Genre Reality
Survival Original language(s) English No. of episodes 34 | Country of origin United States No. of seasons 3 | |
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Executive producer(s) Russ McCarroll
Zachary Behr
Gretchen Palek
Shawn Witt
David George
Brent Montgomery | ||
Alone is an American reality television series on the History channel. The first two seasons were filmed on northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and the third in Patagonia. It follows the self-documented daily struggles of 10 individuals as they survive in the wilderness for as long as possible. The participants are isolated from each other and all other humans, and the one who remains the longest wins a grand prize of $500,000.
Contents
The series premiered on June 18, 2015. On August 19, before the finale of season 1, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season, which would begin production in the fall of 2015 on Vancouver Island, Canada. Season 2 premiered on April 21, 2016. Season 3 was filmed in the second quarter of 2016 in Patagonia, and premiered on December 8. One day before the season 3 premier, History announced that casting had begun for season 4.
In January 2017, a Danish version of the series premiered with the name "Alone in the Wilderness" (Danish: Alene i vildmarken) on DR3. It featured ten contestants and was filmed in northern Norway. They got to choose 12 items from a list of 18.
Format and rules
Ten contestants are dropped off far enough apart that they won't come in contact in remote areas of Northern Vancouver Island (seasons 1 and 2) and Patagonia (season 3). Contestants each select 10 items of survival gear from a preapproved list of 50, and are issued a kit of standard equipment, clothing and first aid/emergency supplies. They are also given a set of cameras to document their daily experiences and emotions. Attempting to live in the wild for as long as possible, the contestants must find food, build shelters, and fend off predators while enduring extreme isolation and psychological distress.
Contestants who wish to withdraw from the competition for any reason (referred to as "tapping out") may signal a rescue crew using a provided satellite telephone. In addition, medical professionals conduct periodic health checks on the contestants and may, at their discretion, evacuate someone they feel is unable to continue participating safely. The last remaining contestant wins a $500,000 cash prize. Contestants are warned that the show might last for up to a year.
Reception
The series received positive reviews in its first season and earned a respectable 2.5 million total viewers, placing it in the top three new nonfictional cable series of 2015.
Season 1
The first season premiered on August 10, 2015. It was won by Alan Kay, who lost over 60 pounds during the course of the season. His staple foods were limpets and seaweed. He also consumed mussels, crab, fish, and slugs. Lucas Miller enjoyed his time on the show and was selected based on his work as a wilderness therapist. His most difficult experience with the show was making honest confessions to the camera. Sam Larson described his time on the show as "playing in the woods". He set a goal for himself to last 50 days. After he reached his goal a large storm hit the island. He described the storm as being larger than any he had seen and decided to leave the island. Larson said that the loneliness and solitude took the most time to adjust to and that his preparation for the show mostly consisted of mental preparation.
Location
The season was shot in Quatsino Territory, located near Port Hardy, British Columbia.
Quatsino is a small hamlet of 91 people located on Quatsino Sound in Northern Vancouver Island, Canada only accessible by boat or float plane. Its nearest neighbour is Coal Harbour, to the east, about 20 minutes away by boat, and Port Alice, to the south, about 40 minutes away by boat. The largest town in the region, Port Hardy, is located about an hour northeast by boat and vehicle.
Contestants
Contestants were supplied with a satellite phone to choose when to "tap out" by contacting a rescue team.
Season 2
Season 2 began on April 21, 2016. The season had 13 one-hour episodes.
Location
The second season was also set on Vancouver Island, in Quatsino Territory, located near Port Hardy, British Columbia.
Contestants
Contestants are supplied with a satellite phone to choose when to "tap out", contacting a rescue team and ending their participation.
Season 3
The third season premiered on December 8, 2016.
Location
The third season was set in Patagonia, Argentina, in South America. The contestants were spread across multiple lakes in the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range. Unlike seasons 1 and 2, which were located on the Pacific Ocean, season 3's food resources are mostly limited to Brown and Rainbow Trout, forage, small birds, and the possibility of wild boar. They also were at a disadvantage because they had no access to the 'flotsam and jetsam' that washes up on the Pacific Coast. They also had no salt source.
The weather in Patagonia is comparable to Vancouver Island, with rainfall averaging 78 inches a year. Snowfall is extremely common in the winter.
Predators in Patagonia include wild boar and puma.
Contestants
Contestants are supplied with a satellite phone to choose when to "tap out" by contacting a rescue team and ending their participation.