Alone Season 2 on History Channel

[WeekendWarrior]

I see Alone Season 2 is coming up soon. They just aired Alone: Making the Cut which is Season 2 episode 0, and season 2 episode 1 airs April 21.

Location looks to be the same as before.

It Will be interesting to see what people learned from the first season.

It looks like the 10 item gear list most of them picked were fairly similar.

All but one chose emergency rations. All but one chose the gill net. Though he took a hammock which he claims he can use as a gill net.

A couple chose 2 sets of emergency rations packs.

Will be interesting see how these 10 do.

I would be so tempted to forgo the emergency rations to take extra tools to help gather food.

[WalkingTree]

Ooh, can't wait can't wait. Is a poor substitute for being able to do more myself...but a vicarious substitute nonetheless.

I have to admit - I would be tempted to opt for some extra emergency rations myself. Whatever I'd sacrifice for it I'd surely miss, but my reasoning is that in the very beginning you have to achieve so much, and you can see on most of these shows that what kills them and tries to sabotage the rest of their time is that they run out of energy and good mood early, and that makes it such a struggle to do the basic things that they either still haven't done initially or continue to need afterwards. I would just consider betting on the approach that, though I'd be a tool or two short, I am able to hustle and get established in that initial way because I have just a little more food and/or water to get me over that hump.

[hunter63]

One of the cast in Season 2 is a member here......although he hasn't posted since 2012.
Pict....
Or real name Dave McIntyre
http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/member.php?1481-Pict

Bio's for cast..
http://www.history.com/shows/alone/cast

[kyratshooter]

I am waiting to see how long it takes for someone to pick an extra tarp and use it completely for water gathering.

Rains 2 days out of three, so wet you can't start a fire with a road flare, but everyone is dehydrating for lack of drinking water when all they have to do is dig a hole and spread a tarp.

I would also like to see someone build a real shelter. No one has done that yet. They throw together an "overnight survival hut" and fight the wildlife until they whine out and go home.

If you are staying in bear/wolf country for the long haul why not take a couple of days to build a real trapper's cabin and use the tarp for a roof instead of the whole shelter. What else do you have to do for the next two months?

I wonder how many of them packed on an extra 20 pounds for this effort? That was what the last winner attributed his success too. An extra 20 pounds will give you 2 weeks mobile food reserve.

I'm good for a month myself.

[Mischief]

I rooting for Dave and think he can make it all the way.

I knew he could do it . WAY TO GO MAC

[crashdive123]

Great to see that Dave is in it. Hope he does well.

[Grizz123]

looks like a good cast, I hope the editing is better than last year

[Batch]

I hope Mac does well also. Looking forward to the second season.

[WalkingTree]

Ok, for the fun of it and to see if I'm any good at making such a judgement, I looked over things to try and make a prediction of who would do well and who'd drop earlier. But I don't feel that I have much to go on. I won't be able to see the first episode when it's first aired, and I'd want to at least see the first before trying to make any predictions. It seems hard to get much of a read on things just on what I see at history channel's site. So those are my excuses if I'm wrong, which I very easily could be. (I'm too lazy to search for any self-made videos on you tube for more info to factor in.)

With some exceptions, I didn't pay that much attention to what each person chose for their items, and only a little more to their respective experiences or training. But otherwise I really wanted to get a read on their psychologies. Not the appearance of their enthusiasm or confidence, or anything they said necessarily in the vids on history's site, but other nuances between-the-lines.

Initially I wasn't going to try to pick one or two that I thought would go all the way. But instead I wanted to see if I could at least state which few would last a good while, and which few would drop pretty early. But on the seemingly limited info, I ended up "looking too hard" and seeing quite a few things both good and bad about several of them, and decided to instead "make up my mind" and actually try to pick, say, only two which I think would go quite a while - even end up as among the final 3 which go the longest. In the process I did develop an idea of the few who I think will drop pretty early, but I'm not going to list those.

So with all that said, these are the two which I feel at this point will be among those few who go the longest - Justin Vititoe, and Jose Martinez Amoedo. There are a couple of other "maybes", for both longest and early drops, but that's what I'm forcing myself to go with. Now let's see if my guesses are any good...let the games begin.

[crashdive123]

Mac will (David) will go far.

[WalkingTree]

Alrighty...what would I pick this time around...

1 saw
1 hunting knife
1 large (no more than 2 quart) pot, includes lid
1 slingshot/Catapult
1 small shovel
1 flint or ferro rod set
1 small gauge gill net
1 multi-seasonal sleeping bag
2 lbs of rice or sugar and 1 lb of salt
5 lbs of pemmican (traditional trail food made from fat and proteins)

[WalkingTree]

Btw...seems funny to me that they bother to call the pot a large pot, but then specify 'no more than 2 quarts'. Why put the word 'large' in there?

[kyratshooter]

I think that a couple of the women might surprise everyone this cycle.

[crashdive123]

Most of them seem to have their heads screwed on straight......most. I question a few of the choices, but they would be based on my experience, not theirs. Wish them all luck. Maybe the winner lasts a year.

[WalkingTree]

I think that a couple of the women might surprise everyone this cycle.
Originally I had Nicole Apelian in my prediction as one of those who I thought might go the furthest. But Mary Kate Green as one who I thought would drop out the earliest. But I eventually changed my mind in both cases.

[WalkingTree]

Arg. I've since went back and watched through season one, out of impatience and some boredom while waiting. I ended up remembering the mindset that might be required to make some kind of prediction for two. Except it still doesn't seem to help. Have so little to go on.

(Btw, notice the one thing common of the two who went the longest, though some thought that they were quite different in their potential - a certain kind of playfulness. While someone might think it's good in the older person, they'll be tempted to assume it's a bad trait for the younger one.)

So I looked back through the bios and vids on history's site a second time. Just a way to challenge myself to derive some fun from it. I feel like what I'm looking for is not basic skills, or just outdoorsy exposure or experience (der). General enthusiasm or optimism seems irrelevant to me as well. I'm not trying to guess who'd do well in the following areas, but instead who would do really well. Who would last a long time. Their emotional longevity. How each person would react to the lows and discouragements. The solitude. How they'll react to some fear or set-backs. And do they want to be there. Will they 'feed off' of the experience, instead of it being a chore or spooky. And who either already understands what the reality will be like versus the idea of it, or will adjust and embrace that reality-check when they run up against it.

And then as soon as I like one of them, they seem to be hair-brained about one of their tools, or careless in how they understand that tool or it's applicability, or the importance of the concern that it would address (again, I don't mean total naivety or lack of experience, but that extra common-sense edge, or attitude edge, that will take them far). Or if I'm doubtful of one, there's that one single undeniable good thing about them glaring at me.

So along with Vititoe & Amoedo, I end up jostling again with others like Apelian, Lowe, Roberts, & Mcintyre.

McIntyre seems very strong in fact, now that I paid more attention with another look-over. But I hesitated to say so since he's a liked member here apparently and I didn't initially predict him, Hence my motivation might seem suspect :innocent: Therefore I should hurry up and say so now, before having the excuse of more vindicating info later. But I'm really liking Vititoe also.

So maybe I should do what I first wanted to do, just because I have almost nothing to go on. Instead of pick just two for the best bets, I'll say this -

Vititoe, McIntyre, Amoedo, Lowe, & Roberts will all still be there after Wilson, White, Green, & Champagne have all dropped out first. Apelian...I declare her as a wildcard :huh:

[kyratshooter]

I think I will sit back and get the entertainment value out of this one. Especially since I am home and warm, not cold, wet, starving, scraped, bruised, battered and being hunted by predators in the darkness.

[WalkingTree]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fZ_XrgcZts

[finallyME]

It is really hard to tell how they do until they spend a few nights there. I think the predators are the biggest factor that separates them.

I am glad Colhane made it. I enjoy watching his youtube channel and conversing with him on the forums. I wish him the best of luck.

[WalkingTree]

^ Last season, that one guy's mom got cancer bad right before he left, and the reality of her being gone before he was done got to him more and more - I think he'd made it much longer otherwise. Sad to see a situation like that.

But yea man, the reality of a bear, when truly helpless and vulnerable like they are with nothing but foul language, has the potential of really freaking a person out.

[finallyME]

If I remember right, all but 4 left because of being the prey instead of the predator. I can't say I blame them... being on the menu brings a different set of possibilities. This second season will have people who had watched the first season and hopefully prepared themselves mentally. That one lady who spent a lot of time in the African bush might have an advantage... if she had to deal with big cats there. Of course, the ones who have lived in Alaska might also have an advantage... if they had to live in the bush and deal with the brownies.... without a side arm.

[Rick]

I would have to sit down with the bear and the two of us go through the contract. I would try to point out if he isn't getting paid to appear on the show why even bother?

[kyratshooter]

I watched episode 1 tonight.

It appears that none of the contestants watched last years series, or did not believe what they were seeing.

The guy that was going to wrestle the bears while on his fishing trip tapped out day #1

Seems that two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan do not match an afternoon on Vancouver Island.

[Zylumn]

After watching episode 1 Still looking for a trained professional!!
Tracy looked like the closest thing to a professional in episode 1.
Jose to win ( on his extended launch bios video he explained how he preferred to bring the tools he made himself. That in itself to me gives him a intellectual advantage.)

[hunter63]

Yeah, missed that...on again at 11:00, but then again so is "Mysteries at the Museum"...choices, choices.....

[WalkingTree]

One of my top picks is already gone...and he was actually talking about wrestling a bear??

No way. Wrestling a bear. C'mon man.

----

Oh wait...apparently that's Desmond White, not Justin Vititoe. Whew! Didn't think I'd be that far off on my prediction attempt.

I gotta get Netflix or something :laugh:

[WeekendWarrior]

I figured someone would tap out at the first sight of a bear, I didn't think anyone would tap at the sight of bear scat. My daughter was thinking he was going to tap since they were devoting so much time showing him doing basically nothing.

I think one of the ladies will surprise everyone and make it to the end.
Still seems to me that some of the sites are way better than the others.
I liked Justin, but question if he can catch any fish using a hammock.

Jose seems like a top 3 as does David.

Mary seemed to take getting everything wet in stride and move on. Not sure if she had the opening of her shelter pointing uphill letting all the runoff in?

I think Tracy's excess weight could be her biggest advantage, if it doesn't cause her too many issues and get her hurt.

[finallyME]

I haven't seen episode 1 yet, only watched the part where they showed what gear they chose. Desmond definitely looked like the weakest. If I only base my judgement on the little bit of film showing what they chose to bring, Jose would be my top pick. When you bring a lot of homemade gear, that generally means you thought it out a long time ago and know how to use it.

I am still rooting for David for the win though.

But, like I said earlier, the predators on the island are what separates them the fastest. Because of the shear number of predators there, they will all probably have an encounter within the first week. If they can stay the first week, they will last a while. After the first week, then it just gets down to how well they can find food. The ones that are finding food consistently and getting fresh water consistently are the ones that will outlast everyone else.

[WeekendWarrior]

I just read that season 3 has been given the go ahead by history and that it will be filmed in South America. Filming begins in Patagonia next month. So I am guessing they have already picked he contestants.

[WalkingTree]

I guess they're on a roll. I can see it now...Alone season 49. Your grand children will be watching them. And people will be talking more about which seasons resulted in someone's death than anything else. Then every 5 years or so they'll have the winners of previous seasons going against each other. Cool!

Did somebody say something about a mockingjay?

[Mischief]

So far the tittle of the show should be Whining ALONE.

[Rick]

Patagonia? Hey, that guy that wants help ransacking Patagonia should sign up.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?28282-Plans-for-an-Off-grid-paradise-in-South-America-plenty-of-land-people-needed&highlight=patagonia

[crashdive123]

The one that tapped out first is not a surprise to me. I did expect him to last longer than 6 hours though. I guess bear poop is a frightening thing to step in.

[Loneviking]

I'm surprised that none of the contestants seems to have bear experience. The hotshot Firefighter and the gal from Homer, Alaska I would think would, but maybe not. I grew up backpacking, camping and living in or near the Sierras where there are lots of bears. They are fun to watch, very smart and very curious and amazing athletes. I've seen bears running full tilt down a bank, across a road and up a tree without slowing down. I've lived in Tahoe where bears are experts at getting into cars and opening ice chests to get food. And strong--I've seen a bear shove a big, bear proof dumpster several feet out into the middle of a street like it was nothing.

It's a tough environment that they are in. If you can't stay warm and dry then you're in trouble.

[Bryceink]

I love the show, but really; leaving before the first night because of bear scat? If you are going to talk the talk regarding predators during your' introduction; Walk the walk please. Can't wait for the next episode!

[MCMDE4592]

I'm sure some of the senior members here might be aware of Mac's Youtube channel but for any newer members he's got almost 140 videos uploaded, about half are in Portuguese but he does a very good job at engaging the views and explaining what he's doing and why.

https://www.youtube.com/user/Colhane

cheers

[crashdive123]

He's a member here.

[Rick]

His user name is Pict on here and he has a LOT of great posts.

[hunter63]

I hear an echo....echo...echo echo........LOL

[Zachary Fowler]

Ya if your that scared of bears spend the first night on the beach with a big fire. And sleep during the day. At least for a couple days so you dont look like such a wimp. And have you noticed that when the people say i can " i dont think i can do this " tap out very soon after.

[WalkingTree]

Poor guy. People are gonna leave a box on his work desk or on his porch, and write on the box "bear poop!"

[kyratshooter]

You must run with a much kinder bunch than I do Walking Tree.

I would return to find someone had legally changed my name to "Bear Crap", labeled my parking space and already had a new name plate on my office door.

I am certain I would have to undergo extensive plastic surgery and move!

But the poor guy is in good company. One of the first to tap out last season was a moderator over on the Bushcraft USA forum. I think he lost his ferro rod and was on the plane before dark that night.

[finallyME]

I got around to seeing episode 1. I think Tracy has a real chance. She is practically a bear herself. Not only does she have some good food reserves... but I think because of her age and experience, that being alone won't be that big of a deal for her. I think is said she was a grandmother. If her kids don't live with her... then she isn't used to seeing them every day. She will miss them, but it won't be as bad as if they were living with her and she was used to being with them every day. If she doesn't have a husband, or partner, then she is probably used to being by herself a lot. KYRS can speak to this from experience, and I guess Rick is probably getting used to it. Anyways, if she is mentally able to handle the aloneness, and if she has the skills, and the extra food reserves.... like I said, she has a good chance to win.

[finallyME]

An interesting thing I noticed, Desmond spent some effort explaining that it was a lot of money and he really wanted to win it for the money. David, and some others, expressed little to no interest in the money. If I remember right, Alan practically gave all his winnings to his dad... money wasn't important to him either.

If money is why you are doing it.... the predators will help change your mind.

I don't blame Desmond for quitting so quickly. Bears are no joke. You really have to be used to being around them. This is definitely an example of the difference between boots in the field and reading about it. Another thing to think about is that I think I saw a picture of Desmond with a broken saw.

[WalkingTree]

Yes, Tracy indeed does seem hard to spook. Doesn't seem very rattled at all. And that's with me only seeing B.S. clips on you tube but not being able to see any episodes yet. At launching though, it just seemed like she'd be awkward just walking around in that environment and would bust her booty or twist an ankle. Of course, busting a booty is something they've all probably did more than once already.

And yea...being able to conceive intellectually of how things would be in reality versus theory or watching or talking, is an important "skill".

And yes again...I personally think there's a load of difference between, for example, McIntyre making it clear that's something he'd do without the money, and someone just going for the money. I always felt that you have to want to be there, not consider everything a chore, but instead enjoy it. Myself...forgetting the fact that I probably don't belong out there anyway and probably wouldn't do it...my attitude about the prize money is that it's simply what allows me to do it - not as a goal, but considering that I'd have to leave a job and home etc to do it, and be homeless for a few years if I lose. So some substantial compensation is simply the thing that allows me to do something that I may do anyway if money was not a factor. Heh...I'd have to be the last man standing though, and truly win it for that to all work. Might be a good thing though - no back door. No way out. I'd "have" to stay. Might have the effect of countering the awareness that you're really not stuck and can call for help and extraction anytime.

[NightSG]

I would be so tempted to forgo the emergency rations to take extra tools to help gather food.

After one's observation last season that there's not much in the way of simple sugars, I'd be inclined to take the chocolate, rice or sugar to have a boost once the dietary change gets to be too much of a drag. Of course, tapering down sugars beforehand, and/or learning new ways to solve the problem (Is there something growing there that can be essentially malted? Maybe even a grass or cane that could be pressed like sorghum?) is also valid answer.

[finallyME]

After one's observation last season that there's not much in the way of simple sugars, I'd be inclined to take the chocolate, rice or sugar to have a boost once the dietary change gets to be too much of a drag. Of course, tapering down sugars beforehand, and/or learning new ways to solve the problem (Is there something growing there that can be essentially malted? Maybe even a grass or cane that could be pressed like sorghum?) is also valid answer.

I would actually go the other way. Bull kelp seems to be plentiful. You can get carbs and fiber from that... but not much fat. If you catch small fish and small animals... not much fat, mostly protein. If it were me, I would change the ratio of the pemican to 80% fat 20% protein. The more fat, the more calories. I think anyone who didn't take pemican just didn't understand calories and made a poor decision.

[edr730]

Fat is what I would want to have more than any other food. If I was allowed, I'd be trying to figure out how I can kill one of those bears.

[kyratshooter]

Apparently hunting the big game is not allowed. If it were the predator problem would end fast and the eating problem would end along with it.

My experiences have been that when you are physically able/allowed to kill an animal it seems to have a 6th sense that warns it, and the prey becomes scarce, just like Desmond!

And in a REAL survival situation each and every one of them would be plotting how to kill a bear, even if it were using a fire hardened spear. You could live for a month off one of those blackies!

Most of last years group took bows and arrows and watched them mold in the damp. The area is rough and getting around is difficult, so hunting is pretty much a waste. (one reason the Native Americans of this area were fish eaters and whale hunters)

This year more of them eliminated the bow and arrows and chose an extra knife or extra emergency rations, and more of them chose an axe this year than last. Fewer of them had an extra tarp on the list this season.

Last season there was little "food gathering" except for the beach combing they did every couple of days. Each discovery of a few calories was a special episode.

[WalkingTree]

Wouldn't killing something as big as even a small bear be quite difficult for one person to not waste a lot of it?? You can smoke/cook/dehydrate (jerk) a lot of it, sure...but in real practice, for these solo folks doing Alone, is that realistic enough?

it seems to have a 6th sense that warns it
Ain't that the truth. How funny.

[crashdive123]

Wouldn't killing something as big as even a small bear be quite difficult for one person to not waste a lot of it?? You can smoke/cook/dehydrate (jerk) a lot of it, sure...but in real practice, for these solo folks doing Alone, is that realistic enough?

Ain't that the truth. How funny.

If it's a matter of survival.......really survival.....I will make it last as long as I can, but my only concern for loss is missing out on food days from now. Maybe not the most "ethical" hunting practice, but survival ain't a game, it's life of death.

