In the Alaskan wilderness, any equipment failure can result in devastating consequences.
Six people separated by hundreds of miles, all joined by the common cause of surviving the winter in the Alaskan bush. In Noorvik, Chip races to set whitefish nets on thin ice for the last catch of the season. Fishing on the frozen river is deadly, but it's vital to haul enough fish to last through the winter. Andy tests the safety of the river surrounding his house that he uses as a link to the outside world. Without this winter lifeline, he is trapped and isolated.
After being away for several months due to an injury, Sue is finally on her way to her home at the Kavik River Camp. Though she thinks bears may have taken up residence there, she discovers a bigger surprise: thieves have robbed her fuel supply. If she runs out before weather makes a delivery possible, she'll freeze. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes can't access their hunting grounds until their river freezes, forcing them to rely on bartering the supplies they have for the essential items they lack.
Winter is coming fast and six Alaskans living in the remote corners of the state are in a rush to prepare for the hard months ahead. Alone at the Kavik River Camp, a blizzard descends on Sue's camp as she sets up hand lines between her most critical buildings so she can find them in whiteout conditions. She also prepares firearms in case of a wildlife attack. In Wiseman, Erik tends to two critical tasks: collecting water and wood. If he's unsuccessful, he'll face trouble very quickly.
Mechanical breakdowns and invading predators threaten the lives of six people as they try to survive the dark and cold winter in Alaska. In Kavik, a familiar sound startles Sue. She soon realizes that a deadly wolf has approached her cabin. Nineteen miles north of the Arctic Circle, Chip's snow machine breaks down, threatening his own survival since without it he cannot fish, hunt or trade. In Wiseman, Erik hunts for lynx fur to earn money but the beast outsmarts him every time.
In Kavik, nearly 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Sue is becoming dangerously low on fuel. With only a seven-day supply left, she calls in for an air delivery, but mechanical trouble with the plane fleet and another impending winter storm leave her holding her breath that they'll be able to deliver before she freezes. In Wiseman, Erik is in a match of wits with a clever wolf that keeps stealing bait from his traps.
This week's episode of Life Below Zero puts the spotlight on couples. Kate joins Andy out in the wilderness for a challenging day of collecting lumber for their homestead. After a day filled with frustrations, Andy surprises Kate with a quick getaway to celebrate her birthday. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes are working together on a major hunt that could determine their livelihood for the coming year. They'll use the tactics of Agnes' Inupiat ancestors in hopes of getting a leg up.
During winter in the corners of Alaska, every day can be fraught with challenges. Sue sees few hunting opportunities this time of year in Kavik, but after a group of ptarmigan birds takes up residence in her yard, her mouth is watering for a special meal if she can just get her aim on target. While out setting traps, Erik crashes his snow machine. With no part stores within a hundred miles, he must make an unscheduled trip to Fairbanks for repairs, leaving his trap lines to go unchecked.
Sue encounters a predator outside her tent; Andy buys a new sawmill and must tow it home despite dangerous snowdrifts on the Taylor Highway.
Chip and Agnes track a wolf for its fur; Sue hunts for a moose; Kate and Andy prepare for a doomsday scenario.
Sue travels to Fairbanks to buy her Kavik River Camp; Andy and Kate move their dogs to a safe location before an ice breakup; Erik preps for grizzly-hunting season by renting out his property.
As winter ends, Andy and Kate must deal with wildlife waking from hibernation, while Chip and Agnes attempt to catch valuable beavers and river rats.
As the snow continues to melt, Sue finds her runway in danger of being flooded. Meanwhile, Glenn decides to change his hunting tactics.
Sue worries that a lost water filter and a missing food shipment may impede her business. Also, Andy and Kate work on constructing a greenhouse.
In Chandalar, Glenn is running perilously low on food. His only option is to take to the waters and fish, but vicious mosquitos, and fish that aren't taking the bait, make it a bigger hassle than expected. Sue is startled by a strange shadow on the horizon, but after heading into the tundra to investigate, she finds nothing. Determined not to have let her efforts go to waste, she heads to a nearby coal seam to try and gather some of the "black gold".
Sue attempts to hunt caribou to fill her food supplies before winter; Andy tries fishing with a net, which can be more dangerous to operate than his fish wheel.
A lack of food forces Glenn to embark on a long journey back to civilization, while the Hailstone family begins a trek to Agnes's family camp.
Alaskans live and die by the changing seasons. It's a constant fight to survive the brutality of the changing weather through sustenance hunting, trapping, fishing and relying on self-sufficient ingenuity. NGC follows six Alaskans as they fight through the freeze, the dark winter, the break up and the thaw. Then, as they spend summer preparing to do it all again.
It's been six years since Sue Aikens was attacked by a grizzly bear, and now it's time for her to face her fears and take on the challenge. She heads into the tundra, and after spotting a grizzly in the distance, takes aim. In Eagle, Andy and Kate Bassich have just fed the last of their fish to their sled dogs. Chip and Agnes Hailstone's whitefishing in Noorvik is being disrupted by a late freeze. And Erik Salitan returns this season, having just finished the guiding season a southern village.
