Hello, I have lived in our remote cabin for 3 months straight but could go much longer. And am setting it up for being able to be comfortable while being off grid.
I'm getting older n don't care to go outside at 40 below to go to the bathroom. And I like my beautiful wife to be comfortable. So here's what I did or is in the works.
The bathroom. I installed an Incinolet incinerator toilet. I can burn it in this or just put a sturdy plastic garbage bag in it like the bucket ones. I think I will put a honey bucket system in
We built with 3 sided 6" logs. 16x24 and 10' tall side walls. So we would have more head room upstairs. Since there is no road n everything has to be freighted in during the winter months. Like 50-60 thousand pounds of freight. So took a couple years. But it was fun. My beautiful wife has foot problems so I am planning a 12v lift chair for the second floor powered by an atv winch. So she doesn't have to use the steps. Having food sources from moose to lynx to salmon n trout. Kazillion geese, duck swan n sandhill cranes come through.
For water I have a sand point well started. I tried doing it by hand but couldn't get it far. But will pound in with a jackhammer. It's placed in the end of the cabinets for access. I have a 12v pump like in a moterhome for lifting the water n plunbed to the kitchen sink. Just like home. We also have a MSR water purifier we use now until I get the well finished. Planning for the future it will also pump water to the 30 gallon water tank in the upstairs. That that will sit above the wood stove with a water jacket in it . Water will flow down into the water jacket in the stove n back up with convection. Then plunb the hot water to the shower n back to the kitchen sink. Running hot n cold water at the tap. And a hot shower. For now I use a hot water bath canning pot. Set it on the wood stove a few hours n it's hot. Use the 12v pump hooked up to a shower head. I put a clear shower curtain up to see out the window n stand in a 4' tote I empty outside. Works OK.
Also catch rain water. Wood heat but thinking about putting an oil fired drip stove in. So I could use wood or fuel.
I first built the 8x12 generator shed. It's insulated. I now have a small air conditioner to mount on it for a walk in cooler. So we can process a moose out there. I brought our old vacuum sealer out there too. And will bring out a small chest freezer to act as a refrigerator. Use generator when needed. I freight out a hundred gallons of gasoline a year to keep some on hand. We use premium gasoline in our coleman lanterns and some wheelers I have out there for work like skidding logs.
In the summer. We are 2 miles north of an uninhabited lake that we charter a bush plane on floats to get to. And use the wheelers to get back n forth. Always treading lightly n keeping the trail near the edge of the woods where it disappears.
In winter we use snogos. I enjoy learning about trapping so have been doing that. We are transplanting rhubarb n raspberries plants out there for food n moose don't eat them. The raspberries get pruned automatically. I have also taken the time to learn about every plant near us n how it can be prepared processed n used for food or medicine. And process what is out there like chaga or tree sap.
I believe we could be pretty comfortable n off the grid. But it doesn't just happen. Well for me I kinda just happened as I have a thing for being in the bush.
I know I feel very comfortable after we have harvested a moose to go with the salmon. Add a bear or 2 a few lynx n beaver. Lots of birds seasonally so would need to process. No problem.
Wish I was there now.
Although we are planning on finishing out the inside. TnG pine for the upstairs lid. Knotty pine kitchen cabinets, I will make them. And make doors for the pantry n storage shelfs. Using 1x6 pine to match the walls, so they will all kinda disappear. Then sand all the walls n topcoat everything a couple times with a clear coat. I love the look of wood n this will help to keep them a nice yellow. Not turn dark. Caulk everything.
Going to be some work. I will enjoy the time on my snogo the most. Chugging along with a load of freight behind me, cool temps but I have good gear. And have only had to walk out a few times. Stop in the middle of an open area on the tundra. Turn everything off n look up. Look up at the northern lights dancing overhead. Maybe take a little slug of comfort. It's magical.
But the weather n terrain can get a bit touchy n take you out fast. Machines break. Trails get clogged with trees full of ice n the snow is up to your neck . It's all part of the package.
I'm blessed to be able to live in a place where I can still do this. And I did. Gotta stay positive n believe that there's nothing in this world you can't do.
Hope that maybe gives a bit of perspective. This cabin has taken near 15 years. Now I can go out n chill , be comfortable n in my happy place with my beautiful wife n great family
And I'm not near done