Worst-Prepared Nature Photographer in History Meets a Tragic End | Carl McCunn Case Analysis

[@leokimvideo]

I think 99.9% of the population understand that camping in Alaskan wilderness unprepared is always going to end in a early grave

[@laurenrowell9251]

*an early grave

[@OanhSchlesinger]

@@laurenrowell9251❓

[@miliba]

@@laurenrowell9251 You must be fun at parties

[@laurenrowell9251]

@@miliba Use a period at the end of sentences.

[@miliba]

@@laurenrowell9251 No

[@bigdopamine9343]

A simple SOS made of branches would take like 10 minutes to make and would have saved his life. Dude was not even passively trying to survive.

[@randomnobody8770]

Yeah but you gotta look for sticks and branches, and then lay them out. It'll become a whole thing. I'm sure it'll work out. - Carl.

[@velvetbees]

I suspect he had an undiagnosed mild brain injury. Apparent unconcern or passive self care is a common symptom. I have reasons for suspecting it. I was in a car accident decades ago and struggled with problem solving issues until I got better. This seem all too familiar to me and others I know who also faced it too. Mild TBI can keep a person from making good, logical deciesions and planning efficiently. I won't criticise him without knowing if that is the case.

[@wmpx34]

@@velvetbeesinteresting

[@vladimirputindreadlockrast812]

I remember when Gilligan and the Skipper tried that, but it didn't work.

[@Ffootagefetish]

I like your profile pic ^ randy 😉

[@rebeccabrown1951]

Why didn't he begin walking in August when he realized he had no way out? This story is so strange. He could have easily walked the 75 miles to Ft Yukon while the weather was mild.

[@nickh.4917]

Yeah I’m with you. On a highway you can walk 50 kilometers in a day. So let’s say in the forest you can cover 10 km in a day. So, it’s a 12 or 14 day hike. 10 days if you push it. More than I would want to do, but worth my life. I agree.

[@harrydemkee3580]

It all makes sense in the context of a suicide.

[@adriel7229]

​@@nickh.4917A young man can cover 20 miles a day even on a trail. He could have been out of there in 4 days if he were pushing, a week if he weren't.

[@judy9123]

I don't know, 75 miles seems like a very long walk...Would be interesting to know if his journal mentioned why he didn't leave earlier.

[@Sig509]

@@harrydemkee3580 but the diary contradicts his intentions of suicide.

[@tripledair]

Imagine documenting your own death, then having it read out way in the future on media platforms that you couldn't never even imagine.

[@mistrjt9213]

And everyone’s talking about how stupid he is 💁🏻‍♂️

[@R2Bl3nd]

I can't imagine something that I can't imagine lol

[@tripledair]

@@R2Bl3nd exactly lol

[@R2Bl3nd]

@@tripledair imagine if you could imagine it though; I imagine that if I could imagine that I could imagine that from scratch, well, I probably could do well on Shark Tank with all my imaginative ideas.

[@Jeanninecomeau]

This was well known at the time and his diary excerpts were published. It was haunting to read when he realized that no one was coming.

[@traildoggy]

I meet these sort of people on the trail all the time... no raincoat, no map, dressed in cotton, no water filter, empty water bottle. They seem to survive mostly by lucky accident, and because the risks are fairly low a days hike from a trailhead with other people around. Treating an expedition level trip like that makes this seem inevitable.

[@Gizziiusa]

yep, with the mentality of. "Oh, if I get into trouble, help/assistance is only a phone call away." via cell phone 911. it doesnt enter their minds that there could be no coverage out in the bush, or your cell phone has a battery with limited charge.

[@JohnSmith-pn1vv]

Guilty. I don't know how I'm still alive without my water filter and sat phone lol. Do Americans ever wonder how cavemen survived without vanilla chillers?

[@Chris_at_Home]

@@GizziiusaNow they have a satellite device they can send an SOS on. I live in Alaska and it’s getting more common to see unprepared people go out in the wilderness and send an SOS to be rescued for being ill prepared. When I was younger we didn’t have cell phones and my son and I used to do week long trips into the wilderness. We never had any problems.

[@burtreynolds3143]

@@Chris_at_Home People have been going into the wilderness without cell phones since, well, since the first humans.

[@jerrymylove1754]

Cautionary tale to tell the youth about and scare them into being smart. It only takes a few days out there to make them realize lazy and dumb is no way to live.

