With snow still heavy on the ground, I made a trip out to the property on Saturday, March 20 with my girlfriend’s neighbor, Scott. He was eager to assist in hauling out windows and interested to see how things were taking shape at the cabin. Of course, I hadn’t been out since the previous October, [...]
Tags: alaska, cabin, sled, snowmabile, snowmachine, windows, winter
Oct 11
I had the good fortune of having help to haul lumber out to the cabin in the fall. Charles Wood insisted he could grab a couple of pals, load up their vehicles and make a quick, easy run out to the cabin with building materials. Charles had a six wheeler, and the other two had [...]
This had to be the most eventful trip to the property I’ve had to date. I arrived to the parking lot late on September 17 after picking up lumber from Spenard Builder Supply, unloading and loading at my boss’s brother’s place in Trapper Creek, loading up ATV and getting fuel. Then, as usual, I had [...]
Tags: alaska, atv, cabin, come-a-long, denali, lumber, stove, trailer, winch, wood
Jun 30
I’ve got windows! What a good feeling. Last night I received a text from my boss, John, which instructed me on the whereabouts of a “goldmine” of free windows. I quickly jumped in the car and went prospecting. the location was a window shop that puts their customers old windows out at the street weekly [...]
Tags: alaska, backcountry, Building, cabin, remote, wilderness, windows
Jun 28
If anyone in the vicinity of Anchorage has any of the following items, please let me know. Funds are limited, but when necessary a purchase price or trade can be discussed. Chainsaw Tin roofing Lumber (dimensional, 2x6x8 or 9, decking, ) Trailer – large enough to haul an ATV with lumber Small ATV trailer for [...]
Power tools can really improve the progress of your cabin project. Unfortunately, in the backcountry they also provide some logistical issues. Standard power tools that require a power outlet will need to be accompanied by a generator. That also means fuel. Now you’ve increased your expenses, your loads to the property, and have to listen [...]
Tags: alaska, batteries, battery, cabin, construction, electric, lithium ion, milwaukee, portable, remote, tools
Jun 28
If you’re interested in building a cabin, don’t make the mistake of starting the task without securing the proper equipment. Keep in mind, having the proper tools is one thing. Knowing how to use those tools, now that’s what’s important. It will help greatly if you have a bit of skill and practice to back [...]
Tags: backcountry, build, Building, cabin, construction, tools
The moment of truth! I had lumber staged at the property, some new tools and construction hardware loaded up in the car, and a burning desire to build. It had been roughly a year and four months since I bought the property, and time had flown by without any construction progress; although, it’s not as [...]
Tags: alaska, beam, built, cabin, floor, foundation, osb, post
I decided to walk through my community in Anchorage last Saturday to visit some garage sales on the hunt for cabin stuff. Anyway, the one big item that I knew I needed most? A ladder, something like an 18 to 20 foot extension. Slim chance to find that, right? So, with $100 in my pocket, one of the [...]
Tags: garage sale, ladder, materials, purchasing, supplies
It was finally spring, and I had work on my mind. No, not magazine work and writing, nor web design or anything I do to make a buck; I’m talking about construction. I was itching for that first strike of my new hammer to a nail, feeling my saw rip through some lumber and watching [...]
Tags: alaska, cabin, concrete, denali, footers, lumber, outhouse, rainbow, sunset, trout, wood