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.

Joel Van Der Loon

Sisters, Oregon · Alone: The Skills Challenge

Age on show: 34

How far did Joel get? (tap to reveal)

Finished 4th of 7

Placement: 4th

Photo: Photo via Joel Van Der Loon's official bushcraft school site (Primal Skills Academy)

Joel's gear list

Fully sourced selection. Photos marked “category example” show a typical product for that slot, not the exact unit carried. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Episode 6 'Elevated Shelter with Food Storage' tools: knife, saw, paracord, canvas tarp
Episode 8 'Fishing Kit & Smoker' tools: paracord, antler tines, pocket-knife, axe head
Episode 9 'Floating Shelter' tools: parang, saw, paracord
Episode 10 'Nature-Powered Rotisserie' tools: multi-tool, hemp twine
Episode 12 'Pocket Survival': no tools provided (pockets-only survival challenge)
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How Joel's run went (reveals the result)

Original Alone contestant on Season 7 (Northern Saskatchewan/Labrador region, 2020); age and hometown as recorded for that original season. Runs a primitive-skills school and grew up practicing bushcraft in South Africa and Tanzania.

Why the run ended: 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.

Compare with the rest of the Skills Challenge cast or see what every winner carried.