Hitting the SOS Button: A 20-Hour Backcountry Rescue | Meg Atteberry | Outdoor Educator & Writer
Hitting the SOS Button: A 20-Hour Backcountry Rescue | Meg Atteberry | Outdoor Educator & Writer  
Podcast: Hikes and Mics Podcast
Published On: Mon Jun 29 2026
Description: Send us Fan Mail🎙️ Season 15 kicks off with outdoor educator and former pro writer Meg Atteberry — and a backcountry survival story that will stay with you.Six days into Wyoming's brutal Wind River High Route — 86 miles and 23,000 feet of gain, much of it off-trail — Meg's friend shattered six bones in her foot on a steep talus pass, 25 miles from the nearest trailhead. Meg had to hit the SOS button on her Garmin and hold it together through a 20-hour rescue: two failed helicopter launches, an overnight in an incoming storm, and an aviation "X" built from rocks to guide the chopper in.Meg breaks down exactly what that emergency taught her: why you should always carry a battery pack, never rely on your phone for SOS, double-check your emergency contacts, and pack a signal mirror. We also dig into facing a fear of heights in Moab and the Grand Canyon, why parenthood became her "superpower," backpacking with a 4-year-old, running her first ultra, and her 2026 goals in the San Juans and the Grand Canyon's Nankoweap route.A premiere packed with hard-won wisdom for anyone who heads into the backcountry.Episode Links:Meg in the Forest on YouTubeDaily Vlog of her TripWhat I learned about my InReach from hitting the SOSStep-By-Step what happens when you hit the SOSMeg in the Forest on InstagramThis episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeysFollow us on Instagram, @HikesandmicsThis episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic AllTrails+I'm excited to share that I’m now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you’ll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don’t forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.