1
00:00:04,670 --> 00:00:06,369
JESSI: How many logs
do you think we have?
2
00:00:06,405 --> 00:00:09,271
CHRIS: Um... we got
about a day's worth.
3
00:00:09,307 --> 00:00:11,439
JESSI: This is a lot.
4
00:00:11,475 --> 00:00:13,841
CHRIS: In town you gauge how
much fuel you're going through
5
00:00:13,876 --> 00:00:15,609
by the gallon.
6
00:00:15,644 --> 00:00:18,778
Out here we gauge it by how
many logs goes into the stove.
7
00:00:20,314 --> 00:00:23,914
And when it's cold we go
through about five logs
8
00:00:23,950 --> 00:00:25,449
every two hours.
9
00:00:25,484 --> 00:00:28,451
I mean, it's just
a constant battle.
10
00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:31,920
JESSI: In the past it's been
just kinda surviving out here.
11
00:00:33,823 --> 00:00:36,723
Making sure that we have
just enough for each day
12
00:00:36,758 --> 00:00:38,691
and for each week.
13
00:00:38,726 --> 00:00:42,027
But I don't want
to just make it by.
14
00:00:42,062 --> 00:00:45,329
I want to be prepared.
15
00:00:46,532 --> 00:00:50,566
Does anybody else
anywhere go through this
much stinking wood a day?
16
00:00:50,601 --> 00:00:53,501
CHRIS: Ha.
JESSI: You know what I mean?
17
00:00:53,536 --> 00:00:55,902
This is over a
quarter of our time.
18
00:00:55,938 --> 00:00:57,437
CHRIS: I don't like
when you put it like that.
19
00:00:57,472 --> 00:00:59,471
JESSI: Well, just
trying to be real.
20
00:00:59,507 --> 00:01:05,175
Maybe we should, like,
really try to winterize
the house, like, fully.
21
00:01:05,211 --> 00:01:08,211
Instead of just
band-aiding all of the holes.
22
00:01:08,246 --> 00:01:11,246
Like, it's gonna start
getting seriously cold.
23
00:01:11,281 --> 00:01:12,914
I can see all the
holes through the wall,
24
00:01:12,949 --> 00:01:15,849
and it feels like I
have a, a cold fan.
25
00:01:15,884 --> 00:01:17,517
CHRIS: Yeah.
26
00:01:17,552 --> 00:01:20,252
JESSI: If we wanna take care
of that we may only have like
27
00:01:20,287 --> 00:01:24,622
the next two days until the
most dangerous and worst part
28
00:01:24,657 --> 00:01:27,557
of winter is here.
29
00:01:31,061 --> 00:01:33,327
NARRATOR: Isolated 100
miles from Fairbanks,
30
00:01:33,363 --> 00:01:36,930
Chris and Jessi rely on the
tedious task of chopping wood
31
00:01:36,965 --> 00:01:38,798
to keep their cabin warm.
32
00:01:38,833 --> 00:01:40,932
But with winter
temperatures falling fast,
33
00:01:40,968 --> 00:01:43,334
sealing their cabin from
the outside will give them
34
00:01:43,369 --> 00:01:46,570
an upper hand against
Mother Nature's wrath.
35
00:01:46,605 --> 00:01:49,038
CHRIS: So, take a
pause and winterize?
36
00:01:49,073 --> 00:01:52,540
JESSI: Absolutely.
It might make a difference.
37
00:01:52,576 --> 00:01:55,409
Especially as it
gets 40 and 50 below.
38
00:01:55,444 --> 00:01:57,010
CHRIS: My leg has
already been killing me.
39
00:01:57,045 --> 00:01:58,911
And you're right.
40
00:02:00,381 --> 00:02:01,880
JESSI: This is a big deal.
41
00:02:01,915 --> 00:02:04,348
We really need to
encase this place.
42
00:02:04,383 --> 00:02:06,283
Cut down on our heat loss.
43
00:02:06,318 --> 00:02:08,284
And if we don't do it now,
we're never gonna get a chance
44
00:02:08,319 --> 00:02:10,752
for the rest of the winter.
45
00:02:10,788 --> 00:02:14,488
All right.
Winterizing will be happening.
46
00:02:18,826 --> 00:02:20,959
MICHAEL: It doesn't
matter if it's day, night,
47
00:02:20,994 --> 00:02:25,696
20 below, 20 above,
windy, not windy.
48
00:02:26,865 --> 00:02:28,431
Work doesn't stop.
49
00:02:28,466 --> 00:02:31,199
You gotta keep going.
You gotta keep pushing.
50
00:02:39,140 --> 00:02:42,874
Ugh! Bam!
51
00:02:42,909 --> 00:02:44,975
Another slab down.
52
00:02:47,879 --> 00:02:49,445
So here it is.
53
00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:53,481
It's not the beginnings
and the origins of a
hoarder's lifestyle.
54
00:02:53,516 --> 00:02:56,316
This is the spot where
I'm gonna put all these
55
00:02:56,351 --> 00:02:59,218
cabin kit pieces up.
56
00:02:59,253 --> 00:03:01,386
It might not look like much,
but this is gonna be
57
00:03:01,421 --> 00:03:03,554
a two-story building.
58
00:03:04,223 --> 00:03:06,923
It's not gonna look pretty,
but it's gonna be a nice cozy
59
00:03:06,958 --> 00:03:09,692
place to call home.
60
00:03:09,727 --> 00:03:12,360
NARRATOR: Building a cabin
from recently repurposed parts
61
00:03:12,395 --> 00:03:15,796
is a big opportunity at
the wrong time of year.
62
00:03:15,831 --> 00:03:19,598
Deep winter brings
freezing temperatures and
unpredictable snowstorms.
63
00:03:19,634 --> 00:03:22,567
But with his temporary storage
container not holding up,
64
00:03:22,602 --> 00:03:25,235
making a new shelter to
withstand the onslaught of
65
00:03:25,271 --> 00:03:27,970
winter can't be put on hold.
66
00:03:31,241 --> 00:03:32,373
MICHAEL: All right.
67
00:03:32,409 --> 00:03:35,175
These boards, I'm just gonna
nail 'em both together and
68
00:03:35,211 --> 00:03:39,912
make nice strong
support beams for my floor.
69
00:03:40,247 --> 00:03:44,181
And then this 16 by 18 deck
will get flopped down on these
70
00:03:44,217 --> 00:03:47,317
and these will
be the backbone.
71
00:03:47,352 --> 00:03:50,385
Snap a chalk line, and I start
buzzing these into boards that
72
00:03:50,420 --> 00:03:53,154
I could actually use.
73
00:03:54,290 --> 00:03:56,589
So, I could just go to a
box store and buy lumber,
74
00:03:56,625 --> 00:03:59,692
but I wouldn't have the
satisfaction and the pride of
75
00:03:59,727 --> 00:04:02,794
putting in that hard work
and make my own stuff.
76
00:04:05,030 --> 00:04:08,531
I'm actually gonna
set the corner of this
cabin on this stump.
77
00:04:08,566 --> 00:04:09,965
I mean, why not?
78
00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,467
It's not like it's gonna go
anywhere in the next decade.
79
00:04:25,177 --> 00:04:27,777
(breathing heavily).
80
00:04:27,812 --> 00:04:30,012
Damn.
81
00:04:38,186 --> 00:04:40,085
When I'm working
on stuff like this,
82
00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:43,254
I think of all the men and
women I served with in the
83
00:04:43,289 --> 00:04:46,289
United States Army.
84
00:04:46,325 --> 00:04:50,826
It was just crazy dangerous,
crazy stressful,
85
00:04:50,861 --> 00:04:54,561
and together we built
stuff all over Iraq.
86
00:04:54,597 --> 00:04:59,365
Whether it was building bridge
across the Tigris River or
87
00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:03,768
building mortar-resistant
living quarters for
special operations.
88
00:05:05,004 --> 00:05:08,504
This project here is a
reminder of how we were trained.
89
00:05:08,539 --> 00:05:10,906
We weren't trained to be
perfectionists that have
90
00:05:10,941 --> 00:05:12,907
time on our hands.
91
00:05:12,942 --> 00:05:17,043
We kicked ass, and we
got the mission done.
92
00:05:21,181 --> 00:05:23,314
Whoo! Perfect time
to run outta nails.
93
00:05:23,349 --> 00:05:24,815
Done!
94
00:05:24,850 --> 00:05:26,850
This is what you get when
you're not a perfectionist.
95
00:05:26,885 --> 00:05:29,385
You just get stuff done.
96
00:05:33,990 --> 00:05:36,223
ALEX: Before I came out here
I had very little experience,
97
00:05:36,258 --> 00:05:39,391
but I did know the
seriousness of winter
way up here in the north.
98
00:05:39,427 --> 00:05:42,026
If I don't stay
ahead of the game,
99
00:05:42,062 --> 00:05:46,029
I'll either have to run
outta here or just die.
100
00:05:46,064 --> 00:05:48,798
You know, those are
pretty much the two choices.
101
00:05:51,668 --> 00:05:54,201
It's really becoming
apparent that the days
are coming shorter.
