Alone: The Skills Challenge
- Location
- No single filming site, each of the three head-to-head competitors in a given episode builds on their own home turf/terrain across the continental US (contestants' home regions include Georgia/Ohio/Virginia, Washington State, Arizona/Iowa, Oregon, Idaho, Florida/Idaho, and Indiana); the judge does not appear on-site.
- Aired
- August 4, 2022 to October 20, 2022
- Prize
- N/A
- Status
- Complete
How the season was won (reveals the winner)
Alone: The Skills Challenge crowns no single overall winner or grand-prize recipient, it is a 12-episode series of standalone head-to-head bushcraft/building duels among seven Alone alumni, each episode judged and won independently. By the show's own internal results (tallied from Wikipedia's episode-by-episode table), Callie North had the strongest record of the cast, winning 4 of the 6 episodes she competed in ('Bushcraft Bridge,' 'Wilderness Oven,' 'Floating Shelter,' and 'Nature-Powered Rotisserie'), more than any other competitor. Jordan Jonas, the Season 6 champion of the mainline show, was next-best with 3 wins from just 4 appearances. No episode winner received a cash prize; History.com and Wikipedia both state explicitly that there is no prize for winning an individual challenge, and the series ended its 12-episode run without declaring an overall champion.
The cast
| Contestant | From | Gear |
|---|---|---|
| Amós Rodriguez | Indianapolis, Indiana (originally from El Salvador) | 5 items → |
| Britt Ahart | Originally Virginia; living in Mantua, Ohio as of Season 5 (2017); later associated with Georgia by 2022 | 5 items → |
| Callie North | Lopez Island, Washington | 6 items → |
| Clay Hayes | Milton, Florida (later relocated near Lewiston, Idaho) | 6 items → |
| Joel Van Der Loon | Sisters, Oregon | 5 items → |
| Jordan Jonas | Lynchburg, Virginia (grew up in Athol, Idaho, in the Sandpoint/Coeur d'Alene area) | 4 items → |
| Lucas Miller | Quasqueton, Iowa (later relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, then a homestead in southern Arizona) | 5 items → |
Listed alphabetically on purpose. Heads up: individual profiles do reveal how far that person got.
Full results table (placements, days lasted, tap-out reasons)
| Place | Contestant | Days | Why they left |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Callie North | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 6 of 12 episodes (Ep2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11), winning 4 of them (Ep2 'Bushcraft Bridge', Ep4 'Wilderness Oven', Ep9 'Floating Shelter', Ep10 'Nature-Powered Rotisserie') and losing 2 (Ep5, Ep11). Also served as episode judge twice (Ep1, Ep12). Most individual episode wins of the 7-person cast. |
| 2 | Jordan Jonas | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 4 of 12 episodes (Ep1, 3, 6, 7), winning 3 of them (Ep3 'Smoke-Free, Bone-Dry Shelter', Ep6 'Elevated Shelter with Food Storage', Ep7 'Supersized Deadfall Trap') and losing 1 (Ep1). Served as episode judge twice (Ep8, Ep9). |
| 3 | Lucas Miller | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 5 of 12 episodes (Ep1, 2, 7, 11, 12), winning 2 of them (Ep1 'Earth Shelter', Ep11 'Large Game Projectiles') and losing 3 (Ep2, Ep7, Ep12). Served as episode judge once (Ep5). Tied with Joel Van Der Loon for 2nd-most wins. |
| 4 | Joel Van Der Loon | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 5 of 12 episodes (Ep6, 8, 9, 10, 12), winning 2 of them (Ep8 'Fishing Kit & Smoker', Ep12 'Pocket Survival') and losing 3 (Ep6, Ep9, Ep10). Served as episode judge once (Ep11). Tied with Lucas Miller for 2nd-most wins. |
| 5 | Clay Hayes | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 6 of 12 episodes (Ep3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12), winning 1 of them (Ep5 'Wilderness Watercraft') and losing 5 (Ep3, Ep4, Ep6, Ep8, Ep12). Served as episode judge twice (Ep7, Ep10). |
| 6 | Amós Rodriguez | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 5 of 12 episodes (Ep1, 3, 4, 10, 11), losing all 5 with 0 wins. Served as episode judge twice (Ep2, Ep6). Tied with Britt Ahart for fewest wins. |
| 7 | Britt Ahart | N/A | Competed as a contestant in 5 of 12 episodes (Ep2, 5, 7, 8, 9), losing all 5 with 0 wins. Served as episode judge twice (Ep3, Ep4). Tied with Amós Rodriguez for fewest wins. |
Episode guide
Open the episode guide (recaps include tap-outs as they happened)
E1 · Earth Shelter
August 4, 2022
In the series premiere, three past Alone competitors are each given three days to build a livable earth shelter using only an axe, shovel, saw, and plastic tarp. Judge Callie North requires the shelter to fit one person, include a working fireplace, and be at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer inside than outside. Lucas Miller wins the challenge over fellow competitors Amos Rodriguez and Jordan Jonas.
