Tonight's TV: 'I Shouldn't Be Alive,' BACKPACKER Style

The parallel story of three lost hikers in the same spot, one year apart, is the plot line for an Animal Planet/Discovery Channel television episode.

In 2006 BACKPACKER published "Lost & Found", about the disappearance of John Donovan during a high-elevation blizzard on Southern California's Mt. San Jacinto in 2005. Donovan was hiking the Pacific Crest Trail when he detoured and encountered the blizzard. Rescue workers searched for his body but were unable to recover it at the time.

One year later to the day, a pair of lost hikers in the same area stumbled across Donovan's backpack, complete with his journal. And that's where Animal Planet/Discovery Channel comes into the mix: The television series I Shouldn't Be Alive airs the episode "Date From Hell" about the lost couple ("Brandon and Gina" in TV land) and their "terrifying discovery in an abandoned campsite [that] suggests there is no way out." The episode will be shown at 10:00 P.M. tonight and 1:00 A.M. & 5:00 A.M. on January 28.

The episode was first aired on Friday, January 22, prompting a handful of people to comment on BACKPACKER's online article of "Lost & Found" about the story. So don't miss it: set your DVR and let us know how the TV-version matches up to the real story.

--Katie Herrell

Animal Planet Television Schedule
"Lost & Found"

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READERS COMMENTS

Rest in peace JJD. You are remembered.
Posted: May 17, 2012 audra

This story is incredible and should be a book and a movie. I would definately love to know and watch it played out in a movie.
Into the Wild was extremely successful as both, book and movie. Mayeb Jon Krakauer and Sean Penn could work thier magic again with this story.

Posted: May 17, 2012 audra

Omg this was so sad I'm so happy for you Gina and Brandon that show was sad have a nice life
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 Chris

this is a special TV program
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Posted: Jan 05, 2012 robert

this is a special TV program
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Posted: Jan 04, 2012 robert

Anyone know the exact location where JJD died?
Posted: Dec 02, 2011 Matt

Just came back from hiking within a mile or two of where John Donovan died from exposure. The mountains there are wickedly rugged and dry at the lower elevations.

The saddest part of the story, for me, was that Mr. Donovan apparently confided in his friends that his biggest fear was dying alone. And, that is exactly how he died. Stranded at an impassable water fall / cliff, he died alone.

Imagine the odds that another lost couple would stumble across his gear exactly one year after Mr. Donovan last made an entry into his notes.

There are things that happen in this world beyond explanation (unless you believe what the Bible says in that there are powers and principalities around us that we cannot see, touch, or smell, but in which exist things that are more powerful than ourselves.
Posted: Dec 01, 2011 Day Early

How many of you disrespectful crap talkers can
actually tell me that YOU have experienced havin to
survive and work hard to live and KEEP your
LIVES?
Yeah that's what I thought, grow up.
Posted: Jul 09, 2011 Gina S.

Hey it's me again I think you have a good point Marc it was kind of a happy ending thank you for making me understand that. :) But still I think that John probably lived a great life. and to you Ed Beales I hope you have a good life too! And again may he rest in peace.
Posted: Apr 10, 2011 CC

I watched one of these series called Alone in the Amazon. I want to say I am an animal lover and this series just BROKE MY HEART. After being separated after a canoe crash the man and his dog became separated. After a couple of weeks you see where the dog met up with his master....that was heartwarming. BUT THEN DUE TO STARVATION THE MAN KILLS HIS DOG AND EATS HIM.....that was a heartbreak. I hope this man pays for what he did as he goes to the other side. I have shed many tears over this..
Posted: Feb 23, 2011 Amazon

Just saw a story on JJD, the hikers and the end result for both. As a former and still very active Special Forces soldier I have this to say:
1. All things happen for a reason, there are no coincidences.
2. What love hath one for another but to give his life whether knowing at the time or not.
3. JJD was an American Veteran, an adventurous soul willing to take on the wild on his own accord. Though he passed he provided life. We can not question his death only the benevolent outcome and opportunity he gave these two young folks by his happenstance. God has a peculiar way of working his magic.
4. I know this couple stayed together for two years after their ordeal and although that in itself is a miracle, after tragedy's of this proportion occur many separate immediately. My prayer is that they do not loose sight of the fact that they were divinely given a second chance, whether apart or together they have a reason to live and give back.
Posted: Jan 05, 2011 Bailey

It's too bad John didn't use his matches to light a fire.
Posted: Dec 22, 2010 Kim

http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2010/01/20/brandon-days-survival-story-to-air-on-i-shouldnt-be-alive/
Posted: Dec 19, 2010 Mustaf SUlejman

Well, from the TV story, I Shouldn't Be Alive, the young couple were not exactly hiking. They were with a group and just got off the trail and lost their way back..... They did not have a darn thing to use for survival. And, the fire they set did virtually no damage and burned out on its on! I'm glad they found John!...God rest his soul!
Posted: Dec 18, 2010 Andrew Meadors

I love kazies comment that she's not a racist by saying white people do this alot. Like hiking,camping, and getting lost? Well I must admit I am not not a racist either Kazie, but it is odd that black people have the highest drug and criminal issues so maybe their too busy to check out other activities like hiking
Posted: Dec 18, 2010 Jeff

No matter how stupid the circumstances it's very clear that God saved them from this pending tragedy (no matches-no rescue). Television avoids probing deeply into the spiritual side of life and death rescues, but testimony after testimony proves that God answers the desperate cry of people. I have absolutely NO DOUBT they would be dead right now if they hadn't clung to the only One who could save them (that's why they call it faith...).
Posted: Nov 26, 2010 Bob