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Narrator: "ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER."
Atz Lee: CURRENT'S A LITTLE FAST.
Narrator: MIDSUMMER HAS PASSED.
THE DAYS STEADILY GROW SHORTER.
NOW THE KILCHERS MUST REDOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS
TO STOCK FOOD, FUEL, AND SUPPLIES
OR FACE THE BRUTAL WINTER HUNGRY AND COLD.
YOU AND NATURE ARE ALL IN A RACE
TO DO YOUR THING BEFORE THAT FIRST SNOW.
YOUR OWN SURVIVAL IS WHY YOU'RE DOING IT ALL.
Narrator: ATZ SR., ATZ LEE, AND JANE
SET OUT ON THE MOST DANGEROUS HUNT OF THE YEAR...
Atz: THE CHALLENGE OF A GOAT HUNT
IS THE TERRAIN THAT THE GOATS LIVE IN.
Atz: WHOA!
Jane: OH, MY GOD.
Atz Lee: THIS MEAT, IT'S WHAT'S GONNA GET
ME AND MY FAMILY THROUGH THE WINTER.
Narrator: ...WHILE A DEADLY INFESTATION
THREATENS THE KILCHERS' SUMMER HARVEST.
BEES AND WASPS JUST FIGHTING TO THE DEATH.
IT'S LIKE SOME KIND OF APOCALYPSE-TYPE EVENT.
HOLY MOLY.
Narrator: AND OTTO SCALES NEW HEIGHTS TO PROTECT THEIR FOOD SUPPLY.
OH [BLEEP]
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
♪ BUT LIFE IS SIMPLE, LIFE IS GOOD ♪
♪ WHEN YOU'RE LIVIN' LIKE YOU SHOULD ♪
♪ HEY, HEY ♪
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S STRUGGLE, STRIFE ♪
♪ FATHERS, SONS, BROTHERS, WIVES ♪
♪ BUT WE'RE MAKIN' OUR WAY ♪
♪ YES, WE'LL STAY ♪
♪ RIGHT HERE ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: SUMMER SOLSTICE IN ALASKA MEANS 22 HOURS OF SUNLIGHT.
BUT THE SOLSTICE HAS PASSED.
EACH DAY GROWS SHORTER, LEAVING EVER LESS TIME
TO STOCKPILE FOOD FOR THE COMING WINTER.
Atz: THE DAYS ARE GETTING SHORTER.
THIS IS THAT TURNING TIME OF THE YEAR
WHERE EVERY DAY, WE'RE LOSING 10 MINUTES OR SO OF DAYLIGHT.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE LAST CHANCE, SO YOU CAN PANIC.
"OH, MY GOD. FALL IS HERE. WHEW! WINTER'S COMING.
WE GOT TO HURRY, HURRY, HURRY, HURRY
TO PUT THE MEAT IN THE BANK FOR THE WINTER."
Narrator: AFTER A MISERABLE SPRING HUNT
YIELDING JUST ONE BLACK BEAR,
THE KILCHERS NEED TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME.
THEY SEIZE A RARE CHANCE TO HUNT A DIFFERENT BREED OF GAME --
THE ELUSIVE MOUNTAIN GOAT.
WEIGHING UP TO 300 POUNDS,
BAGGING ONE GOES A LONG WAY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
BUT TO REACH THEIR PREY,
THEY MUST CROSS THE BAY, HIKE MILES OF RUGGED TERRAIN,
AND CLIMB A CRAGGY SLOPE ONLY SAFE FOR MOUNTAIN GOATS.
Atz Lee: IN THE STATE OF ALASKA,
THERE'S CERTAIN AREAS WHERE THERE'S GAME.
AND THE ONLY WAY THAT YOU CAN HUNT THERE
IS BY BASICALLY WINNING THE ALASKAN VERSION
OF THE STATE LOTTERY.
YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WIN $1 MILLION.
YOU WIN AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BUST YOUR ***,
BE COLD, MISERABLE, UNCOMFORTABLE,
AT A CHANCE OF GETTING SOME MORE MEAT FOR THE WINTER.
JANE AND MY DAD BOTH DREW THE TICKET.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO THIS AREA
AND GET SOME GOAT.
EVERY SINGLE HUNT HE'S EVER GONE ON, I'VE ASKED TO GO.
BUT FOR SOME REASON,
THE CIRCUMSTANCES JUST DON'T ALLOW IT.
AND WE BOTH WANT A MOUNTAIN GOAT,
AND HE DIDN'T PULL A PERMIT.
SO THAT MEANS I HAVE TO SHOOT IT FIRST
AND THEN HE CAN ASSIST AFTERWARDS.
Atz Lee: WHENEVER YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET MORE MEAT,
YOU DON'T PASS IT UP
BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST YOUR FAMILY YOU'RE LOOKING OUT FOR.
IT'S YOUR UNCLES, IT'S YOUR COUSINS,
IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRETY OF YOUR FAMILY.
OH, WOW.
IT'S ABOUT THREE HOURS TO WHERE THE GOATS ARE GONNA BE AT.
OH, GOD. OKAY.
Atz: ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS JUST GETTING HERE. IT'S A LONG HIKE.
BUT THE CHALLENGE OF A GOAT HUNT
IS THE TERRAIN THAT THE GOATS LIVE IN.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE DANGEROUS HUNTS
PROBABLY IN THE UNITED STATES.
Atz Lee: GOAT HUNTS ALWAYS INVOLVE
STEEP TERRAIN, CLIFFS, COLD TEMPERATURES.
THOSE THREE THINGS ALONE IS JUST A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.
COMING ACROSS.
Jane: OH, I FEEL IT.
Atz Lee: THIS IS GONNA BE JANE'S
FIRST KIND OF HUGE EXPEDITION, BIG-GAME HUNT.
TRADITIONALLY ON THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,
I DON'T THINK THE WOMEN HAVE HUNTED
AS MUCH AS MAYBE I'D LIKE TO HUNT.
BLUEBERRIES.
I'M JUST NOT A PERSON THAT WANTS TO STAY HOME EVERY DAY.
I'M COMING.
AND I LIKE GOING HUNTING.
AND THEN I GET A BIG ANIMAL
THAT'S IN MY FREEZER AND I CAN JUST GET IT,
AND I DON'T HAVE TO, EVERY DAY, FARM AND GARDEN AND WHATNOT.
Atz: SO, HERE'S OUR FIRST GOAT TRACK.
SEE THE TOE DIGGING IN THERE. LEFT, RIGHT. THERE.
Atz: SO, WE KNOW THAT A GOAT HAS BEEN HERE
AND WE KNOW THERE'S A GOAT ABOVE US.
SO IT'S GOOD. WE'RE ON A DAMN GOAT TRAIL.
WE'RE HEADING FOR A GOAT ON THE CLIFF.
WELL...
AND YOUR WIFE IS CLIMBING LIKE A DAMN GOAT.
LET'S DO IT.
Jane: ATZ, I SEE A GOAT RIGHT UP HIGH ON THAT PEAK.
WHERE'S ONE?
