Real Survival Stories: Rainforest Rafting - White Water Odyssey

Hosted by John Hopkins

Introduction to the Episode

In the gripping episode titled "Rainforest Rafting: White Water Odyssey," hosted by John Hopkins on the podcast Real Survival Stories, listeners are transported into the heart-pounding journey of Zemon Kingi and his group as they navigate the treacherous waters of Papua New Guinea's Angabunga River. This episode masterfully captures the essence of survival against nature's fiercest challenges, blending firsthand accounts with vivid narrative storytelling.

Background of Zemon Kingi and His Friends

[03:55] The story begins in March 1986, with 17-year-old Zemon Kingi eagerly embarking on a two-day rafting expedition down the Angabunga River. Accompanied by his best friend Andrew Mulholland and the Mulholland family—Andrew's parents Shuna and Mike, and his younger brother Michael—the group anticipates a fun-filled adventure organized by Pacific Expeditions.

[06:07] Zemon shares his deep connection to Papua New Guinea, highlighting its rich cultural diversity with "New Guinea has a quarter of the world's languages. It has 720 languages in that country. It has 720 or even more cultures." His enthusiasm for exploring new terrains is palpable, setting the stage for the impending ordeal.

The Rafting Expedition Begins

[09:48] As the group assembles at the old steel bridge, Pacific Expeditions' guides, Dave and Grant Trunac, conduct a safety briefing. They emphasize essential protocols, such as donning life jackets and staying near the riverbanks in case of a fall overboard.

[11:07] Zemon describes the lush, yet daunting environment: "The Papua New Guinean jungle is the world's third largest tropical rainforest, covering over 100,000 square miles. It's also one of the most biodiverse places anywhere on the planet." This vivid imagery underscores the formidable landscape they are about to navigate.

Encounter with Treacherous Rapids

[16:15] The expedition initially proceeds smoothly, with the group enjoying the scenic beauty. However, the mood shifts dramatically as they approach a vast rocky canyon. Zemon recounts, "All it was missing was like a giant pterodactyl flying up the gorge. It was kind of like Jurassic Park... but on a big scale."

[17:07] The true challenge emerges as the river's current intensifies, creating formidable whitewater waves known as haystacks. The raft starts to violently buck and lurch, overwhelming the group. Dave, the guide, urgently commands Zemon to "lean forward over the bow and drive down hard with his paddle," signaling the shift from a leisurely float to a fight for control.

The Raft Capsizes

[18:39] The situation escalates rapidly when the raft is hurled over a waterfall, resulting in a chaotic overturn. Zemon describes the terrifying plunge: "We're being shot over the waterfall sideways and it's about a six to eight foot drop beneath us." The raft becomes submerged, trapping them in the churning water.

[20:07] In the aftermath, Zemon and the guides manage to rescue several group members, but panic ensues as Shuna and Michael Mulholland surface injured, and Andrew and Don remain missing. The group faces immediate decisions about whether to continue downstream or attempt a risky search for their missing friends.

Survival and Search Efforts

[24:09] With night approaching and no sign of Andrew and Don, Zemon and the remaining survivors decide to spend the night at a pre-set campsite. Shuna's distress is palpable as her cries echo through the jungle, highlighting the emotional toll of the ordeal.

[35:54] The next day dawns with renewed determination to find Andrew and Don. The group attempts to navigate the river using makeshift rafts constructed from rubber tubes, but disaster strikes again when their raft is swept away by the powerful current, leaving them stranded and desperate.

[37:37] Undeterred, the survivors press on, battling physical injuries, treacherous terrain, and the ever-present threat of wildlife. Zemon reflects on their resilience: "We never lost hope. We never had a moment to say, oh, woe is me. It was always, okay, this has occurred. What are we going to do next?"

Reuniting and Returning Home

[42:54] As despair looms, a flicker of hope emerges when Zemon spots two helmets on a rock—a sign of Andrew and Don. "I remember looking downstream and seeing two helmets on a rock... and then these guys start waving back to us." The emotional reunion is a testament to their unwavering spirit and the power of camaraderie.

[47:05] Reunited, the group salvages their raft and joyfully prepares to head back to civilization. Exhausted but alive, they make their way to the takeout point, marking the end of their harrowing three-day survival saga.

Long-term Impact on Participants

[48:20] In the aftermath, Zemon reflects on how the experience profoundly shaped his life. "It opened the door to all of these other ventures that came downstream as a result of this." His encounter ignited a lifelong passion for river adventures and forged enduring friendships with Dave and Grant.

[50:05] Years later, Zemon reconnects with the Mulhollands in London, realizing the lasting impact of their shared ordeal. "For all of us, it was such a defining moment in our lives. It was a major event." This reunion underscores the enduring bonds formed in the crucible of survival.

Conclusion

"Rainforest Rafting: White Water Odyssey" is a riveting tale of endurance, friendship, and the human spirit's capacity to overcome extreme adversity. Through Zemon Kingi's vivid recounting and the podcast's immersive narrative, listeners gain profound insights into the complexities of survival in one of the world's most formidable environments. This episode not only entertains but also inspires, reminding us of the resilience inherent in ordinary individuals faced with extraordinary circumstances.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Zemon Kingi [06:07]: "New Guinea has a quarter of the world's languages. It has 720 languages in that country. It has 720 or even more cultures."

• Zemon Kingi [16:15]: "All it was missing was like a giant pterodactyl flying up the gorge. It was kind of like Jurassic Park... but on a big scale."

• Zemon Kingi [17:07]: "When Dave said, you got to really kind of paddle in and hold on because we don't want to flip over, then I realized that, okay, things have changed now."

• Zemon Kingi [24:09]: "Dave and Grant took over and made the executive decision that we're going to go to the halfway point to the shelter and we're going to spend the night here."

• Zemon Kingi [35:54]: "We started walking down, but the walls of the gorge were super steep and in some places vertical."

• Zemon Kingi [37:37]: "We never lost hope. We never had a moment to say, oh, woe is me. It was always, okay, this has occurred. What are we going to do next?"

• Zemon Kingi [42:54]: "I remember looking downstream and seeing two helmets on a rock... and then these guys start waving back to us."

• Zemon Kingi [48:20]: "It opened the door to all of these other ventures that came downstream as a result of this."

• Zemon Kingi [50:05]: "For all of us, it was such a defining moment in our lives. It was a major event."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Real Survival Stories not only narrates a thrilling survival tale but also delves deep into the emotional and psychological impacts such experiences have on individuals. Zemon Kingi's journey serves as a powerful reminder of the thin line between adventure and survival, and how resilience and unity can lead to triumph even in the direst situations.

For those eager to explore more harrowing and inspiring survival stories, stay tuned for upcoming episodes, including the next thrilling tale of Viv Bird, a British aviator facing the unforgiving Arctic wilderness.

Produced by Joel Duddell, Ed Baranski, Luke Lonergan, Miri Pitman Latham, Jacob Booth, Rob Plummer, Cian Ryan-Morgan, and Cody Reynolds-Shaw. Music composed by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, and Tom Pink.