Early Life
I was born in Hawaii in 1952 while my father was serving in the military. We moved nearly every year: California, Cleveland, Syracuse, Media, PA—constantly uprooted. My father’s academic pursuits led him to become a college dean with three PhDs, but his achievements set a high bar I didn’t want to compete with. Sharing his name, Miles Walter Martin III, made me determined to forge my own path.
From a young age, art gave me a sense of identity. At five, a paper turkey I made was featured in the news, and by high school, I’d collected several art awards. But art wasn’t seen as a practical way to make a living, and my upbringing, full of discipline and expectation, seemed to leave no room for such ambitions.
Despite our stable, upper-middle-class life, family issues left me feeling disconnected. My parents’ turbulent marriage and my father’s remarriages likely pushed me toward escapism. I was drawn to heroes like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett—figures who lived independent, adventurous lives. School didn’t come easily, but I excelled in high school when it mattered, proving to myself that I wasn’t “stupid”—just different.
When the time came to choose a future, I rejected college, despite being able to attend for free. Instead, I pursued a rugged life, inspired by mountain men and a longing for authenticity.
My Alaskan Adventure
Alaska was my proving ground. When I arrived, I was dismissed as an "educated idiot." Hungry for role models, I admired trappers and survivalists, though my real teachers were the harsh wilderness and my mistakes. My “walkabout,” as I called it, tested every ounce of my will and ability. Falling through ice, enduring sixty-below-zero winters, and living off the land were rites of passage.
I lived off-grid for 20 years, with no ID, no bank account, and no bills. Eight months could pass without seeing another soul. The wilderness became my home and my teacher, shaping not just how I survived but how I saw the world.
My lifestyle gained attention: Alaska Magazine, The New York Times, and GEO Magazine featured my story. I joke about being “famous,” but the spotlight is a double-edged sword.
Through it all, survival became more than building fires or catching food—it became a philosophy. True survival meant thriving, finding joy, and balancing independence with the need for connection.
Writing My Story
My writing reflects my life in the wilds. The Going Wild series began when I was 18, written on notebook paper long before the internet. It took 20 years to complete the first book, which captures my journey from a young dreamer to a seasoned survivor.
The series, spanning 5–6 books, follows my life chronologically, starting in 1972 when I arrived in Alaska dreaming of being a mountain man. It’s not a memoir but a real-time account of my transformation. The challenges—falling through ice, living in a houseboat for 25 years, and cutting over 200 miles of trapline trails—are all part of the story.
I flunked English in school but wrote endlessly—long letters to girlfriends that spanned hundreds of pages. Over time, my life gave me the material and voice to share what survival truly means.
My Art
Art has been a constant companion since childhood. At five, I was recognized for my talent, but art was seen as a frivolous subject in school. Still, I pursued it, drawing for classmates and selling my work. After close encounters with bears and earning respect in Alaska’s wilderness, I felt free to embrace my artistic identity.
Initially, I repurposed materials: broken guns, shovels, and snowshoes became functional art. In 1978, I carved grips for a broken pistol and sold it for more than a new gun would cost. That moment sparked my career as an artist.
Living without electricity for a decade forced me to innovate. My style became distinct and recognized, leading to gallery shows in Fairbanks and at the world’s largest gem and fossil show in Tucson. My art, deeply influenced by the wilderness, blends utility with creativity.
Materials and Resourcefulness
Living in the wild meant making do with what was available. I used antlers, bones, wood, and rocks to create art. Over time, I gained a reputation as a supplier of unique raw materials for other artists and museums.
My home in Nenana became a storage hub for treasures like mammoth tusks and buckets of rare rocks. Trading materials with other artists and collectors taught me the value of bartering. My knowledge of materials grew, and I became an expert in spotting fakes, restoring artifacts, and sourcing authentic pieces for cultural institutions.
Knives
“A man with a knife is master of 1,000 tasks.”
This phrase resonates deeply with me. Knives have been a part of my life since childhood, from throwing them for fun to wearing one every day.
In Alaska, I began crafting knives by customizing kit blades. Over time, I mastered every aspect of knife-making, from acid-etching intricate designs to heat-treating steel. My knives, known for their unique aesthetics, combine years of wilderness survival knowledge with artistic craftsmanship.
