Clearing a Build Site - Off Grid in Alaska ┃EP3┃I Need A Place To Live
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- I need a place to live and I'm running out of time!
If you're new here, my name is Sean Paul!
I sold everything I owned and drove to Alaska. I came with my dog, my cat, and a dream to create an off grid sanctuary on 5 acres of Alaskan wilderness. The challenge is, I have zero experience and I’m just a dreamer with a TH-cam subscription! I can only imagine the journey ahead... I hope you stick around, and welcome, to Gettin' Off Grid!
I did exactly what you are doing over 20 years ago. I built an off grid cabin near Eagle, Alaska. I am currently in North Pole. Some things to keep in mind in interior Alaska. Towards the end of summer we start to get a lot of rain. As soon as you have your tent up I would recommend building a tiny bush cabin. This first cabin should be the size of a small shed. I have a friend who has lived in an 8'x8' cabin for over 20 years. Getting up this basic tiny shelter will provide you great peace of mind when the temps drop. When you get a wood stove, oversize it. My first winter I had a stove that was too small. When it was zero outside I could burn it for 5 hours or so but at -50F it would burn out in 3 hours. You will need to get a snow machine at some point to get into your cabin in the winter. If you keep your truck back at the main road, at some point in the winter you are going to need to plug in your pickup or it won't start. You will want to make sure you get your truck winterized. You should go with a block heater, oil pan heater, battery heater and trickle charger. If you are using a generator to plug in to them you want to have all them capable of heating your engine quickly, like a few hours. Your generator will need to be kept inside your cabin where it is warm. Luckily it has been getting warmer in the winters up here but we did hit -50F last winter for a bit. I don't know your exact situation but what I described is a pretty normal scenario for someone living in the bush in the winter. Don't stress too much about firewood. With a snow machine and sled you will have better access to everything once it all freezes. Make sure you have windows on the south facing side of your cabin. In the Fairbanks area we have just 3 hours and 40 minutes on the shortest day of the year so any sunlight can really help with your mood. If you have any questions please shoot them at me. I can tell you what I have seen work up here. Usually it's best to do what has proven to work already. My motto here is, whatever works! Keep getting after it! You'll be so thankful the first cold snap when you have your tiny space that is easy to heat. Take care...
@@makingendsmeet551 this is incredibly helpful info. I won’t let this rain slow me down! I’ve definitely shifted gears in my original plan though - I really like the idea of building a smaller, sturdy, bush cabin to get me through this winter so I can plan my bigger build in the spring. Plus hauling the supplies will be much easier in with snow on the ground like you said! Thanks for sharing your experience and helping me out, I’ll definitely keep you in the back of my mind! Tell Santa I said hey 👋🏻 🎅🏼
I want to ask about the generator inside the cabin. I have always heard that it is unsafe to operate a generator inside an area where you are staying because the fumes can kill you. Please tell me what I have misunderstood?
@@serenepeacefulrelaxingmusi3874 Sorry about that. The generator is ONLY stored inside. You are correct that you should NEVER run it inside. At -50 the oil gets thick and getting things started are Impossible. If the generator is stored inside you can then take it to where the car is parked and start it before it cools down. Thank you for noticing that this needed clarification, I am kind of assuming he won't be able to get his truck all the way back to his cabin and this is a fairly common issue up here. Take care!
I'm curious does anyone in Alaska build Earth burned homes? I understand the barriers to Going Underground be a great idea? If not why
Well said. You were pretty thorough.
Don’t let anyone on here try and dim your personality. Keep it up!
Thank you!! For you, I will!!
You’re doing what a lot of us older guys wish we did when we were your age. Enjoy what you’re doing and creating
if you have handguard forward it locks the chain, if you rev up motor with it locked the clutch connects motor to locked chain stalling the motor
Can we pretend like you didn’t see that? 😅😂 thanks for your tip! And for watching!
What? That is not true. He did not have the handguard forward when it suddenly died. The "handguard" is just the top potion of the brake. It is the brake that locks the chain. LOL I have been using a chainsaw for 25 years. You can rev it with the brake on also. He most likely just had a vapor lock because the saw was too hot.
Experts like doctors all have an opinion, all i can say is read there advice and experiment with your saw CAREFULLY, please be careful but just see how your saw works
@@LindaFirefighter03 you're right.
@@LindaFirefighter03 Reving it with the hand brake on wears out the needle bearing behind the clutch over time. I'd advise against it to prolong the needle bearing.
