Here’s who still calls Port Protection, Alaska home, who has left the community, and how life has changed since the TV series ended, including the latest population figures.
Few places in America are as isolated—or as fascinating—as Port Protection, Alaska. Hidden away in Wooden Wheel Cove on the northwestern tip of Prince of Wales Island, this tiny census-designated place (CDP) has become synonymous with self-reliance and life far from the conveniences most people take for granted.
There are no roads connecting Port Protection to the outside world. The only way in or out is by boat or seaplane, and the people who choose to live here accept a lifestyle shaped by harsh winters, relentless rain, and limited access to supplies and services. It’s a place where independence isn’t simply admired—it’s essential.
The community found a global audience through the National Geographic series Port Protection, Alaska and later Life Below Zero: Port Protection. Week after week, viewers watched residents hunt, fish, forage, repair equipment, and help one another survive in one of the most unforgiving environments in the United States. Although the series has come to an end, interest in the people who made Port Protection so memorable has never really faded.
So, who is still living there today, and who has moved on?
A Tiny Community That Keeps Getting Smaller
Life in Port Protection has never attracted large numbers of people, and the population continues to shrink.
According to the 2020 Decennial Census, just 36 people called Port Protection home, down from 48 residents in 2010. That represents a 25% decline over the decade, highlighting the realities of maintaining a permanent home in such a remote location.
More recent estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) suggest the population now sits at around 27 residents. Some projections even place the number in the low 20s, although estimates for communities this small come with considerable margins of error.
Regardless of the exact figure, one thing is clear: Port Protection remains one of the smallest and most isolated communities in Alaska.
Long-Time Residents Who Still Call Port Protection Home
Although Port Protection’s population has gradually declined over the years, a dedicated group of residents continues to keep the community alive. Recent updates from 2025 and 2026 show that many familiar faces from the television series are still embracing the off-grid lifestyle that first made them household names.
Sam Carlson
Few names are as closely tied to Port Protection as Sam Carlson.
Often regarded as one of the community’s elders and its unofficial historian, Sam has spent more than 50 years living in the area. Throughout that time, he has built a reputation for self-sufficiency, relying on commercial fishing, trapping, and decades of practical knowledge gained through experience rather than formal training.
As of 2026, Sam remains one of Port Protection’s central residents. Recent interviews, community gatherings, and appearances on the Alaska-Vibes YouTube channel confirm that he continues living in the community, spending time with family and passing on the skills and stories that have defined his remarkable life.
Matt Carlson
Matt Carlson, Sam’s son, continues to maintain strong ties to Port Protection.
Having grown up in the community before spending time elsewhere—including periods in Ketchikan—Matt still appears in recent videos filmed around Port Protection, including outings on the water. At the same time, other updates place him in Ketchikan on occasion, suggesting he divides his time between locations for work, family, or other commitments.
While he may not always be in Port Protection year-round, he remains closely connected to the community.
Timothy “Curly” Leach
While there had previously been uncertainty about Timothy “Curly” Leach’s residency, recent updates paint a much clearer picture. Curly has been actively featured throughout 2025 and 2026, appearing regularly in community videos and taking part in local events. He has also undergone an impressive personal transformation, losing more than 100 pounds.
One of his most notable recent appearances came during Port Protection’s 2026 Fourth of July celebration, where he joined friends and neighbors on the docks for food, fireworks, and festivities. His frequent appearances suggest he is once again an active and well-integrated member of the community.
Carl Hernandez and Morgan Turcott
Carl Hernandez and Morgan continue to play an active role in Port Protection’s back bay community.
Recent videos follow the couple as they raise their growing family while building an off-grid life together. Projects such as constructing a greenhouse offer a glimpse into the everyday realities of creating a sustainable home in one of Alaska’s most remote settlements.
Their story reflects how a new generation is adapting to life in Port Protection while preserving the community’s traditions of self-reliance.
David “Squibb” Squibb and Kris
David “Squibb” Squibb and Kris continue to maintain strong connections to the Port Protection area. Although some recent updates associate them with nearby Point Baker, they are still regularly mentioned in community updates and remain closely tied to the broader region and its residents.
Oliver Johnson and Breanna Miethe
Community discussions and recent updates consistently identify Oliver Johnson and Breanna Miethe as residents who still call Port Protection home.
