Living alone in the wild Siberian forest(youtube.com)
youtube.com
Living alone in the wild Siberian forest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOltGIaDPlY
158 comments
Congratulations, I hope to make the trip one day.
Sylvain Tesson made a documentary about his experience, "Alone, 180 Days on Lake Baikal", https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2127242/
https://youtu.be/JlLaWBXfQxU
Sylvain Tesson made a documentary about his experience, "Alone, 180 Days on Lake Baikal", https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2127242/
https://youtu.be/JlLaWBXfQxU
This looks great. Relatedly, Werner Herzog made a documentary on the Taiga:
"Happy People: A Year in the Taiga":
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1683876/
"Happy People: A Year in the Taiga":
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1683876/
Thank you. What Herzog did was re-edit and put his own narration on the original Russian Happy People, a 4-part documentary. I like the original much better, I think of it as the authentic view, while Herzog's version is the typical old German hippie looking at an alien world (and I love Herzog!). Still, I found it very interesting to see both versions.
The original 4-part documentary, with English narration, is available on the original Russian director's YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/fbhPIK-oBvA
https://youtu.be/dIdHG9zyrtE
https://youtu.be/MnAF_amhups
https://youtu.be/wjCs8qi3R0U
The original 4-part documentary, with English narration, is available on the original Russian director's YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/fbhPIK-oBvA
https://youtu.be/dIdHG9zyrtE
https://youtu.be/MnAF_amhups
https://youtu.be/wjCs8qi3R0U
> a 4-part documentary. I like the original much better, I think of it as the authentic view,
It may be better than herzog's version, but it's still inauthentic propaganda. A better view would be a youtube/tiktok/etc of an ordinary person living in the area. It still is limited, but far more authentic and real than any documentary. There are lots to hate about social media is one of the positive aspects is the ability to follow people's authentic lives across the world in their vlogs, etc. One of my favorite documentaries was the 7-up series. But with social media, it killed any and all enthusiasm I had for the series because social media exposed it as manufactured and inauthentic view of one man. Better to follow brits on social media to get a better understanding of british life.
It may be better than herzog's version, but it's still inauthentic propaganda. A better view would be a youtube/tiktok/etc of an ordinary person living in the area. It still is limited, but far more authentic and real than any documentary. There are lots to hate about social media is one of the positive aspects is the ability to follow people's authentic lives across the world in their vlogs, etc. One of my favorite documentaries was the 7-up series. But with social media, it killed any and all enthusiasm I had for the series because social media exposed it as manufactured and inauthentic view of one man. Better to follow brits on social media to get a better understanding of british life.
So every single thing produced by Russians now is considered propaganda ? The original film was co-created by the nephew of Andrei Tarkovsky.
With this point of view. Every single motion piece is propaganda. Every single social media post.
It is impossible to not impregnate your creation with elements of what you dream to create. There is no such thing as following people's authentic lives, unless you stalk someone 24/7 with a camera, and post the complete footage, unadulterated, without cuts or edits.
With this point of view. Every single motion piece is propaganda. Every single social media post.
It is impossible to not impregnate your creation with elements of what you dream to create. There is no such thing as following people's authentic lives, unless you stalk someone 24/7 with a camera, and post the complete footage, unadulterated, without cuts or edits.
+1. Btw I’m excited that the nephew of Tarkovsky made this documentary - I’ll definitely watch it!
This is one of my fav documentaries and I had no idea there was an “extended version”.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
That reminded me of this Akira Kurosawa movie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dersu_Uzala_(1975_film)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dersu_Uzala_(1975_film)
How did you manage with bears? My brother went to Lake Baikal recently and did a bit of hiking but the locals thought he was nuts and warned him where he was headed was teeming with bears
Dealing with bears is a pretty normal activity in USA national parks. You bring bear spray and attach a bell to your backpack, and you don't stand in between a momma bear and a baby bear.
I also remember seeing an informational sign somewhere near Baikal that said there are about 400 individual bears on the 600km coast of Baikal, and in the winter the are hibernating, and they don't do that on the frozen surface of the lake.
I also remember seeing an informational sign somewhere near Baikal that said there are about 400 individual bears on the 600km coast of Baikal, and in the winter the are hibernating, and they don't do that on the frozen surface of the lake.
Maybe his brother wasn't hiking on the frozen surface of the lake.
I've learned to listen to the (not-unfriendly) advice of groups of locals anywhere, when it comes to animal behavior at least. Maybe the bears didn't find enough food in the summer.
I've learned to listen to the (not-unfriendly) advice of groups of locals anywhere, when it comes to animal behavior at least. Maybe the bears didn't find enough food in the summer.
This is something I've had a desire to do for a while now (either summer or winter), thanks for sharing your writings. Going to read into that, and maybe see about planning it in the future before I'm too old to reasonably do it.
Great photos! Just wanted to say that I find your website very inspiring every time I come across it. What do you photograph with? Some of those images have quite a medium format vibe.
Beautiful photography and I love the simplicity of the site design. Nice work on both counts!
> skate 5km every other day to get water
Is it so shallow you can’t just make a hole in the ice?
Is it so shallow you can’t just make a hole in the ice?
Never expected to read about Tesson here. That said I know very few of him. Is this cabin something he made and then left out when he went onto another venture ?
ps: your pics are stunning
ps: your pics are stunning
Wow, what amazing pictures. I had a few questions if you don't mind:
What type of wild life did you encounter?
How did you manage to find and rent the cabin?
Did you travel solo?
What type of wild life did you encounter?
How did you manage to find and rent the cabin?
Did you travel solo?
I've rarely come across photography online that completely transports me. Great work on the Baikal blog!
Great pics! Someday I’d love to visit lake Baikal.
Very odd - he's hauling wood from out of the forest when there's standing dead wood in the shots near the house... also why doesn't he have a wood pile from summer? Surely the wood is frozen hard so super hard to chop and split? I thought you had to chop and split it in the spring? What if there's a storm and you can't go into the forest - you'll freeze without a woodpile.
