Truck Camping in -15 Degrees under the Northern Lights 

Maria. If you are reading this, when you come down to the east coast next year we will install a diesel generator free of charge in preparation for next winter. Electric heat and air conditioning on demand. Northern Lights looked incredible 🤩🤩

As a person who lives in Northern Canada, I've been worried about you Maria. No one should be attempting to live out of their vehicle without being well prepared for the cold. Not a time to be winging it. Glad you are safe and sending love to you and puppers.

As soon as you said you were returning the Buddy I was like NOOOOO...back up heaters are your friend!

Maria, I am originally from southern British Columbia, but I have spent considerable time in northern B.C., and the Yukon. The worst part of winter has yet to hit there. It's going to get unbelievably cold there very soon. Vehicles won't start unless they are plugged into a block heater. I'm starting to get a little concerned for you and Blue. That is not the place you should be, trying to tough it out in a vehicle regardless of a heater. The real winter there is about to arrive. Now is the time to consider heading back down south.....

How is everyone praising this woman? She takes unnecessary risks! She's literally risking her life for views. How is this Brave?!!

I live in Alaska and it is absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, it can also be extremely unforgiving. “Roaming Reckless” during winter in Alaska is a recipe for disaster. Things can turn dangerous/deadly very quickly. You HAVE to be well prepared for it. Lots of good advice in the comments for surviving the sub temps. Stay safe!

Second suggestion: get somebody to install the heater inside your truck so it recirculates the inside air. Having fresh (and darn cold) air pulled in is very inefficient, plus you're pressurizing the inside and push the warm air outside the truck. The heaters are 100% safe if properly installed. I can help if you need, I have one installed in a shed and it's been working fine from day 1. I'm an electrical engineer so I think I can help with these things.... last thing I want to see is a RIP post on your channel, Ria... seriously. Recklessness in small amounts is cool, but in large amounts can be deadly... Stay safe, and keep posting the great content you're been posting so far! Oh...and always have a plan B. Go get that Buddy heater back. It's small enough but can save your life if Poe refuses to power up.

Miss Reckless Maria....trying to help you understand what is happening. The diesel heater draws up to 12 amps for 3 minutes during start up because of the glow plug. It has to be red hot to ignite the fuel. The fuel will not begin pumping until the glow plug is ready to ignite it. The problem does not seem to be the diesel heater, but rather the Jackery does not put out enough amperage at the 12 volt outlet without overload and shutdown of the Jackery 12 volt outlet. If you were to run a 12 volt supply from the defender batterys the diesel heater would have enough amperage to start correctly. Have it professionally installed to solve your issues and repurchase the buddy heater for back up. Keep in mind once you get this issue solved you can use that diesel heater to blow under your engine to warm it up cold prestart or even blow the warm air at the engine air intake in case of super cold conditions.

Plus the fact that Blue said “I’ll give you some of my body heat.” That’s freaking AMAZING!!! Go Ria, Blue, and Poe!!!👏🏽👏🏽

We all care about you both that's why you are getting the messages. Please think things over like when you were chopping wood and holding the wood with your hand and you're miles from any help. Maria you could have built the heater before you left civilization then you wouldn't be without a heater in the middle of nowhere. I just want you to be safe. ❤️

As soon as you said you were returning the buddy heater in order to test the diesel heater, I yelled “Oh, noooo!” at my TV. Glad you and Blue survived! 😅

Not 100% prepared in these harsh conditions is asking for problems. Please stay safe. We need you longer on this planet because we love your content.

No matter how simple equipment may seem, always set it up, test it before you venture, glad you and pup are safe!