Erik Salitan is ready to subsistence hunt, and on Kodiak Island he has the opportunity to go after the elusive mountain goat. Andy Bassich in Eagle is hoping that a single $2 homemade bullet will bring home a moose, and meat for the year. In Kavik, a storm brings an unexpected opportunity to Sue Aikens as it forces a herd of caribou close to her camp. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes Hailstone are anxious to prepare for a winter of nomadic hunting and trapping.
Chip and Agnes are ready to embark on an autumn moose hunt. For Sue, the approaching winter means that she has only a few days to make sure her camp and business are completely closed. In Eagle, early snowfall has left Andy and Kate concerned that winter will come sooner rather than later. Andy decides it's time to hit a nearby pond to see if he can catch a beaver. Erik Salitan has ordered powerful new traps with the hopes of catching a valuable fox if he can set the traps safely.
Andy discovers the river isn't going to freeze solid in front of his homestead. He must cut a trail through dense forest to cross the river safely and get to his hunting grounds. Sue needs 4,000 gallons of fuel delivered to see her through to next spring, and a storm is threatening to hit before deliveries can get in. Erik needs his bad trapping season to turn around, as the furs he collects are vital to his income. Chip and Agnes are behind on their meat stockpiling ahead of dark winter.
To make ends meet, Andy and Kate teach subsistence and survival skills, and Cody Allen has ventured into the bush from Oregon to learn how to live off the land from the experts. In Kavik, Sue preps her weapon arsenal as bears are still roaming the tundra, hungry for food. In Wiseman, Erik must prepare for the meat he will bring in from his upcoming hunting trips. In Noorvik, the Hailstones need essential seal oil. Agnes and two of her children must fly to a nearby village for a seal hunt.
A warm-up has swept through the Arctic, leaving the camps scrambling to prepare for what lies ahead. In Eagle, newcomer Cody Allen hopes to learn the intricacies of dog mushing & the lessons have only just begun. In Kavik, the warm weather has Sue on high alert. Her fears that the warm weather is bringing predators closer to her camp are realized when she scouts Kavik from a plane & spots a group of polar bears not far from her land. For Chip & Agnes Hailstone, the warm-up has delayed the thickening of the Kobuk River ice, making fishing impossible. Until the ice is thick enough to bear the weight of their large net, they will be without their fish & their winter trade currency.
Glenn is back, returning to his remote camp after months away. With grizzlies active in the area, he doesn't know what he'll be walking into. In Eagle, Andy and Kate's apprentice, Cody, wakes in the middle of the night to an extinguished fire. He manages to chop wood in the dead of night to get another fire going before frostbite sets in. In Kavik, Sue slips and falls hard. Combined with lingering pain from previous injuries, she's worried about being incapacitated during this vital time.
Sue is locking down camp in Kavik and heading to Deadhorse, the nearest town, to pick up a new eight-wheel all-terrain vehicle. Cody is considering a full-time life in Alaska, but he needs help from his hosts, Andy and Kate, to learn how to earn an income. In Noorvik, the price of stove oil is high, so Chip decides to forgo the oil for chopped firewood. Glenn has been melting snow for drinking water, but he'll need a larger supply to meet his most basic needs, like bathing.
After a short flight to Deadhorse to pick up her new all-terrain vehicle, Sue begins the 85-mile unpredictable journey through the Alaskan tundra back home to Kavik. In Eagle, Kate and Andy's apprentice, Cody, faces his final test as he heads out to spend a night alone in the Arctic wilderness. Chip and Agnes's daughter Carol goes out with her parents to learn how to set a fur trap. Isolated in the Brooks Range, Glenn sets out to make a fire kit to help keep his fires going all winter long.
Chip is planning to go hunting with his son Jon, but when Jon still hasn't arrived hours after their departure time, the family becomes concerned. The unpredictable weather in Kavik threatens Sue's ability to gather basic resources essential to her survival. In Eagle, Andy and Kate begin training new lead dogs to take over for the aging Iceberg, the current veteran lead. The bears in Chandalar will wake from hibernation, so Glenn prepares an emergency shelter should the bears destroy his cabin.
n Kavik, a looming snowstorm threatens Sue's camp. The last storm buried her food tent under 17 feet of snow, and the additional snow could crush it. Andy and Kate find that a large chunk of ice has broken free from the shore, leaving Andy scrambling to get supplies before the whole river breaks up. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes prepare for their annual light winter hunting trip. A howling wolf wakes Glenn in Chandalar. He sets off in pursuit of the predator in hopes he'll find a bigger prize.
The end of winter is quickly approaching. Chip and Agnes have one last chance to harvest caribou until late summer. If they succeed, they will have meat for food and trade for months. Sue stumbles upon a mysterious object in the tundra, and fears for a potential encounter with a predator. Glenn is on the hunt for food and fur, and the wolf tracks he spots remind him there is more than one hunter in Chandalar. Andy sets out to collect wood before the rising temperatures melt away his snow trails.
Alaskans living in remote corners of the Arctic fight to maintain an independent lifestyle through self-reliant ingenuity, innovation, resourcefulness, and knowledge.
