Episode 559: Survival in the Andes Part III - Still Alive
Dive into an awe-striking tale of human endurance with Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski in the Last Podcast On The Left, as they recount the staggering survival story in the Andean mountains. Against all odds, a group of plane crash survivors defy the harsh elements, resorting to inconceivable measures to stay alive. As supplies dwindle to nothing, the narrative twists with the survivors' gut-wrenching decision to sustain themselves in a way that would leave the world speechless and redefine the limits of human resilience.
While exploring the desperate 38-mile trek by Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa through snow-laden landscapes, Marcus and Henry illuminate the unbreakable bonds that adversity can forge. Each year, on December 22nd, the survivors converge to commemorate their collective triumph over nature's remorseless forces, a true testament to the profound sense of camaraderie born from shared trauma. The Last Podcast On The Left delves deep into how these survivors turned a nightmarish ordeal into a story of undying brotherhood and the will to outlast the unthinkable.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Dec 29, 2023 episode of the Last Podcast On The Left
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1-Page Summary
Mountain Survival
The narrative of survival after an airplane accident in the mountains showcases the incredible camaraderie and extreme survival tactics of the stranded.
Stranded in the Andes After a Plane Crash
Survivors of a terrible plane crash in the Andes were faced with minimal supplies, ultimately consuming the remains of putrid lungs. Fathers who boarded the plane to search for their sons were among those who endured. Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, lacking experience with snow, traversed the mountains seeking help. Their inexperienced yet desperate journey through harsh and elevated terrains led to their encounter with civilization after an arduous 38-mile trek.
Shared Trauma Brought Lifelong Camaraderie Among Survivors
Nando and Roberto's harrowing shared experience in the Andes forged an inseparable bond between them, akin to that of brothers. All the survivors of the crash honor their collective rescue annually on December 22nd, celebrating their solidarity and the end of their mountainous trial.
Resorting to Extreme Measures for Survival
In the face of death, the survivors resorted to consuming the flesh of the deceased passengers, an extreme action sanctioned by Nando for the survival of the group. This distressing act, later deemed acceptable by the Church under such severe conditions, remained a haunting yet necessary part of their survival story.
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Clarifications
- The survivors resorted to consuming the remains of putrid lungs as a last resort for sustenance due to the lack of food in the harsh mountain conditions. This extreme measure was taken to survive in the absence of other viable food sources. The decomposed state of the lungs was a result of the passage of time and the challenging circumstances the survivors faced. It was a desperate act of survival in a life-threatening situation.
- After surviving a plane crash in the Andes mountains, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa embarked on a 38-mile trek through harsh terrains to seek help. Despite their lack of experience with snow and extreme conditions, they eventually encountered civilization, marking the end of their arduous journey. This encounter with civilization was a pivotal moment in their survival story, as it led to their rescue and the end of their ordeal in the mountains.
- The shared trauma of surviving a plane crash in the Andes created a deep bond among the survivors, particularly Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa. This bond, forged through their harrowing experience and reliance on each other for survival, was likened to the closeness between brothers. The intense circumstances they faced together in the mountains led to a profound connection that transcended mere friendship, uniting them in a way that only shared trauma can. This bond became a crucial source of support and strength as they navigated the challenges of their survival ordeal.
- The Church's later acceptance of consuming flesh under severe conditions in the context of the Andes plane crash survivors was based on the principle of "extreme necessity" in Catholic moral theology. This principle allows for actions that would normally be considered immoral, like cannibalism, when necessary to preserve life in exceptional circumstances. The survivors' situation in the mountains, facing starvation and death, was seen as meeting the criteria for extreme necessity, leading to the Church's acceptance of their actions. This decision was significant in providing moral support and understanding for the survivors' extreme measures taken for survival.
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Mountain Survival
The harrowing tale of survival in the mountains after a plane crash reveals both the profound camaraderie formed among survivors and the extreme measures they took to survive.
Stranded in the Andes After a Plane Crash
The team's plane crashed in the Andes and survivors endured brutal conditions with scarce supplies
The survivors of a devastating plane crash in the Andes were left with barely any supplies, reaching a point where only a pair of putrid lungs remained to eat. The plane was full of the fathers of survivors who had decided to board the plane knowing the risks, to look for their sons.
Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa hiked west through mountains to seek help
Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, who had never even seen snow prior to the crash, embarked on a desperate trek west through the mountains. With only crude tools, inadequate clothing, and survival driven by pure instinct, they ascended the treacherous slopes towards the setting sun. After several days of enduring the unpredictable and rugged terrain that reached elevations of 15,000 feet, and navigating dangerous areas, they finally encountered signs of civilization. Parrado and Canessa's journey, which would become a legendary tale of resilience and determination, culminated in them finding help after traveling an astonishing 38 miles on foot.
Shared Trauma Brought Lifelong Camaraderie Among Survivors
Nando and Roberto formed an unbreakable bond through their arduous journey
The struggle through the Andes solidified an unbreakable bond between Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa. They faced death together and, upon survival, became closer than brothers due to their shared experiences.
All survivors gathered every December 22nd to commemorate the rescue
The survivors of the crash, united by their ordeal, gather every December 22nd to remember and commemorate their rescue, marking the end of their incredibl ...
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Mountain Survival
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Clarifications
- The mention of "only a pair of putrid lungs remained to eat" in the text is a reference to the extreme scarcity of food faced by the survivors of the plane crash in the Andes mountains. This phrase highlights the dire situation the survivors were in, emphasizing the lack of any substantial food sources available to them. It signifies the desperation and grim reality of their circumstances, where they were reduced to considering consuming even the most unappetizing and repulsive options for sustenance. The phrase serves to underscore the extreme measures the survivors had to contemplate in order to stay alive in the harsh and unforgiving mountain environment.
- During their trek through the mountains, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa used basic tools like shards of metal from the plane wreckage to assist them in their journey. These tools were improvised and not specifically designed for survival in the harsh mountain environment. Despite their limited resources, the survivors had to rely on their ingenuity and resourcefulness to navigate the challenging terrain. The use of crude tools highlights the desperate circumstances the survivors faced and their determination to overcome the odds.
- The elevation of 15,000 feet mentioned in the text indicates the high altitude at which the survivors were navigating, which can lead to challenges like decreased oxygen levels, making physical exertion more difficult. Navigating dangerous areas in this context could involve traversing steep, rocky terrain, dealing with potential avalanches, and facing extreme weather conditions that can pose significant risks to the survivors' safety.
- The significance of December 22nd for the survivors is that it marks the date of their rescue from the mountains after the harrowing plane crash. It is a day when the survivors come together to remember and commemorate the end of their ordeal in the Andes. This date symbolizes the culmination of their ...
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