Ep 8. Disaster Strikes

In the eighth episode of Mountain Men season 2, titled Disaster Strikes, we see the cast dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters. As we know, living off the land is never easy, and this episode illustrates that point in an intense way.

We meet Eustace Conway, a seasoned naturalist who lives in the Appalachian Mountains. Eustace lives in a teepee, where he has been cultivating crops and livestock for many years. But when a tornado comes through his area, it completely destroys his garden and damages many of his buildings. Eustace must scramble to salvage what he can and rebuild his shelter in time for the winter months.

Meanwhile, in the Ozarks, we follow Tom Oar, a fur trapper who lives a solitary lifestyle with his wife Nancy. Tom is a skilled trapper who depends on the fur trade to make a living. But when a major flood hits his area, he must use all of his knowledge to keep his home and belongings safe. With the nearby river overflowing, Tom knows that he could lose everything if he doesn't take the necessary precautions.

Later on, we are introduced to Marty Meierotto, a trapper who lives in the Alaskan wilderness with his wife and daughter. For Marty, trapping is not just a source of income but a way of life. But when a severe storm hits his area, he must do everything he can to protect his family and his trapping lines. With high winds and dangerous conditions, this is a life-threatening situation that Marty takes very seriously.

Finally, we meet Rich Lewis, a hunter who lives in the remote Montanan wilderness. Rich is a seasoned outdoorsman who has been living off the land for many years. When disaster strikes in the form of a forest fire, Rich must make quick decisions to protect his family, his home, and his livestock. With flames rapidly closing in, Rich knows that this is a situation where every second counts.

Throughout the episode, we see each of these mountain men facing unique challenges. Whether it's rebuilding after a tornado, protecting against a flood, battling a storm in Alaska or fighting a raging forest fire, they are all dealt a difficult hand. But through it all, we see the resilience and determination that is necessary for living off the land. By the end of the episode, we are reminded that the natural world can be both beautiful and dangerous, and that the mountain men who inhabit it are true survivors.