The Challenge Factory discussion

You are lost in the wilderness. Predators roam through the forest. Hot days and cold nights will test your strength. High cliffs, rushing rivers, and deep gorges will block your path. Any wrong decision could be your last.

Will you survive? In this challenge you'll make choices that could mean the difference between life and death.

I'll set the scene. You choose which path to follow. Follow the directions at the bottom of each post.

You can begin as soon as you get your thread.

HOW TO PLAY:
1. Read through the scenario.
2. Make your first decision and read one task for that decision. The fourth task will always be "Read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'". You can use or ignore the articles 'A', 'An', or 'The'.
3. Once you complete one of the tasks, post in your thread the following:
Decision:
Book:
Author:
Date Read:
Task:
How it Fits:

4. The moderator will then post the related decision result story.

Rules:
Books must be at least 140 pages.
Page count for audio books will be determined the first paper version shown on Goodreads. From the book's page, select “all editions”, then select the first paper edition as your guide.

Do you have what it takes to survive in the wilderness? Far from civilization, everything changes. You can't go to the grocery store. If you're hurt, a doctor isn't a phone call away. If you're cold, you can't turn up the heat. Even finding safe water to drink can be a challenge.

Being lost or stranded in the wilderness will test both your strength and your intelligence. How will you find food? How can you get the attention of rescue aircraft? What would you do if you were staring down the jaws of a hungry predator?

It won't be easy, but if you stay calm and make good choices, you might be able to get out alive. Are you ready to find out whether you have what it takes?

Where would you like to start? The Canadian wilderness, the Blue Mountains of Australia, or Germany's Black Forest?

Blue Forest of Australia

You're deep in the forests of Australia's Blue Mountains, and nobody knows where you are. You were planning to meet your friend Casey at a campsite later for some hardcore biking. First, though, you decided to take a morning ride on your own.

Now you're lost. The interesting little trail that you had been following has disappeared, and you can't find it again.

You're not too worried at first. You have your bike, and you're an expert rider. There's not much terrain you can't handle. But then your front wheel catches a rock. Your bike skids out from under you and you smash to the ground.

You're just scraped and bruised, but the bike is in far worse shape. The front tire is blown out, the chain is snapped, and the rim is bent beyond repair. That leaves you lost and alone with nothing but your feet to carry you. Not good.

You search your backpack and find a first-aid kit. You wipe down your scrapes and bandage them. As you look through your pack, you realize you're in trouble. You have a bottle of water, but no food. You have a small tool kit, a spare inner tube for the bike, emergency matches, and a windbreaker jacket.

With a sigh, you zip up your backpack and start hiking. You head east, knowing that the coast and civilization lie in that direction. After several hours of walking, your stomach is growling.

You know that the Australian wilderness contains many edible plants. But all around you, you can hear a variety of birdcalls. It's nesting seasons, and finding eggs wouldn't be too difficult. But getting them could be dangerous.

To forage for wild plants:
1. read a book with 'forage' in the text of the book
2. read a book with a wild animal in it
3. read a book with only plants on the cover (nothing else)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

To try to find bird eggs:
1. read a book by an author that is new to you
2. read a book with a bird as part of the story
3. read a book where something is hatched or a baby is born
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: Forage for wild plants
Book: Steadfast
Author: Sarina Bowen
Date Read: 04/28
Task: 4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
How it Fits: Title starts with S

You keep your eyes open for plants that you know are safe to eat, including blue flax lilies and warrigal greens. You don't have much luck, though.

Your stomach is grumbling when you come across a small shrub with large clusters of green and red berries. You don't recognize the plant, but it's the closest thing to food you've seen so far.

You pluck a few of the berries and smell them. They don't have a very strong scent.

To look for something else to eat:
1. read a book with double letter word in the title (i.e., look, berries, letter)
2. read a book that is tagged 'mystery' *
3. read a book where the MC prepares a meal
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
* something - a thing that is unspecified or unknown

To eat the berries:
1. read the 2nd book in a series (to, two, too)
2. read a book with something edible on the cover
3. read a book with 'berry' or berries' in the text of the book
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: Eat the berries
Book: The Friend Zone
Author: Kristen Callihan
Date Read: 05/02
Task: 1. read the 2nd book in a series (to, two, too)
How it Fits: 2nd book in the Game On series

You're hungry and you'll need your strength, so you decide that it's time to take a chance. You pop a handful of berries into your mouth. The berries are bitter and tough, but you figure that at least they'll give give you energy. You force a few more handfuls down.

You begin hiking again, moving east, looking for a stream or river to follow. After a few hours of hiking, you're not feeling well. You have terrible diarrhea. You're stopping every few minutes. You feel as if you might have a fever. You sit down for a moment to catch your breath, but when you stand back up, you black out and fall back down.