[@stt5v2002]

In an interesting coincidence, this morning I was lecturing my 13 and 11 year old children about clear communication of their plans. I was explaining how I need them to make, communicate, and adhere to a precise plan in order to avoid a misunderstanding that results in missing an event or no one being there to pick them up. I guess this is the most devastating potential consequence of not learning this key preteen skill.

[@RepentImmediately]

Search Arrested Development this is why you always leave a note

[@troy3456789]

It is possible he overestimated his ability to survive in the wilderness too.

[@nickh.4917]

Good father.

[@nickh.4917]

Oops, or good mother?

[@nononoisaidnope]

I used that old show "1,000 ways to die" to teach my kids the book of proverbs in the Bible, as a warning similar to yours 😂 you're clearly a much less dysfunctional/terrifying parent !

[@kingayy9267]

Carl seemed to have a lackadaisical attitude toward his own survival.

[@mistrjt9213]

I don’t understand how a “normal” adult man can be so dumb.

[@garrysekelli6776]

He probably could have survived if he had more rifles.

[@sharonthompson672]

​@@garrysekelli6776 or if he hadn't thrown away most of his ammo

[@Adarkane325xi]

Oh, ha! I mean, not sure if you’re ADHD and didn’t finish the video, but he killed himself. You have no integrity, and poor character.

[@freckles0829]

And look what happened...😥

[@WestOfEarth]

This resonates with the Oceangate debacle. A similar recklessness and cavalier attitude. Both show clear delusional behavior in their confidence that their plans were rock solid.

[@sarahtyster7342]

but even if the billionaires had waved a sleeping bag nonchalantly the hundreds of millions spent on their rescue would've resulted in rescue.... and they knew that. hence they risked even more recklessly

[@helenmcdonnell2585]

Oceangate was way more dumb

[@JohnSmith-pn1vv]

Some people would feel that never doing things that could possibly kill you is not living at all. Some people will never get in a car because they could die in a crash. If you think living in the wilderness is delusional, I feel bad for you.

[@MacSwan]

@@JohnSmith-pn1vvI don’t know anyone like what you’re describing

[@JohnSmith-pn1vv]

@@MacSwan From OP: Both show clear delusional behavior in their confidence that their plans were rock solid. Oh, and smdf

[@katarina1852]

Carl unwittingly sabotaged any hope he had of survival to the point he couldn’t have done any worse if he tried. His actions were very irresponsible and incompetent. What a sad ending.

[@pcproffy]

See this map with the big X on it? Whatever you do, do not send help to that location under any circumstances! 🥴

[@JocieFire]

Whyyyyy did he not hike out at the end of August at the very least?!?

[@jandedick7519]

@@JocieFirethat’s what I was wondering?

[@daweshorizon]

Fail to plan, you plan to fail. It's an old adage, but totally true and very tragic in this case. Love to Carl's family and friends.

[@mori.kurogawa7936]

To me it sounds like he really wanted to be rescued by his friends. When he realized no one cared to look for him, he lost the will to save himself.

[@nafisahg.6509]

Sounds to me like he had a subconscious desire to leave this life at that specific place. R. I. P. Sir.

[@cybercab]

I've done some survival schools in the military and the civilian world and once spent a year alone in the Alaskan woods. This irrational behavior is super common. Sometimes people just "Die from shame" as they realize the mistakes they make.

[@steveshea7725]

Could you elsborate on what you mean? Or maybe give some examples? Thanks.

[@spOOkytimes]

​@@steveshea7725 my guess is that instead of properly asking for help or admitting mistakes, they double down to not hurt their egos. Some people can never be wrong and think that asking for help or not knowing something is weak. It seems to me that Carl was mentally unwell and/or his executive function was not working properly though. Some of the other things he did were just bizarre.

[@cybercab]

@@steveshea7725 Oh! This is amusing. I'm generally a calm rational man. I was a corporate drone cubicle dweller. So it's 3 months alone and I have the cabin up enough to not worry about bears. I'm safe and have food. Then the salmon fishermen motor their boats out at sea at night and I see them. One night I felt intense paranoia that they were going to come to my island, find my cabin on a hill in the woods and make trouble for me. 1. I rationally thought, they have a job to do. 2. They don't know I exist. 3 They wouldn't care. 4 They couldn't find me. 5 I have a 44 Magnum under my pillow. And still the paranoia persisted. There was like No scenario where anything bad was going to happen and still... I watched that great docu The Grizzly Man. The man had been alone in the woods a few months and saw planes claiming the CIA was spying on him. Like...No. They are not. But now...I totally understand why he said it. I guess he was not able to separate emotional impulses with rational decisions. That's an interesting concept I'll have to consider further.

