Cutting & Hauling Logs in Winter | A Forest of Dead Trees

Eric fells beetle killed trees in the back forest for a future project at our remote cabin. We haul the logs with the help of our snowmachine and stock up on firewood. After all the hard work is done, we finish off the evening with pizza and a bonfire.
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[@ladyofthemasque]

All I can suggest for the back woods is what you probably already know: get some seeds or seedlings of native species that won't be as susceptible to the beetles, and spend a bit of spring/summer planting them. Not all at once, but for every tree taken down, maybe at most half a dozen? They'll compete, some will feed moose or deer, but eventually some will replace the felled trees, and help stabilize the soil of the hillside.

[@stephaniewilson3955]

Taking out the dead trees leaves space for the others to grow without intervention.

[@cinditaylor8576]

You two have the best clarity of picture and sound and the best presentation of all the channels we follow.

[@tulle7358]

💯 % agreed 😊

[@rowdybroomstick6394]

Suppose other folks use older models of go pro

[@kaylawright-farley212]

For sure!! I feel like sounds is almost like asmr!

[@stevek6921]

Really enjoy the 'no-narration' segments. Just you guys living life. We've always enjoyed your format and your content. Thanks!

[@M1NDCR4WL3R]

This channel is truly amazing

[@carolkantner1770]

You two compliment each other so well,it's so nice to see. I'm sure each of you know how lucky you are with that. I look forward to your videos. Thanks for letting us in part of your life 💜💜💜💜

[@sandrachristensen7282]

Glad you got the pizza in there near the end. Here I thought there was going to be a video of yours without food! Cutting down dead trees and hauling away the wood seems like a good project for late winter. Even though it looked like hard work, at least it was easier to do this time of year instead of in summer with all the mud. I love how you guys have no commercials in your videos. I think that is one reason they are so relaxing -- no annoying interruptions!

[@dospalmascb]

Here in the uk there are advertisements on this channel.

[@dennisguethe8296]

Was thinking exactly the same about the food, love these guys.

[@greeneyedgirlina]

You must have premium subscription, I had a few commercials during the video, here in Texas.

[@redherringbone]

Yup! Gotta have the food! This also would have been a great time for tomato soup and grilled cheese.

[@mollycoad5752]

They might mean that they have no in video sponsorships, often people have both ads and sponsorships as revenue streams but these guys are rarely (if ever) advertising something in video unless it was sent to them

[@MoobsAlwaysFumbles]

I love how they are doing this full time now, such quality content.

[@ronprince1478]

Hi guys, uses for tops and rotten timber. You can use the tops and brush to make charcoal, a 60 ltr drum inside a 200 ltd drum can be used to cook timber in the 60 ltr drum (turning it to charcoal) which is a very good smokeless fuel. The fire in the 200 ltr drum providing the cooking heat. Rotting timber is great to go into the bottom of raised garden beds and breaks down into excellent humus with lots of nutrients. I hope I don’t come over as a know it all, but some of these things I wish I knew myself a long time ago. I normally would not say anything but I respect and admire your enthusiasm towards your chosen lifestyle and each other. Pizza by a bonfire is also a good way to use brush to. To life.

[@joanneandrea7298]

Eric: "You have to keep the fire kinda small" Also Eric: "Those are twenty-foot flames!!" I absolutely love your guys' content... and honestly, I have to say I don't think I've seen a couple on youtube work harder than you two. I need a nap now.

[@sknap2728]

I was thinking the same thing about the fire!

[@cathymurphy7922]

Your squirrel beginning did attract my kittys interest😂😂

[@kevinnoland362]

That red sled is worth it's weight in gold!!

[@nancydavidson9896]

Beautiful video. Snow. Burning fire. Pizza and a a cuddle in the great outdoors. Life can't get better than this. Thanks for sharing. Spring squirrel noises are hilarious. They are driving my cats nuts as I started the video. Lol

[@lynsmith2698]

I was eating homemade pizza while watching this….and you two remind me of us when we were your age. What a great team you are. Even though we are probably 30years older than u now….We are still going out getting firewood and cutting lumber. It’s a great life. Thank you for sharing yours

[@dorothyallen3614]

Thank y’all for the forest preservation you are applying, those tops and limbs if left on the ground become fuel for any fire and gets extremely hot. That pizza looked yummy. I admire your work ethics and your admiration for each other. Be safe and much love for all humanity.

