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19 Comments

1. Wow…. I love ‘rural’ but can’t imagine living like this. It is very interesting. I’d want a lot of books for the long winter. Someone must have excellent engine maintenance skills. Lacking them I respect others possessing them.

   Health is a wildcard, especially for one couple of retirement age and basically on their own. We had a 2-person homestead and then one of us experienced health problems. It was a major game-changer.

2. Great article! We live north of Upstate New York, 20 miles from Canadian border. You mentioned X number of “cords” of wood. We deal in “face cords” of wood; dimensions vary, but usually 4’H X 8’L X 16” (about 1/3 of a full cord). My inference was that yours are “full cords”, yes? Thanks. Again an enviously great article!

   1. Yes, I refer to full cords here. Thanks for your comment and question.

3. perhaps for bear and moose deterrence some 12ga blanks,non lethal perimeter alarms would be in order. https://fithops.com/ there are many DIY versions search youtube.

   maybe stock some antibiotics as well from http://www.antibioticsforsurvival.com

   maybe also consider a stand alone solar generator like the apex inergy brands or a DIY build

   your armory list was absent of any mag fed battle rifles which may should be considered for bad actors

   Your retreat looks awesome by the way.

   1. Guns and bears are not as straight forward, we have found, as one might expect. During moose hunting season, hunters report that bears follow them because they know that a gun shot means a dead moose with a gut sack and other innards that will be left for them! It is like their version of following the ice cream truck music. At our home, where the human population is so low, bears are curious but not afraid of guns or marine horns (which we have used to deter them). So if they are small enough, I just bang a pot with a spoon and yell at them to go away when they are bothersome. But most we just let mosey on through. It is only the destructive repeaters that end up in my pressure cooker.

      We have been beefing up our medical supplies, and do have a 30 day supply of penicillin.

      I will look into your solar generator. Great idea, thanks.

4. My wife and I are from Alaska and have lived this type of lifestyle. But as we entered our seventh decade of life circumstances started changing. Such as: our children and grandchildren live in the “lower 48” and medical issues became a concern (example: I had prostate cancer surgery recently).

   As an avid SBlog enthusiast I reread JWR’s accurate recommendations and we are currently searching for that ideal place in Northern Idaho on a ROAD SYSTEM.

   The Alaskan lifestyle is great for the young ….especially if your children are around to help occasionally. But over the long haul we have watched most of our old friends and relatives move south.

   I will admit though, I will always miss The Great Land.

   1. Idaho is quickly changing. The hospitals are great, I had a major injury and was well taken care of. The “gimmes” from CA are moving in. They pass multi-million dollar school bonds and medicare for all. They sold the medicare for all ballot inniative as a measure to “help working people” but when the legislature put a work requirement in the law they sued. Stay away from Sandpoint, Meridian or Boise. You might as well move to CA.

5. Aging out in your bol is a biggie, I waited too long (retired at 64, basically crippled by rheumatism by 68), this should be a major consideration in your location. Now cannot garden or fight back much but hoping to see the beginning of the end before I go.

   1. Thank you for this sobering reminder to take little for granted and to appreciate what we have when we have it, particularly good health.

6. I admire your courage at tackling off-grid living in isolated parts of Alaska! I lived in Alaska when I was a child and then went back years later for a visit. I found I couldn’t take the dark winters or the extreme cold anymore so I settled for country living in the lower 48. Good Luck and God Bless You.

7. I lived in Alaska in a remote cabin fo 5+ years. Great time of my life. Had a 800lb Grizzly try getting in once. Another time had to kill a 250lb black bear 5 ft from the front door. Winters are hard, but if you can make it through 2 of them Alaska will be in your blood for the rest of your life. Recommend you have a good dog (don’t tie him up) reliable weapons, and a can-do attitude. Those with little common sense need not apply.

8. Congrats! Very well done article, and interview by JWR was very informative.
   Sounds as though you have it dialed, working on the fine tuning. Most of us are still “just in the ballpark”. Nothing I see in your situation is a detriment, with the exception of the long, dark, & cold winters. 4-5 months of winter is about enough for me. I applaud you on your efforts.
   Happy Easter everyone, may the Lord bless and shine His light upon you all.

9. I expect that I live 20 or 30 minutes, flying time, from the author. They have not chosen an easy life. They have chosen a very rewarding one. I no longer have a remote cabin and I’m too old to acquire another. Most of my friends with a remote cabin also have a home, in the real world.

   Bless you and keep you.

10. We live in Alaska, our “remote cabin” is actually in a city … but we are working hard to make it independent as possible. In our 70’s now my bride and I cannot fathom a remote cabin life unless it for vacation .. but no matter what comes, with Christ in our lives we are ready for eternity … what better preps could we have than Christ?

11. Super article! Super people! I might suggest a forklift battery in your favorite voltage, formatted with removable 2.2 volt cells. In a 24 volt battery, there will be 12 cells in the steel casing, each weighing about 125 lbs. Each cell will likely have around 1500 amp/hours of capacity. You can fly whatever number of cells, and the case in, in increments if necessary. You’ll never need another battery. You’ll have to make your own distilled water to maintain it periodically.

    My 24 volt battery weighs 1960 lbs and I live well on it. Mine does not have removable cells, but I can move it with machinery you don’t have. Available in 12, 24, 36, 48 volt. You’ll love the power….microwave, 19 gallon water heater, appliances (no dryer, electric range, please), etc. I use 10% of it’s capacity in daily cycles. You can have it shipped dry and fill it on site. See Giant Industrial Battery, Chicago, IL. Forklift batteries cost about 1/3rd of what a similar sized bank would cost in smaller, solar batteries.

    After the battery issue is resolved, pile on the 300+ watt panels and you’ll never want for power (when the sun isn’t hidden for most of the day). The turbine is nice, be advised that they wear out every couple of years.

    The .338 is a perfect choice for Alaska!

    Best,

    Paul

    1. Thank you. We will look into your suggestion.

12. Love the setup, the only things that comes to mind is airborne looters showing up at your cabin. It seems unlikely as if things are bad enough that people start looting, not too many planes will be in the air, but I think it deserves consideration.

    Perhaps upgrade in the body armor and fire power department, as well as coming up with some defensive plans?

13. I assume you folks have had a talk with your children about coming home if things go crazy? It would probably be a hard life for them but your place would be a refuge where all of you would be safe.

14. Congrats on becoming more self sufficient, that kind of life isnt for everyone. The Wife and I bought our piece of Alaska last winter. waiting on our retirement to move to the property full time. We are not as remote as you folks, but we are out of range for most people. Our place is only accessible by boat or seaplane. We are planting our orchard this year. The wife and I, both have the kind of skills needed for the remote lifestyle. She makes most of our medicinal needs and I am the woods crafter. Best of luck to you

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