Alone UK – The details

By now, some of you might have picked up on the buzz – our founder, Tom Williams, took part in Channel 4’s survival TV show, “Alone.”

We’re keen to shed some light on Alone, delve into what it is, and address the curiosities and questions you might have.

What is ‘Alone UK’?

“Alone” isn’t just your regular TV competition; It’s known within the bushcraft community as the ‘survival Olympics’ and considered to be a perfectly balanced test of one’s mental and physical skills.

Typically, ten contestants take part, but in this case it was eleven. Leaving behind the comforts of their everyday life and immersing them in the vastness of the remote northern Canadian wilderness. And the goal? To survive the longest and claim the grand prize of £100,000.

Every contestant gets their patch of territory, which is geo-fenced to keep them apart from the next adventurer. Each gets to pick out 10 survival items from a predefined list. So, armed with these and their grit and knowledge, they are dropped into the wildness completely alone, responsible for filming their every high, low, and everything in between. They must film for a minimum of 10 hours every day, giving us a front-row seat of their adventure.

Contestants can throw in the towel at any point by calling the safety team on the satellite phone that they can’t continue any more. Contestants may also have to quit on medical grounds or can even be told by the medical team they are not allowed to continue, often due to too much weight loss. The others in the wild have no idea how many others are left and finally, the last person standing is the winner.

What’s to stop contestants from bumping into each other?

Each contender has what we call a ‘geo-fence’. Think of it like an invisible boundary line. Their trusty GPS device – which they have to have on them around the clock, also doubles up as an emergency safety beacon should they get into trouble. The moment they get a tad too close to the edges of their turf, whether it’s North, South, East, or West, this gadget pings them with a warning. It’s like a silent sentinel, ensuring they stick to their own slice of wilderness and avoid any unintentional meetups. Each territory is around 5 square miles and at least 2 miles apart from the closest competitor.

What 10 items did each person on ‘Alone UK’ take?

The rule of ‘Alone UK’ in the remote northern Canadian wilderness is that every participant has the chance to pick 10 indispensable survival items from a predefined list of 53. The challenge is, of course, which to take. We need to think of our survival priorities, shelter water fire food and choose accordingly cos there is no backsies once you are out there!

But one thing you may not have known is for the first seven days, whilst each contestant is still getting their wilderness bearings and adjusting to their new environment, contestants are given a small food ration to help them assimilate. It’s like the show’s way of saying, “Welcome to the wild, here’s a tiny boost!” Then, once that clock ticks past the seven-day mark they must find all the calories themselves.

So, what was this delicious treat? Just like you would order on Deliveroo on a Sunday night, its 500g of flour and 500g of duck fat. YUM. Now how are you going to cook that?

Well If you’re itching to know what 10 items each contestant deemed essential for their survival journey, just hop over to our article here.

how safe is alone? What about bear attacks? Do contestants on ‘Alone’ have anything to protect them?

While the Canadian wilderness offers immense beauty, it’s also home to its fair share of dangers, bears being one of them. And the thought of a bear encounter can be unnerving.

Before the contestants even step foot into the wild, each participant is given a thorough run-down on how to handle potential bear confrontations. But information alone isn’t enough. To back up this knowledge, they’re also kitted out with some essential bear deterrents. These included an air horn which should startle even the most curious of bears, bear bangers for that extra bit of noise, and of course, the trusty pepper spray. All these must be with the contestants at all times. Though grizzly bears can be found in the region they are rare it is mostly black bears of which there are quite a lot.

How did the contestants in ‘Alone UK’ charge their cameras?

Documenting their journey is vital, but how did they keep the cameras rolling in such a remote location? The answer is a robust ‘Jackery charging device’. This beast of a battery is designed for longevity, ensures the contestant’s cameras and safety equipment remain functional. To further ensure durability, all cables and connectors were housed inside a sturdy waterproof Pelican case. To maintain the show’s isolation ethos, contestants replaced their depleted batteries via a ‘dead drop’ mechanism every 3–4 days, eliminating any chance of human interaction.

Were the contestants on ‘Alone UK’ really alone?

Absolutely, they were entirely ALONE. The only human contact was a medical assessment made every 7 days for 20 minutes.

Tom recounts, “Seeing the medical team and talking to another human was always a huge thrill and morale boost. You would look forward to that 20-minute interaction so much. However, when they left, their absence was so palpable. You’d feel quite down, missing their interaction. I understand the day after a medical check is a common time for contestants to tap out”.

Where was ‘Alone UK’ filmed?

‘Alone UK’ was shot around the expansive Mackenzie River, right in the heart of the Dehcho region of Canada’s Northwest Territories. The indigenous Dene community, guardians of this untouched land, joined hands with the Government of the area to allow the show’s activities, including fishing, hunting, and filming. Notably, the vast stretches used for the series remain untouched by human habitation, offering a raw, unfiltered survival experience.

We are not at liberty to give away the exact filming location, but you can get an idea of the region and its wilderness here.

Who are the Dene?

The Dene aren’t just inhabitants; they are the ancient guardians and stewards of the lands where ‘Alone UK’ set its stage. Long before the borders of modern-day Canada were drawn, the Dene had already etched their history into the sprawling landscapes of the Mackenzie River area. Their survival prowess is a testament to their harmonious coexistence with nature. Drawing upon centuries-old knowledge, they’ve adapted ingenious bushcraft techniques to harness everything the land offers. From intricately weaving fishnets out of the supple strands of willow bark to the remarkable feat of crafting functional axes using beaver teeth prior to the steel tools introduced by Europeans, the Dene’s rich heritage is a blend of resilience, innovation, and deep respect for the earth.

Make sure to head over to tomwilliams.tv and sign up to his newsletter to join the exclusive adventure club, learn more about his Alone participation and much more. You can also follow him on Instagram @tomwilliamsalone

Do you have more questions? Add them in the comments below, and we will answer them!