Life on a REMOTE ALASKAN ISLAND in the North Pacific (Exploring Unalaska & Dutch Harbor, Alaska)

[@DrifterDave]

Want to win a postcard from Dutch Harbor/Unalaska? Enter the draw using the link below! forms.gle/f8Fsoyt4Z8BheVTJ6

[@AKvitanova]

I've been in a remote village in the Alaskan interior for about 7 months. In August, I'm going to one of the Aleutian Islands to teach. I am happy to have found this vlog. I think Alaska is my favorite state, too. 😊

[@DrifterDave]

I'm glad you stumbled upon this vlog and I hope you have the most amazing time out in the Aleutians! Such a lovely part of the world.

[@EnlistedBombin]

What Island I commercial fished yup there until 2022, crabs all gone im gone lol. Akutan is way more remote then Dutch/Unalaska thats why trident is building a Giant new plant over in near the pot yards in Dutch.

[@AKvitanova]

@@EnlistedBombin Umnak

[@nualaseamus]

Where in the interior - I was in Anvik before I came to Unalaska. You'll love the Aleutians.

[@DrifterDave]

I would love to visit Anvik!

[@nualaseamus]

I'm a teacher here in Unalaska and it was cool seeing this. Unalaska is an amazingly beautiful place.

[@DrifterDave]

Amazing! You're lucky to be able to live and work in such a beautiful part of the state. Thanks for having me in town!

[@jeromejohns.llagaspianist1225]

I’m a teacher in Arizona, I have a Co teacher in the Philippines coming to Unalaska this August. Praying for her success as she shares her teaching career in Unalaska..

[@nualaseamus]

@@jeromejohns.llagaspianist1225 She will probably enjoy her time. We have a large Philippine population, so lots of support. It's expensive here, but beautiful. We have a very supportive community and administration.

[@jeromejohns.llagaspianist1225]

@@nualaseamus happy to hear that…

[@DrifterDave]

Awesome! I hope she has a great experience up there - the schools are EXCELLENT!

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

Absolutely beautiful remote destination with a rich history. Thank you to all the sponsors for helping make this documentary possible.

[@DrifterDave]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@theophilosmantzanas9203]

Thank you, I am convinced to see Unalaska when I retire.

[@DrifterDave]

You should! Definitely an incredible island that's well worth visiting!

[@Tuberuser187]

In geographical terms the Aleutian Islands remind me of places I have visited in the North Atlantic like the Faroe Islands and Iceland, for obvious reasons and is just as gorgeous.

[@DrifterDave]

I totally agree! I felt like I was right back in the Faroes 👍

[@aquaman461]

Wow what a flashback. I lived in "Dutch" in 97 and worked at the Grand Alutian. I still dram about my time there...its a magical place. Awesome video thanks...new sub

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for the kind words! It's a beautiful island - one of my favourite places in the USA 👍 Glad that I could bring you back there!

[@noneyabizz27]

Ive lived here for 3yrs now everyday is so beautiful.. it's seriously like living in a painting. The wildlife and nature is so raw it's incredibly breathtaking

[@DrifterDave]

I completely agree! Absolutely amazing island 😎

[@NPIslander]

I am from Atka, Central Aleutians and my grandmother was from Unalasxix^ and my other grandmother was from Attu. The Attuans were prisoners of war in Japan where 40% of the population died

[@DrifterDave]

Such a sad story!

[@joshuachurch100]

Man the wife just stumbled onto you channel to your channel this evening and I've now been watching for 3 hours. Growing up in Alaska and traveling all over the state for recreation and work, these videos take me right back. I absolutely love your style of travel vlog. I have been to 87 countries myself for work and never really had the courage to put myself out in youtube videos like you have. Kudos to you. Keep it up, you definitely have a new life long follower ❤

[@joshuachurch100]

Side note. I have been to dijibouti and had a very similar experience when I was walking around by myself and I wasn't even making a youtube just taking some photos for my wife.

[@DrifterDave]

Thanks so much for the kind words, and welcome to the channel! I’ll have more Alaska content coming out over the next couple of years as it’s my favourite state in the union 👍 Glad that I was able to help bring back some memories for you!

