by Oubliette

For the mid-season finale of Destination Truth, viewers are treated to a full hour episode that brings Josh and crew back to the Himalayas in search of the mysterious and fearsome Yeti (a/k/a Abominable Snowman).  In Season Two, Josh had made an amazing discovery–three footprints of an unknown animal that could well have been made by this huge apelike beast.  Just over a foot long, the prints showed a massive foot with huge splayed toes.  The discovery created excitement as reporters clamored to get photographs of the casts.  Many felt it was a major find and indicated that these beasts do exist in the shadow of Mt. Everest.

The Yeti needs no introduction, as its story has persisted since at least the late 1880s.  Its name depending on the dialect can mean man beast, cow beast, snow man and man eater.  The term Abominable Snowman was coined in 1921 by the reporter Henry Newman, who mistranslated the Tibetan word for “dirty” as “abominable”, which even he admitted he chose because of its descriptive power.

Whatever one chooses to call it, this beast has inspired stories, movies (some abominable in themselves) and even video games.  More seriously, there have been numerous expeditions into the Himalayan region in an attempt to find evidence for the Yeti’s existence.  Throughout the decades there have been many sightings and explorers have found both footprints and hair samples.  But to date none could be tied to an unknown animal, and the stories continue to pour out of Tibet and its environs, capturing the imagination of both crypto-zoologists and the general public alike.

The DT Team has journeyed to Malaysia, Australia and Nepal in search of Yeti like creatures.  This time they will travel to the Kingdom of Bhutan near the eastern end of the Himalayas.  So many have been the sightings and so sure is the government of Bhutan that the Yeti exists that a National Preserve has already been dedicated to this animal.  Combining only consistent eyewitness reports, we learn that the Yeti either possesses reddish brown or white hair and lives in the remote valleys around Bhutan near rivers, caves and woods.  Though accounts vary, all agree that the beast leaves behind footprints of up to 24 inches in length, has sharp teeth and a forehead similar to that of a gorilla.  In addition the beast has been sighted more often in warmer weather than in snow.  As mild weather had now settled over the valleys near Bhutan, it would be the perfect time to pack up and head for this beautiful country located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range.

They jetted into Bangkok and then on to Paro, where the gang experiences a very bumpy landing. There they meet their translator, Karma-a name that hopefully will bode well for the expedition.  Traveling to Thimpu City, where one actually needs a formal invitation to enter, it is indeed a strange introduction to this exotic part of the world.  Where else does a government maintain a Division to “ensure the people’s happiness“?  At the National Conservation Division in Sakteng, Josh talks to Sangay Wangchuk, a conservation specialist who informs him that most of the people of Sakteng believe in the Yeti, including himself.  He tells Josh that most sightings take place far to the east in an extremely remote area.  After viewing an impressive collection of footprints, it’s off to an archery range, where the children are amazed to see a “blond haired guy” attempting to hit a target, or at least try to.  Josh’s ability with a bow and arrow leaves much to be desired.  This was obviously not going to be a good way to defend himself or the team against any dangerous animal.

After this fiasco, Josh speaks to Kunzang Choden, who has written a book about the Yeti and reiterates how she has believed in the beast since childhood.  She details how it lives at very high altitudes, and makes its nest in the forests.  The DT team sets off on a grueling 17 hour journey, including a drive to Trashigang, after which it will be a 2 day hike to the Preserve in Sakteng.  This has to be one of the most arduous journeys we have yet seen the team make.

We are treated to beautiful vistas of mountains and mist shrouded valleys.  We learn that many species of animals exist here, including primates, elephants and tigers–could they possibly be mistaken for the Yeti?  They stop to speak to a monk, Zacco Tashy, who believes he has actually heard the Yeti’s call–a high pitched, drawn out hoot.  Suddenly 21st Century technology intrudes on the conversation, as a monk’s cell phone begins to ring.  Even up in this remote area, modern technology prevails.

