I am kinda hooked on wilderness survival.

I watch "Life Below Zero". The older show called "Yukon Men." Really liked "The Last Alaskans."

"Naked and Afraid" is ok. To contrived but I watch it.

"Mountain Men" is scripted but I like some of it.

"Alone" is the best though. They have to film themselves. They are trained beforehand to handle the camera.

The contestants are trying to win $500k. They can bring ten items. The person who last the longest wins.

The people selected are trained in survival. They have to have a verificable background. And most seem capable.

They are put in a remote northern wilderness. They have to figure out the best way to last. There have been eight seasons.

I love watching the show. It is very interesting to see how people handle it. What ten items they select? What there strategy is? How to survive? How to feed yourself? Best use of time? Their survival skills? How they handle the mental side? What isolation does to people?

I believe 100 days is the longest someone has lasted so far.

Men and women have tried. Both have done well. A number have been medically removed. Most have starved. The last winner shot a musk ox with a bow and then killed it with a knife.

Many give up because of just being Alone.
==============================================

I am to old now to try. However, if I had a chance at anytime before 55. I would have loved to try.

I have been to remote Alaska and British Columbia. I have traveled alone in Central America living in a tent for six months. I have a lifetime of knowledge in fishing and hunting. I earned a degree in Anthropology. Always had an interest in indigenous people and how they survived.

If given sometime to prepare and learn some of the area's plants and animals. I would have loved to give it a shot.

As a new season begins they go over each persons background. They are all legitimate candidates. They all have serious skills.

But as the weeks go by. You begin to see how they breakdown. Most starve. Some get injured. But the hardest part for most seems to be separation from family.

This season is near a lake in British Columbia. They start in the Fall. Winter comes quick. They are in heavy bear country both grizzly and black bears. They encounter both along with a mountain lion. Wolves are also present.

When they give up. They have to call on a sat phone.

This is for real. Wilderness is unforgiving. You can make a fatal mistake easy. Grizzly bears are a real threat. They are unpredictable. The people have bear spray and bang guns.

Believe me. That may help under some conditions. But not all. I have been in areas in Alaska just like where they are. I have been very close to grizzlies within 30 yards.

It is very un-nerving. You could be 15 feet away and not see them. Most times nothing will happen. But there is no guarantee that something will not happen.

Anyway. I just watched this weeks episode so far two of the ten have given up just a three weeks into it. Now you can begin to see how some are weakening.

Really a interesting series to me. I wish it was around when I was around forty. No doubt I would have tried to get on.

I'm glad you mentioned The Last Alaskans. I was really sad when they didn't come back for another season after Bob Harte passed. That show was genuine reality TV vs those other phony Alaska shows. I did like Life Below Zero.

I’m making it three days tops on Alone.

Alone is one of my and my girlfriend’s favorite shows. It’s an escape from most over produced TV. It’s harsh. It’s real.

Another one we like is The Island with Bear Grylls. It’s multiple people living on an island. No preppers or those with real survival skills. It’s about as real as it can get. The camera crew is also living in the same conditions. It’s hunt, or starve. Build shelter, or get wet. It proves remote tropical islands aren’t fun places to be stranded.
Though more produced than Alone its everything the show Survivor isn’t. No model/actor wannabes. No games. The drama is real. The starvation and stress… and good times… are real.

Is it a realisitic scenario that people in that situation would not travel to and enter and then leave civilization?

We all have personal traits. Being alone wouldn't be a problem for me. I would much rather be alone in a situation like that unless it was some sort of situation where security was a real threat where you felt you needed eyes open at all times. Two people end up having 2 ideas. Two ideas often create conflict.

I will check it out. So, 15 items....do you start nude when picking your items or do you really get 15 other items after you have been given items?

Is it any items or a provided list of items?

I think 2 of my items would be 2 dogs. They provide security and can provide food if it got down to the nitty gritty. At least 1 dog. Being able to sleep is critical in a crisis situation.

You get to select ten survival items. Your clothes don't count. But it is not like you can pack a suitcase.

No guns. Bow and arrows I believe count as one.

Typical items because they are near a lake are:
fishing line, hooks, some kind of hand saw, fire starter flint, snare wire, some kind of knife, cooking pot, tarp,
sleeping bag, axe.

No dogs. Obviously ones choice in items is critical.
Some may not take a flint and rely on their ability to start a fire with a hand made bow drill.

You would not last without a good sleeping bag.

I would think hard about a "army type trenching tool" which has a shovel head and pick. Plus you could shapen the shovel head and use it like an axe.

The shelter you build is super important. Some build a mini cabin with notched ends. A women in this season who had lived with indigenous people built a "pit house." Dig a square about 3 feet deep. Bury a center pole. Cut timber to fit a tipi top. Cover with bark.

The guy that won the season before also built a half buried small house. Once it starts to snow and temps drop. You better be able to maintain a decent inside temperature. Obviously wind and rain must be kept out.

Getting enough calories is what breaks people. Hand fishing with a line and hook is not very efficient. How you expend calories is critical.

Snare lines will work for rabbits once you can track where they are ( snow helps a bunch). Some people weave a gill net which is a good idea. Passive fishing is the way to go.

Getting a big game animal is important long term if you are good enough at hunting.

