Richard Proenneke: Man About Wilderness
Now here’s a man that’ll inspire anyone to learn more about living off the grid.
I wonder… could you do it?
Imagine spending thirty years alone in the mountains of Alaska living in a log cabin built completely by hand. Even his tools were fashioned by hand.
This is the remarkable tale of Richard Louis “Dick” Proenneke who’s hand built cabin has become a significant example to our off grid community, and millions around the world, of just what one person can accomplish with the right training, the proper tools and a whole lot of determination.
- Gouge
- String
- Chisel
- Draw Knife Handle
- Draw Knife Blade
- Auger
- Wooden Compass / Divider
- Pocket Knife
- Wooden Mallet
- Adze
- Metal Compass / Divider
- Carpenters Pencil
- Plumb Bob
- Line Level
QUESTION: What Tools would YOU bring with you today if you were to build a remote cabin in Alaska?
Let us know in the comments below!
His tiny log cabin has also become one of Alaska’s most significant and profound displays of ingenuity and inspiration.
Richard Proenneke History
With hand made tools and an unrelenting desire to live free and un-caged, Dick set out to build himself a home along the shores of Twin Lakes, Alaska in 1968.
This incredible adventure was put into motion as a result of Dick wanting to devote the rest of his life living strong and healthy.
He struggled with rheumatic fever which took him out of service in the US NAVY and ever since he’s been on a mission to be the best of the best.
We’d say he succeeded!
Below is the best-selling memoir from Richard Proenneke’s journals and with firsthand knowledge of his subject and the setting, Sam Keith has woven a tribute to a man who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.
To live in a pristine land unchanged by man . . . to roam a wilderness through which few other humans has passed . . . to choose an idyllic site, cut trees by hand, and build a log cabin. . . to be self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available…to be not at odds with the world, but content with one’s own thoughts, dreams and company. Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them.
This book is a moving account of the day-to-day explorations and activities Dick carried out alone….alone in the wilderness…and the constant chain of nature’s events that kept him company.
Recommended must read books about Richard’s journey…
One Man’s Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey
(Book)
This is one of the best off grid documentaries we’ve seen and it’s become almost a classic must watch for many of our readers.
Want a complete cost breakdown of our 24ft x 20ft off grid home including the building materials list?
SEND ME THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!Alone In The Wilderness Part I
Get your own copy of the full Documentary on DVD here…
Alone in the Wilderness
(DVD)
Alone In The Wilderness Part II
Complete Alone in the Wilderness package
Why we Decided to Follow in his Footsteps
When I first saw this short documentary a few years back, I thought to myself…
I would love to have a little piece of land near the water, with some mountains in the back drop, tucked away amidst the pines, miles away from anyone and everyone. I would build myself a quaint little cabin in the woods just like Richard.
This amazing documentary was a good part responsible for sparking up the idea of The Off Grid Cabin in the first place.
It all seemed so picturesque and “simple”.
Fast forward a few years later and our family has indeed built our own little cabin in the woods. There was nothing “simple” about it. Hence the reason we decide to start this website and teach others about our journey.
Follow along if you choose :)
If you’d like to join the community of over 1 million off grid fans who are following the build of our cabin we’d love to have you along for the ride!
Want a complete cost breakdown of our 24ft x 20ft off grid home including the building materials list?
SEND ME THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!While our cabin will look nothing like what Dick built, and certainly isn’t as remote, it still holds a special place in our family’s heart. It’s our own little slice of heaven!
To learn more about what we over had to overcome to finally put The Off Grid Cabin in motion check out our About US page here.
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We appreciate you dropping in :)
P.S. If you enjoyed this story then you may also enjoy these…
Family of 7 Living Entirely Off Grid in Northern Canada
10 Things We Wish We’d Know Before Going Off Grid
very interesting story and adventure. my hats off to Dick. what an amazing life.
Of the many amazing and inspirational facets to his story is the nearly complete reliance on the land for his building materials. In his journal, I think he estimated to total cost of materials to be between $50.00 and $100.00. From my recollection, the man made materials used were:
6 bags of cement
tar paper
roofing plastic
a few pounds of nails and spikes
wood glue
clear plastic for the windows
plate glass for windows (not used)
You can also count the stove, (donated by his friend Spike) and used airplane gas cans, which were fashioned into pots, pans, hinges and other metal goods.
Basically, the purchased building materials would fit in a Home Depot shopping cart.
I always thought it would be a cute conversation with a store clerk as he rolls up his cart at the checkout.
Clerk: HI Dick, looks like you’ll be busy making something.
Dick: Yes, I’m building my retirement home in the woods.
Clerk: Oh, we should be seeing a great deal of you then. Would you like to open an account?
Dick: No need, this is probably all I’ll need.
The man’s resourcefulness was off the charts. And something anyone living off the grid could learn from.
I have watched his story many times and have never gotten tired of it !
Nice to see this website… I will share the link with my son who wants to go to Alaska and buy land somewhere, eventually.
What I loved most about this movie, when I saw it at PBS/OPB was the way he made tools and the other things with the wood around him. I think the door hinge (?) was amazing. It’s been awhile since I watched it, but loved it.
I wanted it for my collection.