Alone in the Wilderness on PBS

Sande J · Posted: 10/24/2004, 8:31 pm Post subject: Alone in the Wilderness on PBS

I happened to catch this awesome documentary on PBS called 'Alone in the Wilderness' about a man named Richard Proenneke that lived in a remote area of Alaska near Lake Clark in the late 60's.The show documented his first season there. Most of the footage is the actual stuff shot at the time
( like old time family movies) and it is quite amazing all the things he did to make his life out there complete. He did some very ingenius stuff. This was long before lightweight gear, Camelbaks, and microfleece. He was a true wilderness adventurer and it several pieces of footage he is shown packing out a full carcass of a big horn sheep on his back, loads of wood and rocks which he built a chimney with by hand. There was already an established cabin there, he just prepped it for permanent residence. He even made a cache which was like a mini log cabin up on tall poles to keep his food from the bears. It also shows him hiking all the time, often at high altitudes with just his pole and his binoculars, and also in sub zero temps with his hand made snowshoes and sled. I found this show to be truly entertaining and this man totally in synch with the land and the wildlife. He did get occasional visits and supply drops from a bush pilot friend who chose to check on him every now and then. Not sure if they are playing it again soon, it is not on their upcoming schedule, but it is SO worth watching if anyone happens to come across it. There is a book available called 'One Mans Wilderness' , I saw it on amazon. It is in his words and from all the journaling he did during the stay which turned into 35 years life in the wilderness.
I know this probably sounds crazy but I think I would just love doing something like that!
_________________
And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stone, good in everything..
-William Shakespeare-

Shihiyea · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 1135

Hikngrl · Posted: 10/25/2004, 6:53 am Post subject:

Sounds good to me! It would be hard work, but such rewarding hard work! I think it would be awsome!
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

pfredricks · Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 347 Location: Peoria, AZ

Have you guys read "Into the Wild" by John Krakauer???

I thought that was an interesting book, as well and somewhat pertinent subject. If so, what did ýou think of it?????
_________________
"I am just going outside and may be some time."- Explorer Oates' last words before crawling out of his tent in -40 C temps. Sacrificed himself so as not to hold back his 1912 South Pole expedition teamates.

Hikngrl · Posted: 10/25/2004, 7:05 am Post subject:

Not yet but I am gonna, but first I have to read my other Craig Childs book.
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

Sparrish · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 239 Location: Phleeenix

Abe · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 436 Location: Prescott Valley

ghoster · Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Scottsdale

Living in isolation for years takes a special kind of person, both mentally and physically. For 35 years? I am not sure that I would like to do that, or even could. I have lived alone for about a few months, but never isolated like that. It is difficult to imagine having all that space to myself. Of course, I am sure his neighbors would be interesting, and he would get to know some of them. But you could never invite them over.

Shihiyea · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 1135

I would lack the "know how" that is for sure, they go crazy when I go to Home Depot and try to explain what a "thingamajiggy" is or a "dodaddy".......there's my solution, I would have to find someone who screams in the middle of the woods, "Who's your Daddy?" ROFLMAO

Wow, things could get interesting! Seriously, I've taken 2 weeks of total isolation (yes, this means alone with no one to talk with for those 2 weeks) and LOVED every minute of it, it was very difficult for me to "come back" to civilization.
Mary

Sande J · Posted: 10/25/2004, 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: We THINK we could do it...

Hikngrl · Posted: 10/26/2004, 6:58 am Post subject:

I am pretty sure I couldn't do it for 35 years but I sure would enjoy it for a shorter amount of time!
_________________
~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

StairMaster · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Flagstaff

I saw the show. It was amazing. PBS sure picked a good show for its $$$ drive. That guys handyman skills were beyond belief.