Also - wooden shutters? What's the point of cellophane when it's dark outside? Just make a shutter and mount it in the evening? Surely that would help?
Also the attic of the cabin is open at both ends, just making a rough screen would mean that there was no airflow and make that space more insulating.
Also - wooden shutters? What's the point of cellophane when it's dark outside? Just make a shutter and mount it in the evening? Surely that would help?
Also the attic of the cabin is open at both ends, just making a rough screen would mean that there was no airflow and make that space more insulating.
Indiana ain't Siberia, but we only split wood in the winter when I was growing up. It's common enough that there's a saying, "cutting your own wood warms you twice". Gawd, I can't imagine swinging a sledge when it's 35C and 80% humidity.
Frozen wood is actually easier to cut and split, at least the kinds that I've come across (mostly spruce and birch).
Back home isn't quite like up there, but you don't burn the stuff around the house since you may need it when you can't get out in the woods.
It’s small sayings like these that make me realize I wouldn’t last a winter outside of society.
Why not pre-chop the entire winter's wood before winter arrives?
It comes every year. Plus, it's more time for stuff (bugs, rodents, etc) to get into it and be a nuisance. And, as at least one other comment has said, if you chop it in the winter, it warms you twice :P
If he chops down all the trees around the cabin then the wind will be much worse.
>Surely the wood is frozen hard so super hard to chop and split? I thought you had to chop and split it in the spring? What if there's a storm and you can't go into the forest - you'll freeze without a woodpile.
not to mention dried wood produces more heat than wet wood, so he can spend less time overall chopping wood.
not to mention dried wood produces more heat than wet wood, so he can spend less time overall chopping wood.
It's just the opposite, the colder the easier.
When it comes to splitting wood, hard-frozen sticks almost fall apart when an axe hits them. Below -20 it's piece-o-cake. When they get warm they're more elastic.
If you leave the easy wood near the house, it's there when you're snowed in ... or break a leg.
If you leave the easy wood near the house, it's there when you're snowed in ... or break a leg.
I'd keep a woodpile nearby only as an emergency stock, just for the case you described (when you cannot go to the forest due to the storm or being sick).
I agree that the rest of the house has questionable design choices though.
I agree that the rest of the house has questionable design choices though.
I must point that this -71 C is the record low, that happened once in a whole century of observations, and no living human in Yakutia sees this in their entire lifetime. In my homecity, Novosibirsk in South Siberia, the record low is around -50 or a bit lower, and it hasn't happened in my lifetime. So Youtubers writing these titles "Yakutia -70 C" are just trying to impress you with numbers, as if -30s, that people endure there daily for 3 months, were a joke and beach season.
In my home city in south-west Siberia temperature thresholds are these: normal tempratures in winter 0..-25 C, from -25 to -30 C schools shut down depending on wind speed. -30 C and below is extreme that lasts just several days in a year. -40 C happens not every year and only at night, and I only saw -45..47 C once in my whole lifetime -- in 2001, when such extreme cold lasted a week.
And no, life there (South Siberia) isn't a toil, houses are heated well, outdoors positive temperatures come in March, and in June-August day temperatures are above +20 C.
I guess the respective temperatures for Yakutia would be -45 to start shutting down schools, -50 is very cold and people prefer staying home, and -60 is a very rare occasion, not happening every year.
In my home city in south-west Siberia temperature thresholds are these: normal tempratures in winter 0..-25 C, from -25 to -30 C schools shut down depending on wind speed. -30 C and below is extreme that lasts just several days in a year. -40 C happens not every year and only at night, and I only saw -45..47 C once in my whole lifetime -- in 2001, when such extreme cold lasted a week.
And no, life there (South Siberia) isn't a toil, houses are heated well, outdoors positive temperatures come in March, and in June-August day temperatures are above +20 C.
I guess the respective temperatures for Yakutia would be -45 to start shutting down schools, -50 is very cold and people prefer staying home, and -60 is a very rare occasion, not happening every year.
This popped up in my YouTube feed yesterday. It must have pleased the algorithm. All could I think, at the end, when they gave him all those gifts is "buy this man a god dang window!" Having to chop trees and gather wood 3 times a day just because his cellophane window and no one thought to fix that for him?
It's in the comments that they didn't know he needed a window and are indeed fixing it.
Also why'd we all end up watching this same video before HN had it up?
Also why'd we all end up watching this same video before HN had it up?
Yes. Instead of giving him food, just give him a proper window. His quality of life would skyrocket.
Funny - it also popped up for me yesterday.
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Same, just got this in my feed yesterday. I've watched a few bushcraft videos before, but that's a while ago.
it popped for me as well, but about 4 days ago
Same here. Watched it and did not regret it. Something moving about that man in such harsh climate find solace living there with his dogs while we discuss latest react or python library.
Idk about solace, he needs to maintain log stash among other things 24/7
Yes, solace is just a way to put it. I hope the docu visitors helped him with a proper insulation for that celophane window which is one of the reasons the log stash isn’t sufficient for a whole day. In the end he chose to be so far away from any other people so there must be some kind of consolation for living in such isolation and harsh conditions.
Same. I did look for a book about a familly found deep in Siberia in the 80s.
Nice to have rare shared reality for 20 minutes.
That’s what I thought!
Supposedly it's because bears break the windows at which point he's back to square one. Still i can't imagine there isn't a better alternative.
It strikes me how his entire day is filled and spend providing for his basic needs. If he doesn’t get up in the morning he will freeze to death for lack of heat during the winter.
The ice from the lake versus snow seems weird to me. Can anyone comment on “freezing lake removing impurities and being safer than snow”?
He does need a better window though, I’m happy to provide this via go fund me or something. He would definitely make a bunch of money documenting his life and posting to YouTube, enabling him to get proper insulation.
Regardless, this is great if this is the life he desires. I feel horrible for those poor dogs though. They seem to be underfed and if he suffers any issues they will freeze to death or starve. I hate that.
The ice from the lake versus snow seems weird to me. Can anyone comment on “freezing lake removing impurities and being safer than snow”?
