STRANDED in The Alaskan Wilderness | The INFAMOUS Death of Carl McCunn
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- Опубліковано 9 жов 2024
- Carl McCunn was an American wildlife photographer who set out on a solo journey to the remote wilderness of Alaska in 1981, hoping to capture breathtaking photographs of the wildlife and landscapes in the area. He planned to spend several months living in a tent, away from the noise and distractions of civilization. McCunn classed himself as a skilled outdoorsman who had experience in wilderness survival, and he was confident that he could handle anything that nature threw his way. However, McCunn's journey ended in tragedy months later when he became stranded and forgotten about. Now McCunn is remembered but not for his photography or his daring expeditions, but due to becoming the subject of one of the most infamous wilderness survival stories of all time due to his series of poor decisions. This is the tragic story of Carl McCunn.
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The actions of this man are so bizzare. He had a plan to get in and none to get out. His only plan was a chance run-in with someone. It's like he was a child or had some kind of death wish.
I know! Brings ammunition and throws it away, doesn’t put SOS on the ground for air searches, doesn’t walk to the nearby cabin, didn’t make sure people would pick him up or even know when to expect him. So strange.
I wouldn't say they are bizarre as much as, well, human! People are often overconfident in their plans and abilities! Which is more of a case , imo, of what happened here! I also believe it made perfect sense that he never went for the 5 mile walk to the hunting cabin bc, A) he was weak and having minor hallucinations and b)he had no sense of direction! I also feel he was unfortunately friends with some slow witted mfers, bc if you're MY friend, and you are more than 48--72 hours late in returning, ESPECIALLY out in some remote wilderness, im calling the cops and search n rescue!! Just saying! His dad was also in the damn MILITARY for Christ's Sake....@Disasterthon Great work on the vid, per the usual, sad to see this young man, who really just loved nature, died all alone from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head! IF SOMEONE IN THESE COMMENTS IS FEELING, OR KNOWS SOMEONE FEELING SUICIDAL CALL THE The National Suicide Hotline!
Honestly shocking how unplanned it was considering how well he seemed to know the wilderness, did he just asssume hos friend would pick him up without even personally making up plans with him. And then when a plane was looking to not show that he needs help.
@@rickpeterson8825 but he scolded his father last time for calling the police and being worried . So rightfully so his father didn’t do it again. This man is grown he’s not a child or a teenager . But a grown man that knows what to do
@@Hotchocolatewithsugar he obviously didn't know what to do. Because he died.
"Being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble."
You must respect the power of nature 😔
Good ol' Mufasa quote ♥
Thank you, Mufasa
Big difference between brave and stupid
Nature bats last.
@@PhilAndersonOutsideAlso, in man vs nature, man has to win every time, but nature only has to win once.
Don't make the mistakes he did.
He took his situation too lightly.
Nature is unforgiving no matter where you are.
@@Pr0vidence555 😂
The T-virus ain't nature, pal!
In all seriousness though, you're right. Nobody wants to end up like Elmo Wortman and his 3 children. Sure they got a 1990s TV movie made about them, but... well, at least they survived. Poor Carl McCunn wasn't so lucky.
@@JarethTheGoblinKingForever I live in Alaska. You have to be an absolute moron to go out on your own in the wilderness, No matter how trained you are…
Alaska doesn't care if you live or die. People need to know you have to be prepared and understand how to signal for help. For an aircraft wave your hands or better yet, fire a flare.
@@JoeinAlaska Alaska's not as brutal as Nunavut, but yeah, same difference... these communities will not put themselves in danger to find you if you don't take the time to properly protect your own safety or know how to ask for help. And excellent point about the flares! Anybody travelling to a remote snowy place should bring flares (and know how to properly use flares, too).
I would have never guessed there'd be a guy even less well prepared than Christopher McCandless.
Right!
I started listening while drawing and thought the narrator had to be mistaken and this was actually Chris McCandless.
The main problem with Chris, was him not knowing about the high flow of the river and possibly not knowing the potato species.
Chris made a minor but sadly an enormous mistake. He lived a good life and enjoyed some fine adventures. Be nice people
@@johnorourke2279 sorry but Chris was woefully underprepared and overly idealistic. It seems like he was a nice guy but nice guys die every day.
@@sergeanttibs6345no idea who chris candlesticks is
I was born in Alaska and still live here. It's sad how unprepared this guy was and it's hard to understand how someone could make such vague plans going to the middle of nowhere
I know, bless him.
He was young and strong. I think the problem lie with the friend. Obviously there was some discussion about him picking him up in August. Perhaps it was not as solid as it should have been but it was solid enough that they did send a state police chopper out. They obviously had no difficulty finding the location. They question is how did so much more time pass before they decided to check on him again? I mean he was right there the whole time
Vague plans for sure, but definitely not unprepared. He made it 8 or 9 months in the Brooks Range - for only planning on 5 months.
Why is it hard to understand? The man was a fool who thought he was a master.
Childish goofs from safe environments who think the wilderness is a Disney cruise with Bambi.
I remember this case. It was super bizarre how he could make such incredibly serious errors, over and over. If it weren't for his journal, I would think he had been suicidal.
When a narcissist stops receiving the help he derides and minimizes his entire life.
