well, it's the old "if you have to ask it's not for you" situation, but I'll bite.
I live in Northern California and know a few that split their time between here and Alaska. If there are any common characteristics, apart from late-stage cirrhosis, I can summarize as follows:
- Tail dragger experts (floats a + for Alaska)
- A&P certified - must be able to do more than simple field repairs
- Comfort with living an essentially itinerant lifestyle - pretty much modern day cowboys
- Self-confidence - able to tell the investment banker who's chartered you that, non, you can't bring that six-hundred pounds of Elk with you.