Few outdoor reality shows have had the impact of Alone. This televised survival competition drops contestants into the remote wilderness with limited gear. We watch them rely on their knowledge, resourcefulness, and ability to adapt. The series has introduced millions of viewers to bushcraft and wilderness survival skills that many people might otherwise never have considered learning.
Outdoor enthusiasts who have spent a lot of time in the backcountry practicing these skills can relate to the show’s contestants and maybe find a little inspiration. For some, it has sparked a desire to learn the skills themselves. From building shelters and starting fires to navigating the outdoors and becoming more self-reliant in the wilderness.
From Alberta to the PNW Survival Games: Wicked Wilderness Takes on the Challenge
That growing interest in wilderness skills is being reflected beyond television as well. In Grande Prairie, Alberta, Shannon McGeough and Nick Carle of Wicked Wilderness have been building their own skills while encouraging others to get outside. These outdoor content creators have built a community around hiking, camping, paddling, backcountry adventures, and bushcraft. Now, they’re taking their outdoor skills to the next level and competing in the PNW Survival Games.
The Survival Games take place in August in Oregon, USA. It’s a two-day adventure where participants can test their survival skills in challenging competitions. They’ll learn from some of the biggest names in the survival community and represent Alberta and Canada on an international stage.
We caught up with Shannon and Nick to learn more about their journey. They shared how this opportunity came about and what they’re hoping to take away from the experience.
Meet Wicked Wilderness
Shannon McGeough and Nick Carle, the couple behind Wicked Wilderness, are outdoor enthusiasts from the Peace Region near Grande Prairie, Alberta. The couple spends their time hiking, camping, paddling, and traveling through the backcountry in Alberta and Western Canada. They’re drawn to the freedom, adventure, and challenges of outdoor pursuits. They get out of the everyday routine, see and learn something new, and truly connect with nature.
“It’s something Shannon and I get to experience together, and a lot of our best memories are from the adventures we’ve shared outside,” said Nick. “Together, the outdoors is a huge part of who we are and why we created Wicked Wilderness. It’s not just about the places we visit; it’s about the experiences, challenges, memories, and everything we learn along the way.
Wicked Wilderness allows them to share those experiences and inspire others to get outside. As they built their online community, Wicked Wilderness grew more interested in expanding beyond adventure to include wilderness survival. Shannon and Nick began learning survival skills, and that growth led to the PNW Survival Games.
Wicked Wilderness Goes to Oregon to Compete
The couple learned about the PNW Survival Games on social media and started to follow what they were doing. After following for about a year and developing their own survival skills, they knew they had to get involved.
They reached out to the Survival Games and introduced Wicked Wilderness. That led to conversations with the Games’ co-founders, Tony Peniche and Phil Robinson. From there, they were given the opportunity to travel to Oregon and compete.
Since they first connected with Tony and Phil, they’ve quickly discovered an incredible community of like-minded people and have been welcomed into it. It is a community where people learn from one another, encourage one another, and find a sense of belonging.
“When we found out we’d be participating, we were incredibly excited and definitely a little nervous!” said Shannon. “We know we’re going into an environment where there are people with a tremendous amount of survival knowledge and experience, and that’s intimidating, but it’s also exactly why we’re excited. We’re going there ready to learn, challenge ourselves and see what we’re capable of.”
What Happens at the PNW Survival Games?
The PNW Survival Games is a multi-day survival experience that combines learning, hands-on wilderness skills, and competition. There are six challenges. For each one, competitors receive about 30 minutes of instruction from experienced survival instructors, then have 60 minutes to put what they’ve learned into practice and compete.
The challenges include survival skills and techniques. They include activities like shelter building, fire starting, water purification, hunting, and primitive tool use, and more.
Participants are given a backpack of sponsor tools and gear. They are only allowed to use what is in that bag in the challenges. Scores are tallied at the end of each challenge, and winners are recognized in an awards ceremony at the end of the event.
Learning from the Best in the Survival Community
Participants will learn from some of the best-known names in the survival community, including winning contestants from shows like Alone and Naked and Afraid.
Learning from these experts gives Shannon and Nick an opportunity to take skills they’ve developed through their own outdoor experiences and build on them with knowledge gained from people who have spent years testing those skills in demanding environments.
These seasoned survivalists can introduce new techniques, different approaches to problem-solving, and lessons that might take years to discover independently. For Wicked Wilderness, the PNW Survival Games are more than a chance to compete. They’re an opportunity to learn from people who have pushed themselves to their limits in the wilderness and bring those lessons back to their own adventures and outdoor community back home.