[@BalzarRitchin]

That's what Bob said in "The Edge" (one of my favorite movies). That people in the wilderness die of shame.

[@lenasamzelius5530]

Can anyone refrain from watching a video with a title beginning with the words "Worst-Prepared Nature Photographer in History..."?? I mean, can anyone?! Thank you Dr Grande - it's enticing, ridiculous, and exciting at the same time. (Poor Carl.)

[@traildoggy]

I figured he just left a few lenses and his light meter behind 😀

[@ND-or5so]

@lenasamzelius5530 Yeah, I know. It's hard to imagine.

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

I lived in Alaska for 20 years. Beautiful place, but Alaska takes no prisoners. My scariest experience was opening my door and coming face to face with a giant moose sitting on the step. 😳 This was a tragic and preventable situation. I appreciate that you find what I consider not well known but fascinating and tragic situations to analyze.

[@irenebertoni]

Sitting or standing? I don't know anything about moose, but the thought of seeing one sitting on the steps makes me chuckle.

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

@irenebertoni He was sitting right at the door. Even sitting he was huge! When the snow is too deep in the foothills they will come into neighborhoods. I have a photo of him somewhere. I gave him a head of cabbage and went out the other door.

[@Chris_at_Home]

I’ve been in Alaska over 40 years and have had a few encounters with both moose and bear. I’ve never had to pull the trigger on them but I came real close a few times.

[@peggystoutemorin4529]

@Chris_at_Home If you live in Anchorage, you probably remember the trampling incident at the university back in the 90s. That poor man! 😔

[@irenebertoni]

@@peggystoutemorin4529 oh wow

[@psefti]

My son had a brain injury that left him without the ability to foresee any repercussions from actions. He was the most positive person you ever wanted to meet. I would warn him of things that could befall him, and he would be shocked and argue, “that will never happen” mom, persons at times would take advantage of him previously and he would still trust them? Sadly he died from a heart condition at 54 years, he was the happiest guy, I miss his joy. He was fully functional and recovered from the m.v.a. He was in but after the accident did not have the skills of the carpenter he had been previously, How ever he became a painter decorator, and always worked until his heart gave out. I am wondering if a head injury or possible tumour could have caused the similar attitude of this individual ?

[@nancyayotte2297]

I'm sorry for your loss. He sounded like a joy. 💜

[@southrules]

Wow, I had a head injury when I was younger, to my frontal low actually I had to get stitches, I was knocked out and I have always had an issue with consequences and being able to fathom how seriously they can be mostly in a financial sense

[@quicktastic]

I recall reading about this many years ago in Life magazine. There were photos and many entries from his journal and it was both sad and frustrating. So many different choices he could've made. He certainly should've set a date that, if no one showed up, he would start his trek out of there. The idea of just staying there in the Alaskan wilderness into the fall is not even an option. Still makes me sad and frustrated hearing about it again now.

[@catherinelw9365]

I read that article in Life too! Very sad.

[@SueRosalie]

So many of these solo adventurers are underprepared; underfinanced; and overoptimistic about the real dangers and risks. Which gets them killed.

[@3frenchhens818]

Karl reminds me of someone who really needed the help but "didn't want to make such a fuss" about it because of a twisted sense of politeness. A surprising number of people are taught that, especially us girls.

[@Gunshinzero]

Could be a result of natural shyness. There doesn't always have to be a villain.

[@ieattofu68]

Excellent point.

[@sunnydelight5255]

Yes yes yes. This is what he seemed like to me but I couldn’t find the words to say it lol. Some of us are just too polite.

[@velvetbees]

It is possible Carl had an undiagnosed mild traumatic brain injury. People suffering from it have difficulty with logic and organizational tasks, such as executive functioning, which would be long and short term planning and problem solving. Poor guy. I suspect that is the case. The trooper's actions are baffling.

[@Gizziiusa]

Ive seen this story before, and Dr. Grande left out some key points. like, when the trooper in the plane flew by, Carl actually used the "im ok" hand signal to him. it wasnt known if he did this intentionally or not, b/c it wasnt known if he knew the hand signal codes

[@onlyeyeno]

@@Gizziiusa ... Since it's"not known if it was intentionally" I deduce that this "fact" most likely was reported by the "state trooper pilot".... Which means that he also could have been mistaken..... Or even lying to avoid "guilt"...