Foraging for berries and other plants is important early. Once it starts to snow it is hard times. You need fat. Fish really helps.

Where I see some fail is just knowing what food is available near enough to them.

Example. Early get to a high place where you can see as much as possible of what surrounds you. I have yet to see someone trap a beaver. Beaver meat is very fatty and rich in calories.

Deer are around so that is available if you are able and selcted a bow. One guy built a boat out of a tarp and willows for a frame so he could get off the lake shore and fish in deeper water.

Depends on your survival strengths.

To me fishing, and snare wire is very important.

Selecting a bow and arrow means you better make it count.

Ten items is not a lot. So your stategy is key to your survival.

This is no joke. You better have skills and have the right mind set. This is a supreme survival challenge.

Ok....one you mentioned is a trenching tool. That was maybe about the 3rd on my list. My shelter would be partially underground and a earth berm to help provide some temp regulation. A lean-to isn't all that great if you are going to be there a good while.

A good tarp for water collection and overhead shelter would come in handy. Have as many multi-purpose items as possible.

She dug that hole for her put house with a stick and a deer/elk jawbone she found. No special tool or shovel.

So far Alone has only been in cold environments.

It is a tough choice on the ten items. Some don't take a bow. Depends on your strengths.

Snares to me are a must. Because they are always working. That knowledge of how to trap is really important.

Weaving a gill net is also efficient again it is always working. Once the lake freezes solid to walk on. Ice fishing again can be passive.

You have to plan long term. Have to build a smoker to preserve food. Predators are a constant threat. Once bears hibernate that does not mean others will not get what food you store.

What I find interesting is how much the mental side comes into play. When your body is depleted of calories. Your mind works overtime. People who have kids dwell on them.
The guy who just tapped out. Had a lot going for him. He built a good shelter. Scored a few meals. He was not suffering. However, he had lost a 4 year old daughter to a heart condition. Had his wife and a son. It started to eat on him as to his priorties with life. When with his family he could see his lost daughter in them. Without them around his grief ate him up. He chose his family over trying to win the $500k.

The mental part really works on people. As the days pass you can see how the inner self reveals their crutches.

I find "Alone" fascinating. Many of the people on the show are really skilled. But no matter they are pushed to the limit. Tapping out eats at them as time wears on. When you are constantly cold and hungry your mind can be your downfall.

As a young man I lived in Montana between Butte and Helena.
I lived in a old miners cabin on the top of the continental divide. Wood heat and cook stove. No electricity. No running water. Odd house. Oil lamps. Water from the stream. But I worked in Basin Mt. building a "ball mill" to crush rocks and sluice for gold. I bought most of my food. But if I had to I think I could have survived. At the same time talk is cheap. Survival is a full time job that requires a lot from a single person. Once heavy snow and severe cold sets in it gets real fast.

"Alone" is a real challenge that takes serious preparation and then mental and physical skills along with some luck.

Here is a link to the show that provides a list of clothes etc. you can bring that do not count as one of the ten items.

https://www.history.com/shows/alone/articles/gear-list

Also, there are many restrictions. Barbless hooks? Animals that can not be hunted or restictions on some you can hunt. Each location of the show has many different restrictions. Some seem really absurd.

Over time Alone has gained a huge following.

Each Alone season after I get a chance to see the people for awhile. I try to determine who will win.

Last season I picked the winner very early. He was as hard core as they come. First he was an Alaskan hunting guide. He had lived an outdoor lifestyle almost his entire life. He was unattached. Had no real immediate family. He was also very used to time alone. He built a good shelter. His head always was in the game. He worked constantly on his plan. He was a skilled hunter. He got a big kill(musk ox) that gave him food for storage.

Bad strategies will ruin you.

One thing they should make clear on the show early are all restrictions. They can really limit you.

I just read on this Chilko lake. Barbless hooks. No bait artificial only. No gill nets. Limits on daily amount of fish. No traping beaver. No hunting black or brown bears. These are huge disadvantages. Deer, bucks only must have over two point rack.

You would think that with only ten people and the show premise that some kind of negotiation with the Canadian government could take place.

I have been to British Columbia to fish for steelhead. The hunting and fishing regulations are fiercly enforced. I am behind that. But in this area and under the timelines and conditions I do think there should be some leeway.

I didn’t know about this season’s limitations. Barbless hooks are tough without an actual rod and reel. Trying to hand land a big salmon/trout on a barbless hook… not easy. Keeping tension on the line would be a challenge for sure. And no gill nets? Man without passive fishing it’ll be tough.

As to last season. Once he got that musk ox and had rock house built that guy could have completely ridden out the winter. Rock house was a genius move. So much thermal mass. Once the rock was warmed he could leave just a small fire burning to stay warm. Or be gone for hours and return to warmth. Even if his fire dwindled. That dude was hard as nails and had all the skills needed. He could have been dropped into the same wilderness in 1840 and done just as well.

I like Naked and Afraid.

He not only had mad skills but he had the right mental fortitude.

When interviewed after winning he was very straight and said it pushed him to his limits.

This season the girl who built the pit house has a good mental makeup. However, she really needs to have a good food strategy that is successful.

The guy who built the boat? Not sure yet about him.

