by Ashley Thompson

Don is 28 and is training to be mountain guide in Washington. He has done tons of research but no real wilderness experience so his starting PSR is 6.0. His partner, Holly, is 23 from North Carolina and is a rock climber. She says she's done survival techniques her whole life and has a PSR of 6.2. It would seem this is the most inexperiences or amateur team yet.

Caprivi Strip is the heart of Africa's animal kingdom and one of the most deadly regions in the world. Lions, gibbons, boiling heat during the day but fright temps at night are just a few of the dangers. While they have plenty, they'll have to share their water with deadly hippos... so don't get too thirsty, guys. After taking a chance and drinking straight from the water source, they actually get fire on their first try. But they don't have a shelter so not all is well. And neither is Holly's stomach. Either she drank too much water, the water is contaminated or she's already dehydrated. Yay for night one.

By day 2 Don is beyond worried about being alone and desperately wants to be part of a duo. He comes upon a marula tree and it's sugary fruit that has 8x the vitamin c of an orange and immediately runs it to his ailing partner. Heartbreakingly she not only dislikes the fruit, but she tells him she's tapping out. On day 2. She claims she's not emotionally into it and he embarrassingly begs her to stay. For a better mental image, think of Don like an exotic Sheldon Cooper. This sweet little book worm definitely needs a partner. He's got the information but can he implement it? Maybe he can use his glasses as a weapon if he needs to.

A first in Naked and Afraid history, they're having a restart. Since Holly left so early, we get to re-meet Amber, the 32 year old Army instructor. We remember her from the everglades and got sick enough to leave on day 16. She is looking to redeem herself, but is it at Don's expense? Because now they have to restart and do a whole new 21 days. Did they give him some food and water so he could restart, too?? I don't think he cares because he is pumped to have such a strong partner.

Soon we find out that maybe they're not the best together. He has so much knowledge that he's not taking their actual circumstance into account. Don is asking more of his partner than she is willing to give, causing major tension. When Amber feels like she may have popped her breast implant, he tells her not to think about it and makes a condescending face to the camera. In fact, he is condescending most of the time. Perhaps he is acting like a child because she's treating him like a child. Nonetheless, Amber decides to tap out due to her breast pain and Don is abandoned once again.

Now all alone, he has to focus on food. He tries making a fish trap for the first time, "I've only read about making these in boy scouts manuals". Well, it looks damn fine so good for you. But watch out, that neighboring hippo is about to make a midnight snack out of your camp sight. That's not quite as scary as a big storm causing hypothermic conditions. Which also causes an anxiety attack because he cannot get warm, the water has compromised his shelter, his fire is out and he has very little body fat, if any at all. If something doesn't change he will have to leave only 3 days shy of extraction. Even after a hard night it seems that smarty pants is having a spiritual experience, witnessing Africa's beauty. Even exclaiming that he wants to stay for 21 more days after his time is up. Instead, he wakes up on day 21 and plans his extraction and plows straight through the water... dangerous animals be damned.

By the end, Don made it through, mostly alone. He lost two partners and 14 pounds. His PSR rose to 7.5. Think we'll see him on XL?

Photo by: Discovery Channel