My Brother's Off Grid Cabin on the Side of a Mountain - Built in 10 Weekends, Now Settled In

Did you see us help my brother build a cabin in 10 weekends last summer? Here's a little look at what he has going on now that he is more settled in.
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Join Fy Nyth on social media - mewe.com/i/fynyth ! If you are new to my channel and Fy Nyth (Welsh for "My Nest") in general, welcome! I'm Ariel. Along with my husband Clay, our dogs, cats, bees, and some poultry, we live in a tiny house on wheels in the mountains of western Wyoming and are working on setting into our own new little homestead. I've been living this lifestyle since 2014 and my wonderful partner has joined me more recently. What will you find if you follow the channel and watch the videos?
Real life here. I try to show the good and the bad. The ups and the downs. What works, and what doesn't. The parts I love (most of it!), and the things that suck. Not just the showroom version of a tiny house, but everyday life in a tiny house. Not just the romantic idea of "homesteading" or off grid life, but the everyday details of this lifestyle. We split wood for heat, fill the water tank from a gravity fed spring, and attempt to grow as much of our own food as possible between the weather and wildlife here. I hope to help others learn from mistakes and make life just a little easier for anyone else interested in pursuing a similar lifestyle.
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[@christineb8148]

I wonder if Micah could put a little quarter sheet pan under the stove door to save on sweeping ashes: also, love how he's bragging on Ariel's amazing scavenging skills :-)

[@jeanettec6212]

Great idea. Maybe that piece that won’t heat up.

[@ORSkie]

Yes, or a cookie sheet?

[@junebixby7041]

Having to sweep up under the stove would make me crazy....something to help with the ashes.

[@nancyhowell4505]

Brother and sister are both quite articulate. A pleasure to listen to them! Happy to meet her brother, too. 🙂♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@cares3262]

Your brother should start his own KZbin channel on living off the grid. It's all very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@JulienKozak]

Agreed, I'd watch it!

[@vallovesnature8449]

Micah has quite a cozy home. Glad he’s settled in. When he builds the other loft & revamps the bathroom area, definitely share it with us! Awesome video as always Ariel!❤️

[@zzydny]

It was a real treat to hear from Micah. His little house looks great and so well-organized.

[@mircat28]

I’d say he has nothing to organize and that’s why he can live in a closet.

[@brenda9140]

@@mircat28 Stop with the mean streak.

[@jonap5740]

Micah and you share wonderful practical common sense, an ability to embrace hard work, and a lot of energy. Thanks for the update. I'm so glad you have a brother nearby and that together you all have made a cozy space for him to live in.

[@trudyschaffer8016]

Definitely a member of your family. Practical, resourceful, and frugal. All good qualities, if you ask me!👍💜

[@hillarys.k8518]

It's really great that your brother has chosen to live close to you. It's a good climate for polar bears .

[@tinathene]

Polar bear with a couple o Velcro’s kittens 😊 Nice to make Mikah’s acquaintance!

[@kasession]

How proud your parents must be to raise such self reliant children!!! 👍🏿

[@singing-sands]

Awww... nice to see the tiny wood stove again in it's new home! What a clever and resourceful young man Micah is, to have built such a functional home in such a short time. Well done!! And thank you for letting us visit.

[@gillianmeehan3206]

What a treat to see how everything fits together, thank you! Just a little hint for Mica - try not to sleep in the chair for long periods such as overnight as there is a danger of deep vein thrombosis, like on a long haul flight. I learned this first hand when I had a really bad cough that started up every time I laid in bed to sleep. I propped myself up on pillows but that didn't help so for 3 nights I slept in a chair and on the 4th day my ankles were swollen. I realised that when you sleep in a chair you don't move throughout the night but in a bed you can roll over and change position, all of this keeps the circulation healthy.

[@suemcknight9051]

Proof that necessity is the mother-of-invention… this was fun listening to his enthusiasm and plans for adding additional comfort & necessities to his home. What a great personality he has….😊

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

Suggestion for the washing baskets. Pull your dresser forward to the front edge of the basin cabinet and pop the 2 dirty washing baskets BEHIND the dresser.