[edr730]

Yes, Kyrat sometimes some animals get pretty smart about such things. And as you know some aren't so smart about such things. I'd be happy to shoot or kill a dumb one. Bears aren't as sly as deer. You can get very close if you have bait. Maybe a trail. Having bait would be a big problem though. But, it's a good rule that you can't shoot them because someone would and have a big advantage. I've only seen one episode this year and one last year. If I couldn't get a bear then I guess I'd just want to use part of the tarp for a canoe. Since that's where the food is at.

[WalkingTree]

And that reminds me of another thing I was wondering about - you can't hunt bigger animals, but if a bear is really on your butt and you manage to seriously wound it or kill it...are you gonna 'get in trouble'? (I'd worry more about staying alive than if I got in trouble for hurting or killing something.)

Also, about the extra food rations...just from knowing myself - it's smart to have extra tools and such with you, but I figure that if I'm doing a show like this and I'm not good enough to sustain myself with a knife, gill net, the other things you get, and what I'd make once I'm out there, then I have no business out there in the first place. More tools may not help, but rations to get over the hump will. Versus that first hump having to do so much that's really important and spending a lot of energy to do it, and included in that is getting food but I might not have enough time to get certain initial things done before getting water and food and before falling into that energy-hole of lethargy that is so hard to get out of once you're in it.

[crashdive123]

Theory is nice, but keep in mind that most of the participants are comfortable in "their" environment. This is a relatively new (location and climate) experience for them. Having the food for one or two of their items is, in my opinion very smart. This allows them to focus on things other than procuring food initially and might quite possible be a bonus in the event that something happens. Most brought gill nets...tide goes out.....fish trapped.....bear comes by......I doubt he will gently remove the fish, but rather take/destroy it while consuming the fish.

[NightSG]

Apparently hunting the big game is not allowed. If it were the predator problem would end fast and the eating problem would end along with it.

This is an "unreality" factor that I really don't care for; if a predator is also edible in a real survival situation, I'm going to do whatever I can to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.


Most of last years group took bows and arrows and watched them mold in the damp. The area is rough and getting around is difficult, so hunting is pretty much a waste.

Looks like it's also a lack of game between mouse and wolf size. Rabbits, raccoons and opossums are good daily game for bowhunting. Deer are tougher to take cleanly, but worth the effort if you can get one, but I don't recall any mention of them, or any sort of wild goat or sheep, either. I was wondering if one could do a bowfishing rig, even if it did take up another item for the line.


Fewer of them had an extra tarp on the list this season.

Presumably, after seeing season one, they realized there were enough tarps provided by default to do a pretty good shelter.

I do wonder what the rules are on "misusing" the provided items. For example, it says they get a first aid kit with gauze and alcohol. Could one use that in starting a fire? What about other "lawyering" of the list, like taking a XXXXL "fleece or wool shirt" that I can easily curl up inside? Presumably they spec out brands on the sandals so one won't weave up a pair out of several dozen yards of paracord, but I see a few other places in the list that one could have an approved garment take on an extra function or two.

"Of course all my personal photographs are printed at 20x24' on waterproof canvas."
"Why do you say that these 30 gallon socks aren't approved?"
"My optometrist signed off on a script for glasses I never wear, but that happen to be ideal for firestarting."

(Personally, I'd think some of the apparel list, rather than "you can only have this many" should be on a "we'll swap out some laundry at the regular check ins" basis. Potentially a couple months or more with two pairs of underwear, three pairs of socks and no soap? They'd be hosing me with bleach before they let me in the helicopter.)

[WalkingTree]

Hehehe. Unhand my fish, you bear! You gonna pay for that net?

But really...even if I might take a net with me, I'd be super tempted to instead make some tide traps (what're they called?). Would seem so easy. They had those areas where the tide comes in and out...instead of putting my net up there, I'd modify the ground and use rocks and whatever. Same as on a stream bank. Make a backwater trap. Etc.

Also, if I were to bother with a bow, I'd want some blunt tips with flu flus, instead of just the regular arrows. Can make some though anyway.

NightSG - I wondered what the heck good would a towel be, when you're so limited on items. Then I thought (except for the limitation keeping me from ever choosing it anyway) it might could be used to always physically filter water before boiling (hafta wash it several times at home first so that when you're out there you don't leach any funny stuff into your water when filtering through it.) And also you could use some part of clothing to do that anyway.

[NightSG]

my attitude about the prize money is that it's simply what allows me to do it - not as a goal, but considering that I'd have to leave a job and home etc to do it, and be homeless for a few years if I lose. So some substantial compensation is simply the thing that allows me to do something that I may do anyway if money was not a factor.

Not sure about this one, but IIRC, most of the shows with a prize like this also have a stipend of some sort, specifically to cover the fact that most people can't just walk away for weeks or months without serious repercussions. Presumably they'd also have admins to handle things like making sure your rent got paid on time. (Though IMO, a part of the problem last year was that it seemed like everybody was in some sort of close relationship where they would have significant contact, every single day. Even Lucas, being so close to his family, probably wasn't used to spending a full day without in-person human contact. Haven't watched the intro vid to see about season 2's contestants yet, though.)

EDIT TO ADD: and now that I think of it, if Sam hadn't had that baby on the way, they might well still be shooting season 1. Just imagine if they got a pair of previously undiscovered Matt Graham or Cody Lundin types on the show. No close social attachments, experience being away from human contact for weeks, and the skills to thrive in a harsh environment with primitive tools. It would just be a matter of who got mauled by a bear first, if even that. They have to have some provisions for making sure certain things get handled for the contestants.

[hunter63]

Just want to make a couple of comments......on the comments.
I tried watching this a couple of times....found it dark, wet, and depressing...and found it hard to listen to the constant whining and the "Hey bear".

The fact the most of the population is on a phone or device constantly seems to be the worst part of this exercise.
Even most of my friends can't put down their phone, with constant texts and calls....drives me crazy...LOL

Many trips to the wild in the past many have included a trip to town...for resupply, shower, saloon, freezer plant for game and a call home from a pay phone....maybe once a week.......
No wonder these guys are "out of touch".

Next is the rules....
Its interesting that as soon as "rules" or items are decided on...most will want to extend, amend, add to and make sure any additional advantage is looked at and or tried......Kinda like life.

Anyway...carry on I just listen for the sidelines.....

[edr730]

I guess we all got our 2 cents and so I guess so do I even though I have only seen 2 episodes.
I'm not afraid of black bears, but I can't say I'd be comfortable with them hanging around my camp and not appearing afraid of me. On very rare occasions they have been known to attack. And as Crash points out, they can be destructive. Eating your food is a lot more annoying than taking down your bird feeder. If they annoyed me too much, I'd be setting up quite a few bent saplings and a trip line to smack them in the nose when they passed. Hopefully they'd get out of the area. I noticed a mountain of lashing in the woods for this and many other purposes.
I would not consider anything but a domed dwelling. Some may think of it as a wigwam, but the tarp takes all the work out of it. Good for the first night and all nights and is 5 times faster. As Kyrat pointed out in another thread, it's nice to have a big dry area under a tarp.
I'm a big sissy when it comes to being wet and cold. I would not allow that to happen. No water would ever enter my dwelling and I would not be cold. I would be too afraid of the wet and cold to let that happen.
I want what Lowkey mentioned. Pemican with 80% fat. I'd take 100% if they'd give it to me.
I honestly think I could do better than what I have seen. I'm not sure if my medicare would cover it though if I didn't.
I think in a week I could have something that looked like a canoe woven from the branches and lashings from the woods. I'd drop into the eddies of the coastline what I know as minnow traps to catch fish and crabs or what ever.
Even though I haven't seen much, it seems like a good show. Lets people like us play the part of Fog Horn Leg Horn. No no boy, yer doin it all wrong.

[WalkingTree]

The fact the most of the population is on a phone or device constantly seems to be the worst part of this exercise.
Even most of my friends can't put down their phone, with constant texts and calls....drives me crazy...LOL
I don't know why - what someone else does is their biz, as long as they're not having a car wreck with me because of it - but still this bothers me anyway. There's just something so wrong about it. Anywhere I'm at in public, lots of people...but no one's talking. Nobody even looks at each other. Completely oblivious to each other's existence. Sure, sometimes they're "talking" to folks through their devices, if not just screwing around with other stuff on that device, but that's just different. It even now feels like there's a new unspoken rule of etiquette - Don't say anything casual to anyone. Not a hello, not a casual polite question. Or you're being rude. You're being "quaint" or weird. It's like they don't know what to do if you do say anything to them. We're all using these things in some way. Of course we are. They're not evil. But completely engrossed into it every time you go out among other real people such that you never notice their existence or say a single real word to other people?

Just something creepy about all that...

[NightSG]

There's just something so wrong about it. Anywhere I'm at in public, lots of people...but no one's talking. Nobody even looks at each other. Completely oblivious to each other's existence.

I watched a table full of college kids at the diner last week sit for at least 30-45 minutes without speaking to each other, heads buried in their phones.
Sure, I was playing Candy Crush on mine, but I was alone. I put it aside when there's someone to talk to, unless it's part of the conversation. (Sharing photos, looking up info on the conversational topic, etc.)

FWIW, the phone is a part of my survival plan. Even if I don't have service, OSMand has a preloaded map and GPS, and I have several reference PDFs saved. A small battery pack gives me a few hours usage beyond what the regular battery does, and I make a point of keeping the phone as charged as practical, so I should generally have time for at least a quick refresher on whatever the priority is at the time, plus checking the map every couple hours for a few days if trying to self-rescue.

[hunter63]

Maybe still want to toss in a compass and a map?

[finallyME]

So, I saw the second episode....Spoiler alert



No one dropped out this time. And it looked like everyone went a whole week. The first guy is probably feeling pretty crappy knowing that all the other people lasted more than 7 days. At least with the first season, all the ones that tapped out early had the condolences of others. It does seem that at least 2 are in trouble. The one guy who is a survival instructor from Utah seems to be having a hard time finding food, plus he dropped his firesteel in the fire. This is the second guy to lose a fire steel. I would think a good practice might be to bring one of those monster steels, and then cut it in half when you arrive and place the other half somewhere really safe. That would give you a backup. One of the girls also cut her hand really bad. They ended the show right then.... I really hate that.

I am thinking that there will be some people lasting a really long time this season.

[NightSG]

Maybe still want to toss in a compass and a map?

I generally have a compass of some sort. Around here, a paper map isn't much of an improvement over my memory, (and the compass is mainly to keep a straight line) though when hiking in places I'm not intimately familiar with, I do carry one.


The one guy who is a survival instructor from Utah seems to be having a hard time finding food, plus he dropped his firesteel in the fire.

Maintain the fire, use it to get some friction fire materials bone dry and wrap them in the tarp, (do the rules specifically say you can't tuck something in one of the camera cases?) and make charcloth. Plenty of fires were lit before ferrocerium was available, even there.


One of the girls also cut her hand really bad.

Are we talking "bleed out without stitches" bad, "cut tendon" bad, or just "this is going to be a PITA doing things one handed for a few days" bad? If the latter, hopefully she'll stick around, keep the wound clean with boiled water, and hang in there unless it shows actual signs of infection.


I am thinking that there will be some people lasting a really long time this season.

Part of me wants to see a season drag on for a year or more as the finalists build themselves cabins and settle in for the long haul.

[Zylumn]

From what I have seen from last season and so far this season they concentrate episodes on people that are on the verge or are going to tap out.
Interesting they haven't introduced Jose or Nicole yet.
Randy losing his fire steel and not bringing fishing line or rations I see him lasting at the most 2 more weeks.
Mary Kate was getting set up nice but cut her hand (didn't look too bad) but injuries play more on the mind than body sometimes. She also set her fire steel on the log she was using to cut up wood and after she cut herself it had fallen (if lost could pose a major problem for her).
Mike is the second after "Mr tap out" that is showing emotional stress. " My heart aches from missing my wife like the time I didn't get a Christmas present at the orphanage" Come on Mike and Man up.
They didn't show Larry or Tracy this show so they must be crusing along fine.

So in conclusion I see possibly Randy, Mike and Mary Kate tapping out in the next 2 or 3 episodes.

[finallyME]

I don't see Mike tapping for a while. He is eating good. I think he is the only one that is making video of his thoughts so they are playing those more.

The last think Mary Kate said was that she can't move her thumb. That could be because she cut the tendon. It is right in that area. I think she is going to tap soon.

[Zylumn]

Mike expressed last episode he is experiencing chest pain anxiety. While not a condition that is serious it could lead to future complications. He is experiencing this at day 5 or 6; mild depression and anxiety should be weeks or more away. Every day should become marginally more difficult for all participants. For Mike to have longevity he will need to work on controlling his chest pain anxiety.
How hard it hit him and how well he adapts and compartmentalizes it is still to be determined.
Again I say Mike taps in the next 2/3 episodes.

[WalkingTree]

Part of me wants to see a season drag on for a year or more as the finalists build themselves cabins and settle in for the long haul.
*chuckle* I must admit, something about me that some in here wouldn't be surprised at...that's what I'd try to do. If it weren't for certain things like if I ended up needing dental attention or vitamins I wasn't good enough to get out there, or just got really sick, at some point I'd even trek to somewhere else and hide so they couldn't find me again. Create some signs to suggest that a bear dragged me off or something. Then months or years later if someone finds me, can pretend that because of a dangerous animal encounter I got separated from my stuff (strategically leave certain things but take certain other things) and got lost, and was just trying to survive nonetheless not knowing what else to do.

...well, no, probably not. That would be crazy. But it's a fun fantasy.


...she can't move her thumb. That could be because she cut the tendon. It is right in that area
That would really suck - cutting your tendon.

[WalkingTree]

Finally got to see the first episodes. Yippee!

God that place is beautiful. I can smell it. I can feel it. The air. Dirt. Humidity. Wow.

(The site wants me to enter some passkey, according to my service provider. But I only use over-the-air and don't want to screw with anything else. Just ain't that in love with T.V.) But now people can watch the first 2 shows. (What's up though with not being able to see "episode 0"?)

I change my mind about Tracy. She's moved way up on my list. Seems much less ditsy than many we've seen, and very stable psychologically. Stark contrast to Desmond - hears a bird call and suddenly the forest is haunted and terrorizes him. There's a bear outside when Tracy's in bed? Pfff, who cares. Silly bear, tricks are for kids.

I feel ya, David. My natural expression always makes me look like I'm mad too. But I'm not. Hope you get your bigfoot sighting.

That one dude better learn how to fish. Was that Randy?

I'm feeling like all the ones who start talking too much...in a brooding way, that is...about missing people, or lose flipping firestarters and talk about being defeated because of that - it's like they're intentionally self sabotaging or already decided they need to leave, but are weaving together a cover story for it. Or just don't consciously realize yet that they've decided to tap.

Except for Mary - I'm gonna be pissed if she's hurt bad, cause she seems like a winner. Changed my mind about her too. But, the whole time she's splitting that wood like she was, I'm thinking "you're gonna cut your hand...you're gonna cut your hand...why the heck are you doing it like that?! Ain't you got no sense girl??" And pow. Cut her hand.

[Zachary Fowler]

Totaly got to cut your fire starters top 2 inches of and hang it around your neck. Then you still have 6 inches left if you get the one of the big ones. And you could mount it in a footlong stick, tied and pitch glued in place so u cant misplace it so easly. Not to mention bank your fire when you leave it so yoy can uncover good coals sill going. I dont see why your fire should ever go out.

And its been a weak why is everyone still living in temporary shelters. If your planing on being there a while id want to build somthing i could realy get out of the rain and take my wet stuf of in. Somwhere with anuf room to hang my nicer up to dry.

[kyratshooter]

Why have they not built better shelters?

Possibly because they don't know how! They are bush crafters and survivalists, geared to the temporary weekend shelter.

All of their expertise is in temporary makeshift shelters and building any real security is beyond their abilities. Did you not notice the pretty wigwams of twigs and leaf piles they were proudly showing off in the introductory episode?

It is possibly because all their previous work has been done in parks and areas where only temporary shelters are allowed, so the concept of engineering for a long term shelter is not in their mental tool kit. I have run into this thought process before.

At any rate, I can see no work done for a week of site occupation. they should have jumped on that quickly before their energy levels dropped, or while they had the emergency food rations to sustain their work.

I can guarantee you that by day two I would have had a log wall between me and the bears, cougars and wolves. It might have taken another day or two to chink it in but the logs walls would have been there.

I have worked at several historic sites where two or three of us would have a cabin walled up and roofed in a weekend. The walls do not have to be but 5'-6' tall. These guys even have the advantage of using one of the tarps as a roof. They could have put up a 6'x8' trappers cabin in two days, even working alone.

And it does not require flat ground. You can level out two footer logs on a couple of tree stumps or piles of rocks and set stills close enough to level to run floor logs and build up from there.

Last season no one built a real shelter either, and they remained miserable and wet the entire series. When fall sets in they are going to have 50mph winds beating those tarps to death.

[Zylumn]

Kyratshooter I have thought about this and have come to the conclusion that there has to be rules against such "permanent" shelters. Over 2 years of 20 "" highly trained survivalists and only 1 last year started to build a log structure but mysteriously a quarter the way through quit siting a lame excuse. It doesn't make sense with an axe and saw something solid could rapidly be constructed. Ya it could just be laws of the Natives who own the land not wanting 20 cabins built on their land.

[WalkingTree]

not wanting 20 cabins built on their land.
This, I could understand. Whoever's land it is from one time to another, all the little scars left behind by a t.v. show and all the little cabins, might be something that someone is concerned about.

However, a log cabin is not the only option, even though this reasoning might extend to all forms of shelter. I myself would certainly have something started worth living in and it wouldn't be a log cabin. Nonetheless, this would be extremely disappointing.

rules against such "permanent" shelters
It means that they're not telling us everything. And I wonder if they tell the participants before they get approved to be on the show. It means that we're going to continue to be increasingly bored and disappointed by this show. It means that it is little more than Naked & Afraid - they got some "stuff" instead of being naked and barehanded, but they're really not supposed to do anything after all except just hang on as long as they can. Hang on, helplessly, instead of doing anything. It means that it's little more than Dual Survival - they're not supposed to do much more than those guys did, trying to get rescued, except that they draw it out, helplessly, instead of ever doing anything. It means that they effectively lie to everybody...drum up a lot of excitement over some people choosing their limited items, saying that they have to survive out in the wild with those items, and then tell them that they can't really hunt anything except freaking squirrels or grub worms, and that they can't build anything except for stringing up their puny tarps and huddling up underneath them with a handful of freaking leaves.

[crashdive123]

TV shows like this are aired for entertainment in the hopes of drawing viewers and increasing the advertising revenue. They are not put in place to "tell us everything" and educate us.

[NightSG]

This, I could understand. Whoever's land it is from one time to another, all the little scars left behind by a t.v. show and all the little cabins, might be something that someone is concerned about.

Seem like if they can afford all the gear and a half mil prize, they ought to be able to buy a couple hundred acres of less-desirable land somewhere and sell it off afterward. And maybe bribe their way to ten "unlimited primitive hunting/trapping" permits each year. That's not likely to destroy an ecosystem anywhere that isn't already insanely delicate.


It means that they're not telling us everything. And I wonder if they tell the participants before they get approved to be on the show. It means that we're going to continue to be increasingly bored and disappointed by this show.

