The Last Alaskans cast where are they now is one of the most common questions among fans of the acclaimed Discovery survival series. Unlike standard reality television packed with artificial drama, the show chronicled genuine isolation, freezing temperatures, and quiet perseverance inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Viewers fell in love with families and solitary woodsmen who relied entirely on their wits. Since the cameras stopped rolling, life in the bush hasn't stood still.
The core group—including Heimo Korth, Bob Harte, Tyler and Ashley Selden, and Ray Lewis—faced profound personal milestones, health battles, and shifts in lifestyle. If you've wondered what happened to your favorite Arctic residents after the final season aired, here is the real update on the cast.
Heimo Korth: The Steady Presence of the Refuge
Heimo Korth remains the most recognizable face of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. As a seasoned bushman who spent decades living nomadically along the Coleen River, Heimo captured hearts with his rugged resilience and deep respect for the land.
Life After the Cameras Stopped
Don't let rumors fool you—Heimo didn't vanish into thin air. While he and his wife Edna still spend substantial time maintaining their traditional lifestyle in the Alaskan wilderness, they divide their year differently now. They spend portions of the year visiting family outside the remote interior. Aging brings new physical demands, yet Heimo continues to honor the solitude and strict survival ethics that defined his decades in the bush.
Family Ties and Legacy
His daughter, Coleen Korth, grew up alongside him in the harsh environment, though she chose a different path later in life, serving in the military and starting her own family. Heimo's enduring presence on the landscape represents a dying breed of self-reliant frontiersmen who chose absolute isolation over modern convenience.
Bob Harte: Remembering the Iconic Trapper
Bob Harte was a fan favorite from day one. Known for his rough exterior, warm laugh, and incredible survival stories—including surviving plane crashes and severe wildlife encounters—Bob brought a unique humanity to the show.
Passing of a Legend
Sadly, Bob Harte passed away from cancer in July 2017 at the age of 56. During his final seasons on the show, viewers watched him bravely navigate his health diagnosis while refusing to leave the cabin he loved.
A Lasting Impact
Though Bob is gone, his legacy within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lives on through the stories shared by fellow cast members and fans. His cabin and trapping grounds remain a symbol of absolute grit. He approached his final days with the same unyielding independence that carried him through decades of harsh winters.
Tyler and Ashley Selden: Building a Modern Homestead
Tyler Selden arrived in the Arctic as a young, driven trapper eager to master the extreme lifestyle. He soon met Ashley Lewis, daughter of fellow remote resident Ray Lewis, and the two married, carving out a life together in the deep wilderness.
Current Ventures and Projects
Tyler and Ashley transitioned from full-time isolation to running successful outdoor and trapping operations. Tyler authored books detailing his wilderness experiences, offering readers raw insights into trapping, dog sledding, and survival mechanics. They balance their time between remote Alaskan cabins and civilization, ensuring they can manage modern business logistics while keeping their wilderness skills sharp.
The Reality of Trapping Today
Running a trap line in sub-zero weather requires intense physical labor. Tyler and Ashley document parts of their ongoing remote lifestyle through digital platforms, giving dedicated fans an unfiltered look at modern bushcraft economics.
Ray Lewis: The Quiet Veteran of the Rivers
Ray Lewis spent decades living along the frozen rivers of Alaska, raising a family while hunting, fishing, and trapping in complete isolation. He is Ashley Selden's father, known for his soft-spoken demeanor and vast storehouse of survival knowledge.
Where Ray Is Today
Ray stepped back from the relentless demands of deep-wilderness living as he grew older. Maintaining a remote cabin requires heavy lifting, chopping wood, and breaking ice—tasks that take a toll over the years. Ray spends his time closer to regional hubs in Alaska, where he can access medical care while remaining close to the rivers and forests that shaped his entire identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Last Alaskans coming back for a new season?
No, the series concluded its run on Discovery, and network executives haven't announced any revival plans. The strict regulations governing the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge also make filming new seasons exceptionally difficult.
Do any cast members still live full-time in the refuge?
Federal regulations and aging make full-time year-round residency nearly impossible for most original cast members today. Most split their time between remote seasonal stays and towns in Alaska or the Lower 48.
How did the cast members get selected for the show?
Producers sought out individuals who already held legal permits and long-standing cabins within the protected wildlife refuge, rather than casting ordinary city applicants.
Are Tyler and Ashley still together?
Yes, Tyler and Ashley Selden remain married and deeply involved in outdoor education, writing, and sustainable wilderness living.