LIKE, TOP OF THE PEAK AND JUST GO STRAIGHT DOWN.
THERE HE IS.
Narrator: THE MOUNTAIN GOAT IS LESS THAN TWO MILES AWAY
FROM THEIR CURRENT POSITION.
BUT IN THIS TERRAIN, IT'S A NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TARGET.
Jane: YOU MEAN WHERE IT'S ALL GRAVELLY?
THAT'S PROBABLY A 250-FOOT CLIFF HE'S ON TOP OF.
OH.
IT WAS JUST SO FAR AWAY, WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT DAY
AND JUST HOPE THAT THEY STUCK AROUND.
IT WAS A HELL OF A HIKE.
WE WERE RUNNING OUT OF DAYLIGHT, SO WE KNEW THE BEST THING TO DO
IS JUST TO GO TO BED EARLY
AND THEN WAKE UP AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
AS SOON AS THE SUN'S UP, HEAD STRAIGHT UP THE MOUNTAIN.
Atz Lee: OH, HOLD ON.
Jane: WHAT'D YOU FORGET?
WELL, WE ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY
AND WE'RE SLEEPING ON TOP OF BLUEBERRIES.
Narrator: NINE MILES AWAY AT THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ'S NEPHEW EIVIN AND HIS PREGNANT WIFE, EVE,
PREPARE FOR THE LONG WINTER AHEAD.
OH [BLEEP] EIVIN!
[ BEES BUZZING ]
HONEYBEES. WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
EVERY SINGLE HONEYBEE WAS IN THE AIR, FLYING AROUND.
IT WAS TOTALLY BIZARRE.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.
MAYBE I SHOULD SUIT UP AND GO LOOK.
YEAH, PROBABLY.
Eivin: I'M GONNA GO TAKE A LOOK IN THE HIVE
'CAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE NONE OF THE BEES ARE IN THERE ANYMORE.
SO I'M GONNA GO JUST LOOK IN THERE AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
[ GOAT BLEATS ]
[ BEES BUZZING ]
WE PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS HIVE.
IT'S A WHOLE YEAR'S WORTH OF WORK TO GET IT TO THE POINT
WHERE FINALLY WE START TO HARVEST THE HONEY.
SO I REALLY HOPE IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.
OH! IT'S FRACKING WASPS!
Eve: NO WAY!
IT'S TOTALLY [BLEEP] OVERRUN.
OH, BE CAREFUL.
Eivin: I AM FAIRLY ALLERGIC TO WASPS, I'M FINDING OUT.
I COULD GET STUNG, SEND ME INTO ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK.
ARE THOSE ALL WASPS AROUND YOU RIGHT NOW?
AND HONEYBEES.
WHEN I LOOKED IN THE HIVE, YOU KNOW,
THERE'S JUST BEES AND WASPS JUST FIGHTING TO THE DEATH.
LITERALLY GRAPPLING WITH THE BEES AND STINGING EACH OTHER
AND DYING, AND THERE'S WASPS EATING HONEY.
LITTLE [BLEEP] EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE.
Eve: HONEYBEES AREN'T NATIVE TO ALASKA, SADLY.
A HIVE IS HARD TO GET UP HERE,
SO HAVING THE WASPS STEAL ALL OF OUR HONEY OUT OF A HIVE IS HUGE.
Eivin: AT THIS POINT, WE STAND TO LOSE MOST OF OUR HONEY.
Eve: KIND OF THE NECTAR OF THE GODS IN THE WINTERTIME.
WE USE IT FOR BAKING AND TEA.
AND BASICALLY WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE SWEETENED,
WE USE OUR HONEY FOR.
I WONDER IF I CAN GET THIS SHOP-VAC AND VACUUM THEM UP.
Eve: OH, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
FIRST I STARTED SQUISHING WASPS.
AND THEN I WAS LIKE, "THIS ISN'T FAST ENOUGH.
THIS ISN'T EFFECTIVE ENOUGH.
I HAVE A TOOL THAT'S GONNA MAKE THIS JOB A LOT EASIER."
OH, YEAH!
LET'S SEE WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS, YOU LITTLE ***.
[ VACUUM WHIRS ]
OH, YEAH!
YOU CAN'T FLY AWAY FROM THAT, CAN YOU?
AHH!
TO HAVE THE WASPS COME IN
AND JUST KILL ALL THE HONEYBEES AND TAKE ALL THAT HONEY
IS KIND OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, JUST BEING ROBBED.
I WONDER IF THE QUEEN GOT KILLED.
I KNOW. I WONDER THAT, TOO.
OH, THAT WOULD BE THE END OF THAT HIVE.
Narrator: DOWN THE ROAD, EIVIN'S FATHER, OTTO,
BEGINS AN ANNUAL SUMMER RITUAL --
HARVESTING THE HAY THAT WILL FEED HIS LIVESTOCK
THROUGH THE APPROACHING WINTER.
BUT THIS YEAR, AN UNUSUALLY HARSH WINTER
HAS DECIMATED THE CROP.
WITHOUT IT, THEIR SOLE SOURCE OF BEEF
WON'T SURVIVE THE LONG WINTER MONTHS.
LOOK AT THAT CRACK THROUGH THERE FROM THE FROST.
Charlotte: WOW.
IS THAT FREAKING INCREDIBLE?
THAT IS INCREDIBLE.
THAT MEANS THE ICE WAS DEEP
'CAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS THE TOP FREEZES
AND THEN IT GOES DOWN AND FREEZES BELOW THERE.
THE ICE FREEZES, AND THEN IT SPLITS UP ABOVE IT.
Otto: I'M SHORT ON HAY THIS YEAR, AND I HAY TO PRODUCE BEEF.
AND ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THAT BEEF FEEDS ME.
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THE HAY FEEDS ME.
EITHER I TURN THE HAY INTO BEEF
FOR MYSELF, FOR MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY,
OR I TRADE IT FOR OTHER THINGS I NEED TO SURVIVE.
USUALLY I LEAVE MY BALES OUT IN A ROW,
BUT THERE'S ABOUT 20% SPOILAGE SOMETIMES ON THE BALES.
USUALLY I DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT A WHOLE LOT
BECAUSE I HAVE ENOUGH HAY.
THIS YEAR, CAN'T AFFORD TO BE LEAVING THE HAY OUT.
Charlotte: BECAUSE WE'RE SHORT OF HAY,
WE NEED TO PROTECT ALL THE HAY THAT WE ARE GETTING.
Otto: SO I'M GONNA BUILD A REAL QUICKIE-UP, TEMPORARY HAY BARN.
SO, THIS IS WHERE YOU'RE GONNA PUT IT, HUH?
YEAH, YOU KNOW, KIND OF MAKE IT KIND OF A PLAIN HERE
SO WE CAN JUST STACK THEM UP THATAWAY.
SO, YOU'RE GONNA TIE A TARP OR SOMETHING UP TO THE TREES?
YEAH, I'M GONNA PUT A RIDGE POLE FROM THERE, ACROSS.
