1 00:00:05,591 --> 00:00:08,732 ♪ ♪ 2 00:00:13,116 --> 00:00:16,223 JOHNNY: This land is far removed from the city. 3 00:00:17,431 --> 00:00:20,158 And that's what I'm after. 4 00:00:20,227 --> 00:00:23,230 I'm not looking to live surrounded by millions and 5 00:00:23,299 --> 00:00:25,059 millions of people. 6 00:00:27,234 --> 00:00:29,753 So, there's fresh wolf tracks here. 7 00:00:29,822 --> 00:00:31,824 Where there's wolves, there's caribou. 8 00:00:31,893 --> 00:00:33,999 And where there's caribou, there's food for me. 9 00:00:35,449 --> 00:00:39,349 The wolves just track the caribou in their own tracks 10 00:00:39,418 --> 00:00:41,765 because it's easier to keep up with them stepping 11 00:00:41,834 --> 00:00:43,284 in their footprints, 12 00:00:43,353 --> 00:00:46,011 rather than breaking a trail every time they chase them. 13 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:47,530 It's a, it's a smart tactic. 14 00:00:47,599 --> 00:00:50,740 I wish I could fit in their hoof prints. 15 00:00:52,086 --> 00:00:54,813 This one was moving at a faster pace and uh, 16 00:00:54,882 --> 00:00:57,126 caribou don't run for fun. 17 00:00:57,195 --> 00:00:58,679 Seems like there's a lot of movement in this direction, 18 00:00:58,748 --> 00:01:01,130 I'm just gonna keep walking. 19 00:01:03,373 --> 00:01:04,719 I'm always in need of meat. 20 00:01:06,583 --> 00:01:08,413 When the caribou come around, 21 00:01:08,482 --> 00:01:10,070 it's important that I do capitalize 22 00:01:10,139 --> 00:01:12,865 on that moment, because 23 00:01:12,934 --> 00:01:15,868 I live about 70 miles north of the Arctic Circle 24 00:01:15,937 --> 00:01:19,044 in the Brooks Range of Alaska. 25 00:01:19,113 --> 00:01:21,460 I'm 200 miles from the nearest city. 26 00:01:21,529 --> 00:01:23,048 There's nothing out here. 27 00:01:23,117 --> 00:01:24,705 There's no roads. There's no stores. 28 00:01:24,774 --> 00:01:26,500 There's no help. 29 00:01:26,569 --> 00:01:29,261 It's me left to fend for myself. 30 00:01:29,330 --> 00:01:32,057 These tracks are, they're old and they're covered up, 31 00:01:32,126 --> 00:01:33,921 so it's hard to tell exactly what they are. 32 00:01:33,990 --> 00:01:35,992 But, by seeing some of those grasses nipped off, 33 00:01:36,061 --> 00:01:39,133 I can tell that those were caribou. 34 00:01:39,202 --> 00:01:42,067 It's something in my DNA, something within me that 35 00:01:42,136 --> 00:01:45,760 couldn't rest until it got to the wilderness. 36 00:01:45,829 --> 00:01:50,040 I belong in nature; I don't belong in the city. 37 00:01:52,905 --> 00:01:57,703 This is where the rib, looks like the sternum here. 38 00:01:59,188 --> 00:02:02,260 You can see all the fat was chewed off of it. 39 00:02:02,329 --> 00:02:05,746 You can see the wolves' jaws just crush right 40 00:02:05,815 --> 00:02:07,506 through these bones here. 41 00:02:09,198 --> 00:02:11,890 Looks like there might be some more of it right over here. 42 00:02:15,135 --> 00:02:16,688 Oh yeah. 43 00:02:16,757 --> 00:02:18,379 Damn. 44 00:02:26,387 --> 00:02:28,872 That's the spine. 45 00:02:28,941 --> 00:02:31,841 Wow. I mean, there's still red on here. 46 00:02:31,910 --> 00:02:34,119 This is still pretty fresh looking. 47 00:02:35,431 --> 00:02:37,950 The caribou travel in herds. 48 00:02:38,019 --> 00:02:39,538 They stick with safety in numbers. 49 00:02:39,607 --> 00:02:42,472 So, if there's one here, there's gonna be more. 50 00:02:43,715 --> 00:02:47,546 Gonna go walk around some more and scout. 51 00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:51,240 This is life. 52 00:02:52,206 --> 00:02:54,760 JOHNNY: Life in the Arctic. 53 00:03:03,390 --> 00:03:04,977 ALEX: I always get like, little butterflies before we 54 00:03:05,046 --> 00:03:06,634 go in a bush plane, you know? 55 00:03:06,703 --> 00:03:08,705 I mean I know it's perfectly safe, 56 00:03:08,774 --> 00:03:11,536 but same thing with helicopters. 57 00:03:11,605 --> 00:03:14,021 Just cause they're kinda bouncy, you know? 58 00:03:15,505 --> 00:03:17,921 My name is Alex Javor, and I live in interior Alaska. 59 00:03:21,201 --> 00:03:24,169 My ideal subsistence lifestyle is to be like any 60 00:03:24,238 --> 00:03:26,413 animal in the woods. 61 00:03:26,482 --> 00:03:29,209 I don't want to be a civilized human. 62 00:03:31,003 --> 00:03:33,385 I'm about to take a bush flight out to a place 63 00:03:33,454 --> 00:03:34,938 called Deadman Lake. 64 00:03:35,007 --> 00:03:37,078 Before I moved to Alaska, I bought property there, 65 00:03:37,147 --> 00:03:38,666 but I've never even been to it. 66 00:03:38,735 --> 00:03:40,772 PILOT: Okay. 67 00:03:40,841 --> 00:03:42,774 ALEX: Once I got up here to Alaska, 68 00:03:42,843 --> 00:03:46,640 it seemed too daunting, such a remote place. 69 00:03:49,263 --> 00:03:51,852 And so, I opted for a place that was closer to 70 00:03:51,921 --> 00:03:54,372 a road system. 71 00:03:54,441 --> 00:03:57,340 You know, Bear Creek was off-grid, remote living. 72 00:03:57,409 --> 00:03:59,549 I gained a lot of confidence. 73 00:03:59,618 --> 00:04:01,413 But, compared to here, it was kinda like going with 74 00:04:01,482 --> 00:04:03,622 the training wheels on. 75 00:04:03,691 --> 00:04:05,969 And what I wanna learn is, will this be a better place 76 00:04:06,038 --> 00:04:09,939 for me to live than Bear Creek? 77 00:04:10,008 --> 00:04:11,354 Because, um... 78 00:04:11,423 --> 00:04:14,909 PILOT: Okay, here we are. ALEX: Thank you, sir. 79 00:04:14,978 --> 00:04:17,567 ALEX: Once the pilot leaves, you know. 80 00:04:17,636 --> 00:04:20,536 That's it. 81 00:04:20,605 --> 00:04:24,264 I have the bare essentials to survive here. 82 00:04:24,333 --> 00:04:26,714 And there's one important thing that's going to make 83 00:04:26,783 --> 00:04:29,234 life a lot harder out here that I don't have. 84 00:04:30,580 --> 00:04:32,479 That's Sipsey. 85 00:04:32,548 --> 00:04:34,101 I left him with some family. 86 00:04:34,170 --> 00:04:37,035 I know what I'm doing here is pretty risky. 87 00:04:37,104 --> 00:04:38,899 That's going to be hard, not having my best friend, 88 00:04:38,968 --> 00:04:40,797 but, um, I gotta think about safety, 89 00:04:40,866 --> 00:04:42,834 first and foremost. 90 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:47,183 ALEX: So yeah, I feel a little bit small right now. 91 00:04:47,252 --> 00:04:50,117 You know, I don't have a warm cabin waiting for me. 92 00:04:50,186 --> 00:04:52,361 I'm just gonna be living in a tent. 93 00:04:52,430 --> 00:04:54,224 Time is important right now. 94 00:04:54,294 --> 00:04:57,952 I will freeze to death if I don't get a camp set up. 95 00:04:59,229 --> 00:05:01,956 So, there's a little hill just back here. 96 00:05:02,025 --> 00:05:04,752 My property is kind of on that hill. 97 00:05:04,821 --> 00:05:07,030 I just gotta cut through the woods here, 98 00:05:07,099 --> 00:05:10,517 get up on to that hill, and then I've gotta find a 99 00:05:10,586 --> 00:05:13,727 spot to put my tent down for the night. 100 00:05:15,487 --> 00:05:19,077 If I had gotten dropped off here in 2013, you know, 101 00:05:19,146 --> 00:05:20,837 when I was just totally new to this. 102 00:05:20,906 --> 00:05:24,116 I would have betted on me starving. 103 00:05:24,185 --> 00:05:27,741 But I mean, that's the kind of scenario I sought. 