Dozens of brave Alaskans ventured to Chena Hot Springs in the snow on Wednesday for a shot to win a trip to the Survivor 50 live finale.
Fairbanks artist Lesa Sears went idol hunting with her 11-year-old son, Sterling.
“It was a little bit scary to get out on the road here because of that big winter storm warning in town,” she said. “It was pretty bad — we stopped by McDonald’s to get a sandwich, and McDonald’s was closed.”
Throughout the month of February in anticipation for the season premier of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,” CBS has been hosting a nationwide idol hunt for fans of the show to participate in. Each state had clues released on varying dates; Alaska’s hidden immunity idol was at Chena Hot Springs.
“[A] 90-minute drive through a snow storm didn’t stop me from finding the idol in my home state of Alaska… located at the Aurora Ice Museum at Chena Hot Springs, the idol itself was ironically [encased] in a solid block of ice,” Thaddeus Bertelson wrote on a clues and updates Facebook page for the Survivor 50 Idol Challenge.
Lesa has been watching Survivor since the show first aired in 2000. Her daughter who lives in Michigan went on the idol hunt in Tahquamenon Falls State Park. She said there were about 100 people walking around Chena while she and Sterling solved clues.
“[Survivor] is a very wholesome show, I think, for the whole family to watch. It’s entertaining, it’s fun,” Lesa said. “We all have our favorites.”
“When watching season 44, I thought, ‘Oh, Yam Yam [Arocho] is going to win.’ And now he’s my favorite,” Sterling said.
The first Alaska clue was revealed on Feb. 14 and read, “the springs can be hot, even if the air is cool. Frozen art lays in wait, there to welcome you. Travel towards the borealis without further delay, at the entrance you’ll discover how to find your way.” It also directed fans that the idol would be “live” on Feb. 18.
When players arrived, there were several more clues that fans had to solve to find the idol, which ended up being in the Aurora Ice Museum.
“Where a bright yellow bus stands still, it’s duty done against the chill. But listen close for bark and cry, following the sound where the winter pack lies,” the next clue read.
Lesa and Sterling made their way to the dog kennels for the third clue.
“The teams grow still, their harness slack, yet warmth and steam lie further back. Seek rising mist in open air, the name of this place is born from there.”
When players entered the Aurora Ice Museum, there was a sign stating people who enter the space are being recorded by CBS for Paramount Skydance Corporation.
“From waters warmed by earth below, turn toward halls where bright lights glow. Not the grand lodge that greets the crowd, but near the wash where machines hum loud,” read the fourth clue.
Some states had former Survivor alum at the idol for fans to meet and take their idol photo with. Alaska has never had a Survivor player. Fairbanks smokejumper JD Morton was initially cast for season 11 of Survivor: Guatemala in 2005, but broke his ankle playing basketball with friends just a few weeks before filming.
“You may sip warmth and fight the cold, but greater fire is found, we’re told. Figures frozen for all to see, where winter builds its gallery.”
The idol challenge rules state that participants must be 18 and older to submit, but Lesa said it was a lot of fun regardless.
Fans who found the idol and took a photo with it have been entered to win a grand prize, which consists of being flown out for a three-day, two-night trip to California to attend the live finale in Los Angeles on May 20. Each person who wins from each state will be allowed to bring a guest, according to official CBS rules.
Sam Davenport is a writer residing in Anchorage. She's a leo and a plant-person, and loves spending quality time with her dog, Aspen. She is a Real Housewives fan and has been called a Bravo historian.
