Building a Log Cabin on Our Island Ep.1 | (Harvesting First Logs)

Welcome to our Island! It is finally time to start working on our log sauna cabin! This trip I harvested the first logs for the cabin.

Felling the trees went pretty well, other than one crushing the debarking station. Debarking took time but was not to difficult. The ATV winch we set up last trip worked perfectly. The bigger logs were way too heavy for me to move on my own, but the winch made light work of them. For the cabin, I am thinking of using round logs with a saddle style notch.

In the end I had time to fell two tree and got 6 logs for our cabin. Three 7m logs and tree 4m logs. In order to build the cabin we are going to need around 70 logs so I made a dent but have a long ways to go.

In order to have more fun and see progress when we go to the island, starting next trip, I am going to use the tips of the trees that are to small in diameter for our actual cabin to build a mini 2m x 2.5m butt and pass cabin. Not only will this be a good way to use the excess wood but it will be nice to work on something of a smaller scale before tackling the sauna cabin.

The weather is changing and the first snow of the year came while I was on the island. I have a -20c sleeping bag to keep me warm and it worked well during this trip, but it only got down to -2 degrees hopefully it can keep me warm enough for most of winter.

More about us, the island and the process:

The island is completely secluded, has no electricity or plumbing and currently has nothing on it but trees. We want to turn this island into a fully functioning summer cottage with a log cabin, sauna and other amenities. Most of the work is gonna be done in the summer months as the lake freezes in the winter and the weather conditions are tough.

There's a lot of work to be done as the island is over 2.5 acres (1 hectare) and we have no experience in off-grid living, carpentry or building. So any tips or advice are greatly appreciated, as we are planning on doing everything ourselves and transforming the island into our own little paradise. We’ll document every step of the way, starting from smaller builds to finally - an off-grid log cabin.

Our plan for this year is to put up a platform for a glamping tent, build a floating dock and start cutting down trees to begin the process of building our log cabin.

The island is located in Finland and we bought it in 2024. We are currently both students and we plan to transform the island alongside our studies.

So, subscribe and join us on this adventure. It won’t be fast, it won’t be easy, but it will be fun and challenging. We don’t know what to expect, so be a part of the journey.

[Grizzonmeds]

One log at a time. Keep up the good work and be safe.

[johnharris]

Lovely spot. You need a bigger chain saw, more power, longer blade, to keep the cutting away from your body bits. You got your head at the same level really close. As a rule, never have anything around the base of what you are cutting, I noticed those logs you had to step over, if you had to run in an emergency in their direction you are in trouble. Never cut a tree with impeded clutter around it. Believe me you will be surprised by a tree, bursting, splitting and doing things you do not expect and you will do the 20 meter dash in a few seconds at some point.

[peregrinsleaf]

You pondering behind that wedged tree at 30:55 absolutely sent me. If what ever was holding it in place suddenly gave way, you would have gone flying, it would pay to be more mindful of just how volatile nature can be. Good job though this is wicked, just don't want to see this project discontinued due to you being incapacitated.

[Jacob]

Thank you for keeping in the mistake at around 31:00. Getting the saw stuck in the log that is.
I love "competency porn" as much as the next guy (which, not saying you aren't competent), but seeing a genuine mistake and how you overcame it is such a breath of fresh air in the sterilized, maximized professional environment YouTube has.
Instant sub and can't wait to see more videos of this journey.

[ShadowMoonFarms]

In the US, we call the narrow pieces of wood used between lumber or logs to help them dry: stickers. Please be careful by yourself. Thanks for taking us along.

[agromx]

I think it's amazing.
Simply buying a piece of land somewhere and "just" building your house yourself.
I love the premise and wish you all the best!

[teajay]

I feel like the debarking station is a waste of time because then you are just moving the same logs again and again instead of just having to move them once to your build location where you can debark them there

[immasurvivor]

Building a small structure with the tree-tops is a great idea! a small storage shed is always nice to have.

[goatman]

If you spiral the rope/cable on a log, it will roll/spin as you pull it. Can be useful to get a hung tree to just roll out of the snag tree.👍

[mr.petersen]

I'm invested in your progress man, keep living the dream!

[goatman]

Those wedges are soft on purpose. You can saw through them without harming the saw. Always keep 3 or 4 around. They break fairly easily. Cold makes them more brittle. 👍

[jamesarnold]

Blows my mind how it seems such a privilege to live on the earth as humans always have--to legally & financially escape the trappings of the urban market system... It all seems by design. I'll live vicariously through you till my escape.

[RalityBites]

Ahhh the good life i remember building my first cabin what a journey it was

[StLUNATIC]

Rewatching this video, because I found this one first. Instantly got hooked and have been working through all the videos in order. Loving the content! I am going to be so sad when I catch up to where you are currently then need to wait for new videos. Stay safe and keep up the amazing work!

[Jellooze]

Get yourself a UV stable permanent marker and write the dimensions on the sides of the logs. Should be easier to keep track on everything once you have a lot of logs. If you stack all of them in the same place, take a picture on both sides and use that as a reference for the excel sheet. Keep at it and you will have your cabin in no time :)

[missycolleen]

I love the way you are approaching this. Taking in advice and you just keep on moving forward. So brave

[Pontus-hc]

I enjoy watching your struggles!
Very inspiring! I'll hopefully will do something similar in a couple of years in Sweden!

[felicityhollis]

You definitely need a come along set up with a tripod of smaller trees/ logs. That’s how you can lift upwards. The wench and log ramps are the best way to move the larger logs into place off the ground. You definitely need to map out the entire structure before you start falling trees in earnest. Having a good plan will save you so much time in the long run. Plus remember that everything is replaceable except you. Don’t take any risks. The fastest way to do timber work is slow. Good luck

[Etska_]

glad to see some people visiting finnish islands, theyre a perfect place to camp.

[yatidaum]

Great learning experience, keep up the good work