Adak Island - One of the World's Most Remote Abandoned Places

I flew to Adak Island - a remote Alaskan island in the north Pacific Ocean - to explore its abandoned US military base. More than 6000 people lived on the base at its peak in the 1980s. However, the base closed in March 1997, and most houses and buildings were abandoned. Now, Adak Island has only 33 permanent residents. Despite heavy winds and rain, I was able to fly my drone for several hours to capture this video's spectacular footage of Adak's ruins.
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A B O U T
Past the Present Future is a film series by globally recognized photographer Chris Luckhardt. The series views the PAST through a lens in the PRESENT with an eye to FUTURE development.
B I O G R A P H Y
Chris Luckhardt has documented and photographed some of the most iconic and viral images of abandoned places around the world. He was among the first photographers to publish photos in the press from legendary abandoned places like Hashima Island, Nara Dreamland, Michigan Central Station, and Six Flags New Orleans. His body of work has led to interviews and collaborations with The White House, Netflix, Ford, GQ China, ABC News, Good Morning America, Scholastic Canada, Yahoo Japan, and many more. In 2016, the Obama administration invited Chris to photograph a private citizen "haunted" tour of The White House.
M U S I C L I C E N S E D
Singularity, by Jonny Easton (via uppbeat.io/t/jonny-easton/sin...)
Pending, by Monument Music (via uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/p...)
Decades, by AK (via uppbeat.io/t/ak/decades)
#Abandoned #Adak #PastThePresentFuture #ChrisLuckhardt

Пікірлер: 193

  • @chrisluckhardt
    @chrisluckhardt Жыл бұрын

    👻👻👻 NEXT VIDEO 👻👻👻 "Ghost Town in the Sky" ➡ kzread.info/dash/bejne/gm2LvNaHmdSzg9o.html

  • @vallittle3201
    @vallittle32016 ай бұрын

    I was there in 83 when I was in 6th grade ❤...wearing shorts with snow on the ground, fishing, the youth center, snow tubing and having the Bering Sea as your back yard. Pretty Unforgettable childhood memories. Thanks for sharing😊

  • @sandrajaime6790

    @sandrajaime6790

    5 ай бұрын

    That's amazing

  • @CLOVEOPS

    @CLOVEOPS

    Ай бұрын

    Baby Marine 😊

  • @user-rz7rh4jv9x
    @user-rz7rh4jv9x11 ай бұрын

    When you know, you know. Was there from 1967 to 1977 and 1979 to 1981. Adak will always hold a piece of my heart.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    11 ай бұрын

    More than a decade on Adak! Amazing! I’m sure you could write a book about your time there.

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    4 ай бұрын

    I was on Adak during your Second Deployment 80-81

  • @galgotgame3376
    @galgotgame337611 ай бұрын

    I lived here in the early 90s when I was little, it’s crazy to see it abandoned now!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    11 ай бұрын

    Amazing! Were you able to see your house in the video?

  • @tommymacklin1364

    @tommymacklin1364

    6 ай бұрын

    What was it like? Any photos? :)

  • @kevinvieyra3371

    @kevinvieyra3371

    5 ай бұрын

    I lived there as kid in the early 2000s

  • @tommymacklin1364

    @tommymacklin1364

    5 ай бұрын

    Any photos?

  • @kevinvieyra3371

    @kevinvieyra3371

    5 ай бұрын

    @@tommymacklin1364 I got a few don’t know how to post on here though

  • @jimmyburks4345
    @jimmyburks43455 ай бұрын

    Stationed 72-75 at NSGA Dinosaur Cage and Zetopoint. Wife work for PW as phone operator. Daughter was born there in 72. We lived in Kuluk across from the Reeves Terminal. I worked for reeves in my off time. Got to flyout to Amchitka, Attu, Shemya, Got sit in the jump seat of RAA plane and the pilot did a buzz of Kiska bay. Fond memories. Wife also worked at the Animal Shelter we had numerous dogs but when we left we brought back 3 dogs!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    Dinosaur Cage! I filmed many other buildings and sections of Adak but didn't bother with the Dinosaur Cage after walking through it. The building was pitch black and empty. It must've been buzzing with activity (pun intended) back in the early 70s!

