I guess our pbs channel here in Las Vegas is slow, they just broadcast this wonderful show today (March 6).

I agree, he was amazing. Just a hint as to what we can do if we put our minds and bodies into it. I'm 71 and not quite five feet "tall" and a woman, so I don't feel too bad when I realize I couldn't do what he did, but he fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine, to live alone in the wilderness in a cabin! I still would love to do it, but am limited in my diet due to diabetes, high blood pressure, and other stuff. That means as little sugar, fat and sodium as possible! grrrrrr! if I had to chop firewood I don't even know if I could do that, first off, but maybe that heavy "exercise" would take care of those limitations. I don't know. but wouldn't that be great? To get up with the dawn after a great night's sleep, and snowshoe over to your canoe and paddle across a beautiful lake for something, and come back to your "toasty" cabin with the fire going, and make your meals that you caught yourself or hunted for or whatnot? And then rest, contented, sitting by the fire with nothing to do and nobody to intrude on your thoughts, just you and God in beautiful country? That was my dream, can't do it now, but OMG, it was wonderful to see it played out on the tv screen!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience of it here, andrew!

Grandma Barbara
PS: Great site, Andrew!

Just saw this show tonight. What an amazing man and a beautiful, simple film. That's reality TV.

Very humbling.

After just a few minutes of watching this program I was in a complete trance. I couldn't pull myself away from the T.V. The idea of going into? nowhere? and living by yourself! Isn't that dangerous? What about medicines, doctors, newspapers, cable, hot showers? Then I realized that I am a complete (30 year old) wimp compared to this 50 (then eventually 80 something) year old man.

I was completely taken away for the hour it was on and have not gotten it completely out of my mind since. I strongly suggest watching it, if you haven't seen it yet.

Dick Proenneke is an inspriation to all people.

He lived there 30 years till he could not take the winters anymore. Just think what he must have thought when he left his place and seen how much things have changed.
This guy was a warrior................

I first learned of Dick Proenneke in 1977, when a nightly news program aired his story and told of the book "One Man's Wilderness". I bought that book at age 16 and dreamed myself of that life style....still do today. Learned of the video about 1 year ago...Fantastic. It was narrated by Bob Swerer Sr. Who has the rights to all of Dick's film footage. A sequel to "Alone in the Wilderness" is "Silence and Solitude" another Swerer Production. Look them up on your search engine or go to dickproenneke.com.

Dick Proenneke will always be remembered as a man who conquered his dreams. He could have been mauled by a bear, but he was inside when a nasty argumentative bear happened by his cabin and tried to break down the door. The door was too well built to budge! Says someting doesn't it? God was looking out for him. This movie of pristine wilderness and lakes makes everyday stress vanish!

I too was humbled after watching "Alone in the Wilderness" (By the way Richard, it was actually narrated by the editor of the film, not Proenneke himself.)

I was amazed at what he was able to produce with such limited tools, but incredible ingenuity. The laps on those logs for his cabin were amazing!

I found that in watching the movie, that you dont' really appreciate the size of the cabin he built and lived in. It looks a lot bigger on film. It's 11ft x 15 ft. Take a tape measure and pace it out. Pretty darn small.

A truly remarkable story.

It is Dick Proenneke fever in our house since PBS ran the movie. We have watched it each time they repeated it and we were always amazed. It left us wanting more!

So we bought the book and stayed up all night reading it like it was a best seller thriller!

I wanted to write Dick P. and tell him how much we enjoyed his adventure but found out he died in 2003 on Easter sunday.

It is interesting how "One Man's Wilderness" the book and "Alone in the Wilderness" the film becomes an instant facination to everyone who discovers it. Considering all the junk that is out there in the world, it is wonderful to know that there is something like this that people can get excited about.

Info. on the web says that the Nat'l Park has his journals and may put out another book. Also, even tho he did not narrate the (PBS) movie, there is suppose to be another film for/about Alaska that he did narrate. It would be fun to hear his voice.

I saw Alone in the Wilderness nearly a year ago, and every time I pass it on PBS I have to stop and watch it again. I've probably seen it 3 or 4 times now, and I'm still entranced by it.

Several months ago I got his book and was equally mesmerized by his story, observations, and simple (but inspired!) way of viewing the world.

I can't really say what it is in Dick's journals, photos, and footage that is so compelling and elicits such a visceral response, but if I had to boil it down to one word, I'd say: perspective. That's what his story--and life--give me. A new perspective.

I came on your site because I wanted to learn more about Dick Proenneke after seeing the DVD 'Alone in the Wilderness' and pinpoint the location of Twin Lakes. I'm going to read the book next. I was amazed by the tone of the narration and what got to me was that he started this in 1968, which doesn't seem like so long ago to me now and yet it really is. I plan to visit his cabin when I get up to Alaska.

