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Against The Odds

ENCORE: Rock Climbers Abducted | Breaking Free | 4

Against The Odds

Wondery

Cassie De Pecol, History, Society & Culture, Dolby, Mike Corey, Dolby Atmos, Atmos

4.77.2K Ratings

🗓️ 25 March 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When the Americans finally act out and decide to fight for their lives, they’re left alone in an inhospitable mountain rage full of rebel militants and a trigger happy army. Far more than just a rescue mission, the climbers have to cross miles of treacherous terrain in the black of night with hopes that they won’t be mistaken for an insurgent militia by the Kyrgyz army. And if they do make it back to civilization, will they be able to make it all the way back home to the US. And if they do will anyone believe their story?

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Against the Odds early and ad-free right now.

0:05.6

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.

0:10.7

One Dary.

0:15.2

Jason Singer-Smith struggles to find a grip with his right hand as he scrambles up the cliffside.

0:24.8

Singer is a professional rock climber, and normally, climbing up a rock face like this would be a piece of cake.

0:31.2

But it's the middle of the night, and it's his turn to carry the group's only sleeping bag.

0:37.0

It's not heavy, but it's unwieldy.

0:40.1

It's been six days since he and three fellow rock climbers were kidnapped by Kyrgyz rebels.

0:46.7

Since then, they've been forced to traverse the endless Pamir-Aly mountain range in the dark

0:51.9

to avoid detection from the Kyrgyzstan army.

0:55.0

It's been almost a full week with barely any food or water.

0:59.3

Singer is flagging.

1:01.7

The group of rock climbers were originally held captive by three men,

1:06.6

but the ringleader Abdul has split off to look for food.

1:10.6

Now, the four Americans are under the supervision of only one man, Sue, or Little Dog, as Singer

1:17.4

calls him in a code language that the climbers have made up.

1:21.2

Sue is armed, but he's young and inexperienced, not a very good climber at all.

1:30.1

He constantly looks at Singer, trying to decide on a route up the sloping cliff face. Alpinista. Alpinista is Sue's nickname for Singer. The group

1:39.4

has come to understand that it means climber and Kyrgyz. Sue waves up toward the peak, asking Singer's advice on which route to take.

1:49.0

For the last six days, Singer has been biding his time, trying to get Sue to trust him,

1:56.0

and as of now, it seems to have worked.

1:59.0

He listens without question when Singer suggests the best

...

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