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♪ ♪
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denise: It feels a lot
different opening up
the rack this year.
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We keep the dog food in here
for our whole team that
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we depend on.
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Where there should be salmon
hanging and plentiful food,
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there's empty space.
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The river has been shut down.
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The state has completely
posted no fishing whatsoever
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on the yukon river.
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Period.
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We basically have these set,
one pole per day.
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So, we'll be able to get
by a couple extra weeks,
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but I just really feel like
we're doing the countdown now.
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It's time to really figure out
what we're gonna do in lieu of
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not having the chum salmon.
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(theme music plays).
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We got everything?
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Nets and gear and gun and,
maybe we'll get a fish.
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Andy: We'll try.
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Tough year on the
yukon river this year.
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Both these chum salmon run
and the king salmon run
are crashing.
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So they've closed down the
entire yukon river to any
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subsistence activity that could
potentially catch a salmon.
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Yeah, let's go see
what we can catch.
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The things that we normally
fish with during the year,
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number one is a fish wheel.
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I'm not allowed
to put that in.
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Number two is a large
five-inch mesh net to catch
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chum salmon, I can't do that.
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I can put a hook
in the yukon river,
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and I'm allowed to fish in
side streams and back sloughs
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of the yukon, as long as it's
with gear that isn't gonna
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catch any king salmon.
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But it's not gonna equate to
the hundreds of pounds of meat
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that I normally
would get with salmon.
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It's probably the most
valuable resource to me.
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And when I don't get that, it
really throws a monkey wrench
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in my whole way of life
out here with my dogs.
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Right in here off this little
peninsula might be good, denise.
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Our game plan right now is to
spend a few days and put out
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every means of fishing
that we have available to us.
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And try and make up just a
fraction of the amount of food
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that we normally
would've gotten.
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But a little bit of something is
better than nothing of anything.
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So, that's what we're
up against right now.
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We're gonna
stick in a fyke net.
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That's a, a really great way
of fishing because you can
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capture fish alive and you can
pick the ones you want and
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throw the little guys
back or a species that
you don't wanna eat.
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That'll work good.
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Start pushing the boat over.
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I've done a lot of experimenting
over the years with this,
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knowing that this was
gonna happen and trying to
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understand what effort I could
put in and what I could
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expect out of it.
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You know, it's just
gonna take a lot more work.
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We'll do our best and
see what comes of it.
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Well, we're fishing
80%, 90% of the creek,
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so that's good.
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They get by us,
they deserve to live.
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Denise: Yeah.
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Jessie: Just keep focused.
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You keep putting your head
down and you keep working hard.
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Put more heart, more drive,
more thought into this.
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This is it.
This is the beginning of
the best season of my life.
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This part right here is
a stabilizer bar from
my rear suspension.
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Snapped it right off.
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Been working
this machine hard,
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training the dogs all summer.
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Using it to haul water,
it does a lot of work
around here for me.
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So I got the part.
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And I'm gonna figure
out how to fix it myself.
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Fall comes quick in
the alaska range.
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It's really
starting to set in.
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It's really
starting to cool down.
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My training is ramping up.
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I'm getting ready for a trip
up into the mountains with the
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dogs to set up a
remote training camp,
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explore some new territories,
spend some quality time.
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I didn't move out here
just to train on the highway.
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I'm looking for something to
challenge the dogs mentally
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and physically more.
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More high mountain training,
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some getting off
the trail training,
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some creek crossings,
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some new stuff to challenge
the minds of the dogs.
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Here, we know every bend
of the trail right now.
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I want to get off the highway,
get up into the high country.
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We want to get out there to
where we don't know what
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we're gonna see.
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All right, I got my
stabilizer bar replaced.
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I'm gonna start packing and
get ready to hit the road.
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I've got my side-by-side all
fixed up and in running order,
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so that's a relief.
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Be loading that up on a
trailer behind my dog truck.
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And once we get to a good
point to start hooking up the
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dogs and leave
the truck behind.
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Be packing everything that we
need into the side-by-side and
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taking off from there.
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(barking).
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I've got some newer members of
my team that I've got a lot of
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faith in that could
make it better this year.
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I'm gonna be taking
out half and half.
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Half veterans,
half question marks.
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I'm gonna see how these
question marks do on a big trip.
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Get 'em out in some wilder
country where I'm emulating
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life on the trail.
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Come on now, load up.
Load up, kors.
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Come on, there you go.
Stay in the back.
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Now, everybody's loaded
up and there's nothing
but adventure ahead of us.
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Ricko: Harsh environment
out here, so your word
is everything.
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If you don't
stand by your word,
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things will turn out
to bite you in the end.
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This is a big
surprise for you, kids.
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Skyler: Where are we going?
Ricko: I'll show you.
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Okay.
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This is a good spot, see how
the smoke is blowing through.
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Skarlett: Yeah.
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Ricko: It helps to
clear the bugs out.
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You know what we
should do right here?
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Skyler: What?
Skarlett: What?
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Ricko: Build a tree house.
Skarlett: Yeah.
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This is gonna be
where I'm staying,
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it's gonna be big.
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Skyler: Yeah.
It's gonna be big.
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It's gonna be all
around these trees.
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Ricko: The kids could learn
a lot building a tree house.
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We build smokehouses and we
build caches with the same
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basic pattern.
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Further down the road,
this is the skills they're
gonna need to know.
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You see all the
jack spruce back here?
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Skyler: Uh-huh.
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Ricko: Those we could use
for building the structure.
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So we got a lot of work to
do, but the first thing we're
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gonna do is clear
this whole area out.
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Skarlett: Okay.
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Ricko: Maybe just
burn it down here,
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right against the water.
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I wanna clear the area of brush
and trees around this tree house
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because this is the place
they're gonna be playing in,
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I don't want no bears
sneaking up on them and
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I also want some wind blowing
through it so it can keep the
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gnats and mosquitoes down.
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Holy! A lot of stuff
you're raking up.
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Okay, we did a good job here.
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Cleared out this whole area.
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I'll get the chainsaw going.
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We got a lot of
poles that we need.
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There's a lot of things you
can build from just sourcing
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out material that's natural to
your environment around here.
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I'll limb it and you
guys carry them back.
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That's important for the kids
to not only learn to use tools
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but learn how to use
the material that's
growing naturally.
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We got about 10 to 15 of
these we're gonna get.
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Timber!
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My whole life, we
had tree houses.
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It's kind of a tradition out
here to have a tree house to
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play in when you're a kid, so
I'm looking forward to putting
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a new one up around here.
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The kids are a huge help today,
more than I realized.
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Skyler is
working like a beast.
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Skyler: I didn't think it
would be this much work to
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build something so fun,
but I mean,
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we're gonna have a
lot of fun at the end,
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so it's kinda
worth working hard.
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Ricko: Okay.
Let me get one more pole.
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You guys are giving 100%
and that's what counts.
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Okay. Bend your knees.
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There you go. Good job.
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Okay.
We got our material.
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Now, we can start building.
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Sue: Alaska's a wild place
and I'm a long way from help.
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Are there challenges?
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Daily.
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That's what I thrive on.
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All righty.
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Well, it looks like the
earlier floods took a bunch
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more of the roadway out.
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I'm gonna say I probably
lost 30 feet of bank
just this last year.
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The old trail system, there's
a stretch of the road where
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it's washed out.
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It's well-used by not only me,
but clients that come through.
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If people go
bombing down the road,
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not paying attention, you can
reach a dangerous part of that
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road and slip.
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First things first is to get
out some flagging tape and
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mark this roadway far enough
back so that people know don't
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go any further this way.
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It's just simply not safe.
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To maintain safety for the
people that come through and
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even myself, I need to mark
where is it safe to get off
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the road and onto
the approved access,
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and then where is it
good to get back on.
