Survivalist dropped into Arctic Circle alone with just 10 tools for TV show

In the 13th season of the US TV show Alone: World Championship, Andrew Price, the first Welsh contestant, ventured into the Arctic Circle armed only with 10 tools and a camera. The 51-year-old from Swansea has always been drawn to pushing himself in extreme environments, and he believed the Arctic Circle offered the ultimate challenge.

His grandfather introduced him to foraging as a child, teaching him to collect seaweed, mussels, and blackberries along the Gower Peninsula. Later, Price learned bushcraft from his father, which included skills like hunting and gathering in a natural setting.

After school, Price embarked on an expedition to Malaysia, living with the indigenous Orang Asli people and learning to survive in a jungle environment. This experience, he said, was "very immersive" and exposed him to sustainable living from the land. He later traveled the world to explore various landscapes and cultures, realizing there was more to life than working in Swansea.

Price began teaching bushcraft in 2004, using his skills to help people with anxiety and depression. He also co-hosted the Bafta-nominated ITV Wales series Coast and Country for seven years. When he first applied to Alone in 2015, the show was only open to Canadians and Americans. This year marked the first international season, allowing Price to bring Welsh traditions to the competition.

Price represented Wales in Alone, eager to showcase his country's unique qualities beyond rugby, music, and poetry. He emphasized that Alone's appeal lies in its ability to push contestants to their limits, competing only against themselves. The show's harsh conditions, including grizzly bears and freezing temperatures, made it particularly challenging for Price's family. However, he felt the environment was the most extreme aspect of the competition.

Every contestant was equipped with a GPS tracker, ensuring a helicopter could rescue them if needed. Grizzly bears and the lack of technology added to the show's intensity for Price's loved ones. Despite these challenges, Price found the environment to be the most daunting aspect, particularly the extreme cold and the need for motivation.

Among the skills he learned during Alone, lighting fires for cooking and boiling water proved most useful, teaching him about his own resilience and patience. The experience has made him a more patient and effective instructor, he added.

The 13th series of Alone premiered on Sky History, featuring 10 survivalists from seven countries, including Wales, the US, Canada, Australia, Slovenia, Portugal, and New Zealand.