102
00:05:54,237 --> 00:05:57,537
The temperature's
dropped down a lot.
103
00:05:57,572 --> 00:05:59,905
Come on, Sipsey, let's go.
104
00:06:00,541 --> 00:06:02,640
I still don't have everything
stockpiled as much as I want
105
00:06:02,675 --> 00:06:06,076
to be ready for winter,
because winter here in Alaska
106
00:06:06,111 --> 00:06:08,577
is nine months.
107
00:06:08,613 --> 00:06:11,913
Nine months of cold and dark.
108
00:06:11,948 --> 00:06:15,182
It's not something you can
just huddle up and wait out.
109
00:06:17,285 --> 00:06:19,718
Today is water day.
110
00:06:19,754 --> 00:06:21,786
I have to get water
about once a month or so.
111
00:06:21,822 --> 00:06:23,687
Depending on how much I haul.
112
00:06:23,723 --> 00:06:25,255
It's a pretty tough slog.
113
00:06:25,291 --> 00:06:27,156
Just suck it in.
114
00:06:27,192 --> 00:06:28,958
Okay.
115
00:06:28,993 --> 00:06:32,727
But it's gonna be even
longer today because
my good water spot,
116
00:06:32,762 --> 00:06:36,096
if the water table's gone too
low I can't use it anymore.
117
00:06:36,131 --> 00:06:38,964
Sipsey! Hey.
118
00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,699
So that means I gotta go a
little further to the spring
119
00:06:41,735 --> 00:06:44,435
that is still
running down there.
120
00:06:44,470 --> 00:06:46,269
I grew up just
like most people,
121
00:06:46,305 --> 00:06:48,404
you turn on a faucet
and water comes out.
122
00:06:48,439 --> 00:06:50,605
But here I don't have
anything like that.
123
00:06:50,641 --> 00:06:52,507
I've been drinking all of
my water through a filter or
124
00:06:52,542 --> 00:06:56,042
boiling it,
which kinda gets old.
125
00:06:56,078 --> 00:06:58,044
Come on, buddy.
126
00:06:58,079 --> 00:07:01,313
You know water is
one of the essential
building blocks of life.
127
00:07:01,348 --> 00:07:04,515
It's not something I
wanna screw around with.
128
00:07:04,550 --> 00:07:05,816
If I scoop water
right outta here,
129
00:07:05,851 --> 00:07:09,451
then it's not necessarily safe
to drink because there's all
130
00:07:09,487 --> 00:07:11,219
sorts of stuff in it.
131
00:07:11,254 --> 00:07:13,621
And melting snow
isn't really practical.
132
00:07:13,656 --> 00:07:15,589
It's something you could
do in a survival situation,
133
00:07:15,624 --> 00:07:17,757
but for day to day living I
have to fill up ten gallons of
134
00:07:17,792 --> 00:07:20,725
snow to get one
gallon of water.
135
00:07:22,862 --> 00:07:25,128
Simple stuff like getting
firewood and getting water,
136
00:07:25,164 --> 00:07:27,663
I would classify
those as a danger,
137
00:07:27,699 --> 00:07:30,932
because if I don't do those
things then I'll be getting in
138
00:07:30,968 --> 00:07:34,701
trouble real quick.
139
00:07:35,871 --> 00:07:38,270
Taking a risk at
dying out here.
140
00:07:42,942 --> 00:07:46,910
BRITTANY: Wherever you live,
you always have to have a
backup plan.
141
00:07:46,945 --> 00:07:50,879
When you live more remote you
have to have a backup plan
142
00:07:50,948 --> 00:07:53,681
for the backup plan.
143
00:07:59,086 --> 00:08:00,352
Do you know what
we're building?
144
00:08:00,387 --> 00:08:03,154
ELOVIE: No.
BRITTANY: No?
145
00:08:04,490 --> 00:08:08,624
We're going to build
an outdoor brick oven.
146
00:08:08,659 --> 00:08:12,894
So we have to go on a scavenger
hunt to try and find bricks.
147
00:08:13,830 --> 00:08:17,430
In order to cook anything,
we use propane.
148
00:08:17,465 --> 00:08:19,531
Occasionally, we do run out.
149
00:08:19,567 --> 00:08:24,735
I want an option that uses
materials that we always have,
150
00:08:24,770 --> 00:08:27,403
which is wood.
151
00:08:30,507 --> 00:08:35,208
So, McCarthy is an old mining
town that is closed down,
152
00:08:35,244 --> 00:08:39,978
and I remembered earlier this
summer seeing leftover bricks.
153
00:08:40,014 --> 00:08:42,513
Okay, kids.
154
00:08:43,583 --> 00:08:45,749
Maybe there are some
bricks in all this junk?
155
00:08:48,286 --> 00:08:49,818
BRITTANY: There's
no ice cream here.
156
00:08:49,854 --> 00:08:51,686
ELOVIE: Why?
157
00:08:53,756 --> 00:08:56,356
BRITTANY: What?
You found some?
158
00:08:56,391 --> 00:08:59,158
Oh, that's plenty.
159
00:08:59,193 --> 00:09:01,226
What do you think
these were used for?
160
00:09:01,261 --> 00:09:02,693
ELOVIE: I don't know.
161
00:09:03,329 --> 00:09:08,230
BRITTANY: Maybe in the
old time they were used for
162
00:09:08,266 --> 00:09:10,232
building chimneys out here.
163
00:09:12,002 --> 00:09:14,034
BRITTANY: Yeah. Ugh!
164
00:09:14,070 --> 00:09:17,870
You two, can you dust all
the snow off and I'll go
get the snow machine?
165
00:09:20,007 --> 00:09:21,839
BRITTANY: That's
how much I get. Okay.
166
00:09:28,146 --> 00:09:31,046
BRITTANY: Living so far away
from town it's sometimes hard
167
00:09:31,081 --> 00:09:34,048
to keep certain
things in stock.
168
00:09:34,083 --> 00:09:36,749
And I have to
think about my kids.
169
00:09:36,785 --> 00:09:39,351
Especially if the
weather is bad.
170
00:09:39,387 --> 00:09:43,954
We have to have a certain
level of self-reliance.
171
00:09:43,990 --> 00:09:45,422
Whoo!
172
00:09:49,060 --> 00:09:50,759
BRITTANY: Yup.
173
00:09:50,794 --> 00:09:54,328
This is definitely Home Ec,
McCarthy, Alaska style
174
00:09:54,363 --> 00:09:57,730
and I think that'll serve
my kids as they grow.
175
00:09:57,765 --> 00:10:01,499
We're at about 30.
We need 20 more.
176
00:10:05,170 --> 00:10:07,403
BRITTANY: Wow!
177
00:10:09,707 --> 00:10:11,873
CHRIS: Some people think that
we're crazy out here because
178
00:10:11,908 --> 00:10:15,775
it's so cold and it's so
harsh but the Cosna's a
lot like a relationship.
179
00:10:15,811 --> 00:10:18,310
There's give and take.
180
00:10:18,379 --> 00:10:20,212
If you don't
give to the Cosna,
181
00:10:20,247 --> 00:10:22,780
she's gonna take
everything from you.
182
00:10:28,786 --> 00:10:31,419
JESSI: Starting
to really ice up.
183
00:10:31,455 --> 00:10:32,954
Getting pretty thick.
184
00:10:32,989 --> 00:10:35,022
CHRIS: Yeah,
especially on this side.
185
00:10:35,057 --> 00:10:37,523
I can see where it's all
melting from the heat inside
186
00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:40,425
escaping, and this ice dam
right across the center,
187
00:10:40,461 --> 00:10:42,160
that's the worst of it.
188
00:10:42,195 --> 00:10:44,061
So, if we can do something
about even that area it's
189
00:10:44,096 --> 00:10:46,596
gonna help a lot.
190
00:10:48,699 --> 00:10:52,200
JESSI: What's happening is that
the heat is hitting our roof and
191
00:10:52,235 --> 00:10:55,102
it's melting all of that
snow and that builds up.
192
00:10:55,137 --> 00:10:56,436
Ooh.
193
00:10:56,471 --> 00:10:58,437
CHRIS: Ooh, that's solid.
194
00:10:58,473 --> 00:11:01,539
JESSI: Creating a really thick
ice dam that melts down the
195
00:11:01,575 --> 00:11:03,774
whole side of our house.
196
00:11:03,809 --> 00:11:05,142
CHRIS: It's cracking.
197
00:11:05,177 --> 00:11:07,577
JESSI: Yeah, the water
is actually flowing
underneath the ice.
198
00:11:07,612 --> 00:11:10,212
So in the deep winter you can
actually see ice forming on
199
00:11:10,247 --> 00:11:14,815
the walls inside and it's
just weakening our house,
200
00:11:14,850 --> 00:11:16,916
decaying those logs.
201
00:11:16,952 --> 00:11:19,018
This is a big problem.
202
00:11:19,053 --> 00:11:20,552
CHRIS: Real easy. Yeah!
203
00:11:20,587 --> 00:11:22,553
JESSI: Ooh.
CHRIS: All right!
