Episode Five: The Anaconda Cutoff

On the Pacific Crest Trail, everyone gets a trail name - and a chance to become someone new. But if everyone around you is pretending, how do you really know who you're walking into the wilderness with? And what's to stop someone from vanishing completely?Check out Monarch's live performance of a brand-new murder mystery episode, featuring Boise storytelling legends Austin Von Johnson, Jessica Holmes, Jamie Logan, Mason Dodson, Halaia Barnett and Justin Paulson. Written and directed (live!) by Laura Munsil.Monarch is a 13-episode supernatural narrative fiction podcast set in the world of long-distance backpacking. Learn more at monarchcast.com.

Monarch’s journey ends. Not with a bang, but with breakfast at a hermitage. STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Michael Hart as Max Tate McCullough as Doug the Hermit Chance Owen as Freeman Joshua Malloy as Uribe SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock FEATURING AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

Monarch thaws out in the Gila River Wilderness in New Mexico. The serenity of the Gila lulls her into quiet reflection, until she notices she’s being followed. Everything echoes in a canyon. STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Austin Von Johnson as Jules Chelsea Smith as Anna James Logan as Sharpshooter Michael Hart as Max SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

In the San Juan Mountains, Monarch finds shelter in a yurt. She sees a pika, hears a wolf, and sings with a chorus of cows. Will it ever stop snowing? SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

Monarch hikes through Rocky Mountain National Park, and notices that winter has arrived - early. A small-town waitress makes sure everyone knows who’s boss, and a run-in at an outhouse leaves Monarch feeling uneasy. In Salida, Monarch thinks about exits. STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Christian Prior as Stone Katie Preston as Minnie Jessica Holmes as Sheila Halaia Barnett as Jess Austin Von Johnson as Jules SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

Monarch enters the Great Divide Basin, a long stretch of barren, flat trail. It’s salt flats and sand, wild horses, and brutal sun. She recalls a story a hiker told her about mysterious lights, and struggles with water rationing. When Monarch finally makes it to town, she finds the Basin isn’t easy to shake. STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Christian Prior as Stone Katie Preston as Sawtooth SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

The Wind River Range has been described as a backpacker’s fantasy land. Almost like it can’t quite be real. Hope Monarch makes it through! STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Christian Prior as Stoneheart/Stone Joshua Malloy as Sir Farhar Chance Owen as Crier Dominic Boucher as Thug Hailey Boucher as Handmaiden Kearney Thompson as Starclaw Sage Lords as Second Story SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

Monarch thinks about bison, burger and otherwise, on her walk into Yellowstone National Park. A man gives her a smoke and a story outside a karaoke bar in Lander but she doesn't care much for either. Have you ever heard of Shadow People, Princess? STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Chance Owen as Clerk Halaia Barnett as Belinda Mason Dodson as Carver Sierra Padilla Huitt as Yvonne Clare Olson as Rocky Austin Von Johnson as Jules SOUND DESIGN & THEME BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: monarchpodcast TikTok: monarchpodcast YouTube: monarchpodcast

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a derogatory racial slur, which has been bleeped out, and other demeaning racial language in the context of the story. These depictions are representative of true interactions along the CDT and are meant to cast light on the uncomfortable situations hikers are sometimes placed in. They do not represent the opinions of the Monarch team, cast or the community of Leadore, Idaho. Listener discretion is advised. Monarch hikes through a series of thunderstorms but sees beauty in them.  In Leadore, she sits on a front porch with the locals. One of them tells her a story that isn’t his to tell. When Monarch finally hikes out, she’s escorted by black-eyed goats. STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Lance Thompson as Bo Pamela Kleibrink Thompson as Mary Justin Paulson as Mikey SOUND DESIGN BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE:Website: monarchcast.comInstagram: monarchpodcastTikTok: monarchpodcast

Monarch enjoys well-deserved chicken nuggets, and meets a former thru-hiker. She follows a riotous party of young people to an abandoned asylum, where one of them tells her his scariest story.  Rafters creak, and Monarch fails the Bechdel test. STARRING: Laura Munsil as Monarch Mason Dodson as Finn Hailey Boucher as Leah Dominic Boucher as Steve SOUND DESIGN BY: Nile Popchock LEARN MORE: Website: monarchcast.com Instagram: @monarchpodcast TikTok: @monarchpodcast