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[Glenn Villeneuve]
I'd rather have the challenge
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of having to take care of myself.
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Some people would rather be able
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to turn to somebody else for help
when they need it,
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and out here,
you don't have that option.
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[narrator] To subsist and survive
in the wilderness of the Brooks Range,
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Glenn Villeneuve depends
on his knowledge and experience
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to meet nature's demands.
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[Glenn] If you don't know
what you are doing,
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you don't belong out here.
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[narrator] The skills to survive
have been gained over decades
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of preparation and learning.
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[Glenn] There he goes! [grunts]
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But the ever-changing environment
means every day is a unique challenge.
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[gunshot]
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On Glenn's journey
of survival in the Arctic,
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the freedom to live
a primitive lifestyle in nature
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is the final destination.
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Whoa!
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[Glenn]
Yes, there's some risk involved,
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but you've got to take risks every day.
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If you don't want to take risks,
don't get out of bed in the morning.
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Look out, it's going! It's going!
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[theme music playing]
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[Glenn] My name is Glenn Villeneuve.
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I've been living
in the Brooks Range for years now.
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And it's the place I think of as home.
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I was born in Burlington, Vermont in 1969.
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I grew up right at the base
of the highest mountain in Vermont,
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and finally made it up there
when I was nine years old.
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Right from the beginning,
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I was never planning
on a conventional lifestyle.
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In 1997, I was living in a tepee
and I liked it a lot.
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And I thought
I'd like to actually live in nature,
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not just recreate there.
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And realised that to really do it,
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I was going to have to go somewhere
where there was some real wilderness.
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I looked all over the world, basically.
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Thought about going over to Siberia,
go to Africa, go to the Amazon.
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Decided no, the Brooks Range,
that's the place to go.
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First time I ever landed on this lake,
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15 years ago,
I said, "This is an awesome place.
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I'd like to live here.
This is perfect."
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It's paradise out here for me.
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Yeah.
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[narrator] Survival in the Brooks Range
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means constantly finding,
preparing and protecting food.
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Falling behind on supplies or timing
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can be the difference
between life and death.
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[Glenn]
This is very hungry country, where I am.
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The resources here
are spread very thinly over the land.
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Hunting and gathering...
It's not easy to make a living.
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It's all about where the resources are.
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When they are there,
you got to take advantage of it.
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[whispering] It's my fifth day
hunting moose, now.
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And I'm over in an area
that I know is a good spot
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for most of this time of year.
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[narrator] A single moose
provides Glenn with six months of food.
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Harvesting the animal
during the brief fall-hunting season
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is essential to sustain
himself through the winter.
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[Glenn] It's scary,
because, if I don't get a moose,
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it's really hard for me to live out here.
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[whispering]
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[imitates moose call]
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[rattling]
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[whispering] Here he comes.
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See he's waving
his antlers at me, just like this.
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He thinks I'm a moose right now.
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He's coming to fight me off.
He's got a cow over there.
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He doesn't want me mating with that cow.
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He wants that cow for himself.
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He's going to go out
in that open field, I hope.
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I just got to get lined up for the shot.
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[gun cocking]
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[gunshot fired]
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[whispering] I got him.
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[sighs] I got him.
He's down.
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That's a nice-looking bull too.
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There goes the cow that was with him.
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He's dead.
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It's really an important moment
for me to get a moose like this.
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I got six months' food right here.
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It's a good moment for me.
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I would rather live this way,
by hunting,
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than by buying my food in a store.
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That's the way I live out here.
It's the natural cycle.
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I'm just a person
that doesn't really like to have
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the future all planned out
and nailed down.
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I like the way nature goes.
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There are certain cycles and rhythms,
but it's different every year.
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[chirping]
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[Glenn] What a beautiful day.
Springtime.
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Lake's already starting to thaw out.
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Hear all the little songbirds out there
singing this morning.
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[twittering]
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Heard some ducks quacking.
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Birds flying into the valley.
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[narrator] Warming spring temperatures
in the Brooks Range
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signal the return of a number of animals
to the region.
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For Glenn,
the thawing of the lake
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presents an opportunity
to harvest ducks for meat.
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[Glenn] A lot of the animals
aren't available to me.
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The caribou have headed further north.
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I probably won't see
any more caribou this year.
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But at this time of year,
I turn my attention to smaller animals.
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Things that I can consume faster,
so that preservation isn't such a problem.
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And that's what
I'm going to be looking for today.
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In the spring,
when the lake starts to melt,
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the first ice to go is around the edge.
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A moat opens up.
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And that concentrates the ducks,
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'cause the first ducks coming in
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are going to have to land
in this narrow channel of water.
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Right along the edge of the lake,
that's where I'm going to hunt today.
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It's not the happy
hunting grounds up here.
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Game is scarce.
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That's the reality living up here.
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No ducks.
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Just got to keep looking.
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It's not uncommon for me to walk
a couple of miles and not see a duck.
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So, it's nothing out of the ordinary,
it's the same with all the other game.
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Way up here in the Arctic,
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there's less life
that the land can support
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so you have to travel
more country in order to get it.
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[grunts]
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[whispers] There's some ducks right there.
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I gotta get closer to 'em
before I can get a shot.
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If I just go straight over
this hill, I think they're
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going to see me really quickly
and take off before I get close enough.
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[gunshot]
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[ducks quacking]
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[gunshot]
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That duck's been hit.
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I just got to kill him to get him back.
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[gunshot]
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I got him!
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I got the duck.
That one almost got away.
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[ducks quacking]
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Nothing like sitting out here
beside the lake, plucking a duck.
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It's more than just getting the ducks,
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it's just being out here,
enjoying this time of year,
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listening to all the new sounds.
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Winter's very quiet.
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[chirping]
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In the springtime, it gets noisier.
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Birds come back,
the wind just rustling in the grass,
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and the vegetation.
That's different.
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Everything is moving again.
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The water is moving.
It's a different pace of life.
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[ducks quacking]
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When things die,
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they get consumed
by something else that's living.
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By birds, by another scavenger,
even by bacteria.
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It's a cycle, it's natural.
And people are part of it too.
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This is a meat pole
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that I built the first fall I was out here
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when I killed my first moose
ten years ago.
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[narrator] After a successful moose hunt,
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Glenn must now hang
the meat 20 feet off the ground.
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Doing so will keep
the supply safe from scavengers,
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and ensure that it will
last through the coming months.
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[metal rattling]
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[Glenn]
I'm gonna have to go out on that pole
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and attach ropes to hang the meat from.
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Working alone, I have to be very careful
'cause there's nobody to help me.
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If I fell down,
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and broke my back,
it'd be a slow, painful death
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laying there on the ground,
freezing to death.
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This meat is much too heavy
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for me to just pull it up
even with a rope.
