[daring music] Narrator: 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 Mount Everest-- top of the world!

I've set 10 world records and I'm a New York Times Bestselling 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 in 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.

- 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.

♪♪ - We have to bring our A game for sure.

Colin: This week, the Koenig family from Rockville, Maryland... Mr.

Koenig: They just kept going, they inspired me.

Colin: ...will take on the Garces from Santa Paula, California.

- You can't beat something like this.

This is an experience of a lifetime.

Colin: Who will be the first to raise their family's flag?

Man: Yeah, girlfriend!

[girls shouting] Girl: Run, run!

Colin: And be this week's survivalists?

♪♪ Koenigs: Hi, we're the Koenigs from Rockville, Maryland.

Mr.

Koenig: We're very adventurous and very competitive, and we tend to be very resourceful.

Koenig Daughter 1: We do a lot of the adventure stuff.

Rock climbing, canyoneering, white water rafting, that's our forte.

Mrs.

Koenig: I would say that I'm probably the leader.

- No, you're just bossy.

- I like to get stuff done, that's it.

Garces': We are the Garces family, and we're from-- [talking over each other] Santa Paula, California.

- Oh man.

[laughter] Mrs.

Garces: We are a family that loves to try new things.

Mr.

Garces: We're 100% cohesive.

We're all each other's best and largest supporters.

Garces Son 1: I wanna win.

Anything less is just purely unacceptable.

♪♪ - Welcome, families, to Survivalists.

[cheering] Colin: Koenigs, let's go to you guys first.

Would you consider yourself a pretty competitive family?

- Yes.

- Extremely.

- Yes.

- A lot of nodded heads there.

- The girls are very capable, they might look small, but they're mighty.

- So the three of you, are you guys all a tight knit group?

How do you guys interact?

- We fight, definitely.

We fight a lot.

- Yeah.

Ella: Part of the reason we do bicker is 'cause we're very different people.

- They all like to push each other's buttons, they're very good at it.

Emerson: I've been looking to get closer and stop fighting as much and just see, like, how the adventure, like, turns out.

- Having three teenage daughters in the house at one time is pretty hard.

[laughs] I just want them to really value each other, and value ourselves as a family.

- I definitely hope that I'll be able to come together with my family and communicate with them a little better, 'cause that is something I kind of struggle with.

Maybe bond a little bit.

Mr.

Koenig: What I'm hoping is for the family to really work together, appreciate each other and what they bring to the family unit.

Colin: Can you tell me about the family flag?

- All the different colors are from the flags of our heritage, and then the little person in the middle is the activities that we like to do, like biking, zip lining, horseback riding, all of that.

- I wouldn't call us so much campers, as adventurers.

Mark: Not much in endurance.

That's when we have to hike up into the mountains.

Very interesting to see how we respond to that.

- Garces, welcome.

Garces: Thank you.

- When you look around, does that worry you at all knowin' you're gonna be up there in those big mountains?

- No, not one bit.

All three of the boys are highly experienced in the woods.

So it's just a matter of me being the weakest link.

Colin: Okay.

- I'm not worried about them at all.

My biggest doubts about this competition lie on myself.

I'm not in the same shape as I once was.

Having Crohn's disease has slowed me down, and gives me doubts on my own abilities.

- When push comes to shove, he will step up.

Definitely.

- Tyler, tell me about the dynamic between the three of you.

- We work together very well.

I think that we'll be able to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.

- I'm ready to rise to the challenge.

- Everyone looks out for each other and you're only as strong as your slowest hiker.

Colin: Sure.

Joe: The main thing that I am really looking forward to seeing is the boys take on the things that need to be done, without any direction from me or mom.

And then that I let go, and I learn to let them be them.

- Can you tell me about the family flag?

Joe: Our flag was really inspired by nature.

It has the waves at the bottom for the ocean, and then the colors at the top represent a campfire, because we love outdoors and we love camping.

Colin: I like that, I like that.

Well, this is a very difficult challenge.

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.

♪♪ You'll be going on a three day, 20-mile long journey.

Day one, you'll paddle six miles of class four river rapids, take a plunge in the frigid water, and then trek to your first camp for the night.

Day two, you'll face a brutal 3,500 foot vertical climb to over 10,000 feet, leap into an icy alpine lake, then scramble down a rocky 30% slope to your second camp.

Day three, you'll have to slog through a quarter mile of thick swamp, and then sprint to the finish, where the first family to raise their flag will be declared the winner.

Any competition comes with a good prize.

You guys wanna know what we're playing for?

[enthusiastic assent] Colin: Okay, well, a couple of backpacks right here.

Why don't you guys uh, open it up and check it out.

Taira: Oh, oh!

[laughs] Koenigs: Ohh!

- We got bags of money.

Colin: Those backpacks are stuffed full of $10,000 of cash.

[exclamations of excitement] Mark: This upped the stakes.

- I think we'll definitely just be able to lock in and get it done.

Colin: Well as you know, you guys are going out on a multi-day expedition.

However, before I set you loose in the wild, I'm goin' to 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'll 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 add an additional 30 seconds to your clock.

[splash] - This first challenge tests one of the most important survival skills you could ever have, which is... shelter.

[intense music] Colin: All right, Koenig family, who is it gonna be for the shelter challenge?

- It's gonna be Keira and myself.

- All right.

Mark: Never put up a tent before, so we're just-- Ella: No, I have.

- Garces, for you guys, who did you choose?

- Tyler and I. Colin: You guys set up a tent or two in your day?

Garrett: Yeah.

Tyler: One or two, yeah.

- I'm feeling pretty confident about this one.

Colin: Three, two, one, go!

Christy: Go Kiki!

Go Mark!

- I actually think Keira's got the tent pulled out first.

- You guys are doing well!

Colin: The Koenigs are doing very good, while the Garces family definitely have a clear advantage at this point.

They've got one of their tent poles completely up.

Tyler and Garrett definitely seem like they've set up a tent like this before.

Keira: Dad, twist it, it's not in the right spot.

- Both teams are onto their rain flies.

This is actually a-- quite a close battle at this point.

Got the last stake in, he's getting it in.

Garrett thinks he's ready.

Let me test it.

[tent rustles] Uh, no, you're not even close.

Joe and Taira: Oh no!

Garrett: What're we missing?

We had the tent up pretty quick, the only reason we didn't have it finished was my fault.

Do we have this inside out Ty?

- Looks like the Garces may have figured out a fundamental flaw they had in their system.

They're unclipping the entire rain fly at this point.

- Look at what they're doing, Mark.

Keira: Dad, are they right?

Mark: Yeah, it is under the poles.

Colin: Now both families are unclipping their tent.

- So when they took it apart and went through, we thought that would be a good idea, but once we, like, took everything apart, we realized-- Dad this is wrong.

We had it right the first time.

- Thread it through.

Mark: No, no, no.

Emerson: Dad, just put it through the little red things.

Mark: Shh.

Keira: Emmy, stop, stop talking.

Ella: They bicker a lot.

Emerson'll do something that sets Kiki off, and then Emmy'll talk back, and Keira will talk back.

Koenigs: Hurry, hurry, hurry!

Tyler: Quick get the rock.

