The CRUX: True Survival Stories

• What Happened to Gerry Largay – Disaster Strikes| E189

  Welcome back to Disaster Strikes! In this episode of The Crux podcast's biweekly segment, Disaster Strikes, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into the heartbreaking tale of 66-year-old Geraldine Largay, a retired Air Force nurse, who tragically lost her life on the Appalachian Trail in 2013. Despite Jerry's extensive hiking experience, her poor sense of direction led to her getting lost just two miles off the trail. The ensuing search operation became one of the largest in Maine's history. Gerry survived alone for 26 days, documenting her struggle in a journal. Her final entries became poignant messages to her family. Gerry's story has since prompted improved safety and navigation education within the hiking community. This episode examines how her ordeal underscores the thin line between adventure and tragedy while highlighting the importance of preparedness and the enduring power of love. 00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes 01:02 The Story of Geraldine Largay Begins 02:19 Jerry's Journey on the Appalachian Trail 04:13 The Tragic Turn 11:58 The Search Efforts 14:02 Jerry's Final Days 20:13 Lessons Learned and Legacy 28:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 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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• 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.

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• Solo Flight Gone Wrong: Sheryl Ramstad's Journey from Tragedy to Triumph | E187

  In this episode of the Crux True Survival Stories podcast, host Julie Henningsen interviews Sheryl Ramstad, a burn survivor, former criminal trial attorney, and Minnesota Commissioner of Corrections, who shares her harrowing story of surviving an airplane crash. Sheryl details the events leading up to the crash, the critical decisions she made during the incident, and her miraculous survival despite extensive injuries. She recounts her recovery process, her mother's unwavering support, and the challenges of living with severe burns. Sheryl also talks about her remarkable life post-recovery, including running marathons, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and transitioning to a career in nursing to help other burn survivors. This episode highlights Sheryl's resilience, her focus on service, and her drive to turn adversity into opportunities for growth and inspiration. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:19 Introducing Sheryl Ramstad 01:56 Sheryl's Life Before the Crash 02:50 The Plane Crash Incident 05:05 Immediate Aftermath and Rescue 06:23 Survival and Recovery in the Burn Unit 13:09 Rehabilitation and Setting New Goals 18:47 Training for a Marathon 22:22 Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 27:31 A New Career Path: From Judge to Nurse 30:02 Challenges and Triumphs in Nursing 34:11 The Harsh Realities of Burn Treatment 41:13 A Second Chance at Life 47:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts References: https://www.sherylramstadauthor.com/ Sheryl’s book, Living Life Full Throttle; Surviving, Serving and Summiting, is available on Amazon.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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• Stranded in Remote Canada: Andrew Barber's Nine-Day Fight to Survive | E 186

