DixieDestroyer
Hall of Famer
For any outdoorsmen here at CF, I'd suggest reading about the legendary Richard Proenneke. His story (and documentary) are absolutely awesome. Proenneke was truly one of the toughest, most adaptive, human-beings over the last 50-60 years. The "Alone in the Wilderness" documentary is one of my favorites!
Richard Louis Proenneke (1916-2003), known as Dick, has become an icon of wilderness living in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Born in Iowa, he worked as a farmhand and rancher before joining the Navy the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After receiving a medical discharge in 1945 (following a bout of rheumatic fever), he again took up ranching. In 1949, he made his first visit to Alaska at the invitation of a friend. He lived and worked in Alaska off and on for years, making his first visit to Twin Lakes in 1962. By 1967, he had begun work on a cabin there. It was completed in 1968.
His was not the first cabin on Twin Lakes, nor was it the biggest. Proenneke's cabin, though, stands out for its remarkable craftsmanship, which reflects his unshakeable wilderness ethic. The cabin was built using only hand tools, many of which Proenneke himself had fashioned. Throughout the thirty years he lived at the cabin, Proenneke created homemade furniture and implements that reflect his woodworking genius.
Proenneke spent his days at the cabin carving
beautiful utilitarian pieces and filling journals
with detailed observations.
Dick Proenneke had the foresight to film the construction of his cabin, intending to leave step-by-step instructions for creating a hand-built structure. He also kept detailed journals, recording everything from his daily activities to wildlife sightings and visits from friends and fans.
Proenneke's wilderness ethic was simple: Twin Lakes and the wildlife therein should not suffer for his presence. He reused almost everything, even carefully crafting buckets and storage boxes from used gas cans. This off-the-grid lifestyle resonated with people around the world.
In 1973, Proenneke's friend Sam Keith edited a volume of his journal entries entitled One Man's Wilderness (reissued in 1999). A documentary film, Alone in the Wilderness, was produced in 2003, and is often shown on Public Broadcasting stations. John Branson, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve historian and longtime friend of Proenneke's, edited a new group of journal entries in 2005 which were published as More Readings from One Man's Wilderness. Both books and the movie are available from the Alaska Natural History Association.
The hinged dutch door on Dick Proenneke's
cabin is a unique architectural touch that shows
his exemplary craftsmanship.
If you go...
A visit to Proenneke's cabin is a real wilderness treat. You can do your part to help us keep it in great shape and open to the public! The cabin is managed like an outdoor musuem - it is not a public use cabin and overnight stays are not allowed. Please resist the temptation to take artifacts with you, and don't leave anything behind. With your help, Proenneke's cabin will stand open and ready to inspire generations to come.
-Lake Clark site...
http://www.nps.gov/lacl/historyculture/proennekes-cabin.htm
-Wikipedia entry...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke
-"Alone in the Wilderness" documentary...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsfB6oJ55wMEdited by: DixieDestroyer
Richard Louis Proenneke (1916-2003), known as Dick, has become an icon of wilderness living in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Born in Iowa, he worked as a farmhand and rancher before joining the Navy the day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After receiving a medical discharge in 1945 (following a bout of rheumatic fever), he again took up ranching. In 1949, he made his first visit to Alaska at the invitation of a friend. He lived and worked in Alaska off and on for years, making his first visit to Twin Lakes in 1962. By 1967, he had begun work on a cabin there. It was completed in 1968.
His was not the first cabin on Twin Lakes, nor was it the biggest. Proenneke's cabin, though, stands out for its remarkable craftsmanship, which reflects his unshakeable wilderness ethic. The cabin was built using only hand tools, many of which Proenneke himself had fashioned. Throughout the thirty years he lived at the cabin, Proenneke created homemade furniture and implements that reflect his woodworking genius.
Proenneke spent his days at the cabin carving
beautiful utilitarian pieces and filling journals
with detailed observations.
Dick Proenneke had the foresight to film the construction of his cabin, intending to leave step-by-step instructions for creating a hand-built structure. He also kept detailed journals, recording everything from his daily activities to wildlife sightings and visits from friends and fans.
Proenneke's wilderness ethic was simple: Twin Lakes and the wildlife therein should not suffer for his presence. He reused almost everything, even carefully crafting buckets and storage boxes from used gas cans. This off-the-grid lifestyle resonated with people around the world.
In 1973, Proenneke's friend Sam Keith edited a volume of his journal entries entitled One Man's Wilderness (reissued in 1999). A documentary film, Alone in the Wilderness, was produced in 2003, and is often shown on Public Broadcasting stations. John Branson, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve historian and longtime friend of Proenneke's, edited a new group of journal entries in 2005 which were published as More Readings from One Man's Wilderness. Both books and the movie are available from the Alaska Natural History Association.
The hinged dutch door on Dick Proenneke's
cabin is a unique architectural touch that shows
his exemplary craftsmanship.
If you go...
A visit to Proenneke's cabin is a real wilderness treat. You can do your part to help us keep it in great shape and open to the public! The cabin is managed like an outdoor musuem - it is not a public use cabin and overnight stays are not allowed. Please resist the temptation to take artifacts with you, and don't leave anything behind. With your help, Proenneke's cabin will stand open and ready to inspire generations to come.
-Lake Clark site...
http://www.nps.gov/lacl/historyculture/proennekes-cabin.htm
-Wikipedia entry...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke
-"Alone in the Wilderness" documentary...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsfB6oJ55wMEdited by: DixieDestroyer