Continuing on, it is a odd trip on the single lane road, as the team first encounters a dump truck full of children and later, in the dark, are surprised by a strange ritual (in the middle of the road) rarely seen by outsiders.  From a man dressed in a dragon costume throwing fire towards the vehicle to a boy intent on setting Gabe alight, it is both comical but at the same time imparts a sense of the mystical beliefs of these mountain people.

After spending the night at a lodge, the owner, Tshe Wangmo, shows Josh a family heirloom–vertebrae said to belong to a Yeti.   The bones certainly are huge, but do they really belong to an unknown animal?  After taking photos, Josh is told that only the impure or dirty will see the Yeti; this is good news for Josh, as he relates that he hasn’t taken a shower in days.  That should certainly do it!

As they continue, things seem to be getting worse as the road ahead has been washed away by raging waters.  Undaunted, they inflate a Zodiac boat and take to the white water, almost losing Bicha in the process-this poor guy seems to have the worst luck!   They reach a small village and are able to hire pack horses to carry their gear, and continue on foot until they finally reach the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, where the majority of Yeti sightings have been reported.

Base camp is set up in an open field in the usual manner, with IR cameras in a perimeter and baited trap cameras further out.  In the darkness, Josh, Mike and Evan head out on an initial sweep of the area with the IR camera.  Jael, Bicha and Gabe will explore closer to camp.    Josh is the first to pick up something–a large image on the FLIR that shows up across the river.  Unfortunately, the only way across at that point is a rickety old bridge 80 feet above the raging waters.  Unbelievably brave (or foolish) Josh decides that they should try and cross at this point.  Midway on the bridge, a board suddenly gives out under Josh’s foot, leaving a gaping hole between him and the river.  It is a harrowing moment, and although he is OK, it is apparent that he was very frightened; the fear is written across his features.

Meanwhile Jael, Bicha and Gabe continue their trek; Jael begins to hear growling and is fearful there is a dangerous cat in the area.  There are snapping noises as well, and Bicha finds a trail of sorts which indicates something large had been there.  It is here that a major discovery is made.  Caught on a tree are strands of hair, which Bicha bags for evidence.  In addition, they find odd claw marks on the bark of a tree, obviously made by some large animal.  Could they have been done by a Yeti?  Pictures are taken for later analysis.

Meanwhile Josh and Mike discover a cave that would seem to be a likely home for a Yeti, but after looking inside there is nothing to indicate that an animal has been there.  While making their way back to base camp, something is spotted moving along the ridge ahead of them and the two try to follow it.  The brush, however, becomes too thick for them to continue.  Unfortunately, they must re-cross the river, and this means walking across an even worse bridge then the previous one.  This bridge is so old that Josh remarks, it “was built when dragons roamed the earth”.  Thankfully they make it over without incident.

Josh reports how he and Mike saw and followed some large animal through the brush, and he learns that Jael and Bicha have found some evidence-hair samples and claw marks on a tree.  Josh is anxious to see where they made the discovery and tells Jael to take him, Mike and Evan back to where they had been exploring.

As they arrive, a large image is spotted on the FLIR.  It is difficult to make out the object’s shape.  It looked to me at first to be an upright animal, back slightly bent; but on second look it also could have been something on four legs.  Jael makes a good point at this juncture.  No one has any kind of weapon with which to defend themselves should this prove to be a dangerous, aggressive animal of some kind.  In fact, I can’t recall any episode of DT where any sort of protection was taken along in the event of an encounter with an angry creature-cryptid or otherwise.  Perhaps they should reconsider bringing something along on future investigations; most explorers do have some kind of defense, just in case.

A very audible roar is then heard.  It is loud enough for the viewing audience to hear, and was also picked up by the audio equipment.  However, a further search revealed nothing; whatever had been seen and heard had disappeared somewhere near the river.  Going back to base camp, Josh calls it a night.  After all, it had been a very productive investigation so far–audio/visual evidence, photos of claw marks of an unknown animal and a decent hair sample.  Most of all, everyone was exhausted.  I don’t think Josh was kidding when he remarked about doing a future investigation in Hawaii.  This rough and unforgiving terrain truly tests human endurance.