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When I put my pulleys up there,
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I'll be able to position them here
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by pulling on this cord that I've rigged.
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Put the cord through there.
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Let's see what happens.
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I have to get it up there good and high.
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Now...
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No bear is going to get a hold of that.
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Whoa!
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[groans]
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[sighs] Start all over.
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It's not good that the ribs fell,
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'cause they could have gotten dirty
if they landed on the ground.
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But it was better that those
ribs fell from up there than me,
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it's about 20 feet high.
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I got to start all over again.
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One piece down, several more to go.
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Once I get this meat up
where it's safe from bears,
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it's safe for the rest of the winter.
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I'll be able to keep this meat,
because it's going to get cold enough here
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it's going to be frozen in a short time,
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and the meat will last me until spring.
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All right.
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I'll be able to leave this meat up here,
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until next spring.
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I grew up in rural Vermont,
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and at a later stage of my life
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I did live in cities, quite a bit.
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When I was in my early mid-20s,
I travelled a lot.
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I was working as a courier in those days,
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and I travelled all over the world,
and lived in a lot of different cities.
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In fact, the first time I ever saw
the Brooks Range, it was on a flight
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between Tokyo and New York City,
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a moment that will stick
in my memory forever.
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I was flying across
the Brooks Range that day,
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looking out the window of that 747
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and just seeing those mountains
stretching out as far as I could see.
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I knew there were people living down there
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'cause I'd seen some
National Geographic documentary
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about a couple of families
that lived in the Brooks Range.
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I just thought, "Yeah,
I'm going to go there."
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[narrator] The price of Glenn's
independent lifestyle
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is making a home in brutal conditions.
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And with few resources,
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00:12:03,967 --> 00:12:06,167
and dangerous predators,
living off the land
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00:12:06,233 --> 00:12:08,400
requires constant awareness.
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00:12:08,867 --> 00:12:11,833
[Glenn] Humans have kind of separated
themselves from nature over time.
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00:12:11,900 --> 00:12:14,467
And they have all
these rules and regulations.
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Out here, it's a different set of rules.
Nature is in charge out here.
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And if you don't play
by the rules out here, you could die.
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And those are the rules
I like to abide by.
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I'm going to have
a look around for caribou.
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I walked out here on the lake
just a little ways in front of camp,
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where I have a good view
of all the mountains around the valley.
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I spend a lot of time
out here with binoculars
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just looking for caribou.
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Caribou are one of the most
important animals to me out here.
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[narrator] In the sparse wilderness
of the Brooks Range,
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00:12:49,167 --> 00:12:52,000
Glenn has limited
opportunities for game hunting.
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00:12:52,267 --> 00:12:56,367
Securing meat often means contending
with other skilled hunters in the area.
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[Glenn] I see caribou,
they're up on the ridge.
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00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:02,533
They're a long way off,
they're out of my range.
233
00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:04,500
But there are a few of them up there.
234
00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,167
[wolves howling]
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That's probably about two miles away.
236
00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,100
Hear that?
237
00:13:15,167 --> 00:13:17,567
-[howling at a distance]
-It's wolves howling.
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I'm going over there to see
what's going on.
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00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:24,767
I'm headed over here
because there's some wolves howling.
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00:13:25,033 --> 00:13:26,900
Ravens flying up out of this willow field.
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00:13:27,933 --> 00:13:30,167
About half a mile from my camp,
something's going on,
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I think the wolves
killed something over here.
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00:13:34,167 --> 00:13:36,367
You know the wolves
have a really good nose,
244
00:13:36,433 --> 00:13:39,367
and there's times
when the wolves do sometimes
245
00:13:39,433 --> 00:13:41,000
lead me to a caribou.
246
00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:45,667
Usually, the wolves,
they don't want anything to do with me,
247
00:13:45,733 --> 00:13:47,000
they know I'm dangerous.
248
00:13:47,767 --> 00:13:49,767
The wolves always back down.
249
00:13:49,833 --> 00:13:52,900
Until last year, one time
there was this big pack of 20 wolves.
250
00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,667
And I was approaching them,
they had just killed a moose.
251
00:13:55,733 --> 00:13:58,800
And those wolves actually ran at me,
252
00:13:58,900 --> 00:14:00,233
and I ended up shooting three of them.
253
00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:07,000
Wolves are right up this way.
254
00:14:08,133 --> 00:14:09,700
Sometimes if I get there fast enough,
255
00:14:09,767 --> 00:14:11,867
I can get some meat
off of what they killed,
256
00:14:11,933 --> 00:14:13,767
and they may have killed a caribou.
257
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:17,700
Right through the brush there
the snow is all knocked off.
258
00:14:17,767 --> 00:14:19,633
Wolves went right through here.
259
00:14:19,733 --> 00:14:21,300
These are the tracks.
260
00:14:21,367 --> 00:14:24,267
These are fresh wolf tracks,
right through here.
261
00:14:24,500 --> 00:14:26,100
Here it is.
262
00:14:26,167 --> 00:14:27,567
Caribou, they killed right here.
263
00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:29,833
The wolves killed this caribou.
264
00:14:31,533 --> 00:14:32,767
Aw, man.
265
00:14:33,100 --> 00:14:34,767
There's not much left.
266
00:14:34,933 --> 00:14:36,000
I got here too late,
267
00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:38,367
and they made a mess of it.
268
00:14:38,433 --> 00:14:40,767
As far as I'm concerned,
there's nothing on there for me to eat.
269
00:14:44,900 --> 00:14:47,567
What I love about
living out here the way I live,
270
00:14:47,633 --> 00:14:50,767
is that most of the time out here
it's just very calm and meditative,
271
00:14:50,833 --> 00:14:53,467
it's a very silent, quiet environment.
272
00:14:53,567 --> 00:14:55,033
It's very peaceful out here.
273
00:14:55,500 --> 00:14:58,433
But that calm and peace is punctuated
274
00:14:58,533 --> 00:15:00,400
by excitement like I had today.
275
00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,133
A pack of wolves
in my backyard killed a caribou.
276
00:15:05,367 --> 00:15:06,700
Keeps life interesting.
277
00:15:12,500 --> 00:15:14,300
Nature's completely indifferent.
278
00:15:14,367 --> 00:15:17,800
I could mess up
and meet an untimely death.
279
00:15:17,867 --> 00:15:20,633
Within minutes the grey jays
are going to be pecking my eyeballs out
280
00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:22,033
and nobody's going to notice.
281
00:15:22,100 --> 00:15:24,200
Nothing cares.
They just come over and eat you.
282
00:15:24,267 --> 00:15:27,867
I mean, if you die... [chuckles]
It's just, "Oh, there's some food."
283
00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:42,600
There's something over there.
284
00:15:43,633 --> 00:15:45,400
There's an animal
in the woods right there.
