Alone in Antarctica: Richard Byrd's Deadly Solitude | E 155

Alone in Antarctica: Richard Byrd's Deadly Solitude | E 155

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh explore the harrowing experience of Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd in Antarctica during the winter of 1934. Byrd, already famous for his polar explorations, volunteered for a solo mission to collect meteorological data in a tiny buried shack during the Antarctic winter. With temperatures plummeting to -70°F in perpetual darkness, Byrd's scientific dedication was tested when his poorly ventilated stove began leaking carbon monoxide, slowly poisoning him over months. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued his meteorological observations and initially concealed his condition during radio check-ins to prevent endangering potential rescuers. After a failed first attempt, a rescue team led by Dr. Thomas Poulter finally reached Byrd, finding him emaciated but alive. Byrd's ordeal, which he later documented in his book "Alone," not only contributed valuable scientific data but influenced isolation studies for military and space programs and led to the prohibition of solo Antarctic missions. The episode presents a remarkable testament to human endurance in one of Earth's most unforgiving environments.

00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Setting the Scene: Antarctica, 1934
01:00 Meet Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Bird
01:27 Bird's Polar Expeditions
04:25 The Second Antarctic Expedition
06:14 Bird's Solo Winter Mission
07:52 Life in Isolation
12:08 The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide
18:04 Struggling with the Stove
19:17 Bird's Deteriorating Condition
19:52 Maintaining the Facade
22:04 Rescue Mission Begins
25:25 Second Rescue Attempt
27:53 Bird's Return and Recovery
30:36 Legacy and Impact
33:18 Epilogue and Final Thoughts

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Primary Sources
  1. Byrd, Richard E. (1938). Alone. G.P. Putnam's Sons. [Byrd's personal memoir of his five months at Advance Base]
  2. Byrd, Richard E. (1935). Discovery: The Story of the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
  3. Byrd, Richard E. (1930). Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic, The Flight to the South Pole. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
  4. Poulter, Thomas C. (1935). "The Advance Base Rescue." Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 79(4), 593-609. [First-hand account of the rescue mission by Dr. Poulter]
  5. Byrd Antarctic Expedition Papers, 1925-1938. Ohio State University Archives & Special Collections. [Includes original journals, logbooks, and correspondence]
Secondary Sources
  1. Hoyt, Edwin P. (1968). The Last Explorer: The Adventures of Admiral Byrd. John Day Company.
  2. Rose, Lisle A. (2008). Explorer: The Life of Richard E. Byrd. University of Missouri Press.
  3. Goerler, Raimund E. (1998). To the Pole: The Diary and Notebook of Richard E. Byrd, 1925-1927. Ohio State University Press.
  4. Beekman, Daniel (2014). "The Worst Journey in the World: Admiral Richard E. Byrd's Lonely Antarctic Winter." Weatherwise, 67(5), 18-25.
  5. Murphy, David Thomas (2002). German Exploration of the Polar World: A History, 1870-1940. University of Nebraska Press. [Provides context for international polar exploration]
  6. Darack, Ed (2011). "Against the Cold: Admiral Byrd's Dangerous Antarctic Winter." Alpinist, 13, 54-61.
  7. Demas, Coleen (2016). "Searching for Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Advance Base." Antarctic Sun, National Science Foundation. [Information on the 2016 search for the Advance Base]
  8. Johnson, Charles W. (1971). Antarctica: First Person Accounts. Dodd, Mead & Company.
  9. Pyne, Stephen J. (1986). The Ice: A Journey to Antarctica. University of Washington Press. [Contextual information on Antarctic exploration]
  10. Sullivan, Walter (1957). Quest for a Continent: The Story of Antarctic Exploration by the Men Who Did It. McGraw-Hill.

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Avsnitt(191)

Disaster on Mount Hood; In the Blink of an Eye a Massive Accident Takes out Multiple Climbers | E62

Disaster on Mount Hood; In the Blink of an Eye a Massive Accident Takes out Multiple Climbers | E62

On Thursday, May 30th 2002, a tragedy unfolded atop the majestic Mount Hood in Oregon. Three climbers were killed and four injured when they fell into the Bergschrund crevasse in an 800-foot drop from the summit of Mount Hood. The climbing accident was made worse by a dramatic crash-and-roll of a USAF Pavehawk rescue helicopter from the 304th RQS, which had suddenly lost lift. The Mount Hood Tragedy of 2002 will not soon be forgotten by the Oregon mountaineering community, and serves as a somber reminder of how quickly and unexpectedly disaster can strike. Check out the live footage of the helicopter crash! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjDpVU8qWWc 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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Laurent Camprubi: His Sailboat Capsized Leaving him Trapped in an Air Bubble | E61

