Locations Unknown
by Locations Unknown
Welcome to Locations Unknown, a podcast that dives into the mysteries of America's wilderness. Join hosts Mike & Joe as they explore the stories of those who have vanished without a trace in some of the country's most remote and treacherous landscapes. In each episode, we uncover the details of these disappearances, examine the investigations that followed, and discuss theories about what might have happened. From national parks to remote deserts, our journey takes you to the heart of the unknown, shedding light on the eerie and unexplainable. Tune in and discover that, sometimes, the wilderness holds more than just beauty—it has secrets. Presented by Unknown Media Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.
Episodes
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Valley of the Headless Men: The McLeod Brothers
In 1905, two brothers vanished while hunting for gold in Canada’s remote Nahanni wilderness. Three years later, a search party led by their own brother braved towering canyons and treacherous rivers, only to find their remains at a riverside camp, both missing their skulls. While police blamed...
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Yellowstone National Park Cold Cases
July 1966 to September 2010: an eight-year-old boy vanishes while searching for his sister, an outdoorsman and his dog disappear on an antler collecting trip, and two visitors leave behind abandoned vehicles. Across Yellowstone National Park, four families are left without answers. What do these...
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Aron Ralston - Bluejohn Canyon - Utah
April 26th 2003, an experienced Colorado outdoorsman sets out alone on a day trip through Utah’s remote Bluejohn Canyon. He leaves no detailed itinerary. Deep inside a narrow passage, a boulder shifts, pinning his right arm against the canyon wall. For five nights, he battles thirst, cold, and...
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Mark Stice - San Isabel National Forest - Colorado
September 17th, 2013: an experienced Colorado hiker sets out alone on a five-day backpacking trip into the wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest. He planned to climb some of the rugged fourteeners of the Crestone Group. He leaves no detailed itinerary, carries no cell phone or emergency...
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Nathan Issiac Campbell - Denali National Park - Alaska
May 27th, 2020, a hiker is flown into the remote Carey Lake region of Denali National Park for a months-long solo expedition. He stays in contact with his wife through a Garmin inReach until mid-June, then suddenly goes silent. When he misses his September pickup, searchers find his supplies near...
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Eric Robinson - High Uintas Wilderness - Utah (Spotify Rerelease)
July 28th, 2011, experienced Australian hiker Eric Robinson begins a ten-day solo trek across Utah’s remote Uinta Highline Trail. Along the way, he encounters dangerous snowfields, leaves the established route more than once, and is last seen by a Boy Scout group deep in the backcountry. Days...
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Eric Robinson - High Uintas Wilderness - Utah
July 28th, 2011, experienced Australian hiker Eric Robinson begins a ten-day solo trek across Utah’s remote Uinta Highline Trail. Along the way, he encounters dangerous snowfields, leaves the established route more than once, and is last seen by a Boy Scout group deep in the backcountry. Days...
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Andrew Porter & Ian Stasko - South San Juan Wilderness - Colorado
In September 2025, two experienced elk hunters traveled into the rugged backcountry of southern Colorado for what was supposed to be an eight-day trip in the remote South San Juan Wilderness. Both men were seasoned outdoorsmen, familiar with the demands of traveling deep into the wilderness and...
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Celine Cremer UPDATE - Tasmania - Australia
In August 2023, we covered the disappearance of a 31-year-old Belgian traveler, who vanished after setting out on a short walk to Philosopher Falls in the dense rainforests of north-west Tasmania. What appeared to be a brief tourist hike quickly became a mystery shaped by harsh winter weather,...
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Derek Joseph Lueking - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
March 17th, 2012: a 24-year-old leaves a hotel in Cherokee, North Carolina, before dawn and drives into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hours later, his Ford Escape is found with his wallet, keys, cash, and survival gear still inside. A short note says, “Don’t follow me.” Search teams,...
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Alvie Webb - San Juan National Forest - Colorado
October 19th, 2019: an elderly lifelong hunter is dropped off along Divide Road in Colorado’s San Juan National Forest for a short morning elk hunt. He’s told to follow a familiar trail down to a pickup point by 10 a.m. Around 9:00, a single gunshot echoes through the timber. By 10:00, he’s gone....
