Locations Unknown

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 In the days before, he’d quit his job, withdrawn thousands in cash, and displayed strange, erratic behavior.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...

On July 13, 2018, Paul and his wife were vacationing in California to celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary.  Before wrapping up their trip, Paul wanted to take one last day hike through Joshua Tree National Park, hoping to get some good shots of the parks Big Horn Sheep.  After several hours had passed without Paul's return, his wife alerted the authorities and a massive search kicked off shor...

In our latest episode, we interview the hosts of National Park After Dark Danielle and Cassie. We cover a wide variety of topics including how they got started and interesting stories from their travels.  If you haven't already, we recorded an episode for their show on April 21, 2024.  You can listen to that episode here (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-disappearance-of-everett-ruess-ft-...

April 5th 2019, Search & Rescue discover a disturbing scene while searching for a man who was winter camping deep in the Boundary Waters Wilderness of Northern Minnesota.  What they found left the searchers with more questions than answers.  Did a horrific accident happen?  Was there foul play?  Join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of Jordan Grider.  (Episode 104) Learn more a...

September 27th, 2023, an experienced hiker and trail runner planned a 28-mile run in Rocky Mountain National Park, something he had done dozens of times in the past.  About 7 miles into his run, he sends a text to his family to check in.  This would be the last time anyone would hear from him.  Join us this week as we investigate the disappearance of Chad Pallansch.  (Episode 103) Learn more about...

In this week's episode, we investigate the strange disappearances of the Palmer brothers from Alaska, two siblings who vanished without a trace, their disappearances eerily spaced 11 years apart.  What are the chances that such bizarre events could strike the same family twice?  Are they related in any way?  Join us as we try to figure out what happened to Michael and Charles Palmer.  (Episode 102...

On June 9, 2013, a young woman set out on a spiritual quest in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, leaving behind her companions at Canyon Creek Campground. Embracing nature in its purest form, she ventured into the forest with nothing but her resolve, never to be seen again. Join us this week as we explore the mysterious disappearance of Maureen Kelly.  (Episode 101) Learn more about Locations U...

For our 100th episode, Extreme Filmmaker and Co-host of the show SVC Explorers of the Unknown Evan B Stone, is back to tell us about his Ghost Hunting trip to Chernobyl for Syfy Channel's Destination Truth.    In 2009, Evan B. Stone, Josh Gates, and their team conducted the first ever paranormal investigation at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.  He goes into all the spooky, behind-the-s...