285
00:15:45,467 --> 00:15:46,633
He's behind some spruce trees,
286
00:15:46,700 --> 00:15:48,933
but he's coming to an opening
right now.
287
00:15:51,767 --> 00:15:52,967
Hey, bear.
288
00:15:53,233 --> 00:15:54,767
He probably smells those fish I'm eating.
289
00:15:56,367 --> 00:15:58,600
I have grizzly bears that come out
290
00:15:58,667 --> 00:16:00,667
and sometimes cause problems
at the camp.
291
00:16:00,767 --> 00:16:03,367
A lot of the things that I own
292
00:16:03,433 --> 00:16:05,033
have been chewed on by bears.
293
00:16:05,100 --> 00:16:06,733
One time I came in here,
there was a big hole
294
00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:08,333
through the roof
where a bear went through it.
295
00:16:08,767 --> 00:16:10,933
There's been bears
standing right on my bed.
296
00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:17,500
Go away.
297
00:16:20,833 --> 00:16:23,233
How to deal with a bear,
is to talk to the bear.
298
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:25,167
Because then they know you are human.
299
00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,567
And bears aren't interested
in messing around with humans.
300
00:16:28,667 --> 00:16:30,567
There's nothing for you over here.
301
00:16:40,333 --> 00:16:42,467
When I first moved here,
302
00:16:42,533 --> 00:16:45,867
it was very common for bears
to walk right down the beach here.
303
00:16:45,933 --> 00:16:47,933
After I was here for one or two summers,
304
00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,433
they stopped walking by
the front of the cabin very often.
305
00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:51,833
They didn't want to come into the yard.
306
00:16:52,300 --> 00:16:54,233
Hopefully, I won't see
any more of him today.
307
00:17:01,167 --> 00:17:05,233
A lot of people never have the chance
to be alone for longer than a day.
308
00:17:05,300 --> 00:17:06,533
A lot of people don't want to be.
309
00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,167
When you're with other people,
310
00:17:09,233 --> 00:17:11,067
your actions always have to be modified
311
00:17:11,133 --> 00:17:13,067
in order to accommodate the other people.
312
00:17:13,133 --> 00:17:14,533
That's reality. We're social animals.
313
00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:17,533
You don't just go through your life,
unless you're some arrogant son of a bitch
314
00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:18,967
thinking only about yourself.
315
00:17:19,167 --> 00:17:21,000
But it's also nice, sometimes,
316
00:17:21,067 --> 00:17:23,733
just to feel that you are totally
317
00:17:24,567 --> 00:17:26,767
responsible for your actions,
318
00:17:26,833 --> 00:17:29,833
and you don't have to take
anybody else into consideration.
319
00:17:30,233 --> 00:17:32,567
There becomes no separation
320
00:17:32,633 --> 00:17:35,000
between work and recreation.
321
00:17:35,067 --> 00:17:38,367
What you do every day is enjoyable.
322
00:17:39,467 --> 00:17:40,800
And that's something where
323
00:17:40,867 --> 00:17:43,200
a lot of people have to take
324
00:17:43,267 --> 00:17:45,533
a couple of weeks a year,
or whatever to take a vacation.
325
00:17:46,133 --> 00:17:48,067
And I never felt the need
to take a vacation.
326
00:17:49,533 --> 00:17:51,967
[narrator] Glenn has made a home
in the Brooks Range,
327
00:17:52,033 --> 00:17:54,133
one of the northernmost regions in Alaska.
328
00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:57,067
To thrive in the difficult Arctic climate,
329
00:17:57,133 --> 00:17:59,400
he must perform routine tasks each day,
330
00:17:59,467 --> 00:18:02,267
despite the freezing temperatures
and harsh weather.
331
00:18:03,267 --> 00:18:04,400
[Glenn] Weather conditions
332
00:18:04,467 --> 00:18:06,633
and snow conditions
are always different out here.
333
00:18:06,700 --> 00:18:08,333
You never know what to expect.
334
00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,733
In the winter,
it's 60 below zero, sometimes.
335
00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:12,767
In the summer it can be 85 above.
336
00:18:12,833 --> 00:18:14,400
It's a very extreme climate.
337
00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:17,133
You can become very vulnerable, very fast.
338
00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:22,800
This time of year,
one of the most important things for me
339
00:18:22,867 --> 00:18:24,467
is to keep my camp heated.
340
00:18:25,667 --> 00:18:29,067
And to have enough wood to do that,
I have to work at it almost continuously.
341
00:18:31,333 --> 00:18:32,967
In really cold weather,
342
00:18:33,033 --> 00:18:35,900
I could burn up this whole
sled boat in just 24 hours.
343
00:18:36,567 --> 00:18:37,900
So, I have to be cutting wood,
344
00:18:37,967 --> 00:18:40,167
bringing it home,
splitting it all the time.
345
00:18:40,367 --> 00:18:43,167
[narrator] In winter,
temperatures in the Brooks Range
346
00:18:43,233 --> 00:18:46,400
can plunge to as low as
negative 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
347
00:18:47,567 --> 00:18:49,633
Without a steady supply of firewood,
348
00:18:49,700 --> 00:18:52,900
Glenn would be unable to survive
more than a few days in isolation.
349
00:18:54,767 --> 00:18:57,767
[Glenn] This area where I live,
in the Chandalar, this is documented
350
00:18:57,833 --> 00:19:00,367
to be the coldest area in North America.
351
00:19:00,933 --> 00:19:04,167
There are only two places in the world
where it gets colder than this.
352
00:19:04,333 --> 00:19:05,533
One is in Antarctica,
353
00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:08,133
where it can down colder
than 100 below zero in the wintertime.
354
00:19:08,267 --> 00:19:10,533
And the other
is in a certain area of Siberia,
355
00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:12,567
but the south slope of the Brooks Range,
356
00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,833
and the Chandalar drainage
in particular, where I live,
357
00:19:15,933 --> 00:19:18,400
is the coldest area
in North America for sure.
358
00:19:18,900 --> 00:19:20,633
Wow, there is a tree right there.
359
00:19:21,167 --> 00:19:23,767
That is a big tree
with a lot of firewood in it.
360
00:19:23,833 --> 00:19:25,000
Just in that little section,
361
00:19:25,067 --> 00:19:27,167
that's a whole day's firewood
in real cold weather.
362
00:19:27,233 --> 00:19:28,833
This is a whole different ball game here.
363
00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:40,633
One hazard of extreme cold weather
364
00:19:40,700 --> 00:19:42,833
when you're working very hard physically
365
00:19:42,900 --> 00:19:44,833
is getting frostbite.
366
00:19:45,067 --> 00:19:47,700
Any exposed skin, like, on the face
or the fingers,
367
00:19:47,767 --> 00:19:49,900
when I have to use
my fingers for dexterity
368
00:19:49,967 --> 00:19:51,400
take my mittens off,
369
00:19:51,467 --> 00:19:53,600
I can only do that for so long,
370
00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:55,800
and then I will get frostbite.