I'M GONNA TRY TO FIND A POLE THAT I CAN PUT UP IN THE AIR
AS HIGH AS I CAN BETWEEN TWO TREES,
AND I CAN BASICALLY BUILD AN A-FRAME OVER MY HAY
WITH A BIG TARP.
the FIRST STEP IS GONNA BE LIMBING THE TREES ENOUGH
TO CLIMB UP IT TO DECIDE
JUST WHERE THE RIDGE POLE IS GONNA BE.
Narrator: THE FIRST STAGE IS TO CLEAR SPACE
FOR THE MASSIVE 1,000-POUND HAYSTACKS.
SO, I GOT TO GO UP THAT ONE NOW.
Charlotte: MAN.
WELL, I DON'T KNOW HOW QUITE
I'M GONNA CLIMB THIS FRICKING TREE
AND STAY ALIVE IN THE PROCESS.
Charlotte: OH, MY GOODNESS.
OTTO ALWAYS AMAZES ME.
HIS WILLINGNESS TO JUST CLIMB UP A TREE
AND BE CHAIN-SAWING ALONG THE WAY.
AND I JUST ALMOST DON'T WANT TO WATCH IT.
I HATE YOU UP IN A TREE. IT LOOKS CRAZY.
I'M A CRAZY SON OF A [BLEEP]
THAT'S WHAT KEEPS ME YOUNG, I GUESS.
BE CAREFUL, SWEETIE.
HALLELUJAH! HERE I GO!
Otto: DOCTOR TOLD ME EIGHT YEARS AGO
I NEEDED MY RIGHT SHOULDER OPERATED ON NOW.
THERE AIN'T GONNA BE A TIME WHEN I AIN'T GONNA CLIMB A TREE.
I STARTED OUT AS A KID CLIMBING A TREE.
I'M GONNA KEEP CLIMBING A TREE.
[ CHAIN SAW REVS ]
IT'S, LIKE, WAY UP THERE.
OH [BLEEP]
Otto: MY GOD. LOOK AT THIS.
Narrator: A BITTERLY COLD WINTER
DECIMATED THIS YEAR'S HAY HARVEST.
GOD, LOOK HOW DEAD IT IS RIGHT THERE.
IT'S JUST LIKE BARE GROUND.
OTTO MUST PROTECT AND PRESERVE EVERY BALE HE HARVESTS
TO FEED HIS LIVESTOCK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.
HE'S DETERMINED TO BUILD A MAKESHIFT SHELTER.
THE FIRST STAGE IS TO CLEAR SPACE
FOR THE MASSIVE 1,000-POUND HAYSTACKS.
[ CHAIN SAW BUZZING ]
OH [BLEEP]
HOLY MOLY.
O-KAY!
MY HEART'S WORKING GOOD AGAIN.
Charlotte: THAT SEEMS LIKE CRAZINESS.
[ CHAIN SAW SHUTS OFF ]
I THINK THAT'S HIGH ENOUGH.
WELL, YOU SURE MADE THAT TREE UGLY.
Otto: [ CHUCKLES ]
NOT BAD FOR AN OLD FART WITH A ROTATOR CUFF [BLEEP] UP, HUH?
Charlotte: I DON'T RELISH WATCHING HIM UP THERE IN TREES
WITH BUZZING CHAIN SAWS AND STUFF,
BUT WE GOT TO GET IT DONE, SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?
[ SIGHS ]
Otto: STAYING ACTIVE KEEPS ME YOUNG.
MOSTLY I THINK I CAN STILL WORK CIRCLES
AROUND SOMEBODY HALF MY AGE.
THE PLAN NOW IS TO PUT THE RIDGE POLE UP.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE THE GRAPPLE EXCAVATOR HERE
AND JUST HOIST THAT POLE UP INTO THE TREE.
Narrator: OTTO HOPES TO CONSTRUCT A GIANT A-FRAME SHELTER
BY SUSPENDING A TARP OVER THE PINE RIDGE POLE.
Otto: OH [BLEEP]
Narrator: AFTER POSITIONING THE RIDGE POLE,
OTTO ENLISTS CHARLOTTE'S HELP
TO COMPLETE THE TENT-LIKE STRUCTURE.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO BE HOLDING THE RIDGE POLE WITH THE MACHINE
WHILE OTTO CLIMBS THE TREE
AND TIE IT ON TO THE OTHER TREES.
IT'S WANTING TO COME DOWN,
SO YOU GOT TO GET IN THERE QUICKLY.
Otto: I'M GONNA BE UP THERE IN A TREE,
AND IF SHE DOES SOMETHING WRONG, IT COULD FALL ON ME.
YOU JUST GOT TO MOVE IT A LOT FARTHER THAN THE OTHER EXCAVATOR.
OKAY, WELL, IT LOOKS TOTALLY UNFAMILIAR FROM THE OTHER ONE,
SO I DON'T SEE HOW I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.
IT'S JUST LIKE THE OTHER ONE.
ONLY YOU GOT TO MOVE THE LEVERS FATHER
BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SO SENSITIVE.
IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE THE OTHER ONE.
IF I THINK ABOUT IT, I CONFUSE MYSELF.
I JUST HOPE YOU DON'T NEED ME TO DO ANYTHING
'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING HERE.
Narrator: AFTER TRAVELING NINE MILES FROM THE HOMESTEAD
OVER STEEP, RUGGED TERRAIN,
ATZ SR., HIS SON ATZ LEE, AND HIS WIFE, JANE,
RISE AFTER A COLD NIGHT UNDER THE STARS.
ATZ, I SEE A GOAT.
DURING THE PREVIOUS DAY'S HIKE,
THEY SPOTTED AN ADULT GOAT FAR IN THE DISTANCE.
TOP OF THE PEAK AND JUST GO STRAIGHT DOWN.
Atz Lee: THERE HE IS.
WE GOT TWO PERMITS, SO IF WE CAN PUT DOWN
TWO BILLY GOATS, GET THEM BACK THAT SAME DAY,
THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GREAT THING.
CAMP'S KIND OF TIGHT AND BEAR-PROOF.
EVERYTHING'S GOOD TO GO.
Atz: GOOD AS IT CAN BE.
OKAY.
Jane: I LOST MY DAD THIS YEAR. MY DAD WAS A BIG HUNTER.
MY DAD'S DONE THE SAME HUNT BEFORE,
SO OF COURSE I THOUGHT OF HIM.
AND I'M NOT TRYING TO SHOOT A MOUNTAIN GOAT
JUST 'CAUSE I LOST MY DAD AND MY DAD USED TO HUNT.
THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL.
BUT THAT DEFINITELY, LIKE, PLAYS IN A LITTLE BIT AS A FACTOR.
LET'S GET MOVING.
BOTTOM LINE -- WE NEED MEAT FOR OUR FREEZER.
OKAY.
Atz Lee: WE'LL GO TO GRAVEYARDS
IN HOPE OF KIND OF FEELING A CONNECTION AGAIN.
I THINK, FOR JANE, THE OUTDOORS IS THAT FOR HER.
IT'S A PLACE WHERE SHE KNOWS SHE CAN KIND OF GO OUT
AND, IF NOTHING ELSE, COME HOME
WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE INNER PEACE.