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Seems like a silly chore,
but nothing that keeps
people safe is silly.
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They're not gonna drive off
the cliff with this here.
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Oh, there's
animals over there.
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Let's see what they are.
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I've got two really
nice-looking bulls over there.
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This is a chance to
fill the freezer.
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(animal call).
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Any of us remote people,
if you're living off the land,
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you are an opportunist.
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And jump on the
opportunity as it arises.
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(animal call).
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And I've tried to
make any noise.
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They're curious.
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(animal call).
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(animal call).
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All right.
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(gunshot).
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(gunshot).
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I can see
the area he went down in.
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I don't see him
getting back up.
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For me to get to
where he's at,
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I've got to get
down from the bank,
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cross the river there
and then head over to
where he's laying there.
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It's a hell
of a place to cross.
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But I've gotta get it done.
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Still in shock,
I was not expecting that.
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But to survive,
you make the best out of
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whatever opportunity arises.
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Ricko: We can't
go to the store.
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We can't hire a
construction team.
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But hammers, nails, axes,
chainsaw is all you need.
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Skyler: Dad.
Ricko: Whoa, what the heck?
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Snowing on you, huh?
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Narrator: Ricko and his
children, skyler and skarlett,
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are building a tree house
near the family cabin.
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The tree house will give
the kids a space to play at
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the grounds and
will also allow ricko to
teach them vital knowledge
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and skills that they
will carry into adulthood.
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Ricko: Okay. Grab that side.
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(grunts)
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ricko: Let's get
the four corners up.
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Okay. About right
there is high enough.
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Can you hold it
right there, skar?
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Skarlett: Yeah.
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Ricko: Okay.
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See this little bubble here?
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Skyler: Uh-hmm.
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Ricko: You gotta put it,
so it sits in the middle.
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Skyler: That's perfect!
243
00:12:39,326 --> 00:12:40,391
Ricko: We nailed it.
244
00:12:40,427 --> 00:12:42,393
Okay next, across there.
245
00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:46,831
Tree house build
might seem simple,
246
00:12:46,867 --> 00:12:49,501
but the kids learn a lot.
247
00:12:50,003 --> 00:12:52,537
Kids learn to use the
level, the hammer.
248
00:12:52,572 --> 00:12:55,406
They see me cutting
with the chainsaw.
249
00:12:55,842 --> 00:12:57,575
They're gonna use these
skills they're learning on
250
00:12:57,611 --> 00:12:59,144
this tree house
later on in life.
251
00:13:02,182 --> 00:13:04,415
Hey, this thing looks good.
252
00:13:04,451 --> 00:13:06,217
I gotta cut some more
bigger poles and just
253
00:13:06,253 --> 00:13:08,253
put 'em all the way across.
254
00:13:08,288 --> 00:13:10,288
And then we can
lay the floor on.
255
00:13:11,892 --> 00:13:14,292
The kids, they basically
are like sponges.
256
00:13:14,327 --> 00:13:16,594
They want to get hands-on
on these tools and that's
257
00:13:16,630 --> 00:13:19,864
what's important is having
them engaged in helping me.
258
00:13:20,834 --> 00:13:23,234
My job as a father is just
kinda lead them and let them
259
00:13:23,270 --> 00:13:26,671
kinda take control so
that they have big ownership.
260
00:13:26,973 --> 00:13:29,207
Skyler: I'm having a
lot of fun working.
261
00:13:29,242 --> 00:13:32,510
I just like building, and this
is like a good start for me.
262
00:13:37,851 --> 00:13:39,417
Ricko: So, the floor is done.
263
00:13:39,452 --> 00:13:41,486
Let's get a ladder made.
264
00:13:45,725 --> 00:13:47,559
I grew up tough, but
we also played a lot and
265
00:13:47,594 --> 00:13:49,294
that's really
important to growing up,
266
00:13:49,329 --> 00:13:52,931
is learning how to use your
imagination and have fun.
267
00:13:52,966 --> 00:13:54,566
Let's put this here.
268
00:13:54,601 --> 00:13:56,568
So it's really important I
teach the kids to work with a
269
00:13:56,603 --> 00:13:59,204
fun project because that
really opens their mind and
270
00:13:59,239 --> 00:14:02,473
makes them think outside the
box and really become creative.
271
00:14:05,645 --> 00:14:06,544
Skyler: I want to try.
272
00:14:06,580 --> 00:14:08,847
Ricko: Test it out.
How does that feel?
273
00:14:08,882 --> 00:14:10,748
Skyler: Feels good.
274
00:14:10,784 --> 00:14:12,350
Ricko: See if it's
good enough for me.
275
00:14:12,385 --> 00:14:15,019
Oh, yeah. Solid.
276
00:14:15,055 --> 00:14:16,321
Got the ladder,
277
00:14:16,356 --> 00:14:18,890
got the floor,
now we just need the roof.
278
00:14:19,526 --> 00:14:21,059
Put things away,
start up again tomorrow.
279
00:14:25,665 --> 00:14:27,966
Andy: Living out here
is nothing but adaptation.
280
00:14:28,001 --> 00:14:29,467
Conditions change.
281
00:14:29,502 --> 00:14:31,169
If you don't jump on it,
282
00:14:31,204 --> 00:14:33,037
you might as
well kiss it goodbye.
283
00:14:40,747 --> 00:14:42,113
Andy: You don't have to
do much tying it off,
284
00:14:42,148 --> 00:14:44,249
just try and get the boat
tied to something, okay?
285
00:14:44,284 --> 00:14:45,617
Denise: Okay.
286
00:14:50,023 --> 00:14:51,389
Andy: All right.
287
00:14:51,424 --> 00:14:53,992
I think what I wanna do
is we'll try and drop the
288
00:14:54,027 --> 00:14:56,127
net in right here.
289
00:14:56,396 --> 00:14:57,362
It's a pretty long net.
290
00:14:57,397 --> 00:14:59,097
It might almost make it
to the other side there.
291
00:14:59,132 --> 00:15:00,298
Denise: Wow.
292
00:15:00,333 --> 00:15:01,799
Andy: And there's not
much current in here,
293
00:15:01,835 --> 00:15:03,301
so I'm hoping what we can
do is just stretch it all
294
00:15:03,336 --> 00:15:05,203
the way across
and go from there.
295
00:15:05,238 --> 00:15:06,537
Denise: Okay.
296
00:15:06,573 --> 00:15:09,140
Andy: I've got no idea
what I'm doing here.
297
00:15:09,175 --> 00:15:11,209
Denise: I don't believe that.
298
00:15:12,579 --> 00:15:15,713
Today, we're gonna attempt
to see what we can get for
299
00:15:15,749 --> 00:15:17,515
alternative sources
of protein here.
300
00:15:18,585 --> 00:15:21,486
Any kind of fish, any size
of fish out of the creeks and
301
00:15:21,521 --> 00:15:24,756
streams around here
since the yukon river
is a no-go for us.
302
00:15:26,993 --> 00:15:29,260
There's a lot
of possibilities,
303
00:15:29,296 --> 00:15:30,495
but they're slim.
304
00:15:30,530 --> 00:15:32,030
It's very slim pickings.
305
00:15:32,065 --> 00:15:35,533
When you take the yukon river
out of the picture for us,
306
00:15:35,568 --> 00:15:37,402
we're scrambling.
307
00:15:37,437 --> 00:15:39,137
Andy: If we can,
we're gonna set a couple
308
00:15:39,172 --> 00:15:40,438
of different nets.
309
00:15:40,473 --> 00:15:42,140
Different types of nets.
310
00:15:42,175 --> 00:15:44,275
It's pretty deep out there.
311
00:15:44,311 --> 00:15:46,444
Eight to ten feet deep.
312
00:15:46,479 --> 00:15:49,447
And so we'll just see if we
can't see if there are any
313
00:15:49,482 --> 00:15:50,782
fish in here we'll see if we.
