A Cabin Anyone Could Build | Start To Furnished | Alaska Off-Grid
If you've ever dreamed about building an off-grid cabin in the woods, this video will show you every step of the process including log bunkbeds, heating, and furnishing this tiny bunkhouse. I was inspired by Dick Proennekes "Alone in the Wilderness" to move to Alaska and build a cabin with no experience and I hope this video might inspire you to do the same. Join me for this Alaskan cabin building odyssey.
*If you want to see more about this build, I also released a 6-part series documenting this process which you can find on my channel.
***All music written and record by Forest Wilson and Myself
Big thanks to @truckhouselife for helping me out! And thanks to other great KZhead channels like @OutdoorBoys and @Bushradical for inspiration!
#cabinbuild #cozycabin #build #offgrid #alaska #diy #starttofinish #timelapse #cabin #asmr #alone #selfreliance #tinyhouse
🎵You can download the music from my channel here ➡www.alaskacabinadventures.com/music
I have never sat through a 59 minute video before. Hell, I have trouble making it through a 5 minute video. I'm 70 years old, and every damn minute counts for me. Bro, you are an artist, philosopher and builder. You made my eyes sweat. Oh ya, you're a pretty damn good film producer as well. I actually screen videos for 2 international film festivals. You should think about making one and submit it to a film festival somewhere in Alaska.
Agreed, This video had amazing pacing, most youtubers don't realize how much that matters, I've seen plenty of videos I was interested in that were borderline unwatchable because they were so boring. I have a hard time sitting through videos over a few minutes long but this was great.
Excellent!👍🏻
Should build a inclosure for the propane bottles too if you already haven't it'll keep the animals away from them but besides that you did a brilliant job
international film festival in anchorage is every january
One of the best videos I have watched on KZhead. Job well done!👍🍻❤️
I have been in the construction industry for over 40 years and at over 60 love to watch videos like these! I have a half acre homestead in south east Tennessee. I have been in these mountains with my wife of 38 years for over 30 years and tried Floridaaaaaa for four years, and got the heck out and moved back to my beautiful Tennessee mountains. I live in a place named Soddy Daisy on Mulberry mountain! This is truly Gods country with good people and nature surrounding one with peace and tranquility!
Cleveland Tn native. “God’s country”for sure. Welcome home…. Great build thnx!
I hear ya guys I'm in fall creek falls been here whole life ain't been anywhere else don't wanna go either why everyone else is moving here
MAGA land.
Haven’t heard Soddy Daisy in 13 years since I moved from Knoxville and I thank you my friend,there is no better place to live than Tennessee!
I am a North Idaho Native and am 30 years old. I am very seriously looking at trying to purchase a parcel of land somewhere in Tennessee, most likely Eastern. Do you have any tips or recommendations on locations, or just living there in general? I am hoping to accomplish similar to the posted video and do the small homesteading life. I truly does look like God's country in your state. Don't get me wrong, I will always love North Idaho, but it has gotten too expensive to live here and I don't exactly love the winters anyway. Also I am an Arborist and all the diversity of trees, especially the deciduous ones over there is amazing! Thank you!
I appreciate how honest you were about screwing up the door. It's reassuring to me to hear that other people struggle and make mistakes too. Not only did you learn from your mistake, but we did as well. Thank you!
I purchased 5 acres in mid-michigan, starting my cabin as soon as the weather agrees...cannot wait.
Congrats!
I bought 35 acres of a mountain in southern Colorado 3 years ago. Now I've got a 32X444 building. I'm still in my 31 foot Dutchmen camper, but since spring is coming I know I'll be in the building soon. Keep the dream alive.
@@kevindouglas8768 My plans have changed unfortunately, my local building dept. denied the permit for a cabin as it does not meet the required minimum sqft requirement, so i ended up having to buy a 30' camper. Ill use that until i sell the land and look for something more remote.
@@G_Rapids You're NOT alone. This corrupt government has been denying us the ability to build on OUR OWN properties for years. That's why I spent 3 years in a 31' Dutchmen. Now I'm told that people can only stay in their campsters for a certain amount of time. I got a "permit" for a metal shop building. Monolithic concrete slab, all metal construction. It's 32X44, barn door, 2 walk in doors, and some huge ass windows. After the final inspection, I'll slip my ass right into that building. This summer I'm making a hidden earthship style man cave. I'll keep my 26 Jayco campster as a dummy, so they'll have to fly over to see anything, and all they'll see is a campster near my metal building. Food for thought....