As someone doing something similar to you, completely by myself, i have enjoyed your vids so far. If i could give one or two suggestions it would be to get a handheld log tongs ($15.00 to $30.00). The amount of labor you will do picking up cut logs will be cut in half. Also consider a brush cutting blade for your weedwacker. You will be cutting brush down every year and a brush cutting blade works way better than string. Good luck, ill be watching and hoping for the best for you.
Very entertaining. I love finding a person at the start of their off grid life 😊
I too started clearing land by hand. After a month I finally said Eff this. Ordered a John Deere 60g for a week. Watched some TH-cam on how to operate it , logged de stumped , made a driveway and graded a build site.
It’s a bit pricey. Cost me 5k Canadian. But now I have a beautiful stump free canvass to start with.
I strongly consider this for you
Ok, After watching 3 episodes, I'm hooked. Love your quirky personality. Ya made me giggle several times. I enjoy watching the whole process of someone braving the wild country of Alaska. You are doing great! LOVE your dog!!!! You Tube is your friend to learn just about anything. Simply Living Alaska can help you so much! Eric seems to know most everything from trial and error. He is a wiz at chainsaws , so look him up. Keep up the great attitude, it's all a adventure. And bleep the naughty words. :)
Thank you so much! You are so kind. Can I say at least a couple naughty words?!
@@GettinOffGrid LOL Your channel :)
More chainsaw advice, since ya asked. When making your notch to fell a tree, the overall angle should be roughly 45 degrees. +/- 5 degrees won't matter too much but ideally one side of the notch should be at least parallel with the ground. Plenty of great youtubers go into better detail than I can in a single comment. That being said, for your first felled tree, good job! It went where you wanted it which is all that matters. Also, keep an eye out for dead branches falling since the vibration of cutting could jar them loose. Secondly, as soon as you get the chainsaw started, turn that chain brake off (pull the guard towards you) so the engine won't be overloaded with resistance from the locked bar and stall.
Don't forget to verify all advice you get from these comments. Some people don't know as much as they think they do and could inadvertently point you in the wrong direction.
Hello there Sean, I have been with you just with the Episode 1. You are making an old lady smile. Just continue to be your joyous self and take care.
GOD BLESS.
Watching from the Philippines.
Enjoying the videos and the journey. You appear very natural when being funny and talking to the camera. Forget any negative comments and just be you. Remember, you can please most of the people most of the time but you can never please all of the people all of the time. Have fun, stay safe, I'll be following along.
When the days are hard and the doubts are consuming, comments like yours will be the ones I come back to for that inspiration. Thanks for watching and being rad!
I’m not missing a second of this. Watching it from the very beginning❤️
I enjoy watching your journey. Love the humor and the transparency and of course Gracie.
I live with Gracie and I can’t get enough of her! Thanks for being here 🙏🏼
Kick ass! New subscriber will be following your journey of self reliance, grit & determination.. You've got this..
I love your humor and how open you are. Never change!!!
You’re a gem!
I'm 6'4 so I've never been called "little guy".......
It made me really happy :3. New sub. Honestly my favorite thing about watching your videos _are_ your failures. Jake the dog once put it best- suckin at something is the first step towards being kinda good at something. Keep it up my man, you have the attitude of a champion and I believe in you
Och dear boy, you’re doing great and just exactly as you should, I love watching all this type of video and your humour has this old lady hooked, I’m so looking forward to following your journey. Big hug and scratches for Gracie. Take care. 🌸
Dude 54k people watched you chop down trees. So keep on keeping on Guy! Great video, beautiful scenery. Love Gracie! ❤️
Sean, it doesn't take much water in your fuel to make a chainsaw act the way yours is. A semi empty fuel container may be susceptible to condensation over time and changing weather conditions. Something to check for.
Thanks for that insight! I’m making a list of things to check for
Sean, has anyone mentioned the air filter yet?
Keeping that clean will make a big difference. I've had a few Stihl saws that I had to clean the filter every time I put fuel in it. Great channel. Looking forward to watching it grow bro!
@@holyfireoutdoors53 Ditto!
Awesome to see a young man this day and time. Going off to carve out a piece of wilderness for himself. Will definitely teach you self-reliance
That tent will be ok as a temporary shelter but you should seriously build some type of small cabin or shed to survive the cold winter that's coming. Best of luck to you my friend and stay safe. I'll look forward to seeing your next video.