314
00:15:50,817 --> 00:15:52,317
Denise: What kind of
fish do you think will be
315
00:15:52,352 --> 00:15:53,518
coming up here?
316
00:15:53,553 --> 00:15:54,986
Andy: I don't know,
maybe some grayling.
317
00:15:55,021 --> 00:15:57,021
Maybe, maybe a pike
every now and then.
318
00:15:57,057 --> 00:15:58,256
Denise: Grayling is good.
319
00:15:58,291 --> 00:15:59,724
Andy: You know,
sheefish might come up here.
320
00:15:59,759 --> 00:16:00,959
I don't know.
321
00:16:00,994 --> 00:16:02,427
We'll see,
that's the whole thing,
322
00:16:02,462 --> 00:16:03,528
I have no idea.
323
00:16:03,563 --> 00:16:05,163
I don't fish these
side rivers very often,
324
00:16:05,198 --> 00:16:07,498
but we're being
forced to this year, so.
325
00:16:08,468 --> 00:16:11,669
Pretty much everything out
here relies on harvesting.
326
00:16:11,705 --> 00:16:13,237
And if you're not
allowed to harvest,
327
00:16:13,273 --> 00:16:15,373
then it means you have to
adapt and that's what we're
328
00:16:15,408 --> 00:16:17,342
gonna have to do right now.
329
00:16:17,377 --> 00:16:20,144
Just hold onto the float
ends and try to get those out.
330
00:16:20,180 --> 00:16:22,747
Potentially, we
might catch pike.
331
00:16:23,183 --> 00:16:24,582
That's probably
the most abundant.
332
00:16:24,617 --> 00:16:27,752
We might catch burbot,
which is a bottom feeding fish.
333
00:16:27,787 --> 00:16:30,888
But it'd probably take
about 15 or 20 pike to
334
00:16:30,924 --> 00:16:32,457
equal one chum salmon.
335
00:16:33,526 --> 00:16:35,393
So, it's gonna be challenging,
336
00:16:35,428 --> 00:16:36,761
it's gonna be frustrating,
337
00:16:36,796 --> 00:16:39,097
it'll be fun because
anytime we catch anything
338
00:16:39,132 --> 00:16:41,065
around here is a plus.
339
00:16:41,101 --> 00:16:43,434
But knowing what we could've
done and knowing what we're
340
00:16:43,470 --> 00:16:46,904
probably gonna end up with is
pretty devastating right now.
341
00:16:48,008 --> 00:16:50,675
Okay. Let's go back and
we'll just snug it up on
342
00:16:50,710 --> 00:16:53,378
that snag and then let's go
down and check the fyke net,
343
00:16:53,980 --> 00:16:56,180
see if we got any
fish in there to eat.
344
00:16:56,216 --> 00:16:58,282
Denise: Okay.
That would be good.
345
00:17:22,542 --> 00:17:24,342
Andy: Should be able to see if
there's fish in there, really.
346
00:17:24,377 --> 00:17:26,611
Denise: Yeah. It's really clear.
347
00:17:28,314 --> 00:17:30,681
Andy: Whoa, there's a
big pike right here.
348
00:17:30,717 --> 00:17:31,783
Denise: Oh, look at that.
349
00:17:31,818 --> 00:17:33,151
Andy: Giant pike right there.
Denise: Oh. Oh, no.
350
00:17:33,186 --> 00:17:35,353
Andy: What the hell are
they doing in there?
351
00:17:44,330 --> 00:17:46,164
Denise: Oh, look at that.
Andy: Giant pike right there.
352
00:17:46,199 --> 00:17:47,899
Denise: Oh. Oh, no.
353
00:17:47,934 --> 00:17:50,168
Andy: What the hell
are they doing in there?
354
00:17:50,203 --> 00:17:51,202
Two beavers?
355
00:17:51,237 --> 00:17:53,671
Holy (bleep).
356
00:17:53,706 --> 00:17:57,208
Well, that's why that
pike wasn't in there.
357
00:18:03,550 --> 00:18:05,716
Kind of a disappointment
for denise and I actually,
358
00:18:05,752 --> 00:18:07,518
we were excited to come
up to a net and hopefully
359
00:18:07,554 --> 00:18:08,920
have a bunch of pike.
360
00:18:08,955 --> 00:18:10,421
But it was full of
beavers before it could
361
00:18:10,457 --> 00:18:12,156
fill up with pikes.
362
00:18:12,192 --> 00:18:14,058
So, it's one thing if
you're purposefully going
363
00:18:14,094 --> 00:18:15,760
after a beaver to
hunt it or to trap it.
364
00:18:15,795 --> 00:18:17,862
You're in a different mindset.
365
00:18:18,331 --> 00:18:20,965
I'm not opposed to trapping
them in the wintertime,
366
00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,102
but summer time's not the
time that I would wanna
367
00:18:24,137 --> 00:18:25,870
normally harvest a beaver.
368
00:18:27,540 --> 00:18:30,975
Denise: I'm just thinking of
all the ways we can maximize
369
00:18:31,010 --> 00:18:33,144
the use of these guys, andy.
370
00:18:33,947 --> 00:18:37,014
Andy: Well, they'll be our
food, they'll be dog food.
371
00:18:37,050 --> 00:18:40,084
The skin the pelt out.
The hair will be okay.
372
00:18:40,620 --> 00:18:41,986
If we didn't want it hair,
373
00:18:42,021 --> 00:18:43,454
you can just
turn it into leather.
374
00:18:43,490 --> 00:18:45,990
Beaver leather is
really nice, you know.
375
00:18:47,060 --> 00:18:49,494
You know, it, it's just
really hard for us to see
376
00:18:49,529 --> 00:18:50,761
something like that happen.
377
00:18:50,797 --> 00:18:52,563
We both dealt with it
fine and we're both gonna be
378
00:18:52,599 --> 00:18:55,533
happy to have a good
meal out of beaver.
379
00:18:55,568 --> 00:18:58,035
We're gonna be really happy
if we get some hides tanned up
380
00:18:58,071 --> 00:19:00,004
and make something
really nice out of 'em.
381
00:19:00,039 --> 00:19:01,939
You know, whatever
we do with 'em,
382
00:19:01,975 --> 00:19:05,776
it'll turn that negative of
catching them incidentally
383
00:19:05,812 --> 00:19:07,945
into something that's
a real positive.
384
00:19:08,615 --> 00:19:11,015
And that's the way we
like to live our life.
385
00:19:11,551 --> 00:19:12,650
I think we're good.
386
00:19:12,685 --> 00:19:14,752
Let's get going.
387
00:19:16,856 --> 00:19:19,490
Jessie:
Their enthusiasm is part
of the magic of these animals.
388
00:19:20,426 --> 00:19:23,928
You keep that enthusiasm up,
they can take you anywhere.
389
00:19:33,873 --> 00:19:37,341
Jessie: Okay, I just left my
place and I'm heading east on
the denali highway.
390
00:19:38,111 --> 00:19:41,979
I'll be taking some
mining roads up into
the clearwater mountains
391
00:19:42,015 --> 00:19:44,916
and I got 16
dogs with me in my truck.
392
00:19:44,951 --> 00:19:48,186
Getting to get out with
a full-size team and go
393
00:19:48,221 --> 00:19:51,656
exploring some new territory
way up in the mountains is
394
00:19:51,691 --> 00:19:54,692
just about the most exciting
prospect of the summer so far.
395
00:19:57,463 --> 00:19:59,163
Narrator:
On the denali highway,
396
00:19:59,199 --> 00:20:01,832
jessie holmes is traveling
deep into the nearby mountains
397
00:20:01,868 --> 00:20:04,035
to scout new training
grounds for his sled dogs.
