In The Wild

Welcome to this episode of Unbreakable, where we share stories of resilience, perseverance, and triumph in the face of adversity. Today, we'll be diving into the incredible journey of Eric Lemaque, a former professional hockey player turned snowboarder who survived eight days lost in the French Alps. Join us as we uncover the harrowing tale of survival, determination, and the will to never give up. This is the story of Eric Lamarque. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The incredible story of Mauro Prosperi, a participant in the Marathon des Sables, a grueling six-day endurance race through the Sahara Desert. When a unexpected sandstorm hits and sends Prosperi off course, he finds himself lost and alone in the vast desert with limited supplies for 10 days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this gripping episode, we delve into the remarkable true story of Ada Blackjack, a woman who found herself thrust into the unforgiving wilderness of the Arctic. Stranded on Wrangel Island with a group of ill-fated explorers, Ada's resilience and determination became the stuff of legend as she faced unimaginable challenges to survive. Join us as we unravel the harrowing tale of Ada's fight against the elements, isolation, and despair, showcasing the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity. http://greenchef.com/60inthewild “Go to greenchef dot com slash 60inthewild and use code 60inthewild to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the episode unfolds, we learn of the myriad challenges Harry encountered—from a serious head injury to battling malnourishment and dehydration. Through sheer willpower and resourcefulness, Harry devised ingenious ways to procure food, build shelter, and signal for rescue, despite being weakened by his injuries and the harsh conditions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surviving in cold temperatures under precipitation all alone, with no plan or equipment to speak of, is a tall order for any human being. Multiply that several times for how tough it must be on a small three year old, but that was exactly the scenario for Ryker Webb. The Montana toddler was playing on June 3rd of 2022 with the Webb family dog outside of their Troy, Montana home. The backyard of that home consists of plenty of forest land that goes on for miles. Troy is the type of town that most would consider to be “in the middle of nowhere.” It’s only a couple of hours of a drive North to the Canadian border. Its population: well under a thousand people in total. A very very small town by any metric. Even a Google search for places to eat will only show you a handful of restaurants within the town’s borders. …No wonder Max Brooks labeled Troy a “safe zone” for humanity in his post-apocalyptic novel “World War Z.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Grimm is a free-spirited adventurer who has always had a passion for exploring the unknown. Born and raised in a small town in Oregon, Mary had a deep love for nature and a curiosity that could never be quenched. From a young age, Mary dreamt of traveling the world and experiencing different cultures. She spent hours reading books about far-off lands, immersing herself in the stories and dreaming of the day she could embark on her own journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 29th, 2012. A couple of days before Halloween. New Yorkers were told to prepare for this day starting the week prior. Hurricane Sandy had formed in the Western Caribbean Sea on October 22nd, and meteorologists feared for the worst for residents nearest to the coast. Kim Joyce, a resident of Staten Island, was one of those told to evacuate her home on the weekend preceding that Monday. Kim resided in the Great Kills section of Staten Island, and for 15 years she lived in a bungalow right there on the beach. Kim had a boyfriend, but the home was her own. She wasn’t alone however, she lived there with quite a number of cats. Nine, to be exact. Truthfully though, she wasn’t convinced of the severity of these warnings. Just one year prior, Hurricane Irene had hit the same region. Some of you may remember Governor Chris Christie of nearby New Jersey sternly warning residents to, “get the hell off the beach.” During Irene though, Kim’s small beach bungalow went unscathed. Sandy would be different, however. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New England is a huge area of the Northeast in the U.S. consisting of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Although these states all possess their own unique charm, scattered throughout them you will find some of the most amazing hikes that our country has to offer. These hikes are far from the big city, and out in the wilderness. Many would agree that the fall season is the most beautiful time of year for the area, where you will find endless trees of magnificent color painting the scenery. This seemingly infinite mass of leaves scattered about however, along with unpredictable weather conditions, can create great danger for those looking to explore. Especially those who are not prepared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Gordan, a wildlife enthusiast and adventurer, became widely known for his remarkable friendship with a polar bear. Bruce grew up in a small town in Alaska, surrounded by the beauty and magnificence of nature. From an early age, he developed a deep love and fascination for wildlife. As a young boy, Bruce would spend hours observing animals in their natural habitats, often venturing into the wilderness alone. His passion for the animal kingdom led him to pursue a degree in zoology, where he learned extensively about different species and their behaviors. After completing his studies, Bruce embarked on a journey to explore the Arctic regions, particularly focusing on polar bears, one of the most majestic creatures in the world. He spent months studying the behavior and habitat of these bears, gaining insights that few had experienced before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kristie Cataffo-O’Brien was visiting Bahia Beach with her husband Thomas over this past summer of 2023. A beautiful area with clear waters and of course palm trees, a staple of The Sunshine State. Thomas and Kristie’s trip to Bahia was about as far from the daring adventures of Steve Irwin as you could get, both geographically and in the events planned. The couple took a 40 minute drive from their home in Tampa to try a new spot for lunch followed by some relaxation in the sun, and cooling off in the water. That was about it. They weren’t in Bahia to surf, dive, or partake in any type of thrill-seeking activity. On August 25th, while sitting in only knee-deep water, Kristie felt a painful sting dig into her right shoulder blade. A jellyfish maybe? She wasn’t quite sure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wilderness can be an unforgiving environment. While you may be just miles from civilization, if something unexpected happens, you need to deal with the matter utilizing your wits and tools, supplies, and preparations you made for the trip. Some are ill-equipped for such difficulties, while others will rise above the situation and display extraordinary courage and determination.