Brian is a resilient teenage boy stranded in the north Canadian woods for over two months. Stripped of modern conveniences, he relies on trial and error to learn the skills necessary to survive the approaching winter. He actively studies the natural world around him, drawing on memories from television and school to fashion stronger weapons and warm clothing from animal hides.

Betty is a wild skunk who moves into a burrow near Brian's winter shelter. She establishes a strict morning routine, refusing to leave the camp until she receives her daily meal. Her presence brings a small measure of routine and companionship to Brian's isolated existence.

David is a Cree trapper who spends his winters working a trapline in the remote Canadian wilderness. He lives in a sturdy cabin with his wife and two children, relying on a bushplane for supplies every six weeks. Comfortable in the harsh environment, he represents a bridge between the wild woods and human society.