The ignorance of basic survival is astounding
The chain of bad decisions isn’t that uncommon. Like the “Death Valley Germans” or the older couple on an RV trip, who accidentally set their navigation to “avoid highways” in the 4 corners region while driving to see family. They got taken out to the middle of nowhere, and as roads got worse and worse, they kept going. Then finally the RV got stuck, and despite it being a nice RV full of food and water, decided to try to drive out in their tow car….at night…in a pouring thunder storm. That meant they just got stuck someplace else, and now didn’t know where the RV was either, and only brought a few days supply of water. Sadly the husband died of dehydration, but the wife was found just in time to save her.
Good idea to ask yourself “and if that choice goes wrong,,,then what?” while planning, and if the answer is “then we are likely dead,”….best to look for another option. They did do some smart things (like honking SOS on the car horn every 30 minutes), and to be fair, there was an element of “we don’t want our family to worry, and so we have to” keep going.
Ok as an Alaskan, you went to the wilderness without securing a return trip? You told people to not expect you back at any particular time!? These are things I would do when I used to go out for a walk. And throwing away ammo under any circumstance I'm pretty sure is a capital crime up here 😆
Also an Alaskan and yeah - throwing away ammo, when your exit plan isn’t fully formed and you’re deep in bear country while they’re fattening up for hibernation… I don’t understand pretty much any of his decisions other than to go exploring our beautiful state
Alaskan as well! My brother lives in Anc and gets dropped off at remote places every summer for hunting. He always makes sure he plans beforehand to get picked up. 🙄
Seems like he, like so many others (McCandless to name another on the long list) enter Alaska's wilderness with the phantasy idea of Alaska in their minds and never addressing the reality of their perspective against how it really is.. Its no joke out there. Alaska does not forgive or offer second chances if you screw up. Ignoring their own limitations and lack of foresight seem to doom so many out there ... Nothing wrong with following ones dream but most never pay attention to where they follow it to...
I tell people the same thing about Oregon. They drown every year in the tides and rivers. It's not Florida, morons.
@@Alexa-eg9wyI had a co-worker in the 1980s that would get dropped off alone to go hunting. The pilot that dropped him off crashed and he didn’t get picked up at the designated time. He didn’t show up to his slope job and another co-worker knew where he was and had a plane go get him.
What a sad moment seeing that plane and thinking it's going to stop and get you, but not realizing you need to be more serious about your need to get out. The fact that he got upset with his father for checking in on him last time I think was a huge mistake, but certainly as winter came someone should have come again, or he should have moved. 250 miles is far, but not impossible. And if a cabin was only 5 miles, or the nearest town 75 miles... he could have done it if he recognized the situation early enough. I think because Carl was lucky before, he didn't realize that luck runs out.
Amazing you can hear this story and that's what you got.
250 miles is not impossible? Are you on drugs?
If I had been there for only a month, I would have attempted to find the cabin that was 5 miles away. Out of curiosity and to understand nearby resources.
Thought the same thing.
75 miles...
If you can make 1 mile per hour and can walk for 5 hours during the day, it would take you 15 days to cover that distance. A little over two weeks. He realized he was in trouble in mid-August, but didn't pass until January. This is tragic on so many levels.
And dumping ammo into the lake on a whim is pure madness, particularly in the wilderness. Cache it somewhere dry and safe. So many missed opportunities to self-rescue.
I believe that part of survival training is reading the stories of the many capable people who didn't survive. Distressingly, many of these could have been prevented.
RIP, my friend.
J
I can only assume what any thinking person would think; when the chopper came they found him, they knew where he was and eventually would return. He probably thought until he was very weak that staying put was the best chance for rescue
Very well presented.. 👏 This is such a weird story.
Karl was described as a "skilled outdoorsman" yet he made a total hash of this trip right from the start!
It's almost like he WANTED to die out there.. He'd make his death more "interesting" so he kept a diary to the end, when his only "choice" was to pull that trigger! A bizarre theory, I know.. but the whole case is bizarre!
He could have kept his ammo, written SOS, walked to the hut, jumped up and down waving his arms like crazy when he saw the plane.. and he could have ORGANISED HIS RETURN TRIP! The mind boggles!
Some people feel that staying 2 nights in a campground makes them an experienced outdoors man
@@rileymod2523 You're right! 🤷🏻♀️
When the pilot left and he said it was because he gave an ok signal . I knew he had to be absolutely devastated. What a shocking and unfortunate story - but it’s a good lesson for others .
A simple SOS on the snow or waving their arms frantically should be enough. I heard this story before and it boggles my mind that he absolutely had no clue on how to get help or even planning his return!
@@melindacadarette3447 I would think waving your arms frantically would be a natural thing to do instead of being so casual.
I think the guy wanted to die.. but in a dramatic way.. Seriously, nothing this "experienced adventurer" did made _any_ sense - from not knowing he made an "I'm OK" signal, to not organising his return pick-up! 🤔
@@pimpozza I agree tbh. The whole thing is just strange so maybe he was planning a dramatic exit. Im not an expert but it is weird how he got so many things boggled up !
@@misstinahamilton5714I don't think he wanted to die. I think he is jusr so incredibly self-absorbed, he doesn't see or understand that other people are different from him with their own thoughts.
Man, his death could have totally been avoided if he planned accordingly. Really sad.
I've heard this story before and it's a nice lesson in hubris. The poor man didn't deserve that, I hope this lesson is taken to heart for everyone. Always prepare for the worst no matter where you are or how skilled you may be.