[@debrezo58]

What an awesome set up Micah has up on the mountain! He has a very good head on his shoulders and very capable! So good to see how he's been surviving this unseasonably long harsh winter! Hope "real" spring comes sooner rather than later. And thank you Aerial for sharing Micah with us💖

[@PascalleLepas]

Maybe Micah could get a couple of big hooks for the laundry baskets and hang them up on the wall out of his way.

[@karenwalker798]

What a nice surprise to have a video of Micah's tiny house! I've been wondering how he was doing, and if he liked it there. He's done a nice job of organizing and utilizing what space he has, and also nice plans on making more storage and a more private bathroom and garden, etc. Great job Micah! Thanks to both of you, Ariel and Micah for this special treat today! Love and prayers from Karen in Iowa.

[@terijohnson3110]

What a great set up especially bc Micah didn’t have a lot of time b4 winter set in. I can tell he is as resourceful as you Ariel. Can’t wait to hear more from him as his ideas are put into action as the weather improves. Thanks for the update!👏🏼

[@s.j.anderson176]

If you take and extend the roof in the back to the slope and put in a short retaining wall it would keep the snow off your house as well as give you covered storage for your wood as well as your snow blower.

[@TheOneLawgiverHolyGod]

...thinking the same...But he will work it out for sure...

[@TakeTheRide]

Your brother sounds just like you but with a male voice. So cute. Happy for him and his new place.

[@merinzz]

I did enjoy this tour of Micah’s cabin and surroundings. What a comfortable home he has, and a lot if hard work to make it that way. Looking forward to seeing it all again in the spring/summer.

[@raebarclay332]

great to see family helping and supporting each other :)

[@topherjoe1]

So cozy! Hint, use vertical space. Build a shelf above the brown cabinet and place the baskets on the shelf. If you can find the space, get a bike hanger and hang that too.

[@TheOneLawgiverHolyGod]

... yessssss those baskets should be set up on that cabinet for now at least and not in front on the floor... Yes bike hanger is needed...shelf above the shower would have alleviated that problem also...

[@beejereeno2]

I was thinking of that too, with how high the ceiling is there where that dresser was...maybe if they scavenge an armoire that is tall but with the same footprint as the dresser, then he could hang his clothes inside on a rod and put the baskets underneath the hanging items.

[@Miguel195211]

This is fine when you are young and no family, but not for older people with a family. Today we have many conveniences that many of us will not go back to older times. Example public sewage toilets, running water, AC, etc.

[@nicolaharvey6364]

Great to see Micha and an update on his cabin. The chicken whisperer getting kittens will be super cute.

[@Heggie42]

It's really lovely to see how it's all coming together over at Micah's. I wonder if a catio (that the kitties could access from the loft window) might be an idea? Maybe with a secure hutch / run for rabbits at the bottom. Lots of possibilities!

[@user-gq7bi1lq9u]

So cool to get the complete tour of Micah’s cabin! And glad to hear that he’s been able to stay warm and dry during your long, cold winter this year. Interesting to see that his garden beds are snow-free…did you guys have a thaw? Last I saw, Ariel’s beds were still snowed under. Thanks for giving us this tour!

[@SherylAZ]

Nicely done, Micah! Blessings on your off grid life. Maybe place the dirty clothes bins behind the dresser? Less moving & a nice clean line from wash cabinet. 🤷‍♀️

[@anitaherbert1037]

Thank you for another enjoyable post

[@Johnsoncrna]

How nice that Micah will get two of Velcro’s kittens! His house is so cozy and organized. Thanks for sharing!

