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Once Steele built a second shelter, he kept the woodstove on \"perpetually\" and used it to heat up his food, he said.

He had been living alone in the cabin, surrounded by miles of forests, hills and rivers, since September, according to DPS. His nearest neighbor was 20 miles away.

Rescuers located Steele waving his arms near a makeshift shelter after he had carved out \"SOS\" in large lettering in the snow.

His first request was for a shower and a \"McDonald's Combo Meal No. 2,\" according to officials, who likened his unkempt appearance to Tom Hanks' character in the movie \"Cast Away.\"

\"PHOTO:
Alaska State Troopers
PHOTO: A 30-year-old man was rescued, Jan. 9, 2020, after spending three weeks in the wilderness outside of Skwentna, Alaska.
>

Steele said he's \"not exactly trained\" in outdoor survival but had \"always been in the outdoors\" and worked in the industry.

He plans to go back to Salt Lake City, where his family lives, he said.

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