So far I'm betting on Callie. Maybe Britt

ursusguy said:

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There are plenty of cougars in Patagonia.

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Ursus, if you were there, what would your tactic be for scaring away predators like that? Would it be the same as saying "hey bear" or do Pumas not spook that easily?

Callie is pretty crunchy, but she seems pretty competent and was surprisingly likeable.

Final four for me is the two old guys, the young guy, and Callie the herbalist. Too many other people have young kids and I don't see them lasting. I don't know that it is mostly about food if they are able to bring down a big animal. The woman last season was putting salmon back into the water and finally broke over the kids if I 'member right.

I guess I would go with the young guy just because he seems to be the least tied down to anyone emotionally.

After watching the first and specifically the second season most people that brought the rations in season 2 seemed to do it for the reason of the early part of their journey so while they're setting up a good camp they also don't have to look for food and have to worry about burning off too many calories without replenishing them.

I think the rations people bring aren't specifically for late in their journey when things get tough, but mainly for the earlier part while they're setting up camp.

Edit: Sort of a spoiler below for season 2 *******






To my knowledge they aren't required to stay specifically where they are dropped off. In season 2 "Larry" moved his location and it ended up being the best thing for him as he made it further. Had he not moved he woulda been out faster as his initial location was a tough spot for him.

They drop off the contestants in locations that are supposed to be not passable to where other contestants are placed due to natural barriers (mountains, bodies of water, etc. ) At least that's the thought.

AggiePride07 said:

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so while they're setting up a good camp they also don't have to look for food and have to worry about burning off too many calories without replenishing them.

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And that is exactly why I would tap out, didn't think of that. But at least I would go a full week.

I too can't see getting so stoked, going through trials, getting picked, getting briefed, and then travelling there only to be gone in a couple of days.

Honestly, cougars aren't that big a deal. Once you acknowledge their presence, they aren't that hard to run off. On the off chance you had an altercation, most likely you will successfully fight it off.

I would love the challenge to try, but I can honestly say I couldn't do it while my son is still young. The outdoor skills and eventually finding something to munch on part doesn't bother me, not knowing what is going on with Jr would bug me.

ursusguy said:

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Honestly, cougars aren't that big a deal. Once you acknowledge their presence, they aren't that hard to run off. On the off chance you had an altercation, most likely you will successfully fight it off.

I would love the challenge to try, but I can honestly say I couldn't do it while my son is still young. The outdoor skills and eventually finding something to munch on part doesn't bother me, not knowing what is going on with Jr would bug me.

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Yep. And there is also the difference between "have to" and "want to" as far as staying out there. I think when you know you can just push a button and go home it makes it a lot harder to stay when that first doubt or worry sets in.

Yeah. Not wanting to keep your crappy job can help, too.
I want the accountant guy (Britt?) to work out, just because he seems unlikely to succeed based on background.

I want Callie to do well. I mean, you set up the camera and immediately go skinny dipping? I am sure the editors were like, "Hello!" I just wonder if she will build a more permanent shelter soon enough.

I am rooting for the out of work trapper guy. The Alone Show worker who was doing evaluations said he was the biggest guy and would have a hard time keeping up his calories...he is forgetting season one! I like the trapping skills he has and that may get him further into the game.

I'll go with the biologist (hey, she did grizzly work) and the young hippy from Canada.

Did I miss an episode? Watched the premier and I thought they only introduced 4-5 of the people.

Wth?

Maverick06 said:

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Did I miss an episode? Watched the premier and I thought they only introduced 4-5 of the people.

Wth?

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There was a "Making the cut" episode that introduced everyone. I didn't watch it either.

I just read the profiles, and went digging further on ones that struck my interest.

The survival skills required just aren't that hard - comparatively speaking. Anyone who can get past the selection process is going to have enough survival skills to make it. This is NOT the key to the show.

The key to making it on this show is being able to tolerate being alone for months on end. Those who have family, especially young kids or recently married or in a new relationship, basically have no shot.


For this reason, my money is on the herbalist lady (if what she said about being alone is true).

TxFig said:

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The survival skills required just aren't that hard - comparatively speaking. Anyone who can get past the selection process is going to have enough survival skills to make it. This is NOT the key to the show.

The key to making it on this show is being able to tolerate being alone for months on end. Those who have family, especially young kids or recently married or in a new relationship, basically have no shot.


For this reason, my money is on the herbalist lady (if what she said about being alone is true).

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I would agree on the above all except that part about anyone getting past the selection process.
I think the ten that are picked in the selection process are picked very selectively. And what I mean is that 5 are competitors and 5 are just not going to be there long term. This show is not going to pick ten of the best and have to wait for a year to have a winner...or maybe longer. I think some of these folks are picked because they have loved ones back home and some sort of heart wrenching future they are missing out on.
I think someone said earlier if you could get all the past survivalist guys and gals from other shows and get them to do a season of Alone...it would be a good one...but we might be waiting for a long time for it to end. But I think that would be a good show to watch. My bet would be on Les.

I think les could do it physically but he loves his family and loves touring with his music/storytelling. Might be a similar situation to some of the others that leave the show.

Interesting insight: Ref - picking folks that the producers know will quit early. Might be a cost factor involved. 10 folks out there for 6 months requires X number of support folks. 5 requires Y...

Aggie Infantry said:

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Interesting insight: Ref - picking folks that the producers know will quit early. Might be a cost factor involved. 10 folks out there for 6 months requires X number of support folks. 5 requires Y...

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. It really is. Never considered it. For long term, you'd think loners would dominate. But they pick people with young kids.

Let's make a competing show where the season runs a full year.
We pick only loners and/or homeless people.

You are probably right. They might just chunk that tapout phone into the lake.

Sweet! Watching it now and setting up for recording...

Anyone watching tonight? Thoughts?

Greg is my leader in the clubhouse at the moment. Loner, no family to worry about, goes on long camping trips in 30 below weather for fun. Seems to have his stuff together 8 days in.

Poor Zach had no chance. He had fire, shelter, water but didn't actively seek food and instead got focused on side projects. Eight days and no protein. Glad he got to tap due to injury though and save face.

Biologist lady will start missing her kids I think. She was crying on her way down the driveway.

Crazy Utah guy will do well also I think.

So far I am actively rooting for Britt. Just something really likeable about him and I want to see him do well.

I think Greg is definitely in the lead from the little that we know. Seems capable, and being a loner will help a lot.

Zach totally hammed up what looked like a minor cut in order to get out of there. Definitely did himself in by focusing on carrying bamboo all over the place while his half assed attempt at fishing failed. He had good shelter, and choosing to focus on that silly heat reflecting shield or whatever it was instead of looking for protein was a horrible decision.

Havent seen much of the granola chick, but she seems pretty solid.

Agreed on Britt, he's my favorite so far.

Crazy Utah guy is pretty much unwatchable.
He may ruin it.

Zach pooning out was no surprise. As soon as his fish trap came up emtpy, he said "well, nothing I can do now."

And I still have a good feeling about Fowler. He's got a couple young kids and a wife, but so far he (well the show) hasn't shown much where its affecting him.

Anybody else wanna sign up next year?

Yeah, I had Zach going a lot farther. He never showed a really good closeup of the wound like the woman did last season. I think you are right, it turned into a good excuse to tap.

First off, running around in that thick of forest in the rain with a knife in one hand and an axe in the other both unsheathed after 8 days of no protein is beyond stupid. Add to that it was for a dumbass heat shield and it was pretty clear he wasn't lasting long.

When he was walking back he said "I'm losing function in my hand" and then when you saw the cut briefly it was stupid. He totally used that as his excuse.

mpl35 said:

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His fish trap was big enough for a healthy minnow.

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Ha, the wife said the exact same thing and her definition of camping is Holiday Inn.