Alaska Twins Live Off the Land 150 Miles From the Nearest Store | National Geographic

Identical twins, Miki and Julie Collins have lived in the Alaska bush for more than 50 years. With their team of dogs, they run a hundred-mile trapline near Denali National Park, trapping mainly martin but also lynx, fox, mink, and occasionally wolves and wolverines. They're among the few people left in this area carrying on this difficult way of life. Now climate change may be bringing them new challenges.
Click here to read more about Denali National Park:
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VIDEOGRAPHER: Aaron Huey
EDITOR: Kathryn Carlson
SPECIAL THANKS: Julie and Miki Collins
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[@Ssargent888]

They are amazing women. I’ve met them. Literally a week ago. They are still out there going strong.

[@e.grieves2905]

I read about these ladies in Fur Fish and Game in the 1980's. I'm still just as impressed.

[@katzkatcher]

I first heard about these twins way back in the late 70's early 80's .. I always wondered how they were . It's good to see they are doing well & living the dream.

[@connorclements5444]

I happened to meet Julie at the airport this summer, she had a bummed hand or finger, was all wrapped up. She got it taken care of and was waiting for her flight to head back out to the bush. They are the real deal.

[@bungaloboynes]

incredible people to live like that for so long

[@cookiemonster-pq2vs]

We're are they from

[@nudetaynehatwobble]

Connor Clements I’d love to spend a few weeks with these ladies

[@D0RYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY]

ever since ive seen "into the wild" ive had this dream of dropping everything and living off the land in alaska. im sure its not easy and these reality shows probably embellish a bit but its something i hope to do in my lifetime. just want a small cabin, somewhere near civilization but still far enough that i can feel secluded a bit. i just really envy the lifestyle.

[@fishingfool1949]

I've never walked in their shoes, so I'm not going to judge them. I will say that I've never seen such happy dogs. Very healthy looking, probably good diets. They almost look like they're smiling.

[@MrTravisPug]

Jone Robbins Smiling from the size of their backyard.

[@williamwaha3193]

Not just the size of their yard , those dogs are full of omega 3's . Did you notice they feed the dogs fish everyday ? They also said everything they have comes from the land including food for our dogs . Those dogs eat the same diet as the very first domesticated dogs did at the beginning of time . No GMO's , zero grains , no Transmonosodiumanythingetates . Pure , Natural , Healthy and this makes the pooches Happy.

[@fernmolowitz1944]

Jone Robbins a

[@0LunarFlower0]

William Waha, not completely. In the winter when they don't have many fish they put some store bought dog food into the dog's food, and they also give the dogs dog treats to make them cooperate.

[@linettemater1886]

They are the coolest of all and will outlive most people today

[@chkngrl]

They have some of the best looking sled dogs I have seen in Alaska.

[@dmitri1222]

the straight tails suggest wolf hybreds

[@iamgeek759]

I thought they were huskies

[@dmitri1222]

Malamutes have a tail with a tight turn to stay out of the ropes and Huskies tails go straight up and then over their backs. I had a 28% wolf hybred and her dogs look at lot like my dead dog.

[@iamgeek759]

Dmitri Thank you for the info!

[@littlegoobie]

probably some kind of hybrid. they look big for malamute, so maybe some giant alaskan malamute in there, but they're also too small to be pure alaskans (80-100+lbs). I have 2 friends with dog yards up there who ran the big races and they both said that get big huskys if want hard pulling dogs with stamina but they're slow. Fast race dogs are generally mixed mutts, they'll have less power and go faster, but that doesn't mean they're cheap. An unproven puppy from a race winning team will cost thousands with no guarantees they'll be any good.

[@terryharleyrides6109]

True freedom comes from doing things yourself!

[@whataregoodpasswords]

True words indeed my friend!!

[@calvinhoward2407]

this vid should have been 3 hrs 42 mins long. I'm an old trapper down here in kentucky. God bless you

[@haleeeaton2828]

I'm also a trapper in Kentucky. Me and my wife are movinf from ky to Alaska next yr to start a trap line. I'm only 27 they are living my dream much respect to any trapper that does it the right way

[@aliceelizabeth3452]

I'm only 15 but that kind of life has been my goal for literally ages

[@ifonefan1147]

Literally

[@greenbastard7]

youre all disgusting

[@dabprod]

+Alice Elizabeth Then go for it Alice and enjoy your life to the fullest.

