In October 2019, Rachel Lakoduk set out on a solo hike to Hidden Lake Lookout in Washington’s North Cascades. She planned to spend the night in the historic fire cabin to celebrate her 28th birthday. But a fast-moving snowstorm rolled in and she never returned. What followed was an extensive search and months without answers for her loved ones.

**the cabin is actually first come first serve - I mentioned getting a reservation

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
yoursourceone.com StrangeOutdoors spokesman.com union-bulletin.com KREM

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

In the summer of 2013, experienced climber Matt Greene disappeared without a trace in Mammoth Lakes, California. His car was in the shop, and there was no clear destination or reason for his sudden absence, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
CA AG Office, NamUs, Strange Outdoors, Charley Project, Climbing, Facebook, USFS, Lehigh Valley Live

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

We all wish we could escape our problems at some point, but rarely does anyone consider taking it to the extreme—faking their own death. It sounds like something straight out of a thriller novel, but these are real cases of people who went to incredible lengths—and failed—to fake their own deaths.

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
YouTube, Global Times, Justice.gov 1, Justice.gov 2, NPR 1, NPR 2 

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

Stranded in the harsh Great Victoria Desert, father and daughter Matthew and Shannon McGough face dehydration, scorching heat, and desperation. With no water and hope fading, will they both make it out alive?

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
YouTube - I Shouldn’t Be Alive, The Free Library, Britannica 

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

In December 1992, James and Jennifer Stolpa, along with their infant son Clayton, found themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere after a wrong turn onto a snow-covered road in Nevada. What started as a simple detour quickly became a nightmare of freezing temperatures, dwindling supplies, and a life or death choice—stay in their vehicle or brave the storm in hope of finding help.

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
Deseret.com Your Tahoe Guide part 2 Your Tahoe Guide part 1 sfgate.com Lauren's Legend's Reno Gazette 

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

The mysterious disappearance of 51-year-old Paul Miller during a 2108 solo hike in Joshua Tree National Park turned a celebratory vacation with his wife into a puzzling tragedy. Despite an extensive search, it would take over a year to get any answers.

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
Strange Outdoors, AllTrails, People, CNN, NPS, SF Gate, Facebook, Youtube, Stav Is Lost, Desert Sun

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

The Crazy Mountains of Montana are a place of rugged beauty, and unsettling energy. In September of 2014, Aaron Hedges set out on a hunting trip with two friends. But something went wrong. A missed turn. And then—silence. Days turned to months, then years. When Aaron’s remains were finally discovered, it only created more questions.

Awaxaawippíia - The Crow word referring to the Crazy Mountains 

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
KULR8, Wikipedia, Websleuths, Billings Gazette, ABC FOX Montana, Washington Times, Youtube - The Missing Enigma

**We do our own research and try our best to cross reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

In 1996, four German tourists disappeared in Death Valley, leaving only their abandoned van behind. Years later, when skeletal remains were finally discovered, the mystery deepened as to what happened in their final days.

Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
Other Hand, Youtube - Outdoor Disasters, NBC News

**We do our own research and try our best to cross reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.

Mount Rainier is as deadly as it is beautiful. With unpredictable weather, tough terrain, and a history of disappearances, it’s no stranger to mystery.  In July 1999, Joe Wood set off for a short hike—but was never seen again. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of him was ever found. Did he get lost? Fall? Or was something more sinister at play?


Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
Observer  Village Voice Strange Outdoors Seattle Times Alta Online The Travel

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any

The Sea of Cortez—a breathtaking yet unpredictable expanse of water teeming with life, where beauty and danger exist side by side. In May 1995, cousins Mark Sorensen and Rob Rusnak set out on a daring sailing trip, but when a violent storm capsized their boat, adventure turned to survival. Stranded on a desolate island with no food, no water, and no way to call for help, they faced scorching heat, relentless sandflies, and the terrifying reality of their situation.
Would both men make it back to safety, or would this trip quickly turn into a tragedy?


Support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month, with benefits starting at the $3 tier!

Follow us on Instagram at offthetrailspodcast

Follow us on Facebook at Off the Trails Podcast

If you have your own outdoor misadventure (or adventure) story that you'd like us to include in a listener episode, send it to us at [email protected]  

Please take a moment to rate and review our show, and a big thanks if you already have!  

Episode Sources:
I Shouldn't Be Alive SeaTemperature.org Britannica Wikipedia Villa Del Palmar

**We do our own research and try our best to cross-reference reliable sources to present the most accurate information we can. Please reach out to us if you believe we have mispresented any information during this episode, and we will be happy to correct ourselves in a future episode.