Age: 36

Hometown: Fifty-Six, AR

Profession: Welder

Dusty was born and raised in the deep wooden areas of Arkansas. His love for the outdoors may have manifested when his mother went into labor with him while she was out mushroom hunting. She was a single mother who was often working, so Dusty’s grandparents were the ones who looked after him. His grandparents introduced him to gardening, hunting, and how to work off the land. Ever since then, Dusty was always in the woods. Prowling, squirrel hunting, and foraging was his arcade. Spending his childhood out in the woods formed his lifelong dream of becoming a true mountain man.

As Dusty got older, he worked as a skidder operator, and then got into the rockwoods where he would build with stone. Inspired by Greg Ovens of ALONE season 3, and the creativity that he brings to outdoor survival, Dusty fell in love with the idea of teaching people the skills he’s learned, and his hard-earned knowledge from a life lived out in the woods.

Dusty never had plans to get married but when he met his wife Gwyn, he couldn’t turn it down. She always encouraged him to go on adventures and spend time in the woods. Now they live in Arkansas with two children. Following his grandparents footsteps, Dusty taught his children how to hunt, fish and work off the land.

Dusty started his job as a welder 9 years ago, and is now living out his lifelong dream with this opportunity to compete on Alone. He sees Alone as the real deal, and a true test for himself and the skills he’s learned throughout his life. He’s hoping to win to better his family’s life and give them the opportunity to travel and explore the world.

Here are the ten items Dusty selected to bring on his survival journey to the unforgiving Arctic Circle:

1. Axe

2. Saw

3. Ferro Rod

4. Multitool

5. Fishing Line and Hooks

6. Paracord

7. Pot

8. Snare Wire

9. Bow and Arrows

10. Sleeping Bag