[@kieronleatherdale599]

im 15 too, drop your snapchat ygm

[@fbksfrank4]

Alice Elizabeth alone in the wilderness is a great show and book!

[@kelso_]

They are so inspirational! They are doing something many of us could never do and it's so cool. They aren't materialistic and that quality in a person is not easy to find these days.

[@TheWoodedBeardsman]

Tough life!

[@Dmitri300]

These ladies are real badasses. Respect.

[@dertythegrower]

+Afghan I am not a vegan or fur lover or whatever, they are badass... but i do not see their ignorance in why the martens died out. They ironically put the math right in front of us, they say ''we killed the most in the 90s, then in about 2001 they died out... we think it was the climate!" -- *uh no, it was definitely over hunting by fur traders, duh*. just like many animals before that went extinct in america, it was the fur traders out for profit. hah

[@lukedarrah3780]

+derty.QWERTY42°N amen

[@mytfy1]

+derty QWERTY These women are for real. The Discovery Channel should showcase their lives in the wild instead of the bullshit, scripted, Alaskan Bush People. Maybe it would be too inconvenient for their film crews to document REAL bush people because there are no hotels within 5 miles.

[@mytfy1]

***** Nature is entirely without emotion? Are you sure about your claim, or did you just throw that out there arbitrarily?

[@gregbrown8143]

You should attempt to get educated. That way you won't make a fool out of yourself.

[@SeahawkCustomsPc-qk2zn]

Some truly amazing women of the Alaska Bush. Every year my dad & grandfather would take me and my brothers hunting in there bush cabin outside of Fairbanks. Loved going every year. Now I'm going back but to stay just beautiful way to live.I wish these sisters had a full KZbin show would love to see more.

[@kristiwilkerson8947]

Good for you both ladies! Hope you are still at it 2020. Respect

[@naomibeery478]

Those dogs are beautiful

[@tannerholmes6192]

I have more respect for y’all then anyone els in the world! Believe it or not ladies I look up to y’all! Stay strong 💪🏽

[@shannmartin9361]

I bought their book Trapline Twins years ago, have read it cover to cover several times. Id love to live this lifestyle.

[@rendezvous5784]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing your lives all these years...

[@johnbalasa711]

Lady's hats of to you! You are the true survivors.

[@jamesgsmith5379]

Not many could live in the bush as long as you ladies.Hard but rewarding work - with only each other to rely on.Don't let the nay-sayers bother you.If their power went out they'd starve with a fridge full of food..!!!Good for you guys.I'm happy when I see people doing what they love.

[@0LunarFlower0]

They don't have a fridge. And they have friends around the lake to help them if they get in trouble. I am not trying to be a nay-sayer I am simply pointing something out. Thank you for being respectful of them. :)

[@N8tiveSon807]

Awesome ladies,as a native bushman much respect to them.

[@justzana3609]

Those dogs look happier than I am.

[@mcmolly2887]

My uncle had this old log cabin in the Tennessee smoky mountains we would go visit it was a beautiful and charming place to be, I wish to do that in my life again one day.

[@the.magnus]

These girls gonna survive well and long in an apocalypse compared to those mall ninja preppers that you see walking around with flash lights, pistols and survival packs strapped on every where they go lol

[@owen-nd7om]

They probably wont even know the world ended for the longest time lol

[@hakanaman2893]

Yes Boss! They are real survivors. Those you mean, they don`t understand what they are doing, at all. Totally ignorant.

[@alfbittner6489]

'm with you ladies I would rather explore a new forest than wait in line for 20min to get on a ride at some theme park. We are the same age and I have to say you gals are looking better. Love to visit and help with chores, never seen Alaska. We have deer in Australia, but those majestic moose and elk would be a sight to see. My daughter Montana real admires your way of life.

[@jdtv...9134]

I wanna know more about them! The bush life is amazingly rewarding..

[@JimBairdAdventurer]

“It’s humbling to think that we even know just a little bit”

[@isesise2658]

Makes you wonder how deep the natives insight went.

