The winter has not yet set in. Contestants are still finalizing their shelters and determining the best way to gather food. The extreme cold has not yet come, but the challenges and the reality of what is coming have already started lingering in the minds of those who are Alone.
This post contains spoilers!!! Proceed with caution!!!
Some Background Information
You can skip this section if you are familiar with the show or have read my prior review.
Alone is currently airing its sixth season. The show's premise is to outlast all of your competitors while living in a challenging, remote location. Some contestants talk about how they want to prove themselves and their survival skills, but I guess that the half-million-dollar prize would be life-changing.
The location for this season is in the Arctic. Each contestant is placed at a remote location about 75 miles south of the Arctic tree line.
Each contestant is responsible for carrying up to 65 lbs of camera equipment at any given time. The contestants are really alone (no camera people). In addition to camera equipment, every contestant is allowed to bring 10 survival items.
An emergency radio is also provided. If there is a medical emergency or a contestant chooses not to be "alone" any longer, the contestant may "tap out" by radioing a team for pickup.
The Alone Disclaimer
This Program Features Trained Survival Experts
Do Not Attempt Yourself
Viewer Discretion Is Advised
Quote of the Episode
A failure is not always a mistake...
The real mistake is to stop trying.
~ B.F. Skinner
Beginning of Episode
8 Contestants - Day 14
Contestants in the Episode
| Name | Age | Home Town |
|---|---|---|
| Michelle | 31 | Mullingar, Canda |
| Jordan | 35 | Lynchburg, VA |
| Nikki | 44 | Echo Bay, Canada |
| Ray | 43 | Vancouver, WA |
| Woniya | 42 | Grass Valley, CA |
Highlights
- Any food is good food, right? Nikki prepares "blueberry mouse muffin" for brunch.
- One contestant starts to winterize his shelter by harvesting moss near his campsite. The moss will insulate the shelter by filling in some existing gaps.
- One contestant make a "birch bark" moose call with the hopes of attracting a moose close to camp. Guess what? A moose gets close enough to camp to take a shot. Unfortunately, it was a miss.
- Another contestant sees signs of moose near the camp. Scoring a big animal like a moose would be a game-changer for any contestant.
- The episode ends with one contestant pulling back the bow and taking a shot ...
Challenges
- Michelle is struggling with the consequences of the fire in her shelter. She will be able to save the structure, but repairs will be needed. Unfortunately, the extra effort requires expending calories that she would have preferred to direct towards other activities.
- One contestant pierces her skin with an arrow after killing a squirrel. Now she has a limp and needs to take measures to fend off an infection.
- One contestant "taps out" after catching harvesting one animal the entire show. The fear of not being able to eat is powerful. The contestant asks, "Why put my body at risk?"
By The End of The Episode
7 Contestants - Day 20
Final Thoughts
"Why put my body at risk?"
How far should someone push their body (or mind) when they know they are not able to provide what their body and mind need to function properly.
A lot of contestants have spoken about embracing hunger and learning to be content without food. But there comes a time when your body starts to break down, and eventually, it will start to consume itself.
Once a person's fat is gone, then the body starts to burn muscle, which can have a devastating impact on internal organs like the heart.
There is a point in life when it makes sense not to take the risk. That decision is an individual one. We all have to decide when to call it quits. Don't stop because something is inconvenient! But consider stopping if there are long-term, irreversible effects.
I want to hear from you
- Would you be willing to eat squirrel, grouse, mouse, or moose?
- Are you capable of skinning an animal so that you could survive?
Thanks for stopping by!
@SumatraNate