I lived in Fairbanks Alaska for three years. After I moved back to the lower 48 I read a book a friend from Alaska gave me. Its called Edges of the Earth, by Leo, Richard, New York: Henry Holt, 1991. Its about a man, a woman and their child doing what you are talking about. I got a lot of enjoyment out of it and I think you could get a lot of information from it.<br> I also flew Medevac helicopters for a few years there. I saw many people who had lived there their whole life get into some serious trouble. Having a reliable source of communication with the outside world is of great importance. I once picked up a man who had been hunting with his son. On the way back their ATV rolled down a small bank. I think the father received a broken ankle and a few broken ribs. The son had to walk for two days to get to the nearest phone just to call for help.