Well, since you mentioned it...
Since you're talking about tough women surviving in Alaska, here's a book I found out about in J. Wayne Fears "The Complete Book Of Outdoor Survival".
It's "Hey, I'm Alive!" by Helen Klaben. Here's a summery by Mr. fears:
"There are rare occasions, however, when you may need to move some distance from the aircraft, such as if it is down under the trees and cannot be seen from the air,as in the classic case of Helen Klaben and Wayne Flores in 1963. The pair left Whitehorse, Yukon, heading for San Francisco in a small private airplane. Over the Yukon-British Columbia border, they ran into a blinding snowstorm which caused them to crash.
For over a month, search-&- Rescue aircraft flew over the area looking for the downed plane, but the thick trees in which Helen & Ralph had crashed hid their plane from view.
Both Helen & Ralph were injured in the crash, but they managed to set up a survival camp at the aircraft. They had very little Survival gear on the plane:
matches, a little food, some vitamin pills, two tubes of toothpaste, a hammer, cold chisel, hunting knife, books, canvas motor cover, & extra clothing. For a
blanket they tore the carpet from the plane floor and insulation from the walls
& ceiling. Seat & back cushions were used for beds. Firewood was cut with the chisel & hammer. During their ordeal temperatures dropped to -40o F.
Their food ran out the 1st week. From then on, it was only water, which they got by melting snow in a can. Their drinking cup was made from a light reflector from the plane. They made several attempts to kill rabbits that came near their camp, but nothing worked.
For 33 days they stayed with the aircraft, but after hearing 40 to 50 aircraft pass nearby, they decided they must move if they were to be found. On snowshoes made from branches and a toboggan made from aircraft parts, they moved their meager supplies through deep snow to an opening in the forest. Since they were very weak, this 3/4-mile journey was quite tough. Here they used the engine cover Tarpaulin to make a tent. Ralph then moved to another clearing 2 miles distant & tramped SOS in the snow, as well as an arrow aimed in Helen's direction. Also they placed in the snow a fragment of their plane which showed the plane's identification number.
This new camp & signals resulted in their being found. A bush pilot flying supplies to trappers spotted the SOS and the arrow, & then Helen & Ralph. They were rescued 49 days after crashing into the frozen Wilderness."
It's an interesting story and, although my library didn't have it they ordered a copy for me to borrow from another library. I highly recommend it as it shows the strength, fortitude, and attitude needed for Survival.:cool:
