Win the Wilderness: Alaska
Discussion
I've been watching this and the couple who built the place are nothing short of awe inspiring.
I wonder how hard it must be to walk away from something that you have put 30 years of your life in to creating from absolutely nothing. I imagine there would be some sort of 'Was it all worth it' feelings going on if you dint have any family to pass it on to?
I wont give anything away but the 2nd couple who get invited up to the house to stay with them for the night absolutely infuriated me during that episode.
I wonder how hard it must be to walk away from something that you have put 30 years of your life in to creating from absolutely nothing. I imagine there would be some sort of 'Was it all worth it' feelings going on if you dint have any family to pass it on to?
I wont give anything away but the 2nd couple who get invited up to the house to stay with them for the night absolutely infuriated me during that episode.
As we were watching episode 2 I said they won’t last long once they move out, and straight after it showed the bit where he said he would die when they moved away.
I do think the story was slightly tweaked though, it said they built the runway but I’ve since started reading his book last night, and it says it was an existing runway from world war 2.
I’ve now found the location on google maps, it’s definitely remote!
I do think the story was slightly tweaked though, it said they built the runway but I’ve since started reading his book last night, and it says it was an existing runway from world war 2.
I’ve now found the location on google maps, it’s definitely remote!
I've been watching this too. It's shown on a Sunday night after Top Gear (Thursday is a repeat I believe)
Have found it really interesting so far, but the couple seem to lack social skills, I guess that is what happens when you live on your own for 30 years!
Link to the location on the map please?
Have found it really interesting so far, but the couple seem to lack social skills, I guess that is what happens when you live on your own for 30 years!
Link to the location on the map please?
https://goo.gl/maps/PUeNq4oPvZYz97tA6
While it is very remote, I don’t think they’re entirely alone. It looks like someone else lives very close to the north west, and also something directly north.
The runway is south west only around a mile away
While it is very remote, I don’t think they’re entirely alone. It looks like someone else lives very close to the north west, and also something directly north.
The runway is south west only around a mile away
I've also accidentally ended up watching this and found it quite interesting.
However, I can't help feel that all the couples trying to win are living in la la land with what the actual realities would be like of living somewhere that remote long term. I guess they have to do this as it's a reality TV competition, but this super enthusiasm and giving it the big 'Oh it's so definitely what we want to do' is glossing over some important realities like:
Have any of them lived in another country and understand the cultural and practical difficulties settling in?
All of them appear to be woefully prepared and skilled to living in the very big outdoors (e.g. badly chopping wood in flip flops)
Do any of them understand what weeks of isolation is like? During winter it could be months.
Living in 2+ months per year of complete darkness.
I'd also like to know what their plans would be going forward. I'd turn it into a guest house and start point for trekking and exploring the great outdoors.
However, I can't help feel that all the couples trying to win are living in la la land with what the actual realities would be like of living somewhere that remote long term. I guess they have to do this as it's a reality TV competition, but this super enthusiasm and giving it the big 'Oh it's so definitely what we want to do' is glossing over some important realities like:
Have any of them lived in another country and understand the cultural and practical difficulties settling in?
All of them appear to be woefully prepared and skilled to living in the very big outdoors (e.g. badly chopping wood in flip flops)
Do any of them understand what weeks of isolation is like? During winter it could be months.
Living in 2+ months per year of complete darkness.
I'd also like to know what their plans would be going forward. I'd turn it into a guest house and start point for trekking and exploring the great outdoors.
Stussy said:
https://goo.gl/maps/PUeNq4oPvZYz97tA6
While it is very remote, I don’t think they’re entirely alone. It looks like someone else lives very close to the north west, and also something directly north.
The runway is south west only around a mile away
If it is this place they have done a great job in editing as they never show a lake right next to it.While it is very remote, I don’t think they’re entirely alone. It looks like someone else lives very close to the north west, and also something directly north.
The runway is south west only around a mile away
Wiki Link Lake Minchumina 2010 census population 13 down from 32 in 2000.
They are not the only people looking to get out property for sale, interesting pics.
Am I missing anything by fast forwarding or skipping 2 mins at a time?
It seems like a case of preppers get old. Kids finally escaped and have no intention of coming back to relive the harsh boredom and struggle of it all.
Step forward uk people that worship anything americans do.
I will wait for someone to post a picture of the delapidated and deserted homestead in 5 years time as the perfect couple
lose interest once the cameras are gone.
It seems like a case of preppers get old. Kids finally escaped and have no intention of coming back to relive the harsh boredom and struggle of it all.
Step forward uk people that worship anything americans do.
I will wait for someone to post a picture of the delapidated and deserted homestead in 5 years time as the perfect couple
lose interest once the cameras are gone.
Having now read his first book (£3 on kindle) it documents Duane and his son initial exploration to find the perfect location.
It’s well worth a read, what they did was take on the near impossible, something that others had tried and turned back.