I heard this story when I visited AK @ '85. Waving 1 arm at a passing airplane is the signal for 'hello'.
Waving 2 arms in a criss-cross is the signal for 'help'.
Same thing for boats / on the water.
And at least have a PLAN.
He was a sheer narcissist. Nothing more.
Nah a part of me don’t feel bad. Dude done had a nerve to get mad at his dad for calling the cops caused he pull a stunt of not contacting him and had his dad sitting up worried on that first trip. Than turned around on this trip don’t give nobody clear instructions when it came to picking him up. He than had a nerve to blame them for being in the predicament he was in. His narcissism is what got him killed
@@Loralanthalas Dude get off the narcissist trip. Did you just learn the word yourself? It's the most overused and misused word on the internet.
He had a lot of nerve blaming other people for his situation when it was due entirely to his own stupidity. I do feel bad for the airplane pilot though, knowing he could've rescued him had he not misunderstood his signals. This may be a lesson to other potential rescuers, to keep in mind that people may not know the "correct" way to signal or act when they are in need of assistance.
He did accept that it was his fault aftee he let the helicopter fly away
@@meghanmisaliar For all the mistakes he made, he might not have been lashing out at others so much as trying to convince himself he'd given them enough information to work w/in order to find him.
I think we're all capable of blaming others for our own poor decisions until we come to terms we were solely responsible for those poor decisions.
I'm sure in his state of mind, he'd have been consumed w/fear of the situation he'd gotten himself into & the fear of dying all alone.
The pilot didn't 'misunderstand' anything, the clueless idiot gave the wrong signal.
He clearly wasn't even smart enough to ask the fire dept. for anything other than marshmallows whilst burning alive right in front of them.
Because that's what narcissists do. Minimize and deride all they help they get, disregard everyone else's knowledge and experience. This guy was even so bad he got mad at the bush pilot who wouldn't come pick him up on the pilots dime. Like the airplane and gas are free. Dude was a self entitled jerk.
@@meghanmisaliar Arrogance.
If it wasn't for his journal..I would think this was a gross exaggeration..that no one could make so many life threatening mistakes. Absolutely tragic.
I have lived in Alaska for 38 years and have lost many friends to this wild place. I spent my late teens and early 20s as a Bering Sea crab fisherman and was the sole survivor of a crab boat sinking in the 90s. This is an unforgiving land and will just as soon kill you than to have you live off her beauty. I'm not sure if I have ever heard this story however there are many more like it.
Name them?
Wow, that’s such a tragedy in so many ways. Unfortunately, Alaska can be a very dangerous place, but it makes sense that people want to come visit because it’s so spectacularly beautiful! We live in Palmer Alaska and we have spectacular mountains on three sides. The best time to visit is in July when it’s daylight all the time. Every home and hotel and Inns have blackout curtains so you can sleep.
Feel free to ask about tips if you are thinking of coming for a trip! Thanks for all your amazing content; we always look forward to your videos!!
I live in Alaska. It's amazing how many people do things like this....when they should surely know better. My best friends husband died on Pioneer Peak, next to Palmer Ak. He was an avid hunter and usually did everything right. This day he decided on a whim to go sheep hunting BY HIMSELF, number one mistake. Of all people he should have KNOWN better. I think people get to excited and forget that you never ever can take the Alaska wilderness for granted!!
I hadn't heard of this story. Thanks
I am a born and raised Alaskan. I’ve heard this story, and many more like it all my life, I enjoyed your take on it.
I can't imagine just dumping ammo in the middle of the wilderness for the silly thought of seeming like a warmonger. It's a sad story but that decision was pretty absurd.
Yeah but I think that was the smallest of his mistakes.
@@brianclark9948 I was criticizing the absurdity of his reasoning itself more than the actual consequences of that choice. However his thinking in the case of the ammo really demonstrates a complacent attitude that showed in his bigger mistakes as well as his smaller ones.
Right?? He's ALONE.. who the hell is he paranoid about thinking ANYTHING about him? Insecurities he's being judged even alone.
@@classicmicroscopy9398 you have to consider the time period. At that time the Vietnam War had just ended. A lot of (pacifists) young men like him were afraid to be labeled as "warmongers". His decision was definitely foolish but that was the common mindset with that type at that time.
@@aceykrew he was probably a conscientious objector and didn't like the thought of being affiliated with any weapons. Too bad he went to an area where a weapon is a necessity n
These videos are so tragic but idk why I can’t stop watching them 😭😭😭😭 the style of it is too good 🙌🏽
Because they're interesting.
Such a tragic story. So sad that he didn't make adequate arrangements to be collect. May he rest in peace.
I'd make it damn clear to my friend to pick me up with lots of details, so bizarre.
Edit: after watching the rest, it's clear he was just a huge moron who had no business being out in the Alaskan wilderness. The cabin nearby, him not putting any effort into signaling the copters...oof
Nature weeds out the weak and inane.
I was stationed at the old Ft. Richardson in Anchorage, between 2003-2006...I originally thought, being from Albuquerque, New Mexico, that I would absolutely hate being stationed out there, my first thought of Alaska, was Eskimos & Igloos...I literally had NO idea, how beautiful and awesome it was... With Anchorage being below the Arctic circle, it never gets a full 24 hour day of sunlight in the summer or night in the winter, but still remember I arrived in the mid-summer of '03, and the sun was still up at 2 in the morning, before dipping below the horizon for about an hour before coming back up again... That was crazy, but I got used to it pretty quick...In the Army, they gave us really dark curtains to help us sleep when the sun is still up...I still miss Anchorage, I fell in love with that place, and have always planned to go back one day...
