The CRUX: True Survival Stories

When a routine test flight goes catastrophically wrong, Army Air Forces Lieutenant Leon Crane parachutes into the Alaskan wilderness in the dead of winter—alone, with no survival gear, and temperatures at 40 below zero. The city kid from Philadelphia has never spent a night outdoors in his life. What follows is one of the most remarkable survival stories of World War II: 84 days in the Arctic, a 120-mile trek through brutal terrain, and a series of decisions that meant the difference between life and death. This is the story almost nobody knows about—the man who refused to die on a frozen mountain.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Escape Ads with Patreon

00:46 Introduction to Crux True Survival Stories

01:10 Leon Crane's Harrowing Fall

02:48 The Crash and Immediate Aftermath

03:48 The Struggle for Survival Begins

04:19 The Fateful Flight Details

06:12 The Plane's Descent and Crash

09:48 Crane's First Night in the Wilderness

14:14 Days of Waiting and Desperation

17:38 The Decision to Move

20:38 Finding the Trapper's Cabin

23:27 Recovery and Reflection

26:10 Surviving the Wilderness: Rationing and Isolation

28:04 A Glimmer of Hope: Discovering the Map

30:06 The Desperate Journey Begins

31:09 Battling the Elements: Falling Through the Ice

34:11 Miraculous Rescue: Finding Shelter

35:58 The Final Struggle: Marching Towards Survival

38:05 The Unbelievable Reunion

42:34 Aftermath and Legacy

47:25 Lessons from Leon Crane's Survival

48:03 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements

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REFERENCES

Wikipedia - Leon Crane

Military.com - "How This Airman Survived 3 Months in the Alaskan Wilderness After a World War II Plane Crash"

Anchorage Daily News - "Lost in the wilderness for 81 days: The tortuous tale of Leon Crane's first Christmas in Alaska" by David Reamer

Adventure Journal - "Leon Crane Survived a Terrifying Plane Crash, Then 80 Days Alone in an Alaskan Winter"

Air & Space Forces Magazine - "Valor: Alone in the Arctic" (April 1997)

Heroes, Heroines, and History - "A WWII Pilot's Incredible Survival Story in Alaska's Frozen Wilderness" by Mary Dodge Allen

National Park Service - Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve documentation

Murphy, Brian. 81 Days Below Zero: The Incredible Survival Story of a World War II Pilot in Alaska's Frozen Wilderness

Valor Friday - This ain't Hell military history blog

Amazon.com - 81 Days Below Zero book listing and reviews

Hachette Book Group / Da Capo Press - 81 Days Below Zero publisher information

Goodreads - 81 Days Below Zero reviews and ratings

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In this episode of 'Disaster Strikes' on the Crux podcast, host Julie Henningsen delves into the harrowing story of David Sharp, a dedicated mountaineer whose third attempt to summit Mount Everest ended in tragedy. On May 15, 2006, Sharp was found unresponsive at 27,890 feet, seated next to the landmark known as Green Boots Cave. Despite attempts to help from several climbers, Sharp ultimately did not survive. The episode explores the decisions and conditions that led to this tragic outcome, the ethical dilemmas facing fellow climbers, and the broader implications for high-altitude mountaineering. Henningsen also contrasts Sharp's fate with the miraculous survival of Lincoln Hall, another climber left for dead but who managed to survive under similar conditions. The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the perils of mountaineering.

00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes
00:59 The Tragic Encounter on Everest

03:34 David Sharp's Background and Climbing History

06:25 The Final Attempt and Its Challenges

07:13 The Controversial Basic Package

14:33 The Deadly Climb of 2006

16:37 Green Boots and the Final Resting Place

19:12 David Sharp's Final Hours

19:54 Turkish Climbers' Dilemma

21:50 Controversy and Confusion

22:44 Efforts to Save Sharp

24:35 The Aftermath and Public Outcry

27:29 Lincoln Hall's Miraculous Survival

31:53 Comparing Sharp and Hall

34:20 Legacy and Reflection

35:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

References

David Sharp (mountaineer) - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Sharp_(mountaineer)

Lincoln Hall (climber) - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Hall_(climber)

Green Boots - Ultimate Kilimanjaro
https://www.ultimatekilimanjaro.com/green-boots-on-mount-everest-who-was-he-how-did-he-die/

"Dying For Everest" (2007)
New Zealand TV3 Documentary featuring interviews with climbers and expedition leaders

"Everest: Beyond the Limit" (2006-2009)
Discovery Channel series featuring Russell Brice's Himex expeditions, Season 1 includes David Sharp incident