Based on his descriptions, my best guess of the location is not where I first assumed. Yes, the runway was already there at Lake Minchumina, which is where they flew into and then trekked approx 50 miles north.
It’s not an exact location, and is not possible to get high enough quality zoom to find, but I’m sure it somewhere in that area, referenced from Haystack and Bearpaw mountains and Wien Lake.
He says it’s south facing to catch the sun, and you can look down on 5 smaller lakes.
He mentions they used an existing cabin built in the 80’s next to what he named Lake Levi, then his place is about 5 miles from there. Unfortunately I can’t find any mention of that lake.
https://goo.gl/maps/MSzbRskCyjjWn1ep6
Based on reading more into his story, it would be much better/more interesting as a simple series or documentary about what they did, rather than some next to useless dreamers in a competition.
It kind of takes away from just how impressive what they did was
It’s well worth a read, what they did was take on the near impossible, something that others had tried and turned back.
Based on his descriptions, my best guess of the location is not where I first assumed. Yes, the runway was already there at Lake Minchumina, which is where they flew into and then trekked approx 50 miles north.
It’s not an exact location, and is not possible to get high enough quality zoom to find, but I’m sure it somewhere in that area, referenced from Haystack and Bearpaw mountains and Wien Lake.
He says it’s south facing to catch the sun, and you can look down on 5 smaller lakes.
He mentions they used an existing cabin built in the 80’s next to what he named Lake Levi, then his place is about 5 miles from there. Unfortunately I can’t find any mention of that lake.
https://goo.gl/maps/MSzbRskCyjjWn1ep6
Based on reading more into his story, it would be much better/more interesting as a simple series or documentary about what they did, rather than some next to useless dreamers in a competition.
It kind of takes away from just how impressive what they did was
Edited by Stussy on Sunday 9th February 12:05
I found a 10 year old thread with posts from someone who knows Duane, and has posted photos and more info about the logistics of doing things.
Everything sounds like very very hard work, I just see how any of these contestants will endure it long term
https://www.city-data.com/forum/alaska/914941-ose-...
Edit:
Better thread here, Duane posts on it too
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=3...
Everything sounds like very very hard work, I just see how any of these contestants will endure it long term
https://www.city-data.com/forum/alaska/914941-ose-...
Edit:
Better thread here, Duane posts on it too
http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=3...
Edited by Stussy on Sunday 9th February 13:00
My last location estimate was pretty good!
I’m certain it is here
https://goo.gl/maps/s1UKCi3iizAACUgY6
Looking at the shape of the runway and comparing it to the overhead photos on the forum above, I’m sure it’s the one
I’m certain it is here
https://goo.gl/maps/s1UKCi3iizAACUgY6
Looking at the shape of the runway and comparing it to the overhead photos on the forum above, I’m sure it’s the one
Book 1
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alaskan-Wilderness-Advent...
Book 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alaskan-Wilderness-Advent...
I’ve only just started 2, I assume it’s going to be about building the house and getting started
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alaskan-Wilderness-Advent...
Book 2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alaskan-Wilderness-Advent...
I’ve only just started 2, I assume it’s going to be about building the house and getting started
Its one of those things which sounds ideal, for a week.
How do they earn money though? Even if you dont spend a lot, still need fuel for the quad bike, flights in and out won't be cheap, and other odds and sods.
I give any of the 'dreamers' 2 months there and they'll miss civilisation. Especially so in winter if it is cold, dark, and they still have to do all the daily jobs like collecting water.
How do they earn money though? Even if you dont spend a lot, still need fuel for the quad bike, flights in and out won't be cheap, and other odds and sods.
I give any of the 'dreamers' 2 months there and they'll miss civilisation. Especially so in winter if it is cold, dark, and they still have to do all the daily jobs like collecting water.
I watched some of it last night , the bit I saw was where they were tasked with cutting down trees , I can't believe someone would think it's a good idea to live off the land in the middle of nowhere in Alaska when they can't even use a bow saw properly , they only used half of the blade , must have been keeping both of the ends of the blade sharp to use later ?
That’s annoyed me too! As a carpenters son, my Dad always used to tell me off when I was young, “use all of the blade, and let the saw do the work”
Nothing worse than someone trying to hack away at it!
As for costs, some of the flight expenses are explained on those threads I found, such as sharing costs with “neighbours” for large cargo plane charters rather than lots of small plane visits.
It’s certainly not cheap.
Whoever wins, I’m certain the novelty will wear off pretty quickly, probably during their first winter
Nothing worse than someone trying to hack away at it!
As for costs, some of the flight expenses are explained on those threads I found, such as sharing costs with “neighbours” for large cargo plane charters rather than lots of small plane visits.
It’s certainly not cheap.
Whoever wins, I’m certain the novelty will wear off pretty quickly, probably during their first winter
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