398
00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,274
This journey will present a
crucial opportunity for jessie
399
00:20:10,310 --> 00:20:12,877
and the dogs to learn of
the potential blessings and
400
00:20:12,912 --> 00:20:16,080
the potential dangers
that come with the unknown.
401
00:20:27,594 --> 00:20:30,061
Jessie: This is
absolutely incredible.
402
00:20:30,563 --> 00:20:33,097
This is a nice-looking spot
to be able to get off the road.
403
00:20:33,132 --> 00:20:35,900
Nice creek for the dogs to
be able to get a drink in.
404
00:20:35,935 --> 00:20:39,070
Good clear shot for me to be
able to get back on the trail.
405
00:20:39,105 --> 00:20:41,305
I'll be heading up
into these mountains.
406
00:20:41,341 --> 00:20:43,374
It's gorgeous out here.
407
00:20:43,409 --> 00:20:45,276
Can't wait to see what's
out in that valley and
408
00:20:45,311 --> 00:20:47,245
around that bend.
409
00:20:49,249 --> 00:20:51,515
One of the beautiful things
about this trip is I chose to
410
00:20:51,551 --> 00:20:55,219
bring eight of my veterans
and eight rookie dogs
411
00:20:55,255 --> 00:20:57,688
that really aren't as
familiar with racing with me.
412
00:20:58,524 --> 00:21:01,025
But bringing them out here,
I can train the dogs.
413
00:21:01,060 --> 00:21:02,960
I can slow the process down,
414
00:21:02,996 --> 00:21:05,730
and start breaking
down the details.
415
00:21:10,637 --> 00:21:12,069
All right.
We're ready to roll!
416
00:21:12,105 --> 00:21:13,904
Gotta get outta here
before something breaks.
417
00:21:13,940 --> 00:21:15,706
Gonna give the
dogs a really good,
418
00:21:15,742 --> 00:21:18,175
long run before we find
somewhere to set up camp.
419
00:21:18,211 --> 00:21:20,478
Yee-haw!
420
00:21:21,881 --> 00:21:24,081
Ho, ho.
421
00:21:25,752 --> 00:21:28,352
Haw, alpy, haw, haw.
There you go.
422
00:21:28,388 --> 00:21:31,355
Straight, straight,
there you go.
423
00:21:31,624 --> 00:21:34,225
Straight ahead, good.
424
00:21:35,662 --> 00:21:37,828
There's a huge mountain
range to the east of here,
425
00:21:37,864 --> 00:21:39,597
capped in snow still.
426
00:21:39,632 --> 00:21:42,633
For me, it makes sense to
take the dogs up there.
427
00:21:42,669 --> 00:21:46,003
Get out into some new country,
go have some fun exploring,
428
00:21:46,039 --> 00:21:49,206
do our homework now
so we can be going up in
429
00:21:49,242 --> 00:21:51,342
that direction this winter.
430
00:21:52,812 --> 00:21:55,913
The psychology of the dogs
is that they love to explore.
431
00:21:55,948 --> 00:21:57,048
They love to hunt.
432
00:21:57,083 --> 00:22:00,084
They love to feel the
thrill of being in a pack,
433
00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:01,919
going through
unexplored territory.
434
00:22:01,954 --> 00:22:03,688
So do I.
435
00:22:06,092 --> 00:22:08,993
I see a lot of options
that I can explore
more in the morning.
436
00:22:09,028 --> 00:22:10,928
But right now I'm just
trying to stay in the safest
437
00:22:10,963 --> 00:22:13,531
path and take some
steam out of these dogs.
438
00:22:13,566 --> 00:22:14,799
They're really strong.
439
00:22:14,834 --> 00:22:16,901
They're really excited
to be in a big team.
440
00:22:16,936 --> 00:22:19,270
This is what it's all about.
441
00:22:19,305 --> 00:22:22,940
Getting out here in new
country, cold mountain air.
442
00:22:22,975 --> 00:22:25,543
It's exhilarating, it's a
little bit nerve-racking even
443
00:22:25,578 --> 00:22:27,411
with this many dogs.
444
00:22:29,115 --> 00:22:30,781
Haw.
445
00:22:32,985 --> 00:22:37,521
♪ ♪
446
00:22:40,059 --> 00:22:41,492
whoa, whoa, whoa, wait.
447
00:22:41,527 --> 00:22:43,227
Oh (bleep).
448
00:22:54,273 --> 00:22:56,207
Oh (bleep).
449
00:22:56,676 --> 00:22:58,676
Trail's taking us up pretty
far into the mountains.
450
00:22:58,711 --> 00:23:01,545
And all of a sudden the dogs
just overshot straight out
451
00:23:01,581 --> 00:23:04,515
into the brush and
they went clear off a cliff
452
00:23:04,550 --> 00:23:06,417
it looks like to me.
453
00:23:06,452 --> 00:23:08,819
Hey, oh, all right,
all right, all right.
454
00:23:08,855 --> 00:23:11,422
It looks a little sketchy
but I'm kind of committed.
455
00:23:11,457 --> 00:23:14,058
I'm gonna ease down
this nice and slow.
456
00:23:14,093 --> 00:23:15,726
Easy.
Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.
457
00:23:15,762 --> 00:23:19,497
Easy, easy. Easy, easy.
458
00:23:20,566 --> 00:23:23,134
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
459
00:23:23,169 --> 00:23:25,069
Haw, haw, haw.
460
00:23:25,104 --> 00:23:26,871
Good.
461
00:23:29,175 --> 00:23:30,408
I made it out of that.
462
00:23:30,443 --> 00:23:32,276
It was a hell of a
predicament to be in,
463
00:23:32,311 --> 00:23:34,912
but my bond with the
dogs and them trusting me,
464
00:23:34,947 --> 00:23:38,349
what could've
been a bad situation was
resolved in teamwork.
465
00:23:41,220 --> 00:23:43,254
I didn't come out here
just to run the dogs.
466
00:23:43,289 --> 00:23:45,489
I also want to train
the young dogs.
467
00:23:45,525 --> 00:23:46,891
Good, straight,
straight, straight.
468
00:23:46,926 --> 00:23:48,259
Haw, haw.
469
00:23:48,294 --> 00:23:51,829
Them seeing me give commands
to the veteran dogs and how
470
00:23:51,864 --> 00:23:55,132
quickly they respond to
me and how confidently
they respond to me,
471
00:23:55,168 --> 00:23:57,401
they start connecting
the dots and they start
472
00:23:57,437 --> 00:23:59,336
learning the commands.
473
00:23:59,372 --> 00:24:01,705
The dogs learn so much here.
474
00:24:02,241 --> 00:24:03,541
Straight ahead, guys.
475
00:24:03,576 --> 00:24:04,809
Right there.
476
00:24:04,844 --> 00:24:07,077
Ho, good.
477
00:24:10,149 --> 00:24:11,682
Easy guys.
478
00:24:11,717 --> 00:24:13,751
All right, this is
gonna be the spot to camp
479
00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:14,819
for the night.
480
00:24:14,854 --> 00:24:16,787
I was able to put a good,
long run on the dogs.
481
00:24:16,823 --> 00:24:19,457
Get 'em through some
challenging terrain.
482
00:24:19,492 --> 00:24:20,991
This is an excellent spot.
483
00:24:21,027 --> 00:24:23,561
It is beautiful.
484
00:24:23,830 --> 00:24:24,929
Good dogs.
485
00:24:24,964 --> 00:24:26,797
I'm gonna get these
guys' straw out.
486
00:24:26,833 --> 00:24:28,532
It's a signal, we're stopping.
487
00:24:28,568 --> 00:24:29,700
It's time to calm down.
488
00:24:29,735 --> 00:24:32,736
It's time to go to sleep,
get some rest for tomorrow.
489
00:24:33,473 --> 00:24:35,072
I know you guys really
ain't that tired,
490
00:24:35,107 --> 00:24:37,608
but we got to save some
energy for tomorrow.