104 00:05:27,810 --> 00:05:30,399 So, this is my land here. 105 00:05:33,333 --> 00:05:35,093 I've never seen it. 106 00:05:35,162 --> 00:05:36,439 Uh, I mean. 107 00:05:36,508 --> 00:05:39,408 I didn't really ever think I would see it. 108 00:05:39,477 --> 00:05:42,583 But I feel ready for it now. 109 00:05:42,652 --> 00:05:45,275 The first thing I need to do is focus on my big needs. 110 00:05:45,345 --> 00:05:47,105 I don't want to freeze to death. 111 00:05:47,174 --> 00:05:49,176 I need to get a shelter put up. 112 00:05:49,245 --> 00:05:52,179 And then, I need to get some wood for my stove. 113 00:05:53,594 --> 00:05:56,148 As long as I can make a fire, melt some snow, 114 00:05:56,217 --> 00:05:59,531 and eat some food, I can survive. 115 00:06:01,153 --> 00:06:03,397 We're just getting started. 116 00:06:05,710 --> 00:06:08,368 CHRIS: Everything out here is dangerous. 117 00:06:08,437 --> 00:06:10,128 But as long as you understand that. 118 00:06:10,197 --> 00:06:11,854 And you prepare for it. 119 00:06:11,923 --> 00:06:13,614 Life's pretty good out here. 120 00:06:13,683 --> 00:06:15,202 Just don't forget, 121 00:06:15,271 --> 00:06:17,653 everything out here wants to kill you. 122 00:06:21,691 --> 00:06:23,555 My name is Christopher Morse. 123 00:06:23,624 --> 00:06:26,420 My wife and I are out here in the wild. 124 00:06:26,489 --> 00:06:29,423 There's not another soul for miles upon miles out here. 125 00:06:30,562 --> 00:06:31,736 Hey, thanks for that. 126 00:06:31,805 --> 00:06:33,358 JESSI: Yeah. 127 00:06:33,427 --> 00:06:36,085 CHRIS: My dad built this cabin and left it to me. 128 00:06:36,154 --> 00:06:39,019 We're doing our best out here, we're trying to live off grid. 129 00:06:39,088 --> 00:06:41,401 All right, old girl. 130 00:06:41,470 --> 00:06:43,782 Off civilization. 131 00:06:43,851 --> 00:06:45,025 But you know. 132 00:06:45,094 --> 00:06:47,268 We need supplies from time to time. 133 00:06:47,337 --> 00:06:49,270 If we can get this trail opened up, 134 00:06:49,339 --> 00:06:51,238 the amount of possibilities it's going to give us is 135 00:06:51,307 --> 00:06:53,516 really awesome. 136 00:06:53,585 --> 00:06:56,899 But the last time I went to Deep Creek it was steep that 137 00:06:56,968 --> 00:06:58,728 there was no getting a snow machine across. 138 00:06:58,797 --> 00:07:00,385 And it is like the main thoroughfare to 139 00:07:00,454 --> 00:07:01,835 get towards town. 140 00:07:01,904 --> 00:07:03,906 We'll kinda eyeball it and see if it's 141 00:07:03,975 --> 00:07:05,459 something we can handle. 142 00:07:05,528 --> 00:07:07,461 JESSI: See how it is. 143 00:07:07,530 --> 00:07:08,980 I'm stoked. 144 00:07:14,503 --> 00:07:17,506 CHRIS: Get comfortable. We got a long ride. 145 00:07:19,093 --> 00:07:21,786 JESSI: Chris and I would really like to have a way to 146 00:07:21,855 --> 00:07:24,720 get to town and back. 147 00:07:24,789 --> 00:07:26,791 Be able to go and get supplies, 148 00:07:26,860 --> 00:07:29,587 have an emergency way out. 149 00:07:29,656 --> 00:07:32,728 And the only way to do that is to go over Deep Creek. 150 00:07:34,902 --> 00:07:36,697 Holy smokes. 151 00:07:42,496 --> 00:07:45,292 There's no way around Deep Creek. 152 00:07:46,811 --> 00:07:51,091 It is vertical banks and it's like a 100-mile-long river. 153 00:07:52,644 --> 00:07:53,645 This it? 154 00:07:53,714 --> 00:07:54,922 CHRIS: Yeah. 155 00:07:54,991 --> 00:07:57,304 Let's see what we got down here, huh? 156 00:07:59,030 --> 00:08:01,964 Well, that does not look promising. 157 00:08:03,621 --> 00:08:06,693 JESSI: This looks steep. 158 00:08:06,762 --> 00:08:09,903 CHRIS: Man, this is a mess. 159 00:08:09,972 --> 00:08:12,630 Deep Creek's just a lot bigger than I remember. 160 00:08:12,699 --> 00:08:14,563 There's no way to get through it without building some kind 161 00:08:14,632 --> 00:08:17,358 of ramp or bridge. 162 00:08:17,427 --> 00:08:19,464 We got our work cut out for us. 163 00:08:19,533 --> 00:08:21,673 That is steep, man. 164 00:08:23,641 --> 00:08:26,367 BRITTANY: When you live so far away from the grocery store. 165 00:08:26,436 --> 00:08:30,233 You have to know where to go to hunt in case you 166 00:08:30,302 --> 00:08:32,132 can't get to town. 167 00:08:32,201 --> 00:08:34,479 So that's something that Kaleb and I are going to do. 168 00:08:36,446 --> 00:08:38,000 Uh, I missed that one. 169 00:08:41,072 --> 00:08:42,280 [gunshot] 170 00:08:42,349 --> 00:08:44,489 Hm. 171 00:08:44,558 --> 00:08:45,939 My name is Brittany Rowland. 172 00:08:46,008 --> 00:08:48,666 I live here in McCarthy, Alaska. 173 00:08:48,735 --> 00:08:50,564 With my husband Kaleb and my two children, 174 00:08:50,633 --> 00:08:52,566 Gilbert and Elovie. 175 00:08:52,635 --> 00:08:54,499 Oh, man. 176 00:08:55,638 --> 00:08:57,398 I grew up in the city. 177 00:08:57,467 --> 00:09:00,298 I used to joke that the grocery store was my happy place. 178 00:09:01,886 --> 00:09:03,750 Hit. 179 00:09:03,819 --> 00:09:05,372 When we first moved out here, 180 00:09:05,441 --> 00:09:08,444 it was because Kaleb wanted to live out here. 181 00:09:09,756 --> 00:09:13,000 He grew up out here from about nine on up. 182 00:09:13,069 --> 00:09:15,727 And he's a mountain man through and through. 183 00:09:16,901 --> 00:09:18,627 However, as the years have gone by, 184 00:09:18,696 --> 00:09:20,560 I actually prefer it out here. 185 00:09:20,629 --> 00:09:24,322 Even when I go to visit the city, I miss home. 186 00:09:26,289 --> 00:09:28,568 Did you see that? 187 00:09:29,707 --> 00:09:31,916 Oh, man, that was awesome! 188 00:09:35,402 --> 00:09:39,786 See what happens when we do one of the cans 189 00:09:39,855 --> 00:09:41,788 [gunshot and aluminum pop] 190 00:09:43,997 --> 00:09:46,378 Oh man, I love when things go pop. 191 00:09:48,070 --> 00:09:50,037 In McCarthy, you're either hunting or 192 00:09:50,106 --> 00:09:52,281 preparing for the hunt. 193 00:09:55,698 --> 00:09:58,839 That's a dead bird right there. 194 00:09:58,908 --> 00:10:02,878 Part of subsistence hunting, you want to have many places 195 00:10:02,947 --> 00:10:04,638 that you can harvest animals, 196 00:10:04,707 --> 00:10:07,779 that way you don't deplete the area. 197 00:10:08,746 --> 00:10:10,057 Right now, here in McCarthy, 198 00:10:10,126 --> 00:10:12,784 our small game population is really low, 199 00:10:12,853 --> 00:10:15,545 it needs time to recover. 200 00:10:15,615 --> 00:10:18,756 We're going to fly out to Donahoe Basin and figure out 201 00:10:18,825 --> 00:10:21,275 if that's a good place for us to be able to hunt 202 00:10:21,344 --> 00:10:23,657 in the future. 203 00:10:23,726 --> 00:10:25,072 Hello. 204 00:10:25,141 --> 00:10:27,178 KALEB: How was target practice? 205 00:10:27,247 --> 00:10:29,111 BRITTANY: Fantastic. 206 00:10:29,180 --> 00:10:30,975 KALEB: Can you hit anything? 207 00:10:31,044 --> 00:10:32,735 BRITTANY: I hit a lot of things. 208 00:10:32,804 --> 00:10:34,806 KALEB: Kids are up at Grandma's. 209 00:10:34,875 --> 00:10:36,394 They're pretty happy. 210 00:10:36,463 --> 00:10:38,120 They're excited to hang out with Grandma for a couple days, 211 00:10:38,189 --> 00:10:40,812 I'm just getting this oil change all wrapped up, 212 00:10:40,881 --> 00:10:43,504 so I'm pretty much ready to go. 213 00:10:44,540 --> 00:10:46,128 BRITTANY: Cool. 214 00:10:47,716 --> 00:10:52,065 KALEB: Oof, I must say I was a little jealous of you getting 215 00:10:52,134 --> 00:10:55,724 to target practice this morning when I had to take 216 00:10:55,793 --> 00:10:57,070 care of business. 