"Dead Lucky: Life After Death on Mount Everest" by Lincoln Hall (2007)

"Dark Summit: The True Story of Everest's Most Controversial Season" by Nick Heil (2008)

"Over the Top" - Outside Online (August 15, 2006)
https://www.outsideonline.com/1909966/over-top

"The Tragic Death of David Sharp" - Eight Summits
https://eightsummits.com/bills-articles/the-tragic-death-of-david-sharp/

"Lincoln Hall Rescue" - SummitClimb
https://www.summitclimb.com/news/mef/lincoln-hall-rescue

Alan Arnette - Everest Coverage
https://www.alanarnette.com

"Mortality on Mount Everest, 1921-2006: descriptive study"
British Medical Journal (PMC2602730)

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In this episode of the Crux True Survival Stories Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen recount the extraordinary tale of Kevin DePaolo, a 26-year-old adventurer from New York who finds himself pinned under a massive boulder in the Eastern California desert. Struggling with excruciating pain and the imminent threat of bleeding out, DePaolo's survival hinges on the quick thinking of his friend Josh Nelson, a network of rescue teams, and a daring nighttime helicopter extraction. Through a detailed narrative, listeners will experience the intense moments of fear, desperation, and incredible teamwork that ultimately saved Kevin's life. This episode not only highlights the importance of emergency preparedness but also underscores the power of friendship and human resilience in the face of life-threatening challenges.

00:00 Introduction
00:42 Meet the Hosts

01:09 Setting the Scene

01:41 The Accident Strikes

03:22 Immediate Aftermath and First Aid

05:42 Rescue Efforts Begin

12:22 Search and Rescue Team Mobilizes

16:44 Nighttime Rescue Operation

26:02 Medical Treatment and Recovery

27:14 Reflection and Gratitude

30:25 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast

Email us! [email protected]

Visit us at thecruxsurvival.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

 
Sources

1. SF Gate - "'I'm going to die': Hiker recounts harrowing rescue in California mountains"

URL: https://www.sfgate.com/california-news/article/california-hiker-rescue-inyo-mountains-boulder-18560172.php

Date: December 18, 2023

Details: Interview with Kevin DePalo and his mother Ann, comprehensive account

2. SF Chronicle - "A daring rescue to save an injured hiker in the California wilderness"

URL: https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/california-mountains-rock-18549703.php

Date: December 17, 2023

Details: Detailed rescue operation, named SAR members (Tim, Matt, Dan, Isaac), technical details of pulley system

3. Reader's Digest - "Between a Rock and a Hard Place"

URL: https://www.readersdigest.in/true-stories/story-between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place-127875

Date: January 20, 2025

Details: Most comprehensive narrative, confirms Corporal Victor Lawson as SAR coordinator, detailed timeline

4. KMPH/KSEE (Fresno) - "Hiker crushed by boulder recovering at Fresno hospital"

URL: https://kmph.com/news/local/hiker-crushed-by-boulder-recovering-at-fresno-hospital-inyo-sar-search-rescue

Date: December 18, 2023

Details: Video interview with DePalo at Community Regional Medical Center

5. ABC30 (Fresno) - "A daring rescue to save an injured hiker in the California wilderness"

URL: https://abc30.com/videoClip/hiker-hiking-rescue-survival/14738335/

Date: April 30, 2024

Details: Follow-up story with Navy rescue details, HM2 Matthew Rector identified as medical tech

6. New York Times/Spokesman-Review - "Hiker pinned under boulder for 10 hours: 'I'm going to die up here'"

URL: https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/dec/16/hiker-pinned-under-boulder-for-10-hours-im-going-t/

Date: December 16, 2023

Details: First major interview with DePalo

7. Active NorCal - "'I'm Going to Die Up Here': Hiker Recounts Harrowing 10-Hours Trapped"

URL: https://www.activenorcal.com/im-going-to-die-up-here-hiker-recounts-harrowing-10-hours-trapped-under-a-boulder-in-inyo-mountains/

Date: December 19, 2023

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When Tony Bullimore's yacht capsized in the violent Southern Ocean during the 1996-97 Vendée Globe race, rescuers feared the worst. The 57-year-old sailor was trapped inside the upturned hull in pitch darkness, surrounded by near-freezing water, with only a chocolate bar for sustenance. For four days, he clung to survival in conditions that would break most people—extreme cold, complete isolation, and the very real possibility that no one would find him alive. Then, on January 9, 1997, the Australian Navy arrived. What happened next captivated the world and proved that the human will to survive can overcome almost unimaginable odds.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction and Patreon Pitch