491
00:24:40,279 --> 00:24:41,879
I want to fill up
their fuel tanks,
492
00:24:41,914 --> 00:24:44,081
get some food in
their bellies.
493
00:24:44,116 --> 00:24:46,116
Get them all comfortable
and situated,
494
00:24:46,152 --> 00:24:47,718
then I'm gonna set up my tent.
495
00:24:47,753 --> 00:24:49,687
Have a nice fire,
cook up some food,
496
00:24:49,722 --> 00:24:50,921
have some tea.
497
00:24:50,957 --> 00:24:53,123
Enjoy the night.
498
00:25:01,701 --> 00:25:04,435
Well, it's not the greatest
night in the world as far as
499
00:25:04,470 --> 00:25:07,605
weather goes but it
ain't gonna ruin my parade and
500
00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:08,539
my party here.
501
00:25:08,574 --> 00:25:10,774
I got my dogs, I got my fire.
502
00:25:10,810 --> 00:25:12,910
Just make the best of what
we got here, you know.
503
00:25:12,945 --> 00:25:16,413
This is a
beautiful place to camp,
tomorrow's another day.
504
00:25:17,817 --> 00:25:20,651
I'm looking forward to getting
further up into the mountains,
505
00:25:20,686 --> 00:25:23,187
exploring some
of these valleys.
506
00:25:23,890 --> 00:25:26,257
It's time to crash out for
the night, get some sleep.
507
00:25:26,292 --> 00:25:28,459
I'm gonna get up early in the
morning and start doing some
508
00:25:28,494 --> 00:25:31,529
traveling off the beaten path.
509
00:25:33,966 --> 00:25:35,599
Sue: If you're gonna
hunt for your own meat,
510
00:25:35,635 --> 00:25:37,801
you're gonna get
your hands dirty.
511
00:25:37,837 --> 00:25:40,337
Red is the color of success.
512
00:25:47,246 --> 00:25:50,748
Sue: All right, time to get
my little furry buddy home.
513
00:25:53,486 --> 00:25:55,219
Narrator: After spotting
two bull caribou,
514
00:25:55,254 --> 00:25:58,789
sue was able to harvest
one of the animals.
515
00:25:59,358 --> 00:26:02,459
This unexpected opportunity
has brought her one step
516
00:26:02,495 --> 00:26:05,696
closer to having a full
stockpile of caribou meat
517
00:26:05,731 --> 00:26:08,365
for the coming winter.
518
00:26:11,070 --> 00:26:13,871
Sue: Buddy, thank you so much.
519
00:26:14,874 --> 00:26:17,041
I'm gonna get you loaded up
but don't you think for one
520
00:26:17,076 --> 00:26:19,443
minute I forgot about
your heart rock, I did not.
521
00:26:22,014 --> 00:26:23,714
Thank you, buddy.
522
00:26:24,717 --> 00:26:27,718
I bet you this guy weights
about 220, 210 maybe.
523
00:26:27,753 --> 00:26:30,955
Where's my grandson
when I need him?
524
00:26:36,162 --> 00:26:38,629
Ugh, okay now his
booty's in here.
525
00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:42,600
Oh, wow, take a look at that.
526
00:26:50,610 --> 00:26:52,576
Sue: He's hanging out
across the river back where
527
00:26:52,612 --> 00:26:54,144
I was working.
528
00:26:54,180 --> 00:26:57,348
There's a chance I can get a
twofer and round out my tags.
529
00:26:57,383 --> 00:26:59,216
That's important for me.
530
00:26:59,251 --> 00:27:03,621
I don't get this kind
of a setup too often.
531
00:27:03,656 --> 00:27:06,323
This is just the
day of the caribou.
532
00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:09,226
If I can get a
twofer, hell yeah.
533
00:27:14,266 --> 00:27:16,433
Oh, he's a little far off.
534
00:27:16,469 --> 00:27:18,202
See if I can call him down.
535
00:27:18,337 --> 00:27:21,138
(animal call)
536
00:27:22,108 --> 00:27:24,508
come on, just come
a little closer.
537
00:27:24,577 --> 00:27:28,212
(animal call)
538
00:27:28,514 --> 00:27:31,081
come on, come on,
come on, come on,
come on down the road.
539
00:27:31,117 --> 00:27:32,282
Come on, come on.
540
00:27:32,318 --> 00:27:35,419
(animal call)
541
00:27:35,688 --> 00:27:39,990
I mean, he's like
(bleep) 500 yards away.
542
00:27:40,026 --> 00:27:41,892
And there's so much
brush in the way.
543
00:27:44,130 --> 00:27:46,930
Can't see him anymore.
We lost him.
544
00:27:59,812 --> 00:28:02,446
(inaudible) it.
545
00:28:02,481 --> 00:28:05,716
One thing I can do is
go across the river...
546
00:28:05,985 --> 00:28:07,618
See where he's at.
547
00:28:10,356 --> 00:28:12,756
If I can get over here
and get another shot
that's gonna round out
548
00:28:12,792 --> 00:28:14,958
this evening, a twofer,
549
00:28:14,994 --> 00:28:17,261
I'll have my work
cut out for me.
550
00:28:17,296 --> 00:28:20,831
But I've gotta fill my freezer.
551
00:28:23,402 --> 00:28:26,403
There he is, there he is,
there he is, there he is.
552
00:28:28,541 --> 00:28:31,442
I'm gonna start just kinda
hunching down and making my
553
00:28:31,477 --> 00:28:33,143
way a little closer.
554
00:28:39,251 --> 00:28:42,553
(animal call)
555
00:28:46,625 --> 00:28:53,097
(animal call)
556
00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:55,966
(gunshot)
557
00:28:56,869 --> 00:28:59,470
I don't want him to run.
558
00:28:59,505 --> 00:29:04,108
Go down, go down, go down!
559
00:29:08,514 --> 00:29:10,581
He's down.
560
00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:16,920
Oh, my gosh.
561
00:29:16,956 --> 00:29:18,489
Baby.
562
00:29:18,524 --> 00:29:20,557
Yep, he's dead.
563
00:29:22,394 --> 00:29:25,696
You will not be forgotten.
564
00:29:26,232 --> 00:29:27,898
Thank you.
565
00:29:27,933 --> 00:29:29,933
These are my caribou
for the season,
566
00:29:29,969 --> 00:29:32,936
this rounds it all out.
567
00:29:32,972 --> 00:29:36,240
I got food to put
away for the winter.
568
00:29:36,275 --> 00:29:39,309
What I need to do now is
just get this closer to
569
00:29:39,345 --> 00:29:43,046
home and get the meat hanging.
570
00:29:45,651 --> 00:29:47,017
Ricko:
Having kids is beautiful.
571
00:29:47,052 --> 00:29:48,886
Do I get to relive my
past and try to make their
572
00:29:48,921 --> 00:29:51,355
future more beautiful
than I ever had it?
573
00:29:58,030 --> 00:29:59,630
Ricko: The roof will
be lower on this side,
574
00:29:59,665 --> 00:30:01,098
higher on that side.
575
00:30:01,133 --> 00:30:03,600
That way rain and
snow can slide off.
576
00:30:03,636 --> 00:30:05,969
So, the floor's done,
then we'll keep moving and
577
00:30:06,005 --> 00:30:07,638
hopefully get this roof on.
578
00:30:08,174 --> 00:30:10,440
Lift up on that end.
579
00:30:10,476 --> 00:30:13,043
And I'm gonna tack it on
while you're holding it, okay?
580
00:30:17,183 --> 00:30:19,917
The kids have been really
enjoying the tree house build.
581
00:30:19,952 --> 00:30:21,685
It's a lot of work
building a tree house
582
00:30:21,720 --> 00:30:24,221
but it's also
been a lot of fun.