5:02 Loons are not rare and “predominantly found in Alaska.” They are commonly found across all of Canada and the northern US in summer. They winter along the entirety of both coasts of the US and all the way down into Mexico, as well as the Atlantic coast of Europe and Asia.
Basically, they are found all over North America and in parts of Europe and Asia. Definitely not mostly Alaska.
Incidentally, their call is commonly used in movies in jungle and wilderness settings, although they are not found in the jungle. They are water birds like ducks. It’s kinda like the Wilhelm scream…once you know it, you hear it all the time.
I too was surprised to hear him say this! The call of the loon is so well known. And of course, we have it on our Canadian dollar!
Asia has an Atlantic coast? We ALL make mistakes...
@@TheSkete multiple of the seas on the coast of Europe and Asia are considered to be a part of the larger Atlantic Ocean system. Idk if these areas coincide with the original statement about where loons are found, but his sentence as worded was not incorrect.
@@infamousNfamous- Hmm, sounds like it needed a comma between Europe, and Asia. Again, we ALL make mistakes. I'm not throwing his whole comment out.
@@TheSkete When including the Atlantic Ocean’s marginal seas, yes.
Such a tragedy and my heart breaks for his family and friends. You did well once again telling the story with facts and compassion ❤️
Wow! So many messy, amateurish screwups. He didn’t even prep with an SOS flag or message for a possible flyover. Reminds me of Chris McCandless but with more stupidity.
ya he clearly wasn't prepared and did not think things thru. A rather foolish man, tragic
Exactly. He came to my mind, as well. Totally preventable.
Yes he made mistakes. Every year people come up here and die. They are too confident and unprepared.
Nature weeds out the weak and foolish.
Yeah, as someone who HAS adventured in the great Alaskan North (and there really IS nothing like it) I enjoyed the story, and believe (since it's been told or referenced as a cautionary tale many times)... YOU did it justice.
I have trouble giving any sympathy to Carl. Was there even a single thing he did "correctly"???
Look, I'm going to make this REAL simple. The world is a fascinating and beautiful place with things for you to explore and see that you literally can't imagine quite as they really are. I can imagine quite a lot, and I struggle with it. At the same time, Maw Nature is a cold bitch. You'll fight your ass off to survive most of your adult life, and you're STILL going to die. She wins that contest every time without exception. The only questions are how and when. This INCLUDES where you live right now in the "civilized places" with your cell phones, all the medical and healthcare technology you can cram up your ass, and access to all the collective notions and wisdom and knowledge of humanity quite literally in your grasp.
When you enter the WILD places, you are no longer "on top of the food chain". You better understand that up front. It's not a matter of "war mongering" or "fear and cowardice". It's a friggin' tool out there, and you'd DAMN WELL BETTER have it and not need the thing than need (wish to GOD you had it) and not have it. I don't care if it's a gun, bullet, or a claw hammer.
AND whenever you get into the wild places, you DAMN WELL BETTER set a HARD DEADLINE to get back or check in... or BOTH! Then don't get pissy when someone gets a little anxious and calls Emergency Services to come see about you. That's ON YOU for scaring them! You buy the cops and rescuers the g** d*** beer and pizza, assure everyone that you're okay, and apologize to your "check-in buddies" for the issue. Sh*t HAPPENS! It AIN'T the first time I've come out to a clearing by the road, or not so far from my car only to find a small army of cops and volunteers starting to assemble and an almost regretful sigh and moan in unison as I greet them with "Nobody worry, I'm okay." AND then we broke down for the pizza and beer... simple as that. They come out to rescue your ass, YOU OWE BEER AND PIZZA!!! It's the friggin' least you could do. Sucks to go into debt because your damn mom is a worry-wort, BUT FIND A MORE RESPONSIBLE "check-in buddy" and quit leaving plans with the old bat!
Once you're out there, you better know your options, from the map and compass to gear and personal knowledge... A backpack is a fine thing, but a litter/drag can carry twice your body weight through relatively rugged terrain and STILL mobilize you. That's quite a lot. You probably want to know how to build it BEFORE going out to "the middle of nowhere-squared, Alaska" with a population of 2, you and freezing! BE PREPARED TO EFFECT SELF RESCUE. Otherwise, don't bother going on a "suicide mission". Don't randomly throw sh*t into the lake!!! If you're sure you don't need it, bury a cache with enough obvious sign that some poor soul can find it if they're lost or also stuck. It could save their life, too. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, LEARN THE G** D*** SIGNALS TO WAVE OR PUT OUT FOR AIR-SEARCHES!!! That was outright dumb-ass clumsy stupidity.
Hot Tip? "A Pocket Ref" has a litany of useful information, relatively easily referenced, and it's small enough to fit in a backpack full of gear. You can bundle it down with a couple dubious volumes you might like, field guides to local plants, fruits, or mushrooms, and a book of knots (for instance) and then refer to it in evenings while you plan a day or two ahead over the rice and beans in your tent. Survival is largely routine and boring. It's not Rambo meets Jeffery Dahmer, or anything as much fun as they like to suggest in TV shows, INCLUDING that STUPID reality crap! 99% of it is hiking and the rest is foraging... largely "as time and patience allows for it"... meaning "opportunistically".
