Dick Proenneke in Alaska Silence and Solitude 

He left the cabin due to old age in 1999, returning to live with his brother in California and passed away in 2003. His cabin is now in the care of the national park authorities and you can visit the cabin. It is a tourist attraction.

This man has lived a million mens dreams!

I would watch this entire show every year when it would come on PBS before the internet. Never get tired of it . What an amazing life and amazing craftsman.

Just a few hundred years ago a large portion of the population lived this way. They survived by farming, hunting, fishing, bartering with neighbours and were basically in charge of their own destinies

Proenneke is still a legend up here in AK .My grandfather and great uncle used to travel to Twin Lakes by mule . They brought along coffee - tea - sugar - flour - cornmeal and other goods for Mr. Proenneke .

This guy literally did what Bob Ross painted! That's dope!

This man has inspired me to build my dream homestead. I can feel his spirit every time I watch these old movies. I wish there were more !😀

I'm seven years into my remote life. These old films would captivate me but not so much anymore. It's nice to be away from people but it is a hard life. In some ways my life is better that what Dick lived, but in some ways not as good. I have the luxury of LED lights, and lithium batteries. A small PV panel gives me all the power I need in the summer. A little more difficult in the winter. I was raised in the country and was prepared for my transition to a remote and solitary life. Still, it wasn't easy. The first several years showed where I failed to plan adequately. The life alone is difficult and takes planning to make the transition. The first five years were difficult. When I do visit the city and see people from my old life I hear them talk about their daily lives and think of how sad they truly are.

Watching the birds eat out of Dick's hand tells me he's become as much a part of that landscape as the trees and mountains. Incredible.

This never gets old! Amazing man who has inspired me to appreciate the finer things in life. The hell with cities, crowds, and money sharks.

My life is so confusing, at 67 it shouldn't be my own fault, makes me feel good to see a man that is truly happy with his life.

I don’t know how anybody else feels watching this , but for me it’s so special..... I have warmth and peaceful feeling in my heart, hard to explain. Love this video!!!

So alone and then the bird lands in his hand. He's not alone. He's without people and thats pure bliss ❤🙏👍

I like the way he made his door hinges. Very nice woodworking

What a splendid man. He looks atleast 15 years younger than he actually was at the time of filming.

Mr. Proenneke lives the real life. Appreciating all that truly matters. Building with hand tools and what God gave him...blood, sweat & tears. Today, too many people must be entertained by someone or something. There is much to be said about solitude. As young children, my mom mandated hours of solitude in our own rooms. With enrichment material to give us depth. She also tested us upon completion of every book. She ask question and we had to answer what we had read and how we could apply our new knowledge. I am older now and long for those good old days.

The most fascinating story I’ve ever watched, Alone in the Wilderness.

I really admire his woodworking skills. Something my generation and younger is missing. We spent too much time on computers and not enough learning how to use hand tools.

To walk out your front door every day and to live, breath and exist in that space, that wilderness WOW!

This video is so therapeutic. Like I could watch this over and over forever. His voice is also really calming and this is like straight up asmr.

A real man. No man-bun, not perpetually clutching a Starbucks latte. And birds eat from his hand 💗 Lived his life with dignity on his own terms. What a man.

12 hour days, 6 days out of the week, 10 days in he had the heavy logs up he said. With actually rewarding labor such as building your own cabin, i bet his 72 hour work week at 52 feels quite a bit better than my 36 hour workweek at 25

Best survivalist of all time. He made that life look easy. Hard worker too.

These documentaries are wonderful, god bless Dick Proenneke. What a wonderful and gifted man !!!

It's not for everyone and you certainly need to be at ease with yourself but to me it's the nearest thing to happiness. Him and the few other people, I have watched, including a woman Sara Maitland in Scotland, look so relaxed, humble, no complaints about the hardship of extreme conditions... they seem to be exactly where they want to be.

This man was a true man.no chainsaws all by hand log cabin.Alot of work.falling trees by hand.a very hard worker.One day i would love to go see his cabin.that would be so cool.

A Carpenter and Navy, this man knew allot of skills and his experiences show us that most of us, and certainly myself, can do allot more than what we do.

This story couldn't be any better.

I’m very fortunate to have my own cabins in the wilderness not far from Twin Lakes. Dick was a friend of my in-laws and visited often on Lake Clark.He even made my mother-in-law one of his famous spoons. As a pilot I’ve never flown through Lake Clark Pass and not thought about those before and those that’ll come after. “Some say God was tired when he made it and some say it’s a fine land to shun. And there’s some who would trade it for no land on earth and I’m one” Robert Service

God Bless you Dick Proenneke - The wealthiest man who ever lived. I wish I had the guts to make a move like this.

I've seen Alone in the Wilderness many times, but I didn't see that great beach. Nice. RIP Dick. Just an old Iowa farm boy.