204
00:11:24,957 --> 00:11:28,290
I think we're gonna be
able to get some of this off.
205
00:11:28,326 --> 00:11:29,458
Whoa!
206
00:11:29,493 --> 00:11:30,759
JESSI: Yeah.
207
00:11:30,794 --> 00:11:32,527
CHRIS: Can you
hand me the shovel?
208
00:11:32,562 --> 00:11:34,161
The roof out here
is really sketch.
209
00:11:34,196 --> 00:11:37,296
It's only held up
by two-by-fours and
they're on their sides.
210
00:11:37,332 --> 00:11:41,466
And if I step where
the two-by-fours aren't,
211
00:11:41,501 --> 00:11:44,134
I'm going through my tin.
212
00:11:44,170 --> 00:11:45,769
JESSI: Try to be
careful about where you
put your feet, yeah?
213
00:11:45,804 --> 00:11:47,403
CHRIS: Yeah.
214
00:11:47,438 --> 00:11:50,672
My dad's always like,
"Don't go on the roof!
215
00:11:50,707 --> 00:11:52,707
If you go up there, go
up there with snowshoes."
216
00:11:52,742 --> 00:11:54,841
You got it, dad.
217
00:11:55,544 --> 00:11:57,910
I'm just gonna go
real slow, real easy,
218
00:11:57,945 --> 00:12:00,412
and just try to do my best
to get the ice off without
219
00:12:00,447 --> 00:12:02,246
damaging the roof.
220
00:12:02,282 --> 00:12:05,248
Whoo!
This roof is a little funky.
221
00:12:05,284 --> 00:12:06,749
Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
222
00:12:06,785 --> 00:12:08,084
It's slick!
223
00:12:08,119 --> 00:12:10,352
The last thing I wanna do is
be replacing roof panels in
224
00:12:10,387 --> 00:12:12,286
the middle of the winter.
225
00:12:14,290 --> 00:12:18,491
All right.
I can use that ice pick.
226
00:12:19,426 --> 00:12:22,193
If you can hand that up to me.
227
00:12:22,228 --> 00:12:24,028
Woo-hoo. Whoo!
228
00:12:26,331 --> 00:12:27,930
All right.
229
00:12:27,965 --> 00:12:30,932
I'm gonna sit down because I
am sliding all over the place.
230
00:12:30,967 --> 00:12:35,202
Let's just see if this will.
231
00:12:35,237 --> 00:12:38,004
JESSI: Be easy
with the screws.
232
00:12:38,039 --> 00:12:39,671
CHRIS: Ooh, the tin.
233
00:12:39,707 --> 00:12:41,472
JESSI: Did you cut it?
234
00:12:41,508 --> 00:12:44,841
CHRIS: No, it's just
really flexible down he...
235
00:12:45,877 --> 00:12:48,611
JESSI: Did you cut through it?
236
00:12:48,646 --> 00:12:52,346
CHRIS: No, I just, it's like a
tin can popping back and forth.
237
00:12:52,382 --> 00:12:54,481
Just really trying not to.
238
00:12:54,517 --> 00:12:56,216
JESSI: Hold on! Stop! Stop!
239
00:13:04,857 --> 00:13:07,590
JESSI: Hold on! Stop! Stop!
240
00:13:07,625 --> 00:13:08,624
All right.
241
00:13:08,659 --> 00:13:10,025
CHRIS: Perfect.
JESSI: Not quite.
242
00:13:10,060 --> 00:13:11,826
CHRIS: Hang on! Hang on!
You got it?
243
00:13:11,861 --> 00:13:14,494
I'm gonna break off this tip.
244
00:13:14,530 --> 00:13:16,829
Here we go.
245
00:13:18,866 --> 00:13:20,599
JESSI: Ugh!
Fudge buckets!
246
00:13:20,634 --> 00:13:22,500
CHRIS: You okay?
JESSI: Yup!
247
00:13:22,535 --> 00:13:24,168
CHRIS: Okay, stuff just
directly above you head is
248
00:13:24,203 --> 00:13:25,235
about to fall.
249
00:13:25,270 --> 00:13:26,036
All this is loose.
250
00:13:26,071 --> 00:13:27,570
JESSI: We lost our water.
251
00:13:27,605 --> 00:13:28,804
CHRIS: Gutter?
JESSI: Yeah.
252
00:13:28,839 --> 00:13:31,539
CHRIS: They're easy to put up.
JESSI: It's okay.
253
00:13:32,609 --> 00:13:35,042
CHRIS: All right, watch out.
254
00:13:35,077 --> 00:13:36,442
JESSI: You can prop
it up a little bit.
255
00:13:36,478 --> 00:13:38,277
CHRIS: Yeah, but
I got screws in.
256
00:13:38,312 --> 00:13:39,678
JESSI: Oh, you got it! Nice.
257
00:13:39,713 --> 00:13:40,979
CHRIS: Huh!
258
00:13:41,014 --> 00:13:44,448
If I had waited a
couple more days this
would not have come off.
259
00:13:46,118 --> 00:13:51,186
Easy there. Nice.
260
00:13:51,221 --> 00:13:53,354
I think we got the
ice off the roof.
261
00:13:53,389 --> 00:13:55,355
JESSI: Can you
get back over here?
262
00:13:55,390 --> 00:13:56,756
CHRIS: Yeah.
263
00:13:56,791 --> 00:13:58,390
I know it doesn't
look like much,
264
00:13:58,426 --> 00:14:00,825
but this is huge in my book.
265
00:14:00,861 --> 00:14:02,760
In all the years I've been out
here I've never been able to
266
00:14:02,795 --> 00:14:04,828
knock this ice off the roof.
267
00:14:04,863 --> 00:14:08,697
Whoa! God, it's slick. Okay.
268
00:14:08,733 --> 00:14:09,965
JESSI: Watch your step.
269
00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:12,466
CHRIS: Okay.
Step on the screws.
270
00:14:12,502 --> 00:14:13,734
Here I come.
271
00:14:13,769 --> 00:14:15,635
Now, if we can only get
the roof inside so it's not
272
00:14:15,671 --> 00:14:19,471
leaking air, then we
might actually have fixed it.
273
00:14:23,909 --> 00:14:25,408
ALEX: I like to throw
myself into situations where
274
00:14:25,444 --> 00:14:29,978
necessity compels me
to adapt and work.
275
00:14:30,013 --> 00:14:33,247
And so that's why I
kinda just threw myself
headfirst into this.
276
00:14:33,282 --> 00:14:35,915
Those are the kind
of situations I like.
277
00:14:45,691 --> 00:14:46,823
All right.
278
00:14:46,858 --> 00:14:48,090
This is another spring.
279
00:14:48,126 --> 00:14:50,292
The water's safe to drink.
280
00:14:50,327 --> 00:14:53,661
But if I wanna fill it quickly
it's kind of impossible,
281
00:14:53,696 --> 00:14:56,495
because there's not room.
282
00:14:56,498 --> 00:14:58,697
I can only dip the
bucket in that far.
283
00:14:58,733 --> 00:15:02,166
And also every time I dip it
stirs up dirt which is not
284
00:15:02,202 --> 00:15:03,367
what I wanna drink.
285
00:15:03,402 --> 00:15:05,435
Hey, Sipsey.
286
00:15:05,470 --> 00:15:08,270
This needs to dig
this down a lot deeper.
287
00:15:08,306 --> 00:15:09,805
I don't know how
long this will take.
288
00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,573
It kinda depends on
how soft the ground is.
289
00:15:13,843 --> 00:15:15,308
Yeah.
290
00:15:15,344 --> 00:15:17,176
So, all this ground is frozen.
291
00:15:17,212 --> 00:15:19,011
I won't be able to dig
that with my shovel,
292
00:15:19,046 --> 00:15:21,379
if I can't break it
with a heavy iron bar.
293
00:15:21,414 --> 00:15:23,147
So I need to thaw out this
ground just so I can kinda
294
00:15:23,182 --> 00:15:24,681
scoop it all away.
295
00:15:24,717 --> 00:15:27,216
And then I'll go around and
try to find more big rocks
296
00:15:27,252 --> 00:15:30,152
like this which I can
just collect from
the area around here.
297
00:15:30,187 --> 00:15:32,420
Start digging, put
in the big rocks,
298
00:15:32,455 --> 00:15:34,988
and that's it.
299
00:15:35,023 --> 00:15:36,556
Most of the time
when I work out here,
300
00:15:36,591 --> 00:15:39,024
it's either to address some
kind of immediate danger,
301
00:15:39,059 --> 00:15:43,961
or to make my day-to-day life
a little more comfortable.
302
00:15:44,663 --> 00:15:46,829
I'm gonna make a
fire underneath here.
303
00:15:46,865 --> 00:15:48,364
If the fire warms
up the snow above,
304
00:15:48,399 --> 00:15:51,332
the snow will drop on it
and then kill the fire, so.
305
00:15:51,368 --> 00:15:55,468
I get it out the way
before I make the fire.
306
00:15:55,504 --> 00:15:57,470
Okay.
307
00:15:57,505 --> 00:15:59,071
My hands are like numb
right now so I'm kinda,
308
00:15:59,106 --> 00:16:02,740
kinda eager to get
this fire going.