Ella: So stressed.

For what reason?

Joe: Hurry, Tyler!

Tyler: Done, done!

Garrett: Tyler said done.

Colin: You guys said done first, before they were inside.

Garces, you are the winners!

[cheering] Garrett: The first win in the belt feels good, but they got us close.

We definitely got humbled a little bit.

- Congratulations, Garces family, you have won 30 seconds additional time in the General Store.

But not to worry, Koenigs, plenty of time for you guys to battle back.

The second survival challenge.

Who knows their knots?

All: Yeah!

- Well, let's go!

Knot tying challenge.

♪♪ Colin: Welcome to the second challenge, the knot tying challenge.

Here's how the knot tying challenge works.

Up here, I've set up a system of six different knots.

I'm gonna give you seven minutes to tie as many knots as you possibly can.

Not only do you have to tie the correct knot, but you have to lift the piece of gear into the air, and clip the carabiner to the stump.

Whichever family can tie the most knots in seven minutes wins this challenge and an extra 30 seconds for the family in the General Store.

Koenigs, who's taking on the knot challenge?

Mark: Christy.

Colin: All right!

How about for the Garces?

Joe!

All right!

Feeling pretty confident?

- I've been tying knots for my entire career at the fire department, so-- - So uh, Christy, any intimidation?

- I learned last week.

[laughs] Colin: You learned last week?

Ella: As I'm watching her, I'm just getting, like, increasingly stressed.

Maybe we should have picked someone else for this challenge.

- [laughs] Colin: Three, two, one, go!

Tyler: Let's go!

Taira: You got this.

Colin: Looks like Joe is going to the bowline knot.

Joe: Between the fire department and the search and rescue, I can tie tons of knots.

Colin: Nice, one knot tied.

Second knot he's going after is the sheet bend knot.

I would say Joe definitely knows his knots.

Taira: Okay, come on.

Colin: Unfortunately, not enough slack to tie it off the ground.

- Move on if you need to.

Colin: He's giving up on the sheet bend, he's moving on to the fisherman knot.

Tyler: Good tactic, good tactic.

Go clip it.

Garrett: Yeah, there you go.

Taira: Oh.

All: Oh!

Colin: Oh.

Joe: Oh boy.

Knots can be a lot of fun to tie, but doing it under pressure like this, boy it put a whole new aspect on it.

Colin: He's got ten seconds to go.

Garrett: You're doing fine.

Colin: He's given up on the fisherman's knot.

moving on to the clove hitch.

Five, four, three, two, one.

Garrett: Yeah, there you go.

- Time is up.

That is the clove hitch.

Well done.

Taira: Man, that was tough with the-- Christy: Good job, good job.

- I think I have a shot.

I have a good chance here.

Koenig daughter: You got it, Mom.

Colin: Three, two, one, go!

Ella: You got it, Mom!

Colin: Okay, she's going with the bowline knot.

- Yes, Mom!

Yes!

Good job!

Keira: Wait, no-- Ella: Good job!

Colin: This is a correct knot, but it's not around the piece of gear.

Ella: Move on, move on, move on.

Keira: Move on, move on, Mom.

Joe: No, don't move on, she's got the knot.

Christy: Aight, I'm gonna do this one.

Ella: You're good, you're good.

Colin: Moving on to the top knot.

Ella: You've got time, take your time.

Emerson: Put it through, yee, there you go.

- Yes!

Okay you got it, you got it!

Colin: Christy, you have one knot tied correctly.

- Do the trucker hitch, Mom, that's your good one.

That's your good one.

Christy: Imma do the sheet bend.

Ella: Right now she's ignoring us.

We're trying to help her.

Emerson: Stop with that one, that's too long.

Ella: Do the clove hitch.

Christy: Can you guys stop, please?

My family is stressing me out more than actually helping me.

[talking over each other] Emerson: Do the trucker hitch!

- She's got one minute to go.

[yelling at the same time] Christy: Stop!

Please, guys.

- We're trying to help you.

Colin: Moving on to the trucker hitch.

Ten seconds to go.

Down to the wire.

Can she get the trucker hitch just in time to tie it up?

Colin: Five... Christy: Shoot!

Colin: four, three, two, one.

Time is up.

Christy: Oh my gosh!

Well, I'm very frustrated right now.

I feel like I let my family down, so I'm a little sad.

- That's a tough one, that's a tough one.

Garces family, you are the winner.

Joe, congratulations.

Joe: Yeah.

Tyler: Whoo!

Colin: You won this challenge.

The Garces have a commanding lead, but there's time for the Koenigs to come back.

We're onto the third challenge now, which is the water challenge.

Garrett: Let's do it.

Colin: All right.

♪♪ Colin: Welcome to the third and final survival challenge, the water challenge.

You gotta use the pump to fill up your buckets of water, run down to that side, and fill up your barrel.

Once the barrel's filled up high enough, you can turn the spout on, and fill up the bottle.

Whoever gets their bottle filled up first wins this challenge.

Come on up.

Mark: Let's go girls.

Christy: All right guys, come on!

Mark: Let's go, girls.

Christy: You can do it!

Ella: Emerson and I, we're both pretty strong personalities, so I'm really nervous on how we're gonna perform together.

- All right, on my go.

Three, two, one, go!

Christy: Come on girls!

Colin: Let's see if the Koenigs can stage a comeback here.

Let's see how well they can work together.

One of the crucial things of this challenge is making sure all of the water actually stays in the bucket.

The Koenig girls are working extremely well together.

I'd say the Koenigs have a bit of a lead at this point.

They're getting more buckets.

Ella: Got it, got it.

Joe: Taira, switch with Ryan.

Taira: First lap I'm like going, going, ah, this will be fine, and then all of a sudden, bam!

Oh yeah, we're at altitude.

Colin: They switched in fresh legs here.

The Garces are hanging in.

[families yelling] Ryan: Mom, we need to switch!

Colin: I am impressed.

After talking about independence, this family is workin' well together.

Oh, a little bit of water is coming out!

A little bit of water's coming out.

They're missing the-- they're missing the bottle!

- Ryan, on the next one, open the spigot.

Colin: It's filling up, it's getting close!

[overlapping yells] Ella: Emmy, the bottle!

Tyler: Ryan, open the spigot!

Colin: One more bucket in there!

[cheering] - Koenig family wins the challenge, they got their bottle filled up first!

Wow!

Taira: I'm feeling very winded, and I feel it's showing me what I have to look forward to in the next few days, which is getting me a little worried - Koenig family, staging a comeback.

Koenigs: Yay!

Mark: Woohoo!

- You think this is the point of the game where the tide turns, Christy?

Christy: I hope so.

I'm just proud of us.

I'm so proud of the girls.

Emerson: I think it gives us a bit of confidence, like, knowing that we can still win against them.

Colin: I'm impressed with both teams.

You've shown me that you have what it takes to survive in the wild for a multi-day expedition, but before I send you out there, it's time to go shopping in the General Store for the gear that you're gonna take with you.

You guys ready?

All: Yeah!

♪♪ Colin: Welcome to my General Store!

I'm getting ready to release you into the wild on a three-day expedition, but before doing that, I wanna give you a little bit of time to shop for crucial gear and supplies that you're gonna need.

