.

Colin: Cassandra, I will tell you this.

When I was crossing Antarctica by myself, all alone, 54 days.

The first day I wanted to give up.

The next morning I woke up, and I said to myself, out loud, "You are strong.

You are capable."

Because I believe we are the stories we tell ourselves.

You are strong.

You are capable.

You are fierce.

So, this is not the end.

Juleen: I know in a few years, I want to come back with the little ones and finish what we started and prove to ourselves that we can do it.

Chris: And we'll be sitting on this side, waiting.

[laughing] Colin: All right.

Evelyn: We're over here.

Chris: My family's leaving this experience, uh, together.

It was nice to be out here and not have to stare at a screen or constantly be looking at social media, be close as a family unit.

It's unfortunate the way it ended, but it is the way that our family had to go.

Colin: With the Laudenslagers safely off the mountain, the Thompsons continue their descent to the finish line.

Lilly: Yeah, I didn't think it'd be this hardcore.

Alfred: Are y'all having fun?

Children: [agreeing] Alfred: That's awesome, isn't it?

Leigh-Ann: We've had a few disagreements along the way, but we're coming together and we're gonna finish together!

Lilly: Yes.

Leigh-Ann: Woo!

If we could see the flag, I'm dropping my stick and running.

Alfred: Okay.

Leigh-Ann: I don't need a stick to run, but obviously I do to walk.

[laughing] My quads are burning, my calfs are burning.

Alfred: My legs are tightening up.

You're gonna have to carry me.

Leigh-Ann: Mom and dad are gonna keep up and just finish strong and all together.

Alfred: I want y'all to think back on what we've been through these last three days, and the things we've all overcome, 'cause y'all picked it up when I crashed on the first night, and then mom was hurting on the last leg.

You guys have done awesome.

We're really proud of you.

Children: Thank you.

Leigh-Ann: Incredible.

I mean, are you proud of yourselves?

Ginny: Yeah.

Leigh-Ann: I mean, think about what we just did?

Alfred: Not that many people ever go as high as we climbed today.

Al: Yes.

Leigh-Ann: Get this.

Ready?

Three, two, one.

All: Team Thompson!

Leigh-Ann: Woo!

Al: Let's go.

Alfred: Let's finish strong, guys.

Ginny: Yep.

Let's do it.

Alfred: Nobody fall!

Leigh-Ann: Unless it's at the finish line.

Alfred: Yeah.

[laughing] ♪♪ Alfred: We can do this, guys.

We've gone a long way.

Colin: It looks like the Thompsons are coming.

Leigh-Ann: Come on!

Colin: Hey, guys!

Alfred: It's Colin!

Leigh-Ann: Come on!

Colin: You guys made it!

Lilly: This is our flag, guys.

Ginny: Boy.

Colin: Hey!

Lilly: Watch out, dad!

Colin: Careful!

Oh!

Alfred: I don't know what happened.

I wiped out.

I went down face first.

Colin: Alfred, you all right?

Alfred: I'm good.

It's, it's my hamstring.

Colin: The good news is, you guys have made it to the finish line area.

Leigh-Ann: Woo!

Colin: However, there is still one more challenge.

What you need to do is get this flag, flying proudly in the air.

It was waiting for you as promised.

Al's back on his feet.

Leigh-Ann: It just came over me.

I'm like, oh gosh.

I'm all in and country girl came out.

I grew up on a farm, baby.

Woo!

As a family we did it together.

Once again, that last task.

Alfred: 'Kay, walk it up.

Colin: Pushing it up.

Ginny: Okay, okay, I'm holding it.

I'm holding it.

Alfred: 'Kay, rocks.

Leigh-Ann: I'm just, I'm relieved.

Colin: Thompsons, you are the winners!

[cheering] Leigh-Ann: Woohoo!

Colin: You are the winners!

Congratulations!

Leigh-Ann: The kids had so much strength, that who knew the strength that they had, just to endure and just keep pushing on.

Colin: We got two backpacks full of $10,000.

- All right.

- Yeah.

Colin: Congratulations.

Leigh-Ann: Holy cow.

Colin: $10,000.

Leigh-Ann: Look at that.

Alfred: Wow.

[laughing] Lilly: Oh gosh, it is a lot to take in.

Colin: How are you feeling?

Alfred: I'm exhausted, I'm proud of the kids, I'm proud of my wife.

This is just awesome.

It's been a just a most incredible experience.

The mountains were so hard, uh.

I'm super proud of all of us though.

Ginny with the GPS, Al with carrying all that stuff, Dad with helping us, giving us the motivation, and Mom just holding up.

I couldn't have done this without any of 'em.

Alfred: The very first day I fell apart.

I was gonna be this rock.

I was gonna be the leader.

Colin: Yeah.

Alfred: And I didn't think I was gonna be able to compete the second day.

I thought I knew it all, and they ended up knowing better than I did.

I'm proud that they're willing to get out there and do this adventure.

Leigh-Ann: Probably my biggest fear as a mom is thinking about sending my kids out into the world and not be prepared.

Each one of them taking their own leadership role was important, I think for us to succeed as a family.

Seeing how they pulled through and did what they did these three days is just, it's amazing, and I know they're survivors.

And we'll be okay.

Yeah, I don't think that we would have gotten to where we'll be when we get home, had we not taken this trip.

Alfred: I think it brought the whole family closer together.

Ginny: Aw.

Leigh-Ann: Aww.

Lilly: You're not getting out of this.

- Knew it.

Al: Did it.

- Woo!

Colin: Congratulations.

Well deserved.

Well earned.

Al: Yes!