309
00:16:03,476 --> 00:16:04,741
It's never easy.
310
00:16:04,777 --> 00:16:07,777
You can never go
on auto pilot.
311
00:16:07,812 --> 00:16:10,679
You always gotta keep working.
312
00:16:14,083 --> 00:16:16,783
Feel warmer already.
313
00:16:17,952 --> 00:16:19,851
Oh, that's nice.
314
00:16:19,887 --> 00:16:22,253
Okay.
315
00:16:22,288 --> 00:16:24,454
I've been up here for,
you know,
316
00:16:24,490 --> 00:16:26,256
quite a few years already.
317
00:16:26,291 --> 00:16:29,124
People say, "Oh, it must take a
lot of heart to live up there,"
318
00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:32,493
and yeah, maybe
you gotta have some heart,
319
00:16:32,528 --> 00:16:35,295
but mostly it takes ass.
320
00:16:35,831 --> 00:16:38,264
And what I mean is it
takes a lot of (bleep) work.
321
00:16:38,299 --> 00:16:40,665
Basically, my work to survive
through the winter doesn't
322
00:16:40,701 --> 00:16:43,567
really end until
winter's over.
323
00:16:43,602 --> 00:16:47,036
This should be
enough to get started.
324
00:16:48,005 --> 00:16:51,472
Okay.
See if the fire did its job.
325
00:16:51,508 --> 00:16:52,840
Oh, yeah.
326
00:16:52,875 --> 00:16:55,442
Yeah, it's real soft.
327
00:16:55,477 --> 00:16:57,376
Cool.
328
00:16:57,412 --> 00:16:59,978
Now I can dig that
ground out a little easier.
329
00:17:00,013 --> 00:17:02,013
A lot easier, actually.
330
00:17:02,048 --> 00:17:03,947
Should be straight forward.
331
00:17:03,983 --> 00:17:05,448
It's just kind
of wet cold work,
332
00:17:05,484 --> 00:17:08,617
so I'm just trying to get
this done before sunset.
333
00:17:16,057 --> 00:17:17,356
MICHAEL: You want freedom?
334
00:17:17,392 --> 00:17:19,458
You're gonna be doing 60
to 80-hour weeks out here.
335
00:17:19,493 --> 00:17:21,359
There's no way around it.
336
00:17:21,394 --> 00:17:23,927
This is a lot
harder way of living,
337
00:17:23,963 --> 00:17:26,196
but I have
something to show for it.
338
00:17:26,231 --> 00:17:28,864
I have a, a story to tell.
339
00:17:35,404 --> 00:17:37,403
One, two, three.
340
00:17:38,206 --> 00:17:41,039
One, two, three.
341
00:17:42,442 --> 00:17:45,608
I'll be really happy
when these first-floor
deck pieces are in place.
342
00:17:45,644 --> 00:17:47,943
They're really heavy,
they're really awkward.
343
00:17:47,979 --> 00:17:50,445
Here it goes.
344
00:17:52,982 --> 00:17:55,715
It slows you down
working by yourself.
345
00:17:55,751 --> 00:18:02,053
No building project is ever
as easy as you may envision.
346
00:18:02,588 --> 00:18:03,654
Whoo!
347
00:18:03,689 --> 00:18:07,356
No build project is ever
as quick as you envision.
348
00:18:09,660 --> 00:18:12,960
When it's wintertime you may
as well just tack on another
349
00:18:13,029 --> 00:18:16,329
40 to 50% onto
your build time.
350
00:18:16,364 --> 00:18:19,364
It makes me wonder why the
heck I'm doing this when new
351
00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:21,966
construction would be a
lot easier to deal with,
352
00:18:22,001 --> 00:18:24,634
but I added up the cost
of a structure like this,
353
00:18:24,670 --> 00:18:28,570
it would have been about
$12,000 to put this together
354
00:18:28,606 --> 00:18:32,907
had I not reclaimed a building
and milled up my own lumber.
355
00:18:34,877 --> 00:18:37,510
Like a glove.
356
00:18:41,981 --> 00:18:43,447
Now what's going on here?
357
00:18:43,482 --> 00:18:45,849
Let me get a
measurement on this deck.
358
00:18:45,884 --> 00:18:50,118
I planned for a 16-by-18 deck.
359
00:18:50,153 --> 00:18:54,721
That's a 20-foot-long deck,
and so that's not gonna work.
360
00:18:56,324 --> 00:18:58,123
Son of a (bleep).
361
00:19:07,565 --> 00:19:08,897
That's not gonna work.
362
00:19:08,933 --> 00:19:11,833
(bleep) son of a (bleep).
363
00:19:11,868 --> 00:19:13,801
You make little
mistakes like that.
364
00:19:13,836 --> 00:19:17,303
And so, the support deck
is not quite big enough.
365
00:19:17,338 --> 00:19:20,272
I just need about
three feet more.
366
00:19:22,075 --> 00:19:25,442
And so, all I have to do is
build a little extension and
367
00:19:25,477 --> 00:19:29,344
set a support in place and
that'll help with strength.
368
00:19:29,380 --> 00:19:31,746
Make it nice and strong.
369
00:19:31,781 --> 00:19:33,147
Do I look like a
perfectionist?
370
00:19:33,182 --> 00:19:35,148
Heck, no!
371
00:19:35,183 --> 00:19:37,550
I look like somebody who
wants to get something done.
372
00:19:38,752 --> 00:19:40,785
(dogs howling).
373
00:19:40,821 --> 00:19:42,386
My dogs are noisy today.
374
00:19:42,422 --> 00:19:47,423
(howling, dogs barking).
375
00:19:47,458 --> 00:19:49,358
Have to make sure to
hang out with my dogs.
376
00:19:49,393 --> 00:19:50,558
I've been neglecting them.
377
00:19:50,594 --> 00:19:51,726
They're sad.
378
00:19:51,761 --> 00:19:54,428
Nobody's up there.
379
00:19:59,366 --> 00:20:03,400
(grunting).
380
00:20:03,436 --> 00:20:08,203
I can't wait to get all of
this stuff up before the real
381
00:20:08,239 --> 00:20:13,307
cold, cold spells, the 40
and 50 below stuff kicks in.
382
00:20:13,342 --> 00:20:15,275
Whoo!
383
00:20:15,310 --> 00:20:17,610
And if I get a real bad storm
while the structure of this
384
00:20:17,645 --> 00:20:20,845
isn't sound, it could
cave in under the snow.
385
00:20:23,349 --> 00:20:25,682
All right, that
was trouble-free.
386
00:20:25,717 --> 00:20:28,150
That never happens.
387
00:20:32,855 --> 00:20:36,222
BRITTANY: Living here, it
might not be exactly what you
388
00:20:36,257 --> 00:20:40,425
want it to be, but you have
to learn to adapt or die.
389
00:20:41,995 --> 00:20:45,662
This is the way that we're
embracing living out here.
390
00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,599
Okay, little monkeys.
391
00:20:51,634 --> 00:20:54,734
We're building an
outdoor brick oven.
392
00:20:54,770 --> 00:20:57,903
We have to lay a base first.
393
00:20:57,939 --> 00:21:02,907
We need it to be not
quite as cock-eyed.
394
00:21:04,776 --> 00:21:07,910
The temperatures have definitely
been in the negatives,
395
00:21:07,945 --> 00:21:11,579
so we have to move around,
get warm and keep going.
396
00:21:11,614 --> 00:21:14,581
That's better.
397
00:21:14,616 --> 00:21:18,550
Living in rural Alaska has
definitely toughened me up.
398
00:21:19,786 --> 00:21:23,520
It's made me adapt to
things that I just,
399
00:21:23,556 --> 00:21:26,656
I never thought
that I would adapt to.
400
00:21:26,691 --> 00:21:29,724
Oh, man.
Who needs CrossFit?
401
00:21:31,261 --> 00:21:33,594
BRITTANY: When you
can just build an oven.
402
00:21:33,629 --> 00:21:38,297
CrossFit is a type of
exercise that people do
to torture themselves.
403
00:21:39,566 --> 00:21:40,698
BRITTANY: Yeah.
404
00:21:41,668 --> 00:21:43,467
BRITTANY: It means
they sweat a lot.
405
00:21:43,502 --> 00:21:45,368
And they grunt a lot.
406
00:21:45,404 --> 00:21:47,937
(laughing).
407
00:21:47,972 --> 00:21:50,171
Okay.
408
00:21:50,207 --> 00:21:52,806
Stick these where
the holes are down.
409
00:21:52,842 --> 00:21:54,674
ELOVIE: Why?
410
00:21:54,710 --> 00:21:56,642
BRITTANY: So that the air
doesn't go through them.
411
00:21:56,678 --> 00:21:58,444
Ellie, you gonna get more?
412
00:22:00,747 --> 00:22:02,113
BRITTANY: You're
just gonna get one?
413
00:22:02,148 --> 00:22:03,347
ELOVIE: Yeah.
414
00:22:03,382 --> 00:22:05,715
BRITTANY: Well, how about
you put 10 in there instead?
