The Raneys gather in Hatcher Pass to tell the tale of their family's journey from rural Washington state, across southeast Alaska, to the icy peak of Denali before finally settling on a parcel of rugged land known affectionately as "The 40."

Virginia homesteaders are on the brink after the unexplained disappearance of their water and food sources. The Raneys race to solve these mysteries, creatively revamping their infrastructure to give them the confidence to complete their dream cabin.