He does need a better window though, I’m happy to provide this via go fund me or something. He would definitely make a bunch of money documenting his life and posting to YouTube, enabling him to get proper insulation.
Regardless, this is great if this is the life he desires. I feel horrible for those poor dogs though. They seem to be underfed and if he suffers any issues they will freeze to death or starve. I hate that.
As water freezes it forms a crystal lattice. As the lattice forms it pushes impurities away from the formation front. This is why ice cubes are clear at the edges and discolored in the center, the impurities are all pushed to the last place to freeze, the middle. By taking the top of the frozen lake he's getting the (more) pure water, similar to the edge of an ice cube.
In summer I freeze 1 liter plastic bottles of spring water before a long trip. I've noticed that removing the cap and licking the ice near the top reveals it to be salty. Could that be because the impurities have been pushed out?
Snowflake forms on small dirt particle. Snow is inherently dirt. Never use snow for drink water. Just try to melt some snow and you'll see for yourself. Ice is different. Using ice is definitely proper approach if you don't have better sources of water.
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perhaps the base layer of snow will be dirty from having contact with the ground, but any snow on top of that will be safe to drink so long as the pH is close to neutral
Afaik, snow is NOT safe to drink in the long term, because it does not contain minerals. It will demineralize you which is why mountain climbers don't drink snow.
the difference being that mountain dwellers would find alternative sources of minerals, and climbers would take supplements with them
if you're dehydrated you're not going to pass on snow in search of ice
if you're dehydrated you're not going to pass on snow in search of ice
In that particular situation, when you are dehydrated on hike with snow around, eating snow will dehydrate you further. Not just because of minerals thing, but because of temperature thing - your body looses more water due to the need to warm it and melt it as you eat. Those the ice will have similar problem.
In that situation, either younfind warm fairly quick or die. Which makes it different situation then long term survival for years.
In that situation, either younfind warm fairly quick or die. Which makes it different situation then long term survival for years.
Most people in that situation would be carrying a backpacking stove and pot. I have known plenty to melt snow in dry areas.
From my winter camping - it takes a lot more work to melt snow than ice, when one is boiling water.
I'd imagine it depends on the type of snow and the type of ice, but if we're talking about (almost) pure water types then snow would obviously melt more readily than ice
That was sort of the point I was going after. You end up taking longer to melt enough snow for coffee than ice - so you burn through more fuel to get the equivalent amount of hot water when scooping in the snow vs chunks of ice. It was counter intuitive.
>> his entire day is filled and spend providing for his basic needs. If he doesn’t get up in the morning he will freeze to death for lack of heat during the winter.
Could very well be the only thing/routine that’s able to keep him going/alive. Being alone with your thoughts & not staying active at all is pretty severely bad for your health. Given that he states his entire family died when he was young & he doesn’t feel as if he can fit in with society, he’s probably quite traumatized & it wouldn’t surprise me if this were the case.
>>I feel horrible for those poor dogs though. They seem to be underfed and if he suffers any issues they will freeze to death or starve. I hate that.
As much as it may suck to those of us living in modern societies, animals are tools. Especially dogs. They have been appropriated as such for presumably all of human history. In the urban US they tend to be tools for the owners feel good emotions nowadays - essentially ornaments/living trinkets. Like the poor brachycephalic Frenchie of somebody I’m currently living with that can’t breathe & slobbers all over itself 24/7. If it ever got out of the house by itself, it would be eaten in around 10 minutes by any one of a few dozen coyotes that inhabits my desert neighborhood.
If you want to be sad about animals, direct that towards your local chain animal shelter that non-humanely euthanizes & incinerates them by the 55 gallon drum. Not some lonely hermits only companions & day-to-day assistance.
Oh boy. I’m being a buzzkill. I really do hope he’s able to get a proper window that will hold up in that environment through this social media exposure & perhaps some sort of security/lifeline for if he were to suddenly fall ill.
Anyways - I was very much reminded of the Lykov family upon seeing this story. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lykov_family
Could very well be the only thing/routine that’s able to keep him going/alive. Being alone with your thoughts & not staying active at all is pretty severely bad for your health. Given that he states his entire family died when he was young & he doesn’t feel as if he can fit in with society, he’s probably quite traumatized & it wouldn’t surprise me if this were the case.
>>I feel horrible for those poor dogs though. They seem to be underfed and if he suffers any issues they will freeze to death or starve. I hate that.
As much as it may suck to those of us living in modern societies, animals are tools. Especially dogs. They have been appropriated as such for presumably all of human history. In the urban US they tend to be tools for the owners feel good emotions nowadays - essentially ornaments/living trinkets. Like the poor brachycephalic Frenchie of somebody I’m currently living with that can’t breathe & slobbers all over itself 24/7. If it ever got out of the house by itself, it would be eaten in around 10 minutes by any one of a few dozen coyotes that inhabits my desert neighborhood.
If you want to be sad about animals, direct that towards your local chain animal shelter that non-humanely euthanizes & incinerates them by the 55 gallon drum. Not some lonely hermits only companions & day-to-day assistance.
Oh boy. I’m being a buzzkill. I really do hope he’s able to get a proper window that will hold up in that environment through this social media exposure & perhaps some sort of security/lifeline for if he were to suddenly fall ill.
Anyways - I was very much reminded of the Lykov family upon seeing this story. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lykov_family
> It strikes me how his entire day is filled and spend providing for his basic needs. If he doesn’t get up in the morning he will freeze to death for lack of heat during the winter.
Meanwhile I have a friend who doesn't work, lives at home, never leaves the house, watches Twitch/YouTube + scrolls Twitter all day.
Two different people living completely opposite worlds, and interestingly enough both of them probably think the other has it wrong and they have it right.
How can something as massive as "entire lifestyle choice" be so open for wildly varying interpretations?
Meanwhile I have a friend who doesn't work, lives at home, never leaves the house, watches Twitch/YouTube + scrolls Twitter all day.
Two different people living completely opposite worlds, and interestingly enough both of them probably think the other has it wrong and they have it right.
