The Sunday Read: ‘Ghosts on the Glacier’ | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” John Branch, a reporter at the New York Times, shares a gripping story about an ill-fated expedition to summit Akinkaguah, the tallest mountain in the Andes outside of Asia, that took place in 1973. The disappearance of two climbers, Janet Johnson and a NASA engineer, sparked theories of a love triangle, CIA involvement, and foul play. Decades later, a camera labeled “Janet Johnson” was found on a melting glacier, reigniting the mystery. John Branch embarks on an investigation to uncover the truth behind the deadly expedition.

Main Takeaways

The Mysterious Disappearance of Janet Johnson and a NASA Engineer

• Janet Johnson, one of the most experienced climbers in the group, and a NASA engineer were part of an expedition to summit Akinkaguah in 1973.
• Despite facing the life-threatening effects of high altitude, four members, including Janet and the NASA engineer, continued climbing toward the summit.
• Only two survivors returned to the base camp, leaving the fate of Janet and the NASA engineer unknown.
• The mysterious disappearance sparked various theories, including a love triangle, CIA involvement, and foul play.

The Discovery of the Camera and Film

• Decades later, an old camera labeled “Janet Johnson” was found on a melting glacier in Argentina.
• John Branch flew to Argentina and the United States to investigate and gather clues about the deadly expedition.
• The camera and film were processed, revealing hauntingly beautiful photos taken by Janet Johnson during the expedition.
• The discovery of the camera brought closure and emotional impact to the family of Janet Johnson and the wider community.

The Unsolved Mystery and Speculations

• The deaths of Janet Johnson and the NASA engineer remain unsolved, with conflicting accounts and speculations surrounding their disappearance.
• Inconsistencies in the injuries sustained by the bodies found raise doubts about the official conclusion of an accident.
• Some believe foul play may have been involved in the deaths, while others consider it a tragic mountain accident.
• The families of the climbers never learned much about what happened on the expedition, leaving the details swallowed up by sadness and time.

Summary

The Mysterious Disappearance of Janet Johnson and a NASA Engineer

In 1973, an expedition led by Portland lawyer Carmine DeFoe aimed to summit Akinkaguah via the Polish route. The group included Janet Johnson, a rare female climber and one of the most experienced in the group, as well as a NASA engineer. Despite facing the life-threatening effects of high altitude, four members, including Janet and the NASA engineer, continued climbing toward the summit. However, only two survivors returned to the base camp, leaving Janet and the NASA engineer’s fate unknown. The mysterious disappearance sparked various theories, including a love triangle, CIA involvement, and foul play.

The Discovery of the Camera and Film

Decades later, an old camera labeled “Janet Johnson” was found on a melting glacier in Argentina. Journalist John Branch flew to Argentina and the United States to investigate and gather clues about the deadly expedition. The camera and film were processed, revealing hauntingly beautiful photos taken by Janet Johnson during the expedition. These photos chronicle the climbers’ journey up and down the mountain, capturing the landscapes and adding to the mystery of Janet’s disappearance.

The Unsolved Mystery and Speculations

The deaths of Janet Johnson and the NASA engineer remain unsolved, with conflicting accounts and speculations surrounding their disappearance. Inconsistencies in the injuries sustained by the bodies found raise doubts about the official conclusion of an accident. Some believe foul play may have been involved in the deaths, while others consider it a tragic mountain accident. The families of the climbers never learned much about what happened on the expedition, leaving the details swallowed up by sadness and time.

Conclusion

The mystery surrounding the ill-fated expedition to summit Akinkaguah in 1973, and the disappearance of climbers Janet Johnson and a NASA engineer, continues to captivate and intrigue. With the discovery of a camera and film on a melting glacier, new clues and haunting photographs have added layers to the unsolved mystery. While the truth may never be fully known, the story serves as a reminder of the risks and uncertainties faced by mountaineers and the enduring questions that linger in the mountains.