After the interview, Lin Yu'an received a formal invitation and detailed camp schedule from the Alone in the Wilderness production team in his mailbox.
The email specified the camp's time, location, and personal items participants needed to prepare themselves.
The camp is scheduled for a week later at a training base in the Rocky Mountains on the outskirts of Denver City, Colorado.
The email also highlighted that during the camp, there would be intense physical tests, survival skills assessments, and comprehensive psychological evaluations. Only the top 10 participants based on overall performance would qualify for the official shooting location of Season 8.
"The Rocky Mountains in Colorado..."
Lin Yu'an looked at the place name on the email, and after checking on Google, he knew that the high elevation, variable climate, and large temperature differences between day and night required higher survival skills, which for him was both a challenge and an opportunity to prove himself.
In the following two weeks, Lin Yu'an's life became exceptionally busy.
The first thing to do was to ensure Aliya would receive the best care while he was away.
He used these few days to plan out Aliya's daily diet, prenatal check-ups, and various emergency response plans for the time he would be gone.
He specifically went to an Asian supermarket to purchase many ingredients Aliya likes but usually not found in regular American supermarkets, filled the fridge, and went to the pharmacy to stock up on vitamins and nutritional supplements Aliya would need during her pregnancy.
"Sweetheart, you don't need to worry so much; I'm just newly pregnant, and I can take care of myself."
Aliya watched as Lin Yu'an busied himself with every little detail, feeling both heartache and amusement, and he paused his work to hug her gently.
"I know, but I always want to do more for you; I want to ensure that even if I'm not by your side, you'll be comfortable."
Besides arranging Aliya's life, Lin Yu'an didn't forget to prepare for his upcoming camp.
He continued to enrich himself by researching a large amount of information concerning Colorado's Rocky Mountains area, including climate, geographical environment, and common flora and fauna, despite having grown up in wild environments and living in the Yukon Territory in a previous life with keen insights into survival knowledge.
But that was still a different environment; the Rocky Mountains' ecosystem was relatively unfamiliar to him, requiring a thorough understanding of target area information to avoid any pitfalls.
While preparing these, Lin Yu'an also kept replaying his skills showcase video submitted to the production team in his mind.
Although he demonstrated some unique techniques in the video, when it came to pure wilderness survival experience, he might not be as adept as candidates accustomed to living in the wild long-term. Thus, thorough theoretical preparation was crucial.
He reviewed his skills showcase video repeatedly, analyzing his strengths and weaknesses.
That windproof curtain for the A-frame shelter, the Dakota smokeless stove, and the introduction to medicinal herbs from Southern China were all "highlights" distinguishing him from other contestants.
He believed the production team valued not just skills but also the learning ability, innovative thinking, and unique cultural background he showcased.
Time flew by, and the day to set off for the camp arrived.
Lin Yu'an got up early to prepare a hearty breakfast for Aliya, the two eating silently amid a slightly heavy atmosphere filled with impending farewell.
Aliya put down her utensils, her eyes slightly red, holding back her tears, reminding him over and over again.
"Sweetheart, over there, be sure to pay attention to safety and don't over push yourself! Remember what we agreed, if it's too dangerous, quit immediately!"
Lin Yu'an held her hand, "I know, sweetheart, I'll keep everything in mind, and you have to take care of yourself too."
Aliya took off the small cross pendant from her neck and gently hung it around Lin Yu'an's neck: "This was given to me by my mom, hoping to keep you safe."
Feeling the small pendant, cold yet carrying Aliya's warmth on his chest, Lin Yu'an felt his heart warm as he pulled her tightly into his arms.
He whispered in her ear: "I'll be back soon, with the championship and prize money, giving you a surprise!"
The taxi had been waiting downstairs for a while.
Lin Yu'an picked up his simple luggage and glanced deeply at Aliya and their cozy apartment before resolutely turning away.
Standing by the window, Aliya watched the taxi slowly leave, unable to hold back tears from sliding down her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Lin Yu'an sat in the taxi, gazing at the rapidly passing street scenes outside the window, feeling a myriad of emotions inside.
The flight landed in Denver at dawn, and Lin Yu'an, carrying his simple luggage, stepped onto Colorado land.
The vehicle sent by the production team had long been waiting outside the airport, accompanied by three other candidates with varying expressions mixed with a hint of nervousness and anticipation.
They only made brief nods to each other, and a subtle silence settled in the car, everyone secretly evaluating one another amid an air filled with invisible competitive tension.
The vehicle continued heading west, gradually entering the mountains, the view outside changing from city high-rises to rolling hills and dense coniferous forests.
About an hour later, they arrived at a training base hidden in a valley.
The base seemed rather rudimentary, consisting only of a few roughly built tents and an expansive training yard, surrounded by towering cedars and firs, filled with a primal and ominous atmosphere.
Upon getting off, a bracing mountain wind greeted Lin Yu'an, invigorating his spirits!
The air and environment here were starkly different from the Montana Farm's tranquility, carrying a distinct scent of pine mixed with water vapor and an overwhelming sense of challenge.
Arriving at the training ground, Lin Yu'an found about twenty other candidates already gathered.
They hailed from all over the United States, and even a few from Canada and Europe, each clad in professional outdoor gear, eyes gleaming with shrewdness and strength, clearly intent on seizing this opportunity.
A burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man with a full beard, clad in camouflage training attire, strode until he stood before everyone.
His sharp gaze swept through each candidate as if piercing through them.
He was Rick Hawke, chief survival instructor for Alone in the Wilderness, a former special reconnaissance marine.
"Welcome to the selection training camp for the eighth season of Alone in the Wilderness!"