1 00:00:03,146 --> 00:00:08,981 It was back in the late spring of 1968 that a man by the name of Dick Proenneke 2 00:00:09,005 --> 00:00:14,957 left civilization behind to carve out a new life in the remote Alaskan wilderness. 3 00:00:15,063 --> 00:00:18,660 During his first year alone, Dick would cut trees and build a 4 00:00:18,700 --> 00:00:22,480 log cabin and make what was needed from materials available. 5 00:00:23,013 --> 00:00:27,800 He would document his adventure through written journals and on film. 6 00:00:27,825 --> 00:00:31,730 Thousands have had such dreams, but Dick Proenneke lived them. 7 00:00:31,971 --> 00:00:34,908 Now, with more journal entries and never-before-seen 8 00:00:35,008 --> 00:00:38,850 footage, we revisit Dick's Alaskan paradise. 9 00:00:39,410 --> 00:00:46,030 Join us now for Part 2, the continuing story of Alone in the Wilderness. 10 00:01:30,121 --> 00:01:33,920 I had made it through my first year living alone in the wilderness. 11 00:01:35,100 --> 00:01:38,000 My little cabin had kept me warm and comfortable. 12 00:01:39,320 --> 00:01:44,080 With the arrival of spring, it felt good to get back to work again. 13 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:50,947 I must restock the lumberyard, for I had cache building on my mind, 14 00:01:51,534 --> 00:01:54,560 something I had thought about all winter long. 15 00:01:55,218 --> 00:02:00,280 I think it will be the answer to keeping those critters out of my food supply. 16 00:02:07,860 --> 00:02:10,689 Folks say that axmanship is a lost art, 17 00:02:11,373 --> 00:02:15,156 but I like to think I've found it again in these cool spruce woods. 18 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:20,890 The pull of the pack board straps felt comfortable against my woolen shirt 19 00:02:22,083 --> 00:02:25,780 and I could feel the warmth of the spring sun on my face. 20 00:02:26,955 --> 00:02:30,380 It was real bull work, but I never felt any better. 21 00:02:31,608 --> 00:02:37,020 I wondered if there was anyone in the world as free and happy as I was. 22 00:02:49,774 --> 00:02:54,660 I would spend the rest of the afternoon ripping boards from my well-seasoned logs. 23 00:02:55,818 --> 00:03:01,940 I would need seven or eight to provide me with a solid and level foundation for the cache building. 24 00:03:06,804 --> 00:03:10,640 With six boards ripped, it was time to take a break. 25 00:03:12,180 --> 00:03:14,600 I would see if I could catch a fish for supper. 26 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:29,220 In the last few days, the Hope Creek has eaten a big opening into the lake ice. 27 00:03:30,149 --> 00:03:34,100 I could see the pool of open water growing before my eyes. 28 00:03:35,300 --> 00:03:39,911 A pair of harlequin ducks swam out fromshore as I passed by, 29 00:03:40,178 --> 00:03:41,858 and began talking to me. 30 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:51,940 I worked a metal spoon deep into the current, jerked it toward me, and let it drift back. 31 00:03:52,860 --> 00:03:55,000 Not a strike after several casts. 32 00:03:55,900 --> 00:03:57,020 Then a snag. 33 00:03:57,620 --> 00:03:58,440 Then it moved. 34 00:03:59,860 --> 00:04:01,420 I knew I had a fish. 35 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:03,800 A 15-inch grayling. 36 00:04:04,420 --> 00:04:05,560 Enough for my needs. 37 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:18,140 A few sticks of wood on the coals and I would be back in business again. 38 00:04:19,421 --> 00:04:24,220 The little stove that Brother Jake built is good company and works well. 39 00:04:24,220 --> 00:04:29,580 The proof of a good stove is in the heating, and this one is amazing. 40 00:04:30,620 --> 00:04:34,220 Very little fire, but it keeps my water boiling in the kettle. 41 00:04:36,215 --> 00:04:40,796 For my supper tonight, it would be fried trout and a batch of biscuits, 42 00:04:40,820 --> 00:04:45,340 made from the sourdough starter that Mary Allsworth had given me last spring. 43 00:04:47,149 --> 00:04:53,860 It's hard to believe it's been one year ago today that Babe brought me here to Twin Lakes in the little T craft. 44 00:04:54,797 --> 00:05:01,900 I remembered it was a beautiful day, and we had sat and talked on the gravel bar at the upper end of the lower lake. 45 00:05:02,620 --> 00:05:05,901 I had backpacked two loads that day to Spike's cabin, 46 00:05:06,692 --> 00:05:10,740 and I had even picked up a sunburn from the sun on the snow. 47 00:05:11,619 --> 00:05:16,970 It was the first day of what I believe has been the most interesting year of my life. 48 00:05:23,503 --> 00:05:26,479 While waiting for my biscuits to raise 49 00:05:26,765 --> 00:05:31,140 I will catch up on my journals and a few overdue letters to send back home. 50 00:05:39,318 --> 00:05:43,090 Tomorrow just might be a good day to prepare for the cache building. 51 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:54,330 I had many poles to cut and peel today, before the cache construction begins. 52 00:05:55,210 --> 00:05:59,530 I had cut many of them last November, on the far side of Hope Creek. 53 00:06:00,504 --> 00:06:02,930 They had been seasoning all this time. 54 00:06:04,490 --> 00:06:08,132 I had cut four other heavier logs about 15 feet long. 55 00:06:08,693 --> 00:06:12,110 These would be my stilts, to hold the cache aloft. 56 00:06:13,170 --> 00:06:16,310 I finished the post holes and set in the big stilts. 57 00:06:16,970 --> 00:06:22,330 Like the fireplace and cabin, I can see the cache up on the poles already. 58 00:06:31,690 --> 00:06:36,050 The first course of logs was notched and nailed to my foundation planks. 59 00:06:36,912 --> 00:06:41,570 I cut notches for four stringers, and hewed the stringers to fit. 60 00:06:49,156 --> 00:06:52,850 The logs fit snugly into their custom-made notches. 61 00:06:53,576 --> 00:06:54,536 Thirty in place. 62 00:06:55,503 --> 00:06:57,903 The cache is now 29 inches high. 63 00:07:03,536 --> 00:07:05,970 Now, for some roof poles. 64 00:07:07,730 --> 00:07:11,090 Everything has a good snug fit down here on the ground. 65 00:07:11,860 --> 00:07:16,490 I hope it goes together with no trouble when I climb the ladder with all the pieces. 66 00:07:22,202 --> 00:07:23,804 It's May 18th. 67 00:07:24,123 --> 00:07:28,643 Strange to wake up before three in the morning and feel that daylight is being wasted. 68 00:07:30,801 --> 00:07:34,510 This is Red Runt's country, and I am the invader. 69 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:39,070 And hardly a day passes that he does not remind me of this with his chatter. 70 00:07:41,518 --> 00:07:44,150 It's good to see bears on the mountain again. 71 00:07:45,381 --> 00:07:50,950 I spotted a big blonde bear, and then another chocolate color, and another. 72 00:07:51,282 --> 00:07:54,450 Until there were three, standing half as tall as their mother. 73 00:07:54,910 --> 00:07:56,530 Cubs, but not this year's. 74 00:08:04,947 --> 00:08:10,890 I studied them through the 60-power eyepiece, and finally talked myself out of climbing up there 75 00:08:10,890 --> 00:08:12,770 to see them at close range. 76 00:08:13,323 --> 00:08:14,883 I had a cache to build. 77 00:08:21,530 --> 00:08:25,110 I went to the woodshed and ripped out planks for the doorframe, 78 00:08:25,110 --> 00:08:28,070 and some inch-and-a-half planks for the door. 79 00:08:32,289 --> 00:08:35,910 I then cut two sets of hinges out of a stump of wood. 80 00:08:47,849 --> 00:08:53,689 I was ready to take my little house apart and put it back together again on top of its nine-foot stilts. 81 00:08:55,837 --> 00:08:58,550 I used my meat-pole ladder for a scaffold. 82 00:08:59,883 --> 00:09:03,003 Soon, number one log was resting atop the stilts. 83 00:09:06,066 --> 00:09:07,346 The logs fit perfectly. 84 00:09:08,370 --> 00:09:10,770 Forty-penny spikes went into the heavy ends, 85 00:09:11,576 --> 00:09:14,056 and sixteen pennies into the small ends. 86 00:09:28,629 --> 00:09:30,700 Next, the door. 87 00:09:31,773 --> 00:09:34,333 All that remained was to cut the logs in between, 88 00:09:34,993 --> 00:09:36,713 and I had an opening for the door. 89 00:09:43,902 --> 00:09:48,340 I finished off the roof with tar paper and a good layer of moss. 90 00:09:49,295 --> 00:09:51,495 I am really proud of that piece of work. 91 00:09:52,910 --> 00:09:54,724 For all practical purposes, 92 00:09:55,420 --> 00:09:58,640 my miniature cabin on stilts was complete. 