Lauro & Neil Eklund’s Alaska Survival, Trapping, and Iditarod Training | Mountain Men Season 14 Episode 2

In Mountain Men Season 14, Episode 2, viewers were taken deep into the wild heart of central Alaska along the Tolovana River, where father-and-son duo Lauro and Neil Eklund prepared for another grueling Alaskan winter. This episode highlighted not just the raw beauty of Alaska, but also the grueling preparation required for survival, especially when balancing the demands of subsistence living with the high-stakes world of competitive dog mushing.

The Setting: Tolovana River’s Harsh Frontier

Stretching more than a hundred miles, the Tolovana River is a vast watershed in central Alaska, rich in fish and wildlife but unforgiving in climate. For Lauro and his father Neil, the river is more than scenery—it’s a lifeline of food, shelter, and tradition. Each fall, the pair venture into the bush to hunt, trap, and fish, filling their freezers and stockpiling resources for both family survival and Lauro’s kennel of 31 Alaskan huskies.

Survival and the Iditarod Connection

Lauro Eklund isn’t just living off the land—he’s training for the legendary Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, one of the toughest endurance races on earth. Feeding a large team of elite sled dogs requires an enormous supply of protein, particularly fish and beaver meat. Without these essential resources, it would be nearly impossible for Lauro to maintain the health and stamina of his 31 Alaskan huskies, all of whom must be kept in peak condition for the brutal winter race circuit.

The father-and-son team’s moose hunt had come up empty, but their determination shifted to trapping and fishing. With winter racing looming, Lauro had to leave early for training, leaving his father Neil to shoulder much of the subsistence work.

Building Camp: Shelter in the Bush

One of the most striking moments of the episode was the construction of Neil’s winter trapping camp. At 76 years old, Neil still demonstrates grit and skill, working alongside his son to build a base camp with a canvas wall tent, a raised plywood platform, and plenty of firewood.

The platform wasn’t just for comfort—it provided airflow and insulation, keeping gear dry and living space warmer. For Neil, this camp wasn’t temporary—it was, as Lauro humorously called it, the “Alaskan retirement home” complete with his trusted older sled dogs for company.

Feeding Dogs and Family: Fishing the Tolovana

To sustain both Neil and the huskies, the Eklunds set nets in the Tolovana River. The payoff was immediate: salmon catches that would be split, dried, and stored on newly built fish racks. Neil explained how fermented “sour fish” is actually healthier and more appealing to sled dogs, releasing enzymes that boost nutrition.

Viewers also witnessed the balance of sustainability and respect for nature—live salmon were released to spawn, while only dead ones were kept. The catch of 11 salmon was a promising start to Neil’s winter supply.

A Father’s Last Hurrah in the Wilderness

While Lauro returned home to train for the Iditarod, Neil stayed behind to pursue his ambitious goal: stockpiling 1,000 pounds of fish and beaver meat over two months. His determination was summed up in one of the most memorable quotes of the episode:

“It’s better to wear out than rust out. Keep on plugging and enjoying life instead of just sitting on the couch eating bonbons and watching TV. I’ll be out here till the day I die.”

For Neil, trapping and fishing on the Tolovana isn’t just about food—it’s about identity. The wilderness remains the place where he feels most alive.

Why This Episode Resonates

The Eklunds’ story reflects the larger theme of Mountain Men: the delicate balance between tradition and survival in some of the harshest environments on earth. Their narrative also ties the show to Alaska’s dog mushing heritage, where subsistence living directly supports the culture of sled racing.

While other Mountain Men cast members such as Tom Oar (Montana), Marty Meierotto (Alaska), and Eustace Conway (North Carolina) focus on traditional skills like tanning, logging, and hunting, Lauro and Neil stand out by showing how the Iditarod and wilderness trapping intersect in modern Alaska.