Have always enjoyed time spent surrounded by Nature’s beautiful spectacle. The more raw and untamed it appears before me, the better I like it… Or so I’ll say. Yet truth be told, we’re more or less a family of easy going car campers. Sure, we have our own assortment of tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear. Yet even on those extended trips with Boy Scouts, support vehicles were seldom ever more than just a few minutes beyond reach. Still, I might occasionally imagine myself existing in genuine survivalist mode, living my days in some vast and free, distant wilderness.
Introducing that kind of rare individual, but for real: Richard “Dick” Proenneke (1916 – 2003) a self-educated naturalist, who built a log cabin deep in the mountains of untamed Alaska, then continued to live there by himself for almost thirty years. Beginning in 1968, he started out along the shore of Twin Lakes, building his rustic cabin using only the most basic hand tools. While there, Proenneke fished and hunted for food, foraged for berries, as well as tended a small subsistence garden. Occasionally supplies would be ordered, then flown in by his bush pilot and missionary friend, Leon Reid “Babe” Alsworth.
While keeping a detailed written journal, to his immense credit, Proenneke also brought along his 30mm film camera to document the adventure. With excellent photographic skill and simple narration, he chronicles each stage of log cabin construction, such as making window frames and door hinges, mortaring up fireplace and chimney, even carving out a new wooden spoon. Truly expert carpentry done with the most simple hand tools… Incredible! Many of the most visually stunning scenes include Proenneke hiking along rugged mountain creeks and valleys, paddling his canoe across the lake, as well as images of all the marvelous wildlife sharing that picturesque landscape with him.
Upon reaching the age of 82, late in 1999 Proenneke departed from his home at Twin Lakes for the last time, to spend his remaining few years in comfort with family in California. Yet his enduring Alaskan legacy continues, with his cabin donated to the US Park Service, maintained as part of Lake Clark National Park, and later was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.
Including this very popular video “Alone In The Wilderness” there is a selection of other fascinating books and additional video material available, all based upon Proenneke’s amazing experience. I would encourage you to visit their website for additional information.
Watching Proenneke every so often reminds me just how truly feeble my own survivalist skills are by comparison. What an extraordinary wilderness inspiration for the ages… to be sure.
