We've written about the Spearhead Traverse before as The Best Worst Ski Trip Ever. But in this story, we explore the challenges of neurological illness in the backcountry. Backpacker Magazine’s former Editor-in-Chief Dennis Lewon, shares his personal journey battling a rare brain disease while backcountry skiing on a glacier in British Columbia. From navigating double vision on a treacherous ski trail to overcoming a neurological condition in the wilderness, this episode is a testament to the power of determination and "there's nothing going slow can't fix".

You can see a transcript of this story here.

Battling the Brain: A Neurological Illness Backcountry Skiing

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.

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After 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.

Goodbye for Now

In 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.

A Rescue Gone Wrong

While 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.

The Toll of SAR

In 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.

Vertical Peril

As 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.

Battling the Brain: A Neurological Illness Backcountry Skiing

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