@@G_Rapids Same situation here in Michigan. Can't buy land to do cabin due to minimum requirements. I'm now looking into Tennessee. In Newport (Cocke county), they have a company called Incredible Tiny Homes that sell modular certified tiny homes that count as a primary residence in Tennessee. They sell for as little as $15k on sales I've seen. It's practically my only affordable option due to regulations across the country being so strict on permits and build codes.
Nice music. great shots
I have watched both of your videos. lol
You both have some great videos sir
You did what Dick has always done Inspire to build . . . Be one with nature . . . Never too old to learn new skills It’s one thing to read and watch. It’s another to do
funny, a very good friend of mine used to fly hookers out to Dick's cabin quite often when the weather was good. and i''d bet a buck that ol Dick would have beat this guys drone into a pile with an axe handle.
How anyone could build a cabin without the help of a good boy is beyond me. Now I need to build mine. 🐶
Us too. We have a stack of logs out back. Some assembly required.
Awesome video man, nailed it at the end on the last line "Life is about inventing who you want to become"🤙
If you haven’t screwed up, then you have not done very much.
If you havent made a mistake then youve never done anything at all
NO GUT’S, no glory 😮!
"Shining armor has never seen combat"
I almost died. I lasted 8 months. Totally unprepared.
I never knew Dick Pronnecke. But I am most positive. From all I have read and watched about him. That he would have appreciated and approved of your journey. Thank you for sharing. I loved the music.
First I want to say I saw alone in the wilderness as a kid and Alaska has been my dream for years, and while I haven't made it yet, you're living the dream so rock on. Second, while you gotta do what you gotta do building your cabin, you are a far braver man than I working with power tools like that in the pouring rain. Keep on living your best life man.
Regardless when or how you make it up there, it's worth it. Well, except for salmon season then all bets are off! Based on what you want to do, plan carefully. I've met people who preferred the cruise, others who preferred more densely populated areas, and some semi hardcore outdoor fanatics. I was stationed for 2 1/2 years on Adak in the Aleutians, an entirely different adventure! No bears or moose, plenty of caribou, bald eagles, halibut and salmon fishing. Plenty of videos about the place on KZhead. Guides take people hunting there now. Base is a huge ghost town now.
I remember when I first discovered Dick Proenneke. Some random person left a comment on a channel, when I viewed their account, the only video they had uploaded was "Alone in the Wilderness". I watched it a few times, bought the DVD set and the book, it changed how I was living my life, I wanted to move to Alaska and do what you're doing, right now. I decided to look up Prenneke's Wiki and learned that he passed away after he came home to live with his brother. I was shocked to see that he died in my home town, when I looked up his brothers address, it was walking distance from where I was living at the time. small World. I enjoy watching your videos and your journey. Keep living that dream!
Hemet. Known as one of the ten worst cities in California on popular lists.
@@mikestirewalt5193 Yes, the "city" has definitely declined over the last few decades. Growing up, it was a nice, quiet retirement community with surrounding agricultural rich farmland. At one point, a stretch of Florida Avenue had banks on every corner that had a combined worth more than Fort Knox, now you have to avoid crime ridden neighborhoods while not running over j-walking zombies. It's sad!
A cabin and a dog, priceless!! Cheers from the great state of Arkansas!!
Nothing says Freedom like property tax 😡. Great to see the build all in one episode!
You know the dog was real and not a paid actor because it always sat down exactly where you needed to be 😂
Jumping in feet first like you did has a very steep learning curve. You are young and resilient. Hard knocks can be brushed off easy at your stage in life. Just keep moving forward, a mistake is how you learn. Remember and do better next time. Good luck.
I'm 74 years old and do a lot of DIY projects, albeit from sunny San Diego. Your video hooked me immediately. I'm not going to lament not being able to do the things that you do because of my age. But just know that as I watch you build this from scratch I comforted to know that at one time I could. Thanks for sharing these 59 minutes.
Great build & beautiful Norman... Love that he's your best friend & companion....
Got a like as soon as he said the music was original. Self made music and a cabin??? Sold
Your doggie has a pretty cool human. ❤
I tell ya, I’ve watched this one video more than any others. I love the size, how you used the wood slats, your creativity with the live edge trim👍👍 ALL of it. I’ve built a Nana Cabin much like this but smaller 8x10, but I can’t wait to build another 🥴you’re humble and inspiring ❣️keep it up, I’m a fan
Hey Thank you!! I appreciate that!