How can something as massive as "entire lifestyle choice" be so open for wildly varying interpretations?
Twitch/YouTube is as lonesome as the wild Siberian forest. Both have found situations that flood them with repeatable stimuli that makes them feel good.
It's interesting to look at what both don't do.
It's interesting to look at what both don't do.
I know whose autobiography I’d rather read.
I'm not sure if the forest-dweller's autobiography is that interesting. 20 years of ~9 months of "Today I went out to chop wood. I made lunch, fed the dogs, and in the evening I went to the lake to get water." and 3 months where it's not winter...
Only because it’s so uncommon. If we all lived alone in the woods, we’d probably be curious about the all-day-digital person
I don't think that is why. An all day digital person is the same as any other all day digital person. Nothing unique or interesting happens to them. They may even be watching the exact same content. If you have seen one all day digital person, you have seen them all.
People who have to work everyday to survive are going to have an experience that others who also have to work everyday won't have. Their lives are filled with unique experiences including life and death situations which can be thrilling stories. If you have seen one of these people, all you have seen is one of them.
People who have to work everyday to survive are going to have an experience that others who also have to work everyday won't have. Their lives are filled with unique experiences including life and death situations which can be thrilling stories. If you have seen one of these people, all you have seen is one of them.
Not if everyone has to work to survive - they'll all have similar types of "Life and death" experiences. Not to mention the psychological trauma that comes with those types of experiences, people who think "that which does not kill me only makes me stronger" have never suffered a heart attack.
It's this weird henry Thoreau transcendental nonsense from people who have never actually had to rough it.
It's this weird henry Thoreau transcendental nonsense from people who have never actually had to rough it.
I am not suggesting that everybody should have to work every day to survive. I don't think that would be good. I am also not suggesting that having life and death situations are good. If that is what you thought I was saying then you are reading into my post more than you should.
All I am saying is that people who just stare at a screen all day, do not make for interesting stories. People whose situation could easily lead to their death have far more interesting stories. I don't want to live like the man in the video, but his story was absolutely engrossing.
How many books have you read where the main character sleeps, eats, goes to the bathroom, stares at a screen and nothing else? Compare that with stories where people get out, risk life and limb to accomplish something.
All I am saying is that people who just stare at a screen all day, do not make for interesting stories. People whose situation could easily lead to their death have far more interesting stories. I don't want to live like the man in the video, but his story was absolutely engrossing.
How many books have you read where the main character sleeps, eats, goes to the bathroom, stares at a screen and nothing else? Compare that with stories where people get out, risk life and limb to accomplish something.
> Nothing unique or interesting happens to them
Other than watching my friend become an incel who is self-proclaimed "redpilled" and "based"
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=redpilled
He's a big Andrew Tate fan
Other than watching my friend become an incel who is self-proclaimed "redpilled" and "based"
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=redpilled
He's a big Andrew Tate fan
Somebody watching videos and changing views on politics or culture or whatever isn't an interesting event. They are literally just mindlessly sitting and staring all day. Do you think you could make a 15 minute video about a day in the life of a person who does nothing all day and actually have it be engrossing?
To people who have never used a computer before? Absolutely, there would be a ton to talk about!
That’s about the same familiarity-level as all of us have with the lifestyle of the lone cabin survivalist.
I’ve gone backpacking and hiking for multi-day trips and it’s really enjoyable, but there aren’t usually tons of stories after the first few times. Sometimes we’ll see new animals or something but it’s not thrilling. It may be different every time but it starts to rhyme.
That’s about the same familiarity-level as all of us have with the lifestyle of the lone cabin survivalist.
I’ve gone backpacking and hiking for multi-day trips and it’s really enjoyable, but there aren’t usually tons of stories after the first few times. Sometimes we’ll see new animals or something but it’s not thrilling. It may be different every time but it starts to rhyme.
You are on a site that talks all day about boxes which are literally just mindlessly sitting and not even staring. I am sure people are intrigued if somebody makes a video which offers access to the mind of the mindlessly sitting persons.
Btw, engrossing videos about mindlessly staring persons, that's very close to a mirror.
Btw, engrossing videos about mindlessly staring persons, that's very close to a mirror.
> I feel horrible for those poor dogs though
Those dogs would probably be already dead if it wasn't for him. I don't think strays survive those harsh winters.
Those dogs would probably be already dead if it wasn't for him. I don't think strays survive those harsh winters.
>"If he doesn’t get up in the morning he will freeze to death for lack of heat during the winter."
Pretty sure he has some emergency stash to be used when he is sick. Unless of course at some point he becomes too frail and would rather prefer for nature to take care of the matter.
Pretty sure he has some emergency stash to be used when he is sick. Unless of course at some point he becomes too frail and would rather prefer for nature to take care of the matter.
And here's Dick Proenneke's way of doing it, pre-Internet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss
[edit: originally stated he was an Army engineer, but turns out he had various hands-on jobs, one being a Navy carpenter during the second World War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss
[edit: originally stated he was an Army engineer, but turns out he had various hands-on jobs, one being a Navy carpenter during the second World War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke]
I much prefer Dick Proenneke's dream of living in the wilderness.
And I'm sure Dick Proenneke, if he were doing it today, would have a bank of solar panels and satellite Internet.
And I'm sure Dick Proenneke, if he were doing it today, would have a bank of solar panels and satellite Internet.
Seems like he's emotionally wounded and less so truly enjoys being alone. He looks older than most people I know his age. I have seen in other Yakut videos that the families harvest wood for the whole year all at once, so it's strange he does it every day. His diet seems really poor. I have dreamed about living in the woods, but not like that.
my long distance psycho analysis hutch was that this is a sort of an escapism after his entire family died and that he wasn't able to process it (and that the broken window he frustratedly poke is a symbol of that). however without consultation you can really say a thing
I got this video served up to me randomly as well. I was amused by the random Youtube commenters all along the lines of "what a beautiful simple life this man leads", etc. etc.
