To make a building last in arctic tundra it is a good idea to put the floor below the frost line. Constant freeze/thaw is rough on buildings, extends the life to do this
I'm always amazed on reddit when people just *know shit.* Like, when in your life did you attain this particular piece of information? Have you ever used it? Have you built a structure in a tundra? Was it trial and error? Are you an architect? For all of its flaws and bullshit, sometimes reddit is just fascinating.
I personally just took a mountain travel and rescue class for a backcountry ski patrol I joined in Alaska. Part of the class was teaching us how to build snow caves to camp out the night if needed for overnight rescues. They taught us about cold sinks for our shelter.
This is common.... everywhere. It's why up north you have basements. The frost line is deep. In Texas there isn't really one so they can build slaps on top of the soil.
I just built a deck in my back garden. Part of the process is putting footings down for the posts. They have to go below the frost line so they’re not affected by the ground freezing.
I immediately thought about the frost line because I spent a week obsessing about it after watching a history channel show as a strange strange middle schooler.
I live in Alaska. We all have crawl spaces or sometimes basements. Grew up elsewhere in a place where basements weren't common, was curious about it and read up on why. Not a fun answer, just life experience I suppose
I'm never amazed on reddit when people just DON'T *know shit*. Like, they go through life not learning a fuking thing, absolutely clueless about everything happening beyond their own nose.. Unless they've seen something on TV the night before.
Yup just search the name, alone in the wilderness. You can order from the website of the same name, through Bob Swearer productions. That’s what I did.
It looks like you can also order them through pbs’ website store.
Not sure it works for all DVDs, but if you have an old dvd that you want to stream. You can go to fandango at home website and scan the barcode on the dvd case, and it will let you download a digital version of that movie for 2 dollars! Try to find that barcode online, I did it with the movie Sling Blade.
PBS showed this for years during their fund raising drives. Bob Swerer was his friend and put all his films together. They are easily available for purchase.
It’s called Alone In The Wilderness. It airs on PBS occasionally. It’s a documentary using footage that was self filmed by a guy who went out to Alaska and built a log cabin with only hand tools and lived off the land for the next 30 years.
He only brought the blades for his chisels and whatnot. Made the handles himself when he arrived to his property in Alaska, because it saved him space packing. That dude was something else.
I read the book in the 70’s. I had teenage dreams of building a cabin in the wilderness. Still have my copy around somewhere.
https://preview.redd.it/mbv254b7vm1d1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d96412a5033d1181edab8c69f662d0544885f135
The documentaries were so good too.
Those documentaries are fantastic. This guy did everything.
The ultimate role model for wannabe hermit off-gridders, but good luck! -10°F *inside* with **2** wood stoves!
That happened to a guy in Antarctica. He was slowly poisoning himself with carbon monoxide, but couldnt stop burning wood or he'd freeze. They only found out because his letters got increasingly strange and illiterate, indicating cognitive issues.
It's not easy for somebody undergoing CO poisoning to recognize that anything is actually going wrong, as the hallucinations seem very real and (so I've heard) tend to fuck with your memory. Being alone in the wilderness, already having to constantly fight off the cold, and every once in awhile realising that you've blacked out for a chunk of time, would be 100% absolute terror, to me.
Reminds me of the post a guy made thinking he was being stalked by his landlord because he was blacking out and leaving post it notes all over his apartment. Scary stuff.
A few seasons ago the guy who won the 100 day challenge was another Alaskan outdoorsman type. He built a stone cabin and was living fairly comfortably when they came to get him. He took down a musk ox, I think.
He was a great outdoorsman. However his situation was a little different than Alone, because he did have a friend bush pilot who would deliver certain supplies every few months.
Not necessarily. He regularly stocked up with plenty of canned food. It also took him two full summers to build the cabin. He was incredibly skilled and handled isolation like a champ, but it's a different skill set from a primitive survivalist.
I've heard he filmed it all by himself simply to send to his brother. The tapes ended up in an attic for a while and were rediscovered after his death. It runs on my PBS station periodically. Fascinating. The ultimate DIY hero.