Yeah lots of good comments! and some good advise from those in cold places. I am retired Army with a lot of Alaska experience and your spirit matters. Getting tested emotionally is good, but you may be taking on too much risk in the early Winter. For the risk of annoying-Unsolicited recommendations: First, boots recommend Baffin's arctic (-60 degrees) or polar rated (-120, no kidding these are issued for Antarctica) --ditch the sneakers until Spring. Wet tennies constitute potential frost nip or bite. Cotton kills and that goes for footwear. The Army Alaska minimum insulation rating for boots is 1200 gram thinsulate. This assumes you are hiking. For camping those Baffin pac boots will keep you dry and retain heat in the toe box --toes get cold first. Second, window coverings will retain heat in the cabin. You lose a significant amount of heat via uninuslated windows. When using diesel or portable heaters keep a Carbon Monoxide alarm with you. Third, have a go inside plan. When it gets colder, get Poe in the garage with you in the B&B. You made a wise choice not to tough it out all night. Fourth, talk with the folks at REI on winter survival or take some winter survival courses in the community --even from your fellow content creators. Winter has come and its yet to reach beastly cold. You got this. Stay warm!

Should always have a backup for everything especially heat..❤️Always live by 2 is 1…. 1 is none.

Even Blue knew you were cold and used his body heat to warm you up 😍 Glad you guys have each other and Poe made it through. Stay safe out there Ria! ❤️

Ria I’ve been living in Alaska 13 years I’ve made mistakes if you lucky to live through them out here don’t make the same mistakes. I will make sound suggestions rent a place to live through out your stay here in Alaska until Blue and you are ready to leave. Alaska weather is nothing to mess with. Sending hugs.

Lots of great advice from your loyal viewers here. As a parent, I feel for your mom and dad. I’d be sick with worry. I don’t have to tell you to be cautious…plenty of people here have already done so. Enjoy your time in Alaska! You are doing things I will never get to do! I live vicariously through you! You and Blue be safe! ❤

Considering the temp outside it was really funny to see the lack of space in the ‘fridge’ 😅

The glow plug draws a lot of current in the diesel heater at startup and cool down around 7-10 amps. When the glow plug kicks on, the screen dies, likely because your Jackery has a circuit breaker or something that protects and prohibits that amount of current draw. Hope this helps.

I have watched you since the beginning and have never worried about you on an adventure until the No Heat video came out. You are very resourceful and use your smarts when traveling but girl, the cold is nothing to mess with. So glad you opted for Air B&B. The northern lights were epic. TFS. Hope you get the diesel heater figured out. ❤😊

Prime example why I keep my buns in warm climates 😂. You’re strong as hell and tough as nails for doing this so mad props to you

Thank God you're alive, Ria! As for the Diesel heater, the power getting cut so abruptly when the glow plug is supposed to turn on makes me think that your Jackery turns its 12V output off when overloaded... some Jackerys do not allow 10+ A that the heater requires for start-up. Solution: connect your Diesel heater directly to one of the 12V batteries in Poe (hopefully you have two... so use the house battery, not the starting battery). You already have 12V supply in the truck, so forget about the Jackery.

If it's the pump I think those heaters have a prime feature on them, but if not you may have to prime the pump manually (get air out of the line). As for your vehicle blowing cold air, you may have to put some cardboard across your grill in the front to help hold in the engine heat. Otherwise, it may never warm up to a good temp to blow hot air from the heater.

You actually really scared me in this one. Especially with the no heat part in -15. But I’m glad that Poe said “No worries, just warm me up with a few cranks, than we’ll get going girly”.

The odds are that the Jackery 12 volt cig lighter plug in has an amperage max and will auto shut off if amperage is exceeded. The glow plug on the diesel heater is technically a direct short to get it to glow and most likely draws too many amps for the Jackery 12 volt outlet and causes the jackery to shut of power to that plug in.

I felt really sorry for you and Blue stuck in that cold with no heat! Bless you both hope you got it sorted Maria 👍

It's only gonna get colder. Please be safe 🙏

So so glad you are ok , i bet you were worried there , be careful and please please take better care of yourself and Blue .

1:17 Blue approving every purchase going into the fridge. ❤😂😊 Just as I’m yelling “Ria, get an air bnb” you said you were getting one. Yes, please get that diesel heater professionally installed. We love you girl.

Just so you know…unlike diesel heaters that are meant for heating, diesel vehicle engines don’t warm up or stay warm when just idling. I owned a VW Golf TDI (w/ diesel engine) for over 20 years. So, I’ve experienced this firsthand. Also, you may want to get an engine block heater (even if you have glow plugs) if you’re having trouble starting Poe. Also, I’m sure they’re selling winterized diesel fuel in Alaska. Stay safe!