And I couldn't help but shake my head at the naïveté / shallow internet lauding that this is some idyllic rustic life. This guy is actively choosing to live in harsh, most unforgiving conditions that require all his daily energy, hours from any kind of help. And he's going to die there as well unless something changes, and probably without anyone knowing.
As others have said, maybe he wants this because of some unresolved emotional problems. All I see is someone who is making his own life purposely hard. Perhaps there is a little to be admired here -- the unusual nature of it, and the perseverance. But this life isn't something to be desired by anyone, and I don't join in the reflexive cooing over how awesome it is once you get over the unusualness.
And I couldn't help but shake my head at the naïveté / shallow internet lauding that this is some idyllic rustic life. This guy is actively choosing to live in harsh, most unforgiving conditions that require all his daily energy, hours from any kind of help. And he's going to die there as well unless something changes, and probably without anyone knowing.
As others have said, maybe he wants this because of some unresolved emotional problems. All I see is someone who is making his own life purposely hard. Perhaps there is a little to be admired here -- the unusual nature of it, and the perseverance. But this life isn't something to be desired by anyone, and I don't join in the reflexive cooing over how awesome it is once you get over the unusualness.
There's a weird contingent of people, specifically in IT fields who have these bizarre rose tinted transcendentalist glasses about living "naturally". Natural is one in four women dying during childbirth, natural is contracting rabies from a wild animal and slowly going psychotically insane, natural is not being able to get all the vitamins your body needs and being constantly malnourished.
Why is it a bad thing for him to die where he has chosen to live and die? (assuming he actually has, which is really not something I'd bet too hard on, on the strength of one video). Why do you suggest it's a bad thing if nobody knows when he has died there?
There is a show called Alone [1] in which 10 participants compete for 500.000 dollars by trying to survive the northern canadian arctic winter as long as possible, up to three or four months. Virtually all footage is filmed by the participants themselves. It's quite engrossing.
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4803766/
[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4803766/
I got really into it for a while but decided it was too fake.
There was one fellow in an early season who thrived so well that after setting up camp the first day and establishing his food and water sources for the season, out of boredom he started building tables and shelves.
Eventually he would have assembled a fusion reactor from tree bark but he tapped out after 21 days?
The show said he missed his wife.
I saw on Reddit someone mention the guy was never planning to be on the show more than 21 days and reluctantly got talked into appearing in the first place. The wife excuse was just something the producers made up.
That ruined the magic for me.
The guy was days away from raising a wolf army and conquering Victoria, BC with hand-made trebuchets. He had no reason to tap out.
There was one fellow in an early season who thrived so well that after setting up camp the first day and establishing his food and water sources for the season, out of boredom he started building tables and shelves.
Eventually he would have assembled a fusion reactor from tree bark but he tapped out after 21 days?
The show said he missed his wife.
I saw on Reddit someone mention the guy was never planning to be on the show more than 21 days and reluctantly got talked into appearing in the first place. The wife excuse was just something the producers made up.
That ruined the magic for me.
The guy was days away from raising a wolf army and conquering Victoria, BC with hand-made trebuchets. He had no reason to tap out.
Sadly, there's likely too few Wolves left on the island to form an army.
I highly recommend island of the sea wolf (Netflix documentary) if you haven't seen it!
I highly recommend island of the sea wolf (Netflix documentary) if you haven't seen it!
Every senior software engineers dream
As someone who did this and moved to the Rocky Mountains but grew up in the Bay Area'ish (Santa Cruz), I love my small town, but man do I miss the city. It's way easier to get away to the countryside when you have city money, harder to do the reverse. Also for unsocial geeks it's a strange social change. Instead of being anonymous at for example restaurants or stores, you know everyone, so everything has much more social interaction than the big city.
On a personal level it wasn't great, but the childhood my kids got, camping in actual wilderness instead of car camping, boating every day after I got off work, camping at wilderness boat only campsites where we had to swim our gear to shore from our anchored boat, catching brook trout with grasshoppers simply tied to the end of reeds (I was amazed that worked, though the stream was so packed with trout they could've just grabbed them though that would be illegal), seeing every wild animal with the exception of porcupines (this frustrated my son no end. Also, scariest animal to the kids? Grouse and beavers (when swimming), and yeah, wolves howling at night when camping). Picking huckleberries having to wear bear bells. Skiing all winter (kids unlimited pass was like $125 so cheaper than seeing a movie every weekend in winter, and it included the bus pass from the bottom of the mountain so we could just drop them off in the morning and meet up with them for some night skiing at the end of the day). I like to think while I messed up a lot that that gift of a childhood was special.
But it is a harder transition than you would think, especially for someone who in not comfortable with themselves. Funny thing about going away and finding yourself, you have to be ok with... yourself. Or else self loathing and self destruction sets in.
On a personal level it wasn't great, but the childhood my kids got, camping in actual wilderness instead of car camping, boating every day after I got off work, camping at wilderness boat only campsites where we had to swim our gear to shore from our anchored boat, catching brook trout with grasshoppers simply tied to the end of reeds (I was amazed that worked, though the stream was so packed with trout they could've just grabbed them though that would be illegal), seeing every wild animal with the exception of porcupines (this frustrated my son no end. Also, scariest animal to the kids? Grouse and beavers (when swimming), and yeah, wolves howling at night when camping). Picking huckleberries having to wear bear bells. Skiing all winter (kids unlimited pass was like $125 so cheaper than seeing a movie every weekend in winter, and it included the bus pass from the bottom of the mountain so we could just drop them off in the morning and meet up with them for some night skiing at the end of the day). I like to think while I messed up a lot that that gift of a childhood was special.
But it is a harder transition than you would think, especially for someone who in not comfortable with themselves. Funny thing about going away and finding yourself, you have to be ok with... yourself. Or else self loathing and self destruction sets in.
until they hit engineering manager and then its a big house in the suburbs lol
It was really my dream for a long time. But taking account the current geopolitical transitions, it may continue to be merely a dream for a some time.
What do you mean?
