In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, host Julie Henningsen delves into the harrowing survival story of Taylor Pajunen, a NOLS mountaineering course participant. On April 20, 2023, an avalanche hit Taylor's mountaineering camp at 14,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, burying their tents and leaving the group to face terrifying conditions. Taylor recounts the moments leading up to the disaster, the immediate aftermath, and the incredible teamwork and luck that helped them survive. The episode highlights the importance of quick thinking, the unpredictability of nature, and the deep impact the experience had on Taylor's life.

00:50 Meet the Hosts: Kaycee and Julie

01:11 Avalanche in the Garhwal Himalayas

01:44 Interview with Survivor Taylor Pajunen

02:39 Taylor's Journey to NOLS

06:02 Challenges and Group Dynamics

10:53 The Avalanche Strikes

18:38 Surviving the Avalanche

28:13 Instructors' Struggle and Superhuman Feats

29:44 Realization of the Seriousness

31:24 The Pep Rally Poem

32:27 Survival Strategies and Challenges

36:44 High Altitude Farting Explained

38:33 Morning After the Avalanche

41:05 Self-Rescue Decision

42:43 Reaching Zero Camp

43:59 Debrief and Reflection

45:17 Returning to Civilization

46:54 Post-Rescue Reflections

54:43 Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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In this episode of 'Disaster Strikes,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the tragic story of Natalia Nagovitsyna, a Russian mountaineer who perished while attempting to summit Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan. Despite having already conquered four of the five Snow Leopard Peaks, Natalia's climb ended in heartbreak on August 2025, with her and fellow climber Luca Sinigaglia losing their lives in one of the world's most unforgiving mountain terrains. The episode explores the brutal conditions of Victory Peak, the heroic but ultimately futile rescue efforts, and the sobering realities of high-altitude mountaineering. The story highlights not only the relentless pursuit of mountaineering dreams but also the high cost that comes with scaling the world's most dangerous peaks.

00:38 The Death Zone: A Place of No Mercy

01:18 Victory Peak: The Ultimate Challenge

03:43 Natalia Nagovitsyna: A Story of Determination and Tragedy

06:10 The Climb and the Fall

09:21 The Deadly Descent

18:22 The Rescue Attempts

22:30 The Legacy of Victory Peak

26:59 Conclusion: Lessons from Tragedy

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On December 24th, 1971, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded LANSA Flight 508 with her mother Maria, bound for a Christmas reunion with her father in the Peruvian Amazon. What should have been a routine one-hour flight became one of aviation's most catastrophic disasters—and one of its most miraculous survival stories.

When lightning struck the aircraft at 21,000 feet, the plane disintegrated mid-air. Juliane fell nearly two miles through the sky, still strapped to her seat, and somehow survived the impact with the jungle canopy below. She was the sole survivor among 92 people.

But survival was just the beginning. Injured, nearly blind without her glasses, and wearing only a mini-dress and one sandal, Juliane spent 11 days navigating the Amazon rainforest alone. With a broken collarbone, deep arm wound, torn knee ligament, and severe concussion, she drew on lessons learned from her zoologist parents to find her way to rescue.

This is a story about preparation meeting catastrophe, about knowledge becoming instinct, and about the thin line between miracle and tragedy.

00:00 Introduction to Case Knives

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References:

"LANSA Flight 508." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LANSA_Flight_508

"Juliane Koepcke." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliane_Koepcke

Koepcke, Juliane. "Juliane Koepcke: How I Survived a Plane Crash." BBC, March 24, 2012.

Pleitgen, Frederik. "Survivor still haunted by 1971 air crash." CNN, July 2, 2009. https://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/07/02/germany.aircrash.survivor/

Herzog, Werner. Wings of Hope (Documentary). 1998.

Koepcke, Juliane. When I Fell From the Sky (German: Als ich vom Himmel fiel). Piper Verlag, 2011.

"How Juliane Koepcke Survived the Crash of LANSA Flight 508." HowStuffWorks, March 12, 2024. https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/juliane-koepcke.htm

"The Incredible Story Of Juliane Koepcke, The Teenager Who Fell 10,000 Feet Out Of A Plane And Somehow Survived." All That's Interesting, April 28, 2025. https://allthatsinteresting.com/juliane-koepcke

"The Story Of Juliane Koepcke: Surviving The Amazon Rainforest." Rainforest Cruises, July 28, 2021. https://www.rainforestcruises.com/guides/the-story-of-juliane-koepcke

"The Incredible Survival Story Of Juliane Koepcke And LANSA Flight 508." Simple Flying, November 15, 2022. https://simpleflying.com/lansa-flight-508-survival-story-juliane-koepcke/

"Her Plane Disintegrated in Mid-Air, and That Was the Easy Part: How This Teen Survived An Impossible Ordeal." Explorersweb, January 16, 2025. https://explorersweb.com/juliane-koepckes-impossible-peruvian-survival/

"Was Teenager Juliane Koepcke the Lone Survivor of a 1971 Plane Crash?" Snopes, April 15, 2021. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/juliane-koepcke-plane-crash/

"Maria Koepcke." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Koepcke

"Panguana Research Station." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panguana

"Lockheed L-188 Electra." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_L-188_Electra

"Amazon Rainforest." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_rainforest

"Terminal Velocity and Skydiving." Skydive California. https://www.skydivecalifornia.com

"Clavicle Fractures (Broken Collarbone)." OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org

"Myiasis: Fly Larva Infestation." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov

"Survival in Tropical Rainforest Environments." Adventure Alternative, jungle survival guidelines for Borneo expeditions.