Each family, I'm giving 90 seconds, but Garces, you've won an additional 60 seconds.

The Koenigs battled back, earning themselves an additional 30 seconds.

I've also compiled this list of essential items that you need to take with you no matter what.

We've got flint, water bottles, water filtration, knife, first aid kit, and GPS.

For each item you do miss, I'll have to give you a 30 minute time penalty at the start tomorrow.

Everything you do grab from the General Store and put inside your circle, you have to bring with you the entire time.

Garces, you're gonna be on my first go.

Joe: We're ready.

Tyler: Yeah.

Taira: Yeah.

Colin: Okay.

♪♪ Colin: Three, two, one, go!

And the Garces are off!

The Garces making quick work for sure.

Garrett: Did you get the trekking poles?

Joe: No, grab 'em both.

Colin: Koenigs, you got three, two, one, go!

Ella: Here, I got it.

Colin: Both families are in the General Store now!

Remember you got to get all the essential items.

Koenigs have got water bottles.

Emerson: Mom, did you get the knife?

Christy: No, you gotta get the knife.

Keira: Emmy, get the knife.

Emerson: I can't find the knife.

Keira: That's on you, that's on you!

Christy: All right.

Joe: Okay, who's got the tents?

Christy: Did anybody get a GPS?

Emerson: Where's the flint?

Colin: Stuff is flying, it's total chaos.

Whoa!

30 seconds to go.

You've only got 30 seconds to go!

Christy: These guys are going to have too much stuff.

Tyler: Keep the pillows!

Colin: Five seconds to go.

It's complete pandemonium.

Three, two, one.

Stop!

Stop, stop!

Christy: Whew!

Colin: Stop!

Koenig family, how do you think you did?

Mark: We had a plan, Colin, and uh, plan went out the window.

Ella: I think some wires may have gotten crossed and we got extra items we didn't need.

Colin: Any extra, kind of creature comforts, or kind of luxury items?

- A citronella candle.

Emerson: What the heck?

Ella: Who'd want a candle?

Emerson: Mom, why would you get a candle?

Colin: They seem, uh, kind of giving you a hard time.

- Because I'm the one who always gets eaten alive by mosquitos, and you'll-- they'll thank me later.

They will.

Colin: All right.

Well, let's go over the essential items list.

I see a GPS, you've got five water bottles, we have a knife, water filtration right here.

First aid kit, and lastly, the flint or fire starter.

All right, Koenigs, you did a great job.

We'll see how the Garces did.

Taira, I saw you here around the circle at the end wanting to throw things out.

- Yeah, 'cause it got a little chaotic, and it's like, we don't need six sleeping bags.

Colin: Okay, well done, Garces, you have all the essential items.

Both of you guys will be at the start line at the same time, making this a true, head to head battle.

These next few days are gonna be challenging, but it's also an incredible opportunity to have an adventure of a lifetime as a family.

So, here's my recommendation.

Pack your belongings up right now, get a very good night's sleep tonight, and I'll see you at sunrise at the trail head.

See you at sunrise.

Christy: Bye Colin.

All: Bye Colin.

♪♪ [hopeful music] Colin: Everyone comes out here for a different reason.

♪♪ Colin: Whether it's the Koenig family, hoping to be able to put their constant bickering aside in order to build a lasting family bond, or the Garces, whose three boys need to learn more responsibility and self-reliance in their own lives.

The path is in front of them and their journey awaits.

Joe: Hey, Colin.

Colin: Hey, hey!

How are you guys?

Taira: Good.

- Awesome.

- Welcome to the start line of your three-day expedition.

You guys are gonna be battling it out, out here.

This is day one.

Today the Koenig and the Garces families must first paddle downriver six miles of their 20 mile journey.

They will navigate the class 4 rapids, leap off a cliff into the frigid waters, and finish with a trek to nearly 8,000 feet.

Well, as you can see, we're down here by this beautiful river.

The first leg of this journey is gonna be white water rafting.

All: Oh yeah.

Colin: It can get treacherous out there in the white water.

If you're not working together as a team, that boat's gonna be all over the place.

Taira: Because the stakes are high, we need to be organized.

We need to be able to move fast if something happens.

- Christy, how are you feeling about uh, your competition here?

- I'm just going to worry about our team, and we're gonna worry about working together, and gettin' to wherever we're going, I don't even know.

[laughs] Mark: My girls, they're very competitive with each other.

Our family goal is to come together as a team, look to each other for support, and just enjoy each other.

- You guys ready to find out how this competition works?

All: Yeah!

Colin: I have the first canister for each family.

Inside of each canister we've got coordinates that will lead you to your next checkpoint.

At each checkpoint, you'll find a clue and coordinates to your next checkpoint.

Whoever gets to the finish line first wins the $10,000 cash prize.

Joe: Whoo!

Christy: Whoo!

Mark: Let's do it!

- Three, two, one, go!

[indistinct murmuring] ♪♪ - Welcome to Survivalists.

- It's time to raft, no time to rest.

- Head to where the eagles nest.

Koenigs: Go, go.

Colin: All right.

Off they go!

The race is on!

To reach the first checkpoint, their white water journey takes them four miles through a deep canyon with fast moving rapids that they must navigate successfully.

[cheering] Mark: Good job girls, press forward.

Emerson: Keira, you have to go at a steady pace.

Ella: She is.

Emerson: No she isn't.

Christy: We need to get ahead of them to establish a lead, to get out front, 'cause we don't want to be coming from behind at any point during the day.

♪♪ [screaming] Joe: Well, I feel like we're getting into a pretty good rhythm; the boys have got it down.

They're really powering up the right side of the boat.

So we gotta keep the pressure up.

We know what we're capable of, it's just, we have to show it to them.

Garces: One.

Joe: ...and ultimately we have to beat them.

Garces: Stroke, stroke, stroke.

Joe: Are you kidding me?

Garces's Guide: All right, go to the left side of the boat, go to the left side of the boat.

- Ahh, we got hung up on a rock.

Joe: Gotta be kidding me.

Into the rapids we got stuck and stayed on a rock while they disappeared around the other corner.

Get out of the way!

Taira: Okay, ready?

Joe: Yes.

Garrett: All right, get in.

Taira: There we go!

Joe: Go!

Colin: As the Garces' struggle to get back on track, downstream, the Koenig family is trying to figure out how to get in sync.

Ella: I'm taking a ten second break, you need to calm down.

Christy: Guys!

Shh.

Stop bickering.

Keira: It's a fun experience.

Emerson: Keira, same pace.

Keira: I'm trying, I'm trying, I'm sorry, I got it.

Emerson: Well, try harder!

Mark: If we paddle together, it's more important than paddling hard so-- Christy: Yeah that's true, let's just paddle together.

Mark: Make sure it's all together.

Hey!

Come on now.

[yelling over each other] Emerson: No, we're here to win.

We're here to win.

Keira: That's what you think!

Christy: Stop bickering!

Garces' Guide: Go, let's go, keep goin' forward!

Joe: Row, row!

Garret: One!

Emerson: Um, how'd they get so-- what?

Christy: They're getting closer, guys.