Something about the chunks of spruce as stakes gives me a lot of joy. Great work!
Amazing cabin you built from start to finish in hyper lapse. Interesting to watch. Tnx4sharing. Watching from DUBAI
Guugh, this is equivalent to a man in a uniform. I can’t tell you how impressed I am that you built this cabin. All men should have the desire to have this skill. Your wife is a blessed lady, that’s for sure.
Isn't Tyvek the best invention ever! We built a cabin quite similar to yours. We added 4' to the depth for bunkbeds and a closet. Otherwise the same dimensions. After vinyl windows were placed into their openings we used 6" ProtectoWrap (sp?) along the sides and then one strip across the top covering the side taping. Same for the door frame. A year after completing the cabin we screened in the front porch. What a difference it made keeping bugs outside where they belong. Your cabin should last a long time. Dick Proenneke would compliment you on the build. 👍👍👍
I love the touch of adding old tree trunks as posts for the porch. Great idea!
I pause the video 1 second before the end because I don't want it to end. What a great message to us all and thank you for posting the journey!!
That dog is hilarious through filming. Love dogs! Great little cabin and project. Thank you for sharing!
Well I’m glad you built it so I could enjoy from my cozy home. You have a talent!
The outcome is fantastic. You should be proud. Well done. Alan
Beautiful cabin and beautiful dream you have built for yourself and others to enjoy. God bless you and your loved ones. Bucket list to get a chance to see Alaska some day before I lose my fight with cancer.
"Strength is one of my weaknesses." ... 😂 that's s great line!
New Subscriber here today, 03/02/24.. I'm a retired builder, and I don't sit through anyone's videos. BUT, Yours is the 1st I ever have sat through. I am impressed by your skills and Determination. Congrats to you, your wife, dog and friends. You did a Fantastic job. I can relate to completing a project for yourself and then sleeping in it. Couple yrs ago I built an addition to our home. The size we added was 24' x 32' , complete cathedral ceilings, sky lights, hot tub in master bedroom, etc. It was our castle we bult for the whole family, kids love it etc.. I remember after framing it, all weather tight, the wife said lets sleep in it .. Lol. So we grabbed some extra mattresses, blankets etc and slept under one of the huge skylights. Beautiful view, and just looking up at all the beams holding it all together, lots of angles, custom framing built ins etc. I really went to Town on it. But doesn't matter size or style, just laying there admiring your own work is so satisfying. God Bless you folks. Stay Safe Stay Healthy Positive and Blessed. Amen. Peace from Big Jim New Hampshire USA aka Boston Strong,, Cant wait to watch your other videos now... ( Any sign of SABAE ( Sasquatch ) out your way yet ? ) Cripes we got em here in good ole Cow ( New ) Hampshire.. lol. Big ones too, thank goodness friendly...
Nice video! Man, this was so much fun to build. 😎🐕
Nice build! You can sheet the walls before you stand them up and its easier and you dont need help from friends. At least a couple of the walls anyway. Its always good to have good friends around though. 🍻
Your dog is fabulous ❤❤❤
You are the perfect example of determination! Wow, impressive - beautiful cabin!! God bless you and your wife! ♥️ 🙏👍
I am in impressed and slightly jealous of your life,unfortunately my life is shite,and I live in a different continent
Regardless of opinions on the value in the various new technologies its important to remember that Craig is bringing all these things to light for our education and entertainment. Without innovation we'd wouldn't have what we do today and without the incredible work done by people like Craig we wouldnt have first hand access to it without having to fork out of our own pockets. Cheers brother
Im So Proud of You The Bunk House is Finished Great Job. Norman was with Thru it all. Ginger L USA ALABAMA ❤
Wow! That build turned out beautiful! I loved watching the process and am grateful that you took the time to record, edit, and share this video with the world on KZhead.
As soon as I heard Timmy's voice I recognised him straight away! Great build mate! Very well done! Cheers and beers 🍻 from downunder sunny Australia 🇦🇺
I have been it over and over and love it...but Norman is the star❤
Love the bunk house, you did a great job!!!! Love seeing Norm, he is a great dog !!! Mosquitoes must be bad if you have to have all that on !!!