[@ninaarmstrong7744]

You guys are always inspiring me to go outside and do more…having that said tho today we finished our high tunnel and the next week it’s gonna be setting everything else up with soil and raised bed etc! I’m very excited to expand my garden! Sending many blessings to you guys and everyone I r he comment section 💗

[@karynplumm878]

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[@karynplumm878]

@@tinyalumbaugh3574 Hi, please could share more insight for someone who has been in the red for too long? Also I could use some referral, how do I reach the expert that assists you? Are they consistent?

[@karynplumm878]

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[@karynplumm878]

@@ninaarmstrong7744 Thank you so much Nina . i will go for Tiny suggestion

[@gunther13101]

I love how you take such good care of sweet Bo. Bandit definitely has more get up and go, so happy go lucky, but Bo has slowed down. So glad you include him and show him love. We had a golden retriever, Gunther, for almost 16 years…he was my baby.

[@peggyjean5530]

So nice to see you clean up your property after cutting down the dead trees for firewood.

[@tjs114]

If you have so many beetle kill trees that are complete losses, maybe think about renting a wood chipper if you don't already have one. Turn the trees into wood mulch and during the non-snow season put the wood chips down on your driveway and work paths. You could also turn it into compressed 'logs' for your wood stove.

[@dinahquillen9380]

Bandit looked "loose as a goose" running. So sweet and expected you didn't leave Bo out of the fun.

[@Gwenluvsmusic]

Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪 I love when you include footage of animals and birds.

[@marydanen5220]

I love watching your daily lives and always look forward to a new video. God bless❤

[@ezforsaken]

the hug at the end was the best

[@heraldoriviera3851]

Nice to know squirrels are so demanding everywhere, even in Alaska and not just my own back yard!

[@janetkoball44]

What a fast job. I wouldn't have thought about cutting trees all day in the very deep snow. You two really deserve a long comfy nights sleep. Thanks for sharing your exciting adventures with all of us.

[@tresteg77]

a friend of mine owns a couple properties, he cut down all standing dead wood. make firewood and lumber, properly stored, high and dry, it last forever basically. 1 in 5 or so he left to rot in the forest, but cut down to improve wild life and the biodiversity. but keeping it safe to walk in and to make sure no live trees got hurt. lastly make sure to plant some new trees, your property look good for softwoods like pine or some Scandinavian birch. Love from Sweden

[@flashflair]

I am just so blown away how hard working you are. I mean it’s just two of you maintaining that forest and after a long day of working you still had energy to cook and make pizza. Amazing!

[@annduffy1356]

Amazing what you can do with a little red sled and some ingenuity! Glad you’re both safe after such an arduous day! Enjoy your videos!

[@goddesstc]

That red sled was getting a lot of abuse and stood up well!

[@stagna1959]

Imagine doing all this work when people did not have chainsaws and snowmobiles. I actually have done this 40 years ago when crappy Soviet chainsaw broke down and me and my father had to fell 100 cubic meters of wood with 2 man saw and regular axe. But we managed to do that and cottage on the bank of the river we built with that wood still stands even though we sold it to new owner decades ago.. Keep up good work and I am glad you have better equipment and tools nowadays.

[@janetkoball44]

What a blessing. I know it took a whole lot of hard work to get all that meat in the freezer but sure was worth it. Enjoyed the video. Thanks

[@Kare1949]

I am impressed how Eric is always able to fix broken down machines etc

[@RatdogDRB]

Bo knows... Bandit's ready !! Lots of hard work accomplished there. Nice team work you two. That red sled is a tough little bugger. And, the pizza looked too good. That hit the spot after a hard day's work.

[@andreasm1317]

Eric and Arielle, it is great to see your stewardship of the land. Your lived values are truly impressive. Peace.

[@wg146]

We always loved getting wood and burning the brush piles. Glad to see you two doing the same thing.