[@billtimmick112]

Amazing woman. Would love to live with them a year and soak up all their wisdom and knowledge.

[@cainotheconcernedcitizen5196]

Bill Timmick Let me know where I can sign up. OK? Thanks!

[@0LunarFlower0]

It would take more than a year to learn all they know. I still can't even tell them apart, and I visit them almost every year!

[@nuttidad]

Where does the line form

[@friendlyflow]

Wild nature has no more space left for all those people who live in a city and would like to live the same. It doesn´t provide sufficient means of subsistence. It´s a big privilege to be able and alowed to live this way.

[@stevevassallo4323]

Fantastic piece and...those are the luckiest sled dogs I’ve ever seen.

[@edzebrowski4445]

Please tell me how to start living this life. How did you guys start

[@savmitch1798]

How envious I am to be able to live like that. Much more rewarding than my manufacturing manager job.

[@doughunter3967]

hats off to these Ladies...God bless the good...doug

[@Mr_Scrooge]

AWW such sweet dogs

[@solsurfer1558]

This Is PURE Living 🙏

[@cliffwarmoth9070]

Great people! Their parents were awesome as well!

[@cbshomebizplane]

This is a great way of life, 1997 I had to leave Alaska and when I got down to the lower 48 my brother said welcome back to civilization I said what is civilized about it? I served in the army in Alaska I was on the HART team (high altitude rescue team) I have been all over Alaska two of my kids were born in Alaska I love Alaska just sad so much corruption has ended up there. I now live in eastern Oregon its the closest thing to living in Alaska. Don't condemn how people live in the woods of Alaska unless you know what your talking about as we that have lived that life know how to servive if no grocerys in a store we can servive off the land.

[@LostCaper]

Incredible.

[@loganpollock1689]

I have read their books, Trapline Twins and the book on sled dogs. They are truly Bush Alaskans and a rarity even in Alaska.

[@ImaMonaKnight]

Huge Respect.. thanks.. x

[@sing-a-ladies1658]

This concept reminds me of the KZbin channel Primitive Technology. I know the guy doesn't actually live in the wild, but I really enjoy the fact that he only uses materials from the earth like mankind was meant to.

[@henryhenry1013]

I'll say those are beautiful furs!!

[@faithfullps2530]

I really want to live like this

[@SeahawkCustomsPc-qk2zn]

I wish these amazing women had a show on TV or had a docimenty on one of the networks longer then.just few minutes.

[@hopeboman5265]

Thank you for sharing this about these two women. Life is interesting and it's great to know there are people living it the best way for them in the situations and lifestyles they have. More power to ya'll and Blessings from The Most High. Stay Safe.

[@chusinavan4131]

That's the best way of real life living.

[@angeloaquino418]

I'm ready to pack n go there knowledge is what should be taught in school survival !!!!

[@nudetaynehatwobble]

Governments have no interest in you surviving without them, and that’s why these skills are so rare.

[@mikek4443]

So happy I caught this clip, I remember reading about these two ladies back in the seventies in Field and Stream or Outdoor Life right after they inherited their trap line from an uncle I believe. it was their first season running the line. Over the years I have often wondered what had become of them.

[@mllg49g62]

THESE LADIES ARE REALLY WONDERFUL TO HEAR SINCE THEY HAVE LIVED A GOOD LIFE AND UNDERSTAND THE LAND MORE THAN SO MANY EVER HAVE !!! I WISH I COULD HAVE LIVED IN NATURE LIKE THAT ---- BUT I WAS TRAPPED IN THE CITY AND NEVER COULD!!! LIVING OFF THE LAND IS ALWAYS A DREAM AWAY FOR SO MANY!!! GOD BLESS BOTH OF THE LADIES THEY ARE DOING IT RIGHT FOR SURE!!!

Loving and Living LIFE ❤️💙 🙏😇 ❣️

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Wow! I would like to learn more about the twins ! Are they still in the bush trapping today in 2020?

[@sabrinarucker1663]

They are.

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

@@sabrinarucker1663 I wish they had a KZbin site !

[@lordbrucelondonuk7304]

Simply Beautiful

[@cookiecrumbles4024]

Been some years since I read of Miki and Julie but here they are.. needs a update on the twins...