A Philosophy of Survival, for me, has always been about more than enduring hardships. At first, I thought it was about practical skills—building a fire or hunting food. Over time, I realized survival is about thriving, finding joy, adapting, and building meaningful connections.
This philosophy guides everything I do, from writing to art. Survival isn’t just for the wilderness; it’s a mindset that applies to life in any environment. Whether crafting knives, creating art, or penning my books, I aim to inspire others to embrace resilience, creativity, and authenticity.
I was born in Hawaii in 1952 while my father was serving in the military. We moved nearly every year: California, Cleveland, Syracuse, Media, PA—constantly uprooted. My father’s academic pursuits led him to become a college dean with three PhDs, but his achievements set a high bar I didn’t want to compete with. Sharing his name, Miles Walter Martin III, made me determined to forge my own path.
From a young age, art gave me a sense of identity. At five, a paper turkey I made was featured in the news, and by high school, I’d collected several art awards. But art wasn’t seen as a practical way to make a living, and my upbringing, full of discipline and expectation, seemed to leave no room for such ambitions.
Despite our stable, upper-middle-class life, family issues left me feeling disconnected. My parents’ turbulent marriage and my father’s remarriages likely pushed me toward escapism. I was drawn to heroes like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett—figures who lived independent, adventurous lives. School didn’t come easily, but I excelled in high school when it mattered, proving to myself that I wasn’t “stupid”—just different.
When the time came to choose a future, I rejected college, despite being able to attend for free. Instead, I pursued a rugged life, inspired by mountain men and a longing for authenticity.
My Alaskan Adventure
Alaska was my proving ground. When I arrived, I was dismissed as an "educated idiot." Hungry for role models, I admired trappers and survivalists, though my real teachers were the harsh wilderness and my mistakes. My “walkabout,” as I called it, tested every ounce of my will and ability. Falling through ice, enduring sixty-below-zero winters, and living off the land were rites of passage.
I lived off-grid for 20 years, with no ID, no bank account, and no bills. Eight months could pass without seeing another soul. The wilderness became my home and my teacher, shaping not just how I survived but how I saw the world.
My lifestyle gained attention: Alaska Magazine, The New York Times, and GEO Magazine featured my story. I joke about being “famous,” but the spotlight is a double-edged sword.
Through it all, survival became more than building fires or catching food—it became a philosophy. True survival meant thriving, finding joy, and balancing independence with the need for connection.
Writing My Story
My writing reflects my life in the wilds. The Going Wild series began when I was 18, written on notebook paper long before the internet. It took 20 years to complete the first book, which captures my journey from a young dreamer to a seasoned survivor.
The series, spanning 5–6 books, follows my life chronologically, starting in 1972 when I arrived in Alaska dreaming of being a mountain man. It’s not a memoir but a real-time account of my transformation. The challenges—falling through ice, living in a houseboat for 25 years, and cutting over 200 miles of trapline trails—are all part of the story.
I flunked English in school but wrote endlessly—long letters to girlfriends that spanned hundreds of pages. Over time, my life gave me the material and voice to share what survival truly means.
My Art
Art has been a constant companion since childhood. At five, I was recognized for my talent, but art was seen as a frivolous subject in school. Still, I pursued it, drawing for classmates and selling my work. After close encounters with bears and earning respect in Alaska’s wilderness, I felt free to embrace my artistic identity.
Initially, I repurposed materials: broken guns, shovels, and snowshoes became functional art. In 1978, I carved grips for a broken pistol and sold it for more than a new gun would cost. That moment sparked my career as an artist.
Living without electricity for a decade forced me to innovate. My style became distinct and recognized, leading to gallery shows in Fairbanks and at the world’s largest gem and fossil show in Tucson. My art, deeply influenced by the wilderness, blends utility with creativity.
Materials and Resourcefulness
Living in the wild meant making do with what was available. I used antlers, bones, wood, and rocks to create art. Over time, I gained a reputation as a supplier of unique raw materials for other artists and museums.
My home in Nenana became a storage hub for treasures like mammoth tusks and buckets of rare rocks. Trading materials with other artists and collectors taught me the value of bartering. My knowledge of materials grew, and I became an expert in spotting fakes, restoring artifacts, and sourcing authentic pieces for cultural institutions.
Knives
“A man with a knife is master of 1,000 tasks.”