Your diesel heater's fine, you need that adapter to plug into 110 outlet, a 12 V 15 amp works fine, this is an old video so you. I'm sure you have the new diesel heater already installed.

As a 27y/o guy (33 now), when I saw the northern lights for the first time I quite literally burst into tears. You'll remember it forever. Stay warm! Get a good grill cover (can also just use cardboard) to block some of the air running into your radiator. This will help keep the engine warm when running in cooler weather. Just my two cents 👌

Wow Ria, that was an amazing video for,so many reasons! Northern lights…wow!! Blue is amazingly cute!! Love Bubby! That cold was so frightening. I hope you have the diesel heater up and running. I was really scared for you! Don’t fools it’s Mother Nature especially in the winter in Alaska! Once again, Bubby is adorable!! 💙🐕🐾🥶❤️

Well you tried..now its time to go somewhere that you and blue can get warm. God Bless.

Personally I would NEVER yell at you for making a mistake. God knows we've all made our share. I'm so sorry you are so cold 🥶. I'm praying you get the heater up and running very soon ❤

I'm so happy to see a new video of my favorite twosome😀❤ WOW, the Northern Lights, how amazing! Bubby is looking SO well🙏🐾🐺

Always look for your videos. Glad God took care of you and Blue out in the cold. Blue looks great. Glad you got a B&B and some rest. Seeing the Northern lights was so exciting. That is on my bucket list. Hopefully one day to see.

DON'T get frost bite please be careful the cold is no joke.

Blue is the sweetest dog!❤️He is the best buddy heater. Glad you got the Airbnb. Amazing experience seeing the Northern Lights. They came out just as you were feeling defeated with that diesel heater! Stay safe🙏and try to stay warm. I can’t wait for your next video.😊

Glow-plug POE with the ignition pigtail- wait a minute, than pigtail again, then start. So basically give it 2 doses of heat before you turnover, in arctic temps.

I've literally spent the last week+ binge watching your 100+ videos of your 50 state road trip and girl, you have put me THROUGH THE EMOTIONS. It has been a roller-coaster and I just love your channel so much. Thank you for just being you and sharing that with us

Hello Maria. My girlfriend and I really enjoy your videos. Please keep em coming!!!!

I can’t believe I just found your channel. You are one tough cookie! I am totally in love with Blue. I have a farm in northern Ontario and one night my brothers, my best friend and I saw northern lights. We were in silent awe until it stopped.

When your diesel is blowing cold air you need to use your throttle adjuster to steady rev your engine until it starts blowing hot air again.

Good work. Great attitude. Adventure is always that, an adventure. Take it from someone that lives in the mountains, preparation is everything. Back ups for your back ups etc. Great video.

Also, go to a military surplus store and buy a Military Sleeping System. I slept in -15 in one in a snow shelter( think snow cave).

Your positivity in your vids in awesome! But like others have said it is actually one of the warmest years on record this year due to El Nino -- it's going to get much much colder in the dead of winter (like -35). As a northern Canadian, I urge you to stay safe but if you or others are going to be out in the cold winter, here are some recs for you/others if you're adventuring outdoors in winter including some hypothermia preventing/treatment: 1) Wardrobe: I've noticed you' not wearing gloves or hats in some of your vids: try getting an interior pair of gloves so that when you do have to take your mitts off to do something with your hands, you're not having bare skin exposed. At lower temps, frostbite can happen in less than 1 minute of exposed skin. Similarly, you lose a LOT of heat through your head: wearing a warm, fleece hat at all times, including sleep can help your body retain hear tremendously. Lastly, I've noticed your footwear is hella cute, but in freezing temps you should transition to a heavily insulated boot, or at least have them on hand (Baffin or Sorrells are great) -- same goes for heavily insulated snowpants to have on hand. 2) Hypothermia: If you find yourself feeling abnormally sleepy/dazed/confused, if your lips turn slightly pale or blue, and you have an inability to get warm despite counter-measures take action fast - you're likely experiencing the early stages of hypothermia. A few great ways to warm yourself and either prevent or treat early hypothermia are: 1. EAT -- eating food actually helps your internal metabolism generate heat 2. DRINK HOT LIQUIDS -- drinking warm, sugary drinks has a similar effect. Blue can have heated water too! 3. MOVE -- without working up a sweat, move your body: swing your arms, lift your legs, do a couple squats, etc. 4. self-evacuate if necessary -- better safe than sorry: you did the RIGHT thing here leaving for a bnb. 3) Emergency response: I may have just missed it, but consider getting a SPOT unit that has an SOS feature in case of emergencies so that first responders can find you. Even without service an SOS on a SPOT unit is the equivalent of calling 911, and it GPS locates you. 4) Emergency fire kit: If your truck does not start, if your generators don't start, if your heaters don't work: what is your plan? Having an emergency fire kit with matches, fire starter, kindling, and firewood could mean the difference between life and death. Engines, propane heaters, electronics can basically stop working if you get a cold snap -- having an emergency fire can keep you alive while waiting for help. Similarly a small folding saw can help you cut branches or logs (again only in an emergency) for extra firewood from the forest.

