History Channel’s Alone is back, and this time, we’re getting a sneak peek behind the survival curtain. Alone: Before the Drop, airing Thursday, June 12th at 8 PM ET, introduces the ten brave souls—or perhaps just foolhardy—who’ve signed up for Season 12’s wilderness gauntlet. But rather than the usual trial-by-fire start, this special takes us from contestant orientation all the way to the drop-off point, revealing the gear choices, anxieties, and pre-game rituals that define these distinct personalities.
Gearheads, take note: Before the Drop puts a particular focus on what each survivalist deems mission-critical for making it through the isolation challenge. From five contestants opting for blankets (questioning the sleep strategy of the others), to the inclusion of snake gaiters (a smart move in this season’s reptile-rich locale), to updated tools like bank line, a thinner, tarred cord, for shelter building, this deep dive into survival essentials brings some major strategy. Viewers will meet the newest competitors: Pablo Arguelles, Colton Gilman, Will Lamb, Kelsey Loper, Baha Mahmutov, Douglas S. Meyer, Dug North, Nathan Olsen, Jit Patel, and Katie Rydge.
The show will offer a look at the psychological gamesmanship inherent in Alone—especially when the contestants size up each other’s gear choices and survival strategies before even setting foot in the wild. Given Alone’s central premise—ten survivalists, no camera crew, and a $500,000 prize for lasting the longest—this behind-the-scenes peek gives viewers valuable intel.
Alone: Before the Drop airs Thursday, June 12th at 8:00 PM ET on History.
