False Summit: Tales, Trails and Epic Fails

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 trailhead in northern Georgia, expecting a peaceful winter hike. What they found instead was an eerie encounter with an odd old man in a green sweater, a golden retriever, and a barrage of questions that felt just a little too personal. The whole interaction was off—but nothing could prepare them for what they'd see on the news a few weeks later. This is the true story of a gut feeling, a near miss, and a reminder that not every trail angel is who they seem. So tighten your laces, keep your eyes open, and remember: trust your instincts. 🚨 We’ll be back on June 25th, so enjoy this solo episode while we’re out recharging (and hopefully avoiding any suspicious switchbacks). 👟 Stick around after the story for final thoughts, trail safety tips, and your usual dose of chaos from the False Summit crew.

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 granola and… way too many decorated blades. Then a note. And then—well, let’s just say this is one story that proves sometimes the scariest thing on trail isn’t a bear. It’s another person. Then it’s time for Gone, the tale of Brent—CrossFit hero, ego lifter, and man of mystery. He showed up ready to crush Shenandoah with two tents, no hip belt, and a military-grade delusion. By nightfall, he was 20 miles away, riding shotgun with a stranger and calling his wife from a 7-Eleven in D.C. Plus:  🎶 Em’s trail mix features Buffalo Springfield, Alabama Shakes, and Foster the People.  🌿 A rundown on plant safety—what not to touch, sniff, or accidentally snack on.  🌈 Pride Month is coming and we’re talking bakery windows, sparkle, and survival. So lace up, lean in, and prepare to be uncomfortable—in the best way. Hit that subscribe button, drop us a rating, and send your best trail fails to falsesummit.pod@gmail.com. Find us on Instagram and YouTube @FalseSummit. And remember:  If it feels like you’ve reached the top… you probably haven’t.  See you out there.

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 View — a lost 20 reais on a quiet Brazilian trail turns into a heartwarming encounter with strangers who prove the world isn’t always trash. It’s a story about trust, timing, and those rare moments where the universe just… delivers. Then: Manic on the Mountain — Em recounts a solo backpacking trip that spiraled from peaceful alpine bliss into full-on psychological thriller. Picture: Tom Cruise energy, creepy trail talk, mysteriously unzipped gear, and a knife that might’ve been touched. You’ll definitely think twice before cowboy camping again. Stick around for Trail Mix, where Em drops three tracks perfect for winding down (or spiraling deeper), followed by a surprisingly useful guide to surviving insects in the backcountry — because nothing says “epic fail” like a bee sting to the eye or a tick in your underwear. Rate, review, and don’t forget to email us your trail fails, weird encounters, or hiking hot takes at falsesummit.pod@gmail.com. You just might end up on the show. Because remember: if it feels like you've reached the top... you probably haven’t.

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 finding teeth. Yeah. Teeth. Then we head north for Bonsoir, Mt. Washington, where two overconfident hikers become accidental mountain saviors after stumbling upon a French couple in sneakers, slowly freezing to death on one of the most dangerous peaks in the Northeast. Let’s just say they were one baguette away from a Search & Rescue headline. Plus: 🎧 Trail Mix — songs that hit harder when you're a few miles deep and questioning your life choices. 🎒 Trail Etiquette & Other Shit — why trails aren’t just good for your soul, but also your wallet (and your town’s economy). And as always, we’ll wrap it up with some chit chat, a few closing thoughts, and a reminder that if it feels like you’ve reached the top… you probably haven’t. 📬 Got a story, fail, or weird trail tale? Email us at falsesummit.pod@gmail.com or find us on Instagram and YouTube @FalseSummit. 🔗 Show notes, Patreon, and merch in bio. False Summit — where every mountain is just one more almost there.

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. It's a story about gut instincts, posthole purgatory, and why sometimes the summit just isn’t worth it. Then, in Monkey Business, a peaceful hike through Japan’s forests spirals into a face-off with an alpha macaque — followed by an adrenaline-fueled dance with murder hornets. It’s a lesson in how nature’s cutest mascots can pack the biggest bite. Plus: 🎵 Em’s “Trail Mix” delivers three songs for the soul-slogging miles, including Bob Dylan’s bleak masterpiece and a haunting track from Dekker that hits like a cold October wind. 🧼 “Trail Etiquette & Other Shit” breaks down how to stay clean(ish) in the backcountry — without making your backpack smell like a science experiment. Stick around to the end for final thoughts, off-the-rails chit-chat, and your weekly reminder that the summit is always just a little farther than you think.