Alone in the Wilderness - the story of Dick Proenneke
Dick Proenneke searching for a cabin site

 

Dick Proenneke retired from his diesel machanic career in 1967. He spent that summer exploring the Twin Lakes region looking for the ideal site to build a cabin and cutting logs that he would use the next year.

Dick Proenneke returned to Twin Lakes on May 21, 1968 and began turning the raw logs into his cabin. He stayed in Spike's cabin during the construction.

Dick Proenneke built his cabin using only hand tools, no backhoes, no chainsaws, no electric drill, just hand powered tools. Dick even made many of his tools himself.

Dick's cabin measured 11' by 14'. It had a gravel floor, windows, a dutch door, a fireplace, and a moss covered waterproof roof. He had to build all his own furniture too, chairs, tables, desk and his bunk. He also built a cache to store his food out of the reach of the animals.

Dick Proenneke notching logs for the cabin walls
 
Dick Proenneke trimming the cabin wall logs
     
Dick Proenneke cutting windows
 
Dick Proenneke's tools
     
Dick Proenneke collected straight tree trunks for the roof
 
Dick Proenneke attaching the roof
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