[@Gizziiusa]

Thats true. and ifhe made the error, that will sadly be guilt he will have to live with. There seems to be a growing consensus that Carl either: suffered from some type of undiagnosed mild to medium brain injury, due to the total lack of reasoning in the whole process. or Suffered from depression with a "passive" i wanna die suicidal tendencies, in which he helps his commitment to die via inaction and such. At the end of the day, this story will always be somewhat of a mystery to the total truth of what transpired. ~gizziiusa @@onlyeyeno

[@Liverpool5095]

​@@onlyeyenoRight. The diary writings, I believe, never mention that he gave the pilot the hand signal for being OK. That claim was only from one source, the pilot, who could have easily just made that up so to minimize his blame.

[@spOOkytimes]

Right? I know forest rangers and they are often checking on people. It's their job to be a bit nosy about people in there areas. I understand this is Alaska and the 80s but did they not have logs of what was going on on the trail and campsite? Like he was not at all curious as to why some guy was out there all by himself waving a sleeping bag? I would have at least taken that route again to see what that was about. At least he would have a second shot at asking for help.

[@vladimirputindreadlockrast812]

He sounded naive and unprepared for life outside of his suburban silo. "Free the animals! Kumbaya!" I really get the sense that you are right, Carl did not have the will to survive no matter what. He didn't really try hard enough.

[@mr-x7689]

From what we know from his notebook it certainly sounds like that. But we won't ever really know. When you end up in a survival situation, and you realize how well and truly F you are, even more so when it starts to dawn on you how much of it is because of you your selfe. So it's quite easy to fall in to depression and meloncoly and struggle to do what's needed, when it is needed to do so. And i higly doubt he wrote down everything he went trough in that note book. He could had struggeled a lot, and tried his damnest to get by, and not had much luck. Just take the Tv show "Alone" There was a guy who had no luck whit fishing or hunting, and bacicly had to live on berries and snails, while the guy next to him had more fish than he could eat. Besides I hear often people say in a survival situation, where you are lost, or in simlar situations. Stay where you are, especially if you have told people where you are going to be staying. Because it will be easier and faster for rescue to find you. So the reason why he newer tried to get to any of those places could be that he hoped that any one would come. Hope is the last thing that leaves you, and you realice no ones comming. He could simply had hoped and waited so long for help, that when he finaly realiced no one was comming, and that he had to go, that he no longer had the energy to go. It's a sad storry. A lot of things is his fault, but a lot is on his family and friends and the ranger to. All of them could had done somthing. His father should had known somthing was of towards the middle of september, and had a ranger go check on him. His friends calling his family to see why they haden't heard from him for a month extra. The ranger could had sent some one to check on him, just to verifie he diden't need help. Better to go there and everything is fine, instead of not and some one really needing help. And he could had made certain that some one would come for him, and have it in writing.

[@reachhonduras8955]

Carl was in his thirties but it seems he was so careless in preparation, which is something more attributable to a younger person. Lacking maturity, maybe? Very perplexing.

[@lindas5964]

It’s a sad story but honestly it seems he was suicidal somehow. How can someone be that clueless?

[@keywestconch8]

I thought the same

[@janetpattison8474]

Me too. Like really? In Alaska?

[@PumaLyn]

Carl could be that clueless.

[@Larryfromdebloq]

Some people actually are that fucking clueless believe it or not. Its insane.

[@patriciaR004]

I thought the same but then I remembered how many clueless people like him I've met over the years.

[@carolyearsley]

As young Army wives at Fort Greeley, Alaska, in the late 1960s, we were all required to take the Sourdough Sal survival course. I distinctly remember them telling us that it was a state law that if we ever saw someone stranded, often along the roadway, we were to stop and offer assistance. The pilot was clearly in error. Yes, Carl had not used common sense, but many cases where someone is stranded can be due to that fact. We are to stop and help first, no matter what the reason.

[@carolyearsley]

One more thing. this is for the poster Jane-x. The hippies were a very small part of that earlier first wave of two, of the Baby Boomer generation. The majority of us were sensible, hard working people, who took life seriously, obeyed the rules, and made something of ourselves, following the example of our parents who grew up in the Great Depression.

[@kingayy9267]

Love the random cacti in the background. Seems like they're multiplying. Thanks for another awesome video, Dr. G!

[@Starta-lc1ee]

I thought the background is zoom background not the real one

[@spookrockcity]

RIP Carl. He really needed someone looking out for him.

[@jayzuroff8146]

In Alaska, you wave with one arm to signify “all ok”. Waving with both arms means “I need help!”

[@sarahdawn7075]

So waving a sleeping bag means "It couldn't hurt to call out a float plane to land and make contact with him."

