No Way Out: How an Injured Motorcyclist Survived the Idaho Wilderness | E188

No Way Out: How an Injured Motorcyclist Survived the Idaho Wilderness | E188

Join hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen on The Crux True Survival Story Podcast as they share the remarkable story of Zach DeMoss, a 24-year-old motorcyclist whose perfect afternoon ride along Idaho's Highway 12 turned into a desperate fight for survival.

In August 2024, a split-second decision to avoid a deer sent Zach airborne—launching him 40 feet through the air into the remote Idaho wilderness. What happened next would test the absolute limits of human endurance and willpower.

Separated from his motorcycle, facing catastrophic injuries, and trapped in one of the most isolated stretches of backcountry in the lower 48, Zach had to make an impossible choice: give in to overwhelming pain and despair, or find a way to survive against impossible odds.

This gripping episode explores the realities of wilderness trauma, the psychology of survival, and the thin line between life and death when you're truly alone. It's a story about resilience, determination, and why some people refuse to give up—even when giving up seems like the only option.

00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

00:30 A Ride Through Idaho's Wilderness

01:04 The Crash: A Split-Second Decision

01:29 Zachary DeMoss: The Fight for Survival Begins

02:22 The Dangerous Beauty of Highway 12

07:03 The Physics of a Motorcycle Crash

13:52 Freddy the Hero Dog

15:15 Zach's Desperate Measures for Survival

17:40 The Search Efforts Begin

19:49 The Agonizing Waiting Game

21:57 The Agonizing Wait

23:09 The Search Begins

24:32 The Wilderness Challenge

25:31 Scaling Back the Search

25:52 A Friend's Determination

27:17 The Miraculous Discovery

30:19 The Rescue Operation

31:47 Zach's Recovery

35:44 Lessons Learned

38:18 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Primary Sources

Biker survives in Idaho wilderness for five days by drinking creek water after crash - CNN https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/24/us/zachary-demoss-found-idaho/index.html Detailed account of DeMoss's survival, rescue by Greg Common, and use of leather jacket for water collection

A month lost in the North Cascades without food or shelter: Hiker details improbable rescue - Cascadia Daily https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2024/sep/19/a-month-lost-in-the-north-cascades-without-food-or-shelter-hiker-details-improbable-rescue/ Background information on wilderness survival and search operations

Montana man survives in Idaho wilderness for five days after motorcycle crash - NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/injured-montana-man-survives-creek-water-5-days-motorcycle-crash-mount-rcna167935 Details on search efforts and DeMoss's survival methods

Missing Missoula area motorcyclist found alive in Idaho - KPAX https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/search-continues-for-missoula-area-motorcyclist-reported-missing-in-idaho Timeline of official search operations and rescue coordination

Injured Montana man survives on creek water for 5 days after motorcycle crash on mountain - NBC Montana https://www.nbcmontana.com/news/local/injured-montana-man-survives-on-creek-water-for-5-days-after-motorcycle-crash-on-mountain Information on DeMoss's injuries and mother's statements

Montana motorcyclist missing for 5 days swerved to miss a deer - Cowboy State Daily https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/08/19/montana-motorcyclist-missing-for-5-days-swerved-to-miss-a-deer/ Details about riding companions' search efforts and decisions

Biker survives in Idaho wilderness for five days by drinking creek water after crash - Yahoo News https://www.yahoo.com/news/biker-survives-idaho-wilderness-five-194310043.html Greg Common's search efforts and discovery details

Missing Missoula biker found alive in Idaho - Montana Right Now https://www.montanarightnow.com/missoula/missoula-county-sheriff-looking-for-missing-man-last-contacted-in-kooskia-idaho-on-sunday/article_190f2978-5996-11ef-903d-8bbba8c64081.html Official law enforcement response and search coordination

Motorcyclist Zachary Demoss found alive after five days missing - Clearwater Tribune https://www.clearwatertribune.com/news/community_news/motorcyclist-zachary-demoss-found-alive-after-five-days-missing/article_d9b7adec-5fe7-11ef-83ca-9ffd42fd7f2e.html Details on crash location and rescue timeline

Additional Resources

Idaho County Sheriff's Office - Official statements and press releases regarding search operations

U.S. Border Patrol - Search and rescue coordination information

Providence St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, MT - Medical treatment facility

Geographic and Route Information

Clearwater-Lochsa Scenic Byway (Highway 12) - Route description and characteristics Idaho Department of Transportation - Highway safety information

Wilderness Medicine Context

Wilderness First Aid and medical trauma information provided by Julie Henningsen, Headwaters Field Medicine


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaksot(191)

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.

10 Tammi 20221h 26min

45) Jan Baalsrud: Escape from the Gestapo during WW2

45) Jan Baalsrud: Escape from the Gestapo during WW2

Today we will be talking about Jan Ballsrud, a tough guy that was as hardy as they come. His story seems so outrageous that it would be suited for an adventure drama made for Hollywood. Jan was a Norwegian Commando during WW2 who swam through icy water during enemy attack, survived an avalanche, and amputated his toes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

This week Kaycee interviews David Cronenwett, survival expert and outdoor survival teacher. They discuss how to prepare for the unexpected, what items to bring in your pack, and things to avoid in stressful/life threatening situations in the outdoors. Please check out David's website to learn more details about his services and how you could become more prepared to enjoy the outdoors at wildernessartsmt.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

13 Joulu 20211h 4min

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

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

Kaycee has a conversation with friend Anders Broste who was surprise attacked by a grizzly bear in Montana in the fall of 2018. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

29 Marras 202144min

40) Ann Rodgers: Lost in the Desert for 9 Days

40) Ann Rodgers: Lost in the Desert for 9 Days

In 2016, 72 yo Anne Rodgers was embarking on a trip in Arizona to visit her grandkids when she ran out of gas in the Gila wilderness. She would be stranded for 9 days. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

21 Marras 202114min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
sita
i-dont-like-mondays
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
rss-ootsa-kuullut-tasta
aikalisa
kaksi-aitia
poks
antin-palautepalvelu
joku-tietaa-jotain-2
kolme-kaannekohtaa
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
ootsa-kuullut-tasta-2
mamma-mia
meidan-pitais-puhua
rss-murhan-anatomia
lahko
terapeuttiville-qa
isani-on-terapeuttiville
loukussa