False Summit: Tales, Trails and Epic Fails
by Octavia and Em
Welcome to False Summit a story based podcast about tales, trails, and epic fails . I'm Octavia and I'm Em. Ever wondered what's out there in the big wide open, we are going to tell you some stories that will take you on a trek through the eyes of real hikes and the wacky experiences they have. Will encourage you to get out there with some helpful tips and a good trail mix to get you going.
Episodes
-
Stranger at the Switchback
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...
-
The Backpack/Gone
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...
-
Hope You Enjoyed the View/Manic on the Mountain
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...
-
The Mist/Bonsoir, Mt. Washington
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...
-
Frozen Ridge/Monkey Business
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....
-
Goodbye, Happy Hiking/ Echoes on the Stairwell
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...
-
Mini Episode: Echoes by the Lake (with Audriana)
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...
-
Blizzard in the Desert/Honeymoon Detour
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...
-
High-altitude Desert/Swampy Saga
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...
-
Lost Misadventure/Ridge Line Reckoning
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...
-
Night Kayak/Frozen Staircase
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...
-
Black Bear Don’t Care/Lost in the Desert
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...
-
Whitewater Floaty/ Drifting Into the Unknown
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…
more -
Wildfire Escape/Phone V Beacon
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…
more -
The Hike to Nowhere/Summit Shenanigans
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...
-
Everest Dreams and Himalayan Realities
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...
-
The Skunk, The Beast, and the Bloody Nose/Overpacked and Underprepared
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...
-
Civics in the Wild/The Silent Stalker
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...
-
Rivers, Rain, and Rescue/Bear Necessities
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...
-
The Trailside Prophet/A Trail Reborn
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…
more -
Snow, Wind, and Regret/The Stranger
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…
more -
Moosecapades/Trail Stomps
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....
-
Holiday Mini-sode
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…
more -
Borrowed Miles/Eyes in the Dark
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...
-
Bison Bestie/Forest Rebellion
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…
more -
Helicopter Hijinks/Dialing from the Depths
Join Octavia and Em on False Summit for two unforgettable tales that redefine "epic fails." First, in Helicopter Hijinks, a group climbing trip in Washington’s Dutch Miller Gap spirals into chaos thanks to an overconfident novice. From botched self-arrest drills to a rogue crawl through the...
-
Party Crashers and Predator Paws/On the Edge
This Thanksgiving, we’re serving up a feast of epic fails on False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails! First, in “Party Crashers and Predator Paws,” a solo hike unravels into chaos with a brutal climb, frat-party-style campers, and a hair-raising encounter with a mountain lion. Would you…
more -
Havoc, Horses, and Hiccups /Parched and Found
Welcome to False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails! This week, Octavia and Em bring you two unforgettable adventures packed with chaos, resilience, and a healthy dose of humor. First, in Havoc, Horses, and Hiccups, join two travelers navigating Albania’s Peaks of the Balkans. From...
-
Moon Angel/Frozen Fiasco
Welcome back to False Summit, where tails, trails, and epic fails keep us climbing. Join Octavia and Em as they dive into two unforgettable stories that capture the essence of outdoor adventure—and the wild mishaps that come with it. First, in Moon Angel, Angela’s moonlit hike with her loyal pup...
-
Mini Episode: Nature Shrines w/ Guest Audriana
In this engaging episode of False Summit, nine-year-old Audriana joins her mom, Octavia, to reflect on their experiences with nature, including a particularly dramatic encounter with fire ants in France. Audriana also shares her thoughts on elements of nature, from the edible to the annoying.
-
Two Bears Having a Pissing Match/Defying gravity
Welcome back to False Summit: Tales, Trails, and Epic Fails! Join hosts Octavia and EM, as they kick off this episode with Octavia's wild adventure trekking through the French Alps – complete with sheer drops, a feisty donkey, and an unexpected showdown with fire ants. From the scenic views to…
more -
Burning/ Shenandoah Double Murder
Join Octavia and Em for a spine-tingling Halloween episode of False Summit, where the eerie wilderness meets chilling true crime. They kick off with some lighthearted chit-chat about costumes and spooky plans before diving into two haunting tales. First, a solo backpacker reflects on a terrifying...
-
Smiling Psychopaths/ -30 Could Have Been Worse
In this episode, Octavia and Em unravel bone-chilling stories of survival and bizarre encounters in the wilderness. From frostbitten nights at 30 below to freaky, unexplainable moments on desolate trails, this episode captures the tension between fear and absurdity. Tune in as they explore...
-
Spiders/Canoe-tastrophe
In this episode, Octavia and Em dive into the world of night hiking mishaps with their tale about a spider-infested campsite. As they share stories over discussions of coffee flavors and tea choices, they explore the eerie experience of navigating dark trails. The narrative centers on a hiker…
more -
Ring Returns/LSD and a Revolver
In our very first episode, we introduce ourselves and the concept of Ring Returns. This episode features two fascinating stories: First, we delve into the eerie mystery of a ring that vanishes and never makes its way back to its rightful owner, leaving behind unanswered questions. Then, we take a...
-
Intro
Welcome to False Summit, a story based podcast about tails, trails, and epic fails. Ever wonder what goes on out in the big wide open? Spoiler; its mostly bugs and questionable trail snacks! We’re here to share stories that will take you on a trek through the eyes of real hikers and their wacky...
About this show
Welcome to False Summit a story based podcast about tales, trails, and epic fails . I'm Octavia and I'm Em. Ever wondered what's out there in the big wide open, we are going to tell you some stories that will take you on a trek through the eyes of real hikes and the wacky experiences they have. Will encourage you to get out there with some helpful tips and a good trail mix to get you going.
Hosted by
Octavia and Em