583
00:30:24,256 --> 00:30:26,290
I think they're gonna
learn a lot by doing this.
584
00:30:26,325 --> 00:30:28,225
I hope this is right.
585
00:30:28,260 --> 00:30:30,127
I'm blaming it on
you if it isn't.
586
00:30:30,162 --> 00:30:31,995
Skyler: What?
587
00:30:32,031 --> 00:30:34,498
Ricko: Oh, you get an award.
588
00:30:35,034 --> 00:30:36,967
I wouldn't be able to
do this without you, sky.
589
00:30:37,002 --> 00:30:39,069
Skyler: Thanks.
590
00:30:39,872 --> 00:30:41,471
Ricko: Awesome.
591
00:30:41,507 --> 00:30:43,707
Okay, we're ready for
the first sheet of iron.
592
00:30:46,278 --> 00:30:49,513
It's not heavy,
it's just cumbersome.
593
00:30:52,251 --> 00:30:54,585
I work hard all the time
and I try to stay busy.
594
00:30:54,620 --> 00:30:56,286
But even if you're working,
595
00:30:56,322 --> 00:30:58,956
you can have a lot
of fun doing it.
596
00:30:59,658 --> 00:31:02,960
Oh, yeah.
Okay, I think that's it.
597
00:31:02,995 --> 00:31:04,962
Time to be acrobatic.
598
00:31:04,997 --> 00:31:07,130
Oh, oh, there we go.
599
00:31:07,867 --> 00:31:08,899
Thank you.
600
00:31:08,934 --> 00:31:10,200
Skyler: This is so cool.
601
00:31:10,236 --> 00:31:12,636
Like none of the tree houses
I've been on had a roof.
602
00:31:12,671 --> 00:31:14,171
Ricko: Look at your view.
603
00:31:14,206 --> 00:31:15,272
Skyler: Yeah. I know.
604
00:31:15,307 --> 00:31:18,275
Ricko: Geez, this is a
million-dollar view right here.
605
00:31:18,577 --> 00:31:19,943
We got this tree house built,
606
00:31:19,979 --> 00:31:22,846
but let's do a few more things
like little balancing poles,
607
00:31:22,882 --> 00:31:24,681
do a swing from right here.
608
00:31:24,717 --> 00:31:26,149
Skyler: Yeah.
609
00:31:26,185 --> 00:31:28,418
Ricko: How about this one?
Just go through up there.
610
00:31:29,288 --> 00:31:31,521
Somehow, someway, I managed to
raise these kids so they have
611
00:31:31,557 --> 00:31:34,124
enthusiasm to work and that's
what makes me feel real good.
612
00:31:34,159 --> 00:31:36,193
Good old sailor's knot.
613
00:31:37,429 --> 00:31:38,896
Here you go.
614
00:31:38,931 --> 00:31:41,632
My kids are small
but they gave it 110%.
615
00:31:41,667 --> 00:31:43,700
They didn't stop once,
they pushed all the way through
616
00:31:43,736 --> 00:31:46,069
and couldn't have done
it without the kids.
617
00:31:46,105 --> 00:31:47,404
Okay, you guys ready?
618
00:31:47,439 --> 00:31:48,705
Skarlett: Yeah.
619
00:31:48,741 --> 00:31:51,742
Skyler: Uh-hmm.
That was awesome.
620
00:31:52,945 --> 00:31:55,112
Skarlett: I wanna try.
621
00:31:55,381 --> 00:31:57,281
Ricko: I had a lot of fun
building this tree house.
622
00:31:57,316 --> 00:31:59,383
I think the fun for me is
just seeing my kids have fun.
623
00:32:00,352 --> 00:32:01,652
I kind of owe them that.
624
00:32:01,687 --> 00:32:03,320
You know, I'm their father.
625
00:32:03,355 --> 00:32:05,923
If I'm able to help them have
something in life that brings
626
00:32:05,958 --> 00:32:07,424
enjoyment like
that tree house,
627
00:32:07,459 --> 00:32:09,993
that makes me feel a
lot better about myself.
628
00:32:12,031 --> 00:32:13,931
Whoa! Awesome.
629
00:32:13,966 --> 00:32:16,633
Man, I feel like I'm
10 years old again.
630
00:32:16,669 --> 00:32:19,002
(laughter)
631
00:32:21,440 --> 00:32:23,507
andy: The interior of alaska,
632
00:32:23,542 --> 00:32:26,109
you can live here but
you gotta work to live here.
633
00:32:26,412 --> 00:32:27,978
It's not abundant.
634
00:32:37,056 --> 00:32:42,025
♪ ♪
635
00:32:42,461 --> 00:32:44,127
andy: 30 pounds.
636
00:32:44,163 --> 00:32:46,897
So, between the two of these,
637
00:32:46,932 --> 00:32:50,233
it's probably gonna
be 40 pounds of meat, so.
638
00:32:51,136 --> 00:32:52,836
Denise: Well,
40 pounds is a lot.
639
00:32:52,871 --> 00:32:54,571
40 pounds will go a long ways.
640
00:32:54,606 --> 00:32:55,739
Andy: For us.
641
00:32:55,774 --> 00:32:58,542
That's one meal for the
dog team, maybe two, max.
642
00:32:59,845 --> 00:33:02,946
Because there's nothing
like meat to feed the dogs.
643
00:33:02,982 --> 00:33:05,215
You know, we're buying the
best quality commercial dog
644
00:33:05,250 --> 00:33:08,285
food that's on the
market right now.
645
00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:11,688
And not only is it gonna
cost us more than double,
646
00:33:11,724 --> 00:33:15,192
maybe triple, the dogs
aren't gonna do well on that.
647
00:33:15,728 --> 00:33:19,663
We're gonna have to find some
other source of fat just with
648
00:33:19,698 --> 00:33:22,165
losing one resource.
649
00:33:23,936 --> 00:33:27,004
But anyway, let's just get
all this stuff taken care.
650
00:33:27,639 --> 00:33:28,638
Denise: Okay, yes.
651
00:33:28,674 --> 00:33:30,173
Andy: Best we
can this morning.
652
00:33:30,209 --> 00:33:31,541
Denise: Yeah.
653
00:33:31,577 --> 00:33:33,210
Andy: And then we'll go
out and check those nets.
654
00:33:33,245 --> 00:33:36,747
And see if our efforts
yesterday were worth it or not.
655
00:33:41,787 --> 00:33:45,188
Neither denise or I are
people that live in the past.
656
00:33:45,891 --> 00:33:49,126
But nature does have a way
of kicking you in the teeth.
657
00:33:49,461 --> 00:33:52,329
When that happens,
you know there are two ways
658
00:33:52,364 --> 00:33:53,463
you can deal with that.
659
00:33:53,499 --> 00:33:55,999
You can feel sorry for
yourself and lick your wounds
660
00:33:56,335 --> 00:33:58,935
and not do a damn thing or you
could dust yourself off and go
661
00:33:58,971 --> 00:34:01,972
do something that's productive
with your life and your time.
662
00:34:04,610 --> 00:34:07,144
You know, pretty much every
part of a beaver is usable.
663
00:34:08,414 --> 00:34:11,848
In this case, we're gonna be
feeding the bones to the dogs,
664
00:34:11,884 --> 00:34:14,785
salvaging as much meat for
ourselves and salvaging the
665
00:34:14,820 --> 00:34:18,688
hide for ourselves to
tan up and use it later.
666
00:34:21,627 --> 00:34:23,560
That looks pretty
darn good to me.
667
00:34:23,595 --> 00:34:24,561
What's this like?
668
00:34:24,596 --> 00:34:25,762
Denise: Oh, look at it all.
669
00:34:25,798 --> 00:34:26,930
It, that really shows it off,
670
00:34:26,965 --> 00:34:29,199
what beautiful
hides they have.