The guy who built the pier? Maybe.

As yet I don't see anyone who really is going to make it long. The previews shows a deer kill by one guy. All I can say about that given the season and bear activity.

He better cache that food away from him and make sure he builds a predator proof storage unit like the one the previous winner built.

Hanging it high may not cut it. Wolverines are smart and determined. There are many others predators. Lynx, martin, rodents, fox.

I am sure wolves are around. Although they may not attack a human and they do fear people. They are the top predators.

Chilko lake from what I looked at has two rivers Chilko river and the Taseko river. It has a huge run of sockeye.

The Chilko Lake Watershed is one of the last untouched systems. Chilko River and Lake support four ocean runs of fish; the Steelhead, Coho, Chinook and our largest, the Sockeye Salmon. The Sockeye run averages around one million returning fish per year to the upper Chilko River and Chilko Lake.

The spawning season is in the fall.

These people need to find that and get on it.

If they can get to a salmon run. You could last the longest. Again I don't know what restrictions there are.

I don't know if they are restricted in how far they can travel?

I would figure out the fishing.

The mind is usually the downfall. Most people give up before giving out.

Typically the people who are contestants starve.

As their bodies start to eat muscle. They don't think clearly.The combination of lack of calories, exposure, cold temps, and the isolation. They crack.

After 60 days most lose 20/30 lbs or more depending on their bodies. It grinds them down.

What amazes me is when you see contestants that do not put equal effort into food gathering as they do shelter. They will sometimes spend 8 to 12 days on shelter alone without much thought at all to food. Then, once they're weak and run down it's like, "Well I guess it's time to figure out this food thing".

Another thing is, like this guy who went home on the latest episode. So you can fiddle around with making a pipe, notching initials into you shelter, but have zero firewood stacked up for the coming winter? Dude, you can fool around with the dumb crap when everything is frozen and it well below zero. Then you're stuck in your shelter with a lot of time on your hands.

I would never have tried to have convinced myself I could have seriously of competed on this show. The area I grew up in I may have done pretty well. I think I could have survived quite well. But I certainly do not have the ability to adapt to an environment totally foreign to me.

You on the other hand have a lot of experience under those conditions.

So funny that you mentioned the guy who made the pipe.

My brother and I are big fans of the show. We talk after each episode. I told him as soon as I saw that guy make that pipe. I said he is toast. I could tell his head was not in the game. Unless you are socked in with terrible weather. You better be working. Especially early on. You must make use of every early opportunity. Once you have your shelter. You must be working on food. Early you have forage all edible plants. Berries, roots, wild oninons, rose hips, everthing once snow flies it is gone. Also early forage trips help you plan moves. Learn game patterns.

The guy that won last season. He is the example of how to. He was relentless in pursuit of his "plan to survive."

Once informed on where you are going. You have to find out how native people survived. I lived in New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and Oregon. It is amazing to learn what native people did to survive. They knew every resource and how to exploit it. Huntering and gathering yes but also craftsmanship with natural materials. Example on rocks. You can heat some flat hard river rock. Bury them a little cover with spruce boughs. They will stay warm a long time. In extreme cold you sleep on top.

If you are not storing firewood to the max while it is easy to gather dried dead wood. You will suffer when it gets cold.

In BC in that area salmon are the top of the food chain. No salmon those bears are not there in that quanity.

I have been close to that area Smithers, BC. fishing for steelhead. I was there once with my brother and another time with my son. Chilko Lake is further west. But very similar. Hungry land. Once winter sets in you better be ready.

There is an interesting book on Heimo Korth.
I read it.

He is an interesting guy. There is also a book on Stan Suray the lead guy from Yukon Men. He is another guy who has lived large. His experiences are something else.

I have been to Alaska nunerous times. All around Lake Iliamna which is southwest of Anchorage. I have a friend there who owns a remote cabin. I have gone there a number of times fishing with my son and once with my brother.

True wilderness. It is beautiful there. But it is also dangerous. You get hurt there. You are in big trouble. There is no 911 help line. It may days or even weeks to get you out if weather comes in. And weather there can come anytime.

I had some scary things go down but was fortunate nothing really bad happened when it could have very easily.

I hope they bring The Last Alaskans back. It was beautifully shot. I really enjoyed that series.

How often do the contestants meet with the show's producers to swap out batteries for the camera(s)?

I assume the show performs medical checks during this time from a liability standpoint?

Alone is one of my favorite shows, would love to do it. Once I found my spot, my shelter would get done ASAP, then food, food, food!

They go through camera training.

I think they do a check up periodically. A few people have been forced to tap out because of their physical condition became to poor to continue.

https://thecinemaholic.com/is-alone-scripted-or-real/


The producers regularly replenish the video card and batteries for the equipment. Later, all the recorded footage is collected, and a team of associate producers goes through it and decides which parts make it to the final cut. As a result, not all of the footage filmed by the contestants ends up on the show. To craft more compelling episodes, the footage is carefully edited to amplify the intensity and drama of the situations faced by the survivalists.

A few years ago, a guy got the boot because of his malnutrition status, even though he had a really nice stockpile of preserved fish to last him quite a while. I felt really bad for him as he was making what he felt were uncomfortable sacrifices (hunger) to stick it out long term. He really wanted to stay and broke down crying when they made him leave.

