Chimney Sweep is a recurring endurance challenge on Survivor. It debuted in Survivor: Fiji and later re-appeared in Tocantins, Heroes vs. Villains, Redemption Island, Edge of Extinction, and Survivor 44.
Rules[]
The castaways would brace themselves with their arms between two walls while standing barefoot on two foot pegs. Every 15 minutes, the castaways would move down to smaller foot pegs. When the castaways reached the third set of foot pegs, they would try to remain on them as long as they could. The last castaway to remain on their pegs would win.
History[]
United States[]
This challenge debuted as the first individual Immunity Challenge of Fiji. After more than one hour, Yau-Man Chan became the last man standing by outlasting Boo Bernis, winning individual immunity.
J.T. Thomas won the challenge after a close fought battle with Coach Wade after over 50 minutes when it reappeared as the final five Immunity Challenge in Tocantins.
The challenge was modified as a tribal Reward Challenge in Heroes vs. Villains, where the Heroes and Villains competed in head-to-head matches. The Villains tribe won a feast at an Outback Steakhouse after winning this challenge over the Heroes tribe.
In Redemption Island, Matt Elrod won this Redemption Island duel against his Redemption Island opponent, Sarita White, allowing him to re-enter the game.
When it reappeared in Edge of Extinction, the challenge came down to Gavin Whitson and Lauren O'Connell after multiple successive dropouts. Over 50 minutes into the challenge, Lauren dropped, leaving Gavin as the winner.
The challenge reappeared in Survivor 44 as the final round of Eve 5 in which castaways first competed in pairs before competing in this challenge as individuals at the end. Brandon Cottom, Danny Massa, Kane Fritzler, and Lauren Harpe all reached the final round. Kane dropped first, followed by Brandon. Danny ultimately dropped during the final stage of the challenge, giving Lauren immunity.
Australia[]
The challenge was used as an individual Immunity Challenge at the final eight of Brains v Brawn (2021). The Fire tribe was each given a rope to hold for balance, but the final three contestants, Emmett Pugh, Flick Palmateer, and Hayley Leake, made a deal to drop the rope to make the challenge harder for themselves. In the end, Hayley outlasted Flick after over two hours to win the challenge.
This challenge appeared as a team Reward Challenge in Heroes v Villains. Instead of the typical challenge setup, the members of the Fa'amolemole tribe competed in pairs, wrapping themselves around a high pole and progressively stepping down to lower, narrower footholds. The pair that lasted the longest together would win a KFC feast. Energized by the prospect of a fried chicken feast, George Mladenov and Hayley Leake outlasted Gerry Geltch and Shonee Bowtell to win the reward. They selected Gerry and Shonee to join them on the lunch.
France[]
New Zealand[]
Winners[]
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Fiji "It's a Turtle?!" |
Individual Immunity |  Yau-Man Chan |
| Tocantins "The Martyr Approach" |
Individual Immunity |  J.T. Thomas |
| Heroes vs. Villains "Survivor History" |
Tribal Reward |       Villains |
| Redemption Island "This Game Respects Big Moves" |
Duel |  Matt Elrod |
| Edge of Extinction "Awkward" |
Individual Immunity |  Gavin Whitson |
| Survivor 44 "Don't Get Cocky, Kid" |
Individual Immunity |  Lauren Harpe |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Champions v Contenders (2019) Episode 15 |
Individual Reward |  Abbey Holmes |
| Brains v Brawn (2021) Episode 18 |
Individual Immunity |  Hayley Leake |
| Blood v Water Episode 16 |
Individual Immunity |  Jordie Hansen |
| Heroes v Villains Episode 16 |
Team Reward |   George & Hayley |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| Raja Ampat Episode 7 |
Individual Immunity |  Teheiura Teahui |
| Malaisie Episode 12 |
Individual Immunity |  Bernard Deniaud |
| Johor Episode 7 |
Individual Immunity |  Marc Rambaud |
| L'Île au Trésor Episode 8 |
Individual Immunity |  Candice Boisson |
| Fidji Episode 8 |
Individual Immunity |  Sébastien Mériaux |
| L'Île des Héros Episode 9 |
Individual Immunity |  Naoil Tita |
| Les Armes Secrètes Episode 10 |
Individual Reward |  Jonathan Julien |
| La Légende Episode 13 |
Team Reward |    Claude, Jade, Phil |
| Le Feu Sacré Episode 10 |
Individual Immunity |  Clémence Noquet |
| Episode | Challenge Type | Winners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor Québec (2024) Episode 39 |
Individual Reward |  Déborah De Braekeleer |
 Ghyslain Octeau-Piché |
 Kassandre Bastarache |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- J.T. Thomas is the only person to compete in this challenge twice.
- He was still standing at the end of the challenge both times he played.
- Lauren Harpe is the only woman to win this challenge individually.
- This challenge has appeared as a Reward Challenge, an Immunity Challenge, and a Redemption Island duel.