‘Alone’ Season 11 Episode 4 Recap: Success and Failure in the Arctic

One survivalist makes a tough decision to tap out while others celebrate small victories in the latest episode of 'Alone.'

Winter hasn’t even set in yet, and already the Alone contestants are dropping like flies. In the 11th season of the History Channel reality series, cast members are fighting to survive more than 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Two participants have already tapped out, and a third falls in episode 4.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Alone Season 11 Episode 4.]

A stomach ailment takes out one ‘Alone’ cast member

When we last checked in with Dusty, he seemed to be thriving in his new environment. “I’ve come to realize that I’m right where I belong,” the Arkansas native declared in episode 3.

Episode 4 begins on a high note for Dusty when he catches a large pike. Later, he shoots his first grouse. Unfortunately, Dusty’s fortunes soon take a turn for the worse. He has a painful bellyache and is severely constipated.

“I’m scared to death I’ve caught some kind of beaver fever,” he says, referring to a possible giardia infection. “That could get bad quick.”

Dusty eventually realizes he can’t safely continue in the competition. On day 10, he taps out.

“This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life,” he tearfully says. “I’m throwing something away I’ll never get back.”

The decision to tap out is painful, but Dusty is thankful he had the opportunity to go on the kind of adventure that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible for him. He vows to explore more of the world after he returns home to his family. “I may have tapped, but I didn’t lose,” he says.

Laundry day goes wrong for an ‘Alone’ survivalist

Sarah, who runs a fishing retreat in Alaska, is frustrated – and a little embarrassed – by her inability to catch fish. So far, she’s been foraging for food. But she scores a big win when she shoots a grouse. It’s her first protein in more than a week.

“My confidence is starting to build,” she says.

However, Sarah’s plan to use part of the bird as fish bait is foiled by a scavenging bird, which is a major disappointment. But later, she finds a huge patch of massive bolete mushrooms, another valuable food source.

Jake, a professional falconer from Idaho, hasn’t had any protein since launch. By day 11, his limited diet is starting to wear on him. After another failed fishing attempt, he decides to do some laundry by boiling his clothes. But even that doesn’t go well. When he grabs the hot pot handle with a wad of grass, he manages to seriously burn his hand. He cleans and bandages the wound using the supplies in his first aid kit. But an injured hand is going to make it that much more difficult to hunt. He’ll be even more dependent on fishing going forward. Fortunately, on day 12, he finally manages to catch a pike, giving him a huge boost of confidence.

“Everything is going to be different now,” he says.

Timber takes aim at another moose

Meanwhile, William is relaxing in his “small but cozy” shelter. But food is on his mind. Unlike most participants, he didn’t bring a bow and arrow. So far, he’s been relying on his talents as a fisherman to feed himself, but in this episode, he crafts a snare pole, which he uses to catch not one, but two grouse. With his considerable skills and calm demeanor, William is emerging as a favorite in this competition. But he suffers a big setback when scavengers get into one of his food stashes.

Also a strong contender to win it all on this season of Alone? Timber. He was raised off the grid and is used to living in challenging environments as an aid worker. He’s drawing on that background for Alone, and so far it’s served him well. But he’s expending a lot of energy to build a shelter out of massive logs, a move that’s taken out Alone participants in the past. And unlike the other participants so far this season, he’s been focused on catching big game. A failed attempt to kill a moose in episode 2 was a blow, but he gets another chance today. Unfortunately, the episode ends on a cliffhanger. But if Timber can kill a moose (and preserve the meat), it could be a game-changer.

Alone Season 11 Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on History Channel.

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