Man Risks His Life Going On An Adventurous Quest For Gold Inside The Amazonian Jungle

 “Fill your life with adventures and not things. Have stories to tell and not the stuff to show.” This is what describes the upcoming generation the best. All they strive in life is for ADVENTURE! For once everyone wishes to taste the adventure in life and do something beyond there comfort zone. After all, if we were meant to have stayed in one place we would have roots and not feet. It’s important that we stretch our horizons and dive into this adventurous world.

Majority of us don’t really take an adventurous toll in our life, but this man opted for an escapade to the jungles of Amazon. His spree became a famous story not only for his thrilling journey but for something even he was not prepared for. Read in here to find out what that escapade was and did this man made to the end of it, did he survive the lush jungle to tell his story to the world?

Yossi Ghinsberg

Yossi Ghinsberg often abbreviated to Yosseph is an Israeli adventurer, based in Australia. He was 22 years old when his thrive for adventure overtook everything else in life. He was a firm believer of the fact that jobs fill your pocket but adventures fill your soul. Taking this as the driving force he embarked upon his grand journey. What he didn’t know was that this expedition would turn out to be his worst nightmare.

Early Life

Yosseph was born on April 25th, 1959, to a couple who survived the war which gradually meant their shift from Holocaust to Tel Aviv, Israel. Yossi was born and brought up in Tel Aviv, which is the world’s first all-Jewish city. Life at Tel Aviv was as usual yet the young Yosseph always felt like he’s missing out on something in life. He was sure he needs to add some spice to this monotonous life when he came across an equally exciting life of Henri Charrière.

Wandering Soul

Ghinsberg was born to travel. He never knew what it was to confine oneself in the four walls of a room. For him, life was nothing but a big adventure. While he was in school he had a keen interest in the geography of the world. Probably even he did not know that this interest will make him question his existence in life. And all he’ll do in the years to come would be traveling and exploring the unknown.

An Inspiration

Henri Charrière is a French Author whose autobiography titled Papillon inspired Yosseph to taste some adventure in life. The autobiography was said to be the “the greatest adventure story of all time”. It was a craze amongst the youngsters. It was a life summary of a man who gave a new meaning to wanderlust by escaping the imprisonment on the South American island of French Guiana.

A Desire

The French author’s autobiographical account seeped into the veins of Ghinsberg. He could completely relate himself to the author and took on a thrilling journey towards exploring the world.  One of Yosseph’s main goals during his travels was to find the author- Henri Charrière and seek his good luck. But what happens next was something he would have never even thought in his wildest dream.

Experiencing Africa

The very first trip which Yosseph made was a trip to Africa and Mexico. At that time he was working as a navy officer at The Red Sea, but he decided to travel to satisfy his thirst for traveling. The joy of traveling and the desire to discover were the most important things which compelled him to wander more. This trip shaped up his life in ways he possibly didn’t know it could.

The Amazon Rainforests

The flavor of the unexplored world is beyond amazing. Once you begin to travel, going back is not easy. Something similar happened with Yosseph. The trip to Africa was a thrilling one but it could only not satisfy his urge of living the life of his dreams. His ultimate dream was to explore the Amazon Rainforests. The biggest adventure one can take is to live the life they wish and Yosseph knew that the Amazon Forests were calling him now. Before embarking on this risky journey, he had to take some other risks in life.

Saving Up

Yosseph could not wait to dive in the adventure to Amazon. But to travel one needs a good amount of resource at hand. He completes his navy training and began working in different professions to make up enough money to suffice his dream. He worked at construction works in Norway, fishing in Alaska, and loading and unloading trucks in New York City just to make his dream a reality as early as he could.

Embarking Towards

After working for a year and a half, Yosseph could finally make enough money to finance his travel. He was in South America by now, which meant he was way too close to fulfilling his two dreams. First to meet the French author-his hero and another one on an expedition to Amazon. Unfortunately, one of his dreams could not be fulfilled. But giving up was something Yossi didn’t know.

Backpacking

Yossi had worked day and night for making it to Latin America as soon as possible, but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it on time. It was 1981 and when he reached his inspiration, Henry, the author slept in peace. Though the desire to meet his favorite author could not be fulfilled, Yossi did not hold onto it for long. He was ready to travel to the Amazon Jungles to live his second dream. However, he did not know that this dream was too harsh to be lived.

Resourceful Globetrotter

Yosseph continued on his journey and hitchhiked his way from Venezuela to Colombia. On the way, he met a fellow backpacker Marcus Stamm, who was a teacher from Switzerland. The two shared the same passion for traveling and soon turned into good friends. They decided to travel together to La Paz, Bolivia and from there would head to the Amazon Jungles. They didn’t know what a life-changing encounter they would have at the Bolivian Capital.

The Stranger

After traveling for a week, the two new friends stepped into the beautiful canyon created like a city of La Paz, Bolivia. There they came across an Australian man who claims himself to be a geologist named Karl Ruprechter. He too was a young blood who was in hunt of a hidden gold treasure, buried deep in the heart of an ancient village of Bolivia’s remote Amazon jungle. It sounded like an expedition which Yossi always wanted to have in life. Will they be able to find that gold or would be it be something even more?

