WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

Later, the tribes were all surprised to find on each of their islands a mysterious box secured by three padlocks. Questions arose and speculations ran wild as to what could be in the box. Rob Mariano, the 28-year-old castaway of SURVIVOR: MARQUESAS from Canton, Massachusetts, wanted to break open his tribe's box, but his intentions were thwarted by the rest of Chapera. Rob M. explained, "My first inclination was to forget about the note…. We're starving over here. Then, all of a sudden everyone was like, 'Oh no, we don't wanna do that, we might upset pretty boy Probst or something.'"

REWARD CHALLENGE: STAIRWAYS TO THE STARS

As the tribes reconvened for a Reward Challenge, host Jeff Probst explained the competition would require the tribes to build a staircase out of five logs that were adrift at sea. The tribes would need to swim out to retrieve each log, with each tribe losing a member after each plank was recovered so that only one castaway would be left to retrieve the final log. The first tribe to build the stairway and use it to reach a platform would win the Reward of a bundle of cozy, warm blankets.

The grueling Challenge started with Chapera taking an early lead. Saboga fell behind as Rudy tired quickly from the intense swimming. Chapera lost their lead as Saboga overtook them to become the first tribe to have over half the staircase built. A late push by Mogo Mogo was not enough as Saboga placed the final log on their staircase and climbed to victory.

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