Dude had like 30 fish saved up but was also starving.

Fish is a great source of protein but delivers very little fat content. When your body is being stressed and fighting cold, it needs fat.

These were salmon. They have plenty of fat.

Saturated fats are much different than unsaturated fats.

His biggest problem is he had starvation brain. It’s known that people that starve to death often hoard food instead of eating enough of it to survive. Your brain fools you into playing a long game… one you can’t survive in the short term. After he was medically tapped out they went into it a little on the show.

Yes I saw it. I just wanted to point out the fact that fish, even salmon, doesn't have the fat of red meat and it isn't even close. Even some red meat is very low in saturated fats. If you are on a strictly fish diet under such type of survivalist living conditions, the amount you would have to eat to maintain any weight would be huge.

Many of the contestants run into that problem when all they’re eating is rabbit especially. Which is very low in fat. They go to bed full but still lose weight.

This season I have not seen enough of all the people to make a guess who might win.

The girl who made the fish trap. I think she will be done soon. That fish trap is a waste of time. Their best bet for fish is to go where the rivers empty into or drain from the lake. That will give them the best shot at salmon. Spawning salmon don't really eat. That hunger subsides and it is all about spawning. If on the beds sometimes they will attack a lure to protect the bed. But they can be snagged if "permitted."
Also they pod up in big groups and if you rigged the bow and arrow tips. You could bow hunt them. Long hand nets can work. And you might be able to spear them.

If you can find an active deer trail or food source for deer. Your best bet with a bow is to build a tree stand and be in it before first light.
This is a tough season because of limitations.

Bull trout and rainbow will be much easier catch once the ice is thick enough to walk on. The boat guy has a chance but if they are not allowed to use bait good luck.

They don't have rods and reels to cast lures or spinners any distance.

Putting set lines out from shore where most are in the wind and no bait. Again the wind will blow those lines all over the place and they will lose hooks.

Until the lake freezes. I would have snares all over the place. I would be hunting and making further plans on hunting while learning the area and animal behavior.

I agree. That fish trap was a hot mess. Too small. Seemed poorly constructed. Then add bad placement. The likelihood of it providing meaningful calories is next to zero.

Someone gets dear. I think that’ll come in this next episode. Who ever does that is in the drivers seat. Yes there’ll be work to be done to protect it, dry it, store it, etc., it’s still a game changer.

I saw the preview. He took the shot from the ground. Very lucky to get within bow range to get that shot.

A deer may last for 60 days. You will get 50 to 60 lbs. of meat.

It is a giant disadvantage not being being able to use bait and have barbless hooks.

You can make egg pattern around the shank with thread. That would be their best chance. You might get some reddish color into the thread from rose hips and or choke cherries.
I would try and get some scent into the yarn.

Once that hard cold comes. These people will really feel it.

This challenge may end earlier than other seasons.

The one dude brought pink boxers. The first thing I though of was how many cloth/thread ‘worms’ he could make. A seasons worth.
The barbless hook this is tough. Unless a fish really swallows a hook keeping one on is a challenge. Barbless hooks can make set line fishing a little tougher too. Easier to spit or shake it given time.

With a fly rod and reel you can get by with barbless hooks because the strike and set are immediate and then you can keep pressure on the line and fish.

With set lines, barbless and some kind of artificial trout will not eat that. And if by some chance they did bite they would spit it out. Natural bait they swallow it.

I don't see them having much success fishing. That lake does not have pike. Pike will attack just about anything.

I would be looking for the rivers. There could also be small lakes around with pike.

I wonder if they are restricted in how far they can travel so they don't run into each other?

They are allowed a five square mile area to inhabit.

I check for funnel points or shallow areas in a river and form a spear. Gig'em.

That is interesting.

I would like to see drone shots of each person's area.

That is why one of the first things I would do is to get to highest point around.

You have to know what is available to you.

Just watched last nights episode.

20 days into this is when you start to see people breakdown.

Matt was doomed. Poor shelter. Clueless food stratedy. When I saw him trying to "meditate on wife" I said to myself he is finished. He did not have the right mental state to last. I don't care about him teaching survival skills on the weekend. He didn't have a chance.

Michelle. Last week when she built her fish trap. Again it was over for her. She gave a good effort. But in reality she did not have strong survival skills for this area. She is very small and the lack of food did her in.

Down to six.

Biko he has some body fat storage but knife building does not count as a skill in this. I don't know what he is doing? I doubt he will last.

The older guy with long beard and stash. He seems to be losing it. Starvation is eating his body. He is weakening. I don't see his food plan. Seems like to much time around the fire.

I think it is Nate that gets the shot at a deer. Right now he is in the best place. Good shelter. The deer may get him the win.

The girl who built the "pit house" was not on this episode. So, I don't know about her. Grest shelter but I have no idea what she is doing for food.

The guy who built the boat and has think glasses. He was not on this episode as well. He has a chance. I questioned the boat. But he did a good job. However, given barbless hooks, no bait, the wind and the type of lake. It will be really hard to have coninued success fishing. Not enough for storage and smoking.

Looking at the aspen leaves it looks about late August.