00:45 Meet the Hosts

01:10 Setting the Scene: A Dark and Cold Ocean

02:11 Tony Bullimore's Background and the Vonday Globe Race

05:20 Disaster Strikes: The Capsize

07:12 Surviving in the Upside Down Yacht

12:56 The Rescue Operation

20:24 Tony's Remarkable Survival and Aftermath

29:39 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

REFERENCES:

"Tony Bullimore" - Wikipedia

"Occasional Paper 98: Life Line - the Rescue of Tony Bullimore" - Naval Historical Society of Australia

"1996-1997 Vendée Globe" - Wikipedia

"Rescues in the Southern Ocean" - Royal Australian Navy

"Round-the-world sailor Tony Bullimore, who survived four days in the Southern Ocean in 1997, has died" - KidsNews

"Gerry Roufs" - Wikipedia

"Story of the Week #39 Gerry Roufs" - Virtual Regatta

"Solo sailor Tony Bullimore dies aged 79" - MySailing

"Sailor Tony Bullimore became famous for surviving four days in capsized yacht" - Multiple UK news sources

"The legend - 1996-1997" - Vendée Globe Archives

"British sailor Tony Bullimore, 79, has died from 'rare form of cancer'" - Starts at 60

"RIP Tony Bullimore" - Classic Sailor

"Teen Sailor's Rescuers Take Costs, No Complaint" - CBS News

"When Wealthy Adventurers Take Huge Risks, Who Should Foot the Bill for Rescue Attempts?" - NBC News

Captain Raydon Gates personal account - Naval Historical Society of Australia

Listen AD FREE: Support our podcast at patreaon: http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast

Email us! [email protected]

Visit us at thecruxsurvival.com
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Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

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In this episode of the Crux podcast's Disaster Strikes segment, host Kaycee McIntosh recounts the tragic story of Harris Levinson, a beloved teacher and experienced hiker whose dream hike on the John Muir Trail ended in disaster. On June 23, 2025, Levinson set out solo from Whitney Portal, California, aiming to tackle the more dangerous Mountaineers Route on Mount Whitney after failing to secure a permit for the main trail. Despite his extensive planning and experience, Levinson fell from a ledge just two miles into his journey. This episode highlights the cascade of decisions that led to his death, the inherent risks of wilderness adventures, and the importance of adhering to permit systems and carefully considering route choices. The story serves as a somber reminder that even skilled outdoors enthusiasts can make fatal mistakes in the mountains.

00:00 Introduction to Disaster Strikes
00:40 The Harris Levinson Tragedy

02:06 Harris Levinson's Background

05:13 The Mountaineers Route

08:58 The Fatal Decision

11:59 The Search and Discovery

16:59 Lessons Learned

23:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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:



Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber - "Vashon's heart breaks: Harris Levinson dies in hiking accident" (July 16, 2025)

Inyo County Search & Rescue - Official Facebook post and mission reports (July 2025)

SF Gate - "Well-known high school teacher falls to death on California trail" (July 13, 2025)

Mercury News - "Missing Sierra backpacker fell to his death below Mount Whitney, just 2 miles into his trip" (July 15, 2025)

SF Gate - "After couple's death on Mount Whitney, third hiker dies near mountain" (May 14, 2024)

Daily Bulletin - "Bay Area man is third hiker killed on Mount Whitney within five days" (May 17, 2024)

Inyo County Search & Rescue - Official Website (inyosar.com)

NEMO Equipment - "How to Climb Mount Whitney"

AllTrails - Mount Whitney Trail and Mountaineer's Route descriptions

Recreation.gov - Mt. Whitney Permit Information

SierraDescents.com - "Climbing Mount Whitney via the Mountaineer's Route" by Andy Lewicky

SummitPost.org - "Mountaineer's Route" page

Rock Climbing Realms - "Mastering the Mount Whitney Mountaineers Route (Class 3)" (May 13, 2025)

Backcountry Sights - "Mt. Whitney Mountaineer's Route" (October 28, 2021)

Outside Magazine - "Mount Whitney Has Turned Into an Overcrowded Catastrophe" by Megan Michelson (August 9, 2018)

SF Chronicle - "The death toll on Mount Whitney is higher than usual. Here's why" (April 28, 2022)

The Travel - "Why Many Hikers Never Return From California's Most Scenic Peak" (September 4, 2024)

Inyo County Search & Rescue - Various mission reports and safety bulletins

Multiple hiking guides and forums - John Muir Trail route information

Note: All web sources were accessed and verified in January 2026. Official search and rescue reports and news articles from July 2024-2025 provided the factual foundation for this episode.

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