It’s a new morning in the High Sierras, and there are now 14 players left in the game — the seven official teams of Endurance. JD gathers the group together to announce whom Garret and Anna have left the all-important Immunity piece to. Everyone seems to be convinced that Red will be getting it, because Anna’s best friend was Aeriel, and Garret was close to Cameron. Everyone knows what’s at stake: whoever is awarded the Immunity piece will have a huge advantage in the game. But as Aeriel reads Garrett and Anna’s parting letter, everyone is shocked. Garret and Anna have inexplicably left the Immunity piece to the PURPLE team! Before JD bids the group farewell, he reminds them that there is an Endurance mission to be played later in the day. With that, Purple hangs their piece and claims an early lead in the game. They now have two total pieces and immunity.

As the contestants wait to play the day’s mission, everyone continues to get to know his/her teammate. For the most part, everyone seems to be very content with their partner — everyone but the Blue team, that is. Taylor is aware that Ike has made one or two enemies already; there is a perception that he is telling every team something different and trying to turn teams against one another. In a heated discussion, Taylor tells Ike that everyone wants him gone and not to ruin this game for her.

Finally, the teams gather for the first Endurance mission played in the High Sierras. JD explains the “Hot Potato” game: Teammates will have to work together to transport water from one end of an obstacle course to the other using a small bowl balanced between two short poles. The first team to fill their bowl will see their colored flag rise up and will win the game. But in one of the biggest-ever surprise twists before they begin the challenge, JD reveals what Samadhi they are playing for: The right to switch partners for two teams!! The teams are shocked, as the stakes for an Endurance mission have never been higher!

With the reward for finishing first freshly in the players’ minds, the game begins. Green takes an early lead, but the game is extremely hard and many teams drop their buckets and have to start all over. Red soon pulls ahead, but then drops their bucket and loses their lead. It’s anybody’s game, but out of the blue finally one flag goes up. To everyone’s surprise, the bickering Blue team has won the game and the right to switch two teams. The rest of the contestants are visibly devastated; everyone knows that Taylor has been unhappy with Ike as her partner. Will she take karma into her own hands and get herself a better partner?

Back at camp, the Blue team gathers everyone for a group meeting. Surprisingly, Taylor is unhappy that she holds this responsibility and wants input from the group. She doesn’t want a target on her back, and is certain that if she messes up teams in the primary alliance, she will be sent to Temple. Everyone agrees that Purple shouldn’t be switched, since they already have two pieces and immunity. Unexpectedly, Green and Red volunteer to switch their teams. Cealey wants to take the burden on herself, because she knows she can adapt to a new situation. After that decision has been made, Dakota comes up with an alternate scheme that will save his friends. He tells Cameron to ask for the Samadhi from Blue so that Red can announce the decision that is going to affect their own team. Then Cameron can actually go ahead and switch Blue and Gray instead! Alex tries to convince Taylor to give the Samadhi to Cameron, and she says that’s what she’s going to do.

The teams meet JD at the Ridge to hear the Blue team’s decision on the partner switch. Taylor tells him that it has been a hard decision and she doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but they have discussed it as a group and have decided that Red and Green will switch. But the catch, Taylor tells JD, is that Cameron has offered to have her give him the Samadhi, and he will announce the decision. JD questions why Taylor wouldn’t just make the announcement herself. She says that she and Cameron agreed that he would be the one to do it. Taylor unknowingly hands the power to Cameron, confident that he is going to announce the intended plan. Cameron takes the Samadhi, and JD asks which player he is switching first. Cameron says, “I’m sorry, but the first person I’m switching is ... Conner, to the Blue team.” Taylor is shocked and begins to cry. Everyone else seemsshocked as well. JD then asks if that means Ike will be going to the Gray team. Cameron pauses and says, “You know what. I can’t do this. ” Everyone is shocked and confused — what is Cameron going to do? Find out next time on Endurance: High Sierras!

Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6,
Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12, Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 15