welshkate

Last night proved to be a wholly enlightening experience for me.  As with a lot of good stories, this one started at a local bar. I began chatting with a friend of a friend and the conversation turned to the outdoors, as it often does in Oregon. We were talking about Humbolt County, the redwoods and camping. Then I heard of one of the most novel ways to enjoy to outdoors I can think of- ‘squatching’. For those who don’t know, squatching is the phenomenon of sasquatch watching. Oh yes, there are apparently many squatchers lining the numerous forests of the Pacific Northwest, waiting to snap that rare photo, capture that video footage or even trap the illusive character. I decided to delve a bit deeper and started some internet research into squatching. Did you know, much like kayaking, you can go on squatching expeditions all over the country and even internationally? Like kayaking there is an inherent risk to squatching- one of Teddy Rooseavelt’s books recounts the story of two trappers who were stalked by a sasquatch-like animal in a remote region believed to be in present day Wyoming. I think that’s where the similarities end though.

According to the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, since 1960 there have been approx 3500 “credible” sightings of sasquatch/big foot and BFRO provided an estimated population size of 2000 to 6000 big foots (feet)- what’s the plural of big foot anyway? It is therefore unsurprising that since 1960, Lincoln County has had one sighting and Hood River 11. Readers should be especially vigilant in Lane County - a whopping 12 sightings reported. Personally, I think it’s possible they mistook Steve for a sighting when he had his gnarly beard. But who am I to call into question the eye sight or integrity of the reporting individuals?

I don’t know if sasquatch/ big foot exists, but I do have photographic evidence of a kayaking snufflupagus. It was last seen on the Truss about a year ago.

No snufflupagi were harmed in the making of this photo