[@imjustjk]

The instructions for how to signal for help, versus how to signal “all ok”, were illustrated clearly on the back of his hunting license. He saw these only AFTER the patrol flew over him. He remarked in his diary that he felt like a “klutz” as a result of this fatal mistake.

[@wslaxmiddy]

The trooper part is so hard, because say you see this guy waving as he says “unenthusiasticly”, then all of a sudden stops and calmly walks back to his camp. Honestly my first thought would be “oh, he’s waiting for a buddy in a puddle jumper, he thought I was the plane but then realized I was someone else, he’s all set doesn’t seem to be panicking” and I would have went about my business Especially if the trooper couldn’t land, they would have to expend quite a few resources and man hours to go check on a guy who seemed fine

[@KenFullman]

But you didn't get the job did you?

[@Zia01023]

All his decisions were as if he intended to unalive himself. It's hard to believe that anyone could make so many deadly mistakes.

[@drdr76]

"unalive" himself? I'll use that lol. Another occurs to me, de-life himself.

[@egil9859]

People who use unalive have very low IQ

[@Zia01023]

@@drdr76 hahaha unalive is commonly used because YT doesn't like the proper word so I can't take credit for it, but I do love your word 'de-life'. LOL

[@MarceloVolcato]

Completely irresponsible. I wonder why he went there in the first place.

[@garrysekelli6776]

Nature photography.

[@irenebertoni]

That was my first thought--whether or not any beautiful pictures came out of this and if they were ever published or exhibited.@@RepresentWV

[@mistrjt9213]

To take pictures!! 🙄 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Gizziiusa]

Oddly, something nags at me thinking this fella wanted to die. Ive seen this story before, and Dr. Grande left out some key points. like, when the trooper in the plane flew by, Carl actually used the "im ok" hand signal to him. it wasnt known if he did this intentionally or not, b/c it wasnt known if he knew the hand signal code.

[@R2Bl3nd]

​@@Gizziiusacould be one of those situations where they don't care about their life anymore and take increasing risks, not caring if things end or not.

[@Doofus5152]

Carl deserves serious consideration for a Darwin Award.

[@hejnye]

thank you this is the answer

[@ellamaeloftus3493]

Ok that's funny

[@jimgutt749]

More like, renaming it the "Carl McCunn" trophy, and making it a bust of his features...

[@omron9498]

Maybe, but people with your mindset should apply for the 'No-Heart'-Award.

[@patriciaR004]

Yasss 👐

[@connie7128]

As I'm listening to the facts of his case, I'm thinking that I would have immediately begun hiking out in August when I realized nobody was coming for me. I wouldn't have stayed there. A 75 mile hike in August weather beats winter three months later when I'm then starving and physically deteriorated. I don't like blaming victims, but good grief.

[@MrsDannunzio]

I find these cases so fascinating for some reason. I'm not particularly outdoorsy. It blows my mind that people will leave a safe comfortable existence where we can control so many variables, and willingly venture out into nature completely unprepared even though anything and everything you might need in that situation is that your fingertips. Never before have we had access to more information about dealing with the outdoors or been able to order a million accessories online. What is wrong with people?

[@Octochinchilly]

I got “stranded” in Lake Clark national park once. The pilot overlooked my pick up date & they didn’t realize until my mom called them to ask if they got me. It was only a day later but kind of nerve racking when no plane showed up as scheduled.

[@aarondavis8943]

On top of everything else, he hadn't used logs or rocks to write "HELP" so as to be seen from the air. That's weird considering he had plenty of time to do so.

[@gregorygermann5975]

The real miracle here is that carl, somehow made it to adulthood.

[@mateomaderas5504]

The 75 mile hike to Fort Yukon was probably not a good option, there are swamps and the Coleen river to cross. An SOS visible from the air would have been an obvious thing to make. He seems to have had very little understanding of how he needed other people.

[@rosemKate]

Always love your analysis and bringing new interesting stories about human nature to us. Thank you ❤

[@pennsydude9723]

Thank you Dr Grande for your consistency of research and analysis on these life stories. This almost has an Alfred Hitchcock vibe to it. His death could have been avoided..wow.

[@hejnye]

I'm not sure why Dr. Grande doesn't have his own channel on a major network, perhaps he likes stay away from the radar

[@dicedrice7216]

You mentioned that he said he was lonely. It seems like he was putting his friends and family through a test of, "if they really loved me they'll come find me." Unfortunately he failed to set the test up properly, so it was un-winnable.

