 |
|
|
Fairfield Father and Son "Dropped" into Alaska to "Be Alive" for 28 Days October 27, 2015, 5:35 pmNot long after, RL was watching the Sportsman Channel and witnessed the premier of the show "Dropped: Project Be Alive." RL had always looked up to hosts, Chris and Casey Keefer, and was instantly hooked on the show. When the hosts announced a video submission contest where two winners would accompany them on their next survival adventure, RL jumped at the chance to check off a bucket list item in a major way. He and his son, Kaid, entered their video (shot in their backyard), and won. RL and Kaid Panek, along with show hosts Chris and Casey Keefer, were dropped into the Alaskan wilderness for 28 days to hunt and survive. The adventure was filmed, and the twelve-episode Sportsman Channel series aired its first episode a couple of weeks ago, on October 8. The two show hosts usually hunt together, but this time paired off, each with one of the two Paneks. RL was paired with Casey Keefer and Kaid with Chris Keefer. The two teams competed against each other, living in separate camps. The goal for both teams: make it out of the Alaskan wilderness alive by hunting to survive. For both father and son the ordeal was an adventure of a lifetime. Kaid Panek waxes philosophical about the event and life in general: "I think that a lot of people don't realize how wrapped up we are in ‘first world' problems: worrying about who we are Facebook friends with, how much battery life our phones have, etc. It [was] crazy to [have] that all taken away at a single moment. You have to go back to the raw basics of survival, food, water, and shelter. It's crazy how much you take for granted--like a hot shower or going to McDonalds when you're hungry. It makes you find yourself. The ‘true you.' It uncovers so much. You learn a lot about yourself in situations like that because it is such a roller coaster ride." The four survivalists obviously made it out alive. Looking back on the trip, Kaid says, "Just watching the season unfold brings back the overwhelming emotions [we] felt at the time. Plus, being from Fairfield, I never would have thought to see myself as a co-host of a national TV show. How crazy." RL, as well as his son, Kaid, grew up in Fairfield. RL Panek owns and operates Cedar Valley Auto in Fairfield. Kaid is employed nearby as the irrigation manager at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Both are avid hunters. RL had been hunting for 20 years before his son, Kaid was born. Kaid says, "It has been a family tradition and has been in our blood. Hunting has been a great way to connect and share many memories together. We both bow hunt quite a bit and always find ourselves pretty busy by the time fall rolls around. We have hunted our whole lives, but in all reality, nothing can compare to the Alaskan experience." When asked about his future plans, Kaid Panek stated that he would be going back to Alaska. He concludes, "Once you go, it always holds a place in your heart. It's just like watching the sunset across the summer grain fields in the valley: you explain it, but people don't get it unless they witness it for themselves." The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