217 00:10:57,139 --> 00:10:59,106 BRITTANY: I'm sorry honey. 218 00:10:59,175 --> 00:11:01,453 I wish you could've been shooting with me. 219 00:11:01,522 --> 00:11:05,216 You would've seen how amazing I was. 220 00:11:05,285 --> 00:11:07,839 KALEB: Deadeye Brit. 221 00:11:07,908 --> 00:11:10,704 I have not hunted the Donahoe Valley before. 222 00:11:10,773 --> 00:11:12,741 Okay, Piper load up. 223 00:11:13,949 --> 00:11:15,053 BRITTANY: Good girl. 224 00:11:15,122 --> 00:11:17,124 KALEB: It's about ten miles away. 225 00:11:17,193 --> 00:11:18,919 This gets closed. 226 00:11:18,988 --> 00:11:22,129 So, it's a first for both of us. 227 00:11:22,198 --> 00:11:25,546 All right, off to Donahoe we go. 228 00:11:25,615 --> 00:11:28,377 BRITTANY: The more self-reliant we are, 229 00:11:28,446 --> 00:11:31,380 the better. 230 00:11:31,449 --> 00:11:34,763 The really cool thing about having a pilot for a husband 231 00:11:34,832 --> 00:11:39,215 is that when we decide we need to expand our hunting grounds, 232 00:11:41,459 --> 00:11:45,187 we can fly somewhere and do so. 233 00:11:48,017 --> 00:11:51,572 KALEB [over radio]: We have left the population center of McCarthy 234 00:11:51,641 --> 00:11:55,853 and we are in the wilderness now. 235 00:11:55,922 --> 00:11:58,510 No more humans. 236 00:11:58,579 --> 00:12:01,341 Just us and the dog. 237 00:12:01,410 --> 00:12:02,791 BRITTANY [over radio]: And the airplane. 238 00:12:02,860 --> 00:12:05,000 KALEB [over radio]: And the airplane. 239 00:12:08,831 --> 00:12:12,041 JOHNNY: You know, I'm not above any animal. 240 00:12:12,110 --> 00:12:14,457 I'm not above caribou, I'm not above the wolves. 241 00:12:14,526 --> 00:12:16,839 I'm living as part of them. 242 00:12:16,908 --> 00:12:19,600 And I wouldn't want to live any other way. 243 00:12:24,433 --> 00:12:26,884 JOHNNY: One of the first things I do when I see snow coming, 244 00:12:26,953 --> 00:12:31,060 I look at the tracks that are already on the lake. 245 00:12:31,129 --> 00:12:33,856 And then read the tracks right after it snows. 246 00:12:33,925 --> 00:12:35,478 You can see patterns, 247 00:12:35,547 --> 00:12:37,239 and that's what keeps me fed out here. 248 00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:40,829 Holy [bleep]. 249 00:12:42,037 --> 00:12:43,797 Those are caribou. 250 00:12:49,354 --> 00:12:51,494 There's a ton of them. 251 00:12:55,153 --> 00:12:57,155 That's a far shot. 252 00:13:02,022 --> 00:13:05,025 That's a 300-yard shot. That's way too far. 253 00:13:11,411 --> 00:13:13,758 They'll think we're caribou if we just chill out. 254 00:13:15,829 --> 00:13:18,590 At this point, they know I'm not a threat, 255 00:13:18,659 --> 00:13:20,351 cause I'm not going anywhere near them. 256 00:13:20,420 --> 00:13:21,870 So, what I'm trying to do is fool them into thinking 257 00:13:21,939 --> 00:13:22,940 I'm a caribou. 258 00:13:23,009 --> 00:13:24,907 These are my antlers. 259 00:13:24,976 --> 00:13:27,289 That's the best I can do. 260 00:13:29,705 --> 00:13:32,673 Just kinda mimic them, what they do. 261 00:13:32,742 --> 00:13:34,883 They're not frightened. 262 00:13:44,893 --> 00:13:46,584 They're curious. 263 00:13:48,655 --> 00:13:51,278 They're walking toward us right now. 264 00:13:51,347 --> 00:13:54,385 This is why you just kinda keep patient. 265 00:14:04,395 --> 00:14:10,953 ♪ ♪ 266 00:14:17,718 --> 00:14:18,858 [gunshot] 267 00:14:22,413 --> 00:14:23,793 [bleep]. 268 00:14:41,156 --> 00:14:43,054 [gunshot] 269 00:14:43,123 --> 00:14:46,264 JOHNNY: Come on, go down. Go down. Go down. 270 00:14:47,852 --> 00:14:49,474 That one's hit. 271 00:14:49,543 --> 00:14:51,994 I'm out of ammo. 272 00:14:54,100 --> 00:14:57,206 So, I shot two caribou, one of them dropped immediately. 273 00:14:57,275 --> 00:15:00,140 The second one is definitely hit, 274 00:15:00,209 --> 00:15:04,041 but it's hanging on to life. 275 00:15:04,110 --> 00:15:07,044 I'm gonna go approach it and, uh, try to dispatch it. 276 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:11,945 Nobody wants you to suffer, all right? 277 00:15:13,878 --> 00:15:16,191 Let's get this over with. 278 00:15:25,234 --> 00:15:28,548 It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. 279 00:15:36,073 --> 00:15:39,524 I'm always thankful for the life of these animals. 280 00:15:41,043 --> 00:15:44,012 And I definitely don't take any of them for granted. 281 00:15:44,081 --> 00:15:48,119 Because it's gonna allow me to continue to live. 282 00:15:49,879 --> 00:15:52,020 Okay. 283 00:15:52,089 --> 00:15:56,403 So, I'm bringing this one back to where I shot and 284 00:15:56,472 --> 00:15:59,475 going to get the second one. 285 00:15:59,544 --> 00:16:02,789 It's cold. I'm tired. 286 00:16:02,858 --> 00:16:04,377 And it's getting late, 287 00:16:04,446 --> 00:16:07,587 so I only have time to process one caribou. 288 00:16:07,656 --> 00:16:09,209 The second caribou, 289 00:16:09,278 --> 00:16:11,384 I'm gonna bury it in snow and that should help insulate it, 290 00:16:11,453 --> 00:16:13,351 so it doesn't freeze. 291 00:16:13,420 --> 00:16:15,836 I do have some reservations about burying it, 292 00:16:15,905 --> 00:16:19,254 because if predators find that caribou, 293 00:16:19,323 --> 00:16:21,325 they're gonna eat it up. 294 00:16:21,394 --> 00:16:24,845 But it really is my only option at this point. 295 00:16:27,262 --> 00:16:29,540 ALEX: I'm coming out here into the wilderness. 296 00:16:29,609 --> 00:16:31,887 Don't really have a lifeline out here. 297 00:16:31,956 --> 00:16:33,923 Coming in with minimal equipment. 298 00:16:33,993 --> 00:16:36,857 You know, I imagine there's a reason this is called Deadman Lake, 299 00:16:36,926 --> 00:16:39,895 and I don't wanna make it become Deadmen Lake. 300 00:16:46,453 --> 00:16:48,317 ALEX: I didn't tie this up 'cause it's a horse 301 00:16:48,386 --> 00:16:49,525 that will run off. 302 00:16:49,594 --> 00:16:53,219 I, I stretched it out so that I could. 303 00:16:53,288 --> 00:16:56,118 This is a, ah, it's too much to explain. 304 00:17:00,985 --> 00:17:03,160 That guy comes in handy. 305 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:06,370 So last night was okay. 306 00:17:06,439 --> 00:17:08,303 I mean it was pretty cold but, uh, ya know, 307 00:17:08,372 --> 00:17:09,925 inside my tent all bundled up I was, 308 00:17:09,994 --> 00:17:11,651 I was able to sleep. 309 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,929 However, I'm in the interior of Alaska. 310 00:17:13,998 --> 00:17:17,070 Just like, one week ago, it was negative 60. 311 00:17:17,139 --> 00:17:20,004 The most pressing concern this time of year is 312 00:17:20,073 --> 00:17:23,318 hypothermia, frostbite, freezing to death. 313 00:17:23,387 --> 00:17:25,389 So, it's just I gotta have wood. 314 00:17:25,458 --> 00:17:27,943 I gotta be able to burn wood. 315 00:17:28,012 --> 00:17:29,807 I'm seeing lots of good stuff here. 316 00:17:29,876 --> 00:17:31,843 There's quite a few, um, dead trees, 317 00:17:31,912 --> 00:17:34,260 so I can probably get all the wood I need for, ya know, 318 00:17:34,329 --> 00:17:36,814 at least the next several days. 319 00:17:37,987 --> 00:17:40,852 When I first moved off-grid in Alaska, 320 00:17:40,921 --> 00:17:42,509 I had never used an axe or saw before, 321 00:17:42,578 --> 00:17:44,822 I just learned it all trial and error, 322 00:17:44,891 --> 00:17:47,376 and it's something I've done a lot. 323 00:17:47,445 --> 00:17:49,344 Oh, there you go. 324 00:17:49,413 --> 00:17:51,484 Wasn't much holding that. 325 00:17:56,247 --> 00:17:59,147 There's like the skills humans had, you know, 326 00:17:59,216 --> 00:18:02,736 500,000 years ago to survive, same thing. 