Above all, don't get to thinking you're some kind of world-class bad-ass who can handle everything by "thinking on your feet". There's a lot to be said for it, but you can't 100% rely on "making sh*t up as you go" which is what 90% of the population believes to be "improvising". Whatever "Plan A" is you need two contingencies and a Plan B you can already fall back on, because Plan A rarely works the way it's supposed to. I've been told that it does happen, but personally, I've NEVER IN HELL seen it for myself... not even ONCE.
THAT is the life of an adventurer. Good luck. I hope you find adventures to be as fulfilling as I have... or get a therapist to figure out what the HELL is wrong with both of us. haha AND as always Good HUNTING! ;o)
Just randomly watched this video and a quick look at the comments section. Really enjoyed reading your comment . Thanks for the entertainment 😊
@@rogerdavies2796 ALWAYS welcome!!! AND THANK YOU for reading!
Glad you got something out of it, even if only a few minutes of levity on my crusty, country fried wit... ;o)
Hello from Alaska! It is true, it’s wonderfully beautiful up here and it is very important that you are prepared if you’re going to be out in the wilderness at all. And always let someone know where you will be and when you are due to return.
I love my state. I've lived in Wasilla, Alaska for 3 years already... its crazy how I was just drawn here much lake Carl. Only I was drawn here from Texas...the "mystique", of Alaska really just dominated my goals & aspirations for 10 years before I finally did it & became a resident in 2020. I love nature especially in the winter because it feels like another planet with the extreme solstices up here. I have yet to venture this deep into the wilderness here like Carl though. The beauty is unlike anything I've ever seen in my entire life ever in AK. Long live the 907!!!
I've been in Alaska over 30 years and one mistake could cost you your life. Attention to detail is everything.
I’ve lived in Alaska my entire life! My family has been here about 200 years or so, and we’re considered one of the five founding families of the Kenai Peninsula. We even have a town named in our honor - Cooper Landing.
Cool
Awesome
I've seen so many tourist come up hear and die. Hypothermia, drownings, falls, and getting sick from the water.
@@JoeinAlaska Oh, absolutely! A few years back I actually saved a French actor (as was his claim of occupation) and I believe a guy he met on the journey over from Argentina from freezing to death trying to reach McCandless’ bus by testing their survival knowledge and then begging them to buy some Cheetos from my store and take with them as emergency fire starter. A week later they came back in battered and bruised to shake my hand, because those Cheetos was the only thing that could light out there and it saved them.
So?
I remember reading about this during an assignment for the book "Into the Wild". Really sad, but also a good cautionary tale.
Wasn't that about the other guy who went into the wilderness completely unprepared? He ended up dying in his little van.
@@meghanmisaliar yep. Chris McCandles. I think they may have even died within the same decade of each other. RIP both of these souls.
@@sissysovereign1294 yes that's him. What a sad story.
Same!
I live in Alaska. And the amount of people this land takes, very good people, smart people, experienced people. It’s ruthless. A lot of times never to be found. As if there’s wholes in the tundra that just open up and swallow you whole. It’s beautiful but can be dark.
"Holes", not "whole". Anyway, if those so-called people were "smart" and "experienced", then they would not have ended up in tragedy.
@@redblade8160 is that so? Have you experienced wilderness? Not going into the country, but being in the actual wilderness? I’ll disagree with you and here’s why, the most experienced ppl can still end up in the worst conditions out here. Sometimes the mountain just wins. Like Mt Everest. All those folks train and prepare, they know exactly what they’re doing. The mountain just won. That’s all.
He may have made mistakes but he still went through an unimaginable amount of suffering. Nobody should have to go through that over a couple of mistakes. Rest in peace Carl McCunn.
He made more than just a couple mistakes, but agreed, no one should have to endure this
When you embrace nature, take it seriously. If not, it might just bite back.
You feel bad for him and his family but it’s also a cautionary tale. Nature doesn’t give a crap about you and you’d better respect it or suffer the consequences.
Well, I'm happy I was browsing your channel this morning! It's always nice to see a new video from you. 😊
We appreciate your effort and hard work. God bless you.
agreed great videos
❤
I live in Anchorage, Alaska. This story happened before I moved here in 1991. Such a Sad Tragic Story! I love the Beauty here, but can be a dangerous place too.
He was definitely reckless with his actions. I don’t understand what he was thinking. However I don’t wish this on anyone RIP Carl
He was thinking that he wanted to "become one with nature.". And he did. In all the wrong ways.
@@meghanmisaliar And in ways he didn't expect. Alas.
By now, people have to know that Going on a solo journey on these explorations may have severe ramifications .. They are severely dangerous when you're in a group let alone solo..
Love this channel👌🏾
Many channels simply have run out of content, you continue to research and create fire 🔥 ass videos, I salute you sir. Thank you for your hard work…seriously!!!!!
🥰
So tragic!!! Awesome narration 👍👍👍
I’m from Chicago and during the winter I’m 100xs more prepared simply driving from point A to point B than he was.
He blamed others before truly blaming himself. That’s so sad that he died this way.
You presented the story beautifully. Glad I stumbled across the channel. You’ve earned a subscriber this day.