671
00:34:29,234 --> 00:34:30,867
Andy: Yup.
672
00:34:33,005 --> 00:34:36,106
Why don't we take it over
and put it in the old workshop?
673
00:34:36,742 --> 00:34:37,641
Denise: Okay.
674
00:34:37,676 --> 00:34:39,409
Andy: So nothing can
get in there to it.
675
00:34:39,478 --> 00:34:42,279
You wanna go over and
hang it up in there?
676
00:34:43,715 --> 00:34:45,482
Denise: Get this hung up
and then we better get,
677
00:34:45,517 --> 00:34:47,217
and check the nets.
678
00:34:59,031 --> 00:35:01,865
Okay, here we go,
fingers crossed.
679
00:35:05,170 --> 00:35:07,304
Let's see what we got.
680
00:35:15,080 --> 00:35:18,115
Andy: Looks like it's a
little bit murkier today.
681
00:35:18,150 --> 00:35:21,084
Denise: It is, definitely.
682
00:35:21,120 --> 00:35:23,120
Andy: Moment of truth,
do we have any fish or not?
683
00:35:35,667 --> 00:35:37,534
Denise: Wow.
684
00:35:37,569 --> 00:35:39,769
This is really good, andy.
685
00:35:42,207 --> 00:35:43,373
Andy: Looks like
there's another one.
686
00:35:43,408 --> 00:35:44,441
Denise: Oh.
687
00:35:44,476 --> 00:35:45,642
Andy: Yeah, that's a pike.
688
00:35:45,677 --> 00:35:47,677
Denise: Oh, that's a
nice size, look at that.
689
00:35:47,713 --> 00:35:48,745
Andy: Yeah.
690
00:35:48,780 --> 00:35:50,914
Denise: Oh, and
then there's more.
691
00:35:50,949 --> 00:35:53,817
Nice.
692
00:35:54,353 --> 00:35:55,485
Andy: Surprised me.
693
00:35:55,521 --> 00:35:57,888
Denise: Yeah, it did.
This is a great surprise.
694
00:35:59,258 --> 00:36:01,758
Our cooler's getting full.
695
00:36:02,928 --> 00:36:03,994
Andy: This is great.
696
00:36:04,029 --> 00:36:05,829
This is a cool thing to
know that we can come here
697
00:36:05,864 --> 00:36:08,098
and catch these fish,
if we need to.
698
00:36:08,834 --> 00:36:12,802
But as far as like replacing
dog food or the fall chum,
699
00:36:12,838 --> 00:36:14,070
it's not even close,
700
00:36:14,106 --> 00:36:16,139
it's not even
a drop in the bucket.
701
00:36:16,175 --> 00:36:17,774
Neither one of us
mind working hard.
702
00:36:17,809 --> 00:36:19,643
We both actually
like working hard,
703
00:36:19,678 --> 00:36:23,246
but we want a good
payoff from the labor and
time we put into something.
704
00:36:24,816 --> 00:36:28,051
Unless we're really lucky,
it's probably really not gonna
705
00:36:28,086 --> 00:36:30,220
be very good bush economics.
706
00:36:30,255 --> 00:36:33,456
And for me, it's all
about bush economics.
707
00:36:35,661 --> 00:36:37,794
Denise: Think we
got room for this?
708
00:36:38,063 --> 00:36:40,630
Andy: Here we go, there it is.
709
00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:45,202
Forget about fishing for
dogs out of the yukon river.
710
00:36:45,237 --> 00:36:49,706
Let's start making another
game plan up and then right now,
711
00:36:49,741 --> 00:36:51,841
why don't we go get
that beaver on the barbecue.
712
00:36:51,877 --> 00:36:53,109
Denise: Yes.
713
00:36:53,145 --> 00:36:54,945
Andy: And enjoy a
good meal of that.
714
00:36:54,980 --> 00:36:56,880
It's a positive
from a negative.
715
00:36:56,915 --> 00:36:58,648
Denise: Yup.
716
00:36:59,952 --> 00:37:01,251
Andy: I think this year,
717
00:37:01,286 --> 00:37:04,087
given my experience over
30 years on the river,
718
00:37:04,122 --> 00:37:06,022
it's gonna be a very
different year for us.
719
00:37:06,058 --> 00:37:09,359
And there may be no substitute
for the fall chum salmon.
720
00:37:10,829 --> 00:37:12,762
It's hot.
Give it a few minutes.
721
00:37:12,798 --> 00:37:15,098
Denise: Thank you.
Looks good.
722
00:37:15,133 --> 00:37:18,268
The salmon that we have
now will get us just to the
723
00:37:18,303 --> 00:37:20,370
beginning of winter.
724
00:37:20,405 --> 00:37:23,540
So, that's obviously
a huge problem.
725
00:37:24,977 --> 00:37:27,711
Boy, these treats smell
really good, topaz,
726
00:37:28,413 --> 00:37:29,379
I don't know.
727
00:37:29,414 --> 00:37:31,881
I think I want one
of these treats.
728
00:37:33,986 --> 00:37:37,520
They don't understand what's
going on with the chum salmon.
729
00:37:37,556 --> 00:37:40,824
They just depend on us for
bringing them their fish at
730
00:37:40,859 --> 00:37:43,293
the end of a hard working day,
like we depend on them to
731
00:37:43,328 --> 00:37:45,595
bring us our firewood
in the winter.
732
00:37:46,298 --> 00:37:47,797
We've got to come
up with something,
733
00:37:47,833 --> 00:37:50,200
and we'll keep
trying until we do.
734
00:37:50,469 --> 00:37:53,470
Yeah, we'll get you
lots to eat all winter long.
735
00:37:53,505 --> 00:37:55,305
Yes, we will, one
way or another.
736
00:37:55,974 --> 00:37:58,141
Yes, we will.
737
00:38:00,512 --> 00:38:03,280
Sue: I've gotta keep
all of my body healthy.
738
00:38:04,483 --> 00:38:07,484
Not just well-fed, it's
gotta be well-nourished.
739
00:38:15,494 --> 00:38:19,129
Sue: So if you see I'm peeling
back some of this velvet.
740
00:38:20,265 --> 00:38:22,098
I really don't wanna
get all the blood on me.
741
00:38:22,134 --> 00:38:23,767
I want a lot of it to stay in.
742
00:38:23,802 --> 00:38:26,803
I like being well-rounded
and I like using every part
743
00:38:26,838 --> 00:38:28,938
of the animal.
744
00:38:28,974 --> 00:38:32,108
I don't often have a chance
to get bulls in this stage of
745
00:38:32,144 --> 00:38:34,277
growth with their antlers.
746
00:38:34,313 --> 00:38:36,813
If you can get the
velvet in this stage,
747
00:38:36,848 --> 00:38:40,517
you can have a tincture or
you can make a salve that will
748
00:38:40,552 --> 00:38:42,819
help with joint damage,
cartilage damage.
749
00:38:43,822 --> 00:38:46,923
It helps with the
regeneration and the pain.
750
00:38:48,460 --> 00:38:50,360
Having so much
work done on the spine,
751
00:38:50,395 --> 00:38:51,861
and the joints, and the legs,
752
00:38:51,897 --> 00:38:54,331
and the ankles over
the last several years.
753
00:38:54,366 --> 00:38:56,766
Pain is a real thing for me.
754
00:38:56,802 --> 00:38:59,102
Pain happens, age happens.
755
00:38:59,137 --> 00:39:00,670
We do what we can.
756
00:39:03,442 --> 00:39:09,646
All righty, so now, I have
got a bucket full of velvet.
757
00:39:12,384 --> 00:39:14,651
The tincture that I'm making,
758
00:39:14,686 --> 00:39:17,153
you can do it several
different ways.