Another Companion

Yossi and Marcus were excited to join hands with this stranger. They both were thriving for adventure in life and what could be better than a gold hunt in the heavy, deep and dark forests of Amazon. The trio was ready to trek the jungles and soon they were joined by a photographer named Kevin Gale. He was an American who they came across while trekking in Bolivia. However, the unforeseen also packed its bags with this group.

Embarking On Adventure

The four new acquaintances didn’t waste another second and set off on their Amazonian quest for gold. Soon only they began feeling like the protagonists of a thrilling travel novel, the three young men followed the directions of the Austrian geologist Karl Ruprechter by plane and then by boat to the Amazon jungle. They make their first stoppage in a village where they were surrounded by horrifying warnings.

Jungle Of Horror

The village they stopped at was small, indigenous consisting of Asariamas in the remote outskirts of the Amazon. The place was dominated by the tribal community. They stopped there to re-stock their food and fuel supplies. The locals there warned the young men, they said that they were bound to encounter imminent danger along the way. Many people who often went there did not pave their way back to life. They were adamant that they should rethink their plans. Will the ever excited backpackers march back?

Head On

The warnings could not make any change in the plans of these highly excited travelers. Despite hearing various incidents of chaos and turmoil, the travelers moved towards the jungle. Soon only the harsh survival conditions began to cloud them. They ran on severe food shortages and even developed trench foot. Surviving the forest without food and fodder became tough. Next what? Did the men give up? Or did their plan of exploration of Amazon died with progressing starvation?

Another Plan

Youssi knew that he had to make it to the Amazon at any cost, even if the cost was starvation. Though soon only he realized that things won’t work like this for long and the men went back to the village to restock themselves. This time they bought double the last time. Arriving at the village, Karl gave the travelers another idea. He said that now they will sail down on a raft to a gold quarry called Curiplaya instead of trekking. Will this plan make up for the last attempt?

Amidst The Greens

The group could finally make it to the Amazon rainforests. They were getting thrilled day by day believing that they are getting close to the hidden gold treasure. One fine day suddenly, Karl Ruprechter the leading geologist said that they were headed straight for San Pedro Canyon which was a dangerous stretch of rapids, waterfalls, and boulders that wasn’t suitable for boating. Then only he for the first time told everyone that he did not know swimming either. The revelation came shocking to the fellow ears. Did he just betray and misguide the travelers?

Going Separate Ways

Yossi Ghinsberg and his fellow travelers couldn’t believe what they just heard. They felt that the older man they’d trusted had deceived them. The team had no clues about where to head in this heavy jungle now. Distrusting of Ruprechter and his tales of gold and his claims of familiarity with the jungle and passages, the group decided to separate and try to make their respective journeys back. It was not it, the four friends didn’t know that it was the last time they were seeing each other.

Dive Into Deep Waters

Yossi and Kevin grew really close during this journey and thus decided to stay together and continue rafting on the river while it was decided that Karl and Marcus would go by foot. Unfortunately, a rock struck their raft and the boat capsized. Luckily, Kevin could make up to the shore but the currents were too high that he could not reach up to ever-adventurous Yosseph and he went down the river. Did he survive?

The Dangerous Drop

Yosseph tried his best to regain his strength to climb up the raft or any tree or branch where he could gather his breath as he was approaching a waterfall. Unfortunately, the water flow was so high that nothing could help Ghinsberg save the fall.  He was running into rocks and trees but all he did was keep his head above the water. Was he able to make up or took his last breath in the waterfall only?

Breathing Life

He was having a wild ride and was sure that it was his last one. The adventure he wanted all his life, he faced it all in just a single day. Luckily, he was washed off at the jungle shore. On regaining his senses, he could not believe that he survived the fall. He was thrilled to survive but soon only his feeling of exhilaration turned into that of disaster and despair.

Afraid And Alone

After surviving the perilous waterfall, Yosseph realized that he was left all alone. The journey which began with four acquaintances split into two and now only he was left. Left alone and afraid. He had no idea where were the remaining fellow mates of his were. His high hopes shattered and this jungle turned into his worst nightmare. He was in a desperate need of motivation and something again lifted his spirits.

Fleeting Faith

No less than a miracle, the same moment Ghinsberg’s backpack washed up and he was overjoyed to find it. He took out a book from his bag which his uncle gifted him. This book was believed to save his parents and his uncle’s life during the Holocaust. He knew that this book will help him survive. He collected his shattered spirits and looked for survival trusting his instincts, his navy training and most importantly this book.

Questioning Himself

Yosseph had the blood of survivors rushing through his veins. This empowered him in surviving the jungle. Initially, he was very optimistic that he will be able to find Kevin very soon but after traveling upriver for some four days without any signs of any of his team members his hopes again were on the brink of breaking. The haunting loneliness in the deep forests made him question his initial dream and thirst for adventure as by now he was sure that it will cost him his life.