IT MAKES THE HUNT MORE MEMORABLE AND MORE MEANINGFUL
WHEN IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT, YOU KNOW,
GOT TO GO OUT, GOT TO KILL THIS THING,
GOT TO GET IT IN MY FREEZER, GOT TO SURVIVE, YOU KNOW?
IT BRINGS MORE REALISM TO IT.
Narrator: TO REACH THE PEAKS WHERE THE GOAT WAS SPOTTED,
THE KILCHERS FACE A FIVE-MILE HIKE
AND A TREACHEROUS 6,000-FOOT CLIMB.
Atz Lee: PLENTY OF BEARS AROUND.
THAT'S WHY THE GOATS ARE WAY UP HIGH.
THAT'S GONNA BE OUR CHALLENGE --
FINDING A GOAT THAT IS DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO GET.
OKAY.
JUST FROM BASE CAMP, I STARTED SEEING A LOT OF BEAR SIGN.
THIS TIME OF YEAR, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF BEARS FEEDING
ON THE BERRIES ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE,
TRYING TO PUT ON THIS LAST BIT OF PROTEIN
TO GET THEIR FAT UP FOR THE WINTER.
Jane: BEAR! GET OUT OF HERE!
THEN THERE'S ANOTHER ONE. HOLY [BLEEP]
THERE'S A THIRD BEAR.
Atz Lee: WE GOT TO GET OUT OF BEAR COUNTRY.
PROBABLY A COUPLE HOURS.
Jane: OH, I FEEL THE BURN.
GOAT HUNTING IS RIDICULOUSLY HARD.
THE BIGGEST THING FOR ME IS THE FACT
THAT YOU'RE HIKING ALMOST STRAIGHT UP A MOUNTAIN.
Atz Lee: WE'RE PROBABLY ONLY GOING HALF A MILE,
BUT IF YOU PUT IT INTO THE ELEVATION,
WE'RE TRAVELING SEVERAL MILES, YOU KNOW?
WE'RE GOING FROM 2,000 FEET
UP TO, YOU KNOW, 4,500, 5,000 FEET.
AND IT'S NOT A LOT OF VERTICAL GAIN,
BUT WHEN IT'S A 50-DEGREE SLOPE, IT FEELS LIKE FOREVER.
I MEAN, EVERY STEP BURNS. EVERY STEP HURTS.
LOOK AT JANE GO.
OH, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ME, RESTING.
SO LET ME REST, TOO.
OH, NO. WE GOT TO KEEP GOING.
[ SIGHS ]
I KNEW SHE WAS WORKING HARD BECAUSE SHE WASN'T SAYING MUCH.
AND FOR JANE NOT TO BE TALKING,
THAT MEANS SHE'S GOT TO BE WORKING PRETTY HARD.
[ PANTING ]
Atz Lee: AFTER A COUPLE HOURS
OF CRAWLING UP, YOU KNOW, THE MOUNTAIN,
WE GET TO KIND OF A LITTLE SADDLE SPOT
THAT IS DEFINITELY HIGH ALPINE NOW.
AND IT'S TERRAIN THAT THERE'S GREAT VISIBILITY,
WHICH IS GOOD FOR LOOKING FOR ANIMALS.
IT'S ALSO NOT GOOD
BECAUSE ANIMALS ARE LOOKING FOR PREDATORS.
SO THERE'S CLEAN LINES OF SIGHT,
SO YOU WANT TO TRY TO JUST, YOU KNOW, MOVE QUIETLY.
GOT OUT THE SPOTTING SCOPE, TOOK A LOOK,
AND, YOU KNOW, SURE ENOUGH, IT WAS A BILLY GOAT.
Narrator: MOUNTAIN GOATS ARE EXTREMELY SURE-FOOTED.
THEIR HOOVES ARE UNIQUELY ADAPTED
TO CLIMB STEEP, ROCKY SLOPES.
INNER PADS PROVIDE TRACTION WHILE THE TIPS OF THEIR FEET
HAVE SHARP DEWCLAWS THE KEEP THEM FROM SLIPPING.
Atz Lee: THEY'RE THE KINGS OF THE MOUNTAINS.
THEY JUST SIT ON THESE MAJESTIC PEAKS,
LOOKING DOWN ON THEIR DOMAIN, MAN.
AND THEY'RE JUST -- THEY'RE UNTOUCHABLE.
HE WAS LIKE, "BRING IT.
YOU THINK YOU CAN COME AND GET ME? BRING IT ON."
WE'RE PROBABLY STILL A GOOD 800 YARDS AWAY FROM THIS GOAT,
AND IT'S NOT LIKE 800 YARDS ACROSS A FIELD.
IT'S 800 YARDS ON THE SIDE OF A CLIFFY MOUNTAIN.
SO, MAYBE WE SHOULD SPLIT UP.
IF YOU GUYS GO OVER THERE AND HE HASN'T MOVED,
YOU SNEAK UP ON HIM FROM BELOW.
JANE, YOU MIGHT GET A SHOT.
YOU MIGHT ALSO SEE MORE GOATS AROUND THE CORNER.
I GO UP THERE, AND IF HE'S MOVED UP,
THEN I GOT A CHANCE AT HIM UP THERE.
YEAH. I THINK THAT'S OUR BEST MOVE.
Narrator: ATZ PLANS TO CLIMB ABOVE THE ANIMAL.
IF HE GETS CLOSE ENOUGH, HE'LL SHOOT
AND SIGNAL ATZ LEE AND JANE TO HELP HIM WITH THE CARCASS.
IF NOT, HE'LL STARTLE THE GOAT DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE
WHERE ATZ LEE AND JANE WILL BE WAITING TO TAKE THE KILL SHOT.
Atz: SCENARIO IS WE GET A GOAT
IN THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIME AS POSSIBLE,
GET THE GOAT IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN EASILY PACK HIM OUT.
Jane: I KNOW IT'S A REALLY, REALLY EXTREME HUNT.
IT'S RARE. IT'S HARD TO GET THESE MOUNTAIN GOATS.
SO TO GET ONE IS A REALLY SPECIAL EVENT.
Narrator: COMING UP...
OTTO RISKS A DEADLY FALL
TO COMPLETELY HIS TREETOP CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.
Otto: WHAT I DO IS DEFINITELY NOT APPROVED
BY MOST SAFETY ENTITIES.
Narrator: TO SAVE HIS HONEYBEES, EIVIN SHOWS THE WASPS NO MERCY.
Eivin: IT'S ABOUT THE MOST DANGEROUS THING I CAN POSSIBLY THINK OF.
WHOA.
Narrator: EIVIN KILCHER HAS TAKEN VENGEANCE ON A SWARM OF WASPS
THAT KILLED HIS BEES AND ROBBED THEIR HONEY.
HONEYBEES AREN'T NATIVE. WE GET OUR HONEYBEES SHIPPED UP.
Eivin: I THINK THAT THE WASPS KNEW
THAT THIS WAS THE TIME ALSO, YOU KNOW?