A war started by Russia and general lack of safety going there? (Forget the legal aspects)
Middle of Siberia is about 5 thousand miles from Ukraine, if that is what you mean. Sort of like refusing to live in New York because of all the Brazilian cartel violence.
Just to clarify... I'd rather be afraid of Russian govt and it's forces in Syberia than of Ukrainian attack.
Except the Brazilian cartel violence doesn't stop US airlines from getting parts..
Exactly.
Lol, NO!
This is a great youtube channel, I've been watching for some time now. Good insight into the lives of the Yakut people.
The video is about a hermit. More interesting to me is the normal village Yakut. Kiun has made many videos about that, like how amazingly adapted their houses are:
https://youtu.be/xZotuV1qkvA
The video is about a hermit. More interesting to me is the normal village Yakut. Kiun has made many videos about that, like how amazingly adapted their houses are:
https://youtu.be/xZotuV1qkvA
The wood fired heater mentioned is a type of https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_stove or https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonry_heater
I consider these stoves to be engineering marvels! I have never found much detailed information in English. One of the best overviews I have found is this video:
https://youtu.be/r_TO30jzyUA
https://youtu.be/r_TO30jzyUA
I've watched a number of videos from Kiun and actually their houses don't seem very well adapted. What am I missing?
In this video I found it particularly interesting that they still use moss to caulk, and I was surprised at the huge amount of moss placed between the logs as they stack them. I bet there is a lot of knowledge just in selecting the right moss.
The Russian stove to me is a true engineering marvel! I've read a few books on simple Western fireplaces, and there's a lot of engineering and a lot of guesswork involved in these pathetically simple contraptions. The Russian stove looks like the Space Shuttle in comparison!
The fact that they are wearing t-shirts inside these houses in winter is proof of how deceptively efficient these houses are, heated only by the wood they have to carry themselves - another proof of efficiency.
There is also the fact that these houses must withstand extreme temperature variations every year, staggering -90oF to +90oF, with all the material stresses, different rates of expansion and contraction, and humidity that this implies. To be comfortable to live in. For many decades. With do-it-yourself repair capability. And 100% reliability, because this is truly mission critical - death is possible if the heating or shelter fails.
I see these features as unique and therefore I think these houses are very well adapted. I think there is a lot of specific knowledge hidden inside these deceptively simple houses. Since I haven't found much written in English, I like these videos because I can spy on them and maybe extract the little secrets, like the moss, or the many layers until you reach the core of the house.
Another important part for me is how they use the house. That's why I particularly like Kiun's videos. There are also https://www.youtube.com/@LifeinYakutia/videos . I always mix the two in my head.
Cheers!
The Russian stove to me is a true engineering marvel! I've read a few books on simple Western fireplaces, and there's a lot of engineering and a lot of guesswork involved in these pathetically simple contraptions. The Russian stove looks like the Space Shuttle in comparison!
The fact that they are wearing t-shirts inside these houses in winter is proof of how deceptively efficient these houses are, heated only by the wood they have to carry themselves - another proof of efficiency.
There is also the fact that these houses must withstand extreme temperature variations every year, staggering -90oF to +90oF, with all the material stresses, different rates of expansion and contraction, and humidity that this implies. To be comfortable to live in. For many decades. With do-it-yourself repair capability. And 100% reliability, because this is truly mission critical - death is possible if the heating or shelter fails.
I see these features as unique and therefore I think these houses are very well adapted. I think there is a lot of specific knowledge hidden inside these deceptively simple houses. Since I haven't found much written in English, I like these videos because I can spy on them and maybe extract the little secrets, like the moss, or the many layers until you reach the core of the house.
Another important part for me is how they use the house. That's why I particularly like Kiun's videos. There are also https://www.youtube.com/@LifeinYakutia/videos . I always mix the two in my head.
Cheers!
> I've read a few books on simple Western fireplaces, and there's a lot of engineering and a lot of guesswork involved in these pathetically simple contraptions. The Russian stove looks like the Space Shuttle in comparison!
That is because western countries has full infrastructure by now, so they use fireplace mostly for atmosphere or temporary warming up. It is not the same as in poor Russian areas.
> The fact that they are wearing t-shirts inside these houses in winter is proof of how deceptively efficient these houses are, heated only by the wood they have to carry themselves - another proof of efficiency.
The real feat of insulation is when you can stop the fire and the place stays consistently warm for long time. The wood generates a huge heat around the fire, you get sweaty quickly. Pretty much every wood warmed house I have been into has been very warm inside the cooking area. House efficiency shows up when you stop burning much wood.
That is because western countries has full infrastructure by now, so they use fireplace mostly for atmosphere or temporary warming up. It is not the same as in poor Russian areas.
> The fact that they are wearing t-shirts inside these houses in winter is proof of how deceptively efficient these houses are, heated only by the wood they have to carry themselves - another proof of efficiency.
The real feat of insulation is when you can stop the fire and the place stays consistently warm for long time. The wood generates a huge heat around the fire, you get sweaty quickly. Pretty much every wood warmed house I have been into has been very warm inside the cooking area. House efficiency shows up when you stop burning much wood.
Well, if you want to compare it with the most modern Western "fireplace" you'd have to look at something like this : https://www.fischer-heiztechnik.de/de/Scheitholzkessel-tx.ht...
I'd say it's a little more advanced as it removes almost all energy from the wood and works with modern central heating systems ;)
Thanks for explaining! It makes sense to me
The story evoked a memory of the movie Dersu Uzala by Akira Kurosawa.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dersu_Uzala_(1975_film)
I had read about the film several years ago. Not seen it.
The part that stayed with me the most was when Dersu expresses his surprise to Arsenyev that people in cities actually have to pay for water.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dersu_Uzala_(1975_film)
I had read about the film several years ago. Not seen it.
The part that stayed with me the most was when Dersu expresses his surprise to Arsenyev that people in cities actually have to pay for water.
I started watching this a few days ago, and right in the beginning, you see cigarette butts in the ashtray. If he's living "alone", where the heck is he getting his filter cigarettes from? Plus, most of his day is spent taking care of basic essentials that we, in the civilized world, barely spend a thought on.
