Kristie Wolfe turns 1950s fire lookout into off-grid shelter
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- Опубликовано: 16 ноя 2019
- When Kristie Wolfe saw a fire lookout tower advertised for sale on private land, she knew she had found her next build. She had already constructed a Hawaiian treehouse and a hobbit hole getaway from the ground up and loved the idea of converting the abandoned structure into an immersive deep-forest escape.
The 13 acres of forest above tiny Fernwood, Idaho (population: 684) cost her $67,000 and was her most expensive purchase, but the structure it came with has historic value: there are only about 900 lookouts still standing (at one time there were over 5,000 towers in the US). The lookout heydey was inspired by the devastating Great Fire of 1910 that burned 3,000,000 acres (12,000 km2) throughout Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
Wolfe’s “Crystal Peak Lookout” was built in 1959 on Stranger Peak, WA, but in 1983 it was moved to private land in Northern Idaho where it was used as a hunting lodge. When Wolfe bought it, it had been abandoned for 25 years by all but the bushy-tailed woodrats which had inflicted their damage.
Working mostly alone, Wolfe spent weeks transforming the cab into an overnight shelter with a fireplace, kitchenette and 360 degree views. The location is off-grid (the town of Fernwood doesn’t even have Internet), but a small PV setup provides enough energy for lights and to charge phones.
With the help of her brother and mother, Wolfe moved an old shed down the hill (using pipes and a pulley system) and gave it a new life as a cold-water shower and sauna. Another old shed became a composting toilet.
Wolfe does all the work on her properties herself - with the help of family- and never takes out loans. For the past 7 years her properties have become her full-time job. Just recently she created the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, a one room shelter carved out of a 6-ton potato (of concrete, plaster and steel) formerly used to promote the Idaho potato industry.
tinyhouseontheprairie.net/
On *faircompanies faircompanies.com/videos/kris... 
Хобби
You know what's especially nice about this video ? No background music. It's very calm and you can really take in the conversation and picturesque views :)
Not to mention all the ass shots am I right?
yes, i hate the annoying mainstream pop tecno/dance songs everyone does with their videos and annoying drone shots.
Kirsten just lets them talk. She gets it.
What a great place to live. No noisy neighbors and no lights outside at night. The way its supposed to be. Dark. So you can see the stars and hear the crickets.
And the skinwalkers
"Crickets make me nervous"- said by Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront".
Came back to watch this again. Kristie seems like she just never runs out of good ideas. Each little thing is so well thought out. Just love this lady and hearing about her adventures.
I would clear the trees and bushes underneath and around the tower, or when a fire comes she will be burned.
Many of the remaining fire lookouts are still active and used for fire spotting. I served 8 seasons as a paid Forestry Technician-Lookout between 2002 and 2012. A few are also staffed by volunteers here in California.
Did you actually sleep there? Was it you alone or shift work with others?
Oregon has a number of fully staffed fire lookouts. Recently interviewed a married couple that has done it for 3 decades now. It is surprising that California is mostly staffed by volunteers vs. 1039 workers.
@@sidewalkstoryz Different region with different rules, requirements, etc.
I am 70 yrs. old. I can remember as a child thinking how cool it would be to live in a fire tower.
I'm 53 and still think about it. My wife and i occasionally rent one through the forest service for a weekend. It's a hard place to leave when it comes time to go. Cheers.
@@arkansaswookie 51 and thinking about getting one
@@dodgeplow Do you mean actually buying one or renting one from the Forest Service?
At some point my wife and I want to buy property on either side of the Cascades in
Oregon, where we live, or Washington, and build a lookout tower cabin. Not 40 feet off the ground, but a two or three story with the bottom section used as a garage. I've seen one that was built like that and liked it. The top floor looked like a lookout tower and was used as the kitchen-dining room/family room, and the 2nd floor had 2 bedrooms with en suits. Not sure about the sq. footage but I would guess close to 2,000 in total space including the bottom floor/garage. Good luck!
You must watched when Lassie met Smokey the Bear and the forest rangers.
Like me you're old enough to remember the last few guys living and working in the last few of them. Also in our lifetime were the last few lighthouse keepers.