Chip and Agnes teach their daughters how to live off the land; Sue has three months to make a profit off her camp for the year; Andy and Kate deal with seasonal flooding; and Glenn is on the hunt for food.
Sue searches for new sources of food when caribou cannot be found; outdoor guides man Eric Salitan prepares for his busy season; the Bassichs tend to their garden; and the Hailstones trek to Kiwalik to wait out the thaw.
Living in the brutal Arctic terrain, Alaskans know that when opportunity presents itself, there is no time to hesitate.
As summer draws near, unpredictable weather is shaking up life in Alaska. For Sue Aikens, summer is the time to gather food in preparation for the winter months. But when caribou are scarce, Sue is forced to explore other options and try her hand at fishing.
With the freeze quickly approaching, the race to prepare and stock up on food has Alaskans on edge.
With winter on its way, Alaskans battle the clock to stockpile everything they will need to survive the coming months.
Sue powers down her camp when a generator breaks; Andy and Kate prepare their cabin for the winter season; the Hailstone family encounter equipment issues while fishing for salmon; Eric and his new wife Martha go bird hunting.
Summer is drawing to a quick close, and the Alaskan winter lurks right around the corner. Before the tundra freezes over and the herds become scarce, Sue Aikens has limited time to hunt enough caribou to sustain herself for the harsh winter ahead.
Alaskans living in remote corners of the Arctic fight to build a prosperous life in one of the most inhospitable places on earth. Through the brutal and unforgiving seasons, they have staked their claim and are determined to carve out a life of relative comfort in the wilds of Alaska.
Fall season in the Arctic means the final preparation is in full swing for the long winter months ahead. In Kavik, Sue sets off on a quest for food to survive the coming freeze. In Eagle, Andy and Kate race to get their fish wheel turning before the chum salmon run hits. With their annual caribou hunt on the horizon, the Hailstones build a cache to store their meat for the season. And in Chandalar, Glenn sets out on the most critical hunt of his year as he hopes to harvest a moose that will yield nearly six months’ worth of meat.
With winter around the corner, Alaskans prepare themselves for the onslaught. In Noorvik, the Hailstone family goes caribou hunting to put up meat for the winter. In Kavik, a bear poses a threat to clients at Sue’s camp. In Eagle, Andy repairs the fish wheel to protect the dogs’ food supply. And in Chandalar, Glenn must haul a felled moose over land and water to get it back to the safety of his camp.
With seasons changing and the transition from fall to winter, Alaskans are preparing for the winter months. In Eagle, Andy hunts for elusive moose, as he and Kate need to replenish their red meat supply for the coming winter. In Kavik, Sue seals up camp and heads to Fairbanks for a foot procedure. With Tiktaalik — a local word for burbot — in season, the Hailstones teach their daughters to ice fish on the river. And in Chandalar, Glenn repairs his cabin before the harsh winter hits.
As temperatures grow colder, the Alaskans continue to prepare for the winter months. In Fairbanks, Sue Aikens travels 150 miles on an icy road to investigate a tip that squatters are on her property in central Alaska. In Eagle, Andy must take his dogs to gather more firewood for the winter, but collecting resources is stalled when his sled begins to fall apart at the seams. In Noorvik, Chip and Agnes Hailstone brave the thin ice to harvest whitefish for food and trade. And in Chandalar, Glenn chases after a pack of wolves in hopes of harvesting leftover caribou meat.
With dark winter just around the corner, Alaskans continue preparing for the winter months. In Noorvik, Chip builds a freight sled for winter travel. A blizzard strands Sue in Fairbanks and she must brave a notoriously dangerous road to get home to Kavik. In Eagle, Andy and Kate get their sled dogs ready for the winter and put them through their paces. And in Chandalar, Glenn tries to vary his diet and to harvest more meat for the long winter ahead.
Dark winter in the Arctic brings limited daylight and rapidly decreasing temperatures. With a hundred days of no sunlight ahead, Glenn must secure more wood for heat. In Eagle, Andy and Kate rescue a lone bear cub that has wandered into their camp. The Hailstones gather a vital resource for themselves as well as their neighbors. After two weeks away from camp, Sue returns to Kavik with a long list of critical tasks to complete.
Andy maintains his sled dog trails; Sue works on fixing her generator at the camp; the Hailstones build a tee pee for upcoming hunting trips; and Erik takes his wife hunting for animal hides to sell.
The Hailstones stash supplies along their hunting trails; Sue has trouble contacting people outside her camp; Erik falls while he's gathering firewood; and Andy goes hunting for muskrats.
Chip and Agnes prepare for hunting along the Kiwalik River; Sue builds a pair of snowshoes; Andy goes in search of much needed supplies; Erik and Martha set their first traps of the season.
In Eagle, Andy constructs snares to maintain his food supply. In Wiseman, Erik and Martha cut up their last moose quarter and use salvaged supplies to construct a smokehouse. In Kiwalik, Chip and Agnes go caribou hunting to stockpile meat and fur for the coming months. And in Kavik, Sue clears her runway for a plane to deliver a new snow machine.
The Hailstones head out on a trapping expedition; the Salitans gather caribou meat to store; Glenn retrieves his food stores before they are stolen by predators; and Sue puts herself in danger.