[@royhoco5748]

I live on a isolated farm with little human contact but y'all got me topped by far

[@cyndifoore7743]

Wow! I have great admiration for these ladies.

[@joehoynik]

Why?

[@Bluearc101]

I've read many articles that these unique women wrote for FFG and I always found them fascinating. It's wonderful to put a face to those names.

[@dennisblackburn1673]

The trapline twins. I used to live across the lake from them. Really cool ladies. Lake Minchumina is a beautiful place. In Athabaskan, it means clear water.

[@evelasq1]

Strong ladies!

[@retiredreplicant.2195]

these two girls are living the dream of millions of people, including me.

[@johnmuckleroy]

I remember these girls when they were kids from the original "Mother Earth News".Wish they had a documentary on them.

[@richardhudak685]

IM A DAV IN A WHEELCHAIR N CANT WALK N if i could WALK a little better id move to ALASKA

[@cooperrosa]

Jade O 'Hara And thank God, you can’t. Imagine if everyone decides to kill as these morons do? Not a single wildlife animal will be left. They are already on a verge of extinction because of so many selfish, arrogant, cruel, cold hearted individuals. Such astonishing sense of entitlement is destroying this beautiful Planet and it’s precious species. Humans without empathy, compassion, morals, ethics and humanity are the cancer of any society ( civilized or not)!!!

[@happydays676]

Before I die I would love to spend a year in a place like this

[@ImaMonaKnight]

Thanks💎💘

[@jamesonehorse2289]

These gals are fantastic!

[@danielle5360]

P. S SO FUNNY HOW ALL THE DOGS COME RUNNING OUTTA THE CABIN AT THE END LIKE REAL SERIOUS, THEN OUT COMES THE LAST ONE WITH HIS FLOPPY EARS AND HIS DAFT LOVING LOOK ON HIS FACE AS IF HE'S SAYING..... "WHAT WHAT WHAT LADS" BUFF BUFF "WHAT'S GOING ON LADS" SOMEONE EAR "OR A WE GOING ON A RUN" WHAT EVER IT IS ITS SOOO EXCITING " HEHEHE BLESS IT HE'S SOO CUTE THE LAST ONE, THERE ALL BEAUTIFUL DOGS VERY HEALTHY AND VERY HAPPY, AND OBVIOUSLY EXTREAMLY LOVED TOO, BLESS THEM ALL❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@hS-nt6pr]

I have one husky mix, the amount of fur in the house just from her is tremendous. I cant imagine having a whole team of dogs fur inside 😂

[@tomparker8932]

I wouldn't have added "climate change" in this vid but you have to admire these gals subsisting in the wild and being comfortable with not only preserving the old ways but now involved in actual preservation of this environment.

[@sisenor4091]

No Walmart close by. Wow 😮!

[@nicholaslandolina]

They’re awesome

[@TheBonnieberry]

I want to know and see more about these gals....

[@madg620]

God bless these women I do this 1 day and im gone dead

[@mfatcat1978]

Go girls....well done

[@lilsargeokiedope2032]

Amazing I love it

[@cookiecrumbles4024]

Read Thier book loved it and recommend it to any whom are new to Alaska . Teehee as well related to some Collins from out of Arkansas wrote em emailed and all.. glad they are all still doing.hope they are still to day doing what they loved doing ..

[@ShawnieBoii21]

It's weird living in Alaska and seeing these videos.

[@ravenrage9541]

I'll bet they live a longer, healthier life than all of us, even though they are in a very dangerous and extreme environment.

[@ifonefan1147]

Is fur "murder" if you live in an environment in which the animals can kill an eat you back?

[@MuhammadEgypt]

+iFone Fan That's some good food for thought, really.

[@VixenAurora]

+iFone Fan It depends. Is the person trapped in that situation or are they able to move to an environment in which they can access vegan food and clothing?

[@cooperrosa]

+iFone Fan FUR IS MURDER... if you are the killer. Yo have choice the animals don't. All coldblooded "trappers" and self proclaimed "hunters" are serial killers! They don't kill because of starvation nor because their lives are in immediate danger. They kill for profits. And that it's self is EVIL. BTW wearing someone else's skin or fur only shows how ignorant, selfish, arrogant and disconnected some humans are from nature. No one needs to kill others for their fur and body parts in order to be warm, wealthy, healthy, look good, feel good and be happy. This is the 21-st century... not the medieval or stone age.

