As a follow up to last episode, we sit down for a chat with one of Danielle’s oldest friends - Tyler, who has first hand experience with a wilderness therapy program in Utah. He was blindfolded and taken out into the desert, where he became the first to “escape” the program. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of o...
Jan 18, 2024•54 min•Ep. 200
Wilderness Therapy – some praise it, others shame it. In the 1980’s Steve Cartisano created the Challenger Foundation, the wilderness therapy camp that promised to reform wayward teens. It seemed like a perfect solution for concerned parents until kids claimed abuse, and others died while in camp care. Today we venture to Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument to understand how Hell Camp earned its name. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember t...
Jan 15, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Ep. 199
Illegal marijuana operations are popping up around National Parks in West, and they're worth millions of dollars. We examine the impact of these operations and stories that have lead to arrests and fatalities. Resources: NPS, Seoklaw (1) , (Seoklaw (2), Whitehouse , NPS (2) Book: Death, Daring, & Disaster - Search and Rescue in the National Parks by Charles R. "Butch" Farabee Jr. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 198
Today’s stories include haunted school houses, questionable disappearances, LSD UFO sightings, bear dances, keeping traditions and no gear - just vibes. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscripti...
Jan 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 197
In May of 2014 two 12-year-old girls, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, lured their friend Payton Leutner into the woods and stabbed her 19 times - all in an attempt to appease a fictional horror character. This case has a lot to consider and its fair share of few twists and turns, follow along as we discuss what the media dubbed “The Slenderman Stabbing”. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a mome...
Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 196
The Copper Mining Strike of 1913 became one of the most violent in United States History. When strikers throw a Christmas Eve Party for their families and children, 73 people end up dead when someone falsely yells, "fire!" Resources: Book: Death’s Door The truth behind the Italian Hall Disaster and the Strike of 1913 by Steve Lehto, MTU , NPS , NPS (2) We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment...
Dec 25, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 195
Today’s stories include horsey adversaries, near death experiences, best burro friends, ghostly smells, unseen predators, suddenly appearing underwear and playing dead. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or ...
Dec 21, 2023•51 min•Ep. 194
It’s here, it’s happening - Danielle finally gets to talk about the Titanic .. kind of. Today’s episode will introduce you to the real woman behind The Unsinkable Molly Brown, a self proclaimed “daughter of adventure”. For this episode Danielle visited the Molly Brown house in Denver’s Capitol Hill for guided tours (three times in one week) to get you the full scoop on her extraordinary life and the ghostly happenings in her home following her death. We love our National Parks and we know you do...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 193
Today we tell the story of Ishi, the last surviving member of the Yahi people. The Gold Rush of California brought on the mass murder of Ishi's people and indigenous groups throughout the state. After years of surviving alone in the foothills of Lassen Volcanic, he came out of hiding, certain he would be killed just as his family had been. Interactive native land map: native-land.ca We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch ...
Dec 11, 2023•57 min•Ep. 192
Today we are bringing you the inspiring story of Brad, Halie, and Ranger’s adventure - to visit all 63 US National Parks, with a twist. After Brad was diagnosed with late onset epilepsy, he and his epilepsy alert service dog Ranger decided to set off on a journey across the US National Park system to prove that living with a disability shouldn't stand as a barrier to accessibility. Because the outdoors are for everyone. You can follow Brad and Ranger’s journeys on Instagram @rangerlovestravel L...
Dec 07, 2023•55 min•Ep. 191
*Warning: This episode involves graphic discussion of violent acts and sexual assault* We wrap up our series on the Starved Rock murders by discussing Chester’s confession, physical evidence reports, explore additional possible suspects, hear from an original juror and get up to speed with where Chester Weger’s case stands now. Be sure to listen to part 1 & 2 before diving in. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch yo...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 190
*Warning: This episode involves graphic discussion of violent acts and sexual assault* In today’s episode, part 2 of the Starved Rock murders we dive further into the questions posed as the investigation continued including eyewitness statements, the physical evidence involved and other possible suspects. Be sure to listen to part 1 before diving in. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment t...
Nov 27, 2023•57 min•Ep. 189
Today’s stories include evil raccoons, love for law enforcement, UFOs over Phoenix shi***ing on a perfect day and vibrating packs. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ...
Nov 23, 2023•52 min•Ep. 188
*Warning: This episode involves graphic discussion of violent acts and sexual assault* In March of 1960, three friends set out for a girls trip to Starved Rock State Park. When they were discovered brutally murdered inside the park – the pressure was on to find who was responsible. After months of investigation, a state park employee confesses to the crimes and is sent to prison. Despite his initial confession, Chester Weger maintains his innocence over six decades later, and he isn’t the only o...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 187
Today’s stories include circling hawks, dumb ways to die, trail angels, Maya Rudolph-ing on Mount Washington, dispatching mamas, shark scares, hallucinating on the dunes and butterscotch smelling pines. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of ...