Sue heads into town to get a diagnosis about her injury; the Hailstone's head out one last hunt of the season; Chip's snow machine breaks down; the Salitans go ice fishing.
When spring arrives in Alaska, the thaw means time to begin preparation for the next freeze, be it hunting, fishing or relocating for the summer.
The Hailstones and Jessie work on projects to take advantage of the summer bounty. Glenn searches for a long lost cabin, and Sue reopens her camp.
A compilation of Season 5, highlighting the environment of Alaska, and all of the challenges it brings.
Glenn goes on a scouting trip, while Jessie rushes to complete his fish wheel. Sue faces setbacks at her camp, and the Hailstones go on a hunt.
Technical issues sideline Sue, while weather issues cause the Hailstones to buckle down. Glenn and Jessie find an abundance of food and resources.
Erik returns to embark on a hunt, and Sue attempts to restock her freezers. The Hailstones get a new boat, and Jessie continues to work on his fish wheel.
The Alaskans gather the supplies they will need in order to survive the long winter months that lie ahead of them.
Sue travels to a weaponry in Fairbanks, the Hailstone family head north to collect greens, Jessie constructs new doghouses for his dog team, and Martha goes on a solo duck hunt.
The Alaskans enjoy a short break in the weather before the winter season begins again.
Sue readies her camp for the coming winter. Glenn makes his move from Fairbanks to Chandalar. Jessie revamps his entire dog lot. The Hailstones begin work on a mobile home.
Sue waits on a fuel delivery. Glenn goes on a moose hunt. Jessie revamps his dog lot. The Hailstones begin to build a mobile home.
Sue makes needed repairs around camp. Jessie collects fish from his fish wheel. Glenn works to haul a moose back to camp. Chip processes and trades pieces of a caribou.
With the freeze under way, Alaskans scramble to secure their livelihoods. Sue Aikens returns to find a dangerous predator lurking just outside of camp.
The Arctic’s late freeze presents unique challenges for Alaskans as they attempt to gather food and resources for survival.
Repairs, hunting and errands are all on the to-do list as five Alaskans struggle to get through the everyday grind as a long, dark winter looms ahead.
The Alaskans take on different obstacles to ensure a prosperous winter.
The Alaskans travel far to obtain they resources they need for survival.
Though not easy tasks, trapping and hunting are essential activities for Alaskans to get crucial food and fur to survive dark winter.
Alaskans pursue scarce resources in anticipation of the coming spring and face some unexpected surprises.
At the end of a brutal winter, and on the cusp of spring, Alaskans encounter unexpected roadblocks in their struggle for survival.
The winter comes to a close but the Alaskans are still struggling with their seasonal duties.
With seasons changing in the Arctic, Alaskans hunt in the wilderness before the spring breakup fully arrives.
As the snow melts and the ice on the waterways breaks up, the Arctic becomes a land of opportunity. The Hailstones hunt, Sue Aikens reopens her greenhouse, and Glenn Villeneuve returns home.
Alaskans face tremendous obstacles with the spring breakup in full swing.
As the rivers melt, Alaskans try to stay ahead of the changing landscape.
Sue unloads and sets up new heating system at Kavik. Glenn scouts for shelter and hunts from his canoe. Andy catches and smokes fish in the rain. The Hailstones fish for herring at camp.
As the summer begins to fade, Alaskans must take advantage of the long days to prepare for the long freeze that lies ahead.
Alaskans must ensure they are prepared to withstand the extreme cold that lies ahead.
As the thaw draws to a close, Alaskans maximize their final days of sunlight in the Arctic.
To survive a year in the Arctic, Alaskans must adapt to the ever-changing seasons.
Alaskans must travel through unfamiliar, freezing and treacherous territories to harvest new and necessary resources, preparing themselves for a dark winter in the Arctic.
Sue experiences wolves at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Glenn hunts for bull moose. Jessie sets up a new sawmill. Agnes and the girls go net fishing at Kookoochiaq.
Sue scouts for sheep at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Glenn sets beaver snares. Jessie runs the Cantwell Sled Dog Race. Andy goes muskrat trapping.
Amid dark winter’s deadly conditions, Alaskans must capitalize on the brief hours of daylight to complete necessary tasks for their survival.
In the midst of dark winter’s onslaught, Alaskans head out into the cold, seeking precious resources to ensure their survival and maximum efficiency.
Sue repurposes materials to build a sauna. Glenn secures his meat cache from wolverine. Jessie travels to Minto to retrieve an injured dog. Andy tests the safety of the Yukon's ice and sets a trail.
Agnes and Qutan cut wood and prepare to meet a new member of the family. Glenn builds an igloo on a mountain. Jessie sets burbot lines in the ice. Andy sets up a new battery system at Calico Bluff.
Agnes and Ting retrieve a sled and tipi from Kiwalik. Glenn goes paragliding off of a mountain. Jessie deals with snow removal around camp. Andy transitions his pups to the full dog team.
Alaskans apply primitive knowledge and skill to build a life in the Arctic wilderness.