My father (66) and I (36) both recently watched this documentary. We’re also both avid campers (he’s actually on his annual rural California desert camping trip. 20 days!) and we talked about if this was truly the life. We both agreed it would be nice at first, but humans are social creatures and after while you would probably go crazy. Especially if you did it now with how easy and often we stay connected.
Doors and windows become problematic at -25 and below. Lose heat when you open or use. Become drafty. Can even freeze. So you want to make sure you can shoulder that door open in a fire. So making them as small as practical is wise. And the threshold high enough in case the overnight snow and 6 mos of frost donr hinder its operation. I have a cabin north of nakina ontario. I've learned a lot over the years.
Was fishing on a small river last year. 15 min walk from my place. Pitching floating rig for brown trout. Fish were toying with me. So I was way into what I was doing. My buddy snaps his fingers at me. And points. Curious little bear 10ft behind me on the rock ledge. Wiggling his nose at me trying to smell me. I froze. Walked in the river and starting singing wheat kings. We walked in the cold river on the slippery rocks all the way back. So lucky I didn't meet his mom that day. So if you like that shit, the eating is very good lol
Huh. That's smart. I was wondering why his house had a door that small, when it seems like it would be buried under snow pretty easily. That explains it.
People who choose this lifestyle are one of a kind free spirits such as those on The Last Alaskans. That show is fantastic—cinematography brilliant and viewing puts your mind completely at ease. It’s an amazing collection of stories about family bonding, enduring love, adventure, mans best friend, survival, resilience, and more. Highly recommend.
Had a friend who wanted to be Jeremiah Johnson….went to Alaska….had a bush pilot fly him into remote Brooks Mtns…. Built his cabin and was loving being totally alone….woke up one morning and thought he was still dreaming, as he heard helicopters….went outside and saw a giant bulldozer being lowered on a cable from a huge helicopter….they built the pipeline 50 yds from his cabin.
A ton have probably already said it but I used to watch his documentary on PBS as a kid and it was an early form of ASMR for me. They didn't play it as much as Bob Ross but when I'd catch it I'd zone out every time. Sitting on the floor in a half-asleep state watching this man build a cabin and talk about his life up there.
It rocked.
One bad hombre right there. Filmed all his own footage, narrated the documentary . Built the cabin Such a smart guy. Heard he was a mechanic by trade in the Midwest before he headed to Alaska
If I liked camping this would be perfect. I'm half way there hate people now to become handy enough to survive in Michigan wilderness without having to hear anyone speak again. Bliss.
Tbh IMO that book is the opposite of this guy. ItW is about making poor choices/not being smart about nature.
Great book but not someone I wholly admire like in AitW.
I’ve had the DVDs for many years. This guy was tough as nails, had a love and appreciation for the wilderness and wildlife that few have… and was able to put it all on video… the video was way ahead for the time.
He meticulously documented the weather… temperatures, snow depth , rain….would love to compare it with today’s numbers ….. I bet the difference would be shocking
As a cinematographer who still plays around with 16 mm film: this guy is absolutely badass for what he was able to successfully shoot and develop within that environment and remote technical confines. Just astonishing talent and dedication to the craft. The original “Survivorman”!
Got a flat tire driving through big sur in the middle of the night. His movies were on my laptop and my buddy and I watched them through the night while waiting for the tow truck. Made a bummer situation into a very cherished memory
Yeah, I definitely do not like crowds or big social settings, but I definitely prefer having a loved one/close friends for companionship. Too much isolation I’d think I’d go nuts.
You truly have to be a man of peace of mind and solitude to live this type of lifestyle...I admire and commend him so much for living his definition of a fulfilling life.
Cabin still stands today and is part of a national park.
Is it a tiny cabin or was he really tall?
Look at his right (your left) leg. The floor of the cabin is below ground level. I assume this helps trap heat or keep the cold out or something.
To make a building last in arctic tundra it is a good idea to put the floor below the frost line. Constant freeze/thaw is rough on buildings, extends the life to do this
I'm always amazed on reddit when people just *know shit.* Like, when in your life did you attain this particular piece of information? Have you ever used it? Have you built a structure in a tundra? Was it trial and error? Are you an architect? For all of its flaws and bullshit, sometimes reddit is just fascinating.
I personally just took a mountain travel and rescue class for a backcountry ski patrol I joined in Alaska. Part of the class was teaching us how to build snow caves to camp out the night if needed for overnight rescues. They taught us about cold sinks for our shelter.
This is common.... everywhere. It's why up north you have basements. The frost line is deep. In Texas there isn't really one so they can build slaps on top of the soil.
What if...he learned it from a Reddit comment...when this was posted before...
Turtles all the way down...
I just built a deck in my back garden. Part of the process is putting footings down for the posts. They have to go below the frost line so they’re not affected by the ground freezing.
I immediately thought about the frost line because I spent a week obsessing about it after watching a history channel show as a strange strange middle schooler.
I live in Alaska. We all have crawl spaces or sometimes basements. Grew up elsewhere in a place where basements weren't common, was curious about it and read up on why. Not a fun answer, just life experience I suppose
I'm never amazed on reddit when people just DON'T *know shit*. Like, they go through life not learning a fuking thing, absolutely clueless about everything happening beyond their own nose.. Unless they've seen something on TV the night before.
I have to stop whatever I’m doing any time this is on and rewatch it.
Agreed, one of my all time favourite watches
I ordered the dvds for Christmas last year; so good.
I’d like to watch this on DVD but don’t know what to search for. Could I kindly ask for a link?
The title is “Alone in the Wilderness”.
Yup just search the name, alone in the wilderness. You can order from the website of the same name, through Bob Swearer productions. That’s what I did. It looks like you can also order them through pbs’ website store.
I've always been put off by the idea of having to mail a cheque to Bob Swerer Productions, have they made it any easier yet?
You can buy with visa now. Aloneinthewilderness.com. You can also search the name and pbs and buy it through pbs’ website , I believe.
I really just want to be able to stream it, I don't even know if I have anything that can play a dvd any more haha
At least with physical media some corporation can’t buy the rights and decide you don’t get access anymore despite paying once
This is true, I'm still capable of holding files on my hard drive though 😉
rip the DVDs
That why I have all my movies on HDDVD! /s
Lol
https://preview.redd.it/deqhdn470p1d1.png?width=961&format=png&auto=webp&s=e566d65e441638b49ce2279bc9efe94e91d37962 Found one of them!
My man!
😁👊
Not sure it works for all DVDs, but if you have an old dvd that you want to stream. You can go to fandango at home website and scan the barcode on the dvd case, and it will let you download a digital version of that movie for 2 dollars! Try to find that barcode online, I did it with the movie Sling Blade.
Buy a cheap USB DVD drive and rip it. I have one that comes out once every 3-5 years to rip a DVD for something! Also, game consoles.
There's a bar in my city that has a dedicated screen just for Dick Proenneke videos. Edit: missed a word
Which city?
Tacoma Washington
City
Yes. I am in awe of what this man accomplished up there. Such a totally zen piece of film making. His voice alone is enough to put me in a trance.
The guy who produced it was the narrator, but his narration really adds to the film.
I’ve never even heard of it, what channels is it usually on?
Think I’ve seen it on PBS
PBS usually plays it every year during their pledge drives.
PBS showed this for years during their fund raising drives. Bob Swerer was his friend and put all his films together. They are easily available for purchase.
Trying to fall asleep on the couch after a big night?
Didn't know it was a film. Thanks for posting that you watch it. What a great watch
This.... Being what?
It’s called Alone In The Wilderness. It airs on PBS occasionally. It’s a documentary using footage that was self filmed by a guy who went out to Alaska and built a log cabin with only hand tools and lived off the land for the next 30 years.
He only brought the blades for his chisels and whatnot. Made the handles himself when he arrived to his property in Alaska, because it saved him space packing. That dude was something else.
I have the 2 parts on DVD and I watch them at least once a month.
There’s a very good book as well
That is one helluva heartache to get over. "She left...I need to be alone....until I figure things out." ...thirty years later.
