Why do we live off grid in such extreme conditions?

Let's face facts, without technology we would only be able to live in the tropical areas of this planet.  Our physical bodies are not capable of surviving in the extreme areas, especially when temperatures drop to -40C/-40F.  We are coming out of a two week stretch where temperatures dropped that low and the wind chills brought the 'feel like' temperature even lower.  So why would people live in these extreme conditions, especially off grid?  

The arctic circle is located at 66°33' N and we live at 54°26' N while 90% of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the 49th parallel.   I was born in this area and lived most of my life in these extreme temperatures.  In 1997 I remember when it was -35C for over two weeks and then the winds picked up the wind chill dropped to -75C.  That was cold.  I remember feeling the cold right through the walls.  Very dangerous if the power, gas or furnace quit working.

When we decided where we wanted to live off grid, we purposely chose to head north.  We wanted to be away from any rail roads and in areas where people would most likely avoid if they started evacuating any major urban centers due to turmoil or disaster.  We moved away from areas where we enjoyed 135 frost free days and instead moved into an area that experiences only 88 frost free days a year.  We regularly get frost in the middle of June and we have seen frost in the middle of August as well.

While living in more tropical areas would be easier for most, I actually cannot stand the heat.  My favorite seasons of the year is fall and winter.  Spring and summer are times where I suffer, especially if the heat goes above 25C / 77F.  Yes, I'm acclimatized to this type of environment and thought I was tough.  I then met a friend last winter when we went camping in Saskatchewan.  He is half Inuit and that dude is tough!  It was -38C and we were in a teepee with no fire.  I did not sleep all night while he had a single blanket on top of him.  He woke up refreshed, rejuvenated and energized with energy.  Astounding how he was able to do that.  

This winter has been particularly challenging as we are getting snow fall much greater than we normally get.  I say normal as we have not had normal weather for years.  When I was a teen, I remember snow like this.  The snow is up to my waist and we only have quads to access the bush.  So I made a sled that I can use to haul wood, but it also helps pack down the trails so that we can keep our access to the bush.  The bush is our life line as all our fire wood comes from the trees on the land we steward.  Without it, winter would be cold.

It looks deceiving, but there really is 2 1/2 feet (.76 meters) of snow.

My sled packs down the snow so that our quads won't sink in and get stuck.  This design works brilliantly, even better than any sled I've made in the past.  I may make these sleds for people if they want one.  I'm VERY happy with how well it works.  

This fence is a seven (7) strand barb wire fence.  

So cold that any exposed skin would freeze in minutes.

So why do we live here?  Why not?  Life here is challenging.  When the Europeans first came to this land, many died because they were woefully unprepared.  The indigenous peoples actually had to teach them how to survive on this continent.  My ancestors adapted and figured it out.  Now we live off grid despite the system providing people with electricity and gas to keep their homes warm, despite the infrastructure to feed, cloth and provide shelter for the masses.  

My wife and I decided to walk away from it all so that we can return to Mother Earth and learn how to live off the land.  This land is challenging, yet we rose up to that challenge.  Most people would freeze and starve to death if they were ever put in a situation where they no longer had big brother to look after them.  My wife and I have learned much and have a lot more to learn.  THAT is why we do what we do.

We came here to learn, experience, grow and be a steward of Mother Earth at her most challenging.  We rose up to the challenge trying to figure out how to keep live stock in these extremes, grow our own food and harvest from the bush all that we can.  We found medicine and resources that we use to make it work.  We formed friendships with others who are doing the same or who ancestors once hunted on these lands.  We don't do it for wealth or riches, but rather to be enriched with a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experiences.  

Why do we live off grid in such extremes?  Because we are free!  We are free to explore our relationship with our self and Mother Earth.  By pushing the boundaries, we figure out what we are capable of doing.  We learned more about ourselves in the last 12 years than in the previous 40.  Our relationship with Creator has been tested and confirmed.  Our trust and faith in Creator is beyond reproach.  My relationship with my wife is stronger now than it has ever been.  We have overcome adversity, heartache and pain.  We walked through the fire together and came out stronger.

Most people are not ready for this type of life.  It requires teamwork, communications, conflict resolution and a lot of skills.  This type of life style demands that we learn a wide range of skills and learn how to put it together to work in the unique environment that we find ourselves in.  What works for me may not work for others and what works for you may not work for me.  

But I find great comfort in knowing that even if the power goes out and the gas stops flowing, my wife and I will be warm and safe.  We know what it takes to live in this climate without depending on the corporate infrastructure to provide for us.  Our relationship with Mother Earth is secured as we embrace life by her rules, not ours.  We don't live my man's laws, instead we found ways to live by the Natural Laws of our mother.  

To me, this is the most honorable way to live.  The colonization process involves moving to a new area through conquest, implementing their own law form and pillage what is found.  Many spiritual beings stuck in meat suits feel they can do that with Mother Earth.  They are wrong.  The consequences of ignoring the laws that govern this planet will be felt by most people.  Those lessons will be harsh if we don't start taking them seriously.  

Why do we live this way?  Because it is the moral and ethical approach to life on this planet.  I do not have the authority to plunder.  Nobody does, yet we all participate in it because we use the justification of wealth and the economy.  We live connected to Mother Earth because we believe that we will be rewarded with great spiritual riches by learning how to have a healthy relationship with mother and all the other spiritual beings here.  We do this despite the challenges and hard work.  

If you chose to live off grid, be warned!  The romance of this life style has fooled many.  I've seen it first hand by many who made the move and then abandoned the life style.  But for those who are truly interested in exploring the full scope, width and breadth of what it means to be a spiritual steward, this is the best journey ever.  

That is why we do it!