[@livingitup9647]

I think it's wonderful what you three have accomplished with this 187 s.f. structure! And in only 10 weekends -- it's impressive. And, as he pecks away at finishing the interior, it will become much more functional and attractive. I'd recommend making a much larger loft on the other side, and move the bed over there, along with some clothing storage. Also, as someone else said, add a lot of vertical storage, where possible. Whatever Micah decides, I'm sure he will end up with a very cozy, comfortable and efficient home for himself...and hopefully, a future partner! 😉 Congratulations to all of you for this wonderful, new homestead for Micah, and for adding to your family support system❣ Thanks for sharing this tour of his setup with all of us. 🙏

[@marthabradas8873]

I never thought about using my headlight for other purposes, this is great! Also I want to look up that Outdoor Oven from Camp Chef, that looks awesome too. Wow, Ariel, your brother and you are sooo smart. I admire both of you so much! Thanks for sharing !

[@carolluther1625]

He is just as resourceful as you Ariel. Good plans for finishing out bathroom and like extra loft storage idea. Love that he has settled in to the area, and has future garden plans. Thanks Micah for your tour of the house and allowing to see progress!

[@MTknitter22]

I really think it’s smart as Amish families do - family members live close by and similarly so everyone has much support and help! Great you and your sister are such helps to each other!

[@dragonfly9209]

Really like your brother's place----very interesting!

[@roberthutchison315]

Smart, together brother. Doesn't hurt to have a smart sis and bro in law. Pretty nice cabin.

[@auntiepam5649]

I love simple living Alaska. This was a great video.

[@Ladythyme]

Love the shower idea!….lots to do but you have what you need.

[@marianfrances4959]

Micah's place is awesome! 👍😎🇨🇦❄🔥

[@tahoesnowlion]

Many years ago I lived in a tee pee in Wilson on the Snake River. I was completely off grid as a 19 year old female who had been living on a boat in the San Francisco Bayt Area. I felt right at home! I had a wood burning stove and kept warm and toasty.i took my showers at work at the hospital. My biggest problem was the mice! I love Ariel's channel because it so reminds me of my life in the Tetons❤.

[@BrLambert]

You've settled in quite nicely, life happens in stages and after the snow thaws you won't lack for projects from the sound of it. Just a thought, you can find hooks to hang your bike which is better for the tires anyway.

[@wendyweaver8749]

For Micah's ceiling storage, search "pull down kitchen storage between ceiling joists" for shelving that pivots down for access. Cannot find the tiny house video with such storage so the search terms will have to do. I watched the video sometime in 2018-2019 on one of the tiny home channels that films video tours of homes. In the tiny house, the ceiling below the loft looked normal. However, there were push button openers that allowed the shelving to pivot down either for slanted only or vertical access. I think this type of shelving would work perfectly in Micah's tiny home.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

the reviews for that refrig/freezer says it lasts two years at most, but more likely one year. Also same with the reviews for the shower pump deal (that I ordered). thanks

[@TorchwoodPandP]

What a Great little Cabin. I’d suggest you switch the position of the sink and toilet, and move the shower to vent directly out the window. That should give you a corner full of space for your laundry in the bathroom.

[@joellenbroetzmann9053]

Thanks for the update Micah! Looks like a wonderful snug spot to me. Can't wait to see how things develop.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

Now THAT is a well built safe home!

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

with the wood stove and mass heater - there's a big baffle in that stove, so that cools the top of your wood stove. The mass heater is on legs and so that cools the temperature gradient off the wood stove. Looks like that's why it didn't heat up since it's a small stove - so you just radiate the heat out the bottom and sides of the stove mainly - and back.

[@heathermachala7623]

He sounds so much like you. I love that you guys live so close now! Good stuff!

[@davidcox3076]

I remember watching the video of y'all building his cabin. It really turned out well. The perfect bachelor pad. And regarding the modifications he made on his truck they do help. But the tires are the real solution. Good snow tires with their pressure adjusted correctly will get a vehicle just about anywhere.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

did he say how he plows his road though?

[@lindaleal809]

@@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885 Wonder if he has a snow blower like Ariel?

