Dying for the Lost City of Z: Xingu National Park

National Park After Dark

Danielle LaRock & Cassandra Yahnian

True Crime, Places & Travel, History, Society & Culture

4.6 • 5.8K Ratings

🗓️ 1 September 2025

⏱️ 80 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 1925 famed British explorer Percy Fawcett set out on his most ambitious journey yet — to find a legendary city hidden deep in the Amazon. At his side were his 21-year-old son Jack and Jack’s best friend, Raleigh Rimell. All three vanished without a trace. What began as a quest for discovery became one of the most enduring mysteries in the history of exploration.For a full list of our sources, visit http://npadpodcast.com/episodesFor the latest NPAD updates, group travel details, merch and more, follow us on npadpodcast.com and our socials at:Instagram: @‌nationalparkafterdarkTikTok: @‌nationalparkafterdarkSupport the show by becoming an Outsider and receive ad free listening, bonus content and more on Patreon or Apple Podcasts. Want to see our faces? Catch full episodes on our YouTube Page!Thank you to the week’s partners!Naked Wines: To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/NPAD and use code NPAD for both the code AND PASSWORD.Wildgrain: Go to Wildgrain.com/NPAD and start your subscription to get $30 off the first box, PLUS free Croissants in every box.IQBAR: Text PARK to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products and free shipping.Lola Blankets: Get 35% off your entire order at Lolablankets.com by using code NPAD at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	We're used to thinking of great explorations as triumphs, a determined leader, a daring journey,
0:09.8	obstacles overcome through courage and skill. The map expands, the story ends in glory. But not every
0:16.2	expedition is destined for discovery. Sometimes, the dangers are underestimated, the clues are misread,
0:23.4	the wilderness is underestimated, and the cost of chasing an idea becomes higher than anyone imagined.
0:29.7	And sometimes, that very obsession that fuels a journey is the thing that dooms it.
0:35.2	In 1925, the British explorer Percy Fawcett set off in the heart of
0:39.6	the Amazon with his 21-year-old son Jack and Jack's friend Raleigh Rimmel. He believed they were on
0:45.8	the verge of finding Z, a legendary lost city of stone hidden deep in the rainforest. He'd studied
0:52.6	ancient accounts, examined artifacts, and convinced himself
0:56.0	the evidence was undeniable. If he was right, it would be the discovery of the century. But just
1:02.4	weeks into their journey, all three men disappeared without a trace. No bodies, no gear, nothing.
1:10.2	They were just gone. Despite decades of searches and countless theories,
1:15.7	the fate of Percy Fawcett remains one of exploration's greatest mysteries, a mystery that has drawn
1:21.9	dozens more treasure seekers into the jungle, many of whom also never made it out. Some were killed by disease, starvation,
1:30.3	or hostile encounters. Others simply vanished, just like Fawcett. Welcome to National Park
1:41.6	After Dark.
1:42.6	Hello everyone and welcome back to National Park After Dark.
2:05.6	I'm Danielle.
2:06.5	I'm listening today.
2:07.5	I'm Cassie.
2:08.1	I'm telling this story.
2:09.1	Welcome.
	...

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