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Ryan Shtuka - Sun Peaks - B.C. Canada
February 17th, 2018: after a night out at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, a 20-year-old leaves a house party for the short walk back to staff housing and is never seen again. A winter storm batters the mountain village with plunging temperatures, gusting winds, and fresh snow. Search dogs,...
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Special Release: Fan Voicemail reactions - Part 11
Hey friends! We’re taking this week off while we make a few upgrades to the studio. In the meantime, enjoy our latest subscriber only episode, where we listen to and react to the newest voicemails we’ve received. We also tease some exciting updates coming to the show later this spring. If you…
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Melvin Nadel - Santa Fe National Forest - New Mexico
September 6th, 2009: a 61-year-old fitness instructor, black belt, and seasoned bow hunter leaves his campsite near Elk Mountain in New Mexico's Santa Fe National Forest. He tells his two companions he won't go far and will return by nightfall. When he doesn't return the search begins.…
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Ron Dailey - Sierra National Forest - California
October 13th, 2025: a 65-year-old seasoned hunter leaves his Selma, California home for a routine day of deer hunting in the Sierra National Forest, a wilderness he's navigated for over fifty years. When he doesn't return that evening, his family sounds the alarm. A massive multi-county search...
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Johnny Waterman - Denali National Park & Preserve - Alaska
April 1st, 1981: a 28-year-old elite solo climber leaves a remote shelter deep in Alaska’s Ruth Glacier, pulling a sled and heading alone toward Denali’s imposing east side. Experienced, deliberate, and traveling light, he moved into heavily crevassed ice beneath one of the most unforgiving...
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Death Valley National Park Cold Cases
May 2019 to May 2022: three men travel alone into the vast desert backcountry of Death Valley National Park; one to cache water in a remote canyon, another to check on a vehicle at an isolated hot spring, and a third who never returns from a campground on the park’s edge. Each disappearance...
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Paul Victor Tomasso - Tonto National Forest - Arizona
February 13th, 2014: a 56-year-old experienced outdoorsman drives deep into Arizona’s Tonto National Forest for a planned multi-day solo hike. After parking along a quiet highway near the community of Young, he leaves behind a note describing his route and steps into some of the most rugged...
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Life Beyond the Map: Interview w/ Modern Explorer, Tay Wanders
Today we’re sitting down with Tay, a Southern girl turned road-warrior and modern explorer who approaches adventure with confidence, intention, and a grounded perspective. A single mom and storyteller at heart, Tay creates outdoor and travel narratives designed to help women step into big, wild...
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Laura Macke - Olympic National Park - Washington
October 30th, 2022: a 35-year-old counselor sets out alone into the storm-soaked rainforests of Olympic National Park. As an experienced hiker with survival training, she planned a multi-day trek into the remote backcountry. But as a powerful Pacific storm hammered the valley with freezing rain…
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Bryan Skilinski - Great Sand Dunes National Park - Colorado
February 11th, 2017, a 40-year-old man from New York, deep in a mid-life crisis, vanishes into a brutal winter storm at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Miraculously he is rescued after five freezing nights, calling it his “mission to the stars.” Just three months later, he returns alone to the…
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Robert Fitzgerald - George Washington National Forest - Virginia
November 12th, 2012, a seasoned hiker and devoted runner fails to show up for work after a solo trip to Virginia’s Confederate Breastworks Trail. His car is discovered days later, packed with food and supplies, but no sign of him. Despite a massive five-day search across rugged, fog-shrouded…
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Lost in the Shadow of the Rockies – The 40-Year Mystery - Part 2
Last week, we introduced you to Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer and Annette Schnee, two women who vanished the same night while hitchhiking from Breckenridge, Colorado. As a brutal winter storm swept across the Rockies, searchers braved sub-zero temperatures through Hoosier Pass and the surrounding...
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From the Vault - Gwen Hasselquist - INTV w/ Gwen's stepsister, Dora - Part 4
With all the buzz surrounding the Gwen Hasselquist case and the upcoming Crime Junkie episode (releasing October 27, 2025), we thought it was the perfect time to re-release our original four-part series on Gwen’s story, first published in 2021. For Gwen’s family, friends, and everyone who cared...
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From the Vault - Gwen Hasselquist - INTV w/ Dawn, Her Friend of 30 Years - Part 3
With all the buzz surrounding the Gwen Hasselquist case and the upcoming Crime Junkie episode (releasing October 27, 2025), we thought it was the perfect time to re-release our original four-part series on Gwen’s story, first published in 2021. For Gwen’s family, friends, and everyone who cared...
