Alone in the Wilderness

[SteveR]

Keep an eye out for this show "Alone in the Wilderness".

It is aired on PBS stations. I was only able to watch portions of it, so some of this may be wrong (I breezed thru a reading off of another forum), but I think this guy went up to Alaska, spent 30 or so years up there. I think he finally left when he was 90. This man documented his own experience in his writings and films.

The part I was able to watch....was amazing. This guy packed everything in, including tools (w/out) burdensome handles. Made all his own handles for his tools then proceeded to build a very nice log cabin at amazing speed...drug in all his own logs by hand no less.. the doors and the hinges....OMG...all with ONLY a few handtools that he packed in. This man's work is simply awesome. I told my wife I felt very inadequate after I saw what this man could do LOL. Add to this the man's age at the time he did all this.......WOW

Knuckledraggers and well as power junkies will appreciate the show.

Steve

[Sam Conder]

The story of Dick Proenneke. Truly amazing to watch. He intended to spend one year in the Alaska wilderness and ended up staying there about 35 years. Like Steve said, it is truly a neanderthal's dream. "Craftsman" is not enough to describe Mr. Proenneke.

A little more info...

http://www.dickproenneke.com/

[LarryG]

You're talking about Dick Proenneke, one of my near-heros. ("Near" partly because I never had the pleasure of meeting him and partly because "hero" is not a word I throw around lightly.)

Mr Proenneke was in his early 50s when he built his cabin at Twin Lakes, and I think was about 82 when he finally had to return to civilization to live out his remaining years. He died just three or four years back.

I used to own a first edition of his book, "One Man's Wilderness," stupidly loaned it to someone, fear I may never get it back. I chanced upon it in an Anchorage bookstore when I myself was considering chucking it all and heading out to see if I could live off the land. I now have the 26th Anniversary Edition but it's a different format with smaller photos.

He was an amazing man, and his is an incredible story.

http://www.dickproenneke.com/

[Sam Conder]

Beat you by a full 3 minutes Larry.

[mater]

I never heard of Dick Proenneke until now but he sounds amazing.

[final_t]

Given this week, about to do that myself. Just need to find someone to clean up after me

[rg32]

Got to love that PBS and the quality of there programming
Just incredible to watch...
I've watched it twice from start to finish.
I especially like watching him build the sled.

[ejs1097]

That is something. Even if I made my own handles I wouldn't no where to plug the cords in

It's amazing how alot of our immigrated anncestors all did that a few generations ago, even with little children and women. That would be neat if we all could try that.

[Whaler]

I just finished watching the last half of the program, it's awsome.

Check your local TV listings, here in Seattle it is on again on Sunday at 4 PM and again at 7 PM on KBTC. On again Tuesday at 1 PM on KCTS regular and HDTV.

[Scottydont]

Ihave watched it a couple of times. Amazing.

[silverfox]

Dick....do you mean THIS Sunday? March 20th? And Tuesday March 22nd? I saw the show listed on the DISH menu guide and thought it might be interesting but I must have watched something else and missed it. From the descriptions of the show here .... I would probably LOVE to see it. If I didn't have to be so close to the doctors with my health problems I would like to have a shack in the woods myself. I live pretty much a solitary life as it is and love nature....have always lived in the woods or out in the rural areas if possible. Right now I'm doing this house in the country myself with no one around and I like it that way.....but I have electricity, TV, computer.....and when I couldn't breathe with my recent stint with pneumonia I was able to call 911 and get to a hospital. I doubt that Mr. Proenekke enjoyed those luxuries. Hope I get to see that show.
Mike

[Whaler]

Mike

Welcome back.

Yes it's Sun 3/20 and Tue 3/22. You will enjoy it.

[SteveR]

quote:Originally posted by Whaler

I just finished watching the last half of the program, it's awsome.

Whaler.....I think I only caught the first portion of the show with the cabin building...Ya gotta see that part!!

Hey Mikie......glad your getting back to strength!!

[DUD]

This is strange, Today at Lunch My Brothers were talking about this show. I had to fess up that I had not seen it or heard about it. My Brother set His DVR to record it the next time it's on. I'm gonna try to catch it myself. Bill

[Pop Paw]

Don't miss it Bill it was awesome.