Stuff They Don't Want You To Know Horror in the Jungle: Crossing the Darién Gap, Chapter One
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Jan 29, 2025 Venture into the harrowing realities of the Darién Gap, a perilous stretch connecting the Americas. Discover the absurd historical attempts to navigate this inhospitable terrain, including a wild nuclear proposal! Explore the tragic Scottish expedition that highlights colonial missteps and their impacts. Learn about the struggles of indigenous tribes up against crime and disease, amidst the complexities of migration. This gripping discussion dives deep into the harsh challenges of survival in one of the world's most dangerous regions.
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Hosts' Dangerous Trips
- The hosts discuss their most dangerous trips.
- Matt's involved a hazardous exploration near a dam in the Western US.
The Darién Gap and the Pan-American Highway
- The Pan-American Highway, the world's longest road, has one break: the Darién Gap.
- The U.S. doesn't officially acknowledge the entire highway, claiming it starts in Mexico.
Nuclear Canal Proposal
- In 1964, there was a proposal to use nuclear explosions to create a trench through the Darién Gap for a canal.
- The New York Times supported the plan, citing the area as "sparsely populated."