415
00:22:07,652 --> 00:22:10,552
Out here we have a set of
skills that we need to know
416
00:22:10,587 --> 00:22:12,186
how to do.
417
00:22:12,221 --> 00:22:15,822
It's necessary for us
to learn these skills
in order to survive.
418
00:22:18,726 --> 00:22:21,993
So anti-climactic.
419
00:22:22,028 --> 00:22:23,360
But it worked.
420
00:22:23,396 --> 00:22:25,361
Okay.
421
00:22:25,397 --> 00:22:30,432
The cheapest way to get angle
iron is to get an old bed frame
422
00:22:30,467 --> 00:22:32,766
so that I can make a roof.
423
00:22:32,802 --> 00:22:34,434
Bring 'em over here.
424
00:22:34,470 --> 00:22:37,570
For my little oven here.
425
00:22:37,605 --> 00:22:41,639
A more structurally
sound brick oven.
426
00:22:42,442 --> 00:22:48,243
All right, I'm going to put a
couple of these bricks here.
427
00:22:48,279 --> 00:22:50,578
ELOVIE: Mom, we almost done.
428
00:22:50,614 --> 00:22:52,780
BRITTANY: We are almost done.
429
00:22:52,815 --> 00:22:55,248
Look at that.
Look in there.
430
00:22:55,283 --> 00:22:56,582
Tell me what you think.
431
00:22:56,618 --> 00:22:59,818
ELOVIE: Lovely.
BRITTANY: Lovely?
432
00:23:01,187 --> 00:23:05,655
Let's get some wood
and light this baby up.
433
00:23:05,690 --> 00:23:08,890
ELOVIE: Light this baby up?
434
00:23:08,926 --> 00:23:11,059
BRITTANY: That's a
figure of speech, sweetie.
435
00:23:15,297 --> 00:23:17,063
ALEX: You know, you get used
to things being easy or you
436
00:23:17,098 --> 00:23:18,931
get used to having
things your way,
437
00:23:18,966 --> 00:23:20,999
it kinda spoils you.
438
00:23:21,034 --> 00:23:23,300
On a regular basis when you're
reminded that you're gonna die,
439
00:23:23,335 --> 00:23:27,703
it helps keep you from,
I don't know,
440
00:23:27,738 --> 00:23:30,305
losing sight of
the big picture.
441
00:23:34,343 --> 00:23:37,443
It's definitely a, a lot of
hard work digging through this.
442
00:23:41,448 --> 00:23:43,547
Yeah, you can see there.
443
00:23:43,582 --> 00:23:46,682
I dig down a bit and
probably just as much
fills right back in.
444
00:23:46,718 --> 00:23:49,684
So, just gotta
keep at it, really.
445
00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:52,419
Just keep digging,
digging, digging, digging.
446
00:23:52,455 --> 00:23:54,988
Put in the work.
447
00:23:55,023 --> 00:23:56,689
You know it's kinda like when
you go camping, they say,
448
00:23:56,724 --> 00:23:58,290
"Ten minutes spent
kinda making your bed
449
00:23:58,325 --> 00:24:00,925
will equal hours of sleep."
450
00:24:00,961 --> 00:24:02,860
Every single time I come to
get water in the future this
451
00:24:02,895 --> 00:24:06,162
will pay me back in
hours of convenience.
452
00:24:06,197 --> 00:24:09,297
That's probably wide enough.
453
00:24:11,901 --> 00:24:15,468
Think that rock
weighed 100 pounds.
454
00:24:15,504 --> 00:24:18,837
The way I'm using the rocks is
kinda building a ring around
455
00:24:18,872 --> 00:24:22,773
to keep the dirt
from going in.
456
00:24:23,909 --> 00:24:26,209
And I'm also placing them in
the bottom which means when
457
00:24:26,244 --> 00:24:29,211
I scoop in there, I won't stir
up dirt and those will also
458
00:24:29,246 --> 00:24:33,013
hold the outer
ones from coming in.
459
00:24:34,983 --> 00:24:37,116
If I can kinda
make a dam here,
460
00:24:37,151 --> 00:24:39,551
that will allow
me to get a, ooh!
461
00:24:39,586 --> 00:24:41,586
(bleep), deeper scoop.
462
00:24:41,621 --> 00:24:43,520
Whoo!
463
00:24:43,556 --> 00:24:46,389
Went a little too deep.
464
00:24:46,424 --> 00:24:49,758
Just got a little
water in there.
465
00:24:49,793 --> 00:24:53,927
Everything is a pain
in the ass with gloves.
466
00:24:57,865 --> 00:25:00,298
I don't know how
much water is in here.
467
00:25:00,333 --> 00:25:02,366
Maybe there's 10,000
years' worth of water in here.
468
00:25:02,401 --> 00:25:05,435
Maybe there's 100
years' worth of water here.
469
00:25:05,470 --> 00:25:08,537
But I think this is the
best the waterhole's been.
470
00:25:10,107 --> 00:25:11,639
If you wanna get water like
that at the store you gotta
471
00:25:11,674 --> 00:25:14,407
pay a lot of money,
and then it always ends up
472
00:25:14,443 --> 00:25:17,409
tasting like plastic, anyway.
473
00:25:20,514 --> 00:25:22,813
Okay, that's my last jug.
474
00:25:22,848 --> 00:25:25,948
Thanks for the help, Sipsey.
475
00:25:26,551 --> 00:25:28,183
Hauling water is probably
one of the most physically
476
00:25:28,219 --> 00:25:30,318
demanding things I do.
477
00:25:30,353 --> 00:25:32,720
Okay.
478
00:25:32,755 --> 00:25:35,722
I wanna go back as fast as
I can 'cause even though it
479
00:25:35,790 --> 00:25:38,690
doesn't look like a lot,
it's a pretty arduous slog,
480
00:25:38,726 --> 00:25:40,758
slightly uphill the whole way.
481
00:25:40,794 --> 00:25:42,493
Sips!
482
00:25:42,528 --> 00:25:46,229
Dragging dead
weight through the snow.
483
00:25:48,632 --> 00:25:51,432
Okay, that's pretty bright.
484
00:25:51,467 --> 00:25:53,967
I can't see out
my glasses anyway.
485
00:25:54,870 --> 00:25:56,469
It's getting pretty dark.
486
00:25:56,504 --> 00:25:59,137
I don't know how cold it is or
how much further I have to go
487
00:25:59,173 --> 00:26:03,473
really but, uh, I am a
good ways from my cabin.
488
00:26:03,509 --> 00:26:05,441
My back's pretty tired.
489
00:26:05,477 --> 00:26:07,543
Getting cold fingers,
cold toes.
490
00:26:07,578 --> 00:26:10,378
Just awful, especially
carrying 200 pounds of water
491
00:26:10,413 --> 00:26:13,747
for hours on end.
492
00:26:13,782 --> 00:26:17,383
I didn't bring any extra
gloves with me which was
493
00:26:17,418 --> 00:26:19,051
kind of stupid.
494
00:26:19,086 --> 00:26:21,952
Those kind of silly little
mistakes can kind of add up.
495
00:26:21,988 --> 00:26:24,854
Really a matter
of life or death.
496
00:26:26,191 --> 00:26:27,856
I can get through this.
497
00:26:41,501 --> 00:26:43,634
I do this about once
a month to get water.
498
00:26:43,669 --> 00:26:46,069
Sometimes more,
sometimes less.
499
00:26:46,437 --> 00:26:48,170
It's a six-mile round trip.
500
00:26:48,205 --> 00:26:50,705
And right now
it's 20 or 30 below.
501
00:26:50,740 --> 00:26:52,740
Son of a (bleep).
502
00:26:52,775 --> 00:26:56,309
Carrying 200 pounds of water
up the hill for hours on end.
503
00:26:56,344 --> 00:26:58,077
It's kind of like
running a marathon.
504
00:27:00,714 --> 00:27:03,780
Stuck on my (bleep).
It's the worst thing ever.
505
00:27:03,816 --> 00:27:06,449
But then I'll be home.
506
00:27:07,185 --> 00:27:08,817
I do come face to
face with a lot of, like,
507
00:27:08,852 --> 00:27:12,653
mortal danger, on a
pretty regular basis out here.
508
00:27:13,922 --> 00:27:16,989
But I also have a lot
more power to control it.
509
00:27:17,558 --> 00:27:20,925
In the city, if a guy is
driving a truck and he's on
510
00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:23,594
his cell phone, he can
crush me and there's basically
511
00:27:23,629 --> 00:27:26,962
nothing I can do about it.
512
00:27:28,699 --> 00:27:32,766
Out here, I have to
confront the danger myself.
513
00:27:34,603 --> 00:27:37,203
For me, that's peace of mind.
514
00:27:37,238 --> 00:27:40,205
It reminds me
that I am mortal.
515
00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:43,207
And I think that does a
person a lot of good.
516
00:27:50,747 --> 00:27:53,080
MICHAEL: This
living within my means.
517
00:27:53,115 --> 00:27:58,483
This developing a rural
landscape from scratch.
518
00:27:58,552 --> 00:28:03,086
There's a lot of gain from this
pain and that is independence.
