Locations Unknown

November 20th, 2010—As darkness fell on Lake Placid New York, a 22-year-old hiker set off into the High Peaks Wilderness after his shift at The Downtown Diner. Several hiking parties spotted him in his green Carhartt jacket before vanishing into the trees two miles in. Days later, that jacket was found. He was not. Join us this week as we unravel the disappearance of Wesley Wamsganz. Learn more ab...

On August 30, 2019, an experienced hiker set out along the steep, treacherous Z Trail on Hawaii's Big Island. When he failed to return, massive search efforts were stymied by thick jungles, towering cliffs, and sudden downpours—and no clues were ever found. Was it a tragic fall, or is something far more unsettling at work? Join us this week as we dive into one of Hawai‘i’s most baffling, unsolved...

Survivalist and skilled outdoorsman Thomas Seibold left a homestead cabin in October 2012, bound for the vast expanse of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve for what was supposed to be a brief adventure. Instead, he was never seen again. Join us for part three of Gone in Alaska to find out why Seibold’s disappearance remains one of the most enduring mysteries of the Last Frontier. Learn...

Hey friends!  Since Joe & I are off this week and next week, we thought it would be fun to release our latest members only voicemail episode.  If you like this kind of content and want to support the show, you can become a Patreon member for as little as $5 a month and never miss another episode.  (Link below)  If Patreon isn't your thing, you can become a Spreaker, YouTube, or Apple podcast p...

Deep in the uncharted reaches of the Brazilian rainforest lies one of exploration’s most enduring riddles. In 1925, a daring British explorer ventured there with two companions in search of a lost city that might reshape history. Then, on the threshold of the unknown, all three vanished. Theories swirl: hostile tribes, disease, or even a hidden new life among the forest’s peoples.  Join us as this...

A young, adventurous couple embarks on a bold mission in 1928: to conquer the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and claim two record-breaking feats. The newlyweds pilot a handmade wooden scow down the rushing waters, navigating rugged rapids and unpredictable weather. As their journey stretches on, they mysteriously disappear, leaving behind a boat filled with supplies and a puzzle that has...

Join us this week as we explore the chilling legends lurking in America’s wilderness and beyond. We’ll travel to the misty trails of a famed national park where a cunning, stone-skinned predator once terrorized the locals. Then, we head north to the icy Alaskan expanse patrolled by a shadowy hound that paralyzes its victims with a single glance. Finally, we dive into a South American jungle, rumor...

In the early 1990's, a young man's quest for freedom leads him to abandon society, hitchhike across America, and live in the Alaskan wilderness. His journey, inspired by literary ideals, ends tragically in an abandoned bus shrouded in mystery. Join us this week as we explore the incredible life and story of Christopher McCandless, also known as "Alexander Supertramp." Note: At some point in the ep...

On May 23, 1950, a skilled mountaineer vanished near Ape Canyon in Washington’s Gifford Pinchot National Forest. That morning, he split from his ski party to photograph them from a different vantage point—but never returned. Despite intense searches of the rugged volcanic terrain, neither Carter nor his camera was ever found. Was it a tragic accident, or is there a hidden truth lurking on the slop...

On June 20, 2003, a young man abandoned his car on a remote Wisconsin forest road and vanished without a trace. In the days before, he’d quit his job, withdrawn thousands in cash, and displayed strange, erratic behavior. Despite extensive searches in the sprawling Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, he was never found. Was he lost, taken, or running from something?  Join us this week as we invest...

A year has passed since Richard Lyman Griffis stepped off a bus in the Yukon and vanished into the vast wilderness of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park. But he wasn’t the only man named Richard to go missing in Alaska’s unforgiving backcountry. Around the same time, Richard Hills and Richard Bennett also disappeared without a trace. In this second episode of Locations Unknown: Special Edition – Gon...

Australia’s high country glows with raw beauty and deep mystery, overshadowed by a long history of unsolved disappearances. Even the most seasoned explorers—hardened hikers and skilled hunters—have vanished here without a trace, leaving behind only faint traces and countless unanswered questions. Rumors persist of a reclusive bushman lurking in remote corners of the wilderness, whose silent watch...

