At last! Survivor 11: Guatemala began with an aerial view of the spectacular rain forest of the Petén region of Guatemala with views of the wildlife, and a voiceover explaining the difficulties the Survivor contestants will face: snakes, crocodiles, howler monkeys, spiders, jaguars, extreme temperatures, high humidity and rain.
With the two traditional tribes already formed, one called Yaxha (pronounced Yasha), wearing blue buffs, and the other Nakum in yellow, (see page 3) the contestants gathered at the bottom of a ruin to hear their first instructions. Before getting these, however, host Jeff Probst announced the first surprise.
Joining Survivor 11 as full-fledged players, capable of being voted out as well as winning the one million dollar prize, are Stephanie LaGrossa and Bobby Jon Drinkard of Survivor 10: Pulau. Stephanie joined the Yaxha tribe as Bobby Jon joined the Nakum tribe. Both were well-received. In fact, Lydia told Stephanie that she is the reason Lydia is there.
Jeff announced the first challenge, a reward for the better camp, located among the actual ruins with flint to make fire. The losers of the challenge would have to take the second camp, not in the ruins and do without a flint. To get to camp, the tribes had to walk eleven miles through the rain forest with only a map and compass to guide them. Before setting out, they could choose what they wanted from a pile of fruit, corn and water to carry with them on the separate paths. They were instructed to find their boats on a lagoon and row across to the ruins.
Nahum started out strong, with Jim leading the group and holding the compass. Using a point man/person to walk ahead according to the compass with the group following, the tribe made steady progress. Yaxha, on the other hand, trailed behind with Gary, calling himself Gary Hawkins with a landscaping business, making some mistakes and having to backtrack and thus losing time. Gary stated he didn’t want to be the leader, and didn’t want to be known as the ex-quarterback, but with a group of younger people, his paternal instincts came to the fore. With Stephanie assisting with the navigating, they made better time.
The Nakum tribe suffered the first of several incidents when a tree branch with wicked-looking spikes fell on Blake’s shoulder, causing severe pain. Margaret using his nursing skills to remove the spikes and helped him later when he was sick to his stomach and throwing up.
With nightfall, both tribes stopped to rest. Day 2 began with the howler monkeys jolting people from their sleep. Brian urged the Yaxha tribe to get an early start, and Stephanie urged them on through the rain even as Amy and Lydia’s energy flagged and they lagged behind. Finding a trail through the rain forest helped both tribes, and their pace picked up with Yaxha closing in on Nakum.
The Nahum’s were still leading even when Bobby Jon became dehydrated and cold with cramps in his legs. Margaret tended to him as Blake, who was still suffering from his shoulder pain. They were the first to reach their boat, an outrigger canoe, and began rowing across the lake with Yaxha right behind them.
Even with Blake and bobby John somewhat incapacitated, Nakum managed to touch the opposite shore first. Judd jumped out and lost time when he landed in a quicksand type mud and had to drag himself out. He later was sick to his stomach, but nonetheless the tribe got to the ruins to be greeted by Jeff as the first to arrive. As such, they won the better camp, complete with flint and their tribal flag.
Even though Jeff pronounced it a “close finish,” Yaxha came in second and after getting their tribal flag, and a map to their camp, had to row back across the lake to get to it. There, they found pots for their food, but no shelter. They set about making a shelter immediately, pleasing Stephanie who was encouraged to be with a tribe with heart and determination.
All was not well with the Nakum camp. With Blake, Bobby Jon, Judd and now Jim feeling the effects of dehydration, Margaret was busy nursing them and very concerend that they would not be fit for the next challenge. The female members of the tribe were in much better shape. Bobby Jon was very ill, near losing consciousness, and when he recovered, he said that “Pulau was a recess compared to Guatemala.”
Day 3 brought the first tree mail and the first Immunity Challenge" Paddle Battle. Stephanie offered some hints about rowing and much encouragement to her tribe. When both tribes joined Jeff, they found out that the challenge would imitate the Mayan technique for transporting heavy material. The tribes would row out into the lake, retrieve a torch, row back to shore and then haul the boat over logs up to the finish line. The first torch to be lit would win immunity for the tribe.