[@DrifterDave]

PS - as for vlogging, if you think you’d like it - DO IT. It’s a lot less intimidating once you get started. It’s a lot of work, though, but if you maintain realistic expectations and only do is so much as you enjoy it, then it’s a lot of fun. And as for being camera shy - that fades quickly! Viewers on KZbin are by and large always friendly, as KZbin filters out the trolls quite quickly. Give it a shot! You might end up loving it 😎

[@DrifterDave]

@@joshuachurch100 It’s a horrible place! I don’t think I’ll ever go back. And as that video went viral, I’m sure they know me there and would make my life difficult if I ever did return. I regret not getting out of the city to see the Death Valley-like landscapes, though!

[@ciphermitarai]

This is really useful because I’m writing some characters who come from there. Thank you!

[@DrifterDave]

@@ciphermitarai You’re more than welcome!!

[@therincrauthers3026]

Thanks for this!! I grew up in Dutch, great to see some of my hometown 😁

[@DrifterDave]

You're more than welcome! I wish more people had the chance to experience all that it has to offer. It's definitely off the beaten path when it comes to tourism.

[@graceldaalfaro1128]

Wow,,awesome and amazing place..Enjoy and have fun your adventure,Thanks for sharing it..Keep safe always..God bless.

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😎

[@vrenerlh.3496]

Ohhh wow ❤ i have booked next year. I m traveling alone. Have you some tips for me? 😊

[@DrifterDave]

@@vrenerlh.3496 Definitely hit up the visitor centre for as much information as you can! Katherine is a great resource and she would love to meet you! Such a beautiful island and I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute of it 👍

[@kenmaxwell9435]

Brings back memories of being there

[@DrifterDave]

I’m glad! It’s a beautiful part of the world 👍

[@darylkik777]

A WW2 buff who was clueless about this history. A proud veteran who is ashamed of the treatment to these people and the US Japanese Internment Camps. Lets not forget to offer the help they were denied so long ago. Let us (US) not forget or repeat. New subscriber and video two so far.❤

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for checking out my channel! I appreciate your kind words. And if it makes you feel any better, I am a Social Studies / History teacher and even I was ignorant about the war in the Aleutians. I knew of the battle for the Pacific in the generalist sense - Pearl Harbour, Okinama, Guadalcanal - but only learned about the Aleutian campaign through my visit to this beautiful region. So much history there...

[@J.Rizza.]

Incredible video man, I found this video accidentally by searching for the wrong place and I watched the whole video. Such a beautiful part of the world I'd never get to see otherwise. Subbed!

[@DrifterDave]

@@J.Rizza. Thank you for the kind words!! Definitely one of the nicest places in the USA 👌 Thanks for subbing!

[@jrr1lp]

Wonderfully done video and an amazing place. It really makes it tempting to go!

[@DrifterDave]

Thanks for checking out Dutch Harbor, JR! It was great to meet you in Dallas yesterday. I hope you do get to visit the Aleutians someday - definitely one of Alaska's most fascinating islands. Want to blow your mind? Check out my video of Adak Island as well. Cheers!

[@shakarihughes]

I’m here now! Dutch is truly one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen It’s so unreal in the summer. It’s a rare gem so if you ever get the option to come please do! You won’t regret it

[@DrifterDave]

I absolutely agree! One of the world's most beautiful natural settings & rich in culture & history.

[@justingaskins3440]

My friemd just moved out there 😂 and now im curious thanks for vid

[@DrifterDave]

@@justingaskins3440 You’re very welcome! Pro tip: GO VISIT YOUR FRIEND! You won’t regret it

[@AngieHarding-k5j]

What a beautiful place to go and get away from the world ...some peace and quiet ... Take some good books ... Nice walks in nature ... Im seriously of thinking of visiting...

[@DrifterDave]

Do it!! Beautiful place 👌

[@austinmichaels4233]

Love your video! I used to work on Akutan which is the island just east of Dutch. Took 5 planes and a 15 minute helicopter, or 4 planes and a 5 hour boat ride, to get to the island. Regarding phones, they had a card one could get with any phone servive, ( i had verizon at the time), and piggyback that service for data and phone calls. For younger people with a sense of adventure there are seasonal and year round jobs that will fly you out for several months of 12 hour long, 7 day work weeks working all kinds of engineering and mechanical, data, seafood processing and canning all along islands of the Alaska coast and the many boats that fish its waters. Islands and boats are all powered by diesel generators that need technicians to run around the clock and also the fuel systems, heat exchangers run by huge saltwater pumps to keep the generators cool, electricians, carpenters, forklift and crane operators and plenty of kitchen work. Lots of metal to degrade over and over again in the harsh salt air and high winds so welding happens year round. Pay and accommodations are usually crap but it gets you out into the world into some great paying trades and you can network some great, or at least interesting, people. Just follow the "work in Alaska" rabbit hole goggle search..... Oh, you can get stuck, on any Aleutian island, for up to a week waiting on weather or volcano plumes to change direction. So keep this in mind when traveling on your own dime.....you may need several extra days accommodations and food.

