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Welcome to Panela, Matt Harrison's take on mostly Open Source, Linux, Python, innovation in those areas, other buzzwords and Dick Proenneke. It comes complete with the illustrations as needed. Note the opinions expressed here are merely my opinions and not the opinions of my employer.
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Alone in the Wilderness (Dick Proenneke)
Don't get any idea now!
a random John [johnharrison@gmail.com]
Just curious how many people will do the same as him..:)
Watching it right now (2nd time)... amazing. Not many guys like this left.
My wife and I just purchased a large property in northern Ontario, Canada.
I will put my past forestry experience to work, building our log guest
house, first. I read Dick's book, back in 1968. The axes are sharp and
ready!
Jim- Good luck. Sounds like a fun adventure. Keep me posted of your
progress.
Just watched it for the second time on PBS. It was better the 2nd time.
Very relaxing. So, I just purchased the DVD and book on line. Much cheaper
than from PBS. What he did was something I've dreamed about doing for 30
years. Maybe it's time to throw away the suits and ties!
I am from northern ont Hornepayne which is basicly in the middle of no
where many peaple in this town grew up in cabins like dick,and lived off
the land as such. like dick, it is a hard living min of 12 hrs of hard
labour 6 days a week -40 or not,try cuting a log whith a hand saw 16" then
think what it wood take to cut 12 pick up truck loads every winter that
makes you have a lot of respect for Dick pronneke
I just saw the documentary too...although I dont think the film talked
about how he got the property or if he had to pay for the land...maybe I
missed it???...but I wanted to do this too...but I wonder how realistic it
would be now adays..you probably have to buy the land....and deal with a
bunch of suits who tell you you cant build there...wherever that is???what
do you think...could this be done by today's standards???
you know I was on my way out the door to go on a camping trip after I had
rolled my truck and as i was turning off the t v i had seen the ending of
alone in the wilderness on a pbs telethon and i was hook on the fact that
there was somebody out there with the same thoughts and veiws on life as i
had. the fact that i was looking a the idle of my life as i knew it.
richard(dick) proenneke has been on my mind every since i had seen him on t
v . My girlfriend rhonda thinks i've totaly gone overboard with this living
in the wilderness thing. I'm on a mission to do the same thing as dick did
but for my own reasons I don't think there is a more truthful test of life
other than the biggest test of all putting your self at the proper
possision of the food chain. i think what dick did is truely remarkable and
will be remembered for all time. dick opened the eyes of many people and
showed that anything is possable i hope with the corage and the skills i
have learned in life and the stuff that dick help me realize and tought me
will help me on my quest into the test of all test. i've taken to his hobby
of building cabins from the rough and it has been a blast and the more i do
and the more i think of the cabins the more i can't wait to get out there
and do my own place i've almost got things in order.the planing has taken
me about 6 months so far and will take me a few more but i have the same
thoughts as dick"could my company be enough to keep me occupied for an
entire winter " could i withstand the lonelyness of the wilderness, or
could i match everything that god has for me to face wildlife, the
elements, lonelyness could my skilss of a 30yr old man be enough learned
for this journy. i don't know if anyone understands the true meaning of why
dick did this but the fact is he did it and he helpped us all on way or
another he did. he will always be remembered it broke my heart when i did
my research on him and found his deceased date. my world felt empty and
hollow, but than i just had to learn more and i am. lots more. all i know
to my he was a hero more that one way from a friend to an idle he will me
loved by all goodnight and god bless you'll be missed by one and all
I WISH THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN THIS OPPTION COULD CONTACT ME
AT 1-250-401-8528 FOR THE OPTION TO DO THIS this is something that would be
interesting to do if you r ready for this test I'm from northern Alberta
Canada and i am making this real for some people right know as i write this
to you male or female all are invited to be alone in the wilderness
together you will all learn the things dick had to learn to survive in the
wilderness to him i dedicate this movement in my life good luck to all how
are willing to put themselves to the test so long dick see you in the
wilderness buddy thanks for opening up our eyes
where can the dvd/vhs be purchased in Canada or where online
where can the dvd/vhs be purchased in Canada or where online
I've seen this film atleast a dozen times. I wish I could enter the film
and live the adventures alongside of Dick Proenneke. lol. He is a
craftsman, a naturalist, and a true flagship of what every hunter and
angler should be. His simple choice of words as he explains his daily tasks
are as witty, and endearing as nature itself. He chose a path in life that
most of society would deem as unimportant, and/or "stupid"; and found
purpose, balance, and fulfillment. Watching "alone in the wilderness" is
like gazing into the warm depths of a long awaited camp fire. And when the
film ends I feel rather sad, and empty. Dick Proenneke was the real
McCoy!Cheers everyone.