By mid to late September winter will begin. Once that happens the people left are going to face problems. I don't see many of them with much stored wood. They will go through wood like matches once it gets cold.

I don't think this will last much further than 60 to 75 days maybe less.

If someone were to reach the river. Salmon will be in it. And they can be caught numerous ways. As yet nobody has mentioned even trying to find a river.

Even a stream would help as a feeding place for the lake fish to be gathered. One thing I have noticed is unlike other seasons, everyone seems to be having trouble catching fish from the lake. This seems quite unusual. There doesn't seem to be any one contestant that stands out in the crowd as I have noticed in some other seasons. Maybe that is yet to come but I don't see an actual favorite in the bunch.

Much like yourself, if I had to pick someone at this juncture it would be Nate based on his shelter and decision to find good hunting ground. He's certainly on the path to getting a deer.

What I try to keep in mind is that the show gets all of the raw footage, edits it and shows us what they want us to see and we have no idea of what all is actually going on. We get the picture they want us to see and other dimensions of these contestants may come out later in the series.

Last season was near Great Bear lake.

Much different water. The fish in Northwest Canada. Lake trout and pike. They will hit just about anything. This Chilko lake is close to the ocean. It has a salmon run to and from the ocean. That means migratory fish. Salmon and steelhead. Steelhead are strain of rainbow trout that go back and forth to the ocean. The sockeye salmon come in spawn and die. Steelhead spawn and return to the ocean.

The problem is they are not permanent residents in that lake.

This season you must hunt and use snares.

The grouse are easy to hunt. They will get in the spruce trees and just sit there. If they fly they will not go far.

Rabbits are prolific but hard to find in summer. Once it snows and they turn white much easier to snare.

I think this is a good way to begin a shelter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYS_D_qwkUM

There are lodges on both ends of the lake. It actually gets a run of all three pacific salmon. Sockeye(reds), Chinook(kings) and Cohos (silver). that is why there are so many bears.

I am sure they maybe times when visitors are there. People go there to fish, kayak, and see bears. Of course we will never see that.

There must be someone watching to make sure they don't interact with others in the area.

I don't know why some salmon are not spotted. They porpose, roll, and jump a lot when in the lakes. They show up around the end of August. Some early ones should be seen.

Reds are around 8 to 15lbs, Silver's get to 25lbs. Kings can get huge. I mean they can go over 100 lbs. Average is like 30lbs.

Well Nate gave it up. I thought he was fading last week.

Clay will be hard to beat.

Teresa has a great shelter and she has a good mental makeup. I just have not seen her food plan.

Biko does not seem to bright.

Colter has a chance. He came from a good background. He is doing ok. Longterm he needs a big score.

Rose will be next. She is trouble.

Isn't Clay the one who bagged the deer? Not good with names. If so he certainly has the advantage at this point.

In case you're interested, he has a youtube channel which was long before he appeared on Alone. Here's the link.....

https://www.youtube.com/user/ibprimitive/videos

The show has a bit of an editing tell. When a participants talk starts going heavily towards their family my girlfriend and I both go “they’re next”. Sure enough. They opened this show with Nate talking about his family…. Gone.

As long as Clay can protect his kill and can keep himself injury free he has the distinct advantage. It’s all n his head now. Can he keep his ‘family talk’ to a minimum? If so, he’ll win.

I agree about Teresa. Great shelter… to starve in.

Biko has a high BMI to fall back on. But eventually hunger will get him if he doesn’t get serious about his food plan. His shelter also has too many large openings to make it deep into the winter. If he doesn’t fix that he’ll get driven out by the cold. He seems to have a positive attitude but that’ll only take you so far.

Colter has a chance, but again food is going to come into play. He needs calories to fuel his bigger framed body. His cranberry stash wasn’t going to see him through the winter… even before the bear got to them. He needs protein and fat. He’s soon going to start realizing he’s starving to death.

You’re probably right. Rose is next.

My guess of the next three to go… maybe not in this order…
Rose
Teresa
Colter

I tend to agree with you. I do think there are factors however that help play on your mindset. If you are well fed and warm, your mind isn't dwelling on the negatives as much. It's certainly not a one size fits all approach or anything that works that way for everyone. But I de believe when your body is stressed due to hunger or cold it makes a difference in your mental state.

Teresa, I have yet to see her eat?

I think Colter (glasses) has a chance.

Biko (bone in nose) has fat reserves but still. Hunger will get him.

Clay, Colter, and Teresa will be the last three.

Colter and Teresa have to get a big score or they are in trouble.

Well, well, well - get this: A guy, Nate, from a town just 12 miles or so from here - Wauseon Ohio - was on the show.

A local paper did an article on him.

https://www.fcnews.org/news/31688/wauseo...eyiq5yXg0m5TuOI

Nate had a good showing. This is a hard challenge. He tried but he could not secure any reliable food source.

I graduated with a degree in anthropology. It was not how I made a living but it has always held my interest. Especially evolutionary anthropology. How we became who we are today.

"Alone" is a interesting series. If you are a fan of the show you begin to understand how hard survival really is.

Most people look at history as what is known as "written history." That goes back roughly 5,000 years.

Bones of primitive Homo sapiens first appear 300,000 years ago in Africa, with brains as large or larger than ours.

So for a long time surviving with what is around you was how we had to live.

On "Alone" 100 days is the longest someone has survived.

Think about that. Not long ago that was life everyday you were alive.

Major props to the 5 remaining.

It takes skill, courage, and mental toughness.

Obviously Clay will be hard to beat. He has very good hunting skills. He has been able to maintain caloric intake to keep himself sharpe. He built a very good shelter. He is proactive in all that is necessary. And finally he has the right mental attitude.

Colter has a decent chance. His boat worked. I was skeptical about doing that. He comes from an area that gives him very good experience. He has a sound mental make up. He will have to get more food. No excuse for not being prepared for the cold.

Teresa. She is a tough woman. I give major credit. When she built that "raft" and laid out her plan. Immediate red flag went up in my mind. The idea was good from a passive fishing point. But her execution was faulty and very dangerous. She should have built a massive fire beforehand. Then either build a better raft. Or, swim fast and return immediately. I knew she was in serious trouble. Also never get lost. Mark your trail. Her knowledge of foraging is excellent. But she is well aware she needs fat and more calories. As the cold sinks in her lack of food intake is going to be a problem.

Biko. He seems like he has a good spirit. His shelter is decent. He does not appear to have any "food skills." At some point his fat reserves will not be enough.

Rose. I thought she was going tap out. I give her credit for overcoming her fears. That is very real. She is a tough lady. However, her skills are lacking. As true winter sits in and her lack of securing food continues. She will be overcome. That should not take away a thing from what she has accomplished.
---------------------------------------------

I once got temporarily lost in a jungle in Guatemala. Scared the crap out of me. Lesson learned.

Bears. A friend of mine has a cabin in remote Alaska. Bears are thick all over there. Every morning fresh prints and scat from the night all over the place. The hairs on your neck are at full attention every time you step outside. You are in a state of complete awareness at all times. You have knowledge of their behavior but you also know how unpredictable they are. It is an entire different feeling when are in that type of environment.

I pretty much agree with everything you said. The only thing that concerns me is the rationing plan Clay has for the meat. According to what was on the show last night, he plans on about two ounces a day which will only provide him with 200 calories.

It reminds me of the guy who smoked and stored all of that fish and still almost starved himself because he rationed his portions so small.

I don't think he can be beaten.

I think he will score more food.

Once the snow is on the ground snaring rabbits will help.

A note on the screen bottom said they could use gill nets after forty five days.

I would be ready for that day. Gill nets are very effective if you place them right.

I got my son a summer job in Alaska netting salmon. Mostly gill nets are used in rivers. In a lake that size it may be tough. It all depends on the salmon run. Fish baskets on a lake like that are a waste of time.

There should be some evidence of salmon. When spawning they jump all over the water. Something I saw I think mentioned something about some natural event blocked the river. So the salmon could not reach the lake?
I don't know for sure.

There are other critters around. Porcupine, martins. Martin are pretty easy to trap. Porcupine are easy targets if you see one. You have to look for sign. But they are slow and are common to that area.

I learn a lot about that area by reading your posts. Thanks!

I really look forward to watching "Alone."

It fascinates me because it incorporates a lot of things.

As humans we are not all that far away from having to be in survival mode. If not we would not have made it as a species. Even though most people are far removed from that kind of life. It is in us. We can see, hear, and sense much more than we are aware of.

You can smell bears most likely before you see them. They stink. And the odor is unmistakable.

Alpine environments are the places that I am most comfortable. I lived in northern New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana. And have gone on fishing trips to Alaska, British Columbia and other parts of Canada.

I love the mountains. In fact I am planning a trip next summer to take my two grandsons to Banff and Jasper National Parks.

But the show is also about the people. It is very interesting to see how people handle what they encounter. And how over time they break down or survive.

No doubt I would have a "bear exit strategy" near the shelter. One, make a couple 8' spears. Select a tree. Build a simple ladder and have a spear in the tree. Brown bears will climb but they don't do it often. And are not likely to do it. With a spear 20' feet up. You have a chance.

Bear spray is super effective. I would rather have that than a hand gun. You can get it out quick and it can cover a large area. It will deter a bear. Their sense of smell is way better than any dog. A full blast in the face should work.

The thing about any kind of big pistol. You will have it in a holster. You may never get it out. Not many people have what it would take to kill a charging bear. First it could happen supper fast. You might not see them until it is to late. Imagine a bear charging and think about pulling a guy from a shoulder harness a landing a bullit in the right spot. Few people could do that.

Alaska is something else from what I hear. My nephew in law married my oldest niece of the two nieces I have. Was deployed in Alaska by the Army and says it is beautiful and really need to bring a lot of coats up there!

Alaska is huge. It is bigger than Texas, California and Montana combined.

Most people live in family groups, tribes, even communities even way back in history. I've never seen this show and wonder what the rules are for traveling toward civilization.

You get five miles. You’re not to seek out other contestants or such. It’s a survival show. Not a self rescue show.

Rose is one tough cookie. Major props to her. She has true grit. Unfortunately she did not have the skills.

Being a fan of the show I often ponder how I would do things.

Big fan of the structure Teresa built for this location.

If it were I. I would do something similar unless I found something there that would offer a better start.