yeah who would ever thought Alaska in Dec would be a bad idea with no heat

You tried and figured out a safe plan that worked. We all learned a lesson along with you. Those Northern Lights were AMAZING girl! Blue looked confident you would find a way out. He really trusts you!

Blue whining in Poe, next shot belly up enjoying the place. I'm dying! My dog Bob is exactly the same, just wants to be part of the gang and he's happy.

Just ref the diesel heater, they draw a massive current on startup to heat the glow plug and generally get going, the sort that isn’t typically available from a normal 12v socket. If the jackery output is only like 100w or so it might be asking too much from it and it’s just resetting the controller with the drop.

When you’re going to be in harsh conditions you make sure your equipment is properly working.

And absolutely looooove that you caught the northern lights and is able to cross it off your bucket list!!!!🎉

Thank you for taking us along on the adventure! The coldest hasnt hit yet, its just begun being a life long Alaskan. Get your diesel heater and be safe out there. Rooting for you chica!

You're not stupid, just inexperienced. You took a chance and it backfired. Learning experience. At least you have the guts and character to try!!!! The AluCab will bleed out your heat unless you make some insulation. Same goes for anything metal, and the glass. You can make insulating panels for the AluCab and your windows: ~Make patterns for the sections you need to insulate, allowing about 3" extra for attaching later, as well as allowing better coverage. You can use butcher paper or newspapaer and a sharpie; whatever works. ~Get blankets at a thrift store, surplus wool/wool mix blankets at an Army-Navy, or some old/inexpensive sleeping bags. ~Smartfoil (bubblewrap sandwiched between aluminum foil). Have a sailmaker or someone who can sew heavy fabrics sew you the panels (after measuring and triple checking the dimensions). Smartfoil sandwiched between the blanket material. I would probably do it by having the wool against the AluCab sides/windows/panels, the Smartfoil in the middle (doubled up), and the sleeping bag or thick blanket on the inside. You can attach them to the inside using velcro strips, magnets, whatever. This will make a HUGE difference. Also, should have some redundancy. Maybe a little mini wood stove as well. Or a Dickinson P9000 (this is propane but designed so you get no condensation). You need a way to keep that engine running or to heat up your fuel so it doesn't gel up. PS I realize finding a sailmaker or someone who has the equipment to do the above may take time-and you need it now. You can basically do it on your own using good thread and a large needle, or spray glue/Barge cement (but you need somewhere to do it at). You may even be able to do it with hot glue and some Gorilla Tape. You can basically get the panels ready enough to use and then, when you find the person to sew it, just ask that person to finish the job.

Who could ever get mad at you???? Some of the biggest lessons I've learned in life were through a very difficult trial. -15 degrees is super cold and you survived it and with lessons learned. I say that you are the big winner here!!

Maria, so glad that you and blue are ok after that. As a father, a former Marien, and a country boy, I amazed at your resilience and problem solving skills. Absolutely amazing. What an adventurous young lady. I love watching your videos. The way you think about things and problem solve is amazing. Keep doing what you are doing. Stay safe you two. Bob here from Chillicothe Ohio.

