Veronica Arrants Port Protection Bio: Age, Career, and Transformation in Alaska

Veronica Arrants (born May 3, 1978) wasn’t raised in the wild, but when life led her to Port Protection, Alaska, she embraced the challenges of remote living without hesitation. Featured on the National Geographic series Port Protection Alaska—a show centered on a rugged, off-grid community in Southeast Alaska—Veronica brought a fresh and relatable perspective to the lifestyle. She first appeared in Season 6, and over time, viewers came to know her as someone determined, humble, and open to change. Unlike many long-time residents, she entered Port Protection under unique circumstances—learning by doing and slowly earning her place in the community.

From 911 Dispatch to Port Protection

Before Alaska, Veronica lived a life many would find familiar. She grew up in a suburb near Seattle and later became a full-time 911 dispatcher and a single mother of three. Her days were long and filled with stress, often spent answering emergency calls while juggling the responsibilities of parenthood. But beneath the routine, she carried a quiet dream: to live simply, sustainably, and off the grid.

That dream came into sharp focus when her aunt, Litzi Botello, a beloved Port Protection resident, was diagnosed with cancer. Veronica made a bold decision—she left her job, packed up her life, and moved to Alaska to be by Litzi’s side. That summer of 2022 was her first time in Port Protection. What started as a visit turned into a total life transformation.

Learning the Land, Honoring Her Aunt

Veronica’s move to Port Protection wasn’t just a change of scenery—it was a tribute to her Aunt Litzi Botello. When Litzi was diagnosed with cancer, Veronica came not only to support her but also to embrace the off-grid lifestyle Litzi had lived so fiercely. Inspired by her aunt’s strength and independence in raising two sons in the wilderness, Veronica saw this transition as a way to live those values herself.

She began learning the daily skills needed for self-reliance, drawing guidance from residents like Carl Hernandez, Matt Carlson, and David Squibb. She gathered firewood, learned how to beach log, practiced chainsaw safety, spliced phone lines, and even hauled full logs through tidewater using just rollers and grit.

One memorable project saw Veronica and Matt rewiring a downed phone line across dangerous terrain. Armed with a test phone, wire spools, and a lot of laughter, they revived the connection to back bay—a vital line for emergencies. “It’d be nice not to risk life and limb just to make a phone call,” she quipped.

It was work her Aunt Litzi used to do, and Veronica spoke of her with reverence. Reflecting on those moments, she shared,

“The way that my Auntie Litzi lived, it’s kind of mind-blowing. I didn’t understand all the different trials and tribulations of living out here. I mean, she was out there fixing the phone lines in the snow after a storm sometimes. It just gives me more admiration and respect for her for what she accomplished out here.”

She also joined Carl and Morgan on beach logging runs, learning to identify spruce logs by scent and checking for gravel in cracks that could ruin a saw. When she pulled her first log solo into the water, she exclaimed, “We did it! Full blast!”—her excitement evident.

Even driftwood became special to her. She admired how Litzi had created art and function out of wood rescued from the tides and dreamed of doing the same.

Strength in Vulnerability

What set Veronica apart wasn’t that she came in knowing how to do everything—it was that she wasn’t afraid to ask. She didn’t pretend to be an expert. Instead, she opened up, made mistakes, and kept showing up. That kind of honesty resonated deeply with viewers.

When she spoke about learning to make something useful—like heat from driftwood, or meals from subsistence fishing—you could hear her passion. “It’s this magical thing,” she said once, “you throw hooks in the ocean and pull out your dinner for the next week.”

Her bond with Carl was especially touching. Despite being younger than her, he guided her through new experiences with patience and humor. She called him “almost like a big brother”—proof of how quickly she had woven herself into the tight-knit community.

Family and Personal Life

Veronica Arrants has three daughters—Kimberly, Rosa (Rosemary), and Ruby. Among them, Kimberly has been the most publicly vocal, often sharing reflections that underscore their close bond and her mother’s enduring influence.

In one tribute, Kimberly wrote, “You never fail to make sure that there’s food in the house to eat, that there’s gas in the cars, that the bills are paid, and that everyone else is mentally sane before you look at your own challenges.” These posts also offer insight into Veronica’s late partner, Elmer Basabe, whom Kimberly affectionately called their protective “papa bear.” His passing was a pivotal moment that appeared to draw the family even closer.

Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Utah in 2022. Veronica publicly celebrated the achievement, commenting warmly on Kimberly’s graduation post. Rosa, identified as a teenager in 2017, was noted by Kimberly as someone she helped mentor. Ruby has not been featured publicly, and further details about her are limited.

After relocating to Port Protection, Veronica remained in contact with her family. Her decision to live off-grid came during a personal transition and aligns with the independence she had long demonstrated while raising her children.

Veronica at a Glance

Detail	Info
Full Name	Veronica L. Arrants
Date of Birth	May 3, 1978 (age 47 as of 2025)
Seasons on the Show	6, 7 & 8 (2023–2025)
Hometown	Suburb near Seattle, WA
Nationality	American
Moved To Alaska	Summer 2022
Previous Career	911 dispatcher
Family in Port Protection	Aunt Litzi Botello, Uncle John
Core Skills Learned	Halibut fishing, canning, chainsaw use, beach logging, phone line repair
Notable Traits	Curious, humble, deeply reflective, emotionally resilient

Where Is Veronica Arrants Now?

Veronica appeared in three seasons—6, 7, and 8—before the series concluded. Since the end of Port Protection Alaska, she has kept a low profile, with no public appearances or interviews. While her exact whereabouts remain unknown, many fans believe she continues to live a quieter, off-grid life—possibly still in Alaska. Her time on the show left a lasting impression, and the experiences she gained continue to resonate with those who followed her journey.

During her time on the show, Veronica steadily embraced the demands of off-grid living. She contributed to vital community projects like phone line repairs, subsistence fishing, and firewood gathering—learning as she went with guidance from longtime residents.

Her journey from suburban dispatcher to hands-on resident offered viewers a relatable arc of growth. As Matt Carlson said after their joint repair project, “You should be able to talk on your phone to your heart’s content.” Veronica responded with a quiet smile: “I’m feeling much less like a guest, and more like a resident.”