Two men from Oregon, who had embarked on the eerie and often elusive quest of hunting Sasquatch, were tragically found deceased, Washington state officials confirmed on Saturday.
The pair, hailing from Portland, were reported missing on Christmas Day after failing to return from their expedition into eastern Skamania County, where they had hoped to encounter the legendary Bigfoot. The family noted they were last expected on Christmas Eve, the sheriff’s office reported.
A vehicle tied to the two men was discovered abandoned off a remote road near Willard, Washington, sparking an intensive search effort. For three grueling days, over 60 searchers combed through the treacherous Gifford Pinchot National Forest, a densely wooded expanse in southwestern Washington. Finally, the bodies of the men, aged 37 and 59, were located.
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office stated that the cause of death was likely due to exposure, citing frigid weather conditions and the men’s apparent lack of preparation. Snow, rain, and temperatures hovering in the 30s made the terrain unforgiving—a stark reminder of how perilous even a short-term search for the mythical creature can become.
Hunting Sasquatch may sound adventurous—or even absurd to skeptics—but the endeavor often involves navigating rugged wilderness under harsh weather. Search crews faced freezing temperatures, deep snow, and flooding streams while looking for the missing men, highlighting the severe challenges of such excursions.
The Bigfoot legend itself is steeped in mystery and debate. Descriptions of Sasquatch paint a picture of a large, hairy humanoid figure, roaming the shadowy corners of forests across the Pacific Northwest. With more than 700 reported sightings in Washington state alone, according to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, fascination with the creature continues unabated. The Skamania County area, in particular, has a long history of Sasquatch lore, often drawing enthusiasts into its rugged backcountry.
Interestingly, Skamania County has unique laws in place regarding Bigfoot. Harming Sasquatch—or even attempting to—can result in a $1,000 fine and possible jail time, the local chamber of commerce says. The law serves a dual purpose: safeguarding the legendary figure and preventing mistaken shootings of human hunters, particularly those sporting particularly bushy beards.
The tragic deaths of these men underscore the risks of such expeditions, even as the allure of hunting Sasquatch continues to pull adventurers into the wild. For some, the pursuit of the unknown carries a mystique too powerful to resist, even in the face of danger.
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