Nov 09, 2023•48 min•Ep. 186
Today we are joined again by John Jurko, director and producer of Rhino Man, a film that follows the courageous field rangers who risk their lives every day to protect South Africa's rhinos from being poached to extinction. A lot has happened since our first discussion with John last year, and he catches us up with all the developments regarding the film, his life and the legacy work he and his team continue to dedicate in memory of Anton Mzimba. Please visit the following links for more informa...
Nov 06, 2023•55 min•Ep. 185
Join us in South Dakota to witness the screams of the Banshee of the Badlands. Venture to Alaska where a cryptid lurks that disguises themselves as our favorite... otters? Do you believe in the Lizard Man of South Carolina? Because the police sure do, and one sighting led to manhunts with bounties for his capture. Today we're taking you to several different parks to explore the creatures that lurk there. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enj...
Oct 30, 2023•50 min•Ep. 184
What an exciting episode! Today we are joined by author of “Haunted Hikes of New England” Marianne O’Connor to talk all things trail death in the White Mountains. A self proclaimed collector of ghost stories, NH native Marianne is an avid hiker and historian. Today she shares with us the stories behind some of the most notable death markers in the White’s and what we can learn from the tragedies. You can find more information on hiker safety cards here and find her book here ! We love our Nation...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 183
Victorians, they’re just like us! Er, well, kinda. It’s easy to judge a group of people who strapped raw meat to their faces for beauty or fastened taxidermy cats on their hats for fashion, but their obsessions went far beyond beauty and style. They were fanatic about death, and speaking to the deceased. Today we dive into the history of Spiritualism and get familiar with one of its most famous and loyal followers, Mary Todd Lincoln. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you...
Oct 23, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Ep. 182
Today’s stories include killers in the forest, charging cougars, invisible drums, papa bears, death in the White’s and aliens stalkers. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions to gain acces...
Oct 16, 2023•45 min•Ep. 181
Andrea Lankford returns! We last spoke with the author of Ranger Confidential last year, but today she is back to discuss her new book Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail. The book outlines the stories of missing hikers Chris Sylvia, David O'Sullivan and Kris Fowler, their families and the lengths they (and complete strangers) have gone to find them. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remem...
Oct 12, 2023•53 min•Ep. 180
Kathy was just looking for love, but after she found it, she died under suspicious circumstances inside of Acadia National Park. Her new husband was the prime suspect. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and ...
Oct 09, 2023•52 min•Ep. 179
Do you really think we could visit Banff and Jasper and NOT come back with some stories to share? Today we are switching it up to bring you two tales we were introduced to on our travels to the park. Get to know Grizzly 122 aka The Boss and learn about Operation Habbakuk an idea so crazy, it may just have worked - a prototype aircraft carrier for use against German U-boats … made out of ice(?). We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the vie...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 178
Today’s stories include volcanic adventures, a VAN down by the RIVER, ghostly side hugs, hairbrush shivs in the Badlands and bears, butterflies and birds from beyond. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Ap...
Sep 28, 2023•58 min•Ep. 177
On October 2nd, 1999, 3 year-old Jaryd Atadero vanished on a group hike in the Roosevelt National Forest of Colorado, and his father Allyn has been searching for answers to who (or what) what was responsible ever since. The search for Jaryd set off one of the largest search and rescue missions in the state’s history and has remained one of Colorado’s greatest unsolved mysteries. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 176
Today we welcome back Wes and Jeff from Tooth & Claw Podcast! There’s a reason we keep teaming up with them - get ready for a fun episode full of stories from their time working with black bears in Bryce and find out why the hell Jeff would want to be Gateway Arch National Park and mushrooms on a cheeseburger. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever yo...
Sep 18, 2023•2 hr 32 min•Ep. 175
Today we welcome Dave and Ilyssa Kyu, the masterminds behind the books you’ve probably seen at your local outdoor shop - Campfire Stories! Volume II is out now and is full of amazing stories from parks around the country. Dave and Ilyssa speak to us about the inspiration behind the books and share some of their personal favorites! You can find Campfire Stories Volume I and II at your local bookstore, outdoor outfitter or online. We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're o...
Sep 14, 2023•45 min•Ep. 174
Today we visit the Flight 93 National Memorial. We remember 9/11 and how 40 heroic individuals saved the lives of thousands onboard United Flight 93. Take care while listening. Learn more about the passengers of Flight 93 here We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscripti...
Sep 11, 2023•54 min•Ep. 173
Take a hop across the pond to Ireland’s Glenveagh National Park and Castle as we discuss one of its greatest mysteries. For as long as there has been economic inequality, there has been jealousy. From the outside looking in, it’s hard to pity someone who seemingly has it all – like a castle for a summer home. Arthur Kingsley Porter aka “The Indiana Jones of Architecture” seemed to have it all, and although it can be easy to judge the Gatsby’s of the world, appearances can be deceiving – they can...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 172
Today’s stories include a near miss with a serial killer, ghost children, feathered signs and finding out what meta means. Outsiders Only bonus stories available for Patreon and Apple Subscribers! We love our National Parks and we know you do too but when you're out there, remember to enjoy the view but watch your back. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe from wherever you’re listening to NPAD! Become part of our Outsider family on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions to gain access to ad-free ...
Aug 31, 2023•46 min•Ep. 171