Hey Sean Paul, thanks for the next update. Great to see the learning and progress continuing, will be a steep learning curve for sure but you'll get there! Hopefully you get set in time to see you (reasonably) comfortably through the winter. Enjoying your style, stay safe!
What a beautiful, friendly, likable, and BRAVE young man you are!! I’m so happy that I stumble upon your channel! I look forward to more videos, and wish you the best on your adventure!!
You’re making me blush, Gale!
Enjoying your humour, going to watch every vid, Mike from the U.K.
You can build the platform on girders, and drag it where ever you want down the line. Kinda like snow sled. Use gravel and pavers to level it and keep the wood off the ground.
I am so glad I am here to follow you on this journey!
The first steps to mastering something is failing, embrace and overcome your failures, and relish in your successes!
You're doing a great job ❤️
Dude the drone shot was awesome!!!! Well done again! You got me thinking I should spend money on land 4000 miles away cause why not😂
Another great video. Awesome job, overcoming an issue with the chainsaw and still getting the job done. Keep it up. Waiting for the next video.
Thank you for setting a good example and taking safety seriously. Keep up the amazing work - can’t wait to see more!!
It only takes one slip up! I gotta be vigilant! Thanks for watching 😁
Keep in mind, the meat wagon doesn’t transport to Mat-Su Regional from that far out. It’s a helicopter ride at $25k or more. Highly recommend getting Air-Med insurance or something similar.
Loving your music❤ so happy found your channel
You are doing amazing
Stay safe and best wishes from Melbourne Australia
I can’t tell you how awesome this is. Absolutely love watching this! I live locally and love watching you live out a dream! Keep your spirits high and strong. Alaska is tough but it is worth it. Looking forward to the next video!!
You're doing great!! Thr content is awesome, commentary is fun, and the videos you're making are excellent!! I am excited to follow your journey!!
I'm glad I'm here in the beginning,, keep on going
wow florida winter to alskan winter that will be the biggest shock you could imagine
You have a great soul. Keep up the great content and god bless you in your off grid life you are building for yourself!
Loved all of your videos so far. I’ve subbed. You suckered me in with Gracie and your cat :). Be safe and enjoy.
Cant wait to see what you all get up to!❤ I love how genuine and goofy you are 😂 keep em comming and give those critters a cuddle for your new followers
As someone that lives in that alaskan bush get ready to put things in a place that you think is good only to find out at a later date that you want something else in its spot so you move it then later you'll need to move it again
Sean! Totally addicted! Your doing great. You’re such a wonderful human. Seriously!
Your positive energy is infectious Heather! Thank you!
@@GettinOffGridyour such a very good human Sean. Good things happen for good people ☺️.
Great video sir , you will get there , just read thru the comments ,great advice and support for your dream , all of us here will watch your progress ,keep the videos coming ,stay safe and do not let YOGI and BOO BOO steal your picnic basket when your not looking
I love it, your commentary is what keeps me coming back. Don't change a thing. You're living your best life and I'm a bit jealous :D
You are still so fun to watch!! I'm hooked! Can't wait to watch & enjoy your journey and to watch your subscribers grow and grow and grow....I so wish I was younger.
Best wishes on your new venture! I love your sense of humor. Please keep being you! 😊
You are doin great. Your videos are good , showing how it's all happening. Stay safe.
Love your attempt at the Aussie accent! 😂 Half way between British and Kiwi. Another great episode - thank you. 👋 😊
Keep up the hard work brother, I’ll be here every video to watch you learn and grow.
Good idea on the shed for temporary living quarters.
Appreciated the Forrest Gump reference!
Greetings from Islamabad Pakistan.Good to see a young man started a journey to build off grid cabin in the wilderness of Alaska.
Really appreciate your efforts to start new life in Alaska singly.
Best of luck for your new journey!!!!
Excited for you! Preserve your hearing religiously - it could be your best friend out there :)
Could you say that again??
@@GettinOffGrid 😂
Loving the videos, enjoying the production, Someone need to acknowledge how well you are doing on TH-cam this early on. Keep it up, keep that fire burnin, but don't burn out. Very excited to see the growth of you, your channel & your property moving forward.
@14:08 you the man. Appreciate the taking a breath and already seeing the community being built... along with your house!!
It's good to see an ol southern boy challenge himself. I really enjoy your humor and videos. If the saw is new return it. It has a problem.