  Join hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen on The Crux True Survival Story Podcast as they delve into the harrowing ordeal of Andrew Barber. On July 28, 2025, while searching for his missing dog in the remote Cariboo region of British Columbia, Andrew's tire blows out, leaving him stranded in the wilderness. With no cell service and miles from help, Andrew faces a brutal nine-day survival fight against extreme heat, contaminated water, and treacherous terrain. Discover how Andrew's quick thinking, resourcefulness, and sheer will to survive led to his miraculous rescue just in time, and learn important lessons about wilderness survival, resilience, and preparedness. 00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:30 Setting the Scene: A Remote Wilderness Search 02:22 Andrew Barber's Ordeal Begins 04:04 The Decision to Leave the Truck 06:51 Survival Tactics and Challenges 25:21 The Search and Rescue Effort 31:48 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts 37:25 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References Primary News Sources - Andrew Barber Case: Global News Canada - "B.C. man survives 2 weeks in wilderness by drinking pond water: 'A horror movie'" by staff, August 13, 2025. https://globalnews.ca/news/11332076/bc-man-survives-2-weeks-wilderness-drinking-pond-water-horror-movie/ Global News Canada - "39-year-old missing in central B.C. wilderness found alive" by staff, August 10, 2025. https://globalnews.ca/news/11328597/andrew-barber-rescue/ CBS News - "Man survives 9 days in wilderness drinking dirty pond water, carved 'HELP' on rock before rescue" by staff, August 12, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andrew-barber-canada-rescue-wilderness-british-columbia-cariboo-region/ The Williams Lake Tribune - "Missing man found alive in Cariboo wilderness after 9-day search" by staff, August 10, 2025. https://www.wltribune.com/local-news/missing-williams-lake-rcmp-hoping-to-locate-andrew-barber-8174340 CFJC Today Kamloops - "Missing man in central B.C. wilderness found alive after more than a week" by staff, August 10, 2025. https://cfjctoday.com/2025/08/10/missing-man-in-central-b-c-wilderness-found-alive-after-more-than-a-week/ The Globe and Mail - "Missing B.C. man's creative survival skills including drinking pond water keeps him alive in wilderness" by staff, August 2025. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-missing-bc-man-survives-wilderness/ Newsweek - "Man Lost in Wilderness Found Alive After 9 Days Without Clean Water" by staff, August 12, 2025. https://www.newsweek.com/missing-man-lost-wilderness-2112312 Victoria Times Colonist - "Missing B.C. man survives several days in wilderness by slurping water from ponds" by The Canadian Press, August 10, 2025. https://www.timescolonist.com/bc-news/missing-bc-man-survives-several-days-in-wilderness-by-slurping-water-from-ponds-11057491 TODAY.com - "Man in Canada Rescued After Writing 'Help' and 'SOS' Messages in Wilderness" by staff, August 2025. https://www.today.com/news/canadian-man-rescued-wilderness-sos-help-signs-rcna224623 Castanet.net - "B.C. man survives several days in wilderness by slurping water from ponds" by staff, August 10, 2025. https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/565926/B-C-man-survives-several-days-in-wilderness-by-slurping-water-from-ponds Geographic and Regional Information: Province of British Columbia - "Cariboo region" - Environmental and Natural Resource Assessment. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/cumulative-effects-framework/regional-assessments/cariboo Wikipedia - "Williams Lake, British Columbia" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williams_Lake,_British_Columbia Wikipedia - "McLeese Lake, British Columbia" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLeese_Lake,_British_Columbia Province of British Columbia - "Resource roads" - Information on BC's forest service road network. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads Province of British Columbia - "Connectivity coverage in B.C." - Cell service and telecommunications infrastructure. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/connectivity-in-bc/20358 Weather and Climate Data: CBC News - "Metro Vancouver now under heat warning, along with much of southern B.C." August 2025. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/heat-bc-vancouver-1.7605687 CBC News - "Heat warnings in effect for B.C.'s north and central coast, parts of southern Interior" August 25, 2025. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/heat-warnings-air-quality-statement-bc-aug-25-1.7616863 CBC News - "Lytton, B.C., records hottest temperature in Canada this year as province bakes" August 2025. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lytton-hottest-temperature-in-canada-1.7618177 Government of British Columbia - "Be prepared, stay safe this B.C. Day long weekend" - Heat warning information, August 2025. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025EMCR0033-000726 Wilderness Medicine and Water Safety: Mayo Clinic - "Giardia infection (giardiasis) - Symptoms & causes" https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giardia-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20372786 Wikipedia - "Wilderness-acquired diarrhea" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness-acquired_diarrhea Wilderness Survival Network - "Water Procurement" - Survival water sources and risks. https://www.wilderness-survival.net/chp6.php Search and Rescue Operations: BC Search and Rescue Association - "SAR In BC" - Information on BC's SAR system and operations. https://bcsara.com/sar-in-bc/ Wikipedia - "Emergency Management BC" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Management_BC Vertical Magazine - "The RCMP's New Truck" - Information on RCMP helicopter capabilities. https://verticalmag.com/features/the-new-truck/ Comparative Case - Ryan Davenport: Multiple BC news sources and missing persons databases regarding Ryan Davenport's 2019 disappearance in the Chilcotin Plateau region (case remains unsolved) Additional Context: Modern Warrior Project - "Lost and Found: The Wilderness Survival Story of Andrew Barber" https://modernwarriorproject.com/lost-and-found-the-wilderness-survival-story-of-andrew-barber/ 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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• The Miracle at 33,000 Feet: How Vesna Vulović Survived the Highest Fall in History | E185

  In this episode of 'The Crux: True Survival Stories,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the astonishing tale of Vesna Vulović, a Serbian flight attendant who miraculously survived a fall from over 33,000 feet without a parachute. The episode explores Vesna's early life, the fateful flight in 1972, and the extraordinary series of events that led to her survival. It also discusses the psychological and political aftermath of her experience. With detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, this episode celebrates Vesna's incredible resilience and the unyielding human spirit. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Introducing Vesna's Story 02:09 Vesna's Early Life and Aspirations 06:26 The Fateful Flight 16:10 Miraculous Survival and Rescue 24:27 Life After the Crash 30:36 Legacy and Final Years 36:45 Conclusion References: 1.     "JAT Flight 367" - Wikipedia. Comprehensive details about the flight, crash investigation, and official findings. 2.     "Vesna Vulović" - Wikipedia. Biographical information, personal life, and political activism. 3.     "How Vesna Vulović survived the highest fall ever with no parachute" - Guinness World Records (April 2022). Official record details and survival analysis. 4.     "JAT Flight 367, A Cabin Crew Perspective: The Woman Who Fell To Earth" - Simple Flying (January 2023). Aviation industry perspective on the crash. 5.     "The Miraculous Survival Story of Vesna Vulović" - Bygonely (February 2024). Detailed biographical account and historical context. 6.     "Life After Death – Vesna Vulovic: Survivor's Guilt" - Europe Between East And West (May 2019). Analysis of psychological impact and later life struggles. 7.     "Remembering Vesna Vulović" - CBC Radio (December 2016). Interview excerpts and obituary coverage. 8.     "THE SERBIAN WOMAN WHO DEFEATED DEATH" - Serbian Times (February 2025). Cultural perspective and legacy in Serbia. 9.     Various aviation safety reports and Czech Civil Aviation Authority findings regarding the bombing investigation and crash analysis. http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.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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