THE BEES HAD THE MOST HONEY THAT THEY WERE GONNA HAVE.
THEY BROUGHT IN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
THAT'S A WHOLE YEAR'S WORTH OF WORK TO GET IT TO THE POINT
WHERE FINALLY WE START TO HARVEST THE HONEY.
AND THEY STRUCK AT THE OPPORTUNE MOMENT.
I GOT A SHOP-VAC FULL OF WASPS.
IT'S ABOUT THE MOST DANGEROUS THING I CAN POSSIBLY THINK OF.
THAT ONE'S PISSED. I GOT HIS WHOLE FAMILY IN HERE.
[ BUZZING ]
OH, YEAH. IT'S BUZZING IN THERE.
I'M GONNA GO STICK IT IN ATZ LEE'S HOUSE.
Eve: EIVIN, I THINK THEY'RE SWARMING OVER HERE.
THE QUEEN MIGHT BE OVER HERE.
Eivin: REALLY?
YEAH, THEY'RE ALL SWARMING ON THIS BRANCH.
WHOA. THEY'RE GETTING AMPED UP.
Eivin: HONEYBEES -- YOU KNOW, FOR THE MOST PART,
THERE'S ALL THE WORKER BEES, WHICH ARE ALL FEMALES.
AND THEN THERE'S THE QUEEN WHO IS LIKE THE EPIC FEMALE.
AND THEN THERE'S THE DRONES,
WHICH ARE JUST LAZY MALES THAT CAN'T STING
AND THEY JUST HANG OUT IN THE HIVE
BREEDING WITH THE QUEEN ALL DAY LONG.
AND SO, IF THE QUEEN FEELS THREATENED IN HER HIVE,
SHE WILL LEAVE THE HIVE
AND SHE WILL TAKE ALL OF HER DRONE MALES WITH HER
AND AS MANY WORKER BEES AS SHE CAN.
AND THEY TRY TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO MAKE A SAFE HIVE.
I CAN'T JUST ABANDON THE LITTLE GUYS.
THEY JUST LOST THEIR HOME.
THEY WORKED SO HARD FOR US.
Eve: THE HIVE IS PRETTY DECIMATED AT THIS POINT.
A LOT OF THEM DIED TO THE WASPS.
EIVIN WAS REALLY HOPING
TO SALVAGE AT LEAST PART OF THE HIVE ITSELF.
Eivin: OH, THERE'S THE QUEEN.
ON THAT BRANCH?
YEP.
Eivin: I GOT ANOTHER BEEHIVE PART THAT WE HADN'T USED YET
AND RECAPTURED THE BEES BACK INSIDE OF THERE.
SO,I THINK THAT THAT WILL GIVE US A CHANCE
TO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE START OVER.
IT'S SUCH A SMALL LITTLE MASS OF BEES --
YOU KNOW, MAYBE JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED BEES OR LESS.
IN THE WINTERTIME, THEY ALL KIND OF CLUSTER TOGETHER
IN THIS BIG MASS AND TRY TO JUST STAY WARM.
Eve: AT THIS POINT, YOU DO HAVE TO
JUST KIND OF KEEP AN EYE ON THEM
AND INSULATE THEM THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.
AND WE HAVE TO FEED THEM SUGAR WATER
SINCE THE WASPS HAVE TAKEN AWAY MOST OF THEIR HONEY.
AND HOPEFULLY HAVE A REALLY HEALTHY FUNCTIONING HIVE
IN THE SPRING, READY TO GO.
WELL, WE DID WHAT WE COULD.
YEAH.
I DON'T THINK I'M GONNA COLLECT ANY HONEY FROM THEM THIS YEAR.
Narrator: ACROSS THE HOMESTEAD, EIVIN'S FATHER, OTTO,
STRUGGLES TO PRESERVE SOMETHING CRITICAL
TO THE KILCHERS' SURVIVAL -- THEIR LIVESTOCK'S HAY SUPPLY.
HIS PLAN IS A DARING ONE --
BUILD A MAKESHIFT BARN HIGH IN THE TREES.
Otto: I'M GONNA HAVE TO HAVE CHARLOTTE IN THE EXCAVATOR.
I JUST HOPE YOU DON'T NEED ME TO DO ANYTHING
'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING HERE.
Charlotte: THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS
ON THE LEVERS THAT YOU HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF.
IF I THINK ABOUT IT, I CONFUSE MYSELF.
WHEN I TELL YOU TO PULL BACK ON THAT ONE, THEN DO THAT.
Narrator: CHARLOTTE MUST KEEP THE RIDGE POLE STEADY
WHILE OTTO TIES EACH END DOWN.
UNLESS SHE MASTERS THE CONTROLS,
THE RIDGE POLE COULD EASILY KNOCK OTTO OUT OF THE TREES.
Otto: MOST OF WHAT I DO
IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO DO, BY MOST PEOPLE.
WHAT I DO IS DEFINITELY NOT APPROVED
BY MOST SAFETY ENTITIES AND MOST MOMS.
I'M GONNA TIE EACH END UP.
Charlotte: OH, MY GOD.
[ GRUNTS ]
OKAY! OPEN THE BUCKET.
Charlotte: AY, YI-YI! WHAT IF IT JUST FALLS DOWN?
YEAH.
YEAH, THAT WAY.
OKAY, CAN YOU PICK UP ON IT AT ALL NOW?
OH [BLEEP]
YEAH, GOOD.
WHEW!
HONEY, THAT WAS STRESS CITY.
Charlotte: [ Chuckling ] THAT WAS SCARY.
OH, MY GOD.
OH, MAN. I'M GLAD THAT'S DONE.
THANKS, SWEETIE.
[ SIGHS ]
OH, IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT LITTLE HAY TENT.
Otto: YOU KNOW, THE HEAVY LIFTING'S DONE NOW,
SO I THINK I GOT TO BAIL.
GOT TO GO MAKE HAY AND START BRINGING HAY IN.
Narrator: COMING UP...
HOLY [BLEEP]
...THE WASPS STRIKE AGAIN.
THIS TIME THEY AREN'T JUST AFTER BEES.
WOW! [ SHUDDERS ]
AND THE KILCHERS MUST RISK THEIR LIVES FOR FRESH MEAT
OR FACE A LONG, HUNGRY WINTER.
OH, MY GOD. WHOA. I DO NOT LIKE THAT.
Atz Lee: WHOA!
Narrator: NINE MILES AWAY FROM THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD
ON THE REMOTE STEPS OF THE KENAI MOUNTAIN RANGE,
OTTO'S BROTHER, ATZ,
HIS SON ATZ LEE AND HIS WIFE, JANE,
HUNT THE ELUSIVE MOUNTAIN GOAT.
Jane: WE WANT THEIR MEAT, AND WE WANT THEIR HIDE.
BUT BEYOND THAT -- AND I LOST MY DAD THIS YEAR.
I JUST REALLY WANTED TO DO THE HUNT.
MY DAD WAS A BIG HUNTER.
1,000 YARDS AWAY, AND HE WAS ON TO US.