In this special episode of Locations Unknown, Maddie from Who Runs This Park interviews us on a wide range of topics.  Our conversation covered a behind the scenes look at everything that goes into Locations Unknown, the cases that stay with us the most, and whether the stories we cover have changed how we spend time outdoors.  We also shared some of our wildest wilderness tales, including camping...

A fitness enthusiast and mother of four, Michelle Vanek, 35, set out to conquer Colorado’s Mount of the Holy Cross in 2005. Straying onto the grueling Halo Ridge Route, Michelle faced fatigue, high-altitude sickness, and frigid temperatures.  After splitting from her hiking partner near the peak, she vanished without a trace.  Despite an exhaustive search involving hundreds of rescuers, only a boo...

Enjoy this special release from our members only content.  In this episode, we react to all the voicemails we've received since February 2024.  This is a sample of the content we provide if you subscribe on Patreon, YouTube, Apple, or Spreaker.  This episode was originally released on 9/8/2024.   (Warning - there is explicit language in this episode.)   Learn more about Locations Unknown:  https:/...

In 1845, Sir John Franklin led 129 men on HMS Erebus and HMS Terror into the Arctic, vanishing without a trace and sparking one of history’s most haunting mysteries. This Halloween, we explore the eerie legacy of the Franklin Expedition: ghostly sightings around the shipwrecks, chilling whispers near graves on Beechey Island, and cursed artifacts that bring misfortune to those who dare disturb the...

Join us this week for the first of a Special Mini Series, 'Gone In Alaska'. June 19, 2014, on a desolate stretch of island beach in Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, a battered red and white kayak, a map, journals, full bags of rice and lentils, and one French passport were found. It told the name of a missing man and about his 3000-mile journey. Join us this week for a Special Edition...

On a quiet afternoon in January 1980, veteran park ranger Paul Fugate set out on a routine patrol in Arizona's Chiricahua National Monument, promising to return shortly.  He was never seen again.  Despite extensive searches, not a single trace of him was found. Was it a tragic accident in the rugged wilderness, or did something more sinister happen?  Join us as we revisit the mysterious disappeara...

April 27th, 2021, In the shadow of Glacier National Park, on the rugged shores of Lower St. Mary Lake, a 26-year-old vanished under mysterious circumstances. What began as a typical spring evening quickly spiraled into one of Montana’s most perplexing missing person cases. Despite extensive searches, rumors, and disturbing clues, nothing has been found. Join us this week as we investigate the disa...

On September 11, 2005, experienced outdoorsman and hunter, Tom Leonard, embarked on what was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime. Armed with a rare, limited-entry permit to hunt sheep in the remote and rugged Spatsizi Plateau Wilderness Provincial Park, he meticulously planned a 10-day hunt, packing enough supplies for an additional 10 days, just in case. But when Tom failed to return home,...

July 24th, 1989: The police in Hokkaido, Japan dispatched a helicopter to the Daisetsuzan National Park to search for two lost hikers that had been reported missing. The searchers rescued the two hikers but what brought them to their location in the first place is where the real mystery begins. Join us this week as we investigate the Mount Asahidake SOS Incident.  (Episode 111) Learn more about Lo...

On February 23rd 2019, after embarking on a solo 10 day trek through the Sierra Nevadas via the Sierra High Route, a 1st Division Marine with mountaineering and survival training never returned. Multiple agencies searched for more than a week but found no clues.  Join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of Matthew Kraft.  (Episode 110) Learn more about Locations Unknown:  https://link...

June 12th, 2023, a 13 year old takes the family van on a late night drive in Central Wisconsin.  When the family wakes up the next day and realizes he's gone, a missing persons report is filed and a search is kicked off.  Later that day, the van, a cell phone, and an abandoned camp are discovered near Devil's Lake State Park.  Join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of James Yoblonsk...

December 18, 2021, hikers record a video of a woman swimming at Wekiwa Springs State Park in Florida.  This video would be the last time anyone would see her.  A few days later, her car was found in the same state park.  Was it an accident or possible foul play, join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of Paola Miranda-Rosa.  (Episode 108) We'd like to welcome Off the Trails Podcast t...

On February 8th, 1970, a troop of Boy Scouts was hiking and camping near Ice Water Springs in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During their return, one scout, Geoff Hague, got separated from the group and was never seen again. Join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of Geoff Hague.  (Episode 107) Learn more about Locations Unknown:  https://linktr.ee/LocationsUnknown New Patr...