  • @JIMLAS65

    @JIMLAS65

    Ай бұрын

    My dad was CTTCS Jack McCutcheon 73-76. NAVSECGRU and we lived at E-211-B in Kuluk Housing, right in front of the airport and the red barracks

  • @jimmyburks4345

    @jimmyburks4345

    Ай бұрын

    @@JIMLAS65 We were neighbors. Enjoy. ⚓

  • @adventurepastor8195
    @adventurepastor81955 ай бұрын

    Lived there from 1991-1994 when i was a toddler. But i absolutely love Adak! Thanks for sharing! We were in one of the 4plexes right by the beach. I would walk across the street and throw rocks in the water. Good memories!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    Wow...I would've walked right past your house in my other video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qZmVmpt8lLnPcrQ.html

  • @EscapeKoala
    @EscapeKoala8 ай бұрын

    Grew up in that red left house between 1999-2005 at 4:05 Sad to see it demolished

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    8 ай бұрын

    Wow, incredible. So you were there after the military left? The house actually burned down and they left the damaged and collapsed remains in place.

  • @briankalish6152
    @briankalish61527 ай бұрын

    Did a 1 year tour there from 78 to 79, wasn't easy being an 18 yo from the city. They called it hardship duty and the commissary often ran out of items and when they did get some more food in - it was called a garbage flight because the items were often already out of use by date. It basically took me 6 months to accept that I was really there and then the next 6 months to try and forget I was there. I drank alot during that time, like many other people - so I didn't appreciate the natural beauty of the place at that time. Also worked rotating shifts, 2 first shifts - then 8 hours later, 2 third shifts - then 8 hours after that, 2 second shifts followed by 80 hours off and then repeat. Often had to show up for nonsensical training session on my off time because my chief was a real jerk. Other than that, I look back and realize I missed out on many things because I wasn't prepared for being in such a remote place.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    7 ай бұрын

    I’m surprised most commenters don’t share your experience. I expected less nostalgia and more “I couldn’t wait to leave” types of commentary. Maybe they searched and found my Adak series BECAUSE they were nostalgic rather than trying to forget their time on this remote speck of rock in the Pacific.

  • @briankalish6152

    @briankalish6152

    7 ай бұрын

    Hey Chris, I didn't expect a reply and appreciate an open minded individual, such as yourself. Your video was really impressive, especially because Adak was referred to as the "Birthplace of the Winds" and it must have been quited a challenge to fly that drone there. The only planes they flew there, were prop planes such as the P3 Orion and of course the Reeve's bird that took you on and off the island and that was an adventure in itself. Every once in a while, a TU-95 Bear would fly nearby and I only knew about that because I was in communications and recieved notifications about the Russian planes while I was on duty. This year I watched a documentary about a possible pirate treasure hidden on Adak and wished I had known about that then, it would have made the place alot more interesting. I will have to check out your other works out now. Thanks for sharing your experiences@@chrisluckhardt

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    7 ай бұрын

    @@briankalish6152 Thanks for sharing the information about the planes. Good luck to anyone fighting the crosswinds while landing! As for the documentary, a couple of locals told me the whole story and reality series were faked. Anything for television ratings, I guess!

  • @beltreesurbanforestryllc9545

    @beltreesurbanforestryllc9545

    6 ай бұрын

    I would like to know more about your tour there

  • @boscopit

    @boscopit

    5 ай бұрын

    My parents also hated it. My dad was with NSGA. We are not an outdoorsy type family. We're also city people. My brother and I adjusted to it much easier than they did. My mother really hated. She said it was very depressing.