I have been stationed at 4 fire lookouts in Oregon. The round instrument mounted over a map, is called an Osbourne Fire Finder.
I love my home Oregon! I’ve been in one
I lived in this lookout when I worked for the DNR. I am excited to stay in it again this year for my birthday 💚 I was 18 years old when I stayed in it.
Back in the 70s I worked as a Forest Fire Lookout on 5 different lookouts. I loved it and I could totally have seen myself living in one full time year round.
Ms. Wolfe... the more I watch the more I am thoroughly impressed. I have apparently wasted my life in comparison. Please, keep having this sort of fun. You're a gem in this world.
I you had mysterious sources of income and lived a privileged life you too could live this way. Don't be too impressed, although this tends to be aimed at the easily impressed.
@Brian W nah. They can leave it up there. Creates a perfect echo chamber for the ignorant 😂🤣😂🤣
@@dcpack hmmm... why does your response seem backhanded?
I'm pleasantly impressed that she's found a way to pursue this hobby. While I may be a tad jealous as well, I am happy for her.
No reason not to be either.
White knight check
KLR-Zoomie most people with privilege do nothing. Why you hating?
Build after build are fantastic, from concept to construction. And Kirsten, thank you for giving us this glimpse.
living off the grid is in some ways a blessing but I like the fact that you keep it moving and your learning as you go, I pray you will keep up the good work and continue learning as you go.
I love how different all her builds are. Following her vision. And practical. The one Kristie and her mum built on their own in 2 months in Hawaii is such a satisfying practical building. And this renovation/build also lovely. She has a 'can do' attitude which is empowering. Love how she remedies things like the pipe with a wriggle in it because of where the beam runs. Hmm how do we deal with this one...
Wow, this truly is living the dream.
Have nothing but admiration for Kristie's work!
This message is for Kirsten.....thank you for traveling all over the world to show us the different ways people live. I ENJOY your eye opening videos. Much Love to you and your crew! ♥️
Yes.
As a former Forest Service fire lookout, I appreciate what you're done here. The place is beautiful, but I don't think the trees belong up that close to the cab.
Yeah, I was thinking about that too. I don't know much about trees, but if there's a forest fire or if one fell you really wouldn't want to be up there. It's really nice but I would be too nervous to stay there honestly.
Yeah..you wouldnt see too much fire from that tower, other than the trees next to you burning and you about to burn too :D
she said it was retired from WA state, it hasn't been a fire watch for near 40yrs, it was moved to Idaho to become part of a private recreational property
Maybe not for a FS lookout, but perfect for what it is: a magical structure in a magical location for a magical experience!
@@MaxAChow Great place for social distancing xDD
This woman is amazing she's got a great eye for finding some great properties and making them come to life she's definitely a visionary and that's what it takes to make something out of nothing congratulations on another great find well done.
The fire lookout tower is amazing. She did a fantastic restoration.
@mister poopies
😭😏
@mister poopies Who hurt you, cupcake?
The grain silo set me off in a laughing fit. Back in the 50’s if I was being a bad little boy in the back seat of our ‘49 Oldsmobile my Mother would say: “See that grain bin?” (they were along every road) “If you don’t start behaving we’re going to put you in there and pick you up on the way back.” I always wondered what that would be like. Yours would have been a great time. If my Mom was still alive I’d send her your link. Thanks for the video, great as always. I see why you were a spokesperson. You’re very genuine and friendly.
I love that this is down in the trees a bit. On a real tower when the sun comes up you go from the uninsulated cold of night right into the blaze of dawn inside a greenhouse. There was no such thing as curtains or sleeping in. What I remember most was wishing I could have a cold drink, but there was no refrigerator. What a nice video.
Kirsten I am so inspired by what you do, thank you for these wonderful documentaries. Fueling the dream.
- Noe
While exploring the north Georgia mountains in the mid 70's with friends, we came upon a lookout tower. The door was unlocked, power on, with electric stove, bed, blankets and the circular topopo map.We spent the most amazing day, watched a big storm move through complete with lightning and hiked out after dark. I always planned to go back, but never did. I know I could find it again, but I am too old now to make it in there.