You make me laugh with your accents 😂 love your channel excited to see what you'll create. Stay positive and enjoy everyday 💯💞
Thanks for making me smile 😁
Came to check the video ended up watching 3 episodes and ended up subscribing to the channel 😂
Just as I hoped!! Thanks Mohamed
This IS interesting! We need to see all of the journey...
Love the video great to see that you take things seriously but can also find the humor in life. Keep up the hard work and stay safe. CHEERING FOR YOU SUCCESS!!!!
Hi from Western Australia
I am enjoying watching your journey. Love the Aussie accent 😂
A old truck hood works great to pull behind the 4 wheeler as a sled.
It will also help knock down weeds and flatten the trail.
Watch a few maintenance videos on chainsaws. Keep the filters clean, the chain sharp. Spare spark plug. None of us were born with knowledge. We learn as we go. You are using more energy than necessary to cut trees. Don’t move the saw back and forth like a hand saw. Set the spike bar against the tree and roll the saw forward. Reset and rotate forward. If you don’t already have, get a wedge, an axe, sledge hammer a come along and a high lift jack. If you can’t afford all that stuff, find an Alaskan women with a strong back and all the tools you might need.😎 Enjoy your videos 👏 Be safe
Lmao, I like the strange wilderness intro.. oh hey there little guy 😂😂 you got my subscription right after that made me laugh
Hello from New Zealand, I'm so happy to have found your channel so early on. I can't wait to watch your adventure unfold. Love the sense of humor. you're so funny!
Hello!! I’m so glad you’re here as well! You are so kind ❤
😂lol love watching keep up the laughs while you are working you will get there 🎉
The way the gas spewed out when you loosened the gas cap, you may have a plugged vent line causeing your saw to act like its running out of gas just my opinion .Keep up the progress (the good work will come later lol )
Similar problem: saw someone remove the rear cover of their saw... operated fine... then widened the (air) openings in the cover and reinstalled... worked fine afterwards.
Try with cover off before modification... to be sure.
You’re doing great! Make sure the spot you pick isn’t low lying (flooding) PLEASE make sure you have a good first aid kit with a tourniquet 🙏🏼 My dad put a chainsaw through his leg & almost died .. & he had 40 + years of experience w a chainsaw. Loving your channel ❤
Terrifying! It only takes one time. Thanks for the tips and for watching 🙏🏼
I am enjoying this. You crack me up!
HA! TAKE THAT HATERS!
I’m definitely watching it. Really enjoying it. Pleased you’ve managed to sort out the chain saw - almost. Best of luck with it all. From Sheffield uk x
Finally, I found a offgrid channel with comedy lol. Love the vids....keep them coming! Watching from upstate n.y.
Don't be afraid to save that spruce for fire wood. A lot of people say not to burn it down south but it is fine to burn. We have been burning it for years. Just do chimney maint on a regular basis.
Wow you have a ton of work ahead of you, a tent might not be enough to keep you and your pets cozy in a few months , I really hope you manage to build your first cabin before it gets to cold and the snow comes, I will be following your story and wishing the best wishes for your future build , Sending hugs to Gracey and Kittie
The chainsaw struggle is real! You will learn as you go. Keep on truckin’ brother. Looking forward to your journey.
learn to get a silky big katana boy and a nice felling axe and never look back
OMG just found you and Im so happy because I laughed so hard, you're humor is contagious and Im loving it while watching you progress this pretty land. I look forward to more and the upcoming snowy days ahead. Keep up the awesome work and thank you for sharing!
Keep up what you are doing! So inspiring to watch your videos that I think really shows how it is for us regular people to start a journey outside our comfort zone. A lot of other TH-cam channels seem to have unlimited resources and machines that cost fortunes
I only learned a few tips from my father. Clear the area around the tree you are working on, and your escape route if something goes wrong. If the tree goes the wrong way, you need a fast escape. And sometimes it will!!!!! And a sharp chain will give faster job, and make your saw last longer.
I'll be following you from the UK. Love your sense of humour, ignore the nay sayers. You do you .
Keep it up man! Be yourself and forget the rest! All good comes to those who true with themselves and with others. Definitely ready for this ride along and thank you for allowing us to join!
Well said, my friend. I feel really good about just being me and letting the rest follow. Thanks for your kind words brother 🤘🏼
You’ve definitely got experience in shooting and editing video. Yet another very fun video. Definitely looking forward to the next episode.
