By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 185 Li Younan's Choice of Equipment [Second Update!]

This reality show is, after all, just an entertainment-oriented commercial program, and at least for now, it hasn't been broadcast by official media. However, it has already gained considerable popularity on Douyin, and the same is true for other video-sharing websites like Bilibili.

As we all know, platforms like Bilibili have purchased the rights to Bear Grylls and Ed Stafford's survival videos, so they naturally have the fertile ground for such videos. Therefore, although Douyin acquired the rights to this season's wilderness survival videos, the attention first started to rise on other websites.

For most people who haven't followed Li Younan, the first thing they know is that a Chinese person—not of Chinese descent, but a real Chinese person—participated in this program.

Some people were curious, others wanted to see if this Chinese person could bring glory to the country, and still others worried about whether Chinese people would falter in such outdoor settings. In short, people began to learn about Li Younan.

Subsequently, these people discovered that he was a blogger on the Douyin platform, so they downloaded the video platform to watch his videos.

Naturally, this process also gave rise to many other self-media outlets that tried to ride the wave of traffic, creating clips from Li Younan's videos, or making up nonsensical analyses of how far Li Younan could go in the show.

This surge in traffic increased Li Younan's followers by hundreds of thousands on Douyin. Of course, the actual level of attention he received was far greater than that, because most people were only aware of him but did not actually follow him.

The traffic that Douyin received from other video websites was an unexpected surprise.

Existing users are like a cake that's already been made; how their traffic is divided depends entirely on Douyin's algorithm, or even human will. But these external users are real incremental users, which means making your cake bigger.

We are now in an era of user retention, and the cost of acquiring new users is getting higher and higher, making it no longer cost-effective. The fact that participating in the wilderness solo living program alone brought in so many new users is an excellent case study worthy of being included in the annual operation report.

After the initial hype subsided, Li Younan's fans actively promoted the topic on various video platforms. Coupled with the support of some objective or even boastful self-media, Li Younan was practically made a star even before the first episode aired.

Everything has two sides. Whether it's for the purpose of going against the grain to gain traffic or to make a judgment based on one's own expertise, there are indeed some pessimistic voices online, believing that the current momentum is not a good thing for Li Younan. True solitude in the wilderness is not so easy, especially in an environment like overseas.

One blogger said in a video: "Don't be too optimistic. Although Li Younan did demonstrate some wilderness survival skills, their competition location this time is Lake Chilco in Canada. You may not be familiar with this place. It has a typical high-altitude subarctic climate with abundant wildlife, which is very different from the environment in China. The higher you are praised, the harder you fall. I suggest you wait and see. After all, even the first episode hasn't aired yet!"

……

At this time, Li Younan and his team had arrived at the competition venue, located in British Columbia, Canada, and began making final preparations for the competition at the camp.

The production team will provide a standard set of equipment, which includes clothing and personal items, such as high-top hunting boots, waterproof winter boots, t-shirts, sweaters, wool socks, sunglasses, and a piece of solid salt that can be used for a long time, etc.

This set of equipment is extremely familiar to mountaineering enthusiasts. Apart from hunting-related equipment, these are essential items for mountaineering enthusiasts. Therefore, Li Younan is no stranger to this equipment. In his opinion, the equipment provided by the program team is of good quality and quite complete. If it is a hiking trip, this set of equipment is more than enough.

Next, Li Younan selected 10 specific pieces of equipment from the list, which could be roughly divided into 6 categories.

The first category is shelters and bedding. Equipment in this category is essential. At least choose a multi-season sleeping bag and a 12x12 meter waterproof sheet. Other items such as climbing ropes, paracords, hammocks, and sleeping mats can be ignored for now.

Next came the cooking utensils, from which Li Younan chose a large pot with a lid and a flint.

A flint and steel is an essential item, as it can withstand moisture and sparks can be generated under any circumstances.

In the wild, fire is essential; the so-called friction-started fire is extremely physically demanding for wilderness survival.

The large pot with the lid can also be used for many things.

Personal hygiene products are not really needed anymore.

The standard equipment provided by the program team already includes a toothbrush, and washing your face is simply a matter of water. The optional equipment includes soap, dental floss rolls, shower gel, razors, towels, and so on. Given the limited selection of equipment, it's highly unlikely that these hygiene products would be chosen.

