No One Told The Summit Contestants That They Have to, Uh, Summit

As a lifelong fan of outdoor adventure and survival shows, I find myself both captivated and appalled by “The Summit.” Jon Krakauer’s words about mountaineering resonate deeply with me – the allure of the challenge, the fear, and the enforced humility. However, it seems that the contestants of this show are taking that idea a bit too far into the realm of the absurd.

Jon Krakauer once expressed about mountaineering that the allure of fear, insignificance, and humility draws him to climbing. The participants of The Summit, however, might be taking this concept a bit too far. These 16 individuals traveled to New Zealand with the intention of traversing 100 miles by scaling the Southern Alps (the tallest peak standing at 12,218 feet) over a span of 14 days, all while lugging around $1 million in cash. It’s as though they didn’t realize that they had agreed to, well, climb a real mountain, an ironic twist that is at once both heartless and amusingly absurd. The experience of being humbled by nature, it turns out, makes for great television!

The show, titled “The Summit,” is modeled after an Australian reality series that debuted in 2023. However, when host Manu Bennett presents the challenge to the competitors – “Your mission is to reach the summit” – their responses are reminiscent of the time contestants on “The Traitors” struggled with bird calls – wide-eyed bewilderment and shocked exclamations ensue. One competitor queries, “What do you mean by ‘summit’?” Another replies bluntly, “That’s a massive mountain!” Leaving me to ponder, what kind of participants were selected for this reality show? How does one apply for a competition that requires some level of outdoor skills and both physical and mental readiness, yet lacks those very same qualities? It’s not uncommon for the participants in shows like “Physical: 100,” “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” “The Challenge,” “Naked and Afraid,” or “Alone” to be physically fit. However, these cast members at least have a general idea of what they’re getting into. The initial contestants on “The Summit” don’t even know how to read a map!

Absolutely, given that “The Summit” is a reality show, it’s conceivable they were acting up for the cameras. However, I find myself inclined to believe they genuinely agreed to embark on this adventure in an unknown land, with unclear objectives, largely oblivious to the extreme challenges ahead. Many of them seem woefully unprepared for this climb, and their stated reasons for participating suggest personal growth or validation: to show strength to themselves, younger generations, or those who undervalue them based on their appearance, behavior, or speech. As Ed Viesturs once said, “Mountains are not trophies to be won.” It’s crucial to remember that mountains aren’t places for self-discovery or resolution; they are formidable and unforgiving natural wonders best respected and approached with caution.

In the opening phase, one competitor faints, numerous participants find it tough to carry the heavy load of money and camping gear in their packs (one even transfers his backpack to another participant), and one of the most aggressive competitors reveals a debilitating fear of heights. Many players are overconfident about their abilities, believing they can succeed because they walked a few miles in a day. However, the goal is to walk around seven miles daily and reach designated checkpoints, but the group fails to reach the first shelter on time, forcing them to sleep outside for the night. It’s as if none of these individuals watched “Triple Frontier,” a movie about a group of fit former military personnel struggling to transport stolen money up a mountain. If such challenges proved too much for a group of highly trained ex-military personnel, it seems strange that this group of average people thinks they can manage. A significant mistake in judgment!

It’s important to clarify that while some participants have backgrounds as military personnel, athletes, or fitness enthusiasts, these experiences do not directly translate to mountain climbing skills. Mountain climbing demands endurance, strong leg muscles and joints, breath control at high altitudes, proficiency in using ice-climbing tools like crampons and axes, and a high level of focus and body awareness. A simple ankle sprain could be detrimental during the climb.

The raw, unadorned nature of “The Summit” lends it a hauntingly captivating allure, but also stirs up prejudices related to age and physical ability among its competitors, as well as viewers. Younger, sleeker participants often believe in their inherent success, while some viewers may unconsciously judge the older, heavier ones for their slower progression. Despite Bennett’s instruction to journey together, the obstacles are strategically designed to foster discord. Those who move more slowly are accused of impeding the group’s speed. The first rope-bridge crossing requires contestants to elect a leader, which leads to comments about each other’s weight and stature. On the second bridge, individuals cross singly to lay down planks for others; one competitor admits she’s too small to manage the plank, while another boasts of his fitness to handle two boards (only to drop both).

Additionally, there’s the guidance from the enigmatic “Guardian of the Peaks,” a figure who seems to act as the eyes for the mountain and compels participants to leave those falling behind. A larger individual faints as a female participant jokes that he might be hankering for sweets; the younger members complain about an older competitor’s demand for a water break. The spirit of camaraderie reminiscent of “The Great British Baking Show” seems absent when there’s money at stake. Despite being part of a familiar format, “The Summit” encourages swift judgments based on appearance that I’ve rarely witnessed in other series.

The issue with the TV show “The Summit” oversimplifying its characters into two categories, such as fit or unfit, young or old, is concerning. In truth, no one should be expected to undertake the rigors of “breath-taking altitudes, a frozen alpine lake, and a treacherous glacier crossing” towards a “final icy ascent,” as Bennett describes it. While I don’t foresee this show causing fatalities, I do believe it mirrors the oversimplification that Krakauer cautioned against in his book “Into Thin Air“, which recounts the 1996 Mount Everest disaster where many climbers lost their lives. Krakauer discussed how mountaineering’s surge in popularity made people believe they were prepared for tasks they likely shouldn’t attempt. By presenting an extreme activity as safe and accessible to viewers with little or no experience, the show creates compelling TV that follows the patterns of reality-TV drama and intrigue. However, when one of the show’s antagonists, a 28-year-old woman boasting about her SAT scores (without disclosing specific numbers), compares “The Summit“‘s challenge to “Legally Blonde” – “What, like it’s hard?” – I can’t help but wonder if such a comparison might be warranted.

2024-10-02 23:54

No One Told The Summit Contestants That They Have to, Uh, Summit

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