[@jrmoxford]

The hug by the campfire at the end was the best!

[@DannyCreech]

Arielle, BEST ENDING EVER!!! Love seeing the bond you and Eric have. You two are a great couple.

[@user-qb4ex8mh5h]

My family and I look forward to your videos each week. Love the great content as always, keep it up! Thank you so much for sharing so much of your life with us.

[@kenshores9900]

When you burn the spruce do you get much creosote and tar buildup in your flue.

[@kenshores9900]

Do you have access to much hard wood fire wood?

[@mvk3727]

Wow that red sled can take a beating!

[@staceyhazelett2397]

It's alot of hard work, yet you make it look simple with a smile in place! Getting that wood while the snow is still down was genius!🤗💪

[@shirleywilliams7027]

I want to thank you for all the wonderful videos that you put out especially love the ones when your garden starts coming in I used to have a garden but now I live in an apartment I miss it so much just wanted to say thank you

[@pamelastreetman7260]

Get yourself a green stalk and grow some food 😋

[@eilishiwish4134]

As a commenter said, quality content..... no click bait thumbnails.. true Alaskans living their best life. A wholesome life!

[@dominickriegle8447]

Hauling the wood with the Skandic over snow work so much better than trying to lay logs down in the mud to try to get traction, great thinking! Damn I can't believe how deep that snow was back there, the Arielle stepped in almost looked like a yote den. When Eric was back there with the Skandic going forward, reverse, forward.....that totally did remind me of Austin Powers in that damn golf cart....LMAO!!!! Nice rewarding, hard working day right there!!!

[@bradtatro8718]

Always Feelin' The Love On Your Vlogs.......Loves To You Two & The Pups...Bandit & Bo..The Best !!!

[@lindabryant137]

This is my favorite channel... Ariel & Eric😘😘😘

[@shelley7975]

You made my day! This is what life should look like. Lots of teamwork, and hugs at the end. Thank you!

[@mikelewis7878]

My wife grew up in Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Her Dad told stories of the days when the lumberjacks were in the area around 1890 to 1900 and were clear cutting the White Pine forests. The lumberjacks would cut wood in the winter then haul it on large sledges. The summer was much like your property and boggy in the spring through fall. Moving the logs on snow in the winter was much easier as you are finding out

[@ColoringGoatlover913]

Oh my goodness....I am tired just watching you! BUT this is what we have lost sight of....good, hard physical work like our fore fathers. Good job you two. I am sure you were powerfully hungry ea day you were done for the day. You know with the luming problems of this present day world you will be fine as you know how to be mostly self sufficient! Blessings

[@rodewerk5034]

Omygoodness! Buy some snap ring pliers! Thank you for the video.

[@smithfamilyhomestead1515]

Big happy dog watching the work being done like it was a union shop!! Cheers from the great state of Arkansas!!

[@cathymiller5540]

Your smiles tell the story! Thank you for sharing your smiles!

[@Maxid1]

As a kid I lived on the east coast near the Vermont border (to give you a weather reference). With all the time I logged on a snowmobile, I never spent one second working while doing so. Probably because I never owned one. Snowmobiles are like kids, they're great fun to play with but at the end of the day, giving them back to their owners is the best way to experience them... I'm kidding, a little. But that's totally true of snowmobiles, and most motorboats.

[@kathrynhelm4176]

Wow! You sure have a load of snow still. That was a lot of wood gathering and that sled sure can take the abuse. Sweet Bo loved the ride with his Dad. Always good to see what you two are up to. 👍🥰❤️

[@rebeccawellington-bakst1382]

That squirrel in the intro really got my dogs interested 😄

[@bertpons6500]

I keep those smaller diameter stems for fire wood, since you don't have to split them, just the thinner branches go on the burn pile.

