and another FlatLander finds out the Alaskan Bush.....

So expect the initial die off to start after about 10 days.
Got it.

 

And worse.... they reproduce.

 

The arrogance in this thread is really annoying. Arrogance may not be the correct word but I am using it. He had a plan, it fell through. First off, he was supposed to meet someone, experts say do not go into the wilds alone. That is a huge issue. The Russian was not at fault that his partner failed to show up. His phone did not work, he was assured it would work in that area but the only way to know for sure is to go out there and test it, which he did.

^^^^ looks like a Survival Monkey must have in your pack list.

He survived 9 days, he knew he was in trouble and knew he needed to get help, get out. I have a feeling a high percentage of us would be categorized as a dumbass flat-lander like Vlad.

 

@Motomom34 its called arm chair quarterbacking. Its a guy thing =)

 

LOL! I call it Couch Commandos. We here at SM can take Vlad's experience, break it apart and examine the fails. We can brainstorm what was lacking, where mistakes were made or we can look down at our noses and be the next victims.

I think @MountainMariner had an excellent point regarding topo- maps prior to purchase. When buying any property, if you cannot view personally, you should research to the best you can because the seller (in this case State of Alaska) may gloss over some of the important details.

 

Alaska State Land Sales is pretty clear on the buyers responsibilities:

Alaska State Land Sales

I think this particular guys problem was:

1. He believed he could start living off the land immediately even though his first month or two should have been spent building a cabin. Not hunting, fishing or foraging for food. He did not bring enough food.

2. He missed his mommy and could not call her on his satellite phone. Which brings us back to #1, ALL his time should have been spent building shelter, not on the phone. And in that process he would gain his firewood to cook all the food he should have brought in with him. Which in my opinion would be 2-3 months worth, not 9 days worth.

 

If one important piece of a plan does not come together it's not so bad .but having secondary pieces of the plan fail it gets far more critical.
His plan would have worked ,had every one not lied to him.
He has grounds for lawsuit on at least 2 issues.
But you and I know that in this world you cannot rely on people even with the best of intentions.
He was not honestly informed over the conditions and that is critical need to know information. (who said that) ?
He was smart to take action when too many things were going wrong .
Me on the other hand, am too stubborn to let set backs detour my objective. I am accustomed to working alone and working by my self ,and not opposed to asking for help either.
I might have been better prepared ,but at 19 I may have made some of the same mistakes .

 

Well, I am done with this thread.

 

When I was in CAP, we were taught 1/2 of what you pack in will break, be lost or fail when you need it if it doesn't well goody for you.
If they do you fail you should have a plan B to the items you bring, yes and even that will fail and that when skill comes in to save your arse.
I am a huge logistics type person so ate this kinda stuff up, plan a,b,c,d,e lol .Still the biggest issue is when you are alone making crucial problem solving, your cold, its getting dark, your thirsty, hungry all make the simplest things get bigger and bigger.
Its like people whom live in Oregon, going anywhere even 10 miles away from town, water, jacket, hat, gloves, flashlight every car should have and most here do just from crap that happens and how far even on normal roads you can be without help for awhile, having water and being warm makes even a 3-4 wait for a tow truck better, having jerky even better Love outdoors but to me its like the ocean and fire 100% respect for mother-nature as she can knock you the heck out in one blow!

 

I resent that. I'm in a hammock.