After a few moments, you get slowly to your feet and continue moving. You need water. The diarrhea is quickly putting you into a state of severe dehydration. But you're exhausted. The berries you ate must have been poisonous. If you don't get medical help soon, you're going to die out here. But as you close your eyes to doze off, you know that help isn't coming.

Yikes! Sorry :(

You have some choices at this point.
1 - stop this challenge
2 - stay in Australia and start over making different decisions
3 - go to another location and read for that place

There may be other choices that I haven't thought of. What do you want to do?

2 - stay in Australia and start over making different decisions

Australia deserves a second chance, right?

You're deep in the forests of Australia's Blue Mountains, and nobody knows where you are. You were planning to meet your friend Casey at a campsite later for some hardcore biking. First, though, you decided to take a morning ride on your own.

Now you're lost. The interesting little trail that you had been following has disappeared, and you can't find it again.

You're not too worried at first. You have your bike, and you're an expert rider. There's not much terrain you can't handle. But then your front wheel catches a rock. Your bike skids out from under you and you smash to the ground.

You're just scraped and bruised, but the bike is in far worse shape. The front tire is blown out, the chain is snapped, and the rim is bent beyond repair. That leaves you lost and alone with nothing but your feet to carry you. Not good.

You search your backpack and find a first-aid kit. You wipe down your scrapes and bandage them. As you look through your pack, you realize you're in trouble. You have a bottle of water, but no food. You have a small tool kit, a spare inner tube for the bike, emergency matches, and a windbreaker jacket.

With a sigh, you zip up your backpack and start hiking. You head east, knowing that the coast and civilization lie in that direction. After several hours of walking, your stomach is growling.

You know that the Australian wilderness contains many edible plants. But all around you, you can hear a variety of birdcalls. It's nesting seasons, and finding eggs wouldn't be too difficult. But getting them could be dangerous.

To forage for wild plants:
1. read a book with 'forage' in the text of the book
2. read a book with a wild animal in it
3. read a book with only plants on the cover (nothing else)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

To try to find bird eggs:
1. read a book by an author that is new to you
2. read a book with a bird as part of the story
3. read a book where something is hatched or a baby is born
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: To try to find bird eggs
Book: Tempting Dusty
Author: Helen Hardt
Date Read: 05/10
Task: 4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
How it Fits: title begins with T in LOST

Birds are plentiful in this area. And you're in luck, since most are in nesting season. You start searching tree branches for signs of a nest. It doesn't take long to spot one sitting about halfway up a eucalyptus tree. It looks sturdy, but you know that climbing in a survival situation is a big risk.

Carefully, you work your way up the tree. You take your time, knowing that a fall here will likely cost you your life. Soon you've reached the branch that holds the nest. But from up here, it doesn't seem like a very broad branch. You don't know if it will hold your weight. You shake the branch, but you're not sure if the eggs would survive the fall. All your work for nothing.

To try shaking the branch:
1. read a book by an author that you've wanted to try
2. read a book about a topic that might shake you
3. read a book that has branched out from the original series
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

To move onto the branch toward the nest:
1. read a book where the MC moves to a new location
2. read a book where 'branch' is found in the text of the book
3. read a book with all the letters of NEST is in the title
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: Shaking the branch
Book: The Awakening
Author: Nora Roberts
Date Read: 05/27
Task: 4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
How it Fits: title begins with T in LOST

You don't trust the branch to support your weight. So instead you brace yourself against the tree's sturdy trunk and start to shake the branch. You quickly build a rhythm and soon the branch is moving back and forth and the nest shakes loose from the tree and tumbles to the ground. Success!

You shimmy down the tree and check the nest. Out of a total of five eggs, three are unbroken. They will provide you with much needed protein and energy.

You gather wood and use your emergency matches to start a small fire. Meanwhile you chip a small hole in the top of each egg. The hole will keep the egg from exploding as it cooks. Put put out the fire and place the eggs on the edge of the hot coals. They're cooked within a few minutes. You peel off the shells and munch them down.

With a little food in your belly, you feel ready to keep moving. You move carefully through the thick forest. Soon you come across a small river. You start to follow it downstream. You know that rivers usually lead to civilization.

As you walk alongside the river, you realize that the sun will set soon. You'll have to make camp soon. This side of the river is rocky and rough. You notice a perfect flat location on the far side. The river is not a very big one. You think it's no deeper that waist level, and the current doesn't seem strong here. You decide to cross.

To strip off your clothes before you cross:
1. read a book where the MC is stripped of their rank, power, or property
2. read a book with a bare chest on the cover
3. read a book that is yours (you own it)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

To stay dressed for the crossing:
1. read a book where the MC stays in one location during the story
2. read a book where the MC wears a dress
3. read a book with a street or road on the cover
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: To strip off your clothes before you cross
Book: Silver Borne
Author: Patricia Briggs
Date Read: 05/31/23
Task: 4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
How it Fits: title begins with S in LOST

Nights in this region can be chilly, and you don't want to face one with wet clothing. You strip off every bit of clothing and put it all in your pack. You lift the pack above your head and start across.