[@DrifterDave]

That’s amazing! Thanks for sharing your experiences & tips regarding local employment - it definitely has a 'boom town' feel, with so many seasonal and/or shift workers coming to and from the island. I'd imagine the salaries are fairly attractive, given its remoteness. Definitely quite the adventure, though probably not for everyone! Check out my video of Adak Island if you'd like to see more content from the Aleutians! Cheers 😎

[@AngryBirdsFiddleMessery]

Just found your channel and loving the content. Keep it up! Glad to see a Canadian doing this and getting recognition.

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content. 🙏

[@ericmutwiri2522]

Great fan of of you from Kenya . love your videos

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you, Eric! I appreciate the kind words.

[@ewanstevenson]

22:07 'A complete seal'. Seal fur, seal skin, seal guts: you're not far off the mark! 🙃

[@DrifterDave]

@@ewanstevenson I meant seal as in tightly sealed, but you’re also not wrong! 😃

[@jimgreen5788]

Dave, this is really an interesting video, which I just happened to stumble across. I'm now at the point in the video where your toured the Unangan underground house. This reminded me of my once-in-a-lifetime trip I took in '87, during which one of my stops was Coober Pedy, located south of Alice Springs, in Australia's Outback. There, just like here, they live underground, but for the purpose of avoiding the heat rather than the cold. Referring to the radio time: I've been to 56 countries and territories. Unfortunately, Calgary is the 1 major Canadian city I've not visited.

[@DrifterDave]

Very interesting! Never been to Coober Pedy but that's totally understandable, if the heat in the Uluru area was any indication. You're always welcome here in Calgary! Cheers.

[@Событияфакты]

In the year 91, a friend of mine entered Dach Harbor on Alexander's yacht... he came from Bering Island and was fascinated by these places...

[@DrifterDave]

They are fascinating places! Was your friend from Russia?

[@Событияфакты]

@@DrifterDave Yes Russia... Commander Islands...kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYSZf4BpmseJqdk

[@DrifterDave]

Amazing! I'll check out the video 👍😎

[@nancybethkimble641]

Fr Timothy and Matushka Elisabeth Kolb (the priest who gave the tour of the Orthodox cathedral) are beloved by many here in Pennsylvania. Enjoyed being able to get a tour of their island home with your video! Unrelated to Fr Timothy . . . I didn't see any trees in your film. Are there any? If not, I wonder what the island's primary heat source is. Do you know?

[@DrifterDave]

Father Timothy is a really nice person, and I was happy to meet him. It's such a small world! No, there are no trees on Unalaska Island, but due to it being an ice-free port, they have year-round fuel delivery and I believe most homes are heated with heating oil. It's actually much further south than you might realize (I sure didn't!) - it's at the same latitude as Edmonton in Canada or just a bit further north than London England, much farther south than the rest of the state!

[@nancybethkimble641]

@@DrifterDave I'm happy you were able to meet Fr Timothy too 🥰Because I didn't see any trees, I assumed there weren't any but thank you for the confirmation. And I didn't know Unalaska was an ice-free port. Fuel oil makes sense then. You've satisfied my curiosity!

[@DrifterDave]

@@nancybethkimble641 It’s definitely a fascinating place! 😃

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

@@nancybethkimble641 Trees are not native to the Aleutian islands due to it's biome being tundra (not hospitable for tree growth).

[@4dojo]

Would love to visit.

[@DrifterDave]

You definitely should! It's an amazing island 👍

[@frankflstf]

I totally admire and envy you what a beautiful life bro great show love all your content 💪🔥🐐

[@DrifterDave]

Thanks for the kind words 👍

[@nicky914]

Awesome drifter Dave!

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you!!

[@adimeter]

I learn so much on your videos. And I get to enjoy the beauty. Now I'm off to try and find you in Djibouti! Thank you.