Alaskans battle misfortune, equipment failure and Mother Nature's wrath to get the resources they need to survive.
Andy prepares for the Yukon River break-up. Jessie hunts muskrats in the river. Glenn goes duck hunting. The Hailstone ladies hunt for birds in preparation for Chip's return home.
The Hailstone family must depend on each other to survive the Alaskan tundra.
Andy goes duck hunting on the lake. Jessie builds a new dog yard for his team. Glenn journeys to Thru-Creek Pass. The Hailstones hunt muskrats for fur.
The powerful bond between man and dog plays a crucial role in surviving Alaska’s land of extremes.
Andy modifies and strengthens his greenhouse. Jessie builds a new smokehouse. Glenn camps out, goes fishing, and spots a dangerous animal. Chip goes hunting for ducks.
Across the Arctic, residents of Alaska battle Mother Nature to secure the basic human necessities that those in the Lower 48 often take for granted.
Andy net fishes for king salmon. Jessie builds a raft for firewood. Glenn explores a primitive camp. The Hailstones go pole fishing at camp.
Waterways provide Alaskans with vital resources and food but can also be unpredictable and dangerous.
Andy builds an elevator for his yurt. Jessie camps out and goes hunting on Bear Hill. Glenn returns home from Thru-Creek Pass. The Hailstones hunt and pick berries.
Women in the Alaskan tundra are spotlighted.
Andy refines his gardening and compost system. Jessie net fishes for king salmon. Glenn creates and runs in a triathlon at Chandalar. Sue receives a tent shipment and begins the build.
Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness demands constant innovation.
Andy undergoes reconstruction of his fish wheel. Jessie gathers chaga and burl posts. Glenn encounters a dangerous animal and hunts for Dall sheep. Sue constructs a pop-up tent and camps out, gathering resources.
In temperatures well below zero, Alaskans must constantly build and maintain shelter in order to survive.
Andy explores new territory for a moose and bear hunt. Jessie heads downriver for a fishing campout. The Hailstones set nets for salmon fishing. Glenn hunts and processes a bull moose. Sue builds a blind on the tundra for caribou hunting.
As winter returns to the Arctic, preparation is crucial for Alaskans to survive the coming months. For the Hailstones, the window to hunt big game animals grows shorter with each passing day. Sue Aikens must stay alert and aware of predator presence in Kavik. Glenn Villeneuve ensures the frozen lake in Chandalar is safe for his family's arrival. For Andy Bassich, camp preparations and sled dog training before the snow flies is key. And for Jessie Holmes, to be competitive in the upcoming Iditarod race, training must begin.
To survive the quickly worsening conditions in the Arctic, Alaskans must finish the tasks that will keep them ahead of winter's wrath. Glenn Villeneuve hunts caribou to keep his family fed for the remainder of winter. The Hailstones set out for a timely harvest in the blistering cold. A severe storm forces Sue Aikens inside to reinforce her camp. And Andy Bassich readies his camp in Eagle for upcoming winter projects.
As conditions worsen during the grueling arctic winter, Alaskans risk their lives to prepare for months of total darkness. Andy Bassich braves unsafe conditions on the Yukon River to hunt for needed meat. Sue Aikens tests a new piece of equipment that could be the difference between life and death. The Hailstones set a trap line near their homestead for vital fur. And Jessie Holmes must avoid thin ice to harvest the lifeblood of the Arctic.
In the clutches of Dark winter, Alaskans face uncertain conditions caused by unseasonably warm temperatures. But the warmth won't last, and opportunities must be seized. Sue Aikens braves the unstable tundra to replenish her water supply. Jessie Holmes is on a quest for firewood as the Iditarod approaches. Chip Hailstone teaches his daughter Carol to hunt winter caribou. And Andy Bassich makes use of a recent caribou harvest.
In the Arctic, maintaining a subsistence lifestyle requires Alaskans to constantly learn new techniques, and honor those who came and lived before. In Kavik, Sue Aikens makes a cost-effective hunting weapon using harvested materials. The Hailstones embark on a family harvest. The training must continue for Andy Bassich and his youngest sled dogs. And for the first time this winter, Ricko Dewilde returns to the cabin where he spent his youth.
Sue assesses the conditions of her new property at Chena River. Ricko traps for beaver. Jessie trains new puppies for the dog team. Agnes, Edward, and Idi embark on a wood gathering trip.
As dark winter's grip tightens across the Arctic, Alaskans must learn new ways of survival in their surroundings. Chip Hailstone teaches his daughter Carol new survival skills as they hunt for small game. Ricko DeWilde reconnects with his past, and attempts to open a pathway to receive messages from the nearby village. Sue Aikens searches for resources at her land along the Chena River. And Jessie Holmes takes to the woods for a needed meal.
Alaskans attempt to survive and thrive while struggling with unpredictable winter weather. Jessie Holmes prepares for the Iditarod by doing some home demolition. Sue Aikens braves freezing conditions to make a bed with resources from her new land. Ricko DeWilde camps at a nearby hot springs to trap a wolverine for a traditional Athabaskan memorial. And the Hailstones run into a severe blizzard on a trek to their hunting grounds in Kiwalik.
