Episode 3

In this episode, the British couples take on the third of Duane and Rena’s gruelling tests. With a flight to Ose Mountain on offer, the couples head to the heart of the local dog mushing community and the home of young dog sled racers Leigh and Andy.

With the unpredictable Alaskan weather closing, the couples have three hours to clear a new trail through a dense area of Alaskan bush for Leigh and her dog team. With CJ on site to assess how the couples perform, the group quickly decides to split into two and tackle the new route from either side. Retired police officer Pete shows impressive stamina and world travellers Chris and Tina also catch the eye as they demonstrate their enthusiasm and energy for the back-breaking work. After felling trees and wrestling with the undergrowth, the couples manage to successfully clear the new path for Leigh and Andy – and some of the group are lucky enough to catch a ride with Leigh and her dog team.

The next day, CJ reports back his observations to Duane and Rena who decide who should be the third couple to fly to Ose Mountain and see their home in person. Upon arrival, the successful couple are immediately put to work clearing the debris from a reservoir that Duane built almost 30 years ago. While they set about proving themselves to the Oses, the couples at camp are offered the chance of learning how to correctly butcher an animal in the wild. With many Alaskans using hunting as a source of food, the couples head to a family ranch run by father and son team Scott and Russell. Over 400 buffalo freely roam the ranch, and the group head out on the back of pickup trucks to observe how Scott expertly dispatches a young male buffalo. The group then get hands on as they learn how to skin and butcher the animal under the watchful eyes of Scott and Russell.

Meanwhile on Ose Mountain, a story from Rena about her first encounter with a bear shakes the couple’s confidence about their ability to live there safely. The next day, a pep talk from Rena helps their self-belief, but the couple still have an anxious wait for Duane and Rena’s verdict. If they have impressed the Oses, they will return to camp having made it onto the shortlist to take over their home. If they have not done enough, their Alaskan adventure will be over and they will be sent back to the UK.