This phrase resonates deeply with me. Knives have been a part of my life since childhood, from throwing them for fun to wearing one every day.
In Alaska, I began crafting knives by customizing kit blades. Over time, I mastered every aspect of knife-making, from acid-etching intricate designs to heat-treating steel. My knives, known for their unique aesthetics, combine years of wilderness survival knowledge with artistic craftsmanship.
A Philosophy of Survival, for me, has always been about more than enduring hardships. At first, I thought it was about practical skills—building a fire or hunting food. Over time, I realized survival is about thriving, finding joy, adapting, and building meaningful connections.
This philosophy guides everything I do, from writing to art. Survival isn’t just for the wilderness; it’s a mindset that applies to life in any environment. Whether crafting knives, creating art, or penning my books, I aim to inspire others to embrace resilience, creativity, and authenticity.
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Customer letters...
Good morning, Miles!
I thank you for the update! Great news! You have no idea how many times I have read and re-read the first two books.]
If it is OK with you, I will send you a Money Order (in US funds) ASAP.
Both you and I have been stung badly by trusting people, Anyway- Am very glad to hear of Volume #3 being out. You are about the only one that I know of who has written intelligently about "the vexations of being a bush rat" in an era when "Big Brother" is doing all that he can to stomp out the lifestyle!
All the best to you!
Dave
————--
I received your book yesterday Someone is looking out for you Miles, as I am sure you figured out already from the portion I read last night. You kept me up an extra hour and a half last evening but I finally had to put it down and get some sleep as I get up at 0330.
Dennis V.
————--
Dear Miles,
During our stay at Denali West Lodge, I bought a copy of “Going Wild.” I just finished reading it and really, really enjoyed reading of all your experiences. I’d appreciate you letting me know when a copy of “Gone Wild” is available. I’d love to read more. All my best to you and thanks for sharing your story!
Darrell
————--
Greetings Miles,
Well, I finally got to read your book. I started it two days ago & couldn't put it down. Last book I found that compelling was Jaws. You're in good company with Peter Benchley.
I would have loved to seen the first moose harvest. 22 mag was quite exciting. I've seen film of a poor shot shooting one @ 60yrds. w/ a 7mm Mag six times before the guide stepped in to finish him. Just getting that close must have been a mind boggler.
I've loved the outdoors all my life and your book shed new light on it's charm and danger. There are so many parts that I wanted to experience but as you put it civilization is VERY tuff to leave for most.
Thanks much for sharing this part of your life. I look forward to the next book, Going Wild. Please put me on the list for one upon release.
In Awe,
Tom H.
P.S. I see you used my Gold Cup Pistol w/ the Mastodon grips on your website........thanks! I'm try to save some $$$ to buy one of your better knives. They're beautiful.
————--
Hi Miles,
My Dad just finished your book and would like to order the sequel, Gone Wild. Do you have one available and how much is it? Thanks, Kelli E. (Temecula, California)
P.S. We will be passing around your book through our family Dad really enjoyed it.
————--
Miles-
"Happy Birthday !" ...(a day early). And- relax; "I ain't queer"; just remembered the date from your book, which I have enjoyed IMMENSELY.
Anyway- as I said above- I have enjoyed your book immensely; reread it several times, and laughed all the way through it. The parallels between our lives are amusing; from you keeping a little book on "wilderness skills" when you were a kid, dreaming about the north, (I called mine "Woodcraft"!), to being fascinated by the "mountain men"; (William Sherley "Old Bill" Williams was my hero), to actually "doing it"; (ie- "Go Wild")... Except- you were obviously smarter than I was; you had the guts to do it at a much earlier age; I spent far too many years "preparing" for such.
Your tales about your "search for love" amused me greatly- I never ever advertised for a companion; just "pissed and moaned" a lot about not being able to find one!
You mentioned the "Howling Dog Saloon". The only one that I know is in Fox, a few miles north of Fairbanks, not Ester, west of Fairbanks. I spent some time there a few years ago, totally in love with a "Laura" somebody-or-other who worked there. It all "came to naught", however. (Unfortunately, I am a Canadian citizen and have tried for years to get a "Green Card" so I can stay in Alaska for more than 6 months at a time. I went to the University of Portland, (Oregon), 40+ years ago, and I could have had one just for asking for one then. But now, it is almost impossible to get one. (Unless one can find an American female who will "walze down the isle" with you, and I never seemed to get the hang of male-female relationships, especially of that sort!))