I am enjoying your journey! I do hope you have bear mace because sometimes that works better with a bear then the gun. Good to have both. 😊
I love your energy. What ratio are you mixing the oil and gas for the saw? You can just build your floor and stand a couple walls with a tarp. It won’t take long to weather the place in. I did something similar building a recreational place many years ago but further off the road. It’s all work. I had a big enough garage at home to precut and lay out and mark everything so it was like a kit when I got it to the site. It now has a 48V inverter, 12v for lights and RV Pump , Rv water heater , propane range and fridge. We run an ac powered freezer in the summer. We collect rainwater in the summer. Water is heavy if you don’t have it on-site . We are in our 70s now and we still enjoy that place.
When cold starting a chainsaw, 5-6 pulls to start is typical. I'm assuming you already know how to operate the choke and fuel primer for your saw.
When I've had hard starts with my saw, the intake air filter has been clogged. This has also been the case for me with generators, chippers, and other small carburetor-equipped engines. Some saws also have a "winter" and "summer" air intake configuration. See if your saw has one of those and adjust accordingly.
Letting it run for a minute when starting from cold is generally a good idea. If you pull on the throttle hard when cold, it can flood the carburetor.
Decent notch cut for your first attempt at felling. Most importantly, it dropped where you wanted it and didn't barber-chair. Now you have a few weeks of firewood.
Once you get your tent platform/shed foundation built you're going to want to think about where you want to store your firewood in the future. Even if you don't build a woodshed this summer, you'll want to minimize double-handling if you can. When I'm stacking wood in the field, I tend to put it in a well-draining spot with southern sun exposure. 2-3 rounds high is generally good. It's a ton of work to stack it taller than that.
Loved the drone shot of the tree falling in the end! Also loved that your chainsaw decided to not be on a lunch break so we could down that tree 🤪
way to go!! Im proud of you! dont let the sun go down on you when people start ragging on you. Your doing great and we love watching you. your a funny guy we enjoy your shows keep it up.
I watched the whole thing and enjoyed every minute! I laughed at all your funny antics, too! I'm looking forward to the next video.
Keep up the good work, love the humour, I get more little chuckles watching your channel then others. 👍👍👍
We gotta get those chuckle numbers up!!
Just had your channel recommended to me by TH-cam, have fully caught up now and subscribed…..
Love your sense of humour and the captions you put up on your videos, keep it coming…..
You make me smile 😀
One word of advice…..
Do what you like with your videos and what makes you happy, yes listen to what the viewers have to say, but still do what makes you happy.
Oh and ignore the idiots when they stick their head up in the comments section, because they will arrive and think that their one goal in life is to put you down….
Great to see you get the chainsaw going again, hopefully you'll be having at least a few more times that it happens, I would really love to see that victory display a few more times lol. 😂
You crack me up, I’m definitely up for this adventure!
Lovin your sense of humor! Hope you're stacking that wood to process it later to keep your backside warm this winter. Great videos.
I love your personality and I wish I had the guts to do something this brave. Good on ya!
Can’t wait for the hijinks when you get around to digging the pit for an outhouse.
Just subscribed. Good job keeping it interesting! Looking forward to your future videos!
The dead trees make good firewood! BTW when the chainsaw is on super speed it sounds like a cartoon character.
Wait, you're from J'ville?! SAME! So glad I found your channel, I can't wait to see your progress 🙌
DUUUVVVAAALLLL
Just some stuff to check that could cause the saw to run the way it is:
1. Are you mixing your fuel properly?
2. Aif flow. Check to see if your air filter is clogged.
3. Read other comments concerning the hand brake.
I have had similar issues, and you have to go back to the basics. Air, fuel, and spark. Your spark is fine from what I can tell unless you are starting to foul the plug with the incorrect fuel mixture.
Just some ideas. Good luck, you need it. 😁
i love this shit.....enjoying the process and excited to follow along. my dream is exactly this. keep it up.
Enjoying your vids! Cheering you on!
Really enjoying your videos ❤. I hope you do well with this channel. Love your dog ❤
Luv your sence of humour and adventure! Keep entertaining Me!
I am so glad I found this channel at it's beginning!! Keep up the good work! Much love from Greece!
Gracie is just the sweetest!
TH-cam recommended your videos to me, as I love Alaska (never been) i always watch these types of videos and I have given you a follow! Ignore all the haters some people just show their jealous side. Keep killing it Sean! Watching from England! 🏴