For Alaskans, utilizing the frozen trails to secure resources is a requirement for survival in dark winter. At the family hunting grounds in Kiwalik, Chip Hailstone follows a trail of wolves to find harvestable game. Ricko DeWilde secures wood to repair a generations-old smokehouse. Sue Aikens scours unfamiliar trails to harvest a needed meal. And Jessie Holmes makes his final preperations for the upcoming Iditarod sled dog race.
Jessie runs the race of a lifetime at the Iditarod. Ricko hunts for small game. The Hailstones go on a family rabbit hunt. Sue clears snow from her rooftops.
Sue settles back into life at Kavik; Ricko replaces the cabin stove; Jessie struggles to free his four-wheeler from the frozen mud; Chip and Agnes hunt an apex predator.
The Hailstone family rushes to prepare camp for a possible storm. Winds jeopardize Sue's camp and livelihood, and as goose season opens, Ricko teaches his daughter to hunt. Meanwhile, Glenn heads out to replenish his family's meat supply.
Sue sharpens her survival skills; Jessie sets out for food and medicine; Glenn burns a manmade structure to the ground so that nature can reclaim its rightful place; the Hailstones embark on a traditional hunt for valued seal meat and oil.
The Hailstones bind together for a family hunt. Jessie recuperates from a hard-fought Iditarod. Ricko finds an unexpected treasure. Sue's rush to clear the runway is interrupted by an unexpected breakdown.
The Hailstones build a new temporary structure in the Kiwalik region. Ricko teaches his younger children survival skills. Sue races against the clock to renovate a key camp fixture. Jessie battles weather and chance to secure a meal.
The Hailstones pull together to build a footbridge; Jessie goes fishing while looking out for some good spruce trees; Ricko has his children over to stay plus an extra surprise guest.
Jessie collects logs in anticipation of the coming winter. The Hailstones prepare themselves for the coming fish run. Ricko teaches his younger children to hunt and fish. Sue tests her mettle against the capricious, flooding tundra.
In Alaska, summer is spent preparing for what lies ahead; the Hailstones spend a night on the water; Sue Aikens battles river currents to source coal; Ricko DeWilde secures food with nets made by his late mother; Jessie Holmes gathers firewood.
With the summer ending, Alaskans must overcome exhaustion, injury and failure; after seeking medical aid, Andy returns home to pick up the pieces; Jessie harvests salmon; Sue searches for winter food; the Hailstones gather key resources.
To survive in the Arctic, Alaskans must battle Father Time to harvest the last of summer's bounty. Sue tracks a lone predator. The Hailstones have a chance at a key resource. Jessie builds a new cabin, and Andy fights the clock.
Chip Hailstone goes on a duck hunt while Agnes and the girls pick berries. Sue looks out for some caribou meat. Jessie goes looking for a big bear. Andy and Denise collect water with hope of restoring the greenhouse.
At the edge of the warm season, Alaskans prepare to pay winter's cost; Ricko DeWilde heads out on a proxy moose hunt to aid a village elder; Sue Aikens builds an arctic entryway; Jessie Holmes works to finish his dream cabin before conditions worsen.
Sue Aikens plays a game of chess with a predator; Ricko DeWilde hunts for moose; Jessie Holmes' plans shift from one final resource mission to simply surviving the day; the Hailstone family prepares vital tools needed to endure winter in Noorvik.
The time is now for Alaskans to prepare for the harsh winter by any means necessary — or risk paying the ultimate price.
To survive dark winter, Alaskans must be relentless in their pursuit of critical resources.
Winter has arrived with a vengeance, and Alaskans prepare for the worst-case scenario.
Sue repairs her cabin in Chena. The DeWildes set a fish net. Jessie spends time with his young dogs. Chip receives medical attention after an accident.
In the dead of winter, Alaskans must endure the brutal elements with no end in sight.
Sue collects firewood. Ricko and his son Skyler go beaver trapping. Jessie explores his newly purchased land. The Hailstones move up river.
Sue travels home to Kavik. Andy and Denise return to Eagle. Jessie prepares for the Iditarod. The Hailstones do chores in Kiwalik.
Sue clears her runway of snow. Denise learns to dogsled. Jessie snares rabbits. Ricko teaches his son Skyler to hunt.
Sue goes ptarmigan hunting. Andy and Denise battle jumble ice. Jessie races in the Iditarod.
Sue transports a new generator. Andy and Denise gather wood. Ricko and his kids hunt for muskrat. Chip and Agnes move cam
Sue hunts waterfowl. Andy and Denise fight the river breakup. Ricko and his kids hunt geese. The Hailstones hunt small game.
Sue expands her garden. Andy and Denise hunt waterfowl. Ricko teaches his kids to hunt. The Hailstones go on an egg hunt.
Sue fixes her Nodwell. Andy and Denise install solar panels. Jessie repairs his boat. The Hailstones go fishing.
Sue cleans up her river and goes fishing. Andy and Denise repair a Jeep. Jessie falls trees and prepares wood. The Hailstones build a trapping cabin.
Sue re-purposes a snow melter. Ricko repairs his cabin. Jessie builds a new dock. The Hailstones go beach combing.