Anyway- let me know when your next book is available!
Cheers!
Dave aka- "The Hess River Hermit"
PS- Did you ever read any of Robert Services poetry? (Some call it "doggerel"). One of his poems I especially "identify" with- "The Men That Don't Fit In"...
Good morning, Miles!
I thank you for the update! Great news! You have no idea how many times I have read and re-read the first two books.]
If it is OK with you, I will send you a Money Order (in US funds) ASAP.
Both you and I have been stung badly by trusting people, Anyway- Am very glad to hear of Volume #3 being out. You are about the only one that I know of who has written intelligently about "the vexations of being a bush rat" in an era when "Big Brother" is doing all that he can to stomp out the lifestyle!
All the best to you!
Dave
————--
I received your book yesterday Someone is looking out for you Miles, as I am sure you figured out already from the portion I read last night. You kept me up an extra hour and a half last evening but I finally had to put it down and get some sleep as I get up at 0330.
Dennis V.
————--
Dear Miles,
During our stay at Denali West Lodge, I bought a copy of “Going Wild.” I just finished reading it and really, really enjoyed reading of all your experiences. I’d appreciate you letting me know when a copy of “Gone Wild” is available. I’d love to read more. All my best to you and thanks for sharing your story!
Darrell
————--
Greetings Miles,
Well, I finally got to read your book. I started it two days ago & couldn't put it down. Last book I found that compelling was Jaws. You're in good company with Peter Benchley.
I would have loved to seen the first moose harvest. 22 mag was quite exciting. I've seen film of a poor shot shooting one @ 60yrds. w/ a 7mm Mag six times before the guide stepped in to finish him. Just getting that close must have been a mind boggler.
I've loved the outdoors all my life and your book shed new light on it's charm and danger. There are so many parts that I wanted to experience but as you put it civilization is VERY tuff to leave for most.
Thanks much for sharing this part of your life. I look forward to the next book, Going Wild. Please put me on the list for one upon release.
In Awe,
Tom H.
P.S. I see you used my Gold Cup Pistol w/ the Mastodon grips on your website........thanks! I'm try to save some $$$ to buy one of your better knives. They're beautiful.
————--
Hi Miles,
My Dad just finished your book and would like to order the sequel, Gone Wild. Do you have one available and how much is it? Thanks, Kelli E. (Temecula, California)
P.S. We will be passing around your book through our family Dad really enjoyed it.
————--
Miles-
"Happy Birthday !" ...(a day early). And- relax; "I ain't queer"; just remembered the date from your book, which I have enjoyed IMMENSELY.
Anyway- as I said above- I have enjoyed your book immensely; reread it several times, and laughed all the way through it. The parallels between our lives are amusing; from you keeping a little book on "wilderness skills" when you were a kid, dreaming about the north, (I called mine "Woodcraft"!), to being fascinated by the "mountain men"; (William Sherley "Old Bill" Williams was my hero), to actually "doing it"; (ie- "Go Wild")... Except- you were obviously smarter than I was; you had the guts to do it at a much earlier age; I spent far too many years "preparing" for such.
Your tales about your "search for love" amused me greatly- I never ever advertised for a companion; just "pissed and moaned" a lot about not being able to find one!
You mentioned the "Howling Dog Saloon". The only one that I know is in Fox, a few miles north of Fairbanks, not Ester, west of Fairbanks. I spent some time there a few years ago, totally in love with a "Laura" somebody-or-other who worked there. It all "came to naught", however. (Unfortunately, I am a Canadian citizen and have tried for years to get a "Green Card" so I can stay in Alaska for more than 6 months at a time. I went to the University of Portland, (Oregon), 40+ years ago, and I could have had one just for asking for one then. But now, it is almost impossible to get one. (Unless one can find an American female who will "walze down the isle" with you, and I never seemed to get the hang of male-female relationships, especially of that sort!))
Anyway- let me know when your next book is available!
Cheers!
Dave aka- "The Hess River Hermit"
PS- Did you ever read any of Robert Services poetry? (Some call it "doggerel"). One of his poems I especially "identify" with- "The Men That Don't Fit In"...