519
00:28:10,193 --> 00:28:11,992
Lift with your legs.
520
00:28:12,028 --> 00:28:13,927
Ugh. If you can.
521
00:28:13,962 --> 00:28:18,297
Ugh. Ugh!
522
00:28:27,838 --> 00:28:31,239
This is a really heavy
section of the wall.
523
00:28:32,141 --> 00:28:35,408
Let's not let this get
any sort of momentum.
524
00:28:35,443 --> 00:28:39,277
If it gets any momentum,
I'm standing out of the way.
525
00:28:39,313 --> 00:28:43,380
I don't want this
falling, on me.
526
00:28:51,788 --> 00:28:55,788
♪ ♪
527
00:28:55,824 --> 00:28:58,190
Not bad.
528
00:28:58,225 --> 00:29:01,125
One more and that
whole wall is up.
529
00:29:07,598 --> 00:29:09,831
Bam!
530
00:29:12,201 --> 00:29:14,334
So, this might not look
pretty with all this old,
531
00:29:14,369 --> 00:29:16,936
used stuff put
together as a cabin.
532
00:29:16,971 --> 00:29:21,339
But I have this old picture
of my family's fish camp
533
00:29:21,374 --> 00:29:23,440
somewhere around the
Eel Ground Reserve on the
534
00:29:23,475 --> 00:29:26,475
Miramichi River
in New Brunswick, Canada.
535
00:29:26,511 --> 00:29:28,844
A lot of folks just took
whatever scrap lumber they
536
00:29:28,879 --> 00:29:30,978
could get from a sawmill.
537
00:29:31,014 --> 00:29:34,047
Whatever roll of tar paper
they could get their hands on.
538
00:29:34,082 --> 00:29:35,448
They were poor folks.
539
00:29:35,483 --> 00:29:38,016
They were poor, native people,
just trying to put up a
540
00:29:38,052 --> 00:29:40,551
structure and survive.
541
00:29:40,587 --> 00:29:43,253
And so I'm not too far
off from how some of my
542
00:29:43,289 --> 00:29:46,455
grandparents and
great-grandparents lived.
543
00:29:46,491 --> 00:29:48,623
They just lived
within their means.
544
00:29:48,659 --> 00:29:51,659
And they did all right,
and they were happy.
545
00:29:51,694 --> 00:29:53,593
I'm getting a lot done.
546
00:29:53,629 --> 00:29:55,395
Getting all these walls up.
547
00:29:55,430 --> 00:29:58,630
I just gotta finish
this one last wall.
548
00:29:59,833 --> 00:30:02,266
The entry wall,
it's not repairable.
549
00:30:02,301 --> 00:30:06,702
And so, I'm gonna have to go
ahead and build a new wall.
550
00:30:15,543 --> 00:30:19,077
Having all four walls
up of the first story
is a good feeling.
551
00:30:19,112 --> 00:30:23,480
I hope to best it tomorrow
by getting the deck
552
00:30:23,515 --> 00:30:26,916
and the second story up.
553
00:30:32,154 --> 00:30:35,054
JESSI: You've
gotta be stubborn.
554
00:30:35,090 --> 00:30:37,089
Full of tenacity.
555
00:30:37,124 --> 00:30:38,790
Persistent.
556
00:30:38,826 --> 00:30:41,158
That's just kind of part of
homesteading out here in the
557
00:30:41,194 --> 00:30:45,028
middle of nowhere, and I will
do everything that I can to
558
00:30:45,063 --> 00:30:47,896
sustain this
type of lifestyle.
559
00:30:51,934 --> 00:30:53,767
CHRIS: It looks like
it'll spiral right off.
560
00:30:53,802 --> 00:30:55,134
JESSI: I mean, if
we take this out,
561
00:30:55,170 --> 00:30:56,635
it's gonna be a huge mess.
562
00:30:56,671 --> 00:30:58,837
CHRIS: A mess.
Okay. That's fine.
563
00:30:58,872 --> 00:31:01,772
It is really cold
outside those rafters.
564
00:31:01,808 --> 00:31:04,674
The back of the house has gotta
be the draftiest place here.
565
00:31:04,709 --> 00:31:08,510
My thermometer gun, it
hits around 20 degrees
at this back corner.
566
00:31:08,545 --> 00:31:10,378
Every time I'm back here,
my feet are cold,
567
00:31:10,413 --> 00:31:11,846
my hands are cold.
568
00:31:11,881 --> 00:31:15,248
And we've never been
able to stop the drafts.
569
00:31:15,283 --> 00:31:17,149
I was doing some
math last night.
570
00:31:17,184 --> 00:31:20,418
I counted them up, I
think there's 60 rafters.
571
00:31:20,453 --> 00:31:24,988
And it's somewhere between
1,600 to 2,000 linear feet
572
00:31:25,023 --> 00:31:29,090
that we need to do the ceiling
and block off the airflow
573
00:31:29,126 --> 00:31:31,325
up to the roof.
574
00:31:31,361 --> 00:31:36,662
Downfall is, is I was only
able to get 800 feet of it here.
575
00:31:36,697 --> 00:31:38,363
JESSI: So, we do
not have enough?
576
00:31:38,399 --> 00:31:39,964
CHRIS: We don't have enough.
577
00:31:40,000 --> 00:31:44,167
But what I was thinking is
if I just cut this in half,
578
00:31:44,202 --> 00:31:47,069
the diameter
actually doesn't change,
579
00:31:47,104 --> 00:31:49,471
and it should still fill
the same amount of space.
580
00:31:49,506 --> 00:31:52,439
So if we just cut it, uh,
that gives us 1,600 feet.
581
00:31:52,508 --> 00:31:53,573
Right?
582
00:31:53,609 --> 00:31:55,074
And that's going to be
like the bare minimum.
583
00:31:55,110 --> 00:31:57,443
Some of the holes
above us are really small,
584
00:31:57,478 --> 00:32:02,546
and I was thinking we
would actually cut some
of them into quarters.
585
00:32:02,581 --> 00:32:04,881
That should give us more
than enough to do this entire
586
00:32:04,916 --> 00:32:07,449
ceiling without
worrying about running out.
587
00:32:07,485 --> 00:32:09,384
Can put the
quarter piece there,
588
00:32:09,419 --> 00:32:13,120
I can put big half
pieces into these large logs.
589
00:32:13,155 --> 00:32:18,056
And even some of these
larger gaps I bet the
quarter pieces will fit.
590
00:32:18,092 --> 00:32:21,025
Backer rod's used for, like,
construction with large gaps.
591
00:32:21,060 --> 00:32:24,294
It's a closed cell foam, so
I don't mind cutting this in
592
00:32:24,329 --> 00:32:26,095
half and sticking it up there.
593
00:32:26,130 --> 00:32:28,363
I still think it's
gonna block the air.
594
00:32:28,399 --> 00:32:29,664
This is kind of a pain.
595
00:32:29,699 --> 00:32:31,032
It's like
cutting a wet noodle.
596
00:32:31,067 --> 00:32:32,566
Ugh.
597
00:32:32,601 --> 00:32:35,268
It's, like, hard to cut and then
it cuts the wrong direction.
598
00:32:35,303 --> 00:32:38,136
JESSI: Two feet
down, 798 left to go.
599
00:32:38,172 --> 00:32:41,505
CHRIS: Ugh.
This is painfully slow.
600
00:32:41,541 --> 00:32:43,607
JESSI: We can't do
this for 800 feet.
601
00:32:43,642 --> 00:32:45,308
CHRIS: No, I'd
rather cut firewood.
602
00:32:45,343 --> 00:32:49,377
JESSI: You're right,
it's really, really
hard to stay centered.
603
00:32:50,046 --> 00:32:51,712
Oh, no!
604
00:32:51,747 --> 00:32:53,480
What do I do now?
605
00:32:53,515 --> 00:32:55,715
CHRIS: We're wasting material,
we're gonna be way short to be
606
00:32:55,750 --> 00:32:58,917
able to cover up the ceiling
to get it warm in the cabin.
607
00:32:58,952 --> 00:33:01,185
We've gotta come up with a
better idea on how to cut this.
608
00:33:01,220 --> 00:33:03,220
JESSI: This couldn't be worse.
609
00:33:03,255 --> 00:33:04,454
This couldn't be worse!
610
00:33:04,489 --> 00:33:06,155
How do you think that
we could do this better?
611
00:33:13,128 --> 00:33:15,728
I don't think I should
be in charge of this.
612
00:33:15,763 --> 00:33:18,730
CHRIS: We've gotta come
up with a better idea
on how to cut this.
613
00:33:18,765 --> 00:33:21,799
We can't just lay
in 800 feet of this.
614
00:33:21,834 --> 00:33:24,334
Otherwise, we're
gonna be way short.
615
00:33:24,369 --> 00:33:27,970
We need somewhere around 1,600
feet on the minimum to be able
616
00:33:28,005 --> 00:33:29,971
to cover up what we need to
cover on the ceiling to get it
617
00:33:30,006 --> 00:33:31,639
warm in the cabin.
