Zach Fowler, at his home in Appleton, has been homesteading for several years and that background inspired him to try out for History Channel’s hit show “Alone.” He’s about to chop wood, using the same ax he brought with him on the show. On TV, he’s 5,885 miles away from home, one of three finalists still trying to survive the Patagonia wilds, competing for $500,000. The finale will air at 9 p.m. Thursday. The Sun Journal on Friday will publish an interview with Fowler about the experience and what he’s hoping to do next.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Mainer has made it to the finale of the History channel’s show, “Alone.”

Zachary Fowler of Appleton, Maine, is one of three finalists in the running to win $500,000. The show will announce the winner on the show Thursday evening.

The reality show plops contestants in the wild carrying only what they can fit in a small backpack.

In this case, Fowler and the others were in Patagonia, where hazards included pumas and wild boars. The contestants must hunt and build shelters to survive. There’s no camera crew or producers; instead the contestants document the experience themselves.

Fowler is a Vermont native who came to Maine to study boat building. He and his wife and their two daughters live in a hand-built yurt.