Why More People Are Drawn to Learning Outdoor Skills
We talked about reality outdoor shows like Alone. These have made bushcraft and survival skills more visible to mainstream audiences. For many people, learning outdoor skills offers a way to disconnect from technology, step away from the routine of everyday life, and do something hands-on.
From personal experience, Nick and Shannon know that learning skills like how to start a fire, navigate, build a shelter or simply become more comfortable outdoors gives you a sense of confidence and independence that’s hard to replicate.
“There’s also something very rewarding about realizing ‘I can actually do this.’ You don’t need to become a hardcore survivalist. Even learning a few basic skills can make you more confident and safer when you’re outdoors.”.
Their advice is to start building your knowledge and skills before you need them. Start small, learn basic survival and navigation skills, and carry the right gear. For example, you should bring a GPS or satellite communication device when heading into the backcountry.
When you get outside and have these experiences, you become more prepared and knowledgeable. Then, you can explore more confidently and safely.
“That’s something we’re still doing ourselves; we’re always learning. That’s a big part of why opportunities like The Survival Games are so exciting for us.”
Representing Grande Prairie and Canada
For Shannon and Nick, representing Grande Prairie and Canada is an important part of the experience. Growing up and spending time outdoors in Alberta has shaped their approach to wilderness, where changing conditions, long distances, and remote landscapes can make preparation and self-reliance especially important.
“There’s also a certain respect for the wilderness that comes with that. Conditions can change quickly, distances can be huge, and sometimes you really do need to rely on yourself and the people you’re with. We think that creates a culture where being prepared, adaptable, and respectful of the outdoors is incredibly important.”
Shannon and Nick hope to share a bit of that Canadian perspective at the games. They also want to raise awareness about the lifestyle and be part of the long-term vision of bringing something like the Survival Games to Canada one day.
What Happens Next for Wicked Wilderness?
Wicked Wilderness hopes that competing in the PNW Survival Games will be the beginning of something bigger. They want to continue to grow into a community centred around outdoor adventure and wilderness skills, and to encourage people to get outside! At the games, they’re excited to build relationships with instructors, competitors, outdoor businesses, and a community that shares their passion.
Shannon and Nick also want to come home with knowledge and stories to share with their community in Alberta and across Canada. By partnering with local media and publications like Northern Explorers, they hope someone learns of their experience and thinks, “I’d love to try something like that.”
“If people decide to learn a new outdoor skill or take on an adventure of their own, that would make the whole experience even more worthwhile.”
And you don’t have to be an expert to start exploring. Wicked Wilderness shares that some of their best experiences have come from simply picking a place to explore, heading out, and learning along the way.
Want to Build Your Own Wilderness Skills?
Not everyone has the opportunity, or wants to, compete in a survival challenge. But everyone can benefit from spending time outdoors and building basic wilderness skills. Whether you’re new to backcountry travel or simply want to become more confident outdoors, start with the fundamentals. Learning how to navigate, prepare for changing weather, respond to an emergency, minimize your impact, and safely manage a camp can make your adventures safer and more enjoyable.
Here are some resources that can help you get started:
- Learn the Leave No Trace principles — Leave No Trace Canada
- Hiking and backpacking safety — Alberta Parks
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid — Canadian Red Cross
- Outdoor Skills Programs
- Programs for women and youth — Alberta Wildlife Federation
- Programs, activities, and resources — Canadian Wildlife Federation
- Becoming an Outdoorswoman, Becoming an Outdoors Family— Manitoba Wildlife Federation
- Campfire Safety — Alberta.ca
Step into the Outdoors
Northern Explorers is cheering on Shannon and Nick at the PNW Survival Games. We know they’ll learn from experienced survivalists, challenge themselves, and bring new knowledge back to the outdoor community they’ve built through Wicked Wilderness.
If you’ve watched shows like Alone and feel intimidated about learning some of those skills, don’t. You don’t have to enter the wilderness with nothing but a knife and ferro rod to benefit from the outdoors. Start with a hike, a camping trip, or a paddle around the lake. Learn one new skill, become a little more comfortable outside, and build from there.
As Shannon and Nick spend time in Oregon and put their skills to the test, they’ll have a unique experience and represent the Canadian outdoors community. They’ll also be part of a much bigger movement encouraging people to step outside, learn something new, and become a little more confident in the wild.
