The goal of the show is a group of contestants are required to climb a mountain; overcoming treacherous physical obstacles along the journey, while at certain points having to adopt a mental and social game as well.
The prize pot will disappear completely if the contestants do not reach the summit in the allocated time.
[1] The Mountain's Keeper will make appearances throughout the series; she keeps track of the trekkers' movements, is aware of how the physical and social game is commencing, and is watching the group at all times.
However, how much they receive will be up to the other contestants.This was alluded to on the show with Bennett saying “Be careful with who you meet on the way up, because you don’t know who you’ll see on the way down" on the start of their journey.
The series was filmed in the Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand, starting near Glenorchy.