Salmon canning in Alaska was many people's ticket/gateway to that romantic state. If you were a climbing or ski bum or fishing bum type of guy, it was a great but grueling gig that would grant you access to the best outdoors spots in the world.

Salmon canning was also a gateway to getting on board the crab boats (Deadliest Catch boats), which was another dream for many a young man, and where you could make real money (even more grueling) - and have plenty of leisure to boot.