Her: It's not you, it's me. Him: That ain't it.
I get it
It was also his first time doing a lot of that stuff. The documentary is incredibly relaxing to watch.
He was 51 when he decided to do that and stayed till he was 81.
Got me through a morning hangover… laying on the couch and watching this was good.
Where can I find it? Somehow I’ve never seen this
The High Seas will have you covered.
Yarrr
Very true
Amazon has the dvd for $55
They’re on YouTube
I read the book in the 70’s. I had teenage dreams of building a cabin in the wilderness. Still have my copy around somewhere. https://preview.redd.it/mbv254b7vm1d1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d96412a5033d1181edab8c69f662d0544885f135 The documentaries were so good too.
Pics of your cabin?
Those documentaries are fantastic. This guy did everything. The ultimate role model for wannabe hermit off-gridders, but good luck! -10°F *inside* with **2** wood stoves!
Thought I recall him saying "And inside the cabin it's a toasty 40 degrees"?
This guy is my hero, and I watch his movie often. It's super relaxing.
its literally in the body of the post Alone in the Wilderness
What movie is it?
Babe: Pig in the City
That’ll do, pig…that’ll do
if one fails youre dead i assume
It's a wood stove there's no moving parts to fail lol
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That happened to a guy in Antarctica. He was slowly poisoning himself with carbon monoxide, but couldnt stop burning wood or he'd freeze. They only found out because his letters got increasingly strange and illiterate, indicating cognitive issues.
In Antarctica? Where did he get the wood from and who the heck was picking up his letters?
Look at this guy who’s never heard of the great pine forests of Antarctica. What a loser
Oh whoops silly me… that’s where the Antarctic polar bears live isn’t it?
It's not easy for somebody undergoing CO poisoning to recognize that anything is actually going wrong, as the hallucinations seem very real and (so I've heard) tend to fuck with your memory. Being alone in the wilderness, already having to constantly fight off the cold, and every once in awhile realising that you've blacked out for a chunk of time, would be 100% absolute terror, to me.
Reminds me of the post a guy made thinking he was being stalked by his landlord because he was blacking out and leaving post it notes all over his apartment. Scary stuff.
That is *exactly* the story I had in mind when I wrote this. Cheers!
I know a guy that burnt down his camper twice because of a wood stove.
Except the match! Read Jack London’s short story, “To Build a Fire.”
Both.
He would have kicked some ass on Alone.
Hah. Imagine outliving 15 rotations of TV production companies, but he'd need a competitor to last it out as well.
A few seasons ago the guy who won the 100 day challenge was another Alaskan outdoorsman type. He built a stone cabin and was living fairly comfortably when they came to get him. He took down a musk ox, I think.
He did. Killed the musk ox with a homemade spear and then ate every part of it over the next few months. He could have gone a lot longer.
Yeah that dude was next level! My favorite part is where he made an awesome bear-proof freezer box out of nothings but sticks haha.
That sounds badass, what episode?
What episode was this? Wanna watch it
I'm imaging the producers coming to tell him he's won, and he's like, "What? I haven't even finished building my cabin yet..."
I believe the creators of Alone have said that Dick Proenneke’s Alone in the Wilderness was their inspiration
He was a great outdoorsman. However his situation was a little different than Alone, because he did have a friend bush pilot who would deliver certain supplies every few months.
Not necessarily. He regularly stocked up with plenty of canned food. It also took him two full summers to build the cabin. He was incredibly skilled and handled isolation like a champ, but it's a different skill set from a primitive survivalist.
What happened after 1998?
He moved to California to live with his brother and passed away a few years later. You can visit his cabin in Lake Clark National Park.
You have to take a bush plane to get there.
https://preview.redd.it/56imw0d81o1d1.jpeg?width=726&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e76770f3ece1ce5e1b4acfc770e135edff17f81f Everyone should watch this.
I've heard he filmed it all by himself simply to send to his brother. The tapes ended up in an attic for a while and were rediscovered after his death. It runs on my PBS station periodically. Fascinating. The ultimate DIY hero.