[@stevezyzzygowski52]

A side benefit to logging is the weighted sled helps groom your trails.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Yes we have a great trail now :)

[@janetpaulsen195]

Every time you are doing dangerous stuff I remind myself that you posted the video so nothing bad happens.!!!! You made it out alive. 🥰

[@nancycowan6109]

What a team! After that hard day of work, I didn’t expect pizza at the end. Amazing. ❤️

[@ruthiemay423]

MOOSE pizza... 😋😋😋

[@ruthiemay423]

@@agnesskibicka You speak very good English! 😊😊😊

[@mikec7160]

Thank you for sharing your day I always look forward to them yall are such hard workers ❤ and your eye for beauty never disappoint

[@debrapratt4529]

you are two people who can do anything I really enjoy watching the two of you work together, that is a very good quality, never stop the video's

[@mrs.couragetochange7152]

You know I think you guys are just so awesome I love how you try new and different things you're not a bunch of giggly people but you guys know how to experiment with growing your seeds every year and the things you ca n up and all the fermenting you guys do you both are so educational y'all do so much it's just so awesome to see you guys in action I think you're one of my favorites

[@aturnerw]

Watching you guys wears me out!! Hopefully you sleep well after all the work you do!

[@bobdown6235]

Eric, get yourself a set of external circlip pliers for removing and replacing those retaining clips on the drive shaft. Banging them on and off with a screwdriver you'll end up scoring the shaft. they come in straight or bent nose. Always handy to have in your tool kit. You can also get them for removing internal circlips.

[@goranbreskic4304]

I have no idea what you just said, but I love this type of comment. So beautifully practical.

[@bobdown6235]

@@goranbreskic4304 haha... I spent over 20 years in an engineering trade. I see someone struggle a bit to do a job, when it's much easier to have correct tool, usually a simple and inexpensive tool.

[@crushalaska7373]

I use an over sized socket to re install rings

[@CresswellTim]

I was thinking the same thing as my mechanical sympathy kicked in. Lol.😬

[@stevefrazier2214]

“Punky” is the term for the beginning stages of rotting wood. Super fun to watch this as an arborist/farmer/snowmobiler/winter lover…

[@donnamullins2089]

Hard job today. Little sled made quick work of bringing home the wood. Nice bonfire. Pizza sure did look wonderful.

[@ioanagherman5952]

GOD protect you guys, please be safe when you do this kind of work. It so sad to see how many dead tree you have, take years to have a mature ones. Love your videos, Alaska is a beautiful place, love summer ( maybe because I getting old and like warm weather, ha,ha,).

[@georgevangordon9728]

Brush piles in the woods also makes real good habitat for rabbits. It gives them shelter and protection from predators.. unless there is a reason for taking the time to drag it out I would just make big piles in the woods. Just a thought .. it’s a lot of extra work unless you just want the fires

[@tobbiemoody7040]

I enjoy your videos so much i call you guys my friends in Alaska thank you and you'll my favorite ❤ 💕 💗

[@lindapetersen1800]

Have been Praying for You don't know how close your to the Russian Border line but have been Praying for YOU BOTH and the puppies !!! I love what YOU BOTH DO here on this channel!!! It is the one video that I have watched that does come across the CLEAREST AND AUDIO BEST TOGETHER !!!

[@toddshepard3592]

Ariel: "Did you get whacked?" Eric: "Yeah" Great video! The ending was great especially bringing the "Old Man" to the party in his own limo. Thanks for the upload!

[@sofialeon5547]

You truly inspire me to go and try this lifestyle!!! Living and working for me and no others!!

[@rayefox6258]

All that work, pausing to get fantastic shots! Thanks kindly for for that

[@nikoreallytlovesme]

Wow that’s a lot of hard work with a great ending pizza 🍕 😀👍

[@goddesstc]

Looked like a fire and smoke tornado coming out of the top. Watching fires burn is addictive.

[@caycebrooke5754]

The quality of these videos is just *chef’s kiss*

[@jrt2067]

Still amazes me how well you two work together. Just a word of advice to Arielle, yell “look out” before you toss the log section down the hill, not after

[@elainem9909]

😁

[@lenak.2041]

The best part of every video is when Ariel cooks

[@tomasisp]

One of the best parts. Love when you work with wood

[@shirleylindsay5586]

The best part was at the very end. You two hugging.

[@roseannejacquette9347]

I can’t believe how well you two work together. Such a dynamic pair.

