Tenta holding his own on reality TV show

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Then, as fall deepens with a hint of winter approaching, their attentions shift to trying not just to get enough food to survive, but also trying to stockpile it for the future.

Tenta was catching a steady supply of fish, and was smoking some to preserve it.

“You are always hungry. You are eating, of course, but only enough to keep you from starving. You need to store as much as you can,” he told the Pioneer.

Although it did not make the final editing cut (and was therefore not seen by viewers) Tenta had had some luck with small game — squirrels, grouse and even snaring a marten.

Aside from smoking fish, Tenta had completely winterized his shelter and was starting to gather stores of wood.

“I was feeling quite strong and positive mentally. There were times each day I would really miss my family, but they usually passed quickly. I had prepared for that ahead of time and was trying to just embrace those moments (of missing family) because I knew they wouldn’t last long and that they would pass,” he said. “You are constantly moving around doing daily tasks and that’s a good thing. An important part of keeping mentally healthy is to stay busy.”

In episode six Tenta dropped his spool into some very cold water and had to retrieve it.

“It actually wasn’t that big of a deal. I was able to sort of lay down in the water and get it with my foot. It was cold, but I wasn’t too worried. I did need the spool to catch fish, but I did have a fish on the line on the shore, so I was fairly sure I could retrieve it somehow,” he said. “But it did make me more careful with the spool in the future.”

Tenta was not actively pursuing big game such as a moose or bear, since doing so would have expended too many calories. But he saw fresh moose tracks and knew bears were in the area, so he was always prepared for a chance encounter.

The 10 items Tenta chose to bring with him on the show were: an axe, saw, ferro rod, fishing line and hooks, bow and arrow, sleeping bag, cooking pot, paracord, snare wire and a multi tool. Tenta was happy with all his choices, saying “I would take the same items if I went again. I didn’t have any regrets. I utilized everything I brought.”

‘Alone’ episodes airs Thursdays on the History Channel at 8 p.m.

The filming took place last year, but the show is only now set to air this coming summer. Valley viewers who love the outdoors, who were once taught at DTSS by Tenta, or who are just plain curious to see a local fellow test his mettle in the wilds can tune in to the season 10.

Past seasons have seen participants last anywhere from six hours to 100 days in locations ranging from Patagonia to Vancouver Island, the Arctic, northeastern Labrador and northern Mongolia.