371
00:19:55,867 --> 00:19:58,500
That's one of my biggest
concerns about the cold.
372
00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:00,400
Okay, I'm going to put in a wedge now,
373
00:20:01,533 --> 00:20:04,033
try to get the tree
to tip over the way I want it to.
374
00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:05,600
Okay.
375
00:20:06,767 --> 00:20:08,200
It's going! It's going.
376
00:20:11,333 --> 00:20:12,567
Yeah!
377
00:20:13,433 --> 00:20:14,767
All right.
378
00:20:14,867 --> 00:20:16,300
Right where I wanted it.
379
00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:20,900
A lot of time when I'm operating out here,
380
00:20:20,967 --> 00:20:22,567
I'm uncomfortably cold.
381
00:20:22,633 --> 00:20:25,200
But there's a big difference
being uncomfortably cold
382
00:20:25,267 --> 00:20:26,367
and dangerously cold.
383
00:20:26,433 --> 00:20:28,800
And it's important
to recognise that difference.
384
00:20:29,867 --> 00:20:32,033
What can happen is you get so cold
385
00:20:32,100 --> 00:20:35,300
that you just can no longer perform
the functions you have to perform
386
00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:36,767
to keep yourself alive.
387
00:20:38,833 --> 00:20:40,067
Yes!
388
00:20:40,133 --> 00:20:41,467
Made it through.
389
00:20:43,033 --> 00:20:45,233
Look at that. Think of the firewood.
390
00:20:46,867 --> 00:20:48,433
I got all this wood.
391
00:20:48,500 --> 00:20:50,467
A few days, just in one sled load.
392
00:20:51,033 --> 00:20:52,800
I couldn't be happier. This is awesome.
393
00:20:53,800 --> 00:20:56,200
Good thing,
'cause my hands are getting cold.
394
00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,667
Out here, you are really puny
395
00:20:59,733 --> 00:21:02,500
compared to... [chuckles]
The forces that are around you.
396
00:21:02,667 --> 00:21:03,667
Like the weather,
397
00:21:03,733 --> 00:21:07,067
just something like the wind.
It is so much stronger than you are.
398
00:21:07,133 --> 00:21:09,100
If the wind comes up
and you're up on a mountain,
399
00:21:09,167 --> 00:21:10,900
and you learn that really fast.
400
00:21:12,867 --> 00:21:14,567
I'm going to head up
into the mountains this morning,
401
00:21:14,633 --> 00:21:16,467
spend a few days walking around.
402
00:21:17,033 --> 00:21:19,267
Up in these mountains,
several miles from camp,
403
00:21:19,333 --> 00:21:20,567
there are Dall sheep.
404
00:21:20,867 --> 00:21:22,367
And in a couple of months from now,
405
00:21:22,433 --> 00:21:23,700
I'll be hunting those sheep.
406
00:21:24,167 --> 00:21:25,867
So, what I need to do at this time of year
407
00:21:25,933 --> 00:21:27,567
in preparation to hunt for 'em,
408
00:21:27,633 --> 00:21:29,467
is to go out and scout for them.
409
00:21:29,733 --> 00:21:32,233
I'm going to head up this ridge,
see what I can find up there.
410
00:21:33,133 --> 00:21:35,233
[narrator] The changing seasons
provide an opportunity
411
00:21:35,300 --> 00:21:37,733
for Glenn to travel higher
into the mountains,
412
00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,833
and scout animal behaviour
for coming hunts.
413
00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:43,233
But he must be wary
of any sudden weather change
414
00:21:43,300 --> 00:21:44,400
on steep terrain.
415
00:21:44,700 --> 00:21:46,633
[Glenn] Of course,
I got to pay attention to the weather.
416
00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:49,000
Just a few little light sprinkles
falling now.
417
00:21:49,067 --> 00:21:50,500
You can see over there.
418
00:21:50,567 --> 00:21:52,767
Those mountains, it's raining over there.
419
00:21:53,500 --> 00:21:54,800
Raining or snowing.
420
00:21:55,833 --> 00:21:58,267
If that weather gets over here,
421
00:21:58,700 --> 00:22:00,267
I could get pretty wet, pretty fast.
422
00:22:00,333 --> 00:22:02,033
So, I got to pay attention to the weather.
423
00:22:02,467 --> 00:22:04,333
But so far, it's been a beautiful day.
424
00:22:05,167 --> 00:22:08,133
And I'm seeing more sheep sign
the further up this mountain I get.
425
00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:09,600
Things are looking good.
426
00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:16,333
There. I see some sheep right there.
427
00:22:19,167 --> 00:22:20,300
[whispering]
428
00:22:45,033 --> 00:22:46,700
Little snow squall blowing through.
429
00:22:48,967 --> 00:22:51,200
You gotta be prepared
for any weather this time of year.
430
00:22:51,533 --> 00:22:53,767
I never know what to expect
up in these mountains.
431
00:22:59,833 --> 00:23:01,267
It's really blowing up here.
432
00:23:03,133 --> 00:23:04,333
I got to find a place to camp.
433
00:23:05,233 --> 00:23:07,633
Set up my tent before this storm picks up
434
00:23:07,700 --> 00:23:09,600
even worse than this. [sighs]
435
00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:14,667
Storm can blow in fast like this,
and it won't necessarily last too long,
436
00:23:14,733 --> 00:23:15,867
but you never know.
437
00:23:17,633 --> 00:23:19,933
This time of the year,
the weather can just be about anything.
438
00:23:30,500 --> 00:23:32,167
Changes are very dramatic here,
439
00:23:32,233 --> 00:23:34,167
because it's a land of extremes.
440
00:23:34,233 --> 00:23:36,867
That's what keeps life interesting,
the changes.
441
00:23:36,933 --> 00:23:40,067
It's good just to get in here
out of the snow and out of the wind.
442
00:23:40,133 --> 00:23:42,867
I'll just ride
this snowstorm out in here,
443
00:23:42,933 --> 00:23:45,067
and when the weather clears up,
I'll go back out.
444
00:23:50,467 --> 00:23:51,833
When I started living this lifestyle
445
00:23:51,933 --> 00:23:54,400
I used much more technology
than I do today.
446
00:23:54,967 --> 00:23:58,000
I then ran a snowmobile
for a number of years,
447
00:23:58,067 --> 00:24:00,800
and I had a chainsaw
to cut my firewood at that time.
448
00:24:01,333 --> 00:24:03,467
But over the years,
449
00:24:03,633 --> 00:24:07,233
I've moved toward a simpler,
more primitive way of life.
450
00:24:07,300 --> 00:24:10,833
And one aspect of that
is that I cut all my wood with an axe.