The Wild Encounter

Yosseph walked miles in the direction he thought would lead him to civilization in damp torn clothes and an empty stomach. The more he walked the deeper he reached the jungle. During this time, he faced his very first encounter with the jungle animal. The animals who were the true inhibitors of this forest. A wild boar ran behind him for kilometers and even attacked him. Luckily, he could save himself this time but soon only it was about to turn dark and survival was only going to get tough.

Rustle In The Jungle

Jungle undoubtedly turned even more dangerous at might. All the wild animals would come out and would be searching for the food. Though Yosseph made sure that he walks with the mildest noise and hide himself the best, but only one night he heard some sounds in the nearby foliage. Yosseph was terrified to see two glooming eyes of a jaguar looking at him. The night was the most haunting one.

Run With Fire

At this time, his navy training came in handy. Ghinsberg lit up the fire with a lighter to scare the wild jaguar. He knew forest fires is what haunts the wild beings. Fortunately, the jaguar went away leaving Yosseph trembling with fear yet safe and unharmed. He had to face many, such encounters like this in the days that followed.

Hunting And Gathering

Yosseph was starving with hunger. The situation was so bad that he would eat anything that came his way. He would hunt for raw berries, wild fruits and rare bird eggs in the jungle. Not only this, he even ate monkey’s meat to survive. His life depended on his daily scavengings for food. Surviving the jungle became a tough task and the chance of heading back home was far from hopes.

Raising Fear

The jungle was turning ruthless day by day. And the only thing which was left to be faced was the heavy rains. Amazon rainforests are subject to heavy rainfall and they face between 80 and 430 inches of precipitation a year on average. Everything deadly possible on this planet had made its way to Ghinsberg.

Against The Odds

Amazon Forests faced terrible floods then. Ghinsberg was caught with this one and he thought he would make it just like the fall from the waterfall. He narrowly escaped the flood and he would have barely caught his breath that he stumbled in the bog of quicksand. This time he was sure that his end was near.

Battling With Life

Yosseph once more used his quick instincts and survivor skills to overcome the odds. He knew that even his luck won’t favor him anymore if he continued to face such deadly times again and again. Somehow, he managed this one as well but was worrying about his future and the haunting disasters he will have to face. With every passing day tracing for food became even tough.

Three Weeks In The Wild

It was almost his third week in the Amazon Jungle. By now, Yossi was drained completely physically and mentally. He lost his hopes to survive. It was the toughest week for him as he had no food and had absolutely no energy to move. He was now even suffering from a severely painful skin infection.

The Last Straw

The pain in his feet was unbearable and to distract himself from it, Ghinsberg shook his head against a tree full of fire ants. He could divert himself from the pain. But this relief was also short-lived as a plane went above him and over the jungle but did not see him. Ghinsberg lost all the hopes and sank him in a muddy bog as it was getting impossible to live and dying was the easiest option.

Worth Living

Just when Yosseph was about to give up, he started hallucinating about a girl he once loved. A mere thought of her was enough for Yosseph to raise his spirits again. He was pleasantly comforted by her apparent image, he’d talk to her, set up camp for her and imagined he was sleeping next to her. All this made him battle for his continuity.

Praying For Mercy

The last resort which Ghinsberg sought to was God. When he gave up on everything, he prayed to the mighty and begged for his mercy. He asked for his end-eternal death as it was unbearable to strive in this dark land. He never knew his dream would taste like that. And then at last something pleasing yet unexpected happened.

A Savior

Lying like a dead man on the shore of a river bank, Ghinsberg heard the sound of a motor. He gained all his strength to reach out to the voice. And what he sees next made him weep in tears. It was Kevin his friend on the boat who was found by local after five days. He with the help of respective embassies of his missing friends in La Paz, came to the jungle to rescue them. But what about Karl and Marcus?

No Traces

While Kevin was able to find Ghinsberg, there were no traces of Marcus and Karl. By the time Ghinsberg was back to his native land, he had already lost 35 pounds of weight due to starvation and infections. Furthermore, it took him a month to recover from a traumatizing expedition like this one.

Still In Search

Ghinsberg was more than grateful to Kevin to have not lost hopes on finding him in those deep jungles. Even Ghinsberg did not give up now. He did some more research and with the help of the rescue teams made several attempts to reach Amazon in hopes of finding his two lost friends. His attempts never bore fruit nor did he ever hear again from Karl and Marcus in life. Though their tragic times ended their story did not.

A Living Legend

Yossi Ghinsberg soon became an iconic figure. His survival story was popularised when the discovery channel aired the documentary series named I Shouldn’t Be Alive. Not only this but in the year 2017, a psychological thriller Jungle was released which portrayed Daniel Radcliffe as Yossi Ghinsberg. But, that was not all.

Resilient Survivor

Ten years after getting lost in the Amazon Jungle, Ghinsberg returned to Bolivian Jungle. He spent nearly 3 years in his 90s to arrange for finances and develop an ecotourism industry to help people in Bolivia manage their living. A man who himself suffered great extremities can only think of doing something like this.

Appreciating Life

He had a taste of death almost at Amazon and that changed his life forever. Currently, he is a happy family man living with his wife and four children. Though he is still adventurous at heart, now appreciates even the smallest things in life. His dream to visit Amazon was something he won’t be able to get over, ever.