- Judge Callie North sets criteria: fits one person, has a working fireplace, and is 10°F warmer inside
- Tool kit limited to an axe, shovel, saw, and plastic tarp
- Lucas Miller wins the episode's earth-shelter challenge
- Amos Rodriguez and Jordan Jonas both fall short of the criteria and lose
E2 · Bushcraft Bridge
August 11, 2022
Three competitors are tasked with building a functional bridge at least 12 feet long using natural materials for cordage, with only a saw, manila rope, auger, and parang provided. Judge Amos Rodriguez requires the bridge to safely support five crossings. Callie North wins the challenge, while Britt Ahart and Lucas Miller both fall short.
- Bridge must be at least 12 feet long and hold up to five crossings
- Natural materials required for cordage rather than only manufactured rope
- Callie North wins; Britt Ahart and Lucas Miller lose
E3 · Smoke-Free, Bone-Dry Shelter
August 11, 2022
Airing the same night as the premiere week's second episode, this build challenge asks three competitors to construct a one-person shelter that stays completely dry in rain and remains smoke-free when a fire is lit inside. Tools are limited to a multi-tool, paracord, and a saw blade. Jordan Jonas wins the challenge over Clay Hayes and Amos Rodriguez, with judge Britt Ahart evaluating the builds.
- Shelter must stay bone-dry in rain and remain smoke-free with a fire burning inside
- Limited tool kit: multi-tool, paracord, and a saw blade only
- Jordan Jonas wins; Clay Hayes and Amos Rodriguez lose
E4 · Wilderness Oven
August 18, 2022
Competitors must build a wilderness oven large enough to fit a cast-iron skillet, hot enough to bake bread, and safe enough not to catch fire during use, working only with a machete, saw, and canvas tarp. Judge Britt Ahart scores the three builds on those criteria. Callie North wins the challenge, with Clay Hayes and Amos Rodriguez both losing.
- Oven must fit a cast-iron skillet and reach bread-baking temperatures
- Fire safety during use is one of the three judged criteria
- Callie North wins; Clay Hayes and Amos Rodriguez lose
E5 · Wilderness Watercraft
August 25, 2022
Three competitors must construct a watercraft that floats without leaking and can travel at least 100 feet across water, using a saw, knife, bankline, and plastic tarp. Judge Lucas Miller evaluates the finished builds against those requirements. Clay Hayes wins the challenge, while Britt Ahart and Callie North both lose.
- Watercraft must float without leaking and travel 100 feet
- Judge Lucas Miller, himself a past challenge winner, sets the criteria this episode
- Clay Hayes wins; Britt Ahart and Callie North lose
E6 · Elevated Shelter with Food Storage
September 1, 2022
This challenge raises the stakes literally, requiring an elevated shelter at least 12 feet tall that can support a competitor's weight overnight and includes an animal-safe food storage area, built with only a knife, saw, paracord, and canvas tarp. Judge Amos Rodriguez scores the builds on height, structural support, and storage security. Jordan Jonas wins over Joel Van Der Loon and Clay Hayes.
- Shelter must stand at least 12 feet tall and hold a sleeping competitor's weight overnight
- Food storage area must be animal-safe, guarding against wildlife raids
- Jordan Jonas wins; Joel Van Der Loon and Clay Hayes lose
E7 · Supersized Deadfall Trap
September 8, 2022
Competitors are asked to scale up a classic survival trap, building a deadfall heavy enough to kill a 25-30 pound animal and large enough to fit and crack the rind of a watermelon used to demonstrate lethal force. Tools are limited to a kukri, bankline, and animal bones. Jordan Jonas wins the challenge, with Britt Ahart and Lucas Miller both losing.
- Deadfall trap must be strong enough to kill a 25-30 pound animal
- Success is demonstrated by cracking a watermelon's rind under the trap's weight
- Jordan Jonas wins; Britt Ahart and Lucas Miller lose
E8 · Fishing Kit & Smoker
September 29, 2022
Three competitors must fabricate a working fishing kit and a fish smoker from limited materials, then actually catch a fish at least 6 inches long, smoke it, and eat it. Available tools are paracord, antler tines, a pocket-knife, and an axe head. Joel Van Der Loon wins the episode, while Britt Ahart and Clay Hayes both fall short.
- Challenge requires an actual catch of 6+ inches, not just gear construction
- Fish must be smoked and eaten to satisfy the criteria, not just caught
- Joel Van Der Loon wins; Britt Ahart and Clay Hayes lose
E9 · Floating Shelter
September 29, 2022
Airing back-to-back with the fishing episode, this build challenge requires a raft with an attached shelter large enough for one person, and competitors must actually spend a full night afloat on the water. Tools are limited to a parang, saw, and paracord. Callie North wins the challenge, with Britt Ahart and Joel Van Der Loon both losing.