This heavily reminds me of the Christopher McCandles case. He was another gentleman that set out to Alaska close to that time frame in hopes of surviving the wilderness, but was incredibly ill prepared and was poorly educated about sustaining himself in the wild. But this guy here REALLY seemed to have a death wish with all of his odd decision making.
We have loons here in Minnesota, they're so cool. Love their call when I'm out on the water.
Hello from Petersburg Alaska! I really enjoy your content. If you do decide to visit Alaska, feel free to reach out with questions. Honestly, my husband and I love hosting and/or just showing people around. There is just something magical about this state and I love experiencing it through the eyes of newcomers and visitors. The landscape, the wildlife, and the people are endlessly fascinating. When I travel outside the US and people ask where in The States they should visit, I always say Alaska. If you have seen one big city, you've seen them all, but you've never experienced anything like the Last Frontier.
Such a lovely offer Thankyou! I may definitely take you up on that one day😅
Was there two years ago and want to return
Cheers! I'm in Anchorage Alaska. It's ashamed he didn't prepare more seriously. Alaska is a very unforgiving place full of ways to die. I don't even hike local trails without telling someone where I'm going and when to expect me back
I lived in Alaska for four years in the early 90s. The Alaskan wilderness is beautiful but yet unforgiving. Something as simple as failing to plan for the mosquitoes can be a miserable mistake. Also, the weather is erratic at times and can go from being sunny and warm (t-shirt weather) one minute to freezing rain and miserable just a couple of hours later.
I'm having trouble with the two-legged predators in Civilization
Lifelong Alaskan here. Great coverage CB of f Dad inch a sad case. Always over prepare and triple check.
Another story that made me tear up. That guy could’ve been in his sixties chillin in retirement with my parents (he was a year older than my mom). It goes to show that the smallest of mistakes (as is sadly part of being human) can cost you big time in situations like the wilderness. Most definitely they didn’t have cellphones in those days, but even if they did it would’ve been likely no signal. Even today you’d want to make extra sure your contacts know where you’ll be and how long. It’s a shame he used the wrong gesture to his only chance of rescue. Rest in peace Carl 💐
In his 60's? I'm no mathematical genius but he was born in 1947 so that would make him 76.
@@serendpity3478 maybe I misheard but I thought it was 1957
Edit: nope it was 47. Sorry my hearing is retarded
Almost the first comment. I was born and raised in Alaska. I actually haven't heard of this story. Something I was always taught as a child was just how dangerous the land is.
Reminds me of Christopher McCandless and his Alaskan adventure except Chris died of starvation and possibly poisoning from some berries. There's a movie and book about him called "Into The Wild."
Great book…
I just LOVE your stories and calming voice. Please keep up your excellent work.
He knew, deep in his heart, that not setting up a FOR SURE ride out, that being “embarrassed” and telling his father NEVER to do that to him again, he knew it was his own hubris that doomed him. I understand his frustration, and I feel very bad for him, but it was a perfect set up for what happened to him.
RIP Carl McCunn
And then not going "max out" to signal the helicopter pilot, or pre-staging the area with an 'SOS" of some sort, or not heeding the advice, the TIP he got to locate that cabin early on "just in case" -- instead of dawdling month after month. He proved to be his own sitting duck.
You should definitely try to visit. My dad took my brother and I when we were teenagers. It was one of the best times with family. Every single place we went to was beautiful.
Lifelong Alaskan born in Fairbanks and lived the last 11 years in Anchorage. Sad story, I know how remote and desolate the Brooks Range is and definitely not a place I would go alone even for a short amount of time and definitely not an extended amount, but to each his own. Wish he would’ve made clearer plans for departure and signaled more wisely when help came…RIP
Thank you for your excellent content, narration, and writing
I lived there 23 years and there was not one-day I took for granted. You have to be aware of your surroundings. I always kept a pistol on my side. Alaska is beautiful but can be dangerous too.
Fantastic channel, real pictures of the people places situation, so interesting history, a bit off everything! Great storyteller thank you fr.Canada
I'm a Pioneer Alaskan and never heard about this! Thanks for telling it. The country he chose is Alaska's most harsh.
Alaska is absolutely beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice. If you ever get the chance to go up there, go. You won't regret it.
I bet they don’t do it justice 🥲
Yes, it is beautiful. I lived there in Anchorage since I was a baby until a few years ago. I am 29 now but now live in California.
My sister is friends with an older woman. She’s a retired doctor. She gets dropped off in the middle of nowhere Alaska with her pack raft. She spends months in the wilderness alone. Pretty amazing and scary.
And lucky. But I'm sure it's very calculated luck, complete with contingency plans.
Very well done, thank you! Rest in peace Carl
Man, this guy made so many errors in succession. Tells family not to bother calling for help. Tells people he may be back in Aug or he may not be, don't bother him otherwise. Doesn't confirm return trip from his friend. Throws extra bullets in water. Doesn't show any type of urgency SOS when help is there on his doorstep. Then, he curses everyone. He at least took some responsibility in his journal and admitted his errors, and then protected his family from seeing his body. Even with those errors, a terrible way to go. RIP.
Sad but great story , TANX 💔♥️♥️♥️
Carl: hey man can you pick me up?
Friend: maybe but I might be busy then
*Assumed he would pick him up
Dad: hey my son hasn’t come back when he said he did can you go find him?
