Roadless Jungle, Irate Kunas and Guerrilla Encounters - Darien Gap Expedition

Adventure Rider Radio

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4.9 • 915 Ratings

🗓️ 24 September 2020

⏱️ 118 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 1995, having had three unsuccessful attempts to get through the Darien Gap and one successful Jeep crossing, Patty and Loren Upton took a two-wheel drive Rokon through the Darien Gap. They logged over 125 miles of jungles, rivers, mountains and swamp in 49 days, becoming the first people to cross the Darien Gap on a motorcycle all on land. From angry Kunas holding them and their Rokon ransom for $500, to repair set backs and even coming face to face with Colombian Guerrillas, the challenges they faced and friendships made were all part of their unforgettable adventures. More motorcycle travel episodes available on Adventure Rider Radio at adventureriderradio.com. Want to help out? Rate and review us on iTunes or on your favourite podcast app, tell your family, friends, riding buddies or club about ARR. Check out our other show ARR RAW, round table talks about motorcycles and travel.Subscribe to both shows to listen to inspiring and interesting guests, learn from professional riding instructors and industry experts about all things motorcycle. Get an ARR sticker(postage included) with a $10 donation. Link on our website. Have a comment? Go to the episode show notes on our website and have your say at the bottom of the page. Adventure Rider Radio is now the most listened to motorcycle podcast in the world, and we thank you for your support!

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Pan American Highway runs from Prudo Bay, Alaska, in the north to Usuwia, Argentina in the south.
0:07.0	It's a popular route for Overlanders, but although the road runs the distance, there is one gap that has never been built, and that's the Darien gap,
0:15.6	a roadless jungle filled with wildlife and natives that use the rivers as their roads.
0:21.4	Some people have tried to cut straight through the jungle to make their own path,
0:25.2	but they always end up using river boats because it either gets just too difficult or something goes
0:29.7	wrong or they run at a time. And although there are a number of riders that have actually passed through the gap using that method,
0:36.0	as far as we can tell, none have done it without putting their vehicle on a riverboat at some point to finish their adventure.
0:42.0	That is except for an expedition by
0:44.8	Lauren and Patty Upton. The Upton's did an all land crossing of the Darien
0:49.3	Gap by motorcycle and by Jeep, both records.
0:53.7	Today we have the Upton story, it's Raw Adventure.
0:56.4	It includes unsolved murder,
0:58.1	four people driving off a cliff on a foggy dark night,
1:01.7	being held for ransom, and plenty of hardship.
1:05.0	All that coming up.
1:06.0	My name's Jim Martin, this is Adventure Rider Radio.
1:08.3	Stay with us, we got a good boom for you. I'm Sam Mannequin.
1:15.0	Simon, David. I'm Sam Manne, Z. Simon,
1:18.0	Paney, Graham Field,
1:19.0	How you get Peter, Joce on Snow, Charlie Bowman,
1:21.0	Carl Parker,
1:22.0	Thomas, Grand John, Jimmy Lewis,
	...

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