The Ultimate Survival Story: Norman Ollestad Jr.'s Miraculous Escape from the San Gabriel Mountains | E183

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, medical professionals Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the extraordinary story of 11-year-old Norman Ollestad, Jr., the sole survivor of a 1979 plane crash in the San Gabriel Mountains. Despite his young age, Norman's extensive training in extreme sports, imparted by his adventurous father, equipped him with the skills necessary to navigate down an 8,600-foot mountain during a blizzard. The hosts recount how Norman's upbringing, filled with surfing and skiing challenges, prepared him for this life-threatening ordeal, highlighting the profound impact of his father's unconventional parenting. The episode not only explores the technical aspects of Norman's survival but also reflects on the psychological resilience and the enduring bond between a father and son.

00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:30 Norman Olstad Jr.: The Sole Survivor 01:28 Norman's Unique Upbringing 12:32 The Plane Crash in the San Gabriel Mountains 16:42 Surviving the Descent 28:56 Reflecting on the Experience 35:21 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

References

• Ollestad, Norman. Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival. Ecco, 2009.
• ABC News Nightline interview with Norman Ollestad Jr., June 3, 2009.
• CNN interview with Norman Ollestad Jr., June 30, 2009.
• Los Angeles Times interviews and reporting, 1979 and 2009.
• Ollestad, Norman. Gravity (Kindle Single). Amazon Digital Services, 2015.
• Wikipedia entry: "Norman Ollestad" - biographical information and crash details.
• Time Magazine review and coverage of Crazy for the Storm, June 22, 2009.
• San Gabriel Mountains geological and geographical information from Wikipedia and Britannica.
• Ontario Peak details from PeakVisor and hiking resources.
• Contemporary newspaper reports from February 1979 crash coverage.
• Vanderbilt Television News Archive footage from crash coverage.
• Starmythworld.com analysis of the crash anniversary, February 18, 2019.
• Various book reviews and literary criticism from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and major newspapers.
• Author interviews from Men's Journal, Outside Magazine, and other publications.

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