Mount St. Helens | Awakening | 1

Against The Odds

Wondery

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

4.7 • 7.2K Ratings

🗓️ 6 May 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In March 1980, after 120 years of dormancy, the volcano Mount St. Helens in Washington State begins showing signs of life. Scientists warn that a major eruption is coming, but they’re unable to completely block off access to the mountain. Some locals, like lodge owner Harry Truman, refuse to leave. And on May 18, when the volcano finally explodes, 150 people are caught in the deadly path of destruction. Pre-order your copy of the new Against the Odds book, How to Survive Against the Odds: Tales & Tips for Animal Attacks and Natural Disasters, for stories of everyday people confronted by life-or-death situations, showing you how they survived—and how you can too.

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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.
0:09.7	A listener note, Against the Odds uses dramatizations that are based on true events.
0:14.4	Some elements, including dialogue, may be invented, but everything is based on research.
0:35.2	Okay. but everything is based on research. TV news reporter David Crockett points his camera up at Mount St. Helens and adjusts his focus ring. He wants to make sure he captures the dark ash that's coating the summit of the rumbling
0:40.1	volcano.
0:41.3	Some locals hate the black ash.
0:43.6	They think it mars the mountain's perfect white snow cap.
0:47.1	But Crockett loves the ash because of what it represents.
0:51.1	For over 120 years, Mount St. Helens lay dormant, but now she's waking up, and scientists say she could explode at any moment.
1:01.3	It's the biggest news story in the country, and Crockett thanks God that he's here to cover it.
1:06.6	He's been traveling back and forth from his home near Seattle, a four-hour drive for almost two months now.
1:13.3	But each day, there's still no eruption.
1:17.2	Crockett stretches his arms and takes a deep breath.
1:20.9	From down here in the valley, all he can smell is the rejuvenating aroma of crisp pine-scented air.
1:28.3	It's 8.30 in the morning on May 18th, 1980, and Crockett has already been up for hours, ever
1:35.1	since he woke up suddenly from a deep sleep.
1:38.1	A voice within him insisted that today was the day.
1:41.8	He had to go to Mount St. Helens immediately, because after weeks of simmering,
1:46.1	it was about to blow. Crockett is only 28, but he's had enough premonitions in his life to know
1:53.3	that he should listen to them. So, even though it was a Sunday and still dark outside, he got up
1:59.8	and loaded his camera gear into his car.
	...

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