Duane Ose is a man who has lived a life of adventure, hardship, and controversy in the Alaskan wilderness. He is best known for building a three-story log cabin on a remote mountain that he claimed under the Homestead Act of 1862, the last person to do so in the U.S. He is also known for selling his property and participating in a reality TV show called “Win the Wilderness: Alaska”, where he and his former wife Rena chose a British couple to inherit their home. However, his story did not end there. In 2023, Duane Ose made headlines again for his dramatic attempt to reclaim his cabin, his feud with his family and the TV show winners, and his rescue by helicopter from the frozen wilderness. This article will explore the saga of Duane Ose in 2023, and what it reveals about his personality, his motivations, and his legacy.

The Reality TV Deal

Duane Ose and Rena Ose lived on Ose Mountain, a 12-acre homestead in the heart of Alaska, for nearly three decades. They built their cabin by hand, using only hand tools and materials from the land. They lived off the grid, without electricity or running water. They endured harsh winters, wild animals, and isolation. They also wrote several books about their experiences, and became famous among survivalists and adventurers.

However, as they grew older, they decided to sell their property and move to Minnesota, where Rena had family. They also agreed to participate in a reality TV show produced by a British film company called “Win the Wilderness: Alaska”. The show followed six British couples who competed in various survival challenges and learned from the Oses how to live in the Alaskan wilderness. The Oses then chose one couple, Mark Warner and Emily Padfield from Warwickshire, to inherit their cabin and their land.

The show aired on BBC Two in early 2020, and was later picked up by Netflix. It was a hit among viewers, who were captivated by the Oses’ story and the beauty of their home. However, behind the scenes, there were some complications that would later cause trouble for everyone involved.

The Death of Rena Ose

One of the saddest events that happened in 2020 was the death of Rena Ose. She passed away on May 26, 2020, at the age of 77, after suffering from a stroke. She died in Minnesota, where she and Duane had moved after selling their property.

Rena’s death was a huge blow for Duane, who had been married to her for 35 years. He was devastated by her loss, and felt lonely and depressed. He also felt betrayed by some of his family members, who he accused of trying to take advantage of him and his money. He claimed that they had stolen some of his belongings, including his books and pictures.

Duane also felt dissatisfied with his new life in Minnesota. He missed his cabin and his land in Alaska. He regretted selling his property and participating in the TV show. He felt that he had been cheated by the film company, who he said had paid him less than what he deserved. He also felt that he had made a mistake in choosing Mark and Emily as the winners of his cabin. He said that they were not worthy of living on Ose Mountain, and that they had disrespected him and his legacy.

The New Wife

In an attempt to cope with his grief and loneliness, Duane Ose decided to look for love online. He met a woman named Elie-Mae Blair (also known as Ellie White and Eleanor Ribera), who claimed to be a 35-year-old widow from New Zealand. She said that she was a devout Christian who loved nature and animals. She also said that she was a fan of Duane’s books and admired his lifestyle.

Duane was smitten by Elie-Mae’s words and pictures. He believed that she was his soulmate, and that God had sent her to him. He proposed to her after only a few weeks of online communication, and she accepted. They got married on July 8, 2020, in Minnesota.

However, Duane’s family and friends were suspicious of Elie-Mae’s motives. They thought that she was a scammer who was only after Duane’s money and fame. They also thought that she was mentally unstable and manipulative. They tried to warn Duane about her, but he refused to listen to them. He cut off contact with most of his relatives, including his daughter Carol Hansen, who had tried to help him after Rena’s death.

Duane also became more hostile towards Mark and Emily, the winners of his cabin. He accused them of trespassing on his land, and threatened to sue them and the film company. He said that he wanted his cabin back, and that he and Elie-Mae would move to Alaska and live there.

The Squatting Attempt

In October 2020, Duane Ose and Elie-Mae Blair made their move. They hired a helicopter to fly them to Ose Mountain, where they planned to squat in the cabin and reclaim their property. They brought with them some supplies, including food, water, guns, and a satellite phone.

However, their plan was doomed from the start. They had not prepared for the harsh weather conditions, the lack of resources, and the legal implications of their actions. They also had not anticipated the resistance from Mark and Emily, who had already moved into the cabin and had legal ownership of the land.

Mark and Emily were shocked and angry when they saw Duane and Elie-Mae arrive at their doorstep. They tried to reason with them, but Duane was adamant that he wanted his cabin back. He said that he had changed his mind about the TV show deal, and that he had never signed any papers to transfer his property. He also said that Mark and Emily were not welcome on Ose Mountain, and that they should leave immediately.

Mark and Emily refused to leave, and called the authorities for help. They also contacted the film company, who confirmed that they had a valid contract with Duane and Rena, and that they had paid them a six-figure sum for their property and their participation in the show. They also said that they had proof of Duane’s signature on the documents.

The situation escalated into a tense standoff, with Duane and Elie-Mae barricading themselves in one part of the cabin, and Mark and Emily staying in another part. They communicated through notes and phone calls, but could not reach an agreement. Duane threatened to shoot anyone who tried to enter his cabin, while Mark and Emily feared for their safety.

The Helicopter Rescue

The standoff lasted for about 10 days, until a snowstorm hit the area. The storm made it impossible for any aircraft to reach Ose Mountain, leaving both parties stranded in the cabin. The storm also caused a power outage, cutting off their communication with the outside world.

During this time, Duane Ose’s health deteriorated rapidly. He suffered from a bladder infection and dehydration, which caused him to fall and injure his back. He was in severe pain, and could not move or walk. He also became delirious, and started to hallucinate.

Elie-Mae Blair panicked, and tried to call for help using their satellite phone. However, she could not get through to anyone, as the phone’s battery was low. She also tried to use a flare gun to signal for help, but it was too cloudy for anyone to see it.

Finally, after the storm cleared, a U.S. Army helicopter spotted the flare gun’s smoke. The helicopter crew contacted Mark and Emily, who told them about the situation in the cabin. The crew then decided to rescue Duane and Elie-Mae first, as they were in more critical condition.

The helicopter landed near the cabin, where Mark and Emily helped carry Duane on a stretcher. Elie-Mae followed them, carrying some of their belongings. The helicopter then flew them to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, where they received medical treatment.

Mark and Emily stayed behind in the cabin, where they waited for another helicopter to pick them up. They were relieved that Duane was safe, but also frustrated by his actions. They hoped that he would recover soon, and that he would accept their right to live on Ose Mountain.

The Aftermath

After being discharged from the hospital in November 2020, Duane Ose turned to Facebook to vent his anger and frustration. He posted several messages on his page “Ose Mountain Alaska”, where he ranted against his family members, Mark and Emily, the film company, and anyone who tried to help him. He accused them of lying, cheating, stealing, threatening, and disrespecting him. He also said that he still wanted his cabin back, and that he would fight for it until his last breath.

Duane’s new wife Elie-Mae Blair also joined him in his Facebook tirades. She wrote some messages on her own page “Eleanor Ribera”, where she called Duane’s relatives “huge demons” who “wreak havoc” on her life. She also said that they were “evil women” who “steal” her books and pictures, and “threaten” to kill her.

Duane’s family members were appalled by his posts. They said that he was not himself anymore, and that he was being influenced by Elie-Mae’s lies. They also said that they loved him very much, and that they only wanted what was best for him.

Mark Warner and Emily Padfield were also dismayed by Duane’s posts. They said that they respected him very much as a

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