Podcast
Out Alive from Backpacker
Hosted by Backpacker Magazine · EN
Raging rivers, hungry bears, huge avalanches—no matter how prepared you are, a walk in the woods can go from innocent to disastrous in the blink of an eye. Out Alive is a podcast series about real people who survived the unsurvivable. Each survivor takes you through what happened, from the packing mistakes to the missed signals to the plain bad luck, while experts and witnesses weigh in on how things went wrong.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Goodbye for Now
Jan 24, 202400:01:24Tap to summarizeAfter five years of gripping and educational survival tales, Out Alive is going on indefinite hiatus. Thank you to for listening and for your continued support. For more survival content, you can visit us at backpacker.com. Be safe out there.
Transcribe →A Rescue Gone Wrong
Dec 14, 202300:23:33Tap to summarizeIn 1982, Mountain Rescue volunteer Joe Lentini’s life took a profound turn during a daring rescue mission gone wrong. Decades later, the impact of that fateful day continues to echo, not just in Joe’s life, but in lives of everyone involved.
Transcribe →The Toll of SAR
Dec 14, 202300:27:13Tap to summarizeWhile every SAR unit faces different circumstances based on terrain, weather, and how they work with their local law enforcement, it’s the unseen obstacles like time away from family, paperwork, and the emotional toll that underpin SAR operations across the country. Go behind the scenes with SAR workers to truly understand what it takes to answer the call when we’re in trouble.
Transcribe →Vertical Peril
Dec 14, 202300:14:27Tap to summarizeIn the world of backcountry search and rescue, some environments require proficiency beyond the standard tactics. Yosemite Valley, where rock climbers come to test their mettle against the park’s towering granite walls, is one of those places. For many search and rescue workers, operating in Yosemite is a career-long goal. It’s because the men and women who make up YoSAR are superstars of technical rescues, and for those who require their help, that’s an awfully good thing. And one of those people was Tim Watts.
Transcribe →How to Save a Life
Dec 14, 202300:25:56Tap to summarizeAs one of the busiest and most elite Search and Rescue units in the country, Rocky Mountain Rescue operates amidst the rugged terrain of Colorado’s Front Range and the Rockies. What does it take to join such an exclusive squad? Hear firsthand why these volunteers commit countless hours to saving others.
Transcribe →In Death's Wake, He Decided to Survive
Oct 25, 202300:27:33Tap to summarizeIn this gripping story of survival and heartache, David Cicotello finds himself stranded on a ledge after a tragic accident claims his brother's life. Alone, with dwindling supplies and the weight of despair, he embarks on a 6-day struggle for survival waiting for a rescue that seems uncertain.
Transcribe →Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant on Being Chased by an Elephant and Why She’ll Take Her Chances with Bears
Oct 11, 202300:15:31Tap to summarizeDr. Rae Wynn-Grant, a large carnivore wildlife ecologist, recounts her heart-pounding survival story of being chased by a wild elephant. With unflinching honesty, Dr. Wynn-Grant reveals that the true dangers in her work often transcend the wild creatures she dedicates her life to. For more candid and thought-provoking conversations, don't miss Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's own podcast, PBS's Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, where she further explores the intricate bond between humans and nature.
Transcribe →Fallen Into An Ice Cave
Sep 27, 202300:24:10Tap to summarizeJoin us as we follow two friends, Dan and Jim, on their annual climbing trip in the stunning yet treacherous terrains of the Tetons. Their adventurous spirits are tested when a glissading misstep sends one plummeting 50 feet below the snow surface into a hidden ice cave.A special thanks to the Jenny Lake Park Rangers for their part in this rescue.
Transcribe →Are the Animals Sick of Us?
Sep 13, 202300:13:30Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Out Alive we dive into a summer riddled with unsettling animal encounters worldwide. From cougars and bears on American soil to Orcas causing chaos off Portugal's shores, one question lingers: Are animals growing weary of us? To shed light on these events, we invite renowned bear biologist, Dr. Tom Smith, and his former student-turned-wildlife biologist and podcast host, Wes Larson. Together, they unpack the intricacies of these animal-human confrontations, with a special emphasis on bears.Wes is the co-host of a show all about animal encounters - listen to Tooth & Claw here. You can also follow Wes on Instagram @grizkid
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Stabbed by a Trekking Pole
Aug 30, 202300:32:39Tap to summarizeIn the rugged terrain of the Wind River Mountains, what begins as a routine ultramarathon training session for Gabe Joyes quickly escalates into a life-threatening ordeal. After a misstep leads him to inadvertently pierce himself with his trekking pole, Joyes finds himself isolated in a remote canyon. Now, he faces his most formidable test of endurance yet, as his wife Jenny and SAR volunteer David Englert try to reach him in time.
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