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc
    @MitchellBrown-su9dc6 ай бұрын

    Hey Chris I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you making this drone footage. So many memories are coming back !!! 🪨🌞🇺🇸🇺🇸🤔👀

  • @arthurburks-rz2ck
    @arthurburks-rz2ck8 ай бұрын

    I was stationed on Adak from 1975 to 1977, it was a great experience.

  • @markhussey9024

    @markhussey9024

    8 ай бұрын

    I had orders for adak (in 75) but swapped to go to elmendorf and stayed until 85. Often wondered what life would have been if I went to adak

  • @Abraleon1

    @Abraleon1

    7 ай бұрын

    I was stationed there August 76 to August 77

  • @Gabriela5YT
    @Gabriela5YTАй бұрын

    I am here now, I can tell how beautiful must have been this island; it still is, it's just that now is deserted and devastated. Once in a lifetime trip, totally worth it! ❤

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Ай бұрын

    How are you accessing the Internet? Do they Starlink set up out there now?

  • @Gabriela5YT

    @Gabriela5YT

    Ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt They got GCI high speed home internet, pretty good. Leaving Adak tomorrow, but at least in Anchorage for next two days I'll get normal service on my phone. On Adak is Emergency Calls Only. Fairyland and war zone like, both in one! Such an amazing place! First time I said Scary Movie Nr 1 - The Deserted Island, waiting for zombies 🤣, 2nd time (now) I said Scary Movie Nr 2 - The Hidden Fairyland, absolutely gorgeous! 😍

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Ай бұрын

    @@Gabriela5YT Did you stay with Steve Carroll or Aleutian Outfitters?

  • @Me-eb3wv
    @Me-eb3wv4 ай бұрын

    Inside edition brought me here 😊

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    Hello! Pull up a chair and enjoy another video or two! kzread.info/dash/bejne/l218krFml9uwZLw.html

  • @boscopit
    @boscopit5 ай бұрын

    And to think I thought it looked liked a post apocalyptic wasteland when I lived there. Hah

  • @Itsbaberuthless_
    @Itsbaberuthless_ Жыл бұрын

    Eerily beautiful. Thank you for sharing, Chris!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks always for watching!

  • @user-tp9kv5gd7w
    @user-tp9kv5gd7w4 ай бұрын

    Was there frlm 1995 to 2000 and again in 2007 to 2008 its likes a ghost town loved living there

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    What were you doing on Adak during those years?

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    4 ай бұрын

    WOW 😮 A Man 🧍‍♂️ That Can Live On ADAK 6 YEARS: Is One ☝️ TUFF SOB !!!!!!! ✈️😎👋🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @josephkoper-zl8lb
    @josephkoper-zl8lb4 ай бұрын

    OMG Loved the video was stationed ther aug 85 thru april 87 brought back so many memories Thank You

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks! You were there just as a McDonald’s opened in 1986!

  • @djohannsson8268
    @djohannsson8268 Жыл бұрын

    Just a general comment, about military closing bases. It's sad that the military does not use it's closing bases as a transition bases for it's personal transitioning from active service to private life. To provide a safe haven for military families. Provide training, medical, and jobs programs by government and corporations. Run by ex-military personnel that know the road from service to civilian life is sometimes not smooth.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    As a Canadian, my insight into US military service is limited at best. But I understand that even our smaller military personnel can experience a difficult transition to civilian life. I think they fall into the same category of service as police and fire services, and should receive similar post-service benefits and treatment.

  • @LabradorMafia

    @LabradorMafia

    Жыл бұрын

    That is hypothetically a great idea. However, location is a critical issue for transitioning members. Just ask all the members retiring overseas how much that negatively affects their transition when they are going to be living in the States. A practical example is say the member is transitioning out and the military says, you're going to Adak for 2 months before you are released... that would seriously hinder the effectiveness of the transition. In my view, the sad part is that these closed bases have so much history and that is practically all lost. Granted there are historical records, but no real capturing of day-to-day life. Like what was it like living there when Russia was active in the air/waters of this area???? What is it like for young families from the south to live there? How much alcohol did this location go through in a week?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LabradorMafia The first question about Russia’s presence is discussed a bit in a blog post by a former marine. Google for “One Marine’s Return To Adak Island, Alaska”. The other questions would be insightful to have answered too!

