The most gut-wrenching hiking story I have EVER told

#1 - "Closer to God" -- 1:16 -- A man's hiking trip turns into a nightmare

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For educational, documentary and entertainment purposes only. Based on actual events. The authoritative sources used for this story include interviews, newspaper articles, and TV news reporting meant to educate and memorialize notable cases in our history.

Theme Song: "Something Wicked" -

• ♩♫ Epic Horror Sy...
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#forest #hiking #horrorstories

[thenickfoxx]

PSA! If you are on multi-day hike like this or even just a day hike in an area you aren't 100% familiar with, and your dog bolts off on you and takes you well off course, TURN AROUND and start walking back to your designated path. 95% of dogs will eventually realize within minutes you aren't following them and they will follow your scent back to you. I know this from years of experience with my dogs I've had throughout my life.

You are their source of food, comfort and safety, plus they just straight up love you (unless you're a horrible dog owner). Only certain breeds like huskies (for example), will continue wandering because that's just how they are. Still, if you turn around and start walking away, and they still wont follow you within like 5-10 minutes, mark your trail by bending branches or tying foliage into knots as you locate your pup. It is SO important in these types of situations when you're covering miles at a time on a trip into the back country.

I'd recommend going through some re-call training with your pups before you decide to start taking them on hikes as well. Even if you plan on using a leash, it's still a valuable "tool" to have.

Regardless of proper planning, people are going to do what they're going to do, so I thought I'd offer some advice.

You weren't lying.. this is truly such a sad story.

[shazzl]

When the like button gets a hug, you know shit’s getting real.

[PhilliaHansbury]

Giving the like button a hug really put into perspective how serious this story is about to be… let me buckle down…

[homesteadgamer]

This made me tear up. That line "Fill me with Peace, Lord. May my conditions not deny my love for You", that hit me hard.

[ruthtilleard]

My partner died 23 days ago and we used to sit down and watch you over dinner almost every night.
You’re right, cherish every moment you get to spend with your loved ones. Never take them for granted ❤

[leannsfearcocktail]

I’m not usually an emotional person, but seeing Mr. Ballen get choked up at the end of the story made my eye’s water. It’s clear he was thinking of his own family at that moment. What a sad story.

[sarahhatfield]

Oh my Lord! This story is about my pastor! This happened almost 30 years ago and the church was Boone Memorial and his daughter was one of my best friends! I have missed Pastor Mike for so long. His funeral/memorial was held at a private college in our town. We learned later that my mom's search group almost found him before he starved to death.

[kaylenleonard]

my uncle Tom Leonard went missing when he was hiking it’s been 19 years we’ve still never found his body. He went missing in British Columbia Canada. Hopefully one day our family will get the closure we need.

[sniper]

John isn't just a great story teller he shows such respect to the people in his stories. Class act.

[maddawg]

“Love Dad” Man, that’s heartbreaking. RIP.

[OopsTarableMe]

That's why the famous phrase "never say goodbye while angry with one another" is so important. No matter how irritated you might be, always tell your family you love them and give hugs because you never know..

[therealalphafemme]

“Gut wrenching” was an understatement. My heart breaks for that family and for him, especially in his final moments.

[Trex_Matcha]

I can genuinely hear his voice slowly breaking down as he tells the story towards the end. It really is a very emotional story and I'm speaking from experience

[theshape]

This story hits different. It's rare that someone goes missing and is able to document everything. It's heart breaking. Rest in peace Mike

[Timechange-bthechange]

“Fill me with peace Lord. May my conditions not deny my love for You”… i sincerely mean this from the depths of my heart… this is one of the most touching things I’ve heard… I don’t know why it hit like it did, but what a divine request to make upon a desperate realization…

[Proxima_Livion]

"lets give the like button a hug for once."
*puts away popcorn*
*folds hands*
*leans forward*
you have my attention now

[caseyhamm]

your storytelling comes from such a place of compassion. i never forget that the people you are talking about in these stories are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. and this intro really drives it home for me: beyond the incredible storytelling ability, the empathy is the other thing that keeps all of us coming back to you every sunday. these are more than just scary stories. they are the human story

[lauren]

One thing I’ve noticed about true crime storytellers is that many of them seem to lack compassion for the people on the story. They treat it as if it’s only just a story and not the worst thing to ever happen to the people in it. Mr. Ballen doesn’t do this. Even when he’s telling a story for entertainment there is an underlying feeling of compassion and the knowledge that these are real people he’s talking about. Your empathy is admirable and contagious. Thank you for being a rare gem in the dark and mysterious cave of true crime.

[davidordonez]

The dog leading them back into the woods in the right directions is what got me. Now I’m at work fighting back tears.

[Kmbrgss]

Stories like this break my heart. 2 years ago we lost 2 of the 3 extremely experienced hikers from our medical group to a flash flood. A hike they'd all done before, you just never know what can happen. Stay safe out there nature enthusiasts. 💜