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Naked and Afraid: Easier Said Then Done

Posted on 07/27/2015 by Elizabeth in Naked And Afraid and General News

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By Ashley Thompson

 

Each season we see what most of us would consider professional survivalists take on the Naked and Afraid 21 day challenge. This time, 9 finalists were chosen and America voted for one man and one woman to take try it themselves. This time, however, these two fans are only experiencing 14 days.

Kristin is a 32 year old Oncology nurse from Ohio. She thinks she can survive this because she can "go on very little sleep and loves nature". And since her biggest fear is "things going toward her private area" and being naked means this is going to be interesting. Her starting PSR score is 3.6 and she brings a machete and given a fire starter.

Paolo is a 26 year old fan of hiking, backpacking and camping. He "knows" he can do this. He is untested in extreme conditions so his PSR is 4.2 starting out and he brings along a fishing line.

One month before leaving Kristin and Paolo are given lessons by a primitive survival expert. Must be nice! They learn traps, fires, shelter construction, etc. Obviously their confidence is building but will it come crashing down? There's no bug spray in Nicaragua but the thick rainforest does have poisonous plants, coral snake and pit vipers.

As soon as they meet, Paolo realizes that he is with a partner with very little experience or knowledge but comes across as a bit narcissistic. They both realize exactly how much walking is involved in finding a good camp. In fact, nothing is really coming as easy as either of them had hoped. Once they get large flames, they're just as quickly extinguished. The only thing easily handed to them is the waterfall, but Kristin isn't willing to drink the cascading water for fear of sickness. Since Paolo isn't sick after only 15 hours, Kristin decides it's her turn to indulge in the cool waterfall water. But some diseases don't have an effect until 5 days after consumption. Better watch out. At least they have a tiny frog to eat... until Paolo drops it. How's that confidence now?

After admitting that it is actually very difficult and showing the huge bug bites and describing the cold, it seems the pair has been knocked down a few pegs from their high horses. One huge lesson is not to leave camp without his machete because it leaves you vulnerable to snakes. During an intense head bashing that coral snake is now food. Not too shabby, novice. Even though things were looking up, the pair is clashing. Kristin is remaining optimistic yet tired but Paolo is frustrated and still overconfident and really over the rainbows and unicorns. By day 12 both fans are struggling. Less than 24 hours before their extraction up a mountain 500 ft above their camp, Paolo blacks out and falls over their bird trap. Luckily the day before they start their trek the trap works and bird is what's for dinner.

By the end of their 14 day journey Paolo is down 35 pounds and his PSR rose to 5.1. Kristin lost 11 pounds and her PSR score rose to 4.4.

 

Photo credit: Discovery Channel


  


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