93 00:10:04,494 --> 00:10:06,934 Today, I had better check the lake ice, 94 00:10:07,540 --> 00:10:11,360 for I've been expecting Babe in with supplies any day now, 95 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,720 and I would hate to see him sink out of sight. 96 00:10:15,547 --> 00:10:16,747 He once said to me, 97 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:18,800 when the ice is safe for landing, 98 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:20,800 put the oil drum out on the ice. 99 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:22,280 So I did. 100 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:24,820 Ten weeks later, he came in and asked, 101 00:10:24,906 --> 00:10:26,726 why the oil drum on the ice? 102 00:10:28,033 --> 00:10:30,593 He has a good memory, but it isn't very long. 103 00:10:31,333 --> 00:10:33,793 The ice was still thirty-two inches thick, 104 00:10:33,980 --> 00:10:36,560 so I formed a huge OK, 105 00:10:37,420 --> 00:10:39,940 so Babe could easily see it from the air. 106 00:10:45,226 --> 00:10:47,406 Today, I would take a hike up country. 107 00:10:48,553 --> 00:10:51,513 My pack made up and lashed on the GI pack frame. 108 00:10:52,980 --> 00:10:55,080 Along with the bolex and heavy tripod, 109 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:57,320 I packed five hundred feet of film, 110 00:10:57,680 --> 00:11:00,000 some smoked fish, and the big pistol. 111 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:02,780 Around forty pounds, I would guess. 112 00:11:03,980 --> 00:11:06,080 I was away by seven-thirty. 113 00:11:12,523 --> 00:11:14,803 Past Bell's Point, and up the lake, 114 00:11:15,340 --> 00:11:17,340 I spotted the rear half of a moose 115 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:18,860 sticking out from a spruce. 116 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:21,480 A big old cow. 117 00:11:22,653 --> 00:11:24,553 And she made no effort to leave, 118 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,020 even though I was no more than a hundred yards. 119 00:11:31,587 --> 00:11:34,120 Hiding in the brush was a new calf, 120 00:11:34,780 --> 00:11:36,920 and I just had to try for pictures 121 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:38,320 of that cute little guy. 122 00:11:42,747 --> 00:11:45,387 I kept trees in mind that I could get behind, 123 00:11:46,013 --> 00:11:47,773 just in case the mother got ornery. 124 00:11:49,079 --> 00:11:51,079 Just how much would she put up with? 125 00:11:53,052 --> 00:11:56,460 Then the hackles from ears to shoulders stood on in. 126 00:11:57,273 --> 00:11:58,653 And here she came, 127 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:01,160 ears back and nostrils flared. 128 00:12:02,373 --> 00:12:04,733 At fifteen feet, she whirled past me 129 00:12:04,980 --> 00:12:07,040 and trotted back to the calf, 130 00:12:07,146 --> 00:12:08,186 bawling as she went. 131 00:12:10,268 --> 00:12:12,687 That was enough to get my heart pumping. 132 00:12:31,092 --> 00:12:33,992 I figured it was a good time to be moving on. 133 00:12:34,841 --> 00:12:36,420 Lots of loose rock, 134 00:12:36,860 --> 00:12:38,640 so it was slow climbing. 135 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:42,760 When I came to the edge of a big basin 136 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:44,260 and peeked over the edge, 137 00:12:44,993 --> 00:12:47,773 three full-curled rams were staring back at me. 138 00:12:49,540 --> 00:12:51,120 They had me pegged. 139 00:12:54,964 --> 00:12:57,420 They were in their chosen isolation, 140 00:12:58,287 --> 00:12:59,907 wild mountain dandies, 141 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:02,760 living high off the grass 142 00:13:02,894 --> 00:13:04,880 and far away from the women and kids 143 00:13:05,946 --> 00:13:07,973 and well out of reach from the wolves. 144 00:13:10,316 --> 00:13:12,696 They watched me as if they were surprised 145 00:13:12,766 --> 00:13:14,006 to see something else 146 00:13:14,180 --> 00:13:16,572 as high up on the mountain as they were. 147 00:13:17,646 --> 00:13:19,726 The whining sound of the boleks 148 00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:21,140 seemed to make them nervous 149 00:13:22,041 --> 00:13:23,418 and they disappeared up 150 00:13:23,524 --> 00:13:25,240 and over the ridge with ease. 151 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:30,400 What a view from up here. 152 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:32,980 Rugged mountains as far as I could see 153 00:13:33,540 --> 00:13:35,380 and many glaciers. 154 00:13:38,446 --> 00:13:40,357 I walked the ridge to keep warm 155 00:13:40,396 --> 00:13:41,720 and to look for more game. 156 00:13:42,976 --> 00:13:43,916 To see animals, 157 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:45,450 you must move a little 158 00:13:45,450 --> 00:13:46,530 and look a lot. 159 00:13:47,869 --> 00:13:49,770 I came to a good view 160 00:13:49,770 --> 00:13:50,790 of Allen Mountain. 161 00:13:51,323 --> 00:13:53,643 So I stopped to glass it for a bear. 162 00:13:55,009 --> 00:13:55,729 Right away, 163 00:13:55,990 --> 00:13:57,310 I saw something not right. 164 00:13:58,176 --> 00:13:59,536 And with the binoculars, 165 00:14:00,070 --> 00:14:01,710 I saw it was a bear all right. 166 00:14:02,203 --> 00:14:04,263 Not far away were two little cubs, 167 00:14:05,390 --> 00:14:07,530 a good-looking sow grizzly with twins. 168 00:14:09,144 --> 00:14:10,450 The cubs romped 169 00:14:10,450 --> 00:14:11,470 and chased each other 170 00:14:11,470 --> 00:14:12,730 without a care in the world. 171 00:14:13,409 --> 00:14:14,757 While Mom constantly 172 00:14:14,829 --> 00:14:16,189 had her nose in the air, 173 00:14:16,910 --> 00:14:18,570 always on the lookout for danger. 174 00:14:20,323 --> 00:14:21,692 Nothing will make a grizzly 175 00:14:21,792 --> 00:14:23,210 leave the country faster 176 00:14:23,210 --> 00:14:24,490 than the scent of a man. 177 00:14:25,943 --> 00:14:27,857 Now, if only she would stick around 178 00:14:27,924 --> 00:14:28,810 all summer. 179 00:14:39,811 --> 00:14:41,678 I had wandered a long way 180 00:14:41,738 --> 00:14:42,790 from the cabin today. 181 00:14:43,776 --> 00:14:45,936 My pedometer read 22 miles. 182 00:14:47,123 --> 00:14:48,363 It was time to head home. 183 00:14:49,436 --> 00:14:50,636 I shouldered my pack 184 00:14:50,704 --> 00:14:51,810 and headed down. 185 00:14:58,672 --> 00:14:59,590 Today, 186 00:14:59,910 --> 00:15:01,670 I feel like a man 187 00:15:01,670 --> 00:15:03,030 inspired by a sermon 188 00:15:03,030 --> 00:15:04,470 that came to me firsthand, 189 00:15:05,445 --> 00:15:06,963 that came out of the sky 190 00:15:07,705 --> 00:15:08,990 and the many moods 191 00:15:08,990 --> 00:15:09,530 of the mountains. 192 00:15:13,593 --> 00:15:15,553 My left foot was getting sore, 193 00:15:16,190 --> 00:15:18,070 so I stopped and pulled off 194 00:15:18,070 --> 00:15:19,210 my boots and socks 195 00:15:20,127 --> 00:15:22,150 and buried my tired feet 196 00:15:22,150 --> 00:15:22,690 in the snow 197 00:15:22,690 --> 00:15:23,630 for a few minutes. 198 00:15:24,886 --> 00:15:26,670 Cold for just a little while 199 00:15:26,670 --> 00:15:27,930 will make your feet good 200 00:15:27,930 --> 00:15:29,230 for many more miles. 201 00:15:30,922 --> 00:15:33,022 The caribou seemed content today 202 00:15:33,170 --> 00:15:35,096 and show no fear of me. 203 00:15:35,803 --> 00:15:37,343 I wonder what he thinks about. 204 00:15:38,470 --> 00:15:40,282 Is his brain just a blank 205 00:15:40,376 --> 00:15:41,310 as he lies there 206 00:15:41,310 --> 00:15:42,230 blinking in the sun 207 00:15:42,230 --> 00:15:43,890 and chewing his cud? 208 00:15:44,776 --> 00:15:46,136 I wonder if he feels, 209 00:15:46,175 --> 00:15:46,970 as I do, 210 00:15:47,843 --> 00:15:49,190 that this small part 211 00:15:49,243 --> 00:15:49,730 of the world 212 00:15:49,730 --> 00:15:50,930 is enough to think about. 213 00:15:53,430 --> 00:15:54,530 I was home 214 00:15:54,530 --> 00:15:56,050 and would sleep good tonight. 