When we say that rural Alaska is no joke... (Salcha: living in, cabin)

[AKStafford]

... we are talking about stuff like this: https://www.ktva.com/story/41549566/...-near-skwentna

[6.7traveler]

20 days seems like an awfully long time not to strongly consider walking out given the no shelter circumstances.

I burn almost all of my cardboard all the time and have never had it catch my roof on fire. I wonder what his roof material was made of? I’m thinking his roof was made out of a tarp, since he said he food tasted like a burnt tarp? That would explain the easy fire catching.

Glad he is ok though. If the friends waited a few more days to contact troopers, this could have turned out much differently as he said he was on his last burnt can of food.

[Katie the heartbreaker]

I would not have made it even a day in those conditions. He is tough as nails. RIP Phil

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

20 days seems like an awfully long time not to strongly consider walking out given the no shelter circumstances.

I burn almost all of my cardboard all the time and have never had it catch my roof on fire. I wonder what his roof material was made of? I’m thinking his roof was made out of a tarp, since he said he food tasted like a burnt tarp? That would explain the easy fire catching.

Glad he is ok though. If the friends waited a few more days to contact troopers, this could have turned out much differently as he said he was on his last burnt can of food.

If you watch that news video you'll see that he had cobbled some sort of shelter together including a source of heat. They didn't say how far from Skwentna he was, but walking through even a 1 1/2 feet of snow can get exhausting after a while.

[Arktikos]

20 miles to skwentna. His account is on scribned.com.
I would have headed there and most likely frozen to death.
Very tough and resourceful fellow indeed, and essential qualities to possess when you build a crappy structure for winter living in AK.

[Music_Man]

But he was "living off the land".

[phlinak]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

... we are talking about stuff like this: https://www.ktva.com/story/41549566/...-near-skwentna

One of the many ways Alaska will try to take your life.

"Alaska is no joke" - is no exaggeration and straight up for real.

[riceme]

This won't surprise locals, but it may help bring into focus the "Alaska is trying to take your life" situation for others -

It was so cold last week that the troopers sent out the below Nixle alert on Friday just because a guy was walking on the side of the road.

"AST is seeking to ensure a WM 34 years old wearing a black jacket with red striping last seen on foot in the Salcha area at 324 mile of the Richardson Highway this morning is safe."

[Gunluvver2]

Originally Posted by 6.7traveler

20 days seems like an awfully long time not to strongly consider walking out given the no shelter circumstances.

I burn almost all of my cardboard all the time and have never had it catch my roof on fire. I wonder what his roof material was made of? I’m thinking his roof was made out of a tarp, since he said he food tasted like a burnt tarp? That would explain the easy fire catching.

Glad he is ok though. If the friends waited a few more days to contact troopers, this could have turned out much differently as he said he was on his last burnt can of food.

Do you realize how FAR it is from place to place in Alaska? It might have been a hundred miles (or more) and he would have to deal with wild animals, treacherous topography, extreme cold, and a lack of food or water. He did the smart thing. At least a concerned relative/friend knew where he was and did the right thing.
Off gid living is not for everyone. It can kill you PDQ if you aren't aware.

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Gunluvver2

Do you realize how FAR it is from place to place in Alaska? It might have been a hundred miles (or more.

The guy you quoted lives interior Alaska.
It was 20 miles to nearest help. However, in his account he claimed 3 ft of powder snow on ground, making walking a lot more work. Otherwise 20 miles should be doable in 24 hrs. He had two sets of snowshoes, both stored inside shack for some reason.