Hosted by two friends who share a passion for public lands and a fascination with what can go wrong there, each week hosts Danielle and Cassie explore the darker side of our National Parks. But it isn’t always chills and thrills. By sharing inspiring tales and their desire for protecting our planet’s wild places, they hope listeners will be inspired to take a walk into the wild and create meaningful adventures of their own.
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This episode delves into the extraordinary life and tragic death of primatologist Dian Fossey, focusing on her pioneering work in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park to save mountain gorillas. It details her unconventional "active conservation" methods against poachers and habitat loss, which brought her international fame but also created numerous enemies. The episode culminates in the shocking discovery of her murder, setting the stage for Part 2 of her story.
Today’s stories include misleading boy scouts, guiding hands, clap backs, near death experiences and cautionary tales. All tales shared with consent. 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 to gain access to ad-free episode, bonus content and more. Follow our socials Instagram , Facebo...
This episode delves into the chilling true crime story of Louis Hastings, an environmentalist who sought solitude in Alaska's Wrangell St. Elias National Park but became enraged by the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline. Believing himself a "savior," he plotted to destroy the pipeline and murder all 22 residents of McCarthy to conceal his identity. The episode recounts the horrific day of the spree, the desperate attempts of survivors, and Hastings' eventual capture and sentencing, reflecting on the senseless violence amidst Alaska's stunning wilderness.
After feeling betrayed by his lawyer and the Union Pacific Railroad, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid flee Utah to start a new life in South America. Their lavish lifestyles and gambling habits cause them to make a quick stop and they make a terrible mistake that leads to a manhunt to find them. Their life of crime catches up to them and sparks a mystery that to this day, has yet to be solved. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and o...
This week we head back to the 1800s wild wild west. We follow Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch gang – the most prolific bank and train robbers in outlaw history. Butch Cassidy created an extremely organized group of outlaws who spent their time fleeing authorities on horseback into the most remote areas of Utah, taking sums of money that would be worth millions today. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials: Instagram: @ na...
Today we sit down with Bruce Poon Tip, the Executive Producer of the 2022 documentary, The Last Tourist. This episode will inspire you to see the world and discusses how to be a more responsible and compassionate traveler. Watch The Last Tourist on Apple TV, Hulu, and more. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at: Instagram: @ nationalparkafterdark TikTok: @ nationalparkafterdark Support the show by becoming an Outsider...
Today’s stories include following your gut, “coincidences” and close calls on the AT. All stories shared with consent. 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 to gain access to ad-free episode, bonus content and more. Follow our socials Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter . To share a T...
Grab your climbing gear and protest signs because this week we are heading to Humboldt County California to fight to save the redwood forest. We are following the journey of Julia Butterfly Hill as she tree-sits in one of the tallest and oldest redwood trees that has been marked to be clearcut, along with the redwood forest surrounding it. She is harassed, threatened, and almost loses her life more than once, but she's in this fight for the long haul. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel de...
Today we remember and honor the life of Danielle’s partner Ian along with all the smiles, laughs and immense love he left behind. We also discuss grief, in its many forms, and what life after death for the living can be like. We love you Ian. Ian’s GoFundMe Grief Support Recs: Terrible, Thanks for Asking. Good Mourning. Hey Spirit (Podcasts). Hot Young Widows Club (Book). TED Talk . For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at...
Today’s stories include guardian spirits, trail stalkers, and the elusive Washington pineapple. All stories shared with consent. 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 to gain access to ad-free episode, bonus content and more. Follow our socials Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter . To...
Investigative journalist Kathryn Miles shares insights from her book "Trailed," detailing years spent investigating the brutal, unsolved 1996 murders of Lolly Winans and Julie Williams in Shenandoah National Park. She exposes police missteps, ignored evidence, and a potential serial killer, while also exploring the broader implications for women and LGBTQ+ individuals in the outdoors. The episode emphasizes the critical need for justice and accountability in wilderness crime investigations.
This month we take a trip back to Olympic National Park and get to know Jane Constantino – a young woman who lived life to the fullest. Her adventures and subsequent brushes with death led her to Washington state, all in the hopes of checking off an item on her list. Perhaps driven by an ominous premonition, Jane explored the world and experienced life while she still had time. Time, that was cut short – just as she thought it would be. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch an...
Dr. Rolf Peterson is celebrated as a world authority on wolves and as an internationally recognized wildlife ecologist. We discuss his extensive and impressive career, conducting wolf and moose research in places like Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Yellowstone National Park, and Isle Royale National Park. Dr. Peterson gives us invaluable insight into the role wolves play in the ecological health and balance of the landscape. He discusses his scientific findings from the longest running predator...
This episode recounts the incredible true story of Ricky Megee, who was drugged, robbed, and left for dead in the desolate Australian Outback in 2006. After waking up buried alive, Ricky survived for 71 days, battling extreme dehydration, starvation, and the constant threat of dingoes, resorting to eating lizards, frogs, and leeches. His extraordinary will to live ultimately led to his miraculous rescue, revealing a shocking physical transformation and raising questions about trust and human nature.
National Parks, as most places do, have rules. It is expected as visitors that we abide by them and it is also expected that rangers not only uphold them themselves, but enforce them. But what happens when they don’t? What happens when those whose objective is to preserve, protect and enhance - turn their back on those very commitments? Today we venture to Effigy Mounds National Monument – a place rich with cultural history, famous for its hundreds of burial mounds and notorious for a scandal th...