215 00:15:56,889 --> 00:15:58,169 My gear put away 216 00:15:58,350 --> 00:16:00,050 and my starving birds fed. 217 00:16:01,137 --> 00:16:02,557 It had been a pretty good day. 218 00:16:07,370 --> 00:16:08,710 My ladder project 219 00:16:08,710 --> 00:16:09,930 had priority today, 220 00:16:10,377 --> 00:16:11,697 and before I finished, 221 00:16:11,730 --> 00:16:12,930 it started to snow. 222 00:16:14,530 --> 00:16:15,890 Surely just a shower. 223 00:16:17,693 --> 00:16:19,078 I used a perfect, 224 00:16:19,103 --> 00:16:20,590 well-seasoned pole, 225 00:16:21,074 --> 00:16:22,513 ripped it down the center 226 00:16:22,590 --> 00:16:24,130 and put my ladder together 227 00:16:24,130 --> 00:16:25,430 with the flat sides in. 228 00:16:26,390 --> 00:16:28,390 The steps were short logs, 229 00:16:28,836 --> 00:16:30,216 flat side up and level. 230 00:16:31,090 --> 00:16:32,790 A ladder a man could walk up 231 00:16:32,909 --> 00:16:33,909 instead of climb. 232 00:16:44,740 --> 00:16:46,970 There was four inches on the ground 233 00:16:46,970 --> 00:16:48,330 when it finally stopped. 234 00:16:49,479 --> 00:16:51,450 Hopefully this was the last 235 00:16:51,450 --> 00:16:52,630 good snow of spring. 236 00:16:55,010 --> 00:16:56,570 The cloud cover broke 237 00:16:56,570 --> 00:16:57,930 and a big blue spot 238 00:16:57,930 --> 00:16:59,010 opened up in the sky, 239 00:16:59,790 --> 00:17:01,430 and the sun feels good 240 00:17:01,430 --> 00:17:02,210 on my face. 241 00:17:03,270 --> 00:17:04,310 A good day 242 00:17:04,310 --> 00:17:05,490 to do some tin bending. 243 00:17:24,123 --> 00:17:26,070 I have surprised myself 244 00:17:26,070 --> 00:17:27,210 with what I could make 245 00:17:27,210 --> 00:17:28,270 with simple tools 246 00:17:28,270 --> 00:17:30,390 when a definite need arose. 247 00:17:31,428 --> 00:17:32,850 And my need today 248 00:17:32,850 --> 00:17:33,830 was a new pan 249 00:17:33,830 --> 00:17:34,650 to heat water 250 00:17:34,650 --> 00:17:35,550 on the stove with. 251 00:17:36,412 --> 00:17:37,790 My old wind is now 252 00:17:37,790 --> 00:17:38,830 starting to show 253 00:17:38,830 --> 00:17:39,610 a bit of rust. 254 00:17:41,690 --> 00:17:43,150 I have made all kinds 255 00:17:43,150 --> 00:17:43,570 of things 256 00:17:43,570 --> 00:17:44,850 from empty fuel cans. 257 00:17:45,898 --> 00:17:47,490 It seems that I always 258 00:17:47,490 --> 00:17:48,570 have a good stockpile 259 00:17:48,570 --> 00:17:49,710 of them in the woodshed. 260 00:17:50,836 --> 00:17:52,156 Bush pilots have discarded 261 00:17:52,251 --> 00:17:53,850 many over the years. 262 00:17:55,170 --> 00:17:56,400 And like they say, 263 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:58,320 one man's trash 264 00:17:58,320 --> 00:17:59,620 is another man's treasure. 265 00:18:02,180 --> 00:18:03,520 I don't think a man 266 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:04,640 knows what he actually 267 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:05,220 can do 268 00:18:05,220 --> 00:18:06,380 until he's challenged. 269 00:18:07,540 --> 00:18:09,000 I do think a man 270 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:10,180 has missed a very deep 271 00:18:10,180 --> 00:18:11,500 feeling of satisfaction 272 00:18:11,500 --> 00:18:12,660 if he has never 273 00:18:12,660 --> 00:18:13,620 created something 274 00:18:13,620 --> 00:18:15,580 or at least completed 275 00:18:15,580 --> 00:18:16,600 something with his own 276 00:18:16,600 --> 00:18:17,320 two hands. 277 00:18:18,540 --> 00:18:20,080 We have grown accustomed 278 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:21,300 to work on pieces 279 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:22,460 and parts of things 280 00:18:22,460 --> 00:18:24,700 instead of taking things 281 00:18:24,700 --> 00:18:25,400 to completion. 282 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:27,540 The emphasis 283 00:18:27,540 --> 00:18:28,480 seems to be 284 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:29,200 on teamwork. 285 00:18:29,613 --> 00:18:31,010 Now I realize 286 00:18:31,220 --> 00:18:32,660 that man working together 287 00:18:32,660 --> 00:18:34,460 can perform miracles 288 00:18:34,460 --> 00:18:36,940 such as sending a man 289 00:18:36,940 --> 00:18:38,020 to walk on the surface 290 00:18:38,020 --> 00:18:38,620 of the moon. 291 00:18:39,220 --> 00:18:40,480 And there is definitely 292 00:18:40,480 --> 00:18:41,580 a need in place 293 00:18:41,580 --> 00:18:42,180 for teamwork. 294 00:18:43,420 --> 00:18:44,720 I would be the last 295 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:45,700 to argue that point. 296 00:18:46,820 --> 00:18:48,140 We need each other 297 00:18:48,140 --> 00:18:49,740 but nevertheless 298 00:18:49,740 --> 00:18:50,880 in a jam. 299 00:18:51,660 --> 00:18:52,700 The best friend 300 00:18:52,700 --> 00:18:53,440 you have 301 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:54,660 is yourself. 302 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:58,140 It is always a pleasure 303 00:18:58,140 --> 00:18:59,520 to see what you can make 304 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:00,900 instead of buying it 305 00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:01,760 all packaged up 306 00:19:01,760 --> 00:19:02,540 and ready-made. 307 00:19:03,540 --> 00:19:05,240 My problem now is 308 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:06,980 where to store it all. 309 00:19:10,166 --> 00:19:11,666 Today I would take 310 00:19:11,771 --> 00:19:12,960 an overnight tour 311 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:13,800 down country 312 00:19:14,651 --> 00:19:15,740 and with the ice 313 00:19:15,740 --> 00:19:16,720 still in good shape 314 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:18,960 I would sled my gear 315 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:20,400 rather than carry it 316 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:21,140 on my back. 317 00:19:23,189 --> 00:19:24,700 I followed close 318 00:19:24,700 --> 00:19:25,200 to shore 319 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:26,600 so as not to disturb 320 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:27,200 the caribou 321 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:28,520 any more than I had to. 322 00:19:29,291 --> 00:19:30,660 Yet something else 323 00:19:30,660 --> 00:19:32,140 was making them uneasy. 324 00:19:34,076 --> 00:19:35,660 Opposite the den opening 325 00:19:35,660 --> 00:19:37,000 were grizzly bear tracks 326 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:37,720 and droppings 327 00:19:38,539 --> 00:19:39,680 all old 328 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:41,680 and I felt certain 329 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:42,520 the bear was gone. 330 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:44,560 With pistol in hand 331 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:45,740 I crawled inside 332 00:19:45,740 --> 00:19:46,900 for a closer inspection. 333 00:19:47,773 --> 00:19:48,833 Inside I found 334 00:19:48,965 --> 00:19:50,680 the bear's hibernation plug 335 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:52,880 something I had only 336 00:19:52,880 --> 00:19:53,400 heard about 337 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:54,480 from the old timers. 338 00:19:55,186 --> 00:19:56,680 The large black plug 339 00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:57,360 was made up 340 00:19:57,360 --> 00:19:58,400 of dried grass 341 00:19:58,400 --> 00:19:59,180 twigs 342 00:19:59,180 --> 00:19:59,800 and hair. 343 00:20:00,423 --> 00:20:01,860 It was mother nature's 344 00:20:01,860 --> 00:20:02,760 way of blocking 345 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:03,780 up the back door 346 00:20:03,780 --> 00:20:04,440 of the bear's 347 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:05,560 digestive system 348 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:07,020 during his long 349 00:20:07,020 --> 00:20:08,080 six months sleep. 