  • @kennethmcdonald5278

    @kennethmcdonald5278

    10 ай бұрын

    Great idea!

  • @LabradorMafia
    @LabradorMafia Жыл бұрын

    Great job!

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc
    @MitchellBrown-su9dc6 ай бұрын

    I was Stationed at NSGA for 395 days !!! 80-81. Was 18 Right out of A-School and left the Rock when I was 20.

  • @Supercell725
    @Supercell725 Жыл бұрын

    Very interesting Chris, thank you

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Larry. Hope you liked the bird’s eye view of Adak!

  • @ToesBeDirty
    @ToesBeDirty5 ай бұрын

    Best Adak video by far. My first duty station, NSGA, 93-94. Besides needing some maintenance, NSGA looks basically the same…, except CDAA (known as the Dinosaur Cage) lost its antenna array and Classic Wizard’s golf balls are missing.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    I did a full walk-through of NSGA in a separate video. I’m curious if you’ve watched it? kzread.info/dash/bejne/kYZpuMiDqsmbcto.html

  • @ToesBeDirty

    @ToesBeDirty

    5 ай бұрын

    Yes. The first room in the video is where me and two others stayed. My friend was one of the last people to live at NSGA before anyone moving downtown (NAF). I sent him your videos.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    Wow...amazing that it's the first room!

  • @jeffconway8729
    @jeffconway87295 ай бұрын

    At 29 Palms (California) Marine base in the early 80's, my platoon Sgt had just transferred from there. We called him "Sgt Adak." Otherwise I would have never heard of it. Actually it looks better than I thought it might when he mentioned how isolated it was.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    Other commenters who served on Adak said it really was like a mini-city and the isolation wasn't noticeable. But a few despised it and couldn't wait to leave.

  • @cajunhawk
    @cajunhawk Жыл бұрын

    The military should be on the hook for the vast majority of these abandoned houses. Their budget is big enough.

  • @KristianOye
    @KristianOye Жыл бұрын

    I love those multi-colored roofs. I would love to see the floorplan for the homes with the large, solarium-like window features. They look nice even if built by the lowest bidder.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Those houses were straight out of the early 1980s with a basic floor plan. I went inside one of the houses in another video. Here's the link if you're interested: kzread.info/dash/bejne/o4Crw9CLltG_g9I.html

  • @MrSillypoptart
    @MrSillypoptart9 ай бұрын

    I used to spend summers here when my dad owned a fishery in Adak back in the day!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    8 ай бұрын

    How many years ago did he own the fishery? Was it the one that closed just before the pandemic?

  • @MrSillypoptart

    @MrSillypoptart

    8 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt It was probably 30 years ago. Last I remember they stopped the fishery because some laws changed so they closed it down. I would spend summers there around 2001. We would ride our little dirt bikes around the abandoned old buildings and explore all day long!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    8 ай бұрын

    @@MrSillypoptart I did some digging and discovered the only Adak fishery, Adak Fisheries LLC, was fined $3.4 million and shut down in 2004 for exceeding the crab-processing limit.

  • @MrSillypoptart

    @MrSillypoptart

    8 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt Yeah I will ask my dad exactly what happened because I can't remember what went on and my dads friend/co partner continued running it after he had left the company.

  • @beltreesurbanforestryllc9545

    @beltreesurbanforestryllc9545

    6 ай бұрын

    I would like to know more about what happened to your dads fishery and where it was

  • @michaelvivian8759
    @michaelvivian875910 ай бұрын

    Wow ! Interesting and Amazing Drone Photography !

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    10 ай бұрын

    Thank you! It was difficult to catch a break during Adak's high winds, so this footage is all I was able to capture during the 4 days.

