New Reality Series: "SurvivorWalk"
Dateline April 1, 2012
The latest reality-TV series given the green light will debut in September. SurvivorWalk will take 16 walkers, drop them in Barrow, Alaska and follow their walk to Punta Arenas, Chile, a journey of thousands of miles.
Each SurvivorWalker will be equipped with a helmet camera to film every step of their journey. "No wheels, no hooves, just their feet, that's the rule." said producer Mark Burrnett. "We start them off with one pair of walking shoes, a fanny pack, a water bottle, a power bar and a set of layered clothing, that's it."
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The contestants race to checkpoints along the way. The first of the SurvivorWalkers to reach a checkpoint is safe, but the later arrivals must gather around a campfire and vote one of their members to be carried off on the Bus of Shame.
"What the SurvivorWalkers have to endure is unbelievable," said Burrnett, "Ice, snow, rain, desert heat, lack of road shoulders, and being sideswiped by inattentive drivers." But the competition between the walkers themselves is the most grueling, "These walkers would sell their own grandmother to be the first to the checkpoint - you will see scheming, intrigue, and alliances."
What prize awaits the first walker to reach Punta Arenas? "Budgets are tight, so we decided that the winner would get a nice medal and volkssport achievement credit for the mileage. We are still inking various deals, and we may be able to swing a new pair of shoes and socks."/p>
How did Burrnett find contestants willing to endure so much for so little? "Simple, I just went to the About.com Walking page and posted it on the bulletin board. Within a day I had more applications than you can shake a walking stick at - those folks will take any excuse to go walking."
SurvivorWalkers (unofficial sources)
Gary Nelson: Long distance military walker.
Alan Cook: Author of "Walking to Denver" who has been walking across Britain in stages
Ole Olson and Helen Viel: Canadians who walked over from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific to the Atlantic across Canada in 2000, a journey of 10,000 kilometers (6000 miles).
Christina Elsenga: Dutch walker who enjoys ultra-distance walking events.
John P. Zuiker: Canadian ultra-distance enthusiast, the elder statesman of the bunch who stands a good chance of winning the prize.
Spencer Lane: British long distance walker known to travel anywhere in the world to enjoy a good walk.
Leroy Wright: What would a Survivor series be without a motorcycle-riding Texan?
Joe and Karen Kelly: From Oregon, they have survived the Great Walk in BC, the Portland Marathon, and the 18-Hour Walk.
Dennis Barrett: This Washington flight attendant has traveled the world looking for good walks.
Sam Korff and Darlene Gubele: Oregonians who completed 100 kilometers at the 2001 18-Hour Walk.
Melanie Jonker: Australian ultra-walker.
by Wendy Bumgardner
4/1/12 April Fools Day...Sorry, there is and was no such series.
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