It is mentioned in the video, that every now and then he needs to take a 5h hike to the next village.
Yeah. The batteries, flour and matches have to be bought too. More interesting question is where he has money from - he clearly does not have much, but he has some and they come from somewhere. (Savings? Some kind of minimal pension? He sells hares?)
>Savings? Some kind of minimal pension? He sells hares?
or welfare? Having $0 income probably makes you eligible for something.
or welfare? Having $0 income probably makes you eligible for something.
I think you just have to suspend your disbelief when watching anything involving the genre of "Person living in the wilderness with no technology youtube channel".
He goes to the village occasionally, they say that.
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That is not "living", that is just getting lucky on surviving/subsisting. There are so many things that even a medium school grader would know to improve on first occasion, like (even with that cellophane) on windows setting the sheet(s) up at least in more than one layer for improved insulation, so that the loss of heat may not be that severe, or like separating the entrance to the main living space by some sort of hall that would prevent unintentional airing, or like assuring close by supplies for the winter season, so that those multiple trips per day for anything become as short and of as little importance as possible, and many others. This was just painful to watch.
The documentary is not introducing him as an engineer with great education. He is a dude who lost family as young and at some point decided to live alone in forrest (I guess he has some pension due to amount of stuff he clearly bought).
There are many fundamental decisions he could have done differently ... but that sort of person won't decide to live like this in the first place.
Living in the forrest does not have to imply great wisdom in everything. Sometimes it is just poverty and being a social issue.
There are many fundamental decisions he could have done differently ... but that sort of person won't decide to live like this in the first place.
Living in the forrest does not have to imply great wisdom in everything. Sometimes it is just poverty and being a social issue.
I am sure he has though of those things, but the documentary didn't show or opportunity did not arise.
Great documentary on a similar subject: Happy People. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_People:_A_Year_in_the_Ta...
I love this channel, awesome to see it here. Going to order a pair of Yakutian Beaded Hand-Made Mittens from Kiun's site[0] for one of my friends!
[0] https://www.kiunb.com/shop
[0] https://www.kiunb.com/shop
somebody get that man a proper glass window please
The channel owner responded:
> We didn't know that he doesn't have proper windows, we were shocked as well. It was our first time meeting him and he doesn't have any mobile connection. It's very difficult to reach his place, it took us 3 hours by car and 1 hour by snowmobile (which got broken while we were filming). Thank you for your concern, we will replace his windows soon.
> We didn't know that he doesn't have proper windows, we were shocked as well. It was our first time meeting him and he doesn't have any mobile connection. It's very difficult to reach his place, it took us 3 hours by car and 1 hour by snowmobile (which got broken while we were filming). Thank you for your concern, we will replace his windows soon.
Why doesn't he at least use two layers of cellophane? air is a great insulator. one on the inside and one on the outside and he would definitely be much warmer
This must be the ultimate HN reader video fodder, popped up in my feed the other day too. Interesting watching people like this who just decide they want to be away from everything.
[deleted]
It was in my youtube recommendation yesterday. :)
This video came up on my YT feed.
But why????
post nuclear apocalypse living will look like this. 3000+ recorded wars in history, seems like time is approaching
I don't know why people find this awe inspiring. For me, inspiring stories are about overcoming adversity, like physical disability and living a full life.
This video is about a man, who is keep making poor decisions and living consequences. Why is living 5 hours away from civilization? He could have build a hut an hour away, which would be more convenient (and safer). Why doesn't he installed a proper window, which would keep his house warmer and require less trips for the wood. Why doesn't he have a job, which could pay for food, instead of wasting the whole days gathering for food.
This is reminding me of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAq-r2dm9Tw
This video is about a man, who is keep making poor decisions and living consequences. Why is living 5 hours away from civilization? He could have build a hut an hour away, which would be more convenient (and safer). Why doesn't he installed a proper window, which would keep his house warmer and require less trips for the wood. Why doesn't he have a job, which could pay for food, instead of wasting the whole days gathering for food.
This is reminding me of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAq-r2dm9Tw
I don't think that it's legal in Russia to just build a hut in the wood and cut trees around. Of course if it's depths of Siberia, nobody will notice, but if it's near big city, it might be different. So this might be one factor why he's away from civilization. He does not want to deal with bureaucrats.
[deleted]
Villages are depopulating across entire Russia except for South-West, so it's not hard to find an abandoned house. It would lack glass and some floors whould probably have been cut for (fire)wood, but if you have an axe/saw, a temporary fix isn't hard. Then, you can scavenge glass and plywood from other houses to fix windows.
In such villages there's no bureaucrat around to be bothered by this.
In such villages there's no bureaucrat around to be bothered by this.
> He does not want to deal with bureaucrats.
Highly likely. He lives just far enough out that they can't be fucked dealing with him.
Highly likely. He lives just far enough out that they can't be fucked dealing with him.
Exactly, late in the 1800 , early 1900 it was common for a orthodox sect to just recede further in the Siberian taïga.
Some geological team found a familly of those guy and gal in the 80s.
They were doing surprisingly well. ( to an extend )
Some geological team found a familly of those guy and gal in the 80s.
They were doing surprisingly well. ( to an extend )
Oh, the Lykov family [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lykov_family]. The encounter was devastating for the family, because all 4 sons (aged about 20+ I guess) died of pneumonia they caught from the geologists (as they weren't vaccinated and never met any human pathogenes in their entire life). Only their daughter survived and she's still alive there, with a man who came to help her recently.
But I doubt that they did well. They complained to the geologists that their metal dishes were wearing out to holes. They still did have some sickles to cut some crops, but I'm sure they'd get out of order within a decade too.
Apparently, in such a small number of people it's impossible to produce metal and tools.
There's a better example: "Happy People" documentary [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbhPIK-oBvA], about a village of hunters on the Yenissei river, with only river transport to the civilization. It looks very romantic untill the end where you see nunters selling furs cheaper than they hope, and they still depend on tools and fuel.