[@joebacarella2829]

There`s always work to be done in Alaska it seems, what a duo the two of you are, boy that skandic is a real work horse., that is one heavy duty plastic sled you have there, a real time saver, it sure is easier to float those logs over the snow. I knew there would be a meal at the end, I could pay $25 for a pizza, and not get anything close to that beauty Ariel made, It looked like it was cooked to perfection, we all just love your videos, keep em coming, thanks for sharing your adventures with us, all the best to ya both. Eric it was kind of funny, Ariel throwing those big chunks of wood at you, watch out she says, you guys are the best, following along from U.S.A. Michigan.

[@mamabairds]

That's a pretty sturdy sled! Oh my gosh, when she said look out and he flinched! Haha! That's totally me and my husband. I always throw things way before he is ready and now he flinches every time I say it! Haha! That was a hard couple of days for you guys and you did wonderful!! I know it isn't the easiest always have to record and film everything you do but we truly appreciate it and just love your content!

[@joharmon2148]

Hard work but its good to get rid of all that dead beetle kill. Then nice home made pizza and a camp fire!

[@pathardin7580]

Love the wildlife and also like the high/low temps, sunrise/sunset at the start of video.

[@sallyhostetter2820]

Hard days work, bonfire, pizza. Wow!!

[@tessie652001]

Boy don’t tick Ariel off while logging hahaha she can whip that wood lol . Love watching you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏 GODBLESS you 2

[@hartiaacres]

The intro had the dogs perked up. We have the same squirrels here in BC.We have a dozen or so similar sized trees to fall. Starting to stock pile the timber for future milling projects. Snow is a great time to drag out logs. The tress are so much cleaner .Gotta give you guys credit. It's not easy working in deep snow all day. We still are knee deep to mid thigh in the trees. We spent 2 days crawling thru it. Thinning the under growth to get to the big trees.It beats one up, it,s all gonna be worth it though. We are clearing for our cabin build. All wood is being repurposed. Timber , fire wood, fence posts , and the ash is being spread around the yard after we burn the branches and such.

[@moonstoneway2694]

What a nice couple of days' work! I always work-up quite an appetite watching you work so hard. Feels like I'm burning the calories too. Pretty sure that Bo is one of my soulmates. 💗 Thanks for sharing.

[@kenboisvert7154]

Now that is a FIRE! I'm jealous...you two have such a great life and make such a perfect team. Enjoy

[@pjreynoldsa1]

I have stopped in to most of the off the grid vlogs, and I keep coming back to you guys.................

[@Angela152half]

Sweet Bo is my spirit animal

[@thesounknown]

Riding up with “the old man” in your lap made me laugh so hard! Love it hahaha.

[@nobracobra]

the lil red sled that could... yall make my day... tyfs

[@lesleyyoung5730]

😄Anybody else see a problem when he said "I need 8ft long boards..." then shows 6ft long toboggan? 😆😉Love you guys

[@joeyhardin1288]

Austin Powers, cracked me up! God Bless and stay safe.

[@karengladys2011]

Love to watch you both! You are a team together! I will not miss one video of yours, they are that good!👍❤️💙

[@sgrvtl7183]

LOVE the snow scenes! it is a lot of hard work taking care of your forest on your land, but it also looks like a lot of fun on the snow with snow machine!

[@joyceprice7369]

Just loved the hug at the end.... perfect finish for a great vid.

[@macattack2275]

I'm exhausted watching this!!! 😲😮

[@terrimaggard8637]

I absolutely love your videos. I only found you a couple of weeks ago and I've been Bing watching you. Love the lifestyle your living and if I were younger would love to live in Alaska. Love how you guys work together and show excellent teamwork. Thanks for showing us your life.

[@bigwallyhdfb]

You two work ethic is crazy love watching you all

[@susanapplegate9758]

I wish you guys could’ve seen the lovely green spruce here in the 70s on all the hills from Homer thru Anch and all points north. They knew the beetle kill was coming…you could see the marks on the trees they were studying. But it was so so green. Maybe in a hundred years it’ll be green again.

[@Mocking69]

It's a wonderful dead tree recovery process ♪

[@svoctopus4888]

Looked like fun. And a little, bio-char for the garden doesn't hurt.