Linda Kaye that sounds like a perfect day
Linda Kaye now there are probably abunch of broken TVs and beer cans at the base
That sounds really interesting story to tell your grandkids, I'm imagining the whole plot
@@suzyrottencrotch5132 I used to live at Lake of the Ozarks. Went to lookout tower near where we lived.awesome
"too old" bahhh. My 80 year-old grandmother goes on two mile walks every other day. You got another trip in you
Every project she builds is just fantastic
Look forward to the next !
Thank you for sharing all this!
I admire Kristie for her creativity. I love all that she has been doing and will do. I loved this clip.
I love Kristie’s journey. She builds some really unusual places for people to stay in. Please keep it up. Share more. Thanks Kirsten.
Normally, I speed up all videos. I did not on yours. Wanted to savor every minute. I love how your brother and mother were involved. Best to you!
Me, too. Dig these.
artistchase7 miller creep
I remember going up in a fire tower with my Dad when I was little in the Ozarks. The view was beautiful. Unfortunately, I was and still am afraid of heights! I am amazed how gifted this builder, designer is!!
Thank you so much for sharing these videos with us.
I can only say one word from what i have seen in all that you have done "OUTSTANDING"
That was the perfect video to go along with my Sunday morning coffee. Really enjoyed it. Kristie is a badass and so inspiring!
1:13 - pumps entire glass of water, takes sip, dumps the rest out
@Rob C 🇬🇧 My thoughts exactly ! When she married my mother had to carry water from a pump for 12 years until she got fed up and made my dad move. I grew up respecting water especially as we had a lot of camping/caravaning holidays and I also had to carry it.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I saw that actually laughed about how random and stupid that wad
@Rob C LOL You're a moron. Fresh water is almost everywhere in America. We not only have thousands of lakes, rivers, creeks and streams we have massive underground aquifers/wells all over the place. Where i live, it rains 30-40" per year.
I don't know where the hell you live, but we actually poop in fresh, clean drinking water and flush it down into the sewer or septic. Maybe you have never heard of indoor plumbing.
@@bartstarr2371 shut up
Maybe the water did not taste so good
She needs to write a book featuring all her unique houses and clever ways of building !!! Her use for spaces is genius !!!
Love how she pumps a mug full of water, takes a sip, and just dumps the rest in the sink.
Which could go into a cistern or gray water tank to be reused. Do you watch these things just give find something to criticize?
@@mikrich76 how do u know he was critisising? or do you only think the worst of people?
That tells you she is not the one hiking that water up lol
@@mikrich76 I'm not criticizing how she conserves water. I just thought it was comical.
Bahaha I thought the same thing. Although I was more wondering about a bathroom
Great video, Kirsten! Love to see the outstanding work (and re-purpose) going on!! Awesome to see what Ms. Wolfe has done!
Everyone who has ever played Firewatch is really jealous right now.
Why would I be jealous? I can still play Firewatch today. I can't even go there right now if I tried. Jokes on you bud.
@@End3rWi99in ? I wasn't having a go mate
I know, right?
You can rent this place on AirBnB. The link is in the video description.
Man, I would put a radio antenna up there and it would rock! It would be fun to live in one of those watch towers a while.
This woman is inspirational. I wish I had the money or guts to pull something like building my own home out of simple recycled materials. I have been researching for years about tiny homes and want to build one for myself. I just don't have any money to do it or land to build it on. Thanks for the video. Your content has always been unique and fascinating, and your family is super chill and lovely. Cheers!
Awkward Aquamarine
Kristie worked and saved. She started out very small and then rented it out. She then did another, and so on. Most people can do this if they focus and save every bit they can. Most people waste money on big stuff or small stuff on an ongoing basis.
You can do it if it's important enough to you.
A person making minimum wage can do it unless they are supporting a family. It will take awhile but can be done. 🤗
@@goodliving2171, good to know. Like I said, what an inspiration woman. I know it can be done. I wish I discovered tiny house minimalist living while I was still part of the workforce. Not that I'm freelancing, I barely have enough to pay the bills and take care of my parents at the same time. But I know it's definitely doable. Cheers!
This woman is a genius, I'm sure these homes are paying for themselves over and over and she is building a portfolio of vacation homes. This is awesome and inspiring.