Today’s stories include feisty goats, spooky skeptics, haunted trails, guardian angels and surviving a serial killer. (Outsiders – two bonus stories can be found on Patreon!) All stories shared with consent. 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 to gain access to ad-free episode, bon...
Explore the thrilling, dangerous life of Hendrik Coetzee, an avid outdoorsman who found his passion on Africa's whitewater rapids. From surviving a cannibalistic tribe to becoming a world-renowned kayaker, Hendry lived life on the edge, constantly seeking new challenges and embracing the present. The episode culminates in his final, fateful expedition on the Congo River, highlighting the profound impact of war on river predators and the ultimate price of his relentless pursuit of adventure.
In the late 1800's feathers were a massive fashion craze, to have them on your clothing was a signal of wealth and importance. To obtain these feathers, plume hunters decimated the fragile ecosystem and wading birds of the Everglades. The devastation caused an uproar and a call for conservation efforts to be put into place. At this time, Guy Bradley happily accepted the position as Game Warden and wildlife protector of the Everglades. He believed in the cause, and was willing to give his life fo...
Today’s stories include gut instincts, haunted happenings, park magic, more signs from the universe and respectful run ins with predators. Patreon bonus stories involve bears, dogs and staying safe in bear country. All tales shared with consent. 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 ...
Delve into the chilling case of David Joseph Carpenter, known as the "Trailside Killer," who committed a series of brutal murders and sexual assaults in Northern California's scenic parks during the late 70s and early 80s. The episode details Carpenter's disturbing background, his repeated failures within the justice system, and the widespread terror he inflicted upon outdoor enthusiasts. It also highlights the brave survivors and the investigative efforts that ultimately led to his conviction, while reflecting on the lasting impact of such crimes on people's relationship with nature.
The relationship humans have with animals stretches back thousands of years. Animals provide us joy and companionship, can be the source of sadness or elicit fear. They can be our closest friends or our fiercest enemies, but out of all the species we share our planet with, there is one that evokes a greater range of human emotion than any other. An animal who has divided us and also unified us. Join us on another journey to Danielle’s favorite park, Yellowstone, where she shares the story of the...
Today’s stories include stumbling across a body, cries for help, a ghostly encounter, camping in a graveyard, Icelandic lore, and a scary encounter … with a chicken? All tales shared with consent. 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 to gain access to ad-free episode, bonus content ...
Delve into the tragic 1994 murder of Kelly Lavera in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, initially staged as a car accident. The investigation reveals his wife, Shane, orchestrated the killing with her lover, Brett, for insurance money. The episode explores Shane's privileged past, her family's downfall, and her motive for escaping her mundane life, culminating in a shocking trial and controversial parole.
Bundle up it your warmest gear, because today we head to Alaska to discover the roots of the Iditarod National Historic Trail. Currently most infamous for “The Last Great Race on Earth” this trail was blazed by courageous people and our most loyal companions. The Iditarod is synonymous with sled dogs, but you may be surprised to learn the origin story you remember – isn’t entirely accurate. Come along as we uncover the true story of the Iditarod and celebrate its underdogs – both human and anima...
Originally posted last month to Patreon for February’s bonus episode, in honor of Black History Month, we dive (literally) into an important and heartbreaking story which has been largely lost to time. This week we bring it to the surface, have difficult conversations and discuss the efforts the NPS, independent diving groups and historians have taken to rediscover what was lost to history and to the elements in order to honor its story in the present. Videos discussed in this episode: The Guerr...
This episode recounts the harrowing 1967 Mossdale Caverns disaster in Yorkshire Dales National Park, where a group of cavers, including a team planning to use explosives to explore new passages, became trapped by sudden, severe flooding. Despite a heroic, large-scale rescue effort involving hundreds, six cavers perished, leading to the permanent sealing of the caves and a lasting memorial to the 'caving fallen heroes.' The story highlights the extreme dangers of unexplored cave systems and the unpredictable power of nature.
As humans, we have spent millennia advancing to this very moment. We have more collective knowledge and advancements in technology today than we ever have before. We have a lot of things figured out. We are comfortable, and for the most part, we are in control. But what if that all changed? What if something came along that flipped your world and the understanding of it upside down? Today we head to Sitgreaves National Forest, to the location of the most documented alleged alien abduction in his...
Join us this week as we venture around the US to different National Parks. First stop is Cuyahoga National Park. A park that holds a lot of history and is a staple for conservation and restoration of its resources. Here lies an abandon ghost town, where people were forced to vacate. Now all that is left are their homes and businesses, boarded up and abandon. Next we head to Wrangell St. Elias National Park in Alaska, the location of a once upon of time booming mining town. Today, it sits in the ...
Today’s stories include bones in the desert, how mountain biking solved a cold case, witnessing a volcanic eruption, a run in with a serial killers long lost friend, disembodied chants, an unwelcome nightly visitor and signs from the universe. All tales shared with consent. 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 ou...
For our second installment of People of the Parks, we sit down with Andrea Lankford to discuss her career in the NPS in units including The Grand Canyon and Yosemite, her celebrated literary works such as Ranger Confidential and her astonishing outdoor accomplishments. We chat about what it is like being a woman in the outdoors and how to be safe. An avid believer in outdoor exploration, Andrea is an advocate of solo ventures for all. For the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and ...