327 00:18:02,805 --> 00:18:05,187 If you use them today, you'll survive. 328 00:18:05,256 --> 00:18:06,637 You know? 329 00:18:06,706 --> 00:18:08,604 But, you know, if I worked in a city or whatever, 330 00:18:08,673 --> 00:18:11,055 I feel like it's actually less certain there, you know? 331 00:18:11,124 --> 00:18:12,712 So hard to make a living and so hard to like, 332 00:18:12,781 --> 00:18:14,300 know what to do. 333 00:18:14,369 --> 00:18:16,750 What career path should I choose? 334 00:18:16,819 --> 00:18:17,993 Everything's constantly changing, 335 00:18:18,062 --> 00:18:19,857 you know what I mean? 336 00:18:19,926 --> 00:18:22,135 Nature is consistent, you know? 337 00:18:22,204 --> 00:18:24,862 The rules of nature's game never change, so, you know, 338 00:18:24,931 --> 00:18:26,622 as long as you're willing to play by them. 339 00:18:26,691 --> 00:18:28,417 That's, that's about as secure as you get. 340 00:18:30,316 --> 00:18:31,696 This is great. 341 00:18:31,765 --> 00:18:33,767 I got a really good pile of wood. 342 00:18:33,836 --> 00:18:35,286 And then, yeah, I think I've got enough time left 343 00:18:35,355 --> 00:18:36,425 in the day. 344 00:18:36,494 --> 00:18:39,152 I can go down and get some water. 345 00:18:39,221 --> 00:18:41,672 And then I'm, I'm set. 346 00:18:45,262 --> 00:18:49,714 [humming] 347 00:18:52,476 --> 00:18:55,375 Pretty thick snow. 348 00:18:55,444 --> 00:18:58,447 Some ice here doesn't got too much snow on top of it. 349 00:18:58,516 --> 00:19:02,555 So, this'll be an easy place to get it from. 350 00:19:04,039 --> 00:19:06,628 You know one of the big difficulties about Bear Creek, 351 00:19:06,697 --> 00:19:09,320 it was such a big chore to get water, 352 00:19:09,389 --> 00:19:11,080 so I always having to really ration my water and 353 00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:12,668 never had quite enough. 354 00:19:12,737 --> 00:19:15,464 Here, I'm gonna have all the water I could ever want. 355 00:19:16,396 --> 00:19:19,192 Super excited about it. 356 00:19:21,884 --> 00:19:24,024 I just gotta be more careful. 357 00:19:24,093 --> 00:19:27,166 Making little mistakes here, there's just not gonna be a 358 00:19:27,235 --> 00:19:29,927 recourse to fix it if it gets out of hand. 359 00:19:33,586 --> 00:19:35,208 CHRIS: In the city I just kinda get caught up 360 00:19:35,277 --> 00:19:37,210 in the mundane. 361 00:19:37,279 --> 00:19:38,694 Get lost. 362 00:19:38,763 --> 00:19:41,697 Social media is one of the things that I hate the most. 363 00:19:41,766 --> 00:19:43,389 The only likes that are important around here, 364 00:19:43,458 --> 00:19:44,976 are mine and my wife's. 365 00:19:47,013 --> 00:19:48,670 I remember coming out here as a kid with my dad and 366 00:19:48,739 --> 00:19:50,258 crossing over this. 367 00:19:50,327 --> 00:19:52,708 And we had two big beams in that were crossed with a bunch 368 00:19:52,777 --> 00:19:54,193 of smaller beams. 369 00:19:54,262 --> 00:19:57,334 JESSI: Well, that was when it was half as deep 370 00:19:57,403 --> 00:19:59,163 and wide as it is now. 371 00:19:59,232 --> 00:20:00,785 CHRIS: But I feel like if we shovel enough snow in. 372 00:20:00,854 --> 00:20:02,339 JESSI: Yeah. 373 00:20:02,408 --> 00:20:04,064 CHRIS: Pile some trees up, kind of like a little bridge, 374 00:20:04,133 --> 00:20:05,514 that'll make it not as steep. 375 00:20:05,583 --> 00:20:06,964 I think it'll be crossable. 376 00:20:07,033 --> 00:20:09,449 JESSI: Yeah, how, where? 377 00:20:12,003 --> 00:20:14,351 I don't know where even to go down. 378 00:20:16,387 --> 00:20:17,802 CHRIS: Looking at Deep Creek, 379 00:20:17,871 --> 00:20:19,632 you know it's just too far across to build the bridge. 380 00:20:19,701 --> 00:20:21,323 Watch out it's steep. 381 00:20:21,392 --> 00:20:23,636 The only thing I can figure is that you have to just make ramps. 382 00:20:24,844 --> 00:20:26,397 JESSI: You go first. CHRIS: All right. 383 00:20:31,126 --> 00:20:33,473 JESSI: How was it? CHRIS: Fine. JESSI: Okay. 384 00:20:33,542 --> 00:20:34,716 CHRIS: Come on down! 385 00:20:34,785 --> 00:20:36,096 JESSI: Yeah! 386 00:20:36,165 --> 00:20:38,064 Great! 387 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:43,794 CHRIS: It's not too steep at all. 388 00:20:43,863 --> 00:20:46,210 I think we can get a snow machine up this. 389 00:20:47,970 --> 00:20:50,249 Yeah. Looks good. 390 00:20:50,318 --> 00:20:51,940 Not too steep at all. 391 00:20:52,009 --> 00:20:53,907 You coming? 392 00:20:53,976 --> 00:20:55,737 JESSI: Yeah, sure. 393 00:20:55,806 --> 00:20:58,705 Definitely super easy. 394 00:20:58,774 --> 00:21:00,811 CHRIS: So, this is the old trail. 395 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:03,296 Uh, it goes out this way down to the Tanana. 396 00:21:03,365 --> 00:21:05,781 So, I think that we should just build right here. 397 00:21:05,850 --> 00:21:09,578 I mean looking down the hard part is gonna be getting back up over there. 398 00:21:09,647 --> 00:21:11,131 That's gonna be though. 399 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,651 JESSI: That other side? CHRIS: Yeah. 400 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:14,963 JESSI: I'm ready to get working. 401 00:21:15,032 --> 00:21:16,620 CHRIS: Let's do this. 402 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:19,243 JESSI: Like in every project, 403 00:21:19,312 --> 00:21:23,178 Chris and I have got to split the tasks, 404 00:21:23,247 --> 00:21:27,562 and I'm shoveling a bunch of snow down into Deep Creek. 405 00:21:27,631 --> 00:21:31,704 And Chris is gonna go and cut some trees to make some poles. 406 00:21:33,222 --> 00:21:36,812 We're gonna be using this ramp very frequently, 407 00:21:36,881 --> 00:21:39,677 and there's gonna be thousands of pounds going across it. 408 00:21:39,746 --> 00:21:43,267 It's very important that we do it right the first time. 409 00:21:44,682 --> 00:21:50,481 I think it's gonna take 40, 40 sled fulls. 410 00:21:50,550 --> 00:21:53,001 I think that's what we're gonna need, all said and done. 411 00:21:53,967 --> 00:21:57,005 This is sled number five. 412 00:21:59,145 --> 00:22:01,389 Here we go. 413 00:22:01,458 --> 00:22:04,633 Hell of a thing getting too hot at 30-below. 414 00:22:15,644 --> 00:22:17,991 What is that? 415 00:22:19,821 --> 00:22:21,616 Come on over here. 416 00:22:27,276 --> 00:22:29,934 JESSI: What do you think this is? 417 00:22:30,003 --> 00:22:32,385 CHRIS: I wish I had known those were here. 418 00:22:32,454 --> 00:22:36,216 These were the beams that I crossed when I was like ten years old, 419 00:22:36,285 --> 00:22:38,184 coming out here with my dad. 420 00:22:38,253 --> 00:22:40,980 Back then there was like ten families out here and they'd 421 00:22:41,049 --> 00:22:43,431 come together every fall and put this in. 422 00:22:43,500 --> 00:22:45,640 I've never seen 'em sitting on the side of the trail, 423 00:22:45,709 --> 00:22:48,021 and I've never had the chance to actually build this bridge. 