350 00:20:09,660 --> 00:20:10,920 I figured the bear 351 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:12,000 must be close by 352 00:20:12,000 --> 00:20:14,160 and it wasn't long 353 00:20:14,160 --> 00:20:15,360 before I spotted him 354 00:20:15,360 --> 00:20:16,160 in the brush below. 355 00:20:16,848 --> 00:20:18,260 He acted like a bear 356 00:20:18,260 --> 00:20:19,900 looking for caribou calves. 357 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:22,220 When he dropped 358 00:20:22,220 --> 00:20:22,800 out of sight 359 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:23,440 I followed. 360 00:20:24,288 --> 00:20:25,320 Maybe this was 361 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:26,460 a foolish thing to do. 362 00:20:27,344 --> 00:20:29,040 The evidence showed 363 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:29,980 this bear 364 00:20:29,980 --> 00:20:30,900 had already killed 365 00:20:30,900 --> 00:20:31,680 and consumed 366 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:32,560 at least one 367 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:33,640 unlucky caribou 368 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:34,380 this season. 369 00:20:37,580 --> 00:20:38,880 No better company 370 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:39,480 in the wilderness 371 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:40,620 than a campfire. 372 00:20:41,131 --> 00:20:42,200 Very comforting. 373 00:20:53,141 --> 00:20:54,480 It is surprising 374 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:55,320 how comfortable 375 00:20:55,320 --> 00:20:56,040 a bedroll 376 00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:56,560 on the ground 377 00:20:56,560 --> 00:20:57,120 can be 378 00:20:57,120 --> 00:20:58,400 after you've 379 00:20:58,400 --> 00:20:58,880 come down 380 00:20:58,880 --> 00:20:59,560 off a mountain. 381 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:06,600 I was on the 382 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:07,560 home stretch now 383 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:08,340 and had the 384 00:21:08,340 --> 00:21:09,120 cabin in sight. 385 00:21:10,193 --> 00:21:11,220 on the trail 386 00:21:11,220 --> 00:21:11,920 stood a brand 387 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:13,080 new bear-bit tree. 388 00:21:13,780 --> 00:21:14,760 Hair rubbed 389 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:15,340 into the bark 390 00:21:15,340 --> 00:21:16,100 and seven feet 391 00:21:16,100 --> 00:21:16,520 above. 392 00:21:17,860 --> 00:21:18,900 More destruction 393 00:21:18,900 --> 00:21:19,460 of wood 394 00:21:19,460 --> 00:21:20,520 than I have seen 395 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:21,580 in a long time. 396 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:23,120 This was no 397 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:24,200 ordinary Alaskan 398 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:24,820 brown bear. 399 00:21:25,820 --> 00:21:26,860 Was the message 400 00:21:26,860 --> 00:21:27,640 meant for another 401 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:27,920 bear 402 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:29,460 or was it for me? 403 00:21:30,333 --> 00:21:31,253 I will have to 404 00:21:31,355 --> 00:21:31,880 watch out 405 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:32,520 for that guy. 406 00:21:38,859 --> 00:21:39,760 It would be 407 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:40,540 an early dinner 408 00:21:41,204 --> 00:21:42,760 a fireweed salad 409 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:44,440 and the last 410 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:45,740 of my caribou meat 411 00:21:45,740 --> 00:21:46,560 fried in a 412 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:47,840 well-salted skillet 413 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:49,020 topped with onions 414 00:21:50,782 --> 00:21:52,060 and of course 415 00:21:52,060 --> 00:21:52,860 a batch 416 00:21:52,860 --> 00:21:53,600 of fresh-baked 417 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:54,580 sourdough biscuits. 418 00:21:59,900 --> 00:22:01,080 I was proud 419 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:01,740 of my cabin 420 00:22:01,740 --> 00:22:02,360 and cache. 421 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:04,180 The actual 422 00:22:04,180 --> 00:22:04,980 cache layout 423 00:22:04,980 --> 00:22:06,100 was just a shade 424 00:22:06,100 --> 00:22:06,880 over $40 425 00:22:08,168 --> 00:22:09,340 and that included 426 00:22:09,340 --> 00:22:09,770 the window 427 00:22:09,770 --> 00:22:10,330 that Babe 428 00:22:10,330 --> 00:22:11,150 had flown in. 429 00:22:12,210 --> 00:22:13,250 Although it was 430 00:22:13,250 --> 00:22:13,690 small 431 00:22:13,690 --> 00:22:15,590 at 11 by 14 feet 432 00:22:15,590 --> 00:22:17,170 it was cozy 433 00:22:17,170 --> 00:22:18,710 and big enough 434 00:22:18,710 --> 00:22:19,410 for my needs. 435 00:22:20,450 --> 00:22:21,590 Everything seems 436 00:22:21,590 --> 00:22:22,830 to find its place. 437 00:22:23,276 --> 00:22:23,676 However, 438 00:22:24,390 --> 00:22:25,710 if I continue 439 00:22:25,710 --> 00:22:26,190 to collect 440 00:22:26,190 --> 00:22:26,870 souvenirs 441 00:22:26,870 --> 00:22:27,790 on my travels 442 00:22:27,790 --> 00:22:29,410 I will need 443 00:22:29,410 --> 00:22:30,490 more mantel space. 444 00:22:33,225 --> 00:22:34,350 the fireplace 445 00:22:34,350 --> 00:22:35,650 really adds character 446 00:22:35,650 --> 00:22:36,730 to my little cabin 447 00:22:36,730 --> 00:22:38,690 and is good company 448 00:22:38,690 --> 00:22:39,230 in the winter. 449 00:22:51,758 --> 00:22:52,890 A Twin Lakes 450 00:22:52,890 --> 00:22:53,490 holiday 451 00:22:54,681 --> 00:22:55,790 Babe had made 452 00:22:55,790 --> 00:22:56,510 a mail drop 453 00:22:56,510 --> 00:22:57,210 while I was 454 00:22:57,210 --> 00:22:58,330 away down country. 455 00:22:59,770 --> 00:23:00,670 Many letters 456 00:23:00,670 --> 00:23:01,170 to read 457 00:23:01,170 --> 00:23:02,410 and some very good books 458 00:23:02,410 --> 00:23:03,410 from my good friend 459 00:23:03,410 --> 00:23:04,070 Roy Allen 460 00:23:05,709 --> 00:23:07,070 and good news 461 00:23:07,070 --> 00:23:08,030 from Brother Jake 462 00:23:08,030 --> 00:23:09,810 the J3 Cub 463 00:23:09,810 --> 00:23:10,830 is ready to fly 464 00:23:10,830 --> 00:23:12,730 and he will be here 465 00:23:12,730 --> 00:23:13,390 for a visit 466 00:23:13,390 --> 00:23:13,970 in August. 467 00:23:20,270 --> 00:23:21,530 The rest of my day 468 00:23:21,530 --> 00:23:22,230 would be spent 469 00:23:22,230 --> 00:23:23,270 bringing my journals 470 00:23:23,270 --> 00:23:24,010 up to date. 471 00:23:30,097 --> 00:23:31,550 As I glanced up 472 00:23:31,550 --> 00:23:32,290 from my writing 473 00:23:32,290 --> 00:23:33,690 a cow moose 474 00:23:33,690 --> 00:23:35,130 and her good looking calf 475 00:23:35,130 --> 00:23:35,930 strolled past 476 00:23:35,930 --> 00:23:36,590 on the beach. 477 00:23:37,461 --> 00:23:38,850 I do believe 478 00:23:38,850 --> 00:23:40,150 it's the same cow 479 00:23:40,150 --> 00:23:41,410 that was so unfriendly 480 00:23:41,410 --> 00:23:42,470 a few weeks ago. 481 00:23:44,270 --> 00:23:46,330 Life is so uncomplicated 482 00:23:46,330 --> 00:23:47,410 here at Twin Lakes. 483 00:23:51,723 --> 00:23:52,830 It is now 484 00:23:52,830 --> 00:23:53,990 June 13th 485 00:23:53,990 --> 00:23:55,390 and the great 486 00:23:55,390 --> 00:23:56,050 ice chunks 487 00:23:56,050 --> 00:23:56,970 are moving past 488 00:23:56,970 --> 00:23:57,450 at the rate 489 00:23:57,450 --> 00:23:58,270 of 50 feet 490 00:23:58,270 --> 00:23:58,810 per minute. 491 00:24:00,411 --> 00:24:01,490 Last year 492 00:24:01,490 --> 00:24:01,890 the lake 493 00:24:01,890 --> 00:24:02,810 was not ice free 494 00:24:02,810 --> 00:24:03,970 until the 26th 495 00:24:03,970 --> 00:24:04,390 of June. 496 00:24:05,609 --> 00:24:06,409 I wonder 497 00:24:06,750 --> 00:24:08,250 does the lake ice 498 00:24:08,250 --> 00:24:09,190 melt from the top 499 00:24:09,190 --> 00:24:09,650 down 500 00:24:09,650 --> 00:24:10,730 or the bottom 501 00:24:10,730 --> 00:24:11,050 up? 502 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:24,490 Now 503 00:24:24,490 --> 00:24:25,750 after six and a half 504 00:24:25,750 --> 00:24:26,190 months 505 00:24:26,190 --> 00:24:27,870 the mountains 506 00:24:27,870 --> 00:24:28,410 will be able 507 00:24:28,410 --> 00:24:29,250 to see themselves 508 00:24:29,250 --> 00:24:30,570 in the mirror again. 