Laurent Camprubi: His Sailboat Capsized Leaving him Trapped in an Air Bubble | E61

Laurent Camprubi had been sailing for almost two decades, but nothing could have prepared him for the situation he found himself in. One minute he was attempting to qualify for the prestigious Route de Rhum race - a fiercely competitive 4,077 mile sailing competition - and the next his sailboat had capsized in rough waters.   He managed to stabilize his body within an air bubble at the bottom of his cabin. With no way out and only his wits and limited supplies, Laurent knew that if he wanted to survive this ordeal, he'd need every ounce of courage within him.   The ocean around him seemed determined to keep Laurent from ever competing again; waves crashed against the boat like they were trying their best to sink it further into their depths. But somehow Laurent held on as time passed by slowly yet steadily—every hour feeling like an eternity until something unexpected happened: a knock on the side of the overturned boat. It was then when hope truly ignited in Laurent's heart - maybe there still was a chance after all! 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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Adrian Knopps: Alone for Seven Days in Misty Fjords AK after a Tragic Accident | E60

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Adrian and Garrett set out to explore Misty Fjords National Park on September 14, 2013, full of hope and enthusiasm for the adventure that lay ahead. Little did Adrian know that the journey would prove to be the biggest test of his strength and courage. The two were not aware that it would be their last hunting trip together. After a tragic accident, Adrian found himself alone, stranded on a sand bar with rising tides, facing down nature at its most fierce and unforgiving. With no means of communication, he had to rely solely on his own knowledge and his will to tell Garrett's family what happened to him to survive. For seven long days, Adrian battled against extreme temperatures and a hostile environment in a desperate attempt to await rescue.   Also, sorry guys, I was having problems with my recording devise and was not able to add any music to this episode. Hopefully next time. Hope you have a great week and thank you SO much for supporting us! 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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Matt Henningsen: Successful Bear Hunt to an Unexpected Medical Emergency | E59

Matt Henningsen: Successful Bear Hunt to an Unexpected Medical Emergency | E59

Working as a big game hunting guide in Alaska’s remote wilderness is an amazing but dangerous job. As Matt Henningsen, a former guide for Alaska Trophy Safaris, knows first-hand, it can come with some unforeseen risks. During his time as a guide, while leading a bear hunt, Matt experienced an unexpected medical emergency that threatened to take his arm or even his life. Listen in as Matt Henningsen, Julie's husband tells his story in his own words. 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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Violet Jessop: She lived through three ship wrecks in her lifetime, one of which was the Titanic | E58

Violet Jessop: She lived through three ship wrecks in her lifetime, one of which was the Titanic | E58

Imagine surviving not one, not two, but three shipwrecks. That's what Argentinian-Irish ocean liner stewardess and nurse, Violet Jessop, managed to do in the early 20th century. Jessop was one tough lady who had some serious luck on her side. She survived the sinking of the British warship HMS Hawke in 1911, the ill-fated RMS Titanic in 1912, and even the sister ship of the Titanic, HMHS Britannic, in 1916. It's hard to fathom the fear and uncertainty she must have felt during those experiences, but her resilience and quick thinking are definitely something to be admired. The story of Violet Jessop's incredible survival has captured the imaginations of many, and it's inspiring to think of what we can achieve in the face of adversity. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 Maj 202324min

Greg Hein: Survived Six Days on Remote Mt. Goddard | E57

Greg Hein: Survived Six Days on Remote Mt. Goddard | E57

On July 5th, 2014, Greg Hines set out to do a solitary climb up the remote Mt Goddard in Kings Canyon National Park. He'd planned on taking three to four days to complete the climb. He successfully made it up to the top, but during descent made a simple decision that would change the course of his trip and his life, leaving Greg with a serious injury on a rocky steep slope. 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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Ken Killip: Lost in the Rocky Mountains | E56

Ken Killip: Lost in the Rocky Mountains | E56

Ken Killip was looking forward to an outing with friends to the Rocky Mountains in August of 1998. He was a firefighter and had some military training and was a generally fit individual. Prior to the trip, many of his friends decided not to go, and as he planned for his departure he had a bad feeling in his gut that he brushed off. He and his friend, John York set out for a hike up Mt. Ida, one that Ken would never forget. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Maj 202327min

Jamie Mosch: Survived 5 days in the Everglades | E55

Jamie Mosch: Survived 5 days in the Everglades | E55

When Jamie Mosch became separated from his hunting buddies in 2009 he was left with no food or water and virtually no protection from the elements. Mosch relied on his knowledge of wilderness survival and sheer determination to survive four days alone in the Everglades of Florida. He was able to catch raw catfish and bull frogs as sustenance and found shelter beneath some mangrove trees at night. One of his most harrowing moments came when he stepped into quick sand lost all of his gear.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Maj 202331min

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