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    4 ай бұрын

    Really Nice 😊

  • @PhearomLs
    @PhearomLs Жыл бұрын

    Nice landscape ❤

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Adak Island has so much breathtaking scenery!

  • @Tam_Eiki
    @Tam_Eiki11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the footage and memories they brought. Was on Adak from September 1978 to October 1981. We lived in Upper Amulet about a block or so from the school. Did you get a chance to take a look at Bering Hill and the surrounding buildings?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    11 ай бұрын

    Amazing, thanks for sharing. Upper Amulet was demolished but I did film everything around Bering Hill: kzread.info/dash/bejne/e5uIqNWQgM23iZM.html

  • @boscopit

    @boscopit

    5 ай бұрын

    A majority of the houses over in that area were torn down in the late 80s due to asbestos. They had just finished tearing them down when we moved there in 90. We lived on the hill that over looked them. Right across the road from the Bering building.

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    3 ай бұрын

    WOW 😯 I Left The ROCK 🪨 September 81 after 395 days !!👀🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @kball9012
    @kball90126 ай бұрын

    I was stationed there between 1973 and 1974. Our ship pulled in there in the mid 80's.

  • @MoxieOyaluk
    @MoxieOyalukАй бұрын

    I was in Adak working for 2 months in 2008 was amazing tour the community sir enjoy my time being there,,I am from southwest was region 😊

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Ай бұрын

    You were part of the post-decommissioning clean up crew?

  • @andreaskretschmann8038
    @andreaskretschmann803810 ай бұрын

    Sehr schöne Bilder und das da früher Menschen gelebt haben, Wahnsinn. Hab die ganze Zeit an den Film The Truman Show gedacht. Top und mehr davon ...

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    10 ай бұрын

    Der Film "The Truman Show" ist eine sehr gute Analogie.

  • @teribphotography
    @teribphotography Жыл бұрын

    Think I caught a McDonalds in there? Very nice drone footage. I can just picture what it would feel like to be hiking around, thinking this island was natural beauty and then come across an entire abandoned town. so neat my friend!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes! That’s the famous abandoned McDonald’s with the 1993 drive-thru menu that went viral a couple of years ago. And yeah, the best part of exploring Adak was the double bonus of being surrounded by all of that incredible nature!

  • @RicardoOliveira2015
    @RicardoOliveira20159 ай бұрын

    Beautiful place

  • @timhenderson6473
    @timhenderson64732 ай бұрын

    Sept 84 to dec 85 i was there as a seabee working in the public works dept.i still have dreams that ive been sent back there at least once a week

  • @MatthewFreckleton-om2cr
    @MatthewFreckleton-om2cr Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video, perfect music

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Choosing music to overlay on silent drone footage is tricky, so I'm glad you liked it!

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    3 ай бұрын

    Music 🎶 is Fantastic

  • @jeb678910
    @jeb67891010 ай бұрын

    Awesome video. I work for NOAA and we have a team there now for mapping projects. Was curious to see what Adak is.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    10 ай бұрын

    Adak is WIND lol. I had a lot of trouble getting the drone in the air with the perpetual high winds. But your team is there during what's the best time of year for weather.

  • @jeb678910

    @jeb678910

    10 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt They probably planned it that way! Would love to go one day.

  • @ocfos88
    @ocfos88 Жыл бұрын

    The one or two completely pulverized houses surprise me. Every other house looks fine, but those few that seem to have blown up just look so out of place.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    The climate is extreme for cheaply built housing. Adak typically experiences high winds with wet weather, and a serious amount of snow during long winters. Even the houses that appear fine are falling apart on the inside from mold and general decay. All of the houses would need to be demolished and replaced if the Navy reopened the base.

  • @55Reever
    @55Reever3 ай бұрын

    Navy discussing reopening Adak? Great video.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    3 ай бұрын

    A couple of articles indicate internal discussions by the Navy about returning to Adak. They did drills and exercises on Adak’s beach in 2019, but haven’t been back since then.

