2026 PNW SURVIVAL GAMES
A weekend of grit, skill, and community in the Oregon woods.
August 14–16, 2026 • Molalla, Oregon
2026 AT A GLANCE
THE COMMUNITY RETURNS
10 of this year’s 50 competitors had competed in a previous Survival Games.
25 WITH PRIOR EXPERIENCE
24 WITHOUT
The 2026 field was almost evenly split between competitors with prior related outdoor/survival-event experience and those entering this type of challenge for the first time.
Based on 49 completed competitor intake responses
2026 RESULTS
Three teams rose to the top after six survival challenges and two days of competition.
1ST PLACE
116 POINTS
2ND PLACE
115 POINTS
BACK-TO-BACK PODIUM
Theresa Carmichael and Zane Knepper returned as a team after a second-place finish in 2025 and finished second again in 2026.
3RD PLACE
113 POINTS
THE DECIDING MOMENT
After two days and six scored challenges, the top of the field came down to one final tie-breaker. Team 22 earned the deciding +1 bonus and finished with 116 points.
FULL FIELD
1
Mitchel Yard
Seth Davis
Total 116
+1 TIE-BREAK
2
Theresa Carmichael
Zane Knepper
Total 115
3
Nicholas Carle
Shannon Lea McGeough
Total 113
4
Mark Dambrosio
Mei Tang
Total 110
5
Jared Jett Sessions
Mary Elizabeth Ames
Total 104
6
Bridgett Chevallier
Jesse A. Buss
Total 100
7
Bartek Zlotnik
Dominykas Grigutis
Total 99
8
David Dikes
Dekotta Hinshaw
Total 98
9
Ian Siefarth
Jacob Ray Aichlmayr
Total 97
10
John Keasler
Nathan Dahl
Total 95
11
Austin Yock
Nickolas Anthony Brye
Total 94
12
Jonathan Bolin
Tanner Derrick
Total 91
13
Cole Shielly
Tamara Zhorzholiani
Total 88
14
Cole Allen Buss
Esther Salome Ruggles
Total 81
15
Hannah Maupin
Rachel Maupin
Total 80
16
Corey Leigh Moss
Dalton Dawkins
Total 78
17
Cameron Jester
Taylor Leigh Voynova
Total 75
18
Jerry Brown
Terry Brown
Total 74
19
Jack Ryan Burnett
Robin Buss
Total 73
20
Robert J Haime
Tara Elaine Darrow
Total 72
21
Lindsey Jacobsen
Martin Dimitrov
Total 71
22
Jess Kindler
Thomas Luce
Total 70
23
Katelyn Mahlstedt
Lauren Rose
Total 70
24
Deserae Taylor
Jason Rossland
Total 66
25
Kodi Kristoffersen
Roy Torres
Total 65
Team 22 received a +1 tie-break bonus. Each challenge awarded up to 25 points, with the final scores shown exactly as used in the official 2026 event scoreboard.
SIX CHALLENGES
Across two competition days, teams moved from instruction into scored challenges designed to test practical skills, decision-making, teamwork, and composure under pressure.
01
Instructor Jacks Genega
Teams applied shelter-building skills under competition conditions after hands-on instruction in the field.
02
Instructors Danny Graves + Dana Anderson
Competitors put hunting and archery skills into practice in a scored field challenge.
03
Instructor Karie Lee Knoke
Teams were tested on practical fire skills while working under competition pressure.
04
Instructor Biko Wright
A physically demanding challenge combined water movement, teamwork, and efficiency.
05
Instructor Ean Anderson
Teams responded to a simulated emergency requiring first-aid decision-making and extraction skills.
06
Instructor Dana Anderson
The final field challenge tested teamwork and rescue skills in a river environment.
DAY 1 FINALE
With the Day 1 clock counting down, Esther Ruggles was still working to burn through the jute cord. At the final second, the cord gave way and the flag went up — an unforgettable finish to the first day of competition.
MEET THE EXPERTS
Each challenge began with instruction from experienced survivalists before competitors put those skills to the test.
2026 IN FRAME
A few of the moments that defined the weekend.
1 / 10
COMMUNITY GALLERY
We captured a lot of the weekend — but we know you did too. Upload your favorite photos and videos from the 2026 Survival Games so everyone can see the moments, people, and memories we may have missed.
Browse what the community has already shared, then add your own.
VIEW + UPLOAD PHOTOS & VIDEOSFROM THE FIELD
“We came into this as total newbies and walked away with new skills, confidence, incredible friendships, and memories we’ll never forget. What you created with the Survival Games is something pretty damn special.”
PARTNERS
WHAT’S NEXT
Two new Survival Games experiences are already on the calendar. Come compete, learn, and be part of what comes next.
The 2026 PNW Survival Games proved what this community can become. The next chapter is already taking shape.
— The Survival Games Team