[@hebrews12.29]

+VeganButterfly fuckkkkk. What is wrong with your brain? What has ruined your logic? Why are you LIKE this lol.. >?? I LOVE animals. That doesn't mean I don't understand this video, or your vegan status. It's just that you're barking up dead trees.

[@hebrews12.29]

+cooperrosa They are subsistence living. Do you understand? Cos you seem pretty one sided and dumb about the whole thing.

[@coopsevy5664]

Very interesting thank you

[@hebrews12.29]

I love them! This is awesome. Kinda jealous too, always wanted an identical twin sis :D

[@danielle5360]

I COULD WATCH LISTEN AND LEARN, WATCHING HOW THESE LADIES LIVE OFF THE LAND WITH THER WONDER FULL DOGS TOO, FOR HOURS, DAYS WEEKS, AND NEVER GET BORD, AND ITS SO VERY VERY TRUE WHAT THE BOTH OF THEM HAVE TO SAY, NAT GEO MAKE LONGER PROGRAMS ON THESE TWO LADIES PLEASE ✌🏻✌🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rafterrafter5320]

Good for you girls,I really admire your resilience and dedication, keep on trapping!!!😉

[@mikeschumacher9715]

Wonder how long you will live this way? Will you be able to get to doctors and such? Intrigued.

[@deanguando1335]

Very impressive

[@partii3876]

Why do vegans always have to ruin the comment section

[@auntierae6273]

So tru

[@paulacawan]

+Code3response1010 lol no human body is designed to eat meat (teeth, digestive system).

[@hebrews12.29]

+Paula Baxter that's not actually true, read more scientific articles..

[@paulacawan]

+Jo Aldridge ok let me rephrase: human body is designed to eat both vegatables AND meat (hence why we're omnivorous).

[@hebrews12.29]

Paula Baxter thanks, I was hoping you realized that.. so .. you clearly aren't one of the crazies. I appreciate that. I don't like people killing for sport AT ALL. But subsistence living and/or living off the land in the sense that you don't kill anything that doesn't need killing is not ok. Females need iron, you can get it from green vegies, but I get anemia easily, and I don't think in certain environments I would be able to gain enough iron without eating meat. Protein is essential.. I wouldn't be alive today if my ancestors hadn't eaten meat. I prefer to eat fish over anything else, but I like to have some red meat at least once a month or two.

[@MuhammadEgypt]

They're like: Walk a mile in my shoes.

[@mojorising1]

I'd like to inherit those pups 💖

[@robingoswami2850]

Alaska ❄❄❄❄

[@brianralston1579]

Is there no regulations on trapping and hunting there ?

[@charlesmichael9188]

ALL of the dogs sleep in their tiny cabin with them? Jeeeez...the smell !

[@MrTravisPug]

Charles Michael I know right. Those poor dogs lol.

[@terryharleyrides6109]

Thank You For Sharing, it was wonderful, you girls and doing what many want too, remember we all care about you, live free!

[@christianjohansson5010-bear]

never seen anyone let their dogs into the cabin before .. nice

[@terrygmoodysr2212]

I think it's pretty awesome for 2 twins to be with nature and all its beauty. living off the land. peace and harmony. I give you both a 10. Your surveying and enjoying it all. I use to run trap lines when my children where growing up. firs don't shine like they use to. you go lady's of the frontiers

[@barbarajacobs9928]

NOW THEIR STORY SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LINE UP OF ALASKAN SHOWS..I WOULD LOVE TO WATCH ON A REGULAR BASIS..

[@fancyfreesee1977]

Kids, this is what should be called "Goals".

[@joehoynik]

Oh yeah, lets set a goal to kill, kill, kill for profit, as much as we can. Wow! Great example for kids

[@clarei8659]

Omg is all husky!

[@greglucero8714]

wow, I am very impressed.

[@babayagaX9000]

Me and my buddy are thinking of moving up to Alaska and living off the land.

[@michaelcampbell6327]

good for for you two.

[@GeirGJohnsendto]

Really amazing