451
00:24:11,933 --> 00:24:14,667
When I'm out in the woods,
it's the only tool I take.
452
00:24:14,733 --> 00:24:17,167
Even though, of course,
it's a lot more time-consuming
453
00:24:17,233 --> 00:24:18,533
to get the amount of wood I need,
454
00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:21,500
but I didn't mind that, actually.
455
00:24:21,633 --> 00:24:25,167
Compared to having those earplugs stuck in
and breathing exhaust fumes all day,
456
00:24:25,233 --> 00:24:26,633
I'd just be out there cutting wood,
457
00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:28,767
and hear the birds singing,
and the wolves howling.
458
00:24:29,433 --> 00:24:30,833
I just found it a lot more enjoyable.
459
00:24:34,167 --> 00:24:38,000
[narrator] Glenn has chosen a primitive
lifestyle in the Alaskan wilderness,
460
00:24:38,067 --> 00:24:40,733
without the use of modern technology.
461
00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:43,000
But his relying solely on hand tools
462
00:24:43,067 --> 00:24:44,767
means extra manual labour,
463
00:24:44,833 --> 00:24:48,433
and longer hours to survive
the volatile seasons of the Arctic.
464
00:24:49,500 --> 00:24:51,500
[Glenn] It takes skill
to live out here, the way I do.
465
00:24:51,567 --> 00:24:53,467
It's all about experience.
466
00:24:53,533 --> 00:24:56,233
Gaining knowledge. Keeps life interesting.
467
00:24:56,300 --> 00:24:58,300
Being bored, I've never had that problem.
468
00:25:00,533 --> 00:25:02,333
I need to make some new kind of bridge.
469
00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:03,900
Imagine this here is the creek.
470
00:25:03,967 --> 00:25:06,900
I'm laying a log here and a log here,
471
00:25:07,933 --> 00:25:09,500
and where a tree is growing here,
472
00:25:09,700 --> 00:25:12,600
I'm going to try and fell it
right across those two logs,
473
00:25:12,667 --> 00:25:15,033
then I'll be able
to walk across the creek
474
00:25:15,433 --> 00:25:18,567
right there without getting my feet wet.
475
00:25:19,667 --> 00:25:22,267
This would be a great spot for me
to cross for years to come.
476
00:25:45,100 --> 00:25:46,133
Yeah!
477
00:25:48,867 --> 00:25:50,933
This is the basis for my bridge.
478
00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:57,600
I just need to cross this creek
and pull this log across.
479
00:26:03,333 --> 00:26:04,433
Ow.
480
00:26:08,667 --> 00:26:10,167
I got the base on this side,
481
00:26:10,233 --> 00:26:11,567
I got the base on the other side.
482
00:26:11,633 --> 00:26:13,333
I just have to cut that tree
483
00:26:13,733 --> 00:26:16,333
and get it to fall straight across here,
and I'll be all set.
484
00:26:18,267 --> 00:26:22,467
This notch has to be perpendicular
to the direction I want the tree to fall.
485
00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:24,333
[grunting]
486
00:26:25,633 --> 00:26:29,267
And it's a very narrow space
that I'm trying to get it to fall into.
487
00:26:33,867 --> 00:26:38,533
I'm going to cut just a little higher
up in the base of my notch.
488
00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:41,133
Just a couple of inches up higher.
489
00:26:41,233 --> 00:26:44,333
And I got to be really careful
not to drop it on myself, obviously.
490
00:26:44,733 --> 00:26:47,067
I have to get,
to get it back to about here,
491
00:26:47,133 --> 00:26:49,133
where I can really wedge it,
492
00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,300
and the problem is, I can't
493
00:26:52,100 --> 00:26:55,000
seem to get this saw
to go in any further now.
494
00:27:02,133 --> 00:27:03,833
The wedge is too thin.
495
00:27:03,900 --> 00:27:06,000
If I put this axe right here,
496
00:27:07,133 --> 00:27:08,400
it's much broader.
497
00:27:08,933 --> 00:27:12,133
I really have to get something
pretty darn heavy to pound on that with.
498
00:27:12,900 --> 00:27:14,433
I got to think about this.
499
00:27:15,100 --> 00:27:16,700
All I have is this axe.
500
00:27:17,800 --> 00:27:19,100
Nothing to pound it.
501
00:27:20,233 --> 00:27:21,333
[sniffs]
502
00:27:21,567 --> 00:27:23,067
[tree creaking]
503
00:27:23,133 --> 00:27:24,800
Look out, it's going. It's going!
504
00:27:30,100 --> 00:27:31,733
Yes! Right in the right place.
505
00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:32,933
Look at that.
506
00:27:33,867 --> 00:27:36,300
[exclaims in delight]
Look at this.
507
00:27:36,900 --> 00:27:38,233
Awesome!
508
00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,433
All I got to do is limb it,
and I got a bridge right here.
509
00:27:41,667 --> 00:27:43,433
Look at that. [laughing]
510
00:27:43,667 --> 00:27:45,500
Mother Nature helped me out again.
511
00:27:45,833 --> 00:27:47,700
I just had to wait
for a little breeze to come.
512
00:27:47,933 --> 00:27:50,267
Beautiful. I love this bridge.
513
00:27:55,900 --> 00:27:57,067
[sighs]
514
00:27:57,800 --> 00:27:59,800
You could just sit on a bridge, relax,
515
00:27:59,867 --> 00:28:01,667
you could fish from the bridge,
516
00:28:02,367 --> 00:28:03,767
you could take a nap on a bridge.
517
00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:06,400
You could always fall off of a bridge.
518
00:28:06,467 --> 00:28:07,733
Whoa!
519
00:28:07,967 --> 00:28:11,367
Now, I won't have to take my clothes off
every time I go across the creek.
520
00:28:11,833 --> 00:28:13,033
That's a beautiful bridge.
521
00:28:18,367 --> 00:28:19,633
When I first came out here,
522
00:28:19,700 --> 00:28:21,467
the way I lit fire was with a match.
523
00:28:21,533 --> 00:28:24,800
I had no idea how to light fire
with the materials right here at hand.
524
00:28:26,733 --> 00:28:29,200
What would happen to me
if something happened to my matches?
525
00:28:29,267 --> 00:28:32,433
There were a lot of things that
I had to learn in order to live out here.
526
00:28:36,033 --> 00:28:38,133
Here in the Arctic, fire is essential.
527
00:28:38,200 --> 00:28:40,867
If I don't have a fire,
I couldn't live long out here.
528
00:28:40,933 --> 00:28:45,300
And my preferred way to make it
is with a friction fire set like this.
529
00:28:45,367 --> 00:28:48,267
The nearest place I can get
matches is 200 miles away from here.
530
00:28:48,333 --> 00:28:51,700
I want to be able to light a fire with
what I can get right here in this valley.
