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Are there any successful tales of Alaskan homesteading? It seems like we fetishize those foolhardy lone wolves like this couple or Alex McCandless from Into the

Are there any successful tales of Alaskan homesteading? It seems like we fetishize those foolhardy lone wolves like this couple or Alex McCandless from Into the Wild, but where are all those people who moved out there and actually managed to live happy, simple lives? One of my favorite book series is Woodswoman, about a lady who set out into Vermont to build herself a lakeside cabin from scratch and made a living off maple farming. The several books detail her trials and tribulations, but also her joyful swims and happy encounters with the neighbors. I would love to hear about more encounters like that in Alaska, not just the people who trek out there but never make it.

GlibMonkeyDeath 2y ago
Two examples I can think of off-hand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke and https://www.jeanaspen.com/about-us https://www.jeanaspen.com/about-us
slackfan 2y ago
Plenty. But here's the rub, most that do do not want to be seen, heard, and care very little for the internet. The life also is not simple.
- octopoc 2y ago
  Yeah a friend of mine married a lady who grew up in the Alaskan wilderness. The family was desperately poor yet still had an airplane, interestingly. They were the kind of people who don’t use the internet at all.
tula 2y ago
Dick Proenneke is one of the more well-known ones. He built his cabin all on his own, filming the whole process, as well as his life there. He lived in his cabin for thirty years. https://www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proennekes-cabin.htm https://www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proennekes-cab...
- briandrum 2y ago
  The film, “Alone In the Wilderness” is terrific. https://vimeo.com/767376634 https://vimeo.com/767376634
Arrath 2y ago
These college friends did it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3NWdFll2X8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3NWdFll2X8 Not super long term, but interesting!
marssaxman 2y ago
There were ~3500 successful homestead claims in Alaska. My ex-wife's dad grew up on one of them, near Soldotna; she and I went out to visit once. It was not seen as an unusual experience in that area. I don't imagine those folks spend much time writing about their lives on the internet.

GlibMonkeyDeath 2y ago

Two examples I can think of off-hand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke and https://www.jeanaspen.com/about-us https://www.jeanaspen.com/about-us

slackfan 2y ago

Plenty. But here's the rub, most that do do not want to be seen, heard, and care very little for the internet. The life also is not simple.

octopoc 2y ago
Yeah a friend of mine married a lady who grew up in the Alaskan wilderness. The family was desperately poor yet still had an airplane, interestingly. They were the kind of people who don’t use the internet at all.

tula 2y ago

Dick Proenneke is one of the more well-known ones. He built his cabin all on his own, filming the whole process, as well as his life there. He lived in his cabin for thirty years. https://www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proennekes-cabin.htm https://www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proennekes-cab...

briandrum 2y ago
The film, “Alone In the Wilderness” is terrific. https://vimeo.com/767376634 https://vimeo.com/767376634

Arrath 2y ago

These college friends did it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3NWdFll2X8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3NWdFll2X8 Not super long term, but interesting!

marssaxman 2y ago

There were ~3500 successful homestead claims in Alaska. My ex-wife's dad grew up on one of them, near Soldotna; she and I went out to visit once. It was not seen as an unusual experience in that area. I don't imagine those folks spend much time writing about their lives on the internet.