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for the kind words!! I hope you continue to enjoy the content 😎

[@adimeter]

@@DrifterDave Oh yesss I will😊💯

[@richardnone5644]

not one tree wow this is not a place i would ever visit because of the cold weather and remoteness but it is very interesting part of the USA thank you for the video richard in the tropics

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for the kind words! Check out my other video from the Aleutian Islands as well, where I take you to the abandoned military base of Adak Island. Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX-7p6OGlrl_jtk

[@EnlistedBombin]

GCI and NON-Prepaid ATT work in dutch when I left in 22 it was still a wooping 2G speeds lol There not 6x6 silly lady they vary 7x7 and I used all 8x8 on the FV Pavlof. I swear to god me and my buddy Ty used to get drunk in that bomb crater our boat would offload right there :D. I did ship yard on the American Lady and fished on its sister the Aluetian Lady. That buffet is one of the best, so is the sushi place at the harbor. The rat has really good cheese burgers and they USED TO have a shack out back with a bunch Male genitals drawn on the inside.

[@DrifterDave]

Interesting! There was no cell signal on my Canadian SIM, which works literally everywhere else on the planet 🤷‍♂️

[@stocktonca6586]

I hiked up Mt Ballyhoo and Bunker Hill I use to work at Westward Seafoods there

[@DrifterDave]

awesome!!

[@camilospolskawschodkowal7704]

There are a lot of blueberries in the forests in Poland in July - summer. people sell at fairs in larger, smaller cities in 2024, and in Poland it is USD 5 per 1 liter. The most expensive place in the capital is Warsaw Gdansk, where prices can be higher, e.g. over USD 12.

[@DrifterDave]

That's crazy expensive!!

[@mikemihalis8341]

I’m headed here soon to work on a fishing boat

[@DrifterDave]

It's an amazing island & a GREAT community. I'm sure you'll enjoy every minute of your time landside.

[@KelleyGTedd]

Ravn has since pulled out of numerous Alaskan airports, including Dutch Harbor. Alutian Airways and charter flights with Grant Aviation are the current options in flying to beautiful Dutch Harbor!

[@DrifterDave]

That's definitely disappointing to hear! They definitely were generous in bringing me to Dutch Harbour and back free of charge. I was very grateful for the sponsorship as it would have been prohibitively expensive to undertake this project otherwise. They will be missed!

[@veronicalovescharrys9680]

Hi im mya and you met me and my class I'm from unalaska and I was born in unalaska

[@DrifterDave]

Awesome! Thanks for having me - say hello to your classmates for me 👋😎

[@mireally]

There were military campaigns on both Kiska and Attu island - not just Unmak Island/Dutch Harbor.

[@DrifterDave]

@@mireally Correct 👍

[@irenioriggle706]

Where is the hot/warm spring around summer bay? Is it just south of the lake?

[@DrifterDave]

@@irenioriggle706 I’m not too sure - can someone from Unalaska chime in and help? 🙏

[@NormanSilv]

In WWII my uncle flew P-38's out of Duitch Harbor on the Aleutians campaign. He told me landing on an airstrip covered with water was NOT unusual.

[@DrifterDave]

I bet! Such an incredibly narrow approach into the island - I respect any pilot who can make that landing.

[@julianzammar5320]

I Saw the saga and the Northwestern

[@DrifterDave]

@@julianzammar5320 Were you in Unalaska recently, or did you spot them in the video?!

[@julianzammar5320]

@DrifterDave i saw the video yesterday, i'm from Argentina .

[@DrifterDave]

@ Nice, I hope you enjoyed the video! I visited Argentina in 2004 and 2006 - wonderful country! I travelled from Mendoza to Buenos Aires to Bariloche to El Calafate & Ushuaia - saw every corner. Great country 🇦🇷

[@julianzammar5320]

@@DrifterDave Thank you, how kind, we have a great country but politicians and their personal benefit at the expense of the common person, ruin it. If you like snow you should go to Patagonia between June and September. And speaking of Ushuaia (capital of Tierra del Fuego), the only place in the country where you can get king crab, maybe they are a little smaller than the ones you see in Dutch Harbor but they are nothing to sneeze at.

[@DrifterDave]

Amazing! I would love to return to Argentina - it's been about 20 years since I visited Ushuaia. Definitely need to go back at some point!

[@JettingChen]

How is internet speed there?

[@DrifterDave]

Passable, but I had no cell service the entire time I was there. Unless you have a local phone, or are an AT&T customer and can roam with the regional provider, you’re out of luck up there.

