Winter's harsh conditions arrive early, catching the Kilchers off-guard; they need to accelerate all their normal preparation in unusually harsh conditions for the time of year.

The Kilchers stare down the barrel of the first big winter storm and kick their wood gathering into overdrive in the hard conditions.

An Alaskan winter is as unforgiving as it gets, but mother nature has packed extra punch for the Kilcher family; treading on dangerous grounds to stock up and help their fellow homesteaders.