Paying for themselves how? Does she rent them out? If not, she's still responsible for taxes on the land she purchased, upkeep to the building. My wife and I have a couple of vacation homes we own, and to be honest, if we didn't rent them out 6 months out of the year, the taxes and upkeep would make them more of a drain on finances then they would be worth to us.
@@jonnystorm1 She said she rents them as Air B&B.
@@jonnystorm1 She does rent out the Hobbit and potatoe houses for sure. She's been in lots of video's and I am sure you can book most of her little homes for a stay if you google them.
@Bobon Meiknob Idaho is the west and people love it there, people like to get away. I'm sure hunters will rent from her in winter as her land is great! She rents this one on Airbnb and many people like to vacation off gride.
My question is why does it offend you so much that she is happy creating things she loves and sharing them with others?
There was 111 likes and 11 replies so I apologize for ruining it
Also yikes to the Bobon Meiknob dude. He sounds like a pure boomer lol
Enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing!
Another great video, Kristen! Thank you!
What a beautiful way to escape the chaos of life. I prefer natural chaos to the mess we live in day-to-day. Kristie Wolfe, keep being awesome, you inspire dreams and perhaps, someday, my escape.
Thank you, Kirsten, another excellent video.
My brother worked in one of these that was located in Northern California when he got back from Vietnam.
I love the lookout house! Kristie is so ingenious and has a knack for aesthetics :).
You are such an amazing soul!! So inspirational, thank you 🙏🏽❤️😀
It figures she’s the same woman from the hobbit hole I remember her as being absolutely lovely as well as being a sweetheart...This lady seems so genuine and creative,why can’t I ever meet people as great as her?!
I thought she was novel and hip
Saving some history. Really interesting re-build. Well done Kristie.
This is saving history the same way las Vegas casinos are saving the history of the pyramids
What a joy; I hope to see more of her creations!
I don't know if anyone will see this, but my old neighbors down the road did something similar to this too! They met in the National Forrest Service and when the husband found out they were removing the tower they met in, he tore it down and rebuilt it as an art studio for her! You can see her sculptures around Lewiston! Edit: This was in Idaho too, down by the snake outside of Riggins
I see this and remember the game Firewatch
Kenji Brian Kitagawa I downloaded the soundtrack and listened to it regularly up there 🌲
Just Push Play!
Me too, great game!
Reminds me of the game ‘Do You Copy?’ You should try it, pretty cool game!
👍❤
I just love the way you dive Right in and just make it happen ! Loving what your doing
I'm just amazed at Kristie's energy and imagination. She restores, rebuilds and repurposes such interesting structures.
That is the coolest Fire Lookout Tree Fort I've ever seen :)
I love all her builds! She is such an inspiration!!
I Love Kristie projects. Thanks, Kisten for bringing us one more.
Gorgeous! Kristie is very talented and brave to do all that!
What an awesome idea and a wonderful way to live. As we get older we need to accomplish our dreams before age catches-up to us so we can just enjoy our accomplishments later in life. You are a very smart woman and you have a lot to show for it.
cmcer1995 appreciate it :)
Awesome! This type of structure to home conversion has been a dream of mine for many years! Great stuff!!
What an awesome woman!!!!!!!! I've seen some of the other places she's built and or redone great vision ( and she's NOT bad too look at either) .
I LOVE THIS and now I'm obsessed with your work!
Omg this woman Kristie is simply amazing! Wow what a great idea... So many ideas❤️❤️
Kirsten: I love how nearly invisible you are in these videos and that you bring your whole family along. Another amazing project. I loved the hobbit house. And the cow made me melt.
April Hall her kids are so sweet and smart too
Thanks April. And Kristie. My daughters loved you.
Man.. I'd love to build a modern version of that out of steel. Full solar and all the amenities. Use the tower portion for water storage and batteries. It would be such a fun home.
This lady is living her life the way she loves it. I have much respect for you 👏👏👏
love your ideas! I appreciate your design.
That’s so rad.
She’s living life the right way,
The fun & enjoyable way.
"rad"
Haha that's great! I haven't heard that in years!
