False Summit: Tales, Trails and Epic Fails

This week on False Summit , we’re doing things a little differently. Octavia and Em are heading out for a quick break, but before they go off the grid, they’ve got one unforgettable—and chilling—solo story to leave you with. On December 10th, 2007, a hiker pulled into the quiet Preacher’s Rock trailhead in northern Georgia, expecting a peaceful winter hike. What they found instead was an eerie enc...

his week on  False Summit , we bring you two stories of hikers who zigged when they probably should’ve zagged—one that’ll haunt your tent-side dreams and one that’ll make you rethink inviting your gym bro into the woods. First up:  The Backpack . A kitchen knife on the trail, a mystery pack full of granola and… way too many decorated blades. Then a note. And then—well, let’s just say this is one s...

This week on  False Summit , it’s all about the unexpected — from random acts of kindness to seriously unsettling solo camp vibes. Octavia and Em bring you two very different mountain misadventures that start with a good view... and end with some serious adrenaline. First up:  Hope You Enjoyed the View  — a lost 20 reais on a quiet Brazilian trail turns into a heartwarming encounter with strangers...

In this episode of False Summit , we’re bringing you two trail stories that start in the mist and end in the what-the-actual-hell . First up: The Mist — a foggy honeymoon hike in Shenandoah that goes from romantic to are-we-about-to-die? when a strange man with a multitool mutters something about finding teeth. Yeah. Teeth. Then we head north for Bonsoir, Mt. Washington , where two overconfident h...

This week on False Summit , Octavia and Em serve up two wild rides from opposite corners of the planet — and the emotional spectrum. First, in Frozen Ridge , we follow a solo adventurer to a remote Alaskan volcano, where euphoria turns to survival as daylight fades and snow conditions deteriorate. It's a story about gut instincts, posthole purgatory, and why sometimes the summit just isn’t worth i...

This week on False Summit , we take you deep into the woods and up a spiral staircase of paranoia. Em and Octavia share two stories that prove the most unsettling moments on the trail aren’t always about the terrain. In “Goodbye, Happy Hiking,” a serene forest hike turns surreal after a chance encounter with a charming drifter and his silent companion. It’s all good vibes and spiritual chats—until...

This week on False Summit , Octavia is joined by special guest Audriana for a bite-sized episode packed with weird vibes and campfire chills. After a quick detour into ghost questions and the mystery of “Sprunki,” we dive into Echoes by the Lake —a short story about a peaceful father-son hike that unravels into something far more unsettling. A hidden trail, a child’s shoe, and a voice that shouldn...

This week on False Summit: Tales, Trails & Epic Fails , we're bringing you two stories where the best-laid plans got absolutely sucker-punched by nature. First up, Blizzard in the Desert : what was supposed to be a dreamy February escape to Havasupai—turquoise waterfalls, red rock magic, desert peace—turns into a full-blown whiteout survival scenario. Spoiler: snowstorms weren’t supposed to hi...

Strap in for a wild ride through two very different, but equally disastrous, outdoor adventures. In this episode of False Summit , we bring you: 🏔 High-Altitude Desert – A solo trek through a remote, high-altitude desert turns into a battle against dehydration, altitude, and one very humbling lesson in preparation. 🌿 Swampy Saga – What starts as a scenic coastal hike quickly devolves into a mud-s...

Getting lost in the woods? Classic. Losing your dog in the dead of night? Nightmare fuel. In this episode of False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails , we bring you two stories of misadventure in the wild. First up, Lost Misadventure —Ethan set out for a relaxing day hike in Tennessee but found himself in an eleven-hour battle with dehydration, bad decisions, and a near-drowning in a deceptivel...

On this episode of False Summit , we bring you two stories that prove the great outdoors doesn’t care how prepared—or overconfident—you think you are. First, we hit the water for Night Kayak , where a peaceful solo fishing trip turns into a chilling fight for survival. Spoiler: Wear your damn life vest. Then, it’s off to the mountains for Frozen Staircase , where a winter hike on an icy trail goes...

Welcome back to  False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails ! This week, we’re bringing you two wild stories of outdoor misadventure. First up,  Black Bear Don’t Care —a harrowing firsthand account of what happens when you meet a not-so-friendly black bear deep in the Great Smoky Mountains. No bear spray, no weapons, just pure adrenaline and some questionable survival instincts. Then, in  Lost in...

Adventure and chaos go hand in hand, and today’s episode is proof. First up, we bring you Whitewater Floaty —a tale of two overconfident idiots, an inflatable raft held together by duct tape, and a river hellbent on making them pay for their mistakes. Then, we plunge into Drifting Into the Unknown , where a routine dive turns into a fight for survival in open water, with the relentless ocean and a...

This week on False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails , we're bringing you two stories that prove the great outdoors doesn’t always play fair. 🔥 Wildfire Escape – What starts as a peaceful hike quickly turns into a race against time as smoke fills the air, the sky turns an eerie shade of orange, and the reality of a nearby wildfire sets in. When nature decides to flip the script, will instinct...

Some hikes take you to breathtaking summits, while others leave you questioning every life choice that led to this moment. In this episode of False Summit , we bring you two tales of outdoor misadventure. First up, The Hike to Nowhere : What happens when you trust Google Maps a little too much and your hiking plan consists of pure optimism and zero research? One man's attempt to reach the highest...

Everest Dreams and Himalayan Realities | False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails In this special episode, we shake things up with one incredible adventure story—Brandon Meagher’s journey from childhood Everest obsession to trekking in the Himalayas. From the raw beauty of the mountains to the radical generosity of the Nepalese people, this tale is packed with epic highs, humbling moments, and...

This week, we're bringing you two stories of trail disasters that prove nature doesn’t play fair. Story 1: The Skunk, The Beast, and the Bloody Nose – A camper battles a food-stealing skunk, only to face off with an unexpected—and surprisingly aggressive—wild opponent. Story 2: Overpacked and Underprepared – Two hikers take on Mount Whitney with more gear than experience. Spoiler: Search and Rescu...

Welcome back to False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails! This week, we’re bringing you two wild outdoor stories that prove nature—and people—will always surprise you. First, in Civics in the Wild , a backpacking guide leads a group of first-time hikers into the backcountry, only to witness the unimaginable: a Honda Civic barreling down the trail like it’s on a road trip through the wilderness....

In this adrenaline-packed episode of False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails, Octavia and Em dive into two unforgettable outdoor misadventures. First, join the nail-biting journey of three friends caught in a relentless storm, stranded by a raging river, and rescued in a daring helicopter operation in "Rivers, Rain, and Rescue." Then, laugh (and cringe) along as a seemingly idyllic camping tri...

In this episode of False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails , Octavia and Em take you deep into the wilderness with two unforgettable stories: First up, The Trailside Prophet —a chance encounter with a weight-lifting, guilt-busting, microbe-denying hiker. Is he an enlightened sage or just another trail oddity? Either way, he’ll make you think twice about the strangers you meet on the trail. The...

Welcome back to False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails , the podcast where the mountains may be high, but the stories are even wilder. This week, we’re bringing you two gripping tales that highlight the unpredictable—and sometimes chilling—nature of the trail. First, in Snow, Wind, and Regret , Michael Keene (@gingerbeard_keene) recounts a White Mountains misadventure that tested the limits o...

In this episode of False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails , we kick off the new year with a wild ride—literally. Em recounts a harrowing trip to the airport involving a rogue truck and some airport antics you won’t want to miss. Then, it’s time to dive into two unforgettable moose encounters. First up is Moosecapades , where Avery faces off with a thousand-pound forest overlord on the Middle...

Join Octavia and Em for a festive detour as they unwrap their favorite Christmas movies and share a sleigh full of holiday fail stories! From a spider-infested Christmas tree disaster to an unforgettable (and unintentional) concert ticket mix-up, and a Christmas Eve that spiraled into chaos before breakfast, this mini-sode has all the holiday mayhem you didn’t know you needed. Whether you're sippi...

In this episode, Octavia and Em are serving up two incredible stories from the trail that dive into resilience, survival, and the unexpected moments that make adventure worth it. First up, we share Borrowed Miles , the inspiring story of Astro, a young hiker facing stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma who found hope—and a pair of socks—from a trail legend. It’s a tale of grit, connection, and the unshakable...

In this week’s episode of False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails , Octavia and Em bring you two unforgettable stories from the wilderness. First, we meet Leon the Bison in “Bison Bestie,” a majestic, unlikely hiking companion who proves that even in the wild, friendships can be formed. Then, in “Forest Rebellion,” we dive into the chaotic adventure of two rebellious teens who discover that na...