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\\nIn the 1850s, settlers in western Nevada were cut off from the rest of the world each winter by deep snow. In this week\'s episode of the Futility Closet podcast we\'ll learn about their lifeline, Norwegian immigrant John Thompson, who for 20 years carried mail, medicine, and supplies through 90 miles of treacherous snowdrifts on a pair of homemade skis.
\\nWe\'ll also hear listener contributions regarding prison camp escape aids in World War II and puzzle over how lighting a cigarette results in a lengthy prison sentence.
\\nSources for our feature on Snowshoe Thompson:
\\nAlton Pryor, Classic Tales in California History, 1999.
\\nErling Ylvisaker, Eminent Pioneers, 1934.
\\nKay Grant, "\'Snowshoe\' Thompson: The Norwegian Who Mastered the Rugged Sierra Nevada to Deliver the U.S. Mail," Wild West 18:4 (December 2005): 10, 68-69.
\\n"\'Snowshoe\' Thompson Finally Gets His Due,"\\xa0Deseret News, May 15, 1976.
\\nAlan Drummer, "Miracle on Skis," Milwaukee Journal, March 1, 1985.
\\nLarry Walsh, "\'Snowshoe\' Thompson Knew How to Carry the Mail," Pittsburgh Press, Feb. 26, 1992.
\\n"Snowshoe Thompson,"\\xa0Carroll Herald, Dec. 22, 1886.
\\nRed Smith, "Snowshoe Thompson Would Have Chuckled," Ottawa Citizen, Feb. 18, 1960.
\\nListener mail:
\\nWikipedia, Snakes and Ladders.
\\n"Clutty and His Escape Devices," in Ian Dear, Escape and Evasion, 2004.
\\nH. Keith Melton, Ultimate Spy, 1996.
\\nThis week\'s lateral thinking puzzle was contributed by listener David White, who sent these corroborating links\\xa0(warning -- these spoil the puzzle).
\\nYou can listen using the player above, download this episode directly, or subscribe on iTunes or via the RSS feed at http://feedpress.me/futilitycloset.
\\nPlease consider becoming a patron of Futility Closet -- on our Patreon page you can pledge any amount per episode, and all contributions are greatly appreciated. You can change or cancel your pledge at any time, and we\'ve set up some rewards to help thank you for your support.
\\nYou can also make a one-time donation via the Donate button in the sidebar of the Futility Closet website.
\\nMany thanks to Doug Ross for the music in this episode.
\\nIf you have any questions or comments you can reach us at podcast@futilitycloset.com.\\xa0Thanks for listening!
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