Yup. I really wish they'd just go ahead and publish the whole rule book on their site. Some things might make a lot more sense if we actually knew the underlying constraints. People don't quit watching football after they've read all the rules.

[edr730]

I wouldn't mind having a log cabin. If I was the horse who was dragging all the logs through the woods, I wouldn't use anything but cedar. It's lighter, straight and can be limbed and cut far easier. Any big logs just wouldn't be possible. I saw some cedar in an episode in what little bit I saw. Bark of cedar can be used for shingles too although thin. The one problem is that cedar and bears like the same kind of area. Aspen or popple might be ok if I found a higher area with many trees of the same size that I wanted. Usually that occurs where loggers have been in the past in old cuttings and I don't think they log there. Aspen, when green, is heavy and full of water too. I wouldn't start if all I had was hardwood to drag and cut. One foot diameter by 8 ft hardwood log I don't think I could drag two feet if at all. A six inch diameter by 8 ft hardwood log I could drag a fair distance, but I don't want to do too much of that and I don't want to cut, saw or limb many of them either. Maybe 4 inch would be possible. If all the conditions were just right it could make a nice permanent shelter. I can see a lot of those tarps getting tore up as well since many probably don't know how to be careful with them in the wind.

[edr730]

There might be basswood there. That grows in clumps of trees and it is usually straight and not that heavy. Maybe soft maple which grows in the same kind of clumps and isn't bad to work with. It could be possible with the right trees all together to build a little cabin.

[NightSG]

Kyratshooter I have thought about this and have come to the conclusion that there has to be rules against such "permanent" shelters. Over 2 years of 20 "" highly trained survivalists and only 1 last year started to build a log structure but mysteriously a quarter the way through quit siting a lame excuse. It doesn't make sense with an axe and saw something solid could rapidly be constructed. Ya it could just be laws of the Natives who own the land not wanting 20 cabins built on their land.

I wonder what the actual limitation is; building something too hard to remove later, or cutting too much live wood.

I think my first step after the basic tarp shelter would be a fairly solid wickiup. Take a few days if needed to get a rock solid frame, some greenery over it for insulation and to reduce direct heat on the tarp from the firepit inside, then dismantle the first shelter and use the tarp for a waterproof layer, with more branches over the tarp to protect from hail or falling branches, and keep it from flapping in every little breeze.

Not sure I'd really want to go to a cabin after that. Just the psychological boost of having a real structure with enough room to move around in and get some work done and clothes dried when it's pouring rain should make a pretty big difference in how long I'd be willing to stay.

Beyond that, skip the bow and make an atlatl and darts on site, if there's any sort of cane or straight saplings in the area. Sling too, if you have the spare cordage. Not likely to get much use out of them, but at least you free up a spot on your items list. A sturdy spear or two as well; pointy sticks and the skill to use them put us at the top of the food chain. Fish spear as much to pass some down time in a useful manner as to supplement the gill net's catch. Springpole snares near camp, both to get food and to surprise any bear that triggers one accidentally. (Small game size, not bear size; I'm just thinking it might startle the bear into running away when the pole pops up. Doing it a few times on successive nights could encourage them to stay away.)

Anybody else notice the Utah survival instructor is using the exact same knife Matt Graham used on Dual Survival? Wonder how much of his training is from Matt. If that's the case, he might be a long-timer...if he'll settle down and settle in.

[WalkingTree]

It's possible that the kind of shelter that I'd prefer to build anyway (2.0) would be permitted by their rules (except the 'fence'?). Though of course I don't know.

My shelter "one-point-oh" (1.0) would be a quick debris hut, incorporating my tarp, which doesn't need precise engineering and isn't too picky on what material is required nor processing that material. Just a decent amount of it. In the very beginning, what I'd spend possibly more effort and time on is the beginnings of a type of fence, and preparing the general site/immediate vicinity. The fence would take on an equally immediate and rudimentary form initially, intended to be upgraded when I could do so. It would eventually be an intermeshed affair of certain kinds of brush/timber, and a kind of caltrop/hedgehog - 3 sticks, 6 pointed, about 3 feet high...eventually many of them overlapping slightly with each other and loosely connected to each other with some simple unprocessed natural cordage. (There'd be other features to the 'fence' too, like some punji features, and maybe a cordwood-&-mud wall around the entrance of shelter 2.0 to come later, forming a courtyard within the larger perimeter fence.) The fence would create a yard around my shelter which homogenizes and reduces habitat for many smaller creatures, deters larger ones or gives me response time for them, and allows me to work on projects without something sneaking up from behind me so easily, to accumulate, store, and protect materials and projects, and to have little smoldering fires (even anti-rain fire structures) without starting a forest fire and to even possibly work overnight occasionally - napping during the day.

I think that I'd plan on/scout for a second site also, specifically for game processing and cooking/dining (take cooked food back to main shelter?), separated from my primary/sleeping site and hopefully located close to flowing water for disposal of animal remains etc (?). This site would really be just an area of ground prepared like a 'yard', with it's own 'fence' of sorts; stone fire pit, working surfaces, and some water containment options always already there; in addition to trying to otherwise work in a 'clean' manner (leaving no remains) I'd always spread ashes all over everything before leaving each time. The components which make this 'yard' can be relocated, re-making it elsewhere if needed sometimes.

Shelter 2.0 would be a type of A-frame which doesn't need any major logs, would not use my tarp, almost doesn't require any lashing (cordage), doesn't require the engineering involved in leaf-weaving or bark shingles for rain-shedding, wouldn't need clay for being some wattle/daub project (though I'd consider incorporating this feature)...but it would be very warm, very secure against mosquitos, secure against large predators in combination with other things, would shed rain and keep me dry, and very stable possibly against winds up to 50 mph without parts of it falling apart.

Considering all the concerns, and options, for the 'pooping dilemma'...I've thought that I might just make some kind of woven-stick basket, used in combination with simple dirt thrown into it during operation - and I'd just poop into it within the relative security of my 'courtyard', then carry it out and empty it somewhere each time into a hole far away or flowing water. Cleaning the butt while at home, or at the 'emptying site'...I dunno.

But again, by the time that my projects begin to accumulate, the show producers might come in and say "You have to stop making stuff. Though you're trying to compete with others in how long you can survive out here, you can't actually do anything or use the stuff we gave you to achieve this goal." So I don't know.

I might maintain a 'dummy' camp for the one that the producers are aware of...in actuality being a first shelter (1.0) which I simply pretend to use afterwards for appearances...while instead having my real 'homestead' off somewhere else that they'd never stumble upon.

[hunter63]

Wow....Should have signed up for the show...sounds like a plan.

[WalkingTree]

Pfff...HAY no. They'll probably tell me that I can't do most of what I explained there ^. And I have my areas of ignorance, like with plants for example. In this Alone, the red algae bloom that keeps them from eating mussels...yea, the producers told them about it, but otherwise I'd just start gobbling em up, and then game over, I'm dead. And that's assuming that I'd have the knowledge about things like mussels in the first place.

I feel like I couldn't even identify what fish are unsafe to eat...like there's something that'd be bad for me but I wouldn't know it. Or how you need to prepare some animal or plant...so either losing it as an option for not knowing, or trying it but end up dead for not knowing.

I have zero immediately obvious experience or credentials anyway...no show in it's right mind would approve me to be on it.

[WalkingTree]

Though I guess I have to admit, if forced to make a choice...if money and leaving home and job wasn't a problem because a show provided some compensation whether I 'win' it or not, and even though I hate how something like this really happens because it's a t.v. show...I might still do it, simply because that'd be my chance to get some real experience to this extent - whether I did well or not, the fact that I even did it in reality would certainly do something for me. I wouldn't be doing it to 'test' myself, but just to learn in the first place. Some real experiential knowledge.

If I had much of a notice, and knew where it'd be, I'd just try to crash-course myself on a few reliable basics concerning knowledge, then just play it safe in those areas once out there.

[Zylumn]

WalkingTree
The fence would create a yard around my shelter which homogenizes and reduces habitat for many smaller creatures, deters larger ones or gives me response time for them, and allows me to work on projects without something sneaking up from behind me so easily, to accumulate, store, and protect materials and projects, and to have little smoldering fires (even anti-rain fire structures) without starting a forest fire and to even possibly work overnight occasionally - napping during the day.

I totally agree with setting a perimeter around your site. Wood, brush and your urine works. Animals know when they are encroaching on your territory and can easily be scared off as they are on the defensive. This works also as a deterrent for them coming back.
My experience is the Rockies NW Canada with Grizzly, Black , Cinnamon bears, Coyotes, Mountain Lions, Badgers etc. Defending and protecting your main camp is the most important. I have NEVER considered eating and cooking apart from my main camp. If that separate area is not protected it will get torn up and if bears "etc" tear it up without consequences they WILL be back and they will be back with greater confidence. Just my opinion and what has worked for me, (mind you I have always had a gun)

[WalkingTree]

Zylumn

- With a perimeter, working food in your main site isn't a problem? The perimeter along with other methods are good enough to persuade bigger animals to respect your space, even when they frequently smell your food?

- My secondary food-processing site is only meant to "work" while I'm there. If it's torn up while I'm gone, there's nothing really to tear up, and it can be quickly re-made next time I need it. And I won't leave any remains and would spread fire ash around, etc...would anything have any motivation to mess with it? (it's never left to be "closed up" so something would have to mess with it in order to "get inside" of the yard area.) Does this thinking apply? Would it work this way?

[edr730]

I think the first thing I would do when I got off the boat would be look for a real big pine tree. I'd get up it and look

[Zylumn]

Zylumn

Does this thinking apply? Would it work this way?[/I]

It does! You sound like a smart fellow I am sure you could think it out and make it work.
Now me I'm an old fart and not gifted with a whole lot of excess energy. What energy I have I would apply it to one place with my little bit of excess energy make that place better and safer.
Bears have such a keen sense of smell if food has been in a spot it will know it no matter how well you clean up.
We come back to our camp one time after a day of riding and a bear had broken a back window out of a SUV and pulled out our sealed cooler of food. There was 2 other Vehicles there that weren't touched our tent and perimeter not touched (mind you we did have a solar fence we used for the horses around our perimeter) but from the size of the tracks it might have enjoyed the shocks.

[NightSG]

- My secondary food-processing site is only meant to "work" while I'm there. If it's torn up while I'm gone, there's nothing really to tear up, and it can be quickly re-made next time I need it. And I won't leave any remains and would spread fire ash around, etc...would anything have any motivation to mess with it? (it's never left to be "closed up" so something would have to mess with it in order to "get inside" of the yard area.) Does this thinking apply? Would it work this way?

IMO, the "secondary food processing site" wouldn't even really be a specific place. More like wherever I got back to dry land after checking the gill net, or just far enough from any herbivore-targeted traps to not scare them off with a gut pile. Scoop out enough beach sand to make a fire pit just big enough for the cooking project at hand, and bring fire from the main fire to cook. Eat there. Ideally, prep, cook and eat below the high-tide mark whenever possible so the ocean takes care of the cleanup. (Bonus; you'll be chumming the area around your gill net.)

In prep for the rainy season, yes, I'd likely have any semi-stable food (dried fish, dried seaweed, nuts, etc.) stored near enough to the shelter that I could drag it in pretty quickly before holing up to wait out the weather, so I would probably also do the urine perimeter and at least some sort of brush fence. Remember to pee as high as you can, since the height of the scent marks on the trees is part of what indicates the size of the carnivore that marked it. If you're squeezing it out for a 6' high hit, most smart animals will back way off.

Clean water storage and rainwater collection would be another issue to address; if you've got a month of solid rain, you don't want to be wandering out to the stream for more water, gathering extra firewood to boil it, etc. while nature is dumping ice cold potable water all over you. A small catchment (Clay lined? Cut off a piece of tarp for plastic lining? Look for plastic sheeting/bags on the beach?) at one wall and a pile of pine needles will set you up to make tea on demand without leaving the shelter. Could even do a second catchment lined with the needles so all you have to do for your morning tea is scoop it out and warm it up. Remember the British survival tactic of making tea early and often; it's a psychological boost in that it reminds you that you have fire, good water and the ability to make something better from what the environment gives you. Ideally, when the weather gets bad, it would be best to sit it out for days at a time, leaving the shelter only for potty time, and that as naked as you can handle in the cold rain to keep your clothes dry. To me, the failing point of Alan's shelter last year was not having room to do anything but lay there; I want at least a covered area to change clothes and dry them over a fire. A smaller sleeping area is easier to heat, but an area where you can keep dry and busy with small, useful tasks (making cordage, fletching arrows or atlatl darts, braiding a sling, repairing clothes, carving bowls, making a pump drill in case your firesteel gets lost, etc.) will help fight the boredom that leads to despairing about your situation.

I think the one thing I'd really want along that isn't on the list, though, is a Bible. I'd be fine with them making sure all the pages are still accounted for at the end, but sitting out weeks of rain might finally be the motivation I need to read the Old Testament straight through.

[finallyME]

I think the one thing I'd really want along that isn't on the list, though, is a Bible. I'd be fine with them making sure all the pages are still accounted for at the end, but sitting out weeks of rain might finally be the motivation I need to read the Old Testament straight through.

You can always get a bible on waterproof paper, which isn't all that flammable. That should pass the no burn test. Plus, you won't have to worry about it getting wet.

[kyratshooter]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch,,

Would anyone like to attend the Boulder Outdoor Survival School? That's where Randy teaches those month long survival courses.

You know, he's the guy that sets one deadfall trap in sight of his tent in an area with no reported small game, does not know how to fish, and burns up his ferro rod.

What we are seeing out of this "survival school instructor" is pure incompetence.

I do not think some of these "experts" are even competent in their home environments.

[hunter63]

At least they can get off work...if they have a job....and can just take off with out DW getting pizzed....divorcing them and taking all their stuff while they are gone....

Carry on this speculation is interesting.
On Naked and Afraid....you just freeze and starve for 3 weeks.....Alone guys....at least these guy can say they took their special knife.....

[kyratshooter]

Did it appear that a lot of the families could not wait for Dad to leave on the big adventure?

Seems the desire to get rid of husband/dad for up to a year with the possibility that he will be eaten by a wolf/bear/cougar, or possibly starve, is being defined as "support".

And like Hunter said, I do not see any of them having a "real job" in their bios.

[NightSG]

You know, he's the guy that sets one deadfall trap in sight of his tent in an area with no reported small game, does not know how to fish, and burns up his ferro rod.

Sam spent a long time eating rodents from his close-in deadfalls, so there's a possibility of some real benefit there. Plus, we don't really know what he's done with the ~200 hours that aren't on the show. He might have done that one just for ease of filming and/or the others ended up on the cutting room floor. Even if we assumed the contestants only roll cameras for 8 hours a day, that would mean each one generates 56 hours of footage per week. Realistically, they're probably running 2-3 cameras at a time when interesting stuff is going on, coming up with more like 12-18 total hours a day. That would be over 1100 hours a week from the 9 remaining, and we get less than an hour combined.

Granted, some of that is 3 angles of Tracy waddling along a beach, or an hour of Nicole picking her nose after forgetting to turn the camera off, but it's safe to assume there's a lot of relevant footage that still gets cut.

Not a lot of fishing opportunities in the southern Utah deserts, either.

[NightSG]

And like Hunter said, I do not see any of them having a "real job" in their bios.

Reread them; sounds like Nicole essentially retired from a couple of "real jobs" with a PhD in biology and co-owns a safari company. Mary Kate is a fitness trainer after retiring from fighting wildfires. Justin seems fairly fresh out of the Army, so survival training looks to be more a part of "finding himself" than a career he's been milking for decades. Not 8-5 desk jockeys, but also not the typical "survival instructor" advertising in the back of Soldier of Fortune that seems to dominate the applicants for this show.

I doubt you'd find a lot of desk jockeys even seriously considering something like this. Maybe some skilled laborers, but that's pretty stratified in terms of financial situation; the low end can't afford months off, and the high end would rather have a steady paycheck than a 1 in 10 chance at either a few years' pay in one shot or nothing for several months.

[finallyME]

Sam spent a long time eating rodents from his close-in deadfalls,

I wouldn't say that Sam spent a long time eating rodents from his dead falls. It was more like he spent a lot of time setting them up, with no catches....which is why he almost starved before tapping.

I do agree about the survival instructor.... he isn't showing much skill at the moment.

[edr730]

The mice are in the dead rotten stumps. When I was a kid that's where we went if we wanted mice.

[WalkingTree]

That wouldn't make sense about Sam though...he says that he left the show with a couple pounds of pemmican left - or something like that, don't remember exactly how much he said it was.

Think it was somewhere in this vid where I heard it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUdH2ehlHfs

[PNWJim]

I think the one thing I'd really want along that isn't on the list, though, is a Bible. I'd be fine with them making sure all the pages are still accounted for at the end, but sitting out weeks of rain might finally be the motivation I need to read the Old Testament straight through.

Any good book would be good to take, however any book, even the Bible was not allowed on this Alone contest. Even writing materials so you could write your own book were not allowed. You have to deal with the situation with what is in your head only.

[NightSG]

Any good book would be good to take, however any book, even the Bible was not allowed on this Alone contest. Even writing materials so you could write your own book were not allowed. You have to deal with the situation with what is in your head only.

I do wonder if they were allowed to record some "private" messages along with the rest of their video, and/or get a copy of their own footage that got cut. Pen and paper for letter writing would kill a lot of the loneliness (letters picked up with the old batteries) even if you couldn't get replies until afterward.

For that matter, I wonder if they'd humor a contestant who managed to make some sort of paper and ink, write letters and leave them for pickup with the batteries. Not gaining any advantage by it other than maybe a psychological one, and for that matter, you wouldn't even know whether they got mailed until after your time was up. (Actually, my only real concern would be that they keep them safe and dry. Hand delivering them after returning home would be fun.)

[WalkingTree]

Arg, we're rugged ole outdoorsman 'round here. Don't need no paper and pencils. We'll just make 'em ourselves. I'll make my own book and pencil. After building shelter 3.0, the library building is next.

Reminds me of something I found real funny on a show a long time ago about unusual homes - This guy was a librarian or something like that, so the house he built was designed to accommodate lots of books, and it was in Australia. He said something about his house...and you have to imagine him saying it with a thick british/Australian accent. That's what was funny - "It's a box for books in the bush." Say it outloud with that accent.

If taking a book, that might be the chance to get real smart - take a dictionary. Or a really thorough book on plant identification. Or War & Peace.

[NightSG]

If taking a book, that might be the chance to get real smart - take a dictionary. Or a really thorough book on plant identification. Or War & Peace.

If not the Bible, then the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

Then I could use it as the counterweight on a trebuchet and hunt the bears.

[Zylumn]

So Mary Kate tapped from the cut to her hand. She must have been a volunteer fire fighter as you can see she has had no medical training. A First Aid Level 1 or EMR Cert. is usually the minimum. She was in shock but she still had no clue how to treat herself.

Nicole seems pretty comfortable I don't see her winning but I already have respect for her.

Tracy what can you say She is a tough customer.

Randy's fire goes out I think he taps. He should be able to keep it going for a few weeks.

Jose; talk about someone comfortable in his surroundings. I wish they would have shown more of his set up; but I think we will have lots of time to see it.

[finallyME]

Yeah, Jose seems like he is in it for the long haul. He is just getting settled.