424 00:22:48,090 --> 00:22:50,645 Uh, so it's kinda fun to find them. 425 00:22:50,714 --> 00:22:52,957 I expected these to be a lot worse for wear. 426 00:22:53,026 --> 00:22:54,338 JESSI: Well, you never know, 427 00:22:54,407 --> 00:22:56,582 we might need to use these in the future. 428 00:22:56,651 --> 00:22:58,307 CHRIS: Yeah. 429 00:22:59,723 --> 00:23:00,793 JESSI: You ready? 430 00:23:09,249 --> 00:23:10,803 CHRIS: Perfect. 431 00:23:14,531 --> 00:23:15,946 Okay. 432 00:23:16,015 --> 00:23:17,706 I'd love to spend four or five days out here building 433 00:23:17,775 --> 00:23:20,088 a beautiful bridge, but we've got like an hour, 434 00:23:20,157 --> 00:23:21,745 hour and a half left of useable sunlight and then 435 00:23:21,814 --> 00:23:23,298 we've gotta boogie. 436 00:23:23,367 --> 00:23:26,128 Looking good, we just need to start shoveling it in here. 437 00:23:28,924 --> 00:23:31,720 We're just gonna have to call it at good enough, 438 00:23:31,789 --> 00:23:33,964 so we can cross it tomorrow. 439 00:23:34,033 --> 00:23:39,141 Hopefully we can get this like nice ramp going. 440 00:23:39,210 --> 00:23:41,316 I think it's gonna be doable. 441 00:23:44,146 --> 00:23:45,734 Fill it in. 442 00:23:49,393 --> 00:23:51,395 KALEB: Living a subsistence lifestyle will keep you from 443 00:23:51,464 --> 00:23:54,191 getting fat and flabby. 444 00:23:54,260 --> 00:23:57,919 Whatever the case may be, it's hard, hard work. 445 00:24:00,818 --> 00:24:03,511 BRITTANY: Are you going to use your skis or? 446 00:24:03,580 --> 00:24:04,753 KALEB: I'm skiing over. 447 00:24:04,822 --> 00:24:06,514 I ain't wading through waist-deep snow. 448 00:24:06,583 --> 00:24:08,654 BRITTANY: Okay, I think I'll put on the snowshoes. 449 00:24:08,723 --> 00:24:10,897 KALEB: That means you have to run the chainsaw. 450 00:24:10,966 --> 00:24:13,555 He who wears snowshoes has to run chainsaw. 451 00:24:13,624 --> 00:24:15,384 BRITTANY: I have to run the chainsaw? 452 00:24:15,454 --> 00:24:17,421 KALEB: Yup. Come on dog. 453 00:24:19,561 --> 00:24:21,183 BRITTANY: When you're out hunting, 454 00:24:21,252 --> 00:24:23,945 your first goal is always shelter and to 455 00:24:24,014 --> 00:24:26,499 find a way to heat yourself. 456 00:24:26,568 --> 00:24:27,776 That's deep! 457 00:24:27,845 --> 00:24:29,329 The shelter's all set up, 458 00:24:29,398 --> 00:24:31,366 which means we need to find a heat source. 459 00:24:31,435 --> 00:24:34,334 So, Kaleb and I are going to go and fell a tree. 460 00:24:35,784 --> 00:24:37,476 KALEB: The way you start this thing. 461 00:24:37,545 --> 00:24:39,443 You just have it in the run position, 462 00:24:39,512 --> 00:24:41,341 and you get up against the compression stroke 463 00:24:41,410 --> 00:24:43,412 and you just. 464 00:24:43,482 --> 00:24:45,138 BRITTANY: Okay, let me try it. 465 00:24:45,207 --> 00:24:47,969 KALEB: You drop the saw slightly while pulling up on the handle, 466 00:24:48,038 --> 00:24:49,695 and it'll start right out. 467 00:24:49,764 --> 00:24:51,282 BRITTANY: Is that kinda like rubbing your tummy and patting 468 00:24:51,351 --> 00:24:52,732 your head at the same time? 469 00:24:52,801 --> 00:24:54,458 KALEB: Sure. 470 00:24:54,527 --> 00:24:58,842 Now you're just gonna, on there and cut. 471 00:24:58,911 --> 00:25:00,671 It just has a little bit more power. 472 00:25:00,740 --> 00:25:03,398 BRITTANY: And a lot heavier, okay so, ouch. 473 00:25:04,537 --> 00:25:06,746 KALEB: There you go. 474 00:25:06,815 --> 00:25:10,232 It's just a sharp drop and a sharp lift. 475 00:25:10,301 --> 00:25:11,786 You almost got it. 476 00:25:11,855 --> 00:25:14,271 Ooh, that was close. 477 00:25:19,863 --> 00:25:23,522 BRITTANY: Okay. Can I like. KALEB: You can do that too. 478 00:25:25,213 --> 00:25:26,455 Yeah! 479 00:25:26,525 --> 00:25:29,217 BRITTANY: Woo-hoo! KALEB: Keep it running. 480 00:25:29,286 --> 00:25:31,391 BRITTANY: The more often Kaleb and I go on trips like this, 481 00:25:31,460 --> 00:25:33,842 the more comfortable I get. 482 00:25:33,911 --> 00:25:37,328 It is scary but also exciting. 483 00:25:37,397 --> 00:25:39,468 KALEB: Yeah! 484 00:25:39,538 --> 00:25:41,540 First tree with a big chainsaw. 485 00:25:41,609 --> 00:25:44,543 Milestones. 486 00:25:44,612 --> 00:25:46,475 Progress. 487 00:25:46,545 --> 00:25:48,547 Now, what I'm thinking I'll do. 488 00:25:51,929 --> 00:25:54,414 I might just be able to carry this over my shoulder. 489 00:25:54,483 --> 00:25:56,382 Oh yeah. 490 00:25:58,246 --> 00:25:59,903 All right, I'll see you down there. 491 00:25:59,972 --> 00:26:02,388 BRITTANY: Yup, oh my word. 492 00:26:05,460 --> 00:26:08,049 KALEB: Maybe I should point the tree backwards. 493 00:26:08,118 --> 00:26:10,016 BRITTANY: Was not expecting that. 494 00:26:11,121 --> 00:26:13,468 KALEB: Ah, I'm stuck. 495 00:26:15,090 --> 00:26:16,505 BRITTANY: All righty. 496 00:26:20,026 --> 00:26:21,476 ALEX: I don't have to live this way. 497 00:26:21,545 --> 00:26:23,996 I can use technology. It's all available to me. 498 00:26:24,065 --> 00:26:26,861 I choose not to. 499 00:26:26,930 --> 00:26:28,621 If life is a game, I wanna play it without the 500 00:26:28,690 --> 00:26:30,623 cheat codes on, ya know? 501 00:26:41,220 --> 00:26:42,393 ALEX: Yeah. 502 00:26:42,462 --> 00:26:43,981 That's nice, I've got enough wood. 503 00:26:44,050 --> 00:26:45,604 I, uh, I was able to keep a little bit of a fire 504 00:26:45,673 --> 00:26:47,467 going last night so that when I woke up, 505 00:26:47,536 --> 00:26:49,124 I still had hot water. 506 00:26:49,193 --> 00:26:50,470 And this thing's almost full, 507 00:26:50,539 --> 00:26:52,887 and that was just uh a small portion of it. 508 00:26:52,956 --> 00:26:54,854 Uh, so that's really nice, having plenty of wood, 509 00:26:54,923 --> 00:26:55,959 plenty of water. 510 00:26:56,028 --> 00:26:58,617 Not having to ration it. 511 00:27:00,722 --> 00:27:02,828 You know I wanna work from a place of security, 512 00:27:02,897 --> 00:27:05,589 not a place of desperation. 513 00:27:05,658 --> 00:27:07,315 It would be nice to lay around all day and think, oh, 514 00:27:07,384 --> 00:27:09,938 ya know uh I'm so awesome, I made it, but uh, 515 00:27:10,007 --> 00:27:11,630 I'm not there yet. 516 00:27:18,222 --> 00:27:20,500 At Bear Creek, I didn't have any place nearby where 517 00:27:20,569 --> 00:27:21,985 I could fish. 518 00:27:22,054 --> 00:27:23,814 Uh, but here at Deadman Lake... 519 00:27:23,883 --> 00:27:25,367 Double whammy. 520 00:27:25,436 --> 00:27:28,267 ALEX: I have access to this really great resource. 521 00:27:28,336 --> 00:27:31,097 So, I wanna try my hand at fishing, 522 00:27:31,166 --> 00:27:32,961 'cause if I can catch fish, uh that would make a big 523 00:27:33,030 --> 00:27:36,137 difference in my ability to survive. 524 00:27:36,206 --> 00:27:39,071 Here fishy, fishy, fishy, fishy. 525 00:27:42,522 --> 00:27:46,906 I haven't fished really ever in my adult life. 526 00:27:46,975 --> 00:27:51,117 But for people who have lived here for the many thousands of years, 527 00:27:51,186 --> 00:27:53,430 fishing was always an important subsistence activity. 528 00:27:53,499 --> 00:27:56,088 Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. 529 00:28:01,438 --> 00:28:04,544 ALEX: Oh, C'mon. C'mon, buddy. 