Atz Lee: IT WAS HER FIRST HUNT THAT SHE HAD BEEN ON
WITHOUT HER DAD.
THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT FILLING THE FREEZER, YOU KNOW?
THIS IS ABOUT LOSS OF THE CONNECTION THAT SHE HAD
FROM HER DAD PASSING
AND RECONNECTING WITH THAT NOW THROUGH NATURE,
THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN, THROUGH DOING THE THINGS
THAT, YOU KNOW, HE LOVED TO DO.
Narrator: THE FAMILY REQUIRES THE MEAT
FOR THEIR WINTER FOOD SUPPLY.
THEIR PREY IS IN SIGHT.
Atz: YOU SNEAK UP ON HIM FROM BELOW,
AND, JANE, YOU MIGHT GET A SHOT.
Atz Lee: SO, WE MADE THIS PLAN THAT ATZ WAS GONNA GO UP
TO THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN, STRAIGHT UP,
AND ME AND JANE WERE GONNA TRY TO TRAVERSE
SIDE-HILL OVER TO THE EDGE
IN HOPES THAT IF THE GOAT WAS STILL THERE AND VISIBLE,
WE COULD MOVE UP TO IT.
IF ATZ GOT UP TO THE TOP AND SAW MORE GOATS OR SPOOKED THEM,
MAYBE THEY'D PUSH THEM DOWN TO ME AND JANE.
IT'S REALLY HARD WHEN YOU'RE SIDE-HILLING.
YOU GET THESE MOMENTS OF VERTIGO
WHERE YOU JUST KIND OF ALL OF A SUDDEN
FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ABOUT TO FALL OFF THE MOUNTAIN.
YOUR ADRENALINE IS UP 'CAUSE YOU'RE JUST TRYING
NOT TO FALL BACKWARDS OFF OF THIS MOUNTAIN.
EVEN A, YOU KNOW, 15-, 20-FOOT CLIFF DROP ON TO ROCK,
IT CAN BE FATAL.
Jane: OOH. WHOA.
WHOA!
WHOA.
[BLEEP]
I DO NOT LIKE THAT.
IF YOU DO FIND YOURSELF FALLING, YOU WANT TO GET YOURSELF
TO THE GROUND, OBVIOUSLY, AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
THROW YOURSELF UPHILL.
AND YOU'LL WANT TO STAY WIDE AND FLAT.
YOU DON'T WANT TO TURN INTO A BALL.
YOU'LL START CARTWHEELING.
SO, IF YOU GO TO FALL DOWN, JUST THROW YOURSELF FLAT
TO THE MOUNTAIN AS FAST AS YOU CAN
AND, KIND OF LIKE A SNOW ANGEL,
PUT YOUR ARMS AND LEGS OUT LIKE THAT
AND TRY TO SPIN OUT AND COME TO A STOP THAT WAY.
OKAY. GOT IT.
YEAH.
OKAY.
Atz: I MADE IT TO THE TOP.
LOOKED DOWN THE RIDGE TO SEE IF I CAN SEE THE BILLY.
Narrator: AFTER THE LONG, ARDUOUS JOURNEY TO REACH THIS POINT,
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH HAS ARRIVED.
AT THE HOMESTEAD, OTTO AND HIS WIFE, CHARLOTTE,
BUILD A MAKESHIFT SHELTER TO PROTECT THEIR SUPPLY OF HAY
FROM THE IMPENDING FREEZE.
IF THEY FAIL, THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF BEEF
WILL NOT SURVIVE THE WINTER.
THIS IS THE MOMENT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR --
PUTTING THE HAY UNDERNEATH SOME COVER.
I'D LIKE TO BUILD A BETTER HAY BARN,
BUT THAT'S GONNA TAKE TOO MUCH TIME NOW.
THE SUMMER'S SLIPPING AWAY,
AND I GOT ALL THESE PROJECTS I GOT TO DO.
WE GOT TO GET THIS HAY UP, AND IT'S GOT TO HAPPEN.
IT ALL LEADS BACK TO --
YOUR OWN SURVIVAL IS WHY YOU'RE DOING IT ALL,
AND SO I GOT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN FAST.
SO, IT LOOKS LIKE I'M GONNA BE ABLE TO PUT MAYBE --
ONE, TWO --
MAYBE AS MANY AS SEVEN THIS WAY.
THE IDEA IS TO KEEP AS MUCH OF THE HAY THAT I HAVE,
WHICH IS PRETTY MEAGER THIS YEAR,
AND WE'RE GONNA TRY TO PUT AT LEAST 100 BALES
UNDER OUR MAKESHIFT COVER.
I'M READY, HONEY.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO THIS THING.
WHAT I LEARNED FROM DAD GROWING UP HERE
WAS BEING IN THAT MODE WHERE YOU'RE HAVING TO BE
REALLY CREATIVE TO FIX SITUATIONS.
HOW WE DOING?
LOOKS GOOD.
I GOT TO THINKING THE OTHER DAY
HOW MUCH TIME I'VE SPENT HAYING,
AND IT'S A DAMN AWFUL LOT OF MY LIFE.
A MONTH EACH SUMMER FOR 60 YEARS --
THAT'S 60 MONTHS.
THAT'S FIVE YEARS.
PROBABLY JUST KEEPING HAYING TILL I DON'T HAY NO MORE.
Charlotte: OH, MY GOD.
THAT'S GOTTEN RIDICULOUSLY HIGH.
WE GOT 120 BALES UP THERE.
I GOT 1/3 OF MY HAY IN THIS STACK, WHICH IS GREAT.
Narrator: NOW THE CRITICAL FINAL STEP --
PUTTING A ROOF ON THIS MAKESHIFT BARN.
JUST HOLD IT, CHARLOTTE.
OKAY, NOW WE CAN START PUSHING IT OVER THE TOP.
HOW'S THAT?
YEAH, THERE YOU GO.
JUST PULL IT TIGHT UP, CHARLOTTE,
AND THEN DOWN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIDGE POLE.
WOW.
AMAZING.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
IT'S RIDICULOUSLY TALL.
THE COWS ARE GONNA THANK YOU.
THEY'RE GONNA THANK YOU, TOO, I HOPE.
Otto: WEATHER UPPED THE ANTE A LITTLE LAST WINTER,
SO I'M RESPONDING WITH UPPING THE ANTE A LITTLE BIT HERE
WITH A MAKESHIFT BARN.
120 BALES IN A STACK, COVERED, READY TO GO FOR WINTER.
THAT'S A REALLY NICE FEELING.
Narrator: THE MAKESHIFT BARN IS COMPLETE,
BUT THE KILCHERS' WORKLOAD IS NOT.
A FARMER'S LIFE IS TRYING TO SPIN THIS WHEEL
AND DECIDE WHICH ONE OF EIGHT MOST IMPORTANT THINGS
YOU'RE GONNA ATTACK FIRST.
Narrator: OTTO MOVES TO THE NEXT URGENT TASK.
HE CONTINUES TO CLEAR NEW MEADOWS TO GROW ADDITIONAL HAY.
