What a life! In 1967, at age 51, or perhaps sometime before, Proenneke decided he'd had enough of the "normal" affairs of men. We can only speculate that he must have felt that he could better fulfill whatever it is that defined what was, for him, a fulfilling life, by spending the rest of it in the wilderness.
Proenneke was a brilliant man who entered the wilderness on his own terms. He survived beautifully (where did he learn how to do all that stuff?), fulfilling his dreams, because he had two fundamental assets: the requisite skills and a remarkable intellect. He chronicled his adventure because of a depth of sensitivity and a well-placed - and warranted - self indulgence. Because this man lived, my life is richer. I beg the family to release an extended version with all of his outtakes.
Proenneke was a brilliant man who entered the wilderness on his own terms. He survived beautifully (where did he learn how to do all that stuff?), fulfilling his dreams, because he had two fundamental assets: the requisite skills and a remarkable intellect. He chronicled his adventure because of a depth of sensitivity and a well-placed - and warranted - self indulgence. Because this man lived, my life is richer. I beg the family to release an extended version with all of his outtakes.