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@lindaleal809 was that in his storage shed deal? hmm. Gas powered I suppose. haha. I used this offgrid battery powered "snow shovel" to clear my access road (or trail for a car). My wrist tendons were so sore that I could barely move my hand for a week. hahaha. There's this safety switch that has to be held activated every time I clear out the stuck snow on the snow shovel - and it's a very narrow shovel! So then I shovel normally to recover from the electric cordless snow shovel! Also you can't go against the wind obviously and you can't direct the snow blowing out of a snow shovel. It HELPED but it was a Pyrrhic victory. I got the car in. It got stuck from the "melt/freeze" abrupt global warming cycle in January northern Midwest! I got out luckily and then bought a bag of gravel.

[@landseavideoescapes4502]

I totally understood everything Micah explained about how he modified his Toyota! I worked in the automotive industry for 36 years and my husband is a “gear head”.....I guess I did learn from my experience!🤓. As always Ariel, thanks for sharing.

[@suebroadbent8608]

Great setup, and he looks so content. Well done Ariel for not making a comment (through gritted teeth) regarding your woodburner, considering you are presently between the temporary one and the new installation. Great idea to put a tyre on the chopping block. Will certainly copy that😊

[@brewatch]

Aww, the way you longingly zoomed in on your wood stove. It has a good home😊

[@alicecain4851]

Thanks for telling us how Micah is doing, Ariel! Things look great at his cabin! I'm hoping the kittens will do great at his house. Lots to do yet, but he's also got lots of plans. The next video should be exciting with his garden, other loft, and bathroom completed.

[@beverlymichael5830]

Very awesome cabin. Every inch has a purpose. No area wasted.

[@brenda9140]

⚘Micah seems to be as real smart, friendly and helpful as his sister is😢. It is understandable why Arial was so excited that her brother had moved close to her. They all three are such very happy people. Nice family!

[@private15]

When you get kittens you should build a loft safety area that they can climb up to escape fox. Small entrance hole and 2 exits or a cat door that is activated by a microchip that each cat has.

[@phyllisstein1837]

Micah Is A Delight!

[@t4qjjqdq5y6]

So wonderful to see you enjoying life off grid!

[@Flowergurl2000]

I love Micah’s cabin and seeing your old wood stove, good memories.

[@kathysalkeldbonilla6541]

Put in a cat door! Cats and dogs are good company! ( :

[@kabright4041]

Micah's cabin is awesome! It's all you need to be comfortable.

[@allie1953]

I see that Micah inherited the spoon for the ashes. 😁

[@MooseHenderson1]

Thanks for the visit to the mountain Micah, very well done. Great to see the play shed is still working well.

[@juliennebrendadevos6004]

A lityle peace of heaven id love this just whst I need .

[@velvetreynolds5458]

Wow 👌 amazing so cool 😎

[@proehm]

For his information - I also have a T-60 and did some exhaustive testing on power consumption. In a heated space it uses 24 watts per hour on 12 volts. I also have a 5 cu ft deep freeze. It uses 20 watts per hour on 110 volts. Look for an inverter with as low of standby consumption as possible.

[@roberthutchison315]

I think a freezer / fridge, using outside air but contained in the house, would be pretty smart.

[@mycelticstardust]

Just a thought, maybe a block wall or stacked log wall to hold back the snow from back of the house. Love Micah’s home, has just about everything he needs and you can see his creative mind thinking how to make it a little bit better for future needs. Enjoyed the video!❤

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

the snow is great insulation also though.

[@lindageorge6174]

Ariel your heart seems so happy having your brother so close! 💞

[@susuburleson878]

Micah, thank you so much for giving us a tour of your cabin!

[@debontheroad]

Love his house and property- can’t wait to see it in summer. He should start his own channel!!

[@alex31p]

Wonderful visit and home. Every bit as independent and versatile as his sister. Definitely a mans residence not the finer decorating points of his sister. As another viewer noted, your parents did a good job raising.

[@skytechbits]

Cabin looks nice and cozy. Not sure if the cats should stay outside all day though. Land animals and raptors prey on them. Nice to see all is going well at the cabin.

