A woman living in an off-grid cabin on a remote island in Canada has shared her unique experience living in the wilderness for over two years.
The 54-year-old Amanda, who hails from Vancouver, resides on a small island in the Broughton Archipelago of British Columbia.
A freelance web designer and graphic artist by profession, Amanda has been living on this remote island since 2021, working as a private property manager.
This is not Amanda’s first time working as a property manager. In 2014, she worked as a manager for a property in Desolation Sound for a winter and enjoyed the experience. She knew she wanted to do it again in a different location.
Amanda found a similar opportunity through classified ads website Craigslist and eventually connected with the owner of the island.
She explained, “I called them, had a phone interview, got hired, and started working in October 2021.”
The island was built 30 years ago and features multiple buildings including a machine shop, two quonset huts, three storage containers, a house, and two small cabins.
During the spring and summer seasons, solar panels provide 8000 watts of energy. In the fall and winter, a generator is used to supplement the solar panels.
The island has two generators, with one serving as a backup in case of any malfunctions.
While there are a few small paths on the island, most of it is covered in dense cedar forests.
Amanda revealed more information about the island, mentioning that the small cabins and main house were constructed by an American, the previous owner, around 30 years ago. During that time, the island served as a retreat for American veterans and other guests who helped build the dock and structures.
In 2021, the current owner from Port Hardy, British Columbia, purchased the property. According to Amanda, they visit multiple times a year. In summer, they stay for about two months. One of the owners visits weekly starting from spring.
The single-level old wooden cabin is sparsely furnished, as transporting building materials to the island is challenging.
“Around here, if it’s not broken, it won’t be replaced because the cost of transporting goods here could be more expensive than buying those things. The furniture here is old leather sofas, along with some haphazard shelves and tables,” shared Amanda.
Most of the heating comes from a wood-burning stove. However, as the island is located within the territories of several indigenous peoples, cutting down any trees for firewood is considered illegal.
Amanda explained, “We use wood from the ocean, about 90% is from seaweed on the beach. Approximately 10% of the wood used for heating the buildings comes from windfall resources.”
For many, off-grid living may not be an ideal choice, but Amanda enjoys the experience.
“To me, it’s important no matter where you go to live as eco-balanced as possible. Off-grid living is a great experience, helping me understand how much food, electricity, and general things you need, as well as things you don’t. I want to live a simpler, more conscious life, becoming a more thoughtful consumer,” Amanda said.
Amanda also appreciates the tranquility on the island. Contrary to expectations, she never felt lonely.
She said, “Living in such a remote place allows me to truly connect with nature. I can observe the changing seasons and appreciate the beauty of the wilderness. Some may find being alone all the time daunting, but I find it fulfilling.”
Aside from enjoying solitude, she has had the chance to acquire practical skills. Being a sailor and captain, her abilities have improved. She has also learned how to chop wood and drive an ATV.
“I’ve learned several jobs I never thought I’d do in my lifetime, which surprises even myself,” Amanda shared.
While Amanda’s journey had been mostly smooth-sailing, she faced challenges in the past two years.
During her first year, an encounter with a black bear left her nervous. Last winter, while paddling a log to shore in a kayak, she witnessed some deer on a nearby hill suddenly being spooked and running off. She immediately thought of bears and paddled away from the coast.
Not knowing if there was a bear, but not willing to take any chances, she saw a black bear running towards where she intended to land.
Describing the encounter, Amanda said, “The bear looked at me, seeming almost unbelieving of what it saw. I started paddling backward while repeatedly saying in a calm tone, ‘Hey bear, hey bear.'”
Those few seconds of eye contact felt like minutes to Amanda. Eventually, the bear turned around and headed towards her cabin.
After the bear disappeared from sight, Amanda drifted for about 40 minutes and then paddled back to the shoreline in front of her cabin, rushing inside her house.
Another unpleasant experience was when she accidentally got a hemlock tree branch in her face while clearing some branches, leading to an allergic reaction. After calling the island’s owner for help, she was taken to the hospital in Port McNeill the next morning.
In the initial seasons, Amanda had a Newfoundland dog named Buttercup, but she lost the dog last summer. Shortly after, she adopted a two-year-old mixed-breed dog, adding more joy to her life.
She said, “Last month, the dog was tied up all month as there was an orca trying to hunt it. This was the closest encounter with orcas since I came here. Now that the orcas have moved on, the dog accompanies me outside while I work on the island in the mornings. However, most afternoons, I keep it inside because since early April, a black bear visits daily in the afternoons to eat dandelions.”
Amanda is grateful for the opportunity to live such an unconventional life. She has created a YouTube channel to let her friends and family know about her adventurous experiences and share a glimpse of off-grid living with other women.
As she documents her journey, Amanda hopes to help others as well.
“You should consciously choose the life you want. Don’t be afraid of being laughed at, judged, or labeled as crazy because your choices will bring you true happiness. Giving in to societal pressure leads to a lack of genuine fulfillment and purpose in life. Dare to challenge expectations, follow your heart, and pave the way for a life filled with meaning, purpose, and accomplishment,” Amanda stated.