From this location IMO I would start with building a fireplace with stone and clay. Then build the pit house around it. Half underground with fireplace in the middle and palisade logs covered with bark. Seems like you coild keep a good temp in extreme cold.

Teresa was close to the end. Good for her that she found some fish. She better stay lucky or she will tap.

Biko is a trip. However, he has shown zero ability to secure food.

Colter has a shot but his food strategy is failing. A fish trap used like that to me is a waste of time. He has to adapt.

Clay is way in front. He is pro active. Has the right mental approach. He has maintained weight. That keeps his mental side sharp. Even though his fishing is not working. He built a great rod and reel. If they were allowed to use bait. He would have caught fish.

Some of rules I don't understand? They can not trap beaver?

It is not like beaver are endangered. They are legally trapped all over. They are fatty with a lot of meat.

I don't see anyone beating Clay.

Was there no new episode this week?

No there was not.

Next thursday.

Down to four.

Biko, Colter, Teresa, Clay.

Major credit to all four.

I find myself pulling a little for Biko. He is kinda of an odd ball but seems like a really caring individual.
Not a very good at figuring out how to get food. But he is hanging tough. Living off his fat storage.

Colter's boat and net got him some food. Big score for him physically and mentally. He is in this big time. I don't see him giving up.

Teresa is one tough woman. Great attitude and good knowledge base. Protein is needed. I am surprised she has not gone after rabbits with snares. In a lake like that with the wind. Fish baskets are a waste of time.

Clay is proactive. His head is in the game. His approach is really good. If something doesn't work adjust.
He has maintained his overall condition with deer score.
Once hard winter comes and the lake freezes over all of them will feel it in a big way.

Gill netting is really a tool for rivers. You learn how and where to set them in current.

In a lake especially that lake it will very hard to set the net and get results.

Outside of Colter with his boat. I do not understand why the others do not travel to find where rivers enter the lake?

Also has the ground gets covered in snow there should be game signs. Especially rabbits.

I think Teresa is the most vulnerable right now.

Yes, while her attitude is great and she is a very positive person, at some point a lack of protein will supersede all of that. The freeze will certainly hurt the fishing even though ice fishing may actually give them the ability to go out on the ice and fish in deeper water.

I still agree with you that I give Clay the edge right now.

The snow will certainly make it easy to track the game. Big game as well as small game. It's the best way to see where game travels.

I felt bad for Colter.

That was a bad way to go. He put all he had into it.

Mentally he was not giving in. Major credit to him.

Down to three.

Biko is hanging on but he starting to mentally give in. Once that creeps in. It is hard to push it away. He is just way to passive about finding food.

Teresa is one tough cookie. Really admire her. She has what it takes. However, she is losing the calorie war.
I am surprised that she is not setting snares.

Clay's body type is wirery. Even though he killed the deer he needs fish fat. He is still proactive. Grouse are around in that environment. With snow on the ground he should hunt more with his bow. He still has the edge for sure.

I don't think this will go much further. maybe a few more weeks 80 days 90 max.

Looking at the conditions of those remaining, it seems that Teresa has the least resources, food gathering and stores of body fat remaining on which to survive. To me it's hard to determine whether Teresa will be next due to being pulled because she won't be fit to continue, or whether Biko gives up his will to stay. Biko came in with a lot of bulk which helped give him the advantage from a weight perspective over Teresa coming into the show.

Deer is very lean meat but even at that, I agree with you that Clay has a huge advantage over the others. The snow makes it much easier for him to track game. It won't go much further. Next week is the season finale. So we'll soon find out how the dominoes fall.

This has been a very difficult challenge.

Hungry land.

Everytime there is a large view of the land. I am looking for what opportunities there might be.

I know there are both grizzly and black bears. Caribou and deer(both mule and white tail) are there. Otter, mink, lynx, martin, coyote, fox, wolverine, and wolves.

Ducks, geese, grouse, rabbits, muskrats, beaver, skunks, racoon, squirrel, porcupine should be around.

I know they are limited to 5 square miles per person.

I have read there are huge salmon runs which include kings and sockeye, and steelhead. For some natural reason (earthquake made damn?) the salmon are not there.

I don't have an answer why these people don't move more and hunt.

The opportunity to kill bears is certainly been there. The problem is they aren't allowed to kill bears. They could get the fat content they need if they were allowed. With Clay I can understand. If you have a good meat supply gathered you may consider not moving around as much in order to preserve burning calories.

But it seems he is getting ready to try and gather more food resources. I love venison myself but after eating it so many days in a row, I think I would need to expand my diet as well.

It is easy for me to say what I would do. However, you don't know how you would act when you are weakened by hunger.

Grizzy bears I would not hunt with a bow. It can be done but you have to be really good and very confident.

That area has a big population of black bears. They are easier to hunt. Hunting season is in the fall before they den.

I am sure there are places to find where they are around.

Early on after building a shelter. I think I would have scouted a place to build a blind or tree stand.

Animals are predictable. They repeat behavior.

That whole area is dependent upon salmon. That is the top of the food chain. It feeds almost all these animals in some way. Even in death and decay they feed the trees.