531
00:28:51,767 --> 00:28:53,967
Here is the set that I build fire with.
532
00:28:54,033 --> 00:28:56,533
The thing is, some components
of the set wear out.
533
00:28:56,733 --> 00:28:59,800
I need to get a new spindle,
I need to get a new fireboard,
534
00:29:00,267 --> 00:29:02,533
and with that I should
be able to build a fire,
535
00:29:02,633 --> 00:29:05,967
entirely with materials that
I gather within a mile of my home.
536
00:29:09,067 --> 00:29:12,333
Almost all the trees
in this valley are white spruce.
537
00:29:12,533 --> 00:29:14,800
But the type I'm looking for,
538
00:29:14,867 --> 00:29:16,833
a Balsam Poplar,
539
00:29:16,900 --> 00:29:18,233
is a very different tree.
540
00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:20,767
I'm pretty familiar with the forest,
541
00:29:20,833 --> 00:29:24,067
so anywhere there's a resource
that I might need in the future
542
00:29:24,133 --> 00:29:25,767
I lock that away when I see it,
543
00:29:25,833 --> 00:29:28,867
and then I can get back
to what I need when I want it.
544
00:29:30,133 --> 00:29:31,800
Rather than cutting a standing tree,
545
00:29:31,867 --> 00:29:34,333
I might be able to find
a good piece of wood
546
00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:36,367
on the ground from a tree that fell over.
547
00:29:36,433 --> 00:29:38,300
I can see
where some poplar trees here have died
548
00:29:38,367 --> 00:29:40,633
and fallen over underneath the snow.
549
00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:47,333
[thumping]
550
00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:49,067
There, that's a piece of wood right there.
551
00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:54,367
This is the piece I want.
552
00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:56,933
This section in here.
553
00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:00,267
'Cause inside this piece of wood,
there's a fireboard and a spindle.
554
00:30:00,333 --> 00:30:01,767
I just haven't found it yet.
555
00:30:06,233 --> 00:30:07,633
There...
556
00:30:07,700 --> 00:30:09,867
I just split off a piece
557
00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:12,300
that I think will work pretty good.
558
00:30:16,633 --> 00:30:18,633
So, I've got my spindle.
559
00:30:22,367 --> 00:30:25,467
I'm going to try and build a fire
and cook some dinner right here.
560
00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:41,900
It's just so beautiful to see
that first ember...
561
00:30:42,967 --> 00:30:45,467
When I'm drilling away like that.
562
00:30:45,533 --> 00:30:49,033
And it's all dark,
and then you see this little orange glow,
563
00:30:49,100 --> 00:30:50,467
but you don't want to stop too soon.
564
00:30:50,533 --> 00:30:53,100
You just keep going,
until you can't hold your breath any more
565
00:30:53,167 --> 00:30:55,233
'cause all the smoke's rolling up.
566
00:30:55,300 --> 00:30:57,033
You have to stop breathing at some point
567
00:30:57,100 --> 00:30:58,667
and you just keep on truckin'.
568
00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:01,533
There's just something
special about these tools.
569
00:31:01,633 --> 00:31:05,133
Just to think that you can just
take a tree that's laying under the snow
570
00:31:05,200 --> 00:31:06,933
and you can make a fire out of it.
571
00:31:07,933 --> 00:31:09,767
Here's some moose meat I brought.
572
00:31:10,567 --> 00:31:13,200
I'm just going to boil it
right in this pot.
573
00:31:14,933 --> 00:31:16,633
For thousands and thousands of years,
574
00:31:16,700 --> 00:31:19,133
people have been building fires this way.
575
00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:20,800
Most of the time people have been
on Earth,
576
00:31:20,867 --> 00:31:22,433
this is how they've been building fires,
you know.
577
00:31:24,233 --> 00:31:26,133
I live this way because I enjoy it.
578
00:31:26,800 --> 00:31:30,833
I could be laying in a hammock
on the beach in Thailand,
579
00:31:30,900 --> 00:31:32,000
if I wanted to be.
580
00:31:32,867 --> 00:31:36,333
But, no, I'm just having
a lot of fun up here.
581
00:31:39,100 --> 00:31:41,833
If you just walked out here,
not knowing what you're doing,
582
00:31:41,900 --> 00:31:44,833
and you didn't prepare yourself,
it would be very dangerous.
583
00:31:45,533 --> 00:31:47,733
The way I did this
584
00:31:47,800 --> 00:31:49,467
involved a lot of preparation.
585
00:31:50,467 --> 00:31:53,733
And some people do it
without much preparation,
586
00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:55,900
and if they can pull it off,
I think that's great.
587
00:31:55,967 --> 00:31:58,433
But there are risks. I mean,
588
00:31:58,533 --> 00:32:02,267
I was actually preparing to move out here
for seven years after I decided
589
00:32:02,967 --> 00:32:04,167
that that's what I wanted to do.
590
00:32:04,233 --> 00:32:07,567
I didn't have
any hunting experience, really.
591
00:32:07,633 --> 00:32:11,367
And during that first four months
I ran out of store-bought food completely.
592
00:32:12,300 --> 00:32:14,900
I had one little bag of flour at the end
before I killed a moose.
593
00:32:14,967 --> 00:32:16,133
That was all I had.
594
00:32:18,700 --> 00:32:20,667
[narrator] The Brooks Range
can be unforgiving
595
00:32:20,733 --> 00:32:23,000
to even the most seasoned woodsmen.
596
00:32:23,067 --> 00:32:25,200
Maintaining his lifestyle allows Glenn
597
00:32:25,267 --> 00:32:28,100
to constantly develop
new ways of living in the Arctic...
598
00:32:28,167 --> 00:32:30,633
And accept the cost of his mistakes.
599
00:32:30,767 --> 00:32:32,100
[Glenn] When I've been out here
600
00:32:32,167 --> 00:32:35,033
and some misfortune has befallen me,
601
00:32:35,133 --> 00:32:36,767
and I've been able to overcome it,
602
00:32:36,833 --> 00:32:38,233
I find that satisfying.
603
00:32:38,300 --> 00:32:39,567
You can handle a lot.
604
00:32:39,633 --> 00:32:41,233
People are taught to be weak.
605
00:32:41,300 --> 00:32:42,633
They're taught to be dependent.
606
00:32:42,700 --> 00:32:45,333
But you can learn
to be strong and independent.
607
00:32:54,267 --> 00:32:56,067
Spring is a transition time
608
00:32:56,133 --> 00:32:59,233
because the caribou leave,
and things really change here.
609
00:32:59,300 --> 00:33:02,067
[narrator] Tracking the seasons
and the resources around him
610
00:33:02,133 --> 00:33:05,167
is critical to Glenn's survival
in the Brooks Range.
