Four groups of people are dropped off in the Alaskan wilderness by bush pilot Paul Claus and attempt to acclimate to the harsh environment.
The groups attempt to survive in the Alaskan wilderness; one man who has never fired a gun sets out to hunt mountain goat; the other three groups fend off wildlife and race to gather food before the weather turns bad.
As food becomes an issue, Carolyn goes on a moose hunt and the Flower Lake group stalks squirrels, while the other groups try to find something to eat by whatever means necessary.
The teams struggle for food, water and warmth in winter's icy grip; Tim heads into the Wrangell Mountains to hunt mountain goats, and Jeff and Elizabeth search for moose on Icy Bay.
Tim, Allan and Jasmine attempt to hike from Flower Lake to Hawkins Glacier, and find out it's tougher than they thought.
A shortage of food becomes a critical issue up on Hawkins Glacier, for Greg and Bernice, and Tim, Allan and Jasmine must decide whether to hike back to Flower Lake or stay and try to find something to eat; on Icy Bay, Jeff and Elizabeth weigh the benefits of an early exit.
Everyone heads back to civilization: Greg and Bernice, and Tim, Allan and Jasmine battle subzero temperatures and dehydration as they try to get off the glacier; at Icy Bay, the Wise family hikes cross-country through the snow to rendezvous with the plane.
After returning from Alaska, the four groups have a reunion, hosted by Les Stroud.