[@annebruecks7381]

Open question to Dr G or anyone: Has anyone seen his photos? Was he a good nature photographer?

[@mothercabbagepatch3344]

I'd like to know that too.

[@samhain1894]

Maybe google him.

[@KurtVanBever]

Would it surprise you if he hadn't bothered to take the cap off?

[@mongoose6685]

He doesn't sound like someone that follows rules very well (as in photography rules)

[@annebruecks7381]

@@KurtVanBever 🤣 I guess it would not surprise me, no!

[@robertrinehuls9099]

Reminds me of the Chris McCandless story. Young, unprepared person dies in the Alaskan wilderness.

[@Carpenterjoh65]

I think he may have felt unloved and unimportant to those around him, which might have contributed to putting himself in a sticky situation. He was either craving an attention getting rescue or hoping something would go wrong , because of low self worth.

[@youtubehandle-]

Wow, it could have been avoided. He was reckless and it cost him his life. Thanks for your analysis Dr. Grande! ❤

[@DEPORTER_SUPPORTER]

Dr Grande, I see they charged that Australian mushroom serving woman with 3 counts of murder, and 5 charges for attempted murder (poisoned the ex) so could you do an update, thanks.

[@lauraquigley6403]

Dr Grande I have been a subscriber from the start of your video’s! You are absolutely my go to person to understand people’s personalities! Thank you, for always giving us your best!🙏🙏🙏Blessing’s

[@barbieblue3336]

The trooper should have determined if he needed help. It's not "normal' to use your sleeping bag to wave - unless you need help 😢

[@Starta-lc1ee]

I agree He simply did not care Did Carl write in his journal that they don’t give a sh* I think he was referring to people in general including his friends ?!

[@GGiblet]

Carl seems really mixed up and I'm sorry this happened to him, it's like he blundered into death

[@monalisanail5431]

Exactly.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

We appreciate your insights, Dr Grande. Keep working hard as always.

[@WestSideGorilla1980]

Doc you've been dropping content like a machine....you must have a whole hospital worth of researchers and comedy writers to deliver those deadpan ironic quips....salute from Chicago.💀💯💣💪💪

[@richardmcquade9832]

Thank you Carl for your efforts to qualify yourself for the Darwin Awards. I'm permanently disabled and live off-grid on a remote mountainside several miles from the nearest paved road. If I screw up I would have to figure out how best to deal with my errors in judgement. My experience is that it's normally not one catastrophic event but a series of unfortunate events that individually are nothing to worry about. E.g., I have been out in snow all day so I'm wet and cold, I need water so I go to the creek (where a mountain lion encounter could easily be a single catastrophe), I slip on an icy rock and break my leg, i fall into the icy creek, I get out and a branch heavy with snow fall on top of me, I finally make it to the cabin but I didn't have kindling pre-cut and I got my matches all wet and worthless, I can't drive my 4x4 to the road cuz I have a broken leg and snow is too deep. I just got myself one unfortunate event away from qualifying myself for the Darwin Awards.

[@BuzzyStreet]

You nailed it.

[@meganmckechnie8791]

Hi Dr G, I’m so grateful for your content on hiking, particularly regarding misadventures. It’s always a lesson in how communicating effectively is a life or death reality. ❤ from Australia

[@Alkis05]

I think it was recklessness. Once I planed a hike in the jungle that involved traversing it outside any marked path and through a very steep scarp at a point. I was confident that I had the skill to do it, but I grossly underestimated how physically unprepared I was. Luckily, I had an unrelated accident getting to the start of trip and my friend convinced me that we should give up. A few months later, I did a hike in a marked track nearby and I struggled a lot to go up and down again. If I had gone through the original trip, it could have been disastrous, specially because the area is covered by very dense vegetation and rugged terrain. Any rescue would be virtually impossible if needed. Its a pity because I really wanted to a lake that is there high in the mountains in the middle of the jungle. The real problem is how steep the terrain is to get there. The lake is near one of the springs that feeds into one the rivers that pass through town.

[@kevinarea]

Dr Todd Grande, for your next video please psycho analyze why I watch your videos even though there is very little sensationalism, no attached videos, mostly just you talking to the camera in a simple-toned voice. I honestly do thoroughly enjoy these videos, keep up the great work!

