Real Survival Stories – "One Earthquake, Then Another: Chaos on Mount Logan"

Podcast: Real Survival Stories
Host: John Hopkins
Guest: Natalia Martinez
Release Date: October 1, 2025
Episode Theme:
A gripping first-person survival narrative from Argentine mountaineer Natalia Martinez, who found herself alone and facing successive natural disasters—including two rare, massive earthquakes and a superstorm—while attempting a solo ascent of Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delves into the extremities of solo mountaineering: the profound psychological and physical endurance required, the razor’s edge between ambition and safety, and the unfiltered challenges of survival on a remote mountain. It gives a voice to Natalia Martinez, a remarkably experienced climber, shining light on the perils she faced, her decision-making under duress, and the aftermath, including media misrepresentation and the personal toll.

Episode Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: Arrival at Mount Logan

• [01:04] The story begins: May 1, 2017, spring on paper but arctic atop Mount Logan.

• Atmosphere: Fierce winds, creaking tents, and a snow fortress for protection signal the seriousness of Natalia’s situation.

  “You see the storm coming... I was making my fortress, building a wall with snow to avoid the wind or the snow coming in to your tent... it’s just prevention. It’s not magic.”
  — Natalia Martinez [03:08]

2. The Dream and the Preparation

• [05:27] Natalia introduces her background:

  • Grew up in Argentina, mountains always in view (“I grew up with my grandparents and... they teach me the reading of the nature.” [10:52])
  • Rock climbing as a teenager, formal mountain guide training at university, first ascents in the Andes.
  • Her partner Camilo’s influence and joint adventures.

• Planned an all-female expedition, but adverse weather and doubts led her friend to back out last minute:

  “I didn’t realize that you have to have courage to say no as well...”
  — Natalia Martinez [08:39]

3. Solo Ascent: The Climb Begins

• [20:21] Natalia flies in by ski plane and embarks on the isolated journey up Mount Logan.

• [22:49] Early days: Stunning solitude, mindfulness, immersive sensory observations.

  “The silence that surrounds you expands all your sense... It was like a gift to me by my own there. I was happy I was in the right moment, in the right mountain.”
  — Natalia Martinez [22:49]

• Challenges: Endless ferrying of gear up steep slopes, treacherous knife-edge ridges, constant risk (crevasses, avalanches).

  “It was very intimidating. You can see the void. And a lot of questions attack your mind... but the beauty of that monochromatic world is amazing. Totally worth it.”
  — [25:47]

4. Catastrophe Strikes: The Earthquakes

• [30:52] First Earthquake:

  • Mid-breakfast, tent shaking violently, world lurching.
  • Surreal experience—felt detached as the earth moved.

  “I couldn't understand at that moment what's going on... My sensation was that a piece of ice was just sliding down to the void. And I say, okay, I will die very soon.”
  — [31:58]

• [33:10] Desperate, Natalia calls Camilo, stunned and seeking comfort.

  “...I don't know what's going on, but something is going on. But I... I want to let you know that I love you.”
  — [33:10]

• Second Earthquake:

  • Occurs as she tries to resume normalcy.
  • Avalanche danger—shears her nerves.

  “The second one happened and the same sensation again. Everything moving... And I say, okay, now. This is the end.”
  — [34:52]

5. Survival Mode: Ice, Aftershocks & Storm

• [36:25] Fleeing to safety, crossing the unstable Knife Edge multiple times with supplies, anxious and dizzy.

  “I was dizzy and I was so scared to cross that because I didn’t know if I was taking good decisions...”
  — [37:25]

• [38:43] Approaching storm forces her to improvise; plans to leap into a crevasse if her tent is destroyed.

  “Sound weird, but it’s a good option.”
  — [39:15]

• Consults Camilo, confirms two major earthquakes have occurred.

• Decides (reluctantly) to request rescue rather than risk further mistakes in a traumatized state—an act she deems courageous in itself.

  “But to take that decision was super hard. And I think recognizing myself in a weakness moment is brave.”
  — [40:38]

6. Endurance Under Fire: The Superstorm

• [42:34] Ice storm hits, Natalia hunkers down, holding tent poles by hand all night as winds threaten to rip the shelter apart.

