Ep 125 - The Way Out - A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies - Devon O’Neil

the Sharp End Podcast

Sports

4.7 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 1 June 2026

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ep 125 - The Way Out: A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies - Devon O'Neil In January 2017, three families set out on a backcountry ski trip to Uncle Bud's Cabin in the heart of the Rockies outside of Salida, Colorado. What was meant to be a fun getaway turned into a desperate search when two members of the party didn’t return from a quick ski run. In this episode, we'll dive into the remarkable story told in Devon O'Neil's book, "The Way Out," revealing not only the thrilling events but also the profound effects on the families and community involved. O'Neil, a seasoned journalist, captures the essence of resilience and courage that emerged in the face of tragedy. We explore what happened, the lessons learned, and why this story resonates deeply with outdoor enthusiasts and communities alike. Check out this bonus article written by Devon O’Neil about his own personal avalanche experience – https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/avalanche-trigger-mt-baldy/ This podcast is produced by Ashley Saupe and sponsored by Rocky Talkie and onX Backcountry. → 70% off onX Backcountry Premium or Elite - SHARPEND70 → 10% off Rocky Talkie radios at RockyTalkie.com/SharpEnd → 15% online Responder Alliance trainings, including the Responder HUB - SHARPEND → 10% off Wallpoppe - SHARPEND → 15% off SWOOP. garments - SHARPEND → 10% off any wilderness med course with Desert Mountain Medicine - SHARPEND → Use code SHARPEND to waive the activation fee on ZOLEO → Global Rescue Insurance: https://partner.globalrescue.com/thesharpendpodcast/index.html → 20% off American Alpine Club membership with code sharpend26

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to the Sharpen Podcast.
0:07.6	The podcast aimed at minimizing future outdoor accidents by way of storytelling.
0:11.8	Real people sharing real stories.
0:15.3	The show is brought to you by Rocky Talkie, a Colorado-based company that creates backcountry
0:19.7	radios to keep you connected no matter the season. These radios are lightweight, durable, a Colorado-based company that creates backcountry radios to keep you connected
0:21.0	no matter the season.
0:22.6	These radios are lightweight, durable, and built with impressive battery life.
0:27.0	With spring on the horizon, the days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming
0:30.6	up, and the trees are starting to green.
0:33.4	Whether you're gearing up for the first backpacking trip of the year, heading to the crag, or squeezing
0:38.8	in a few final runs in the backcountry, Rocky Talkie has you covered. And Sharpend listeners
0:44.9	get 10% off all radios and accessories by going to rockitaki.com slash sharp end. Don't miss out
0:52.4	on essential gear to keep you connected on your next adventure.
0:58.6	This episode is brought to you by Onyx Backcountry. If you're planning your next adventure,
1:03.3	this is a map app built for people who actually lead trips. With LiD-based topo maps,
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	...

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