Be safe! Glad you and blue are okay. The northern lights were spectacular! You are doing things and seeing things I could only dream about. Thank you for sharing your journey. ❤

YOU ARE ONE STRONG WOMAN!! Always impressed by your composure, over here in tears because I’m a worry wart but reading all these comments just make me sob! We all are thinking of your safety while you live out the raddest of dreams, you go dude! If you’re ever in trouble you have friends from everywhere willing to help, don’t you fret! Seeing Blue get to travel makes my heart warm, I do the same for my pups in our Tacoma! Happy Holidays Ria and Blue🤘

What an extraordinary moment for you.. being under the same sky that the Northern Lights are lit up in. Your on a road trip of a lifetime, enjoy every minute but safely! Excited to see what is to come..best wishes❤

Ahh this one was so intense to watch- wish it was much longer!! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!

The 12 volt outlet on the Jackery doesn’t provide enough wattage for the glow plug to fully start. The Jackery is cutting power and causing the heater to shut off. It needs connected directly to a battery.

I know people's responses can be overwhelming! Glad you made it through that night/morning. Stay safe and enjoy learning and growing from these experiences. Blue is blessed to have you as a mommy!

That was TENSE! I really hope you’ve gotten the heater figured out by now. Those lights were AMAZING!!! ❤❤❤

Great video. You are doing a great adventure by yourself. Showing that you can do anything.

Blue is like "What's going on mom"🤣🤣🤣

I usually don't comment on vids but I just started watching a few weeks ago and have become obsessed with your amazing personality and your sweet Puppers. But girl, I can't stress this enough as someone from Canada where it can get minus 20-40 Celsius you need to be better prepared. The first thing is to get a block heater installed and be somewhere you can plug it in. If you don't I promise you your truck will not start when it gets below a certain temp. We have them installed in all of our vehicles here because without them they would not start, even diesel engines. You do not want to be in the middle of nowhere with Poe not starting, it's not only dangerous for you but it can be detrimental to your dog. You also need an emergency contact who is up there and can come get you wherever you are in case of emergency. I would also strongly recommend you don't go too far from civilization without a guide or experienced Alaskan camper with you. But at the same time don't trust strangers please, you never know someone's intentions. Please be safe, it's not just you that you are putting in danger, it's your dog as well and I know you would never forgive yourself if something happened to Blue.

Wow what an adventure. Glad Blue is doing good.

I truly look forward to your latest videos, and it's a unique experience for me compared to other channels I follow because honestly I don't care much for the other channels I watch, I simply watch them for mild amusement. You've become my favorite RU-vidr in a very short time! Your personality, lifestyle, and dedication to said lifestyle get me excited to see new videos every single time. Stay safe, stay cozy, stay warm and give Blue a big hug from all of us.

Two things about your truck, does it not have a block heater? You should have plugged it in when you're at the Airbnb. And you should also cover the grill up front with cardboard or whatever you can find to reduce the cold air from going through the radiator, will help keep the engine warmer. And maybe you can have your mechanic install a high idle. So when you're parked it will raise the engine RPM to keep the engine warmer and the alternator to charge the better.

As a Minnesota gal all my life, I guess I take for granted when I see the northern lights quite a bit! So glad you got to see them.

Back-ups for everything!!!! Be safe, if not for you, do it for Blue.

Your propane cook stove could serve as a heat backup. I've seen Bob Wells on RU-vid have this as his only heat. You put a metal circle tube like thing over burner to direct heat up. Works just like a buddy heater. Stay safe 😚❤️

Be safe. Take care. So glad you got the air b&b. Northern Lights were awesome. Y’all keep safe and warm.

Glad you are safe. Time to upgrade for winter!

-4 in the afternoon... probably don't need to refrigerate most things. 🤗

Good day Maria, Blue and Poe......no one should be yelling at you for making a mistake. It's always what choices we make and how to correct them if they are not working. That's the adventure. When you were starting Poe, I actually crossed my fingers! Blue is looking good. When are his treatments completed. All the best always.