The water is ice cold. It's also deeper that you expected. Luckily the current isn't powerful, or you'd be swept away. You manage to make it across, but you're shivering badly. You quickly get dressed, gather wood, and start a fire. You need to get warm as soon as possible. You can't afford to get hypothermia out here!

Within a few hours you're snoozing by the fire. Even with its warmth, it's still a long and cold night. But you make it through and you're off again at dawn.

As you continue to follow the river, you hear a faint roaring. Soon you see why - the river tumbles over a sheer cliff. It's one of the area's many waterfalls.

You peer over the cliff and see that it's easily a 50-foot drop. You gasp as you notice something else far in the distance - a road! If you can get down this cliff, you should be able to reach it before sunset.

To climb down the cliff:
1. read a book with a significant character that is a climber (your definition)
2. read a book that is (or could be) on the Directions in Titles list
3. read a book where the MC is known by a shortened version of their given name (cliff - Clifford)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

To try walking another direction:
1. read a book where the MC walks a lot
2. read another book in a series that you've already started
3. read a book that is (or could be) on the Cardinal Directions in Titles list
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: To try walking another direction
Book: Iced
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Date Read: 06/22/23
Task: 2. read another book in a series that you've already started
How it Fits: Book in a series I started (book 6)

I know it sounds scary, but don't you think it would be wise to climb down the cliff so that you can get to that road you see in the distance? *wink, wink*

Decision: To climb down the cliff
Book: Sidetracked
Author: R.L. Kenderson
Date Read: 07/12/23
Task: 4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
How it Fits: Title begins with S

You consider yourself an excellent climber, and you think you can handle this cliff. But with no rope, you know that one slip will leave you dead. You have to be careful.

Off to one side of the river, the cliff is mostly dry. You see exposed tree roots sticking out of it. They'll make excellent handholds and footholds. You take a deep breath and start your way down.

About half way down, a tree root snaps off in your hand. For a moment you're falling, but you somehow manage to catch yourself. Your heart is racing but you keep calm. You slowly make your way down, and finally your feet are on solid ground.

As you turn around to continue walking, your jaw drops. Two people are walking towards you. They are two sisters and their car is parked only a few miles away. They offer you food and water and a ride into town.

You close your eyes. You're going to be okay.

Congratulations! You survived Australia!

What would you like to do next?

Germany's Black Forest

Shan ~A~ wrote: "Germany's Black Forest"

Good luck :)

You look out from your small camp, scanning the horizon. Everywhere you look you see trees and more trees covering the rolling hills. There's no sign of civilization, and your situation is growing critical.

What started out as a hiking trip with your older brother, Henri, has gone terribly wrong. The two of you planned a long weekend of hiking in Germany's Black Forest. But yesterday you realized you were lost. And now things are even worse - Henri fell while climbing, badly breaking his leg. He's in terrible pain, and you don't know what to do. Your cell phones are dead, your food is almost gone, and Henri is in shock. Henri is in desperate need of medical help.

This is no time for tears. Henri's life - and your own - depend on you. You've got to get him the help he needs.

To stay with Henri and wait for help:
1. read a book with all the letters of STAY in the title
2. read a book where the MC or author's name begins with H
3. read a book that you have been waiting a long time to read
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

To strike out into the forest in search of rescue:
1. read a book where a significant character plays a sport (like baseball)
2. read a book with a lot of trees on the cover
3. read a book where the MC rescues someone
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

Decision: To strike out into the forest in search of rescue
Book: Sweet as Sin
Author: J.T. Geissinger
Date Read: 12/24/23
Task: 4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'
How it Fits: Title begins with S

Henri may not have more than a day or two to live. You can't afford to sit around waiting. It's time to take action. You've already made a lean-to shelter for Henri, given him your last two granola bars, and a canteen of clean water.

With one last hug for Henri, you head out into the forest. The terrain is uneven and thick. Branches smack you in the face and you're always tripping over tree roots. Through the dense treetops you realize that the sun is setting. It's time to stop for the night. You build shelter, get water from a nearby stream, and start a small fire to boil the water. You lie down and try to sleep.

In the morning your stomach wakes you up. You feel as if you're starving. Can you spend another day of hard hiking without food?

page 79 To stop and look for food:
1. read a book from the The Most Begun "Read but Unfinished" (Started) Book Ever
2. read a book with a good looking MC
3. read a book with prepared food on the cover
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'

page 81 To continue searching for help:
1. read a book that will continue a series that you haven't read in 6 months
2. read a book with 'searching" in the text of the book (that exact word, no variation)
3. read a book where the MC receives help (your definition)
4. read a book with a title that begins with 'L', 'O', 'S' or 'T'