Thread: Alaska: One family's life in the wilderness

You think the cold is the big problem.......nope it's the bugs that will drive you nuts! Literally think west coast times 1000

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qqmButrXUqQ



Now imagine being lost with no protection they reckoned downed pilots used to go mad as in insane

Lived and flew in Alaska for 10 years,never lived like this couple,but flew into many remote areas.Flew rescue flights,delivered food,supplies,medical emegencies and anything that was required,you name it,we helped.My observations,the people that do this are a breed apart,most of them are philosophical about the life they lead and want,but they are all somewhat attached to the outside world,it's where most of them came from.

You really want to see the real Alaskans,fly into any of the remote villages in this vast land.The Inuit,the Athabaskan,they will show you remote.I flew into many of these villages,they generally put up with the white man,few words were spoken,you flew in,dropped the cargo,human or material,and left,no offense taken but their world is "their" world,we have tended to fuck it up.Rules ,regulations,etc ,you know the story.

Nothing but fascination I found,these people have lived thst way for centuries....

Hey @Rushy Eskimos share their wives, you'd be in smelly heaven man

Originally Posted by Maca49

Hey @Rushy Eskimos share their wives, you'd be in smelly heaven man

Lucky them. I've known a number of fellahs over the years that I would have been happy to share the wives of.

So you remember Nell?

Originally Posted by Sideshow

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qqmButrXUqQ



Now imagine being lost with no protection they reckoned downed pilots used to go mad as in insane

Great point sideshow,even passengers.The outfits I flew for,we were required to carry a survival kit and arms,most of us did.I always carried wing covers,red,so that they would stand out,even in the snow.Had several mates have to ditch,all recovered but many who flew in this territory did not make it.Stories abound of survival and mishap,Alaska is just that,remote and unforgiving.

The latest series of TV programmes glorifying or grandstanding life in remote Alaska are just as that,without the outside world luxuries,most would not last long.You want remote,cross the Bearing sea,over the Diomedes between Alaska and Siberia,now there's remote.We would fly into Siberia out of Wales,closest point,on hunting trips for those hungry for that.Local Russians, Siberians,would guide themselves out for Bear,hunts etc,on return,most that came back wanted the fuck out of there......truly remote!

@A330driver I heard that spot was pretty remote Siberia.
I read somewhere that the bush pilots in Alaska used to keep small branches of fur tree in there planes.
They would throw these out the window in white out conditions when wanting to land to find out where the ground was up on the tundra.
Makes sense if you can't spot exactly where the ground is. Think it was while polar bear hunting.
I'll try and find the reference.
You must have some pretty neat photos from working up there

Don Sheldon Alaska Piloting Legend - Sheldon Air Service
Here it is.
Just one guy looks to have done this but could have been more.
On glaciers not tundra.