Probably the most satisfied and fulfilling life ever lived.

This man did, what most of us only dream about, and only about 5% of us would actually last at.

Imagine spending a few weeks up there with him??!!! My God! Dude was blessed in so many ways…🙏🏻

This guy builds a better cabin with hand tools than I could with a shed full of power tools

I remember watching this in black and white.. I love this guy.. “ today, I am gonna make a wooden spoon”. A real role model. I love the way he paddled, I do it the same way , it is a way for me to think of him.

Most people fear silence as it brings them closer to there real true self..a stranger.

About 8 months ago I watched this video and inspired me to move here. It's everything and more what I expected it to be.❤❤❤❤❤❤ you look amazing my friend.😘

Mr. Bob Swerer-Thank you for all your efforts in upholding Dick Proenneke's memory, history, and legend! I personally MADE my local counry library system purchase the Dvd " Alone in the Wilderness", and his accompanying 2 books. I promulgate this true MAN, Dick P. He was a groundbreaking amazing innovator! He did these things back in 1970!!!! Just wonderful he had the foresight to film himself!! Thank you Bob S for your involvement. PBS first brought me to this wonder. I share his memory with awe and amazement. Thank you!

This was an incredible man. I've watched this video for years and can't get enough of it. When I was young this is exactly what I wanted to do. I started to n several times but never did, something I've always regreted. Back then you could claim land and build on it and it was yours. You can't do that today.

Those birds REALLY trusted him. That's extremely hard to do and takes lots of patience. What good soul.

He’s a gentleman that can actually be proud tone an Iowan. Just finished my 4 th book of this amazing person

Such a gorgeous book - each shed is unique and inspiring, and I love all the tiny details Kotite features to help readers imagine how to create their own She Sheds ru-vid.comUgkxe9yi0sulKgsp0VJJCIrLWWkvVqcU7LFR . The feature on Dinah's Rustic Retreat is like something from a fairy tale. It's really inspiring to see how creative all these ordinary people are in making beautiful and useful spaces on a modest scale.

Just found the videos about Dick Proenneke. What an amazing man.

Love this documentary! This man’s life/adventure at twin lakes is absolutely amazing.

idk why they say he's never been sick... he was discharged from the navy for rheumatic fever. Still amazing his strength and independence at his age.

Those animals are magnificent! What a lucky man!

When I was lost for Three Days I had no distractions and only mental focus. Not about me but the experience was to get out and live regardless of the situation. We Have to live it to understand it! But Dick was in solitude for decades and can only imagine the steps to gain trust with his Environment and the will to gain balance and survive it. Anyone can sit back and watch these video's which He shared. But He lived them and truly humbled by both his dedication and will power. What it comes down to is Mental Focus which will always overpower the physical. Dick molded Himself into his environment which is both Beautiful and for his own message. That is living!!!

I bought the DVD's second hand some years ago on our equivalent to your Craigslist, and I still watch them from time to time - he was an impressive man.

Very intelligent man.... .I grew up on the land ... now my parents are gone .. God rest their souls..R.I.P .. I only go to the cabin now & then .. 🙏❤

A man who lived the way humans were meant to live..out in the wilderness, gathering and hunting.

I use to watch this years ago as a kid, never thought I would see it again. Thanks

Should see about getting it on Apple movies and or Netflix. I ordered my DVD's but would love to see it more available. Such great history

I bought the home at Twin Peaks subdivision on the Old Glenn Highway now called Palmer Alternate Highway. During the summer months about late July/August, mountains to the left front door, you will Dall Sheep, the biggest group that I recall was about twenty, all males rams. One summer, it was just five rams, and all were full curled, an amazing thing to see. Bring out the spotting, and get a closer look, nice! The wife did not like it there, so we sold the house moved closer to Wasilla, Alaska here for 24 years now.

Such an awesome man!! The way he could build anything. I could watch this all day!!

i want this life-- thanks for sharing this beautiful man's life!

I watched "Alone in the Wilderness" a few years ago. Watching him making the hinges of the door and carving a simple spoon, I realized I wanted to learn what I soon came to know as Bushcraft. Been learning and practicing this fascinating "hobby" ever since! Thank you, Dick, for starting me down such an interesting road!

Thank you very much

those who can do.. those who cannot complain.

i used to watch this on channel 12 in Philly with my son all the time.absolutely great documentary.

This man is living the life. Like the old saying goes: “The simple things in life are often the best”.

The KING. I have seen documentaries on TV but they weren't as clear as this video!

all you SURVIVOR fans take note and reality show fans too. Duck you are the MAN!

I remember watching this on Channel 12 about 15 years ago. Amazing man.

All you have to do is read some of these comments, and you will understand why someone would choose solitude...people are bizarre.

He contributed so much to us ...

One with wilderness, nature, and self reliance. I admire this man.