Carl: why would you do that? Never do that again
*wonders why people didn’t come to get him
I feel bad for him but man 😭 I feel like he like solidified his fate
I listen to you all the time, I live in skagway, Alaska!
It's wonderful to hear your voice again!
🥰
Can't believe one mistake after another.what a tragedy
I happens a lot up here. Someone crossing a river and drowning or die from hypothermia because they fell and can't get dry.
I think this was less a tragedy and more of an inevitability.
Reminds me so much of Christopher McCandless. The young man who left the trappings of society behind in 1992 and ventured “Into the Wild”…..The stories are so parallel. Almost identical. They both were bold, adventurous and had a calling to nature. They didn’t want to be a part of the the trappings of society and both had such a deep love and respect for Alaska and the wildlife.
Unfortunately, they were both lost souls with the same tragic results. They both were optimistic and elated in the beginning, they both kept journals which documented the increasing desperation. Nature turned on them. May they both RIP ❤
Nature never turns on anyone. You simply have to understand and respect the laws of nature, and you will be as one with it.
First I can't get over he went to an area with an unnamed lake??? How remote can you get?
And then he was so vague about being picked up??
He should have had a big conversation (and put it on paper with people) with the one picking him up and he needed to discuss the details with his father as back up, in case that first friend couldn't pick him up.
Some people just create these horrible situations for themselves that shouldn't never happen.
And then they get consumed by nature, which remains intolerant of stupidity.
Yes you have extreme common sense
Another respectful episode. There are so many people that you have caused to be remembered by the world at large with your stories. This was a truly cautionary tale to never take nature for granted, it can be very unforgiving to the unprepared.
Not sure how you can think someone rude and lazy, unskilled and unprepared deserves a video to remember him. Desperate, starving, people try to get to freedom and walk, and sail to get help. This guy sat around, lazy as can be and cursed put good people because HE didn't prepare. Shame.
It almost seems he went there to die but wanted his family to see it as an accident. It just doesn’t add up !
Stupidity this blatant rarely does.
Hello, I have lived in Nome, Alaska since April 3rd. 1982, my maternal ancestors have been in this region since antiquity. He didn't take his situation seriously enough in my opinion. It's almost as if he unconsciously desired to strand himself. Every bad decision in turn multiplied the risk until the outcome was inevitable.
He was just an airhead city type. Over confident and self absorbed. Very sad.
I live in Alaska and I spend weeks alone in the remote bush and I have for years. If you plan to come up here and go remote, make sure you are prepared, even if your are an outdoors. Carry enough ammo to single for help.
Great video. I'd never heard of this. I live in Alaska and don't go for even a day hike without telling someone where I'll be.
Even today Alaska is just a short hike into the wild. I admire his ambition but he made so many mistakes. Mainly not having a trip itinerary and given to 2 people with a firm date to be picked up. Personally I always have another person go with me. It is easy to get hurt and be immobile . Flair guns , he should have known about the hut before hand to have Backup plans. Alaska is a beautiful but deadly place and being in the outback is only for the hardcore backpacker. Rip
Great presentation of this man's story.
This is called complacency. This guy sadly got too comfortable in a very dangerous situation, which is common in these types of accidents. People need to aware of the dangers at all times. You can only get away with it for so long, before nature reminds you who's in charge.
He had no shortage of time to prepare. He could have pre-staged the area with an 'SOS" of some sort, or heeded the advice he was given early on and located that cabin "just in case." Instead he chose to dawdle month after month.
Good coverage of a tragic tale.
You can't go out in the wilderness like that and depend on one person to come pick you back up..... what if he dies? he was the only one that knew you were there
I remember this story in the book "Arctic Dreams" by Barry Lopez. The McCandless story is in there too.
My wife jokingly calls me Captain whenever I wanna make something important clear and I repeat whatever she says to me (like a cabin crew does on a flight), so that there is no misunderstanding. It´s so important and it would most likely have saved his life.
"Captain"?
I live in remote Alaska, any time you want to come up here let me know. We could go to an equally remote location, but I have learned from others before me to have a trip plan in place, where the Troopers would have made contact regardless of his actions (also the Trooper's protocols are different now), and there now exists technology that I, among many others, own where you can communicate via satellite including an SOS message that gets Troopers and/or the National Guard and/or private rescue groups to your location. My point is that today it is much safer to go to such an area than when Carl did, but as he indicated he could have potentially saved his own life with what was available at the time.
Erm, yeh...pick me up somewhere in the wilderness on this map, whereever I end up dunno, and sometime in August be alright, yeah ? 🤔
Yet had the cheek to be sarcastic about “what did he give people the maps for “. This guy was something else
Beautiful work, it speaks for itself.
I've never heard of this tragic story. I tried to imagine what it must have felt like to be in a horrible predicament like this poor man. Being alone in Alaska and realizing that you've made several critical mistakes that ultimately lead to your death and seeing that pilot fly away and never return. This is one of the most horrible stories I've heard in a long time.
I can feel sorry for any man who makes a mistake. Those who make so many, and appear incapable of learning from them, are beyond pity -- or help.