[Faiaoga]

If not the Bible, then the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

Then I could use it as the counterweight on a trebuchet and hunt the bears.

I hope no one attempted to bring a copy of the CRC Handbook - any copies of this that I have seen are so heavy they they would sink a boat or cause a helicopter to crash:no:

[crashdive123]

Here's a takeaway that I got from season 1 and so far in season 2. This is not a criticism of any of the participants.

Self described "survival experts" leaves a lot of room for discussion and debate. Those that work with nature and not against it will do far better than others. Those that have not spent much time alone in the woods really don't enjoy their own company all that much. Injuries can happen any time, especially if we become complacent. When gear is lost or destroyed and there is no back-up, you may be in the hurt locker.

I understand, especially for my last comment that they are limited in gear but this reinforces (for me at least) why I take back-ups for stuff and don't store it all in the same place. It doesn't matter if you bring 10 ways to start a fire and put them all in your pack if you lose your pack.

[kyratshooter]

They could have extracted Mary Kate last week but decided to string the excitement along I suppose. She did need stitches in that cut, but in a true survival situation she would have stopped the bleeding, closed the cut with some butterflys, bandaged it, and been thankful it was her non-dominant hand. Both last week and this episode would have been rather boring without that one bit of excitement.

Even the bear encounters are less exciting this season.

I think there are several in the group this season that will stay until the snow cover and ice make food gathering impossible and the possibility of starvation presents itself.

I think that Randy does not have the ability to adapt to his new climate quick enough to overcome losing his ferro rod. He is going to have to quit thinking of fire as being a small pile of burning twigs whenever he needs it and view it as an energy source obtained from large logs that burn for a whole day at a time and lives under his tarp.

There are a couple of others that are doing stupid things. It may seem like a good idea to them at the moment, but it is utterly stupid in the long run. There is one guy that is going to kill himself going up and down the mountain in his daily trip to check the nets once he is weakened a little. He can barely make it up he hill now.

One thing I get a kick from is the search for flat ground that seems to dominate their every thought! Most of them seem to be from areas where they never have to climb a hill and they can pick a flat spot for camp that is big enough to build a city. I suppose the being from KY I am just used to building a flat sleeping spot and the rest of the camp being on an angle! Around here farm land is rolling hills and wilderness/preserved nature is straight up and down.

I am wondering if the producers have told the contestants to be emotionally over exposed and appear generally like touchy-feely wimps and talk about their feelings constantly. The ones that are not presenting themselves as emotional cripples are coming off as idealist or outdoor philosophers.

[Winter]

First off, I love the show.

It's fun to watch because it's the same as here in SE Alaska. We get more rain, a little colder, but no cougars.

Some takes on the show so far.

Jose is a settler and really has it together. My only worry for him is if he runs out of things to do and has to be alone with his thoughts. Same with Mike except Mike's past may be harder to be alone with.

Larry's mistakes in site selection and his commute to and from the ocean is going to get him injured. His temper and impatience will speed up the process.

Nicole is level headed and smart. She may not be as experienced as Jose and Mike but a good attitude trumps a lot of things.

Tracy will kill and eat the bear in hand to hand combat.

Justin's refusal to live off the ocean puts him in the same boat as Larry as far as subsistence goes. He also threw away that bird. At the very least, that bird was bait for fish, crab, mink, and martin.

David is hard to decipher.

----------------------------------------
The basic rule for scrounging on the pacific NW Islands.

Stay on the beach, that's where your food is and that's where all animals come at least once a day. Without bivalves (PSP/redtide)on the menu you still have snails, sea cucumbers, and seaweed.

------------------------------------------------

So far, the shelters are way better then last year and the skill levels of the contestants are better.

[WalkingTree]

These episodes just aren't long enough. What this is about just can't be stuck into less-than-an-hour episodes only once a week. I start watching it, then it's over.

Jose used tree roots for some lashing. I knew that was good stuff. Vindicated hehe.

Sucks about Mary. Out there like that, you got to be mindful of how you walk. How you move, don't be in a hurry. For example Jose crossed a creek on a fallen slippery tree while carring a log - I would've instead just tossed the log over, then crossed. Randy showed us a rock he found with a dimple in it for making fire - that dimple was close to the edge of that rock and that rock was a bit small...I'd feel like the drill would slip out right into my hand while I was pressing down, and pow, I've stabbed myself in the hand.

I might remember wrong, but I think Mary cut herself when she was talking to the camera while chopping. Seems like that distracted her some and she wasn't paying full attention. That's why I hate the idea of putting this stuff on t.v., or at least wouldn't want to mess with the camera or jabbering into it if I did this stuff. Even with camera operators, they'll always be thinking of the camera's presence to some extent.

Larry is funny when he get's frustrated. Likes to cuss at things. He better reign that in or he'll hurt himself.

Tracy is like...go on now, you bear. Git! Don't make me come over there!

Kyratshooter - When I spent a winter in KY, my buttocks and upper legs became very shapely...very fit. I loved it. Didn't need no stinking stairmaster machine.

But anyway...in the world that we've built which makes things easy, we can't forget the paradox of the human body. We're quite powerful in our way, but also in important ways we're just about the weakest and most vulnerable thing on the planet. It's so easy to get cut or damage a joint or limb. Or get sick...

...I know it's weird to think of me teaching anyone about this stuff, and in this crowd I rate kind of low. But I've found out, for myself, that anytime I "teach" something that I do know to anyone who doesn't know it, it's had the effect of teaching me stuff. I always end up learning a lot about something whenever I go through the process of teaching it to someone else. The opportunity to learn myself is a major motivation whenever I try to pass on anything to someone else...

...so, with that said - I always imagined that if I were in the position of having to teach others about these things, instead of just water or fire or shelter, etc, one of the first things would be a big speech on being careful. Of getting yourself into a certain mindset. A certain mood. Almost completely retraining yourself to 'baby' yourself with every step, every motion, and always think about what you're doing before you do it. And to make this attitude your new permanent headspace, all of the time.

[edr730]

Kyrat covered my opinions very well and he was on the mark. Mary Kay may have had tendons cut, but barring that, her injury didn't look serious. Her reactions were as if she had never experienced a very small amount of blood. She did the best she could but, unless her injury was more serious than it appeared, just wasn't ready.
Not having enough firewood and not keeping it dry is bad and climbing a steep slope is also unless you have no choice. Beds can be made level. Tracy surprised me. Her opinions about the bear, wolves and cougar were right on and so were her reactions. I don't know Jose yet, but he seems good. The whining and philosophy looks scripted to me too. If I didn't like where I was at (and I probably wouldn't), I'd move maybe as far as they would allow. The rain and the temperature makes me think of collecting worms.

[crashdive123]

I can't disagree with Winter's assessment at all.

I'm curious why they haven't aired much footage from David. Maybe not enough drama? I know that he knows his way around shooting video.

[NightSG]

It's fun to watch because it's the same as here in SE Alaska. We get more rain, a little colder, but no cougars.

Really? What do you do when the younger women won't put out?


Nicole is level headed and smart. She may not be as experienced as Jose and Mike but a good attitude trumps a lot of things.

Attitude trumps nearly everything; real "must leave" illnesses and injuries are rare with the equipment they have and basic first aid knowledge. With the exception of the idiot drinking bad water last season, there hasn't been anybody who couldn't have chosen to stick with it longer.


Tracy will kill and eat the bear in hand to hand combat.

Few more days without Taco Bell, and killing it first may be optional.


Justin's refusal to live off the ocean puts him in the same boat as Larry as far as subsistence goes. He also threw away that bird. At the very least, that bird was bait for fish, crab, mink, and martin.

Without any sign of what killed it, I'd be concerned about a parasite, infection or toxin that could contaminate anything baited in with it too.

[MOSTBCWT]

www.alankaysurvival.com

Interesting. Alan Season 1 winner

[MOSTBCWT]

www.woodsongwilderness.com

Sam. Season 1 almost winner.

[MOSTBCWT]

If y'all wanna own a knife Sam used on the show he's auctioning it off for money to help his business at the same time a group are giving him money to keep it. Lol

Seems a little strange but just lettin you all know in case someone wants to own it.

[MOSTBCWT]

Without any sign of what killed it, I'd be concerned about a parasite, infection or toxin that could contaminate anything baited in with it too.

He wasted it. Anything he baited with it would be contained in the intestinal tract and would be disposed of before consumption and only after a thorough well done cooking. Just shows his wilderness and woodland inexperience. It was a major waste. He saw it swimming the day before. He's just inexperienced. That's all you can say really.

[kyratshooter]

To be honest, with this years group I would be comfortable sitting down at the fire and sharing a cup of coffee with most any of them. Well, any of them that still have a ferro rod! My camps look a lot like their camps, 'cept I usually carry a chair and have more firewood stacked up.

Don't know why, but this year's series makes we want to get out into the woods.

Been cooped up all winter and now that the weather has broken I am antsy.

[Zylumn]

I can't disagree with Winter's assessment at all.

I'm curious why they haven't aired much footage from David. Maybe not enough drama? I know that he knows his way around shooting video.


www.alankaysurvival.com



Interesting. Alan Season 1 winner

Maybe because he always looks angry it brought down the ratings

Alan has figured out how to turn a half million into 2 or 3 million

[MOSTBCWT]

To be honest, with this years group I would be comfortable sitting down at the fire and sharing a cup of coffee with most any of them. Well, any of them that still have a ferro rod! My camps look a lot like their camps, 'cept I usually carry a chair and have more firewood stacked up.

Don't know why, but this year's series makes we want to get out into the woods.

Been cooped up all winter and now that the weather has broken I am antsy.

Don't be cooped up all winter. Get out in the woods then too!! Lol

[WalkingTree]

Yep...since it's a t.v. show...though it's about a survival situation which is hard enough by itself...better do a song and dance.

They'd love me, I guess. Even without the cameras, if I were out there for real and not on a show, I'd be playing a drum and whirling a bullroarer and blowing a didgeradoo to the animals that I'd make there. It would basically all be a song named "this is my house, ya'll."

[NightSG]

I'm curious why they haven't aired much footage from David. Maybe not enough drama? I know that he knows his way around shooting video.

Maybe they're trying to find a nice way to say that he took too much advice from this forum, and got lost on day 2. They're still trying to find him.

Mary Kate was a bit disappointing; it really looked like she'd be there a month or more at least. Then again, a deep cut in the wild can go bad quickly, so I can't fault her too much for tapping out, though I do wish she'd calmed down before making the decision. Now, given their attitudes, I could really see this coming down to a sit-it-out battle between Jose and Nicole if no disaster hits either of them. Jose is on a camping trip, and Nicole saw the bear as a resource, (good lesson there, and one I'd forgotten about; anything that has a diet of mostly things you can eat is worth keeping track of) so I expect them to both be around for a while.

Randy could get his head out, use the fire as a focal point that keeps him from getting too wrapped up in the loneliness, and tough it out, but I have my doubts. I still didn't see him piling on some big logs to dry and smoulder, while that seems to be a staple of Jose's plan with the fireblower.

[DavidEnoch]

I have seen criticism of the guys that brought Multitools. I think that in a survival situation that a multitool is often the best tool for manipulating trash and junk that you find into usable items. I don't know if I would sacrifice a heavy knife for a multitool but I think it would be one of my selected items. In the areas I have hiked I am always stumbling over junk that would be very valuable in a survival situation. The guys and gals on Alone have the ocean bringing in new junk every day.

David Enoch

[WeekendWarrior]

I was wondering if the med kits were sealed and breaking the seal was considered a tapout? Way too many useful things in it to allow them free access.

It also looked like Tracey popped a flare to scare away a bear. I wonder if any were temped to use a flare to start a fire?

[Zylumn]

I have seen criticism of the guys that brought Multitools. I think that in a survival situation that a multitool is often the best tool for manipulating trash and junk that you find into usable items. I don't know if I would sacrifice a heavy knife for a multitool but I think it would be one of my selected items. In the areas I have hiked I am always stumbling over junk that would be very valuable in a survival situation. The guys and gals on Alone have the ocean bringing in new junk every day.

David Enoch

If I had the choice of one of the 2 Heavy Blade or Multi-tool I would take the multi-tool.


I was wondering if the med kits were sealed and breaking the seal was considered a tapout? Way too many useful things in it to allow them free access.

It also looked like Tracey popped a flare to scare away a bear. I wonder if any were temped to use a flare to start a fire?

Good point a decent 1st aid kit would be full of useful material.


Jose is on a camping trip, and Nicole saw the bear as a resource, (good lesson there, and one I'd forgotten about; anything that has a diet of mostly things you can eat is worth keeping track of) so I expect them to both be around for a while.


Such a great observation. Nicole definitely has the right attitude about the locals diet. A black bear consumes 6,000 to 10,000 calories a day if I remember correctly. That is a whole lot of food. I can't see a BBear capable of getting too many Live fish out of the ocean so 80+% of their intake was what Nicole was observing.

[NightSG]

I have seen criticism of the guys that brought Multitools. I think that in a survival situation that a multitool is often the best tool for manipulating trash and junk that you find into usable items. I don't know if I would sacrifice a heavy knife for a multitool but I think it would be one of my selected items. In the areas I have hiked I am always stumbling over junk that would be very valuable in a survival situation. The guys and gals on Alone have the ocean bringing in new junk every day.

Yup. IMO, I'd still want a small knife along for digging splinters out and such, so having a pair of pliers and a wire cutter attached to it is a bonus.


I was wondering if the med kits were sealed and breaking the seal was considered a tapout? Way too many useful things in it to allow them free access.

It also looked like Tracey popped a flare to scare away a bear. I wonder if any were temped to use a flare to start a fire?

I would hope it's something that can be judged later; i.e. "make sure you have video of what you do with it and we'll decide later if it's a valid use." I wouldn't want someone getting a potentially serious infection because they'd lose the game if they got some Bactine out of the kit, or getting too risky with a predator because they didn't want to use the flare.

[MOSTBCWT]

There is no substitute for a good sized full tang high carbon knife in an outdoors survival situation, unless of course you are allowed other things for making a tv show. I've never understood why so many people who consider themselves true bushcrafters or woodland survivalists watch this show with so much vigor and seem to live vicariously through it. I suspect it's couch potato bushcrafters.

Anyone worth their salt and who possess genuine experience and knowledge can plainly see this tv show is not what it portrays itself to be. Drama and ratings are the focus, not TRUE survival and long term survivability.

[kyratshooter]

It still beats McGiver reruns. And I applaud this grew for making it as realistic as possible inside legal and safety standards.

Yes there is some contrived and edited drama. That is to be expected, it's entertainment and sitting and watching soundless film of people going about mundane tasks for hours is not good editing by any measure.

If want bad film and editing I can go to You-tube and watch some hat on backwards, wrap around sunglass wearing fool brag and drone on endlessly.

I do know that this series has almost every survival related forum on the internet abuzz with discussion, and most of the discussion is equipment and skills related, not the general TV show complaints over whether they are actually having pizza delivered when the cameras are turned off.

As for couch potato syndrome ,,, The couch is for company, I occupy the Lazy Boy.

And no, I am not giving up my TV to pursue more important activities. I did that for 60+ years, now I get to sit and watch TV any time I feel like it.

[NightSG]

There is no substitute for a good sized full tang high carbon knife in an outdoors survival situation, unless of course you are allowed other things for making a tv show.

I always carry at least two knives when spending time in the woods, partly on the "two is one, one is none" theory, and partly because big knives do some things well, while small knives do other things well. If I were setting up a gear list for the show, I would most likely do both a large knife and a multitool.

[MOSTBCWT]

It still beats McGiver reruns. And I applaud this grew for making it as realistic as possible inside legal and safety standards.

Yes there is some contrived and edited drama. That is to be expected, it's entertainment and sitting and watching soundless film of people going about mundane tasks for hours is not good editing by any measure.

If want bad film and editing I can go to You-tube and watch some hat on backwards, wrap around sunglass wearing fool brag and drone on endlessly.

I do know that this series has almost every survival related forum on the internet abuzz with discussion, and most of the discussion is equipment and skills related, not the general TV show complaints over whether they are actually having pizza delivered when the cameras are turned off.

As for couch potato syndrome ,,, The couch is for company, I occupy the Lazy Boy.

And no, I am not giving up my TV to pursue more important activities. I did that for 60+ years, now I get to sit and watch TV any time I feel like it.

Laze on my brutha!!

[Zylumn]

I've never understood why so many people who consider themselves true bushcrafters or woodland survivalists watch this show with so much vigor and seem to live vicariously through it. I suspect it's couch potato bushcrafters.

Anyone worth their salt and who possess genuine experience and knowledge can plainly see this tv show is not what it portrays itself to be. Drama and ratings are the focus, not TRUE survival and long term survivability.

A true bush crafter or woodland survivalist as you say would most likely not have internet or tv to watch this show. You demean people here and on other sites for something you yourself are party to.
I would love to be a true survivalist but real world commitments force me to spend 8 or 9 months of the year talking about it and not doing it.
The contestants on this show probably generate 300 hours of video a day or 2000 + hours a week that is edited to produce 40 minutes of entertainment. We get to " live vicariously" through that 40 minutes. Does our conversations about this show make me a better survivalist ( maybe). I carry a fire blower I made 30 years ago from an expanding golf ball retriever would I need to make another while I'm out? I have never thought about it but I know I could easily make one like Jose did.
Take this show for what it is Entertainment if it takes you to a place and lets you think back to some of your own experiences then it is good entertainment. That's what it does for me.
So MOSTBCWT instead of labeling me for watching and talking about the ALONE show. Show me YOUR "worth of salt" what would you do as an ALONE contestant given the shows restrictions.

[MOSTBCWT]

A true bush crafter or woodland survivalist as you say would most likely not have internet or tv to watch this show. You demean people here and on other sites for something you yourself are party to.
I would love to be a true survivalist but real world commitments force me to spend 8 or 9 months of the year talking about it and not doing it.
The contestants on this show probably generate 300 hours of video a day or 2000 + hours a week that is edited to produce 40 minutes of entertainment. We get to " live vicariously" through that 40 minutes. Does our conversations about this show make me a better survivalist ( maybe). I carry a fire blower I made 30 years ago from an expanding golf ball retriever would I need to make another while I'm out? I have never thought about it but I know I could easily make one like Jose did.
Take this show for what it is Entertainment if it takes you to a place and lets you think back to some of your own experiences then it is good entertainment. That's what it does for me.
So MOSTBCWT instead of labeling me for watching and talking about the ALONE show. Show me YOUR "worth of salt" what would you do as an ALONE contestant given the shows restrictions.

Not be on Alone.

[finallyME]

Calling other people couch potatoes because they watch a show, and doing this while typing on the INTERNET.... Pot calling the kettle black. There will never be a true survival show... without some major risks. This show is actually pretty good, considering you still have lawyers.

Oh, and there are substitutes for a good sized full tang high carbon knife in an outdoors survival situation. People have survived for thousands of years without them.

[hunter63]

Looks like we have a ''lets cruise this forum and toss some barbs.....at one and all..." on our hands.

Not impressed.

I predict 25 posts......Who else is in?

[MOSTBCWT]

A true bush crafter or woodland survivalist as you say would most likely not have internet or tv to watch this show.