Kristy you have an amazing talent I was glad to hear you say " and I'm still having fun " I loved everything I must say the antique coffee maker really turned my crank but everything you have done is special. Loved the antlers fixture in your potato as well. Thank you for sharing this wonderful passion in the creative adventure of this off grid home. Wishing you many more successful projects. p.s. your books are wonderful history too!
breanne love thanks Breanne!
Wow, what a woman! I wish I'd had you to share 8 lookouts with me. I've probably turned in 200 fires over 8 fire seasons.. I love your attitude. Do you plan to cut some of those trees around your lookout to open your view and provide a defensable space against fire ? That would be a tough place to be in a forest fire. I staffed Sugarloaf Lookout in Wenatchee NF, Washington in 2007. That lookout was almost burned off the mountain in 1994 during the big Tyee Fire .Don't you just love being in your lookout during a good lightning storm ? I've always loved it!
@@Kristiemaewolfe This message below from Floyd Rasmussen just came in to me. I don't know if You will receive it so that's why I am telling You ; I thought you would like to read what he is saying; He sounds like a terrific person like yourself. Hope You are able to see it.
I loved this. I love you humble spirit and kind heart! Well done
I used to live on the 7 acres on the other side of the mountain as the fire tower. I lived right off Adams Creek road in the years 1997-2001. This brings back so many many memories. Mostly terrible memories because my father isolated my entire family on this mountain. We lived in the 14x24 shack on the hillside. You can still see the remains from Google Maps.
My husband went through something similar. His stepfather would constantly move his mom, him and his 2 brothers to abandoned shacks and houses in the middle of nowhere. No electricity and no running water. He'd travel to other states for work as a logger and left them all alone in these places for weeks on end. His mom homeschooled them and shoved religion down their throats, as both his mom and stepdad are both crazy religious! Pretty hard life. I really feel for you.
@aders damin The last time I spoke to my father was when I was 19. My mother quickly divorced him once she was no longer trapped. He made it difficult to leave since she was either pregnant, or caring for infants during the time. One of my sisters was actually born in on the mountain.
@@gigisoglamorousipeeglitter7466 That was pretty much was how it was for my family except it was my father pulling all the strings. There were 7 kids living on that mountain at the time, one being born up there and another only a month or two old when we first got there.
@@michaellechner5735 for some its a nice idea and not a nightmare. It depends how you do live of the grid.
Its much better than in the cities.
Fresh air and that beautyful nature yeah thats really bad.
@Kimberly A Thank you. I never let losing 4 years of my life hold me back.
“Woman turns off grid shelter into an off grid shelter”
Narrator: firefighters would live there for the summer....
Woman: but it wasn't even livable until i got here GIRL POWER
@@icyuranus404 And you can rent this from her!!!!!
Exactly what I was thing . Those towers they had food storage for months and everything even places that snowed .
@@xSINxDOVE to be fair, the clip does explain that the lookout was replaced by another one and she paid for the materials and the responsibility of disassembling and reassembling the shelter on her own property. as a woman she probably did not think to herself that she could buy the materials and build an exact replica or even a better design. but as a woman she is not interested in building something, she wants to be in charge of interior design
Icy Uranus ummm I don’t think she did that it was done before she bought it by forest service.
Love love love this Lookout!
Thank you, Kirsten.
Fun, happy, charming and she builds stuff - 10/10!
This is so inspirational and interesting I loved everything thanks so much !!!
...and Kristie is so pretty and so cool. The editing and photography of Kirsten's videos are great and getting better. Love this channel.
Best two years of my life were spent in the fire towers of Isle Royale Nat'l Park which are still standing but un-staffed today. A 20lb propane bottle cooked and heated all summer. Roof-water supplied all needs including laundry. Supplies and food were dropped off and packed 6 miles (2 uphill). Civilization was a 10 mile hike.
I used to live in St. Maries. One of my best friends lived in Fernwood. I remember visiting the Crystal Peak Lookout during the summer.
In winter we would sled down the on the road going to Crystal Peak. This was back in the late '70s early '80s. Great memories.
Great location & little home, but I would have it more solar-powered.
Sun only in Summer here.
And rainwater/snow melt collection
Awesome Intro with the view. Amazing views in entire video.
