Alone Season 12 — Great Karoo, South Africa
Episode 1: The Land of Great Thirst
Aired June 12, 2025 — season context, cast standings and the gear decisions behind the week.
What this episode covers
Ten survivalists begin the season in Africas arid Kalahari-region wilderness, a stark departure from prior seasons forested and Arctic locations. The premiere follows contestants as they confront the immediate challenge of scarce water while setting up initial camps.
Season 12 started with 10 participants, 10 of whom have recorded day counts in our dataset. Nathan Olsen took the season at 34 days.
Episode breakdown
No documented departures in this episode.
Contestants still in the field after this episode: 10 of 10.
Who was out there
Nathan OlsenBuhl, ID, USA34 days · Winner
10 items: Cook pot, Canteen, Leatherman, Knife…
Kelsey LoperWinnett, MT, USA33 days · Tapped out
10 items: Fishing, Bow, Ferro rod, Pot…
Katie RydgeEmerald Beach, NSW, Australia28 days · Tapped out
10 items: Bow and Arrows, Fishing Line and Hooks, Leatherman, Silky Saw…
Baha MahmutovWharncliff, Ontario, Canada19 days · Tapped out
10 items: Tarp, Bank line, Pot, Soap…
Douglas S. MeyerKannapolis, NC, USA14 days · Tapped out
10 items: Blanket, Bivy Bag, Pot, Water Bottle…
Dug NorthNashua, NH, USA14 days · Tapped out
10 items: Pot, Canteen, Leatherman, Tarp…
Pablo ArguellesJacksonville, FL, USA5 days · Tapped out
10 items: Bow and Arrows, Shovel, Saw, 2 qt Pot…
Will LambLeakey, TX, USA5 days · Medical pull
10 items: Tarp, Machete, Pot, Multitool…
Colton GilmanRed Lodge, MT, USA4 days · Tapped out
10 items: Bow and Arrows, Ferro Rod, Pot, Fishing Gear…
Jit PatelAnakiwa, New Zealand4 days · Tapped out
10 items: Bow and Arrows, Fishing Gear, Pot, Ferro Rod…
Keep going
Explore more Alone coverage
- About the showFormat, rules, prize, medical checks & FAQ.
- ContestantsEvery contestant, every season — searchable.
- Gear on AloneApproved 10-item categories & real-world picks.
- Seasons indexLocations, air years, winners for every season.
- LocationsEvery filming region and what makes it brutal.
- Seasons & Locations hubEvery season matched to its location, gear list & winner.
- 10-Item BuilderPick your 10 with live Alone rule enforcement.
- Alone Clothes BuilderBuild a legal Alone clothing layer set.
- Expedition Gear BuilderPlan a full layered system for your own trip.
- Winner kitsThe exact 10 items every winner brought.
- Clothes that winLayering patterns of finalists & winners.
- Approved gear listThe full official 10-item approved list.
- Winners' gearEvery winner's kit compared side-by-side.
- Alone Loadout IndexOpen, citable dataset of every winner's 10 items — free CSV.
- Season 13 hubWorld Championship cast, gear tracker & episode recaps.
- Every season & episodeAir dates, cast and breakdowns for all 13 seasons.
- Contestant DatasetEvery season, contestant, item & outcome — CSV + JSON.
- Contender quizCould you survive? Take the 5-minute quiz.
- Show rulesThe 10-item rule, medical checks, tap-out & prize.
- Gear by seasonComplete kit breakdowns for every season.
- 10-Item Builder (open)Non-Alone version — no rule enforcement.
- Readiness leaderboardSee how your quiz score stacks up.
The gear behind what you just read
Ranked lists for the exact categories that decide a season.
- Best Fixed-Blade KnivesFull-tang and stick-tang blades that earn their place around a working camp.See the ranking
- Top 10 Bushcraft & Camping AxesFrom belt hatchets to full felling axes — the working range for camp and shelter craft.See the ranking
- Top 10 Tents & Tarps for CampingShelters from bombproof mountain tents to traditional canvas wall tents.See the ranking
- Top 10 Three-Season Sleeping BagsDown and synthetic bags that cover the honest 20°F–40°F working range.See the ranking
- Top 10 Merino Wool Base LayersNext-to-skin wool that works in real cold, real heat, and days between washes.See the ranking
- Top 10 Winter JacketsDown parkas, synthetic belay pieces, and heavy wool coats for real cold.See the ranking