Bob Harte makes a triumphant return to The Last Alaskans on this week’s episode — after several months in the lower 48 states due to a battle with cancer.
The fan favorite was forced to leave his cabin in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge last season due to the health scare, and this week he returns to check it’s secure and to give fans an update on his condition.
Footage shows Bob preparing to fly up to the cabin from Fairbanks to bear-proof it and check it’s still safe, and revealing he plans to spend another seven months in the lower 48.
Bob has survived everything from gunshot wounds to plane crashes and wildlife attacks in the past.
And in the news fans all wanted to hear, tonight he reveals that his health is improving and he hopes to be back living in his cabin in the near future.
He says: “I feel good. I’m gaining weight, I’m gaining strength, and I want to take advantage of every day I have…big time.
“I just want to get healthy again. My plan is to be seven months in the lower 48, to eat good, hunt, fish, and next year I can hopefully start trapping up north again.”
Bob has built himself a camper so he can head south without spending too much money, with a fold-up bed and a stove so he can live in it while he travels.
And his excitement to return to the cabin with his dog Ruger is obvious as he says: “I hope that grizzly bear didn’t get into my cabin again. I can’t wait to get up there. I’m going to take Ruger with me. I love this dog, I couldn’t be happier.
“When he gets up north, first thing I’m going to do I’m going to take his collar off — he’s free to do what he wants. That’s home to him.
“I got to get packing right now, I’ve got to get moving. Dog’s got to be ready, he’s got to be fed. We’re going to have a ball up there.”
Also in this week’s episode, titled A Taste of Freedom, the Alaskans prepare for the winter’s trapping season, and Heimo and Edna welcome their youngest daughter and new grandson.
The Last Alaskans airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Discovery.