759
00:39:17,189 --> 00:39:19,422
So you've got one
for your joints,
760
00:39:19,458 --> 00:39:22,225
one for a blood purifier
and then you have an oil,
761
00:39:22,260 --> 00:39:24,427
which you can rub on.
762
00:39:24,463 --> 00:39:28,365
One good medicine
saves me $5,000 each way
763
00:39:28,400 --> 00:39:31,768
to town and back,
a doctor's appointment,
764
00:39:31,803 --> 00:39:34,404
how many blood tests to get
at what I already told him
765
00:39:34,439 --> 00:39:36,606
that I'm in pain and I need
something and then how much
766
00:39:36,641 --> 00:39:39,042
per month for a pill?
767
00:39:40,345 --> 00:39:44,013
So I've got one, two, three,
four different products.
768
00:39:45,283 --> 00:39:50,086
So, well done on this,
but now comes the part that
769
00:39:50,122 --> 00:39:52,188
I've been waiting for.
770
00:39:52,224 --> 00:39:56,226
I do have a little bit of the
caribou meat, I sliced off,
771
00:39:56,261 --> 00:39:59,329
I flattened, put a little
bit of spice on it and
772
00:39:59,364 --> 00:40:01,664
make myself
something kind of yummy.
773
00:40:04,736 --> 00:40:07,570
All in all, it's a
pretty amazing day.
774
00:40:07,606 --> 00:40:10,840
Everything always works out
the way it's supposed to,
775
00:40:12,310 --> 00:40:14,644
seldom how you think it will.
776
00:40:15,414 --> 00:40:20,083
I didn't anticipate all
of this when I set out to
777
00:40:20,118 --> 00:40:22,352
mark a detour on a road.
778
00:40:25,757 --> 00:40:27,724
Let's see what we have here.
779
00:40:29,461 --> 00:40:32,729
Occasionally, detours are
the sweetest part of life.
780
00:40:33,165 --> 00:40:37,000
You see and do things
flying 90 miles an hour
781
00:40:37,035 --> 00:40:39,369
down the highway
of life, you miss.
782
00:40:39,404 --> 00:40:42,205
So yeah,
I'll take the detour.
783
00:40:45,076 --> 00:40:47,544
It's definitely good eating.
784
00:40:53,452 --> 00:40:55,418
Jessie: If you wanna be a
champion you gotta be willing
785
00:40:55,454 --> 00:40:58,555
to go above and beyond what
everybody else is gonna do.
786
00:40:59,524 --> 00:41:02,158
I'm gonna do everything
I can to be one step ahead
787
00:41:02,194 --> 00:41:04,027
of my competition.
788
00:41:20,011 --> 00:41:21,544
Jessie: Hey, guys.
789
00:41:21,580 --> 00:41:24,314
Wow, you guys look cozy.
790
00:41:24,616 --> 00:41:27,817
But today's about setting out
and doing things other people
791
00:41:27,853 --> 00:41:30,653
aren't willing to do because
that's what makes champions.
792
00:41:30,689 --> 00:41:33,122
You know, whenever we
forge a bond together,
793
00:41:33,158 --> 00:41:36,359
overcoming all the
obstacles that are out here.
794
00:41:38,463 --> 00:41:40,497
All right, fellas,
gals, ready?
795
00:41:40,999 --> 00:41:42,465
All right?
796
00:41:42,501 --> 00:41:43,566
You ready?
797
00:41:43,602 --> 00:41:44,767
Good.
798
00:41:44,803 --> 00:41:46,102
That's what I'm talking about,
799
00:41:46,137 --> 00:41:48,605
that's a well-trained team.
800
00:41:48,907 --> 00:41:51,441
All right, guys,
let's go exploring.
801
00:41:58,917 --> 00:42:01,718
Nice early morning,
leaving camp with the dogs.
802
00:42:01,753 --> 00:42:03,820
The dogs are
rocking and rolling.
803
00:42:03,855 --> 00:42:06,322
Always love this
moment after they camp,
804
00:42:06,358 --> 00:42:08,191
how they get in a
groove and they,
805
00:42:08,226 --> 00:42:11,528
they start settling into
a nice pace and learning
806
00:42:11,563 --> 00:42:13,463
the country now and
that's exciting.
807
00:42:13,765 --> 00:42:16,366
Gee, looks like
go right there.
808
00:42:18,503 --> 00:42:20,203
Now, we're climbing up
into some really beautiful
809
00:42:20,238 --> 00:42:22,138
mountains right now.
810
00:42:26,044 --> 00:42:28,611
Everything I'm doing
right now has a purpose.
811
00:42:31,182 --> 00:42:32,549
At some point,
812
00:42:32,584 --> 00:42:34,417
I'm gonna have to break
away from the competition.
813
00:42:34,452 --> 00:42:36,319
Being able to come out
here and train in uncertain
814
00:42:36,354 --> 00:42:39,923
circumstances prepares the
dogs to do that for me.
815
00:42:43,094 --> 00:42:46,129
When I ask them, I know
they're gonna respond.
816
00:42:47,065 --> 00:42:49,999
That gives me confidence,
it gives them confidence in me.
817
00:42:50,268 --> 00:42:51,768
It gives me confidence
that there's nothing
818
00:42:51,803 --> 00:42:54,037
we can't conquer.
819
00:42:55,173 --> 00:42:57,840
And to do something that's
extremely challenging,
820
00:42:57,876 --> 00:42:59,008
for some of these young dogs,
821
00:42:59,044 --> 00:43:00,743
they've never done
anything like this.
822
00:43:00,779 --> 00:43:03,413
So, it's really incredible
to see them stepping up
823
00:43:03,448 --> 00:43:05,615
to the game.
824
00:43:13,925 --> 00:43:16,693
All right,
good dogs, good dogs.
825
00:43:17,762 --> 00:43:19,629
The dogs have had a
great training run out here.
826
00:43:19,664 --> 00:43:21,497
I want to cap it
off with a nice run up the
827
00:43:21,533 --> 00:43:23,800
mountain with them.
828
00:43:24,102 --> 00:43:26,536
So I'm gonna lead the
pack up this mountain.
829
00:43:26,571 --> 00:43:28,504
It'll be a nice cool
down for their muscles,
830
00:43:28,540 --> 00:43:30,406
but it'll be a good
workout for me.
831
00:43:37,582 --> 00:43:40,383
Dogs ain't the only one
that needs some exercise.
832
00:43:40,418 --> 00:43:42,885
Don't wanna leave out of here
without coming and enjoying
833
00:43:42,921 --> 00:43:44,921
this grand view here.
834
00:43:46,891 --> 00:43:48,524
You know, really got
to learn the country,
835
00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:50,460
got to spend some time
going up that valley,
836
00:43:50,495 --> 00:43:51,894
up this valley.
837
00:43:51,930 --> 00:43:53,196
And there's about
20 more valleys for me to
838
00:43:53,231 --> 00:43:54,831
explore out here.
839
00:43:54,866 --> 00:43:56,866
Jessie: Come wintertime,
it's gonna be unlimited what
840
00:43:56,901 --> 00:44:00,169
I can do with the
knowledge that I now have here.
841
00:44:01,339 --> 00:44:03,306
This has been an
incredible training trip.
842
00:44:03,341 --> 00:44:05,942
It's opened up so many
new doors for our training
843
00:44:05,977 --> 00:44:07,644
in the future.
844
00:44:07,679 --> 00:44:09,579
And the bond that
I have with these dogs,
845
00:44:09,614 --> 00:44:11,481
sitting up here,
above the clouds,
846
00:44:11,516 --> 00:44:14,017
like I've reached the
highest point I could ever
847
00:44:14,052 --> 00:44:15,718
reach in my life.
848
00:44:15,754 --> 00:44:18,187
I just don't even know how
it can get better than this.
849
00:44:20,792 --> 00:44:22,725
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