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From the Vault - Gwen Hasselquist - The Police Report - Part 2
With all the buzz surrounding the Gwen Hasselquist case and the upcoming Crime Junkie episode (releasing October 27, 2025), we thought it was the perfect time to re-release our original four-part series on Gwen’s story, first published in 2021. For Gwen’s family, friends, and everyone who cared...
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From the Vault - Gwen Hasselquist - The Original Investigation - Part 1
With all the buzz surrounding the Gwen Hasselquist case and the upcoming Crime Junkie episode (releasing October 27, 2025), we thought it was the perfect time to re-release our original four-part series on Gwen’s story, first published in 2021. For Gwen’s family, friends, and everyone who cared...
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Lost in the Shadow of the Rockies – The 40-Year Mystery - Part 1
In January 1982, two women vanished just hours apart while hitchhiking from Breckenridge, Colorado, during one of the worst winter storms the Rockies had seen in decades. As temperatures plunged below –20°F, friends and rescuers scoured the frozen corridors of Pike National Forest, finding only...
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Flight, Fury, and Feathers: Talking Raptors with Jenna Kopp
This week we take flight into the world of raptors, nature’s most skilled aerial predators. From hawks and eagles to owls and falcons, these incredible birds shape ecosystems and inspire conservation efforts across the globe. We explore how education, rehabilitation, and hands-on experience help...
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Charles McCullar - A Case Re-examined — Myths vs. Facts
In 2019, Locations Unknown covered a young photographer bound for winter shots at Crater Lake National Park. The case spawned wild theories, unsubstantiated lore, and even an episode of The UnXplained with William Shatner. This week, we return with new FBI releases to separate myth from record.…
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Angeles National Forest Cold Cases
Nestled just beyond Los Angeles, Angeles National Forest sprawls over 700,000 acres of rugged wilderness, where jagged peaks, deep canyons, and twisting trails beckon hikers, climbers, and adventurers year-round. With stunning vistas of the San Gabriel Mountains and its close proximity to one of...
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Crime Off the Grid Meets Locations Unknown
We’ve got a special episode for you this week! Joe and I recently joined the podcast Crime Off the Grid to dive into three fascinating cases alongside two former law enforcement park rangers. Since we’re out of the office, we’re excited to share their episode—ad free—right here on our feed in…
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Mount Washington Cold Cases
Towering at 6,288 feet in the White Mountains, Mount Washington—home to world-record 231 mph winds and brutal weather—draws millions with its historic Auto Road, rare alpine plants, and extreme spring skiing. While most enjoy its trails and epic views, some vanish forever. Join us this week for...
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Austin King - Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming
September 17th, 2024 a young adventurer embarked on a solo seven-day trek through rugged, isolated terrain fraught with grizzlies, sudden storms, and treacherous cliffs. Amid fog, sleet, and howling winds, he reached the summit of Eagle Peak, leaving a chilling note about his ordeal before...
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From the Vault - Daniel Robinson - Sonoran Desert - Arizona
We're away this week putting the finishing touches on our new studio, but we'll be back with a brand-new episode on August 8th! Until then, please enjoy a classic from the vault: "Daniel Robinson - Sonoran Desert - Arizona." We've remastered the audio, so it sounds better than ever. (Originally...
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From the Vault - Grand Canyon Cold Cases
We're out of the office this week putting the finishing touches on the new studio! We'll be back with all-new shows the first week of August. Until then, enjoy a classic from the vault: "Grand Canyon Cold Cases." It's the episode that kicked off our Cold Cases series, and we've cleaned up the…
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From the Vault - Glacier National Park Cold Cases
While we're away getting our new studio up and running, please enjoy one of our favorite episodes on Glacier National Park Cold Cases, complete with newly edited audio to make your listening experience even better. Side note, this was the last episode before we moved into our old studio!...
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Robert Schock - North Cascades National Park - Washington
July 31 2024, a 39-year-old ultrarunner vanished in the rugged North Cascades National Park during a 20-mile trail run. Minimally equipped, he became disoriented on wildfire-altered trails, surviving 30 days on berries and river water. Despite extensive searches by sheriff’s deputies, park…
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Aubrey Sacco - Langtang National Park - Nepal
April 2010, a young American backpacker set out alone on a trek through Nepal’s scenic Langtang Valley. She was last seen confidently hiking along a popular trail but then vanished without a trace. Despite exhaustive searches, not a single piece of evidence emerged. This disappearance remains one...