You shouldn't be so hard on everyone.

Sorry I was short responding earlier. I only use my phone. Was in the river bottoms all day building another semi-permanent camp.

[MOSTBCWT]

Calling other people couch potatoes because they watch a show, and doing this while typing on the INTERNET.... Pot calling the kettle black. There will never be a true survival show... without some major risks. This show is actually pretty good, considering you still have lawyers.

Oh, and there are substitutes for a good sized full tang high carbon knife in an outdoors survival situation. People have survived for thousands of years without them.

Zylum is who said everyone who has Internet and tv probably aren't real bushcrafters. Can somebody please tell me who here or anywhere I directly insulted or called a couch potato bushcrafter? I haven't mentioned a single person. Seems like some folks have a sensitivity to that language though. Interesting.

[MOSTBCWT]

Looks like we have a ''lets cruise this forum and toss some barbs.....at one and all..." on our hands.

Not impressed.

I predict 25 posts......Who else is in?

You would be incorrect. I'm not real impressed either. If I only last 25 posts it'll be because someone had their feelings hurt and ban me. Not because I insult anyone.

Go outside and look at the moon. Do you realize we are in a 3 day old moon right now? Do you even understand that? Do you know what that means as it relates to navigation and woodsmanship? Impress me. Please impress me. I'm anxiously waiting to be impressed. I'll be outside studying constellations ,etc. It's very educational. Unlike most bushcraft related Internet forums.

[crashdive123]

Let it go and move on. Everybody please.

[DavidEnoch]

There is no substitute for a good sized full tang high carbon knife in an outdoors survival situation, unless of course you are allowed other things for making a tv show. I've never understood why so many people who consider themselves true bushcrafters or woodland survivalists watch this show with so much vigor and seem to live vicariously through it. I suspect it's couch potato bushcrafters.

Anyone worth their salt and who possess genuine experience and knowledge can plainly see this tv show is not what it portrays itself to be. Drama and ratings are the focus, not TRUE survival and long term survivability.

True, I would take a large chopping type knife over an axe or saw in most situations.

Yes, the current fornula for TV series like this is more about human conflict than skills, decision making, gear, etc. I wish that every week they showed the items they had found on their beach and how they are using them. I with they showed the updates to their shelter. I with they showed how their bed and bedding were made and how well it was working. I wish they showed how much food they caught or picked and how much of their reserves was used. I would like to see every project that was tried, both failures and sucesses. You could make a two hour show on each contestant each week and a lot of us couch potatoes would watch it. By the way, a lot of us "couch potatoes" work 50 -60 hours per week, take care of our kids, take care of aging parents, mow the yard, and worship two or three times a week. Catching an hour of Alone is a guilty please and break from our reality.
David Enoch

[Zylumn]

True, I would take a large chopping type knife over an axe or saw in most situations.

Yes, the current fornula for TV series like this is more about human conflict than skills, decision making, gear, etc. I wish that every week they showed the items they had found on their beach and how they are using them. I with they showed the updates to their shelter. I with they showed how their bed and bedding were made and how well it was working. I wish they showed how much food they caught or picked and how much of their reserves was used. I would like to see every project that was tried, both failures and sucesses. You could make a two hour show on each contestant each week and a lot of us couch potatoes would watch it. By the way, a lot of us "couch potatoes" work 50 -60 hours per week, take care of our kids, take care of aging parents, mow the yard, and worship two or three times a week. Catching an hour of Alone is a guilty please and break from our reality.
David Enoch

Very true.

It would be interesting if you could purchase a complete contestants video. Lets say complete footage from last year participants or this years tap outs.

[MOSTBCWT]

True, I would take a large chopping type knife over an axe or saw in most situations.

Yes, the current fornula for TV series like this is more about human conflict than skills, decision making, gear, etc. I wish that every week they showed the items they had found on their beach and how they are using them. I with they showed the updates to their shelter. I with they showed how their bed and bedding were made and how well it was working. I wish they showed how much food they caught or picked and how much of their reserves was used. I would like to see every project that was tried, both failures and sucesses. You could make a two hour show on each contestant each week and a lot of us couch potatoes would watch it. By the way, a lot of us "couch potatoes" work 50 -60 hours per week, take care of our kids, take care of aging parents, mow the yard, and worship two or three times a week. Catching an hour of Alone is a guilty please and break from our reality.
David Enoch

Nice post David. I didn't say anyone here is a couch potato bushcrafter for the record. Just offering up a thought to ponder.

A good knife is hard to beat for sure

[edr730]

I think too much is made of equipment. Certain kind of knife or axe or whatever else they choose. It's the same as trying to judge a teachers ability by his ink pen, spiral or loose leaf notebook, the kind of desk he has etc, In most cases it doesn't matter much at all. It's always what's in the guys head and his experience in a given environment. Grit only goes so far if you don't know the animals and their habits and how to find them, catch them and eat them.

[NightSG]

It would be interesting if you could purchase a complete contestants video. Lets say complete footage from last year participants or this years tap outs.

Definitely. There are a few, like Lucas, that obviously did a lot of interesting stuff that didn't make it through editing.


I think too much is made of equipment. Certain kind of knife or axe or whatever else they choose. It's the same as trying to judge a teachers ability by his ink pen, spiral or loose leaf notebook, the kind of desk he has etc, In most cases it doesn't matter much at all. It's always what's in the guys head and his experience in a given environment.

It can also be simple familiarity and comfort with a given tool. Like Cody Lundin choosing a plain Mora Classic for so many Dual Survival episodes; it's obviously a knife he's spent a lot of time using, and knows exactly what he can do with it.

[MOSTBCWT]

I think too much is made of equipment. Certain kind of knife or axe or whatever else they choose. It's the same as trying to judge a teachers ability by his ink pen, spiral or loose leaf notebook, the kind of desk he has etc, In most cases it doesn't matter much at all. It's always what's in the guys head and his experience in a given environment. Grit only goes so far if you don't know the animals and their habits and how to find them, catch them and eat them.

Nice post. I would love to see someone on the show take a big game animal. Maybe someone will at least have some snare success on small game. The whole "sit in a tarp house and hope for a fish and slowly starve until tapping out" thing is getting really old. I would love to see some serious food successes.

[Grizz123]

I would like to see someone make a tipi with the big tarp and use the smaller tarps to keep wood dry and catch water

[MOSTBCWT]

Or maybe an 8x8 or 10x10 trapper shack cabin using logs. Could be built within 72 hours very easily.

[edr730]

It appears, as was discussed, that the bears must be off limits. Contestants would have killed them by now. If they were allowed to shoot them with a bow, they would just put some bait about 5 feet up in a tree and sit in another tree about 15 yards away. When the bear reaches up with both paws and moves the shoulder back and exposes the easy kill area, it should be all over. It would give a contestant too big of an advantage.
I think they probably keep them away from lakes which would be a source of food. Although, fishing should be bad this time of year. If they found smaller slow moving creeks they could find food in the water and the animals who go to the water. Slower creeks might be a bit rare this time of year. I suspect they keep them as far away from those types of areas as possible. But, the contestants should be looking for them. Of couse, with weirs and fish traps, there is no reason they couldn't increase their catch right where they are.
Yeah Grizz, keeping that wood dry is pretty important. I see birch and pine there so they should be able to make some water contatiners.

[MOSTBCWT]

It appears, as was discussed, that the bears must be off limits. Contestants would have killed them by now. If they were allowed to shoot them with a bow, they would just put some bait about 5 feet up in a tree and sit in another tree about 15 yards away. When the bear reaches up with both paws and moves the shoulder back and exposes the easy kill area, it should be all over. It would give a contestant too big of an advantage.
I think they probably keep them away from lakes which would be a source of food. Although, fishing should be bad this time of year. If they found smaller slow moving creeks they could find food in the water and the animals who go to the water. Slower creeks might be a bit rare this time of year. I suspect they keep them as far away from those types of areas as possible. But, the contestants should be looking for them. Of couse, with weirs and fish traps, there is no reason they couldn't increase their catch right where they are.
Yeah Grizz, keeping that wood dry is pretty important. I see birch and pine there so they should be able to make some water contatiners.

Do you have any reputable source other than discussion here or elsewhere online that verifies bears are off limits other than the fact nobody has tried to kill one? The fact nobody has tried to kill one considering these contestants is not a surprise.

The island is also full of other large game animals and nobody has gone after them either. I sure would like to know for fact what the rules are. I'm sure it would disappoint a lotta people to really know.

[WalkingTree]

I wanna see a tree house man! Heck yea! A grouping of trees, multiple long timbers fastened between them horizontally, then more between those, then a full fledged hut up there. Then...long timbers between trees, one on each side of each tree, short sections of split trees run down them sideways (planks)...and make your own walkways through the forest, except 20 feet up. That's what I'm talking about. Let's get cracking...

[NightSG]

Do you have any reputable source other than discussion here or elsewhere online that verifies bears are off limits other than the fact nobody has tried to kill one? The fact nobody has tried to kill one considering these contestants is not a surprise.

This; having hunted hogs with "not enough gun," I could see these people being scared away from bowhunting bears.

[MOSTBCWT]

This; having hunted hogs with "not enough gun," I could see these people being scared away from bowhunting bears.

So no, you do not. I could certainly see these tv show contestants being scared no doubt. Thanks a bunch

[crashdive123]

All non-resident hunters wishing to hunt big game in the Province of British Columbia are required to be accompanied by a registered guide outfitter or by a resident who holds an Accompany to Hunt Permit.

Source:http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/hunting/non-resident-hunting

[MOSTBCWT]

I read somewhere, I think Sam from season 1 posted that they were given same hunting/fishing priveleges as the native First Nations people for purposes of this show. That renders conventional licensing and guide requirements null and void.

[Zylumn]

I wanna see a tree house man! Heck yea! A grouping of trees, multiple long timbers fastened between them horizontally, then more between those, then a full fledged hut up there. Then...long timbers between trees, one on each side of each tree, short sections of split trees run down them sideways (planks)...and make your own walkways through the forest, except 20 feet up. That's what I'm talking about. Let's get cracking...
A tree house would be great to see but;

Last season we saw winds 60 to 80 km per hour. I would not want to be 20 ft in a tree shelter under those conditions.

I believe a cave is the safest bet but we have seen that with Alan.

Would be cool to see a tree house though.

[crashdive123]

I can certainly understand a raised platform with the wet conditions, but a tree house would seem to be a waste of energy, resources and add way too much risk.

[NightSG]

I can certainly understand a raised platform with the wet conditions, but a tree house would seem to be a waste of energy, resources and add way too much risk.

Platform elevated 2-3 feet, enclose the "crawl space" and turn it into a hypocaust. For a long-term situation like the show, it's really not a half bad solution.

"Well, it's 25 degrees outside, but here in my sweat lodge, it's 105."

[edr730]

MOSTBCWT, I have no idea what the rules are. I'm just guessing that shooting a bear would be too easy for the rules to allow it. The method I mentioned was used long before the compound bow and many bear have been taken that way. I've never heard, from those I have known, anyone that was injured while bear hunting. Although, I have known three people who had the bear climb up the tree at them. One was a woman. Two of the bears were shot and one sprayed. Two of them had dead fish in the tree stand, which is a common practice, and the other growled at the bear.
WalkingTree, lots of work and risk, a tree house, when there are more important priorities. A comfortable lazyboy type bed would be not be too too difficult to make with rope and sticks and a umbrella tarp setup over you if you cut the top of the tree off. I've dozed off in them many times. But, the fire is down below, and as Crash said, it gets windy up there quite often. Easier just to make a easy rope seat, that won't make your butt sore, in a tall white pine that has lots of branches at the same height for the seat. Might be nice on a sunny afternoon. Maybe you'd see something interesting.

[NightSG]

MOSTBCWT, I have no idea what the rules are. I'm just guessing that shooting a bear would be too easy for the rules to allow it. The method I mentioned was used long before the compound bow and many bear have been taken that way.

Usually by groups, though. Having even one more person with bow drawn makes it a lot less likely that you'll be mauled by an injured bear before you can ready another arrow. Last season, everybody seemed too scared of the bears to risk it. This season, there might be a couple of them willing to try it when they get good and hungry. As was mentioned earlier, though, that's a lot of meat, so maybe they're waiting for daytime temps to not exceed the "refrigerator" range.

[edr730]

NightSG, bears are always hunted with a bow with just one person alone and close up and baited in. Usually with guns, they might use dogs and walkie talkies and a bunch of people like coon hunting and might shoot him out of a tree. I still question that they would be allowed to kill the bear.
Daytime temps can far exceed refrigerater temps as long as it drops to below 40 at night and the animal is in the shade. Flys can be a problem if it warms up too much. Which it appears that it does. The ocean water is brine so you soak the meat. You make a tripod and cut off all the branches of the saplings of the tripod at about a foot and you skewer the meat on those, make a fire under it and you make jerky.
It's the old way and certainly not my idea. The fat is for food and lamps and the rest is very good crab bait and fish bait too. The fish and crab traps are pretty simple, like many things, and most people could make them after an hour of coaching.

[WalkingTree]

Treehouse - not really. Of course.

Myself, I'd go for a specific type of A-frame design for my first long-term shelter.

[Zylumn]

Tracy what can you say She is a tough customer.


I was sure wrong there

[kyratshooter]

More to it than was shown. Something they do not want to reveal was probably going on. You do not tap out because you scared the baby bear.

They are making a lot of mistakes. Mistakes that professionals should not be making.

If you have water and you have fire why do you wait until you are so dehydrated you can not walk straight to boil some water?

How come no one googled "best place to set a gill net" before they left home?

If I hear one more word about Barbra or the orphanage I am going to puke. I would not have given that whiner a Christmas present either. It's probably been the best 9 days Barbra has had in months.

[crashdive123]

I'm not surprised by Tracy's exit. We have talked about it a lot here when we get the frequent "I'm running of to the woods (ROTTW) because society sucks post. We often remind them (to no avail) that the "thing" they are trying to escape is not society, but rather themselves. Being alone in the wilderness with only your own demons to contend with will merely intensify them if you have not learned how to either cope with them or overcome them.

Not equating Tracy to trying to run away, but rather she has not learned how to cope with her inner demons yet.

[crashdive123]

Another observation I had was some of the flimsy shelter construction. While it may keep you dry if there is just some rain, if they experience severe weather like they did last year (and most likely will) some of those tarps will be lost which will only take them further out of their comfort zones - potentially placing them in life threatening situations.

[WalkingTree]

...the "thing" they are trying to escape is not society, but rather themselves...will merely intensify them if you have not learned...Not equating Tracy to trying to run away, but rather she has not learned how to cope with her inner demons yet.
This is a good perspective. I'm never sure which way to jump when someone comments that they're "going out there" for something like testing themselves, finding some peace, or anything like to face an inner demon. Because that's potentially vague and could be interpreted in a few different ways, and it could also be said that people who go for some solitude to meditate and chant "om" for a while do ok with that and demonstrate stamina in that effort...the difference may simply be that when people go to chant "om" in solitude, they usually aren't also trying to survive primitively in the bush. Except that, then again, as soon as I said that...I remember that in fact that's precisely what many have done successfully. So heck...maybe all this armchair psychological commentary goes only so far.

I haven't gotten a chance to see this last episode, and when I do see for myself, I might have a different judgement to render. But it might just be that it's hard sometimes to know the difference between objective profiling, pigeon holing, and just benefitting from hindsight being 20/20.

Anywho...ultimately I can only say more about myself than about another (and even that isn't absolute - sometimes it's another person who can say more about someone than that someone can say about theirself). The whole thing about solitude isn't something that I can relate to or have a problem with in these situations. Not having help, and having to do things all by yourself...that I can understand to a point. But just the idea itself of being alone and having no one to talk to...being lonely...wouldn't be a problem for me at all. Having loved ones and missing them, I can understand easily. But otherwise just being alone in general...wouldn't be a weakness for me one bit. It's not because I'm an introvert or antisocial though...I figure that for some people they'd not have a problem with solitude because they're antisocial or introverted in some way, but that's not the case for me. I very simply wouldn't feel bored or lonely. Just not an issue I could even conceive of. Might be because, for example, when I hear people say going camping or being in the woods etc is "relaxing" or "peaceful" or "quiet", I don't relate to that either. I don't see it any more or less relaxing, peaceful, or quiet. In fact can be quite noisy - is just a matter of what kind of sounds we're talking about. But I'm never out in the bush to relax, to be at peace, or because I think it's quiet - I almost don't 'get' that or even like to hear it, because it seems like a hint that someone views such things in a very wrong or different way - like their attitude about 'mother nature' and her place in the universe is not something I'd agree with. I have a completely different experience, and would be there for a whole different set of reasons.


...flimsy shelter construction...
Yea, again...what's up with that? Somebody build something already. I know it's hard out there, but that's what you're there for and you're supposed to be able to this stuff and you've got all darned day. What have you been doing all day, for days and days, when we tune in to watch your show?

[finallyME]

More to it than was shown. Something they do not want to reveal was probably going on. You do not tap out because you scared the baby bear.

They are making a lot of mistakes. Mistakes that professionals should not be making.

If you have water and you have fire why do you wait until you are so dehydrated you can not walk straight to boil some water?

How come no one googled "best place to set a gill net" before they left home?

If I hear one more word about Barbra or the orphanage I am going to puke. I would not have given that whiner a Christmas present either. It's probably been the best 9 days Barbra has had in months.

I was thinking the same thing about David and the water. Why are you just now getting it done? Everyone else seems good with water. That is the easiest to get and do. Every morning you have a fire with water boiling. The gill net looks great... but come on David... drink water.

[finallyME]

Another observation I had was some of the flimsy shelter construction. While it may keep you dry if there is just some rain, if they experience severe weather like they did last year (and most likely will) some of those tarps will be lost which will only take them further out of their comfort zones - potentially placing them in life threatening situations.

That was my thought when I saw the big tarp set up high. He spent all that time with making a table and sink and drying rack, but no time to make a storm shelter. Hearing what people are saying, they all saw season 1. Well, the previews for the next show show a big storm coming it. I guess we will see the results of that.

[finallyME]

Tracy disappointed. I was hoping she would go longer. One woman left.

I think Larry is going to tap soon. He seems so negative, and very much out of his comfort zone.
We will see how Nicole handles bears. I can't believe she is putting up the net a week into it.
I think Randy will tap soon as well. He also seems way out of his element.
Mike talk a lot about Barbara and the orphanage, and I think he can do better with his shelter, but other than that..he is eating well. He also seems comfortable. I see him lasting long.
I don't know about David. I was hoping he would be doing better. Either he taps soon, or he overcomes and lasts longer.
I think Justin will last a while as well.
Jose is getting very little coverage. And, the little he does get shows him very strong. I see him either winning or nearly winning.

[Lamewolf]

I am waiting to see how long it takes for someone to pick an extra tarp and use it completely for water gathering.

Rains 2 days out of three, so wet you can't start a fire with a road flare, but everyone is dehydrating for lack of drinking water when all they have to do is dig a hole and spread a tarp.

I would also like to see someone build a real shelter. No one has done that yet. They throw together an "overnight survival hut" and fight the wildlife until they whine out and go home.