Mark: It's all right.

Ella: Start moving.

Emerson: I can't, 'cause you're in the way, I need to sit.

Keira: Ow, Emerson.

Christy: They're probably not arguing every 30 seconds, and that's why they're gaining on us.

Garces: Stroke... Koenig's Guide: Come on guys!

Garces: Stroke!

Taira: We've got this!

Garces: Stroke!

Garces's Guide: One more, come on!

All forward!

Kiera: Go!

Emerson: Ella, you're off.

Keira: Go!

Garces's Guide: One forward!

Joe: It's all about teamwork.

The strongest person overpowers the boat.

We pulled back in within reach of them, we could almost touch their boat.

We got to stay in sync, and stay coordinated and smooth.

We're making up time, we're making up time, we're making up time.

[rushing water] And we spun around backwards, and when we finally got straightened out, they're a hundred yards ahead.

[rushing water] Colin: Despite their constant bickering, the Koenigs have reached the waypoint first.

Mark: Where, where?

Keira: Pull over, pull over, pull over.

Ella: On top of the rock.

Emerson: Oh, wait, I see it, I see it, I see it.

Mark: Let's go, let's go!

Man: Let's get it up a little bit, and then... Christy: We got it!

Man: 'Kay.

Christy: Oh my gosh.

Jump rock is for jumping, now jump to your raft.

The throw bag is for rescuing, now rescue the jumper.

Emmy, I think you should jump.

- Why?

Christy: Because I don't wanna jump.

Please?

Please, please, please?

- You got this, Em.

Adventure!

Come on, babe.

You got it.

Take your time.

Christy: It's hi-- it's high up here.

Emerson: It doesn't look very high, but it is.

Christy: Okay.

Mark: Just push off, babe, you got it.

Emerson: Once you get up there, it's a lot farther down than you would think.

Mark: You got this baby girl.

Emerson: I am really, really nervous.

I kinda, like, got into my own head a little bit.

Mark: Come on, babe.

You've been off the high dive.

Emerson: And then I just kinda had to, like, push it all out and just jump.

Mark: Yeah, girlfriend!

Christy: Yeah!

Good job!

Mark: Ready, babe?

Emerson: Oh, it's freezing!

Mark: Got it?

Christy: All right, Emmy!

Awesome job, I'm so proud of you!

Emerson: It's so cold!

Colin: Now, back in the boat, the final two miles on the river will require families to paddle hard to get to the next checkpoint first.

♪♪ Joe: It's right there, Taira, at the top of the rock.

Taira: I see it.

♪♪ Taira: I think Garrett's got it right there.

♪♪ Taira: [laughs] Joe: You got this.

Tyler: Just send it.

Joe: Send it, Garrett.

Taira: You got this.

Whoo!

Whoohoo!

Oh!

Tyler: I would give Garrett about a six point seven for his cannonball off the rock.

Joe: We're a few minutes behind the Koenig family right now, but we're not giving up at all.

Okay, let's go.

Taira: Okay, come on.

Joe: Let's go.

♪♪ Keira: I think the most important thing is trying to stay in sync.

Christy: As we get back in the boat, we just start paddling together, and we're in complete synchronicity.

- Uh.

Keira: We're cruising right now, every paddle I feel that-- us pushing forward.

Ella: And it feels like we suddenly have our momentum back, that we can overcome our bickering and differences to finish this challenge.

Christy: Dip, dip, dip!

[Christy whoops] There we go.

Keira: We're doing a lot better the second half.

It's nice not to be fighting the whole time.

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Christy: [laughs] Kiki!

[laughs] ♪♪ Garces: Stroke, stroke, stroke... Joe: The gap between us and the Koenigs right now is pretty significant.

We can't see 'em.

Garces: Stroke, stroke.

Taira: I'm feeling a bit winded.

This is a lot of work.

Joe: Oh, I wanna catch that other family so badly.

♪♪ Ella: Right, let's go, we gotta find a clue.

Gotta find a clue.

Emerson: Whoo!

Christy: 'Kay guys.

Mark: See it?

Emerson: Oh, right here, right here!

Keira: You found it?

Christy: You're done with the raft, now run to your camp.

Mark: Where's the camp?

Oh, there it is!

There it is!

Go, go, go!

Great job girls!

Ella: We're only a few minutes ahead.

We gotta get our lead now.

Christy: Go, go, go, go!

Mark: Keep up the pace girls.

Awesome job in the water!

Ella: Watch where you're stepping.

Colin: After successfully paddling downriver for two and a half hours, the Koenigs trade in their raft for their packs, and now must quickly trek through woods and thick underbrush towards camp one.

♪♪ Tyler: Hey, I found it!

You're done with the raft, now run to your camp.

Garrett: I think we're definitely gonna make up a lot of time now that we're on land on our feet.

Hiking is really gonna be our strong suit in this race and our way to redeem ourselves.

♪♪ Mark: Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouths, girls.

[breathing heavily] Ella: We're almost there!

♪♪ Mark: Big breaths, Emmy.

There it is, you can see it.

♪♪ Keira: Guys, I see 'em.

Mark: Oh, there's the flag!

All the seconds matter.

You can taste it.

Come on.

Christy: You got it, Em, keep going.

- You got it, Mom, let's go!

Mark: Come on.

- Yeah, Mom!

Mark: Get to that flag, baby.

- My mom did really, really well, and she did a lot better than I thought she was gonna do.

- Thank you.

Keira: Done, you ready, Mom?

Good job, I'm so proud of you.

Mark: Good job, girls.

- Congratulations, you have survived day one.

If you're first to arrive, pick your campsite.

- All right, let's go find a good one.

Keira: Let's go!

Mark: Let's go, let's go!

♪♪ Tyler: We're carrying my mom's weight, because we can run it, and so she can run it too.

Taira: Huh.

They know I'm not as tough as they are.

Joe: Heh.

And we're old.

Taira: So they're, yeah, and we're old.

Joe: Tyler was the Ventura County cross country champion, you know, so he's as fast as can be, but you're only as fast as the slowest person on your team, and right now that's me.

Tyler: At this pace, we'll be done in a minute and a half.

Taira: Yeah, a long ways away.

Joe: 'Bout half-- Taira: Still.

Joe: Third of the way, Taira, third of the way.

So, um, I'm gonna have to figure out how to dig deep and keep up with those girls on that team, because they're no slouches.

Right there, Taira.

So close.

Garrett: This was a, a tough ending.

I still feel pretty confident about the day.

Colin: Even with Tyler and Garrett carrying their mother's pack, their parents still finished behind their boys.

[heavy breathing] ♪♪ Colin: Today was a good day for both families.

The colorful Koenigs put their bickering aside as their youngest daughter Emerson took a leap of faith into the river and were the first to camp.

[laughing] Colin: It was a rocky start for the Garces family, but once on land, they showed their strength, and finished strong.

They know that if they can keep working together as a team, they can face any hurdle in front of them.

Joe: Here, you wanna pass me two?

♪♪ Joe: So the silver lining of everything in the day is exactly this.

It's not about, uh, just being out here and going on an adventure, but the adventure of a lifetime is with your family.