But I doubt that they did well. They complained to the geologists that their metal dishes were wearing out to holes. They still did have some sickles to cut some crops, but I'm sure they'd get out of order within a decade too.
Apparently, in such a small number of people it's impossible to produce metal and tools.
There's a better example: "Happy People" documentary [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbhPIK-oBvA], about a village of hunters on the Yenissei river, with only river transport to the civilization. It looks very romantic untill the end where you see nunters selling furs cheaper than they hope, and they still depend on tools and fuel.
Yeah that’s them! I find it really impressive that they survived so long, and managed to carry so much complexes activities.
You mention sickles, they were aware that they were running low on barley and we’re actively preserving seeds instead of eating it.
Little details like that make me think they had a good command of living where they were.
You mention sickles, they were aware that they were running low on barley and we’re actively preserving seeds instead of eating it.
Little details like that make me think they had a good command of living where they were.
>>I don't know why people find this awe inspiring
>> This video is about a man, who is keep making poor decisions and living consequences.
This reeks of jumping to conclusions & victim blaming. Would you treat somebody with schizophrenia the same way?
fwiw, dude seems like he was traumatized by losing his family & whatever else & this was his only way of coping with life. That’s definitely jumping to conclusions from my POV… but perhaps a better guess than victim blaming.
This reeks of jumping to conclusions & victim blaming. Would you treat somebody with schizophrenia the same way?
fwiw, dude seems like he was traumatized by losing his family & whatever else & this was his only way of coping with life. That’s definitely jumping to conclusions from my POV… but perhaps a better guess than victim blaming.
You might be right. But his questions are valid.
In this day an age cancel culture has everyone pointing fingers and blaming everyone for just having opinions. Who cares man.
All I care about is that those questions are legit. Why does he live so far and why no window? There's some suggestions as to why... but those suggestions aren't satisfactory imo.
In this day an age cancel culture has everyone pointing fingers and blaming everyone for just having opinions. Who cares man.
All I care about is that those questions are legit. Why does he live so far and why no window? There's some suggestions as to why... but those suggestions aren't satisfactory imo.
You don’t have to know every detail about everyone. Minding your own business is free.
But not minding my own business and wanting to know more is something I'm willing to spend a little time and energy on asking about.
Anyway the point is, his questions are valid. I myself wonder and just like you have the right to mind your own business, I have the right to ask questions.
Anyway the point is, his questions are valid. I myself wonder and just like you have the right to mind your own business, I have the right to ask questions.
Genuinely, I do not think OP was asking questions or was seeking answers to them. That is what asking questions is - seeking more information.
OP was using question format, but the goal was not information seeking. The goal was to tell us all that OP thinks guys made bad choices, deserves suffering and it is not valid to be interested in mini document about him. It was about voicing anger.
And that is exactly what people are reacting to.
OP was using question format, but the goal was not information seeking. The goal was to tell us all that OP thinks guys made bad choices, deserves suffering and it is not valid to be interested in mini document about him. It was about voicing anger.
And that is exactly what people are reacting to.
So what. He made a speculation. It's a valid speculation. You can disagree, and tell him you disagree but don't excommunicate him.
Well, then defend the speculation. I responded to claim that it was legitimate asking questions. "I have right to ask questions" if off-topic here.
I don't agree with the speculation, I think there is missing information. but I feel it's a valid possibility IF there isn't any missing information that can invalidate his point.
The difference between my stance and others here is that he is getting attacked because his post has the potential to "hurt feelings" and be "judgemental". There's a cancel culture-esque attitude that pervades the responses where people just sort seem like they enjoy getting offended or defending someones "identity".
Does a question that is "judgemental" and that "hurts feelings" should be ask-able on HN? Which is more important truth? Or the hurt feelings of a person who likely will never read this.
I'll be frank, it is pretty stupid to do what that man is doing. We're missing information here and the parent is asking the right question, albeit a liittle too harshley. But again who cares about the harshness. Just address the question and topic instead of protesting his "impoliteness" or his "judgement".
The difference between my stance and others here is that he is getting attacked because his post has the potential to "hurt feelings" and be "judgemental". There's a cancel culture-esque attitude that pervades the responses where people just sort seem like they enjoy getting offended or defending someones "identity".
Does a question that is "judgemental" and that "hurts feelings" should be ask-able on HN? Which is more important truth? Or the hurt feelings of a person who likely will never read this.
I'll be frank, it is pretty stupid to do what that man is doing. We're missing information here and the parent is asking the right question, albeit a liittle too harshley. But again who cares about the harshness. Just address the question and topic instead of protesting his "impoliteness" or his "judgement".
No one’s getting “excommunicated”. No one here is the fucking Pope. Take your melodramatic victim mentality somewhere else.
> somewhere else
But that’s literally excommunication
But that’s literally excommunication
> I don't know why people find this awe inspiring
Maybe it made people question what is actually essential. And it’s crazy (like wow) that he has done this for 20 years, I don’t think people will choose to go live in the middle of nowhere after watching this.
> who is keep making poor decisions and living consequences.
A statement without (his) context.
To add to your other questions: why did he choose to do this? Does he enjoy this? Etc.
Maybe it made people question what is actually essential. And it’s crazy (like wow) that he has done this for 20 years, I don’t think people will choose to go live in the middle of nowhere after watching this.
> who is keep making poor decisions and living consequences.
A statement without (his) context.
To add to your other questions: why did he choose to do this? Does he enjoy this? Etc.
This has convinced me more things are essential, not less. The man doesn’t get proper exercise. He can’t, he spends all his time just trying to survive.
Well, not everyone can or wants to enjoy a first world living standard.
http://travel.ninjito.com/images/2018-03-15-Siberia/qx-baika...
Inspired by the sheer beauty, I went back next year, found another abandoned fisherman's cabin and spent 2 weeks .. existing.
What is definitely true is that your days are very quickly filled with important tasks: skate 5km every other day to get water, trek across the forest to get wood, cut wood, maintain your fire, etc.
Completely astounding experience to be so isolated and independent in nature.
http://travel.ninjito.com/2019-02-30-Baikal