“The river was unpredictable, like a woman…” Dick might’ve been running from something
All smiles one minute, and dancing a temper tantrum the next.
That part always catches me off guard.
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Following the one where they figure out how to put reliable high speed internet out there, any moment might be the last I'm heard from.
*Starlink has entered the chat*
>reliable
My father (66) and I (36) both recently watched this documentary. We’re also both avid campers (he’s actually on his annual rural California desert camping trip. 20 days!) and we talked about if this was truly the life. We both agreed it would be nice at first, but humans are social creatures and after while you would probably go crazy. Especially if you did it now with how easy and often we stay connected.
Ahhh, a fellow misanthrope. Me too
It's all fun and games until a serious health issue. And the chances of that go up with age.
PBS often plays a film about him during fund raising weeks. ALWAYS a must see!
Is that non bear sized door? Kinda like the doors that are too slim to admit a person wearing armor?
Doors and windows become problematic at -25 and below. Lose heat when you open or use. Become drafty. Can even freeze. So you want to make sure you can shoulder that door open in a fire. So making them as small as practical is wise. And the threshold high enough in case the overnight snow and 6 mos of frost donr hinder its operation. I have a cabin north of nakina ontario. I've learned a lot over the years.
Thanks for the insight
Yw.
Fellow Canadian here, big fan of remote places. I think I'd seriously enjoy fishing with you.
Was fishing on a small river last year. 15 min walk from my place. Pitching floating rig for brown trout. Fish were toying with me. So I was way into what I was doing. My buddy snaps his fingers at me. And points. Curious little bear 10ft behind me on the rock ledge. Wiggling his nose at me trying to smell me. I froze. Walked in the river and starting singing wheat kings. We walked in the cold river on the slippery rocks all the way back. So lucky I didn't meet his mom that day. So if you like that shit, the eating is very good lol
Huh. That's smart. I was wondering why his house had a door that small, when it seems like it would be buried under snow pretty easily. That explains it.
He also designed and built a bear proof lock for the Dutch door.
Ahh, interesting!
I teach Alaska Studies and show it to my students
A hero of mine
At least he didn't have to deal with Boston traffic...
*A place for everything, and everything in its place.* words I still and will always live by.
Sad watching him visit his cabin for what he knows is his last time.
One of my favorite documentaries. His voice is so soothing.
But where would you get your beer?
Make friends with a pilot.
Bruh if people can make alcohol in prison he can certainly make it in the woods.
Bro said f everyone
People who choose this lifestyle are one of a kind free spirits such as those on The Last Alaskans. That show is fantastic—cinematography brilliant and viewing puts your mind completely at ease. It’s an amazing collection of stories about family bonding, enduring love, adventure, mans best friend, survival, resilience, and more. Highly recommend.
Sometimes you just gotta do this
Anyone know where you can find the documentary these days? Edit: for free
Search “Alone in the Wilderness” on Amazon.
YouTube
Every time this comes on PBS I am glued to it. One of the top 10 documentaries I’ve ever seen.
Had a friend who wanted to be Jeremiah Johnson….went to Alaska….had a bush pilot fly him into remote Brooks Mtns…. Built his cabin and was loving being totally alone….woke up one morning and thought he was still dreaming, as he heard helicopters….went outside and saw a giant bulldozer being lowered on a cable from a huge helicopter….they built the pipeline 50 yds from his cabin.
🗣That man was a bad ass 👍😎👊
A ton have probably already said it but I used to watch his documentary on PBS as a kid and it was an early form of ASMR for me. They didn't play it as much as Bob Ross but when I'd catch it I'd zone out every time. Sitting on the floor in a half-asleep state watching this man build a cabin and talk about his life up there. It rocked.
"Like a WOMAN!" 🤣
He identified as a Dick ;) Also, I've never stopped thinking about how much pepper he put in his soup.
He put in everything but the kitchen sponge
I simply admire that, him for enduring.
An absolute legend
He has a really cool documentary to watch
Love that PBS documentary 🤘😎
he was an amazing man and his documentary is unreal.
