Wyomingites are encouraged to hop on their snowmobiles and indulge their adventurous sides for a unique “Survivor” TV challenge.
If they find an immunity idol in the mountains south of Jackson, they’ll get to share a unique moment in the popular reality show’s history.
The Survivor 50 Challenge is a celebration of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,” the 50th season of the genre-defining CBS reality show.
It’s a national scavenger hunt, with 50 immunity idols scattered across the 50 U.S. states.
Wyoming’s idol has been hidden, and a series of clues has been provided to lead intrepid explorers to its location.
Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, anyone daring enough can see if they have what it takes to survive and win the prize.
“Your job: solve the clues, find the idol for your shot at an unbelievable prize,” “Survivor” host Jeff Probst said when The Survivor 50 Challenge was announced.
The Clues
The Wyoming Survivor 50 Challenge has released the following clues about the Wyoming immunity idol that participants will need to deduce the location where it’s hidden.
• Near a town named for David Edward.
• You can always ski on by when it’s cold.
• It may be winter, but the springs stay hot.
• At 189, don’t take the opportunity for “granite."
There’s also logistical information to let people know what they’re in for if they accept the challenge.
Recovering the immunity idol will require a two-to-four-hour, bring-your-own-snowmobile journey in “harsh winter conditions,” the contest rules say.
They also provided a blurry, sepia-toned photograph of the idol’s location: a small mountain creek with deep snow on either side.
Photos posted by previous winners reveal that the idol consists of several bamboo pieces arranged in a conical structure, wrapped at its base with rope.
It’s evocative of the iconic tiki torches that are extinguished when “the tribe has spoken” and participants have been voted off the show since the first season of “Survivor” aired in May 2000.
Where In Wyoming?
Since these clues have been shared, there’s been rampant speculation as to where Wyoming’s immunity idol will be found.
Most people following or planning to participate in the challenge have set their sights on Granite Hot Springs, given that they’re asked not to “take the opportunity for granite.”
It’s also located at the end of Grante Creek Road, right off Highway 189.
Granite Hot Springs is south of Jackson, which was named after American mountain man and fur trapper David Edward Jackson.
The hot springs are only accessible via skis or snowmobile during the winter, which explains the clue that people can “ski on by” and the warning that people will need a snowmobile to reach the idol.
That’s a far cry from the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, where the 50th season of “Survivor” has been set.
Participants will need to arrive at the idol’s location by 10 a.m. Monday if they want to participate. From there, the search commences.
Additional clues will be provided on-site.
Once someone finds the idol, they’ll need to scan a QR code, snap a picture, and submit it to the Survivor 50 Challenge.
The "Survivor 50 Challenge" is a celebration of the 50th season of the reality show “Survivor,” and Monday is Wyoming’s turn to find a hidden immunity idol. Whoever wins will need a snowmobile to find it hidden near “a town named for David Edward." (Survivor50Challenge.com) 
The "Survivor 50 Challenge" is a celebration of the 50th season of the reality show “Survivor,” and Monday is Wyoming’s turn to find a hidden immunity idol. Whoever wins will need a snowmobile to find it hidden near “a town named for David Edward." (Survivor50Challenge.com) 
The "Survivor 50 Challenge" is a celebration of the 50th season of the reality show “Survivor,” and Monday is Wyoming’s turn to find a hidden immunity idol. Whoever wins will need a snowmobile to find it hidden near “a town named for David Edward." (Survivor50Challenge.com)
Watch The Struggle
Does finding Wyoming’s immunity idol give you a spot on the 50th season of “Survivor?" No, all 24 “castaways” have been selected from previous seasons, returning for one more shot at victory and a $1 million prize.
Whoever finds and submits a photo of the immunity idol will be entered into a sweepstakes for the grand prize. They’ll get tickets to the "Survivor" Season 50 Live Finale on Feb. 25 in Los Angeles, California.
As of Friday, 14 of the 50 idols have been claimed.
Utah’s immunity idol hunt opened at 10 a.m. Saturday, with clues suggesting it was hidden in Antelope Island State Park right next to Salt Lake City.
Clues for the Colorado and Montana adventures will be released on Monday, while people are scouring Granite Hot Springs from Wyoming’s immunity idol.
Most of the other idols have been hidden in cities, so the search only took an hour or two.
The multi-hour snowmobile adventure needed to claim the Wyoming immunity idol has made it the most exciting and anticipated yet amongst the “Survivor” fans following the nationwide scavenger hunt.
“It’s gonna be big,” Probst said. “Go to survivor50challenge.com and get it on!”
The three-hour premiere of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” will air on CBS on Feb. 25.
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
