Family Shipwrecked in Alaska | Keg Point | 4

Against The Odds

Wondery

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

4.7 • 7.2K Ratings

🗓️ 29 April 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

It's March 10, 1979—24 days since their sailboat sank and 15 days since Elmo and Randy arrived at a remote cabin, trapped, powerless to save Cindy and Jena, and consumed by guilt and grief. Once they regain their strength and the snow begins to melt, they discover an old skiff on the beach. At last, Elmo and Randy set out to find the girls, and their way to safety.

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Transcript

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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.
0:09.8	A listener note, Against the Odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events.
0:15.1	Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research.
0:27.1	Thank you. may be invented, but everything is based on research. Elma Wartman rests a hand on the side of the hall and sizes up the old fiberglass skiff.
0:33.4	The boat, about 14 feet long, is battered and worn, and looks like it hasn't been used in years.
0:39.3	He leans forward to take some of the weight off his aching feet and peers inside.
0:45.3	Wet leaves and scattered twigs cover the bottom.
0:48.3	He glances at his 15-year-old son.
0:50.3	Let's clear it out, Randy. It's our only hope.
0:53.3	It's 11 a.m. on March 9th, 1979.
0:57.4	Now two weeks since Elmo and Randy arrived at a remote cabin, perched about 50 feet uphill
1:03.3	from where they stand now on the shore. They paddled here in their tiny sport yak after leaving
1:08.8	his daughters Cindy and Jenna behind, six miles south
1:12.4	on a desolate beach called Keg Point.
1:15.7	Elmo and Randy spent days desperately calling for help on the cabin CB radio, but every
1:21.2	attempt failed.
1:23.1	Elmo wanted to return to save the girls, but their recently thawed, frostbitten feet left them barely
1:28.8	able to stand, let alone walk. Randy was adamant. Attempting to head back to Keg Point in their
1:35.3	dinghy would have been a suicide mission. And so, they've remained trapped here for days,
1:41.2	powerless to save Cindy and Jenna, and consumed by guilt and grief. The girls
1:46.9	have been on their own for so long that Elmo has reluctantly come to terms with the grim reality.
	...

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