What Happened to Hans and Timbi Porter from Port Protection?

If you’ve ever tuned into Port Protection Alaska, you know it’s not your average reality show. The series, which aired for eight seasons on National Geographic until its final season in 2025, takes you deep into the heart of Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. No roads, no law enforcement, no modern conveniences—just a rugged landscape and a tight-knit group of people trying to live life on their own terms.

Hans and Timbi Porter were part of that early core group. They appeared in both Season 1 and Season 2, showing up in a total of 13 episodes. From their first appearance, they caught attention for how naturally they fit into the rhythms of off-grid life, each contributing their own skills and resilience. Hans was the hands-on fixer, always tinkering and solving problems, while Timbi brought warmth, creativity, and humor to the harsh edges of frontier life. Together, they weren’t just surviving—they were making a life.

So what happened to them after the cameras stopped rolling? Fans who followed their story have often wondered where life took them after their final episode aired. Their journey didn’t end with the show—and in many ways, it was just the beginning of a new chapter.

Life in Port Protection

Off-Grid Living and Feeding the Ducks

For Hans and Timbi, life in Port Protection wasn’t just about surviving—it was about contributing to the ecosystem around them, including caring for the ducks they raised. In one memorable moment, the couple ventured out in their skiff to a rocky fissure at low tide, searching for the perfect gravel to add to their homemade duck feed. “It’s one of the most rewarding things in life,” Timbi reflected, “to go out to the ocean and not only get our food but food for the ducks.”

They discovered a narrow inlet, normally hidden by high tide, where the walls reached up some 30 feet before opening into the forest. While Timbi admired its eerie beauty, Hans was quick to point out the risk: “This is one place that I wouldn’t want to be when the tide comes in.” As they collected the right-sized gravel—ideal for aiding bird digestion—they kept a close eye on the quickly rising water. “Let’s get it and get out of here,” Hans said, ever aware of the risks.

That outing captured their spirit perfectly: a mix of adventure, humor, urgency, and deep respect for nature’s rhythms.

A Medical Scare and Emotional Resilience

While their daily routines reflected teamwork and intuition, their bond was most clearly tested during moments of crisis. Together, Hans and Timbi showed what true partnership in the wilderness looked like—weathering both daily struggles and deeper personal trials. One of the most emotional episodes came in Season 1, Episode 3 (Out of Luck) when Timbi suspected she had a life-threatening blood clot and couldn’t leave the island due to bad weather. The fear hit close to home—her brother had died of one—and with no local hospital, the situation underscored the extreme vulnerability of living remotely. Hans confessed, “If I didn’t have her here, well, I don’t know if I’d wanna be out here by myself.” Thankfully, the diagnosis came back non-critical, and when she returned, she greeted Hans with a sarcastic smile and a gift: “Here’s your guilt present.”

Moments like these made them stand out. They brought vulnerability and warmth to a world built around grit.

Building Trails and Strengthening Community

In Season 2, Episode 5 (The Odyssey), Hans and Timbi tackled a massive project together—restoring the trail to their firewood stash, which they called “the blowdown.” Their trail had become nearly unusable, buried in moss and turned to deep mud by rain and time. Hans led the charge with practical engineering—placing log beams to create a bridge across muddy spots. Timbi, undeterred by the physical labor, carried hemlock boards and helped install them as makeshift stairs.

They were later joined by fellow resident Bud Baker, who brought traditional tools like a handmade shake froe and mallet. When the mallet broke mid-project, the trio simply paused and crafted a new one on the spot. For Timbi, this kind of community effort wasn’t just helpful—it was the essence of what made Port Protection special. “It’s neighbor helping neighbor,” she said, summing up the town’s unwritten rule.

By the time they finished the stairway, it wasn’t just a path up a hill—it was a symbol of endurance, teamwork, and living life the old-fashioned way.

Moving On

After Season 2, Hans and Timbi quietly stepped away from the spotlight. Eventually, they went their separate ways. Timbi relocated to Anchorage and found a new rhythm to life, launching Timbi’s Alaskan Soaps & Sundries, where she began crafting and selling handmade soaps and natural body products.

Hans, meanwhile, chose to remain in Port Protection. He’s kept a low profile, though his occasional updates have shown that he’s still very much connected to the land and community. In a message shared through a friend in November 2024, Hans revealed he had just completed a colonoscopy and was awaiting results to determine if lingering concerns were cancer-related. He had already been through three other doctor visits that month and said he was hopeful the health issues were now behind him. He expressed gratitude for the support of concerned fans and noted he was feeling better each day.

Their Legacy

Their departure left a noticeable absence in the show’s later seasons. While they may have gone their separate ways, Hans and Timbi’s time on Port Protection remains one of its most authentic and heartfelt chapters. Even now, Timbi continues to show her entrepreneurial spark and community spirit in Anchorage. Hans, though quieter, still holds onto the lifestyle that once defined them both.

Their journey reminds fans that frontier life is about more than hardship—it’s about the relationships you build along the way, and the mark you leave behind.