530 00:28:04,613 --> 00:28:06,823 Get your courage up. Go for the big bite. 531 00:28:06,892 --> 00:28:09,480 He's playing with it. 532 00:28:09,549 --> 00:28:11,828 Yeah, he took the bait off of it. 533 00:28:13,277 --> 00:28:15,832 I wonder if I should go a little smaller. 534 00:28:15,901 --> 00:28:18,041 The kind of fish I'm going for here is Pike. 535 00:28:18,110 --> 00:28:19,249 They're predatory fish, 536 00:28:19,318 --> 00:28:20,388 they don't go and nibble on something. 537 00:28:20,457 --> 00:28:22,631 They go and snap at it. 538 00:28:22,701 --> 00:28:24,633 So, I don't know if I did something wrong. 539 00:28:24,703 --> 00:28:26,808 Maybe the hook didn't set right. 540 00:28:26,877 --> 00:28:28,051 Well, at least we know there's, 541 00:28:28,120 --> 00:28:31,468 there's at least one fish in the lake. 542 00:28:31,537 --> 00:28:32,918 Maybe they're smart about hooks. 543 00:28:32,987 --> 00:28:35,541 Maybe that's why they kinda swipe and kinda miss it. 544 00:28:35,610 --> 00:28:37,163 They're like trying to knock the bait off the 545 00:28:37,232 --> 00:28:38,406 hook or something. 546 00:28:38,475 --> 00:28:41,236 Little fishies just ain't biting today. 547 00:28:41,305 --> 00:28:44,274 These fish are trying my soul. 548 00:28:52,385 --> 00:28:55,595 Still got my bait. 549 00:28:55,664 --> 00:28:58,046 I wish that fish would come back and get some seconds. 550 00:29:03,155 --> 00:29:04,984 Getting a bite. 551 00:29:08,436 --> 00:29:10,921 Oh yeah. We got a fish. We got a fish. 552 00:29:10,990 --> 00:29:15,615 But he's too big to fit through holes. 553 00:29:15,684 --> 00:29:19,999 I just gotta be able to grip his lip. 554 00:29:20,068 --> 00:29:22,036 It's too far for that. 555 00:29:22,105 --> 00:29:24,486 Just gotta kinda wiggle him. 556 00:29:28,180 --> 00:29:30,423 It's only a 25-pound line. 557 00:29:30,492 --> 00:29:32,805 There we go. There it is. 558 00:29:33,910 --> 00:29:37,568 That's a good-sized pike there. 559 00:29:37,637 --> 00:29:40,295 Nice fat pike. 560 00:29:40,364 --> 00:29:41,780 Before I moved out here, I was like, 561 00:29:41,849 --> 00:29:45,128 oh yeah fishing is something I'll be able to do there. 562 00:29:45,197 --> 00:29:47,406 I don't think I really understood how important it's 563 00:29:47,475 --> 00:29:49,580 probably gonna be for me. 564 00:29:51,444 --> 00:29:54,275 I could probably get a large portion of the calories and 565 00:29:54,344 --> 00:29:57,968 fat and nutrients that I need through fishing. 566 00:29:59,176 --> 00:30:01,730 I feel like it's a game changer for me. 567 00:30:05,873 --> 00:30:08,807 KALEB: Being a responsible hunter. 568 00:30:08,876 --> 00:30:12,983 is more than just going out and blazing away. 569 00:30:13,052 --> 00:30:16,987 You've gotta keep your thumb on the pulse of the population. 570 00:30:20,232 --> 00:30:22,821 All right, I think the plan is, uh, 571 00:30:22,890 --> 00:30:24,995 there's a nice line of brush over there. 572 00:30:25,064 --> 00:30:27,756 It's kinda what ptarmigan hang out in. 573 00:30:27,826 --> 00:30:30,311 And I think the thing to do is just go over and kinda work 574 00:30:30,380 --> 00:30:31,622 that brush line. 575 00:30:31,691 --> 00:30:33,245 BRITTANY: All right. Let's make it happen. 576 00:30:33,314 --> 00:30:35,523 KALEB: All right. Let's go. 577 00:30:35,592 --> 00:30:39,423 BRITTANY: We see any small game; I've got it covered. 578 00:30:39,492 --> 00:30:41,253 KALEB: Ready to go, Piper? 579 00:30:43,358 --> 00:30:47,362 Our small game population has taken a huge hit lately. 580 00:30:47,431 --> 00:30:49,468 And so, what I'm wanting to do today... 581 00:30:49,537 --> 00:30:50,779 Piper! 582 00:30:50,849 --> 00:30:52,920 KALEB: Is to expand our range a little bit. 583 00:30:52,989 --> 00:30:55,474 I want to check out this Donoho Valley and 584 00:30:55,543 --> 00:30:57,786 know what's out there. 585 00:30:59,996 --> 00:31:04,483 BRITTANY: What do you smell? What do you smell? 586 00:31:04,552 --> 00:31:06,657 KALEB: These look like fox tracks. 587 00:31:08,107 --> 00:31:12,042 He come from over there, went across the lake, 588 00:31:12,111 --> 00:31:15,528 and predators means there's prey somewhere. 589 00:31:15,597 --> 00:31:18,186 We'll see if this fox has any good luck for us. 590 00:31:18,255 --> 00:31:19,947 BRITTANY: Cool. 591 00:31:24,952 --> 00:31:26,712 KALEB: I think I see ptarmigan tracks up there. 592 00:31:26,781 --> 00:31:28,852 BRITTANY: Ooh. 593 00:31:29,784 --> 00:31:31,682 KALEB: Keep it quiet. 594 00:31:34,513 --> 00:31:37,378 All right so, I found ptarmigan tracks here. 595 00:31:37,447 --> 00:31:38,793 They're old though. 596 00:31:38,862 --> 00:31:41,865 These tracks have that dusting of snow on 'em. 597 00:31:41,934 --> 00:31:43,384 BRITTANY: Hmm. 598 00:31:43,453 --> 00:31:45,455 KALEB: So, they were here. 599 00:31:45,524 --> 00:31:49,079 Hopefully, the farther we go the fresher they get. 600 00:31:49,148 --> 00:31:52,117 Oh, here's a spot where a ptarmigan landed and 601 00:31:52,186 --> 00:31:55,016 made a little runway. 602 00:31:55,085 --> 00:31:57,570 They just kinda stick their belly out and just kinda 603 00:31:57,639 --> 00:31:59,918 ker-flop into the snow. 604 00:32:01,540 --> 00:32:03,335 BRITTANY: Let's go, Piper. 605 00:32:11,481 --> 00:32:12,413 KALEB: Oh, hey, Brit. 606 00:32:12,482 --> 00:32:16,037 Brit! 607 00:32:16,106 --> 00:32:17,625 I might see one. 608 00:32:17,694 --> 00:32:18,626 Piper! 609 00:32:18,695 --> 00:32:20,352 Piper, come here. 610 00:32:22,250 --> 00:32:23,355 Oye. 611 00:32:23,424 --> 00:32:26,116 BRITTANY: Where do you see one? 612 00:32:26,185 --> 00:32:28,049 KALEB: Above that big spruce tree there. 613 00:32:28,118 --> 00:32:30,879 He's just sitting up there. 614 00:32:30,949 --> 00:32:32,122 BRITTANY: I think I'm gonna inch up on it. 615 00:32:32,191 --> 00:32:33,675 How about you and Piper stay here? 616 00:32:33,744 --> 00:32:35,608 KALEB: Yep. 617 00:32:35,677 --> 00:32:37,093 Piper, you stay here. 618 00:32:37,162 --> 00:32:38,404 BRITTANY: Okay. 619 00:32:38,473 --> 00:32:40,268 KALEB: Momma's gonna try to get a ptarmigan. 620 00:32:42,891 --> 00:32:44,790 BRITTANY: How close do you think I can get? 621 00:32:44,859 --> 00:32:47,068 KALEB: 15 feet. They're pretty dumb. 622 00:32:47,137 --> 00:32:48,690 BRITTANY: Okay. 623 00:32:54,903 --> 00:32:56,871 KALEB: Stay, Piper. Stay. 624 00:33:00,357 --> 00:33:01,565 [gunshot] 625 00:33:07,709 --> 00:33:10,781 KALEB: Did you get it? BRITTANY: I think so. 626 00:33:10,850 --> 00:33:12,162 KALEB: I think Brittany got a ptarmigan. 627 00:33:12,231 --> 00:33:14,061 Let's go get it. Let's go get it. 628 00:33:14,130 --> 00:33:16,132 BRITTANY: Oh, man. 629 00:33:16,201 --> 00:33:17,961 I definitely got it. 630 00:33:18,030 --> 00:33:19,652 KALEB: Definitely got him. 631 00:33:19,721 --> 00:33:21,827 Good job, babe. 632 00:33:21,896 --> 00:33:24,071 Tipped him right over. 633 00:33:24,140 --> 00:33:25,279 BRITTANY: Look at that! 634 00:33:25,348 --> 00:33:27,177 KALEB: Nice neck shot. 635 00:33:27,246 --> 00:33:29,386 BRITTANY: Look how plump that is. 636 00:33:29,455 --> 00:33:33,218 Especially for it to be in the winter. 637 00:33:33,287 --> 00:33:35,082 So, that's exciting. 638 00:33:35,151 --> 00:33:36,876 KALEB: I see why the fox is here. 639 00:33:36,945 --> 00:33:40,121 He's after them fat little ptarmigans. 640 00:33:40,190 --> 00:33:42,641 In moose terms, we'd be talking a 60-inch bull. 641 00:33:42,710 --> 00:33:44,367 So, nice job. 642 00:33:44,436 --> 00:33:46,921 BRITTANY: Nice haul, right? KALEB: Nice job. BRITTANY: Thanks. 