Wow this was sad to hear. Thanks for sharing
Well, ultimately the failure was Carl’s. He should have given somebody the responsibility of making sure he got back at some drop dead date. Say Sept. 1 and then arranging a pickup. However everyone assumed Carl had it all under control, which he did not. However in the comments I read there seem to be one glaring omission: no one commented on the fact that at least 3 people in town knew he was overdue: the Father, the friend, and the State Troopers. Once October rolled around that should have set off alarm bells!!!! I can see them allowing for say a month’s extension. But 2 months!!!! And winter is coming, the lake is freezing, he only had food for 5 months and it’s 7 since he went out? Do we ever know if anyone was ever committed to a pickup!!!! No one asked the question, how is going to get back? Is anyone responsible for him getting back? Two individuals and one agency knew the situation but didn’t take their responsibility to do something. They WERE responsible because they had the knowledge and did nothing. I too am a lifelong Alaskan, I knew of this tragedy, but can also understand how it happens and why.
Alaska is a different sort of place.....rough around the edges type gravitate there often. Men feel men should take care if themselves. That said, I believe Carl was a loner perhaps never made great attachments and preferred solitary life. Agree the pilot friend, the state trooper and the father were negligent as human beings to simply ignore that he had not returned by December at the latest. They knew it was a summer expedition so had to know he had no way out. Odd indeed.
99% of this is on Carl. Cutting it any other way is a cheap cop-out.
My brother lives in Anchorage, AK. It really is beautiful up there. If you ever go and need a guide/beer/advice/friend just let me know and you'll have one there. He's a good man and I'd trust him with my life.
❤️🩹
Alaska is still extremely wild. I live in Anchorage and we get bears and moose in our yard. There are only a few actual cities with the majority of Alaskans population being in Anchorage. It is wild wild wild. Not was, IS
I say it still it to this day tbf, but I don’t doubt it!
I'm no survival expert, but have years experience in the wild. If you are ever truly stuck the way he was, use rocks or logs to make a huge X in an open area near you. This is one universal sign of distress. If possible, put up three distinct markers. Ideally three pits of logs and fire starter ready to light. Three unique markers is the most universally agreed upon sign of distress. Do not just wave at a pilot, do not raise one hand in the air (like he did. One hand up, one hand down means "no, I'm fine"). Having items in each hand, and holding both arms up in a "Y" pattern means "yes, I need help".
In a way this guy was really smart but really dumb at the same time. I shook my head listening to this man’s story. He will see more and explore more of the world than me and most of the people judging him watching this video I suppose. Rest in peace.
True -- but you and the judgemental gallery will have a much better chance of reaching 80, or 90 or 100. And with that will come with all kinds of experiences along the way, though maybe not as wild as Carl's, whose explorations ended rather prematurely after 34 years. So it's all trade-offs in the end, is it not?
Its a bizarre tale in a setting of unparalleled beauty. His actions (or inactions) make very little sense. I'm not sure if he was too relaxed about the trip or if it was arrogance. Expecting the local town to be responsible for his rescue with little to no information seems to suggest he thought ge would be at the forefront of everyone's minds. Not hiking to the cabin makes me wonder if he even listened to the pilot.
It's a horrible decision he had to make and very sad for his family, but given the circumstance it's not too surprising that he never made it home.
I can't believe his dad didn't send someone out to help him, supposed to be back by August but still not home by December! Absolutely shocking!
he told his parent don't bother to look for him or call for help.
Yeah unfortunately his dad didn’t want to bother him. He did the last trip and Carl wasn’t happy about it. So his dad left him to if
Yeh I get that but If it was my child I wouldn't be giving a damn about upsetting them. I'd be getting someone out there to bring him back if he was angry about it or not.
@@DisasterthonTrueHorror It's unfortunate that his father was more concerned about upsetting his son than about getting his son home safely.
@@fiphuket2010 Too bad Carl didn't have his head on right. He could have saved himself, a dozen times over. Yeah so blame the negligent father. Pffft.
Good story, so sad. You told it with great respect.
Wait so they sent a pilot out to check on him and they see him and don’t bother to actually make contact with him???? He went all the way out and left just based on a hand motion? Really? Even radio operators have certain fail-safes to prevent miscommunications due to short exchanges. Wtf man
You're obviously a city slicker. His casual arm signal indicated all was well. The pilot clearly saw it. McCunn himself lamented this afterwards in his own journal. He was a hopeless dimwit, and never should have been alone in nature.
It said in the video that the plane that went out there had wheels, meaning it was never going to land there. The plan was simply to fly out, see if they saw him and if they saw camp but no person or saw a person giving a distress signal (arms over the head crossing and uncrossing) then to go back to town and get someone who could either land there or hike out to check on him. But if he gave an OK signal, then make note that he was there, alive and said he was ok and that's it. I know it must blow your mind in these days where people don't even walk into a bathroom without their cell phone but yes, people used to communicate this way because that's how it had to be done. In some situations it's still done by signalling- if people are in areas where there's no cell or satellite reception, etc. In the wilderness, on mountains, pretty much anywhere those things apply. The idea is that if YOU take your behind to the middle of nowhere then YOU are supposed to be prepared and know how to communicate if you need help. Also maybe have a back up plan and leave people with a concrete idea of where you'll be and when you plan to be back.
New subscriber here. Man GOOD video loved it
Hearing this story, I was really sad for this guy but when I heard the part about him dumping his ammo because he felt like a "warmonger" I couldn't help but think "wow what a retard." This story is all the more tragic in how easily he could have saved himself.
The part that got me is him blaming others for being where he was at.