From Plane Crash to Glacier Rescue - A Pilot's Heroic Role in Saving Injured Climbers in Remote Alaska | E89
The CRUX: True Survival Stories15 Tammi 2024

From Plane Crash to Glacier Rescue - A Pilot's Heroic Role in Saving Injured Climbers in Remote Alaska | E89

In April 1989, climbers Jim Sweeney and Dave Nyman embarked on a challenging ascent of the Elevator Shaft on Mount Johnson in the Ruth Gorge, Alaska. Their expedition took a perilous turn when Sweeney, leading the climb, experienced a harrowing fall due to a collapsing formation. The incident resulted in a fractured right hip for Sweeney.

Facing treacherous conditions, Nyman initiated an extraordinary self-rescue mission, spending six hours lowering the injured Sweeney to safety. The climbers encountered multiple avalanches, losing crucial gear, and enduring extreme conditions. Nyman's subsequent attempt to seek help faced unforeseen challenges, further complicating their dire situation.

As their ordeal unfolded, a plane piloted by Mark Niver inadvertently entered the scene, leading to a crash. Niver and his passengers, undeterred by the crash, became unwitting witnesses to the climbers' struggle. The situation took an unexpected turn when the climbers faced additional avalanches, losing more gear and battling the elements.

The story underscores the critical importance of communication tools in remote climbs, as the absence of radios significantly impacted the rescue process. Ultimately, a complex rescue mission involving helicopters and skilled mountaineers led to the safe evacuation of Sweeney and Nyman on April 26. The climbers' resilience, coupled with a stroke of luck, played a crucial role in their survival.

In this podcast episode, we sit down with Mark Niver, the pilot whose unplanned presence became a pivotal element in this gripping tale of survival and resilience. Join us as we delve into the details of this harrowing adventure, exploring the challenges faced by climbers in remote terrains and the unforeseen events that can shape the course of such expeditions. This story was turned into an episode of "I Shouldn't Be Alive", link is below.

I grew up in Minnesota, loved to hunt and fish. My father took me to Alaska at the age of 13 to go on a mountain goat hunt. I knew right then and there if I ever got the chance to come to Alaska I would.

Three years later I came back and worked in a fish processing plant in Bristolbay Bay Alaska for a summer job.

Then after high school in Minnesota I drove to Alaska to try and find employment. Landed a job with BP at their oilfield in Prudhoe Bay.

Three years later I also started commercial fishing in Bristolbay during my vacation time from the oilfield.

In the meantime I learned to fly at the age of 19.

Got married and raised three boys, who all started fishing with me on my boat at the age of 10.

Also managed to race the Iron Dog snow machine race 4 times…. It’s a 2200 mile race through the heart of Alaska.

I retired from the oilfield but continue to commercial fish now.

I’m 65 years old , still running the human race …..:)

Here is the link to the "I Shouldn't Be Alive" episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ykz3ktlbI

Here is a detailed article to give you some background information on the story: https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13199002000/Fall-on-Ice-Avalanches-No-Radio-Alaska-Mount-Johnson

Thank you SO SO SO much for listening and supporting us. I love you all!! Have a great week.


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Jeff Schock: Captain of the No Longer Floating St. Joseph | E48

Jeff Schock: Captain of the No Longer Floating St. Joseph | E48

On today's episode, Kaycee interviews Jeff Schock. Jeff is a fishmonger who spent all of his money and resources altering his new boat, St Joseph, to suit his needs for collecting and transporting fish in Alaska. On the trip to AK, Jeff and his crew ran into stormy weather and then realized that their power steering fluid had sprung a leak, leaving their steering wheel useless in 30 foot waves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

24 Tammi 202239min

47) Tony Streather: Mountaineers Struggle to Survive Following an Avalanche on Mt. Haramosh in 1957.

47) Tony Streather: Mountaineers Struggle to Survive Following an Avalanche on Mt. Haramosh in 1957.

Tony Streather was 31 when he was invited by the Oxford Mountaineering Club to lead an expedition up Mount Haramosh (Hair-a-mosh) in Pakistan in 1957. The team would face unknown routes, harsh weather, and an unfortunate tragedy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Tammi 202218min

46) Nelson Simón: A Beginner Sailor Learns the Ropes and has an Unexpected Meeting with Hurricane Grace

46) Nelson Simón: A Beginner Sailor Learns the Ropes and has an Unexpected Meeting with Hurricane Grace

Nelson Simón was a last minute recruit to sail to Bermuda in 1991 aboard the oldest continuously sailing ship at the time, the Anne Kristine. Simón only had one week of sailing experience under his belt, and was hesitant to join but agreed to the trip anyway. During this short journey Simón and his crew mates would run into the perfect storm - Hurricane Grace. Visit Amazon to read or listen to Nelson's book titled Soul of the Hurricane, the Perfect Storm and an Accidental Sailor. https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Hurricane-Perfect-Accidental-Sailor/dp/1641604085/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=FKD1YOXVQE1T&keywords=the+soul+of+the+hurricane&qid=1641789727&sprefix=the+soul+of+the+hurricane%2Caps%2C217&sr=8-1 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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45) Jan Baalsrud: Escape from the Gestapo during WW2

45) Jan Baalsrud: Escape from the Gestapo during WW2

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3 Tammi 202220min

44) The Robertson Family: Shipwrecked by Whales

44) The Robertson Family: Shipwrecked by Whales

In the 1970's, the Robertson family embarked on a sailing trip around the world. They shipwrecked in the Pacific ocean by a school of killer whales and floated in a dinghy for more than one month. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20 Joulu 202123min

43) David Cronenwett: Wisdom from a Survival Expert

43) David Cronenwett: Wisdom from a Survival Expert

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13 Joulu 20211h 4min

42) Anders Broste: Attack by a Grizzly Bear While Hunting

42) Anders Broste: Attack by a Grizzly Bear While Hunting

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6 Joulu 202137min

41) Jean Muenchrath: Escape from Mt Whitney

41) Jean Muenchrath: Escape from Mt Whitney

Today we have a special guest, Jean Muenhcrath. She is going to tell her amazing survival story that starts when she and her boyfriend Ken set out to ski the John Muir trail in 1982 on skinny nordic skis. The John Muir trail is over 200 mile long trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, a world famous trail, connecting the Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States, with a total elevation gain of 47,000 feet. All was going well on this journey until the duo encountered a storm on Mount Whitney that would forever change Jean’s life. Check out Jean's book: If I Live Until Morning: A True Story of Adventure, Tragedy and Transformation, available on Amazon. Also take a look at Jean's website at www.jeanmuenchrath.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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