Sue is out to hunt caribou. Ricko travels to a natural hot spring. Jessie moves to Brushkana. The Hailstones build a wall tent and go fishing.
Sue builds a drainage system under her runway. Ricko explores old family land. Jessie sets up camp in Brushkana. The Hailstones go boating.
Sue travels to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Ricko hunts moose. Jessie builds a cabin in Brushkana. The Hailstones all gather in Kiwalik.
With the first signs of winter already showing, Alaskans must make use of the last days of sunlight to secure food and shelter for their survival.
With the first signs of winter already showing, Alaskans must make use of the last days of sunlight to secure food and shelter for their survival.
With winter bearing down on the Arctic, Alaskans scramble to prepare for the cold months that lie ahead.
With dark winter quickly approaching, Alaskans must face their inner demons, and prepare themselves to battle against the dying of the light.
Dark Winter has descended upon the Arctic to rule the land once more. To survive, Alaskans must battle deadly conditions and cruel temperatures.
In the heart of winter, Alaskans face deadly, bone-chilling temperatures as they struggle to survive in one of the world’s most inhospitable regions.
Frigid temperatures, heavy snowfall and unclear trails turn simple tasks into dangerous endeavors for residents of the Arctic.
As winter rages on, Alaskans must conquer brutal temperatures, deep snow and challenging terrains if they are to survive until spring.
Amidst a global pandemic, Alaskans will face unprecedented challenges during the brief summer months as they prepare for the coming winter.
Amid the long days of the arctic summer, Alaskans must learn new ways to survive and re-learn old lessons of generations past.
For those living in the Arctic, the endless summer daylight must be used efficiently if they wish to survive the impending winter.
Despite the formidable challenges facing them, residents of Alaska must tackle any and all adversity to survive the endless daylight of summer.
As summer’s resources become scarce, Alaskans seize the longer days to further their ability to survive the harsh landscape.
With summer in full swing, Alaskans work to secure lasting legacies and connect with age-old traditions in their wild homeland of the Arctic.
Arctic residents must seize the remaining days of summer for a chance at completing vital tasks and harvesting small game before winter returns.
For Alaskans, seizing the final days of summer is critical; and in doing so, the difference between life and death is often only a moment’s decision.
Under winter’s shadow, Alaskans must toil to secure scarce food and opportunity in the tundra’s final fertile days.
As summer gives way to fall, Alaskans must rely on tested traditions to survive.
Now in the midst of the fall season, Alaskans work tirelessly to get essential tasks done before winter returns to claim the land.
From Alaska's north to its southern tip, hunting is vital to the subsistence lifestyle.
As winter's grip in the Arctic strengthens, Alaskans are forced to react to avoid an icy demise.
As the deep freeze sets in, Alaskans brave cruel temperatures to complete vital tasks.
Brutal storms threaten the lives of those living in the Arctic as they enter Dark Winter.
In the midst of Dark Winter, Arctic residents must brace for the dangers that lurk ahead.
With limited daylight during Dark Winter, Alaskans must brave cruel temperatures to secure the resources needed for their survival.
As winter’s chill grips the Arctic, the path forward will require trial and error, and only the determined will succeed in their quest for survival.
Despite the deepening cold, those living in the Arctic must constantly brave the elements and the unknown of the natural landscape.
In the Arctic, winter does not go quietly into the night, as subzero temperatures and heavy snowfall means a lack of resources, and a lack of safety.
Inhabitants of the Alaskan bush are faced with adversity as they confront the unknown in the dead of winter.
As winter comes to an end, Alaskans must push through the cold as they prepare for daylight’s return.
Those in Alaska must seize the newfound resources of spring’s arrival and avoid its many dangers to survive another season of life off the grid.
Extended daylight, blossoming greens, and open waterways make the arctic spring a crucial time for Alaskans to brave the landscape for resources.
As temperatures warm in the Arctic, the landscape and waterways are returning to life, and Alaskans must seize all opportunities under the spring sun.
As the arctic summer progresses, Alaskans must utilize the sun-drenched days to learn valuable lessons of survival.
With Alaska in bloom, its residents must continue to utilize their days to pursue resources and opportunities to enrich their lives.
As fall looms, residents of the arctic take advantage of unseasonably mild conditions to improve their food security and complete vital projects.
Erratic weather patterns force Alaskans to come up with creative ways to obtain the food that they need to subsist through the coming winter months.
The changeover is underway in the Arctic, and Alaskans must navigate through the fall season if they are to survive the brutal winter ahead.
Alaskans must face the dangers of the Arctic in order to stockpile resources before dark winter returns to claim the landscape.
Sue Aikens attempts to track a deadly foe in Kavik.
Lessons are learned; personal battles are fought.
The unforgiving winter tightens its grip.
Alaskans face challenges as they push through a dark winter.
Alaskans seek out vital resources amid a deep freeze.
For remote Alaskans, no task is completed easily.
Alaskans break trail and hunt for their survival.
Alaskans embrace change as winter loosens its icy grip.
Alaskans race to secure resources for the warm months.
As Spring weather begins poking through the clouds, secluded Alaskans must venture into their ever-changing landscapes for survival necessities.