618
00:33:31,674 --> 00:33:34,007
JESSI: That's great.
619
00:33:34,743 --> 00:33:37,042
CHRIS: Everything's trial and
error out here on the Cosna,
620
00:33:37,078 --> 00:33:39,811
and sometimes you just gotta
make do with what you have.
621
00:33:39,846 --> 00:33:43,213
Up at an angle just
to make the wire go
through a little easier.
622
00:33:43,215 --> 00:33:46,315
Today, I'm trying to figure
out a way to make a foam cutter.
623
00:33:46,351 --> 00:33:48,250
Whatever it takes to
seal this ceiling up.
624
00:33:48,285 --> 00:33:50,952
I've got a drill battery
that I'm gonna hook it up to.
625
00:33:50,987 --> 00:33:54,354
JESSI: And then it's
gonna heat up this huge wire,
626
00:33:54,389 --> 00:33:57,923
burn into the wood, and get
the middle part hot enough to
627
00:33:57,958 --> 00:33:59,958
melt the foam and cut it.
628
00:33:59,993 --> 00:34:01,092
CHRIS: You've got the idea.
629
00:34:01,127 --> 00:34:02,192
JESSI: Without
burning the house down.
630
00:34:02,228 --> 00:34:03,960
Yeah.
631
00:34:03,996 --> 00:34:06,562
CHRIS: I'm just
going to test it.
632
00:34:08,966 --> 00:34:10,865
Wow.
633
00:34:10,900 --> 00:34:13,600
This is a great little
contraption we built
for cutting foam.
634
00:34:13,635 --> 00:34:16,502
I just don't want to do
anymore in the house.
635
00:34:16,537 --> 00:34:20,171
Because with every great
contraption comes a little risk.
636
00:34:20,974 --> 00:34:22,940
We're using a battery and we
are just straight running one
637
00:34:22,975 --> 00:34:24,874
wire from
positive to negative,
638
00:34:24,910 --> 00:34:27,576
and we're making it like
an absolute open circuit.
639
00:34:27,611 --> 00:34:29,244
You could blow
these batteries up,
640
00:34:29,279 --> 00:34:31,912
when they explode,
they explode with fire
shooting everywhere.
641
00:34:31,948 --> 00:34:33,180
Perfect.
642
00:34:33,215 --> 00:34:34,814
We're gonna try and play
this as safe as we can.
643
00:34:34,849 --> 00:34:36,549
Okay.
I'm ready when you are.
644
00:34:36,584 --> 00:34:38,984
We hook the batteries up,
the wire starts smoking,
645
00:34:39,019 --> 00:34:40,585
the wood's burning.
646
00:34:40,620 --> 00:34:42,519
We get the foam in there,
and as we're pulling that foam
647
00:34:42,555 --> 00:34:44,821
through, it gets
easier with the heat.
648
00:34:44,856 --> 00:34:45,755
There it goes.
649
00:34:45,790 --> 00:34:47,289
And we're getting
these nice clean cuts.
650
00:34:47,324 --> 00:34:49,591
Burn, baby, burn.
651
00:34:49,626 --> 00:34:50,958
That's perfect.
652
00:34:50,994 --> 00:34:52,359
JESSI: To heck
with the knives.
653
00:34:52,395 --> 00:34:54,160
In with the bush craft.
654
00:34:54,196 --> 00:34:58,130
CHRIS: And nice.
Look at that!
655
00:34:59,499 --> 00:35:01,999
All right.
656
00:35:02,034 --> 00:35:04,601
I feel like this
is gonna pay off.
657
00:35:04,636 --> 00:35:06,402
JESSI: Chris and I are
working on the back corner.
658
00:35:06,437 --> 00:35:10,471
I'm putting my hand
up and you can feel an
immediate difference.
659
00:35:10,507 --> 00:35:12,006
Can't feel a draft at all.
660
00:35:12,041 --> 00:35:13,840
I mean, this
foam really works.
661
00:35:13,875 --> 00:35:18,110
But we really have to seal up
each end all the way to the
662
00:35:18,145 --> 00:35:22,413
ceiling, so you
can't get air in or out.
663
00:35:22,448 --> 00:35:23,580
CHRIS: Ow!
664
00:35:23,615 --> 00:35:25,081
Some of these
get really tight.
665
00:35:25,116 --> 00:35:26,815
JESSI: Really tight.
666
00:35:26,851 --> 00:35:29,117
CHRIS: Ugh, it's good
thing that we made
some quarter pieces.
667
00:35:29,152 --> 00:35:31,118
JESSI: Yeah!
668
00:35:31,154 --> 00:35:33,086
CHRIS: Good job, love.
That actually looks really good.
669
00:35:33,122 --> 00:35:35,221
JESSI: That looks really good.
That was the perfect size.
670
00:35:35,256 --> 00:35:37,289
CHRIS: You're hired.
671
00:35:37,324 --> 00:35:40,091
Next is we've got
100 more to do.
672
00:35:41,227 --> 00:35:43,360
Pow!
673
00:35:43,395 --> 00:35:46,262
It's already warmer in here.
674
00:35:46,297 --> 00:35:49,030
JESSI: It is now
30 below outside.
675
00:35:49,066 --> 00:35:52,366
And it's reading like
almost 60 degrees back here.
676
00:35:52,401 --> 00:35:54,867
I mean, that's like
a huge difference.
677
00:35:54,903 --> 00:35:58,336
It's a big deal, about the
amount of heat that we're
678
00:35:58,372 --> 00:36:00,972
going to trap and keep and
the amount of wood we're
679
00:36:01,007 --> 00:36:03,373
not gonna have to burn.
680
00:36:03,408 --> 00:36:05,808
It's going to be the warmest
30-below night that we've ever
681
00:36:05,843 --> 00:36:07,376
spent in the cabin.
682
00:36:07,411 --> 00:36:08,543
CHRIS: We got
lots of foam left.
683
00:36:08,579 --> 00:36:09,711
Let's keep after it.
684
00:36:09,746 --> 00:36:12,346
JESSI: Got lots of foam!
Let's start on the next piece.
685
00:36:18,152 --> 00:36:20,651
MICHAEL: A lot of the native
elders here in Alaska tell you
686
00:36:20,687 --> 00:36:23,120
that sometimes you
just should not go out,
687
00:36:23,155 --> 00:36:26,689
and you should not
be doing things in
certain cold weather.
688
00:36:26,724 --> 00:36:30,224
And if you try to fight it,
that could mean your life.
689
00:36:36,397 --> 00:36:39,664
All right, today
is 20 below zero.
690
00:36:39,699 --> 00:36:42,099
You take a bucket of molasses.
691
00:36:42,134 --> 00:36:44,901
You try to dump it
out at 20 below zero,
692
00:36:44,936 --> 00:36:46,602
it ain't going nowhere.
693
00:36:46,637 --> 00:36:48,503
And so, building
in the below zero,
694
00:36:48,539 --> 00:36:51,605
everything slows down.
695
00:36:51,641 --> 00:36:55,708
Your tools don't wanna start,
technology acts a fool.
696
00:36:55,743 --> 00:36:57,409
Things get brittle.
697
00:36:57,444 --> 00:37:00,178
And so I just can't sit
around and have this structure
698
00:37:00,213 --> 00:37:02,513
halfway done and walk away.
699
00:37:02,548 --> 00:37:05,448
I gotta keep
moving and get it up.
700
00:37:05,483 --> 00:37:09,050
And so today's the day that
I've chosen to winch up these
701
00:37:09,086 --> 00:37:13,420
heavy pieces up here
onto the second-story deck.
702
00:37:14,823 --> 00:37:18,957
I've actually never pulled
anything with this thing before.
703
00:37:18,992 --> 00:37:23,326
Winches and chainsaws
are nasty devices to use.
704
00:37:23,362 --> 00:37:26,195
And then you combine a
chainsaw with a winch?
705
00:37:26,230 --> 00:37:27,763
That's doubly nasty.
706
00:37:27,798 --> 00:37:31,899
We'll see how it
works at 20 below.
707
00:37:31,934 --> 00:37:35,701
Got a really steep jump to
get this thing up there.
708
00:37:35,737 --> 00:37:38,070
I'm gonna go
cautious, go slow.
709
00:37:38,105 --> 00:37:42,839
Probably be about, uh,
500 pounds up on that deck.
710
00:37:42,875 --> 00:37:46,809
Something like this lets
loose and that comes back,
711
00:37:46,844 --> 00:37:48,476
that's a projectile.
712
00:37:48,512 --> 00:37:51,212
Crack your cranium.
713
00:37:52,081 --> 00:37:55,515
(motor whirring).
714
00:37:55,550 --> 00:37:57,482
As long as I try my
hardest to be safe,
715
00:37:57,518 --> 00:37:58,617
this should go all right.
716
00:37:58,652 --> 00:37:59,917
But there's no guarantee.
717
00:37:59,953 --> 00:38:03,486
This is not the right weather
to be doing stuff like this.
718
00:38:06,824 --> 00:38:10,525
(motor whirring).
719
00:38:10,560 --> 00:38:12,693
I think I should be good.
720
00:38:12,728 --> 00:38:15,728
All right.
721
00:38:17,765 --> 00:38:19,297
Got even colder.
722
00:38:19,332 --> 00:38:23,533
You gotta suit up with
more stuff to keep the
cold off your skin.
723
00:38:26,504 --> 00:38:28,970
All right, this piece is
the largest one so far.
724
00:38:29,005 --> 00:38:30,938
It's gonna go in the center.
725
00:38:30,973 --> 00:38:32,539
I'm gonna go ahead and
take my time on this one,
726
00:38:32,575 --> 00:38:33,973
'cause it's a big one.
727
00:38:34,009 --> 00:38:37,342
And so, the snap
got a little damaged.
728
00:38:37,378 --> 00:38:41,712
But, uh, just gotta get
two more pulls out of it.
729
00:38:41,747 --> 00:38:46,115
I guesstimate this one to be
right around 800 pounds or so.
730
00:38:47,118 --> 00:38:52,086
(motor whirring).
731
00:38:59,659 --> 00:39:03,026
I feel like the whole building
is gonna come tumbling down.
732
00:39:03,062 --> 00:39:05,928
It feels like an earthquake
up here every time
I touch the throttle.
733
00:39:08,665 --> 00:39:10,031
(motor whirring).
734
00:39:23,075 --> 00:39:27,809
MICHAEL: Ugh. Yup.
735
00:39:29,179 --> 00:39:32,179
I was jamming up the
clevis against the top plate.
736
00:39:32,214 --> 00:39:34,114
That's that.
737
00:39:35,116 --> 00:39:36,882
That combined with the
weight of that piece,
738
00:39:36,917 --> 00:39:41,152
all hell broke loose, and it
snapped somewhere here
739
00:39:41,187 --> 00:39:43,053
near the winch.
740
00:39:43,088 --> 00:39:45,421
This is what you deal
with in below zero weather.
741
00:39:45,456 --> 00:39:48,056
I'm really
frustrated by this setback.
742
00:39:48,092 --> 00:39:50,591
You can't let mechanical
failures in cold weather stop
743
00:39:50,627 --> 00:39:52,659
you from getting the job done.
744
00:39:52,695 --> 00:39:55,895
I got everything I need
here to fix this winch.
745
00:39:56,464 --> 00:39:58,997
Cut this off right here.
746
00:40:00,366 --> 00:40:02,299
I took that
little clevis pin off,
747
00:40:02,334 --> 00:40:05,334
and I put on a larger
five eighths inch shackle.
748
00:40:05,370 --> 00:40:06,802
It's fixed.
749
00:40:06,837 --> 00:40:08,870
This winch is good to go.
750
00:40:08,905 --> 00:40:11,372
I'm gonna set it
up top, try again.
751
00:40:13,909 --> 00:40:16,942
You can't push your
luck out here when you've
been given a free pass.
752
00:40:16,977 --> 00:40:18,610
And so this time around,
753
00:40:18,645 --> 00:40:21,378
I'm gonna put a helmet
on for this next pull.
754
00:40:21,414 --> 00:40:23,813
So that if it snaps, this
piece of metal ain't coming
755
00:40:23,849 --> 00:40:27,683
back in my face
over 100 mile an hour.
756
00:40:35,423 --> 00:40:37,823
It's a sick feeling, when
you're just doing something
757
00:40:37,858 --> 00:40:42,526
you know is
stupidly dangerous.
758
00:40:48,965 --> 00:40:50,765
There she is.
759
00:40:50,800 --> 00:40:52,466
Miss America.
760
00:40:52,501 --> 00:40:56,502
Everything worked a lot
better with my repair.
761
00:40:56,537 --> 00:40:59,704
What a relief
after such a setback.
762
00:41:00,540 --> 00:41:02,072
I'm safe.
763
00:41:02,107 --> 00:41:03,406
I'm gonna continue forward.
764
00:41:03,442 --> 00:41:05,708
I'm gonna get this deck in
place and start getting the
765
00:41:05,743 --> 00:41:08,109
roof put up.
766
00:41:17,584 --> 00:41:20,584
CHRIS: Just kinda
toss it on there.
767
00:41:20,620 --> 00:41:23,019
Snow is like a
really good insulator.
768
00:41:23,055 --> 00:41:26,922
That'll get all
that airflow to stop.
769
00:41:28,759 --> 00:41:31,792
That's gonna be warm!
770
00:41:31,827 --> 00:41:33,827
I try to think, for every
scoop is one less log that
771
00:41:33,862 --> 00:41:35,428
I'll burn
throughout the winter.
772
00:41:35,463 --> 00:41:36,895
JESSI: Oh, man,
get to scoopin'!
773
00:41:36,931 --> 00:41:38,430
CHRIS: I know.
774
00:41:38,465 --> 00:41:40,965
JESSI: Get to scoopin'!
775
00:41:43,535 --> 00:41:46,101
Now that we have a
winterized cabin...
776
00:41:46,137 --> 00:41:47,769
Whoo!
777
00:41:47,805 --> 00:41:50,738
We're not going to have to use
as many resources and trees.
778
00:41:50,773 --> 00:41:52,839
CHRIS: Nice.
779
00:41:52,875 --> 00:41:55,741
JESSI: And we're gonna have
more time to just enjoy life
780
00:41:55,777 --> 00:41:58,543
out here together.
781
00:42:03,448 --> 00:42:06,582
ALEX: It don't look like it,
it's like 30 below right
now outside.
782
00:42:06,617 --> 00:42:09,684
That's some
pretty dirty clothes.
783
00:42:09,719 --> 00:42:11,852
Laundry takes a lot of water.
784
00:42:11,887 --> 00:42:13,420
It's a lot easier if you can
just put it in a machine and
785
00:42:13,455 --> 00:42:17,222
push a button but, uh, I feel
like my generation needs to be
786
00:42:17,258 --> 00:42:19,290
more responsible than that.
787
00:42:19,326 --> 00:42:22,759
Clean water is not necessarily
an infinite resource.
788
00:42:22,795 --> 00:42:24,494
If you have to haul
water the way I do,
789
00:42:24,529 --> 00:42:27,796
you can certainly
do with a lot less.
790
00:42:28,765 --> 00:42:31,799
Because it's such a
physical chore to get water,
791
00:42:31,834 --> 00:42:34,467
you know, I treat
it like it's gold.
792
00:42:34,502 --> 00:42:36,769
I don't waste a single drop.
793
00:42:36,804 --> 00:42:39,103
If I wanted to haul enough
water to have everything
794
00:42:39,139 --> 00:42:41,739
crystal clean all the time, I
would be the fittest man in
795
00:42:41,774 --> 00:42:45,007
the universe to be honest.
796
00:42:48,145 --> 00:42:49,777
BRITTANY: And there we go.
797
00:42:49,813 --> 00:42:51,178
This is actually working!
798
00:42:51,214 --> 00:42:52,546
What?
799
00:42:52,581 --> 00:42:55,781
It's really great to build
something that I can use to
800
00:42:55,817 --> 00:42:59,417
give gifts and also to
be more self-reliant.
801
00:42:59,452 --> 00:43:01,185
Look what we made.
802
00:43:01,220 --> 00:43:02,486
KALEB: Yum!
803
00:43:02,521 --> 00:43:04,520
BRITTANY: We're creating
memories and I hope the kids
804
00:43:04,556 --> 00:43:06,088
look back at
this time thinking,
805
00:43:06,123 --> 00:43:08,089
"Wow, look what
Mom and I made."
806
00:43:08,125 --> 00:43:10,024
Moment of truth.
807
00:43:10,059 --> 00:43:12,526
KALEB: Oh, man. Whew!
808
00:43:12,561 --> 00:43:15,094
BRITTANY: Hot or good?
KALEB: Both.
809
00:43:18,865 --> 00:43:22,666
MICHAEL: There we go.
Just like that.
810
00:43:22,701 --> 00:43:26,235
I'm gonna get the last bit
of the structure up today.
811
00:43:28,105 --> 00:43:31,905
Grab up a spare wood stove,
I could move into this
thing tomorrow.
812
00:43:33,242 --> 00:43:36,141
I traded a little bit of labor
for an unused building that
813
00:43:36,177 --> 00:43:37,909
was just going to waste.
814
00:43:37,945 --> 00:43:39,544
And that's how a lot
of native people are.
815
00:43:39,579 --> 00:43:42,512
They'll trade work for a tool
or they'll trade a tool for
816
00:43:42,548 --> 00:43:45,815
some beaver mitt.
817
00:43:45,850 --> 00:43:48,650
That's more real than going
to a box store and spending
818
00:43:48,685 --> 00:43:50,918
thousands of dollars.
819
00:43:53,088 --> 00:43:56,055
Hey, I can see
the Tanana River.
820
00:44:06,797 --> 00:44:09,030
(heavy breathing).
821
00:44:09,099 --> 00:44:12,199
JESSI: Last bit.
822
00:44:13,568 --> 00:44:16,402
CHRIS: Well.
JESSI: Onto the next.
823
00:44:16,437 --> 00:44:17,602
Captioned by
Cotter Media Group.