Mar 9

You could hear each step it took

A listener writes “Wes, First, I just want to say Great Broadcasts, enjoy every one of them. I really like the straight forward, no-nonsense approach and the outlet for people that have had experiences. Just wanted to tell you of a little experience that happened to me several years ago. At the time wasn’t sure what it was, but after listening to your show, realized what it might be. Anyway, I have been an avid rockclimber since I was 14 years old and the mecca for climbers worldwide has been Yosemite Valley in Yosemite national park. I and my climbing partner traveled there to climb at least 2-3 times every year for a week or more.

When we first started climbing, there used to be an old road into the valley that had a nice flat area up near the rim just before descending into the valley itself. The area was only known by a few people and because of that, you could drive in there any time of the year and camp for free and there was always a spot to camp. There was a single lane road that wound its way down into the valley but was blocked off at the valley floor with large boulders and most people didn’t even know it existed. My partner and I one afternoon, hiked down the road for a couple miles climbing on some of the boulders that lined the road all the way down. The sun was getting very low in the sky when we decided to head back to camp with the shadows becoming very dark under the forest off the road.

We had hiked about a half-mile when we heard the sound of something coming toward us down the hillside making a huge noise. It sounded bipedal (as we realized later), as you could hear each step it took loudly. We were pretty much paralyzed with fear by the fact we didn’t know which way to run. It was so dark under the trees that we could not make out any shape of the creature so we just stood there waiting for it to appear.

Whatever it was stopped short, just out of view. My partner and I just looked at each other and realized whatever it was must be just out of sight and standing there looking at us. We couldn’t fathom it being anything other than a bear or perhaps a large dear. Sasquatch wasn’t even in our vocabulary at this time in our lives. Anyway, we started up the road wanting to run but decided that it might give chase if we did that. Whatever it was, follow us just out of sight in the shadows, but not making any effort to be quiet. It followed us for over a mile with us never seeing it and only stopped when we reached the clearing where there was other people.

All those camping were starting to light lanterns and cook their meals. We, ourselves, had left two of our party at camp, and they had started making dinner. As we reached the clearing we burst out running till we reached our friends. We were both pretty freaked out and told the other two what had happened. We grabbed flashlights and headed over to the edge of the forest which was about a hundred feet or so, where we/they could look for whatever it was and not seeing a thing.

Years later, when we had heard about sasquatch, we decided that it had to be something like that. Bears, which we had a lot of experience with in Yosemite, are not generally very noisy as they walk nor are any in the deer family. Whatever it was, made no effort at all to be stealthy. Thanks for taking the time to read this.”

3 Responses to “You could hear each step it took”

  1. Amy D

    So many scary things happen in Yosemite it makes me hesitate to fulfill my lifelong dream of camping and hiking there. David Paulides accounts he’s shared of missing people doesn’t help any. Anyone camp there regularly & have nothing unusual to report ????? I would love to be reassured it’s ok.. ?

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