[swishes] - Biscuits and gravy.

Garrett: We got biscuits and gravy, chicken and dumplings.

- Oh, yeah, chicken and dumplings.

Joe: We've never done something this intense with all of us.

We're doing a huge challenge together.

You can't beat something like this; this is an experience of a lifetime.

♪♪ Christy: I think we came out very well today because we got out there quickly, we paddled hard-- Mark: But girls, I-- I gotta say, one reason we came on the trip was to-- to bond and work together, and... it started out a lot of bickering.

Christy: It was too much, bickering... and then we came together.

Mark: For mommy and daddy, we kind of had a few moments there where we looked at each other, and was-- we were happy, to see you guys working so well together so-- Keira: We have to do what we did on the second half.

Tomorrow like, fireworks start happening, we start bickering again, we just have to, like, take a second and think.

Emerson: We did yesterday.

Keira: We're hurting ourselves.

Ella: Yeah.

Christy: Continue working together, right?

Emerson: Yeah.

Christy: Okay.

- I'm fine with working together, as long as you guys don't disagree with me.

All: [laughing] - Sure, you're the boss.

Christy: All right, that's gonna happen.

[laughs] ♪♪ [tranquil music] ♪♪ Colin: Morning comes early for the Koenig family as the brightening sky begins to reveal the majestic peaks that will test both families' strength and endurance for the day.

Mark: Good job with camp this morning, helping out, ladies.

What have we got today?

What's our adventure?

- Today we will test you.

Thrive to survive.

Mark: Let's go.

Christy: All right, let's go!

Mark: Let's go.

♪♪ Colin: This is day two.

A nine mile hike quickly turns into a challenging climb to over 10,000 feet followed by a tricky 3,000 foot descent down a steep rocky slope to finally reach camp two.

[birds chirping] - Today will test you, thrive to survive.

Tyler: Got it.

Taira: Got it?

All right.

Let's go.

- It's that way.

Garrett: Day two.

Feeling a little tired, but I'm ready to go.

We're gonna really give 'em a chase.

Colin: With the Garces' just four minutes behind, they know strategy and teamwork will be the key to catching up.

Christy: Thanks for sticking with me, Keiks.

We got it.

Mark: Yeah, it's gonna be a tough day, I need you to be strong, okay?

Christy: Now we need to... go off to the left, but-- this is-- the GPS is different now.

Mark: Let's see.

Christy: The line is pointing behind us, and the arrow is pointing ahead.

Mark: We're just following the arrow, just, we're finding the arrow.

We're going towards the arrow.

Christy: Honey, we're supposed to follow the line.

Mark: But it's, the line-- Christy: The line was pointing in the right direction before, and now it's not.

Keira: Well stop-- don't stop walking.

Colin: As the Koenigs are realizing, taking the lead has it's issues.

The Garces family learned from the Koenigs' mistake and are quickly closing the distance.

- I took an educated guess that the road they were following around was gonna wind up right where it did.

Garrett: I feel great, because we're already making up time, just as I knew we would, and we're gonna continue to gain, so I'm feeling confident.

- I feel like hiking is our strong suit and I can-- I can go at this pace all day.

♪♪ - Well I-- we don't know where we're going.

Mark: Well, they're right behind us, so... Christy: Well, we can follow him.

I'm stressed out right now because the other team has caught up with us, so now we're neck and neck.

Emerson, pick up the pace a little, babe.

We've lost all of the hard work that we put in yesterday.

Joe: What's it say now?

Ryan: Here it is, here it is.

Ella: Emmy, hurry, hurry, run, run.

Keira: Oh, wait it's here?

Ella: They can't open it until their mom.

Christy: Okay.

Keira: Guys!

Christy: They can't open it until their mom gets here!

Tyler: Mom, hurry up!

Keira: Hurry!

Joe: Okay, here we go, open, open, open.

Taira: Oh.

Joe: Nice job, sweetie pie.

You did great.

Garrett: Yeah, you're doing great, mom.

Taira: [sighs] Mark: What's it say?

- Find the V of a tree.

- Find the V of the tree.

Ella: You got it.

Christy: Are you guys done yet?

Ella: Which way?

Christy: Okay.

Garrett: That way.

Joe: Go, go, go, go!

Taira: Go, go, go!

Colin: To reach the next checkpoint, the route turns decidedly steeper, rising 1,100 feet in just two miles.

♪♪ Colin: With both families neck and neck, the pressure begins to mount, and the goal of the Koenigs being able to work together as a family is in doubt.

Christy: Ella, just hurry!

The whole family is in front of us, now!

Ella: The Garces passing us kind of panicked my mom a little bit.

- I am frustrated with my 15-year-old daughter.

Two almost 50-year-old people are outpacing her.

- My dad and I are walking a pretty steady pace, knowing we have a long day to go ahead.

Keira: Ella, Dad, hurry up!

Ella: My family won't stop yelling at me to go faster, and they're gonna burn themselves out before we get halfway.

Christy: When Ella doesn't feel like doing something, she digs her heels in and just doesn't do it.

[heavy breathing] Mark: Careful right here.

♪♪ Taira: What was the clue?

Joe: Tree with a V. Taira: Tree with a V. Tyler: Tree with a V?

Ryan: Tree with a V. Tyler: Oh, I found it!

[chuckles] Joe: Shh, shh, shh.

Tyler: Ryan, Garrett!

Taira: Garrett!

Tyler: We're ready.

Joe: The trees are down, but keep your spirits high.

Okay, let's go!

Taira: It's high.

Joe: Which way?

Tyler: That way.

Taira: We gotta go high.

Joe: Go.

Go, go, go, go, go, go, go.

Keira: They need to hurry up so we can open the clue.

Mark: Can you calm down!

Just relax.

Keira: Can you hurry?

- Where... it's someone in here.

There it is.

Keira: I got it.

Mark: What do you mean you got it?

It's right here.

Keira: I have it!

The trees are down, but keep your spirits high.

Mark: Exactly.

Colin: The steep climb continues for another 2 miles, up to over 10,000 oxygen-depriving feet, but before the Koenigs press on, their dad has some words of advice.

Mark: All right, guys.

Listen, let's talk it out, and let's take some water break, okay?

We've got a long way to go.

Remember how we rode yesterday?

Everybody fought in the beginning and it wan't real cool?

This is a three day race, you know how long this is?

- Okay.

Mark: Okay?

Stop worrying about the minutes.

Christy: Okay.

- Worry about the day.

- I'm worried that I'm the only one up here, I'm the only one doing stuff.

You don't have to completely gas yourselves, but just, have a, have motivation to push yourself.

- I am going urgent pace, fast pace, I'm just not sprinting, so I don't die before the end of the day.

Mark: As a father, it's a real challenge to, to try to understand how hard to push 'em, you know, you do what you can do as a parent, you just try to have their best interests in mind.

'Kay?

Encourage, please!

That's why we're here.

Encourage each other.

Stop bickering.

♪♪ Taira: [breathes heavily] Joe: I'm right behind you.

Just go.

Taira: I'm going.

Oh, pain.

- Great job, guys, you're doin' great.

Just stay on the trail, steady pace.

You guys got it.

Just stay ahead of the Koenigs.