Great job Matt! Awesome bunkhouse! Very cozy! Your guests will love it!
The Dick Proenneke story is very inspiring. It’s still my favorite documentary and book. Nice cabin, even if you didn’t use all hand tools. 💪
I've never seen roof metal installed like that...directly to decking without perlins. I like it.
Never did a complete build but this brought back a lot of memories. Years from now you'll be relaxing in there and admire your work and yes there will be mistakes too. For years now you'll be obligated to help those who helped you.
Strong work! Tell us more about those slippers?
Today I lived my dream of making a similar cabin through your vid. I hope to regain my health to make my own some day. Thank you for the beautiful work and instruction.
Brilliant, you pull it off, comfort, and peaceful atmosphere.
I love those slippers!
Wow I never knew the music on your video was music you and Forest. Great soothing sounds
Last sentence was spot on. We all need a reminder.
MUSIC WAS LOVELY...MY DAD PLAYED BANJOE MANDOLIN MOSTLY ...REMINDS ME OF SOME OF HIS ..SO CALMING !!!THANKS I WISH I COULD DO ONE.. MY DAD AND GRANDFATHER BUILT ALL THEIR HOMES. IM 72 ..VETERAN FEMALE NAVY NURSE.. BUT I WAS CHEERI G YOU ON THE WHOLE TIME.. LOVED IT !!@!!!!
Ah! Tobacco pipe. I pulled my collection of pipes out of the box this week. Can't smoke in the house and it is finally warm enough to sit outside, late into the evenings while sipping on MacBaren Seven Seas, Navy Flake, Plum Cake, and my favorite, Acadian Perique. Of all the expensive burlwood pipes, I like the corn cob the best.
It goes to show, when you put your mind to it.. it’s amazing what can be accomplished!
Glad to have found your channel today, Subbed! Thanks for sharing your Dash!!! - Davey.
Really appreciate the smooth non-shakey camera work on this video. Excellent editing.
I did almost that exact same insulation setup on my platform/floor insulation. Only thing I did different was put little 1" blocks 2 inches down so I could push the foam down from the top to leave an air gap between the foam and the reflectix.
You should have built bunk beds that fold onto the wall. That saves so much space.
a beautiful and warm little cabin covered with white snow.
Really nailed it with that window trim. Beautiful
I had no skills. Knew nothing about 16” on center. But believed I could build a house. Me and my uncle built our house. Just have faith you can and someone to work with you and teach you the skills needed. Now I can do it all, electric, plumbing and heating also.
16" on center is antiquated from the days when drywall was produced in 32in sections. A simple building like this you can build it 24in on center and save yourself 25% of your framing. If you're in a cold climate like him, I'd recommend you take that 25% savings and buy 2x6 framing, the more you insulate today, the less fuel/wood you need to procure in the future. That and controlling air leakage. Hitting R24 in the walls and R50 in the ceiling along with caulking common air gaps can go a long way to reduce your labour in the future.
All that work in carpentry is hell on your hands for a guitarist or piano player, hands are critical for a musucian, the older you get .. just saynig the music in background is great reminds me of Rye Cooder. Great great work..
It’s Timmy! Truck house life 🤘🏻
Love smoking the pipe very old English
A cabin anyone with a ton of money can build.
Lol..
Labor’s the most expensive part, and he got plenty of help. Norman works for kibble!
Good job for minimal experience. Glad you shut the clutch off on the gun early. Now your drivin!
That's a hell of a build... Sit back and be proud of yourself for the final result! I'd imagine it must be incredibly peaceful to spend time alone in there with nothing more than nature and a good book to read. Living the dream ✨️
Lying in that bed after it was done is a feeling I’m sure you’ll always cherish. Beautiful.
My property has lots of woods. This has motivated me to move into the woods and get away from the road
Superwork,have a nice time in your New home
Great Job Brodie keep doing what you’re doing my boy. 🔥🔥🔥
Livin' the dream.😊 Beautiful cabin. I really enjoyed the video.
Great video. Norman is awesome! As a former builder, I only cringed a couple of times during the video, lol. Great job lapping the sheathing down onto the rim band. That gives the walls some extra rigidity. But next time, when applying sheathing, put a bead of construction adhesive the length of every stud and across the bottom and top plate. This will make every wall cavity its own airtight chamber. It will help with rigidity and insulation. Also, when cutting Tyvek around windows and doors, cut it in such a manner so you can wrap the inside of the door or window opening with Tyvek. In some places wrapping the house wrap into the openings is a code. But love the cabin! Just a couple of ideas for next time.