If you are staying in bear/wolf country for the long haul why not take a couple of days to build a real trapper's cabin and use the tarp for a roof instead of the whole shelter. What else do you have to do for the next two months?

I wonder how many of them packed on an extra 20 pounds for this effort? That was what the last winner attributed his success too. An extra 20 pounds will give you 2 weeks mobile food reserve.

I'm good for a month myself.

They don't even have to waste the energy to dig a hole to collect water if they can find enough logs or rocks to create a framework for the tarp to lay on. That keeps the top above ground and helps keep some debris from contaminating the water.

[WalkingTree]

Ok, saw the latest episode. I first want to repeat something though (just something I always think about myself when I criticize or make observations). It's easy to watch a game of chess between two other people and make comments. But it's different to do it. You might be better than one or both of the other players, and your observations be legitimate, but it might be the other way around - always remember the possibility that they're doing what they're doing because of something that you don't see, versus you seeing something that they don't or having abilities that they don't...

...we all have ideas of what we'd do, and even correctly know that we could do differently or better; The people on this show have all these things they plan on or want to do. And then when they or we are actually in it, it might turn out a bit different. This is when we find out why the food and water issue is the factor that it is - they say that you can live a few weeks without food, or a few days without water, but that doesn't mean that you're going to be able to concentrate well mentally during that time period. That doesn't mean that you're going to be able to physically run around and make use of all of the hours of the day to get all these things done. What we may see happening is just how much a simple lack of food and water for just a short period of time can really hamper how much progress you can make with various projects.

Also I'm tempted to say "stop thinking about tacos and chicken already". Just dwelling on it is a choice. Stop doing it. Yet...this kind of hunger and thirst might take a person to a realm where they just don't have that much mental control. It's something that might take such a control over you that is very hard to stop.

And so this is why I say get things going as soon as possible. Before you get into that hole which can be much harder to get out of than it is to get into. You're already in trouble that first minute, not days or weeks later after you start getting thirsty and hungry. You have to not get into that hole in the first place, if at all possible.

With that said...

I'm confused about Tracy. She didn't like that she 'got violent' towards the bears? Obviously there're things to that story that we don't know about. But I just didn't observe any undue violence, and when you're out there like that, yelling at a bear is part of it all. That's part of what might be the norm. Moreover, if addressing this about herself, whatever it is, is one of the things that she's trying to do out there...then she shoulda remained out there in order to do it. Do it here in society, or out there. But don't quit because of that. If you're trying to face it, then face it. Do it. Would it be different here versus there?

I don't know if it's something that would have any bearing...but when she was putting on her pack getting ready to leave, I thought I saw something. Something I wondered about from the beginning. But I'm not gonna say what it was. Just wondering if anybody else saw it. And wonder if it has anything to do with whatever personal issues she's trying to deal with.

And Mike. Kissed a slug, while dreaming and thinking it was his wife. Ok. Fine. But was he getting emotional about it? Hoping it didn't scar anyone telling the story? Huh?? C'mon man. Somebody get in there and slap him to his senses.

I do like a couple of his projects though. The stove top allows him to not have to always squat down to the ground. Convenient. And the hands-free water. Good deal there.

Watching David made me think that you shouldn't try to rely on just a net and stop there. I think I'd want to create several food possibilities, and increase my chances. I don't know that I'd even spend the time making a net either...might prefer to just modify the bank in several places for fish trapping; Might end up with several of those in the same time as making one net.

I thought I saw a telling-moment with Justin, one that says a lot about who he is and how he'll do. Camera came on, he stood and stared blankly for a minute, said "it's day 276. I've learned how to communicate with the animals". And then he laughed, showing that he was messing with us. This might show him to be psychologically stable and strong.

But after saying that, I'm scared that next episode he's gonna feel bad because he "showed violence" by yelling at a bear to go away, or feels bad because he kissed a slug and hopes that it didn't scar any of us...and taps out.

[Zylumn]

I'm not surprised by Tracy's exit. We have talked about it a lot here when we get the frequent "I'm running of to the woods (ROTTW) because society sucks post. We often remind them (to no avail) that the "thing" they are trying to escape is not society, but rather themselves. Being alone in the wilderness with only your own demons to contend with will merely intensify them if you have not learned how to either cope with them or overcome them.

Not equating Tracy to trying to run away, but rather she has not learned how to cope with her inner demons yet.

True observation: If your not at peace with yourself how can you be at peace with your surroundings.



I don't know if it's something that would have any bearing...but when she was putting on her pack getting ready to leave, I thought I saw something. Something I wondered about from the beginning. But I'm not gonna say what it was. Just wondering if anybody else saw it. And wonder if it has anything to do with whatever personal issues she's trying to deal with.

.

Other than a picture of a dog the only thing I commented to my wife about her belt with front clasp she was wearing. What a useful tool to slide in with the clothing. All my pants would have belts.





Also I'm tempted to say "stop thinking about tacos and chicken already". Just dwelling on it is a choice. Stop doing it. Yet...this kind of hunger and thirst might take a person to a realm where they just don't have that much mental control. It's something that might take such a control over you that is very hard to stop.


This will be his excuse to tap he is just leading us up to it.



And Mike. Kissed a slug, while dreaming and thinking it was his wife. Ok. Fine. But was he getting emotional about it? Hoping it didn't scar anyone telling the story? Huh?? C'mon man. Somebody get in there and slap him to his senses.

I do like a couple of his projects though. The stove top allows him to not have to always squat down to the ground. Convenient. And the hands-free water. Good deal there.
.
Mike is starting to irritate me he needs a B-slap. I bet his wife is in vacation mode not having to babysit. Can you imagine him at home" Barbara I put a nail on the wall so you could hang your coat Isn't that good of me?" B-slap # 2
His shelter is too high (you can see his bedding to the left). When the 50 mph + winds come along he will be kissing more than the slug.

Nicole: She ran from the bear. She is now considered prey and inferior. Now that the bear knows it's dominate it will assert it's territory and Nicole will tap.

[NightSG]

We will see how Nicole handles bears. I can't believe she is putting up the net a week into it.

She'd been doing pretty well with the grazing from the looks of it, so I can't really blame her for waiting to gather fish that won't keep well.

One thing I have wondered about though, is digging a live well for the fish just above high tide; they don't spoil while they're swimming, and having them in, say, a 3x6' pool would make them easy to gather when you do get hungry. If they had more small game, I'd be thinking of live trapping methods and cages for squirrels and rabbits.


I'm not surprised by Tracy's exit. We have talked about it a lot here when we get the frequent "I'm running of to the woods (ROTTW) because society sucks post. We often remind them (to no avail) that the "thing" they are trying to escape is not society, but rather themselves. Being alone in the wilderness with only your own demons to contend with will merely intensify them if you have not learned how to either cope with them or overcome them.

I don't know; I've found that, at least for the few days I've done runs like that, my own demons don't care for the intense focus they get when work, church, etc. aren't making me deal with others' demons. Hard work keeps them at bay, too, so I'm sure I'd have a few manic-depressive swings when it came down to the "sit in the shelter and wait out some weather" stage, but I'd hope that would clear up long before it became a deciding factor for tapping out.

[kyratshooter]

The thing that bothers me is that these people are supposed to be some of the best in the nation and due to a bunch of mental crap they are proving to be weak @$$ wimps terrified by their own memories.

What are you going to do if you are stuck with one of these pseudo-psychos in a real survival situation?

Or do memories only show up when you are alone?

And they are memories, not "demons". No need to give them a life and power of their own separate from us. They are memories we either hang on to or get rid of and we do both by our own will.

Is the ALONE part that much of a factor?

I do not think it is. I think they are "full time crazy" and being around other people allows them to hide the crazy.

I ask because I live alone. I have lived alone for almost 1/4 of my life and now that I have retired I often go for 8-10 days without speaking a word to another human. I often do not go to the store and tell the clerk I am "doing fine" but once in two weeks. I don't even talk to myself!

I schedule meetings and make myself go out and talk to people. If I did not I would probably be content to do my chores, work my projects and read my books until one day the kids that walk down the road complained about the smell of death coming from my house.

The thing is that I do enjoy being around people. I have just become very particular about the people I bother to be around. If someone is not worth the effort of walking across the road to talk to why walk across the road?

Because the world is filled with people trying to hide their crazy and using you to do it!

[RobinD69]

That is the disappointing thing if you can't take a bear or a cougar, it makes the show half cocked. In a real survival situation food water fire and shelter are priorities. On the show they want to limit you in everyway they can.

[Zylumn]

I wonder if the Show forced Tracy off or disqualified her after her use of the Flare and Horn. They could have said Zero compensation if you blame it on us come up with a good excuse!!!?

[kyratshooter]

Almost all of this years crew are cooking and eating at their campsite or inside their shelters.

That is not an advised activity even if the only critters in your area are possums and raccoons!

In bear country it is suicide.

[WalkingTree]

Nicole: She ran from the bear. She is now considered prey and inferior. Now that the bear knows it's dominate it will assert it's territory and Nicole will tap.
Yea I was thinking to myself that I wish she'd just go about her business casually, as if "this is my area", and keep that psychological edge on those bears. Looked like mama bear was just observing, and this would be the information to let mama bear gather. Might not work - bear might decide to be interested when she saw Nicole got fish, but you don't know that yet. Might instead see that it's Nicole's area and the bear would feel that 'on the defensive' stance, feeling like it's in another creature's area and therefore be hesitant before invading. Who knows. But you find out, instead of establish the wrong impression immediately by running when the bear is just sitting there a distance away.


...being around other people allows them to hide the crazy...the world is filled with people trying to hide their crazy and using you to do it...
Identifying these people is an art, apparently. Not many care to even recognize the possibility of their existence. But also, many of them are in an unspoken pact with each other...hiding each other, so to speak.


Almost all of this years crew are cooking and eating at their campsite or inside their shelters.

That is not an advised activity even if the only critters in your area are possums and raccoons!

In bear country it is suicide.
Someone in here recently related to me the experience of never having problems over years of being out there - always cooked and ate at the primary shelter. Said that when you make it clear that it's your space, the bigger animals 'feel on the defensive' since it's your space and are easier to drive off. I was wondering about that.

[Zylumn]

Someone in here recently related to me the experience of never having problems over years of being out there - always cooked and ate at the primary shelter. Said that when you make it clear that it's your space, the bigger animals 'feel on the defensive' since it's your space and are easier to drive off. I was wondering about that.

Before I begin : a disclaimer:
I recommend having a cooking area 100 yards away from your sleeping area, All utensils and clothes you were wearing saved there in a bear bag, absolutely no food in your sleeping area.

I have lived and camped in bear country ( Canadian NW Rockies) for over 50 years and have Never had a cooking area away from my camping area. Now bear bags and NO food of any kind in our tents was a standard rule.

Facts about bears:
If you start camping in their territory they are curious and will check you out.
At 50 ft. they can most likely tell what you ate in your last meal and what spices you put in it.

Facts I have learned about bears:
They are more scared of you than vise versa
If they become comfortable or profit (ie scraps of food etc.) from you trouble is brewing.
If you see a black bear that is a good thing as there is less likely to be a grizzly around.

I was taught as a young boy that once a bear gets your scent you need to scare it away from your camp with as much noise and aggression as you can.(throwing rocks and sticks)
Once he has your scent the bear will know you and be afraid of you.

I have had less than a dozen encounters with bears and bear and cubs over the last 50 years and have never been attacked by a bear and I have never killed a bear.

Now with the show.
The bears got Tracy's scent the first night but she didn't scare them away so they came back.
Now the next night she used the flare and the horn. She would not have had a problem with the sow and cub again. She scared them off for good the night she tapped.

It is poetic justice that the aggression she used on the bears the final night that would have kept them away for good was the aggression that haunted her inner demons and ended her stay.

Just my 2 cents worth; heck round it up to a nickels worth.

[WalkingTree]

have Never had a cooking area away from my camping area. Now bear bags and NO food of any kind in our tents was a standard rule
This sentence seems contradictory...I don't know if I'm reading it right. Also, by "now" do you mean "no"?

It reads like you're saying you don't bother doing cooking anywhere else other than your main camp site...but then that you don't have food at your main camp site. Are you drawing a difference between the cooking itself and the food storage?

[Zylumn]

This sentence seems contradictory...I don't know if I'm reading it right. Also, by "now" do you mean "no"?

It reads like you're saying you don't bother doing cooking anywhere else other than your main camp site...but then that you don't have food at your main camp site. Are you drawing a difference between the cooking itself and the food storage?
Yes I should have reread after writing.

I have never set up another camp to just cook and eat.
We use a bear bag for all our food and garbage when we sleep. Bear bag is at the opposite side of the camp from the tents.
No food allowed INSIDE the tents or shelters.

One thing we have done was put a blanket of dry twigs and branches under the bear bag. if something does come into the camp you hear them.

Hope I was clearer.

[WalkingTree]

Zylumn - Yea thanks. I think that what you're saying...what you told me earlier in this thread...is that at least in your experience cooking and eating in a separate location isn't necessary - that the fact that your site is your site, a bigger animal won't feel as comfortable invading your space because in your words it's "on the defensive". As long as you don't do something stupid to encourage it or reward it for doing so or not making a big fuss when it does come around.

[Rick-SAR]

I remember years ago at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in New Mexico when 14 boy scouts were attacked by bears. All attacks were at night. All were hurt (I don't remember if any died). It was determined that the boys were spilling some of their food on their shirts when they ate and the bears were attracted to the smell. After the attacks any scout camping at Philmont had to change his shirt at night and put a shirt on that he (the campers) had not used when eating. The shirts that they ate in were then put in bags and hosted up into a trees. This move stopped the attacks.

I agree that it might me OK to cook in your shelter however, any food (or leftovers) should be kept away from where you sleep in bear country.

[WalkingTree]

Per an earlier idea I laid out elsewhere in here, I might still maintain more than one location...it's simply a matter of what each location is or is for, and how much work I do or don't need to put into it - one or two additional places would be very minimal. But really it's all about the idea that my main campsite is only a sleeping place which is weather-secure and predator-secure, and so forth...but I'm not trying to do all of my living there. I'm not building a place where I can do everything. I'm not expecting to have it big enough to house everything I have and everything I do under a roof. Same goes for it's perimeter fence. It would be ample for a little more than just sleeping...but otherwise it is just my sleeping place. It's not my whole house. The wilderness around me is my house - my home. I'm not there to hide at my sleeping place all day.

For example...when I catch me some kind of critter, because of sanitation in handling and the safe disposal of remains, I'd want to go immediately to a place which already has some stone or wood work surfaces, stocked fire material protected from the rain, fire pit, water storage capability and/or a stream that it'd be next to (a certain kind of tamped-dirt and stone-lined hole in the ground for water). I want to immediately clean that animal, wash my hands up, not have to touch too much until washing and while washing, not have to gather wood and prepare other things after catching that critter. And I want to do all this without a cougar coming up behind me too easily because my attention is focused on butchering this critter.

So, such a site wouldn't be anything that takes a lot of work or construction, and couldn't really be "messed up" by a bear playing with it while I'm not there...because in a sense there is nothing there. It may have some kind of caltrop/hedgehog fence, big flat stones or flat pieces of wood, pits in the ground, stacks of wood under something that generally sheds rain from it...if a bear were to play with all of this, all he would do is scatter the wood, mess up the pit in the ground, etc. I'd just re-dig that hole, re-stack that wood...whatever (might even pile up the caltrop/hedgehog thingamajigs together some distance away, and just lay out when I go to butcher something, so an animal doesn't get too familiar with how they "work" as an obstacle while I'm gone). And that "fence", if you could really call it that, wouldn't be left in a state trying to prevent an animal from getting "into" this area. It'd be left open intentionally. And even if that is messed up - what is it anyway? Some sticks and stuff, that just happens to be arranged in a certain way for a certain purpose, but not that it's really "messed up" when a bear knocks it around. Not a log cabin. It just serves a particular purpose while I'm there. Also...I'll always wash things in the stream, locate the big flat rock into the water after each use, spread ashes all over everything...whatever: There will still be the smell of something there to attract an animals curiosity, but he'll never be rewarded with anything actual, and while he looks around he's not going to intentionally carry my firewood a mile away or mess things up so bad I can't deal with it...he's not thinking about that. And the wood ash covering that smell that is turning him on might be enough to confuse him or eventually associate that with me and my main camp's scent as well as the fact that he never finds anything there when he snuffs about and knocks a few things around.

...that's my reasoning, anyway. Once out there, all plans would be adjusted according to the reality that is discovered. And as Zylumn says, I might find that I don't even need to do all this.

[Batch]

In Big Cypress Bear Island we have bears in our camp at night on a regular basis. We do not cook in a separate camp either.

The only way we even know that the bears came into camp is the fresh scat the next morning and sometimes prints around the perimeter of camp.

We do not bear proof anything, as we have never had a bear steal food. The park service has a dumpster and young bears have been videoed sliding between the dumpster and the plastic lid to get scraps. I think the bears work the perimeter of camp smelling out of curiosity and then leave.

We see fresh (often with water seeping into the print just made in the mud) bear and panther prints every single day we are out there.

[WalkingTree]

(Batch)

Interesting. I don't know if I'd be brave or comfortable enough to not do something by way of bear-deterring (or cougar, wolf, coon, etc)

Btw, could it be said that bears who're more 'wild' behave differently than those closer to civilization (hikers and dumpsters)?

[kyratshooter]

Been doing some research on the bear attack thing myself since my last real study was done almost 15 years ago.

I was amazed to find that most fatal bear attacks, over 70%, are against individuals that are alone.

Almost all the black bear fatalities were against single individuals.

If more than one person is present the likely hood of an attack goes way down.

Two people are a pack, one person is a meal.

Majority of the attacks were individuals being dragged out of their tents and in most cases, day or night, they were actually consumed.

So the bears are after you as a food source, not hunting you for sport.

We might also note that the bears on Vancouver Island seem not at all disturbed by shouting and loud noises. Neither were those that I encounter on the AT. They just grunt and keep sniffing for food.

And remember, 20-30 people are killed every year by the family dog, so never underestimate a bear, even if he walks by your house daily.

[NightSG]

Rules say they can use whatever washes up on the beach.

With a half mil on the line, I wonder if anybody's pondered offering a buddy a cut to cruise by at night running silent and pitch some good stuff just offshore.

"Honest, mr. producer, this fully stocked cabin cruiser just washed up on the beach."

Wonder how that applies to stuff from the prohibited items list; there are sat phones and GPSs made to float, and IIRC, the AR7 had floating (in the stowed configuration) as a design requirement. Any of those could be lost from a sinking boat or bush plane crash.

[WalkingTree]

...well then, this just renews my desire to construct an assortment of predator deterrents and practice certain protocols. Even if it's not needed. Better to have and not need, than the other way around. I guess I still hold the view that the chances of something aren't what's important, but the consequences and probable outcome are. Without some serious firepower and the skill and luck to go with it, if something as powerful as a bear decides that he wants you, you can hardly do anything about it - even with resourceful sticks-and-stones-and-flame contraptions it's going to be one heck of a fight to come out alive.

[kyratshooter]

I have a study from 2008 that reports 92% success with bear spray.

They don't talk about the other 8 out of 100.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325171221.htm

Of course it is also partly anti gun propaganda.