Taira: How ya doin', Gumpus?

Garrett: Not great.

Taira: Yeah, I don't think any of us are.

- We got about a mile, girls.

[breathes heavily] I hope I can make it.

Oh my gosh.

I can't catch my breath.

I've never been on a harder trek in my entire life.

I've never done anything as hard as this.

Ella, you're kickin' my butt now.

Good job.

Ella: What did I tell you?

This is so hard.

Oh my gosh.

Keira: We're almost to the top, guys.

Mark: Yep.

Christy: Ella's doin' great.

She's puttin' in a lotta effort.

She's working hard.

She is up there.

I'm the one who's struggling now.

- I've never been at this altitude before.

I've never done a hike this hard.

- I'm proud of them.

They're leading us now.

That's s good thing.

Whew!

Colin: The Koenigs push through the difficult climb.

Christy: Nice job, girls!

Colin: But up ahead, the Garces are slowing down as they also feel the effects of the high altitude.

Joe: How far?

Tyler: Three quarters.

Joe: Okay.

I'm hurtin' right now.

My Crohn's is flarin' up.

I get arthritis really bad.

Well, I'm not movin' as fast as I can.

I'm the weakest link in our team right now.

I can't take much more of this.

My hips are on fire.

I'm just gonna have to find that mental aspect to just keep right on diggin'.

♪♪ [guitar chord] [heavy breathing] Mark: Is that the path, Ella, you're on?

Keira: I'm proud of you, Em, you're doin' so great.

Keep it up.

- Dad, you gotta take my pack for two minutes.

Mark: All right.

- I-- [sighs] Mark: You got, you got the waters?

- Yeah.

Mark: I'll take your pack.

Christy: Honey, are you gonna be okay?

Mark: I'm fine, baby, I got it.

Good job, guys.

About three quarters of a mile.

My thighs are just burning me, and I keep lookin' up, and there's no end in sight, and we just kept climbing and climbing and climbing.

Emerson: You got it, mom.

- Doin' a great job, Em.

Everybody's doing awesome.

Ella's doing great, Keira's like a little machine.

I'm really proud of them right now.

Mark: You're a beast, lady, you're a beast.

♪♪ Colin: These high altitudes can affect people differently, and it's taken its toll on the Garces family leader the most.

Taira: It's all right.

Joe: [grunts] Man: Put your straps back.

Taira: I got it, I got it.

You okay, Joe?

We were taking a water break, and he went down hard and fast.

Man 1: Did you feel like you just kinda passed out there, Joe?

Joe: Yeah, I just, passed out.

Taira: Yeah, he fell onto the rock.

Joe: I just passed out backwards.

Really bad tingling in my toes.

- Joe's pain kicked in super hard.

Joe: I'm scared.

- No, you're gonna be fine.

- Somethin' feels wrong.

- You're gonna be fine.

Keira: I was the first one up the hill, and I saw Joe laying on the ground with, like, medics around him, and I didn't know what happened to him.

It started to freak me out a little bit.

Joe: Let me ask you.

Hey.

[whispered] Why does this always happen to me?

Tyler: Stuff happens.

I don't know, but it's out of our control, okay?

Man 1: So, Joe, based on your level of pain, I think it'd be advantageous for us to get a, an evac for ya.

Probably about 500 feet of walking to get to a place where a helicopter could land.

Man 2: One, two, and three!

Man 1: Yeah, nice job.

Joe: OH!

Man 1: Nice job, yep.

Joe: That hurts.

Man 2: You got it.

Joe: Sorry.

Man 2: Yeah, brother.

You got it.

Garrett: This isn't the first time this has happened.

This is arguably the most severe 'cause we're in... the middle of nowhere.

I'm worried, like anyone would be, but I know he's gonna be fine.

Either Mom or myself, I mean, someone should go with him.

Taira: What do you want me to do?

Joe: I'd rather you be at the hospital.

Taira: All right.

- And then us three can continue the trek.

Taira: All right.

- And we can finish it strong.

- I'm proud of you boys.

Tyler: Thank you.

Garrett: Tyler, Ryan, and I are gonna continue with the trek.

- We intend to finish with pride and honor.

Taira: You don't be scared.

You're gonna be fine.

Garrett: Bye, Dad.

Ryan: All right, let's go, guys.

Taira: Okay.

Tyler: Bye, Dad.

Joe: Hey, Tyler.

This is a pretty awesome adventure.

You guys enjoy it.

Garrett: When we do something, we try to see it all the way through.

Ryan: It's important we finish strong for Dad, guys.

Tyler: So, we know that we are behind.

We're still gonna give it our best effort.

We're gonna go.

- And maybe if we hustle, we can make up some time.

We're not goin' out without a bang.

Ryan: Oh, look!

Tyler: There's your helicopter.

Ryan: Helicopter's right there.

[blades whirring] Emerson: Is that a helicopter?

Christy: Oh my gosh, you guys, I think there's a helicopter.

Mark: That's crazy.

I hope he's okay.

Christy: I know.

Mark: It is kinda scary.

I mean, this is competition, but it's also an adventure, and you don't wanna see anyone get hurt.

Christy: Let's just say a little prayer Joe's okay.

Mark: Such a good guy.

Tyler: Up until I saw the helicopter, I was just worried about my dad's well-being, and so once he finally was in the hands of the professionals, and he was being airlifted out, it was just a relief for us.

Garrett: Oh, there he goes.

Tyler: Yeah.

Garrett: Nice job, baby.

Tyler: There it is.

Bye, Dad.

Garrett: It just made me think that, well, we're in it now.

Colin: As the Garces' boys watch Dad fly to safety, they find themselves a mile behind the Koenigs, and will have to move quickly if they are going to retake the lead.

[birds singing] Mark: This is not stable ground.

Christy: That can't go up much higher, can it, guys?

Mark: I hope not.

Christy: This trip has been harder than I ever imagined it could be.

Ella: Yes it can, Mom.

Christy: It can?

[laughs] It is physically demanding, emotionally demanding.

Mark: This is like, straight uphill.

Ella: I'm really exhausted.

It's so rocky.

- This is nothing like we've ever done before.

Christy: Way to rock it out, girls.

Mark: They just kept goin'.

They inspired me.

Christy: You see the top, Keira?

- There's the lake!

♪♪ Mark: Water!

Christy: Oh, there?

Mark: Water!

Keira, did you see the water?

Keira: It's pretty.

Christy: Oh my gosh, this is beautiful.

♪♪ Ella: It's like, so clear!

Keira: Oh, it's right here!

Emerson: Oh, you found it?

By the shore, but below the surface.

Mark: All right, it's gotta be-- Christy: It's gotta be here.

Mark: --somethin' in the water.

Christy: You all right?

Mark: I have no idea what we're lookin' for, but... Keira: I see it, it's over here!

Christy: We found it, it's right there.

Mark: Someone's gotta jump in the lake.

Em, you wanna go in?

- She already jumped off the rock.

Mark: All right, I'll do it, I'll do it, I'll do it!

You know what?

Do it for my girls.

Ready?

Christy: All right, go, go, go!

Ella: Oh, no.

Christy: Oh my gosh.

