Real Survival Stories: Episode Summary – "Cowboy in the Wilderness: Real Life Rodeo"
Introduction
In the gripping episode titled "Cowboy in the Wilderness: Real Life Rodeo" from the podcast Real Survival Stories, hosted by John Hopkins and produced by the Noiser Podcast Network, listeners are immersed in the harrowing true story of Leif Vidin, a seasoned cowboy and saddler from Wyoming. This episode delves deep into Leif's extraordinary ordeal while hunting in the remote Wind River Mountains, highlighting his resilience and the pivotal moments that led to his survival.
Background: Meet Leif Vidin
Before venturing into the wilderness, the episode paints a vivid picture of Leif's life and his profound connection with nature and horses.
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Early Life and Passion for the Outdoors
- Leif recounts his unique childhood spent living in a teepee, fostering his love for the outdoors:
"I bought my first teepee when I was 14 years old with my own money... It was kind of a unique childhood. Just a lot of adventure." [07:16]
- Leif recounts his unique childhood spent living in a teepee, fostering his love for the outdoors:
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Professional Life
- After college in Colorado, Leif dedicated his summers to working on guest ranches, eventually moving to Wyoming to tend cattle and breed horses:
"From May until November, I make all my money chasing cattle, horseback... helping to get troubled horses back in line." [08:24]
- After college in Colorado, Leif dedicated his summers to working on guest ranches, eventually moving to Wyoming to tend cattle and breed horses:
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Hunting as a Necessity
- Hunting isn't a sport for Leif but a critical means of sustenance:
"I was never a trophy hunter. It was just something that had to be done to keep living." [10:11]
- Hunting isn't a sport for Leif but a critical means of sustenance:
The Hunt: Setting Out into the Wind River Mountains
In October 2015, Leif embarks on an elk hunting expedition, driven by necessity and experience.
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Preparation and Departure
- He meticulously prepares, ensuring he has all the necessary gear: tent, warm clothes, hunting knife, rifle, and ammunition. His journey begins early, heading towards the rugged and expansive Wind River range.
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Journey into Isolation
- Leif describes the allure and challenges of the mountains:
"There's a particular kind of freedom out here. The natural splendor, the quiet solitude." [14:19]
- Leif describes the allure and challenges of the mountains:
The Incident: A Fall That Changed Everything
During his hunt, an unforeseen accident thrusts Leif into a life-threatening situation.
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The Accident
- While navigating through dense underbrush, Leif's horse, Dylan, becomes agitated by a fly, causing the lead rope to entangle. The horse reacts violently, plunging Leif into the ground:
"I was catapulted into the air... landed on a lodge pole pine right on my kidney." [27:15]
- While navigating through dense underbrush, Leif's horse, Dylan, becomes agitated by a fly, causing the lead rope to entangle. The horse reacts violently, plunging Leif into the ground:
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Immediate Aftermath
- Despite the fall not breaking his skin, Leif experiences intense internal pain and begins vomiting blood:
"I felt a weird, very internal pain... I think I'm not okay." [27:15]
- Despite the fall not breaking his skin, Leif experiences intense internal pain and begins vomiting blood:
The Struggle: Battling Injury and Isolation
With severe trauma and no immediate help, Leif faces a dire predicament.
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Assessing the Situation
- Realizing the gravity of his injuries, Leif contemplates seeking help:
"I need urgent medical attention, but I don't have any service." [29:07]
- Realizing the gravity of his injuries, Leif contemplates seeking help:
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Decision to Seek Help
- Despite the pain, he attempts to climb to a ridge for better cell service, ultimately finding none:
"I tried to call Shelley... but it never actually rang." [32:34]
- Despite the pain, he attempts to climb to a ridge for better cell service, ultimately finding none:
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Downhill Battle
- Forced to descend the mountain on horseback despite his debilitating condition:
"My body was shutting down, and I no longer had the strength to fight it." [40:50]
- Forced to descend the mountain on horseback despite his debilitating condition:
The Rescue: A Glimmer of Hope
As night falls and Leif's hope diminishes, a chance encounter brings salvation.
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Encounter with Another Rider
- A fellow horseman notices Leif's distress and instinctively follows him down the trail:
"Whoever has the most horses keeps the trail... he reined his horse off the trail to let me go by." [42:35]
- A fellow horseman notices Leif's distress and instinctively follows him down the trail:
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Reaching Safety
- Together, they make the arduous journey back to the trailhead, where Leif is rescued by compassionate tourists who drive him to the hospital:
"Minutes later, the kindly tourists... screech to a stop outside a local hospital." [43:31]
- Together, they make the arduous journey back to the trailhead, where Leif is rescued by compassionate tourists who drive him to the hospital:
Aftermath: Healing and Reflection
Leif survives thanks to luck and the kindness of strangers, but the experience leaves a lasting impact.
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Medical Recovery
- At the hospital, doctors stabilize him, addressing the severe kidney trauma:
"I needed three liters of blood... the casing around my kidney held and didn't break." [45:31]
- At the hospital, doctors stabilize him, addressing the severe kidney trauma:
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Reuniting with Family
- Shelly, his wife, arrives to support him, and friends retrieve the elk he had hunted, honoring his efforts:
"I drew a map... they recovered the elk and brought it back while I was in the hospital." [46:42]
- Shelly, his wife, arrives to support him, and friends retrieve the elk he had hunted, honoring his efforts:
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Changes and Precautions
- Leif adopts new safety measures, such as carrying a GPS tracker, to ensure his family's peace of mind:
"I always pack my spot tracker now. That's been a piece of mind." [47:31]
- Leif adopts new safety measures, such as carrying a GPS tracker, to ensure his family's peace of mind:
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Perspective on Survival
- Reflecting on his survival, Leif attributes it to luck rather than extraordinary skill:
"I just acknowledge that I probably just got extremely lucky... I got extremely fortunate." [48:20]
- Reflecting on his survival, Leif attributes it to luck rather than extraordinary skill:
Conclusion: Lessons from the Wilderness
Leif Vidin's story is a testament to human endurance, the unpredictable forces of nature, and the critical role of preparedness and community. His survival underscores the importance of respect for the wilderness and the value of quick thinking in life-threatening situations.
Upcoming Episode Teaser
The episode concludes with a preview of the next Real Survival Stories installment, which will explore the harrowing experiences of Chris Howe aboard HMS Coventry during the Falklands conflict.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- "I bought my first teepee when I was 14 years old with my own money... Just a lot of adventure." [07:16]
- "I was never a trophy hunter. It was just something that had to be done to keep living." [10:11]
- "I need urgent medical attention, but I don't have any service." [29:07]
- "I just think I got extremely fortunate in the way things played out." [48:20]
Final Thoughts
"Cowboy in the Wilderness: Real Life Rodeo" offers a compelling narrative that not only recounts a life-threatening adventure but also delves into the psychological and emotional resilience required to survive such ordeals. Leif Vidin's story serves as an inspiring example of human strength and the unpredictable challenges the natural world can present.