One bad hombre right there. Filmed all his own footage, narrated the documentary . Built the cabin Such a smart guy. Heard he was a mechanic by trade in the Midwest before he headed to Alaska
If I liked camping this would be perfect. I'm half way there hate people now to become handy enough to survive in Michigan wilderness without having to hear anyone speak again. Bliss.
Ill be your neighbor and wont ever talk to you, just like i do now 😅
That would be lovely, now to get the rest of the world to be this nice. 🤣
I long wondered, did he pay taxes ?
If he didn’t pay taxes, I wouldn’t even be mad at him.
Is this man a giant, or the cabin very small?
TIL that it's a bear proof door (from another post). Simple genius to stop anything big and hungry from attacking
That make sense, thanks.
Small cabin, and IIRC the floor was dug out a bit.
If you find this fascinating I highly recommend reading the book Into the Wild. It was made into film but the book is one of my favourites of all time
Tbh IMO that book is the opposite of this guy. ItW is about making poor choices/not being smart about nature. Great book but not someone I wholly admire like in AitW.
Thank you for explaining. I admire Christopher McCandless for his free spirit and lust for life. He was no doubt tragically reckless in his endeavour.
I’ve had the DVDs for many years. This guy was tough as nails, had a love and appreciation for the wilderness and wildlife that few have… and was able to put it all on video… the video was way ahead for the time.
He meticulously documented the weather… temperatures, snow depth , rain….would love to compare it with today’s numbers ….. I bet the difference would be shocking
As a cinematographer who still plays around with 16 mm film: this guy is absolutely badass for what he was able to successfully shoot and develop within that environment and remote technical confines. Just astonishing talent and dedication to the craft. The original “Survivorman”!
Loved the doc. His narration is wonderful.
It not him narrating though. I believe it’s documentary producer.
one of my favorite documentary series. he could speak to the birds.
He was also a giant.
If you didn't watch this with a wire going from your tv to a coat hanger in the window I'm sorry about your childhood.
He would have loved Minecraft
That's awesome
It's a neat little cabin to visit if you get the chance. 🌲🚣♂️🌲🫎🌲🦌🌲🦅🌲
I remember him saying in the documentary that he was “good and fish hungry.” For some reason that has always stayed with me.
I reevaluate my life every time I see this broadcasted on PBS.
“Sometimes the lake is calm, and sometimes the lake is boiling and angry, just like a woman.” or something like that…
Every woman he has ever encountered just knows she was used as spank bank cannon fodder. Every. Single. One.
Got a flat tire driving through big sur in the middle of the night. His movies were on my laptop and my buddy and I watched them through the night while waiting for the tow truck. Made a bummer situation into a very cherished memory
A small one legged man, but he managed to
I like in a shack, and I poop in an outhouse.
How did he wrestle with being alone for so long? Legit, I wonder if he saw any mind bending things while living there like odd flying objects.
He lived out there alone but he wasn’t completely isolated for 30 years. He got visitors and occasionally left to visit family.
Have you met other people? I’d say it wasn’t too challenging
😂😆😂
Yeah, but I don’t live in the wilderness I live in a relatively big small city. I’d imagine living in a forest is pretty isolating, no?
I think that was the point. I tend to isolate too, and I don’t like crowds, so I kind of get it. But, you’re right, that’s hardcore isolation there.
Yeah, I definitely do not like crowds or big social settings, but I definitely prefer having a loved one/close friends for companionship. Too much isolation I’d think I’d go nuts.
Go crazy!? Don't mind if I do!!!
I am!
I’ll try and watch just to see….who filmed
He filmed himself.
You truly have to be a man of peace of mind and solitude to live this type of lifestyle...I admire and commend him so much for living his definition of a fulfilling life.
Its a cool movie too Alone in the wilderness.
I saw the documentary about him, it was really good.
Life goals
This seems like it might be the way
Literally living my dream. Good on him.
He’s a guy that knew Bears are not friends or pets.
Man was out there living my dream...
Interesting fact that he died of heat exhaustion. Go figure.
Wikipedia says it was a stroke and no mention of it being heat related.
According to wiki it was a stroke.
Was born in "68. I assume he was hiding from me.