"Amazon Basin Biodiversity and Population Density." World Wildlife Fund (WWF). https://www.worldwildlife.org

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the harrowing ten-day ordeal of Lukas McClish, an experienced hiker who became lost in the fire-ravaged landscape of Big Basin Redwood State Park. Navigating through treacherous terrain transformed by the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, Lukas used his wilderness skills and mental resilience to survive without food, relying on creek water, wild berries, and an extraordinary will to live. The podcast also highlights the massive search and rescue effort involving nearly 300 individuals and drone technology that eventually led to Lukas' miraculous rescue. This story underscores the importance of preparation, mental fortitude, and the unyielding spirit of community support in wilderness survival scenarios.

Time Stamps:

00:32 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:56 Lukas McClish's Struggle for Survival

03:16 The Start of Lukas' Journey

05:12 Lukas' Unplanned Ordeal

10:56 The Harsh Reality Sets In

20:22 The Search Begins

24:36 Surviving the Santa Cruz Mountains

25:09 Close Calls and Hypothermia

25:26 Desperation and Yelling for Help

26:46 The Search Intensifies

28:07 Challenges of the Burn Scar

30:14 Day 10: A Glimmer of Hope

31:28 The Rescue Operation

34:22 Reunion and Recovery

39:59 Lessons Learned

44:16 Community Support and Reflection

45:49 Conclusion and Gratitude

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REFERENCES:

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In this episode of the Crux podcast segment 'Disaster Strikes,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the harrowing story of the Titan submersible tragedy that occurred on June 18, 2023. The episode recounts the fateful dive that aimed to explore the Titanic's resting place but ended in the instant death of all five passengers due to a catastrophic implosion. The narrative highlights the lives and motivations of the victims, and details the cascade of ignored safety warnings that led to the disaster. Through a thorough examination of the events, this episode underscores the dangerous allure of extreme tourism and the critical importance of adhering to established safety standards in perilous environments.

00:43 A Tragic Tale Begins

01:56 Meet the Passengers

05:55 Ocean Gate's Ambitious Vision

08:13 Ignored Warnings and Red Flags

13:22 The Fatal Flaws of Titan

17:21 The Power of Marketing and Blind Faith

18:43 The Tragic Dive Begins

20:48 Inside the Titan: Final Moments

23:19 The Desperate Search Effort

25:52 False Hope and Heartbreak

29:25 The Aftermath and Broader Implications

31:14 Lessons Learned from the Titan Tragedy

33:57 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into one of mountaineering's most dramatic stories: the 2018 winter ascent of Nanga Parbat by Élisabeth. Revol and Tomasz Mackiewicz. Experience the grueling journey and impossible decisions that unfolded on the 'Killer Mountain.' This episode takes you through the extreme challenges of high-altitude climbing, including Tomasz's severe altitude sickness and Élisabeth's fight for their survival. Learn about the heroic rescue mission led by elite climbers from a nearby K2 expedition and the extraordinary efforts that were mobilized to save Élisabeth. This compelling story highlights the indomitable human spirit and the remarkable will to survive in one of the most hostile environments on Earth.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:30 Setting the Scene: Nanga Parbat

02:10 The Climbers: Élisabeth and Tomash

03:53 The Dangers of Nanga Parbat

06:08 The Summit and the Descent

11:35 The Crisis Unfolds

14:30 The Desperate Descent

17:23 The Rescue Attempt

21:43 Unbelievable Human Endurance

22:26 The Call for Help

23:09 The Rescue Mission Begins

24:43 Helicopter Risks and Challenges

26:16 Night Climb to Save Élisabeth

27:21 Finding Élisabeth

28:21 The Agonizing Decision

30:21 Descent and Evacuation

31:49 Aftermath and Scrutiny

32:19 Medical Perspective on High Altitude Sickness

38:39 The Power of Community and Resilience

39:18 Élisabeth's Recovery and Return to Climbing

41:46 Recognition for the Rescuers

42:28 Final Reflections on Human Capability

43:47 Podcast Closing Remarks

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This episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosted by medical professionals Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen dives into the harrowing account of the fishing vessel La Conte, which sank in the Gulf of Alaska on January 30th, 1998. The vessel, carrying five experienced fishermen, met its fate in one of the worst storms in Alaska's history. The lack of a life raft, combined with extreme weather conditions and the vessel's age, led to a catastrophic series of events. The crew's ordeal of surviving in 38-degree water in survival suits under hurricane-force winds is recounted in gripping detail. The podcast highlights the extraordinary efforts of three Coast Guard helicopter crews who braved impossible conditions to rescue three of the five men, making it one of the most challenging maritime rescues ever attempted. This story serves as a stark reminder of the ocean's unforgiving nature and the critical importance of proper safety equipment.

