A long-time Muskoka resident is especially excited to see the outdoor survival show ‘Alone’s new season start this week. It’s because he’s in it.
50-year-old James ‘Wyatt’ Black who’s lived in Muskoka for 27 years is one of 10 cast members in the show this season. This time round they are braving the harsh environs of Reindeer Lake in Saskatchewan.
Now living in Bracebridge with his wife Michelle and two boys Andrew and Evan, Black grew up in Dorset where his parents bought a small marina on Lake of Bays.
An avid outdoorsman and hunter, he says it was that kind of prior experience that helped him survive Alone.
“It’s part of me,” he laughs. “Hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, and gathering – it’s all kind of part of the parcel.”
Black says almost 43,000 people applied to be in the show this time around and he feels privileged to have had the opportunity to be one of the 10 who were picked
The popular survival series has pitted people from all walks of life against challenging environments the world over. Other seasons have included places like Patagonia, Vancouver Island, and Mongolia.
The local says it was an extremely tough experience as the weather and terrain were both brutal.
“The winds were just ridiculous,” he says, “each spot has its own challenges.”
Alone participants are allowed to pick 10 items to bring with them before they are dropped off for the challenge which is ultimately determined by who lasts longest.
They vie for a $500,000 prize, filming everything themselves and building their own shelters.
Everyone is in the same general proximity, but each gets their own specific area. There’s about a mile between everyone’s perimeters.
The 10th Season airs tomorrow, Thursday, June 8th on the History Channel. At 8 pm we’ll get to meet all the contestants in person and at 9 pm episode one begins.
This season started filming back on September 15th.
After it was over, Black says each participant went through a process to ensure everyone was physically and mentally stable enough to go back into their home environments.
“Its quite trying and the longer you’re out there, the worse it could be for both physical and mental anguish for lack of a better term,” he says. “Since it’s ended there’s a group on What’s App where we talk back and forth every day – they (other cast members) become part of your family.”
Leading up to Thursday’s airing and the entire season of shows, no one knows how the others did during the ordeal. This year’s contestants (above) include a high school teacher, off-grid organic farmer, hunting guide, business owner, pilot, entrepreneur, living history teacher, carpenter, glass blower and direct support professional, musician, and homesteader.
More from Black’s interview with Bayshore Broadcasting:
Blacks’ survival arsenal included an axe, saw, ferro rod, pot, US military-grade survival sleeping bag, bow and arrow, 25 fish hooks, 300 meters of line, 2 pounds of snare wire and 80 meters of paracord.
As to what he ate in order to survive, he says he can’t get into that prior to the show airing but options ranged from small game animals like squirrels and pine martens and fishers to black bears and wolves.
“You’re in the true Canadian wilderness and by the time you’ve spent a week out there you’re ready to eat anything,” he says.
It’s a great weight loss program too, he jokes. “Even if you eat well – it’s because of the calories you’re burning.”
Black says his age helped his stamina mentally.
“I’ve watched the show since the day it came out,” he says. “In order to do this, you have to have true peace of mind and know that everything at home, while you’re gone, is ok.”
To learn more about Alone Season 10 click here
Below is this season’s Trailer