Alone Season 5 — Mongolia
Episode 6: Of Mice And Men
Aired July 19, 2018 — season context, cast standings and the gear decisions behind the week.
What this episode covers
As the competition progresses, contestants who once fell short in earlier seasons push toward longer endurance this time. Randy Champagne and Dave Nessia both end their runs around this stretch, citing loneliness and a personal sense it was time to stop.
Season 5 started with 10 participants, 10 of whom have recorded day counts in our dataset. Sam Larson took the season at 60 days.
Episode breakdown
Tapped out from loneliness
Tapped out feeling it was time to stop
Contestants still in the field after this episode: 3 of 10.
Who was out there
Sam LarsonLincoln, Nebraska, United States60 days · Winner
10 items: 12×12 ground sheet tarp, Ax, Sleeping bag, Large 2-quart pot…
Britt AhartMantua, Ohio, United States56 days · Tapped out
10 items: Knife, Multitool, Paracord, Fishing line and hooks…
Larry RobertsRush City, Minnesota, United States41 days · Tapped out
10 items: Bushcraft knife, Ferro rod, 2-quart pot with lid, 300 yards of fishing lines and 25 assorted hooks…
Dave NessiaSalt Lake City, Utah, United States36 days · Tapped out
10 items: Axe, Sleeping bag, Pot, Ferro rod…
Randy ChampagneBoulder, Utah, United States35 days · Tapped out
10 items: Full Tang stainless steel knife, Ferro rod, 2 quart pot, Fishing lines and 25 assorted hooks…
Brooke WhippleFox, Alaska, United States28 days · Tapped out
10 items: Sleeping bag, Ferro rod, Knife, Saw…
Jesse BosdellSkowhegan, Maine, United States24 days · Medical pull
10 items: Sleeping bag, Ferro rod, Knife, Saw…
Nicole ApelianRaymond, Washington, United States9 days · Medical pull
10 items: Full Tang curved carbon steel knife with maple handle, Ferro rod, 16-inch stainless steel pan, 200 yards of 30 lb test fishing line, 100 yards of 80 lb test fishing lines and hooks…
Brad RichardsonFox Lake, Illinois, United States7 days · Tapped out
10 items: Sleeping bag, Ferro rod, Knife, Saw…
Carleigh FairchildAnchorage, Alaska, United States5 days · Medical pull
10 items: Paracord, Saw, Sleeping bag, Pot…
Keep going
Explore more Alone coverage
- About the showFormat, rules, prize, medical checks & FAQ.
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- Seasons & Locations hubEvery season matched to its location, gear list & winner.
- 10-Item BuilderPick your 10 with live Alone rule enforcement.
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- 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.
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- Alone Loadout IndexOpen, citable dataset of every winner's 10 items — free CSV.
- Season 13 hubWorld Championship cast, gear tracker & episode recaps.
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- 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