643 00:33:46,990 --> 00:33:48,440 KALEB: First ptarmigan in the bag. 644 00:33:48,509 --> 00:33:49,751 BRITTANY: Yeah. 645 00:33:49,820 --> 00:33:51,270 Let's start a fire and roast this thing. 646 00:33:51,339 --> 00:33:52,478 KALEB: Sounds good. 647 00:33:52,547 --> 00:33:53,790 Do you wanna lead or do you want me to? 648 00:33:53,859 --> 00:33:55,550 BRITTANY: I will let you lead. KALEB: Yep. 649 00:33:55,619 --> 00:33:57,207 BRITTANY: Thank you. 650 00:33:59,589 --> 00:34:02,178 And that is why I handed him that. 651 00:34:04,594 --> 00:34:05,940 Dude! 652 00:34:07,148 --> 00:34:08,356 KALEB: Stuck in the hole! 653 00:34:08,425 --> 00:34:09,944 BRITTANY: Oh dear. 654 00:34:12,257 --> 00:34:13,706 JOHNNY: I don't think there's any such thing as 655 00:34:13,775 --> 00:34:15,708 exploring in a city. 656 00:34:15,777 --> 00:34:19,126 Everywhere in the city has been discovered. 657 00:34:19,195 --> 00:34:22,163 I like to explore places that are isolated and 658 00:34:22,232 --> 00:34:24,510 removed from society. 659 00:34:24,579 --> 00:34:26,374 And to me, that's exploration. 660 00:34:32,622 --> 00:34:36,212 That cold air just crystalizes my lungs. 661 00:34:37,937 --> 00:34:39,767 It's hard to breathe. 662 00:34:41,734 --> 00:34:44,910 See if the wolves or the cold temperatures got to the 663 00:34:44,979 --> 00:34:47,568 caribou before I did. 664 00:34:47,637 --> 00:34:49,225 I urinated all around it, 665 00:34:49,294 --> 00:34:51,606 and I know that wolves don't like the scent of humans. 666 00:34:51,675 --> 00:34:53,850 So, I'm kind of hoping that that'll keep them 667 00:34:53,919 --> 00:34:55,645 away from it. 668 00:34:57,888 --> 00:35:00,236 Ah, thank God nothing got to it. 669 00:35:00,305 --> 00:35:01,961 That's a huge relief. 670 00:35:03,549 --> 00:35:06,966 I just gotta figure out if it's frozen, and, um, 671 00:35:07,035 --> 00:35:09,245 I need to dig it out. 672 00:35:09,314 --> 00:35:12,420 The sun's up for just a couple hours, 673 00:35:12,489 --> 00:35:14,388 so I don't know if that snow that I packed around 674 00:35:14,457 --> 00:35:15,803 the caribou's actually going to insulate it and 675 00:35:15,872 --> 00:35:17,805 keep it from freezing. 676 00:35:19,565 --> 00:35:21,222 There's part of it. 677 00:35:21,291 --> 00:35:23,811 Look at that, it's so cold that it stuck so much that 678 00:35:23,880 --> 00:35:27,125 it's taking the hair off the caribou. 679 00:35:28,091 --> 00:35:30,024 That's not feeling frozen. 680 00:35:30,093 --> 00:35:31,577 That is awesome. 681 00:35:31,646 --> 00:35:33,096 There's no way I'd be able to butcher it up, 682 00:35:33,165 --> 00:35:35,788 I'd have to thaw it out in my cabin. 683 00:35:35,857 --> 00:35:38,205 That'd be a big mess. 684 00:35:38,274 --> 00:35:41,760 When the summer rolls around, you know bears will definitely 685 00:35:41,829 --> 00:35:44,176 smell that, so I don't wanna bring a whole caribou to my 686 00:35:44,245 --> 00:35:46,937 cabin now if I don't have to. 687 00:35:47,006 --> 00:35:48,491 Now I gotta start butchering it because it's 688 00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:50,009 exposed to the air. 689 00:35:50,078 --> 00:35:51,597 These cold temperatures these things are gonna freeze 690 00:35:51,666 --> 00:35:53,461 in no time. 691 00:35:56,809 --> 00:35:59,329 You know, this is my food source out here. 692 00:35:59,398 --> 00:36:02,919 I save all the parts, I utilize everything. 693 00:36:02,988 --> 00:36:04,300 You know, I don't enjoy killing. 694 00:36:04,369 --> 00:36:05,404 I never have. 695 00:36:05,473 --> 00:36:07,095 It's not a good feeling, 696 00:36:07,165 --> 00:36:10,375 but what is good is being part of the cycle 697 00:36:10,444 --> 00:36:13,032 of life and death. 698 00:36:13,101 --> 00:36:16,864 Being the meat eater I am, it's important for me to play 699 00:36:16,933 --> 00:36:22,283 a role in life and death. 700 00:36:22,352 --> 00:36:25,321 That was a big goal of mine, moving to Alaska, 701 00:36:25,390 --> 00:36:28,807 was to never buy factory farmed meat again. 702 00:36:28,876 --> 00:36:31,637 But I'm also not a vegetarian. 703 00:36:33,156 --> 00:36:37,264 This caribou will last me about six weeks. 704 00:36:37,333 --> 00:36:38,748 Brisket. 705 00:36:38,817 --> 00:36:40,750 It's a lot of effort to put in. 706 00:36:40,819 --> 00:36:43,201 The ravens will come and clean that up. 707 00:36:43,270 --> 00:36:45,133 In the long run it pays off. 708 00:36:45,203 --> 00:36:46,618 Oh, yeah! 709 00:36:48,758 --> 00:36:54,177 Damn, any exposure to the skin, you feel it real quick. 710 00:36:54,246 --> 00:36:55,834 It's no joke. 711 00:36:59,078 --> 00:37:01,253 JESSI: I can do anything I want out here, 712 00:37:01,322 --> 00:37:03,600 and I get to depend on myself. 713 00:37:03,669 --> 00:37:06,154 And that's something that I never felt in the city. 714 00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:09,572 JESSI: There's always somebody that you have to answer to. 715 00:37:09,641 --> 00:37:11,988 All of that is just gone. 716 00:37:15,302 --> 00:37:17,787 CHRIS: I'm a little nervous looking down this. 717 00:37:17,856 --> 00:37:19,927 Once we get this through, I can get to town, 718 00:37:19,996 --> 00:37:22,032 I can get supplies, I can bring plywood. 719 00:37:22,101 --> 00:37:25,622 I can bring tin, we can bring fuel. 720 00:37:25,691 --> 00:37:28,280 But I'm afraid of like, the SnoGo starting to go and 721 00:37:28,349 --> 00:37:30,800 sliding off the side and just running right into that 722 00:37:30,869 --> 00:37:34,597 big mud bank down there. 723 00:37:34,666 --> 00:37:36,909 JESSI: How wide do you think it is right there? 724 00:37:36,978 --> 00:37:38,532 CHRIS: Just wide enough. 725 00:37:38,601 --> 00:37:41,397 I mean, at least our SnoGo is pretty skinny. 726 00:37:41,466 --> 00:37:43,709 You know, I guess as time progresses so does, 727 00:37:43,778 --> 00:37:45,815 so does the bridge. 728 00:37:45,884 --> 00:37:48,162 I remember looking over the side of this creaky bridge as 729 00:37:48,231 --> 00:37:50,785 a kid and watching like, snow fall as we crossed it. 730 00:37:50,854 --> 00:37:52,270 JESSI: Thinking that was sketch. 731 00:37:52,339 --> 00:37:53,961 CHRIS: Thinking that that was scary, 732 00:37:54,030 --> 00:37:57,275 and now here I am looking at this super steep angle thinking, 733 00:37:57,344 --> 00:37:59,242 wow am I gonna be able to make it up this? 734 00:37:59,311 --> 00:38:01,037 But... 735 00:38:03,660 --> 00:38:05,559 JESSI: Meet ya on the other side. 736 00:38:05,628 --> 00:38:07,285 CHRIS: Wish me luck. 737 00:38:10,598 --> 00:38:13,083 There's endless things we can do once we get through this. 738 00:38:14,637 --> 00:38:15,845 I know it's been a lot of work, 739 00:38:15,914 --> 00:38:18,226 but the payoff is gonna be worth it. 740 00:38:18,296 --> 00:38:20,643 Woo! Man, that's steep! 741 00:38:21,885 --> 00:38:25,855 As long as I don't wreck my snow machine. 742 00:38:36,728 --> 00:38:38,902 [Chris laughs] 743 00:38:38,971 --> 00:38:45,909 CHRIS: All right! JESSI: Yeah! CHRIS: Woohoo! 744 00:38:45,978 --> 00:38:50,328 JESSI: Our bridge across Deep Creek is a lot more like two snow ramps. 745 00:38:50,397 --> 00:38:52,709 But it's a lot less steep than it was before. 746 00:38:53,883 --> 00:38:56,264 This is where it's gonna get sketch. 747 00:38:56,334 --> 00:38:57,818 Here he comes. 