The Alaskan Retreater's Notebook: One Man's Journey into the Alaskan Wilderness

by Ray Ordorica

In the fall of 1978 Ray Ordorica packed everything he thought he would need into his Toyota LandCruiser and drove north to Alaska. He came to a land he had never seen, to find something he wasn't even sure a wilderness cabin he could use for a year or more to live, think, relax, read, and write. Ordorica found his cabin, fixed it up, and, although it was just an un-insulated 12- by 16-foot one-room log structure, he spent three winters in it in relative comfort.Ordorica’s life in that cabin fulfilled a dream he had had for more than ten years. During his long winters in Alaska, it occurred to him that there must be many others who have put off an extended wilderness visit to out of ignorance or fear. They have as many questions about Alaska as he had before he How do you cope with 40 below? How do you get water? Is it totally dark in mid-winter? These questions and many more gave Ordorica the idea to write the Alaskan Retreater’s Notebook, an epic memoir about one man’s journey into the Alaskan wilderness. With his wisdom, you will learn how to live with the country, and not against it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Audiobook, Biography, American, Nature, Survival

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2016

Reviews

[Sam Temple · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fine and interesting (save for the odd random political opinion) but then the last few chapters mostly talked about his friendship with a wild fox he named Cookie and how he communicated with all of the animals around his cabin. I wish the book had just been that: a crazy man talking to animals about arming children against the Federal government, all the while transitioning from being an avid big game hunter to a pacifist because of his critter friends.

All of those things happened, they just came after twelve chapters of cabin insulation tutorials. There was almost a great book in here but, boy, what a wild ride. Actually, there were two great books in here.

Mr. Ordorica, please cut this into two parts. The first can be the Alaskan Retreater's Notebook: Tips for Living in the Northern Brush. The second can be Ray and Cookie: Fox Friendship Never Dies.

Thank you for taking my edits to heart. I'll look for a second edition sometime next year. Also, you should cut the part about you and your friends having young girlfriends.

Man, this was a weird book.

[Juan Duarte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part journal, part how-to this book sets out to layout what it takes to make in the Alaskan wild. I found the sections on weapons and the reason why someone would choose to go out into the "wild" very relevant.

[Becky S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has interesting information about why people go to remote Alaska, and specific & useful information about what to take, how to find food, how to prevent fires, how to heat a cabin, how to survive, even thrive. The list of tools, household items, food, clothing and equipment is long and the items would fill the 12 X16 foot cabin he lived in, about the size of the living room in my modest home, though not everything had to be stored inside. He describes how to select land for a cabin, how to build it (in general terms) and place windows.
Among other items he suggests taking guns, partly to hunt, partly to protect against a 'declining civil order' : the biggest threat being either Russia, or our own government. Yes, you read that correctly. Yes, you would be at risk even in remote Alaska. "Bear in mind that there are thousands of small private airplanes in Alaska that could be used to reconnoiter back country dwellings to pinpoint likely strike zones for follow-up land attacks by organized groups of looters. "
He suggests a good combat rifle, one for "every member of your family who is capable of handling one" (pg 89) I'm not worried about that kind of attack - and even if the government was coming after us, why would they bother with rural Alaska, which has few people and little to steal?
This is a very different book from the journals of Richard Proenneke (One Man's Wilderness). Ordorica's time in Alaska slightly overlapped Proenneke's by a year or 2 but Prodnneke lived in a more remote area, accessible only by plane, while Ordorica could, at least some of the year, drive to his cabin. (So could others, to his dismay) Proenneke's journal detailed his days without providing specific instructions on how to live there, which is the purpose of Ordorica's book. Proenneke built his cabin from the ground up, Ordorica rehabbed an old Army cabin. Proenneke live in his cabin for almost 30 years, Ordorica in his for about 3, then moved on to less primitive digs.
This book also makes me think of Chris McCandless, who in the early 90's, went to Alaska with few supplies and even less survival knowledge, moved into an abandoned bus, and died there. (see 'Into The Wild') Three very different men 3 very different stories. My favorite of the three is Proenneke.
The last quarter of the book, in which Ordorica talks about living in somewhat more modern circumstances in AK , and working as an author and photographer, were much less interesting to me.

[Benedict · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part travel guide, part memoir, this is a story about and advice for moving to Alaska. To be clear, I have no intention of doing this, but thought it would be interesting.

He talks about what tools to bring, how to build a cabin, how to survive winter.

It seems very practical and normal... until he has a little rant about the government, advises preparation for civil unrest, and reminds you that, should you need to shoot a human, they'll be wearing thick layers that your bullet needs to penetrate.

Which is to say it took a weird turn, and from then on I couldnt ignore his bizarre affinity for guns. Living in that part of the world, a gun is a nessessity (what with all the bears) but his enthusiasm came across as creepy to me. He also has an odd part about animals being able to read his thoughts. That was weird too.

It starts strong in the pragmatisism, but overall this is not a chap I'd want to be taking any advice from.

[Iami Menotu · Rating 3 out of 5]

​This was a decent account of a journey into the Alaskan wilderness, but it left me wanting more. While the premise is interesting, the execution was just short of detailed when it came to the actual retreat and survival aspects. I also found some of the author’s internal reflections to be a bit childish, which pulled me out of the immersion. It’s a fine read for a quick look at the "wild life," but it lacks the depth and maturity I was expecting from a memoir like this.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick listen on Audible for 2026.

I'm obsessed with Alaska and I enjoy all memoirs from people going to Alaska especially the older ones when people did Alaska without all the technology. Ray's story was wholesome and a nice listen. He did get a little detailed on guns and that kind of drug on but what's Alaska if you don't discuss guns. It's just like Idaho... All in all a good listen about one man's unique adventure in Alaska and his leaving Alaska eventually.

[lynn stilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to live in the real wilderness of Alaska?

I love the honesty and integrity of this book! His descriptions of the wilderness are drawn with real love. The first third of the book, about what is needed in the North, got boring, but the rest of the book was worth it! As an ex-Alaskan, this book rings True!!

[Richard Binkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Loved the interactions with the animals. I cried when he left Cookie, his friend, the Fox. He had a hard life but made the best of it by finally communing with the animals. I find myself wishing that I could meet Ray. He is an extraordinary individual. God bless him in his new life! Great book!

[Kszernec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly enjoyable book...

I did enjoy this book, although I skimmed all the hyper-detailed gun sections. I loved the processes of settling in and experiencing nature, and found the rest of the book worth my time. It was inconsistent but enjoyable enough to finish.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read if you enjoy the Great outdoors.




The author does a great job painting a picture of life in Alaska. His interaction with the the wildlife was particularly enjoyable.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave up about half way. I expected some narrative - a sense of adventure and insight into his reasons for leaving for the Alaskan wilderness - but it really is just a long, tedious description of a man building a shed.

[Linus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read on a man's life in the Alaskan wild, dealing with everything from cold, hunger and isolation, to his reflections on guns, animals and the meaning of life. Recommended to anyone interested in homesteading or living off the grid!

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more like a 3.5 star, but I rounded up. I found neat and good perspectives from the book. He was a character I could certainly relate to.

[ALM · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into life in Alaska. Too much fun related content for my liking so I skipped that! Amazing interactions with wildlife.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the wildlife, the observations in nature, certain survival aspects, a little poetic in parts which was nice. Some good advice there (eg never take cheap tools). I liked it.