Against The Odds

It's March 10, 1979—24 days since their sailboat sank and 15 days since Elmo and Randy arrived at a remote cabin, trapped, powerless to save Cindy and Jena, and consumed by guilt and grief. Once they regain their strength and the snow begins to melt, they discover an old skiff on the beach. At last, Elmo and Randy set out to find the girls, and their way to safety.Pre-order your copy of the new Against the Odds book, How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales & Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters, for stories of everyday people confronted by life-or-death situations, showing you how they survived—and how you can too.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elmo and his son Randy bravely paddle through harsh Alaska to seek help after a shipwreck. They face frostbite and despair while stranded in a remote cabin. Meanwhile, their daughters are left alone on a freezing beach, battling fear and uncertainty. As the family grapples with survival, moments of hope flicker—like a song sung to uplift spirits and an unexpected discovery of a damaged boat. The bond of love and resilience shines through their harrowing ordeal, showcasing the indomitable human spirit against insurmountable odds.

After a storm sinks their sailboat, a father and his daughters find themselves stranded on a remote Alaskan island. They build a makeshift raft, facing harsh conditions and emotional turmoil. As they struggle against nature, their bonds are tested, revealing the depth of their resilience. The journey becomes a fight not just for survival, but for their very family unity amidst the chaotic wilderness. With days of grueling effort, tough decisions arise as they strive to reach safety and outlast the unforgiving elements.

In February 1979, a family's routine trip to the orthodontist turns into a fight for survival when they encounter a brutal storm in the North Pacific. Their boat is ripped apart, stranding them on a desolate island during winter. The struggle for supplies and safety reveals the strength of family bonds as they cope with fear and uncertainty. Emotions run high as they confront nature's wrath, showcasing their resilience and the choices that could either save or doom them.

Jean Muenchrath, a seasoned ranger with nearly 40 years in the National Park Service, shares her gripping tale of survival after a fall on Mount Whitney during a blizzard. She recounts the adrenaline-fueled descent fraught with peril, battling both physical injuries and the harsh elements. The narrative explores her emotional journey from trauma to triumph and emphasizes the incredible mental resilience required in extreme conditions. Muenchrath's story is a testament to the human spirit and the transformative power of facing one's fears.

A daring group of climbers faces a life-and-death struggle when they're taken hostage in the Kyrgyz mountains. As they navigate treacherous terrain, they must decide whether to hide or risk an escape amid gunfire. The psychological toll of their harrowing ordeal becomes evident as they reflect on survival and the kindness encountered along the way. Tensions arise post-rescue as they grapple with media misrepresentation and the complex emotions tied to their captor. Their extraordinary resilience shines through, showcasing the triumph of the human spirit against adversity.

Days without food or water start to weaken the young climbers as their captors push them further into the mountains and further from civilization. But their captors are starting to lose steam too. On a cold dark evening the Americans are left alone with only one of their kidnappers and it dawns on them: there won’t be many more moments where they might be able to overtake their heavily armed captor. But will they have the courage to act?Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Four American rock climbers find themselves kidnapped by rebel militants in the remote mountains of Kyrgyzstan. As they face the threat of their captors and the advancing Kyrgyz army, tension mounts, culminating in a dramatic firefight. In their desperate bid for survival, the climbers grapple with moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of life and death. Amidst chaos, they must escape their dire situation, navigating fear and danger while clinging to hope in this gripping tale of resilience and survival.

In August of the year 2000, four American rock climbers set out to explore the majesty of the Pamir Alai Mountain range in Kyrgyzstan. But only a week into their expedition, they’re taken captive by rebel militants. The group is forced to hike through brutal terrain under the cover of night to avoid detection by the Kyrgyz army. With little to no food or water provided by their captors, the young climbing team had to struggle through severe dehydration and hunger. Finally, they realized they would have to fight for their lives to escape. It's a thrilling story of survival in the face of violence and terror, and doing whatever it takes to make it home alive.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Against The Odds on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting http://wondery.com/links/against-the-odds/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On May 22, 2018, Claire Nelson set out on what she thought would be a four-hour hike in Southern California’s Joshua Tree National Park. An experienced hiker, Claire packed plenty of water and followed an established trail in a park visited by millions of people each year. But after taking a wrong turn, she slipped off a boulder and shattered her pelvis. Injured and exposed to the elements, she found herself alone in the desert in a fight for her life. On this special episode, Claire Nelson joins the show to narrate her four-day odyssey of survival.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.