67% success with guns.

Probably due to the fact the spray will be used on any bear getting too close to camp while guns are mostly used on attacking or charging bears that are already hyped up and would make up most of that 8% where the spray is noneffective.

[WalkingTree]

Just for the sake of mentioning it...we talk a lot about bears, but I've suspected that felines can be more of a worry. And in other threads in here I've seen that this may be true to some extent.

Aside from the expense, I'd want to have a few cans of bear spray, instead of just one or two. And would have two always ready to be grabbed and deployed quickly, instead of just one in a holster. Again, that much preparedness might never be needed, but I'd sure love the option being handy if it was.

[NightSG]

Just for the sake of mentioning it...we talk a lot about bears, but I've suspected that felines can be more of a worry.

What size laser pointer does it take to distract a cougar?

[hunter63]

What size laser pointer does it take to distract a cougar?
The sight on the AR 10...........
Here kitty, kitty,...........

[WalkingTree]

oh that's too funny

[Batch]

Our panthers are definitely less skittish than our bears.

I have never experiences any aggressive behavior. My brother Sean has. But, I have seen indifference to humans.

Where bears will take off. I have had panthers take their time like they didn't care we were there.

[edr730]

The fear of the bear winnows out the chaff pretty quick.

[NightSG]

Where bears will take off. I have had panthers take their time like they didn't care we were there.

To some extent, that's just standard feline behavior. It knows it's the fastest, most agile SOB in the neighborhood and unless you're already within arm's reach, it can leave you in the dust any time it wants to.

[WalkingTree]

Something odd about me...at least according to some people...I can bark. Loud. Like a real dog. I figure I'd do some of that now and then if out there like on Alone. Might make a difference, in combination with other things.

...as long as it didn't just sound like a meal to something.

[NightSG]

Something odd about me...at least according to some people...I can bark. Loud. Like a real dog.

Maybe you should work on honking like a goose.

Anything that's dealt with a combative goose will stay away. Doesn't matter how big it is.

[WalkingTree]

I do have a pretty mean man-roar though...

...I had a job once in a building large enough for a few hundred workers where there was so much noise and everyone wore earplugs that all conversations were conducted by screaming at each other and making sure you were within 3 feet of the other person's face while doing so. There was this one guy who had been there a while, so he shoulda known better, and he had a horrible lazy attitude and kept screwing things up (not because he didn't know what he was doing, but because he needed an attitude adjustment) Finally I just started yelling at him from about 20 feet away. Kinda talked down to him pretty bad...eventually saying things like "don't just stand there staring at me, get that *censored* straightened out!" etc. Everybody in my area just stopped what they were doing and stared in my direction with funny looks on their faces, not able to understand how I was so loud or trying to figure out where the loud sound was coming from. Found out later that people on the other side of the building heard me.

So anyway...I wonder how that'd work on a predator. Might save me, might not.

[Zylumn]

Btw, could it be said that bears who're more 'wild' behave differently than those closer to civilization (hikers and dumpsters)?
I'll reply about black bears!
On Alone we get to see humans try and eek out an existence for 40/50 days. What we don't see is bears thriving year round. Their type of diet Omnivore is very similar to the diet we need. They don't take holidays, or get social assistance or food stamps they work 18 to 20 hours a day.
With that being said they will eat anything, they are perfect opportunists. They wouldn't brag about the one that got away because it didn't get away. Their whole nature is attack or retreat. With the amount of calories they need to consume every day for prep to hibernation and they are always hungry.
Our trash is high in fat and sugar and after a very short time they become dependent. Then they riot, steal, vote in politicians that will give free stuff until they go too far and are "shot".
Now a "wild" bear if you scare him good first contact it will go away and work 18-20 hours a day and live a long healthy life.

You get the drift. LOL just some fun!!!

[NightSG]

I wonder if the timing of the filming is chosen to have the bears hibernating about the time the early tap-outs are done. I didn't notice Alan or Sam having any bear issues after the first couple of weeks passed, and they were spending the majority of the time (at least what was on camera) in and near their shelters. They don't mention actual dates anywhere that I've seen, so other than it getting colder and rainier 4-6 weeks in, there's not much to guess the season by.

[edr730]

Bears are curious and hungry in the spring. I found two attacks on vancouver islands history. One an old bear attacked a man on a boat and three other fisherman killed it with a hammer, a fillet knife and a fishing gaff. The other when a man was attacked in his tarp or tent, his buddy charged the bear and the man who was attacked found his knife and drove the bear off. I'm sure deer attacks occur also.

[hunter63]

I'll reply about black bears!
On Alone we get to see humans try and eek out an existence for 40/50 days. What we don't see is bears thriving year round. Their type of diet Omnivore is very similar to the diet we need. They don't take holidays, or get social assistance or food stamps they work 18 to 20 hours a day.
With that being said they will eat anything, they are perfect opportunists. They wouldn't brag about the one that got away because it didn't get away. Their whole nature is attack or retreat. With the amount of calories they need to consume every day for prep to hibernation and they are always hungry.
Our trash is high in fat and sugar and after a very short time they become dependent. Then they riot, steal, vote in politicians that will give free stuff until they go too far and are "shot".
Now a "wild" bear if you scare him good first contact it will go away and work 18-20 hours a day and live a long healthy life.

You get the drift. LOL just some fun!!!

Soooo....You are implying that black bears are.........Democ.....(Oh wait that's political)........
Never Mind........


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FnpaWQJO0

Sorry couldn't resist....LOLOLOLOLOL

[NightSG]

Soooo....You are implying that black bears are.........Democ.....(Oh wait that's political)........

So I'd just need to scatter some job applications around my campsite to keep them away?

[kyratshooter]

Well, it is the afternoon of the day after the broadcast and no one has a comment about last night's episode?

My only comment is that if I ever consider attending the Boulder Survival School someone tie me to a tree here in Kentucky. That bush hippy has no idea how to adapt to a new environment or operate out of his area of expertise. Everyone else on Vancoer Island is dining on salmon and he is rejoicing over the presence of a flat mouse!

And his comment about finally getting in rhythm with the land ??? He has eaten one mouse in 12 days! Is the rhythm of the land starving?

And do none of these people connect the useless burning of calories with wearing clothes? It is cold, wet, 50 degrees and they are on reduced calorie intake, but running around half naked, forcing their bodies to use energy in warming their cells.

And the sniper building a gym??? You have to be kidding! That is time that could be spent improving the shelter, gathering firewood, actively seeking food, building fish traps or any other of a dozen useful activities.

OK preserving mental health is a good thing as is looking at the long term, but building a gym and working out when you do not have a store of food and you are living under a flapping tarp proves your mental health is teetering on the edge to start with!

Thankfully, I did not have to hear about Baaaarb-ra this week.

[chiggersngrits]

I agree the guy that burnt up his fire starter is not working on fishing enough. But he does seem to be building a decent shelter, as well as the safari guide lady.
They are giving Dave a lot of air time which is usually a bad sign. He seems to be laying around alot. Hopefully he will get his second wind. I have gone 5-7 days without eating several times, not by choice. And about the 3rd or 4th day I would start to adjust to it and be able to do something other than lay around.
Sniper guy, not sure. Maybe it is a good strategy mentally but I agree he should use that energy for more constructive purposes.

[crashdive123]

I agree with the above. I still believe that sniper dude is risking a mechanical injury from his shelter location. Adding a playground with Tarzan swing is only going to increase the odds of that becoming a reality.

[Winter]

Yeah, sniper guy is just not thinking clearly. The workout should have been done, but, every log lifted should have been brought back for firewood, every stone lifted should have been brought back to reinforce the firepit so it doesn't sink.

(firepits around here sink into the ground because the ground is not really dirt, it's a stack of organic debris, and if you have a fire in one place for a few days, it will sink clear down to the rock unless you refill the pit with rock)

Right now, all the shelters are better shelters than season 1's.

Nicole it doing it right with the continuous improvements. She also made a cot which will help a great deal.

I'm looking forward to the contestants narrowing down so we can get more screen time for those who are better at this game.

[Zylumn]

Well, it is the afternoon of the day after the broadcast and no one has a comment about last night's episode?

My only comment is that if I ever consider attending the Boulder Survival School someone tie me to a tree here in Kentucky. That bush hippy has no idea how to adapt to a new environment or operate out of his area of expertise. Everyone else on Vancoer Island is dining on salmon and he is rejoicing over the presence of a flat mouse!

And his comment about finally getting in rhythm with the land ??? He has eaten one mouse in 12 days! Is the rhythm of the land starving?

And do none of these people connect the useless burning of calories with wearing clothes? It is cold, wet, 50 degrees and they are on reduced calorie intake, but running around half naked, forcing their bodies to use energy in warming their cells.

And the sniper building a gym??? You have to be kidding! That is time that could be spent improving the shelter, gathering firewood, actively seeking food, building fish traps or any other of a dozen useful activities.

OK preserving mental health is a good thing as is looking at the long term, but building a gym and working out when you do not have a store of food and you are living under a flapping tarp proves your mental health is teetering on the edge to start with!

Thankfully, I did not have to hear about Baaaarb-ra this week.

Totally agree.

My Take:

Randy- Won't be long on this show I predict. He expends 8-10,000 calories making a shelter that is so flimsy I wouldn't let my horse in there much less keeping it warm. Man if you are going to do something DO IT RIGHT.

Justin- Are you freakin kidding me with setting up a gym. Running back to his shelter because of the storm and then complaining "because of the storm" he wont be able to get food today. Justin your brain won't starve for food because it will cannibalize all that pretty muscle you are trying to produce.

David- The real reason you haven't had money so your family can live better is your a LAZY ***. If your going to lay around Do it with a fishing pole in your hands. You catch a fish you then put the hook back in the water for another. No thoughts for the future with this guy ( no wait he is a post-apocalyptic fiction writer. oh my bad)

Nicole- Good on you girl you just stepped up a couple notches in my book. Shelter OK, Your caution when cutting up the fish. Well done.

Jose- Doin what it takes to take care of business. He has been the only one so far to address stock piling reserves for the winter

You are starting to see the Characters set themselves up for after the show win or lose.
Justin-gym franchise
David- He is going to write a book
Nicole- Poster girl for a MS or Cancer charity
Randy- Instruction manuals on (how to build a shelter and how to catch a fish) He is working on the how to now by trial and error.
Jose- Like Sam (season1) said: he could do beer commercials Dos Equis they do need a new Spanish front man.
Mike- Anything that will make Barbara proud of him
Larry- Anger management classes

[WalkingTree]

Well, it is the afternoon of the day after the broadcast and no one has a comment about last night's episode?

I only just now got to watch it myself. I have to wait till history unlocks it the day after on their site.

I love that quote by gandhi - Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

Justin - Well, he's just a kid having fun out there. Or maybe he's trying to be entertaining for the viewers. Making sure people remember him. But, yes, a gym? When you're living such a physically active lifestyle, you don't need a gym. That life is a gym. That environment is a gym. Every log and stone moved for survival purposes, not making a playground, is a workout. The place is already a playground...is already "fun", as far as I would be concerned. As far as it isn't a life-or-death chore. But maybe he's just loosening up, and we'll see him kick butt later. Maybe he's so ok out there, and we don't know it, that he thinks that he just doesn't have to worry so much. Maybe the very fact that he runs around in shorts and makes tarzan swings, and is still in good spirits, is because he is on a different energy level and this stuff just isn't a big deal to him. Compared to David just bending over and standing up...and getting a head rush or dizzy. I do find myself wondering how a big metal chain washed up onto a beach...hehe. And a pull up bar? There're no tree limbs already at the right height and angle for doing pull ups?

And you know what? Being able to piss in the middle of the night without leaving shelter, for having a fancy kelp urinal, might be kinda comfy.

David - If you don't want to be the dad who says no for being broke, then get up and get some food. But this is why I think this stuff being on a t.v. show...there being cameras...taints it some. He can comment on all this stuff on camera, but not get to work...if the camera wasn't there, if you weren't aware of the camera, would you behave differently? Per my thread on the subject, can they design these things differently to take away some of that effect? He reflects on camera that he wants to do well. But he doesn't do so...so far at least. And we know that he can.

Nicole, those bears are keeping an eye on you and your fish. Better change things up in some way girlfriend. But, you did get a big ole fish. I was surprised that it was still there.

Randy - I'm glad that he seems to have a certain attitude. He decided to not whine about his firestarter, and he got to work. Homeboy made a full fledged log cabin style house (kinda sorta). And that fire was still there...without a firestarter. I think that Nicole's log-ish shelter is kinda nifty though too.

And man...*blank* a mouse. A darned ole flattened mouse. Takes more calories just to look at it than you get. *blank* a little mouse, Sam. Go get some food, guys. You know how. And you can. So do it.

Btw, seeing the storms out there...my god, that's so exhiliarating. I'd love it so much. I've been there at least enough to know. I know this is supposed to be tough, and it is, but some things a person just knows about themself. Mmmm.

Jose, what can I say 'bout him. Keep on trucking brother. Gettin er done. He says "It's raining hard. But I'm eating salmon, so I don't care." And mr. man eats with chop sticks too, yo. Word.

All in all, I feel like we might have almost half a dozen folks lasting quite a while. Might be a long season for history channel. 'Slong as they don't start whining so much about the solitude. Really...I don't get that. I mean...who flipping cares. Again, I myself am not anti social nor introverted...but who cares?! Loneliness? What? What're you talking about?? And if your deal is missing or worrying about your family...it's half a million dollars people! (forgetting the taxes of course) That would be bringing home the bacon. So shut up and man up. Geez. Daddy (or momma) gets to do something awesome, and bring home some real money. C'mon. Sorry, but I can say this - even with my ignorance and inexperience, I would kick this show's butt. (Assuming that in reality, I'd crash course myself in certain things if I knew I was going to do it.) Remember...this is t.v. for people who don't really know what's up - I mentioned this topic in a casual gathering, and the first response I got was bear grylls. Oh yea, just like bear grylls. I love him. Wilderness survival just like bear grylls, right? Yea, right. The guy who creates sensationalism out of drinking your own pee to survive.

And...um...hehe...your mamma talks too much. :lol:

Respectfully.

[Grizz123]

From what I've seen so far every one of them have very poor knife skills, as in they are trying to hurt themselves

[NightSG]

And you know what? Being able to piss in the middle of the night without leaving shelter, for having a fancy kelp urinal, might be kinda comfy.

Having crawled out of a sleeping bag kept very toasty by a (literally) hot little platinum blonde to do what is necessary after doing certain other things, only to find a heavy layer of frost on the inside of the tent, I would really like to have found a bottle. Sticking it out the tent flap only to have it come back in of its own accord isn't fun at all, especially when one is damp with sweat and trying not to open the tent any more than absolutely necessary due to the painfully cold draft.
OTOH, at least on the show I wouldn't have had to stand there in the cold debating between risking the embarrassment of her waking up when I got back in the bag and commenting on the shrinkage, or getting dressed and heading back to my own campsite.
Or does that "any resources that wash up on the beach" include 19 year old beach bunnies? :D

[Rick]

What channel was that on?

[crashdive123]

Same one that carries.........



http://www.charlesprogers.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Fantasy-Island.jpeg

[hunter63]

That show is on CBS on Wednesday nights.......and just wrapped up with a million dollar winner.....

I have watched "Survivor" since the beginning.....so y'all can guffaw and watch the whining in the rain...I stick with the beach bunnies in bikinis.....

[WalkingTree]

Ricardo Montalban. Just wasn't enough of him in serious roles. Was always too cool.

[crashdive123]

That show is on CBS on Wednesday nights.......and just wrapped up with a million dollar winner.....

I have watched "Survivor" since the beginning.....so y'all can guffaw and watch the whining in the rain...I stick with the beach bunnies in bikinis.....

There's still hope for us. The 71 year old guy went pretty far. Guess he didn't get the memo about getting voted out early and then sipping cold ones at the resort for the next month.

[finallyME]

Well, it is the afternoon of the day after the broadcast and no one has a comment about last night's episode?


I didn't get to see it until Saturday, and then now is the first chance I have had to comment.

Jose finally got some air time, but only for a few minutes. He looks like he is rockin' it though. With the amount of air time that he is getting, and how well he seems to be fairing, my guess right now is that he wins it.

Randy does look weak. He isn't eating much, and his shelter doesn't look well thought out. Maybe he is only used to small trees in Southern Utah. But, like you said, that means he doesn't adapt well, which really is what survival is about... how fast can you adapt. But, I am impressed with how well he is doing. He fixed his fire problem instead of quitting...like someone else. He is trying to figure it out.

Nicole has been impressive, especially with her massive shelter.

But, I still haven't seen any decent roofs. They all just use the tarps. No one is mixing the tarps with building materials to make a roof that doesn't have to be tied out and one that can take heavy wind. Also, they need more thickness in the roof for insulation.

[Grizz123]

I would like to see more from Mike, he had a nice camp site, goals, and skills. But he is always complaining about being away from his wife, I think he will tap out

[Zylumn]

I would like to see more innovations on this show. Like a smoker or a stove, hypocaust, sauna, lobster/fish traps, etc. Other than some work on shelters no one seems to be storing goods (whether it be plants or meat) for the winter ahead. Other than David making a needle and a gill net (which was good) but it would have been easier to make a gill net with the tie method instead of the weave. Also very little rock work done?
I guess no one plans to be there very long.

[WalkingTree]

...I still haven't seen any decent roofs. They all just use the tarps...
I keep having similar thoughts when I watch these things. About the tarps and roofs, and about the gill nets and hooks/lines.

It's good to not scorn any tools or technology when you're camping or in a real survival situation...unless you're specifically trying to be minimalistic or primitive for whatever reason. However, when you're doing something like the show Alone, it's just another thing about how participants do things that seems odd or not befitting because 1) you're competing, trying to outlast, and I'd find it easy to build a roof with natural material and then have the tarp for other things. And 2) these are people who're supposed to know about this stuff and be capable, and relying on a tarp for rain-shedding suggests that you don't know how to do it otherwise as well as not seeing how useful the tarp is for other things when you don't need it for a roof anyway, or you're just not understanding the situation, not taking it seriously, and being lazy.

I feel similarly about gill nets and hooks and lines. I'd use those things, but I wouldn't have the attitude that they're my only lifeline - like the difference between crying and giving up because your firestarter is gone, and knowing how to do it another way and continuing. If you're lucky enough, or good enough, that they're working at a particular time for fishing, then fine. But otherwise when it takes so much time and effort sometimes to obtain sustenance, fish trap baskets and modifying the shore for trapping is just so darned easy to craft. And I'd do that stuff simply to place my bets on multiple spots on the table so that no matter where that roulette ball lands, I've got some darned food. And really in some respects I consider that easier and more efficient than messing around with a net or lines and hooks.

I'd almost prefer using these other methods of fishing, instead of the net or hooks. Not immediately, but eventually, for any kind of long term by any definition, and especially when doing an Alone competition. Just like with a tarp roof - I'd immediately put together a decent debris hut which incorporated the tarp, because the whole purpose of a first debris hut is to have something ample as quick as you can (and definitely not just stringing up the tarp and stopping there, ugh). But as soon as that was done I'd already be starting on something that takes more time but would be much more life-sustaining and for a longer stay...warm, dry, stable against storms, some degree of protection from various critters...and this very simply just does not require a tarp. Additionally, a tarp isn't really that good anyway. Even incorporating it brings drawbacks, so I'd just not use it at all. If a tarp was useless for anything else, that'd be a different story. But that's not the case.