Timestamps-

00:31 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:55 Setting the Scene: A Nightmarish Survival Situation

02:49 The Sinking of the Fishing Vessel

04:09 The Fairweather Grounds: Dangerous Waters

05:18 The La Conte: An Aging Vessel

06:36 The Crew's Desperate Last Run

08:09 The Storm Intensifies

10:27 Abandoning Ship: Into the Freezing Waters

15:54 The Coast Guard's Harrowing Rescue Attempt

23:14 Desperate Attempts at Rescue

26:38 The Final Hope: Third Helicopter Crew

27:14 A Race Against Time and Hypothermia

29:48 The Heart-Wrenching Choices

32:57 The Aftermath and Investigation

40:31 Lessons Learned from the Tragedy

44:44 Conclusion and Reflections

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References- 

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In this episode of the Crux podcast's biweekly segment, Disaster Strikes, host Julie Henningsen explores the tragic story of Christopher McCandless, also known as Alexander Supertramp. Julie shares her personal experience traveling in Alaska, including her visit to important locations tied to McCandless's story, such as the replica Magic Bus and the actual bus 142 being restored. The episode dives deep into McCandless's life, his motivations, and his ill-fated adventure into the Alaskan wilderness, highlighting the lore, debates, and ramifications surrounding his journey. This episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of preparation and respect for nature, while also prompting listeners to reflect on what it means to live an authentic life.

00:50 Christopher McCandless: The Man Behind the Legend

03:29 The Journey Begins: From Suburbia to Wilderness

08:13 Into the Wild: The Alaskan Adventure

16:56 The Final Days: Trapped and Alone

20:06 Legacy and Controversy: The Aftermath of McCandless's Story

27:14 Reflections and Lessons Learned

31:18 Conclusion: The Enduring Questions

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount the gripping survival story of Alec Luhn, a 38-year-old climate journalist, who endured six days stranded on a remote Norwegian mountain. After a catastrophic fall left him with a broken femur, fractured pelvis, and multiple fractured vertebrae, Luhn faced treacherous weather conditions and severe dehydration. Despite insurmountable odds, his relentless will to live and eventual rescue by the Norwegian Red Cross highlight an incredible tale of human endurance, love, and the extreme measures taken to make it home. Join us as we explore the crucial moments that dictated Luhn's fate and the lessons learned from this incredible true story.

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On Mother's Day weekend 2025, four friends set out to climb North Early Winters Spire in Washington's North Cascades, but a single rusted piton anchor failed during their descent, sending all four climbers plummeting 500 to 700 feet down the mountain. Three men died instantly from the fall, while 38-year-old Anton Tselykh miraculously survived despite suffering a cracked skull, broken ribs, internal bleeding, and head trauma. What followed was one of the most remarkable self-rescues in climbing history—and a mystery that even the U.S. Forest Service investigation couldn't explain: why did one man survive when three others didn't?

00:00 Introduction to Case Knives

00:25 Escape Ads with Patreon

00:59 Welcome to Crux True Survival Stories

01:34 Anton Tselykh's Nightmare Begins

03:15 The North Cascades: A Treacherous Terrain

05:38 Meet the Climbing Team

08:22 The Climb and the Descent

14:11 The Fatal Decision

19:01 The Climbers' Final Descent

20:03 The Fall and Its Immediate Aftermath

22:38 Anton’s Struggle for Survival

25:07 The Rescue and Recovery Efforts

30:00 The Investigation and Findings

33:45 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

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Okanogan County Sheriff's Office - Official Statements

Methow Valley News - "Surviving climber shares harrowing account of fall"

Spokesman-Review - "Report offers details on North Cascades climbing accident"

CBS News - "Climber who survived fall that killed 3 friends was unconscious for hours, awoke in dark before seeking help"

CBS News - "Dramatic details emerge after climber survives 400-foot fall that killed 3 friends in Washington state"

Seattle Times/Spokesman-Review - "What we know about the North Cascades climbing accident that killed three"

KOMO News - "Seattle climber recounts survival after 400-foot fall in North Cascades accident"

NCW Life - "Report: Piton failure sent mountaineers to their deaths"

Your Source One - "Report: Missteps Caused Fatal Climb Fall in Okanogan County"

KXLY News - "Report details what went wrong in accident that killed three climbers in the Washington Cascades"

Fluke Corporation - Official Statement on Vishnu Irigireddy

Facebook/GoFundMe - Olga Martynenko's Statements

Okanogan County Search and Rescue (OCSAR)

Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team

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