This is just a warning that today's episode contains an incident of explicit language and

also contains audio from a 911 call that is pretty intense.

Many survival stories include an element of helplessness.

When you're far from civilization, hurt, unable to move, there's little you can do to keep

yourself alive.

It's helplessness that sets in when things get really, really bad.

But there's another feeling, however dim that keeps you going, hope.

Though you may be unable to help yourself in the face of extreme danger, there's comfort

and knowing that someone out there may be looking for you.

That comfort, that hope, can be what allows you to survive.

And if you get into trouble in a place where search and rescue is accessible, that hope

multiplies.

Backpacker's hometown of Boulder, Colorado boasts 250 miles of trail that see constant

use from locals and many of the areas 1.8 million yearly visitors.

Our class hiking trail running and rock climbing are within a 15 minute drive in any direction,

but it's deceptively rugged and bluebird skies can turn hellish on a dime.

The region, the setting for today's story, is also home to one of the most active search

and rescue networks in the country.

These highly trained volunteers save countless lives every year.

No matter the terrain, no matter the weather, emergency responders will answer the call of

distress.

They're the reason why even when we're helpless, we're not hopeless.

...