My gosh.

Mark: [screams] FREEZING!

[girls laughing] ♪♪ [bubbling sound] - Whoa!

Christy: Thank goodness I didn't have to do it.

I mean, I'd have to say he took one for the team.

Mark: Woohoo!

- Oh my gosh, that was so funny.

Oh, poor Daddy.

He's so cold!

[girls laugh] Colin: The final leg of today's journey drops 3,000 feet down a steep, rocky route, as families carefully make their way to camp two.

Garrett: All right.

Tyler: Come on, guys, keep up.

We're catchin' up to 'em, and... we're still in this race.

♪♪ Tyler: Looks like it's right over here.

♪♪ Garrett: This is really blowin' me away, I mean, it's really gorgeous out here.

Despite our parents having to drop out of the race, I think that they would really appreciate that we're still getting to experience all this, even at a... heightened pace.

Tyler: I see it.

It's right here.

- By the shore, but below the surface.

Probably somewhere nearby.

♪♪ Tyler: I think it's right there.

Garrett: I see it.

Ryan: So, who's getting in?

Garrett: Honestly, we could fish it out with one of the tent poles.

You don't even have to get in.

Tyler: Ooh, that's gonna be close.

Garrett: Come from behind and drag.

Tyler: Come 'ere.

Garrett: Oh.

Swing it to me.

Just swing... Tyler: Ready for the catch?

[surge in music] Garrett: Got it.

Tyler: That's nice!

Garrett: Nice.

Colin: The boys' cerebral approach keeps them dry and in the race, shaving time off the Koenigs' lead.

Christy: Dad's limping, Keira.

Mark: Let's take some water.

Christy: You wanna take some water?

Ella: I can take Emmy's bag.

- I got the bag, it's okay.

Ella: I know, but I'm just saying I can take Emmy's bag so you can have a lighter load for a little while.

- Nice job, Ella!

She really is trying to help along the journey, and I'm really proud of her for it.

Maybe there's some maturity happening there, I don't know.

Ella: Uh, lots of bumps here.

Watch out.

I'm kinda hurtin' a little bit, 'specially in my toes.

They're a little bit cramped up.

Going down, I didn't realize it was gonna be this difficult after the long climb up.

Keira: Knowing that they're right there, trying to make up some time is really stressful.

I don't wanna stop because I got a good pace, I'm not tired.

Ella: Keira's all the way up ahead, and I'm like, where are you go-- how are you, how do you have that much energy?

That's ridiculous!

Keira: Guys!

I see the flag!

♪♪ Keep going!

Mark: Awesome job, baby.

Christy: Almost there, guys.

Emerson and Ella kinda turned it on at the end and really came together and did what they needed to do.

Keira: Come on, El!

Ella: It was a mental battle.

One foot in front of the other.

- I'm proud of you guys.

Ella: Just keep stepping, just keep stepping, know you're close.

Keira: Congratulations, you have survived day two.

- Everybody is really working well together.

After our start of bickering and fighting, this is really accomplishing what we had hoped.

♪♪ Tyler: Hey, guys, I see the flags!

Let's go, let's go!

I am glad we get to finish this race.

This would've been cool to experience with the entire family, however, it is still awesome to be out here with my brothers.

Ryan: Are there rocks in my boots?

Tyler: Probably.

Colin: It's been a long, emotional day for the families.

The Koenigs again started the day arguing, but the medical emergency was an eye-opener that brought the family closer together, helping and encouraging each other all the way to the flag.

Mark: The vibe of the family right now, everyone's tired, it's been a long day, and I think after we get some rest, we'll be refreshed and ready to go tomorrow.

Colin: The Garces boys found the confidence to press on alone, making up all but 18 minutes of their deficit.

Garrett: Dad's probably happy that we're out here at least doin' somethin', doin' somethin' productive and finishing the race.

- We got the three of us, so we're pretty all right.

It's fun out here.

Tyler: This is a special occasion to have all three of us together at the same time.

With Garrett off at college now and me being off at college next year, we might not have very many opportunities like this again.

Garrett: I'm gonna go... Tyler: Goodnight, guys.

Garrett: Filter some more water.

Ryan: Yep.

Garrett: I'll be in there later.

♪♪ Tyler: Overall, uh, yeah.

Rough day.

We started super early, and we're just now getting into bed.

That's all I got for you today, a very professional cam.

It's been real.

Peace out.

[techno music] ♪♪ [light marimba music] ♪♪ Tyler: All right, guys.

This is the morning of the third day, the final day.

We have a super sick scenery over here.

Still have to hustle.

Ryan, do you think you, like, have enough energy to have a bit of a faster pace today, like a slow jog, maybe?

Ryan: Yeah, I think so.

Tyler: We are not a family that focuses on the negative.

I'm waking up here with my two brothers in this beautiful location, and so we're gonna just do the best we can.

Garrett: Last breakfast before the final push here.

Eat as much as you need, you're gonna need it.

Mark: Steady pace.

Help each other out.

- You guys are so strong, I'm so proud of you, let's just keep it up for one more day, okay?

Keira: I feel like after a couple days of bickering, we um, we're in a pretty good mindset to just push for it.

I mean, today's all or nothing, it's the last day.

Break an ankle if you want, as long as you get past the finish line, that's all I care about.

- [laughs] Mark: That's my girl.

This just feels heavier than yesterday.

Christy: I know.

- For both the Garces and the Koenigs, this race has had both its ups and downs.

For the Garces, a tight-knit family is now divided.

With Ryan, Garrett, and Tyler having to step up and take on the second half of the race without their father, and the Koenigs, whose race was nearly derailed from their constant squabbling, have seen how far they can go when they work together.

Keira: Momentum is your ally today.

Mark: All right, let's do this.

Christy: All right, momentum, we got momentum, let's go!

Mark: Might mean we're goin' downhill.

♪♪ Colin: This is day three.

Today, the families will literally race the final miles down the mountain, and just when they think they are near the end, they will have to plunge into a deep, muddy swamp, forge their way through, and drag themselves to the finish.

♪♪ Mark: We're goin' down right now, which is nice, it's a soft path.

We know we got the boys behind us, and they're gonna be trekkin' hard, so we're gonna go after it.

Tyler: All right, I got the clue.

Garrett: Momentum is your ally today.

Sounds like we'll be goin' downhill.

All right, let's go.

Tyler: Ready?

♪♪ I've been running varsity cross country since I was a freshman in high school.

I can run a mile in five minutes.

I've always been good at running down trails with heavy weight.

It bothers some people, but for me, I can just use the momentum to get down these trails.

♪♪ - Seriously, guys, we need to pick up the pace.

Those boys are gonna be movin' tryin' to catch up.

Christy: I know.

- We gotta get-- Dad and El need to pick it up.

Christy: The anxiety is really high right now, everybody is really trying to push through their injuries, and we're really running on fumes.

Ella: It's shaky.

Mark: Those boys, they're quick.

We know what they can do.

I keep lookin' over my shoulder every second I can get.

Tyler: I think at this pace, we can make up a little bit of time against the Koenigs.

I still think that we should go a little bit faster just to be safe.

Garrett: Yeah, don't count us out yet because we're still in this fight, and we're still cruisin' down the trail.

