Dick Proenneke

snubbyfan

snubbyfan

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I have seen these many times on PBS - always inspiring - it's amazing to think that he photographed all this himself with 8mm film.
 
The Public Lands office here in Fairbanks runs this video on a rotating basis in their lobby display. As said seems like there is something of interest no matter how many times it is veiwed.

So far as I know the cabin is still open as it is on Public Land now.
 
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He was an interesting and resourceful guy,Ive read some of his diaries.Seems like he spent about 70% of his time back there,would rejoin the world,make a few bucks and re supply.
 
I don't recall how many times I've watched that series (both the original, and the updated later version) and it never seems old, my wife just rolls her eyes and goes and watches some soap opera reruns and mutters about me watching the same thing over and over again.:eek:
 
Bkreutz said:
I don't recall how many times I've watched that series (both the original, and the updated later version) and it never seems old, my wife just rolls her eyes and goes and watches some soap opera reruns and mutters about me watching the same thing over and over again.:eek:
Click to expand...

:eek: I hear this daily, she's obviously related to my wife.
 
I'm glad you posted additional pictures besides the first one, snubby, 'cause I was starting to think his cabin in Alaska that he built himself could've used a few more rooms, and that having to climb down that ladder to get to the outhouse in the middle of the night must've been a real challenge! :D
 
Proenneke was a remarkable man, with a mechanical aptitude most of us could spend a lifetime trying, but failing, to attain. His filmed footage is extraordinary, and a testament to his love of nature as much as his self sufficiency. The wealth of "reality" TV survival shows are amateur hour jokes compared to Proenneke's life in Alaska.

Proenneke hinges have to be seen to be believed for their precision and craftsmanship. He is someone I would have be honored to meet and speak with.

I have not reread the book in some time, but I recall Proenneke keeping a Ruger .357 revolver in his cabin (possibly a Blackhawk), and having a standard bolt rifle for hunting/defense. He surprisingly did not hunt a great deal while in Alaska, but his account of taking the Mountain Goat is classic.
 
When I first saw his film on PBS, I nearly cried.
THAT, I said to myself, is what living true to yourself really is.
AND he started in his middle aged years!
I don't think I even blinked through the entire show.

Just think of what each of us could do, if we, like Dick, just let go of the fear holding us back.
It is a truly monumental story.

God bless is soul.
 
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I used to think I was reasonably talented - I can shoot slaughter start a fire and know my way around the country - then I saw Proenneke on PBS and felt like a rank amateur. I remember the remark about it being a toasty 40 degrees in his cabin. He was in his fifties when he did this.
 
He was still doing it at 80 ,which is remarkable.He crashed a plane in his 60s which kept him away for about a year,but it was a stroke in his early 80s that forced him back to civilization.
 
vigil617 said:
I'm glad you posted additional pictures besides the first one, snubby, 'cause I was starting to think his cabin in Alaska that he built himself could've used a few more rooms, and that having to climb down that ladder to get to the outhouse in the middle of the night must've been a real challenge! :D
Click to expand...

:D:D That wasn't an outhouse, that's where he stored his meat to keep the bears out.
 
I saw the documentary on PBS several years ago, during which time they offered the DVD for a donation. I upped the donation to receive the follow-up DVD (filmed when he was around 80 years old) and the book. Fascinating reading and viewing! They don't make many like him......
 
Isis1200L said:
When I first saw his film on PBS, I nearly cried.
THAT, I said to myself, is what living true to yourself really is.
AND he started in his middle aged years!
I don't think I even blinked through the entire show.

Just think of what each of us could do, if we, like Dick, just let go of the fear holding us back.
It is a truly monumental story.

God bless is soul.
Click to expand...

Not just fear holding us back, what about a wife, kids, mortgage payments, car payments :eek: maybe he didn't have it so tough after all. :D
 
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