Next came the important hunting tools. Li Younan naturally chose a 300-yard fishing line and a bow and arrow set. In addition to the bow and arrow and fishing line, the alternative equipment included a gillnet, a foraging bag, a slingshot, and a trap. For Li Younan, a bow and arrow was enough.

Li Younan simply chose to ignore the next category.

That's food, and putting aside the fact that it only weighs two pounds, which is barely enough to stave off hunger, wasting an equipment slot is really not worth it.

At this point, he selected six pieces of equipment: a multi-season sleeping bag, a 12x12 meter waterproof sheet, a large pot, a flint and steel, a bow and arrow, and a fishing line.

Next up is the toolbar, with the hunting knife being the most important item. For Li Younan, a hunting knife is enough to accomplish many important tasks. As for a whetstone, it's not really necessary, as there are plenty of ores in the wild that can be made into one.

Next up are the axe and saw, two key items for Li Younan to showcase his woodworking skills.

If you calculate it this way, you're actually still missing one piece of equipment.

Li Younan glanced at the item selection list again. To be honest, he no longer needed any equipment. Adding more equipment would only be icing on the cake.

After thinking about it, he focused on the shelter and bedding categories. If all else fails, he could ask for a sleeping mat to improve his sleep experience.

But in reality, this is not very meaningful, as there are many alternatives to sleeping mats in the wild.

Just as Li Younan was pondering, he suddenly noticed the abandoned generator in the corner of the camp from the previous night.

There are two generators here to provide power to the camp. One of the generators broke down last night. After the repairman opened it up and inspected it, he disassembled all the parts and confirmed that it was beyond repair. The parts are still lying there.

Li Younan asked the staff, "Do I have to choose the equipment on the list? I mean, can I take that thing with me?"

The staff and other contestants all looked in the direction Li Younan pointed, and saw him pointing to a roll of copper wire inside the generator.

The other players initially had objections, worried that Li Younan might choose equipment that would disrupt the fairness of the game, but when they saw Li Younan pointing at the copper wire, they all became somewhat puzzled.

They couldn't figure out what use such a roll of copper wire could have in the wild.

Aside from adding extra weight, it might make things a little stronger when tying them up, but compared to paracord, its usability is far too limited.

The staff member asked in confusion, "What do you need this for?"

Li Younan shrugged: "Maybe it will be useful."

After hearing Li Younan's request, the person in charge here took the initiative to negotiate: "You need to think it over carefully. The alternative equipment we provide will definitely be more suitable for the wilderness environment. To be honest, I can't think of any use for this copper wire, but if you are sure you want to bring it, I don't think it will break the rules of fairness, so we can agree. But have you really thought it through?"

Li Younan nodded readily.

Thus, Li Younan's last piece of equipment was this rather heavy roll of copper wire.

This copper wire might not be needed, but if it is, it might actually stay until the last day.

In addition to the equipment mentioned above, the production team also provided them with filming equipment, satellite phones, and bear-repelling suits.

The filming equipment included wearable action cameras and fixed-position cameras. The satellite phone was a specially designed model with only call functionality and could only be used to contact the production team. Its features included extremely long battery life and extremely loud speaker volume, which could last for several days even with continuous calls. All equipment was powered by a foldable solar panel.

The solar panels are small, only about the size of four A4 sheets of paper when unfolded, but more than enough to power these devices. If the solar panels break down, there's also a small hand-cranked generator for emergencies.

Having gathered all their equipment, they were about to begin their first day of living alone in the wilderness.

Meanwhile, the introductions of each contestant have been completed and posted on the program's official website.

Li Younan is labeled as a travel blogger from China, proficient in survival skills such as archery and fishing, and also has mountaineering experience. His skills are relatively simple, but unlike his high popularity in China, he has not attracted much attention abroad.

It was mid-June at the time.

Summer has just begun on the shores of Lake Chirko, and you can see the distant foothills where the snow hasn't even completely melted yet.

At this time of year, the daytime high temperature is only around 20 degrees Celsius.

It's very cool.

At night, the temperature will drop sharply to single digits.

If all goes well, some of them will stay here until winter.

It was early morning.

Li Younan was dropped to the spawn point and took a deep breath of fresh air.

Next, "Li Younan's Leisurely Life Living Alone in the Wilderness" officially begins.

(End of this chapter)