Staples through the tyvek hurt me. 2x4 for the deck joist. Over all good job but yeah half way through I've cringed a few times lol.
Isn't vapour barrier plastic supposed to be taped and sealed around outlets and doors/windows?
I saw Alone in the wilderness as a child too, it took me a bit longer to get here but i built my first place ever on the Kenai peninsula. Greatest adventure i have ever had.....so far!
You did a very nice job on this bunkhouse/cabin. Wish I could come and stay for a week and do a little fishing.
Good afternoon I live in Massachusetts and I love watching your KZhead channel and you are an inspiration.
With all the fun you had on that big window you're lucky it survived !
Just found your channel. Love your place. Your cabin is AWESOME. And i enjoyed your music.
Thank you, you are doing something i have always wanted to do. as i recover from a near fatal illness i find the my "Get -up-and-Go" has 'Got-Up-And-Left!' but you are an inspiration.
Awesome job brother. We and the old man get started this June after the wife's birthday.
You are so talented! You make building the cabin look so easy !My husband and I realized that you are friends with Tim. We recently started watching his videos and came upon yours. Love your enthusiasm with cutting down those trees and building your log shed! Stay warm and safe!
i have lived in alaska for 84 years. i have built over 300 houses, cabins, apartments, condos. you did a nice job on the bunk house. i only have 2 comments on materials, dont buy any more of that garbage tyvek (it has actually been outlawed in a few states) and no more plastic sheeting on the inside, it needs to breath. plastic will hold moisture in the walls. you might look into floating mosquito dunks, they look like a mini frisbee, and they are the color of skunk cabbage. they work really well in the pond.
I love your story. They say its never too late but I am now in my 40s and live in Seattle, WA. Hopefully one day I will make it out there. Inwas born in the mountains of Laos but Alaska has always been I'm my heart. Ever since the internet started and expanded my world. Thank you for sharing 😊
A home keeping tip- when making the bed. Put the pattern of the flatsheet facing the pattern on the fitted sheet. This way when you pull the sheets back like you did. You see the vibrant colorful pattern on both sheets. They are meant to touch color on color. ❤
The rough sawn siding and window trim is beautiful and a genius idea.
Wow, not sure how I connected to you but really enjoyed you build BUT mostly how you explained what you were doing. I'm a 63-year-od femail but I sure wish I could do what you are doing!!
As a teenager I wanted so bad to do just this...I am approaching 67 and still I have a dream of cabin living by a stream and fishing in AK. However, while I'm not in AK I am in South Dakota living in a big 'cabin"....not bad for a girl from Hawaii. I love it. I love the 5 acers of pine, the wild life, the snow. Maybe my next life I'll get to AK. What you've done is just so dang cool....and you're music is GREAT, too. Aloha.
I liked where you said that you could do it all by yourself but a extra set of hands is very helpful. Your video makes me wish I was there for 5 - 6 hours helping
What a beautiful build and more finished than l imagined. The world needs more people like you. Thank you from Utah
The dog is having fun !!
live edge at the peak is a nice touch
I Watched Every Minute Of This Video, Mr. You Are A Craftsman.👍 I Built Homes In My Youth So I Was Watching Every Step. Brought Back Lots Of Memories. Thank You.
I understand why you didn’t cut the door down. Made tons of mistakes in my career. Some great mentors taught me that it’s not my mistakes that define me, it’s how I fix them.
I have that same book six inches from my elbow. Great build. I can't wait to launch my homestead on July 1st 2026!
It's outlooks on life like yours that make life enjoyable. Thankyou for putting yourself out there for other's to learn from, and maybe appreciate enough to want to try it for themselves. Inspirational persons like yourself make the journey of life more gratifying. Thanks
What a wonderful place you’ve there! 🏆 A thought; Why I can’t see any moisture or condensation escape in ceiling and soffit please explain! That’s very important in winter when heating produce lot of moisture that need to be escaped for heating to work efficiently plus it save all wood and drywall from soaking in moisture and eventually hardened and destroyed over years. There’s so much plastics you’ve put everywhere it scares me if there’s no gap for allowing moisture and humidity to leak out!