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The Summit, a captivating Australian reality television show, returned for its second season on May 12, 2024. Hosted by the renowned Australian actor Jai Courtney, the show immerses viewers in a journey through breathtaking terrains.
Contestants carry portions of a $1 million prize in their backpacks, pushing their physical and mental endurance to reach the peak of a challenging mountain. Since its release, fans have been able to catch the thrilling episodes on CBS and stream the adventure on 9Now.
Not only does the show have fierce competition, but it also films in beautiful places that make the visual experience even better. Setting itself in the rough landscapes of New Zealand's South Island, The Summit shows off the area's beautiful scenery, which has been used in many hit movies.
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As contestants fight their way through cliffs, icy waterfalls and tall peaks, the filming locations provide a mesmerizing background.
The Summit showcases these filming locations around the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu and beyond in the 2024 season. These dramatic environments test the contestants' resilience and provide viewers with some of the most beautiful sequences on television, enhancing their journey. Below, we explore each filming location used in the second season of the show.
Filming locations of The Summit
Southern Alps, New Zealand
The great mountain range known as the Southern Alps stretches across the South Island of New Zealand and provides the backdrop for the bold challenges found at The Summit. The Southern Alps, noted for their tough beauty, have deep valleys, snowy ridges and high mountains.
The varied settings demand contestants to overcome difficult circumstances, so this is the perfect venue for a reality show emphasizing endurance. Famous for its pristine wilderness, the range has been a filming location for other productions, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Lake Wakatipu near Glenorchy
Lake Wakatipu, a stunning lake located near the small town of Glenorchy, serves as the starting point of The Summit. Its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, create a scenic but formidable environment for the 14-day trek.
Glenorchy, with its charming landscapes, has become a favored location for film and television, offering an untouched natural beauty that enhances the adventurous vibe of the show.
Mount Head: A climactic destination
The ascent to Mount Head, situated at 2,585 meters (8,481 feet), is one of the most difficult sections of The Summit. Contestants must navigate the steep, rugged trails and breathtaking views of this mountain with determination.
Contestants' stamina and willpower are tested as they approach their ultimate destination during the physically demanding ascent to Mount Head. The ultimate test of endurance is symbolized by this peak, which represents the climactic goal of the journey.
Rees Valley and The Branches stations
Located in the Otago region north of Glenorchy, the high-country stations of Rees Valley and The Branches add yet another layer of difficulty to The Summit. These private and leasehold lands, with their wild and expansive landscapes, present contestants with additional physical challenges.
The vast open spaces of the Rees Valley contrast with the more confined, mountainous terrains, offering contestants varied and unpredictable paths throughout their trek.
Lochnagar: At the headwaters of the Shotover river
The Summit is significantly influenced by Lochnagar, a tranquil lake located at the source of the Shotover River.
Lochnagar's lake scenes are renowned for their scenic beauty, which provide a peaceful yet deceptive tranquility in contrast to the challenging circumstances the contestants encounter.
This location is a visual delight and a test of endurance, with icy waters and surrounding rugged terrains, all of which contribute to the obstacles that contestants encounter during their journey.
Why New Zealand's Southern Alps was chosen for filming
The Southern Alps provide the show with an ideal combination of beauty and danger. Contestants are compelled to push their physical and mental limits as they traverse the snowy altitudes and steep slopes.
The location was selected to challenge contestants beyond their comfort zones, as per Kevin Lee, the executive producer of the show, demonstrating that resilience is not solely derived from physical ability but also from emotional fortitude.
Contestants confront their fears in the presence of nature's challenges, enabling the audience to observe relatable personal journeys. The program prioritizes the casting of everyday individuals over athletes.
A closer look at the show’s plot, production and direction
The Summit introduces a distinctive perspective to reality television by focusing on survival in breathtaking natural environments. The show, a collaboration between Endemol Shine Australia and Nine Network, is centered around the concept of contestants carrying prize money in backpacks as they collaborate to reach the summit.
The experience is further enhanced by the guidance of host Jai Courtney, who adds context and suspense to each episode. The contestants' successful navigation of elimination rounds and checkpoints is significantly influenced by the sociological dynamics of the group, including trust, self-preservation and teamwork.
The Summit (2024) takes audiences on an extraordinary adventure across some of New Zealand’s most stunning yet demanding landscapes. Filming locations like the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu lend the series an unmatched scenic appeal, immersing viewers in the contestants' intense journey.
The decision to film in winter maximized the terrain's natural challenges, amplifying the show's emphasis on endurance and teamwork. For viewers, The Summit offers not only a visual treat but also a compelling portrayal of human resilience in nature's most formidable settings.
