In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh, joined by Julie Henningsen, delves into the tragic survival story of the Kim family. What began as a joyful Thanksgiving 2006 road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, ended in a perilous and fatal detour through Oregon's Bear Camp Road. The episode details the Kim family's struggle for survival, the critical search and rescue operations that followed, and how this incident led to significant changes in winter travel safety and emergency response systems. The discussion also covers essential winter travel safety guidelines and the importance of preparation, ultimately highlighting the enduring lessons from this heartbreaking yet instructive saga.

00:00 Introduction to the Kim Family's Fateful Journey

00:23 Setting the Scene: Thanksgiving 2006

01:09 The Kim Family's Background and Aspirations

03:33 The Journey Begins: From San Francisco to Seattle

05:56 The Wrong Turn: Bear Camp Road

08:57 Stranded: The Kim Family's Ordeal Begins

15:16 Survival Strategies and Initial Challenges

18:50 James Kim's Critical Decision

19:07 Search Efforts Intensify

19:52 Challenges in Coordination

21:53 The Role of Cell Phone Data

24:06 James Kim's Heroic Journey

28:03 The Tragic Outcome

29:12 Lessons Learned and Changes Made

31:20 Winter Travel Safety Tips

36:44 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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References

Documentary & Video Sources:

• "Wrong Turn: The Kim Family Tragedy" (2023), YouTube Documentary


• ABC News 20/20 Interview with Kati Kim (2011)

Print & Digital Sources:

• The Oregonian, "Kim Family's Fatal Oregon Journey" (2013)


• San Francisco Chronicle, "Stranded Father's Heroic Last Hours" (2006)


• The Oregonian, "Kati Kim Speaks Out" (2011)


• CNET, "Lessons Learned from Kim Tragedy" (2006)


• Times Colonist, "Widow Gives Thanks to Husband" (2011)

Special thanks to all the journalists, rescue workers, and individuals who helped document this story and preserve its important lessons.

For more information about winter travel safety and emergency preparedness, please visit your local search and rescue organization's website.

Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of survival situations and loss that some listeners may find disturbing.