I am sitting in a very heated home 73° with my toddler, watching your video eating dinner and I got a cold. I hope you are safe and if I could, I would call the hotel for you lol.

Glad to see that you are ok

Hi Maria and Blue! Hope you all are doing well. Looks like Blue is doing well. Loved the Blue shirt on Instagram. Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Im so happy you got to see the Northern Lights. Im happy you found a bnb I was getting worried because Blue didnt have a sweater or coat on and I worry his paws will get frost bite as well as you. Praying you find someone to install your heater so you and Blue can get back to enjoying your trip.

Never a told ya so! Just hope the best for you, glad you made it through this. Keep being great!

Ive made several comments to help. The one reson you can tell its the Jackery is if the diesel heater had continous power it would show an error code on the screen. The jackery is shutting off the 12 volt outlet during the glow plug phase of the diesel heater and your screen goes blank on the diesel heater. The Jackery most likely auto resets that outlet when power demand stops. I have 2 diesel heaters...an electric heater...a dwarf wood stove...and electric pad on my bed. Backup is number one in artic conditions as you have learned with mild artic temps....its no joke...it can get way colder than you are experiencing.

I love watching you & Blue traverse the wilds of our country. Is Blue doing well?

I think the best bet for now is to rent a small air bnb and stay there for as long as it takes for them to install the heater correctly. I know you you wanted to do it yourself but sometimes asking for help is ok the main thing is you and blue staying warm and then while poe is getting his upgrade you can relax reset and just hang out and site see the city you happen to go to to get poe fixed I am worried for you stay safe and ask for help its ok

Ria, love watching your videos and admire your determination to live your own life. Did you know we loose most of our body heat through our head and our feet. Having a good quality hat that covers your whole head will make a big difference when you’re feeling cold, as will keeping your shoes on. Stay safe. Hope to watch many more videos from you in the future ❤

This video made me nervous but I am so glad you got to see the northern lights! I wouldn't have returned the buddy heater until I tried the new heater. I really hope you get your heater figured out. I'm so glad you made it out of that camp site ok. Stay safe Ria!

Maria this was seriously the most stressful video. And now we have to wait a week to make sure your ok. 😢😢 Be safe this cold is no freaking joke.

good episode, it was riveting to see you meet the difficulties you had and problem solve them and deal with disappointment. you really powered thru some tough moments .. really good work.

Glad your able to travel with your beautiful dog, my dog was getting too old and I didn't want jeopardize his health to take him to cold temps. Stay safe, protect your baby blue. Sadly, my dog passed and would do anything to have him back, but he lived a long life.

I'm glad you and Blue survived this adventure and learned a valuable lesson! 💕

Since it so cold outside, would it be an option to store some of you’re fridge stuff outside Poe? Love watching your exploration!

pls take care!!!! ily both 🥺

You really need to better prepare. Not a time to wing it.... THINK

As someone who just witnessed the northern lights a few weeks ago in Iceland, I can verify it wasn’t just your night! They totally just looked like illuminated clouds but are very visible through camera lenses when I witnessed them. Had I not mentioned it like you did I wouldn’t have heard from other people that it was definitely the case! Hope you’re keeping warm 🙏🏼🔥

I get so excited when u post!!!!

I'm praying your next video has you safe and warm back home for the winter! Mission accomplished after seeing the Northern Lights and getting a photo at the Arctic Circle!

Why in the hell would you get rid of the buddy heater??? Its like hey im gonna get rid of a guaranteed heat source for an experimental one that I have no idea how to use or setup, oh and by the way its subzero temps at night. Have you never heard of a plan B or a backup???? You know just incase you didn't know how to use the new heater?? Never mind I already know the answer....lol

The heater can draw 10-12amps of power on start up, which drops to less than 2amps ( 0.4 to 2 amps ) when running .. I think the cable from the Jackery isnt allowing the current to flow so the Diesel heater shuts down.. direct power source from a battery is much better imo ...... And the Landy. .if sluggish to start then turn key until heater plug light goes off..do it 3 times and that heats the injector plugs when experiencing super cold weather... Best of luck to ya..