  • @GrnArrow092

    @GrnArrow092

    3 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt With Russia and China becoming a growing threat, I think they ought to revisit the idea of returning to Adak to help bolster our national defense capabilities.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    3 ай бұрын

    @@GrnArrow092 The biggest threat to America is your politicians.

  • @ryanworkman3032
    @ryanworkman30325 ай бұрын

    With all the buildings and infrastructure still there it makes sense to relocate U.S. Coast Guard base Kodiak there and their area of responsibility wouldn’t have to change.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    Most of what you see is beyond repair. The section with the 33 permanent residence is also in rough condition, but maintained well enough to be liveable The Navy would have to rebuild virtually everything except for the airport.

  • @user-fx9or3hc7y
    @user-fx9or3hc7y3 ай бұрын

    All of those memories of the people who inhabitated the island ! Dramatic scenes-music !! 💪🇺🇸🙏

  • @xChromerSatanasx
    @xChromerSatanasx5 ай бұрын

    i left 500# of filet halibut in the freezer of one of those houses from our fishing boat

  • @jefuryo
    @jefuryo Жыл бұрын

    Was there for military September 2019.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh wow, I read about those exercises. Any thoughts on a return to Adak and a base reopening?

  • @jefuryo

    @jefuryo

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt if it's strategic and feasible I do not see why they wouldn't. Based on the activities we did there (I do not want to disclose), there is a potential for a reinstatement. People from Adak were nice (and Dutch Harbor, too).

  • @beltreesurbanforestryllc9545

    @beltreesurbanforestryllc9545

    6 ай бұрын

    How close is the navy watching it?

  • @jefuryo

    @jefuryo

    6 ай бұрын

    @@beltreesurbanforestryllc9545 Russia? very close haha

  • @seabiscuit726142
    @seabiscuit7261426 ай бұрын

    That would make the perfect set for a zombie movie.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    6 ай бұрын

    Absolutely! I’m sure Adak’s remote location is the only thing preventing location scouts from recommending it as a set.

  • @tkosmider
    @tkosmider Жыл бұрын

    Anyone know what the metal boxes on every residential window are? The temperature is never hot so they're not A/C units.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    The white boxes? They’re awnings. And there’s a regular window that they’re covering.

  • @tkosmider

    @tkosmider

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt Check out the 7:50 mark. The odd boxes on the lower left and lower right of each window.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    @@tkosmider Ah, my bad! I’m going to guess those are also awnings based on the other houses with the coloured roofs.

  • @tkosmider

    @tkosmider

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt Thx! Just an odd design. Perhaps a way to open the windows in a rainy/moist climate.

  • @FloridaWaterAdventures
    @FloridaWaterAdventures Жыл бұрын

    Did you have any trouble getting on base? No hassles?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Technically, I was on the base as soon as the plane landed. But I had no issues getting into any buildings apart from the new church on Bering Hill. The McDonald’s was sealed but the interior was drastically changed more than decade ago according to my host.

  • @FloridaWaterAdventures

    @FloridaWaterAdventures

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt So the airport on base is still active?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    @@FloridaWaterAdventures Yes, Alaska Airlines flies to Adak every Wednesday and Saturday with hunters, bird watchers, fishermen, and supplies/shipments for residents.

  • @EscapeKoala

    @EscapeKoala

    8 ай бұрын

    The McDonalds turned into a small grocery store at one point

  • @Aprilsraven629
    @Aprilsraven62910 ай бұрын

    Why àre most of the structures been burnt, dozens and dozens of homes and buildings with fire damage....its a cold place, lifeless

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    10 ай бұрын

    What you’re seeing is decay due to high winds and water damage. The former fire chief informed me only a couple of houses burned in the past 20 years.

  • @philipsharpe6905
    @philipsharpe6905 Жыл бұрын

    Why are the backs ripped out of so many houses?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    The island has an extreme climate - frequent high winds and wet weather. Most of those backs are the sides of the houses facing the wind.