748 00:39:05,688 --> 00:39:07,483 Yeah! 749 00:39:11,659 --> 00:39:13,903 CHRIS: Ah, [bleep] yeah! 750 00:39:13,972 --> 00:39:15,007 Woo! 751 00:39:15,076 --> 00:39:16,319 [laughs] 752 00:39:16,388 --> 00:39:17,424 Give me some of that! 753 00:39:17,493 --> 00:39:18,942 JESSI: Good job! 754 00:39:19,011 --> 00:39:21,566 Being able to go down and come back up first try is a big 755 00:39:21,635 --> 00:39:23,533 success for us. 756 00:39:23,602 --> 00:39:25,432 You didn't even touch this whole spot. 757 00:39:25,501 --> 00:39:27,986 CHRIS: I was just going! 758 00:39:28,055 --> 00:39:31,714 JESSI: I can go from my doorway here at the Cosna to 759 00:39:31,783 --> 00:39:35,476 the village of Manley in like four hours. 760 00:39:35,545 --> 00:39:38,548 In Alaska standards, that is faster than the 761 00:39:38,617 --> 00:39:40,378 speed of light. 762 00:39:40,447 --> 00:39:42,138 This is a working bridge. 763 00:39:44,623 --> 00:39:47,039 KALEB: What's this sign we saw once? 764 00:39:47,108 --> 00:39:48,972 'A life well lived you should be skidding in 765 00:39:49,041 --> 00:39:51,803 sideways half-drunk with a bottle of wine', 766 00:39:51,872 --> 00:39:52,976 something like that. 767 00:39:53,045 --> 00:39:54,840 I can't remember how the saying went. 768 00:39:54,909 --> 00:39:56,980 BRITTANY: That sounds, not great actually. 769 00:39:57,049 --> 00:39:59,397 KALEB: That's the one that your mom had on her fridge. 770 00:40:01,778 --> 00:40:04,643 100% organic food here. 771 00:40:06,196 --> 00:40:08,440 BRITTANY: If you had asked me when I was in high school if 772 00:40:08,509 --> 00:40:10,304 I'd ever do any of the things that we're doing 773 00:40:10,373 --> 00:40:12,893 it probably would have been a big laugh and a no. 774 00:40:14,412 --> 00:40:18,588 But I think we're becoming more partners when it comes to 775 00:40:18,657 --> 00:40:20,418 the outdoor stuff, too. 776 00:40:20,487 --> 00:40:22,627 KALEB: I agree. 777 00:40:22,696 --> 00:40:24,939 Here you go, here's a leg. 778 00:40:26,458 --> 00:40:29,012 Not bad for cooking over a campfire. 779 00:40:30,428 --> 00:40:32,015 BRITTANY: Mm-hmm. 780 00:40:32,084 --> 00:40:33,431 KALEB: Piper, you want a goody? 781 00:40:33,500 --> 00:40:35,709 There you go. 782 00:40:35,778 --> 00:40:38,608 Been a lot of firsts for you on this trip, Brittany. 783 00:40:38,677 --> 00:40:41,128 You did a fantastic job with the chainsaw, 784 00:40:41,197 --> 00:40:42,267 with the ptarmigan. 785 00:40:42,336 --> 00:40:43,993 BRITTANY: Thanks. 786 00:40:44,062 --> 00:40:46,754 KALEB: I think, uh, firewood's your job from now on. 787 00:40:46,823 --> 00:40:49,067 You did such a great job of it. 788 00:40:50,586 --> 00:40:53,243 If things keep up, I'm gonna be sitting at home knitting 789 00:40:53,312 --> 00:40:55,073 while you go out and get the ptarmigan. 790 00:40:56,626 --> 00:40:58,835 BRITTANY: I don't know that you would ever want to 791 00:40:58,904 --> 00:41:00,285 sit and knit. 792 00:41:00,354 --> 00:41:02,770 KALEB: This is true, I would die if I did that. 793 00:41:05,463 --> 00:41:08,362 ALEX: Okay. Get myself a table here. 794 00:41:09,881 --> 00:41:13,263 I got kind of my most primary needs taken care of, 795 00:41:13,332 --> 00:41:15,680 but you know this morning I woke up it was 796 00:41:15,749 --> 00:41:17,302 probably like 3:00 AM. 797 00:41:17,371 --> 00:41:20,443 And I was cold, I was covered in ice, and I was like, 798 00:41:20,512 --> 00:41:23,135 legit like I need to be able to heat my tent. 799 00:41:25,552 --> 00:41:27,243 I'm looking forward to getting to know this place as 800 00:41:27,312 --> 00:41:29,590 intimately as I know Bear Creek. 801 00:41:30,557 --> 00:41:32,386 I just wish Sipsy was here. 802 00:41:32,455 --> 00:41:34,215 It's both a blessing and a curse, 803 00:41:34,284 --> 00:41:36,286 you know I don't have to worry. 804 00:41:36,355 --> 00:41:38,737 At the same time, I do miss him. 805 00:41:38,806 --> 00:41:41,153 Okay, we just about got it. 806 00:41:41,222 --> 00:41:43,328 I got the box assembled, that's the hard part. 807 00:41:43,397 --> 00:41:45,882 Now all I got to do is put it inside my tent. 808 00:41:47,297 --> 00:41:49,576 Everything that lives here has to live with intent, 809 00:41:49,645 --> 00:41:51,923 with courage, with endurance. 810 00:41:53,269 --> 00:41:56,479 From the trees, the little rodents, everything. 811 00:41:56,548 --> 00:41:57,929 And not just once, you know, 812 00:41:57,998 --> 00:41:59,033 it's not like oh you have your right of passage and 813 00:41:59,102 --> 00:42:01,035 then you cruise after that. 814 00:42:01,104 --> 00:42:04,936 Every single winter is that test. 815 00:42:05,005 --> 00:42:07,179 60 degrees. 816 00:42:09,837 --> 00:42:13,427 JOHNNY: If I had to, you know, go back in time and teach myself 817 00:42:13,496 --> 00:42:18,121 everything that I know now it would be a ten-minute lesson. 818 00:42:18,190 --> 00:42:20,641 Because it's really not about, you know, 819 00:42:20,710 --> 00:42:23,195 use this gear instead of that gear. 820 00:42:24,714 --> 00:42:27,165 Learn to use your eyes and ears, 821 00:42:27,234 --> 00:42:28,718 nature will teach you everything. 822 00:42:36,381 --> 00:42:38,176 All right, you wanna eat some tongue or what? 823 00:42:38,245 --> 00:42:39,695 Where's the tongue at, over there? 824 00:42:39,764 --> 00:42:41,662 Yeah, I thought so. 825 00:42:41,731 --> 00:42:44,113 Let's have a peek. 826 00:42:44,182 --> 00:42:45,424 If it wasn't for the caribou, 827 00:42:45,493 --> 00:42:46,667 I wouldn't be able to survive out here. 828 00:42:46,736 --> 00:42:48,635 There's just no way I'd be able to. 829 00:42:48,704 --> 00:42:52,086 I don't know when the next herd's gonna come through. 830 00:42:52,155 --> 00:42:53,916 So, I have to capitalize on the caribou that 831 00:42:53,985 --> 00:42:55,849 do come through. 832 00:42:57,747 --> 00:43:00,612 Do you know we're reaching negative 60's. 833 00:43:00,681 --> 00:43:03,063 And when you're reaching temperatures like that, 834 00:43:03,132 --> 00:43:07,964 there is no such thing as failure out here. 835 00:43:08,033 --> 00:43:09,656 But there is death. 836 00:43:09,725 --> 00:43:11,243 [sizzle] 837 00:43:11,312 --> 00:43:12,762 Oh yeah, sounds good. 838 00:43:12,831 --> 00:43:15,869 You need to stay present in this lifestyle. 839 00:43:15,938 --> 00:43:18,181 That's the sound of success right there. 840 00:43:19,597 --> 00:43:21,737 If you let your mind drift too much it's really, 841 00:43:21,806 --> 00:43:26,465 really easy to go down a dark hole being alone, 842 00:43:26,534 --> 00:43:28,260 especially in the cold. 843 00:43:29,676 --> 00:43:33,852 Takes a strong mind and somebody that's willing to 844 00:43:33,921 --> 00:43:35,647 reflect on their life, 845 00:43:35,716 --> 00:43:38,098 look at themselves and decide whether or not 846 00:43:38,167 --> 00:43:41,066 they want to push the boundaries, push the limits. 847 00:43:41,135 --> 00:43:43,966 JOHNNY: Live ways that people aren't living anymore. 848 00:43:47,210 --> 00:43:50,110 Java, you ready to eat, girl? 849 00:43:53,492 --> 00:43:55,356 You're always ready to eat. 850 00:43:55,425 --> 00:43:58,221 If we had one thing in common, it would be that. 851 00:43:58,290 --> 00:43:59,360 Okay. 852 00:43:59,429 --> 00:44:01,259 That's my efforts right there. 853 00:44:03,951 --> 00:44:05,919 Ah, so good. 854 00:44:10,233 --> 00:44:11,718 Captioned by Cotter Media Group.