509 00:24:33,310 --> 00:24:34,570 I would celebrate 510 00:24:34,570 --> 00:24:35,930 the ice breakup today 511 00:24:35,930 --> 00:24:37,250 with a trip down lake. 512 00:24:38,250 --> 00:24:39,650 A pretty good breeze 513 00:24:39,650 --> 00:24:40,370 going down 514 00:24:40,370 --> 00:24:42,090 but that was okay. 515 00:24:42,949 --> 00:24:43,709 Anything below 516 00:24:43,899 --> 00:24:45,290 the white cap stage 517 00:24:45,290 --> 00:24:45,930 is good. 518 00:25:03,180 --> 00:25:04,290 The wind fared up 519 00:25:04,290 --> 00:25:04,670 a bit 520 00:25:04,670 --> 00:25:05,450 after beaching. 521 00:25:13,890 --> 00:25:15,130 I left the beach 522 00:25:15,130 --> 00:25:16,170 and climbed to the edge 523 00:25:16,170 --> 00:25:16,670 of the timber 524 00:25:16,670 --> 00:25:17,730 to get a better look 525 00:25:17,730 --> 00:25:18,430 at a fine 526 00:25:18,430 --> 00:25:19,350 caribou bull 527 00:25:19,350 --> 00:25:20,170 I had spotted 528 00:25:20,170 --> 00:25:20,910 from the canoe. 529 00:25:26,650 --> 00:25:27,650 He looked to be 530 00:25:27,650 --> 00:25:28,590 in prime shape. 531 00:25:29,491 --> 00:25:30,650 A trophy hunter 532 00:25:30,650 --> 00:25:31,530 would leave his wife 533 00:25:31,530 --> 00:25:32,610 for a head like that. 534 00:25:34,302 --> 00:25:35,590 I do hope 535 00:25:35,590 --> 00:25:36,250 that old boy 536 00:25:36,250 --> 00:25:36,790 makes it 537 00:25:36,790 --> 00:25:37,830 through the hunting season. 538 00:25:52,838 --> 00:25:54,650 It was a warm day 539 00:25:54,650 --> 00:25:55,970 and I can hear 540 00:25:55,970 --> 00:25:56,970 the many waterfalls 541 00:25:56,970 --> 00:25:57,710 in the distance. 542 00:25:59,390 --> 00:26:00,470 I do believe 543 00:26:00,470 --> 00:26:01,170 the lake level 544 00:26:01,170 --> 00:26:02,370 will rise today. 545 00:26:05,516 --> 00:26:06,950 It was very buggy 546 00:26:06,950 --> 00:26:07,610 down low 547 00:26:07,610 --> 00:26:09,310 but very few bugs 548 00:26:09,310 --> 00:26:09,770 up here. 549 00:26:10,810 --> 00:26:11,950 The good breeze 550 00:26:11,950 --> 00:26:13,050 gives me some relief 551 00:26:13,050 --> 00:26:14,270 from those pesky 552 00:26:14,270 --> 00:26:14,790 mosquitoes 553 00:26:14,790 --> 00:26:15,790 and white socks. 554 00:26:18,790 --> 00:26:20,150 It is a world 555 00:26:20,150 --> 00:26:20,690 of beauty 556 00:26:20,690 --> 00:26:21,430 at Twin Lakes. 557 00:26:37,833 --> 00:26:39,100 As I rounded 558 00:26:39,100 --> 00:26:39,860 a brush point 559 00:26:39,860 --> 00:26:41,060 there sat a fox 560 00:26:41,060 --> 00:26:41,640 at the edge 561 00:26:41,640 --> 00:26:42,160 of the brush. 562 00:26:43,300 --> 00:26:44,400 It was a mother 563 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:45,240 standing guard 564 00:26:45,240 --> 00:26:46,100 over three pups. 565 00:26:47,600 --> 00:26:48,800 Like the bear cubs 566 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:49,900 fox pups 567 00:26:49,900 --> 00:26:50,720 are very different 568 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:51,480 from one another. 569 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:53,900 Some like to get out 570 00:26:53,900 --> 00:26:54,440 and explore. 571 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:55,883 Others prefer 572 00:26:55,949 --> 00:26:56,980 to stay close 573 00:26:56,980 --> 00:26:57,520 to the den. 574 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:01,380 I sat and watched 575 00:27:01,380 --> 00:27:01,800 them play 576 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:02,960 for more than an hour 577 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:04,720 and exposed 578 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:06,420 145 feet of film. 579 00:27:22,227 --> 00:27:23,320 It was time 580 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:24,420 to be moving on. 581 00:27:25,460 --> 00:27:26,740 I was a long 582 00:27:26,740 --> 00:27:27,560 way from home. 583 00:27:36,686 --> 00:27:37,740 Emerson Creek 584 00:27:37,740 --> 00:27:38,280 was running 585 00:27:38,280 --> 00:27:39,160 a lot of water 586 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:39,580 today. 587 00:27:40,800 --> 00:27:41,800 I couldn't help 588 00:27:41,800 --> 00:27:42,240 myself. 589 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:43,400 I just had to stop 590 00:27:43,400 --> 00:27:44,480 and waste a few shots 591 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:45,120 with the camera. 592 00:27:46,540 --> 00:27:47,740 So much beauty 593 00:27:47,740 --> 00:27:48,940 all around me. 594 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:04,120 A near calm lake 595 00:28:04,120 --> 00:28:05,260 as I shoved off. 596 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:09,540 It is always 597 00:28:09,540 --> 00:28:10,120 enjoyable 598 00:28:10,120 --> 00:28:10,900 to run the 599 00:28:10,900 --> 00:28:11,720 connecting stream 600 00:28:11,720 --> 00:28:12,580 between the lakes. 601 00:28:13,780 --> 00:28:15,080 How many times 602 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:15,760 have I wished 603 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:16,300 the scenery 604 00:28:16,300 --> 00:28:17,040 would go by 605 00:28:17,040 --> 00:28:17,760 that fast 606 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:18,960 on a calm lake? 607 00:28:31,047 --> 00:28:32,360 A lone young moose 608 00:28:32,360 --> 00:28:33,280 appeared in the pond 609 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:34,320 next to the stream 610 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:35,820 on the left-hand side 611 00:28:35,820 --> 00:28:36,360 of my canoe. 612 00:28:38,864 --> 00:28:40,380 I cruised down 613 00:28:40,380 --> 00:28:41,140 wondering 614 00:28:41,140 --> 00:28:42,420 just how close 615 00:28:42,420 --> 00:28:43,000 I could get. 616 00:28:43,940 --> 00:28:45,240 I thought it odd 617 00:28:45,240 --> 00:28:46,220 that this little guy 618 00:28:46,220 --> 00:28:47,140 was all alone. 619 00:28:47,913 --> 00:28:48,793 Where was his mother? 620 00:28:50,546 --> 00:28:51,125 Curiosity 621 00:28:51,292 --> 00:28:52,320 got the best 622 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:52,740 of me. 623 00:28:53,519 --> 00:28:54,519 Still no sign 624 00:28:54,592 --> 00:28:55,560 of the calf's mother 625 00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:56,420 along the stream. 626 00:28:57,940 --> 00:28:58,820 I wondered 627 00:28:58,920 --> 00:29:00,140 if I had an orphan. 628 00:29:02,121 --> 00:29:03,680 The first calm cove 629 00:29:03,680 --> 00:29:04,340 I came to 630 00:29:04,340 --> 00:29:05,440 I beached the canoe 631 00:29:05,440 --> 00:29:07,300 and packed the 632 00:29:07,300 --> 00:29:08,300 bolex and tripod 633 00:29:08,300 --> 00:29:09,320 to high ground 634 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:10,360 above the pond. 635 00:29:11,406 --> 00:29:12,686 As I reloaded 636 00:29:12,780 --> 00:29:13,280 the camera 637 00:29:13,280 --> 00:29:14,300 a young bull 638 00:29:14,300 --> 00:29:14,980 waded in 639 00:29:14,980 --> 00:29:16,560 but still 640 00:29:16,560 --> 00:29:17,440 no sign 641 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:18,000 of the cow. 642 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:25,660 Then up the stream 643 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:26,100 bank 644 00:29:26,100 --> 00:29:27,440 came the little guy 645 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:28,520 limping along. 646 00:29:28,520 --> 00:29:32,140 The calf's 647 00:29:32,140 --> 00:29:33,020 right front leg 648 00:29:33,020 --> 00:29:34,360 had a big patch 649 00:29:34,360 --> 00:29:34,780 of white 650 00:29:34,780 --> 00:29:35,840 below the knees. 651 00:29:36,860 --> 00:29:37,380 Quills. 