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Joseph Wood Jr - Mount Rainier National Park - Washington
In July 1999, a 34-year-old book editor from New York set out for a day hike near Comet Falls in Mount Rainier National Park. Despite clear skies, he left the main trail and entered rugged, snow-covered terrain. When he never returned, an extensive search turned up nothing—no gear, no footprints,...
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Jacob Gray - Olympic National Park - Washington
April 6th, 2017, a lone cyclist sets out into Washington’s Olympic wilderness, towing a trailer packed with camping gear and determination. Days later, park rangers found the bike and gear abandoned on a remote road, but no sign of the traveler. What follows is a baffling series of search…
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King Arthur: In Search of the Lost King
It’s the 6th century, Britain’s a chaotic mess—Roman rule’s gone, Saxons are invading, and a warrior king fights his last battle. Then, poof—he’s gone, whisked away to a mysterious place called Avalon, never to be seen again. Did this King really vanish into the wilderness, or is his whole story...
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Park Rangers Unplugged: Tasers, Trails, and True Crime
Join us this week for a great conversation with Tara and Nancy, retired Yellowstone National Park law enforcement Rangers and hosts of Crime Off the Grid. They share unforgettable experiences from their careers, from intense encounters involving tasers and unexpected rodeo moves to heartfelt...
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Checking in w/ Danielle & Cassie from National Park After Dark
On April 23rd, 2025, we hosted a nearly five-hour livestream to celebrate our current studio, which we'll be leaving later this spring due to upcoming building renovations. During the event, we interviewed Danielle and Cassie from National Park After Dark. Our conversation covered their recent...
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Larry Conn - Kings Canyon National Park - California
In October 2012, an experienced hiker vanished amid an early-season snowstorm near California's remote Taboose Pass. Despite extensive search efforts hindered by brutal terrain, freezing temperatures, and blinding whiteouts, rescuers found no trace. Months later, melting snow exposed startling...
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Bryce Gillies - Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona
July 18 2009, a seasoned backpacker set off alone into the rugged wilderness of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park. Facing scorching heat, limited water, and treacherous terrain, he soon found himself trapped in a remote canyon far from his intended path. As days passed, searchers raced against...
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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Cold Cases
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park draws millions each year, captivated by its stunning beauty and volcanic wonders. But beneath its dramatic landscapes lie stories of visitors who've gone missing without a trace. This week, we explore cold cases within the park, examining the risks hidden along its...
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Thelma Polly Melton - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
On September 25, 1981, a 58-year-old woman mysteriously vanished while hiking a familiar Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains. Moments after walking ahead of her friends, she disappeared without a trace. Strange behaviors leading up to that day—including unusual phone calls and missed...
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Lost in Yosemite - The Disappearance of Joel Thomazin
In September 2021, an experienced outdoorsman, vanished mysteriously during a solo hike in Yosemite's rugged Hetch Hetchy wilderness. Last seen above O’Shaughnessy Dam, he intended to fish at remote Lake Eleanor. Despite massive searches, no trace was ever found—not even his bright red kayak. Did...
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Lost Hunter: Ronald Gray's disappearance in Idaho's Bitterroot Wilderness
On September 19, 2008, Ronald Scott Gray, a seasoned 62-year-old retired Marine and Massachusetts State Police captain, vanished during an elk hunt in Idaho’s rugged Selway-Bitterroot wilderness. Despite extensive survival training, he disappeared without a trace. His backpack, found near…
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About this show
Welcome to Locations Unknown, a podcast that dives into the mysteries of America's wilderness. Join hosts Mike & Joe as they explore the stories of those who have vanished without a trace in some of the country's most remote and treacherous landscapes. In each episode, we uncover the details of these disappearances, examine the investigations that followed, and discuss theories about what might have happened. From national parks to remote deserts, our journey takes you to the heart of the unknown, shedding light on the eerie and unexplainable. Tune in and discover that, sometimes, the wilderness holds more than just beauty—it has secrets.
Presented by Unknown Media
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/locations-unknown--6183838/support.
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