30 days Starving and building a cabin. Hungry Alaskan lessons
2,825,570
Published 2022-09-21
Beginning weight: Josh-178, Cody-184
Ending weight: Josh-151, Cody-162
Well at least we wont make that mistake again.
After landing at the airport, we had 3 hours to retrieve bags buy food, and get additional tools.
Eventually, the seemingly only taxi in the city arrived.
Pressed for time and conscious of the bush plane’s weight restrictions, we purposefully decided against a chainsaw, and accidentally shorted ourselves of vital food supplies.
We had filled large and medium sized bags with food thinking it would be enough...
It was not.
This is our story.
Aug03. Landed at lake. Realized extent of mosquitoes. Began rucking the 400lbs of gear to property. Only made it 1 mile due to difficult marsh terrain and unmarked/ overgrown trails.
Aug04. Re-cut old trail towards property (0.5 mile). Made camp and marked out a spot for the cabin.
Aug05. Rucked back to lake and filled our 5 gal containers with water. Light rain. Began clearing land of small brush.
Aug06. Heavy rain. Cleared large trees from site. Made hammers, tool shed, bench.
Aug07. Began falling trees for footers. Dug holes and burned logs for longevity.
Aug08. Slept in due to rain. We placed first base log, however it wasn't level so we'll have to redo longer footers tomorrow.
Aug09. Re-did footers. Fell more base logs.
Aug10. All 4 base logs are on. We realized that we'll have to get much smaller logs now. Moving the last log 100ft took 2 hours, and our energy is already low. Food rationing has started.
Aug11. We both hit the wall today and had to stop working. Bushwhacked to lake. Wade fishing. No luck. Found canoe for tomorrow however.
Aug12. Canoe fishing. Caught 5 pike. Found Lingonberries. Good day.
Aug13-16. Notching and placing wall logs.
Aug17. Halfway! Water ruck and fishing. No fish. Down to 800cal per day.
Aug18-22. Finished walls. Finally
Aug23. Fishing today. 3 pike. More berries. Great nap.
Aug24. Awoke to the howling of wolves this morning. Placed side roof walls. Fell more trees for running beams. Down to 4~600cal per day.
Aug25. Awoken by hunger this morning. Dreamed of Cookies. Secured side walls with trusses.
Aug26. Best day of the trip so far. Good progress on the roof. Spam Friday. Sat around fire with music and coffee.
Aug27. Placed ridge beams on cabin. Realized lack of nails will be an issue. "X" braced roof.
Aug28. Couldn't sleep well from hunger last night. Secured tarps and pine branches to the roof.
Aug29. Hardest day. Heavy rain last night. Water bucket fell over. Cutting and placing moss from 0.2 miles away was brutal. Then that afternoon we had to trek to the lake for water.
Aug30. Time has come to a standstill these final days. Finished mossing the roof while Cody worked on the door. Got a squirrel today too. Ate bones and all.
Aug31. Our bodies crave fats. All our thoughts are of food. Secured cabin base with logs.
Sep01. Clayed the base and finished the door. Placed flag pole and raised the colors. Its done.
Sep02. Took down flags. Packed up camp. Secured the door. Rucked out with a quarter of the gear we came in with. Flew out. Ate till we puked.
Thank you so much for watching. We plan to go back next fall and finish the rest of it.
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All Comments (21)
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I did this 20 years ago. I used chainsaws cuz I wasn't that tough. Still don't pay property tax cuz my place was built from beetle kill spruce. Alaska still respects homesteaders. I drive 30 miles into town everyday so I can work and contribute back to society. Tough keeping up on chores, but the old men tell me it has kept me out of trouble. 20 years no locks on my doors.
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Just so many many things to like about this video... 1) The build 2) The hunger 3) The camaraderie 4) The humour Doing all that at their age is remarkable I think Alaska gave them a soul experience that will never leave them. Well done guys!
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as a 53-year-old carpenter from Ontario. I built my first cabin at 12 years old, by myself, in my local woods. The cabin was 18' x 12', flat roof, covered with 30" x 30" tin...supplied by my grandpa. Did it all with one of my dad's splitting axes.The cabin was made from eight to ten-inch diameter white cedar. I am enjoying this adventure thoroughly
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I am a 60 year old man I worked in the oil field most of my life. I’m now on disability and in the last 10 or so years I’ve become interested in all this outdoorsy survival stuff and I wish I would’ve done it as a young man I’m jealous, you men are tough. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure. God bless you.
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You guys are hard-core. 98% of people won't or can't do what you two did. That's a huge accomplishment with what you guys had....
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Come on guys, this better be the first of a series. We want to see more of your adventures. The wife and I really enjoyed watching this. Great job! Subscribed.
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Love how you guys broke into the North Dakota accent with Marge!!! So funny. Felt your pain while building. Tough guys.
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I live here in Alaska. I am glad others can appreciate this incredible place. Just be careful of the wildlife. I have had run ins with bear and moose when you least expect it.
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I was planning to have this video on as a background noise while I’m working…I haven’t got anything done for 45min! I’ve been completely mesmerized! I’ve had a dream since childhood to build a log cabin like my grandfather did. What an amazing task you guys have accomplished!! Bravo my good sirs!
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I'm a 60 yr old gramma. You guys are toughies. You got through this, you will make it through anything. Great video, good taste. Big fish. I'm proud of yal. Listen, Jesus is watching over you. He loves you. There's not much time b4 He takes His children to paradise. Repent. I did. This was fun. I bet you guys were soar. I know you wanted a steak & pizza. I hope you got em. It reminded me of NOAH'S ARK.
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Fellow Vet here. Thanks for your service boys. Looking forward to seeing the entire journey.
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I've been in construction for 25 years and that was a hell of a lot of work guys. Nicely done. Grab yourself a Vaughn 19oz curved handle califoria framer hammer. Cheap, well made, ergonomically silky and powerful. Field test handle like any wood handled tool before taking it into the bush but I have never had one break. Claw doubles as a pickaroon.
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i love that despite how hungry you guys are feeling, you still manage the energy to crack jokes
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What I respect the most from you two is your discipline with the food. I've worked hard all my life, I'm 60 now and have been a mason. I'm building a large chimney and fireplace by myself in a new home. I'm not as tough as I used to be but building it alone does give me a sense of accomplishment. Honestly I don't know if I could do what you guys did though. Maybe when I was your age... Keep up the good work!
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Completely beautiful! I know all too well what you boys went through! Been there done that! I remember the stomach pains, the dizziness, the headaches etc.! Be very proud of yourselves! 2 friends forever right there!!
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Dick Proenneke would be chuckling at this. As a Canadian, you guys breaking into rural accents and cracking jokes is awesome! Only way to do a tough job like this is to laugh. Good job guys!
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Damn, you guys should be tremendously proud. Thank you for taking the time to film and share with the rest of us.
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These young men displayed guts, determination and amazing character that the world has very little of these days. Josh & Cody are welcome by my campfire anytime.
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At 65 and having built my home long ago without a bank or much experience at anything at the end of a road surrounded by national forest,,,, I salute your spirit. Over 30 years later the concrete and people are closing in. I’d in courage you boys to build a life way off somewhere the best you can and use the tools your generation affords toward a righteous life taking care of yourself and yours.
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You'll look back one day, which is coming sooner than you think, and realize that this project you accomplished was one of your greatest feats. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! Can't wait to see your next steps... God bless you guys, 66 carpenter.