[@mistervacation23]

Der durchschnittliche Hin- und Rückflugpreis zwischen Unalaska und Anchorage beträgt etwa 1400 US-Dollar pro Person. Stellen Sie sich nun vor, Sie versuchen, als Familie zu reisen. Sie müssen Tausende und Abertausende Dollar ausgeben, nur um von und nach Anchorage zu gelangen, ganz zu schweigen von Ihrem endgültigen Ziel. Es ist ein Problem, das nicht so aussieht, als würde es bald gelöst werden. Ganz zu schweigen davon, dass Zwiebeln 93 Dollar pro Scheffel kosten.

[@DrifterDave]

Es gibt Möglichkeiten, die hohen Flugkosten zu vermeiden. Mit dem Meilenprogramm von Alaska Airlines können Sie für eine angemessene Anzahl an Meilen Tickets nach Dutch Harbour / Unalaska einlösen. Sie können auch Avios-Punkte von British Airways einlösen, die in Europa üblich sind. Wenn Sie mit der Familie unterwegs sind, würde ich vorschlagen, die Fähre von Homer, Alaska, zu nehmen - der Preis wäre viel niedriger als der Flugpreis. Sobald Alaska Airlines beschließt, auf die Insel zurückzukehren, werden die Kosten für die Tickets von Anchorage meiner Meinung nach wieder auf den Bereich von 500 bis 700 USD sinken

[@mistervacation23]

@@DrifterDave Sehr gut, danke für das Update

[@DrifterDave]

Bitte schon!

[@GeraldMateo-u1l]

I live here

[@DrifterDave]

You're very lucky! Say hello to Katherine for me when you see her!

[@kentcarmack5879]

I have lived in Dutch for years now, and almost everything is worse than in years past. Stores have shortened hours, taxis are hard to get now, prices are outrageous, and sport fishing has dropped off a cliff. I could go on and on, but i won't

[@DrifterDave]

I'm sure Covid took its toll, especially when so many businesses had to shutter due to Alaska's strict regulations. Do you think the high cost of air travel to Unalaska after Alaska/PenAir pulled out caused the price increases? Despite the high costs you've described here, I've got to say that it's a beautiful island & I did enjoy every minute of my time out there!

[@donmarsh819]

Rock On / # 1 USA Fishing Location ; WW 11 History ; scenic. & current interviews & Deadliest Catch series sourced . Definitely mix of Cultures & via Aleutians & U-Tube in October @ Unalaska Island

[@DrifterDave]

Amazing place! 👍

[@secretlyspeed]

rip mr matt

[@DrifterDave]

??

[@secretlyspeed]

@@DrifterDave He was the dude you were with at the radio station, he unfortunately died this year… he was a great person

[@secretlyspeed]

@@DrifterDave34:14 thats him with the Unalaska shirt… rip

[@DrifterDave]

I'm really shocked to hear this...he was a good guy and made me feel very welcome during my radio interview at KUCB. I'm sure the community will miss him and his Feel Good Fridays dearly. Thanks for letting me know 🙏

[@dylanshaffer2184]

Alaska Never flew their own aircraft to Dutch, I believe they codeshared with Pen Air

[@DrifterDave]

@@dylanshaffer2184 I think you’re right! But from what I recall, it had Alaska branding on it (at least when I flew it in 2018) - just like the Horizon Air planes or Delta Skywest. I’ll have to check my photo archives in case I’m imagining things 🤷‍♂️

[@hrsmrt9292]

65 dollar for seafood buffet like that, is really not that bad...

[@DrifterDave]

Agreed - it is a huge spread of seafood and I honestly don’t know how they turn a profit 🤷‍♂️

[@hrsmrt9292]

@@DrifterDave Alaska doesn't have a shortage of seafood like that, sparsely populated, also a source of such fishing spot, makes demand low and the supply abundant.

[@DrifterDave]

@@hrsmrt9292 That’s fair - I wish I lived there 👍

[@ollieslist8470]

You folks on a diet?

[@DrifterDave]

Not sure what you're getting at here - we didn't eat enough in the video?

[@Joe-eq8we]

You missed ALOT!!!

[@DrifterDave]

Did you have any spots in particular you'd like to suggest for my next visit to the island? This was a fully hosted trip and I was accompanied by the Executive Director of the local tourism board for my entire visit, so it was a set itinerary. As you know, Unalaska is vast and it's simply impossible to fit every sight on the island into a three day press visit.