652 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:39,440 There must have 653 00:29:39,440 --> 00:29:40,420 been a hundred of them. 654 00:29:48,860 --> 00:29:49,820 The culprit 655 00:29:49,820 --> 00:29:51,220 was not far away. 656 00:29:52,187 --> 00:29:53,007 How could something 657 00:29:53,260 --> 00:29:54,000 so cute 658 00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:55,480 cause so much pain? 659 00:29:56,760 --> 00:29:57,700 The calf 660 00:29:57,700 --> 00:29:58,080 had picked 661 00:29:58,080 --> 00:29:58,900 the wrong one 662 00:29:58,900 --> 00:29:59,600 to mess with. 663 00:30:05,860 --> 00:30:06,820 With the help 664 00:30:06,820 --> 00:30:08,080 of my walking stick 665 00:30:08,080 --> 00:30:09,580 I encouraged 666 00:30:09,580 --> 00:30:10,380 the porcupine 667 00:30:10,380 --> 00:30:11,200 to move on 668 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:12,780 just in case 669 00:30:12,780 --> 00:30:13,500 the little calf 670 00:30:13,500 --> 00:30:14,840 had not learned 671 00:30:14,840 --> 00:30:15,400 his lesson. 672 00:30:16,980 --> 00:30:18,400 If only the calf 673 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:18,800 had left 674 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:19,640 that porcupine 675 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:20,000 alone. 676 00:30:21,300 --> 00:30:22,420 Now it will have 677 00:30:22,420 --> 00:30:23,360 one very sore 678 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:24,100 leg to go 679 00:30:24,100 --> 00:30:24,860 with its problem 680 00:30:24,860 --> 00:30:26,180 of making a living 681 00:30:26,180 --> 00:30:26,920 without milk 682 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:26,940 without milk 683 00:30:26,940 --> 00:30:28,480 and a wise mother 684 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:29,240 to teach it 685 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:30,400 the do's and don'ts 686 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:32,140 of the very cruel world 687 00:30:32,140 --> 00:30:33,500 that nature is. 688 00:30:38,490 --> 00:30:40,090 I will have to come back 689 00:30:40,090 --> 00:30:41,290 and check on the calf. 690 00:30:42,270 --> 00:30:43,690 I very much doubt 691 00:30:43,690 --> 00:30:45,430 that it will survive 692 00:30:45,430 --> 00:30:46,270 until winter. 693 00:30:49,699 --> 00:30:51,210 There was a good breeze 694 00:30:51,210 --> 00:30:52,210 blowing up the lake 695 00:30:52,210 --> 00:30:54,190 and soon I was among 696 00:30:54,190 --> 00:30:54,870 the whitecaps 697 00:30:54,870 --> 00:30:55,910 and really sailing. 698 00:30:57,370 --> 00:30:58,170 It would be 699 00:30:58,170 --> 00:30:59,250 a fast trip home. 700 00:31:00,576 --> 00:31:01,816 An hour and ten minutes 701 00:31:01,950 --> 00:31:03,290 found me at my beach. 702 00:31:20,577 --> 00:31:21,490 It was good 703 00:31:21,490 --> 00:31:22,770 to see my cabin again. 704 00:31:27,410 --> 00:31:29,050 With my gear packed in 705 00:31:29,050 --> 00:31:30,130 and a fire going 706 00:31:30,130 --> 00:31:32,050 I packed and labeled 707 00:31:32,050 --> 00:31:32,730 a good batch 708 00:31:32,730 --> 00:31:33,810 of exposed film 709 00:31:33,810 --> 00:31:34,790 for brother Jake. 710 00:31:36,110 --> 00:31:37,390 I expect Babe 711 00:31:37,390 --> 00:31:38,490 should be flying in 712 00:31:38,490 --> 00:31:39,330 any day now. 713 00:31:41,210 --> 00:31:42,270 I was weary 714 00:31:42,270 --> 00:31:44,250 but not too weary 715 00:31:44,250 --> 00:31:44,850 to go down 716 00:31:44,850 --> 00:31:45,530 to Hope Creek 717 00:31:45,530 --> 00:31:46,530 to see if I could 718 00:31:46,530 --> 00:31:47,230 catch a fish 719 00:31:47,230 --> 00:31:47,810 to go along 720 00:31:47,810 --> 00:31:48,630 with my beans. 721 00:32:07,757 --> 00:32:09,370 After a few casts 722 00:32:09,370 --> 00:32:10,590 one grabbed the lure. 723 00:32:11,530 --> 00:32:12,710 I worked him in 724 00:32:12,710 --> 00:32:13,770 slowly and carefully. 725 00:32:14,810 --> 00:32:15,710 I didn't want 726 00:32:15,710 --> 00:32:16,470 to lose this one. 727 00:32:17,690 --> 00:32:18,910 This business of fishing 728 00:32:18,910 --> 00:32:20,030 can turn serious 729 00:32:20,030 --> 00:32:20,690 pretty quick 730 00:32:20,690 --> 00:32:22,130 when a man is hungry. 731 00:32:31,264 --> 00:32:32,670 I've learned something 732 00:32:32,670 --> 00:32:33,770 from the big game 733 00:32:33,770 --> 00:32:34,290 animals. 734 00:32:35,290 --> 00:32:36,510 Their food is pretty 735 00:32:36,510 --> 00:32:37,330 much the same 736 00:32:37,330 --> 00:32:38,250 day to day 737 00:32:38,250 --> 00:32:40,330 and I don't vary 738 00:32:40,330 --> 00:32:41,430 my fare too much 739 00:32:41,430 --> 00:32:41,730 either. 740 00:32:43,190 --> 00:32:44,330 Food is fuel 741 00:32:44,330 --> 00:32:45,810 and the best fuel 742 00:32:45,810 --> 00:32:46,470 I've found 743 00:32:46,470 --> 00:32:47,150 is oatmeal, 744 00:32:47,510 --> 00:32:47,830 beans, 745 00:32:47,830 --> 00:32:48,870 and fresh fish 746 00:32:48,870 --> 00:32:50,570 and a caribou 747 00:32:50,570 --> 00:32:51,770 or porcupine stew 748 00:32:51,770 --> 00:32:52,770 once in a while. 749 00:32:54,270 --> 00:32:55,430 I just season 750 00:32:55,430 --> 00:32:56,150 simple food 751 00:32:56,150 --> 00:32:56,710 with hunger 752 00:32:57,670 --> 00:32:58,750 and I have never 753 00:32:58,750 --> 00:32:59,370 felt better 754 00:32:59,370 --> 00:33:00,110 in my life. 755 00:33:15,523 --> 00:33:16,770 There's nothing 756 00:33:16,770 --> 00:33:17,350 better than 757 00:33:17,350 --> 00:33:18,030 a fresh caught 758 00:33:18,030 --> 00:33:18,510 grayling 759 00:33:18,510 --> 00:33:19,390 fried in 760 00:33:19,390 --> 00:33:20,310 bacon grease. 761 00:33:39,218 --> 00:33:40,530 The rest of my evening 762 00:33:40,530 --> 00:33:41,330 would be spent 763 00:33:41,330 --> 00:33:42,010 catching up 764 00:33:42,010 --> 00:33:42,810 on my journals. 765 00:33:48,410 --> 00:33:49,570 It was eight o'clock 766 00:33:49,570 --> 00:33:50,370 when I turned out 767 00:33:50,370 --> 00:33:50,910 the lantern. 768 00:33:51,463 --> 00:33:52,343 I just knew 769 00:33:52,630 --> 00:33:53,270 I would sleep 770 00:33:53,270 --> 00:33:53,990 good tonight. 771 00:33:55,310 --> 00:33:56,370 That four inches 772 00:33:56,370 --> 00:33:57,190 of foam rubber 773 00:33:57,190 --> 00:33:57,770 under me 774 00:33:57,770 --> 00:33:59,590 never felt so good. 775 00:34:02,430 --> 00:34:03,290 I slept 776 00:34:03,290 --> 00:34:04,290 as if I had died 777 00:34:04,290 --> 00:34:04,950 last night. 778 00:34:06,430 --> 00:34:07,230 The cabin 779 00:34:07,230 --> 00:34:08,050 was still warm 780 00:34:08,050 --> 00:34:08,710 and the coals 781 00:34:08,710 --> 00:34:09,270 in the stove 782 00:34:09,270 --> 00:34:10,250 were still glowing. 783 00:34:11,410 --> 00:34:12,250 For breakfast 784 00:34:12,250 --> 00:34:12,810 it would be 785 00:34:12,810 --> 00:34:13,570 a good stack 786 00:34:13,570 --> 00:34:14,290 of hot cakes 787 00:34:14,290 --> 00:34:15,270 topped with 788 00:34:15,270 --> 00:34:15,990 last year's 789 00:34:15,990 --> 00:34:16,510 preserves. 790 00:34:18,590 --> 00:34:19,370 One of these 791 00:34:19,370 --> 00:34:20,210 days I must 792 00:34:20,210 --> 00:34:20,870 take a hike 793 00:34:20,870 --> 00:34:21,310 up to the 794 00:34:21,310 --> 00:34:22,210 Calgill bench 795 00:34:22,210 --> 00:34:23,130 to see how 796 00:34:23,130 --> 00:34:24,030 the blueberry crop 797 00:34:24,030 --> 00:34:24,850 is faring up. 798 00:34:26,410 --> 00:34:27,430 They should be 799 00:34:27,430 --> 00:34:28,190 ripening up 800 00:34:28,190 --> 00:34:29,290 about now. 801 00:34:37,670 --> 00:34:38,650 With the dishes 802 00:34:38,650 --> 00:34:39,150 washed 803 00:34:39,150 --> 00:34:39,730 and my 804 00:34:39,730 --> 00:34:41,070 welfare birds fed 805 00:34:41,871 --> 00:34:43,130 I had a notion 806 00:34:43,130 --> 00:34:43,870 to paddle down 807 00:34:43,870 --> 00:34:44,670 to the lower end 808 00:34:44,670 --> 00:34:45,110 again. 809 00:34:48,450 --> 00:34:49,410 The flat water 810 00:34:49,410 --> 00:34:50,190 looked inviting 811 00:34:50,891 --> 00:34:52,120 so I packed 812 00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:52,780 the necessary 813 00:34:52,780 --> 00:34:53,860 gear to the beach. 814 00:34:55,054 --> 00:34:56,020 A beautiful 815 00:34:56,020 --> 00:34:57,080 quiet morning 816 00:34:57,080 --> 00:34:57,720 for the trip. 817 00:35:40,064 --> 00:35:46,304 The only sound on the lake was my paddle, and a few distant waterfalls. 