  • @entbuchselt3418
    @entbuchselt3418 Жыл бұрын

    Why are the sides of all of the yellow houses destroyed? That can hardly be natural erosion right?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    The yellow houses were particularly susceptible to Adak’s harsh climate due to their low-cost prefabricated materials. Adak’s climate typically is windy and wet with heavy snow during winter.

  • @johnschroeder7528

    @johnschroeder7528

    6 ай бұрын

    It's due to wind.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    6 ай бұрын

    …which was my answer above 8 months ago lol

  • @deathboy126
    @deathboy12611 ай бұрын

    You're in the USA but you are closer to Japan (1830 miles southwest of Adak) and Russia (730 miles west of Adak) than you are to Washington DC

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    11 ай бұрын

    One could throw a baseball and hit the International Date Line!

  • @deathboy126

    @deathboy126

    11 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt In the village of Diomede, AK you could throw a baseball over the international date line and it’ll land into Russia in less than a minute!

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    11 ай бұрын

    @@deathboy126 Sounds like a fun geopolitical game of catch!

  • @ballistic350
    @ballistic3506 ай бұрын

    Is it all abandoned now?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    6 ай бұрын

    My host said Adak has 33 permanent residents. Everything else is abandoned.

  • @tweezerjam
    @tweezerjam11 ай бұрын

    0:40 looks like a vacant block in simcity 😂

  • @zeppelin.1874_
    @zeppelin.1874_3 ай бұрын

    Birthplace of the Winds

  • @robbkroeger8455
    @robbkroeger8455Ай бұрын

    I lived there from 1975 to 1978

  • @alanheadrick7997
    @alanheadrick79975 ай бұрын

    If you lived there it would be hard to get supplies.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    Two flights per week bring in supplies, deliveries, and mail.

  • @alanheadrick7997

    @alanheadrick7997

    5 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt OK interesting. I watched the treasure show and wondered how it would be to live there. I didn't notice any farms. Cost of living has to be high with things flown in.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    @@alanheadrick7997 Yes, the cost of living is extreme. It's $4000 per MONTH for 512k up/down Internet with a 15GB cap!

  • @alanheadrick7997

    @alanheadrick7997

    5 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt Yikes! Is that through Starlink?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    @@alanheadrick7997No, and it’s why they’re trying to get Starlink out there!

  • @wilhelmherren7225
    @wilhelmherren72253 ай бұрын

    what are those 33 people doing there?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    3 ай бұрын

    A few people run lodges in the handful of active houses for visiting hunters, fishermen, and birdwatchers. Other people work dual jobs at the airport and bar (both open a few hours every week), work for the (obviously) small local *government, or are retired. * Even a place like Adak has municipal services to keep the sewer, electricity, and other infrastructure running.

  • @noonehere1793
    @noonehere1793 Жыл бұрын

    Good ole Adak…..if you were stationed there your career in the navy was pretty much done….

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    I've received countless messages from Adak marines who were later transferred to other bases.

  • @kennethmcdonald5278

    @kennethmcdonald5278

    10 ай бұрын

    B.S. , it counted as sea duty.

  • @lostmoose9994
    @lostmoose99944 ай бұрын

    This is the answer to the housing crises !

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    Every house is decayed beyond the point of saving, and it's a remote island further west than Russia's easternmost point. It'd be cheaper to give Kansas to the homeless.

  • @lostmoose9994

    @lostmoose9994

    4 ай бұрын

    I thought the buildings look great 😨

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    @@lostmoose9994 A closer look from ground level in two of my other Adak videos is more revealing: - kzread.info/dash/bejne/qZmVmpt8lLnPcrQ.html - kzread.info/dash/bejne/o4Crw9CLltG_g9I.html

  • @lostmoose9994

    @lostmoose9994

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks. Whats the distance to Anchorage?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    4 ай бұрын

    @@lostmoose9994 The actual distance is around 2000km (1200 miles), and the flight is 3 hours.

