Is it legal to live in the uninhabited islands in Alaska? (Anchorage: house, rent)

[Raven and Bear]

I'm sure that's true. Sad that if Dick Proenneke wanted to build his cabin at Twin Lakes now, he'd have to buy the land outright, probably get a building permit for his structure, have an inspector come out to make sure the work was up to code, pay real estate taxes, get a proper mailing address, etc. So much for "the last frontier"...

[Tressa]

Wow why would anybody want to live on a uninhabited island unless they were running from something, heck Alaska can be tough enough without picking an deserted island. Not that I condone it but as they say it's easier to ask for forgivness than for permission.

[Rance]

I have some remote island properties on the peninsula. There is a lake near me 10 miles long that has one island that was homesteaded in the early 20's. The entire lake is part of a federal wildlife refuge. Other than the handfull of us that own property on this particular island...there will never be homes around the lake. It is so peacefull I swear it's a paradise. PM me if you want I can give you some contacts and listings to watch. It's surprising how many lot's are available for purchase through the year. And we're talking 9 to 15 grand for water front. 5 to 8 for inland but up on a hill top so you can see the lake and mountains. A few live out there year round. Most are summer visitors.

This may have some info for ya: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/mlw/factsht/land_for_ak.pdf

[rotorhead]

Keep an eye out for state land sales, they're usually held once a year or so as I recall. Most of Alaska is federal land: national forest, wilderness area, BLM, etc. The remaining portion is split between private ownership, native corporations (instead of indian tribes), and the state. Much of the land that the state sells supports various entities such as the Alaska Mental Health Fund, the universities, etc. which were given huge tracts of state land as a revenue-generating mechanism independant of the general fund.

You wouldn't expect to just pull off the road somewhere in the rest of the continental US and start building a place to live, would you? You'd expect that someone, somewhere owns every square food that you step on. Even if it's "public land" its owned by someone, specifically the taxpayers, the general public. Why would you think that Alaska land is any different?

Sure, there are so many remote areas that you could probably build a log-cabin Taj Mahal a dozen feet into the treeline and nobody would notice for years. Then again, maybe not. It's surprising how many "remote" areas are on the way to somewhere else and the state is full of folks that get around by small airplane or skiff. You'd still be tresspassing or squatting on somebodys property though, and once they found out all your hard work would be for nothing and they'd rightfully throw you out on your ear.

[Sunset_Va]

Raven and Bear



One Man's Wilderness going, going, gone


I'm sure that's true. Sad that if Dick Proenneke wanted to build his cabin at Twin Lakes now, he'd have to buy the land outright, probably get a building permit for his structure, have an inspector come out to make sure the work was up to code, pay real estate taxes, get a proper mailing address, etc. So much for "the last frontier"...

Very well said , R & B. I will never forget reading "One Man's Wilderness", Mr. Proenneke was a special and gifted person, both in his handicraft, survival skills and appreciating the natural surroundings and one thing I do remember , he sure disliked people that littered!

When I was in Alaska, I bought a copy of his book at the Denali train station!

But the face of settlement of Alaska has changed since then.

[Rance]

Well it's not the late 1800's. And it's not the 1920's. It is what it is...and we just have to deal with it. I've been here all my life, and would have loved to come in here back then and carve out a homesite. I've watched this place grow tremendously over the years. I kick myself in the butt daily knowing the price of Kenai River lot's 30 years ago and knowing what they go for today. Let alone other remote or island properties. I just keep my chin up and thank my Dad for running away from the farm in southern MN...and for dragging us up here not having the first clue about Alaska. Many learning experiences along the way. Folks can still get that to this day.

[MAINEr]

Originally Posted by Sunset_Va

Very well said , R & B. I will never forget reading "One Man's Wilderness", Mr. Proenneke was a special and gifted person, both in his handicraft, survival skills and appreciating the natural surroundings and one thing I do remember , he sure disliked people that littered!

When I was in Alaska, I bought a copy of his book at the Denali train station!

But the face of settlement of Alaska has changed since then.

I agree Dick Proenneke was truly special and gifted. I purchased that book well before I thought about moving to AK. It must have been a wonderful thing to live like he did, so free and in touch with nature, when you didn't need the govt/officials holding your hand to make sure everything is up to snuff. How I wish I could live like that again. So simple, it's the simple things in life that bring true joy. We are all so caught up in "life" that we forget to live it. Hats off to Mr Proenneke- an inspiration to us all.

Hopefully in less than 2 years, AK will be HOME!

[Xa'at]

There are so many places out in the wilderness in the Tongass Nat'l Forest that you could go and never be found. But you'd have to go by kayak- someone would be bound to notice a big yacht pulled up off of Peril strait- and you'd have to catch all your own food, no power, (not even solar- how would you get solar panels there without someone putting two and two together?) the list goes on and on. Plus, without an address how would you get your permanant fund check!?
That being said, there are lots of places you can go if you are looking for the frontier life, little house on the prairie style... After all, this is Alaska!

[Raven and Bear]

Originally Posted by MAINEr

I agree Dick Proenneke was truly special and gifted. I purchased that book well before I thought about moving to AK. It must have been a wonderful thing to live like he did, so free and in touch with nature, when you didn't need the govt/officials holding your hand to make sure everything is up to snuff. How I wish I could live like that again. So simple, it's the simple things in life that bring true joy. We are all so caught up in "life" that we forget to live it. Hats off to Mr Proenneke- an inspiration to us all.

Hopefully in less than 2 years, AK will be HOME!

Thank you Sunset_VA and MAINEr, for knowing who Dick Proenneke is and getting the point. As I recall, he built his cabin in the 1960's on Twin Lakes. He wasn't hiding from anyone or anything, on the lam, or out to break the law. He was following a dream that he had carefully and thoughtfully planned out. Anyone who has read either or both of the two books published from his journals knows that he lived a fulfilling existence on Twin Lakes, albeit a much busier and more populated one that he originally envisioned after the Park Service became active in establishing the park system there, but survivor and positive person that he was, he adapted to that situation very well. His books are so inspiring on so many levels. He "got" Alaska and a much bigger, more esoteric point about living simply, neither boastful or bragging, a man of few words in person but strong convictions. The world so desperately needs more like him.

[MinuteMan]

Here's a 9 minute video, excepts from a PBS documentary that aired last year on my local PBS channel.
YouTube - Alone in the Wilderness - The Story of Dick Proenneke