818 00:36:14,002 --> 00:36:16,570 I was making good time. 819 00:36:16,746 --> 00:36:22,120 One hour later I had made it to the lower end of the lake and was coasting down the connecting 820 00:36:22,120 --> 00:36:26,096 stream when I surprised a very large mother brown bear. 821 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:33,908 The stream bank blocked my full view of her on the marshy flat, but surely she must have 822 00:36:33,988 --> 00:36:36,052 a cub or two hidden in the brush. 823 00:36:38,799 --> 00:36:41,082 It was clear to me that she was irritated, 824 00:36:41,982 --> 00:36:44,913 so I kept the canoe well centered in the stream, 825 00:36:45,777 --> 00:36:49,146 just in case she came back to have a talk with me. 826 00:37:14,254 --> 00:37:18,327 The mosquitoes were affectionate today when I beached the canoe 827 00:37:19,387 --> 00:37:24,637 On up to my climb out point, and from there it was perfect hiking country. 828 00:37:31,298 --> 00:37:35,969 The waterfalls had really come to life since the warm weather had arrived, 829 00:37:36,756 --> 00:37:40,646 and Emerson Falls was as pretty as I have ever seen it. 830 00:38:12,280 --> 00:38:18,439 If there was gold in this creek, the nuggets would be found in the deep clear pools. 831 00:38:19,280 --> 00:38:23,705 I think that the real question is not whether is there gold in the creek, 832 00:38:24,473 --> 00:38:27,178 but just how do I go about shutting the water off? 833 00:38:38,074 --> 00:38:44,086 The red salmon were active in the creek today, a sure sign that fall was on its way. 834 00:38:48,015 --> 00:38:52,332 How far had they come since leaving saltwater near Dillingham? 835 00:38:53,280 --> 00:38:58,246 According to the map, probably more than 250 miles. 836 00:39:00,677 --> 00:39:04,804 On the opposite side of the creek was a sow and her good-looking cub. 837 00:39:05,640 --> 00:39:09,040 I walked gently and watched her closely. 838 00:39:09,946 --> 00:39:16,270 I had told myself, don't surprise her, and she will probably take her cub and go. 839 00:39:17,391 --> 00:39:23,270 I have heard the people who claim to know say, she isn't likely to harm you unless her cubs 840 00:39:23,270 --> 00:39:26,433 are in danger, or thinks they are in danger. 841 00:39:27,270 --> 00:39:30,750 I think what she thinks is the determining factor. 842 00:39:31,270 --> 00:39:33,913 What I think doesn't count. 843 00:39:35,294 --> 00:39:40,786 I already had one bear that was upset with me today, and I didn't need another. 844 00:39:45,270 --> 00:39:52,270 On this very calm day, instead of towing the canoe the half mile upstream to the upper lake, 845 00:39:52,270 --> 00:39:53,759 I would carry it. 846 00:40:00,830 --> 00:40:07,970 With the canoe well balanced on my shoulders, and no wind, the chore seemed easy enough. 847 00:40:12,270 --> 00:40:16,612 I think the old girl was pleased to see me move on. 848 00:40:36,862 --> 00:40:41,662 I do believe that carrying the canoe is the best way up the connecting stream. 849 00:40:42,270 --> 00:40:44,981 Providing, of course, the wind isn't blowing. 850 00:40:49,803 --> 00:40:51,380 Not a riffle on the lake. 851 00:40:52,270 --> 00:40:54,362 It will be a pleasant paddle home. 852 00:41:01,028 --> 00:41:04,680 Hot cakes for breakfast, and the sky was clearing. 853 00:41:05,003 --> 00:41:07,766 Today would be a blueberry picking day. 854 00:41:12,804 --> 00:41:18,270 Across Hope Creek Bridge, and then I would head up the trail to the cowgill berry patch. 855 00:41:19,617 --> 00:41:21,962 Hopefully the bears had not beat me to it. 856 00:41:22,755 --> 00:41:25,439 I would need a good supply to see me through the winter. 857 00:41:27,526 --> 00:41:34,668 In just a few weeks, the bull moose and caribou will be rubbing that soft velvet free from their antlers. 858 00:41:41,535 --> 00:41:45,750 I found a real good patch, and the berries were large and sweet. 859 00:41:47,270 --> 00:41:51,583 I was anxious to try out my new berry picking machine that I had made. 860 00:41:54,153 --> 00:41:59,098 In no time at all, I had picked a gallon and hardly raised from my knees. 861 00:42:00,270 --> 00:42:06,270 With a good supply on hand, I would have to send some to Mary, next time Babe flies in. 862 00:42:15,314 --> 00:42:20,270 A young and very curious bull caribou was good company while I picked. 863 00:42:21,299 --> 00:42:24,532 I think he was impressed with that new picking machine. 864 00:42:48,950 --> 00:42:52,319 I had filled almost three cans when I heard a small plane. 865 00:42:53,542 --> 00:42:58,734 I didn't want to get too excited yet, but could it be Brother Jake? 866 00:42:59,651 --> 00:43:02,733 I had almost given up on seeing him fly in. 867 00:43:03,818 --> 00:43:08,412 But when the little plane turned, I could see that it was a yellow J3 Cub. 868 00:43:09,688 --> 00:43:14,270 This was the nicest thing that has happened at Twin Lakes for a long time. 869 00:43:24,735 --> 00:43:32,957 I told him that I had given up and expected that he had junked the remains and hitchhiked back to California. 870 00:43:37,509 --> 00:43:42,260 It was in the late summer that Dick's brother Raymond, better known as Jake, 871 00:43:42,260 --> 00:43:50,260 would fly his rebuilt J3 Piper Cub airplane solo well over 2,000 miles from California to Alaska, 872 00:43:50,260 --> 00:43:54,260 and then into the remote wilderness of Twin Lakes country. 873 00:43:54,260 --> 00:44:00,260 Raymond would then spend the next month with Dick at his cabin and experience wilderness living firsthand. 874 00:44:02,044 --> 00:44:06,260 Along with as much fresh food supplies as the little plane could carry, 875 00:44:06,260 --> 00:44:11,000 Raymond would surprise Dick with a 16mm wind-up Bolex camera. 876 00:44:11,600 --> 00:44:16,260 Later on, it would prove to be Dick's most important and valued possession. 877 00:44:17,086 --> 00:44:23,260 The camera would allow Dick to continue to document his lifestyle and travels in this one-man wilderness. 878 00:44:28,391 --> 00:44:34,260 The little two-seat airplane, the Arctic Tern, would provide a new and exciting way for the brothers 879 00:44:34,260 --> 00:44:38,260 to explore the far reaches of this remote wilderness, 880 00:44:38,386 --> 00:44:44,235 a region that otherwise would be difficult, if not impossible, to travel by foot. 881 00:45:10,347 --> 00:45:14,060 When weather permitted, the Proenneke brothers would fly off into the unknown, 882 00:45:14,629 --> 00:45:17,260 taking turns at the controls. 883 00:45:17,260 --> 00:45:23,260 The vast wilderness that surrounded Twin Lakes offered countless rivers and valleys to explore, 884 00:45:24,012 --> 00:45:26,972 and the Prenicke brothers wanted to see it all. 885 00:45:28,260 --> 00:45:32,260 What used to take Dick days to hike on foot could now be covered in minutes. 886 00:45:32,808 --> 00:45:39,260 They were now enjoying something that they had only dreamed of as boys growing up in the flat country of Iowa. 887 00:45:39,926 --> 00:45:46,618 They were living that dream, and exploring the Alaskan wilderness in their own plane, and together. 888 00:45:49,260 --> 00:45:55,772 On occasion, when the lack of daylight or unflyable weather prevented their return to the comfort of Dick's cabin, 889 00:45:55,906 --> 00:46:05,260 Ray and Dick would welcome an excuse to make camp and sleep out under the stars on the shores of a remote lake in the middle of nowhere. 890 00:46:05,604 --> 00:46:10,135 They would always manage to catch something, cook it, and simply enjoy each other's company. 891 00:46:29,242 --> 00:46:33,243 Ray would soon say goodbye to Dick and fly back home to California, 892 00:46:33,784 --> 00:46:37,955 Yet the brothers would remain close through countless letters. 893 00:46:38,310 --> 00:46:42,221 This bond would continue over the next thirty years. 894 00:46:46,909 --> 00:46:55,015 On this fine October morning, Jake was on his way back to California, and I was alone in the wilderness again. 895 00:46:56,937 --> 00:47:04,953 I took my gold pan and shovel and headed up the creek, high up on the gorge where bedrock is very near the surface. 896 00:47:06,991 --> 00:47:08,795 The gold should be here. 897 00:47:11,666 --> 00:47:15,722 Right away, I found a good flake lying in plain sight. 