Otto: A FARMER'S LIFE
IS A CONTINUAL REVOLVING SURVIVAL MODE
'CAUSE YOU REALLY NEVER GET IT ALL DONE.
YOU JUST KIND OF LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR PILES.
HOLY [BLEEP]
[BLEEP] WASPS, MAN!
[ WASPS BUZZING ]
DAMN! ONE GOT ME RIGHT ON THE [BLEEP]
[ GROANS ]
OH, I GOT A WASP NEST RIGHT THERE.
SEE THEM?
AT LEAST ONE OR TWO STUNG ME RIGHT ON MY -- HOLY.
I HAVEN'T BEEN STUNG BY A WASP FOR A LONG TIME.
WOW!
[ SHUDDERS ]
[ SPITS ]
SUDDENLY I JUST SEEN THIS BIG, BLACK *** ON MY LIP,
AND IT'S LIKE -- BAAAH!
AAH! AAH!
[BLEEP] [BLEEP]
THEM LITTLE SONS OF [BLEEP] PACK A WALLOP.
OH, THEY'RE PISSED OFF.
[BLEEP] [BLEEP]
OHH! OHH!
I DON'T LIKE IT. I DON'T LIKE IT.
I THINK I GOT ONE RIGHT HERE SOMEWHERE AND ONE RIGHT HERE.
I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE IT'S JUST MY NERVES.
IF SOME BIG OLD CRITTER COME AND KNOCKED OVER MY HOUSE,
KILLED HALF MY FAMILY, I'D BE PISSED.
SO CAN'T BLAME THE WASPS.
IT'S JUST THAT I NEED THIS SPACE.
THE WASPS WILL LOSE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
THE HUNT TURNS DEADLY WHEN A HUGE STORM HEADS THEIR WAY.
Atz: THE WORST THING
IS TO GET CAUGHT UP THERE IN THOSE MOUNTAINS --
STEEP CLIFFS, WITH FRESH SNOW.
SOMETIMES A MAN GOES DOWN. PEOPLE GET LEFT BEHIND.
Narrator: AND JUST WHEN THE KILCHERS THOUGHT THEY'D WON THE WAR,
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
Otto: THESE WASPS WERE [BLEEP] WITH MY OFFSPRING.
I'M ON A VENDETTA NOW.
[ LAUGHING EVILLY ]
MOM, DO YOU HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF BUZZING?
[ BUZZING ]
THERE'S A HORNETS' NEST.
OH, NO.
OH, BOY.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE WE GET STUNG.
WE'RE HAVING A REALLY HORRIBLE SUMMER WITH WASPS.
IT'S JUST GETTING WORSE AND WORSE.
KIND OF A WASP EXPLOSION OF SOME SORT.
I THINK WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO DEAL WITH THE HORNETS' NEST
IN THE NIGHTTIME MAYBE, WHEN IT'S DARK,
YOU KNOW, WHILE THEY WEREN'T FLYING.
AND THEN WE'LL STACK IN THE MORNING
AFTER WE DEAL WITH THE WASPS.
AUGUST AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OPTIONS,
AND WE DECIDED TO TRY THE TORCH.
OH, YOU GOT IT. HOLY [BLEEP]
AAH!
OH, MY GOD. THOSE POOR LITTLE THINGS.
I ACTUALLY FEEL REALLY SAD ABOUT THIS.
MAN, THAT'S JUST AMAZING, JUST THE LAYERS OF THESE.
OKAY, WELL, I SAY WE'RE DONE.
August: YEAH.
BOY, IF WE LET SOME CHICKENS OUT HERE,
I BET THEY'D LOVE EATING THOSE LARVAE.
[ THUNDER CRASHES ]
Narrator: OTTO RETURNS TO THE SCENE OF THE WASP ATTACK,
DETERMINED TO SETTLE THE SCORE.
IT DAWNED ON ME, THIS IS REAL CLOSE OVER TO EIVIN'S.
I GOT A FEELING THAT THEY CERTAINLY
COULD BE SOME OF THE ONES THAT WERE AFTER EIVIN'S HONEY.
HA HA! YOU FRIGGIN' ***.
THIS IS MY WEAPON OF CHOICE AGAINST HORNETS.
[ LAUGHING EVILLY ]
THESE WASPS WERE [BLEEP] WITH MY OFFSPRING,
SO I'M ON A VENDETTA NOW.
HERE THEY COME, MADDER THAN A DAMN HORNET.
TAKE THAT, YOU ***. THAT ONE'S FOR MY LIP!
THAT ONE'S FOR EIVIN'S BEEHIVE.
THAT ONE'S FOR CHARLOTTE.
AND THAT ONE'S FOR THE ONE THINKING
ABOUT EVEN STINGING MY SON.
FRICKING MESS WITH MY OFFSPRING, THAT'S WHAT YOU GET.
OH, YEAH.
IT'S A BIG-*** COLONY.
I'M REALLY HOPING THAT THEY WERE ALL HOME BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.
[ CHUCKLES ]
I MIGHT HAVE NAILED THEM.
KIND OF LIKE THE FRIGGING BILL COLLECTOR
COMING ON SUNDAY EVENING TO YOUR HOUSE, YOU KNOW?
[ CHUCKLES ]
GOOD ENOUGH FOR NOW.
[ THUNDER RUMBLING ]
Narrator: NINE MILES AWAY, ATZ SR., ATZ LEE, AND JANE
PURSUE MOUNTAIN GOATS DEEP IN THE KENAI MOUNTAIN RANGE.
SUCCESS IS ESSENTIAL TO BOLSTER THEIR WINTER MEAT SUPPLY.
THIS MEAT, IT'S WHAT'S GONNA GET ME AND MY FAMILY
THROUGH THE WINTER.
Narrator: AFTER SPOTTING A LONE GOAT,
ATZ SR. FLANKS THE ANIMAL, HOPING TO GET A CLEAN SHOT
OR SCARE IT DOWNHILL TOWARD ATZ LEE AND JANE.
Atz Lee: WE GOT UP THERE AND SET UP THE SPOTTING SCOPE.
RIGHT THERE IS THE GOAT, OVER THERE.
I WAS JUST LOOKING AT IT,
AND I SWEAR TO GOD THAT THING SMILED AT ME
AND JUMPED OFF A CLIFF AND WAS GONE.
AND THAT WAS THE ONLY THING WE SAW OF THAT GOAT.
Jane: FAST. HE'S, LIKE, ON THE MOVE.
[BLEEP]
Jane: I DIDN'T LOSE HOPE 'CAUSE THE GOAT WENT OVER THE RIDGE,
BUT MY HEART CERTAINLY DROPPED.
THERE WAS A CHANCE AT THE TOP WHERE WE COULD STILL GET HIM.
Atz: WHERE THAT BILLY WENT, I DON'T KNOW.
YOU CLIMB AND YOU GET UP WHERE THE GOATS ARE.
SOMETIMES YOU FIND THEM, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T.
AND CHECKING OUT THIS LITTLE BOWL HERE, NOTHING THERE.
I'LL GO LOOK OVER THE RIDGE.
