Harrowing Escape on the Yukon River

[Pete Land]

Back in August 2002, as a Wild Gift pilot recipient, I spent three weeks living on the banks of the Yukon River with a homesteader named Andy Bassich. We hunted and fished, laid the foundation for his cabin, and cared for his 24 sled dogs. Last week, Andy was in the news when the icy river rose dramatically and nearly swept him, his girlfriend, and the dogs away.

Newspaper and radio coverage:
Anchorage Daily News: "Couple, sled dogs rescued from Yukon flood"
NPR: "Tsunami of ice wreaks havoc on Alaskan town"

Andy Bassich and Pete Land moving logs on the Yukon River, 2002

[Pete Land]

Haven't heard from him in a few years... I don't believe Bob has, either. I think he had made a point of disconnecting from the rest of the world once he got settled in his place on the Yukon.

[Heather Lukacs]

Oh my gosh, Pete! This is a wild story. I can practically see his place there on the Yukon River from stories you have told. Have you heard from Andy at all?