Kristie has amazing talent and such unique ideas. We are about to build an earthship and I would love to incorporate some of her numerous fantastic ideas. The tower is exquisite. Great documentary. 🥰
Kristie that was fantastic I'm doing something similar I have 130acres on a mountain side. I'm in the scavenge as much building material as possible phase and was leaning toward tree house but seeing your vid has me rethinking my design and going for a platform design instead of a multi level much easier in the trees instead of on the trees I like the openness of your lookout it lends itself to later improvisations
She is so creative!
I would cut a larger clearing around the structure, just in case if there is a forest fire, and some 45 gallon barrels on the outside to collect rainwater from the roof.
And meltwater?
@@mike.garnham yes rain and meltwater and maybe pulley up snow to put in the barrels for summer use.
That would be great but depending on which state your in you can go to jail for collecting rain water SMH but it's true
@@lawrencelawrence3920 like a dumbwaiter.
@@MiguelGonzalez-yl5vf government manipulation of basic rights. SMH too.
Amazing 😍💗💗💗 well done Miss 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
What a hard earned and well deserved success story. I miss my old lookout.
Think to have a series of watch houses like that scattered little and bridges between the trees, that would be cool.
Kristie! She's the same woman from Hobbit hole video. What a life she has.
yeah I was so happy when I saw that! since I loved that video :D
I’d like to do similar things if I had her kind of money... wait is she single? Lol
Still looking great too.
Simply read the description lmao
@@siggie8610 The description says she does most of the work alone, does not take out loans and rents out the places she builds.
What an industrious woman! Great job and very creative!
this is so cool and Kristie is very innovative. I love it!!
THIS, is so cool, and I haven't even started watching it yet
suggest to watch the channel's other video's as well - she interjects only as required and she always interviews interesting people and things - the lady owner is becoming and intelligent and interesting and eclectic - excellent video as always
@@itsgoingtobeok-justbreathe4808 must i explain - "lady" is a compliment - learn to reason
this is amazing vid. interesting hearing about the log book. I volunteered at OC fire look tower for two years. we had to keep detailed logs. good job
This young lady lifestyle is amazing she is extremely intelligent, adventures, beautiful and I love how she thinks- outside the box. 🤗
This is amazing! I love Kristie's other projects as well. Thx for sharing!
PS: Awesome pet cow!!!! lol
It's important when in Bear Country to wear "little bells" on your clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows bears to hear you coming from a distance and not be startled; this might cause a bear to charge.
...
Hikers should also carry "pepper spray" just in case they encounter a bear. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the bear's sensitive nose and it will run away.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh bear droppings so you have an idea if bears are in the area. Hikers should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings.
...
Black Bear droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur.
Grizzly Bear droppings tend to contain "little bells" and smell of "pepper spray".
Schpankme Verimuch 🤣🤣🤣
I knew that last sentence was coming and I still laughed my butt off when I got to it.
What should a person do when encountering a sasquatch?
if it’s brown, get down
if it’s black, fight back
if it’s white, say goodnight
if it’s grey, stop and say G’day
@@Truthseaaker Check in to their local drug rehab for a detox session.
Super inspirational. Very proud of you. amazing job on everything you've done. Ive always wanted to do this type of thing.
Best thing I have ever seen, thanks.
I'd add enough solar to run a mini-fridge, a few more lights and a big enough motor to lift more firewood.
There's got to be a way to use counterweights somehow... or else put a pellet stove up there. I don't know how much rainfall the area gets, but captured rainwater could be used in jugs for a counterweight. Then, at the bottom, that water could be stored for drinking. I dunno. Maybe enough heat could be captured to power a small steam generator. Great place for Stirling engines. Maybe a wind-powered peristaltic pump with a check valve to get water up.
Bent Nickel
And maybe figure something to have on the drop shutters to melt the ice so they can always be left up.
Bent Nickel. I don't think she has a motor on her lift.
Do you even lift bro?
@@danepotmo2513 ha !
That is one very creative and awesome lady!
Wow! Well done! If I ever make it over the ocean, I would love to stay in all of your holiday rentals! They're stunning
You are such an incredible woman. Thank you you sharing.