[@shaunajin8497]

😂😂😂😂

[@thunderbirdwomanreads4641]

I learned about Carl in high school while reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. It’s been over ten years and I think of his circumstances quite often to this day

[@ksh2596]

Wow... That's an unprecedented level of unpreparedness

[@AnnaBelll.e]

Thank you for all your hard work. Your videos make life better.❤

[@meganmckechnie8791]

They really do. All over the world. Thank god for rational, sane and wise content creators. 😍 blessed.

[@WinahhTaylahh]

Reminds me of the Mcandless story, so many similarities, only thing missing is the bus.

[@destronia123]

It almost seemed like he wanted to die. But his firends should have been worried once cold weather started setting in.

[@TheJhndarwin]

Hello Dr. Grande. Can you analyze the hwy 20 killer case john akroyd in oregon. Thank you very much for all you do for me

[@ZootyZoFo]

I have spent a lot of time in the backcountry, much of it solo, and I am beyond shocked at his failure to go deep into the backcountry without plans for exiting. Once he realized he was in a jam he did no better, he had to be suicidal on some level not to see the likely outcome of one mistake after another.

[@andreamarksberry345]

Geez! This is really sad, but my goodness! It seems like he had no common sense at all!

[@mistrjt9213]

Trooper in plane that could have saved Carl’s life: 👋*HIYEEEEE to you too stranger waving a red bag!* 👋

[@MacSwan]

I agree about the Trooper, to see someone in an area like that before winter, you would think that at least he could have acquainted himself with the man and be aware of his presence and his plans.

[@cplmpcocptcl6306]

Seeing “worst-prepared nature photographer in history” on Dr. Grande’s channel, I couldn’t click fast enough. When he makes this type of statement, you know you’re in for an interesting/Grande time.😉😅

[@jessestewart169]

Wow. Love your segments doc. Interesting, informative and entertaining. You rock.

[@dusttodust4295]

This is a sad story.

[@ingvarhallstrom2306]

Nobody is that stupid. His behavior tells of psychological issues. Consciously or not, I believe he set himself up in such a situation he would be forced to take his own life because he wouldn't be able to go through with it otherwise. Miles from people and with nobody to stop him. He really searched for the least populated part of Alaska as well, he searched for a place literally miles and miles from any other living person.

[@alibenkahn5092]

Actually, unfortunately, many people are indeed that stupid

[@HappyCat3096]

He also failed to lay out ground based distress signals that could be seen from a plane. Usually a group of three of something, or make a giant X out of sticks and/or stones, or stomped into snow, or even make a giant SOS out of sticks. Unfortunately his hand signal to the plane stood for "ALL OK, do not wait". Really sad, but he made one bad decision after another and they piled up.

[@gailkelly6154]

Dr. Grande.. i love all your thoughts and analysis of everyone you speak about. I don't understand how you would go into the wilderness with no plan to get out . Aplan just on an assumption of someone missing you after you all but said dont bother me. That is a sad story. Thank you Dr Grande ❤

[@YouTube4me]

Carl left a cautionary tale for future outdoor survivalists. Please prepare well and have an exit strategy for your outdoor adventure. A satellite radio/ phone is a good way to be prepared. Tossing out his “extra”shotgun shells reminds me of Christopher McCandles from Into the Wild. Foolish, crazy, or suicidal…not sure.

[@evoluna3056]

I feel so very sorry for Carl. R.I.P. dear Carl. ❤🌹

[@satutoivonen9679]

Reminds me of folks who went hiking in Death Valley during last summer's heat wave (temps up to 129) and unsurprisingly died. Makes me wonder if 'suicide by wilderness' is a thing.

[@mChrest05]

People like to push the envelope. Sometimes when they get to the edge they don't have resources to survive. He had hunting gear but couldn't get enough to eat?

[@DigitalNeb]

In an environment like that, a failure to plan is a plan to fail. I feel sorry for this guy, but he couldn't have got himself in a worse fix if he had tried. I hope his experience has at least helped encourage other people to not make his same mistakes.

[@searchanddiscover]

I feel bad for his father. I’m sure there were several times he probably wanted to reach out or was concerned but decided not to bc of the previous incident.

[@OneMeanArtist]

So many ppl nowadays think the world is a harmless Disney movie and venture out into areas and around animals that are quite the opposite .

[@haunter_1845]

I feel that although he was strongly independent, he may have had an issue with communicating with others directly. Almost like being too shy to ask for help.

[@fourfurrypotatoes]

I have found some really cool cactuses doc. I wish I could send pics on here.

[@birdlover7776]

Any mention of Alaska and immediately I’m nervous!

[@thestoic5381]

As an Alaskan. I can tell you, its hungry country out there. There is no " living off the land". Everything is seasonal and you can spend a week out there and never even see a bird. Alaska is always trying to kill you.

