What happened to Erik Salitan and Martha Mae Salitan? Where are they now?

Many of us enjoy watching survival shows on our big television sets, wrapped in cozy blankets. We feel like we are exploring nature, but without the risks of wild animals or freezing temperatures. We also share the thrill when our favorite star narrowly escapes a snow avalanche or a grizzly bear attack. Modern technology allows us to see and experience it all. But how do the people who put their lives on the line feel? Some people choose to live a self-sufficient life in the wilderness, where hunting, trapping, and gathering food are essential skills. One such couple is Erik Salitan and Martha Mae Salitan, who used to live in Wiseman, Alaska, 67 miles from the Arctic Circle. They were featured in the documentary series Life Below Zero from 2013 to 2016. What happened to them? Are they still living in the harsh wilderness? Where are they now?

What happened in Life Below Zero?

Life Below Zero is a reality show that follows the lives of people who live in the remote areas of Alaska. The show premiered in 2013 with Erik Salitan as one of the original cast members. He was a subsistence hunter, trapper, and gatherer who lived in a cabin with no running water or refrigerator. His wife, Martha Mae Salitan, who was a fishing operator and an ice fishing enthusiast, joined him in season 4. However, the couple left the show in 2016 without giving any official reason. They were not the only ones who departed the show, as Kate Bassich and Glenn Villeneuve also exited in later seasons. The show is still ongoing, with 22 seasons that premiered on November 14, 2023. The current cast includes Sue Aikens, Agnes hailstone, Chip Hailstone, Jessie Holmes, Ricko DeWilde, and James Franzo.

Possible reasons for the exit:

Erik and Martha Mae Salitan are a busy couple who balance their family and business responsibilities. They have a teenage son, Lucas, who attends school in Alaska. Erik hopes that Lucas will follow his own dreams, whether or not they involve living as a subsistence hunter. Erik runs his own hunting guide service, “Bushwhack Alaska Guiding and Outfitting”, and also owns two lodges with his wife. One lodge is located in the remote Brooks Range and the other in Peninsula. They offer accommodation and food services to their guests, especially during the summer season. Besides their businesses, the couple also participates in community service and volunteer work. They used to be part of the reality TV show Life Below Zero, but they left the show in late 2016. Perhaps the show was too demanding for their already hectic lifestyle.

 

What are they doing now?

Erik and Martha Mae Salitan now live full-time at lake Iliamna on the Alaska peninsula tending to their business endeavors. The pair runs a hospitality service through “Talarik Creek Lodge” and provides a hunting service through “Bushwack Alaska Guiding & Outfitting.” During the off-season, Erik can be found year-round hunting, flying, fishing, and trapping the Alaskan bush.

Erik also has taken membership in numerous hunting and conservation groups including the Alaska Professional Hunters Association, Pope & Young Club, Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, and the Northwest Sportsmans Club.

A quick wiki like a bio on Martha Mae Salitan:

Martha Mae Salitan, born in November 1985, is a 37-year-old woman from Iliamna, Alaska. She comes from a Baechler family that runs a Fishing Lodge, where she learned to cook delicious meals. Growing up in her hometown, she also developed skills in hunting and fishing. She is married to Erik Salitan and they have a son named Lucas.