Oliver is regularly spotted during community gatherings, including the 2026 Fourth of July dock celebration, where residents came together to enjoy fireworks, food, and each other’s company. His continued appearances in recent videos and frequent mentions by viewers suggest he remains an active member of the community.
Paul
Another resident who has become increasingly visible is Paul, who lives in a distinctive home known locally as “The Octagon.” He regularly appears participating in community activities, from boating excursions to holiday celebrations, reflecting the close-knit nature of life in Port Protection.
Veronica Arrants
Veronica still lives in the Back Bay, Port Protection, Alaska. She frequently appears in recent updates and local gatherings, reinforcing her ongoing presence within Port Protection.
Ezra and Other Residents
Alongside the familiar television personalities, newer faces are also helping sustain the community.
Residents such as Ezra, along with other locals who assist with everyday projects, community events, and celebrations, regularly appear in recent videos. Whether helping prepare fireworks displays, lending a hand with daily tasks, or simply joining neighbors for shared meals, they represent the next chapter of life in Port Protection.
Residents Who Have Left—or Passed Away
While many familiar faces remain, others who became popular through the television series are no longer living in Port Protection.
Gary Muehlberger
Perhaps no departure affected fans more deeply than the loss of Gary Muehlberger. One of the show’s most beloved personalities, Gary died on March 17, 2021, at the age of 75, after a fire destroyed his home. Authorities later ruled the fire accidental.
His passing was a devastating loss not only for viewers but also for the small community that had known him for decades.
Mary Miller
Mary Miller chose a different path after Season 7. She left Port Protection and relocated to Craig, Alaska, another community on Prince of Wales Island that offers easier access to services and modern conveniences.
Mary has explained that the decision was influenced by several factors, including the loss of her beloved dog. She felt that living closer to veterinary care and other services might have changed the outcome. She has also spoken positively about everything she learned while living in Port Protection, describing the experience as one that taught her invaluable survival skills, even though she ultimately decided it was time to return to what she called “civilization.”
According to reports, Curly helped her with the move.
Other Former Residents
Over the years, several other people associated with the series have also moved on.
Names including Amanda Makar (who left the area early on in the show), Timbi Barron (who left the area after her divorce from Hans Porter), Hans Porter, and Troy Brockway occasionally surface in discussions about former residents or seasonal community members.
Like many who have tried life in Port Protection, they eventually chose a different direction as the realities of extreme isolation, severe weather, and limited economic opportunities proved difficult to sustain over the long term.
What Life in Port Protection Looks Like Today
Even without television cameras following every move, life in Port Protection continues much as it always has.
The shrinking population reflects a broader trend seen across many remote Alaskan communities. Younger generations often leave in search of education, employment, and broader opportunities, while those who remain do so because they value independence and a lifestyle built around nature.
Fishing for salmon and halibut, hunting deer, gathering resources from the surrounding wilderness, and maintaining homes through long winters remain part of everyday life. Residents rely heavily on boats for transportation, generators for electricity, wood stoves for heat, and years of accumulated knowledge to solve problems that most people would simply call a repair service for.
The community still has a small trading post, but self-sufficiency remains the foundation of daily living.
Keeping the Story Alive After the TV Series
Although Port Protection, Alaska is no longer airing, viewers can still catch glimpses of the community through new content.
Producer Mickey Ramos has continued documenting life in Port Protection on the Alaska-Vibes YouTube channel. The videos feature updated interviews with Sam Carlson and other residents, while also offering an honest look at both the rewards and the challenges of living off the grid.
For many longtime fans, the channel has become one of the few ways to stay connected with a place that continues to capture people’s imagination.
A Note About Population and Resident Updates
Tracking exactly who lives in Port Protection isn’t always straightforward.
Information comes from a combination of U.S. Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data, local news reports, resident Facebook groups, and updates shared by community members and content creators. Because the population is so small, seasonal residents come and go, and privacy is valued, exact numbers can change from year to year.
Port Protection continues to fascinate people who dream of living off the grid, but its steadily declining population is a reminder that this way of life demands extraordinary resilience. For those who choose to stay, however, the rewards go far beyond modern comforts, and that enduring spirit is what continues to define this remarkable corner of Alaska.