[@garrysekelli6776]

75 miles hike should take about 3 days imo. However getting lost would be easy.

[@lupitasmith9944]

Well, I just noticed all the cacti. What's the story behind the prickly decor?

[@hedgeenemy1587]

i met a lot of granolas in college who couldn't face the wilderness responsibly. i dubbed it peter pan syndrome. they wanted all the adventure with none of the critical thought or responsibility.

[@BraulioMontelongo]

I've heard of this guy. I live in Anchorage and the northern extremities of Alaska are extremely brutal, especially in the winter, when windchill can bring temps to -50, especially in the mountains. Only thing that works out in those areas are satellite phones!

[@dfailsthemost]

See, this is why my beginner level experience in the woods is kind of the most dangerous level to be at. I know enough to want to go into the woods, but typically tend to over-prepare. Then, friends tell me that I've overprepared, and I am tempted to swing back the other way. I think I'll stick with over-preparing.

[@steveshea7725]

Yes

[@steveshea7725]

There's almost no such thing as overpreparing when you're going into an environment with reduced opportunities for getting help from other people, vastly increased exposure to weather, and increased time and effort to exit the scenario.

[@Tina06019]

That’s me. I am not a beginner, but I go “slow and heavy,” not ultralight, and just don’t plan on covering much ground on any one day. If you are “over-prepared” and then suddenly need to move fast, you can drop the excess and go.

[@j.d.thompson3505]

I remember this story from Into The Wild. Nice to hear more details years later. Thank You Dr. G.

[@kristofburek264]

I think the ability to think rationally in all your waking hours during a prolonged period of voluntary solitude needs a very particular set of personality traits and, maybe, life experiences. It means, I would say, being self-reliant without being obsessed about so being. It means being comfortable in your own company whilst also enjoying the company of others and actively seeking it when it is available. It means knowing you have a support network that you trust. We are not told anything about what planning went into Karl's first long sojourn into the wilderness. Dr. Grande offers us some hints that Karl had begun feeling as if he did not belong anymore. We don't know if he had a tendency to be incautious, but had got away with it before through lucky escapes. I'm going to speculate that Karl had become over confident in his abilities due to early successes; he had become complaisant. His family and friends noted this and had tried to protect Karl from himself. Karl had a tendency to reject his friends' concerns and perhaps felt he had something to prove. This lack of rational thinking, having started before his trip, just continued and made further mistakes inevitable. Impossible to think ill of him, just sorrowful.

[@Jeanninecomeau]

I remember when this happened and they published a lot of his diary. He realizes no one is coming for him. It was haunting.

[@BigZebraCom]

Just a reminder, I'm not diagnosing anybody in this video, only speculating about why a nature photographer would venture someplace that has no cacti, real or artificial, like this.

[@AB-un4io]

Oh, good! I can already tell I’m going to like this one! Thanks Dr. Grande! Stay safe and well. 🫶🏼

[@Tina06019]

This is such a sad story. Really sad. It’s a pity he didn’t have a backup “walk-out” plan, even just to get to the hunting cabin. What a shame he had gotten annoyed with his father the previous time he had not returned on time.

[@bradlloyd6261]

It's a Diamond Delicioso that listening to your stories helps me to enact calm on chaotic situations now and break them down into the small bits and not get trampled by the emotions of said situation. You're tricking us! You're teaching us how to think better! Why yoooou!😂TY!🎉

[@lilbitsleepy2574]

What a perfect storm of unfortunate incidents and oversights.

[@ThePatynight]

Sad story!

[@skiak004]

Another great analysis Dr. G. Just an fyi- in Alaska we call it "the" Brooks Range- no simply Brooks Range. Have a great week.

[@mildredchester]

He was no Boy Scout.

[@traildoggy]

Be Prepared

[@JudiKerestan]

Noone cared to check on him?? That pilot should of been curious enough to at east check!

[@iyalove9383]

Do you ever sleep, Dr. Grande? 😅 Thanks for the consistent content..😊

[@danielwieten8617]

SCATHING and hilarious. Not a funny situation whatsoever, but your delivery kills me.

[@healerscreek]

Not everyone is smart enough to go into the wilderness alone, especially if they think everything is a piece of cake, no sweat, or no problem, with little to no actual preparation.

[@SueRosalie]

and the wrong personality. And going alone increases your risk substantially.

[@jguenther3049]

Maybe so, but almost everyone is smart enough NOT to go into the wilderness.