A warning that this episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts.

To a lone hiker, the woods team with threats.

There are wild animals, of course, an exposure to the elements.

There are the looming risks of dehydration, starvation, and the terror that comes with

the fall of darkness.

But for some, worse than the fear of the woods themselves, are the ruthless fabrications

of one's own mind.

Especially in stressful situations, inner demons can be as powerful as a stroke of lightning

or a sudden blizzard.

In today's story, we explore what happens when the biggest obstacle to survival and

only hope is one self.

I made a decision to survive.

You're in that survival mode.

The idea of dying wasn't in my head.

I knew immediately it was the worst case scenario.

I was in a fight for my life situation.

Whenever you walk out on these trails, you're in their house.

I'm Louisa Almanes, and you're listening to Out-Alive by Backpacker.

In each episode of this podcast, we'll bring you real stories of real people who survived

the unsurvivable.

I saw the ropes sift through the repel ring, and I couldn't do anything.

Learn what went wrong, what went right, and how you can escape if the worst case scenario

...