Life Below Zero Season 3 Episode 13 Independent By Nature

In Life Below Zero season 3 episode 13, titled "Independent By Nature," viewers are taken on a journey through the wilds of Alaska with six unique individuals who have chosen to live off the grid and subsist off the land. From harsh weather conditions to dangerous wildlife, life in the Alaskan wilderness is full of challenges and hardships, but these determined individuals demonstrate a fierce independence as they face each and every one.

At the beginning of the episode, we are introduced to Sue Aikens, who runs Kavik River Camp, a remote outpost in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. With no neighbors for hundreds of miles and the nearest city a 500-mile drive away, Aikens is truly independent and self-sufficient. We see her completing a variety of tasks, from welding and repairing equipment to chopping wood and keeping the camp's generator running. She also prepares a meal of Elk liver and onions, demonstrating her ability to make the most of the resources available to her.

Next, we meet Chip and Agnes Hailstone, who live in the Noorvik area in northwest Alaska. Chip is a traditional Inupiat Eskimo and is skilled at hunting, fishing, and trapping. We see him harvesting a caribou, which he then brings back to the family's camp. Agnes is a busy mother of seven who also helps with the family's subsistence activities. She prepares traditional foods like seal soup and beaver tail, which she says is a delicacy. We also see the couple working together to break down a snow machine so that they can use it for spare parts.

We then shift gears to Glenn Villeneuve, who lives in Chandalar, Alaska, with his dog team. Villeneuve is a skilled hunter and trapper and routinely explores the remote wilderness around his home. We see him setting up a trap line and catching a red fox, which he then prepares for dinner. He also cleans and prepares his dog team, which is essential for his ability to navigate the frozen terrain of the Arctic during the winter months.

We also spend some time with Andy and Kate Bassich, who live in a remote area along the Yukon River. Andy is a former carpenter and now lives off the land, fishing and hunting for food, trapping for fur, and gardening during the short Alaskan summer. Kate is a former city girl who has adapted well to life in the wilderness and helps Andy with all aspects of their subsistence lifestyle. We see them preparing a meal of smoked salmon and wild rice soup, which they have stored in their root cellar for the winter months.

Finally, we check in with Jessie Holmes, who lives near the Koyukuk River. Holmes is a trapper who spends most of his time deep in the wilderness. We see him setting traps for marten and preparing them for sale at a local market. He also shows us his unique "tipi sled," which he uses to navigate the rivers and frozen terrain in the region.

Throughout the episode, we see these six individuals demonstrate the independence and self-sufficiency that is necessary for life in the Alaskan wilderness. From hunting and trapping to fishing and gardening, these individuals rely on their own skills and ingenuity to survive and thrive in one of the harshest environments on the planet. "Independent by Nature" is a captivating and inspiring look at the lives of those who choose to live off the grid in Alaska.