To be fair, these people haven't been there that long yet. Remember how a day can go by fast without doing much when hunger and thirst and lack of good sleep tries to prevail - when you're not screwing around building pull up bars and tarzan swings, that is. But it still makes me want to repeat some observations:

-- They get people for these shows who're supposed to be capable in these areas (or should be). But we keep seeing that usually they just aren't - not because it's harder than we know and it's easy to say so from our armchairs, but we observe them not even trying in the first place. They don't even try to do the simplest and basic things. Or they have the most disappointing attitudes - crybaby, spoiled, drama queen attitudes. I seem to see the perpetuated belief that being an 'outdoorsy' person, living on a farm, being a weekend camper or a hunter, etc...equates to having any sense or capability when it comes to primitive wilderness survival scenarios. And this belief is just plain false. They might have more points in their favor than an urbanite who freaks out at the sight of a bug 5 feet away or being the slightest bit inconvenienced outside of their modern climate control and doesn't know the first thing about animals or dirt or fire, etc...but this is very far and away from what it takes and from the criteria that I'd use to vet a participant in such a thing.

-- Apparently "primitive skills" really are more uncommon and fleeting, and more misunderstood, than one may assume. Being a minimalistic camper, or a hunter, or living on a farm...is not "primitive skills". No matter how much we can say that the word/concept "primitive" is relative...being completely helpless without your bic lighter or fire starter, or not knowing how to build a shelter in the woods without a tarp, or not trying to fish without a net and hooks and lines, when you're in a long term survival situation or doing so for an Alone competition, is a lack of primitive skills ability. You can live on a farm, hunt squirrels or bears, live off the grid...and still be an inept babe as much as the urbanite if put into something like Alone.

-- How people define the term 'common sense' can be vague, arbitrary, and inconsistent. But I'm going to use that term here to mean a certain thing. Knowledge and intelligence are two very different things. It's a difference between data, and thinking. And having some experience or exposure never did intrinsically imply that a person has any sense or ability. Having knowledge, and having experiential knowledge, is definitely a good thing, not to be scorned by any means. But this does very little good if you don't have a certain attitude, maturity, and predisposition...if you aren't able to be creative, improvisational, and positive/optimistic, despite your knowledge and even with a lack of it. And in these ways, I'm saying that the real ingredient is having some sense - having a creative ability, being able to figure something out, and naturally not having any latent defeatist tendencies waiting for an excuse to come out whenever pretenses of comfort or image are gone. Having some real sense is understanding what's going on underneath the various methods and techniques of minimalistic or primitive survival, so that you can figure out something else and make it work whenever you have to step outside of your simple knowledge base because conditions aren't as they'd be in a controlled demonstration, or your usual tools or techniques that you're proficient with aren't available.

[NightSG]

I stick with the beach bunnies in bikinis.....

Who said anything about letting her have a bikini?

(And for the record, I was ~22 at the time. I only rarely manage to get dates with 19 year olds anymore.)

[NightSG]

But, I still haven't seen any decent roofs. They all just use the tarps. No one is mixing the tarps with building materials to make a roof that doesn't have to be tied out and one that can take heavy wind. Also, they need more thickness in the roof for insulation.

Not that I wouldn't use the tarp, but I'd have it between two layers of thatch; inside for insulation and to shed any water that gets through if the tarp is damaged, and outside to protect it from hail, falling branches, etc. and keep it from flapping in the wind. Using "safe" stuff like pine needles for the outer thatch means you can still catch water from it too.


Also very little rock work done?

I'd hold off the sculpture garden until after the heated pool is done.


And I'd do that stuff simply to place my bets on multiple spots on the table so that no matter where that roulette ball lands, I've got some darned food. And really in some respects I consider that easier and more efficient than messing around with a net or lines and hooks.

Nets can also be used for land hunting, so I'd probably want at least a couple, though I don't think multiples would be a first-week priority. The big benefit of gill net fishing is that it's very low maintenance unless it gets damaged; you just set it up and then go get the food out of it daily. No resetting a deadfall or having to sit and watch for game to wander by.

[hunter63]

Who said anything about letting her have a bikini?

(And for the record, I was ~22 at the time. I only rarely manage to get dates with 19 year olds anymore.)

Me either...nor do I really want one....

Kinda whiney about cell coverage, ...I can't stand rap music, an my idea of "sensuous"...is "since-you-was" up, get me another Brewski....that doesn't translate well.
Oh yeah, pacemaker batteries are kinda pricy

[finallyME]

Not that I wouldn't use the tarp, but I'd have it between two layers of thatch; inside for insulation and to shed any water that gets through if the tarp is damaged, and outside to protect it from hail, falling branches, etc. and keep it from flapping in the wind. Using "safe" stuff like pine needles for the outer thatch means you can still catch water from it too.


That is what I was trying to say.... you just said it better. :)

[NightSG]

Another thing I've noticed is putting on the coat and such, then wading into waist deep water.
Maybe it's just modesty in front of the cameras, but even then, just wearing underwear in the water at least keeps the rest of the clothes dry, and all of that warmth is lost in the water anyway unless you happen to be wearing a wet suit. Shuck 'em, work fast, and dress as soon as you can shake off most of the water.

[WalkingTree]

Another thing I've noticed is putting on the coat and such, then wading into waist deep water.
Maybe it's just modesty in front of the cameras, but even then, just wearing underwear in the water at least keeps the rest of the clothes dry, and all of that warmth is lost in the water anyway unless you happen to be wearing a wet suit. Shuck 'em, work fast, and dress as soon as you can shake off most of the water.
Yea...what's up with that nonsense anyway?

[NightSG]

Yea...what's up with that nonsense anyway?

Maybe I'm just used to caving wisdom; in natural cave, you strip to swim to minimize the amount of mud or dust from your clothes that gets in the water, and (if anything's still remotely dry anyway) to keep them from getting even more soaked. Obviously you're still going to have mud on you, but what sticks to your skin is a lot less than what's ground into your clothes after even a short crawl. Modesty is a concept for comfortable situations. When anything starts getting extreme, you need to be ready to accept that nudity is the more effective way to do some things. (Like short trips out of the shelter in pouring rain...especially potty trips where you're going to spend even more time trying to get the rainsuit open so you can pee.)

[WalkingTree]

Yes, on everything.

Except this
to minimize the amount of mud or dust from your clothes that gets in the water, and (if anything's still remotely dry anyway) to keep them from getting even more soaked. Obviously you're still going to have mud on you, but what sticks to your skin is a lot less than what's ground into your clothes after even a short crawl

I don't know what's going on here. I think you're talking about something I don't know about. And what's caving?

Do you mean underwater cave exploring? You can't let clouds of dirt be in the water because you can't see, etc? (just had that thought as soon as I posted)

[Zylumn]

Another thing I've noticed is putting on the coat and such, then wading into waist deep water.
Maybe it's just modesty in front of the cameras, but even then, just wearing underwear in the water at least keeps the rest of the clothes dry, and all of that warmth is lost in the water anyway unless you happen to be wearing a wet suit. Shuck 'em, work fast, and dress as soon as you can shake off most of the water.

By wearing a coat it looks like Jose kept his upper core warm. The producers put time lines on the screen and this note ( hypothermia will set in after 50 minutes of exposure to the water ). He was in the water for over 2 hours. I am sure he had a way to dry out his wet clothing. If he would have had even the start of hypothermia setting in he would have been still shivering 4 or 5 hours later. Seeing him eating a couple hours later with chop sticks without even a tremor convinced me he did the right thing.

[hunter63]

................ When anything starts getting extreme, you need to be ready to accept that nudity is the more effective way to do some things. (Like short trips out of the shelter in pouring rain...especially potty trips where you're going to spend even more time trying to get the rainsuit open so you can pee.)

Ever notice that you don't get cold..... till after to finish?......Just thought It would bring that up.

Oh yeah, pee jug is a good idea.

[NightSG]

Do you mean underwater cave exploring? You can't let clouds of dirt be in the water because you can't see, etc? (just had that thought as soon as I posted)

Underwater caving is a whole different critter. I'm talking about regular caves where you'll be crawling through the dirt, then come to a place where you have to cross clear water. It's less about visibility than just about not wanting to contaminate water deep in the cave with an assortment of dirt from the entrance on in.

I don't think this pool actually blocks the passage, but it's not uncommon for a swim to be the least damaging way to cross an area with a lot of delicate formations. This is Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, 130 miles of passages mapped so far, 1600' deep, and kept pretty wild by limited access, (and a 90' entrance drop) so contaminating a pool with dirt from other areas of the cave could be a huge loss, to the research potential if nothing else. There's a huge amount of microbiological research being done there due to the remoteness of the cave and some really interesting bacteria feeding on various minerals in the deeper parts.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Lechuguilla_Cave_Pearlsian_Gulf.jpg

[WalkingTree]

...130 miles of passages mapped so far...freaking wow.

[Rick]

And to think that the oil from your fingertip can stop a stalagmite from growing. Something that has been in the works hundreds or thousands of years stopped in its tracking by a single touch.

[crashdive123]

Kind of like when Betty Sue........oops......never mind.

[NightSG]

And to think that the oil from your fingertip can stop a stalagmite from growing. Something that has been in the works hundreds or thousands of years stopped in its tracking by a single touch.

Won't really stop it, but definitely can change the way it grows. IIRC, there's somewhere that has an accelerated process (unintentional, but created by acidic water seeping through concrete like the ones under the Lincoln Memorial) where they've been able to document the effect on formations growing at ~1/4" a year or so, and it can leave a mark or change the growth pattern to be lopsided.

The effectively closed microbiological environments are much more fragile, educational, and potentially useful than the rock formations in most cases, though.

[kaze]

After watching 5 episodes, I wish they show more scenes with survival skills being display rather than just showing them talking about their state of mind. I enjoy watching them do small tasks. I hope the later episodes will display more of it. But so far, I am enjoying the show. I'm rooting for Nicole and Justin. I like their attitudes. But I think Jose and Mike are the top contenders. If I could change one thing about this show, I would remove gillnets from the list of possible items you can take. Fishing lines and hooks are allow but no gillnets. Of course you can construct your own gillnets from material found. Gillnets just make things too easy and doesn't challenge the contestants to be creative and demonstrate their adaptability.

[Zylumn]

If I could change one thing about this show, I would remove gillnets from the list of possible items you can take. .

Good idea but take it a step farther and also remove Ferro Rods/ Lighters. It would quickly weed out the Utube survival expert by day and Hilton resident by night.

[WalkingTree]

I guess that's what's coming next - something somewhere between the Naked & Afraid concept and the Alone concept.

[kyratshooter]

Removing the fire making gear is not the separation of the wannabes from the experts. Any true woodsman is going to have fire making gear with them every time they walk out the door. Not having ferro rod or lighter would be the indication that they did not know what they were doing.

As for the gill nets, well they were probably in use by primitive people before fishhooks were thought of. They are used by every culture that eats fish so why remove a key article used worldwide? Anyone entering that ecosphere and facing a possible survival situation would have a gill net in their gear.

I think you guys just enjoy seeing people suffer.

[crashdive123]

Keep in mind what this show is. It is called alone for a reason. It is a show about being alone and isolated in the wilderness in conditions that make daily living difficult. It is not a show to demonstrate to the public ways of doing various aspects of bushcraft or wilderness survival.....although we get to see quite a few aspects of that. Being alone, truly alone for extended periods of time is what most people have not experienced.

[kaze]

As for the gill nets, well they were probably in use by primitive people before fishhooks were thought of. They are used by every culture that eats fish so why remove a key article used worldwide? Anyone entering that ecosphere and facing a possible survival situation would have a gill net in their gear.

I think you guys just enjoy seeing people suffer.

I'm not saying you can't use gillnets, you just can't bring one with you. Look at Justin, he's making his own gillnet. That's demonstrate his knowledge and adaptability. No one wants them to suffer, hence why they are permitted with fishing strings and hooks which can easily catch fish using many forms of fishing techniques. If you look at many tribes around the world, rarely do they have gillnets, most construct fishing traps with natural materials like fish baskets. They would use spears or harpoons to fish. Gillnets are mainly use by commercial fishermen. That's why in many parts of United States, they don't permit the use of gillnets for fishing by regular citizens. It's too effective and hurt the fish population. If you're argument is that gillnets are used around the world for many centuries, then should we let them all have fishing boats too? At the same time you argue for ferro rods which is a modern invention. Should we give them all flint and steel instead? Of course not, because that would make things way too hard. Likewise, gillnets makes things way too easy for these so-called "experts". Notice how most contestants rely heavily on their gillnets. The show is basically about sitting and waiting in their make-shift shelter and let the gillnets do all the work. Imagine if they don't have their gillnets? They would have to use their skill and knowledge to make one or another forms of fishing traps. Actually forces these expert contestants to use their skillsets to compete. Any regular joe can just set a gillnets and catch food . I don't think this show is about that. It's about surviving the longest with your skills as a survivalist against other survivalist entirely alone. It's a more entertaining show if they are actually require to put some effort into catching their meals. That's why I was happy when Alan won last season, he was the only one who actually made his own fish traps. The water bottle fish trap was brilliant.

[NightSG]

As for the gill nets, well they were probably in use by primitive people before fishhooks were thought of. They are used by every culture that eats fish so why remove a key article used worldwide? Anyone entering that ecosphere and facing a possible survival situation would have a gill net in their gear.

More to the point, they use up a massive amount of cordage. While so far, it seems like everybody's found plenty, that's hardly guaranteed, (unless the producers occasionally toss something on the beach to keep it even, which is a definite possibility) so you'd need to let them take a lot more cordage than the list currently allows for in order to make building nets a reasonable expectation.

Personally, yes, I'd take one so I could get one in the water right away, but then I'd also dedicate a good bit of any found small cordage to making more. Keeping busy until the weather gets too bad to be out and around seems to be a key to not getting too focused on what you're missing out on back home. Laying in food right before winter means you can stay warm and dry while working on indoor projects when outdoor ones are too risky.

[WalkingTree]

Yea, being alone is a deal. Having just one or two others with you makes a world of difference. But what surprises me is how much some of the folks are affected by the solitude. Having other folks with you makes a huge difference in practical matters, but how much it affects the morale or psychological stability of some of them...I wouldn't have expected. That might just be because I'm not someone for whom that'd be a handicap.

But also, it's to be expected that we'd still want to see some 'primitive' bushcrafting demonstrated a little more. I think some of us haven't recovered from the disappointment of N&A in this department. A lot of that show saw people not even trying. That was hard as heck, literally having almost nothing, but they didn't even demonstrate much of an attempt or knowledge/ability base.

[NightSG]

But also, it's to be expected that we'd still want to see some 'primitive' bushcrafting demonstrated a little more. I think some of us haven't recovered from the disappointment of N&A in this department. A lot of that show saw people not even trying. That was hard as heck, literally having almost nothing, but they didn't even demonstrate much of an attempt or knowledge/ability base.

I'm thinking maybe they should put all that extra footage we haven't seen to use as a topical series of specials; two hours of Alone shelter building, two hours of Alone bushcraft tool making, etc.

[WalkingTree]

I've long since thought that they're keeping the door open for retrospective shows later...with all that extra footage they probably have, we might see loads more stuff later when they want to bring in more income.

[pmcjuryny]

Yea, being alone is a deal. Having just one or two others with you makes a world of difference. But what surprises me is how much some of the folks are affected by the solitude. Having other folks with you makes a huge difference in practical matters, but how much it affects the morale or psychological stability of some of them...I wouldn't have expected. That might just be because I'm not someone for whom that'd be a handicap.

But also, it's to be expected that we'd still want to see some 'primitive' bushcrafting demonstrated a little more. I think some of us haven't recovered from the disappointment of N&A in this department. A lot of that show saw people not even trying. That was hard as heck, literally having almost nothing, but they didn't even demonstrate much of an attempt or knowledge/ability base.
Being alone for an extended period is hard, it goes against our very nature. This combined with the limited mobility will take a toll on nearly anyone. This goes doubly for people that are used to having others around, and have close connections to people.

Add in the fact that the only way to get any human contact, is to give up and admit you failed at your task and I can certainly see how it could be a crushing burden

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Grizz123]

those left seem to be doing well, except for the guy that needs anger management classes. Although he did trek to another area and that may help but I think his emotions will ruin his ability to think straight and he will tap out

[finallyME]

Randy looks like he will tap soon, but you never know. He might decide to stick around.

Everyone they showed last night seemed to be doing well. All seemed to be getting enough food. It is kind of impressive, and what I was expecting in season 1.

In the footage that previews the next show, it shows David struggling to find food.

As for being alone, we just weren't made for that. For myself, I like to at least bring a dog with me.

[Zylumn]

Just watched Episode 5.

This was the "boost the ratings show" with as much emotional aspects as they could cram in a 40 minute segment.

Mike: Wow what a find. That tub has so many uses. Everything from preserving live fish to lobster trap and of course boat.

Nicole: That is such a good spot to have her gill net. She has had a pretty easy time of it so far.

Larry: He is going to injure himself with his anger. I was wondering about his trekking through dense forest with a full pack but it paid off.

Randy: He is on the verge of tapping and trying to convince and justify to us and himself to do so.

Jose: Small cracks are starting to show but he seems still in control of his emotions. Looking forward to watching him build a real boat.

We never got to see Justin or David so they must be moving along.

In conclusion: Mike and Jose are the only ones to address the need to stock pile food for the winter and implement strategies to accomplish it.

[kyratshooter]

OK it's official now.

There are a some people on the show that I simply do not like.

Larry is an @hole. Vile vulgar and obscene. The fact that he is going to have to work for a living for the rest of his days is eating him alive. He's too good for that life. Perfect example of when we tell people wanting to ROTTW that they only take their problems with them. He does not even see it but his early references to "changing his life" means he has been warned.

Randy is a weak@$$ bush hippie. Participation trophies have been good enough for him all his life and quitting is not failure, it is leaving while still in charge. He still gets a participation trophy and the great experience of being there.

Mike I simply can not stand and I fear he will last for a long time making my stomach heave through each episode.

The rest are doing better than I expected.

[NightSG]

Being alone for an extended period is hard, it goes against our very nature. This combined with the limited mobility will take a toll on nearly anyone. This goes doubly for people that are used to having others around, and have close connections to people.

That was worse in first season; as far as I could tell, Alan was the only one without a close family member either pregnant or dying.

IMO, I could do it right now, but if I knew before leaving that the size of my close family would be changing soon, that would likely be too heavy of a burden to even go. I wonder if they have an alternate or two in case someone decides not to go at the last minute.

[finallyME]

Larry is an @hole. Vile vulgar and obscene. The fact that he is going to have to work for a living for the rest of his days is eating him alive. He's too good for that life. Perfect example of when we tell people wanting to ROTTW that they only take their problems with them. He does not even see it but his early references to "changing his life" means he has been warned.


What do you mean by being warned? I agree with you on Larry. He is very negative. I would not like to live with him. I feel for his kids having to live with that.