611
00:33:05,233 --> 00:33:06,900
Even simple tasks,
612
00:33:06,967 --> 00:33:08,567
such as getting water from the lake,
613
00:33:08,633 --> 00:33:12,200
can quickly turn into crucial
opportunities to source food.
614
00:33:12,267 --> 00:33:15,467
[Glenn] I had to learn a lot
in order to live out here.
615
00:33:15,533 --> 00:33:17,767
Physically, it's been very hard.
616
00:33:20,633 --> 00:33:22,267
[ice crackling]
617
00:33:23,967 --> 00:33:25,967
This is really hungry country up here.
618
00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:30,067
It's the Arctic, and life is spread
really thin over the land up here.
619
00:33:31,967 --> 00:33:33,833
Only way I can find enough food to eat
620
00:33:33,900 --> 00:33:36,733
is to keep really close track
of the territory I hunt,
621
00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:38,033
watching all the time.
622
00:33:50,667 --> 00:33:51,900
[Glenn shouting]
623
00:34:04,767 --> 00:34:07,300
Sometimes I've been able to get
caribou to come in pretty close
624
00:34:07,367 --> 00:34:08,567
just by yelling like that.
625
00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:10,800
I'll run right at 'em and yell
626
00:34:10,867 --> 00:34:13,233
and try to bounce
my voice off the shoreline.
627
00:34:15,833 --> 00:34:17,267
[Glenn shouting]
628
00:34:25,167 --> 00:34:26,267
[gunshot]
629
00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:33,200
You sometimes get them to stop
and turn towards you,
630
00:34:33,267 --> 00:34:35,933
get 'em to come in 75 yards
or so by doing that.
631
00:34:37,267 --> 00:34:39,067
Unfortunately, this one didn't work out.
632
00:34:43,500 --> 00:34:45,867
To live this lifestyle,
you have to be strong,
633
00:34:45,933 --> 00:34:48,100
you have to take control
of the situation.
634
00:34:48,167 --> 00:34:50,467
You have to go out there
and make things happen.
635
00:34:50,533 --> 00:34:52,400
Nobody else is gonna do it for you.
636
00:35:04,067 --> 00:35:06,933
I'm gonna go looking for food
in a different location.
637
00:35:11,067 --> 00:35:13,233
[narrator] With no caribou in the area,
638
00:35:13,300 --> 00:35:15,833
and moose-hunting season still far off,
639
00:35:15,933 --> 00:35:17,700
Glenn relies on the lakes and streams
640
00:35:17,767 --> 00:35:21,200
to provide fish
for necessary meat and protein.
641
00:35:22,667 --> 00:35:23,833
[Glenn] This time of year,
642
00:35:23,900 --> 00:35:26,533
the pike like to go into the shallows
and weedy areas
643
00:35:26,600 --> 00:35:27,767
and they spawn in there.
644
00:35:27,900 --> 00:35:31,267
So, I was thinking,
maybe I can spear a fish.
645
00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:36,767
There's still ice across here
646
00:35:37,000 --> 00:35:41,400
and this white ice is just melting,
so the water is just above freezing.
647
00:35:45,667 --> 00:35:48,267
I won't be able to stay
in this cold water too long.
648
00:35:48,700 --> 00:35:51,333
But I got to stay in long enough
to find some fish.
649
00:35:53,633 --> 00:35:55,900
I've done a lot of fishing
with a rod and lure,
650
00:35:55,967 --> 00:35:57,767
but I'd like to be less dependent on that,
651
00:35:57,833 --> 00:35:59,767
I'd like to be able
to catch fish with a spear,
652
00:35:59,833 --> 00:36:02,167
something I could possibly
make right here on the spot.
653
00:36:04,833 --> 00:36:06,400
[whispers] I see a fish right here.
654
00:36:17,167 --> 00:36:18,167
Missed it.
655
00:36:18,800 --> 00:36:21,733
I tell you, this is more fun than fishing
with a fishing pole.
656
00:36:21,900 --> 00:36:22,900
[chuckles]
657
00:36:25,067 --> 00:36:26,800
Think I have to get closer to the fish
658
00:36:26,867 --> 00:36:29,500
before I get too excited
and let the spear fly.
659
00:36:29,800 --> 00:36:31,367
Let me try and sneak up closer.
660
00:36:32,633 --> 00:36:34,533
And the closer they are, the better.
661
00:36:43,200 --> 00:36:44,333
[sighs] Got away.
662
00:36:53,900 --> 00:36:55,167
[exhales]
663
00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,933
There's freakin' ice on the bottom
right there I slipped on.
664
00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:00,600
That water's cold.
665
00:37:00,900 --> 00:37:02,067
[sighs deeply]
666
00:37:03,700 --> 00:37:05,200
My feet are getting really cold.
667
00:37:05,300 --> 00:37:06,667
Wetness is a real danger.
668
00:37:06,767 --> 00:37:09,633
If it's raining all day,
or if I get wet in the water,
669
00:37:09,967 --> 00:37:11,967
I got to make sure I get myself warmed up,
670
00:37:12,033 --> 00:37:13,467
before I get too cold to function.
671
00:37:20,967 --> 00:37:22,133
[sighs] Missed it.
672
00:37:24,500 --> 00:37:26,200
This hasn't been very productive.
673
00:37:26,533 --> 00:37:28,567
I'm getting too cold.
I'm gonna head back.
674
00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:34,933
Go back to camp.
675
00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:41,433
We all got the same amount of time.
676
00:37:42,433 --> 00:37:44,633
It's how we spend our time
that's important.
677
00:37:45,367 --> 00:37:46,667
How do you want to spend your time?
678
00:37:47,567 --> 00:37:49,400
This is beautiful country up here.
679
00:37:49,467 --> 00:37:51,100
It's not always easy living out here.
680
00:37:51,167 --> 00:37:54,267
Especially, summer coming up,
you know, the bugs when they get bad,
681
00:37:54,333 --> 00:37:56,967
sometimes you think, "Gosh,
is this really where I want to be?"
682
00:37:57,033 --> 00:37:59,533
But overall, it's just so beautiful.
683
00:38:00,700 --> 00:38:03,867
I don't think this is for everybody,
but I think...
684
00:38:03,933 --> 00:38:07,933
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people
that aren't doing what they love to do.
685
00:38:09,133 --> 00:38:11,733
That's too bad to let life go by
and not really do what you want to do.
686
00:38:11,800 --> 00:38:13,800
If you really wanna do something,
you have to get out and do it,
687
00:38:13,867 --> 00:38:15,800
and this is what I want to do
so this is what I did.
688
00:38:16,400 --> 00:38:18,133
There's no point just dreaming
about something.
689
00:38:18,200 --> 00:38:19,967
If you got a dream, make it come true.