- Raft must stay afloat overnight with a competitor actually sleeping aboard
- Shelter portion must still fit one person despite being on the water
- Callie North wins; Britt Ahart and Joel Van Der Loon lose
E10 · Nature-Powered Rotisserie
October 6, 2022
Competitors must build a rotisserie powered entirely by natural means, start a fire using friction alone, and fully cook a chicken on the rig, working with just a multi-tool and hemp twine. Judge Clay Hayes assesses the mechanical design and the doneness of the cooked meat. Callie North wins over Joel Van Der Loon and Amos Rodriguez.
- Fire must be started by friction, with no modern ignition allowed
- Rotisserie mechanism has to run on natural power rather than manual turning alone
- Callie North wins; Joel Van Der Loon and Amos Rodriguez lose
E11 · Large Game Projectiles
October 13, 2022
Three competitors must craft two large-game projectiles capable of traveling at least 20 feet through the air, hitting a 12-inch target, and penetrating 6 inches deep, using only a ferro rod, artificial sinew, and a sami knife. Judge Joel Van Der Loon scores accuracy, range, and penetration. Lucas Miller wins the challenge, with Callie North and Amos Rodriguez both losing.
- Projectiles judged on 20+ feet of travel, hitting a 12-inch target, and 6 inches of penetration
- Only three tools provided: a ferro rod, artificial sinew, and a sami knife
- Lucas Miller wins; Callie North and Amos Rodriguez lose
E12 · Pocket Survival
October 20, 2022
The season finale drops the build-challenge format entirely: competitors must survive 48 hours in the wild with no tools beyond whatever is already in their pockets. They must build a shelter to stay warm and dry for two nights, start or maintain a fire, purify and drink at least 2 quarts of water, and forage and eat at least 500 calories of food. Joel Van Der Loon wins the finale, with Lucas Miller and Clay Hayes both falling short of full completion.
- No tools provided at all; competitors rely solely on pocket contents
- Four survival criteria: shelter, fire, 2 quarts of purified water, and 500+ calories foraged
- Joel Van Der Loon wins the season finale; Lucas Miller and Clay Hayes lose
Facts worth knowing
- Alone: The Skills Challenge is a spin-off of Alone (not a numbered season of the main show) that premiered August 4, 2022 on History and ran 12 episodes through October 20, 2022.
- Unlike the main show's long-form endurance survival, each episode is a self-contained build challenge: three past Alone (US) competitors get three days to complete a task set by a fourth former competitor, who also chooses the provided tools, sets the judging criteria, and picks the winner on the fourth day.
- Competitors complete their challenges from their own home locations and self-document their progress; there is no cash prize for winning an individual episode, unlike the main show's $500,000 grand prize.
- Seven past Alone (US) contestants rotate through the season as competitors and judges: Britt Ahart, Callie North, Lucas Miller, Joel Van Der Loon, Clay Hayes, Amos Rodriguez, and Jordan Jonas.
- Amos Rodriguez is independently confirmed (via a ShowbizJunkies/Starcasm announcement article) as a Season 7 Alone alum; the original-show seasons for the other six recurring competitors are not confirmed in the sources used here.
- The Skills Challenge premiered as a companion spin-off alongside Alone: Frozen, which launched a week later on August 11, 2022, also on History.
- Judging criteria typically span three measurable requirements per build (e.g. dimensions, functional performance, and safety), scored by the guest-judge competitor rather than a fixed panel.
- Two production nights (August 11 and September 29, 2022) each aired two episodes back-to-back, meaning the 12-episode season only spans 10 distinct broadcast weeks.
- The finale departs from the season's build-challenge format entirely, testing a 48-hour pocket-survival scenario with no tools provided at all.
- Wikipedia's episode table lists U.S. viewership as 'N/A' for every episode, meaning no official Nielsen-style ratings for this spin-off were found in the sources used here.
Viewer's notes
- If you're used to the main show's slow-burn endurance format, reset your expectations: each Skills Challenge episode is a fast, judged head-to-head build competition resolved in a single episode, not a multi-week survival arc.
- Episode 12 ('Pocket Survival') is the standout finale for viewers who want to see raw survival skill without a toolkit, since it drops the build-challenge format for a true minimal-gear survival test.
- Watch for recurring judge/competitor Jordan Jonas (a well-known Alone winner from the main series) across multiple episodes as both a competitor and a judge, giving useful insight into how a past winner evaluates others' work.
- Because tools are deliberately limited and specified per episode (e.g. just a ferro rod and sinew in Episode 11), this spin-off is a good watch for viewers specifically interested in gear-constrained bushcraft rather than food-scarcity drama.
- There are no tap-outs or medical evacuations in this format since it's a judged build competition rather than an endurance elimination game; viewers looking for tap-out drama should stick to the numbered main-show seasons.
- Episodes 8 and 9 aired together as a fishing-and-raft double feature and pair well as a single viewing session since both involve water-based builds by an overlapping set of competitors.
Wondering what the cast was allowed to bring? See the full rules and approved item list or browse the gear database.