The women of Alaska must seize opportunities for resources during the brief Arctic spring.
Alaskans emerge from a long winter and seize new opportunities to travel, hunt, and farm while facing the dangers from thawing rivers
With tempertures on the rise, Alaskans must ensure their survival in the hostile Arctic.
As the warm season continues, Alaskans contend with the annual environmental changes that shift the daily struggles and rewards of their environment.
The last few weeks of summer are upon Alaskans, bringing the need for hunting, fishing, and harvesting their bounty in the rugged Arctic.
As the Arctic Summer wanes, Alaskans must seize any remaining daylight to make final improvements to their lifestyles before the deep cold returns.
As summer wanes, Alaskans must travel the waterways, hunt on the tundra, and seize final harvests before Dark Winter returns to the landscape.
As the brief Fall season dwindles, Alaskans must race to secure resources and finalize projects before the deep cold returns to reclaim the Arctic.
As Alaskans enter a new dawn in the Arctic winter, they must adapt to the changing landscape if they are to survive and thrive in this brutal season.
Alaska residents labor their way through winter's challenges.
Alaskans confront the environment and themselves as winter bears down.
Alaskans rediscover old practices to get through the heart of winter.
Alaskans take advantage of a brief reprieve.
Alaskans test their will and luck against Dark Winter's obstacles.
Alaskans must rely on solid foundations to persist through Dark Winter.
As temperatures reach deadly numbers in the Arctic, Alaskans push through the deep cold to increase their odds of survival in the late winter months.
Alaskans stand their ground and push through adversity as winter brings one final barrage of snow, wind, and ice.
As Winter loosens its grip on the Arctic, Alaskans must seize opportunities that the awakening landscape presents.
Alaskans journey, hunt, and prepare for spring.
The arrival of Spring brings grave danger to Alaskans as winter’s snow and ice melts away and the landscape and waterways come roaring back to life.
Alaskans contend with the throes of the warm season in the Arctic.
Alaskans harness the power of the sun as they toil.
Alaskans must capitalize on the resources of the Arctic Summer.
The warm season provides for Alaskans.
Alaskans are in the home stretch of preparing for the upcoming winter.
With summer nearing its end, Alaskans kick into high gear.
Alaskans power through the dog days of summer.
As the sun fades, Alaskans brace for Dark Winter's return.
As winter returns, Alaskans face new threats to their survival.
The winter season grows more erratic, and Alaskans are forced to adapt.
As they work in Alaska’s harsh wilderness, each person learns his or her own lesson about the law of the land.
For Alaskans, building a life of freedom that can endure the cruel elements of the Arctic can only be done by employing the tools of the trade.
Sue Aikens has chosen to carve out a life of perilous isolation in the remote artic tundra, overcoming constant challenges to thrive at Kavik River Camp, a remote refueling station on the North Slope of Alaska. Sue reveals her journey to Kavik, starting from a rough childhood and tracing through three marriages and numerous ups and downs, and she shares what it is that draws her to a life of solitude.
Chip and Agnes Hailstone struggle to live in the Artic and survive as a family, while passing along the importance of their heritage and native traditions to their children. Chip and Agnes discuss their background and experiences, sharing the struggles they have had living a semi-nomadic subsistence lifestyle while hunting, fishing and gathering to survive in the harsh conditions of Northwest Alaska.
Although he must make many sacrifices to live in the wilderness of the Brooks Range, Glenn Villeneuve loves the never-ending challenge.
Andy Bassich has chosen to build a life of freedom and independence for himself and his sled dogs in the remote wilderness of Alaska.
Jessie Holmes and Erik and Martha Salitan struggle to survive in their respective regions of the Alaskan Wilderness, maintaining a subsistence lifestyle in harsh conditions as renegades of the Arctic.
Winter is coming, and in the Arctic, winter is no wonderland. In a race against time, these tough Alaskans must prepare in order to ensure survival.
Life in the Arctic requires self-reliance, but even the toughest Alaskans sometimes need a helping hand.
For those living in isolated Alaskan communities, strenuous labor is just a part of everyday life.
The Hailstones harvest caribou and hunt duck, while Glenn searches for firewood and chases a moose.
When confronted with a threat in the wilderness, Alaskans must make quick decisions in order to survive.
For those who choose to live in the isolated Alaskan wilderness, survival is possible only by working together.
Alaskans partake in ancient traditions and create their own rituals every year.
In Alaska, any change in the weather pattern can throw off the natural balance of life.
Remote Alaskans travel across dangerous territory to chase vital resources.
Glenn attempts to paraglide and climb a mountain. Sue explores a remote wilderness.
Those living in the Alaskan wilderness must always be prepared for dangerous storms.
Locals of Alaska work to eat.
In freezing temperatures, Alaskans must build and maintain means of transportation.
From Alaska's north to its southern tip, hunting is vital to the subsistence lifestyle.
From north to south, Alaskans rely on fishing for survival.
From Alaska's northern frontier to its southern tip, danger comes in all shapes and sizes.
From Alaska's north to its southern tip, Alaskans improvise as essential gear breaks down.