Omg when the bird flew down to him it was is so cool.This man built a beautiful cabin. A man living in nature is great and I hope to live off the grid soon after learning how to live in nature some more. I don’t know about moving to Alaska but I will move someone where there is lots of trees, wildlife and maybe mountains. After learning to build a decent shelter, I hope to find someone special to me to start a family. Thanks for reading this if you did. God bless you!

Wow, he would be an absolute RU-vid Star these days, he was definitely ahead of his time with the self-documenting.

Closest I ever came to that lifestyle was. Going on a four day camp with a friend of mine. Packed implements, not food, we actually ate well, played hard, rested well. Made me realize what I actually need.

Dick was definitely not alone, a part of of us are all there with him, not to mention his feathered friends ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Love the door hinges. Reminds me of my 10 years in Alaska, especially around Fairbanks.

It's almost as if he's living in the paintings of Bob Ross

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen. It sure looks nice to have the animals to keep you company.

This guy was quite the craftsman. I met I think on the Parkstrip in Anchorage once. He was residing in the Pioneers Home at the time and sitting in the fresh air. We started talking about 16mm movie cameras some how and he mentioned he use to film some and made a movie. It would have been nice to have seen it then and know that he was the one that made did this project at that time. We would have talked more. I know I had this feeling of him longing to be in the bush. Good luck to sir wherever you are now. 🌲🌲

Respect to people like him

Mr. Proennekes made off grid living well ahead of its time. Back then, they were just called Mountain Men.

id like to thank Bob Swerer for adding the extra video footage and info in this piece.. awesome!

Pure gold! Dick makes most modern males look like spineless zombies. Much respect.

This man has truly been blessed.

It was rare enough that he was even out there living like that in the first place but to actually film it as well, just WOW! What an amazing hard working master craftsman. Reminds me of my grandfather 🙌🏽

One of my favorite movie is 'The Edge' (Antony Hopkins, Alac Baldwin) set in BC wilderness. Got to appreciate Mr. Dick's life style. People in cities get their heart arteries clogged due to minimal physical work in cubicles.

Love your voice, a little bit of Henry Fonda and a touch of Ronald Regan. But better than both. Lovely video. I put it in my playlist. Thanks.

I've always wanted to do what he did, amazing land, solitude, he's very resourceful and lives in harmony with his surroundings, survival excellence.

What a great man he is, we all need to pull our heads in and watch this, I did and it certainly does make one feel like modern living turns us into selfish and moronic robots, awesome videos!!

The way we all lived at one time. In a mutual respect with the land that must sustain us.

That's why I love my simple life Wow what an amazing hard working man..

One of the most amazing men that walked the face of the Earth!!! Rip.

My dad and uncle tought me the ways, just as this. Built beautiful cabin but now uncles kids get it my childhood being raised by a man who wanted to build with a brother lost out on his his own grandchildren cause he was afraid their would be no room. Sad the way my life happened. He lived his dream. Dont disregard close family cause thier father isnt around help them be part of the family. Dick touched my Life as my sons saw his story mom you got o see this.Amazing man!!! I hope your family is well!

I hope they will preserve the house he built & everything on it..it's amazing

I’ve been wanting this show a while now I am a huge fan. Seriously a huge fan. I did not know this man passed away in 2003 I was so impressed 75 and he was still healthy as ox and never been sick a day in his life, that’s some truly amazing to me, when I first watched this 100 times I would cry and I said why am I crying because this man is so happy and content, eating smoke, fish and biscuits and trout with no music he don’t have to have any music when it gets too quiet to me turn on the TV for the company but I’m not I don’t believe the TV like that I have several so it’s not the fact that I don’t empty there’s just nothing I want anymore. I want this gentleman on PBS I ordered the DVD I still watch it every now and then it’s nice to have peace and quiet a nice neighborhood I live in it’s damn near impossible to keep their kids quiet, so I look at programs like this and them out there in the woods I was really worried about him at one time because you know he was going out there and sort of messing with nature sometimes nature, but we had turned on, but when he said he had his pistol, and he was OK, I was OKI hope you’re resting in heaven building a cabin in the sky❤

I love that dutch door. Surrounded by nature, he never lived alone.

Now that's a resilient man, no complaints, working with the few things he had!

This dude never had to deal with customer service, salute you sir

Look at the fit of those logs on that cabin!! Amazing!!

Used to watch this series every year when it would come on PBS just love it this man was amazing so talented ! And with only hand tool's . Incredible .a rough but beautiful life .

What a lifestyle !

I would love to do this. I so love Alaska.

This is my second time watching Dick and his survival skills and living out in the Alaska tundra its amazing even the door hindges incredable thank you

I admire his confidence and the necessary skills to carve out a life for himself...on his own terms. We all have choices and a path we can take. He took that trail and left a marker for us to enjoy.