  “I wake up every time the gas come in and shake my tent... it was very long night.”
  — [45:45]

• Manages snow load, maintains a defensive wall, shoveling every two hours “[It’s like when you take care of your garden.]” [43:29]

• Dehydrated, hungry, utterly depleted.

7. Rescue and Aftermath

• [49:28] On the fourth day since the earthquakes, conditions finally allow helicopter rescue.

• Nail-biting extraction as the pilot battles wind and poor visibility. Gentle professionalism of rescuers praised.

  “The ranger jump off. He took me very gentle, put me into the helicopter. And that's was like a super simple, very professional. They know what they are doing.”
  — [50:32]

8. Media Frenzy & Public Perception

• [54:32] Reunited with Camilo—unexpectedly accompanied by a journalist. Natalia unprepared for instant worldwide attention.

• She’s frustrated at news stories misreporting her ordeal (“avalanche survivor” instead of “earthquakes survivor”), and hurt by the tone—often minimized to “the damsel in distress.”

  “If you want to be a good journalist, please do your job, do your research. People say an avalanche, avalanche happened around me, but not over me.”
  — [55:15]

• Criticizes internet commenters undermining her experience due to her gender, ethnicity, and perceived use of resources.

  “...a Latin woman climbing a Canadian mountain solo, without any experience, using our resources. And I say, I love to climb mountains. That's it. It's what I do all my life... People, please be aware that you can affect other people with your comments. And I was weak, mentally weak, and that affect me a lot.”
  — [56:03]

9. Reflections: Love of Mountains and What’s Next

• Despite trauma and public scrutiny, Natalia’s passion remains.

  “My friends ask me the same question over and over again. Are you scared of the mountains now? I say no. The mountains still the same. It's your choice to take that situation as a learning situation or as a trauma situation.”
  — [57:50]

• Keeps open the possibility of returning to Mount Logan:

  “I would love to go back, but I think I have to feel the call. I did the most difficult and technical part of the mountain... The project was beautiful and I can go at any time... it's just part of the experience.”
  — [58:38]

Memorable Quotes

• “It’s not magic, it’s prevention.” — Natalia Martinez [03:08]
• “You are surrounded of risk... A lot of questions are in between your steps, but it’s up to you if you want to listen or not.” — [22:07]
• “When you face a situation, climbing or in your life, if you are strong, you go... but sometimes to recognize your weakness is strong, too.” — [40:38]
• “I love to expose myself to certain risk because I know I can handle it. That is what I do, and I love to do that.” — [57:50]

Key Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Content | |:----------:|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:08 | Natalia describing storm preparation | | 08:39 | Her friend decides not to join: reflections on courage | | 22:49 | Sensory immersion, appreciation for solitude | | 25:47 | Traversing the dangerous knife-edge ridge | | 31:58 | Description of first earthquake’s terror | | 33:10 | Emotional satellite call to Camilo | | 34:52 | Second earthquake triggers avalanche fears | | 37:25 | Crossing dangerous ridges while dizzy and traumatized | | 39:15 | Crevasse as emergency shelter - survival improvisation | | 40:38 | Decision to call for help, vulnerability as strength | | 45:45 | Night-long storm, holding the tent together | | 50:32 | Dramatic helicopter rescue | | 55:15 | On media misrepresentation and journalist integrity | | 56:03 | The pain of sexist and xenophobic public comments | | 57:50 | Her philosophy: mountains as teachers, healthy relationship to risk| | 58:38 | Not ruling out a return to Mount Logan |

Episode Tone

Gritty and honest, often raw with emotion. Natalia’s voice—both literal and metaphorical—grounds the story in experience, humility, and resilience, while John Hopkins’ narration underscores the enormity of the dangers faced without sensationalism.

Conclusion

A stirring tale of perseverance and vulnerability, this episode of Real Survival Stories offers listeners much more than a mountain mishap: it is a meditation on purpose, risk, and the invisible costs—emotional, societal, and cultural—borne by those who dare the world’s extremes. Natalia’s story is a testament not only to surviving nature’s wrath, but to enduring its aftermath with integrity and heart.