Narrator: MOVING CLOSER FOR A BETTER LOOK OVER THE LEDGE,
ATZ PUTS HIMSELF IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION.
ONE FALSE STEP ON THIS ROCKY TERRAIN COULD BE FATAL.
YEAH, I SEE SOME GOATS WAY OVER THERE.
YOU CAN'T EVEN GET TO THEM.
THAT BILLY THAT GOT AWAY DOWN THERE,
HE'D HAVE COME UP THAT RIDGE OR UP THIS BOWL,
AND I DON'T SEE HIM, SO...
IT'S GETTING TOO GNARLY, TOO STEEP,
TO HARD TO GET IT DOWN EVEN IF WE DID GET IT.
I'D HAVE TO GET ATZ LEE AND JANE UP HERE,
AND IT'D BE TOO HARD FOR THEM TO GET UP HERE,
SO IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE DEALS.
SO, I GAVE IT A TRY.
IT'S TIME TO TURN AROUND AND GO BACK DOWN.
SEE YOUR DAD AT ALL?
NO. CAN'T SEE HIM FROM HERE.
HUH?
I CANNOT SEE HIM FROM HERE.
Atz: WHOA!
I SEE YOUR DAD.
DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE'S HAULING A GOAT WITH HIM.
NO GOAT.
GO BACK AND MEET YOUR DAD?
YEAH.
Jane: I DEFINITELY WANTED TO GET A MOUNTAIN GOAT.
I WANTED TO DO THE HUNT, AND I WANTED THE HUNT TO BE A SUCCESS.
YOU DON'T HAVE A GOAT, AND WE DIDN'T SEE YOU WAVING.
HE DISAPPEARED.
IF I'D HAVE SHOT A GOAT,
I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD YOU GUYS COME UP.
I JUST WOULD HAVE ROLLED IT DOWN.
IT'S SO STEEP THAT YOU START SLIPPING BACKWARDS.
AND I SAID, "I'M SO GLAD
MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND MY SON ARE NOT HERE."
IF I'D HAVE SEEN THAT BILLY, I'D HAVE HAD TO DECIDE,
"KILL HIM, BRING DOWN MEAT,"
'CAUSE I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD YOU GUYS COME UP THERE.
ANYWAY, SAW A COUPLE WAY DOWN.
THERE WAS FRESH TRACKS ALL ACROSS THOSE SLIDES.
[ THUNDER CRASHES ]
Narrator: IN ALASKA, WEATHER CHANGES ABRUPTLY.
AT THIS ALTITUDE, GETTING STUCK IN A STORM COULD BE DEADLY.
THE CLOUDS ARE COMING IN.
Atz Lee: THAT JUST HAPPENED.
Jane: I NEVER WANTED TO TURN BACK.
ONLY WEATHER COULD TURN ME AWAY.
Atz: WORST THING IS TO GET CAUGHT UP THERE IN THOSE MOUNTAINS --
STEEP CLIFFS, CLOSE TO THE GLACIER, WITH FRESH SNOW.
AND SO WE FIGURED, YOU KNOW WHAT?
HATE TO DO IT, BUT WE BETTER PULL OUT OF HERE.
Atz Lee: EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SUCH GOOD WEATHER
WHEN WE WERE UP ON THE ACTUAL MOUNTAIN ITSELF,
GLACIERS ARE JUST NOTORIOUS
FOR BUILDING THEIR OWN WEATHER SYSTEMS.
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR
WHERE YOU DEFINITELY CAN GET CAUGHT IN A STORM.
HYPOTHERMIA IS GONNA BE A GIVEN,
SO BEING UP THERE WOULD BE THE DIFFERENCE OF LIFE AND DEATH.
SO WE HEADED BACK DOWN, BASICALLY GOT FORCED
OFF THE MOUNTAIN FROM THIS ONCOMING STORM.
I MEAN, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLIES,
I MEAN, TO STAY OUT HERE ANYMORE.
Atz: NO, WE GOT TO GO. WE GOT TO GO.
WE'VE GOT TO GO.
THIS IS REALITY. WE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE.
IT'S ONE OF THOSE TIMES WHEN YOU GOT TO MOVE FAST.
WHEN YOU'RE OUT HUNTING
AND YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE GAME YOU'RE AFTER,
IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO CALL IT OFF.
Jane: FELT A LITTLE BIT DEFEATED.
I LOST MY DAD THIS YEAR, AND HE WAS A REALLY BIG HUNTER.
SO THE HUNT MEANT A LOT TO ME.
IT'S WHAT ATZ DOES. IT'S WHAT HIS DAD DOES.
IT'S WHAT MY DAD DID.
SO I WANT TO TAKE A PART AND DO IT, TOO.
[ Voice breaking ] BUT I KNOW THAT MY TIME WILL COME
WHERE I WILL BE ABLE TO HUNT,
SO I AM DISAPPOINTED WE DIDN'T GET ONE.
I'M NOT CRYING 'CAUSE I DIDN'T GET A GOAT.
I'M CRYING 'CAUSE ANYTIME I MENTION MY DAD THIS YEAR,
I GET UPSET.
BUT I GUESS IT'S STILL CONSIDERED A SUCCESSFUL HUNT
EVEN IF YOU DON'T COME BACK WITH A MOUNTAIN GOAT.
I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE THAT ONE OUT FROM ATZ AND ATZ.
Atz Lee: WHAT MAKES A HUNT GOOD IS THE EXPERIENCE,
AND I THINK JANE HAS GAINED AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE.
I THINK SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE'S GETTING INTO NEXT TIME.
I WANTED JANE TO BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE I KNEW THAT,
YOU KNOW, IF SHE SUCCESSFULLY GOT THAT GOAT,
THAT PICTURE THAT WOULD BE TAKEN WOULDN'T JUST BE,
LIKE, A MACHO HUNTER, LIKE, "LOOK AT THIS ANIMAL I KILLED."
LIKE, THEY WOULD BE FOREVER ETCHED IN TIME.
LIKE, IT WOULD BE A PICTURE
THAT SHE WOULD SHOW HER FATHER, YOU KNOW?
THAT'S WHAT LIFE'S MADE OF.
IT'S THE REASON WE DO THIS, YOU KNOW?
PEOPLE THAT GET LEFT BEHIND.
THE GOAT DEFINITELY WON THIS ROUND.
Atz: WELL, WE CAME. WE SAW. WE SAW BILLY.
HE WAS SMARTER THAN US, THOUGH.
THIS IS THEIR HOME TERRAIN.
[ WIND HOWLING ]
Narrator: COMING UP ON "ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER"...
ON THE HOMESTEAD, WINTER RAPIDLY APPROACHES.
THE KILCHERS MUST BAND TOGETHER
TO PREPARE FOR THE ONCOMING FREEZE.
[ GUNSHOT, MOOSE BELLOWS ]
GET HIM OUT OF HERE!
Narrator: BUT PREDATORS, STORMS, AND THE BRUTAL ALASKAN WILDERNESS
CONTINUE TO ATTACK THE FAMILY'S EFFORTS
Atz Lee: DAD!