Without salmon there is no way that the bear population would be so high.
============================================

About three years ago my son and I where in the Skeena river drainage area which is east of where Chilko Lake is.

We were after steelhead. Saw a really big black bear. He was in prime condition. A beautiful bear. Got a good look at him. We were standing on a bridge and the bear was walking next to the river. We watched him for about ten minutes.

I love British Columbia. Most of it is still pristine.
Logging is heavy in some areas.

But damn the rivers are spectacular. Wild, undamned and unpolluted.

The show has stated several times that the participants are not allowed to hunt bear. What I found so odd is that while they can not hunt bear, they are allowed to hunt Mountain Lions. I do know thay are not allowed outside of their designated areas. So it could be that none of their areas are within the range of the rivers or streams salmon would run in. I don't know. However it's pretty much common sense to try that if you are in an area you can do that. So I would have thought any contestant who had access to a river or steam capable of sustaining salmon would have certainly explored that option.

I read about a week or so ago that something damned the Chilko river. I know that river drains the lake and empties in the ocean. It must be to far away from where they are.

I looked at the hunting license for BC. You can hunt bear, moose, etc.

However, Canada has very rigid hunting and trapping rules. It is not universal to one province. It is by areas within.
Some areas are closed completely. An example is the rivers where in some places you can fish in others it is not allowed.
So there must be some kind of local rules about bears.

IMO "Alone" should go over the rules of the area before the first episode. Before they had an intro to all the contestants that covered their backgrounds. At that time they should go over what restrictions they face.

It would certainly be helpful if they did go over the rules and restrictions before the show began. And they really didn't clarify if it was local laws that prohibited hunting bear or just some agreement with local officials. That part was left murky at best.

Wow.

Really have to hand it to these people.

Teresa what a gal. She has an amazing spirit. I have great admiration for her. I found myself pulling for all of the last three.

Biko, man you put it all out there. No shame. Hope he is able to find a way in life and provide for his new family.

Clay, "you did it man." You earned it. You are a Alone champion. It did not come easy. I am happy for him.
IMO the experience will make him a better man. An insightful guy who really learned a lot about himself.

I am a huge fan of the show. It is the real deal. A supreme challenge of survival skills and mental tenacity.

I would have loved to try it when in my 30's to 50 +.

It actually ended in the order I expected it to once it got down to three. I knew Teresa was down to skin and bones. Nothing left in reserve to survive on. She is one tough cookie though!

Biko had fat reserves but eventually a lack of supplying any nutrients is something your fat stores simply can't provide. But his will to continue regardless was amazing.

Clay was the better survivalist. Better survival skills all the way around. Better hunting skills and it showed. Over the course of the show you get an insight to who these people are. In the end, no matter where people are from, people are people and as you get to know who they are you can relate to them in some form or fashion. It makes it very hard not to wish them well.

But in the end I think the best contestant won and was deserving of his victory.

No question Clay proved he had the skills and mindset.

I wonder if they would be able to put together a winners challenge.

Who knows if the previous winners would do it again?

All those who have won were amazing. And some of those who did not win were incredible as well.

I like when they start to listen to there background and how they got there. Once it gets going and you learn about them that is when it really gets interesting.

I look forward to the next series.

A season of head to head competition amongst the winners of each season seems like a great idea. My thinking is they have ten contestants every season so it may be season 11 before they would have such a challenge. Then you could have the winners of the first ten seasons. And the question of whether they would all agree to it would loom large.

This concluded season eight.

I hope it stays in the North.

Jungles are not my thing. Way to many bugs and other things to worry about.

I have no fear of the North. Jungles scare me. I been in them and was not comfortable.

North American animals and environment do not scare me. I respect the wildlife but do not fear them.

I know much more about them and their behavior.

Just watched the finale. Was pulling for Biko. I have buddies a lot like him. Gentle soul. Doesn’t want to play the game society has set up. Wants to live a simpler life. Not looking for money. Just the freedom is buys.
Good job by Clay. He was the better survivalist. He earned it.

The final four that included Colter were all deserving.

I was really impressed by Teresa. If she would have been more pro-active in securing protein before she got weak. She could have won. Amazing spirit.

I liked Biko. Going in with fat almost got him to the end. But he lacked hunting and fishing skills. I hope he pulls his life together for a new family. You can do what he did before and just get by. But when you have children totally dependent upon you. You have to provide.

No doubt Clay earned it. He was by far the best prepared survivalist. He had the mental game. But he backed it up with excellent survival skills.

I got picked to go to the training part where the pick who gets to go for season 3 but my father got sick and I turned it down.

Sounds like your time with the show got cut off before it started, but I'd still love to hear about your (albeit brief) interactions with getting on that show.

I would be interested in your experience.

What rules they have?

Selection process?

It all seems above board. Like no bs.

I have been a fan since the beginning. It is interesting to me how people handle that kind of stress.

How they break down when the physical deprivation consumes the mental process.

When you are really challenged to your brink. How do you respond?

Huge fan of this show

sent in a 3min. video of making fire setting traps and making shelter.Got an E mail that I was picked to go to training week. Then my father got ill. Made the decision not to go. allways wonder how I would have done?

you can go to their web site and enter

Well with my Father not well, I believe I would not have done good, the mental game would be the hardest,