[@leighmonty13]

Great little set up ,basic but very liveable ,maybe try a water catching system of the roof for water, he can boil snow to wash with might save him a trip or two, cool video

[@cliffp.8396]

That's a lovely cabin

[@RickRose]

Your whole family is amazingly versatile. Love the little homestead your brother built (with some great help, of course).

[@thegroundedstarseeds]

Great video Micah and Ariel. It's really nice to see how all organized your brother is! Lovely home! 💙

[@sgrvtl7183]

Thank you for sharing. A good first year for your brother moving out west! Congratulations!

[@mags102755]

Hi Ariel. Thanks for sharing news from Micah. I like his place and he seems well organized.

[@amandachrome9310]

I loved it... thanks for sharing

[@cindycampbell807]

Sounds like he’s doing good adjusting well

[@skrtskit1521]

It was nice to see your brothers home and how he has settled in. 💖💖🎶🎶

[@trishapomeroy9251]

I'd love a link to that fridge/freezer! He's sure made a nice comfy home for himself.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

Yeah I actually already have a 500 watt solar powered lithium generator. So nice to know it can power a fridge/freezer! Did he say how much power his solar panels are? I just have 100 watts. Here's the brand: Alpicool T60 Dual Temperature Control 12 Volt Refrigerator 63 Quart Portable Car Fridge Freezer (-4°F~68°F) for Truck, RV, Boat, Camping and Travel

[@TheSimplecanadian]

Thanks for sharing! Nice and simple and cheap!

[@sandimatthews5703]

A really great home! What more is needed? Well done ! 🙌❤️

[@magamutts5726]

Another awesome video! Your parents did such a great job raising you, you’re both so self sufficient and skillful. I’m sure they’re incredibly proud. Thank you both so much for this.

[@denisemeredith2436]

It is lovely to have a tour around Micah's homestead. I hope he creates a KZbin channel because I would subscribe. Thank you for sharing and its grest to hesr about your scavenging skills.

[@danielmorse4213]

Great cabin

[@stephaniewulf1714]

I’ve been following you for quite a while. I’ve been away from the channel a little bit so it’s my first time seeing Micah. 😍 Oh my goodness he’s cute. Reminds me of my friend who passed away. Passionate about things and he’s smart like you Ariel. I’m jealous of his set up in his cabin! I long to move to Wyoming some day. I spent every summer there growing up, so it holds a special place in my heart. You both are lucky to have the life you do. Blessings to you all!

[@janebrommet7942]

Neat little cabin.. just what one needs👍

[@believeliveloveandlaugh3844]

Micah has a nice cozy house. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheOneLawgiverHolyGod]

I was all ears...wondering how he was getting alone...so into every word...was not thinking who was filming...until Ariel spoke and I snapped back...😅😅😅 Enjoyed every second and every word!!! Thanks you guys all the way from Ohioooooo!!! Great stuff...real stuff...good living no matter what issues might arise!!! Thanks for the update... Praying for him to keep on keeping onnnnn...

[@claysmith782]

Hello again Micah. This is my 2nd message. What I forgot to mention about my setup is that I originally put in a 100 Amp panel ( which U don't have to and if U run it directly thru a converter it might last longer. ) Definitely worth checking out. Lights also come in 3,000 lumes 4,000 and 5,000 lumes.

[@donnamount151]

I got an old freezer ( and or fridge) set it outside my door and it is a full freezer in the winter...😁

[@serenagomez3864]

Micah 6:8 - a beautiful place to be!!

[@carsonwieker]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[@bboice08]

Great job Micha can’t wait to see kittens settle in what ramps will you build them?🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Diligent-dp7gi]

How cool to have your brother living so close : ) : )

[@glorias5265]

So interesting! Thanks.

[@Grimes60]

Home sweet home,👍yes do a summer vid🙂

[@ericgrinstead52]

That's a super cool cabin!! Love how you met your needs so simply and look so comfortable at a budget. I want to build one. Now if only I could buy land!