Tyler: All right, come on, guys, we're almost there!

Ryan: All right.

Garrett: Hear that, Ryan?

Ryan: Yep.

♪♪ Christy: Keira, how far?

Keira: Uh, 120.

Christy: 120 feet?

Keira: Yes.

Christy: Is it saying that we're still goin' straight?

Keira: Yeah.

Christy: The other team, they are fierce.

Maybe it's over there?

Ella: It's somewhere here.

Christy: We just have to try to keep that lead.

- I think it's gotta be in there, Ella.

Look up.

My heart is racin' right now.

This would be a tragedy if this is our downfall.

♪♪ Christy: Oh, I found it!

I found it!

Mark: Got it?

Awesome baby!

Christy: We definitely bickered during the last couple of days.

Good navigation, Keira.

But we all have the same common goal, is to cross that finish line together, do well as a family, and hopefully win.

You're past the point of no return, now finish strong with the ones you love most.

Keira: Okay, this way.

Let's go.

Mark: Great job findin' the clue so fast, ladies.

That was awesome.

Colin: The final stretch is a swift one, in a half a mile straight shot to the finish line, but the families will have to overcome one last obstacle.

♪♪ Garrett: I think we're doin' good.

We're keepin' a strong, steady pace.

Tyler: Whoa, whoa, whoa, stop, stop, stop.

Arrived.

Found it!

Garrett: Found it?

Tyler: Yep.

Colin: The Garces' quick work finding the clue is propelling them forward just as the Koenigs are getting bogged down.

♪♪ Christy: There, this way?

Mark: Right this way!

Keira: Wait, wait, wait!

When I come around the corner where I'm leading with the GPS, I stop and I look up, and it's a swamp.

The only thought that went through my head is, "I guess we're goin' through a swamp today."

Christy: Oh my gosh!

All right.

Mark: All right, you want me to lead the way on this one?

Christy: Yes, Mark, you go first.

Ella: Be careful please, be careful, please.

Colin: The Koenigs are the first to reach the final hurdle.

They must navigate the swamp waters sometimes up to their waist in this cold, wet, and smelly marshland.

Emerson: Oh... It's so squishy!

All: [yelling] Mark: All right, come on!

Christy: We're coming!

Oh my gosh.

Mark: You keep walking.

If you get to water, you let me know.

Emerson: I don't like it at all!

Ella: I can feel the water seeping into my shoes, and it's freezing cold.

It's so muddy, and I, just, I was like, don't think about it, don't think about it, just keep going, just keep going.

- Good job, baby.

I'm so proud of you.

Ella: I know.

Christy: Keira, wait up for us, please, honey.

Come over this way, Ella, come by me.

Emerson: Don't go where I went!

I went all the way in.

Christy: [laughs] I'm just thinking this is gross, this is gross, this is gross.

Oh my gosh, is that Colin?

♪♪ Colin: You're almost there!

Keira: I see you Colin!

Christy: Oh, he's right here, he's right here.

[laughs] Oh my gosh!

- Hey you guys!

Ella: You're here, Colin's here!

Hey, hey!

Keira: Hi.

Hi, Colin.

Colin: Koenig family!

It is not over yet.

To finish this competition, you need to build your flagpole and raise your family flag.

Better work quick.

Keira: Thank you, thank you.

Mark: I'll dig.

Garrett: Tyler.

My way.

Yeah, over here.

[driving drumbeat] Tyler: This marsh smells bad, it is dirty and gross, but we are so close to the finish, I do not care.

Garrett: It gets real deep right here, all right?

Tyler: It's disgusting.

Ryan: Yeah.

Ugh.

Keira: Okay, that's right, we got it, okay good!

Mark: [grunts] Christy: Okay.

Mark: Make sure that's really secure.

[driving drumbeat] Colin: This is gonna be so close.

Puttin' their flagpole in the ground, is it gonna hold?

Garrett: We're so close, let's go!

Christy: Put it right there.

Keira, step on it.

It's good, good!

Keira: It's done, it's done.

Mark: Colin.

Colin: Okay, let me test it!

Garrett: Stream!

Stream.

Tyler: Stream right here, Ryan!

- Koenig family, you are the winners of Survivalists!

Congratulations!

Wow!

Christy: From white water rafting, hiking, stomping through the swampy mud... - We won as a family.

Christy: That was awesome!

Colin: I did promise you.

You have earned it.

$10,000 cash!

Open those up, celebrate.

All: [cheer] Ella: This was definitely harder than I ever expected it to be, but I've definitely gained a lot of respect for my parents.

How we grew and developed definitely exceeded my expectations.

That was awesome.

Colin: How are you feeling?

[chatter] Mark: Exhilarated, exhausted.

Ella: I think this was a really neat experience, getting to come together with my family.

We don't often work together, so it was a really good opportunity for us to practice that.

Keira: It was really rocky at the beginning, but we overcame it, and we've been working well as a team.

- I feel like we're a lot closer than we've ever been before.

- I see so much bickering in the house, and to see them come together and really communicate, uh, get to another level, I'm really lookin' forward to continuing this when we get home.

We just grew as a family, I'm so impressed.

What I was hoping to get out of the experience, which was growing with my girls and Christy, definitely exceeded that.

- I think what we gained from it was more than I could ever hope for.

I'm overwhelmed by emotion because I'm just so proud as a mom right now.

I have awesome, awesome kids, and an awesome family.

[sniffle] Colin: Beautiful.

Beautiful.

♪♪ Garrett: Good job, Ryan.

Ryan: All right.

Garrett: Tyler, you got the... Tyler: Right here.

Mark: Good job, boys.

Colin: Here come the Garces!

Christy: Good job, guys!

[applause] Colin: Pushin' hard emerging from the swamp.

Wow.

Congratulations you guys.

You've done a tremendous job.

You're down two players.

Garrett: Yeah.

Tyler: We are down two players.

Garrett: It was unfortunate that they couldn't make it to the end with us, but I'm glad we finished strong all the less.

Colin: It's a tough loss, having your parents go down like that.

The good news is I just did get update from the hospital.

Your father's gonna be released; he's gonna be all right.

I know they're gonna be super proud of what you guys have accomplished out here.

Tyler: I hope so.

- As a parent, I'm sure you made your parents proud.

Ryan: I knew that finishing the competition, we would be making our dad proud.

Garrett: And it'd been a tumultuous trek, and we came out strong.

Ryan: I would have loved for my mom and dad to be there, but, I learned that me and my brothers are plenty capable.

Tyler: Yeah.

♪♪ Colin: Tell me about how you've grown as brothers.

- This whole experience has been able to give us the opportunity to appreciate that bond, and grow together, like, as a team, as a family.

- Brotherhood, it's a special thing to have that in your life.

You know, you look to your right, you look to your left.

These are the two guys that you're gonna be connected with throughout your entire life.

Congratulations to you guys.

Ella: Good job.

Christy: Good job, guys.

Keira: Good job, guys.

Mark: Good job, your parents are proud of you guys.

Christy: You are, like, a beast, unbelievable.

Ella: Good job, Ryan.

Garrett: It was so close.

♪♪