Alaska has long been known as “America’s Last Frontier” because of its rugged terrain and unforgiving elements. However, the “Wild West of the Last Frontier” are the Aleutian Islands. Part of the state of Alaska, the Aleutian Islands are situated in a chain southwest of Alaska, separating the Bering Sea from the Pacific Ocean. This archipelago is as beautiful as it is unforgiving and few know that better than Captain Charlie Summerville. Captain Charlie is an adventurer, bush pilot, licensed captain, outfitter, hunting and fishing guide and more. He’s also part of the new series “Life on the Edge”, Fridays at 9:00 pm ET on Outdoor Channel. The new docu-series focuses on American pioneers and adventure seekers living in some of the most remote and inaccessible places, in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth.
Listen in as Captain Charlie joins The Revolution this week for an extended conversation about life in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, the challenges, the adventures, the perils and the brand new show, “Life on the Edge”, documenting it all.
Captain Charlie will talk about his upbringing in the Adirondack Mountains of New York and how that inspired him to travel to Alaska to make a life. He’ll discuss different industries he has worked in and how he came to own and operate several large guiding and outfitting operations before downsizing and relocating to the Aluetians. Although he isn’t retired like he had planned, Captain Charlie explains why he’s excited to run the small lodge he does now and the opportunity he has to show people the real, remote Alaskan experience, “all the wildlife, without the crowds”.
Cold Bay Adventures Lodge is the business that Captain Charlie and his family run. He highlights the roles that each member of his family plays in their successful business. The full service lodge offers fishing, hunting, adventure trips, sightseeing, bear viewing and other specialized trips for every level of adventure out there. Blessed with two daughters, but no sons, Captain Charlie talks about the grit and determination his daughters have to step up and fill his big shoes when guiding.
Speaking to the challenges and extremes of the Alaskan wilderness, Captain Charlie offers a look at some of the scariest situations he has encountered while living life in Alaska and discusses the airplane crashes he has survived. He highlights the ever present threat of predators, but explains why they truly aren’t a problem. Furthermore, he expresses his desire to use “Life on the Edge” to show people that it’s possible to live harmoniously with predators and all wildlife.
Finally, Captain Charlie talks about season 1 of “Life on the Edge”, Fridays at 9:00 pm ET on Outdoor Channel. Viewers will get to watch Charlie and his team build a cabin on the remote Volcano Bay where access is difficult and getting supplies is beyond challenging. Captain Charlie notes that viewers get an inside look at the difficulties that he faces daily, and he takes pride in being a part of “Life on the Edge” as it shows reality, not a scripted or staged storyline.
Click the audio player below to listen to the full interview!
Be sure to watch “Life on the Edge”, Fridays at 9:00 pm ET on Outdoor Channel.
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