Hey you guys, just do it! Being a native from the extreme northeast part of
Minnesota, I have always related to the rustic way of life. I am a teacher
and fortunate enough to be able to read a book about building something and
not be to intimidated to build it. I have built a strip canoe and a log
hunting cabin using logs from my own property just by reading books about
each. In the summer of 2005 I purchased a lake lot that is only accessable
by water on the edge of the BWCA. Over the winter I purchased some red pine
logs and built my second cabin one corner at a time. I never saw more than
one corner at a time because I loaded the corners onto a trailer after each
one was notched. I brought my logs accross the ice and spent the summer of
06 putting up my cabin while living in a tent with my two dogs (and an
occaional visit from my wife and twelve-year old daugther). It was hard
work but it was fun. I had several neighbors offer me their cabins when
they were gone but the tent would make a better story. The movie about Dick
is cool, but if you really want to experience it, just do it. If lakeshore
is not possible, just get 10 acres and build in the middle of it!
That sounds very interesting, but what do people do for a living in those
conditions? What do their wives do?
My name is Alex. I am 21 and like most of the people on here, I would like
to do the same as Dick did. I have been preparing for years. Not months,
YEARS. I have been called crazy, stupid and anything else you can think of.
But I know the Truth behind living. So does everyone else with this dream.
It is Late August of 2007 and come April 2008, I would like to have one or
two more People to go with me. I am NOT COMING BACK!!!! I am running from
nothing and no one. I am running TO something. I would like to go to
mid-Manitoba or any province really. Where can be decided after I find a
partner to go. Male or Female, Age is no matter, all that Does matter is
that you are serious. So, If anyone would like to find out more and see if
you think your ready, PLEASE CONTACT ME!!!!! yarnell_alexander@yahoo.com or
yarnell_alexander21@yahoo.com IF YOU ARE SERIOUS, LET"S TALK!!!
I purchased the dvd ( Alone in the wilderness) from Amazon.com Canada. I
purchased the book (One man's wilderness) from Chapters book store. I saw
the documentary on PBS a few years ago and since then I was hooked and had
to know more...that's why I purchased the dvd and book. I know how Dick
felt. Being a part of the "concrete jungle" society is no place for me. I
need the wilderness. I decided to go hiking and paddle a canoe in a nearby
lake that is surrounded by forrest that can't be disturbed because of
heritage trust. I purchased all the same tools that Dick used to build his
cabin and needs.
Dick's work and love for the wilderness changed my outlook on life. The
thought of building my own little cabin in the woods where no man goes has
been burning a hole in me for a couple years now and I am finally going to
do it.
Dick is a very rare breed of hard working men and yet so compassionate
about the land and it's inhabitors. I plan to throw away the things I don't
realy need and live a simpler, more healthy life. The work might be hard
but when you get to sit back and admire what you've created after all is
done ...... you will get the sense of pleasure you rightfully deserve.
Thanks Dick Proenneke ....... I bet you never thought you would have this
effect on the world. Your hard work is admired and so are you. Rest in
peace and may you continue to roam the land, in spirit, you loved so much.
O.k. im hoping this reaches some one dead serious... Im 35 and and in great
physical shape, not bad looking and have an undesirable nagging to migrate
for some damb reason.. i too have nbeen researcjing and forging through
text and movies for the preperation these past couple years and have come
to the conclusion..You are either dying alone or livong with some one..If
there is any takers i will flip the tab to pack up my survival
gear my artic supplies and hed to the most th most remote part of alaska
you can go... to live for goooood...no more electric bills, gas bills,
credit cards,, neighbors of unpleasant sorts..just the sheer knowledge of
the comfort of being aware of the enviroment we live and harmonious with it
alone, making everything we need there and from the land..ive got so much
crap in my head i need to move forward... any taker??easier with a freind
lot harder breatning alone....
Hey, Mike.
First of all, I'm not a spammer. I just want to let people know that there
is a site that is specifically for those of us who want to do what Dick
Proenneke did, in one form or another. It's been very difficult to find
others who are like-minded and I think it could be a great resource for us
to find each other and discuss this. The site is: