“No man is an island entire of itself.” — John Donne
Here’s your challenge: Pick 10 pieces of basic survival equipment. You, along with nine other people, will be dropped at scattered locations in the far northern wilderness during the autumn. The last one standing, who hasn’t given up or been medically evacuated, wins $500,000.
That’s the premise of the reality TV show “Alone,” now in its ninth season. This season’s final episode airs 8 p.m. Thursday on the History Channel.
As usual, I’m late to the game, having just started watching the show this year. A friend told me about it several years ago, but I failed to tune in. This year my sister Shirley Lemaster — ironically one of the least outdoorsy people I know — told me it’s one of her and her husband Terry’s favorite shows. Angelyn and I checked it out and instantly became hooked.
Being a lifelong outdoorsman, I naturally fantasized about what I would do in that situation. Not now — at this stage of life just getting through the day is my idea of surviving — but when I was in my prime, like most of the contestants.
Choose your items
For instance, what 10 items would I take? I did a little research online and discovered you can’t pick just anything but must choose from a master list. No guns, traps, tents and such.
From the list I would probably choose a tarp, sleeping bag, fire starter, cook pot, canteen, knife, hatchet, cord, fishing line and hooks, and bow and arrows.
Once I arrive, I would pitch a simple lean-to and get busy fishing first, hunting second.
It’s easy to sit in my recliner after a good meal and critique the contestants. Some spend way too much time building a fancy shelter. One woman literally spent eight days building her nest without eating anything but berries.
They also spend too much time focusing on small game, in my opinion. You can literally starve to death eating squirrels and such.
Book gives backstory
But then I started reading the book “Surviving Alone” by Season 8 winner Clay Hayes. He too focused on fishing at first, but the lake he was camped on was cold and windswept, and deep water was farther out than he could cast. Even when he found a spot near deep water, the fishing was poor.
Also, contestants are bound by local regulations. In his case that meant a limit of two trout a day.
It also became clear why shelter is so important. Autumn in the far north means cold, wind, rain, sleet and, before long, snow. A snug shelter is critical, especially when you don’t have enough food to warm you from within.
And no one has enough food on this show. It’s the norm for contestants to lose a pound a day.
Hayes gained 20 pounds in advance and lost that much in three weeks — and he managed the rare feat of killing a deer.
Contestants are given video cameras so they can film themselves. They also have a cell phone so they can call the crew in case of emergency or to tap out.
many ways to fail
Reasons for failure are many. Some people get sick — bad water, bad food, who knows? Even going without food for an extended period can tear your stomach up. After a few days of throwing up, unable to hunt or fish, they’re forced to throw in the towel — or be evacuated.
One guy slipped and fell on a sharp rock, injuring his back. After a sleepless night, the next day he slipped again, this time twisting his knee. Game over.
Some contestants just give up. As weeks and months go by, they’re reduced to skeletons, barely able to walk, let alone hunt.
Then there’s depression, loneliness, homesickness, fear (this is bear country).
Mandatory medical evacuations are sometimes necessary. Some of these folks are so determined they would literally die before giving up.
true survival experts
These contestants are incredibly skilled, far more than typical outdoorsmen.
Clay Hayes grew up hunting, fishing and trapping, became a wildlife biologist and in his spare time made hundreds of wooden bows and killed dozens of large game animals. He produced instructional videos on bow-building and similar topics.
One of my favorite contestants this season, Adam Riley of Arkansas, worked as a gator wrestler and wilderness guide. He then traveled across Asia, Australia and South America, sailed with a buddy across the Caribbean, then sailed alone across the Pacific.
Another favorite contender, Karie Lee Knoke — much older than most at 57 — lives off the grid in Idaho, hunting, trapping, foraging and gardening, teaching courses in survival and leading backcountry treks. Her situation in “Alone” isn’t all that different from her regular lifestyle.
Contestants consistently kill squirrels and birds with arrows, trap rabbits and other small game with snares. They build elaborate shelters with doors, windows and fireplaces.
As I watch them, the thought of me attempting to do what they do is laughable. It’s one thing to survive a week alone, maybe two — but months? Forget about it.
In fact, if this show makes anything clear, it’s that humans aren’t meant to survive alone. That’s why we live in societies.
If we get sick or injured, we won’t starve to death. There are others to help us. And thank God for that.