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we hear of shark attacks, the species we think of most often is usually the deadly Great White. This could be due to movies so deeply embedded in popular culture (specifically “Jaws”) or even the focus on Great Whites in the highly popular Shark Week series that has aired every July for an amazing 35 years. If you’re a huge fan of Shark Week, a host that you might even recognize from the annual series is Paul de Gelder. You might be familiar with him from his distinct Australian accent, but the most distinct thing about his appearance would be his prosthetic right arm and right leg. These limbs were brutally taken from him in a shark attack. This was no Great White however, this was the lesser known but certainly no less vicious bull shark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While urban areas populate the state of Maine, particularly along the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean, there are vast wilderness areas across the state, even along the oceanside coast. Popular with tourists, the state and local economies benefit from an influx of $8.2 billion in outdoor recreation dollars. Acadia National Park, called the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, draws 4 million visitors annually, ranking in the top ten most-visited national parks in the United States. The park features 27 historic roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Established in 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers parts of North Carolina and Tennessee and features some of the highest mountains in eastern North America. The Great Smoky Mountains are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a division of the Appalachian Mountain Range. The Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia, passes through the park's center for 72 miles. Clingmans Dome is the park's highest summit, reaching 6,643 feet. Sixteen mountains in the park reach higher than 5000 feet. The park covers over 522,000 acres or 816 square miles, making it one of the most extensive protected tracts in the eastern United States.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to live off the grid? Living off the grid means operating one's life without a physical connection to public utilities—self-reliance with your own energy sources, often renewable such as solar and wind. Off-grid living frequently means living in a secluded area, away from the country's population—actual wilderness survival, supplying your needs, and growing your food. But off-grid living today is much different than over a hundred years ago… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though you may feel you are in a safe location, you never know when you will be faced with a survival situation. There are no formal boundaries between the wilderness and humanity. Nature has a way of encroaching into areas which may surprise us.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Little Moose Mountain Wilderness Area is in the western middle section of Adirondack Park, south by southeast of Seventh Lake in the Fulton  Chain. The area encompasses over 12,000 acres but is bordered on all sides by other regions of the Adirondack Park. If you were lost, wandering out of the region would not help facilitate a rescue, as you would still find yourself in the heart of the Adirondack wilderness. The Little Moose Wilderness was in the past and remains a little-visited region today. Very few tourists visit the area, as it is one of Adirondack Park's most remote and wilderness-like areas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mountain lions, also known as cougars, panthers, pumas, or catamounts, are all the same animal. In fact, the scientific name, 'Puma concolor,' is sometimes known as 'the cat of many names.' Naturalist, writer, and Utah native Claude T. Barnes listed 40 English names for a mountain lion, along with 18 names from South America and 25 from Native Americans. This large cat species is native to the Americas and is quite agile. They can leap 15 feet toward prey or into a tree, sprint 50 miles per hour, and maintain a 10-mile-per-hour gate over several miles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These Boy Scouts in the Adirondack mountains of New York took a hike and a climb that lead to days they never knew were coming.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Wild details amazing stories of survival. In our episode "Cougar Attack," we told the unbelievable true story of Marine Corps veteran Anne Hjelle living to tell about being pummeled by a vicious predator. Our "Mama Grizzly VS Father and Daughter" episode detailed father and daughter Johan and Jenna Otter surviving a grizzly attack. But not all stories on In the Wild are about escaping horrifying encounters with animals. Many people come prepared for a hike lasting a couple of hours in a hot or cold climate but don't expect to be out there for days or weeks and end up facing that reality. Even worse, sometimes the protagonists of our stories don't come prepared at all, and the harsh truth of extreme climate comes unexpectedly. Like on our episode "Stranded and Freezing," where Jim Stolpa and his wife at the time, Jennifer, got stuck in an avalanche for nine days on the way to Jim's grandmother's wake. To give you an idea of how extreme this avalanche occurring on the last day of 1992 was, it completely buried people at a Sierra ski resort, even killing one of them. So being prepared for extreme climates is a must; let's dig into that subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices