Stage 1 of the competition kicks off with seven ravenous bears post-hibernation; tiny Stomper vies for power and Blondie's love, grizzled vet Bernie brawls with clueless teen Casanova and new mom BoldFace battles wolves.

The Stage 1 winners and some tough new recruits dash to cash on July's salmon feast; BigBoi embarks on a food-finding road trip, QuadMom and RedBack are welcomed to the feast and BoldFace keeps her surviving cub safe.

An icy October storm complicates the race to the finish line; Big Boi bounces after a stumble before tragedy hits QuadMom; fan fave BoldFace hits her stride despite her clingy kid, Raccoon.