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Richard “Dick” Proenneke has worn many hats over the course of his life, serving as a writer, wildlife photographer, and conservationist. He also spent 30 years living alone in a hand-built log cabin situated deep within the Alaskan wilderness.

He moved to the cabin when he was 53 years old and stayed at the cabin until 1999. From there, he moved in with his brother Raymond, where he remained for the four years before his passing.

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The cabin was a dream home for the introvert. The only way to access the home was by seaplane. Fortunately, Dick had a good friend who was willing to help him out from time to time.

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His pal, pilot Leon Reid Alsworth, would make regular trips to the home. He’d bring Dick all of the food and supplies that he needed. This is also how he got all of his mail. The food that he was brought would be stored underground in metal containers so that it could remain cool. Thanks to this neat storage hack, he was able to store all of his perishables in a manner that kept them safe.

Dick only left his cabin sparingly. If he did leave the area, it was to spend time with his loved ones. The beauty of the Alaskan wilderness greatly appealed to him, as he truly enjoyed the solitary life. According to him, there was no need to leave because he had everything that he needed to remain happy.

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Footage was even taken for a documentary entitled Alone in the Wilderness. So much footage was recorded, there was even a sequel made a few years later.

If you would like to learn more about the amazing life that he lived, check out the video below. Our only hope is that his legacy of caring deeply about conservation and nature will be carried on for years to come.