898 00:47:16,168 --> 00:47:18,321 Very seldom is it this easy. 899 00:47:19,046 --> 00:47:21,642 Gold is not hard to recognize. 900 00:47:22,339 --> 00:47:26,912 The first time that you see it, you will know that it is gold. 901 00:47:29,659 --> 00:47:34,295 The rest of the morning, I washed lots of gravel and cleaned moss. 902 00:47:35,615 --> 00:47:41,947 I have found the moss that grows on the bottom of the rocks in the stream is a good collector of fine gold. 903 00:47:44,832 --> 00:47:49,473 The water was very cold, and that leaky boot didn't help things. 904 00:47:57,876 --> 00:48:04,876 With gold now up to thirty-five dollars an ounce, I could add a few things to the grocery list. 905 00:48:05,336 --> 00:48:07,799 I do hope Brother Jake enjoyed my cooking. 906 00:48:09,462 --> 00:48:16,782 Said he couldn't decide whether my spicy porcupine stew tasted like Iowa rabbit or squirrel. 907 00:48:18,396 --> 00:48:27,396 With a good kettle of beans bubbling on the stove, I would spend the rest of this very warm day carving out a big wooden spoon for Mary, 908 00:48:27,556 --> 00:48:30,536 in exchange for all those cookies she sends me. 909 00:48:31,802 --> 00:48:35,360 I dug out a good-looking stump and went to work. 910 00:48:36,215 --> 00:48:38,800 The camp robbers kept me company. 911 00:48:44,580 --> 00:48:49,178 Nature provides so many things, if one has the eye to notice them. 912 00:48:51,295 --> 00:48:56,630 It is always a pleasure to see what you can make, instead of buying it ready-made. 913 00:49:27,760 --> 00:49:31,493 Here at Twin Lakes, I have learned patience, 914 00:49:32,462 --> 00:49:37,917 learned to take my time and try to do the job right by figuring it out first. 915 00:49:39,175 --> 00:49:42,218 There's no sense to rush it and go off half-cocked. 916 00:49:42,849 --> 00:49:44,849 There's plenty of time out here. 917 00:50:12,442 --> 00:50:20,305 Two hours later, I had a spoon, a good one for dipping batter, a bit more sanding, and 918 00:50:20,422 --> 00:50:22,345 it would be ready for a coat of shellac. 919 00:50:23,202 --> 00:50:25,289 I do hope that Mary likes it. 920 00:50:33,492 --> 00:50:39,752 Learn to use an axe and respect it, and you can't help but love it. 921 00:50:39,752 --> 00:50:47,191 But abuse one, and it will wear your hands raw and open your foot like an overcooked sausage. 922 00:50:49,492 --> 00:50:52,732 I enjoy working for my heat. 923 00:50:52,732 --> 00:50:55,353 It seems to make my food taste better. 924 00:50:58,872 --> 00:51:02,873 It's the end of October now, and the good weather is still holding. 925 00:51:03,632 --> 00:51:08,689 But all signs tell me that winter is not far away. 926 00:51:12,952 --> 00:51:18,552 The bears are working overtime now, bulking up on berries, preparing themselves for that 927 00:51:18,552 --> 00:51:20,632 long winter sleep. 928 00:51:22,681 --> 00:51:27,572 In just a few short weeks, this bear will disappear into the mountain. 929 00:51:27,572 --> 00:51:30,549 And I will not see him again for six months. 930 00:51:31,412 --> 00:51:33,651 I will miss his company. 931 00:51:36,372 --> 00:51:41,578 The fall season at Twin Lakes is the pretty one, but always too short. 932 00:51:42,392 --> 00:51:45,841 The blueberry leaves fall at the touch now. 933 00:51:48,742 --> 00:51:53,982 I could not help but waste some film on these two fine-looking caribou bulls before heading 934 00:51:53,982 --> 00:51:55,634 back to the cabin. 935 00:51:56,802 --> 00:52:01,188 I am happy to see that they have survived another hunting season. 936 00:52:05,522 --> 00:52:11,808 A stiff breeze and some big waves, it's as rough as I have seen it. 937 00:52:12,862 --> 00:52:16,018 I think a change is coming. 938 00:52:21,542 --> 00:52:25,362 Now at 7.30 it has stopped snowing. 939 00:52:25,362 --> 00:52:30,802 A fresh coat of shellac, and the webs looked ready for miles of trail. 940 00:52:32,622 --> 00:52:35,382 I could see the big bear from my cabin door. 941 00:52:36,131 --> 00:52:40,242 It appeared to me that he was searching for a den site. 942 00:52:40,242 --> 00:52:47,400 The question is, would he use the same den as last year, or would he dig a new one? 943 00:52:52,622 --> 00:52:55,962 Dead calm and six degrees. 944 00:52:56,622 --> 00:53:03,513 As cold and still as it is, the water has now become too thick to stir with a paddle. 945 00:53:06,302 --> 00:53:10,522 The canoe looks out of place on the beach with so much snow. 946 00:53:10,522 --> 00:53:14,122 It will do me no good now. 947 00:53:14,122 --> 00:53:17,862 So I towed it up to the point and wrestled it into Spike's cabin. 948 00:53:17,862 --> 00:53:24,662 A tight squeeze, but at least it was covered. 949 00:53:24,662 --> 00:53:28,982 An ideal day to work at my wood supply. 950 00:53:28,982 --> 00:53:33,802 Making wood is never a waste of time in cold weather. 951 00:53:33,802 --> 00:53:39,542 The dead tree was a good one, not completely dry, which is better for holding fire. 952 00:53:48,867 --> 00:53:54,442 The little pumpkin seed sled that I found floating in the lake last spring has proved to be a very 953 00:53:54,442 --> 00:53:59,500 valuable find and was making this job a real pleasure. 954 00:54:05,782 --> 00:54:09,493 Six good sled loads when I got it all to the woodshed. 955 00:54:11,002 --> 00:54:13,407 And it began to snow again. 956 00:54:15,742 --> 00:54:21,941 There is nothing like watching a real wilderness storm from the window of a snug little cabin. 957 00:54:22,842 --> 00:54:28,513 With all this snow, I can't help but wonder about the sheep on the mountain. 958 00:54:29,502 --> 00:54:33,685 It must take a lot of digging for very little feed. 959 00:54:52,502 --> 00:54:55,342 Really a beautiful sight this morning. 960 00:54:55,342 --> 00:55:01,129 It must have snowed all night as there was 12 inches of new snow to shovel from my paths. 961 00:55:04,442 --> 00:55:08,402 Today I must go down lake to check for tracks. 962 00:55:08,402 --> 00:55:14,162 I tried to make a sneak on a good bunch of caribou for some close-up pictures. 963 00:55:14,162 --> 00:55:19,382 A sudden shift in the wind, and it was the beginning of the end. 964 00:55:19,382 --> 00:55:22,463 A spooky old cow must have cried wolf. 965 00:55:30,482 --> 00:55:34,866 I was nearly to Glacier Creek when I spotted sheep tracks in the snow. 966 00:55:34,891 --> 00:55:40,891 Two young rams kept their eye on me as I made my way up the canyon. 967 00:55:42,142 --> 00:55:45,402 The going was easy enough without the webs. 968 00:55:45,402 --> 00:55:47,322 The snow got deeper. 969 00:55:47,322 --> 00:55:52,312 But not so much a problem with the coarse rock under the snow to give me traction. 970 00:55:56,802 --> 00:55:59,572 Further up the creek I saw ravens flying. 971 00:55:59,572 --> 00:56:02,852 A bad sign. 972 00:56:02,852 --> 00:56:08,292 I hadn't climbed far when I saw the spot of red up on the slope. 973 00:56:08,292 --> 00:56:13,852 One animal had died so another could live. 974 00:56:13,852 --> 00:56:18,852 The tracks told me that the wolverine had been first at the scene. 975 00:56:18,852 --> 00:56:23,952 The glutton had eaten his fill and would certainly return for another meal. 976 00:56:23,952 --> 00:56:27,952 I could see just how it happened. 977 00:56:27,952 --> 00:56:33,752 A snowslide had caught the unsuspecting ram and carried him over the edge and onto the 978 00:56:33,752 --> 00:56:35,508 rocks below. 979 00:56:36,812 --> 00:56:42,712 I have often thought to myself about getting caught in a snowslide or falling from a rock 980 00:56:42,712 --> 00:56:43,712 face. 981 00:56:43,712 --> 00:56:49,532 If that happened, I would probably perish on the mountain in much the same way that the 982 00:56:49,532 --> 00:56:51,592 old ram did. 983 00:56:51,592 --> 00:56:54,988 I would be long gone before anyone found me. 984 00:56:55,832 --> 00:57:00,271 My only wish would be that folks wouldn't spend a lot of time searching. 985 00:57:00,832 --> 00:57:06,132 When the time comes for a man to look his maker in the eye, where better place could the meeting 986 00:57:06,132 --> 00:57:09,132 be held than in the wilderness? 987 00:57:51,047 --> 00:57:52,452 To order a copy of this program, 988 00:57:52,652 --> 00:57:54,592 please call this toll-free number 989 00:57:54,592 --> 00:58:01,376 or visit our website at www.aloneinthewilderness.com.