I too stumbled onto the PBS show featuring Dick Proenneke, and was entranced. I'm in the middle of his book which is both delightful and inspiring. I've had plans to build a getaway cabin in my mind for years, and will begin falling trees this July. When I read others say they feel inadequate or that they could never do it, I say get out and do something close to Dick's adventure, within your own limitations. It doens't have to be in the most severe climate on Earth! My place will be at the top of a wooded hill in KY, overlooking the lazy, winding Ohio River. Yes, I'm using a chainsaw...yes I'm using shingles and plywood...yes I'll bring in 2nd hand tables and chairs. I won't be doing any "tin bending" as hinges will come from yard sales or Lowes. I will never endure a 25 below zero night. But it will be a secluded dream place to escape to when life on pavement weighs too heavy on me. Find a plot of land and do your best.

I am a 67 year old teacher, still working in order to make a full retirement. After watching the PBS movie twice and reading the book, I am wondering "How can I do something like Dick did?" I can't get it off my mind.

I just went on google to find out more info. on Dick Proenneke after watching his movie and stumbled onto this forum. I am in the process of reading his book right now and am amazed by him. It is good to see a TV program that actually is about real life.

I would also like to tell all of you who have unfulfilled dreams to stop dreaming and go do them. Life is too short not to, that is what my dad tells me anyway. He is 58 this year and is planning to move to British Columbia or the Yukon in a few years and explore up there.That is a pretty big step considering that he has lived in Florida for the last 16 years.

Anyway I think that it is awesome that so many people find inspiration in getting away from the everyday clutter and confusion of civilization to go and live with nature.

I recently viewed Mr Proenneke's wonderful film and find myself wondering about his first fifty years. Was there ever a love in his life? Are there family members that knew the younger Dick? The narrator mentions a brother...is he alive? Though I find it fascinating, I wonder what life events would make a man desire to be virtually alone for 30 plus years. Any insights or comments?

I recently saw a brief bit of this on PBS, and now want to get the full set for my Dad for Fathers Day. I understand there are 2 DVDs and the book, does anybody have any to resell, or anywhere to check to get it rather cheap?

I just saw this today on PBS in Philadelphia. I was mesmerized by what this man accomplished. His craftmanship reminded me of my Dad (also a carpenter) who passed away earlier this year at age 73.

I'm going to get the book and DVD as soon as possible.

I just finished watching "Alone In The Wilderness" on PBS. It was the first time I'd ever seen it, or heard of Dick Proenneke. And my reaction to the story was exactly the same as the other posters in this forum. I was completely blown away.

The thing that I kept wondering was - how did Dick know how to create and craft the things he did? What did he do before he decided to chuck it all, and build a log cabin in the wilderness (and spend the rest of his life there)? Was he a master carpenter? The ease at which he created his cabin, and all the other essentials... Normal everyday people don't necessarily have the skills, and craftsmanship to pull that kind of thing off.

He created some extemely impressive (and to my eyes) intricate woodworking (especially with the dutch door and the latch & locking mechanism. When he built that, my jaw was on the floor. (I tend to be very impressed by those kinds of things, and this was off the chart)!!

I also wanted to know how he knew how to smoke & preserve meat, and all the other survival skills that he had under his belt. (I'm from Pittsburgh, PA - so the only survival skill I know about is driving to the supermarket for Bratwurst and Perogies). :)

Kevin

In search of the title of this movie, I just typed in a few words pertaining to building a eifrigerator underground with moss and came across your site. Thank you for writing about this. My sanity is saved now that I know the title. I spent a few days in the far north part of Michigan's upper peninsula last summer and the whole time I wished I could live like that guy. Such a beautiful... existence I guess, for lack of a better word. I guess now that I've gushed I should go back and actually read what you wrote about it. Maybe you thought he was a dipstick.

After seeing the PBS show, I couldn't get that off my mind like all the rest. I have done a lot of backpacking and living in the wild has always been a dream. For Christmas I recieved the CD set and Book. I sometimes can't sleep at night now thinking about the book and will get up and read it, even having a long day ahead of me. It is hard to think about work, take many phone calls, answer e-mails when I could be out looking for dinner!
I think Dick Pronneke was a diesel mechanic before 'retiring' to Twin Lakes.
Dick Pronneke is my hero, whether he narrated his show or not.

Did any one else notice that the narrarator's voice sounded just like the guy who does the voice overs on the "High Life" series of commercials for Miller? Of course not, because you're all just watching PBS, right? Anyway, that's what first drew me in, because I thought I was watching some kind of parody of "real men in the wilderness." Then, like all the rest of you, I was just blown away by it. I think the extreme authenticity of it hits us, and we are stunned.

I love everything about this movie. The narration and music are very hypnotic and unique. A great compliment to the story of such a beautiful person and landscape.

This is one of the best and most unique treasures I've seen yet on PBS.

Anthony, I could not agree more. Thanks for posting.