690
00:38:29,667 --> 00:38:31,167
One thing I really enjoy
about living out here
691
00:38:31,233 --> 00:38:32,433
is all these jobs,
you know,
692
00:38:32,500 --> 00:38:35,133
because you get
a very concrete reward out of it.
693
00:38:43,700 --> 00:38:44,867
Water is good and hot.
694
00:38:44,933 --> 00:38:46,800
I'm just adjusting the temperature.
695
00:38:47,567 --> 00:38:50,567
I want it about as hot
as I can tolerate, ideally.
696
00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:52,467
Yeah, that's just right.
697
00:38:52,533 --> 00:38:55,867
And then I like to leave the stove
going, good and hot.
698
00:38:55,967 --> 00:38:58,167
So that when I come back in,
I can warm right up.
699
00:38:58,233 --> 00:39:01,300
I tell you, I remember getting pretty
700
00:39:01,367 --> 00:39:03,733
strung out one time,
there was just too much going on,
701
00:39:03,800 --> 00:39:05,800
and I didn't take a bath for a long time.
[chuckles]
702
00:39:05,867 --> 00:39:09,267
I mean, one winter
I really didn't bathe hardly at all.
703
00:39:09,333 --> 00:39:11,200
I was just... I was too busy.
704
00:39:11,300 --> 00:39:14,233
It was like...
I realised, "Wow, I haven't taken a bath
705
00:39:14,300 --> 00:39:15,800
or washed my clothes in ages."
706
00:39:25,767 --> 00:39:27,300
What a nice day for a bath.
707
00:39:30,033 --> 00:39:31,033
[water splashing]
708
00:39:31,167 --> 00:39:32,500
It's up to 28 below.
709
00:39:33,167 --> 00:39:34,267
[sighs]
710
00:39:34,333 --> 00:39:35,733
As long as the water's hot enough,
711
00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:38,200
you can actually take plenty of time.
712
00:39:38,267 --> 00:39:40,333
You don't really have to worry too much
713
00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:42,467
about getting frostbite
if there's no breeze.
714
00:39:43,567 --> 00:39:44,833
It's calm.
715
00:39:44,900 --> 00:39:46,400
I'll take baths down to 40 below,
no problem,
716
00:39:46,467 --> 00:39:47,600
maybe even colder.
717
00:39:51,133 --> 00:39:53,367
Sometimes you feel the hair is
getting a little frozen,
718
00:39:53,433 --> 00:39:56,133
but as long as the skin
doesn't get frozen, it's no problem.
719
00:39:57,333 --> 00:39:59,267
Oh, that hot water feels so nice, though.
720
00:39:59,933 --> 00:40:01,033
[exhales]
721
00:40:07,900 --> 00:40:09,233
Okay.
722
00:40:09,300 --> 00:40:10,300
Out of water.
723
00:40:10,600 --> 00:40:12,500
Okay, I'm starting to get a little chilly.
724
00:40:12,567 --> 00:40:15,133
So, I better slip these boots on.
725
00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:17,833
I've only been out here a few minutes.
726
00:40:18,767 --> 00:40:19,767
[sighs].
727
00:40:19,833 --> 00:40:21,800
Look at that view out there,
isn't that beautiful?
728
00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:35,733
Life out here,
it's purposeful, it's complete.
729
00:40:36,567 --> 00:40:41,400
I've been right here for as long as
15 months within five miles of my camp.
730
00:40:41,467 --> 00:40:43,233
And I never felt I was missing anything.
731
00:40:44,267 --> 00:40:46,467
I didn't care what was going on
over on the other side of the world.
732
00:40:46,533 --> 00:40:49,933
I didn't care there was a new pope,
or some celebrity died,
733
00:40:50,033 --> 00:40:51,467
or we even had a new president
734
00:40:51,533 --> 00:40:53,300
once, who I didn't know about
for a couple of months.
735
00:40:53,367 --> 00:40:54,433
It didn't matter.
736
00:40:54,933 --> 00:40:57,667
All that really mattered
was what was going on right around here.
737
00:41:02,367 --> 00:41:04,900
Sometimes, it goes down
to 60 below zero or colder
738
00:41:04,967 --> 00:41:06,267
and there's times I think,
739
00:41:06,333 --> 00:41:08,233
boy, it would be nice
to live in a warmer place,
740
00:41:08,300 --> 00:41:09,467
like New Mexico, but
741
00:41:10,133 --> 00:41:13,533
you know, I couldn't get more than five
or ten miles away from a road down there.
742
00:41:13,600 --> 00:41:16,233
That pretty much cuts off
that line of thought right there.
743
00:41:20,033 --> 00:41:21,867
I've been wearing the same
clothes for more than a week.
744
00:41:21,933 --> 00:41:23,100
It's time to do some laundry.
745
00:41:24,033 --> 00:41:27,900
You can do a lot more outside
in the cold weather than people realise.
746
00:41:32,033 --> 00:41:35,467
The sun's gone now,
but I got the moon up all winter long.
747
00:41:43,900 --> 00:41:46,100
People are becoming less
and less free today.
748
00:41:46,867 --> 00:41:50,533
The demands of modern society
are requiring people
749
00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:51,867
to follow the programme,
750
00:41:52,400 --> 00:41:55,367
do what somebody else needs you to do
for your paycheque.
751
00:41:58,700 --> 00:42:01,433
I know that I'd lose my enthusiasm
for life very quickly,
752
00:42:01,500 --> 00:42:02,800
if somebody else says,
753
00:42:02,867 --> 00:42:05,433
"Today, Glenn, we need you to go
over there and do this."
754
00:42:05,500 --> 00:42:09,633
But I'm free to just
take care of myself out here
755
00:42:09,700 --> 00:42:11,167
in a direct way.
756
00:42:13,400 --> 00:42:16,900
Every morning,
I'm very happy and excited to get up
757
00:42:16,967 --> 00:42:20,533
and go to work on the things
that nature demands I do.
758
00:42:20,600 --> 00:42:22,100
If the weather changes,
759
00:42:22,167 --> 00:42:24,533
and it demands
that I go cut some more firewood,
760
00:42:24,633 --> 00:42:27,033
because I'm running out fast
because all of a sudden it's 50 below,
761
00:42:27,100 --> 00:42:28,300
I'd never mind that at all.
762
00:42:28,367 --> 00:42:29,633
I get excited about it.
763
00:42:29,700 --> 00:42:33,333
[chuckles] I mean, I'm enjoying life,
that's why I'm here, you know.
764
00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:40,267
This is the place
that I feel most comfortable at
765
00:42:40,333 --> 00:42:43,300
and most at home at
of any place in the world.
766
00:42:45,967 --> 00:42:47,000
Right here.
767
00:42:47,267 --> 00:42:50,500
Even if I left here for ten years,
I think I'd still feel that way.
768
00:42:51,233 --> 00:42:55,100
I feel more connected to this spot
than to any other spot on this earth.
61805
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