  • @Get_Rich_asf
    @Get_Rich_asf Жыл бұрын

    I really wana go there.

  • @rummdogg13
    @rummdogg139 ай бұрын

    Stationed Naval Airstation Adak 86-88

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    9 ай бұрын

    You were stationed there when the McDonald’s opened!

  • @rummdogg13

    @rummdogg13

    9 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt yes it’s was a busy place

  • @UrbanFury12
    @UrbanFury12 Жыл бұрын

    The people who are still there -- what do they do? Where do they live? Do they have families there? Thanks for the video. Very interesting.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Some of the permanent 33 residents operate hotels (i.e., renting houses) to visiting hunters, fishers, birdwatchers, and adventure seekers like me. Other residents work for the airport or small local government (see adak-ak.gov). Everyone lives in houses that were saved or restored. Several residents live in a cluster along two streets, Finger Bay and Little Thumb Bay. My host Steven Carroll lives there with his wife, and I recall a few other couples. Steven was Adak's 1970s Fire Chief, then moved to San Diego, and later returned to Adak and retired. No children live on the island.

  • @UrbanFury12

    @UrbanFury12

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt That's so interesting. It does look like a beautiful and it is a surprisingly large island. I found out they have job openings on that website you told me about. It's hard to not wonder what it would be like.

  • @kennethmcdonald5278

    @kennethmcdonald5278

    10 ай бұрын

    The Aleuts live by government subsidies , and some fishing , tourism is a large piece of that along wit hunting guides , and their clients

  • @jefuryo
    @jefuryo Жыл бұрын

    There’s bunkers too

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, they're featured in my other Adak series videos.

  • @ratedray1
    @ratedray111 ай бұрын

    Seems like such a subtle place to live.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    11 ай бұрын

    What a perfectly apt description!

  • @rickbar123
    @rickbar1236 ай бұрын

    Im going to invade it. Yep, it's mine.

  • @cheeseycreamy_Fries
    @cheeseycreamy_Fries6 ай бұрын

    Ronograd City!?!?!?

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    6 ай бұрын

    Ronograd didn't have a McDonalds!

  • @isaacperez7136
    @isaacperez71365 ай бұрын

    I wanna live there like the last of us movie...abandoned. and armed with all kind of weapons and food and medical..for 20 hrs. Alone

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    5 ай бұрын

    It’s pretty much like The Last of Us out there now…except for the functioning airport and nice locals.

  • @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    @MitchellBrown-su9dc

    3 ай бұрын

    🤣😂

  • @RandoPlaysTheBest
    @RandoPlaysTheBest Жыл бұрын

    Hey! I have an idea for your channel i want to watch you go to abandoned places and try to sell stuff from these places and tray to make some money good content plus some side money/ hustle

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    I leave the places I explore as I found them. Why? Because I'm not a thief.

  • @RandoPlaysTheBest

    @RandoPlaysTheBest

    Жыл бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt well it’s not considered stealing i think

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    Жыл бұрын

    @@RandoPlaysTheBest If you take something you don’t own then it’s stealing. You’re stealing from whatever legal entity owns the property.

  • @ryanedwards6923
    @ryanedwards69239 ай бұрын

    How dare you make me read on a visual medium.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    9 ай бұрын

    Good news - my next video is 100% braille!

  • @ryanedwards6923

    @ryanedwards6923

    9 ай бұрын

    @@chrisluckhardt love ya work mate 👍

  • @111ark
    @111ark6 ай бұрын

    This is about Adak village and less about the island.

  • @chrisluckhardt

    @chrisluckhardt

    6 ай бұрын

    It’s filmed in different locations on the island with panoramic views of the island on available service roads. Everything the island has to offer is visible in this video.

  • @kennethmcdonald5278
    @kennethmcdonald527810 ай бұрын

    We should still be there , with all that is going on with ussr , and ccp , 73/74 pwc. wc.20 public works