In 1978, I was in the USAF stationed at March AFB, in Riverside, California. I was raised in the West side of San Antonio, Texas. Prior to the Air Force, I would camp with my family at Canyon Lake and Medina Lake. Nothing too woodsy.
I was in the Military Police, Security Police while in the AF. I was very close to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks and I would go to one or the other every chance I got. Although I invited people to go with me camping and hiking, no one would take my invite, so I was always by myself in those areas. My first encounter was when I went hiking from the back of Yosemite creek at Tioga Pass. I parked my truck beside the road and set out with only my backpack, sleeping bag, and some rope for repelling. I did not have a tent, The first night I ate and once it got dark I crawled into my mummy bag and before I fell asleep I heard something big approaching me.
I covered my face and head with the mummy bag and waited for the action to come. Then I felt what I thought was the back of a hand pushing me in my bag. I remember about five pushes. I did not move or respond in any way. I made no sound. I did not feel any nails or claws on the bag. It felt like the backhand of a person pushing up on the bag. Whatever it was left without a sound. After waiting a safe few minutes to ensure that it had left, I uncovered myself and looked around with my flashlight but saw nothing. My bag was not torn and I had some food in the backpack which was beside me. It did not try to get into my backpack, so a bear is an unlikely suspect. In the morning I continued pressing on to Yosemite falls. I walked down the falls and arrived when it was dark and raining. I decided to try my luck in getting a hitchhike back to my truck, and I was successful. As we approached where I thought I had parked my truck, my second encounter happened. I signaled the driver and he dropped me off. I started down the road where I thought my truck was, and I got the fright of my life. At this point in my life I was not familiar with bear, cougar, predator sounds. I heard the most guttural sound ever.
I was unarmed, total darkness, and no flashlight. I ran in the direction I was going and finally saw my truck. I threw all my stuff in the cab and started it and took off. My truck was a new Chevy Luv, and I always warmed up the engine to properly circulate the engine oil. It was a point of proud ownership to keep my truck in good condition. Understand that I did not see what made the sounds, but I believe a bear would have physically attached me.
Thinking back I never thought of bigfoot, but it scared the hell out of me. The third encounter I did see the complete face and body. This one happened in Sequoia National Park. After a full day of hiking, I was headed back to base, but I knew that I was so tired that I would not make it. So I parked on the side of the road and slept in the bed of the truck. I had the same Chevy Luv with a camper shell. I do not remember what time it was but I was awoken by something moving my entire truck side to side, more like shaking it. At that time I was loaded to bear, my 30.06, and a 44mag. handgun. When I opened my eyes after being shaken awake, I saw a huge creature through the back window. The truck was close to 6ft. tall by 4ft or so wide .I could see the creature at just under his chest area.
At first I saw the creature’s body swaying side to side and then realized it was shaking the truck side to side. I kicked the back window and it stopped shaking the truck and almost immediately bend down to look inside the truck. I saw the face. This creature had a flat face with a huge flat nose. It was huge. I did not feel that I was in danger. It stood up and walked across the road. I would estimate that it was at least 8 ft. tall, This creature was not human like. At the time I did not tell anyone. I know what I saw, and I will never forget it. I have had no further sighting or suspicions about them being around me even though I lived in Alaska for one year and Montana.”
Arlene H
Wes, I would love to hear all from this hero. Please put him on a encounter episode. Thank you for all the work you do putting on the best podcast EVER!!!!!!
Linda B
Thanks, Wes. I would love to hear this guest too. I always wanted to see those areas when we lived in San Diego, but I would not have been aware in the 80s about how real these things are. I think its because you are so personable that you find so many credible witnesses willing to share their stories, and your podcast is respected by so many people with open minds. Great job!
Roy S
Rappelling solo?!!
m99
Yes, he did say that. I thought this man’s is flat out lucky to be alive. Plus, I don’t think anyone should camp, anywhere, by themselves, especially now days.
Can’t wait to hear this encounter. And maybe it is a cautionary example of why Not to go out alone, Or in only a sleeping bag. I used to do that in East Texas, particularly at Boykin Springs. Wouldn’t do that now!
Whizbang
Imagine a creature that can play with a truck like a tonka toy. Imagine a truck in your space, you trying to wake it up so it can zoom away from your space, and the back window opens, and you see a human, with guns, how disappointing.
m99
Funny you say that because as I read about him asleep with his guns nearby I thought that may have been what saved his life.
Dario P
Great story. Thanks for posting.
Asheim
I would love a show from his encounters – they were scary.
Kathy K
When I was younger I hitch hiked all over our beautiful country alone, camping in the woods and desert areas, Never ran into anything dangerous or unknown! ( Thankfully!) After listening to your guests and their encounters I thank my Lucky stars that I never was put in a bad situation like they experienced..
m99
I thank God for you Kathy! I have a friend who hitched from East Tx to Colorado. An older man picked him up on the way back from Colorado, and the older man took him into the woods and raped him! Then left him out there alone. What a bad man to do that to a teenager. I worry more about the two legged animals than the four legged. But Now, the two legged animal has a whole new meaning.